Latest News from Palmetto State News

Analysis: South Carolina among 24 states affiliated with 'hyper-partisan' voter data group

By Palmetto State News | Jun 20, 2024

South Carolina is among 24 states that are members of a national voter data group accused of partisanship in its work to expand voter rolls and lacking in transparency, an analysis by the Palmetto State News found.

Georgia man charged with distributing child sexual abuse material

By Palmetto State News | Jun 20, 2024

South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announced the arrest of Trey Cameron Leonard, 22, of Sugar Hill, GA, on two charges connected to the sexual exploitation of a minor. Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force investigators with the Beaufort County Sheriff's Office made the arrest.

Graham introduces bill designating Russia a state sponsor

By Palmetto State News | Jun 20, 2024

U.S. Senators Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Connecticut) introduced a bill to designate Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism under U.S. law.

Senators demand answers on release of terror watchlist suspects into U.S

By Palmetto State News | Jun 20, 2024

U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) joined Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho) and eight of their Senate Republican colleagues in a letter to the Biden administration demanding answers for Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) failure to share information about the apprehension and subsequent release of suspects on the terror watchlist into the U.S.

Average VA purchase loan amount in South Carolina increases from 2022 to 2023

By Palmetto State News | Jun 20, 2024

The average VA purchase loan amount for South Carolina in the fiscal year 2023 was $335,726, according to the Veterans Affairs Home Loans Index.

Bipartisan Senate resolution introduced recognizing Juneteenth Independence Day

By Palmetto State News | Jun 19, 2024

U.S. Senators Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and John Cornyn (R-Texas) introduced a bipartisan Senate resolution, along with 42 of their Senate colleagues, recognizing Juneteenth Independence Day.

Governor McMaster and Lt. Gov. Evette's schedule for June 20

By Palmetto State News | Jun 19, 2024

Governor Henry McMaster and Lieutenant Governor Pamela S. Evette's schedules for Thursday, June 20, include the following:

Senators press DOJ on ICC actions against Israel

By Palmetto State News | Jun 19, 2024

U.S. Senators Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Thom Tillis (R-North Carolina), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tennessee), Josh Hawley (R-Missouri), Katie Britt (R-Alabama), James Risch (R-Idaho), Susan Collins (R-Maine), and John Thune (R-South Dakota) have addressed a letter to U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland seeking the Department of Justice's stance on the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) actions against Israel.

Sandvik Coromant invests $29M to expand operations in Oconee County

By Palmetto State News | Jun 19, 2024

Sandvik Coromant, a tooling solutions supplier, announced an expansion of its operations in Oconee County with a $29.4 million investment aimed at improving its Westminster production facility.

Average VA purchase loan amount in South Carolina increases from 2021 to 2022

By Palmetto State News | Jun 18, 2024

The average VA purchase loan amount for South Carolina in the fiscal year 2022 was $330,715, according to the Veterans Affairs Home Loans Index.

Efforts announced to raise awareness of crimes against vulnerable adults

By Palmetto State News | Jun 18, 2024

Attorney General Alan Wilson today announced efforts to raise public awareness of crimes against vulnerable adults, including a name change for the unit that investigates and prosecutes these crimes. The announcement coincides with World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on June 15.

Senator Scott hosts Juneteenth celebration at Library of Congress

By Palmetto State News | Jun 18, 2024

U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) celebrated Juneteenth today during an event at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. The commemorative gathering included remarks from Dr. Ben Carson, former U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development; U.S. Senate Chaplain Barry Black; and a fireside chat with Dr. Carla Hayden, Librarian of Congress, and Kevin Young, the Andrew Mellon Director of the National Museum of African American History and Culture.

Earnings on South Carolina's public pension investments increase to $505,764 in 2022

By Palmetto State News | Jun 17, 2024

The earnings on investments for South Carolina public pensions went up from $441,404 in 2021 to $505,764 in 2022, according to data obtained from the U.S. Census Bureau’s Annual Survey of Public Pensions.

Senator Tim Scott commemorates Mother Emanuel shooting anniversary

By Palmetto State News | Jun 17, 2024

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) honored the memory of the nine South Carolinians who were tragically murdered at Mother Emanuel Church on June 17, 2015.

Senators Graham & Paul seek details on suspected terrorists caught at US borders

By Palmetto State News | Jun 17, 2024

WASHINGTON — On Friday, U.S. Senators Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and Rand Paul (R-Kentucky), Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, sent a letter to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas requesting additional information concerning the recent apprehension of several individuals from Tajikistan with suspected ties to ISIS who entered the U.S. through the southern border.

Lt. Gov. Pamela S. Evette to tour Neal Brothers in North Charleston

By Palmetto State News | Jun 16, 2024

Lieutenant Governor Pamela S. Evette's schedule for Monday, June 17, includes the following:

Senators question Biden Administration's handling of asylum case dismissals

By Palmetto State News | Jun 14, 2024

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) joined Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) and 19 of their colleagues in sending an oversight letter to U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and Attorney General Merrick Garland. The letter questions the administration’s dismissal of asylum cases and highlights the potential impact on the U.S. legal immigration system.

South Carolina officials warn seniors about rising mobile app investment scams

By Palmetto State News | Jun 14, 2024

In recognition of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on June 15, Attorney General Alan Wilson is raising awareness about the increasing prevalence of mobile app scams and their impact on older investors in South Carolina. Mobile apps have become a common tool for investors, providing an inexpensive alternative to consulting with an investment professional. However, this convenience can come with risks. Scammers have infiltrated the mobile app marketplace, offering unregistered securities and advertising investment opportunities as risk-free, low-risk, or guaranteed.

Senator Tim Scott demands Treasury explanation for delayed Iran sanctions report

By Palmetto State News | Jun 14, 2024

U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.), in his role as Ranking Member of the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee, is seeking explanations from the U.S. Department of the Treasury for its failure to submit a mandated report on high-value Iranian assets blocked by U.S. sanctions. The report, which was due to Congress on May 24, 2024, is required by a provision authored by Senator Scott included in the national security supplemental enacted in April.