Free Times

09/21/2025

Every time he’s home, Steve Ray Ladson plays banjo for his family’s horses. It’s just one of the ways the Hopkins native stays connected to his country roots.

Hopkins, South Carolina’s Steve Ray Ladson has gone viral for two original country songs on “America’s Got Talent,” where he’s headed to the finale.

09/20/2025

The free music festival is serving as the park’s grand reopening celebration after more than two years and $25 million in renovations.

Steve Ray Ladson, a Midlands native competing on “America’s Got Talent,” and rock band Silkworm will headline the free music festival in Columbia.

09/19/2025

Steve Ray Ladon, South Carolina's banjo-picking viral upstart, is set to headline this year's festival.

09/19/2025

Vivian Wilson made her New York Fashion Week debut in Alexis Bittar’s show featuring a mock Miss USA pageant. Contestants were all trans models representing states with anti-trans laws.

Vivian Wilson, Elon Musk’s daughter, walked her first Fashion Week show dressed as Miss South Carolina in Alexis Bittar’s Miss USA 1991 “dream sequence.”

09/19/2025

Columbia's Greek Festival runs until Sunday afternoon. Here are some food items you can expect to see for sale.

For the latest news, visit postandcourier.com/columbia and Free-Times.com

(🎥 Zoe Nicholson/Staff)

09/19/2025

Jam Room, the long-running Main Street music festival, is moving to Finlay Park.

Steve Ray Ladson, a Midlands native competing on “America’s Got Talent,” and rock band Silkworm will headline the free music festival in Columbia.

09/19/2025

Friday is here, and Ian Grenier has three stories for you to know before the weekend starts rolling.

For the latest news, visit postandcourier.com/columbia and Free-Times.com

09/19/2025

Some are “obsessed.” Others think true crime is “overdone.”

For this week’s Ear to the Ground, Free Times readers tell us what they think about the true crime genre, ahead of Hulu’s TV show about the Murdaugh saga.

09/18/2025

Free Times reporter Sydney Dunlap realized early on she loved asking questions and hearing a good story, but she didn’t realize it was a love she shared with Columbia readers.

Free Times reporter Sydney Dunlap talks about how she found her passion for knowledge and journalism, and a love of Columbia, SC’s restaurant and food news.

09/18/2025

Guests can reach new heights at a Midlands animal attraction.

The Saluda Skyline recently opened as part of the zoo's "Bridge to the Wild" renovation project, which includes multiple upgrades.

For the latest news, visit postandcourier.com/columbia and Free-Times.com.

(🎥 Sydney Dunlap/Staff)

09/18/2025

Former State Rep. RJ May is requesting for evidence to be thrown out from a search warrant of his home from August 2024, as well as a venue change for his trial, citing "prejudicial" media coverage.

RJ May filed multiple requests to throw out evidence pertaining to a search warrant of his home as well as a change in venue for his trial in October. The prosecution unleashed new details pertaining to him distributing CSAM.

09/18/2025

Good eating and more. Politics reporter Nick Reynolds has your three stories to know this Thursday.

For the latest news, visit postandcourier.com/columbia and Free-Times.com