Jordan Lawrence

Legends never die.

‘The keeper of the vibe’: Remembering Lisa Willis, the heart and soul of Free Times for 31 years A 30-year veteran of Free Times, Lisa Willis passed away Oct. 29, 2025. She’s remembered for her hard work, dedication and relentlessly funny and social spirit.

So many variations of the same very correct sentiment here, all of them so good to read right now: Lisa Willis WAS Free Times.

She was the best, and I'll miss her.

www.postandcourier.com/free-times/n...

Jordan Lawrence named Columbia editor of The Post and Courier A seasoned journalist with over a decade of experience, Jordan Lawrence said he is excited to continue his work covering Columbia and the SC Midlands.

Time for the personal news.

Feeling incredibly lucky to keep doing the work I love in a city I love. Columbi-YEAH.

www.postandcourier.com/columbia/new...

In a literal sense, yes, I’ll be over there shortly.

I learned from great editors, including Brian Tolley, Sarah Ellis Owen, Paul Osmundson, and John Gogick, and I was able to help steward a newsroom full of talented and passionate reporters who make Columbia a better place. I wish them all the best. They deserve it.

Today was my last day with The State newspaper. Next stop to be announced soon (I’m not going far).

Working for The State, as a reporter and then an editor, was one of my most fulfilling experiences in journalism.

Based on the Best Seller, by Sloan 12 track album

So here it is, my old-man-est tweet to date:

I maybe think Sloan put out the best album of the year.

sloanmusic.bandcamp.com/album/based-...

Columbia ordered to pay former car wash nearly $6M. Will it mean city cuts? Columbia says paying the verdict would impact “its ability to provide essential public services.”

Columbia says paying the verdict would impact “its ability to provide essential public services.”

Join The State reporters at The Tent Coffee Shop in Lexington, SC, on Oct. 10 to discuss local news coverage, growth and other issues. https://bit.ly/4pJLBrO?link_source=ta_bluesky_link&taid=b1249635-cbcc-4e27-a25c-3c2e73f27210&utm_campaign=trueanthem&utm_medium=social&utm_source=bluesky

Meet us for another Coffeehouse Conversation. Share your ideas in Lexington We want to hear from you. Share your story ideas with us in one of the Midlands’ quickly growing towns.

Hey Lexington, we want to hear what you want from your local news. Come on out to talk to @thestate.com reporters covering your community next Friday, Oct. 10! www.thestate.com/news/local/a...

The city of Cayce paid a communications firm more than $26,000 for a campaign to promote its police department after a reporter’s public records request ignited concerns from city officials about a negative news story from those documents.

Read the full story: bit.ly/46Avns8

SC Republicans called to fire over Kirk posts. What they say about free speech SC Republicans who called for Clemson University employees to be fired have previously championed free speech.

SC Republicans who called for Clemson University employees to be fired have previously championed free speech.

Doomsday Profit, by Doomsday Profit 9 track album

Always nice when your buds have a genuinely ripping band. @doomsdayprofit.bsky.social have a new album, and it's the sludgy end times soundtrack you've been looking for. doomsdayprofit.bandcamp.com/album/doomsd...

Columbia church votes to leave its denomination. Bishop blames ‘misinformation’ Why most members of a 140-year-old South Carolina church are considering changing their affiliation.

More SC church breakup news. This time it's a 140-year-old Columbia Lutheran church looking to break away from the national denomination. www.thestate.com/living/relig...

She chairs a public Midlands school board. Her kids are going to private school Why a public school official in the Columbia area decided to send her children to a private school out of the district.

Why are the children of a public school board chair going to a private school? And is that a problem? www.thestate.com/news/local/e...

a woman in a green dress is standing in front of a window and says `` hello , i live here . '' ALT: a woman in a green dress is standing in front of a window and says `` hello , i live here . ''

I moved to Columbia in December 2013. Tonight, I go to my first Gamecock home football game.

Scout Motors is giving out free coffee. Here’s where and when to grab some The company, which has promised to bring 4,000 new jobs to the area, will be giving out free cups of coffee around the Midlands Friday.

