AG Wilson Bid for Gov.
South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson kicked off his bid for governor at Hudson’s Smokehouse in Lexington. South Carolina Public Radio’s Maayan Schechter reports the four-term attorney general Wilson posited himself as the battle tested candidate, saying he’ll fight to eliminate the state income tax, push for smarter growth, and “DOGE” state government spending.
City of Cayce New City Manager
The city of Cayce announced Deputy City Manager Michael Conley as its new city manager. Conley will take over for Jim Crosland, who’s set to retire. Before coming to Cayce in May 2022, Conley served as the Assistant County Administrator for Kershaw County as well as the director of its planning and zoning board.
Heat Advisory
A Heat Advisory is in effect for our entire state today until 8PM. South Carolina Emergency Information Network Meteorologist Megan Borowski says that heat index values between 105 and 110 are expected.
Duke Energy Progress Rate Increase Request
Duke Energy Progress is asking state regulators for a 12 % increase in what it charges residential customers. If approved, the monthly electric bill for a typical residential customer would increase about $21.66 a month- effective February first. This is the first rate request for the utility since 2022. Duke Energy Progress serves about 177 thousand customers, primarily in the Pee Dee section of the state.
Sharks
A second swimmer has been bitten by a shark on Hilton Head Island in less than a week. Authorities say the latest encounter with a shark happened just after noon on Sunday at Coligny Beach Park with the victim suffering a leg injury. They are expected to be alright.
Just last week, another person was bitten in the Sea Pines neighborhood. That victim had to be airlifted to a hospital in Savannah with non-life threatening injuries.
Columbia Conversion Therapy Ban Vote
Columbia City Council members will vote one more time to repeal its conversion therapy ban. Last week, the City Council voted 4 to 3 to repeal the ban; despite public pleas to keep the ordinance in place.
The repeal follows passage of the state budget that starts July 1; it includes a measure to prohibit state aid for local governments with conversion therapy bans. For the city of Columbia, this would be a $3.7 million-dollar loss.
McColl’s New Police Chief
A new police chief is getting ready to start in the town of McColl, a month after Mayor Robert Outlaw blamed politics on the city council members for derailing his first choice for the job.
Former Marlboro County sheriff candidate Charles R. English of Bennettsville will move into the position on July 1, ending a six-month vacancy following the November resignation of Bob Hale.
