Carter Coyle

Investigative Reporter

Charleston, SC

Professional Experience:

News Reporter & Fill-In Anchor – WRDW-TV News 12 in Augusta, GA.

News Reporter & Fill-In Consumer and Investigative Reporter - WGHP-TV Fox8 News in Greensboro/Winston-Salem/High Point, N.C.

Georgia AP Award for Best Investigative Journalism after a series of reports about a juvenile who was brutally murdered in jail.

Georgia Association of Broadcasters Merit Award for Best Feature Story for a special report with legendary UGA football coach (and gardening enthusiast) Vince Dooley.

News Philosophy:

I really believe in the power of our industry’s potential to help make communities better. We can speak up for people who need help; we can use our broad reach to make a difference. At the end of the day, I hope people find my stories interesting and fair to all sides involved.

Hometown:

Lawrenceville, Georgia. I grew up in a great suburb of Atlanta and went to school in Snellville, Georgia, “Where everybody’s somebody!”

Education:

Degrees in Broadcast News Journalism and English Literature from the University of Georgia. Go Dawgs!

Family:

I’m engaged to the funniest, most supportive man in the world! Nick and I are getting married near Charleston next year. My immediate family lives in Atlanta. My fabulous mother is a retired English teacher and school administrator. My brilliant “little” brother is much taller than I am and in law school. My wonderful Dad is a retired firefighter and paramedic, and my awesome stepmom is a middle school English teacher. Getting together with them and my stepbrothers is like a Brady Bunch episode!

Hobbies & Interests:

I love cooking, especially southern foods. We love to travel, and always have a few UGA football games on our destination list. Our favorite trip so far was to Ireland. Nick and I enjoy hiking and being near the water, whether that’s a lake, ocean or pool! Above all, I love cats. Please share your cat pictures with me!

Favorite Books/Music:

My cat, Mr. Bingley, reflects my love for Jane Austen and most classic literature, especially Pride and Prejudice. I also love watching history shows and anything about space or aliens. I listen to a good bit of country music and hope we go to more concerts here in Charleston!

Likes Best About the Lowcountry:

I love the romantic vibe and the idea of history around every corner. There’s nothing like driving over bridges and passing picturesque harbors on your drive to work!

Most interesting assignment:

My favorites thrills include covering Hurricane Arthur in the Outer Banks, and going undercover with the Greensboro, N.C. Police Department for a prostitution sting. My favorite interview was with former UGA football coach Vince Dooley for a special report on his (little-known) passion for gardening.

Education

Degrees in Broadcast News Journalism and English Literature from the University of Georgia.

State

Planning one last family outing before classes begin? Here’s how to travel safely

Updated: Aug. 13, 2021 at 6:29 PM EDT

By Carter Coyle

Even though most Lowcountry K-12 students head back to school next week, health experts say you can still safely squeeze in one last family outing.

Charleston Co.

Chas. Police Chief, Solicitor discuss concerns with bonds given in violent cases

Updated: Aug. 12, 2021 at 8:35 PM EDT

By Carter Coyle

Chief Reynolds says problems with bond hit especially close to home after one of his officers was shot last December.

Charleston Co.

Lowcountry colleges prep for fall semester with Delta variant looming

Updated: Aug. 9, 2021 at 5:48 PM EDT

By Carter Coyle

Colleges and universities across the Lowcountry are finding a variety of ways to safely offer courses to students this fall, all while keeping a close eye on the COVID-19 delta variant.

Coronavirus

South Carolina reports highest daily case count since February

Updated: Aug. 6, 2021 at 6:25 PM EDT

By Carter Coyle

South Carolina reported 3,236 new COVID-19 cases today which is the highest daily case count since February. The state’s health department is also reporting 16.3% percent positive rate and 11 new deaths.

COVID-19: Fact or Fiction?

Fact or Fiction: Are ‘breakthrough’ COVID cases common?

Updated: Aug. 5, 2021 at 6:31 PM EDT

By Carter Coyle

The CDC describes a breakthrough infection as when someone who’s been fully vaccinated against COVID for at least two weeks has a positive test.

COVID-19: Fact or Fiction?

Fact or Fiction: Are more kids getting COVID?

Updated: Aug. 3, 2021 at 6:19 PM EDT

By Carter Coyle

A heat map from the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control shows COVID cases increasing in the state over the last two weeks, and you may have also heard that more kids are getting COVID right now.

