WEATHER UPDATE
For the third day in a row, severe thunderstorms are expected to impact the Palmetto state. More than ten thousand customers were still without power Sunday night after powerful winds knocked down trees and power lines over the weekend.
South Carolina Emergency Information Network Meteorologist William Maxham says two rounds of storms are expected today.
“The first round should be widely scattered, hit and miss thunderstorms throughout all the state developing around lunchtime. These storms will be capable of damaging 60 mile per hour winds, quarter sized hail and blinding rainfall. The second round of storms could arrive after dark tonight as a complex of thunderstorms expected to form over Mississippi earlier in the day maintains strength and drifts into the Palmetto state.
INMATE DEATH
An inmate at Kershaw Correctional Institution died at the MUSC Chester Secure Hospital. According to the Department of Corrections, 42 year old Wayne Cook Jr., was assaulted on May 6 and has been hospitalized since that day.
Cook’s death is being investigated as a suspected homicide by the Department of Corrections Inspector General’s office. SLED Crime Scene Unit and the Lancaster County Coroner are assisting.
ANNUAL KIDS COUNT
The annual Kids Count report from the Annie E. Casey Foundation is due out today. Historically, South Carolina has ranked low on child health and education. And likely will again. Scott Morgan reports.
The 2024 Kids Count report ranked South Carolina 40th overall for child wellbeing. And 46th overall for child health. In prior reports, the state was never more than a place or two higher or lower, and child welfare advocates say they don’t expect much to be different this year.
FORT JACKSON CELEBRATIONS
Fort Jackson is kicking off its week-long celebration of the army’s 250th anniversary. Monday, the installation hosted a post-wide unit run. Other events include the Unit intramural sporting events Fort Jackson night with the Columbia Fireflies at Segra Par…. as well as the 250th Army Ball.
*Other events scheduled for this week include:
- June 9 – Post-wide birthday run
- June 10 – Unit intramural sporting events Fort Jackson night with the Columbia Fireflies at Segra Par
- June 11 – Fort Jackson Organizational Day
- June 12 – Pistol marksmanship competition & Fort Jackson Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
- June 13 – Fort Jackson Commanding General’s Victory Week Golf Tournament
- June 14 - The 250th Army Ball
SCDNR FUNDING
In light of potential federal spending cuts, the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources is working to safeguard funding that it considers ‘mission-critical.’
DNR officials met with members of the state’s congressional delegation, and White House officials this week to advocate for continued federal support. The agency says that approximately 23 percent of its’ annual budget is supported by federal funding.
DNR says the funding is essential for sustaining its’ primary programs of operating the state’s designated wildlife management areas, habitat protection, and marine and wildlife research.
SRS New President and CEO
Dr. Jeffrey Griffin, has been selected as the new President and CEO of Savannah River Nuclear Solutions’ (SRNS), the management and operations contractor at the Savannah River Site (SRS).
Griffin is replacing Dennis Carr, who recently announced his retirement from SRNS in early June. Carr served as the President and CEO of SRNS since 2023 and had a 44-year long career in the nuclear industry, with over a decade of service at SRS.
