In-District Expense Pay Raise
A South Carolina senator has filed a lawsuit to stop a state budget measure from taking effect July 1 that would raise in-district expense pay for the state's 170 legislators.
Senator Wes Climer, a York County Republican, and retired educator Carol Herring sued the state treasurer, asking the state Supreme Court to quickly intervene and stop the release of state money that would boost lawmakers’ in-district pay to twenty-five-hundred dollars a month, up from a-thousand-dollars.
Death Row Inmate Files Fed. Civil Rights Lawsuit
The man set to be executed Friday, for an Horry County murder is filing a federal lawsuit over the state’s execution practices.
Stephen Stanko filed the federal civil rights lawsuit on June 6, against the South Carolina Department of Corrections and the agency’s officials. The lawsuit attacks South Carolina’s execution statute. Stanko is hoping that his execution will be paused to give the federal court time to decide whether or not South Carolina’s execution practices violate the U.S. Constitution.
A hearing on Stanko’s lawsuit will be held Wednesday at 11 a.m. in Charleston.
14 Inmates Charged with Major Crimes
The state Department of Corrections reported 14 inmates serving time in state prisons were charged with major crimes in April and May. The charges include murder; attempted murder; assaults on officers and inmates; as well as other crimes.
Most of the incidents occurred at the Lee County Correctional Institution near Bishopville, and the Broad River Correctional Institution north of Columbia- both maximum-security facilities.
All of the recent charges are pending in state circuit-court.
SC's Growing Energy Needs
In an effort to meet the growing energy needs of the state, Duke Energy announced (Monday that it plans to build a new natural gas plant in the Upstate.
Duke says it plans to seek approval from the state Public Service Commission to build a 14-hundred-megawatt-plant in Anderson County. Duke Energy South Carolina President Tim Pearson says the location for the plant (south of the city of Anderson) will easily tie-in with an existing gas supply, and transmission facilities.
Pearson says that over the next 15 years, Duke expects the demand for energy across the Carolinas to double.
Midlands Native Trains with Aviation Rescue Swimmers
A Midlands resident is being recognized for serving with the next generation of U.S. Navy Elite Rescue Swimmers.
Petty Officer 1st Class Tyler Stiffler is a native of the town of Eastover. According to the Navy Office of Community Outreach,
Stiffler is assigned to Aviation Rescue Swimmer School (ARSS), where the next generation of Aviation Rescue Swimmers (AIRRs) are taught to execute life-or-death rescues in extreme conditions. Stiffler said he learned the importance of resiliency, growing up in Eastover.
Lowcountry Radio Host Passes
A popular and longtime radio personality in Charleston has passed away. Charleston Media Solutions announced today TJ Phillips died in his sleep Sunday.
Phillips’ most recent gig was with 92.5 where he hosted TJ and Jessica in the Morning. He was also the longtime morning show host for WEZL. Phillips was well known for giving back to his community… supporting the Charleston Animal Society and MUSC’s Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital. TJ Phillips was 66 years old.
Pres. Trump in North Carolina
President Donald Trump is expected to visit Fort Bragg Tuesday, to mark the Army's 250th birthday, according to America250. The President will be joined by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Dan Driscoll, the Secretary of the Army.
The event will feature a celebration honoring past and present service members, live demonstrations showcasing the operational capabilities of today's military and patriotic musical performances accompanied by remarks from senior military leaders.
