COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — South Carolina has a new top accountant after a 20-year officeholder resigned amid pressure over a $3.5 billion reporting error.
Brian Gaines will oversee a comptroller general's office that has received mounting scrutiny from lawmakers who want to dismantle its responsibilities.
Scout Motors picks South Carolina for new $2B EV plant
March 4, 2023 GMTCOLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — A Volkswagen Group-backed automotive company announced plans this week to open a $2 billion electric truck and SUV manufacturing plant just outside of Columbia, South Carolina.
S. Carolina House OKs new penalties for convictions on bond
March 2, 2023 GMTCOLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — People charged with a violent crime and then convicted of a second violent offense while released on bond could face more prison time under additional sentences in a bill passed by the South Carolina House on Wednesday.
Fresh off SC Gov. McMaster’s win, backers set up nonprofit
February 23, 2023 GMTCOLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Fresh off his reelection, supporters of South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster are setting up a nonprofit that organizers say will assist the Republican in promoting his legislative priorities over his final term in office.
South Carolina governor tabs new Veterans’ Affairs director
February 7, 2023 GMTCOLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — South Carolina will soon undergo a change of command at the Department of Veterans' Affairs.
Gov. Henry McMaster on Tuesday nominated retired Maj. Gen. Todd McCaffrey to head one of the state's newest cabinet agencies.
SC governor renews push for abortion ban in State of State
January 26, 2023 GMTCOLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster vowed Wednesday to press forward with efforts to further restrict abortion in the state.
Democratic response to SC State of the State address
January 26, 2023 GMTCOLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Here is the text as prepared of South Carolina Sen. Ronnie Sabb of Greeleyville giving the Democratic response to Gov. Henry McMaster’s State of the State address Wednesday:
Text of SC Gov. Henry McMaster’s State of the State speech
January 26, 2023 GMTCOLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster’s State of the State remarks as prepared for delivery on Wednesday:
Mr. Speaker, Mr. President, ladies and gentlemen of the General Assembly, my fellow South Carolinians.
Trump to be joined by Graham, McMaster at January SC event
January 17, 2023 GMTCOLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Former President Donald Trump will be joined by two high-profile South Carolina supporters — U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham and Gov. Henry McMaster — at his first public 2024 presidential campaign event in the early voting state later this month.
McMaster launches final term at South Carolina inauguration
January 11, 2023 GMTGov. Henry McMaster touted South Carolina's economic growth and pledged educational advancement and environmental conservation in his inaugural address on Wednesday as he entered what could be a historic final term.
SC governor’s budget seeks pay bumps to shore up workforce
January 6, 2023 GMTCOLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster wants to increase 2022's record amount of capital investment and offset shortages across workforces like education and law enforcement, according to the budget request he released Friday.
South Carolina’s ag chief wants more processing in state
December 12, 2022 GMTCOLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — South Carolina's agriculture chief plans to ask lawmakers for $75 million to help bring processing and packing facilities to the state so farmers don't have to send their products away.
Japanese company plans $810M battery plant in South Carolina
December 6, 2022 GMTFLORENCE, S.C. (AP) — A Japanese company said it plans to build batteries for electric BMW vehicles at a new plant in South Carolina, spending $810 million on a facility that could have up to 1,170 workers.
Prayer service, open house all part of McMaster inauguration
December 6, 2022 GMTCOLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster plans a prayer service, open house and an inaugural ball when he is sworn into office next month for a second full term.
South Carolina celebrates deepening of Charleston’s port
December 5, 2022 GMTCOLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — South Carolina has deepened the Charleston's port to make sure it can take in any ship and remains one of the largest harbors on the East Coast.
Gov. McMaster picks experienced friend to run inauguration
November 30, 2022 GMTCOLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster is turning to an experienced friend to lead January's inauguration ceremonies for his second term.
President Biden declares coastal SC disaster area after Ian
November 24, 2022 GMTCOLUMBIA,, S.C. (AP) — Three coastal counties in South Carolina have been declared disaster areas from damage from this fall's Hurricane Ian, allowing people to get federal money for repairs and assistance.
South Carolina gives GOP a ruby-red bright spot in midterms
November 12, 2022 GMTCOLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — The crowd at South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster’s election night party chanted along with the Republican incumbent as he closed his victory speech with a Tim McGraw lyric: “I like it, I love it, I want some more of it.”
Gov. McMaster wins history-making 2nd term in South Carolina
November 9, 2022 GMTCOLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster won a historic reelection bid on Tuesday as he faced voters one last time in his four-decade political career and they gave him a chance to be the longest-serving governor the state has ever had.
Democrats in SC trying to win 1st statewide race in 16 years
November 5, 2022 GMTCOLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Democrats in South Carolina get another shot at loosening the firm grasp Republicans have on statewide politics as voting ends Tuesday for the 2022 midterm elections.
SC governor seeks disaster declaration for Ian cleanup
November 1, 2022 GMTCOLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Gov. Henry McMaster has asked President Joe Biden to authorize a disaster declaration to help with Hurricane Ian recovery efforts in South Carolina, his office said Tuesday.
