Charleston Daily Seeking all the beauty that is Charleston, South Carolina

South Carolina is ranked the 7th-worst state in the nation for Working Moms in a recent Wallet Hub Study.

Women account for nearly half the U.S. workforce and working moms, who make up around 74% of the of that demographic. On average, women make 82% of what men make per hour, and only 9.4% of chief executives at S&P 500 companies are women. On top of that, working moms have to deal with child care, work-life balance and career building while supporting a child.R

The study evaluated the following metrics:

Professional Opportunities metrics

• Gender pay gap
• Ratio of female executives to male executives
• Median women’s salary
• Share of working women living with economic security
• Share of families in poverty Female unemployment rate
• Gender-representation gap in different economic sectors

Work-Life Balance metrics

• Parental-leave policy score
• Average length of a woman’s work week
• Women’s average commute time

Here is where South Carolina Fared:

• 45th – Day-Care Quality
• 38th – Pediatricians per Capita
• 26th – Gender Pay Gap (Women’s Earnings as % of Men’s)
• 47th – Ratio of Female Executives to Male Executives
• 37th – Median Women’s Salary (Adjusted for Cost of Living)
• 46th – Female Unemployment Rate 38th – Parental-Leave Policy Score
• 32nd – Avg. Length of Woman’s Work Week (in Hours)
• 42nd – % of Single-Mom Families in Poverty

Click HERE for full study results.

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Columbia, SC — SC Launch Inc., the investment affiliate of the South Carolina Research Authority, has announced a $400,000 investment in SafeMedWaste. The Johns Island-based startup created a better way to dispose of controlled substances without incineration. “On-site chemical destruction of controlled substances is a gamechanger for safer and more cost-effective drug, specifically opioid, disposals,” said SCRA President and CEO Bill Kirkland. “We’re proud to partner with these innovators who have improved the disposal process for safety and a better environment.”

At SCRA’s quarterly Startups on Tap event, Charleston area’s entrepreneurial community members gathered at Edmund’s Oast Brewing Co. last night to celebrate SafeMedWaste and other startups that are new SCRA member companies, investees, and grantees.

Formerly named Okra Medical, SafeMedWaste became an SCRA member company in September 2020 and an SC Launch Inc. portfolio company with this investment. “Traditional onsite disposal products for opioids often lack sufficient data to support safe and permanent drug destruction,” said SCRA Regional Director Kevin Eichelberger. “Off-site incineration for opioids is a more lengthy and complex process, which can result in a greater window of exposure to drug-related risks and higher costs.”

“When we began working with the team at South Carolina Research Authority many years ago, they understood our mission and supported our growth,” said SafeMedWaste President and CEO Justin Stas. “The opioid crisis continues to evolve, and SafeMedWaste is focused on reducing risk at the source. Our technology is designed to chemically degrade controlled substances, providing a safer, more responsible disposal solution that helps limit diversion and environmental impact. We also appreciate the role the South Carolina Research Authority and the state of South Carolina play in retaining top talent by supporting innovators building companies here at home.”

In 2020, SafeMedWaste secured a patent for a first-of-its-kind drug disposal technology designed to chemically destroy pharmaceuticals, validated across a broad range of controlled substances.

The company is poised to revolutionize the future of controlled substance waste management. It serves all types of health care facilities, including hospitals and pharmacies, and government clients, including the military, prisons, and coroner offices. In the future, single-use products will be available for in-home use. SafeMedWaste’s home product is positioned to be the first FDA-cleared medical devices for in-home drug disposal.

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Photo credit: SafeMedWaste.

CHARLESTON, S.C. /PRNewswire/ — Linden Creek, a luxury interior design and home staging firm headquartered in Raleigh, North Carolina, is proud to announce the opening of its newest franchise location serving Charleston, SC and the greater Lowcountry region. This expansion reflects Linden Creek’s continued national growth and its mission to deliver thoughtful, high-impact design solutions that help homes perform in one of the Southeast’s most competitive and desirable real estate markets.

