North Charleston, South Carolina

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.

Liberty Hill, North Charleston's oldest surviving community and a historic Black neighborhood founded in 1871, will appear before the S.C. State Board of Review on Nov. 20 as it seeks designation as a national historic district, with final approval resting on the National Park Service. The community, built by four men on 112 acres along East Montague Avenue, declined after the nearby Navy Base closed in 1996 and now faces development pressure from surrounding growth.

Alongside the federal nomination, the city has announced streetscape upgrades—improved medians, lighting, crosswalks and historic signage—funded partly through a $2.5 million council district allocation, plus plans for a future Neighborhood Conservation District to limit development size and preserve the area's character.

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.

Georgia Sen. Raphael Warnock drew on his history as senior pastor of Atlanta's Ebenezer Baptist Church during an Oct. 13 stop in Columbia, South Carolina, telling Democrats and clergy they could not afford to lose the "fight between hope and despair." He criticized Republican cuts to food stamps and Medicaid eligibility, invoked civil rights history, and urged support for Senate candidate Annie Andrews.

Warnock plans to return to South Carolina this weekend to campaign with Andrews and gubernatorial nominee Jermaine Johnson ahead of the Nov. 3 midterms and early voting. His visits to South Carolina, along with earlier stops in New Hampshire and Nevada — the early presidential primary states — have renewed speculation about a 2028 presidential bid. Warnock downplayed the talk, saying he is focused on 2026 and retaking a Senate majority. Other Democrats eyeing national profiles, including Rahm Emanuel, Andy Beshear, Mark Kelly, Ro Khanna, Gavin Newsom and Pete Buttigieg, have also recently visited the early-voting state.

North Charleston City Council has had full attendance at only three of 26 council and committee meetings so far this year. Councilman Michael Brown Jr., who represents District 7, has missed the most, sitting out 10 meetings and attending roughly 60 percent of sessions. He missed votes on rezoning requests, affordable housing incentives, and budget amendments. Last year he missed 14 of 36 meetings. Council members Brandon Hudson and Michael Brown have perfect attendance this year, while the remaining members and Mayor Reggie Burgess have each missed between two and six meetings.

City officials confirmed there is no formal attendance policy for council members, and the city lacks authority to remove an elected official for missing meetings. Council members are expected to notify the clerk in advance of an absence, but reasons for absences are not recorded. Unlike North Charleston, Folly Beach has an ordinance allowing removal requests after three consecutive unexcused absences. The council has still met quorum at every meeting this year. Brown did not respond to requests for comment.