Palmetto State News

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

Governor Henry McMaster, alongside Lieutenant Governor Pamela S. Evette, will participate in a ceremonial signing of bill H. 4002. This legislation prohibits the possession of telecommunications devices by inmates within the South Carolina Department of Corrections (SCDC). The event is scheduled for Tuesday, October 22, at 2:00 PM.

Sumter man charged with nine counts related to child exploitation

South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson has announced the arrest of Michael Roland Sheehan, a 32-year-old resident of Sumter, South Carolina. Sheehan faces nine charges related to the sexual exploitation of minors. The arrest was carried out by Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force investigators from the Sumter County Sheriff's Office, with assistance from the Attorney General's Office.

VA provides 3,860 home loans in South Carolina totaling $1.3 billion in Q3

By Palmetto State News | Oct 19, 2024

The U.S. Department of Veterans' Affairs (VA) issued 3,860 home loans totaling $1.3 billion in South Carolina during the third quarter of the fiscal year 2024, according to the Veterans' Affairs Home Loans Index.

Senator Scott proposes act for transparency in SBA's disaster fund

By Palmetto State News | Oct 18, 2024

U.S. Senator Tim Scott has announced plans to introduce the SBA Disaster Transparency Act, aiming to align the Small Business Administration's disaster account with the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Disaster Relief Fund. This proposed legislation seeks to require public reporting on the status of the SBA’s fund.

McMaster and Evette announce schedules for October 18 events

Governor Henry McMaster and Lieutenant Governor Pamela S. Evette have scheduled events for Friday, October 18, 2024.

Senator Tim Scott comments on Yahya Sinwar's death

U.S. Senator Tim Scott from South Carolina has released a statement regarding the death of Yahya Sinwar, the leader of Hamas. Senator Scott described Sinwar as "a mass murderer, terrorist, antisemite, and one of the most evil people on earth." He further stated, "The world is a safer place without this monster in it."

Graham comments on IDF's action against Hamas leader

U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina has commented on the recent actions taken by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) resulting in the elimination of Yahya Sinwar, a leader within Hamas. In his statement, Graham remarked, "The Israeli people – through their political leadership, the IDF and their intelligence services – have delivered a mighty blow to Hamas and Iran, and rendered some sense of justice with the elimination of Sinwar."

Team South Carolina County Day set for October 22 in Greenwood