Top SC stories from The State in August 2025

The curated articles collectively examine significant events impacting various sectors in South Carolina, from safety concerns and environmental issues to economic developments and unique community changes.

In Columbia, an active shooter scare at the University of South Carolina led to lockdowns after reports of gunfire at the campus library; however, police found no evidence of a shooter. Meanwhile, a pipeline route stirring environmental concerns has been revealed, cutting through areas potentially affecting protected lands. In Darlington County, a tragic collision claimed two sisters' lives, underscoring ongoing traffic safety issues.

Read the stories below:

Students walk across campus at the University of South Carolina in Columbia. By Tracy Glantz

NO. 1: USC PROVOST, HEAD OF ALL SCHOOLS, RESIGNS AHEAD OF FALL SEMESTER

Donna Arnett, the provost and executive vice president for academic affairs at the University of South Carolina has resigned, according to an email sent from USC President Michael Amiridis to faculty and staff last week. | Published August 4, 2025 | Read Full Story by Alexa Jurado

A new pipeline would slice through areas targeted for protection as part of the ACE Basin nature preserve of South Carolina under plans for a huge natural gas plan near Canadys. This map, obtained by the Coastal Conservation League, is the expected route.

NO. 2: SC PIPELINE ROUTE SURFACES AFTER MONTHS OF SECRECY. ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS RISE

A map obtained by conservationists shows that a new natural gas pipeline will cut through an area of swamps and rivers that has been targeted in South Carolina for protection in recent decades. | Published August 12, 2025 | Read Full Story by Sammy Fretwell

The Shoney’s at 2208-B Airport Blvd. in Springdale near West Columbia has closed. By Chris Trainor

NO. 3: THIS LONGTIME COLUMBIA-AREA RESTAURANT HAS CLOSED ITS DOORS. WHAT TO KNOW

A restaurant that had been part of the Midlands dining scene for more than three decades has closed its doors. | Published August 12, 2025 | Read Full Story by Chris Trainor

B Mac’s, a Southern buffet restaurant, has opened at 1230 Bower Parkway in the Harbison shopping area in Columbia. By Photo from B Mac’s Facebook

NO. 4: SOUTHERN BUFFET RESTAURANT OPENS IN COLUMBIA IN THIS POPULAR SHOPPING AREA

A new restaurant with a host of Southern flavors has made its debut in a popular Columbia retail area. | Published August 12, 2025 | Read Full Story by Chris Trainor

U-Haul report shows where people are moving to the most

NO. 5: PEOPLE FROM SC ARE MOVING TO THESE PLACES THE MOST, NEW 2025 U-HAUL REPORT SAYS

It’s a little more than two weeks until Labor Day and many schools are back in session around South Carolina, which means the busiest time for moving is coming to an end. | Published August 13, 2025 | Read Full Story by Lyn Riddle

NO. 6: WOMAN KILLED IN I-26 SHOOTING IDENTIFIED AND GUNMAN ARRESTED, SC OFFICIALS SAY

A man was taken into custody Monday following a fatal shooting and search for the gunman that prompted multiple South Carolina schools to enact security measures, according to the Newberry County Sheriff’s Office. | Published August 18, 2025 | Read Full Story by Noah Feit

A look at the fault lines running through South Carolina.

NO. 7: TWO OF THE STRONGEST EARTHQUAKES TO HIT SC IN YEARS PART OF FLURRY OF TREMORS

At least 10 earthquakes have been confirmed in the same part of South Carolina in the past week, including some of the most powerful seismic activity recorded in the Palmetto State in years. | Published August 24, 2025 | Read Full Story by Noah Feit

Students run towards Sumter Street on the University of South Carolina’s campus on August 24, 2025. Officials reported an active shooter in the area. By Tracy Glantz

NO. 8: ‘NO EVIDENCE’ OF ACTIVE SHOOTER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA

After an active shooter alert panicked the University of South Carolina campus Sunday evening, police said they found no evidence of a gunman or shots fired. | Published August 24, 2025 | Read Full Story by John Monk, Alexa Jurado, Sammy Fretwell, Joseph Bustos, Hannah Wade, Ted Clifford, Noah Feit

coroner’s office stock photo By Josh Bell

NO. 9: DRIVER KILLED IN CRASH INVOLVING USC ASSISTANT FOOTBALL COACH NAMED BY CORONER

The driver who was killed in a recent crash that involved an assistant coach for the University of South Carolina football team was publicly identified Monday. | Published August 25, 2025 | Read Full Story by Noah Feit, Chris Trainor, Jordan Kaye

NO. 10: TWO SISTERS KILLED AND TWO OTHER PEOPLE INJURED IN CRASH, SC OFFICIALS SAY

One person was Two sisters were!!! | Published August 31, 2025 | Read Full Story by Noah Feit

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.