Lowcountry Forever: Charleston Planetarium & Swim Across America – May 4, 2025

SEGMENT #1: Charleston Planetarium
GUEST: Paul Gangarosa, Founder, and Thomas Martinez, Director
ISSUE: Science & Technology
This month, the new Charleston Planetarium opens in North Charleston at the Citadel Mall. The Planetarium is a new nonprofit 501©3 organization dedicated to science education. Paul Gangarosa, the Charleston Planetarium founder, shared his reasons for bringing the Planetarium to the Lowcountry and why he feels this is an important addition to our community. Thomas Martinez, the Planetarium Director, explained how the facility would operate in terms of when there would be shows, and how people could purchase tickets. Both expressed excitement for their May opening and explained how the shows would be constantly freshened, so a visit the following month would be different from the current month. Plus, they discussed the partnerships they were hoping to create with area schools.

________________________________________________

SEGMENT #2: Swim Across America/Charleston/Kiawah
GUEST: Jana Chanthabane, Event director
ISSUE: Health & Human Services
For the 9th year, individuals have an opportunity to take a swim and help win the fight against cancer. The annual nationwide Swim Across America event is on June 7th with the local Charleston/Kiawah swim happening off Kiawah Island. Jana Chanthabane is the local event director and herself a cancer survivor. Chanthabane explained how she became involved and her motivation to continue to make each year’s event a success in raising money to benefit the local Hollings Cancer Society. While the event is called “Swim Across America,” Chanthabane shared exactly where the swim would take place and provided opportunities for people to assist beyond swimming in the event. She also talked about the unique elements included in the local event and why people should take part.

Recent Headlines

3 days ago in Entertainment

‘Rush Hour 4’ will be distributed by Paramount after Trump’s reported request

After President Donald Trump's reported intervention, Paramount Pictures is set to distribute Brett Ratner's "Rush Hour 4," a project that Hollywood had eschewed after earlier sexual misconduct allegations against the director.

3 days ago in National, Trending

Trump spares turkeys — but not his political opponents — at annual pardoning ceremony

President Donald Trump didn't bring much holiday cheer Tuesday when bestowing ceremonial pardons on two Thanksgiving turkeys, dispensing more insults than goodwill at the traditional White House ritual.

3 days ago in Entertainment

How Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal found the emotional power of ‘Hamnet’

In "Hamnet," Chloé Zhao's adaptation of Maggie O'Farrell's prizewinning 2020 novel, Paul Mescal plays William Shakespeare and Jessie Buckley his wife, Agnes. It's a fictional, speculative drama with basis in historical fact.

3 days ago in Lifestyle, Trending

What’s open on Thanksgiving? Not much, as many stores rest — or prepare — ahead of Black Friday

With Thanksgiving and the formal launch of the holiday shopping season this week, Americans will again gather for Turkey Day meals before knocking off items on their Christmas gift lists.

3 days ago in Sports, Trending

Under a cloud, the Olympic flame begins its journey to the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics

The Olympic flame began its journey Wednesday to the Milan Cortina Winter Games — missing a little of its usual magic. Bad weather lashing western Greece forced organizers to move the torch-lighting ceremony indoors, from Olympia's ancient stadium and temples to a nearby museum.