Drought Watch: South Carolina’s Drought Response Committee kept all 46 counties in moderate-to-severe drought, with scattered showers offering only brief relief and Edgefield upgraded to severe—raising fears of extreme drought later this summer. Data Center Pressure: New York signed the first statewide moratorium on large data centers, pausing permits for projects 50MW+ while it studies power, water, and air impacts—an approach that could spread to other states, including here as S.C. debates how to handle AI-driven growth. Local Water Power Uncertainty: In Ware Shoals, the hydroelectric project owner says surrendering its federal license may be the only option, but residents still lack clear answers on whether the dam will be removed or left standing. Wildlife & Community: Prosperity police and Newberry County deputies rescued a baby alligator from a ditch and turned it over to SCDNR, urging residents not to handle wild animals. Health Update: South Carolina reported 16 cyclosporiasis cases statewide, with officials saying the state isn’t part of the current multistate outbreak. Tropical Monitoring: The National Hurricane Center flagged a low chance of tropical development stretching from Florida’s Big Bend toward the Carolina coast. Insurance for Hospitality: The South Carolina Bar and Tavern Association launched a program with Ragnar Hospitality Insurance to help bars and restaurants get liquor liability coverage as costs rise. Upstate Grid Buildout: EPC Power opened a Fountain Inn facility to make power inverters for AI data centers, adding 275 jobs and aiming to reduce strain on the electric grid.