GOOD NEWS: From a new hospital and top-ranked college to 2020 politics, more

New hospital dedicated.  Hats off to MUSC for dedication of the new MUSC Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital and Pearl Tourville Women’s Pavilion, which will be open in October to parents and families.  A dedication with remarks from Jenkins, Gov. Henry McMaster and others took place Aug. 9. The new hospital will have 250 beds and lots of other new features for patients. To learn more, visit this link.

Rated a top school.  For the 16th year in a row, The Princeton Review has recognized the College of Charleston as a top school in the United States for undergraduate education.  The education services company features the College in the new 2020 edition of its annual college guide, The Best 385 Colleges. According to The Princeton Review, “The College of Charleston provides its 10,000 undergraduates a mid-sized liberal arts experience within the boundaries of one of the south’s most thriving cities. Good academic advising, a strong focus on writing skills and interdisciplinary studies, and a reputable business program are just some of the school’s many perks, and many classes incorporate non-traditional types of learning such as lots of field work and field trips around the city.”

Strong start to port’s year.  The S.C. Ports Authority had its business July in port history at container terminals and inland ports, according to a press release.  It handled 210,542 twenty-foot equivalent container units (TEUs) at the Wando Welch and North Charleston container terminals in July, up 5 percent from the year prior.  As measured by the total number of boxes handled, the port moved 119,700 pier containers in July, up about 5 percent from a year ago.

2020 political overview.  Statehouse Report, our sister publication, on Friday published a special political feature in conjunction with the new Almanac of American Politics.  Click here to read a 2020 political overview of the state by reporter Louis Jacobson.  

Do something.  People across the state want something done about gun violence, but state lawmakers are being slow to act.  Statehouse Report correspondent Lindsay Street talked with seven residents with an array of opinions and looked at legislation in the hopper to weaken and strengthen gun laws.  Read more.