Alan Hovorka
@alanhovorka.bsky.social
Breaking News and Courts reporter for The Charleston Post and Courier (mostly paywalled).
📷 Insta: alan.hovorka
✉️ Email: ahovorka@postandcourier.com
priors: Stevens Point Journal, PolitiFact Wisconsin
📷 Insta: alan.hovorka
✉️ Email: ahovorka@postandcourier.com
priors: Stevens Point Journal, PolitiFact Wisconsin
A man who killed himself in the Charleston County jail showed a guard a rope he had made days before his death
www.postandcourier.com/news/crime/c...
www.postandcourier.com/news/crime/c...
Charleston County jail guards, medical staff missed signs before inmate's death, SLED says
SLED report says Charleston County jail missed signs of suicide risk before Jordan Bell was found hanging in June 2024. No criminal prosecution sought.
www.postandcourier.com
June 2, 2025 at 1:09 PM
A man who killed himself in the Charleston County jail showed a guard a rope he had made days before his death
www.postandcourier.com/news/crime/c...
www.postandcourier.com/news/crime/c...
Reposted by Alan Hovorka
GENERAL FEATURE – 999 WORDS OR FEWER, DIV 1
Stellar short feature writing on topics such as A&E, lifestyles or news.
🥇 1st Place: @jociavaglia.bsky.social
🥈 2nd Place: @alanhovorka.bsky.social
🥉 3rd Place: @tbartelme.bsky.social
🏅 Honorable Mention: Kelly Meyerhofer, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Stellar short feature writing on topics such as A&E, lifestyles or news.
🥇 1st Place: @jociavaglia.bsky.social
🥈 2nd Place: @alanhovorka.bsky.social
🥉 3rd Place: @tbartelme.bsky.social
🏅 Honorable Mention: Kelly Meyerhofer, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
May 22, 2025 at 5:26 PM
GENERAL FEATURE – 999 WORDS OR FEWER, DIV 1
Stellar short feature writing on topics such as A&E, lifestyles or news.
🥇 1st Place: @jociavaglia.bsky.social
🥈 2nd Place: @alanhovorka.bsky.social
🥉 3rd Place: @tbartelme.bsky.social
🏅 Honorable Mention: Kelly Meyerhofer, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Stellar short feature writing on topics such as A&E, lifestyles or news.
🥇 1st Place: @jociavaglia.bsky.social
🥈 2nd Place: @alanhovorka.bsky.social
🥉 3rd Place: @tbartelme.bsky.social
🏅 Honorable Mention: Kelly Meyerhofer, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
SC Juvenile Justice staff allegedly allowed a teen inmate with severe mental illnesses to drink bleach in a suicide attempt, according to a new federal complaint.
www.postandcourier.com/columbia/juv...
www.postandcourier.com/columbia/juv...
Juvenile prison guards allowed teen with mental illness to drink bleach, be assaulted, complaint says
New federal lawsuit details a litany of abuse that the South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice and its staff allegedly allowed, enabled or did themselves.
www.postandcourier.com
January 14, 2025 at 4:44 PM
SC Juvenile Justice staff allegedly allowed a teen inmate with severe mental illnesses to drink bleach in a suicide attempt, according to a new federal complaint.
www.postandcourier.com/columbia/juv...
www.postandcourier.com/columbia/juv...
Public access to court proceedings matters. Here, The P&C's editorial board places my minor arrest in Berkeley County in context with other restrictive actions by the courts.
But, it's not all bad news!
www.postandcourier.com/opinion/edit...
But, it's not all bad news!
www.postandcourier.com/opinion/edit...
Editorial: Reporters shouldn't be arrested for trying to watch a trial; neither should you
South Carolina law, constitution say courtrooms are open to public; Berkeley County sheriff's deputy handcuffed Post and Courier reporter who tried to enter.
www.postandcourier.com
January 4, 2025 at 7:24 PM
Public access to court proceedings matters. Here, The P&C's editorial board places my minor arrest in Berkeley County in context with other restrictive actions by the courts.
