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By Matthew Hensley  | mhensley@postandcourier
Local Editor, The Post and Courier Spartanburg

Good afternoon.

It's been a newsy week with a lot I could talk about.

Spartanburg County is on track to surpass $1 billion in new investment announcements this year. Whataburger will soon open its first restaurant inside Spartanburg city limits, which will likely snarl traffic. The state has cleared its latest hurdle ahead of the scheduled execution of Richard Moore. Inmates have sued the state prison system alleging the way they are paid for work breaks the law.

But I've received more than a few emails recently about our coverage recent coverage of Sheriff Chuck Wright. While much of it has been positive, some have accused me and my staff of writing about Sheriff Chuck Wright because he's a Republican who we have it out for.

For those who think that, I'm going to state the obvious: We aren't political operatives. We're journalists who intend to report the news.

Listen, I don't look at the letter beside someone's name when making decisions on who or what we should cover. Good and bad, I've reported on Republicans and Democrats alike.

When I wrote about a former mayor in North Carolina who was in trouble with the medical board because he prescribed psychoactive drugs to a family member (that's a no-no) and his clinic was connected to cases of Hepatitis C, I did it knowing he'd endorsed President Barack Obama in the 2008 election.

When I wrote about a sheriff in North Carolina who'd been frustrated about a string of robberies — he even participated in a high-speed chase in an unsuccessful attempt to nab the culprit — then wrote a letter on the robber's behalf seeking leniency when it turned out it was the son of a former deputy, I did so knowing he was a Democrat. And when he ran for a seat in the North Carolina Senate, his Republican opponent cited my reporting in a litany of mailers.

I'm not here to play partisan politics, nor is my staff. We're here to report the news.

'It's an issue': Spartanburg County Council plans to rein in Sheriff Wright's credit card spending

And when the sheriff's son becomes one of his deputies, which leads to an ethics investigation, that's news.

When there are reasons to question how the sheriff spends money on a county-funded credit card and Spartanburg County Council looks at how to rein in that spending, that's news. (You can see his spending for yourself here.)

When the sheriff takes flak for a viral interview about FEMA, seems to walk it back, then makes new comments and is called out by a member of County Council, that's news.

If Sheriff Wright disagrees with the newsworthiness of any of these stories or thinks we're treating him unfairly, he's welcome to let us know. To date, he hasn't.

If you have any thoughts on our reporting or want to share a news tip, feel free to contact me at 910-373-1279 or mhensley@postandcourier.com. And if you want to support our journalism, consider subscribing if you don't already.

One more thing: I'm working from home today because — and this might shock you — Spectrum still hadn't restored internet to the office at last check. If you have your own stories about how going without internet has affected you, let me know.

Thank you for reading!

— Matt H.

SC sheriff's comments on FEMA don't represent Spartanburg County, elected official says
 

Here are five pieces of our journalism you should know about this week.

  1. County Council plans to rein in sheriff's credit card spending
    Sheriff Chuck Wright’s credit card spending could soon see county-set limits after an earlier report from The Post and Courier that outlined spending on fast food, streaming services and online purchases. (Read the latest.)
     
  2. Is it OK to visit for fall leaves in NC, SC mountains? Even after Helene, these towns say please do.

    There are places to see fall foliage in South Carolina and Western North Carolina, even after Helene. But it won't be the same as normal. (Read the story.)

  3. Trump says a child could assemble cars in SC. Upstate leaders disagree.

    Spartanburg County Councilman David Britt called the comments insulting to the region, which is home to a large BMW manufacturing facility. He invited Trump to try working on the BMW assembly line. (Read the story.)

  4. Spectrum moves deadline again. AT&T declines to say when internet will be restored.

    The last thousands of Spectrum and AT&T customers without internet service continue to wait for repairs almost a month after Helene wreaked havoc. (Read the story.)

  5. Nationwide shortage of IV fluids leaves Goose Creek woman and other SC patients watching supplies dwindle

    Hurricane Helene flooded a factory in North Carolina that makes the majority of IV fluids for U.S. patients. A Goose Creek woman's health is now endangered. (Read the story.)

 
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20 Augusta St., Greenville, SC 29601

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