Palmetto State News News

Senators criticize Biden-Harris administration over FAFSA delays

By Palmetto State News | Sep 20, 2024

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) introduced a resolution criticizing the Biden-Harris administration's handling of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) rollout for the 2024-2025 school year. The resolution condemns the problematic rollout, calls for the Department of Education (ED) to identify and rectify any issues for this year, and requests that leaders testify before congressional committees regarding the rollout.

South Carolina receives $133.5 million in VA Interest Rate Reduction Refinance Loans during Q2

By Palmetto State News | Sep 19, 2024

The VA issued 410 Interest Rate Reduction Refinance Loans in South Carolina during the second quarter of fiscal year 2024, according to the Veterans Affairs Home Loans Index.

Senator Tim Scott criticizes handling of Iran envoy's security clearance

By Palmetto State News | Sep 19, 2024

U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued a statement responding to revelations that the Biden-Harris administration mismanaged the security clearance of former U.S. Special Envoy for Iran Robert Malley.

SBA approves South Carolina disaster assistance following Tropical Storm Debby

By Palmetto State News | Sep 19, 2024

COLUMBIA, S.C. – Following Governor Henry McMaster's September 16 request, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced today that South Carolina's businesses and residents affected by Tropical Storm Debby from the incident period of August 4-22 are eligible to apply for low-interest disaster loans. The declaration covers Berkeley and Orangeburg counties and the adjacent counties of Aiken, Bamberg, Barnwell, Calhoun, Charleston, Clarendon, Colleton, Dorchester, Georgetown, Lexington, and Williamsburg.

Senator Tim Scott receives award from South Carolina Association of Counties

By Palmetto State News | Sep 18, 2024

This week, at a special event held on Daniel Island, U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) was presented with the 2024 David K. Summers Jr. President’s Cup by South Carolina Association of Counties (SCAC) Immediate Past President Roy Costner. The award ceremony highlighted Sen. Scott’s contributions to public service and his commitment to county government.

Senators criticize Palestinian UN resolution targeting Israel

By Palmetto State News | Sep 18, 2024

U.S. Senators Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina), Marco Rubio (R-Florida), and 28 of their Republican colleagues issued a joint statement in response to the Palestinian Mission to the United Nations submitting a resolution targeting Israel and its control over its historic homeland. This resolution was submitted ahead of the UN General Assembly.

Summerville man arrested on multiple child sexual abuse material charges

By Palmetto State News | Sep 18, 2024

South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announced the arrest of Christopher Michael McCoy, 45, of Summerville, S.C., on 13 charges connected to the sexual exploitation of a minor. Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force investigators with the Dorchester County Sheriff's Office made the arrest. Investigators with the Attorney General's Office, also a member of the state's ICAC Task Force, assisted with this investigation.

Beaufort County man arrested on charges related to child sexual abuse material

By Palmetto State News | Sep 18, 2024

South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announced the arrest of Alexis Jimenez, 24, of Okatie, S.C., 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. Investigators with the Attorney General's Office, also a member of the state's ICAC Task Force, assisted with the investigation.

Attorney General Alan Wilson opposes California’s electric-truck mandate

By Palmetto State News | Sep 17, 2024

South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson has joined a comment letter urging the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to uphold a federal legal block on California's Advanced Clean Fleets regulation. This regulation seeks to impose an electric-truck mandate on fleet owners, operators, and manufacturers, including those who operate in California for as little as one day per year. A coalition of 24 states argues that the EPA should not permit California to exceed its statutory and regulatory authority by implementing a mandate that could disrupt national logistics and...

Keurig Dr Pepper invests $141 million into expanding operations in Spartanburg

By Palmetto State News | Sep 17, 2024

Keurig Dr Pepper continues growing Spartanburg County operations

Senator Graham condemns rise in anti-Semitism at Senate Judiciary Committee

By Palmetto State News | Sep 17, 2024

U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, condemned the rise in anti-Semitism on college campuses during a committee hearing today. This follows the October 7 attack on Israel.

Greenville man arrested on multiple child exploitation charges

By Palmetto State News | Sep 17, 2024

South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announced the arrest of Marqis Daquan Lomax, 29, of Greenville, S.C., on five charges connected to the sexual exploitation of minors. Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force investigators with the Greenville Police Department made the arrest. Investigators with the U.S. Marshals Service, also a member of the state's ICAC Task Force, assisted with the investigation.

Upstate woman charged with fraud and theft from vulnerable adult

By Palmetto State News | Sep 16, 2024

South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announced that the Vulnerable Adults and Medicaid Provider Fraud unit (VAMPF) has arrested Malla M. Hart, 55, of Boiling Springs, S.C., on multiple charges including one count of Exploitation of a Vulnerable Adult, one count of Breach of Trust with Fraudulent Intent valued at $10,000 or more, and two counts of Forgery valued at less than $10,000. Hart was booked into the Spartanburg Detention Center on September 13, 2024.

SCDHHS Director Robert Kerr announces retirement effective November 1

By Palmetto State News | Sep 16, 2024

Governor Henry McMaster announced today that South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS) Director Robert M. Kerr will retire from his position, effective November 1, 2024. Kerr, who served as director for over three years, was nominated by Gov. McMaster in April 2021.

Gov. McMaster requests federal disaster declarations following Tropical Storm Debby

By Palmetto State News | Sep 16, 2024

Governor Henry McMaster has requested a Presidential Disaster Declaration and a U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) disaster declaration for counties affected by Tropical Storm Debby, which made landfall in South Carolina on August 8, 2024. The requests follow damage assessments indicating over 900 homes were damaged and public agency costs and infrastructure damage exceeding $16 million.