But, it's not all bad news!
www.postandcourier.com/opinion/edit...
But, it's not all bad news!
www.postandcourier.com/opinion/edit...
Another South Carolina death warrant has been issued. Marion Bowman will be executed later this month in Columbia
www.postandcourier.com/politics/sc-...
www.postandcourier.com/politics/sc-...
SC court orders execution of inmate Marion Bowman on Jan. 31, continuing regular pace of executions
Marion Bowman was sentenced to death for fatally shooting childhood friend Kandee Martin in Dorchester County in 2001, before burning her body inside her car.
www.postandcourier.com
January 3, 2025 at 4:01 PM
Another South Carolina death warrant has been issued. Marion Bowman will be executed later this month in Columbia
www.postandcourier.com/politics/sc-...
www.postandcourier.com/politics/sc-...
After a Boeing whistleblower died by suicide, rampant conspiracies about the cause of his death came — and so did harassment. But, parsing fact from fiction led to a friendship between John Barnett’s family and Charleston’s coroner.
www.postandcourier.com/news/john-ba...
www.postandcourier.com/news/john-ba...
Boeing whistleblower's brother, coroner speak on conspiracies, harassment that followed his death
Death of Boeing whistleblower John Barnett led to the Charleston coroner asking for more security as conspiracies spread and her hostile phone calls came in.
www.postandcourier.com
November 29, 2024 at 12:36 PM
After a Boeing whistleblower died by suicide, rampant conspiracies about the cause of his death came — and so did harassment. But, parsing fact from fiction led to a friendship between John Barnett’s family and Charleston’s coroner.
www.postandcourier.com/news/john-ba...
www.postandcourier.com/news/john-ba...
Reposted by Alan Hovorka
Hi Folks: Firing up this account for the first time to note that today marks one year since the Russian government detained my colleague Evan Gershkovic in an act of supreme cynicism and cowardice. WSJ’s response is this stunning front page. #FreeEvan
March 29, 2024 at 3:32 AM
Hi Folks: Firing up this account for the first time to note that today marks one year since the Russian government detained my colleague Evan Gershkovic in an act of supreme cynicism and cowardice. WSJ’s response is this stunning front page. #FreeEvan
A new PBS travel show follows the routes set by 19th-century explorers. Their first stop: Charleston and western North Carolina. Behind the show is a drive to preserve the country's picturesque vistas.
www.postandcourier.com/charleston_s...
www.postandcourier.com/charleston_s...
New PBS documentary visits Charleston, following a 19th-century travel guide
"America: The Land We Live In" is pilot of travel documentary series seeking to rediscover picturesque landscapes that inspired the country's first travel book.
www.postandcourier.com
February 22, 2024 at 7:25 PM
A new PBS travel show follows the routes set by 19th-century explorers. Their first stop: Charleston and western North Carolina. Behind the show is a drive to preserve the country's picturesque vistas.
www.postandcourier.com/charleston_s...
www.postandcourier.com/charleston_s...
Reposted by Alan Hovorka
I’ve been saying this since mid-2022 and it’s why I left journalism.
Educating the public on matters of public import was never the core function of journalism. As it shrinks, noncore functions will be eliminated.
We need more civil society orgs that can become info-bearing. Eg LWV voter guides.
Educating the public on matters of public import was never the core function of journalism. As it shrinks, noncore functions will be eliminated.
We need more civil society orgs that can become info-bearing. Eg LWV voter guides.
Having a genuine run-in with the collapse of media, as I look through the candidates on my mail-in ballot and can’t find any information on any of the candidates. Not even like a “where do porter and schiff stand on the issues”! It’s context collapse all the way down.
February 7, 2024 at 11:58 PM
I’ve been saying this since mid-2022 and it’s why I left journalism.
