South-Carolina
DSS launches ‘SC Boo$t’ program to support South Carolina’s childcare industry
CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) – The South Carolina Department of Social Services is working to build support for an industry often unnoticed.
The agency launched a pilot program called “SC Boo$t” on Monday to battle the high turnover rate within early childhood education.
The incentive would provide bonuses ranging from $1,000 to $2,000 every six months to eligible providers.
The money will come from the American Rescue Plan Act, a federal program. It will be focused on childcare providers making under $24 and directors making less than $30.
“This is really going directly to the teacher, the ones that work with those children every day. We wanted to make sure we have a way to do that, for those individuals often unnoticed and not given credit for the hard work they do every day,” SC Endeavors Director Melissa Starker says.
The agency says the state is experiencing a dip in support for the field despite its vital role in raising a community. Starker says this is due to low wages which barely cover the amount of work childcare providers do in a given day.
The agency hopes the program will revive the industry and encourage hard workers to stay in the field. The overall goal is to improve the lives of workers and families and provide high-quality care for all.
“This boost allows them to see the value of what they’re doing, and they see the work they’re doing. We want to honor that,” Starker says.
SC Endeavors uses the South Carolina Early Care and Education Career Ladder to plan for professional growth in the early childhood field.
The program does have eligibility requirements and only direct care providers will be able to apply. The following qualify:
- Teacher
- Assistant director
- Assistant teacher
- Co-director
- Director
- Floater
- Non-teaching professional staff
- Non-teaching support staff
- Primary care provider
- Aide
- Curriculum coordinator
- Education coordinator
Substitutes, volunteers and intern positions do not qualify.
For more information, click here.
Copyright 2024 WCSC. All rights reserved.
South-Carolina
Trump jumps into 2 GOP governor primaries, backing Evette in South Carolina and Feenstra in Iowa – WTOP News
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — President Donald Trump endorsed two Republican gubernatorial candidates Friday, wading into contests in South Carolina and…
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — President Donald Trump endorsed two Republican gubernatorial candidates Friday, wading into contests in South Carolina and Iowa that have pitted allies against each other in a fierce competition for their party leader’s blessing.
In a pair of social media posts, Trump gave his backing to South Carolina Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette and Iowa Rep. Randy Feenstra, as primary elections in both states approach.
Iowa’s primary is Tuesday, and South Carolina’s is on June 9.
For two terms, Evette has served alongside Gov. Henry McMaster, one of Trump’s earliest backers during his first presidential campaign. Earlier this year, the long-serving governor endorsed his No. 2, telegraphing to some that Trump’s backing could be next.
On Friday, Trump expressed both appreciation for Evette and the state she represents, noting that she stumped for him in 2024. He also said “A BIG added plus” for her campaign is that Henry McMaster Jr. — the sitting governor’s son — may be Evette’s running mate.
In the deep red state of South Carolina, the competition for the president’s support has been the most intense part of the primary race.
In a separate post, Trump described Feenstra as “MAGA all the way” and said he would “fight tirelessly” for the state on issues including the economy, border security and support of law enforcement.
Both Evette and Feenstra have been vocal about wanting Trump’s endorsement, in the hopes that it would carry weight in states that helped propel Trump’s return to office in 2024. Feenstra said earlier this year that he asked for Trump’s support, and much of Evette’s campaign media has featured photos of her next to Trump.
Along with Feenstra, four other Republicans — state Rep. Eddie Andrews, businessman and former conservative political director Zach Lahn, former state Rep. Brad Sherman and former director of the state Department of Administrative Services Adam Steen — are in the primary to replace outgoing Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds, who opted out of a third bid.
Evette is competing for the South Carolina nomination against Rep. Nancy Mace, Rep. Ralph Norman and state Attorney General Alan Wilson.
Both states are having their first competitive Republican gubernatorial primaries in years, with Reynolds and McMaster in office for roughly a decade each.
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Hannah Fingerhut contributed reporting from Des Moines, Iowa.
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Meg Kinnard can be reached at http://x.com/MegKinnardAP
Copyright
© 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, written or redistributed.
COLUMBIA, S.C. (WACH) — A loud boom was heard and felt across the Midlands around 5:30 p.m. on Thursday.
Viewers reported hearing and feeling the boom from as far as North Augusta to Darlington County.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey, a M 0.0 sonic boom occurred 3.7 miles northeast of the St. Andrews area.
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