South-Carolina
‘Bring it on’: Evette responds to SC State protests against commencement speech
ORANGEBURG COUNTY, S.C. (WSPA) — Students at South Carolina State University are protesting the potential selection of Lieutenant Governor Pam Evette as the Spring 2026 commencement speaker.
The protests at the state’s only public Historically Black College and University in Orangeburg County against Evette highlight controversy surrounding her political stances and affiliations.
Evette, who was at the welcome ceremony for the British monarch and queen consort at the White House on the day the protests began, addressed the situation on her Facebook page.
“Let’s be clear: facts trump feelings in the real world. President Trump and conservatives have done more for HBCUs than any administration in history. I must be doing something right because ‘woke mobs’ are coming after me like a champion of eliminating radical DEI scams on college campuses, so bring it on,” Evette said.
A petition calling for her removal has gathered close to 9,000 signatures as of Wednesday morning. Organizers of the petition cite her political positions and affiliations as a gubernatorial candidate, noting they have generated significant controversy across South Carolina.
This controversy is particularly felt among communities that report feeling marginalized by current state policies, according to organizers.
In a separate Facebook post, Evette reiterated her position, stating, “These leftist protestors are coming after me because they know I will not bend a knee or compromise on South Carolina’s conservative values.”
South Carolina State University has not yet issued a formal announcement regarding the selection of its 2026 commencement speaker.
COLUMBIA — Coach Dawn Staley gave fans an early look at what’s to come with South Carolina women’s basketball and Nike.
The university officially switched to the brand as its uniform supplier on July 1 after 19 years with Under Armour. This move brings the chance to support A’ja Wilson, a former Gamecocks star who has had her own signature shoe with Nike since May 2025.
In the contract of the Nike agreement, it specifically stated Staley’s team would get Wilson’s shoes, including custom team colors. On July 2, Staley posted photos of the shoes.
While it’s unconfirmed as of now if they are the exact shoes the team will get and wear, the ones Staley posted are garnet, black and white “A’Twos” with Gamecocks logos. One shoe has a black top, the other with white, with matching logos and garnet detail around the base of the shoe.
The bottom of each shoe has Wilson’s logo from her Nike line, in addition to the signature Nike swoosh.
Staley captioned the post, “Why are my feet on fire? Here’s why?!! @GamecockWBB 1 of 1s but are @_ajawilson22 A’Twos!”
Wilson started with her shoes called the “A’One” and then released a second version in May called the A’Twos. South Carolina players can now wear any Nike shoes they want, but the contract specifically mentions the latest version of the A’Twos.
Staley had her own Nike signature shoe released in 1999 called the “Nike Zoom S5.”
“Having been a Nike athlete most of my life, I’m well-versed in what partnership with them means to an organization and its athletes,” Staley said in the July 1 news release. “I am excited that all of our teams at South Carolina will get to feel that, too. For our women’s basketball team, only good things have happened when we’ve partnered with A’ja Wilson, so I look forward to what’s coming next in that legacy.”
Five South Carolina athletes signed signed NIL deals as part of Nike’s new Blue Ribbon Elite NIL program, including women’s basketball stars Joyce Edwards and Chloe Kitts. Quarterback LaNorris Sellers, wide receiver Nyck Harbor and edge rusher Dylan Stewart round out the group of five Gamecocks who are part of the inaugural Blue Ribbon class for South Carolina.
Lulu Kesin covers South Carolina athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email her at LKesin@usatodayco.com. Follow her on X@Lulukesin and Bluesky@bylulukesin.bsky.social
LANCASTER COUNTY, S.C. (WPDE) — Police said two people were hurt in a plane crash on Thursday morning, according to reporting from WSOC.
They said it happened near a scrap yard near West Brooklyn Avenue and Springdale Road.
Online flight records show a Beechcraft airplane owned by Pressley Aviation LLC was last seen flying near the crash site at 1 a.m.
Furthermore, the records show the plane had been flying from Laredo, Texas before heading towards the Carolinas.
WSOC reported seeing wreckage of the plane among trees near the scrap yard.
The two involved both reportedly survived the crash but were sent to hospital for burns, according to WSOC’s reporting.
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 July 1, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Powerball numbers from July 1 drawing
02-06-26-39-68, Powerball: 06, Power Play: 2
Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 3 Plus FIREBALL numbers from July 1 drawing
Midday: 1-0-6, FB: 4
Evening: 9-9-6, FB: 5
Check Pick 3 Plus FIREBALL payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 4 Plus FIREBALL numbers from July 1 drawing
Midday: 2-3-7-6, FB: 4
Evening: 0-9-2-6, FB: 5
Check Pick 4 Plus FIREBALL payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash Pop numbers from July 1 drawing
Midday: 04
Evening: 11
Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Palmetto Cash 5 numbers from July 1 drawing
02-22-31-37-42
Check Palmetto Cash 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Powerball Double Play numbers from July 1 drawing
10-20-30-60-64, Powerball: 07
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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