The Post and Courier

Senior projects reporter Tony Bartelme dug deeply into the mystery surrounding a missing F-35 stealth fighter jet. His reporting revealed concerns raised about the expensive plane’s apparent vulnerability in lightning storms and other questions that have surfaced after crashes. At least 11 other F-35s have crashed since 2018.

Last October, our reporters dogged Sumter officials and fought for public records to chase a tip from a concerned resident. They found that millions of dollars from taxpayers and state grants were used to build a city welcome center, only not everyone was welcome.

In February 2024, we published the results of an investigation by reporters Jocelyn Grzeszczak and Eva Herscowitz that ultimately helped expose an extensive public corruption scandal in North Charleston. Executive Editor Jeff Taylor asked Jocelyn to take us through the investigation and their use of the state Freedom of Information Act. See their Q&A here:?

At The Post and Courier, we see Sunshine Week as an opportunity to celebrate serving our communities. We’ve embraced the mission to inform and educate for 220-plus years. A vital part of that mission is our investigative reporting?— shining light where it’s needed. For the rest of this week, Executive Editor Jeff Taylor will highlight daily examples of watchdog work done by our reporters since last year, and how public records played an important role. You’ll hear directly from them in a Q&A format. They’ll take you inside their reporting and how we got the story.

As part of Sunshine Week, The Post and Courier is highlighting past watchdog stories written by our talented journalists and how public records played an important role. Reporters Jocelyn Grzeszczak and Eva Herscowitz used FOIA requests to expose corruption in North Charleston's $1.3M anti-gun violence program. Their persistent pursuit of public documents revealed improper vetting, zero accountability, and financial mismanagement. The investigation triggered an FBI probe resulting in multiple corruption charges. Without these public records, taxpayers would never have known how their money was misused—a powerful reminder of why government transparency matters. Read more about: https://lnkd.in/e3rNU7Rf Help us continue this important work. Consider donating to postandcourierfund.com #SunshineWeek #FOIA #postandcourier #Accountability #JournalismMatters #SunshineIsTheBestDisenfenctant

The sale of?Duke's Real Mayonnaise?parent?Sauer Brands Inc. to a Boston private equity buyout shop has been signed, sealed and delivered, the companies recently announced. Financial terms were not disclosed, but the value of the acquisition by?Advent International?was pegged at around $1.5 billion,?Bloomberg News?reported earlier this year.?

The developer of a contested 17-acre medical project on Johns Island has withdrawn a critical request after a 6-2 vote on March 6 denied the latest rezoning application for the Island Park Place Health and Wellness Village.

South Carolina consumers are feeling the pinch, and?The Post and Courier?compared five of the basic supermarket staples — before taxes?— in similar stores around the state to find the best deals.

While no one has said whether the 19-story Dockside Condominiums — Charleston's tallest building other than a church steeple — could tumble, city officials are asking that very question.

A men’s apparel company boosted by?Forbes,?Howard Stern?and?Barstool Sports?has found a home in downtown Charleston.