The South Carolina Emergency Management Division and the Federal Emergency Management Agency found that 17 homes were destroyed, 232 homes had major damage and 82 had minor damage because of the storm which came ashore near Georgetown on Sept.
McMaster pauses campaign events as Hurricane Ian hits SC
September 30, 2022 GMTCHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) — South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster has temporarily suspended campaign activities as he leads the state's response to Hurricane Ian.
Hurricane Ian moves SC State-South Carolina game to Thursday
September 27, 2022 GMTCOLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — South Carolina's home game with South Carolina State has been moved up from Saturday to Thursday night due the approach of Hurricane Ian.
South Carolina athletic director Ray Tanner announced the switch Tuesday.
Abortion ban reaches S. Carolina Senate despite GOP factions
August 31, 2022 GMTCOLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — While the results of this month's Kansas abortion vote have shaken some Republicans' appetite for additional restrictions, South Carolina lawmakers on Wednesday advanced a ban with limited exceptions.
Toy maker to expand its headquarters in South Carolina
August 25, 2022 GMTCOLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — A supplier, distributor and manufacturer of children's toys said it plans to expand its headquarters in South Carolina.
Sunny Days Entertainment, LLC said it's making a $16 million investment in its headquarters in Gray Court to meet increased demand for its products.
6 weeks of paid parental leave coming soon in South Carolina
August 25, 2022 GMTCOLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Starting in October, state employees in South Carolina are entitled to six weeks of parental leave after giving birth or adopting children.
Surrounded by Republican and Democratic lawmakers who worked together to pass the bill, Republican Gov.
Distribution center coming to SC to create nearly 300 jobs
August 17, 2022 GMTCOLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — A pet supply company will invest $53 million to set up a distribution center in South Carolina and create nearly 300 new jobs, Gov. Henry McMaster's office said.
Pet Supplies Plus, a subsidiary of Franchise Group Inc., announced Tuesday that it will establish the new distribution center, bringing with it 275 new jobs.
McMaster, Evette are SC’s 1st gov ticket to file for reelect
July 27, 2022 GMTCOLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Gov. Henry McMaster and Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette made history on Wednesday as the first gubernatorial ticket to file for reelection in South Carolina.
“We've had great success in the last four years,” McMaster told reporters after Evette signed her campaign paperwork.
SC Governor seeks to protect port from landmark’s pollution
July 11, 2022 GMTCOLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — The nation’s ninth-busiest port is at risk of pollution by more than 100,000 gallons (378,500 liters) of fuel from a Navy aircraft carrier that served in World War II and the Vietnam War before its decommissioning and designation as a National Historic Landmark.
SC lawmakers to consider $53M in vetoed local projects
June 26, 2022 GMTCOLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — The South Carolina General Assembly is returning to Columbia on Tuesday to consider nearly $53 million in local projects that Gov. Henry McMaster wants out of the $13.8 billion state budget.
SC Republicans are set to further restrict abortion post Roe
June 25, 2022 GMTIn the wake of the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, lawmakers are poised to further restrict abortion rights in Republican-controlled South Carolina — which is not one of the 13 states with “trigger laws” banning abortion.
SC Democrat seeks age limit for ‘geriatric’ politicians
June 22, 2022 GMTCHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) — Democratic gubernatorial nominee Joe Cunningham is proposing an age limit for South Carolina politicians — a cap that would cut off the 75-year-old incumbent Gov.
SC medical ethics law prompts concerns re: LGBTQ healthcare
June 21, 2022 GMTA new South Carolina law that allows physicians, medical students and nurses to refrain from doing procedures that violate their conscience has prompted concern that the measure will restrict healthcare options for the state's LGBTQ population.
Turnout down for South Carolina’s 2022 primaries
June 19, 2022 GMTCOLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — About the same number of people voted in this year's South Carolina Republican primary as voted in the last midterm primary in 2018. But Democrats had about 60,000 fewer voters in their primary this year, according to state Election Commission data.
SC Senate calls for amendments to restrain federal spending
June 16, 2022 GMTThe South Carolina Senate approved a proposal on Wednesday calling for the convention of states to pass constitutional amendments that restrain the federal government's power — but the state House failed to act on the bill before the session ended.
Lawmakers pass $13.8B SC budget with large tax rebates, cuts
June 15, 2022 GMTCOLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — A $13.8 billion budget that sends hundreds of dollars of rebates to many South Carolina taxpayers and also cuts cuts their income tax rates is on its way to Gov Henry McMaster's desk.
McMaster, Cunningham win primaries; to face off in November
June 15, 2022 GMTCOLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Former U.S. Rep. Joe Cunningham won the Democratic nomination for governor Tuesday, setting up a November showdown with Republican Gov. Henry McMaster, who easily defeated his opponent in the primary.
91,000 South Carolina ballots already cast in early voting
June 12, 2022 GMTCOLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — More than 91,000 votes have already been cast in South Carolina for Tuesday's primaries.
Nearly 80,000 of those votes were cast during the state's new early voting period, according to data from the South Carolina Election Commission that doesn't include figures for Friday which was the last day for early voting.
