This week we’ll be talking with Charleston author James M. Scott, author of Empire of Ashes: Truman, Hirohito, and the Descent into Total War (2026, W.W. Norton & Company). With startling immediacy, Empire of Ashes illuminates the moral dilemma at the center of America’s decision to inflict total war upon Japan.

This week we will be talking with Carl P. Borick, author of Backcountry Resistance: South Carolina's Militia and the Fight for American Independence (2026, USC Press).As the title indicates, Carl’s book focuses on rank-and-file militiamen of the backcountry and explores how these ordinary men were recruited, armed, fed, and motivated.Drawing on underused pension records and state claims, he reconstructs their everyday realities and their battlefield experiences. He also examines the war's devastating effects on civilians, including enslaved people and women, who played crucial roles in the struggle.

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for August 4, 2026: we recap for you all the major moments from the celebrations of Sen. Lindsey Graham’s life in Washington and in Columbia over the past few days; we also look at the race to replace Graham on the November ballot, with nine certified candidates all vying for the nomination on August 11, and more likely the August 25 runoff; we have highlights from those candidates, who held their first stump on Saturday; and more!

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for July 25, 2026: we continue our look at the life and legacy of the late Sen. Lindsey Graham; we also look at the next steps for this senate seat, including the upcoming special primary election on August 11 where several people have already filed to run, with others expected; and more!

This week, Bobbi Conner talks with MUSC Dr. William Hawkins about recent advances in pancreatic cancer treatment.

This week, Bobbi Conner talks with MUSC's Dr. Stephanie Stansell about strategies to help quit smoking.

In 2025, South Carolina implemented a statewide ban on cellphone use in classrooms. Nationwide, early results are mixed. Some schools report fewer disruptions, more engagement, and small gains in academic performance, and teachers describe calmer classrooms and more attention.

Each summer, when school lets out, children fall behind in reading. Research shows that students lose one to two months of reading proficiency over the summer. For struggling readers or children with learning disabilities, the losses can be even greater.

This week, we’re firing up the Who What When time machine and heading back to the 1930s.

This week is all about a very special relationship: the United States and the United Kingdom.