The Charleston franchise is led by Michelle Grim, an accomplished entrepreneur with a passion for elevated living spaces and a deep understanding of what today’s buyers, sellers, and investors are looking for in the Lowcountry market. As the owner of Linden Creek Charleston, Michelle is committed to delivering luxury home staging, full-service interior design, and short-term rental furnishing to homeowners, real estate professionals, and builders across Charleston, Mount Pleasant, Daniel Island, Isle of Palms, and the surrounding communities.

Charleston’s real estate market continues to demonstrate remarkable resilience in 2026. Named a Top 10 Housing Hot Spot by the National Association of Realtors, the region is defined by steady buyer demand, a thriving luxury segment, and a lifestyle appeal that draws buyers from across the country. In this environment, professional staging and intentional interior design are no longer optional; they are strategic advantages that help properties stand out, sell faster, and command stronger price points (Seignious & Smith Real Estate).

Michelle brings a results-driven approach to every project, combining a sharp eye for design with a genuine commitment to the clients she serves. Her work spans vacant and occupied home staging, full-service interior design, builder selections, model home design, and short-term rental furnishing. For agents and builders, she is a trusted partner who understands the emotional and financial dynamics of the home-selling process. For homeowners and investors, she delivers an elevated experience and results that speak for themselves.

“Charleston is one of the most beautiful and dynamic markets in the country, and I’m proud to bring Linden Creek’s proven design expertise to this community,” said Michelle Grim, owner of Linden Creek Charleston. “Every home has a story worth telling. My goal is to help agents, builders, and homeowners tell theirs in a way that connects with buyers and delivers real results.”

Linden Creek is trusted by top real estate agents and builders nationwide for its ability to help properties sell faster and at higher values. The firm’s buyer-focused approach emphasizes layout, scale, and visual clarity to showcase each home’s full potential, backed by a team with over $1.5 billion in staged real estate and a track record of helping homes sell in half the industry average time.

With this opening, Linden Creek now operates in Raleigh, Durham, Cary, Southeast Charlotte, Lake Norman, Greensboro, and Winston-Salem, North Carolina; Greenville and Charleston, South Carolina; Princeton and Morristown, New Jersey; New Hope and Central/Lancaster, Pennsylvania; Sarasota and Jacksonville, Florida; Atlanta and Alpharetta, Georgia; Austin, and Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas. Locations opening soon include West Houston and Katy, Texas.

To learn more about Linden Creek Charleston, visit linden-creek.com/charleston-sc. For information about Linden Creek franchise opportunities, visit linden-creek.com/franchise.

Shawn Rabideau is Linden Creek’s Director of Home Staging & Interior Design in Charleston, SC. Connect with Shawn at shawn@linden-creek.com to explore how our staging and design services can elevate your home and help it stand out in the market. 

Source: Linden Creek

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On Wednesday evening, April 29, 2026, members of the North Charleston Police Department’s Command Staff, officers with our Community Engagement Unit and citizens joined R.E.C.A.P. (Rebuilding Every Community Around Peace) in the Wildwood neighborhood.

The walk for peace was a way to connect with the residents and build relationships and trust. It’s another way to make North Charleston a safer place to live, work and play. Follow our social media pages for dates of other upcoming walks and community events.

Source: City of North Charleston, SC

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More than 170 members of the Class of 2026 entered the United States Armed Forces as officers following a joint commissioning ceremony on Friday, May 8, in McAlister Field House. The group represents approximately 30% of the graduating class, with commissions accepted across the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and Space Force.

During the ceremony, the new officers recited their oath and had gold bars pinned on their uniforms by their sponsors. Afterward, the group gathered on Summerall Field to receive their first salutes as officers.

The Corps commencement ceremony follows the day after commissioning. Photos from this year’s commencement events will be available for purchase through The Citadel’s photo store by the end of May and free to download digitally at the same link. A recording of the Joint Commissioning Ceremony can also be viewed  online.

Click HERE for full list of those accepting military commissions.

Source: The Citadel Today

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Photo Credit: Ed Wray/The Citadel

“Opportunity is Omnipresent”

Good morning. President Amiridis and Provost Fitzpatrick; members of the faculty and Board of Trustees; distinguished guests and graduates of the Class of 2026: thank you for the privilege of joining you on this wonderful occasion and for the honor that you have bestowed upon me today.

