10/23 NEWSBREAK: S.C. to get national tech hub

The Biden Administration today announced South Carolina will get a new regional “tech hub” shared in an effort to become “a global leader in advanced energy by developing, testing, and deploying exportable electricity technologies.”

The new hub, one of 31 announced across the nation today, will be led by the S.C. Department of Commerce in Columbia, Greenville, Anderson, Spartanburg and surrounding counties, according to today’s announcement. The Augusta, Ga., area also will participate in the hub.

According to the announcement, the SC Nexus for Advanced Resilient Energy (SC Nexus) “will leverage the region’s dynamic and growing manufacturing base, superior research capabilities and demonstrated record of public-private collaboration to innovate and commercialize emerging energy storage materials and manufacturing techniques, including a demonstrative microgrid implementation that integrates renewable energy and storage into the state’s electricity systems.

“In doing so, SC Nexus seeks to strengthen domestic manufacturing and national energy security while developing exportable, high-demand products and tools critical to the advanced energy supply chain.”

Also in the City Paper:

CP OPINION: BRACK: Fragility of democracy being tested now. “There’s been a growing, gnawing sense among many Americans that the nation’s fragile democracy is flailing amidst an authoritarian threat from within. You see it in a president imploring people to do the right thing to aid Ukraine and Israel. It’s in the courts as landmark cases are shredded by a 6-3 conservative majority that claims to interpret based on the original intent of the U.S. Constitution but is more activist than many a liberal court.”

CP NEWS: Early voting starts today, runs through Nov. 3. No-excuse early voting in more than 200 local elections and some special elections starts Monday. Across South Carolina, voters will pick mayors in larger cities, such as Charleston, North Charleston and Greenville. And dozens of seats on everything from city councils to public works commissions will be filled. Related:

CP ARTS: Art historian to talk visual culture, social justice Nov. 1. Dr. Sarah Elizabeth Lewis is the first art historian in the Gibbes Museum’s Distinguished Lecture Series — and she’s a groundbreaking one at that. Her research focuses on the intersection of visual representation, racial justice and democracy.

CP ARTS: PURE Theatre’s new play follows Atwater in purgatory. Writer and Charleston native Fred Thompson tells the fictional tale of real-life Republican heavyweight political consultant Harvey LeRoy “Lee” Atwater as he waits in purgatory for his soul’s assignment to heaven or hell. The new comedy is simply called Atwater.

In other news:

Charleston school board members want investigation update. Four members of the Charleston County School Board not in the governing majority say they want an update on a probe into the district’s superintendent.

Forecasters predict a warner S.C. winter than usual. This winter will be slightly wetter and warmer than usual, according to an updated forecast.

Groups try to break S.C.’s cycle of domestic violence. It’s Domestic Violence Awareness Month and groups across the state are trying to break a vicious cycle for victims across the state.

North Charleston plans big nature park. A former plantation house will be a focal point in a planned 440 acre nature preserve.