COLUMBIA, S.C. (WCSC) – The South Carolina Department of Public Health has confirmed the third case of measles in the state since July.

Officials said the patient is unvaccinated and did not have immunity from a previous measles infection.

“They do not have a specific, known exposure to someone with measles, but they did have a recent international trip to a country with an ongoing measles outbreak and were not contagious while traveling,” the agency said in a release.

The person is isolating at their home to prevent the further spread of the virus.

“Measles is a highly contagious disease caused by a virus that affects the respiratory tract, and can result in serious complications affecting the brain, blood cells, complications in pregnancy, and long-term neurologic effects,” State Epidemiologist Dr. Linda Bell said. “This virus spreads quickly, which is why we must act now to prevent its spread.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said measles was considered to have been eliminated in the U.S. in 2000 because of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine.

But recently, the number of vaccinated people, especially children, has declined with vaccinations in kindergarteners falling below the 95% target.

Health experts consider the MMR vaccine to be 97% effective in preventing infection. However, Dr. Valerie Scott, a Primary Care Physician at Roper St. Francis, says there is a certain population that needs to get re-immunized.  

“A particular population that we should be concerned about are people who received vaccines in 1957 to 1968. That vaccine was not effective. And so those people should be re-immunized with two vaccines,” Scott said.

The measles virus can remain infectious in the air for up to two hours after the sick person has left from the area. People with measles should stay home from work or school for four days after their rash first appears.

Previous 2 measles cases reported in July

The Department of Public Health reported two earlier cases of measles two months ago.

The first case was also reported in the Upstate. That person was also unvaccinated and did not have immunity from a previous infection. They were exposed to measles during an international trip and were not contagious while traveling, the agency said on July 9.

Health officials later confirmed a second case they described as a “close contact” of the first case.

Both of those patients isolated themselves to prevent the further spread of the virus.

This month’s case is not associated with the two July cases, officials said.

The agency did not specify any specific information about the three patients, including their age, gender or county of residence, citing federal and state privacy restrictions.

Copyright 2025 WCSC. All rights reserved.

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) – A South Carolina lawmaker is asking the state’s attorney general to weigh in after grieving families claimed their requests for paid leave from work were denied following stillbirths.

Three years ago, the governor signed a bill into law that provides up to six weeks of paid family leave to state employees who welcome a new child via birth, adoption, or fostering.

The next year, it was expanded to also cover South Carolina’s public school teachers, through a bipartisan bill filed by Rep. Neal Collins, R – Pickens.

But recently, Collins found out at least three school districts in the state, which he declined to identify, had denied paid leave requests to employees who experienced stillbirths.

“It’s just a weird interpretation of the law to me,” he said. “The qualifying event is a birth, and to say a stillbirth is not a birth under this scenario, it goes against the intent of what I was trying to do.”

One of the groups that alerted Collins was the Palmetto State Teachers Association, which said these are limited instances but nonetheless concerning.

“Completely out of line with the spirit of the law,” said Patrick Kelly, PSTA’s director of government affairs. “The law was designed to support the experience of a new parent, both physically, mentally, emotionally. Second, it’s just inhumane.”

Kelly, who also teaches high school in Richland County, said decisions like these can hurt staff morale beyond the one employee.

“I don’t want to work in a district that doesn’t value their employees enough to come alongside them in what is one of the most tragic and heartbreaking things that a new mother can experience. Just put people first,” he said.

Collins said at least two of the districts have since changed their policies to say stillbirths are covered and granted the time off they initially declined.

“But even in that scenario, the mother came back before she otherwise would have,” he added.

Collins has asked for an opinion from South Carolina’s attorney general on whether parents who experience stillbirths are eligible for paid time off under the existing law.

He also plans to file legislation that would clarify it in state code, so no other grieving parents go through this confusion.

“I’m never too optimistic of what we’re going to do in Columbia, but I’m hopeful on this one,” Collins said.

Once that bill is filed, lawmakers can take it up for consideration when they return to the State House next January to begin a new legislative session.

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.

Copyright 2025 WIS. All rights reserved.

ATLANTA – The No. 13 South Carolina Gamecocks clash with the Virginia Tech Hokies in the Aflac Kickoff Game today – Sunday, Aug. 31 – at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. This game is available on multiple streaming services.

How do I watch South Carolina vs. Virginia Tech for free?

This game will broadcast live on ESPN at 3 p.m. Eastern. Fans who have parted ways with their local cable provider can catch this game for free by utilizing a free trial from DIRECTV, which also offers $35 off your first month.

FuboTV has up to $30 off your first month.