Graduates, like so many of you, I hail from South Carolina. So I know that for centuries, USC has been the place where this state sends its most promising young people—and receives in return its most dedicated leaders. As I look out on the class before me, I have every confidence that USC’s newest alumni will fulfill its abiding commitment to “the good order” of the great state of South Carolina.

Now, Provost Fitzpatrick, I am grateful for the generous citation you shared. But for those less familiar with the earlier chapters of my story, I was born in Conway and raised in Little River. It is fair to say that lifeguarding and bartending in Myrtle Beach scarcely seemed like it would give way to a career on Wall Street or in Washington. And yet it is the honor of a lifetime to stand before you as the seventy-ninth Secretary of the Treasury—and the first from the Palmetto State.

Graduates, I can imagine that the immense pride you are feeling today is mingled with a sense of uncertainty. I remember my own commencement festivities, set against the anxieties of the Cold War and the advent of the technological age. The celebratory nature of these occasions can sometimes belie the unnerving specter of what comes next.

This group has come of age alongside a different set of disruptions. Your grade school years coincided with the global financial crisis. Your high school years, likewise, with the global pandemic. Yet today here you sit as a college graduate.

Economists tend to describe those with a capacity to absorb shocks as “resilient.” I, for one, picture my ninety-nine-year-old mother-in-law.

Until recently, my family was fortunate enough to share our home with her in Charleston, making for a three-generation household. She was a French war bride who endured the deprivation of the Great Depression and then the occupation of the Second World War.

I think about my mother-in-law often. I thought about her as I prepared these remarks. And I marvel at the sweep of her life, from watching the Nazis march into her country—and shoot and capture the young men in her village—to witnessing a man walk on the moon. The darkest chapter imaginable followed by something that defied imagination entirely. If you don’t think change can happen quickly, you aren’t paying attention.

Yet what strikes me most about her story is not necessarily the hardships that she faced so much as the fact that she emerged from them with an uncommon attentiveness to possibility. Resilience, in her case, was both the capacity to absorb a set of circumstances and the insistence to see beyond them. To marry an American soldier. To begin life anew in a country that refuses to be bound by uncertainty.

On the eve of our nation’s 250^th anniversary, that distinctly American ethos has held since the time of our founding because every generation decided that it would. 

Now, at this extraordinary moment to be an American under President Trump’s leadership, that inheritance belongs to you. Because while the disruptions that have defined the arc of your lives are substantial, so too are the possibilities that lie on the other side of them. Because, as the retrospect tends to reveal, the moments that can seem the most mired in uncertainty are often the ones where opportunity is most abundant.

Indeed, opportunity is not scarce in times of disruption. What is scarce is the poise to recognize it before the path is fully visible.

Opportunity, in short, is omnipresent—if only we summon the courage to find it. This nation has always known that. And now, as USC graduates, so do you.

And, above all, you know that you are ready for what comes next, not necessarily because the path ahead is clear, but because you have already demonstrated that it need not be.

You are strong, you are powerful of spirit, and you are tested.

You are the University of South Carolina Class of 2026.

Congratulations.

Source: U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Office

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By Alicia Lutz

Scott P. Kissau has been named the new dean of the Graduate School and associate provost for research at the College of Charleston

Scott P. Kissau has been named the new dean of the Graduate School and associate provost for research at the College of Charleston.

Kissau brings to the College an exceptional record of academic leadership in graduate education and research development. He currently serves as associate dean of research and graduate education in the Cato College of Education at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, where he has provided strategic oversight for more than 35 graduate programs, including two of the university’s largest doctoral programs and its largest graduate certificate program.

Under his leadership, external research funding in the college more than doubled, from $6.7 million in FY19 to nearly $13.8 million in FY24. He developed comprehensive faculty mentoring and grant-writing initiatives, established new research support structures, launched an annual research symposium for faculty and graduate students and led efforts to strengthen graduate recruitment.

Prior to his current role, Kissau served as associate dean of undergraduate education and academic affairs; chair of the Department of Middle, Secondary and K–12 Education; and director of foreign language teacher education at UNC Charlotte. He is a respected scholar whose research spans graduate education, teacher preparation, language instruction and faculty development, with an extensive record of publications, national presentations and professional recognition.

