Russ McKinney
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: SC's direct car sale bill skids off the tracks
February 13, 2025Happy Thursday, the final day of the legislative week. It's too cold for a lengthy intro, so we figure we'll just get into what happened at the Statehouse on Wednesday and what you need to know to start your day on Thursday (Apparently, there will be thunderstorms. Thanks... -
The State House Gavel: Abortion ban debate returns to SC Supreme Court
February 12, 2025Happy Wednesday. This is The State House Gavel, a daily reporter notebook by reporters Gavin Jackson, Russ McKinney and Maayan Schechter that previews and captures what goes on at the South Carolina Statehouse while lawmakers are in session. -
The State House Gavel: Trump cuts come for SC, Mace goes after AG
February 11, 2025Welcome back to Week 5 of the South Carolina legislative session. It's Tuesday, and both the S.C. House and Senate gavel in at noon. This is The State House Gavel, a daily reporter notebook by reporters Gavin Jackson, Russ McKinney and Maayan Schechter that previews and... -
The State House Gavel: SC House GOP leaders roll out anti-DEI, 'DOGE' bills
February 07, 2025Happy Friday. We're done with Week 4 of the session. The weekend is almost here. It was, yet again, a busy week in Columbia. But before we recap some and report on *new* news, we wanted to flag that the flu is going around the Statehouse. -
The State House Gavel: Lawmakers rebuff judge candidate, House Ed chair talks scholarship bill
February 06, 2025Happy Thursday and the "Friday" of the legislative week. The House returns at 10 a.m. and the Senate is back at 11 a.m. Recap: On Wednesday, the entire General Assembly did what only two state legislatures in the country do: hold judicial elections. There were dozens of... -
The State House Gavel: SC lawmakers meet to elect judges
February 05, 2025Welcome to Wednesday. We're looking at another busy legislative day at the Statehouse. This is The State House Gavel, a daily reporter notebook by reporters Gavin Jackson, Russ McKinney and Maayan Schechter that will preview and capture what goes on at the South Carolina...