South-Carolina
DOJ reveals findings on violence at South Carolina jail
Detainees are routinely subjected to the threat of stabbings, sexual assault and gang violence inside the crumbling walls of a South Carolina jail, according to a Justice Department report released Wednesday.
The Justice Department launched an investigation into the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center in November 2023 based on reports of violence, homicides and unsafe conditions, said Adair Boroughs, U.S. attorney for the district of South Carolina. The probe uncovered a failure by jail staff to protect detainees from assault, partly due to chronic staffing shortages and systemic security issues, according to the report.
“The incidents of violence at Alvin S. Glenn are pervasive, systematic and commonplace,” Boroughs said. “Alvin S. Glenn is marked by a culture of violence that poses a risk to those that are housed there as well as to staff and to law enforcement.”
Boroughs said local officials have made some headway in addressing structural concerns through renovations but “widespread violence” at the facility continues. The Justice Department warned in its report it may file a lawsuit after 49 days if Richland County doesn’t address the dangerous conditions, which investigators say amount to constitutional violations.
The Justice Department under the Biden administration has investigated conditions at prisons and jails across the country, including in Texas, Georgia, California, Kentucky and Mississippi. Alleged issues at detention facilities include physical violence, sexual abuse and crumbling infrastructure.
DOJ blames chronic staff shortages for jail violence
The Justice Department’s new report said there were at least 60 stabbings in 2023 at the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center, which is located in South Carolina’s capital city of Columbia. The DOJ noted the rate of such assaults at the center roughly matches the New York City jails, where the city was recently found in contempt in federal court for systemic violence at its facilities.
Investigators blame, in part, a chronic staff shortage going back at least five years that has impeded routine security checks at the Richland County jail and forced staff to monitor several units at once.
Detainees were often found assaulted or dead only after medical staff made their rounds, officers came to deliver meals, or when a victim’s relative called the jail to report an assault, the report said.
In one case, the DOJ said a detainee was beaten and stabbed “multiple times” in three years at the jail, and in every instance, staff was not present. In the first stabbing, the jail took no action until the victim’s mother called two days later, according to the report. In February 2024, the same person suffered his fourth assault, this time by seven detainees.
The jail has also routinely failed to protect detainees from sexual assault, the Justice Department alleges. One person, who was admitted in August 2023, was reportedly assaulted by his cellmate three times in two days in his first month, but staff didn’t listen to him when he tried to get help. The DOJ report said the man “resorted to cutting himself in order to be placed on suicide watch, where he could report the rapes and get away from his attacker.”
The Justice Department did not name victims of the reported assaults in its report.
Chronic staffing shortages have also endangered jail staff. The Justice Department cited a 2023 study by the South Carolina Association of Counties, which found that understaffing at the jail “contributed to an increase in officer injuries and workers’ compensation claims over the past five years.”
USA TODAY has reached out to Richland County for comment on the report.
Contraband, crumbling facility fuel violence
In dozens of interviews with detainees, the Justice Department said many described being assaulted and confirmed unchecked gang violence such as robberies and extortion. Nearly all of the interviewed detainees told investigators they witnessed violence regularly. But the report said it is unclear how pervasive the pattern of violence is since the jail does not keep complete or accurate records of incidents.
The Justice Department said violence, including gang-related incidents, is fueled by unusually high levels of contraband such as shanks, drugs and lighters. In 2023, investigators said 150 weapons were found – almost quadruple the average amount recovered in state prisons in the U.S.
In addition to smuggled weapons, illicit drugs led to eight overdoses over the course of two months in 2024, the Justice Department said, three of which resulted in deaths. The report said detainees were able to get contraband in through holes in the building and that some jail staff also smuggled in items, including cocaine and oxycodone.
The report also criticizes structural issues with the facility, including holes in walls, ceilings and fences, as well as broken light fixtures, furniture and toilets that have been used to craft weapons.
The Justice Department recommends that the jail update its staffing plan, control contraband, revise detainees’ housing placements based on risk of violence, address maintenance issues, and revise how it responds to violent incidents.
Kristen Clarke, assistant attorney general of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, said the jail has a “constitutional duty to protect people in its care from the horrific violations we uncovered here.”
“Incarceration in our nation’s jails should not expose a person to severe and pervasive violence like that in the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center,” Clarke said. “Most people in the jail have not been convicted of any crime — they are awaiting hearings or trial dates. They have a right to be free of violence, threats and sexual assault.”
Americans throw out billions of dollars in food each year, experts say
Americans throw out billions of dollars worth of good food each year. Experts share how to prevent food waste.
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Each year, Americans discard nearly 60 million tons of food, the highest amount of any country in the world.
