Upstate store owner reports sales increase amid online posts about 90-day blackout

A store owner in Laurens County reports a significant surge in sales of survival supplies, citing online rumors of an impending 90-day blackout. Experts clarify that the rumors stem from a misunderstanding of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s "Fortress America" initiative, which is an internal military energy and logistics plan rather than a civilian power grid disruption. Local residents are stockpiling goods due to fear fueled by social media misinformation.