The company, which has promised to bring 4,000 new jobs to the area, will be giving out free cups of coffee around the Midlands Friday.

Irmo honors its Little League teams for World Series appearances The Irmo Little League recognizes several teams for their accomplishments in 2025.

The Irmo Little League recognizes several teams for their accomplishments in 2025.

Get coffee with The State and tell us what you think of our Chapin coverage The first in our series of Coffee Conversations is set for Friday, Sept. 5.

Join @bristowmarchant.bsky.social, @hannahwade2000.bsky.social and I in Chapin at The Daily Grind tomorrow from 12-2 to tell us your thoughts about @thestate.com’s local news coverage! www.thestate.com/news/local/a...

Get coffee with The State and tell us what you think of our Chapin coverage The first in our series of Coffee Conversations is set for Friday, Sept. 5.

Y'all still have time to join @hannahwade2000.bsky.social, @jorlaw.bsky.social and I for coffee this Friday in Chapin. Sign up using the link so we'll know we'll see you there. www.thestate.com/news/local/a...

Indie Legacy Acts, Erudite Pop-Rock, and a Little Bit of Doom Metal: What to See at This Year's Hopscotch Hopscotch Music Festival is back Sept. 4-6 for its 15th go-round in downtown Raleigh.

For only the 2nd time (really the 1st with the festival being fully back in post-pandemic action), I won't be going to the Hopscotch Music Festival this year. But I still have thoughts on what you might see if you're going. I shared them for @indyweek.bsky.social. indyweek.com/music/hopsco...

Get coffee with The State and tell us what you think of our Chapin coverage The first in our series of Coffee Conversations is set for Friday, Sept. 5.

One week from today, @hannahwade2000.bsky.social, @bristowmarchant.bsky.social and I will be at The Daily Grind Cafe in Chapin to talk with you about our local news coverage. Come on by! www.thestate.com/news/local/a...

Hackers demanded Midlands school district pay ransom. They refused District officials offered the most detailed insight yet into a data breach that left some former students’ information exposed, and offered next steps to those affected.

How a Midlands school district stood up to hackers that stole students' data. www.thestate.com/news/local/e...

I hope y'all weren't wanting to report any non-celebrity-engagement news today.

New Columbia coffee shop debuts in a trendy development. Here’s where The newly opened Columbia shop offers specialty coffees and teas and is located in well-known apartment development.

New Vibez near the river.

How former USC football superstar Marcus Lattimore turned pain into poetry Opinion editor Matthew T. Hall interviewed USC great Marcus Lattimore whose book is out ahead of a season of high hopes for the Gamecocks. This is part one.

Opinion editor Matthew T. Hall interviewed USC great Marcus Lattimore whose book is out ahead of a season of high hopes for the Gamecocks. This is part one.

Join me, @hannahwade2000.bsky.social & @jorlaw.bsky.social for some journalism office hours at the Daily Grind in Chapin next Friday, Sept. 5, from 12 to 2 p.m. www.eventbrite.com/e/coffeehous...

SC church breakup will be handled by a single court, just not the Supreme Court An Upstate Methodist church sought to have the state’s highest court settle its fight to get out of the United Methodist denomination. But the justices found another solution.

An Upstate Methodist church sought to have the state’s highest court settle its fight to get out of the United Methodist denomination. But the justices found another solution.

Columbia park renovation was criticized for tree loss. How many got cut down? Mays Park in Columbia, SC reopens after $1M renovation. Improvements include a splash pad and pickleball court, but the loss of trees sparked community debate.

Mays Park in Columbia, SC reopens after $1M renovation. Improvements include a splash pad and pickleball court, but the loss of trees sparked community debate.

Trustus Theatre nearly left the Vista. Why the Columbia institution stayed put Trustus Theatre remains in Columbia's Vista, preserving its historic home with renovations. The upgrades enhance performance spaces and honor its legacy.

Checked in with Trustus about how the foundational Columbia theater company ditched talks to move from its longtime home and focus on funding upgrades. www.thestate.com/news/local/a...