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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Vaccination Politics - Governor and Senate Spar Over State Vaccination Plans
February 05, 2021The slow pace of COVID vaccinations across the state, and the need to vaccinate teachers in an effort to get more students in classrooms reached a boiling point at the Statehouse this week. In the Senate there was harsh criticism of DHEC, the state’s public health agency for... -
After 30 Years of Trying S.C. Senate Passes Abortion Bill
January 29, 2021It took 16 attempts over 30 years, but this week the State Senate passed a bill that bans most abortions in the state. Using its new commanding Republican majority the Senate approved the so-called "fetal heartbeat" bill which prohibits doctors from performing an abortion... -
Fetal Heartbeat Bill Headed to S.C. Senate Floor for Debate
January 22, 2021Once again this legislative session, conservative members of the SC General Assembly are attempting to restrict abortion in the state. A bill that would ban almost all abortions is being fast tracked in the State Senate. In past years abortion bills have been derailed in the... -
2021 Session of S.C. General Assembly Begins Amid COVID-19 Pandemic
January 15, 2021This year’s session of the S.C. General Assembly got underway this week with one member describing it as "a session not like any other." Most lawmakers wore masks as the lingering COVID pandemic altered many time-honored legislative traditions. Adding to the unusual... -
State Lawmakers Opt Not to Move Ahead With New Budget
September 25, 2020Last Year's Operating Budget to Remain In Effect It now appears that South Carolina’s state government will operate for the first half of its’ current fiscal year using last year’s budget. A lack of action by the General Assembly this week left last year’s budget in place as... -
SC Officials Fear COVID-19 Spike Over July 4th Holiday
July 03, 2020As South Carolina enters the July 4th weekend, public health officials are bracing for what they term as a possible unimaginable number of new cases of the coronavirus. Gov. McMaster said this week the state is facing a test. "It's time for us to make up our minds. July the...