South-Carolina

The State House Gavel: Statehouse forecast calls for flurries…of bills

Published

12 months ago

January 22, 2025

The State House Gavel: Statehouse forecast calls for flurries…of bills

Welcome to Wednesday. It is still very, very cold.

So cold, in fact, lawmakers have canceled several hearings originally scheduled for Wednesday, mainly in the SC House.
For now, several hearings set for Wednesday and Thursday still seem to be a go.

What’s not canceled (yet)? Former longtime state Sen. Nikki Setzler’s portrait unveiling. The unveiling starts at 4 p.m. and will be livestreamed.

This is The State House Gavel, a new daily reporter notebook by reporters Gavin Jackson, Russ McKinney and Maayan Schechter that will preview and capture what goes on at the South Carolina Statehouse this year while lawmakers are in session.

Notebook highlights:

SC Senate keeping $1.8 billion accounting error on the legislative tracks.
Prefiling season is so last month. Lawmakers file a flurry of bills they hope break through before the end of the two-year session.
SC lawmakers will consider whether to OK the use of debit cards to buy lottery tickets as revenue dips.
Wednesday’s tiny mic freshman spotlight hails from the Lowcountry and loves “Forrest Gump.”

Quick note: Unofficial election results show Democrat Courtney Waters has won the three-way primary Tuesday night to fill the Lowcountry House District 113 seat, formerly represented by Rep. Marvin Pendarvis. Waters will run unopposed in the March general election for the Democratic-leaning seat. This is one of two vacancies in the House after now-former Rep. Will Wheeler, D-Lee, resigned last week.

Russ McKinney, Maayan Schechter and Gavin Jackson

SC treasurer in Senate hot seat

Treasurer Curtis Loftis has a problem. And he may eventually have 46 problems otherwise known as the SC Senate.

On Tuesday, the Senate Finance Committee met to hear from outside audit firm, AlixPartners, to learn more about the mystery/ghost/whatever you want to call it $1.8 billion accounting error. Here’s the audit in case you missed it.

Senate Budget Chairman Harvey Peeler, R-Cherokee, asked the outside auditors Tuesday whether, during their review, anyone ever said, ‘I’m sorry,’ or took responsibility for the problem.

“What kind of response did you receive,” Peeler asked the firm.

The auditors said the only person who appeared to show remorse was Katherine Kip, an accountant who moved from the Treasurer’s Office to the Comptroller’s and was the first to discover the initial $3.5 billion error.

Background: The whole saga stems from the embarrassing $3.5 billion accounting correction in 2023 that resulted in the resignation of then-Comptroller General Richard Eckstrom. That disclosure then led to the (public) discovery of a mysterious $1.8 billion fund without a home that state leaders were told was real money. But they decided it was probably better to make sure before sending the money to roads or refund checks. So, lawmakers spent $3 million to hire audit firm AlixPartners to figure out what the money was (or wasn’t) and how we got into this mess. And it’s a good thing they did. It turns out the money is neither real nor able to be spent— at least $1.6 billion of it was simply an accounting maneuver.

Since Eckstrom has exited the stage after intense Senate scrutiny (and a threat of impeachment), Republican Loftis, whose office held the mystery account, seems to be in the Senate’s crosshairs. Loftis has dismissed all claims that he’s at fault but he testified before a Senate committee last year that he invested the $1.8 billion and earned the state interest. Not surprisingly, Senators seem eager to obtain “further clarification” on how he was able to accomplish that feat in light of the revelation that the money doesn’t exist.

And they’ve also started asking serious questions about the state Auditor George Kennedy, who is not an elected official like Eckstrom and Loftis, but whose office has a responsibility to work with the other two to ensure public reporting of state finances is accurate.

What’s ahead: The Senate Finance Committee plans to meet next Tuesday to consider the remedial recommendations suggested by AlixPartners. Meanwhile, a Senate Judiciary panel on Tuesday approved a resolution again to ask the voters on the 2026 ballot whether the Comptroller General (the state’s chief accountant) should be changed from an elected official to a Cabinet-appointed position. It now heads to the full Judiciary Committee.

As we reported last week, the House plans to hold another hearing, likely early February, with Brian Gaines (the interim comptroller, who was appointed by Gov. Henry McMaster when Eckstrom resigned), Kennedy and Loftis. The Senate is expected to do the same.

South Carolina Treasurer Curtis Loftis turns to his staff during a state Senate hearing into how $1.8 billion ended up in an account without anyone knowing where it came from or was supposed to go, Tuesday, April 2, 2024, in Columbia, SC. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Collins)

Bills by the numbers

Prefiles get a lot of attention.

But some other bills quietly made their big debut last week.

All of the prefiled bills have been read across their respective chamber’s desks and assigned to committees. And for a majority of them, that is the most action they will ever see.

