South-Carolina

Charleston County elects new Republican sheriff

Published

1 year ago

November 6, 2024

Charleston County elects new Republican sheriff

Former Mount Pleasant police chief Carl Ritchie will now serve as Charleston County’s top cop after winning a close race Tuesday night against Democratic incumbent Kristin Graziano.

“I’m going to get to work right away,” Ritchie told supporters at a watch party in Mount Pleasant.

“I’m going to meet with folks I need to in Charleston County government and start talking about how we can start righting the ship.”

Ritchie touts more than 30 years of local law enforcement experience and was elected to Mount Pleasant town council after retiring as the community’s police chief in 2021.

His win is a sharp departure from the county’s current sheriff and puts the office once again under Republican leadership as it was for decades until Graziano was elected in 2020.

“In a world that’s often clouded by hate and division, I ask that you, let’s choose a path of unity,” Sheriff Graziano told reporters Wednesday as she conceded the election.

“Let’s rise about this negativity. Embrace some kindness for once.”

Victoria Hansen

South Carolina Public Radio

Democratic Sheriff Kristin Graziano after she was elected in 2020 as the first woman and openly gay sheriff.

Graziano was the first woman and openly gay sheriff to be elected. She immediately fulfilled a campaign promise to end a voluntary agreement with federal authorities that relied on local deputies to help ICE deport immigrants. Graziano argued then, the agreement was costly and created distrust in minority communities.

This election year, immigration became a top issue for Republican candidates nationwide, including South Carolina Congresswoman Nancy Mace. In recent months, Mace took aim at Graziano, accusing the sheriff of letting immigrants “run wild.” Mace easily won her re-election bid last night.

“It’s unfortunate that they want to take a national issue and make it a local problem,” Graziano said. “Charleston’s better than that.”

But accusations involving immigration aren’t the only issue Graziano faced. More than a dozen inmates have died in detention during her time as sheriff, prompting a federal investigation into potential abuse. Also, reports of inadequate staffing have plagued her tenure.

As for what she’ll do next, Graziano told reporters she’s focused now on her final months in office. Ritchie will take the reins as sheriff in January 2025.

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South-Carolina

HBCU to make history with flag atop South Carolina State House

Published

3 hours ago

December 24, 2025

Press Room

HBCU to make history with flag atop South Carolina State House

For one day in January, a third flag will fly alongside the American and South Carolina flags atop the State House in Columbia. The honor will recognize South Carolina State University’s national football championship and mark a historic first for an HBCU in the state.

Gov. Henry McMaster approved a request to raise a flag bearing the Bulldogs’ logo above the Capitol dome, state officials said. As a result, South Carolina State will become the first HBCU to receive that recognition at the State House.

Officials will raise the flag on Jan. 19, Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Afterward, they will present it to the football team during the program’s championship victory parade in Orangeburg.

Championship Recognition

South Carolina State claimed the National HBCU Championship with a 40–38, four-overtime victory over Prairie View A&M in the Celebration Bowl on Dec. 13 in Atlanta. The win secured the Bulldogs’ second national title and capped their third appearance in the game in the past five seasons.

The flag-raising places South Carolina State’s championship into a wider historical frame. Moreover, it gives the Bulldogs’ victory a level of public recognition rarely afforded to HBCU athletic programs.

State officials said the presentation of the flag will serve as a lasting symbol of the championship achievement.

An HBCU First

Previously, South Carolina has flown university flags over the State House to honor championship teams. For example, officials raised the University of South Carolina women’s basketball flag last summer following its national title.

However, no HBCU has received that distinction until now.

By aligning the ceremony with Martin Luther King Jr. Day, state leaders added further significance to the moment. On Jan. 19, SCSU’s championship will take center stage on one of the state’s most visible civic platforms.

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South-Carolina

Four South Carolinians hit big in Powerball drawing, jackpot increases to $1.7B

Published

15 hours ago

December 23, 2025

Press Room

Four South Carolinians hit big in Powerball drawing, jackpot increases to .7B

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WACH) — Four South Carolinians hit big in Monday night’s Powerball Drawing, according to the South Carolina Education Lottery.

Two winners are from the Midlands, one from the Rock Hill, and another is from the Low Country.

A Powerball ticket worth $100,000 was bought at the Xpress Mart on Kendall Rd. in Newberry. Tickets worth $50,000 were sold at the Circle K Store on Celanese Rd. in Rock Hill and the Food Lion on Hwy. 321 in Gaston.

A ticket with DoublePlay worth $50,000 was sold at the Harris Teeter Fuel Kiosk on Folly Rd. in Charleston.

Monday’s winning numbers include:

Powerball Draw: 3 – 18 – 36 – 41 – 54 PB 7 PowerPlay: 2
DoublePlay Draw: 14 – 32 – 47 – 48 – 69 PB 17

A lucky player can wake up on Christmas morning a billionaire.

No ticket matched Monday’s drawing, and the estimated jackpot for Christmas Eve’s drawing is expected to be about $1.7 billion.

The jackpot has an estimated cash value of $781.3 million.

Wednesday’s jackpot ranks as the fourth-largest in Powerball history.

The Powerball jackpot has been won once on Christmas Eve in 2011, and four times on Christmas Day in 1996, 2002, 2010, and 2013.

Check your tickets, South Carolina!

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South-Carolina

South Carolina Lottery Powerball, Pick 3 results for Dec. 22, 2025

Published

1 day ago

December 23, 2025

Press Room

South Carolina Lottery Powerball, Pick 3 results for Dec. 22, 2025

The South Carolina Education Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Dec. 22, 2025, results for each game:

Winning Powerball numbers from Dec. 22 drawing

03-18-36-41-54, Powerball: 07, Power Play: 2

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 3 Plus FIREBALL numbers from Dec. 22 drawing

Midday: 7-1-1, FB: 2

Evening: 5-4-2, FB: 3

Check Pick 3 Plus FIREBALL payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 Plus FIREBALL numbers from Dec. 22 drawing

Midday: 2-4-1-3, FB: 2

Evening: 0-2-8-2, FB: 3

Check Pick 4 Plus FIREBALL payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash Pop numbers from Dec. 22 drawing

Midday: 11

Evening: 14

Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Palmetto Cash 5 numbers from Dec. 22 drawing

02-17-24-25-28

Check Palmetto Cash 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Powerball Double Play numbers from Dec. 22 drawing

14-32-47-48-69, Powerball: 17

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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