Palmetto State News

South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announced the arrest of Lamesha Thompson, a nurse aide from Spartanburg, on charges related to financial exploitation. The arrest was carried out by the Vulnerable Adults and Medicaid Provider Fraud unit (VAMPF) in collaboration with the Spartanburg Police Department.

Attorney General stresses importance of election integrity in letter to commission director

South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson has communicated with State Election Commission Director Howard Knapp to emphasize the importance of adhering to state laws regarding election integrity. The correspondence focused on the issue of ballot harvesting, which is illegal under South Carolina law.

Newberry County man arrested for attempted sexual exploitation of a minor

South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson has announced the arrest of Christopher Mason Black, a 23-year-old resident of Little Mountain, South Carolina. Black faces charges related to the attempted sexual exploitation of a minor. The arrest was made by Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force investigators from the South Carolina Attorney General's Office, with assistance from the Newberry Police Department.

Tim Scott hosts virtual career event for HBCU students

Yesterday, U.S. Senator Tim Scott hosted a virtual career development event for students from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) across the nation.

South Carolina establishes trade commission to boost ties with Ireland

Governor Henry McMaster, alongside Lieutenant Governor Pamela S. Evette and Ireland's Consul General Frank Groome, participated in a ceremonial signing of the South Carolina-Ireland Trade Commission Act (S. 621) in Columbia, South Carolina. The newly formed 15-member commission aims to enhance trade and investment ties between South Carolina and Ireland.

West Columbia man charged with child sexual exploitation offenses

South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson has announced the arrest of Joshua Washington Shoulders, a 29-year-old resident of West Columbia, South Carolina. Shoulders faces three charges related to the sexual exploitation of minors. The arrest was carried out by investigators from the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force within the Lexington County Sheriff's Department. Additional support in the investigation came from the Attorney General's Office and the University of South Carolina Police Department.

Senator Graham demands transparency on ICC prosecutor misconduct allegations

Following reports of misconduct allegations against International Criminal Court (ICC) Prosecutor Karim Khan, U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham is requesting the immediate release of records related to these claims. The allegations reportedly emerged in early May, coinciding with Khan's decision to cancel a planned visit to Israel and instead apply for arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant.

State attorneys general address antisemitism concerns at Columbia University

South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson has co-led a coalition of 25 state attorneys general in addressing Columbia University regarding concerns over antisemitism on its campus. The group sent a letter to the university, urging it not to yield to calls for divestment from Israel.

South Carolina ranked 28th in average VA home loan amount in Q3

With $343,991 in home loans issued, South Carolina ranked 28th in average loan amount for VA home loans in the third quarter of fiscal year 2024, according to the Veterans' Affairs Home Loans Index.

Governor McMaster to sign South Carolina-Ireland Trade Commission bill

Governor Henry McMaster, alongside Lieutenant Governor Pamela S. Evette, is set to participate in a ceremonial bill signing for the South Carolina-Ireland Trade Commission bill, designated as S. 621. The event will take place on Wednesday, October 23 at 2:00 PM.

Gov. Henry McMaster announces weekly schedule including bill signings

Gov. Henry McMaster, Lt. Gov. Pamela S. Evette, and First Lady Peggy McMaster have outlined their schedules for the week starting October 21, 2024.

Michael Leach steps down as director of SC Department of Social Services

Governor Henry McMaster has announced that Michael Leach, Director of the South Carolina Department of Social Services (DSS), will step down from his position effective January 2, 2025. Leach was nominated by the governor in March 2019 and has served for over five years.

South Carolina enacts law against contraband telecom devices in prisons

Governor Henry McMaster has signed the Captain Robert Johnson Act into law, targeting the use of contraband telecommunications devices in South Carolina prisons. The ceremonial signing was attended by Lieutenant Governor Pamela S. Evette, S.C. Department of Corrections (SCDC) Director Bryan Stirling, and other state officials.

Benteler expands operations with $47.9M investment in Spartanburg County

BENTELER Automotive Corporation has announced an expansion of its operations in Spartanburg County, South Carolina. The automotive supplier is investing $47.9 million to enhance its manufacturing and assembly facility located at 1255 Howell Road in Duncan.

Pace on South Carolina's 'desperately incestuous' legal system: 'It’s a horrible cycle of back scratching at the expense of the general public'

By Palmetto State News reports | Oct 21, 2024

Judge Jean Toal, 81, the former Chief Justice of the South Carolina Supreme Court, has drawn increasing attention to her decisions on asbestos cases in which her impartiality has been called into question—the latest of which involving Anglo American, a mining giant based in the United Kingdom.

Anderson man charged with distribution of child sexual abuse material

South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson has announced the arrest of George Charles Lapierre, Jr., a 40-year-old resident of Anderson, South Carolina. Lapierre faces one charge related to the sexual exploitation of a minor. The arrest was made by Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force investigators from the Anderson Police Department. Additional support in the investigation came from the Attorney General's Office and the Anderson County Sheriff's Office, both members of the state's ICAC Task Force.

West Columbia man arrested for alleged distribution of child sexual abuse material

South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announced the arrest of Louis Alfonso Mouhteros, Jr., a 19-year-old resident of West Columbia. Mouhteros faces two charges related to the sexual exploitation of minors. The Lexington County Sheriff's Department's Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force investigators conducted the arrest, with assistance from the Attorney General's Office.

Senator Tim Scott seeks spring 2025 interns for multiple office locations

U.S. Senator Tim Scott from South Carolina is inviting applications for internships in his offices located in Washington, D.C., North Charleston, Columbia, and Greenville for the spring of 2025. The program aims to provide undergraduate and graduate students with hands-on experience in public service, focusing on constituent services and federal policy.

Federal funding boosts Charleston port operations with $195M interchange project

U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham has announced that the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) will receive $195 million in federal funding for the Long Point Road Interchange Project. This project aims to enhance operations at the I-526/Long Point Road interchange and mainline, reduce traffic conflicts between port-related and local vehicles, and introduce new infrastructure such as collector-distributor ramps, a 10-foot multiuse path, and noise barriers.

Governor McMaster to sign bill banning inmate cell phone possession