South-Carolina
Is there a chance for S.C. health agency restructuring plan to move forward?
COLUMBIA, S.C. (WRDW/WAGT) – On Wednesday, South Carolina lawmakers will return to Columbia for the day to elect the state’s new Supreme Court justice.
But while they’re in session at the State House, we could see a push to finalize a major bill that would impact millions of South Carolinians – and their access to health services.
On the final day of South Carolina’s legislative session last month, a bill to restructure South Carolina’s health agencies died on a procedural maneuver – despite passing both the Senate and the House with overwhelming support.
Now some at the State House, including the governor – are calling on lawmakers to revive it – but that might be easier said than done.
MORE FROM NEWS 12:
The South Carolina General Assembly last month wrapped up its regular legislative session for the year.
But lawmakers will sporadically be back in Columbia over the next month to take up matters outlined in an agreement called the sine die resolution.
It lists the reasons for which lawmakers can be called back into session – like finalizing the budget.
Not included in it is a bill to merge six state health agencies into one – but some want to see that changed.
“Often people who need help go from one place to the other to the other, and they feel like they’re on a merry-go-round or a revolving door. They never get anywhere,” Gov. Henry McMaster said.
He’s asked lawmakers multiple times over the last few weeks to amend the resolution to include the restructuring bill.
If lawmakers don’t, they won’t be able to take it up again until next January, at the earliest.
“We cannot wait another day,” McMaster said.
But Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey says despite the overwhelming support for the bill – tacking it onto the resolution is not easy.
“I agree with the governor that it’s very important. … Very candidly, it’s going to be a big lift.” Massey said.
And in the Senate, the Republican majority is likely to need some Democrats’ support to clear the threshold necessary to amend the resolution.
That opens up the potential for Democrats to try to leverage that into forcing Republicans to add on and take up another bill many of them don’t want to debate: the hate crimes bill.
Lawmakers can make this attempt to amend the resolution as soon as Wednesday.
But they can also try later in the month – when they’re scheduled to be back in session for other matters.
Copyright 2024 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (WPDE) — A judge has started the process for South Carolina to pursue the death penalty against Brandon Council, the man accused of killing two women during an armed bank robbery at CresCom Bank in 2017.
Council is charged federally with murder after authorities said he walked into the bank to commit an armed robbery that ended with two employees being shot and killed.
He was originally sentenced to death in federal court, but the Biden administration commuted the sentences of 37 death row inmates, changing their status to life in prison.
With Council no longer facing execution under the federal sentence, South Carolina is moving to revive state charges that had been dropped before he was federally charged.
READ MORE: Spectators pack courtroom as Alex Murdaugh returns to court after convictions overturned
In court, prosecutors sought to add dates to the case calendar as they pursue the death penalty again.
Fifteenth Circuit Solicitor Jimmy Richardson said the state had initially been looking at April 2027 for a trial date, but the judge denied that as too soon.
“We were being as aggressive as we could be. But by July 17th, the defense will give their order. We will turn in another order, and we’ll see if we can’t come to an agreement. That way, the judge doesn’t have a lot of problems. It’s just an agreement between the two sides,” Richardson said.
During the hearing, the judge and the state were asked about any bias before moving forward.
Richardson said, “I don’t know him. So he’s from a different state, and, they ask us to let them know about any bias. I don’t know about any bias. I just, you know, it’s whatever the crime is.”
He added, “The main thing for me was to get the schedule in order so that we know where we’re going, and it looks like we’re on the road to that, but we’re not there yet.”
READ MORE: Florence woman sentenced to 35 years in prison for 2-year-old’s death
At one point, Council sought to represent himself in court and objected to statements made by the prosecution.
By the end of the hearing, he changed his mind and accepted representation.
Richardson said he does not expect the trial until 2028.
The world of recruiting has been hot for South Carolina so far this summer, especially in the past week. For a class than stood at just 8 commits entering June, the Gamecocks now sit with 13 and have raced up the national rankings. Here is a recap of the month of June and where the Gamecocks may be looking to add in the coming weeks.
Iveon Lewis, Richmond, Virginia native, is the highest rated recruit Shane Beamer has added in June. The 6-foot-2 receiver is playable both inside and outside for Kendal Briles next year. Andrew Ivins, Director of Scouting for 247Sports, says Lewis passes the eye test for a Power Four wide receiver and has shown the ability to overwhelm opposing defensive backs. Wide receiver is a position group the team can afford to get better at and Lewis is a great piece to do just that.