We’re talking about 650 bills in the House and 200-plus in the Senate.

On average 3,800 bills get filed during a two-year session, and on average 250 get signed into law. That’s about 7%.

For the sake of easy math, please disregard the hundreds of congratulatory resolutions that get filed and rubber stamped in their respective chamber in this hypothetical equation.

Nevertheless, here’s a dose of what was introduced last week in the Senate that may have been lost in the hubbub.

Senate: Two big bills we’ve heard leaders discuss and have been filed before include S. 156, which makes fentanyl-induced homicide a crime, and S. 159, which cracks down on retail theft. The chamber’s Medical Affairs Committee Chairman Danny Verdin filed S. 162, which would require that gender changes to a person’s birth certificate may only be changed from male to female or from female to male. Then there’s S. 169 that would allow debit cards for lottery ticket purchases, a move pushed by the governor and now Senate Education Committee Chairman Greg Hembree. This is seen as both a way to boost Education Lottery revenue that helps fund college scholarships and, possibly, a new K-12 private school voucher program up for debate in the Senate.

We’ll see if any of these are part of the 7% that make it.

The final votes are cast in the South Carolina Senate as senators approved a bill to change how judges are brought up for election on Thursday, March 14, 2024, in Columbia, S.C. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Collins) — The S.C. Senate on Thursday, March 14, 2024, in Columbia, S.C. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Collins)

The cost of using debit cards for Lottery tickets

Paying for refreshments at Williams-Brice Stadium or Colonial Life Arena? Bring your card because they are both cashless.

But South Carolina’s Education Lottery is card-less.

That might change this year but currently, the state forbids it.

The background: Lawmakers heard this month that the age of most lottery players is rising and the current rules leave behind a number of would-be players who don’t play because they don’t carry cash, especially younger people. Also, lottery revenue is projected to go down at a time when the Education Lottery (launched in 2002) funds most of the state’s college/university scholarships. And don’t forget, the Senate is currently debating a private school voucher bill that plans to use a significant chuck of lottery dollars.

Twenty-three states allow for the use of debit cards.

State Lottery officials told senators Tuesday that use of debit cards could raise an additional $52 million.

Will it pass: The Legislature has had a rather contentious relationship over the years with the the Lottery, gambling and video poker (we’re not going there). But plenty of lawmakers have come around to legalizing forms of sports betting, for instance, so we do anticipate there to be a solid amount of support for allowing debit card use. Gov. McMaster also included the legalization of debit card purchases in his executive budget released this month.

Armous Peterson fills out his slip for the Powerball lottery at Jimmy's Mart on Saturday, May 18, 2013, in Columbia, S.C. Peterson keeps track of what numbers he plays from week to week. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Collins) — Armous Peterson fills out his slip for the Powerball lottery at Jimmy’s Mart on Saturday, May 18, 2013, in Columbia, S.C. Peterson keeps track of what numbers he plays from week to week. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Collins)

Daily planner (1/22)

SC House

SC Senate

*This schedule will update based on any cancellations*

Freshman spotlight: Tiny mic edition

There are a whopping 32 new lawmakers in the Legislature.

And 13 of them are in the state Senate. The House has 19.

It’s time you to get to know them, so welcome to our freshman spotlight where we introduce a new member of their respective chamber. (We edit for clarity.)

Next up: Democratic SC Sen. Ed Sutton, a 41-year-old real estate developer and Air Force pilot who represents the new Senate District 20, which covers part of Charleston County.

What’s your favorite movie? This is corny, but I used to work at the Bubba Gump Shrimp Company restaurant in Charleston back in college. I’ll go with Forrest Gump.

If you could have one super power, what would it be? Probably the ability to go back in time, and that way you could anticipate some things that are coming.

What has surprised you so far at the Statehouse? The judicial candidates (up for election on Feb. 5) have been a surprise. I’m not an attorney, and, so, if any judicial candidates are watching this, please stop sending me cards.

USC Gamecocks of Clemson Tigers? Gamecocks. But I’m from the Citadel (2006), so I pull for the Citadel and Gamecocks. But when they (The Citadel) play, I’m with the Bulldogs.

What is your 2025 Statehouse political prediction? We’ve got growing pains. No. 1, transportation. Charleston’s growing, the whole state’s growing, (and) housing.

Statehouse clips from around the state

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South-Carolina

South Carolina Solicitor, Sheriff at Odds Over Animal Cruelty Case – FITSNews

Published

11 hours ago

January 8, 2026

Press Room

South Carolina Solicitor, Sheriff at Odds Over Animal Cruelty Case – FITSNews

by ERIN PARROTT

***

The South Carolina sixteenth circuit solicitor’s office announced it was dismissing felony charges against two women accused of setting a dog on fire – a surprising development in a high-profile animal-cruelty case that sparked statewide outrage.