Charleston Co.

New Lawsuit filed against Charleston Co. Schools, district officials in child molestation case

Updated: Aug. 2, 2021 at 7:41 PM EDT

By Carter Coyle and Katie Kamin

A new lawsuit was filed Monday in the case of a former Charleston County School District employee who was allowed to continue working in a North Charleston elementary school despite child pornography being detected on his school laptop.

Charleston Co.

North Charleston community comes together for town hall on gun violence

Updated: Jul. 28, 2021 at 8:35 PM EDT

By Carter Coyle

Citizens, pastors, police chiefs and lawmakers all got together in North Charleston today to talk about gun violence.

Charleston Co.

Judges grant bond to most Charleston County murder suspects

Updated: Jul. 27, 2021 at 8:10 PM EDT

By Jared Kofsky and Carter Coyle

The majority of people who have been charged with murder in Charleston County since 2018 have been granted bond, raising questions over how public safety is balanced with the rights of defendants.

Investigate

St. Stephen firefighter accused of being on the run for 2018 GA rape

Updated: Jul. 22, 2021 at 6:42 PM EDT

By Jared Kofsky and Carter Coyle

A Berkeley County firefighter is behind bars in Georgia, accused of raping his ex-wife more than three years ago before going on the run.

Charleston Co.

Crews clear West Ashley motorcycle crash

Updated: Jul. 20, 2021 at 11:39 AM EDT

By Riley Bean and Carter Coyle

Deputies say they have cleared a motorcycle crash that backed up traffic on a major West Ashley roadway.

Education

Contract details released on new superintendent for Berkeley County School District

Updated: Jul. 19, 2021 at 6:30 PM EDT

By Carter Coyle

Berkeley County School District’s new Superintendent will make a slightly higher base salary than his predecessor.

State

Cunningham calls for end of ‘prohibition on marijuana’ in South Carolina

Updated: Jul. 12, 2021 at 5:57 PM EDT

By The Associated Press and Carter Coyle

A Democrat running to unseat South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster is pushing for legalization of marijuana in the state.

Jamal Sutherland Death

The spoon Sutherland grabbed and why it’s important in the case

Updated: Jul. 9, 2021 at 6:37 PM EDT

By Carter Coyle

The morning Jamal Sutherland died in the Charleston County Jail, deputies repeatedly told him to, “Drop the spoon.”

Top Story

Long haulers turning to researchers to understand months-long symptoms

Updated: Jul. 8, 2021 at 10:51 AM EDT

By Carter Coyle

Some COVID-19 survivors recover very quickly or don’t even know they have the virus. Others feel life-changing symptoms for weeks and even months on end.

Investigate

‘Shawshank for children’: SC juvenile justice facilities face increasing criticism

Updated: Jul. 1, 2021 at 7:57 PM EDT

By Carter Coyle and Jared Kofsky

Inside a Ridgeville building, children from more than a dozen Lowcountry counties who are beginning their stay in South Carolina’s juvenile justice system are confined for up to 45 days.

Investigate

Family of man who died in Charleston County jail wants medical company held accountable

Updated: Jun. 18, 2021 at 6:30 PM EDT

By Carter Coyle

The family of a man who died in at the Charleston County jail wants private entities they believe contributed to his death to be held accountable, including the medical company contracted to work inside the jail.

Investigate

State auditors plan investigation of SC disabilities department

Updated: Jun. 17, 2021 at 6:51 PM EDT

By Jared Kofsky and Carter Coyle

State auditors will soon be looking into the South Carolina Department of Disabilities and Special Needs.

Investigate

CDC warning about virus spreading in the South with similar COVID-19 symptoms

Updated: Jun. 14, 2021 at 6:29 PM EDT

By Carter Coyle

The CDC is warning about a virus increasingly spreading in the South that has symptoms similar to COVID-19.It’s called respiratory syncytial virus, and it’s nothing new to healthcare providers.

State

Court rules lifelong sex offender registry unconstitutional without review process

Updated: Jun. 9, 2021 at 6:27 PM EDT

By Carter Coyle

The state Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that requiring sex offenders to be on a registry for life is not constitutional without some sort of review process.

State

New blood test could screen for more than 50 different types of cancer

Updated: Jun. 4, 2021 at 4:01 PM EDT

By Carter Coyle

Cancer screenings can save lives. But often a test like a mammogram can only detect one type of cancer.