‘While the world wastes about 2.5 billion tons of food every year, the United States discards more food than any other country in the world: nearly 60 million tons — 120 billion pounds — every year,” according to the Food Waste in America in 2026 report from Recycle Track Systems, a waste management company.
That wasted supply represents lost meals for families already facing food insecurity, according to the Food Waste in America in 2026 guide. While also filling U.S. landfills and contributing to harmful greenhouse gas emissions.
Tackling this growing problem requires solutions from restaurants, grocery stores, farms, and manufacturers, where overproduction and waste are most common.
Food waste remains one of the nation’s most challenging problems, but some states, like South Carolina, have bigger problems controlling it than others.
South Carolina ranks ninth for states with the largest food waste
From state to state, the struggle against food waste reveals stark differences in efforts to conserve food.
To measure which states are falling behind, Lawn Starter analyzed food waste using 37 key metrics, and the results show South Carolina is one of the states behind the rest.
The study shows the Palmetto State ranked among the most wasteful in the nation, placing ninth overall with a score of 46.1 out of 100. South Carolina also ranked 46th in commercial and industrial waste, 43rd in household waste, 36th in recycling and 19th in reduction efforts.
How South Carolina and other states got their rating
The rankings were based on four key metrics, according to the LawnStarter study.
- Commercial and industrial food waste
- Household food waste
- Most food recycled
- Food waste reduction efforts
South Carolina food waste statistics
In light of the Lawn Starter study, here are the food waste statistics for the Palmetto State.
- The Palmetto State recorded the highest year‑over‑year increase in farm waste of any state, with a 41% jump in farm waste volume and a 103.9% surge in surplus crops value.
- Storms in the 2024 hurricane season, including Tropical Storm Debby and Hurricane Helene, left fields damaged and unsellable crops considered waste.
- South Carolina’s food recycling rate fell 1.15% to 29.03%, retail food waste climbed 4.17%, and residential waste barely declined, dropping only 2.59%, the smallest household reduction in the country.
Reducing food waste can help save the planet
Globally, discarded food accounts for 11% of greenhouse gas emissions, according to the Food Waste in America in 2026 guide.
In the United States, the impact is profound, the World Wildlife Federation states that the production of wasted food generates emissions equal to those of 37 million cars.
Experts with RTS state that if Americans continue on the same food loss path, environmental consequences could be catastrophic.
Ways to reduce food waste
In the United States and beyond, there are many ways to reduce waste, according to the Food Waste in America in 2026 guide. From improving household habits to strengthening recycling and recovery efforts.
Here are some suggested strategies to reduce waste.
Food waste recovery strategies
- Source reduction — Take only what you need
- Feed hungry people — Redirect surplus food to those in need
- Feed animals — Use safe leftovers as animal feed
- Industrial uses — Convert waste into energy or other products
- Composting — Recycle food scraps into soil nutrients
- Landfill/Incineration — Last resort disposal methods
Travis Jacque Rose is the trending news reporter for the Greenville News, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at trose@gannett.com.
What is alpha-gal syndrome? Symptoms, risks of tick-borne disease
Alpha-gal, a tick-triggered red-meat allergy, is spreading in the South. Here’s what to k now about symptoms, risks, and how to protect yourself.
Lone star, Gulf Coast, and American Dog are some of the unique names for South Carolina’s most common bloodsucking ticks that are out and about now that the summer season is in full swing.
One of the ticks in particular has been making headlines recently for causing alpha-gal syndrome, an immune system reaction that makes those bitten allergic to red meat.
If you plan to spend much of your time outdoors this summer, you’ll want to take precautions to avoid tick bites and tick-borne diseases. Here’s what to know about the Palmetto State’s most common ticks and why you should steer clear of tall grass.
Are ticks active year-round in South Carolina?
Tick season is active year-round in South Carolina due to the state’s mild winters. They are most active in the warmer months from April to September, increasing the risk of exposure during the period, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
What is questing?
The National Library of Medicine defines “questing” as a tick’s heat-seeking behavior in which they climb plants and stretch out their front legs, waiting to attach themselves to a passerby. During this process, ticks rely on sensing cues such as carbon monoxide, heat, and movement.
Common ticks in South Carolina
In South Carolina, five ticks are commonly observed. Here’s what they are and the diseases they carry, according to Clemson University:
Lone Star Tick
- The most common tick in South Carolina.
- Can cause alpha-gal allergy (meat allergy), ehrlichiosis (bacterial disease that causes fever, headache, muscle aches, fatigue), and Southern Tick-Associated Rash Illness (Lyme disease-like rash that may cause fatigue, fever, headache, muscle, or joint aches).
Black-legged Tick
- Found in low volume in South Carolina.
- Can transmit Lyme disease, tick-borne relapsing fever, and anaplasmosis (bacterial illness that causes fever, headache, chills, and muscle aches).
