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The Carnival Sunshine's departure from Union Pier Terminal in downtown Charleston has raised hopes that cruise ships might return to another part of the region, with North Charleston officials floating the possibility of a new cruise terminal in that city.

But a powerful force is working against such a possibility: the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge.

The landmark bridge's height — or, rather, lack of it — is among several factors undermining a home-ported cruise ship in North Charleston, said Stewart Chiron, an industry analyst who runs The Cruise Guy website.

"There are just a few of those ships left" that can fit under the bridge, Chiron said.

Meanwhile, elected officials in North Charleston have met with union dockworkers and representatives of the S.C. State Ports Authority to talk about the concept of a cruise terminal at or near the former Navy Base where the city envisions a riverfront redevelopment with homes, restaurants, shops, parks and other amenities to lure residents and visitors.

A cruise ship terminal might be the perfect accompaniment to that makeover, they say, and City Council toured the Union Pier site in late December — just before the Sunshine's final Holy City-based cruise — to get a better idea of how such a facility might work.

The answer could be more complicated than imagined.

Chiron said the Charleston area's distance from most Caribbean destinations means the Bahamas is the only practical itinerary, and most cruise lines want to give their guests a broader port-of-call choice. He sees Carnival as the only operator willing to take a chance on the Lowcountry — and that ship has sailed.

"Carnival, because they've got so many ships, they can put them in a lot of different places," Chiron said. "They do more homeporting than any other cruise line. Any other cruise line is going to be seasonal, and they're not going to commit long term."

With cost estimates of a new homeport structure topping $100 million, no one is going to build a terminal for a few months of cruises each year from an operator unwilling to contribute funding and stick around for the long-term.

"My question to a government official would be: Are you really going to spend taxpayer dollars on a building for a ship that would only be here for a couple of years, one that's two shakes from the scrapper?" Chiron asked.

Barbara Melvin, the SPA's president and CEO, has been noncommittal. The maritime agency already has plenty on its plate with the sale of Union Pier, building the second phase of the Leatherman Terminal, expanding the North Charleston Terminal onto the former WestRock paper mill site, opening a new rail yard and other expensive, big-ticket projects.

"We will always evaluate every opportunity to continue to diversify the business segments that we operate in, but that has to make sense for us," Melvin said of a potential North Charleston cruise terminal. "It has to make sense for the city, and for any company that approaches us about cruising in the future. It has to make sense for everyone involved."

Ken Riley, head of the local International Longshoremen's Association, hopes a new cruise terminal will restore jobs for the roughly 60 members of the dockworker's union who used to help load baggage and supplies on Carnival ships.

"If we're able to pull this off in North Charleston, I think that city would benefit tremendously," he said.

A spokesman for Mayor Reggie Burgess said "there are a lot of moving parts" in the discussion over a possible cruise terminal in the city. Such a facility "would be complementary to what the city is trying to do at the old Navy Base." But with so many unknowns, a new terminal "is more of a concept than a plan," he said.

More than geography, cost and business factors, the practical matter of fitting under the Ravenel Bridge might be the biggest obstacle.

Cruise lines continue to build bigger and bigger ships to carry more passengers — and boost profits through economies of scale — while retiring, scrapping or selling off their older and smaller vessels for use outside the supersized U.S. market.

The iconic cable-stayed bridge linking Mount Pleasant and Charleston's peninsula isn't going to get any taller. Its air draft — the amount of space between the Cooper River waterline and the underside of the Ravenel — is officially 185 feet, according to the U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics, or 186 feet according to the U.S. Coast Guard. Tides can also affect the height.

The Norwegian Jewel, Royal Caribbean vessels Brilliance of the Seas and Enchantment of the Seas and Carnival's Legend and Paradise all fit under the 181-foot-tall Sunshine Skyway Bridge near Tampa, so they could also squeeze under the Ravenel. But the youngest of those small cruise ships turns 20 this year.

Cruise lines maximize profits by stacking deck upon deck of passenger cabins, restaurants and other revenue-generating amenities. The Sunshine, launched in 1996, has 14 tiers, topped by a 50-foot funnel, or "whale tail." The trend for years has been toward bigger ships with more balcony and ocean-view rooms.

"This supersizing is also a reflection of the fact that the amenity-loaded ships have become the main lure for many cruisers; ports of call are now almost secondary attractions," according to a report by The Week, a news website.

By turning their vessels into Disney-style resorts, "cruise lines have expanded their customer base beyond the old stereotype of the 'newlywed and nearly dead.' "

There are a couple of places where cruise ships could dock that don't require bridge clearance, but they don't have the backing of public officials. Mount Pleasant Town Council passed a resolution in May banning cruise ships at the Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum across the Cooper River from Union Pier. And the SPA has no plans to use Columbus Street Terminal along the Charleston peninsula for cruise ships. That terminal is used to stage BMWs and other vehicles being exported to foreign markets.

