Charleston

North Charleston – September 12, 2026 -- Federal health officials are warning consumers about concentrated 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) products sold as tablets, gummies, powders, drink mixes, shots and dissolvable strips, saying they are potent opioids that have not been proven safe or effective for any use.

The FDA has logged reports of addiction and seizures tied to 7-OH

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration says it has received adverse event reports linked to 7-OH products, including addiction, anxiety, depression, gastrointestinal distress, insomnia, seizures and withdrawal symptoms. No FDA-approved drugs currently contain 7-OH.

While 7-OH occurs naturally in trace amounts in the kratom plant, the concentrated and synthetic versions sold commercially can contain significantly elevated levels, according to the agency.

Charleston – September 09, 2026 -- Homeowners planning a backyard shed in Charleston, South Carolina, may need approval from two separate authorities before a single board goes up, according to a new HelloNation article featuring insights from Keith Kirwin, a Shed Expert with Cool Sheds.

The article explains that meeting a homeowners association's guidelines does not guarantee a local building department will approve the same shed, and vice versa.

HOA committees review size, color, and placement before purchase

According to the article, homeowners associations often route shed requests through an architectural committee that evaluates size, color, and lot placement. A formal application is frequently required before a shed is even bought.

Austin, Texas – September 03, 2026 -- Homebuyers hunting for a new-built house at a discount should look to Charleston, South Carolina, where new construction now sells for 12.2% less than existing homes, according to Realtor.com's second annual Top Metros for New Construction report.

Charleston-North Charleston tops the ranking of the 100 largest U.S. metros with an overall score of 84.7 out of 100. The median new-build listing there runs $443,273, compared with $504,832 for an existing home -- the widest new-construction price advantage among the top 10 markets.

Southern metros dominate the top 10 rankings

Eight of the 10 best metros for new construction sit in the South. Greenville-Anderson-Greer, South Carolina, ranks second, followed by Boise City, Idaho, in third. Six of the top 10 metros are located in North or South Carolina, and two more are in Tennessee.