South-Carolina
Effort to study Hate Crime Law fails in South Carolina Senate
COLUMBIA, S.C. — South Carolina will remain one of the few states without a hate crime law after a proposal to study such legislation failed in the state Senate, despite renewed attention to rising hate crime reports and years of repeated attempts in the General Assembly.
The House has passed hate crime legislation multiple times over the past decade, but each effort has stalled in the Senate. This year, Democratic Sen. Deon Tedder of Charleston pursued a narrower approach, proposing the creation of a study committee to examine what a hate crime law could look like in South Carolina rather than advancing a bill outright.
Tedder said the absence of a state law sends a troubling message.
“When there is no state law that says hate-motivated crimes matter, that message of institutional indifference is heard loud and clear,” Tedder said.
Tedder cited recent FBI crime data showing a sharp increase in reported hate crimes across the state.
“In 2023, hate crimes in South Carolina rose nearly 100%. From a national FBI crime data report, it rose from 66 reported offenses in 2022 to 115 reported in 2023,” Tedder said.
The proposal failed to advance. Still, five Republican senators voted in favor of the study committee, a notable shift in a chamber that has consistently blocked hate crime legislation.
As a result, South Carolina will continue to stand among a small number of states without a hate crime law. And with the 2026 gubernatorial race underway, significant change appears unlikely.
At a recent Republican gubernatorial debate, most candidates publicly opposed passing a hate crime law.
Republican Sen. Josh Kimbrell of Spartanburg said such legislation could infringe on religious liberty.
“I will never pass a bill that’s going to restrict religious liberty,” Kimbrell said.
U.S. Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C., was more direct.
“Should we pass a hate crimes law? Absolutely not,” Norman said.
Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette said she also opposes such legislation, noting she and Gov. Henry McMaster have discussed the issue for years.
“I would not support a hate crime bill,” Evette said.
U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., questioned the concept itself.
“There is no such thing as a hate crime, because every crime is a hate crime,” Mace said.
Attorney General Alan Wilson echoed similar concerns, saying he would oppose any bill he believes limits constitutional rights.
“As governor, I will never support a bill that criminalizes your free speech,” Wilson said.
Lowcountry businessman Rom Reddy criticized political leaders broadly, arguing the issue is fueled by division.
“All this division and hate is created by the political class because that’s what gives them all the power they have,” Reddy said.
With the legislative session nearing its end and the Senate showing little appetite for revisiting the issue, South Carolina is unlikely to adopt a hate crime law this year.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. 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 July 15, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Powerball numbers from July 15 drawing
02-07-18-29-38, Powerball: 16, Power Play: 2
Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 3 Plus FIREBALL numbers from July 15 drawing
Midday: 6-0-9, FB: 9
Evening: 8-8-1, FB: 4
Check Pick 3 Plus FIREBALL payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 4 Plus FIREBALL numbers from July 15 drawing
Midday: 3-8-1-2, FB: 9
Evening: 2-7-9-6, FB: 4
Check Pick 4 Plus FIREBALL payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash Pop numbers from July 15 drawing
Midday: 02
Evening: 06
Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Palmetto Cash 5 numbers from July 15 drawing
01-04-17-34-41
Check Palmetto Cash 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Powerball Double Play numbers from July 15 drawing
14-15-23-33-42, Powerball: 16
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.
(WPDE) — A social media post from U.S. Rep. William Timmons is drawing attention to a South Carolina election-law scenario that could shape whether some members of Congress decide to run for Sen. Lindsey Graham’s open U.S. Senate seat.
Under the timeline outlined, a sitting member of Congress could win reelection to the U.S. House and also win the open U.S. Senate seat on Election Day, Nov. 3. Because a person cannot serve in both offices, the lawmaker would have to choose.
If the member chose the Senate seat, the change would take effect when the new Congress is sworn in on Jan. 3. At that point, the person would leave their House seat to serve in the Senate.
Unlike a U.S. Senate vacancy, a U.S. House seat cannot be filled by appointment. Instead, a special election would be required to choose a new representative. Until that special election is held, the House seat would remain vacant.
Timmons said the temporary vacancy could matter because the House elects its speaker when the new Congress begins on Jan. 3. With Republicans expected to hold a narrow majority, Timmons argues that even one temporary vacancy could make it more difficult for Speaker Mike Johnson to secure enough votes to keep the speaker’s gavel.
The next step in the process comes Tuesday, when candidate filing for the special Republican primary opens. Filing closes July 28.
Observers will be watching whether the issue affects who files for the race and whether any lawmakers propose changes to the election process.
Less than 72 hours after the sudden passing of South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham, his sister was sworn in to finish his term.
Darlene Graham Nordone took the oath on Tuesday, saying it’s what her brother would have wanted.
Having served in the Senate for almost two and a half decades, Senator Graham was well-liked by his Republican colleagues, generally well-respected by Democrats, and well-known across the country.
Taking the oath on the Senate floor, Darlene Graham Nordone, the younger sister of Lindsey Graham, officially became his successor. A ceremonial swearing-in followed in the old Senate chamber.
Senator James Lankford (R-OK) prayed for Graham’s family Monday as he remembered his friend.
“He’s a person that loved his body, loved the country, and loved the people of South Carolina. And it showed,” said Lankford.
Senator Alan Armstrong (R-OK), who went through a similar selection and swearing-in process just a few months ago, told Bloomberg TV he had come to respect Graham during their brief overlap.
“People knew him for somebody that would speak his mind and was clear and convincing in his argument,” said Armstrong.
As a strong backer of Ukraine, one of Graham’s final acts was to get White House backing for a bipartisan Russia sanctions bill.
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