Even if all the hurdles are cleared, there's no guarantee a cruise terminal in North Charleston won't run into the same legal buzzsaw that derailed the SPA's plans for such a facility at Union Pier years ago. Environmentalists in 2012 challenged state and federal permits the SPA needed to build a new terminal, calling cruise ships a public nuisance. Years of court battles followed and, in the end, the SPA abandoned its plans and decided to sell Union Pier for redevelopment.

Riley Egger with the Coastal Conservation League said there are currently too many unknowns with a North Charleston terminal — ship size and frequency, parking, availability of shore power and how passengers will get around the city — to know what, if any, objections might arise.

"There are a lot more questions than answers," she said. "But it's going to be necessary that the community impacts and the environmental impacts are fully evaluated and considered through a public, transparent process no matter where the location is."

President Joe Biden will wrap up his presidency in Charleston this weekend, spending his final day in office in the city where it all began with the 2020 endorsement of Congressman Jim Clyburn.

“He is coming to thank the very community and the people who put him in the White House,” says former State Sen. Marlon Kimpson who was appointed by Biden in 2023 to serve on the U.S. Trade Advisory Committee.

Kimpson says Biden will worship at Royal Missionary Baptist Church in North Charleston Sunday and attend a reception at the International African American Museum at Gadsden’s Wharf in Charleston.

“While he will be thanking us, we will also be thanking him,” says Kimpson. “This president has done tremendous service to our state.”

Kimpson points to the Bipartisan Infrastructure law of 2021 that brought millions of dollars to our state, including the expansion of broadband allowing internet access for people in rural communities at a critical time, during the pandemic.

He also applauds the outgoing president for expanding healthcare for many who could not afford it, in particular, the American Rescue Plan that provided relief for families and workers impacted by COVID.

“All those resources enable our people to live a better quality of life,” says Kimpson.

As for what’s next with former President Donald Trump officially returning to the White House the day after Biden’s visit, Kimpson believes attacks on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion programs have been misplaced.

“People are hurting in our country and they’re looking for somebody to blame for their own lack of success,” he says.

“I think leveling the playing field for opportunities for those who haven’t historically had those disadvantages is not taking away from someone who thinks they’re deserving.”

As for President Biden’s message Sunday, Kimpson says, that’s anyone’s guess.

“I can say this. It’s hist last day in office and he will be speaking to the world.”

In other words, all eyes will be on Charleston.

The White House has issued a press release acknowledging the president’s visit to Charleston but has yet to include specifics.

CHARLESTON COUNTY, S.C. (WCSC) - Charleston County Council’s newly-elected chairman laid out the details of what he calls his five-point plan for the future of the county.

Council Chair Kylon Middleton, along with new Vice Chair Larry Kobrovsky and Council members Henry Darby and Teddie Pryor spoke with reporters at council chambers Tuesday night.

Middleton says one of their priorities is initiating a countywide audit to ensure each department within county government is performing at its best and every tax dollar is spent responsibly.

He also wants to focus on issues that matter most to residents, saying some have been delayed for too long.

“We will prioritize road projects, not these in any particular order, but road projects like Highway 41 and to improve key intersections,” Middleton said. “Additionally, we will complete the Lowcountry Bus Rapid Transit. That has already been something that Council has been working on. To enhance our public transit options along with some other options of transit options like rail and other things that have been contemplated.”

He also highlighted continuing affordable housing projects, something he calls a growing challenge; and restoring integrity and trust within the county government.

“Ensure transparency in all county business. Transparency is foundational to restoring trust in our government and it will be a guiding principle under my leadership,” Middleton said. “We will prioritize conducting the people’s business in public. That could be seen in our committee meeting on Thursday. We did not leave to go into executive session, we stayed here and we conducted the people’s business in public.”

He said executive sessions at county meetings will be rare and only done when necessary.

Middleton also said public safety is a top priority and that they would make sure that law enforcement has the support that they need.

“This means more funding for officers, better equipment, enhancing the training for the sheriff’s and solicitor’s offices, but public safety is not just about resources, it’s also about building trust and strengthening relationships between law enforcement and the community,” Middleton said. “We will hold regular community meetings where community citizens can share their concerns and ideas and we’ll work together to find solutions that keep our neighborhoods safe.”

Middleton’s final key point is to highlight the work that the county has already accomplished and to continue its efforts to build on those achievements.

“This is a marathon and not a sprint, and so we can’t burn out and give out gas early, but we must continue to be dogged in this pursuit so that we can bring all of the council together, but through hard work, collaboration, and a renewed focus on the things that matter the most to the people of Charleston County we will succeed,” Middleton said.

