MORNING HEADLINES | Charleston lawyer Mullins McLeod is the first Democrat to launch a campaign for governor for 2026. Several Republicans are in the hunt for the nomination.
McLeod, a former chairman of the Charleston County Democratic Party, may be best known as being among the lawyers who helped negotiate an $88 million settlement for victims of the 2015 shooting at Emanuel A.M.E. Church. He also ran for governor in 2010, but dropped out a few months before the primary.
In a three-minute video announcement, McLeod, 53, said he was running to “cure a cancer” of corruption that he contends has infiltrated the South Carolina state government over the last 25 years.
“For 25 years, they have had the keys to this car,” he said in the announcement. “They have promised us every election cycle that they will take this tax burden off our backs, but yet they fail to do so.”
The bid comes three months after his arrest in May for disorderly conduct in an incident described as “a mental health episode and exhaustion.”
Meanwhile, S.C. Rep. Jermaine Johnson, D-Columbia, said he is still in the exploratory stage of a run for governor.
“I believe South Carolina deserves leaders who are steady, consistent, and committed to the work, not just in an election year, but every single day,” Johnson said in a statement.
In other headlines
Flash flooding closed nearly 30 downtown Charleston streets. Heavy rain Monday morning left parts of downtown Charleston flooded, shutting down dozens of streets. The Charleston Police Department reported 29 streets closed due to the flooding.
- Downtown Charleston streets reopen after floodwater recedes
- Heavy rainfall spurs emergency flash flood warnings for downtown Charleston
Lightning strike in Mount Pleasant captured on dash cam. A lightning strike that was captured on an officer’s dashcam Monday struck a utility pole, causing an explosion and shut down power for several hours in the area.
Forecasters track Tropical Storm Erin in the Atlantic. The National Hurricane Center is monitoring a newly-formed tropical storm expected to become the first hurricane of this year’s Atlantic hurricane season by week’s end.
How Charleston Co. is using local tax dollars to improve. Back in May, Charleston County Schools passed a $1.7 billion budget for Fiscal Year 2026. So far this year, they’ve used those taxes to hone in on compensation, adding new positions and increased student funding supporting pupils in poverty, students with disabilities and multilingual learners.
- Charleston Co. schools open with $50M in renovations
- Charleston Co. making student safety its top priority for the year
Yearwood, Rosenthal, among others to headline upcoming Charleston food festival. The Food & Wine Classic will welcome Grammy Award-winning country musician Trisha Yearwood, Phil Rosenthal from “Somebody Feed Phil,” Valerie Bertinelli from “The Drew Barrymore Show” and Emmy Award-winning television host Ross Matthews to the Lowcountry for the Nov. 14-16 event, organizers said Aug. 12.
Dockside townhome owners appear in court to challenge evacuation order. Some of the Dockside Condominiums townhome owners appeared in court Monday as they fought the City of Charleston to move back into their homes.
Driver fined years after hitting Charleston councilman’s daughter. The man accused of felony DUI pleaded guilty to a greatly reduced charge several years after he struck a Charleston County councilman’s daughter who launched more than 80 feet away from impact.
S.C. Highway 61 to get $1.5M in funding for safety improvements. The Charleston Area of Transportation approved $1.5 million in funding for improving South Carolina Highway 61 in Dorchester County from Summers Drive to Bacons Bridge Road in Summerville.
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