South-Carolina

SC lawmakers want to freeze in-state college tuition next year. Not everyone’s on board

Published

2 years ago

March 12, 2024

SC lawmakers want to freeze in-state college tuition next year. Not everyone’s on board

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WCSC) – It’s a reality many families know very well: College tuition adds up quickly, and for many schools, costs continue to increase year after year.

South Carolina’s House of Representatives is debating the next state budget this week, and they want to implement another tuition freeze for in-state students at public colleges and universities for the sixth straight year.

“If you would like to pursue further and get a degree or get a certificate, some way where you can better your life and your family’s life, we want to help you in any way possible,” Rep. Nathan Ballentine (R-Lexington) said.

Current public-school tuition costs for undergraduate in-state students in South Carolina range between around $10,000 and $15,000, not including other costs like books and room and board.

The House budget proposal would give public colleges and universities money to freeze tuition for all students again next year, totaling to $60.7 million, less than half of what the schools collectively requested for this.

Members of the ultra-conservative Freedom Caucus said that is still too much, arguing higher education is not a core function of government and should not receive these taxpayer dollars.

“Having blue-collar workers further subsidize four-year degrees, which are frankly oversaturated,” Rep. Jordan Pace (R-Berkeley) said.

They proposed to give that money instead to the South Carolina Department of Transportation to repair and replace aging bridges.

But other lawmakers pointed out, their budget proposal already gives SCDOT $200 million for this, the amount the agency asked for in its request.

Ballentine said appropriating extra dollars this year wouldn’t speed work up.

“Although it sounds good and we can go back home and tell our constituents we gave them more money, they would not see more pylons on the side of the road, they would not see more work getting done,” he said.

And Ballentine argued that withholding this money from colleges would come with a cost.

“If we do not keep the in-state tuition down or frozen and these universities help us to help our families back home, they’ve got to come up with the money somewhere,” he said. “So they’re either going to raise tuition or, as Mr. Burns mentioned and as I don’t like, they’re going to start bringing in more out-of-state tuition. That’s just math, y’all.”

Ultimately the House voted to approve this money for tuition freezes, but it is still debating the overall budget.

Then in a few weeks, the Senate will debate its version of the spending plan, so these freezes are not final yet.

The House budget proposal also includes more than $400 million for scholarships like LIFE, HOPE, and Palmetto Fellows, along with need-based and tuition grants.

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South-Carolina

South Carolina Lottery Powerball, Pick 3 results for June 20, 2026

Published

10 hours ago

June 20, 2026

Press Room

The South Carolina Education Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at June 20, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Powerball numbers from June 20 drawing

16-20-44-48-50, Powerball: 15, Power Play: 2

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 3 Plus FIREBALL numbers from June 20 drawing

Midday: 3-8-7, FB: 6

Evening: 3-8-5, FB: 6

Check Pick 3 Plus FIREBALL payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 Plus FIREBALL numbers from June 20 drawing

Midday: 5-6-4-2, FB: 6

Evening: 3-5-4-4, FB: 6

Check Pick 4 Plus FIREBALL payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash Pop numbers from June 20 drawing

Midday: 06

Evening: 14

Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Palmetto Cash 5 numbers from June 20 drawing

02-13-16-19-21

Check Palmetto Cash 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Powerball Double Play numbers from June 20 drawing

11-12-25-42-57, Powerball: 20

Check Powerball Double Play payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

The South Carolina Education Lottery provides multiple ways to claim prizes, depending on the amount won:

For prizes up to $500, you can redeem your winnings directly at any authorized South Carolina Education Lottery retailer. Simply present your signed winning ticket at the retailer for an immediate payout.

Winnings $501 to $100,000, may be redeemed by mailing your signed winning ticket along with a completed claim form and a copy of a government-issued photo ID to the South Carolina Education Lottery Claims Center. For security, keep copies of your documents and use registered mail to ensure the safe arrival of your ticket.

