Lowcountry Forever: Charleston Memorial Stair Climb & Charleston Planetarium – May 18, 2025

SEGMENT #1: Charleston Memorial Stair Climb
GUEST: John Cole, Director and Rachel Cole, Coordinator
ISSUE: EMS/First Responders
Each June, an event takes place to both remember and make certain we never forget what happened on September 11, 2001. That event is the Charleston Memorial Stair Climb, being held this year on Saturday, June 21. The director of the Climb, John Cole is a former firefighter who talked about where he was on 9/11, his experiences as a fireman, and why he was inspired to create the event. Rachel Cole is the Climb coordinator and broken down the event, explaining the significance of starting at 8:46AM and why the climb is 110 flights of stairs. The event, at the North Charleston Coliseum, will include participants from the New York City Fire Department. The Climb is a benefit event and Cole explained how the money was being raised and who the funds would go to benefit.

________________________________________________

SEGMENT #2: Charleston Planetarium
GUEST: Paul Gangarosa, Founder, and Thomas Martinez, Director
ISSUE: Science and Technology
This month, the new Charleston Planetarium opens in North Charleston at the Citadel Mall. The Planetarium is a new nonprofit 501(c)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.

Recent Headlines

4 hours ago in Lifestyle

Biking to work: Tips to get started, stay safe and look presentable when you arrive

If you've considered bike commuting but assumed you needed expensive gear and to be in excellent physical shape, or worried about arriving at work disheveled or smelly, there are ways to overcome those hurdles.

4 hours ago in National

There are already more US measles cases this year than in all of 2025

The number of measles cases in the U.S. has surpassed the record-breaking tally for all of 2025, with five more months of 2026 still to come.

2 days ago in Lifestyle

The latest thing in cocktails is spicy and savory. Tips and recipes for home bartenders

Spicy drinks are having a moment, and it's no longer just standard spicy margs and bloody marys. Bartenders are getting experimental to create the perfect combination with a kick.

2 days ago in Entertainment, Music

Madonna, BTS and more World Cup halftime performers see jump in song streams, Justin Bieber up 110%

It was the 11-minute performance heard around the world. Madonna, Justin Bieber, BTS and Shakira each brought abridged hits to the World Cup's first halftime show in a whirlwind performance Sunday just outside New York. And it has resulted in some noteworthy streaming bumps.