Rural Broadband Push: South Carolina’s Commerce Department says Rural Broadband Grant and Rural Initiative Grant work has delivered high-speed fiber to 21,644 homes across 21 underserved counties, using $30 million of a $65 million rural fund and adding 2,041 miles of cable. Public Health Lab Upgrade: The state opened a new joint public health and environmental laboratory in Columbia, a 140,000-square-foot replacement for a nearly 50-year-old facility, expanding newborn screening, infectious disease testing, drinking water analysis, and rapid response to chemical or biological emergencies. Energy Storage Deal: Fluence and Avantus agreed to deliver an energy storage solution and EPC services for the Rexford 2 project, pairing a 200 MW/800 MWh battery with solar and using US-made components. Tech in Policing Under Scrutiny: Greer fired two officers after an internal review found misuse of Flock automatic license plate recognition cameras, raising questions about safeguards. Measles Warning: The CDC reports 2,231 measles cases in 2026, nearly matching last year’s total with months still left in the transmission season. Local Infrastructure Uncertainty: Residents in Ware Shoals are pressing for answers as the dam owner moves toward surrendering the federal license, but hasn’t decided whether to breach the dam.