Skylar Laird

Skylar Laird

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Skylar Laird covers the legislature and criminal justice issues at the South Carolina Daily Gazette. A University of Missouri graduate, she reported for the Kansas City Star and Columbia Missourian in her home state. She moved to South Carolina in 2022 to cover local government for The Post and Courier's Columbia bureau and earned a first-place award for beat reporting.

2 longtime educators compete Democratic nominee for SC superintendent
South Carolina

2 longtime educators compete in Democratic primary for SC superintendent

4:41pm ET
Skylar Laird
COLUMBIA — Two longtime educators are leaning on their experience as the reason voters should choose them as the Democratic nominee for state superintendent. Lisa Ellis, a 50-year-old student activities director living in Blythewood, said her primary focus is how...
More than 50 arrested in Upstate immigration sting
South Carolina

More than 50 arrested in Upstate immigration sting

Jun 04, 2026
Skylar Laird
COLUMBIA — A raid focused on people who forge paperwork and hire workers living in the country illegally led to dozens of arrests at an Abbeville metal castings maker, law enforcement officials announced Thursday. Two managers were among the 50...
SC officers of fallen K-9s celebrate law hiking penalties for harming police animals
South Carolina

SC officers of fallen K-9s celebrate law hiking penalties for harming police animals

Jun 03, 2026
Skylar Laird
COLUMBIA — Dogs surrounded Gov. Henry McMaster on Wednesday as he ceremonially signed a law that increases protections for police animals. In front of him sat a stuffed dog in a vest. To his left were Judah and Simon, two...
SC takes control of Pee Dee school district after report finds at least $7M in misspending, debts
South Carolina

SC takes control of Pee Dee school district after report finds at least $7M in misspending, debts

Jun 02, 2026
Skylar Laird
WEST COLUMBIA — The state will take control of the Marlboro County School District after a report found the district misspent and owed more than $7.3 million over five years. The State Board of Education’s unanimous vote Tuesday marked the...
U.S. Rep. Ralph Norman picks former SC Freedom Caucus chair as running mate
South Carolina

U.S. Rep. Ralph Norman picks former SC Freedom Caucus chair as running mate

Jun 01, 2026
Skylar Laird
U.S. Rep. Ralph Norman picked the former leader of the state House’s ultra-conservative Freedom Caucus as his running mate, the GOP candidate for governor announced Monday. Norman’s choice of former Rep. Adam Morgan, a Greenville County business owner and founding...
Democrats point to SC’s early voting records in pitch to stay first in 2028
South Carolina

Democrats point to SC’s early voting records in pitch to stay first in 2028

May 30, 2026
Skylar Laird
COLUMBIA — After record-smashing early voter numbers helped defeat a GOP redistricting proposal, South Carolina should at least remain the first state in the South to decide Democrats’ presidential nominee, the state’s leading Democrat and potential 2028 contenders said Friday...
SC attorney general joins push to speed up death row appeals process
South Carolina

SC attorney general joins push to speed up death row appeals process

May 29, 2026
Skylar Laird
COLUMBIA — South Carolina’s attorney general is supporting a federal proposal that would speed up the appeals process for death row inmates. The proposed rule change would make it easier for states to get federal permission to set timelines for...
Lawsuit challenging SC transfer of voter data to federal government ends with agreement
South Carolina

Lawsuit challenging SC transfer of voter data to federal government ends with agreement

May 28, 2026
Skylar Laird
COLUMBIA — A lawsuit over South Carolina sending voter information to the Department of Justice is officially over, weeks after state and federal agencies reached an agreement meant to protect voters’ privacy. The State Election Commission approved the agreement on...
GOP candidates for SC attorney general exchange barbs, disagree on marijuana
South Carolina

GOP candidates for SC attorney general exchange barbs, disagree on marijuana

May 28, 2026
Skylar Laird
COLUMBIA — Accusations of lying and not being enough of a Republican flew during an often-contentious debate among GOP candidates for attorney general Wednesday night. Sen. Stephen Goldfinch and 1st Circuit Solicitor David Pascoe frequently exchanged barbs during the hourlong...
SC solicitor running for attorney general calls for stricter oversight of Medicaid applications
South Carolina

SC solicitor running for attorney general calls for stricter oversight of Medicaid applications

May 27, 2026
Skylar Laird
COLUMBIA — A solicitor running for attorney general said Wednesday he would use the office to push for legislation giving the state’s top prosecutor more power to go after Medicaid fraudsters. The calls from David Stumbo, who’s competing in a...
SC early voting begins with record-breaking turnout. Many voters say redistricting is why.
South Carolina

SC early voting begins with record-breaking turnout. Many voters say redistricting is why.

May 26, 2026
Skylar Laird
ORANGEBURG — A record number of people cast their ballots Tuesday, the first day of early voting for South Carolina’s party primaries, with many saying they hoped to reduce the chances of a bill redrawing the state’s congressional maps becoming...
‘The loss does not diminish’: SC designates day for emergency responders killed in line of duty
South Carolina

‘The loss does not diminish’: SC designates day for emergency responders killed in line of duty

May 22, 2026
Skylar Laird
COLUMBIA — After Memorial Day commemorates those who died in military service, families of emergency responders killed in the line of duty will have their own day of remembrance starting this year. A new law designates June 1 as Gold...