Palmetto State News News

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.

Over 120 bank failures in the U.S. since 2012. How many were in South Carolina?

By Palmetto State News | Jun 13, 2024

There were more than 120 bank failures across the country from 2012 to 2024, three of which occurred in South Carolina.

Senators issue joint statement supporting IVF access

By Palmetto State News | Jun 13, 2024

U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) joined Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.) and their Senate Republican colleagues in releasing a joint statement supporting continued nationwide access to in vitro fertilization (IVF). The full text of the statement can be found here and below:

Republican Senators criticize AG Garland over Trump conviction

By Palmetto State News | Jun 13, 2024

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) joined Senator Rand Paul (R-Ky.) and 27 of their Senate Republican colleagues in writing a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland condemning what they describe as the "evisceration of the American judicial process" following the conviction of former President Donald Trump in Manhattan.

GOP senators condemn Trump's conviction as an attack on judicial process

By Palmetto State News | Jun 13, 2024

U.S. Senators Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina), Rand Paul (R-Kentucky) and 27 of their Senate Republican colleagues have sent a letter to U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland condemning the conviction of former President Donald Trump in Manhattan, New York.

Senators introduce measure against Biden's Title IX changes

By Palmetto State News | Jun 13, 2024

U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) has collaborated with Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) and Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee Ranking Member Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-La.), to introduce a Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution of disapproval aimed at countering the Biden administration's changes to Title IX. The resolution seeks to overturn the Department of Education’s final rule titled “Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Sex in Education Programs or Activities Receiving Federal Financial Assistance.” This rule redefines "sex" to include gender...

Senator Tim Scott criticizes CFPB's regulatory agenda at Senate hearing

By Palmetto State News | Jun 12, 2024

WASHINGTON — At today’s U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs hearing on the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s (CFPB) semi-annual report to Congress, U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.), who serves as the committee’s top Republican, held CFPB Director Rohit Chopra accountable for his pursuit of additional authority, alleged abuse of enforcement powers, and rulemakings driven by politics instead of policy.

Goose Creek man arrested on child sexual abuse material charges

By Palmetto State News | Jun 11, 2024

South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announced the arrest of Justice Miller Janssen, 33, of Goose Creek, S.C., on three charges related to the sexual exploitation of minors. The arrest was made by Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force investigators from the Goose Creek Police Department, with assistance from the Attorney General's Office, also a member of the state's ICAC Task Force.

Senator Scott supports resolution against Biden's plan on power plant closures

By Palmetto State News | Jun 11, 2024

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) has joined Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee Ranking Member Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) and 42 of their Senate colleagues in introducing a formal challenge to the Biden administration’s regulations intended to shut down American power plants through a Congressional Review Act (CRA) joint resolution of disapproval.

Senators introduce resolution against Biden's rule on unaccompanied migrant children

By Palmetto State News | Jun 11, 2024

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) has joined Senator Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and 44 other Senate colleagues in introducing a Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution aimed at overturning the Biden administration’s rule concerning unaccompanied migrant children. The CRA seeks to implement reforms to the government’s Unaccompanied Children (UC) program.