South-Carolina

What men in SC should know about the automatic draft registration

Published

3 days ago

April 13, 2026

Press Room

What men in SC should know about the automatic draft registration

The federal government will begin automatically registering eligible men for the military draft in December 2026.
This change is part of the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act signed into law by President Donald Trump.
The new process will use federal data from sources like the DMV instead of requiring manual registration.
The U.S. currently has an all-volunteer military, and the draft has not been used since the Vietnam War.

South Carolina residents could soon see a change in how the nation manages military enlistment, as the federal government moves to automatically register eligible men for the draft pool.

Federal data sources such as department of motor vehicle or Social Security Administration will be used beginning in December to register men ages 18-25, according to the Selective Service’s agency website.

The shift marks a departure from the previous requirement that eligible men manually register with the Selective Service within 30 days of turning 18 or face penalties for non-compliance.

The updated draft pool process marks the first significant change to Selective Service procedures in decades.

President Trump signs the 2026 NDAA

The revised registration process was enacted as part of the fiscal 2026 National Defense Authorization Act, which President Donald Trump signed into law in December.

Original military draft 1948

The original Military Selective Service Act, established in 1948, provides the legal framework for the draft.

It enables Congress to recruit eligible individuals into the armed forces while outlining provisions for exemptions, deferments, and religious objections.

The recent changes to the registration process aims to streamline the process.

Who is required to register for the draft?

As reported by the Selective Service website, all men are required to register for the draft within 30 days of turning 18.

This includes men who are “religiously or morally opposed to participating in war as religious or moral objectors,” according to the Selective Service System.

Undocumented men residing in the United States also must register.

Men with disabilities and medical conditions are also required to register “in most cases,” though they may be considered for exemptions or deferments based on individual circumstances.

Women can enlist to serve in the military but are not required to register for the draft.

Military draft exceptions

Military draft exceptions are granted under specific conditions, according to the Selective Service website.

For instance, if a man is institutionalized in a hospital, nursing home, or similar facility from before his 18th birthday until his 26th birthday without any breaks of 30 days or longer, he is exempt from registration.

Additionally, those confined to their homes who require medical assistance to leave are also exempt from the draft registration requirement.

Can you refuse to register for the military draft?

Refusing to register for the military draft is a serious offense under U.S. law.

According to the Selective Service, failing to register can result in a felony charge, punishable by fines up to $250,000 and imprisonment for up to five years.

Could the military draft return?

Currently, there is no active draft, as the United States relies on an all-volunteer military force.

The draft system remains in place as a contingency, allowing the government to reinstate it in case of national emergency or significant military conflicts.

According to historical archives, the last time the draft was used was in December 1972 during the Vietnam War, after which the U.S. transitioned to a volunteer-based military system.

Travis Jacque Rose is the trending news reporter for the Greenville News, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at trose@gannett.com.

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South-Carolina

SCDOT wants to replace 18 Midlands bridges in poor condition: HERE’S WHERE

Published

4 hours ago

April 15, 2026

Press Room

SCDOT wants to replace 18 Midlands bridges in poor condition: HERE’S WHERE

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WACH) — An ageing bridge in your neighborhood could soon be replaced in a proposed project from the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT).

SCDOT’s Bridge Package 24 project is looking to replace 18 bridges across Aiken, Bamberg, Kershaw, Lexington, Orangeburg, Richland, and Sumter counties that have one or more components in poor condition.

The bridges will either be replaced on existing alignment with a signed detour rerouting traffic during construction, or replaced adjacent to the existing alignment, allowing through traffic during construction.

Officials say the following bridges make up Package 24 and are part of the SCDOT’s Closed and Load Restricted Bridge (CLRB) Program:

AIKEN COUNTY

Old Dibble Road over Wise Hollow Creek.
Old Sudlow Lake Road over Mims Branch.
Banks Mill Road SE over Cedar Creek West.
Marshall Street over Horse Creek.
Ascauga Lake Road over Gregg Canal.

BAMBERG COUNTY

Cannon Bridge Road over the South Edisto River.

KERSHAW COUNTY

Cherokee Boulevard over Twenty Five Mile Creek #1.
Flat Rock Road over Little Flat Rock Creek.
Old Stagecoach Road over Lynches River.
Cherokee Boulevard over Twenty Five Mile Creek #2.
York Street over Big Pine Tree Creek.

LEXINGTON COUNTY

Corley Mill Road over Twelve Mile Creek.

ORANGEBURG COUNTY

Riverbank Drive over Caw Caw Creek.
Riverside Drive over Sunnyside Canal.
Red Bank Road over a tributary to Caw Caw Swamp.

RICHLAND COUNTY

Shorebrook Drive over Jackson Creek.

SUMTER COUNTY

Wise Drive over the Green Swamp.
S Saint Paul’s Church Road over Cane Savannah Creek.

Detour routes and updates can be found on the project’s webpage.

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Construction start dates are to be determined.

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South-Carolina

Obituary for David Okayama Johnson at Dial-Murray Funeral Home

Published

1 day ago

April 14, 2026

Press Room

Obituary for David Okayama Johnson at Dial-Murray Funeral Home

David Okayama Johnson, age 72, of Russellville, passed away peacefully at his home on Tuesday morning. Born July 27, 1953, in Sinda, Japan, Mr. Johnsons life was marked by service, dedication, and love for family and community. He was the retired head of security at Sage Valley Golf Club and

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South-Carolina

Smoke across Cape Fear area likely linked to South Carolina fire – WWAYTV3

Published

2 days ago

April 14, 2026

Press Room

Smoke across Cape Fear area likely linked to South Carolina fire – WWAYTV3

Satellite imagery appears to show smoke from South Carolina drifting into the Cape Fear on 4/14/26.
(Courtesy: StormTrack3 Weather Team)

CAPE FEAR, NC (WWAY) — Residents across the Cape Fear region are reporting smoke and smoky odors in the air, prompting calls and messages to local officials.

According to the WWAY StormTrack 3 Weather Team, the smoke is not from a local fire but is drifting into the area from a wildfire burning in South Carolina.

Meteorologists say current wind patterns are carrying the smoke north into southeastern North Carolina, leading to reduced air quality and visibility in some areas.

Residents may notice the smell of smoke or a hazy appearance in the sky.

The situation will depend on changing wind patterns.