Educating the public on matters of public import was never the core function of journalism. As it shrinks, noncore functions will be eliminated.
We need more civil society orgs that can become info-bearing. Eg LWV voter guides.
Educating the public on matters of public import was never the core function of journalism. As it shrinks, noncore functions will be eliminated.
We need more civil society orgs that can become info-bearing. Eg LWV voter guides.
Renowned American playwright Carlyle Brown returns to the place of his birth. He has some complicated feelings about Charleston and in this Q+A talks about his winding path to writing for theater.
Q&A: Guggenheim Fellow, Spoleto alumnus Carlyle Brown coming home after 20 years
The Minneapolis playwright is returning to the place of his birth to research his archival papers he donated 20 years ago as he seeks to memorialize his family.
www.postandcourier.com
February 2, 2024 at 8:34 PM
Renowned American playwright Carlyle Brown returns to the place of his birth. He has some complicated feelings about Charleston and in this Q+A talks about his winding path to writing for theater.
Don't let the headline fool you:
This is a story about blue-collar folks and what it takes to sustain Charleston's love of oysters. It's gross, rewarding and the people who do it wouldn't have it any other way.
This is a story about blue-collar folks and what it takes to sustain Charleston's love of oysters. It's gross, rewarding and the people who do it wouldn't have it any other way.
Shuck, slurp, recycle: Lowcountry Oyster Festival keeps on giving long after fun ends
The Lowcountry Oyster Festival returns for its 40th year on Feb 4. Meet the people who have taken out the valuable trash for over 20 years after the event ends.
www.postandcourier.com
January 30, 2024 at 3:23 PM
Don't let the headline fool you:
This is a story about blue-collar folks and what it takes to sustain Charleston's love of oysters. It's gross, rewarding and the people who do it wouldn't have it any other way.
This is a story about blue-collar folks and what it takes to sustain Charleston's love of oysters. It's gross, rewarding and the people who do it wouldn't have it any other way.
From the AP: Community health centers serve 1 in 11 Americans. They're a safety net under stress
Community health centers serve 1 in 11 Americans. They're a safety net under stress
Federally funded community health centers serve 1 in 11 Americans. Most of them are low-income and many are underinsured.
apnews.com
January 30, 2024 at 12:23 PM
From the AP: Community health centers serve 1 in 11 Americans. They're a safety net under stress
My latest: A relatively new North Charleston-based food truck offers history and remembrance for culture and the people who make us who we are.
Through Bert and T's, Charleston's Praline and other street candies come back to life.
Through Bert and T's, Charleston's Praline and other street candies come back to life.
'Lost art': Bert & T's food truck revives Charleston's Gullah street candy past
Bert and T's looks to honor the culinary legacy of two grandmothers who were best friends, also aims to restore a piece of Charleston's food past.
www.postandcourier.com
January 16, 2024 at 8:26 PM
My latest: A relatively new North Charleston-based food truck offers history and remembrance for culture and the people who make us who we are.
Through Bert and T's, Charleston's Praline and other street candies come back to life.
Through Bert and T's, Charleston's Praline and other street candies come back to life.
Charleston's contemporary art center and gallery space has a new director. His focus: broaden donor support to build on popular programs such as the nonprofit's popular short-term, subsidized artist residency program
New Redux director eyes financials as Charleston nonprofit plans future
For Redux's new director, bringing in more donor dollars will be key to any expansion of programming at the King Street art gallery and community space.
www.postandcourier.com
January 11, 2024 at 3:41 PM
Charleston's contemporary art center and gallery space has a new director. His focus: broaden donor support to build on popular programs such as the nonprofit's popular short-term, subsidized artist residency program
Police said he shot at them. Brent Conrad's family wants to push back against a law enforcement narrative that's hung over them since Conrad shot himself on the Interstate 526 Bridge. (via Ali Rockett)
'He never shot at police:' Family of man who died on I-526 bridge corrects record
Brent Conrad shot himself atop the Interstate 526 bridge over the Wando River. His family has had to live with initial reports that he tried to shoot at police. Now they want to set the record straigh...
www.postandcourier.com
December 19, 2023 at 2:52 PM
Police said he shot at them. Brent Conrad's family wants to push back against a law enforcement narrative that's hung over them since Conrad shot himself on the Interstate 526 Bridge. (via Ali Rockett)
Hip-hop in North Charleston, Charleston and beyond doesn't start with the 1973 Brooklyn block party.