Investigate

Post-pandemic weight loss

Updated: Jun. 3, 2021 at 6:02 PM EDT

By Carter Coyle

Weight loss experts say many of us have been less active than usual over the last year.

COVID-19: Fact or Fiction?

Fact or Fiction: Can employers require COVID vaccine?

Updated: Jun. 1, 2021 at 4:00 PM EDT

By Carter Coyle

The CDC reports all three COVID 19 vaccines available in the U.S. are safe and effective, but some people are choosing to hold off on the shot.

State

Documents reveal what led up to firing of SC disabilities director

Updated: May. 27, 2021 at 4:21 PM EDT

By Jared Kofsky and Carter Coyle

Hundreds of pages worth of documents obtained by Live 5 Investigates reveal that the firing of a state agency head was not as sudden as it previously seemed.

Charleston Co.

$10M Sutherland payout is ‘largest civil rights settlement in SC’

Updated: May. 26, 2021 at 11:46 PM EDT

By Carter Coyle and Live 5 Web Staff

Charleston County Council’s unanimous vote Wednesday night on a $10 million settlement in the death of Jamal Sutherland means the county will have to dip into its coffers to pay the majority of the cost.

Letters reveal why Sheriff Graziano fired deputies months after Jamal Sutherland’s death

Updated: May. 21, 2021 at 7:49 PM EDT

By Carter Coyle, Jared Kofsky and Rob Way

Newly released documents show why two Charleston County Sheriff’s Office employees were fired months after Jamal Sutherland’s death inside Charleston County’s detention center.

Charleston Co.

Nancy Mace says initial Jamal Sutherland report is ‘incredibly dishonest and misleading’

Updated: May. 20, 2021 at 6:49 PM EDT

By Jared Kofsky and Carter Coyle

Jamal Sutherland died on January 5 at the Sheriff Al Cannon Detention Center around 10:30 a.m., according to the Charleston County Coroner’s Office. His death came less than 14 hours after he was booked into the jail on a misdemeanor charge.

Charleston Co.

Charleston County council members give thoughts on Sutherland video

Updated: May. 19, 2021 at 5:04 PM EDT

By Carter Coyle

At least one Charleston County Council member says she saw the in-jail video of Jamal Sutherland before it was publicly released as part of the mediation process between the county and Sutherland’s family.

Charleston Co.

Video shows detailed accounts of what happened at jail involving man who died

Updated: May. 14, 2021 at 11:39 PM EDT

By Carter Coyle and Ray Rivera

The Charleston County Sheriff’s Office released hours of video footage involving the death of Jamal Sutherland who died at the Al Cannon Detention Center on the morning of Jan. 5, 2021.

Charleston Co.

N. Charleston Police release video of man who later died in custody at Charleston Co. jail

Updated: May. 12, 2021 at 6:58 PM EDT

By Jared Kofsky, Patrick Phillips and Carter Coyle

North Charleston Police released video from January showing their officers transporting a man to the Al Cannon Detention Center where he later died.

Charleston Co.

James Island Outreach food pantry reopening

Updated: May. 7, 2021 at 6:45 PM EDT

By Carter Coyle

People who live on James Island and Folly Beach now have an in-person food pantry option if they are in need.

COVID-19: Fact or Fiction?

Fact or Fiction: Can supplements and silver prevent COVID-19?

Updated: May. 4, 2021 at 5:15 PM EDT

By Carter Coyle

Some people are turning to supplements and non-medical ways to prevent illness like COVID-19, but physicians warn those could cause long-term problems.

You Paid For It

Water tunnel system built in 1920s undergoing $4.3M in repairs

Updated: Apr. 13, 2021 at 6:00 PM EDT

By Jared Kofsky and Carter Coyle

A multi-million dollar project is in the works involving the Edisto River-Goose Creek Tunnel, which starts near Givhans Ferry State Park in Dorchester County and is buried under suburban and rural parts of the Lowcountry.

COVID-19: Fact or Fiction?

COVID Arm vs. severe allergic reaction to vaccine

Updated: Apr. 8, 2021 at 6:59 PM EDT

By Carter Coyle

Have you heard of COVID Arm?The condition doesn’t have anything to do with contacting the COVID virus; it refers to a red, itchy, swollen and sometimes painful rash that can develop on your arm where you get a COVID 19 vaccine.