Kissau holds a Ph.D. in Education, a Master of Education in Educational Administration and a Bachelor of Education from the University of Windsor, as well as a Bachelor of Arts in French and German Translation from Queen’s University (Canada).

Throughout his career, he has demonstrated a commitment to student success, faculty excellence and research innovation. His leadership will be instrumental as we continue to strengthen graduate education and the research enterprise at the College of Charleston.

Source: College of Charleston Today

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JOHNS ISLAND, S.C., May 8, 2026 — Charleston Collegiate School’s Boys Varsity Golf Team captured the 2026 SCISA Class AA State Championship, delivering a decisive performance at the state tournament held at Hackler Golf Club on April 28, 2026.

The Sun Devils posted a team score of 636, finishing 20 strokes ahead of the competition to secure the title and cap a strong season for the program.

Charleston Collegiate’s victory was fueled by standout performances across the roster. Seventh grader Harvey Pollock led the team, earning SCISA AA All-Region honors and was the individual Co-Medalist of the tournament. Eighth graders Palmer Little and Graves Boyd were also named SCISA AA All-Region. Seniors Grant Morrison and Wilson Scapellato contributed key rounds that helped Charleston Collegiate maintain its lead throughout the competition.

“This group set the standard from start to finish,” said Head Golf Coach Pete Tufts. “Their consistency, composure, and competitiveness all season long made this outcome possible, and I couldn’t be more proud of how they represented CCS.”

The championship adds to the school’s growing list of athletic accomplishments and reflects the continued strength of its golf program.

“This is a meaningful achievement for our student-athletes,” said Jim Duggan, Head of Athletics. “They’ve put in the work, and it showed in how they competed at the state level.”

In recognition of their achievement, Charleston Collegiate School will be honored at the South Carolina State House on Tuesday, May 12, 2026

Charleston Collegiate School:

• 2024 Academy Rd, Johns Island, SC 29455
• charlestoncollegiate.org
• 843.559.5506

About Charleston Collegiate School

Charleston Collegiate School is a PS3-12 co-educational, nonsectarian, independent school in the Charleston area and is a member of the Southern Association of Independent Schools and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Nestled under grand, moss-laden live oaks, Charleston Collegiate School offers a 30+ acre campus of vast playing fields and wooded trails. This unique environment allows students to embrace nature while growing into conscious leaders that are challenged by rigorous project-based learning. Charleston Collegiate School’s mission is to empower students in a student-centered approach that values collaboration, innovation, and individuality to become resilient leaders for 21st century careers.

Photo Credit: Charleston Collegiate School

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Mount Pleasant, South Carolina will have a new sweet addition to its family of restaurants and eateries, Pecan Jacks Ice Cream and Candy Kitchen.

According to a public notice filing on May 6, 2026, they have filed for a license to sell alcohol:

NOTICE OF APPLICATION   Notice is hereby given that Pecan Jacks Of Mount Pleasant intends to apply to the South Carolina Department of Revenue for a license and/or permit that will allow the sale and on premises consumption of Beer, Wine, and/or Liquor At 966 Houston Northcutt Blvd, Suite H, Mt Pleasant, SC 29464. To object to the issuance of this license and/or permit, submit an ABL-20 protest form by May 22, 2026. Submit the ABL-20 online at MyDORWAY.dor.sc.gov, or email to ABL@dor.sc.gov. 

Keep an eye out!

• Official Website
• Follow in Instagram

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Community to benefit from enhanced enforcement, 24/7 rapid response hotline, and stronger neighborhood protections

The Town of Hilton Head Island Town Council has approved the second reading of an ordinance amending the FY2026 budget to expand and modernize the Island’s Short-Term Rental (STR) Program

The proposed enhancements represent the next phase of the Town’s efforts to protect neighborhood quality of life while supporting a strong tourism economy. Click HERE for official documentation.

Short-term rentals remain a major part of Hilton Head Island’s visitor economy, supporting local businesses, sustaining jobs, and generating state and local tax revenues. As the number of rentals has grown on the Island, the Town is enhancing its program to ensure STRs operate responsibly and with respect for residential neighborhoods. The proposed changes move the Town’s STR program from complaint-based to performance-driven, and with coordinated accountability.

