Russ McKinney
Russ McKinney
Reporter, Producer
Russ McKinney has 30 years of experience in radio news and public affairs. He is a former broadcast news reporter in Spartanburg, Columbia and Atlanta. He served as Press Secretary to former S.C. Governor Dick Riley for two terms, and for 20 years was the chief public affairs officer for the University of South Carolina.
Stories
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The State House Gavel: Senate report calls for treasurer's removal
March 26, 2025The South Carolina House will soon welcome a new member. Tuesday, voters in the North Charleston-area House District 113 elected Democrat Courtney Waters to fill the seat formerly held by Rep. Marvin Pendarvis. Waters ran unopposed. -
The State House Gavel: Income tax plan, tort reform and $1.8B error report in Week 11
March 25, 2025The House returns to session this week, and, like the Senate, gavels in at noon. There is *a lot* going on in the General Assembly this week — on and off the floor. And what we are most looking forward to this week will take place not on the floor but on the field at... -
The State House Gavel: SC public health nominee responds to COVID critics, details threats
March 21, 2025After months of waiting, Gov. Henry McMaster's nominee to run public health, Dr. Edward Simmer, had his first confirmation hearing in the Senate, where he sharply defended himself against critics of his response to the COVID pandemic. -
The State House Gavel: Changed House DEI bill advances, tort reform delayed
March 20, 2025Dr. Edward Simmer, Gov. Henry McMaster's pick to lead the new Department of Public Health, has his first vetting hearing at 10 a.m. before the Senate Medical Affairs Committee. -
The State House Gavel: Tort reform gets late night breakthrough in Senate
March 19, 2025The Senate canceled committee work on Tuesday, instead opting to stay on the floor and work through S. 244, the tort reform legislation. -
The State House Gavel: Gov's public health nom gets vetted, tort reform's 'D-Day' and DEI
March 18, 2025This week, the S.C. House won't hold session but some committees will meet. And Senate leaders told reporters that the chamber will likely take a week off from floor debate the second week of April so that the Senate Finance Committee can work on the budget and other...