Compared to other local television stations in South Carolina, WACH-FOX is a smaller operation with a team of two meteorologists; other stations have at least three to four. That didn’t stop the on-air pair, Taylor Kanost and Clara Faith, from undertaking a momentous task: producing a half-hour news special completely dedicated to exploring how climate change is impacting their community in Columbia, S.C. This feat, the first special of its kind for the Sinclair-owned FOX affiliate — and likely the market as well — was directly inspired by participating in CCNow’s Climate Station training program. Chief meteorologist Taylor Kanost says, “[Your training] helped springboard it into existence.”
In addition to using key points from CCNow training throughout the special — with Taylor saying, “Preach with people, not numbers — learned that from your training” — CCNow provided essential on-going support during the production of the special: brainstorming story ideas, offering vetted scientific language, locating experts, and more. The special, “South Carolina: Mercury Rising,” aired in the early summer during a primetime slot and highlights how climate change is increasing heat, worsening floods, and impacting animal populations in the state.
Other stations that have benefited from CCNow training are following Kanost and Faith’s lead by producing more climate content with WACH-FOX’s sister station in Charleston producing their own climate special, which aired in May 2025.