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.

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Stories

  •  House members left the House chambers Thursday, May 12, 2022, as the General Assembly adjourned for the year.

    2022 session of the SC General Assembly ends

    This year’s session of the General Assembly formally wrapped-up on Thursday, May 12, 2022. State lawmakers adjourned without approving next year’s state operating budget, but they’ll return for a brief session next month to try and resolve House and Senate differences in the...
  • South Carolina Sen. Tom Davis waits to talk to reporters after a procedural ruling killed his medical marijuana bill in the House on Wednesday, May 4, 2022, in Columbia, S.C. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Collins)

    Medical marijuana dies in SC House

    A seven year effort to pass a medical marijuana bill stopped abruptly in the House of Representatives this week where the bill died on a technicality. The bill that would allow doctors in the state to prescribe medical cannabis as treatment for certain diseases. It appeared...
  • South Carolina Rep. Murrell Smith, R-Sumter, left, talks to Rep. Gilda Cobb-Hunter, D-Orangeburg, right before he is chosen as speaker-elect on Thursday, April 28, 2022, in Columbia, S.C. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Collins)

    SC Senate approves new state budget

    There are big differences in the House and Senate versions of next year’s state budget. $1.3 Billion worth of differences. The drastic differences are setting up a rocky road for final passage of the new budget which goes into effect July 1. The Senate on Thursday approved...
  •  FILE PHOTO - The South Carolina Senate

    Republicans in SC legislature advancing conservative agenda

    As this year’s session of the SC General Assembly heads into its final weeks, it is clear that the commanding Republican majorities in both the House and Senate are allowing them to advance an array of bills from their conservative agenda. This week conservative members of...
  • SC House of Representatives gave final approval to new state budget on Tuesday, March 15, 2022.

    SC House budget provides huge increases for K-12 education

    The State House of Representatives this week approved a new $14 Billion spending package. The new budget proposal now goes to the Senate. With over $4 Billion of additional money to spend, House members approved teacher and state employee pay raises, millions of dollars for...
  •  FILE

    South Carolina Senate passes income tax and rebate bill

    Next week the State Senate next is expected to put the finishing touches on a bill to reduce personal income tax rates. A similar bill was unanimously approved by the House a couple of weeks ago thus almost assuring the long sought tax cut being enacted. The Senate bill...