SC News

In the past few weeks, South Carolina has set records for COVID-19 hospitalizations and new cases have approached peak levels of last winter. Classes, schools and entire districts have gone virtual, leaving parents frustrated and teachers quitting weeks into the school year. Republicans backed a provision to ban masks in schools in June when cases were low and have not budged. Now teachers, students and parents are struggling with the fallout as more young people contract the delta variant, forcing nearly two dozen schools and two entire districts back to online learning within a month of returning in person.

Some of the biggest names in South Carolina agriculture were on the guest list last Sunday evening in Saluda County, with Aiken-based Jason Tufts putting his culinary creativity into action as a participant in the South Carolina Chef Ambassadors program.Tufts, largely known for his work at downtown Aiken restaurant Malia's, was in gear in the Ward-Nicholson-Asbill House's kitchen, surrounded by thousands of acres of Titan Farms peach territory, with the assistance of fellow chefs Josh Cureton and Brandon Velie.The event, Dinner in the Orchard, featured creations from around South Carolina, starting with pecans and goat cheese and wrapping up, about an hour later, with local peaches (the last of the season), buttermilk ice cream and goat's milk caramel sauce.

This episode of the South Carolina Lede for September 18, 2021, features: a report on families of disabled children and their concerns about an ACLU lawsuit against the state's mask mandate prohibition; a view from the medical frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic; updates about the monoclonal antibody shortage in the state; and more.

Starting Monday, every student in South Carolina's second largest school district will have to wear a mask inside schools or have to go to online learning. Charleston County schools passed a mask rule in August, but was working to find a away around a South Carolina budget rule that state money can't be spent to enforce masks in schools. The district will use reserve money so state money from this budget year is not used.

A prominent South Carolina lawyer has surrendered to face insurance fraud and other charges in what's described as a failed plot to arrange his own death. Alex Murdaugh was issued a $20,000 bond and released Thursday on his own recognizance to return to drug rehab after the court hearing. State police say Murdaugh tried to arrange his death Sept. 4 so his surviving son could collect a $10 million life insurance policy. The State Law Enforcement Division has now been asked to open six investigations involving the Murdaugh family, including the unsolved killings of Murdaugh's wife and son — and the previous death of their housekeeper.

A brief tropical depression or named storm is still likely east of the North Carolina Outer Banks to start this upcoming weekend.

Upstate hospitals are past capacity as more COVID-19 patients strain resources. Their frustration over what they see as a preventable catastrophe is weighing on them.

Festival's General Director designate brings extensive musical experience and scholarship to role—and a firm belief in art's potential to bridge differences

South Carolina senators plan to return to the Statehouse next month for a special session on spending federal COVID-19 relief money and redistricting.

A prominent South Carolina lawyer surrendered on Thursday to face insurance fraud and other charges in a failed plot to arrange his own death. Alex Murdaugh turned himself at the Hampton County jail ahead of a bond hearing. State police say Murdaugh tried to arrange his death Sept. 4 so his surviving son could collect a $10 million life insurance policy. The State Law Enforcement Division has now been asked to open six investigations involving the Murdaugh family, including the unsolved killings of Murdaugh's wife and son and now the previous death of their housekeeper.