South-Carolina
A'ja Wilson's Nike deal ignites apparel controversy at South Carolina

Las Vegas Aces star A’ja Wilson has inked a deal with Nike for her own signature shoe. This announcement comes on the heels of Nike’s recent partnership with WNBA rookie Caitlin Clark, sparking questions about why Wilson, a seasoned player with multiple accolades, hadn’t secured such a deal sooner.
A’ja Wilson, the first overall pick in the 2018 WNBA draft, has an impressive resume that includes two league MVP titles, a Finals MVP, two WNBA championships, two Defensive Player of the Year awards, and five All-Star honors. Her new partnership with Nike marks a significant milestone in her career and brings attention to the apparel affiliations at the University of South Carolina, Wilson’s alma mater.
Gamecocks alumni push for Nike switch following A’ja Wilson’s endorsement deal
The University of South Carolina, a prominent client of Under Armour, faces a branding debate as Wilson’s deal with Nike has reignited discussions about the university’s athletic apparel contract. In 2016, the university extended its partnership with Under Armour for ten years, a decision that was met with mixed reactions from the community, some of whom expressed a preference for Nike.
The contract with Under Armour is due to expire in 2026, and former NBA player Sindarius Thornwell, a fellow University of South Carolina alumnus, has publicly supported the idea of switching to Nike. Thornwell, known for his pivotal role in the Gamecocks’ 2017 Final Four run, reflects a segment of the fanbase that favors Nike over Under Armour.
As the expiration of the current apparel deal approaches, discussions and speculations continue about the potential impact of Wilson’s Nike deal on the future apparel decisions at the University of South Carolina.

South-Carolina
South Carolina Elections Commission deputy executive director fired after internal investigation

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) – The deputy executive director for the South Carolina Elections Commission has been fired amid an ongoing SLED investigation.
According to a spokesperson from the elections commission, Paige Salonich was fired after an internal investigation was made into her conduct. She was initially suspended while the investigation was ongoing.
In Salonich’s termination letter, the elections commission said that she was caught by agency security cameras placing “an unauthorized device in the SEC training room a clear violation of state and agency policy,” on Sept. 17.
In the letter, the commission said that placing the unauthorized device “constitutes the unauthorized use and misuse of state property and raises serious concerns regarding trust, confidentiality, and workplace integrity.”
Salonich also allegedly used profane language and raised her voice at leadership on Sept. 17, saying that she “was being held hostage at you own (explicit language) job,” and that she “would never be a hostage in this (explicit language) place again,” per her termination letter.
Her termination comes after former Executive Director of the South Carolina Elections Commission, Howard Knapp, was also fired on Sept. 17.
SLED is currently investigating Salonich’s placement of the unauthorized device.
The full letter can be found below.
This is a developing story. Stay with WIS for the latest details.
Feel more informed, prepared, and connected with WIS. For more free content like this, subscribe to our email newsletter, and download our apps. Have feedback that can help us improve? Click here.
WATCH US LIVE
Watch WIS live during newscasts and Soda City Living in the livestream player below. When WIS is not on the air, the player will feature Gray Media’s Local News Live.
Copyright 2025 WIS. All rights reserved.
South-Carolina
Firefighter hospitalized after McDonald’s restaurant catches fire in South Carolina

SPARTANBURG, S.C. (WBTV) – A firefighter was hurt after a McDonald’s restaurant caught fire in South Carolina on Tuesday.
The Sept. 23 fire broke out around 12:30 a.m. at the McDonald’s on Cedar Springs Road in Spartanburg, per sister-station WHNS.
The local fire marshal told WHNS that the injured firefighter was taken to the hospital, but was released later Tuesday morning. The nature and extent of the firefighter’s injuries were not immediately clear.
According to online information, that McDonald’s was open until 12 a.m. Despite the fire starting only a half hour after closing time, WHNS reported that nobody was inside the restaurant when flames broke out.
The fire marshal said the fire started in the restaurant’s HVAC system above the ceiling tiles. Drone video taken by WHNS appeared to show black marks on the McDonald’s roof; however, officials said the roof did not collapse.
Once the fire was put out, two paper signs were taped to the restaurant door. One said “CLOSED” while the other said “WARNING THIS BUILDING IS UNSAFE.” It is unclear how much damage was caused by the flames, or long the McDonald’s could be closed.
The restaurant is about 15 minutes off I-85 Business, on the southern side of Spartanburg.
Also Read: Historic train depot burns down amid early-morning fire in South Carolina
Watch continuous news coverage here:
Copyright 2025 WBTV. All rights reserved.
South-Carolina
South Carolina High School Football Top 25

There wasn’t a lot of shakeup in the fourth. week of the 2025 season. We did see ac top five battle between Northwestern and South Pointe that produced a new No. 2 in Irmo. Two new additions to the Top 25 are A.C. Flora and Stratford.
Previous rank: 1
Defeated Gray Collegiate 42-14; next at Oceanside Collegiate
Previous rank: 3
Defeated Carolina Forest 51-21; next at Myrtle Beach
Previous rank: 4.
Defeated then-No. 2 Northwestern 27-23; next at No, 24 A.C. Flora
Previous rank: 5
Idle; next at Chapin
Previous rank: 2
Lost 27-23 to then-No. 4 South Pointe
Previous rank: 6
Defeated Strom Thurmond 37-13; next vs. Gilbert
Previous rank: 7
Defeated Westside 42-6; next vs, Palmetto
Previous rank: 8
Defeated North Myrtle Beach 53-14; next at Socastee
Previous rank: 10
Defeated Woodmont 48-6; next vs. Chesnee
Previous rank: 11
Defeated Lexington 36-30; next at T.L. Hanna
Previous rank: 12
Defeated Chapin 45-22; next vs. Fairfield Central
Previous rank: 13
Defeated Chester 34-14; next vs. Southside Christian
Previous rank: 14
Defeated Cane Bay 34-14; next at St. James
Previous rank: 16
Defeated Crestwood 28-0; next vs. Spring Valley
Previous rank: 17
Idle; next vs. Gray Collegiate
Previous rank: 19
Defeated Fort Dorchester 65-7; next vs. Crestwood
Previous rank: 20
Idle; next vs. Riverside
Previous rank: 21
Idle; next at Woodmont
Previous rank: 23
Defeated then-No. 9 Camden 56-13; next idle
Previous rank: 22
Idle; next at Cane Bay
Previous rank: 24
Idle; next vs. Boiling Springs
Previous rank: 25
Defeated Wren 40-27; next vs. Greenwood
Previous rank: 9
Lost 56-13 to Ridge View; next at Richland Northeast
Previous rank: unranked
Defeated Laurens 49-0; next vs. No. 3 South Pointe
Previous rank: unranked
Defeated Socastee 56-12; next vs. Colleton County
-
Finance1 week ago
Reimagining Finance: Derek Kudsee on Coda’s AI-Powered Future
-
World6 days ago
Syria’s new president takes center stage at UNGA as concerns linger over terrorist past
-
North Dakota1 week ago
Board approves Brent Sanford as new ‘commissioner’ of North Dakota University System
-
Technology6 days ago
These earbuds include a tiny wired microphone you can hold
-
Culture6 days ago
Test Your Memory of These Classic Books for Young Readers
-
Crypto6 days ago
Texas brothers charged in cryptocurrency kidnapping, robbery in MN
-
Crypto1 week ago
EU Enforcers Arrest 5 Over €100M Cryptocurrency Scam – Law360
-
Rhode Island1 week ago
The Ocean State’s Bond With Robert Redford