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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The State House Gavel: Gov's public health pick fails to advance, GOP pushback pauses tax plan
April 04, 2025A calendar reminder: There are five more official weeks of session, accounting for 15 days, plus one more day for the Senate's Monday, April 21 hearing over the state treasurer. But the calendar is actually more narrow than that, given House furlough plans and Senate plans... -
The State House Gavel: Treasurer's future, House OKs anti-DEI bill and Senate passes energy
April 03, 2025It's the final legislative day of Week 12, which means the General Assembly has exactly one more month to go (which translates roughly to 15 or so official days, minus days off) until the final day of the session, sine die, on May 8. -
The State House Gavel: SC goes to SCOTUS, tax plan clears 1st hurdle, Senate starts energy
April 02, 2025First, the S.C. House now has one vacancy after new Rep. Courtney Waters, D-Charleston, was sworn in on Tuesday. Also, unofficial results in the House District 50 special election Democratic primary to fill Democratic Rep. Will Wheeler's unexpired term showed Keishan Scott... -
The State House Gavel: Income tax rate plan scored, Senate moves to energy in Week 12
April 01, 2025The 2025 regular session ends Thursday, May 8, and lawmakers have been pretty consistent that they don't intend to return to Columbia after that date except to finish the budget and the governor's vetoes. -
The State House Gavel: SC Senate GOP leader talks tort reform's future after bill passes
March 28, 2025First, we hope all of our Upstate readers are safe from the Table Rock wildfire that has spread to more than 4,000 acres, prompting surrounding evacuations. Gov. Henry McMaster with state and emergency leaders are scheduled to share an update on the Table Rock wildfires at... -
The State House Gavel: Senate OKs tort reform, House punts anti-DEI bill debate to next week
March 27, 2025Senators worked late Wednesday and gave key approval to tort reform legislation during Week 4 of the upper chamber's debate on S. 244.