This week, we published a package looking at the past, present and future of Lowcountry hip-hop.
We centered Black voices starting w/ a column from artist and freelance journo Indi'Gxld.
This week, we published a package looking at the past, present and future of Lowcountry hip-hop.
We centered Black voices starting w/ a column from artist and freelance journo Indi'Gxld.
A Charleston hip-hop artist's take on the local scene as we celebrate the genre's 50th
Indi'Gxld is a guest writer for this column in honor of this year's 50th anniversary of hip-hop. The local hip-hop artist, music blogger and event organizer talks about what the
www.postandcourier.com
December 15, 2023 at 3:30 PM
Hip-hop in North Charleston, Charleston and beyond doesn't start with the 1973 Brooklyn block party.
This week, we published a package looking at the past, present and future of Lowcountry hip-hop.
We centered Black voices starting w/ a column from artist and freelance journo Indi'Gxld.
This week, we published a package looking at the past, present and future of Lowcountry hip-hop.
We centered Black voices starting w/ a column from artist and freelance journo Indi'Gxld.
Reposted by Alan Hovorka
US retail lobbyists retract key claim on 'organized' retail crime
US retail lobbyists retract key claim on 'organized' retail crime | Reuters
The main lobbying group for U.S. retailers retracted its claim that "organized retail crime" accounted for nearly half of all inventory losses in 2021 after finding that incorrect data was used for it...
www.reuters.com
December 7, 2023 at 1:11 AM
US retail lobbyists retract key claim on 'organized' retail crime
Reposted by Alan Hovorka
A Washington Special Education School Accused of Abusing Students Is Closing Amid Scrutiny
The closure comes after The Seattle Times and ProPublica uncovered accusations about staff restraining and injuring vulnerable students.
The closure comes after The Seattle Times and ProPublica uncovered accusations about staff restraining and injuring vulnerable students.
A Washington Special Education School Accused of Abusing Students Is Closing Amid Scrutiny
The state’s investigation of Northwest SOIL, a private program serving public school students, was prompted by reporting from The Seattle Times and ProPublica that uncovered accusations about staff ...
www.propublica.org
December 4, 2023 at 6:56 PM
A Washington Special Education School Accused of Abusing Students Is Closing Amid Scrutiny
The closure comes after The Seattle Times and ProPublica uncovered accusations about staff restraining and injuring vulnerable students.
The closure comes after The Seattle Times and ProPublica uncovered accusations about staff restraining and injuring vulnerable students.
Tighty-whities, Catholic mass and ramen: A conversation with Japanese funk artist Kentaro Saito
Q&A: Japanese funk artist Kentaro Saito talks Catholic mass, ramen, tighty-whities
The Park Circle staple will play one more show as part of The Sparrow's sendoff before it closes after Dec. 15.
www.postandcourier.com
November 29, 2023 at 7:09 PM
Tighty-whities, Catholic mass and ramen: A conversation with Japanese funk artist Kentaro Saito
OK, what's the deal with people's perceptions about Mattress Firm?
I had a friend who worked at a showroom and he cut me a deal on a budget mattress. That bed developed a huge 4+ inch crater after a few years.
Mattress Firm just approved my warranty to replace it. Like, I see no negatives here
I had a friend who worked at a showroom and he cut me a deal on a budget mattress. That bed developed a huge 4+ inch crater after a few years.