Kobrovsky said the bipartisan outcome of the transportation sales tax referendum will help them build towards a better future.

“When we saw the results of the recent referendum, there was a bipartisan coalition for fiscal conservatism, but also conservation and what we love about living here and I think that by almost two-thirds, that gives us the potential to build on and I expect us to do that,” Kobrovsky said.

Middleton and Kobrovsky replaced former Chairman Herbert Sass and Vice Chairwoman Jenny Costa Honeycutt.

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NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) — A North Charleston restaurant owner is one of three chefs chosen to showcase South Carolina’s culinary scene on the national stage this year.

Shuai Wang, the owner and chef of Jackrabbit Filly and King BBQ, was named a 2025 Chef Ambassador during a ceremony at the South Carolina Statehouse on Monday. The other chefs chosen were Greenville chef Jeanne Koenigsberg and Conway restaurant owner and executive chef Darren Smith.

Chef ambassadors represent South Carolina at food festivals and other events, sharing the state’s rich culinary traditions and agricultural heritage by using produce, meats, dairy, and seafood from local farms to prepare dishes.

“Food is an important part of our state’s history, culture, and economy, and it’s where two of our largest industries — tourism and agriculture — overlap and excel,” said Gov. Henry McMaster. “Our world-class culinary talent is highlighted and celebrated through the Chef Ambassador program, showcasing the best of South Carolina chefs, farmers, and locally grown products.”

Monday’s announcement comes during South Carolina Restaurant Week, an 11-day celebration of local cuisine in which hundreds of restaurants offer special menus and select deals.

South Carolina has spent decades building up its reputation as a culinary hotspot, drawing millions of travelers each year and generating billions for the economy. The restaurant industry was expected to contribute nearly $22 billion in sales to the state’s economy in 2024, according to a report from the National Restaurant Association.

Wang and his wife opened their Short Grain food truck in 2015, serving up non-traditional Japanese fare. At the time, it was named one of America’s Top 50 Best New Restaurants by Bon Appetit Magazine and earned Wang a James Beard Award nomination for Rising Star Chef.

Flash forward to 2025 and the couple now has two restaurants beloved by the community: Jackrabbit Filly, which describes itself as a family-style “Heritage Driven New Chinese American Restaurant,” and Kings BBQ, which offers “Chinatown Barbecue made with Southern Smoke.”

Wang said in a statement that his restaurants still use ingredients from many of the same farmers as when the truck first opened, and he is eager to highlight that sense of community through the program.

“This opportunity is a great way for me to showcase just how easy it is to support your local farmers and fishermen, and that any cuisine is able to utilize what is locally grown seasonally,” he said. “I’m looking forward to all the fun events that I get to be a part of this year, representing Charleston and South Carolina.”

The chef ambassador program is currently in its 11th year.

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WCSC) - South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster declared a state of emergency Friday because of winter weather expected to affect much of the state.

The state’s Emergency Operations Center moved to Operation Condition, or OPCON, 2 as of Friday morning. OPCON 2 means a disaster or emergency is considered “likely” to effect the state and emergency operation plans are put into place.

While most of the Lowcountry will see only a light dusting of sleet or brief snow flurries before temperatures rise and rain moves in, snow, sleet and ice is expected to affect much of the rest of the state.

Click here to download the free Live 5 First Alert Weather app.

“Our state’s emergency teams are fully prepared, and this State of Emergency will provide them additional support to respond to the winter weather moving across our state,” McMaster said. “Forecasts predict significant snow, sleet, and ice, with conditions intensifying earlier than anticipated, creating dangerous road conditions today and into tomorrow. I urge all South Carolinians to avoid travel unless absolutely necessary, take appropriate safety measures, and stay informed by following local weather updates.”

McMaster’s executive order will allow state agencies to better coordinate any needed resources because of the winter storm, Emergency Management Division Director Kim Stenson said.

“We’ve faced snow and ice storms in the past, and we are fully prepared to respond to any requests for assistance from our local emergency managers,” Stenson said.

The South Carolina Department of Transportation began pretreating roads and highways Wednesday and has stationed equipment and personnel in strategic locations across the state.

The state’s Department of Public Safety urges drivers to frequently check the weather forecast and stay informed, as conditions can change quickly. Unnecessary travel is discouraged. Troopers will be closely monitoring roadways for hazardous conditions during weather events and will work with our partners to respond as swiftly as possible.

Residents should remember the following winter safety precautions:

The Live 5 Weather team declared Friday a First Alert Weather Day earlier this week because of the threat of a wintry mix for parts of the Lowcountry from the early bands of the winter storm as it moves in from the west.

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