Midterm Politics: President Trump kicked off a first-ever GOP midterm convention in Dallas, centering himself with a bold $5,000 “Trump dividend” offer to every adult if Republicans keep control of Congress—though details and legality remain unclear, and many seats were still empty. Local Government & Downtown Life: Columbia unveiled a Main Street lighting upgrade, adding lanterns in historic oak trees to brighten the corridor from Gervais to Laurel and boost safety and foot traffic. Workforce & Education: Duke Energy Foundation awarded $180,000 to nine South Carolina technical colleges for construction-focused training and industry certifications, aiming to feed the skilled-trades pipeline. Energy & Growth Pressure: Jasper County is weighing a one-year moratorium on new data center and similar facilities to study environmental and infrastructure impacts before more projects move forward. Public Safety & Tech Scrutiny: Spartanburg County held another hearing on data centers, with officials pressing for “credible evidence” that projects pose risks. Higher Ed: USC marked its 225th anniversary with record enrollment growth and a tuition-freeze message at its State of the University address. Agriculture & Hunger Relief: A South Carolina farmer is partnering with Harvest Hope Food Bank to help fight hunger across 20 counties. Health & Policy: Democratic Senate nominee Dr. Annie Andrews campaigned in Rock Hill on affordability, including childcare scholarship gaps after federal COVID funding ended. Education Outcomes: New data show South Carolina’s six-year bachelor’s completion rate for Black students who entered in 2018 was 46.8% by 2024.