However, this dismissal – which the solicitor’s office used to publicly exonerate the women – is being openly disputed by the law enforcement

To recap: On October 12, 2025, deputies with the Union County Sheriff’s Office (UCSO) arrested and charged Jada Rogers and Cassidi Hyatt with felony ill treatment of animals – a crime punishable by up to five years in prison – after investigators alleged a dog had been intentionally set on fire.

This week, however, elected solicitor Kevin Brackett released a statement indicating he is formally dismissing the charges, concluding Rogers mistakenly believed the dog had already died and that Hyatt was neither present for nor involved in the burning.

***

RELATED | 100 ANIMALS INVOLVED IN MIDLANDS ABUSE CASE

***

According to the investigation, the dog – named Red – became seriously ill in early October 2025 and was diagnosed by a Union County veterinarian with canine parvovirus – a disease which is fatal in dogs. Brackett said the women were told the dog would die without treatment – but that they were unable to afford inpatient care.

Despite borrowing money and attempting to treat the dog at home, Red’s condition worsened and, according to Brackett, the dog appeared to die on October 10, 2025. Because the ground was too hard to dig a grave, Rogers attempted to cremate the animal – a method the solicitor noted is commonly recommended for dogs that die from parvo, as the virus can persist in soil for months.

Brackett acknowledged veterinary findings which showed some soot in the dog’s lungs – evidence the animal had some life in him at the time of the fire – but said the treating veterinarian also confirmed that a dog in the final stages of parvo could easily appear dead to an untrained observer.

In his statement, Brackett noted that video of Rogers’ arrest and recorded jail calls allegedly showed she was visibly distraught at the suggestion she had intentionally burned her dog alive. Additionally, Brackett wrote that Rogers repeatedly maintained Red was already dead when she attempted to burn his body – and that she appeared to sincerely believe that to be true.

***

Brackett further noted neither Rogers nor Hyatt was interviewed by USCO investigators before charges were filed. Instead, he wrote, a deputy with no prior knowledge of the case was dispatched to arrest the women and could only tell them he would relay their concerns to the lead investigator.

“I do not believe that Jada would have burned Red if she had the slightest notion that he was still alive,” Brackett wrote. “Fortunately, it is unlikely that a dog in a comatose state, in the end stages of parvo, would have felt pain due to the breakdown of its central nervous system.”

Brackett noted that both women extensive time in jail – 23 days for Rogers and 18 days for Hyatt – and were “convicted of torturing Red in the court of public opinion,” before he dismissed the charges following his investigation.

“I was not involved in the decision to charge them but as the elected prosecutor I feel compelled to apologize to them for what they have endured,” Brackett added.

***

SHERIFF PUSHES BACK…

Union County Sheriff’s Office (*Andy Fancher/FITSNews*)

***

Within hours of Brackett’s announcement, UCSO released its own detailed statement – making clear the agency strongly disagreed with the solicitor’s conclusion.

According to the law enforcement agency, its deputies responded to a residence on Linersville Road at around 10:00 p.m. EDT on October 10, 2025 after animal control requested assistance. Neighbors told deputies a dog had been set on fire and said the occupants had left before law enforcement arrived.

At the scene, an animal control officer reported observing a burn pile containing the dog’s remains. Deputies photographed the remains and collected statements from neighbors and witnesses.

Investigators later arranged a necropsy performed by Dr. Douglas Seif at Triangle Veterinary Clinic, which concluded the mixed-breed puppy was alive at the time of the fire.

“Body was severely burned with charring over entire body and the ends of the legs burned off,” the report stated. “Inspection of the chest cavity showed soot heavily infiltrated inside of bilateral cranial lung lobes and the thoracic trachea.”

***

The clinic’s final determination was blunt: “Dog was burned alive. This is cruelty.”

Based on the necropsy findings and witness statements, UCSO said a deputy met with an on-call magistrate on October 12, 2025 – who found probable cause to issue arrest warrants for both Rogers and Hyatt for the crime of ill treatment of animals.

UCSO also directly challenged Brackett’s legal reasoning, disputing his assertion that criminal charges require knowledge an act is unlawful – countering that “a lack of knowledge of the law does not exempt one from being held accountable.”

***

UCSO Sheriff Jeff Bailey said he felt obligated to publicly explain why his deputies made the arrests.

“As the elected Sheriff of this county I feel compelled to tell you what facts we based our arrest on,” Bailey said. “I stand by my deputies and investigators and the job they did and the facts that were gathered to effect the arrest of both individuals.”

What we are now dealing with is a rare and public standoff between investigators and prosecutors, with law enforcement maintaining the evidence supported felony charges and the solicitor asserting it did not rise to criminal intent – a divide that leaves one unavoidable question: who is right?

