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Full disclosure: Jay-Z is my favorite rapper of all time.
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First things first: I don’t really know James Smith or his wife Kirkland, though I’ve met them both over the years and had pleasant small talk.
From the beginning (the bungled 2012 referendum) to the present (Richland County Council’s vote last week to demand documents from the program…
“From Former Mental Hospital to Recreational Hub” — The New York Times headline, July 23
“Protestors outside of the meeting showed their disapproval of the Board’s decision with loud chants of ‘shame, shame, shame’ along with tears…
First things first: the University of South Carolina should not be in the mess it is over naming a new president as the answer was both obviou…
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“Free Times’ new office at the corner of Harden and Gervais streets comes with a bit of history.” — July 3, Free Times
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It's the Fourth of July again. And as a black man in the South, I feel conflicted.
Four years ago, it was South Carolina Republicans who basked in the glow of national media attention as their many competitors fought it out i…
“The city’s combined water and sewer rates are set for a 7 percent hike. This comes on the heels of a nearly 10 percent increase in those rate…
If you’ve ridden by the BullStreet project recently, you no doubt noticed something was missing.
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I’m happy to start by reporting that Satch is not dead, and is instead enjoying his retirement after 40 years as executive director of Riverba…
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With the first heatwave of 2019 upon us, I’m reminded of the City of Columbia’s staggering 2017 marketing mistake in dropping the memorable an…
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“Could another discharge of wastewater into a Midlands body of water be eliminated?” — May 17, Free Times
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With their recent legislation to dramatically restrict abortion, Alabama and Missouri have slid back into the bowels of antiquity. Under these…
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“If they know who the first governor was to offer a company tax incentives to locate in a state, they should dig him up and hang him.” — CityW…
Make no mistake, I think Juul is a sleazy company with a sleazy history when it comes to marketing nicotine to high school, and even middle sc…
In life, as in basketball, a well called timeout can be very beneficial. It allows a team to reset, refocus and plan their next move.
“As [outgoing University of South Carolina president Harris] Pastides, university officials and student groups have emphasized the importance …
Send your letters to editor@free-times.com.
In my view, men who abuse women are the pond scum of humanity. I say that with apologies to actual pond scum, which no doubt serves a useful p…
“Let States Jam Prison Cellphones, Says US Attorney Sherri Lydon” — Wall Street Journal, April 4
Allow me to introduce myself: My name is Paul Houston. I have been an Uber / Lyft driver for almost three years. With Uber I have picked up ov…
The horrific death of Samantha Josephson following her abduction from Five Points has shaken our community to its core. Although this kind of …
“According to a news release from the Richland County Legislative Delegation, the five Elections Commission nominees are: former Columbia poli…
“Personally, I’d rather have that $1,000 refund check. But that’s another column.” — City Watch, Jan. 23
“It’s Time For South Carolina to Ratify the Equal Rights Amendment, Says Lawmaker” — Free Times, Mar. 4
“SCE&G has developed a plan to remove about 70 percent of the nine acres of coal tar that rest on the bottom of the Congaree River in down…
“SC Attorney General Alan Wilson called marijuana ‘the most dangerous drug in America…’” —The State, Jan. 23
Send your letters to editor@free-times.com.
One of the things I like best about Gov. Henry McMaster is that, his nice-guy image notwithstanding, he will kick some ass when it needs to be done.
“Jay Bender, a leading media law attorney in South Carolina … described the school district’s attempt to get more than $10 million out of Kim …
When I was 20 years old, I worked in a photo lab. Everyone who worked at the store was an amateur photographer, and we would all develop our o…
“S.C. Senate President Harvey Peeler wants Sen. Vincent Sheheen to be the next president of the state’s flagship university.” — Jan. 14, The State
Personally, I’d rather have that $1,000 refund check. But that’s another column.
Over the years my firm has been fortunate to do high-profile logos and slogans for some prominent Columbia entities, including Riverbanks Zoo …
Send your letters to editor@free-times.com.
Send your letters to editor@free-times.com.
This was the very first sentence of the very first City Watch column, on Sept. 6, 2006:
In the final days of 2018, several big stories from the past year saw updates occur. Not just the Dominion-SCANA deal (which will have to wait…
As 2018 rolled on, so did events in Columbia. Again, thanks for reading City Watch.
As the year draws to a close, here’s a look back at some of the best (or worst, if you prefer) of City Watch in 2018. Either way, thanks for reading.
Looking back through the years, it’s interesting to consider how America’s music and art has paired with its politics. After the assassination…
“I don’t usually namecheck critics, and I won’t do that today, Chris Trainor. Not you, but other people that you guys work with at your paper …
I really like Notre Dame. But I really don’t like that the Fighting Irish are playing Clemson in the NCAA college football championship playoff.
“City Council Gives Dreher Sports Project Key Approval” — Nov. 24, Free Times
While Nov. 22 will bring us the joy of Turkey Day, Nov. 10 brought us the agony of the Chicken Curse.
With the campaigns now behind us, here are my picks for the biggest, best and worst of developments of the South Carolina elections in 2018.
