Local crime, high school sports, county politics, events tonight, and business closings — the daily Pee Dee report from HEREFlorence.
Sports
The South Carolina Gamecocks host the Mississippi State Bulldogs in their Southeastern Conference opener Saturday, September 19, 2026, with kickoff set for 4:15 p.m. ET at Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia. The game airs on SEC Network. South Carolina enters the matchup at 2-0 following a 57-0 season-opening win over Kent State…
South Carolina men's basketball unveiled its non-conference schedule for the 2026-27 season this week, highlighted by an opening night matchup against Stetson and an exhibition game set for Rock Hill. The announcement gives fans across the state their first full look at how the winter schedule will unfold before conference…
Sports
South Carolina opens Southeastern Conference play this weekend against Mississippi State at Williams-Brice Stadium, with both teams entering the matchup unbeaten through their first two games. A win would give the Gamecocks their first 3-0 start to a season since 2012, a milestone that has eluded the program for well…
Education
Recent national reports highlight a growing focus on classroom cooling and ventilation systems in schools, as heat waves increasingly disrupt educational operations across the country. The discussions underscore the challenges posed by elevated temperatures to learning environments, student comfort, and staff productivity, prompting a renewed examination of building readiness during…
Education
Recent heat waves across the nation have brought renewed attention to the critical need for adequate classroom cooling and ventilation in schools. The disruptions caused by high temperatures have prompted a broader conversation about the readiness of educational facilities to provide a safe and comfortable learning environment, a discussion that…
Education
Federal student loan changes took effect in early July, prompting borrowers nationwide, including those in Florence and the Pee Dee region, to re-evaluate their financial obligations and repayment strategies. The adjustments are part of broader efforts to refine higher education affordability and loan management. While specific details of the new policies…
Events
Myrtle Beach city leaders are taking a second look at a proposed music festival after initially denying its special-events permit application, giving organizers a fresh chance to bring the event to the city's Grand Strand. The renewed review comes after the original proposal failed to clear the city's permitting process. Organizers…
Events
Advance ticket sales have opened for the 2026 South Carolina State Fair, giving shoppers a chance to save significantly on admission and rides before the annual event returns to Columbia this fall. The fair is scheduled to run October 15 through October 25, with advance-priced tickets available only through October…
Events
SC public health officials will hold free car seat check events across the state Sept. 20-26 for Child Passenger Safety Week.
Business
Opinion and scenario analysis. Two branches, both steelmanned. No prediction is being made in either direction. What everyone agrees on Three numbers are independently reported by multiple credit-research and market-data sources and can be treated as established for the purpose of this discussion. One. Hyperscaler capital spending in 2026 is on track for…
Business
U.S. stock markets closed sharply higher on Monday, August 3, 2026, as investors reacted to signs of potential de-escalation in tensions between the United States and Iran, which also led to a significant drop in crude oil prices. The broad market rally saw all three major indexes post substantial gains,…
Business
Global financial markets reacted sharply on Monday, July 20, as Brent crude oil prices surged above $90 a barrel for the first time since early June. The increase was primarily attributed to escalating tensions between the United States and Iran, which have disrupted shipping in the critical Strait of Hormuz. A…
Politics
Gov. Henry McMaster presented South Carolina's highest civilian honor to former Marlboro County state Rep. Patricia Moore Henegan.
Politics
Qualifying UTVs will become street-legal on many SC roads Nov. 18 under a new state law, but DMV says keep them on private property until then.
Politics
The U.S. House sent a Russia and Iran sanctions bill named for the late SC Sen. Lindsey Graham to President Trump's desk on a 262-159 vote.
Health
South Carolina health officials confirmed three separate rabid animals across three counties this week, prompting exposure warnings for several residents and household pets. The confirmations came in quick succession after lab testing on samples submitted earlier in the month. In Anderson County, a skunk found near Daniel Drive and Williford Road…
Health
SC health officials reported three cases of Vibrio vulnificus this year, including one related death, as warmer coastal waters raise infection risk.
Health
State officials confirmed rabies in a skunk in Anderson, a stray cat in Horry and a bat in York, with six people and seven pets exposed.
Home and Garden
As summer concludes, Florence residents are encouraged to begin preparing their landscapes for the cooler fall and winter months. Proper care during this transition period, which is particularly relevant as September begins, can significantly improve plant survival through winter, support local pollinators, and enhance the overall health and appearance of…
Home and Garden
As September arrives, Florence gardeners can take advantage of cooling temperatures to refresh their landscapes and prepare for the upcoming seasons. This month is ideal for a variety of gardening tasks, from planting cool-season vegetables to dividing perennials and planning for spring blooms.One key activity for Florence residents in early…
Home and Garden
A comprehensive guide detailing 30 essential home and garden maintenance tasks has been released, offering Florence residents a structured approach to property upkeep during the warmer months. The recommendations span critical safety checks, system maintenance, and exterior care, aiming to help homeowners maintain their properties and mitigate potential hazards. Among the…
Technology
New data released on August 27, 2026, by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) provides a framework for understanding how different occupations are exposed to artificial intelligence (AI). This information, part of the BLS Employment Projections (EP) program, aims to assist with career planning decisions, though it does not…
Technology
A coalition of 100 companies, including major technology firms like Google, Microsoft, Anthropic, and OpenAI, signed an open letter on August 27, 2026, advocating for enhanced global cyber defenses. The letter emphasizes the urgent need for countries and organizations to bolster their security measures before artificial intelligence advances to a…
Technology
Opponents of the rapid expansion of data centers across the United States organized or participated in coordinated protests in at least 125 locations nationwide over the weekend of July 18. The actions represent the first significant national effort specifically targeting the infrastructure demands of artificial intelligence, bringing to the forefront…
Hunting
South Carolina's early teal season runs September 19-27, 2026 with a daily bag of 6 blue-winged and green-winged teal combined, sunrise to sunset statewide.
Hunting
With deer season on the horizon, hunters in Florence and the broader Pee Dee region are engaging in critical preseason preparations, guided by a comprehensive checklist designed to enhance safety, improve success rates, and ensure equipment readiness. The meticulous process involves inspecting gear, scouting locations, and fine-tuning strategies well in…
Hunting
As the 2026 hunting season approaches, prospective hunters across the Pee Dee region, including Florence County, are encouraged to begin their preparations. A recently released guide for beginners emphasizes the importance of early engagement with hunter education, securing necessary licenses, and outfitting oneself with appropriate gear and safety knowledge. For those…
Fishing
September marks the swing month for South Carolina anglers, when the water begins to cool from its late-summer peak, bait clouds concentrate in the creeks and lakes, and predator species from redfish on the coast to striped bass in the Piedmont start their fall feed. SCDNR's saltwater and freshwater fishing…
Fishing
South Carolina's recreational shrimp baiting season opened at noon Friday, Sept. 11, giving licensed shrimpers along the entire coast — from Beaufort County waters up to the Grand Strand — a 60-day window to work the tidal creeks and estuaries where fall white shrimp are staging before their run to…
Fishing
A new set of recommendations has been issued to help anglers in Florence and the broader Pee Dee region navigate the challenges of summer fishing safely. The guidance covers critical aspects from personal well-being to environmental stewardship, emphasizing precautions necessary when fishing in warm conditions prevalent across Florence County. Hydration Maintaining adequate…
Golf
Viktor Hovland and Ryan Gerard concluded Round 2 of the 2026 Tour Championship on Friday, August 28, sharing the lead at 10-under par. The PGA Tour's season finale at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta saw a tightly contested leaderboard, with several top players positioned closely behind the co-leaders.Gerard, 27,…
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