The dismissal of charges against Rogers and Hyatt brings an end to a case that fueled widespread outrage, while leaving behind lingering concerns about accountability, prosecutorial discretion and the handling of emotionally charged cases.

***

ABOUT THE AUTHOR…

Erin Parrott is a Greenville, S.C. native who graduated from the University of South Carolina in 2025 with a bachelor degree in broadcast journalism. Got feedback or a tip for Erin? Email her here.

***

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South-Carolina

South Carolina Lottery Powerball, Pick 3 results for Jan. 7, 2026

Published

24 hours ago

January 8, 2026

Press Room

South Carolina Lottery Powerball, Pick 3 results for Jan. 7, 2026

The South Carolina Education Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Jan. 7, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Powerball numbers from Jan. 7 drawing

15-28-57-58-63, Powerball: 23, Power Play: 2

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 3 Plus FIREBALL numbers from Jan. 7 drawing

Midday: 2-8-8, FB: 1

Evening: 3-3-6, FB: 6

Check Pick 3 Plus FIREBALL payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 Plus FIREBALL numbers from Jan. 7 drawing

Midday: 0-9-4-9, FB: 1

Evening: 0-4-8-3, FB: 6

Check Pick 4 Plus FIREBALL payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash Pop numbers from Jan. 7 drawing

Midday: 12

Evening: 10

Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Palmetto Cash 5 numbers from Jan. 7 drawing

03-07-09-14-38

Check Palmetto Cash 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Powerball Double Play numbers from Jan. 7 drawing

28-41-50-61-68, Powerball: 05

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

Former South Carolina starter commits to ACC school via transfer portal

Published

1 day ago

January 7, 2026

Press Room

Former South Carolina starter commits to ACC school via transfer portal

Former South Carolina football offensive lineman Cason Henry announced his intention to transfer in December. Just a couple of weeks later, he has found a new school to call home.

According to a report from On3’s Pete Nakos, Henry has committed to the Louisville Cardinals. He will join Louisville as a fifth-year senior, but pending medical redshirts, he could have multiple years left to play.

Henry earned a starting gig for South Carolina ahead of the last three seasons. However, he saw action in just six combined games in 2023 and 2025 as he dealt with injuries. He started all 13 games of 2024 at right tackle. That year, he was one of the team’s most improved players from season’s beginning to season’s end.

Henry was the top-performing overall blocker for the Gamecocks at the beginning of 2025. However, a shoulder injury ended the 6-6, 310-pound tackle’s season after just four games.

Henry was a three-star prospect back in the class of 2022 out of Walton High School in Marietta, Georgia.

South Carolina Transfer Portal Resources:

Cason Henry Bio on GamecocksOnline

2024 SEC Fall Academic Honor Roll
2024 Most Improved Player of the Spring – Offense
2023 SEC Fall Academic Honor Roll
2022-23 SEC First-Year Academic Honor Roll
2022 Offensive Scout Team Award

Talented offensive lineman who is in his fifth year of college football in 2026… incumbent at the right tackle position but his career has been plagued by injuries… has appeared in 21 games over the past three seasons with 18 starts…. entered the transfer portal following the 2025 season.

2025 (Redshirt Junior)
Starter in each of the first four games at right tackle and was playing at a high level… served as a game captain against Vanderbilt, but was injured in that contest… returned the following week against Missouri, but was injured on the first play of the game and did not return… underwent season-ending shoulder surgery in October.

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2024 (Redshirt Sophomore)
Right tackle who was able to stay healthy throughout the season, earning the starting assignment in all 13 contests… named to the SEC Fall Academic Honor Roll… recognized as the Most Improved Player of the Spring for the offense.

2023 (Redshirt Freshman)
Appeared in just two games as he was hampered by a knee injury… was limited early in fall camp, but still earned his way into a starting assignment at right tackle for the season opener against North Carolina… was injured in that contest and spent much of the season rehabbing… finally returned to the field for the Jacksonville State contest, but was injured again and sat out the remainder of the season… was not available in the spring while rehabbing from off-season surgery… named to the SEC Fall Academic Honor Roll.

2022 (Freshman)
True freshman offensive lineman… worked at right tackle behind Dylan Wonnum and Tyshawn Wannamaker… saw action in two contests… played against Charlotte and South Carolina State… was a regular member of the travel roster… named the Offensive Scout Team Award winner… named to the SEC First-Year Academic Honor Roll.

HIGH SCHOOL
Graduated from Walton High School in Marietta, Ga. in 2022… played on both sides of the ball in high school… the Raiders went 9-4 in his senior season… coached by Daniel Brunner… played multiple offensive line spots, but primarily at right tackle as a junior in 2020 when he helped his team to the second round of the state 7A playoffs… was a first-team All-Cobb Country performer.

PERSONAL
Cason Mannino Henry was born Oct. 2, 2003… pursuing a degree in cyber policies and ethics.

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