From my inbox today!

Student Loans Are Changing Hands
Breaking today. The Department of Education is shifting student loan management over to the Treasury Department. If you have federal student loans, this affects how they are serviced and managed going forward. Details are still emerging but this is a big structural change worth watching.
#AmyWoodNOW #InboxAlert #StudentLoans #Education

There Is Now a Trump Gold Coin
AP alert just hit. A federal arts commission approved the design and the US Mint is cleared to begin producing a Trump commemorative gold coin.  .
#AmyWoodNOW #InboxAlert #Trump

New Heart Guidelines — Cholesterol Screening Should Start at Age 9
This came from TIME Health today and it deserves your attention. New cardiac guidelines recommend cholesterol screening starting at age 9 and statin consideration as young as 30. Heart disease is the number one killer in America. These are not small changes.
#AmyWoodNOW #InboxAlert #HeartHealth #Health

Gabbard Got Grilled on Capitol Hill Today
Tulsi Gabbard faced a tough House hearing on worldwide threats. Five major takeaways according to The Hill — all against the backdrop of the Iran war, the Joe Kent resignation, and questions about intelligence oversight. A lot happening in Washington today.
#AmyWoodNOW #InboxAlert #Gabbard #Iran #NationalSecurity

You Can Now Opt Out of AI Training on Your Writing
This is for every writer, blogger, and content creator out there. Medium just rolled out a new setting letting writers choose whether AI companies can use their stories for training. It is a small but meaningful step toward giving creators more control. Go check your settings.
#AmyWoodNOW #InboxAlert #AI #ContentCreators #Writers

Rabid Bat Confirmed in Aiken County
This came straight from SC Department of Public Health this afternoon. A bat near Hiwassee Run in Aiken tested positive for rabies. One dog was exposed and is now in quarantine. No people exposed so far.
If you wake up with a bat in your room or your pet has been near one, don't brush it off. Bat bites are tiny and easy to miss. Call DPH at 803-896-4680.
#AmyWoodNOW #InboxAlert #SouthCarolina #PublicHealth

BMW Charity Pro-Am is 75 Days Out
Got a note from tournament organizers this morning. The 26th BMW Charity Pro-Am is June 1-7 at Thornblade Club and Country Club of Spartanburg. Celebrity roster and community events coming soon. This one always draws a crowd.
#AmyWoodNOW #InboxAlert #Spartanburg #Greenville #BMW ProAm

Iran's Intelligence Minister is Dead
AP News Alert just hit my inbox. Iran has confirmed the death of Intelligence Minister Esmail Khatib. Israel has been targeting Iranian leadership. The US-Iran war is now in its third week.
This one is moving fast.
#AmyWoodNOW #InboxAlert #Iran #BreakingNews



The FIFA World Cup Starts June 11 — Here's How to Actually Watch It
A PR pitch came in today that's worth flagging for soccer fans. A new book called "How to Watch Soccer Like a Genius" drops May 12 — right before the World Cup kicks off in North America. The author is available for interviews May 12-19 if you want to book him as a guest.
The 2026 World Cup starts June 11. If you've never gotten into soccer, this might be your year.
#AmyWoodNOW #InboxAlert #FIFAWorldCup2026 #Soccer



Greer Firefighter Lt. Taylor Graham Has Passed Away
This one came in from the City of Greer this morning and it deserves to be shared. I shared it the other day on my Facebook.
Lieutenant Taylor Graham of the Greer Fire Department has passed away after a courageous battle with cancer. He was known for his leadership, professionalism, and deep commitment to his community and his fellow firefighters.
Visitation is Thursday, March 19, 4-7pm at Thomas McAfee Southeast Chapel in Simpsonville. The Celebration of Life is Friday, March 20 at 11am at First Baptist Simpsonville.
Lt. Graham's service mattered. So does remembering it.
#AmyWoodNOW #InboxAlert #Greer #UpstateSC #FireService

US Drops 5,000-Pound Bombs Near the Strait of Hormuz
The Hill alert hit my inbox a little while ago. The US military dropped deep-penetrator bombs near the Strait of Hormuz as the Iran war intensifies. The Strait of Hormuz is one of the most critical oil shipping lanes in the world. Watch your gas prices.
#AmyWoodNOW #InboxAlert #Iran #NationalSecurity

Travelers Rest Has a Lot Going On This Spring
Got the monthly newsletter from the City of Travelers Rest and there's actually some good stuff in it.
A veterans light pole banner program launches this Memorial Day — families can sponsor a banner honoring someone who served. A new heritage garden honoring Revolutionary War heroine Dicey Langston breaks ground in June, with a statue unveiling June 26. And coming up March 28 — free glass recycling and a free shred day, same location, same morning.
TR is worth watching right now.
#AmyWoodNOW #InboxAlert #TravelersRest #Greenville #UpstateSC

Spartanburg Doctor Honored Nationally
Got a tip today from Spartanburg County worth sharing.
Dr. William Long just received one of Temple University's top alumni honors — their Gallery of Success award for the School of Podiatric Medicine. One honoree per school, 17 schools total. He's the one they picked.
Here's what makes this story even better. Dr. Long is the first podiatrist to perform ankle surgery in South Carolina. He helped change state law in 2018 to make it possible. Before all that, he served eight years in the U.S. Coast Guard.
He'll be recognized in Philadelphia on April 17.
Spartanburg produces some remarkable people. This is one of them.
#AmyWoodNOW #Spartanburg #SouthCarolina

SC Measles Outbreak Closing In on 1,000 Cases
The SC Department of Public Health sent this over a little while ago.
997 measles cases in South Carolina. We are one case away from 1,000. This outbreak started right here in the Upstate.
Of those cases, 932 people were unvaccinated. Eight are currently in quarantine.
The vaccine is available at most pharmacies and doctor's offices. DPH holds a media briefing tomorrow at 1pm if you want to follow along.
This number matters. Pay attention to it.
#AmyWoodNOW #SouthCarolina #MeaslesOutbreak

Arthritis Foundation Cycling Tour Returns to the Carolinas
A PR pitch came in today that's actually worth your time.
The Arthritis Foundation's Carolina Hills Classic bike tour is returning May 14-17. The full route is back. Blue Ridge Parkway. Brevard. Biltmore Estate. Then it rolls right into Greenville.
Last year the route had to change because of Hurricane Helene. This year it's restored.
The ride supports arthritis research and is open to all levels, e-bikes included. Nearly 60 million Americans live with arthritis. A lot of people in this community know exactly what that feels like.
Details at arthritis.org/cycling.
#AmyWoodNOW #Greenville #Asheville #CarolinaHillsClassic