Local crime, high school sports, county politics, events tonight, and business closings — the daily Pee Dee report from HEREFlorence.
Sports
Tennis enthusiasts across Florence and the wider Pee Dee region can now access detailed viewing information for the Wimbledon championships, with the daily order of play and results for July 3 readily available. This comprehensive guide includes match schedules, updated results from previous play, weather forecasts for London, and specific…
Sports
London, England — The opening days of Wimbledon have delivered early drama, with tennis legend Serena Williams concluding her return to the grass courts with a first-round defeat on Thursday, July 2. Williams fell to Maya Joint, marking an early exit for the seven-time Wimbledon singles champion. Despite Williams' departure, other…
Sports
Major League Baseball announced the initial results of its All-Star Game fan voting, with two players emerging as top vote-getters in their respective leagues, automatically earning starting positions. Shohei Ohtani, a prominent figure in the American League, and Ernie Clement, representing the National League, garnered the most overall votes, securing…
Education
The federal landscape for student loans shifted significantly on July 2, introducing new regulations that financial aid administrators across the nation, including those in Florence and the wider Pee Dee region, are now working to implement. These adjustments, which include changes to graduate and professional borrowing limits, as well as…
Education
Financial aid offices across the nation, including those serving students in Florence and the wider Pee Dee region, are navigating a complex landscape of new federal student loan regulations that officially began July 1. The changes, which were introduced with little lead time, affect various aspects of student borrowing, from…
Education
Students pursuing graduate and professional degrees in the Florence area face a critical planning deadline as federal student loan program changes are set to take effect around July 1. These adjustments include new borrowing limits and modifications to repayment plans, necessitating careful review by both borrowers and the financial aid…
Business
New federal student loan and repayment rule changes took effect on July 2, impacting borrowers across the country and prompting financial aid offices to update their guidance. The adjustments are expected to influence how both current students and graduates manage their educational debt, particularly those enrolled in or considering graduate…
Business
Magda Chambriard, CEO of Brazilian state-controlled oil company Petrobras, recently indicated that global crude oil prices appear to be stabilizing within a range of $72 to $75 per barrel. This assessment comes as market analysts continue to monitor various geopolitical factors, including ongoing discussions between the United States and Iran,…
Business
The national financial markets began the second half of 2026 with a subdued tone, as a global stock gauge edged lower on Friday, July 3. Investors focused on commentary from the Federal Reserve and a notable decline in oil prices, shaping expectations for economic performance in the coming months. Market analysts…
Politics
President Donald Trump stated recently that his acting spy chief possesses broad authority to declassify records, including material pertinent to inquiries surrounding the 2020 election. This assertion comes as a White House task force is actively seeking new evidence related to claims of election fraud. The development underscores ongoing national discussions…
Politics
The U.S. Supreme Court has rejected a legal challenge that sought to prevent states from counting mailed ballots received after Election Day, provided they were postmarked by the deadline. This decision effectively upholds existing grace-period rules for mail-in voting in more than half of the states and the District of…
Politics
The U.S. Supreme Court has issued a significant ruling that expands the president's authority to remove officials from certain independent federal agencies, while simultaneously preserving the Federal Reserve's unique insulation from such executive power. The decision, handed down on Tuesday, involved the firing of a Federal Trade Commission (FTC) member by…
Health
Ugandan health authorities have confirmed an isolated case of Marburg virus disease, a highly infectious illness, identified during the nation's ongoing surveillance for Ebola. The confirmation comes as global public health systems remain alert to emerging and re-emerging viral threats. The Marburg virus, known for its severe and often fatal hemorrhagic…
Health
The New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) has retracted a significant clinical trial paper that provided key evidence for Amgen's drug Tavneos. The retraction follows concerns raised about the integrity of the patient outcome data, with allegations that the data may have been altered and that some researchers involved in…
Health
A recent scientific inquiry into the effects of omega-3 fatty acids has introduced a new layer of complexity for individuals in Florence and the surrounding Pee Dee region who rely on fish oil supplements for perceived brain health benefits. The study, which tracked participants over two years, found that while…
Home and Garden
Florence residents are adopting practical measures to safeguard their outdoor plants as the region anticipates sustained high temperatures this summer. Strategies for mitigating heat stress on gardens, containers, and patios include deep watering, strategic shading, and careful placement of potted plants. Experts in home and garden care, including those cited by…
Home and Garden
A significant heat dome event, identified by national forecasters, is poised to affect the Florence area this July, prompting renewed focus on protecting outdoor plants and garden beds. Homeowners and gardening enthusiasts across Florence County are preparing for conditions that can stress even resilient landscaping, making proactive care essential for…
Home and Garden
As the summer season intensifies, residents of Florence and the surrounding Pee Dee region are being urged to conduct essential home maintenance to ensure their air conditioning systems are prepared for potentially dangerous heat waves. The focus is on proactive checks that can prevent system failures and mitigate risks associated…
Technology
A new artificial intelligence model from China, Z.ai GLM-5.2, is reportedly closing the performance gap with leading U.S. systems developed by companies such as Anthropic and OpenAI. This development introduces a new dynamic to the global AI market, emphasizing cost-effectiveness alongside advanced capabilities. The model, developed by Zhipu/Z.ai, has garnered significant…
Technology
A new artificial intelligence model, GLM-5.2 from Chinese developer Z.ai, is demonstrating capabilities that are increasingly competitive with those offered by U.S.-based AI leaders like Anthropic and OpenAI. The model's emergence signals a shift in the global AI landscape, particularly due to its reported cost-effectiveness, which could broaden access to…
Technology
Comcast has announced an expansion of access to its streaming service, Peacock, through YouTube Primetime Channels. This development allows subscribers to access Peacock's content directly within the YouTube interface, a move designed to broaden the service's reach and simplify user experience. Under the new arrangement, YouTube users will be able to…
Hyper-local coverage across Florence
Reach thousands of engaged Pee Dee readers every day — section sponsorships starting at $149/month