Jackson Ross is the most recent addition as he committed on June 28. From right in there own backyard, Shane Beamer and his staff land a 6-foot-3 and 215 pound line backer that is an explosive athlete. Over his sophomore and junior season, Ross has averaged 118 tackles, 18 tackles for loss, double digit sacks, and multiple turnovers.
South Carolina was able to go into rival territory this past week and land Kelvin Millington out of Bogart, Georgia. The 6-foot-3 and 180+ pounder chose the Gamecocks over Texas Tech, Virginia Tech, Cincinnati, and Georgia Tech. He brings elite size and great athleticism to the position and South Carolina has been known to develop defensive backs in recent years.
James Ross is the second player South Carolina has landed right here in Columbia. Ross is a a 6-foot-5 offensive tackle, who doubles as a star in track and field. Beamer won his services over Cincinnati, Georgia Tech, North Carolina, Coastal Carolina, Appalachian State and others.
Finally Clayton Lee is another offensive tackle the Gamecocks were able to land, this time out of the state of Florida. The 6-foot-7 and 290 pound tackle has the ideal size teams covet in the SEC. Randy Clements, South Carolina’s new offensive line coach, has two players added this month that showed help sure up the offensive tackle depth for next season and beyond.
Names to Keep an Eye on
NEWS: South Pointe (SC) 4-star DL Seth Tillman is down to five schools with four OVs locked in.
What’s next?
Read: https://t.co/S6geoAyghT pic.twitter.com/ncae17wQEy
— ChadSimmons (@ChadSimmons_) May 13, 2026
South Carolina would like to add multiple running backs in this class, after failing to land a high school running back in each of the last two cycles. New running backs coach Stan Drayton was able to land four-star tailback Brayden Tyson back in May. Looking to add to that room here are a few names to keep an eye on: Caden Waye, Elijah Kimble, Caleb Mattison, Franklin Richardson, and Joel Bradford.
Dewey Young is a four-star offensive tackle prospect from Kalamazoo Central High School in Kalamazoo, Missouri. Young is a top 10 player in the state of Missouri and a top 300 recruit in the country. South Carolina is battling with Colorado, Vanderbilt, Purdue, and Georgia Tech in his recruitment.
Finally, four-star defensive lineman Seth Tillman is another name to watch. Tillman named the Gamecocks along with Clemson, Georgia, Michigan, and Kentucky. Defensive line coach Travian Robertson is the primary recruiter tasked with landing the great playmaker out of Rock Hill, South Carolina.
Follow
Powerball, Mega Millions jackpots: What to know in case you win
Here’s what to know in case you win the Powerball or Mega Millions jackpot.
Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
The South Carolina Education Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at June 28, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Pick 3 Plus FIREBALL numbers from June 28 drawing
Evening: 2-2-5, FB: 5
Check Pick 3 Plus FIREBALL payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 4 Plus FIREBALL numbers from June 28 drawing
Evening: 1-9-6-3, FB: 5
Check Pick 4 Plus FIREBALL payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash Pop numbers from June 28 drawing
Evening: 11
Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Palmetto Cash 5 numbers from June 28 drawing
03-20-23-30-40
Check Palmetto Cash 5 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.
-
Miami, FL3 minutes agoBradley Beal to Miami Heat rumors draw skepticism
-
Boston, MA10 minutes agoBoston Pops surprise travelers at Logan Airport with July 4th preview performance
-
Denver, CO12 minutes agoDenver Broncos Crack Top 10 in NFL Uniform Rankings
-
Seattle, WA18 minutes agoPHOTOS: Visiting all 12 stops during this year’s West Seattle Garden Tour
-
Milwaukee, WI28 minutes agoMilwaukee Barbecue: A Legacy of Smoke
-
Atlanta, GA33 minutes agoGeorgia Haitian communities face sudden July 27 deportation deadline
-
Minneapolis, MN40 minutes agoBroken A/C leaves 75-year-old cancer patient sweltering at north Minneapolis apartments
-
Indianapolis, IN43 minutes agoJazz saxophonist Jared Thompson shares journey of self-acceptance and artistry