Gulf Coast Tick
- An important South Carolina tick that can cause Rickettsia parkeri, a recently identified disease that can cause spotted fever in humans.
American Dog Tick
- Transmits Rocky Mountain Spotted fever, an illness that presents with fever, severe headache, muscle aches, and a characteristic rash that requires prompt treatment with doxycycline to prevent medical emergencies.
Brown Dog Tick
- Also transmits Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever.
Lyme disease and South Carolina ticks
Lyme disease is the most common tick-borne disease in the country, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates 476,000 patients are treated for it annually.
Black-legged ticks are the culprits behind the spread and must be removed within 24 hours of the bite to prevent infection.
Some of the symptoms of Lyme disease include fever, facial paralysis, an irregular heartbeat, arthritis, and a bull’s-eye rash. The disease has no cure, although treatment options are available.
Tips to prevent tick bites
The South Carolina Department of Public Health listed the following tips to reduce your chances of being bitten by a tick:
- Wear repellent containing 20% or more of any active ingredient approved by EPA as a tick repellent (such as DEET) year-round.
- Wear long pants tucked into socks.
- Pretreat clothing with 0.5% permethrin, which can provide protection even after a few washes.
- Avoid wooded and brushy areas with tall vegetation.
- Stay in the center of walking/hiking trails.
- Check in and around the hair and ears, under the arms, inside the belly button, around the waist, between the legs, and the back of the knees. These areas on the body are where ticks can hide.
How to safely remove a tick from the body
To safely remove a tick from the body, use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick closely to the skin, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Pull upwards with steady, even pressure without jerking or twisting the tick, as this may cause the mouthparts to break off and remain in the skin.
Upon removal, cleanse the bite area with soap and water. Apply an antiseptic like iodine, hydrogen peroxide, or rubbing alcohol.
Record the date of the bite and contact your doctor immediately if symptoms arise.
Nina Tran is the breaking news and education reporter for The Greenville News, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach her via email at ntran@usatodayco.com.
On July 1, three days before fireworks erupted across the United States, South Carolina football launched some of their own across the college football world after landing five-star cornerback Joshua Dobson.
Dobson’s commitment to the Gamecocks marked the highest-rated defensive back commit in program history. Additionally, the No. 12 prospect in the nation is the third-highest-ranked Gamecock commit ever, according to the Rivals Industry Ranking.
On July 3, ESPN’s Craig Haubert, Eli Lederman and Tom Luginbill predicted the fit of all current five-star prospects with their future schools. That list included Dobson’s fit with South Carolina.
What does this mean for the Gamecocks? Mingo Martin and fellow subscribers are discussing it now on The Insiders Forum.
“ESPN’s No. 2 cornerback was a priority local target for South Carolina coach Shane Beamer in the 2027 cycle,” Lederman wrote. ” … If he signs later this year, Dobson will represent the program’s highest-ranked signee since defensive end Jordan Burch arrived at South Carolina as the No. 4 overall recruit in the 2020 class.”
Dobson, originally of Fort Mill, S.C., transferred to Hough High School in Cornelius, N.C., after his junior season. In the days following his commitment, his Hough teammate, Davion Jones, joined him in South Carolina’s recruiting class.
“A long, gifted corner with elite level speed, he posted a 4.39 40 this spring. Dobson is smooth and transitions extremely quickly in and out when turning and running or closing on the ball,” Luginbill wrote. “He can mirror without allowing separation in man-to-man, shadowing receivers out of their breaks. He tracks the deep throw well, showing a second gear to break under the ball and has outstanding hands and ball skills.”
The former quarterback and ESPN national recruiting director also predicted that Dobson can be an early starter at South Carolina.
There is precedent in ensuring young defensive backs see the field as freshmen under Beamer. During the 2025 season, true freshmen Kendall Daniels Jr. and Damarcus Leach saw limited action.
Daniels featured in nine games primarily on special teams while Leach saw limited time across seven matchups. Both players returned to the Gamecocks for a sophomore season in 2026.
Earlier during the Beamer era, Nick Emmanwori, DQ Smith, and Jalon Kilgore all earned Freshman All-American honors with the Gamecocks.
“He also shows good closing speed and aggressiveness in run support, and isn’t just a finesse cover corner,” Luginbill wrote about the Gamecocks’ 2027 Freshman All-American hopeful. “Dobson has awareness and instincts for the position that are coveted, and his speed sets him apart.”
Dobson’s speed features 100-meter track times in the 10.4-second range alongside his 6-foot 5-inch wingspan.
However, the crown jewel of South Carolina’s 2027 recruiting class still has a senior year to play. In an age of NIL and constant player movement, Dobson’s recruitment remains far from over. Should the Gamecocks retain their potential star through signing day, the sky is the limit for him and Clayton White’s secondary.
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