SC Education Lottery

P.O. Box 11039

Columbia, SC 29211-1039

For large winnings above $100,000, claims must be made in person at the South Carolina Education Lottery Headquarters in Columbia. To claim, bring your signed winning ticket, a completed claim form, a government-issued photo ID, and your Social Security card for identity verification. Winners of large prizes may also set up an Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) for convenient direct deposit of winnings.

Columbia Claims Center

1303 Assembly Street

Columbia, SC 29201

Claim Deadline: All prizes must be claimed within 180 days of the draw date for draw games.

For more details and to access the claim form, visit the South Carolina Lottery claim page.

When are the South Carolina Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 10:59 p.m. ET on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 11 p.m. ET on Tuesday and Friday.
Pick 3: Daily at 12:59 p.m. (Midday) and 6:59 p.m. (Evening).
Pick 4: Daily at 12:59 p.m. (Midday) and 6:59 p.m. (Evening).
Cash Pop: Daily at 12:59 p.m. (Midday) and 6:59 p.m. (Evening).
Palmetto Cash 5: 6:59 p.m. ET daily.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a South Carolina editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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South-Carolina

With 77 days until South Carolina football kicks off 2026 season, a look back at No. 77 George Schecterly

Published

20 hours ago

June 20, 2026

Press Room

With 77 days until South Carolina football kicks off 2026 season, a look back at No. 77 George Schecterly

South Carolina football will take the field for the first time in 2026 on September 5 against Kent State. Williams-Brice Stadium will play host to the Gamecocks and Golden Flashes at 12:45 p.m., just 77 days from today.

The No. 77 is often worn by offensive linemen. One of two tough-nosed offensive tackles in a fun Gamecock era wore the number, as George Schechterly played for the Gamecocks from 1978 to 1980.

Questions about this story? Kevin Miller is discussing it with subscribers on The Insiders Forum.

Schechterly actually began his career at Penn State, playing for legendary coach Joe Paterno. However, as a redshirt, he didn’t meet the conditioning requirements to stay with the Nittany Lions. South Carolina gave him a second chance, and the offensive lineman dedicated himself to getting better. It paid off in a big way.

Despite being a little undersized, Schechterly earned a starting job at right tackle for the Gamecocks. He played opposite left tackle Chuck Slaughter, and the duo excelled at sealing off defensive ends with reach blocks.

That proved to be a big deal for South Carolina, as a running back named George Rogers made defenses pay on toss sweep plays. Of course, Rogers wound up winning the 1980 Heisman Trophy, and Schechterly and Slaughter provided a lot of assistance. The toss sweep play worked so well that the fanbase often joked that the best ideas in the team’s playbook were “George Sweep Right” and “George Sweep Left.”

See other jersey countdown stories like this on GamecockCentral.com.

That same 1980 season, Schechterly was an All-Independent selection at tackle and won the Jacobs Blocking Trophy as the top overall blocker among Independent School blockers. He was USC’s only tackle ever to earn the honor, though several interior blockers did.

Following his graduation, Schechterly played briefly in the NFL, CFL, and USFL.

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South-Carolina

Texas A&M baseball lands LHP Logan Prisco from South Carolina

Published

1 day ago

June 20, 2026

Press Room

Texas A&M baseball lands LHP Logan Prisco from South Carolina

BRYAN, Texas (KBTX) – Texas A&M baseball added left-handed pitcher, Logan Prisco, out of South Carolina through the transfer portal on Friday night.

Prisco worked as a relief pitcher for the Gamecocks this past season, appearing in 20 games. He posted a 3.45 ERA while tallying 34 strikeouts.

Prisco is the fifth pitcher the Aggies have picked up in the offseason along with Caleb Kimble (Houston), Johnny Nuanez (Wichita State), Jase Evangelista (UNLV) and Wade Cooper (Texas State). Prisco is the eighth overall player added to the Aggies roster this offseason.

Prisco will have two seasons of eligibility once he is in College Station.

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