Mattress Firm just approved my warranty to replace it. Like, I see no negatives here
November 28, 2023 at 3:57 PM
OK, what's the deal with people's perceptions about Mattress Firm?
I had a friend who worked at a showroom and he cut me a deal on a budget mattress. That bed developed a huge 4+ inch crater after a few years.
Mattress Firm just approved my warranty to replace it. Like, I see no negatives here
I had a friend who worked at a showroom and he cut me a deal on a budget mattress. That bed developed a huge 4+ inch crater after a few years.
Mattress Firm just approved my warranty to replace it. Like, I see no negatives here
I am back from a very long vacation.
Park Circle's The Sparrow is closing in mid-December.
The bar and events venue's final days are jam-packed with funk and punk bands, a record market, a comedy showcase of 25 comedians and.... three shows with Bobcat Goldthwait.
Park Circle's The Sparrow is closing in mid-December.
The bar and events venue's final days are jam-packed with funk and punk bands, a record market, a comedy showcase of 25 comedians and.... three shows with Bobcat Goldthwait.
Lights out at The Sparrow: Bands, comedians, Bobcat Goldthwait send off Park Circle bar
Punk rock, comedians and Bobcat Goldthwait will send off the beloved Park Circle bar.
www.postandcourier.com
November 28, 2023 at 2:47 PM
I am back from a very long vacation.
Park Circle's The Sparrow is closing in mid-December.
The bar and events venue's final days are jam-packed with funk and punk bands, a record market, a comedy showcase of 25 comedians and.... three shows with Bobcat Goldthwait.
Park Circle's The Sparrow is closing in mid-December.
The bar and events venue's final days are jam-packed with funk and punk bands, a record market, a comedy showcase of 25 comedians and.... three shows with Bobcat Goldthwait.
Reposted by Alan Hovorka
Here’s what we are reading today:
Ukrainian forces claim to have secured ‘a foothold on several bridgeheads’ on the east bank of the Dnipro river.
The river largely shapes the front line in Southern Ukraine.
www.aljazeera.com/amp/news/202...
Ukrainian forces claim to have secured ‘a foothold on several bridgeheads’ on the east bank of the Dnipro river.
The river largely shapes the front line in Southern Ukraine.
www.aljazeera.com/amp/news/202...
November 17, 2023 at 2:47 PM
Here’s what we are reading today:
Ukrainian forces claim to have secured ‘a foothold on several bridgeheads’ on the east bank of the Dnipro river.
The river largely shapes the front line in Southern Ukraine.
www.aljazeera.com/amp/news/202...
Ukrainian forces claim to have secured ‘a foothold on several bridgeheads’ on the east bank of the Dnipro river.
The river largely shapes the front line in Southern Ukraine.
www.aljazeera.com/amp/news/202...
Reposted by Alan Hovorka
ICYMI: I got internal communications from DeSantis' office about his crackdown on drag shows reason.com/2023/11/09/i...
November 10, 2023 at 1:53 PM
ICYMI: I got internal communications from DeSantis' office about his crackdown on drag shows reason.com/2023/11/09/i...
Reposted by Alan Hovorka
We at The Counteroffensive are trying to wean ourselves (and our audience) off of Twitter, by giving out as many invites as we can to our readers.
If you've got some invites sitting around, please send them to will@counteroffensive.news
Thank you for your support!
If you've got some invites sitting around, please send them to will@counteroffensive.news
Thank you for your support!
November 5, 2023 at 5:08 PM
We at The Counteroffensive are trying to wean ourselves (and our audience) off of Twitter, by giving out as many invites as we can to our readers.
If you've got some invites sitting around, please send them to will@counteroffensive.news
Thank you for your support!
If you've got some invites sitting around, please send them to will@counteroffensive.news
Thank you for your support!
Reposted by Alan Hovorka
Everyone wish Godzilla a happy 69th birthday
November 3, 2023 at 4:39 PM
Everyone wish Godzilla a happy 69th birthday