South-Carolina
Deadly flu season tightens its grip on South Carolina
COLUMBIA, S.C. – As flu season continues, data from the Department of Public Health shows thousands of South Carolinians have been getting sick.
And it’s claimed dozens of lives in the Palmetto State, including one Midlands child.
The good news is that no South Carolina counties in the CSRA are seeing a number of cases above the state baseline.
South Carolina is at the highest possible level of flu activity on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s data tracker, and neighboring Georgia isn’t far behind.
According to South Carolina DPH’s Flu Watch report released in mid-January, the state is reporting sweeping effects due to the flu with over 20,000 lab-confirmed tests reported and 2,098 flu-associated hospitalizations for the 2024-25 season.
HEALTH HELP
Symptoms: Is it a cold, the flu or COVID?
- COVID symptoms may include fever or chills, cough, body aches, headaches, tiredness, shortness of breath and loss of taste or smell.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention experts say a sore throat, sneezing, itchy or watery eyes, and a running or stuffy nose are less common with COVID-19.
- Someone with the flu may experience all these ailments, but the loss of taste or smell is more frequent with COVID-19.
- When it comes to colds, fever or chills are not common, but you may have a cough, body aches, tiredness, be sneezing or have a runny or stuffy nose.
- In winter months, even allergies can act up, but generally that will not cause fever or chills, body aches or a loss of taste or smell.
This is a sharp increase in comparison with the previous report released in early January, where only 14,000 tests and 1,492 hospitalizations were reported.
As of the most recent report, there have been 30 flu-associated deaths statewide this flu season.
Data from the Statewide Immunization Online Network dosage report also shows immunizations for the flu have dropped this season.
Around 952,000 people, or 18.3% of the Palmetto State’s population, were administered a dose of the flu vaccine during the 2024-25 season, according to SIMON. In the 2023-24 season, SIMON showed around 1.18 million South Carolinians, or 22.7% of the state, got a flu shot.
Breaking the data down based on age, immunization rates for children between six months and 18 years old have remained steady between the two seasons.
While flu season should be coming to a close soon, it’s still not too late to get a vaccine.
The Department of Public Health recommends everyone over the age of six months get a flu shot every year, due to the strains of flu changing from year to year.
Copyright 2025 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) – A ceremonial bill signing was held We Wednesday for a new law that enhances penalties for harming police animals in South Carolina.
H.3034 – also known as Fargo’s, Hyco’s, Rico’s, Coba’s, Wick’s, Mikka’s, and Bumi’s Law – was passed and ratified by state lawmakers in May.
The bill is named after seven police K-9’s lost in recent years acros South Carolina.
Gov. Henry McMaster later signed the bill into law, with it going into effect on May 15.
The law makes killing or severely injuring a police animal, such as a K-9 or horse, punishable by up to 15 years in prison.
It also states that anyone convicted of that crime must pay back the full cost of the animal – including buying a new one, training and any veterinarian bills. The law also makes it a crime to fire at a police vehicle if an animal is inside.
Police are also required by law to keep detailed records when a K-9 bites or causes injury.
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 2026 WIS. All rights reserved.
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 June 2, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Mega Millions numbers from June 2 drawing
15-26-43-48-60, Mega Ball: 12
Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 3 Plus FIREBALL numbers from June 2 drawing
Midday: 8-7-6, FB: 6
Evening: 3-8-3, FB: 6
Check Pick 3 Plus FIREBALL payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 4 Plus FIREBALL numbers from June 2 drawing
Midday: 2-8-6-6, FB: 6
Evening: 7-1-4-4, FB: 6
Check Pick 4 Plus FIREBALL payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash Pop numbers from June 2 drawing
Midday: 02
Evening: 06
Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Palmetto Cash 5 numbers from June 2 drawing
01-04-05-07-34
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
South Carolina store owner found not guilty of murder in fatal shooting of Black teen
COLUMBIA, S.C. (WACH) — Chikei Rick Chow has been found not guilty by a South Carolina jury on murder charges in the shooting death of a Black 14-year-old in Columbia.
Chow was charged in the May 28, 2023, shooting death of Cyrus Carmack-Belton outside Chow’s Shell gas station on Parklane Road.
Carmack-Belton ran from the store while being chased by Chow and his son, according to prosecutors.
Authorities said the pair pursued the teen after accusing him of stealing four bottles of water from the store.
Chow shot Carmack-Belton once in the back after his son claimed the teen had a gun. He was arrested the following day.
In November 2025, a judge denied Rick Chow immunity under South Carolina’s Stand Your Ground law and also denied bond, ruling the 60-year-old store owner was a danger to the community and a flight risk.
The ruling came after prosecutors presented surveillance video and photos in court showing Carmack-Belton running from the store. Authorities said the allegation of theft was not supported by surveillance video.
Chow has served three years in prison.
The unanimous decision came Monday evening after eight hours of deliberation.
-
Health12 minutes agoNew ways to prevent flu revealed in ‘accidental’ lab breakthrough, study finds
-
Sports15 minutes agoRussell Wilson announces retirement from NFL after 14 seasons
-
Technology20 minutes agoDark web monitoring: does it put your data at risk?
-
Business27 minutes agoIn a first for the country, voters in Monterey Park ban data centers
-
Entertainment30 minutes agoReview: Muscling past a flat script, a big-screen ‘Masters of the Universe’ embraces its own silliness
-
Politics42 minutes agoHilton and Becerra lead California’s unsettled governor’s race; Steyer faces elimination
-
Sports50 minutes ago‘SNL’ star Marcello Hernández to host 2026 ESPYs as show leaves L.A. for New York
-
World60 minutes agoUS House passes Iran war powers resolution in rare moment of Trump backlash
