Opinion pieces, commentary, editorials, and columns that reflect community perspectives from Beaufort’s writers, thought leaders, and residents. This category provides a platform for voices shaping local discussion on issues, values, culture, civic life, and public debate in Beaufort and the broader Lowcountry.
The Carolina Bight is the area that includes the Calibogue Sound, the Port Royal Sound, and the Beaufort, Chechessee, Colleton, May, Pocataligo, Tulifiny and Whale Branch rivers. The ecosystem is unique in ways we are only now coming to understand.
We live in the Carolina Bight – What is it? Why does it matter? Read More »
The bill to shelter millions of dollars in contracts between schools and athletes now pending in the South Carolina Senate is a betrayal.
Bill to hide from public scrutiny payments from schools to athletes is a betrayal Read More »
Last week’s column lead with news of the annual Point in Time count of local “unsheltered” individuals, a project lead by Beaufort County’s Human Services staff and volunteers. This week, we learn that county officials, as part of the annual budget preparations, are proposing to eliminate this five-member department to save money.
Lowcountry Lowdown: County budget talks already target Human Services department Read More »
By Larry Dandridge This is the second article in a series of three articles on homeless veterans and the resources available to those who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless due to financial hardship, unemployment, addiction, depression, injury, illness, disability, or transition from jail. Article 1 can be read online at https://www.yourislandnews.com: click
Homelessness still a major problem for thousands of veterans, Part 2 Read More »
By Robert Adams Jr. Shortly before he died in 2020, in his final opinion essay, Rep. John Lewis wrote, “Democracy is not a state. It is an act, and each generation must do its part to help build what we called the Beloved Community, a nation and world society at peace with itself.” As the leader of a historic Beaufort County organization, I recognize the need to actively advocate for the Beloved
This is our chance to shape what economic development looks like Read More »
By Scott Graber It’s Tuesday, and I’m at the Shellring Ale Works in Port Royal. This evening I’m with about 100 people who have gathered to hear Dean Moss talk about the gestation, birthing and the early childhood of the Spanish Moss Trail. Dean’s story begins in 2007 when he was the Manager at the
A product of the energy, imagination of Dean Moss Read More »
From The Wall Street Journal and other media outlets on Feb. 7, 2026: “Trump shares racist video depicting the Obamas as monkeys.” This from the President of the United States. Pages and pages can be filled with the president’s lies, personal attacks, lawsuit threats, etc. Not to mention the graft, self dealing and debasement that
‘We are under siege’ Read More »
By Louise Mathews In the movie, “Casablanca,” Vichy French Captain Renault closes Rick’s Café on the orders of the Nazi Major Strasser. When Rick asks his friend why he is closing the cafe, the captain exclaims to Rick, “I’m shocked, shocked to find there’s gambling going on in here!” At that very moment, the croupier
Bull in the China shop? Read More »
By Doug Pugh Once, I was a farmer working in the great outdoors, able to move with the breeze into open spaces. I had time then to pause and listen to the music in its rhythms. The work was hard, but I could observe the quaking of the trees’ leaves, perceive what was being blown
Breezes can blow stress away Read More »
By Bill Rauch There was some good news last week for those who are concerned about the Colleton County data center steamroller. The political heat being generated down here in the Lowcountry may be beginning to be felt by the pols up there in Columbia. Seven of the nine representatives representing Colleton County in Columbia
Columbia starts to feel the heat Read More »
