Russ McKinney
Russ McKinney
Reporter, Producer
Russ McKinney has 30 years of experience in radio news and public affairs. He is a former broadcast news reporter in Spartanburg, Columbia and Atlanta. He served as Press Secretary to former S.C. Governor Dick Riley for two terms, and for 20 years was the chief public affairs officer for the University of South Carolina.
Stories
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Duke Energy wants to build new natural gas plant in Anderson County
June 09, 2025Duke Energy has announced a proposal to build a new natural gas plant in the Upstate. The Charlotte-based company said Monday it plans to seek approval from the Public Service Commission to build a 1,400-megawatt plant in Anderson County that Gov. Henry McMaster said will... -
The State House Gavel: $14B budget with in-district pay raise goes to gov, House looks at roads
May 29, 2025We said we'd be back briefly, and we meant it. The Legislature returned Wednesday for one day only to pass a $14.5 billion state general fund spending plan that goes into effect on July 1. It wasn't the only issue lawmakers dealt with in their return. But it was the primary... -
The State House Gavel: Lawmakers back to OK $14B budget that spends on bridges, pay raises
May 28, 2025Lawmakers have returned to Columbia for one day only to pass the $14.5 billion state general fund budget. It then will be sent to Gov. Henry McMaster, who has line-item veto power. And while he may use it this year, Statehouse leaders are unlikely to call their colleagues... -
The State House Gavel: GOP, Dem leaders sound off post-sine die
May 09, 2025Happy Friday. The 2025 regular South Carolina legislative session has ended. But it's not technically over just yet. First, we want to say thank you to all of our State House Gavel readers over the past five months who have followed our reporting since its inception. We are... -
The State House Gavel: Energy, liquor liability, hands-free driving bills head to gov's desk
May 08, 2025A very happy Thursday. It's the final day of the South Carolina legislative session. The House returns at 10 a.m. and the Senate is in at 10:01 a.m. Sine die strikes at 5 p.m. -
The State House Gavel: GOP leaders strike liquor liability compromise, Senate takes on energy
May 07, 2025Welcome to Wednesday. There are roughly 36 hours until sine die, but who's counting? The regular session gavels out at 5 p.m. Thursday.