VP Harris to headline dinner for South Carolina Democrats
June 6, 2022 GMTVice President Kamala Harris is returning to South Carolina this week to headline a fundraising dinner for Democrats in the state, which plays a key role in the presidential nominating process.
Officials encourage prep as hurricane season starts in SC
May 29, 2022 GMTCOLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — With hurricane season starting Wednesday, South Carolina emergency officials want residents to prepare.
Gov. Henry McMaster has proclaimed Hurricane Preparedness Week starting Sunday.
New laws give teachers a break, ban lunch debt collections
May 21, 2022 GMTCOLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Two new laws in South Carolina require every school give elementary school teachers a 30-minute break each day without students and ban districts from turning over school lunch debt to collection agencies.
S. Carolina tries early voting even as other states restrict
May 18, 2022 GMTCOLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — South Carolina election officials are preparing for early voting for the first time in next month's primaries, expanding the ability to vote in an era when many other states are passing laws to make it harder to cast ballots.
South Carolina governor signs transgender sports ban bill
May 17, 2022 GMTCOLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — South Carolina's governor has quietly signed into law a bill that would ban transgender students from playing girls’ or women’s sports in public schools and colleges as the state joins about a dozen others that have passed similar laws in the past two years.
Buc-ee’s set to open 1st South Carolina location in Florence
May 15, 2022 GMTFLORENCE, S.C. (AP) — A massive gas station and travel center spreading across the Southeast from Texas is opening its first location in South Carolina.
Frenetic last SC General Assembly day sees trustee bill fail
May 12, 2022 GMTCOLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Time ran out for South Carolina senators as they tried to pass a bill that would restructure the University of South Carolina's board on Thursday, the frenetic final day of the 2022 General Assembly session.
S. Carolina nears transgender sports ban after Senate vote
May 4, 2022 GMTCOLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — The South Carolina Senate approved a bill Wednesday that would ban transgender students from playing girls’ or women’s sports in public schools and colleges, likely clearing the way for the state to join a dozen others that have passed similar laws in recent years.
South Carolina governor’s minor heart procedure a success
April 27, 2022 GMTSouth Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster was put under anesthesia for about 10 minutes Wednesday to fix a minor irregular heartbeat, his office said.
The problem was found when the 74-year-old governor was scheduled for arthroscopic knee surgery Wednesday after suffering a slight meniscus tear while playing tennis with his wife, his office said in a statement to The Associated Press.
Republican fight over power threatens SC early voting bill
April 21, 2022 GMTCOLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — The chances of having true early voting in upcoming elections in South Carolina appears to be dying after the state House and governor accused the Senate of a power grab by giving itself the ability to confirm the governor's selections for the state elections board.
SC early voting bill gets unanimous, bipartisan support
April 21, 2022 GMTCOLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — In a time where debates over elections and voting end up in partisan arguments, Democrats and Republicans in the South Carolina General Assembly are trying to come together to expand early voting in this conservative state.
South Carolina governor signs bill on convention of states
April 13, 2022 GMTCOLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — South Carolina on Wednesday joined a growing number of states calling for a convention to propose amendments to the U.S.
Farmer to retire after nearly a decade as insurance chief
April 12, 2022 GMTCOLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — After nearly a decade on the job, Ray Farmer will retire this week as chief of South Carolina's Department of Insurance, the governor's office said Tuesday.
South Carolina’s McMaster amasses $5M for 2022 reelection
April 11, 2022 GMTCOLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster has raised more than $5 million in his pursuit of a second full term, bringing in more than $600,000 in the first fundraising quarter of this year.
Filing period closes for South Carolina’s primary elections
March 30, 2022 GMTCOLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — The candidate field is set for South Carolina's 2022 elections, which feature a competitive Democratic gubernatorial primary, a wide-open education superintendent race and a pair of intraparty congressional battles featuring Republican incumbents fending off challengers backed by former President Donald Trump.
Nucor steel wins competition to be coolest thing made in SC
March 30, 2022 GMTCOLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Nucor steel has been voted the coolest thing made in South Carolina in a contest by the South Carolina Manufacturing Alliance.
Fabrics company to bring hundreds of jobs to South Carolina
March 23, 2022 GMTHEMINGWAY, S.C. (AP) — A textile manufacturer is making a $3.3 million investment to set up operations in South Carolina's Williamsburg County.
Hemingway Sewing Solutions, a subsidiary of Beverly Kits, one of the largest circular knitters in the United States, will create 242 new jobs in the area, Gov.
SC gov hopeful Cunningham proposes 10% teacher pay bump
March 22, 2022 GMTCOLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Joe Cunningham, who is running to unseat Republican Gov.
SC governor vetoes partisan school elections in one county
March 19, 2022 GMTLANCASTER, S.C. (AP) — South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster has vetoed a proposal that would have allowed candidates for school board in Lancaster County to run as members of political parties.
Telecommunications firm to hire more workers for call center
March 16, 2022 GMTWEST COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — A telecommunications firm plans to hire 350 new workers for sales and management positions.
South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster on Tuesday announced the plans of Charter Communications for its Spectrum workforce.