The most flexible option is Sling TV, which now offers new users a Day Pass for $4.99, Weekend Pass for $9.99, Week Pass for $14.99, Monthly for $45.99 and Season Pass for $199.99 for five months and $45.99 per month thereafter.

This game is also available on the ESPN app streaming service, which now offers an Unlimited Plan for $29.99 per month (or $299.99 for entire year) and the Select Plan for $11.99 per month (or $119.99 for entire year). The ESPN app replicates its previous coverage of select games and broadcasts on ESPN Plus.

The Gamecocks are coming off a rugged 9-4 campaign, which included a 5-3 record in the beefed-up SEC.

South Carolina lost offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains to Appalachian State for their head coaching vacancy. Mike Shula, former New York Giants offensive coordinator, will fill the role and take on those duties for the first time since 2019.

The hype is high around sophomore quarterback and All-SEC selection LaNorris Sellers. In 12 games last season as a freshman, Sellers threw for 2,543 yards and 18 touchdowns while giving away seven interceptions. He recorded a 69.8 QBR, which was top 40 in the nation.

Junior athlete Nyck Harbor is one of the most versatile playmakers in the country. In 10 games, Harbor hauled in 26 passes for 376 yards and three touchdowns.

Senior running back Rahsul Faison is in tow after battling eligibility issues in the offseason. He notched 198 carries for 1,109 yards and eight touchdowns at Utah State last season. Expect Faison to be a workhorse for the Gamecocks in 2025.

South Carolina graduated five defensive players to the NFL.

Junior defensive back and preseason All-SEC selection Jalon Kilgore recorded 31 solo tackles and five interceptions last season.

Sophomore linebacker and preseason All-SEC standout Dylan Stewart is expected to garner a lot of eyeballs as well this year. He tallied 17 solo tackles and 6.5 sacks and three forced fumbles as a freshman last year.

Watch South Carolina vs. Virginia Tech on DIRECTV for free

The Hokies are coming off a 6-7 campaign that was filled with mediocrity, including a 4-4 mark in the ACC. They finished in eighth place in the conference. Head coach Brent Pry has failed to make an impact and could be on the hot seat in the first half of the season.

The Hokies welcome in nearly 50 new pieces this year, including a slew of freshman, four West Virginia offensive lineman and some other portal impacts. Offensive coordinator Phillip Montgomery takes over the offensive play-calling duties, hoping to spark Drones.

Senior quarterback Kyron Drones, who suffered through injuries in 2024, looks to make a leap in 2025. In nine starts last season as a junior, Drones compiled 1,562 yards and 10 touchdowns with six interceptions. The dual threat also racked up 98 carries for 336 yards and six touchdowns. He was Virginia Tech’s second-leading rusher last season.

Junior Ayden Greene is the receiver to watch for Drones’ corps. He hauled in 19 receptions for 268 yards and two touchdowns, averaging 14.1 yards per reception last season. Junior tight end Benji Gosnell is expected to be more involved in the offense after collecting 32 receptions for 341 yards and two touchdowns.

Bhayshul Tuten graduated to the NFL, leaving a gaping hole in the backfield. Pry searched through the portal to pull out Bowling Green’s Terion Stewart, Coastal Carolina’s Braydon Bennett and Central Missouri’s Marcellous Hawkins.

The Hokies will debut new offensive line coach Matt Moore, who is responsible for the drastic Mountaineer-led adjustment in the trenches. First-year defensive coordinator Sam Siefkes will also see his first action on the sideline.

South Carolina leads the all-time series, 11-7-2. The Hokies are 3-1 against the Gamecocks on neutral sites. It marks the first meeting between the two teams since 1991.

Who is announcing South Carolina vs. Virginia Tech?

Bob Wischusen (play-by-play) and Louis Riddick (analyst) will be the announcers while Kris Budden reports from the sidelines.

What are the latest odds for South Carolina vs. Virginia Tech?

Spread: SC: (-7), VT: (+7)

Moneyline: SC: (-290), VT: (+235)

Point total: 52.5

Odds from DraftKings

Here’s more information on how to watch South Carolina vs. Virginia Tech on TV and streaming services.

What: Aflac Kickoff Game 2025: South Carolina vs. Virginia Tech

When: Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025

Time: 3 p.m. Eastern

Where: Mercedes-Benz Stadium | Atlanta, Ga.

Channel: ESPN

Best streaming options: FuboTV ($30 off your first month), DIRECTV (free trial and $35 off your first month), Sling TV (half off first month and daily, weekend, weekly, monthly and season pass) and ESPN Streaming