“This program strengthens our ability to protect neighborhoods while supporting responsible short-term rentals,” said Mayor Alan Perry. “Hilton Head Island is a community first — and this approach ensures STRs continue to contribute positively to our Island.”

Town Manager Marc Orlando said the enhancements focus on measurable service improvements and stronger neighborhood enforcement.

“By investing in staffing, technology, inspections, and 24/7 response capabilities, the Town is expanding its enforcement presence in neighborhoods. This ensures that short-term rentals remain an asset while maintaining the quality-of-life our residents expect,” Orlando said.

A Community-Focused Program

Following updated STR regulations adopted in October 2025, Town Council directed staff to review staffing, enforcement tools, funding, and communications prior to the 2026 spring and summer tourism season. If adopted at second reading on March 31, 2026, operational changes will take effect immediately.

Benefits for residents include:

• Faster response to complaints.
• 24/7 access to a live STR dispatch center.
• Clear accountability for repeat violations.
• Stronger enforcement of parking, noise, and nuisance rules.
• Proactive property inspections.

Benefits for property owners include:

• Clear and consistent rules.
• Streamlined permitting and compliance support.
• Direct coordination with Town staff.
• Predictable enforcement standards.

Benefits for visitors include:

• Safer properties.
• Clear expectations for responsible behavior.
• A better guest experience.

Updated Fee Model: Full Cost Recovery

To support these changes, the Town will transition from a flat $250 STR permit fee to a new annual fee of $150 per bedroom, along with requirements to maintain an active Town business license and comply with South Carolina Accommodation Tax (ATAX) laws.

This per-bedroom model reflects practices used in other high-demand coastal communities and ensures the STR program operates under a full cost recovery structure — meaning STR operations fund STR oversight rather than being supported by Island residents through general Town revenues.

Additional provisions include:

• $250 late fee for renewals submitted after May 15, 2026 (April 30 annually thereafter).
• Permit payment portal opens April 6, 2026.

Expanded STR Operations

The enhanced program includes the addition of four new full-time positions and the conversion of two existing part-time roles to full-time, resulting in six full-time STR-dedicated staff positions that expand the Town’s enforcement and response capabilities.

Four new full-time positions

• One 24/7 STR Dispatcher (Rapid Response Hotline).
• Two Community Code Enforcement Officers.
• One STR Property Inspector.

Two existing part-time positions converted to full-time

• STR Services Coordinator.
• STR Senior Revenue Collector.

Additional investments include:

• Three enforcement vehicles.
• STR compliance and tracking software.
• Real-time dispatch and reporting tools.
• Fire and life-safety inspection equipment.
• Public-facing data dashboards.

These additions will support defined response times, proactive inspections, centralized case management, and improved tracking of repeat violations.

24/7 STR Rapid Response Hotline

The Town is also establishing a 24/7 STR Rapid Response Hotline staffed by a dedicated dispatcher within the Town’s Fire Rescue dispatch center.

STR Rapid Response Hotline – 843-341-6864

Calls may be routed to:

• Town Community Code Enforcement.
• Registered STR property managers or owners of record.
• Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office, if necessary.
• Public safety teams within major planned communities such as Sea Pines, Palmetto Dunes, and other STR communities.

This coordinated model is designed to provide faster response times, clearer accountability, and improved coordination among neighborhoods, property managers, and enforcement agencies.

Public Education and Awareness

In addition to enforcement improvements, the Town will launch a public awareness campaign to help prevent issues before they occur.

This initiative will include:

• Seasonal social media outreach.
• Educational materials placed inside STR properties.
• Direct communication with property owners and managers.
• Guest-facing messaging focused on noise, parking, trash, and environmental stewardship.
• Compliance advertising and educational webinars.

Industry research shows that proactive communication significantly reduces nuisance complaints and improves voluntary compliance.

The goal is simple: informed guests, responsible owners, and protected neighborhoods.

For STR regulations and permit information, visit https://hiltonheadislandsc.gov/business/short_term_rentals

Source: Town of Hilton Head Island

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