South-Carolina
5 Bold Predictions For Women’s NCAA Tournament Bracket: South Carolina, Baylor Upsets
The 2025 NCAA Women’s NCAA tournament is set to be one of the best in recent memory due to the parity amongst all teams in the bracket. Teams like the USC Trojans, UCLA Bruins and South Carolina Gamecocks all have a fair shot of winning a title this season.
Here are five bold predictions for the 2025 Women’s NCAA tournament.
Despite landing one of the No. 1 seeds in the Spokane regional, the Trojans have one of the toughest paths to a Final Four appearance due to the fact UConn and Paige Bueckers stand in their way. USC defeated UConn earlier in the regular season in a 72-70 win over the Huskies on the road.
The Trojans have only gotten better since, defeating UCLA twice in the regular season and made a run to the Big Ten tournament title game before the Bruins got their revenge.
The Fairfield Stags were one of the best stories in college basketball last season, finishing with a 31-2 record. This season, the Stags are amongst the best mid-major teams in the country and earned a 12-seed with a 28-4 record.
The Stags will have to get by a 5-seed in Kansas State in their first-round game, but have a good shot of knocking off the No. 4 team in the Big 12. If they advance, they will have to take on either 4-seed Kentucky or 13-seed Liberty, two games that will could swing in the Stags’ favor.
Iowa State opens up the tournament on Wednesday with a First Four matchup vs. 11-seed Princeton. The Cyclones are as talented as any team in the country and when their star center Audi Crooks gets hot, watch out.
Last year’s tournament is where Crooks and the Cyclones broke out and it won’t be any easier this year as they will have to take down 6-seed Michigan in the first round game and potentially 3-seed Notre Dame in the second round, but this could be the year where they make another breakout run
Ncaa Womens Basketball Asu Women S Basketball At Grand Canyon University Asu At Gcu / Joe Rondone/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK
Last year, the mid-major darling of college basketball was the Stags with their 30-win season. This season Grand Canyon comes in as a 13-seed with a 32-2 record coming out of the Western Athletic Conference. The Lopes are coached by Molly Miller, who is considered a true rising star in the profession.
GCU hasn’t lost a game since Nov. 18. Coming into their fir are riding a 30-game winning streak. Baylor had a really good season, finishing second in the Big 12, but the Lopes are too hot not to take in this game.
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South Carolina is synonymous with success in college basketball. However, this is the season where the Texas Longhorns finally break through and make it to the championship game since 1986, where the Longhorns won it all.
Texas finished atop of arguably the most competitive conference in the country, the Big 12, and will undoubtedly need to bring their best to defeat Dawn Staley and the Gamecocks.
South-Carolina
South Carolina pastor indicted, accused of cyberstalking estranged wife Mica Miller before her death
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WTVD) — A South Carolina pastor has been federally indicted, accused of cyberstalking his wife and posting a nude photo of her online before her death by suicide last year.
John-Paul Miller, 46, of Myrtle Beach, faces charges of cyberstalking and making false statements to federal investigators, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of South Carolina.
His estranged wife, Mica Miller, 30, was found dead at Lumber River State Park on April 27, 2024. Her death was ruled a suicide, but the case gained national attention amid allegations that John-Paul had abused her before her death.
Online records show that Mica and John-Paul were in the process of getting a divorce at the time of her death. Police documents indicate that Mica “was afraid for her life” in the month leading up to her death.
SEE ALSO: Mica Miller’s husband says he’s not to blame in her death: ‘I did everything I could to protect her’
Prosecutors claim that from November 2022 until her death, he sent “unwanted and harassing communications” to Mica, including posting a nude photo of her online without her consent and contacting her over 50 times in a single day.
The indictment also alleges that John-Paul interfered with her finances and daily activities, damaged her vehicle tires, and lied to investigators about his actions. Despite purchasing a tire deflation device online and discussing the victim’s vehicle with others, he denied damaging her tires when questioned.
If convicted, John-Paul could face up to five years in prison for cyberstalking and two years for making false statements, along with a fine of up to $250,000. His arraignment is set for January 12, 2026, in Florence.
If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide — free, confidential help is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call or text the national lifeline at 988.
Copyright © 2025 WTVD-TV. All Rights Reserved.
South-Carolina
South Carolina Lottery Mega Millions, Pick 3 results for Dec. 19, 2025
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 Dec. 19, 2025, results for each game:
Winning Mega Millions numbers from Dec. 19 drawing
01-11-27-39-59, Mega Ball: 18
Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 3 Plus FIREBALL numbers from Dec. 19 drawing
Midday: 8-0-3, FB: 2
Evening: 1-0-0, FB: 6
Check Pick 3 Plus FIREBALL payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 4 Plus FIREBALL numbers from Dec. 19 drawing
Midday: 1-7-3-9, FB: 2
Evening: 7-1-9-3, FB: 6
Check Pick 4 Plus FIREBALL payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash Pop numbers from Dec. 19 drawing
Midday: 01
Evening: 14
Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Palmetto Cash 5 numbers from Dec. 19 drawing
07-18-20-25-41
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.
South-Carolina
Teacher salaries could increase under proposed South Carolina budget plan
COLUMBIA, S.C. (WACH) — Teacher salaries across South Carolina could rise under a new state education funding plan approved this week, as lawmakers are urged to spend more money on pay raises and rethink how teacher recruitment programs are working.
The S.C. Education Oversight Committee voted to approve its Education Improvement Act (EIA) budget recommendations for fiscal years 2026–27, which direct how money from the state’s one-cent education sales tax should be used.
The plan now goes to the General Assembly for consideration during budget talks.
A major focus of the proposal is increasing teacher pay. The committee recommended a $650,454 raise for teachers at special schools, with remaining new funds directed to the statewide EIA line that helps fund teacher salaries.
The plan also boosts the Teaching Fellows scholarship program, which members said is one of the few recruitment efforts producing results.
The committee approved a $640,000 increase to add 20 new four-year scholarships and another $1.76 million to raise the scholarship amount by $4,000, bringing the total award for juniors and seniors to $10,000.
At the same time, the committee cut $5 million in recurring funding from the National Board program, citing a drop in participation.
EIA-funded programs collectively asked for about $210 million in new funding, but available money is limited. The state has about $98.9 million in new recurring EIA funds and $84.1 million in nonrecurring funds to work with.
The committee recommended spending most recurring funds on classroom support, including $77.5 million for instructional support and $10 million for instructional materials.
Other recurring funding includes $1.4 million for the Teacher Career Ladder, $250,000 for Project Read and $150,000 for the S.C. Council on Economics. Nonrecurring funds include $5 million for school safety.
Members also approved changes to rules tied to the Teacher Loan Program and asked that districts in the state’s 4K waitlist pilot not be required to complete a student survey.
During the meetings, committee members raised concerns about the low number of teachers produced by most EIA-funded recruitment programs.
Teaching Fellows was highlighted as an exception, producing 177 teachers last fiscal year.
Members also questioned continued funding for SC Youth Challenge and incentives tied to the Rural Teacher Recruitment program.
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