Health

Pressure of the pandemic: Mental health providers overbooked

Updated: Apr. 2, 2021 at 4:35 PM EDT

By Carter Coyle

In many ways the devastation of the COVID-19 pandemic can be represented by graphics and numbers.The CDC currently reports 30.3 million novel coronavirus cases, 550,169 deaths and 158 million vaccines given.

Health

State lab sequencing to find COVID-19 variants

Updated: Apr. 1, 2021 at 5:23 PM EDT

By Carter Coyle

While COVID-19 variants are still being detected in South Carolina, the majority of samples sequenced here are still the original strain of SARS-CoV-2, according to the state health department.

Vaccine Tracker

Personal look at getting a COVID-19 vaccine

Updated: Mar. 23, 2021 at 5:17 PM EDT

By Carter Coyle

South Carolina opened up COVID-19 vaccination appointments last week to people who qualify in the Phase 1-B category.

COVID-19: Fact or Fiction?

Fact or Fiction: ‘Fully vaccinated’ perks and precautions

Updated: Mar. 23, 2021 at 5:11 PM EDT

By Carter Coyle

More than 1.7 million total doses of COVID-19 vaccines have now been given in South Carolina. But doctors say just because you’ve gotten your vaccine does not mean life should be entirely back to normal for you.

Tri-County

Cyber experts weigh in after Georgetown County ransomware attack

Updated: Mar. 15, 2021 at 11:39 PM EDT

By Carter Coyle

The last year many have learned how to increase personal hygiene through proper hand washing, wearing masks and using hand sanitizer. Just like that physical protection, security experts say we must be diligent about “cyber hygiene.”

Vaccine Tracker

Fact or Fiction: COVID vaccine safety for pregnant & nursing moms

Updated: Mar. 2, 2021 at 5:58 PM EST

By Carter Coyle

This time next week more people will be eligible to get COVID-19 shots as our state moves into the second phase for vaccinations.That next group includes all pregnant women.

Vaccine Q&A

VACCINE Q&A: Do COVID survivors still need the vaccine?

Updated: Mar. 2, 2021 at 9:30 AM EST

By Carter Coyle

Experts do not yet know how long you are protected from getting sick again after recovering from COVID-19, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says.

Vaccine Q&A

VACCINE Q&A: Should I expect a bad reaction to the vaccine?

Updated: Mar. 2, 2021 at 9:26 AM EST

By Carter Coyle

DHEC and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirm some patients are reporting more severe symptoms after their second dose of vaccine.

Fact or Fiction: Do COVID survivors still need the vaccine?

Updated: Feb. 26, 2021 at 4:00 PM EST

By Carter Coyle

DHEC recommends that even if you have COVID antibodies, you should still socially distance and mask up. Scientists don’t know how protective those antibodies are yet.

You Paid For It

You Paid For It: $360K of accommodations taxes funding PGA shuttle system

Updated: Feb. 23, 2021 at 5:02 PM EST

By Jared Kofsky and Carter Coyle

Some attendees traveling to the 2021 PGA Championship on Kiawah Island could use a shuttle bus system paid for at least in part by people who previously vacationed on the island.

Tri-County

Fact or Fiction: Normal Vaccine Reactions or No Reaction?

Updated: Feb. 19, 2021 at 4:49 PM EST

By Carter Coyle

The state health department reports 710,419 doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been given in South Carolina so far.

You Paid For It

You Paid For It: Lunches for Lab Workers

Updated: Feb. 17, 2021 at 3:53 PM EST

By Carter Coyle and Jared Kofsky

A review of state credit card expenses revealed a string of lunch charges in DHEC’s spending records.

Charleston Co.

Police chief to Northwoods Mall workers after triple shooting: ‘We’ve got your back’

Updated: Feb. 16, 2021 at 7:58 PM EST

By Live 5 Web Staff and Carter Coyle

North Charleston’s police chief walked through Northwoods Mall Tuesday meeting with store managers days after a shooting there sent three people to the hospital.

COVID-19: Fact or Fiction?

Fact or Fiction: Does the CDC suggest doubling up masks?

Updated: Feb. 12, 2021 at 6:44 PM EST

By Carter Coyle

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated its mask protocols this week after research showed that two face masks can be much better than one at preventing the spread of COVID-19.

Economy