It’s the largest US opening win in a decade — and SC’s first appearance since 2015. Cheer on the hometown squad today at 3 p.m. on ESPN as they take on the winner of the Northwest vs. Mountain regional matchup.
Events
Events
Monday, Aug. 18
Sew Divine: A Gathering of Crafters | 6-7:30 p.m. | Richland Library Blythewood + Cooper | Free | BYOC (bring your own crafts) to this meet-up and connect with fellow hobbyists while you create.
Tuesday, Aug. 19
Trivia Night with Dr. Factenstein | 6-9 p.m. | BOHO Pizza and Brew, Lexington | Free | Test your trivia chops with Dr. Factenstein while enjoying pizza, prizes, and free kids’ meals with adult entrees.
Wednesday, Aug. 20
SoulHAUS Sessions | 5-8 p.m. | Koger Center for the Arts | $13 | An evening of creative expression featuring a conversation with Nikky Finney, art by Dre Lopez, and vinyl spinning with Preach Jacobs.
Thursday, Aug. 21
August Old Time Jam | 6-9 p.m. | The War Mouth | Free | Hear old-time acoustic jams, dance, or just listen while enjoying food and drinks at this casual community get-together.
Friday, Aug. 22
Freedom Festival International Film Festival | Friday, Aug. 22-Sunday, Aug. 24 | 11 a.m.-8 p.m. | Ambrosia Taverna | $10+ | The multi-day festival is dedicated to showcasing, promoting, and networking independent filmmakers and their films.
Harvesting Heritage: Changing Tides | 8:30 p.m. | South Carolina State Museum | $35+ | This series is dedicated to the past, present, and future of creativity, innovation, and artistry in Black foodways throughout SC.
Saturday, Aug. 23
Main Street Latin Festival | 11 a.m.-10 p.m. | Main Street (Downtown Columbia) | Free | Celebrate Latin culture with live music, dancing, food, and family fun along Main Street.
SC Philharmonic presents The Music of Studio Ghibli | 7:30-9:30 p.m. | Koger Center for the Arts | $37+ | Experience the magic, beauty, and heartwarming spirit of Studio Ghibli through its most cherished symphonic masterpieces.
Gamecock women’s basketball will play 15 nonconference games in the 2025-26 season, including matchups against Duke, Louisville, and Clemson. The schedule features eight home games, two West Coast trips, and seven opponents from the 2025 NCAA Tournament. (Gamecocks Online)
Concert
The new “Live After Five” series debuts at Lexington Two Performing Arts Center with five to seven concerts planned this year. It opens with Columbia Rat Pack on Friday, Sept. 5, followed by Divas of Soul on Friday, Oct. 17, and a Taylor Swift tribute on Saturday, Nov. 1.
Number
$3 billion — that’s the amount GE Appliances plans to invest in US manufacturing over five years. Camden’s facility will double its workforce and add new products by early 2026. (GSA Business)
Mansion Monday
The Sanctuary on Old Camp Road in Elgin sits on 2.38 gated acres in Woodcreek Farms. The estate features a gym, sauna, lap pool, six-car garage, and smart-home tech — offering resort-style living along Woodcreek Golf Club.
Health
Novant Health is rebranding 52 former Doctors Care clinics across SC, with transitions wrapping up by Labor Day. Walk-in care, online scheduling, and connected rehab services remain available at urgent care and physical therapy sites statewide. (SC Biz News)
Award
Forest Acres received a Municipal Achievement Award for transforming condemned floodplain land into Gills Creek Memorial Park. The park features a splash pad, fishing dock, and memorial garden, and hosts concerts and markets. The project was fueled by local partnerships and $3.6 million in combined public funding. (Cola Daily)
Finance
New or used — what’s the right car for you? New rides offer the latest tech and perks, while used cars can save you big. Check out these tips to pick the right car before you hit the lot.*
Read
Sick of political drama in the news? Tangle skips the theatrics + delivers independent, non-partisan reporting on major political stories. Subscribe to the newsletter for free.*
The Boyd Passage Trailhead opens a fresh route on the Palmetto Trail, thanks to The Boyd Foundation. | Photos by COLAtoday
From quick and easy loops around town to drives that take you to fantastic lakes and mountains, our city has so many options to hit the trail. So lace up your hiking boots, because we’ve compiled a hiking guide for the Midlands area with eight routes to help you plan your next adventure and experience breathtaking views.
Congaree Creek Heritage Preserve, Guignard Clay Quarry Loop Trail
This moderately challenging route takes locals ~45 min to complete.
Boyd Passage, Palmetto Trail Boyd Passage
This point-to-point trail near Fort Jackson takes about 7–8 hours to complete and is popular with hikers and mountain bikers.
Harbison State Forest, Firebreak
Hike this trail if you’re looking for an outing that’s good for all skill levels. It’s one of the most popular trails in the park and along the Broad River.
The treat yourself organization staples you need to celebrate back-to-school season in style. No kids? No problem:
🗃️ This best-selling clear plastic drawer organizer set comes with 25 pieces — split them up around the house, or create the most organized office + desk system there ever was.
🌈 These legging organizers (yup, that product exists) save space in your closet and allow you to rainbow-fy your workout clothes.
🗂️ Speaking of rainbow-fy… grab a chic acrylic paper tray and a collection of rainbow file folders for a polished desktop look.
🗒️ Always writing to-do lists? You’ll probably love this one.
🖊️ Snag an instant mood-boosting purchase: rainbow felt-tip pens by Papermate.
The fun doesn’t have to end here. After reading the newsletter, head over to our games page. Games refresh with new challenges every day at 6 a.m. from crossword puzzle to Sudoku to themed word search.
What kind of peanut makes the best boiled peanut?A new Post and Courier feature digs into that question and the climate challenges threatening SC’s state snack. Researchers are racing to develop heat-tolerant peanut plants as rising temperatures threaten yields, reproduction, and the future of this Southern staple. Taste for yourself at the Palmetto Peanut Boil on Saturday, September 20.
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