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On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for April 8, 2025: we catch you up on the budget action in Washington as Republicans get closer to implementing major Trump Administration priorities; in Columbia, we take you through the confirmation hearing of Dept. of Public Health nominee Dr. Ed Simmer; we also hear from DAODAS Director Sara Goldsby about what’s fueling a decline in drug overdose deaths; and more!

From liquor liability to private school tuition vouchers, South Carolina lawmakers have several large items staring them down before they go home for the year next month. A breakdown of some top issues left. Gov. Henry McMaster defended his pick to lead the new environmental services, who, like his public health nominee, has faced criticism.

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for April 5, 2025: we close out the Table Rock Complex fires with a final update; we take a look at the utility bill that moved through the Senate late Wednesday as well as the anti-DEI bill that went through the House; the major tax reform and reduction bill hits the skids as the financial impact is revealed; and more!

A 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 to be off the floor to account for Senate Finance Committee budget work.

An average hurricane season consists of 14 named storms, of which 7 become hurricanes, and 3 of these hurricanes could be major. Colorado State University released its long-awaited season forecast, calling for 17 named storms, nine hurricanes, and four major hurricanes.

It'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.