Palmetto State News

(COLUMBIA, S.C.) - South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announced the arrest of Derek James Pettus, 22, of Camden, S.C., on 15 charges connected to the sexual exploitation of a minor. Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force investigators with the Camden Police Department made the arrest. Investigators with the Attorney General's Office, Kershaw County Sheriff's Office, Homeland Security Investigations, and U.S. Secret Service, all also members of the state's ICAC Task Force, assisted with this investigation.Investigators received a CyberTipline report...

Sen. Scott Calls for Columbia University President to Resign Over Rampant Antisemitism on Campus

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) has called for the resignation of Columbia University President Nemat ‘Minouche’ Shafik over the rampant antisemitism on the university's campus. In a statement, Senator Scott emphasized the importance of ensuring a safe environment for all students, particularly Jewish students."All institutions that receive federal dollars need to be put on notice that Jewish students have the right to go to class and study peacefully and that their funding is a privilege," stated Senator Scott. He further added, "President Nemat ‘Minouche’...

Governor Henry McMaster to Hold Ceremonial Bill Signing

COLUMBIA, S.C. – Governor Henry McMaster is set to hold a ceremonial bill signing event tomorrow, where he will be joined by various dignitaries including Commissioner of Agriculture Hugh Weathers and members of the General Assembly.The event, which will take place at Cottle Farms in Hopkins, S.C., will mark the signing of H. 3951, the Working Agricultural Lands Preservation Act. The bill aims to preserve agricultural lands in the state and is seen as a significant step towards promoting sustainable agriculture.The ceremony is scheduled for 10:30 AM on Tuesday, April...

Resolution Celebrating Lady Gamecocks National Championship Passes Senate

WASHINGTON — The United States Senate has passed a resolution led by U.S. Senators Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) recognizing the University of South Carolina (USC) women’s basketball team for winning the 2024 National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) Women’s Basketball National Championship. The USC women’s basketball team went undefeated for the entire season with a 38-0 record. This is the Lady Gamecocks’ third national championship win."The University of South Carolina Gamecocks women’s basketball team is a shining example of the success that...

Gov. Henry McMaster and Lt. Gov. Pamela S. Evette's Upcoming Weekly Schedule Unveiled

Gov. Henry McMaster and Lt. Gov. Pamela S. Evette, along with First Lady Peggy McMaster, have a busy week ahead as per their schedules for the week of April 22, 2024.On Tuesday, April 23, Gov. McMaster will be participating in a ceremonial bill signing for H. 3951, the Working Agricultural Lands Preservation Act, at Cottle Farms in Hopkins, S.C. Following this, he will provide the keynote address at the 2024 South Carolina Hospitality Conference in Columbia.Meanwhile, Lt. Gov. Evette is set to host and attend the National Lieutenant Governors Association’s Spring...

Upstate Men Arrested on Child Sexual Abuse Material Charges

(COLUMBIA, S.C.) - South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announced the arrest of Jerome Shahid Brown, 26, of Moore, S.C., and Christopher Morris Shepard, 49, of Pelzer, S.C., on 11 total charges connected to the sexual exploitation of minors. Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force investigators with the South Carolina Attorney General's Office and the South Carolina Department of Corrections made the arrests in these unrelated cases.Investigators received a CyberTipline report from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) which led...

Graham, Scott Resolution Recognizing Lady Gamecocks National Championship Passes Senate

WASHINGTON – The United States Senate has passed a resolution sponsored by U.S. Senators Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) and Tim Scott (R-South Carolina) commending the University of South Carolina (USC) women’s basketball team for winning the 2024 National Collegiate Athletics Association Women’s Basketball National Championship. The USC women’s basketball team went undefeated for the entire season with a 38-0 record. This is the Lady Gamecock’s third national championship win."I’m glad to have worked with Senator Scott to pass a resolution honoring the Lady Gamecocks’...

FDA conducted third highest number of inspections on device companies in South Carolina during 2023

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) conducted six inspections at six device companies from South Carolina in 2023.

South Carolina: Biologics companies were the second most FDA inspected companies in South Carolina in 2023

By Palmetto State News | Apr 21, 2024

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) conducted 27 inspections at 27 Biologics companies from South Carolina in 2023.

Scott, Senate Colleagues Introduce Bill to Reauthorize Ukraine Lend-Lease Program

By Palmetto State News | Apr 19, 2024

U.S. Senator Tim Scott, along with his Senate colleagues, has introduced a bill to reauthorize the Ukraine Democracy Defense Lend-Lease Act. This legislation aims to provide additional categories of military equipment to Ukraine to protect civilians in the face of the ongoing crisis.Senator Scott emphasized the importance of reauthorizing the lend-lease authority, stating, "We are at an inflection point following Iran’s unprecedented attack against Israel. We must send our adversaries a message that the United States won’t stand for unchecked aggression."Senator Cornyn...

