“The men do not reflect the mission and values of the Interfraternity Council.” — Statement by University of South Carolina Interfraternity Council on the verbal harassment of WACH-FOX reporte…
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Free Times is pleased to announce that David Clarey has been hired as the publication’s second staff writer. He will primarily report on the C…
Jordan Lawrence
Managing Editor for Free Times
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“Here are my just-for-fun predictions, which again are not endorsements.” – CityWatch, Oct. 30
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By now most people know that Five Points, the heart of the city for a century and a defining cultural institution, is in trouble.
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“Daniel Rickenmann, the longtime Columbia City Councilman who currently represents District 4, has formally thrown his support behind attorney…
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I remember watching Showtime at the Apollo as a child. Broadcast from the famed Harlem theater, the show focused on the venue’s amateur night,…
As this is the last CityWatch column before the Nov. 5 election, a few thoughts on that subject. And thoughts only, as neither this column nor…
“The word South Carolina coach Will Muschamp muttered as he sidestepped questions Saturday about the refereeing in his team’s 38-27 loss to No…
In reaction to your recent article on [University of South Carolina President Bob] Caslen [“USC Faculty Open Up About the Controversial Hiring…
The South Carolina Legislature’s collective ego knows no bounds. That’s been true for centuries in “the Legislative state,” and remains so today.
As candidates for Columbia City Council proceed from forum to forum and door to door to tell us of their plans to improve the city and address…
“Thomas Ravenel, a star on Bravo’s reality show ‘Southern Charm’ and South Carolina’s one-time state treasurer, has dodged prison time on sexu…
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We’re good enough with snark to know what’s coming.
Jordan Lawrence
Managing Editor for Free Times
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The idea that The State would purposefully play off the Hilinski family’s pain for a sensational headline in the paper is not just ridiculous on its face, but also ridiculous when one examines the facts of the paper’s coverage of the Hilinski family and its foundation.
This past February, eventual No. 1 NBA Draft pick Zion Williamson and his Duke Blue Devils played a college basketball game against their riva…
That was the title of this column on Oct. 19, 2011.
For anyone of a certain age (say 35-plus) who grew up in South Carolina (and especially Columbia), the memories of Hootie & the Blowfish m…
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“This check is issued pursuant to the terms of the SCANA settlement in the class action…” – Notice accompanying check to former SCE&G cust…
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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
