Charleston, South Carolina

Aiken City Council unanimously approved a resolution asking the South Carolina Supreme Court to authorize a homeless court for the city. The next step is a Dec. 3 presentation to the state's Access to Justice Commission, which will recommend whether the chief justice should sign an order creating the court. Similar courts already operate in Charleston, Columbia, Greenville, Rock Hill, Myrtle Beach and Gaffney, handling non-violent misdemeanor cases for unsheltered residents through service-based alternative sentencing rather than traditional prosecution.

City officials, including the city manager, solicitor and public safety director, back the plan, which is projected to cost $50,000 to $60,000 annually; $30,000 has already been budgeted. If approved, the court would launch in 2027 amid a growing local unsheltered population.

Charleston County voters decide Nov. 3 whether to renew a half-percent transportation sales tax funding road projects, transit, water quality efforts and the county's greenbelt land-protection program. The greenbelt initiative, the first locally funded program of its kind in South Carolina, has protected more than 29,000 acres over 22 years and leveraged matching state, federal and private funds, including over $2.5 million from the state Conservation Bank for projects near Meggett.

Supporters, including Meggett's mayor and a town councilman, argue the tax curbs sprawl and congestion while protecting farmland, wildlife habitat and waterways, framing it as cheaper than raising property taxes or leaving growth unmanaged.

A Senate financial disclosure shows South Carolina Democratic Senate candidate Annie Andrews earned more from gun-control advocacy work than from practicing medicine. The pediatrician was paid by Everytown for Gun Safety's action and support funds, where she served as a senior adviser, alongside income from Children's National Medical Center and paid speeches to pediatric organizations. Andrews resigned her hospital post in 2023 to pursue political advocacy and later launched a PAC before entering the race to challenge for the Senate seat long held by Lindsey Graham. Her campaign platform includes universal background checks and restrictions on certain firearms, and she has drawn support tied to Michael Bloomberg's gun-control network.

On Nov. 3, Charleston County voters decide whether to extend, for a six-year term, the existing 1-cent sales tax funding school capital projects, a measure they have approved twice before since 2010. Dorchester County voters will consider adopting the tax for the first time, after a May law change made counties with exactly two school districts eligible. Dorchester Two and Dorchester Four would split revenue 85/15 over up to 15 years. Charleston's extension could generate about $1.25 billion; Dorchester's new tax could raise $688.2 million. Funds must go toward construction, renovations, and debt reduction, not salaries or operations, covering new schools, building replacements, and maintenance across both counties.

The U.S. Coast Guard is making steady progress on a new 64-acre base in North Charleston, South Carolina, set to become its largest home port once complete. The project, which broke ground in early 2024, includes five major capital projects: rebuilding Piers November and Mike, and constructing an administrative building, a medical and dental clinic, an engineering complex, and housing. Pier November's reconstruction finished in October, while Pier Mike is expected by 2030 under a $116 million contract. Once finished, the piers could host 10 major cutters, up from the current five vessels. Local officials say the investment, following the 1996 closure of the Charleston Naval Base, could bring significant economic benefits to the region.

Voters in the Mount Pleasant area will decide three South Carolina House races on Election Day, Nov. 3, pitting Republican incumbents against Democratic challengers. In District 80, Rep. Kathy Landing faces firefighter Benjamin Brown, with debate centered on the Highway 41 corridor and flood resilience. In District 110, Rep. Tom Hartnett, co-chair of the Charleston County Flood Task Force, faces marketing executive K.J. Atwood over affordability, traffic, and flooding. In District 112, Rep. Joe Bustos faces nurse and doula Jenna Arsenault, with issues including income taxes, septic systems, and healthcare access. All three districts cover parts of Mount Pleasant, Sullivan's Island, Isle of Palms, and James Island.

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker spent a day campaigning across South Carolina, headlining the state NAACP's annual convention and stumping for Democratic candidates including Senate nominee Annie Andrews and gubernatorial nominee Jermaine Johnson. Pritzker urged Democrats to be more combative toward President Trump and Republicans, saying the party has been "too dainty" and "too nice," and calling for a "team fight" posture ahead of the midterms.

Pritzker, who faces reelection in Illinois next month, declined to say whether he's running for president in 2028, framing the trip as support for down-ballot Democrats. Still, his appearance before Black voters in the first-in-the-nation primary state fueled speculation about his national ambitions. He also voiced concern that federal immigration enforcement could be used to intimidate voters in competitive states like South Carolina, and touted his financial support for Southern Democratic candidates, including a $1 million donation to Texas gubernatorial nominee Gina Hinojosa.