Master Steel, LLC expanding Jasper County operations

Master Steel, LLC (Master Steel) has announced its expansion in Jasper County with a $10 million investment that will result in the creation of 14 new jobs. The company, specializing in structural and miscellaneous steel fabrication, is set to enhance its operations with the addition of new facilities and equipment.President and CEO of Master Steel, Priscilla Stephens, expressed the company's deep-rooted values and faith, stating, "We named our business Master Steel because we work for our Master, the Lord Jesus Christ. He has been good to us through these many years in...

North Myrtle Beach Man Arrested on Five Child Sexual Abuse Material* Charges

(COLUMBIA, S.C.) - South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announced the arrest of Michael Lee Prince, 57, of North Myrtle Beach, S.C., on five charges connected to the sexual exploitation of minors. Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force investigators with the North Myrtle Beach Department of Public Safety made the arrest. Investigators with the Attorney General's Office, also a member of the state's ICAC Task Force, assisted with the investigation.According to Wilson, "Pornography can imply the child was a consenting participant." He also highlighted...

Senator Scott Highlights Housing Crisis in America

Senator Tim Scott addressed the U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, highlighting the challenges faced by Americans in achieving homeownership. During the hearing with U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Acting Secretary Adrianne Todman and Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) Director Sandra L. Thompson, Senator Scott emphasized the growing housing crisis in the country.Senator Scott expressed concern over the increasing unaffordability of housing, stating, “The American Dream of homeownership is further out of reach today...

Sen. Scott Leads Effort to Roll Back SEC’s Climate Disclosure Rule

U.S. Senator Tim Scott has taken a leading role in pushing back against the Securities and Exchange Commission's (SEC) climate disclosure rule. Senator Scott, along with several Republican colleagues, introduced a Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution aimed at overturning the rule, which has been criticized for its potential negative impacts on businesses and the economy.In a statement, Senator Scott expressed his concerns about the rule, stating, "The SEC’s final climate disclosure rule threatens economic opportunity across the country, and it must be overturned." He...

Spartanburg County Man Arrested on Six Child Sexual Abuse Material Charges

South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announced the arrest of Daniel J. Branum, 60, of Chesnee, S.C., on six charges connected to the sexual exploitation of a minor. The arrest was made by Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force investigators with the South Carolina Attorney General's Office, with assistance from investigators with the Spartanburg County Sheriff's Office and Homeland Security Investigations.Branum, who was arrested on April 17, 2024, is facing one count of sexual exploitation of a minor, second degree, and five counts of sexual...

Rock Hill Man Arrested on Five Child Sexual Abuse Material* Charges

South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announced the arrest of Lawrence Tafoya, 67, of Rock Hill, S.C., on five charges connected to the sexual exploitation of minors. Tafoya was arrested on April 11, 2024, by Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force investigators with the York County Sheriff's Office. The investigators stated that Tafoya possessed files of child sexual abuse material.Tafoya is charged with five counts of sexual exploitation of a minor, third degree (§16-15-410), a felony offense punishable by up to 10 years imprisonment on each count....

The Biden Administration Faces Accusations of Misusing Immigration Parole, Prompting Calls for Accountability

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham recently criticized Secretary Mayorkas and the Biden Administration for their handling of immigration parole, raising concerns about potential abuses of the system. In a statement, Senator Graham highlighted discrepancies in the administration's use of parole, particularly in the case of Jose Antonio Ibarra, who was granted entry into the United States despite being accused of a serious crime.During a previous inquiry, Senator Graham questioned Secretary Mayorkas about the criteria for granting immigration parole, emphasizing the...

Senator Scott Leads Resolution Declaring April 2024 Financial Literacy Month

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Ranking Member of the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee, introduced a resolution to declare April 2024 as Financial Literacy Month. Recognized by the U.S. Senate since 2004, Financial Literacy Month is a national celebration of financial empowerment that raises awareness on the importance of financial education and providing resources to help Americans of all ages develop and maintain healthy financial habits."Financial literacy is the cornerstone to achieving financial independence and opening the pathway...

Sen. Scott Calls for End to Appeasement of Iranian Regime in The Wall Street Journal

U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) has urged the Biden administration to change its approach towards Iran, stating that "The Biden administration needs to end its appeasement of the Iranian regime." These remarks were made in a letter to the editor published in The Wall Street Journal.In the letter, Senator Scott expressed his strong support for Israel and its right to self-defense while condemning actions that undermine the country's security. He specifically criticized the administration for enabling further aggression from Iran and its proxies in the Middle East....

Graham Statement On Mayorkas Impeachment