South-Carolina
Guest Column: Ousting The 'Sister Senators' – FITSNews
“This election proves that South Carolina is pro-life …”
by HOLLY GATLING
National Right to Life President Carol Tobias is fond of saying that the abortion industry has the money, but the pro-life movement has the people, and we will take the people over the money any time. That proved true in the South Carolina Republican primary elections June 11 and the runoff June 25, when pro-life voters turned out to defeat three extremist Republican pro-abortion women senators and replace them with pro-life candidates who have pledged to support South Carolina Citizens for Life’s life-saving legislation.
“These races show that South Carolina voters in the Republican primary care deeply about the protection of unborn children,” said Lisa Van Riper, president of South Carolina Citizens for Life (SCCL), the state’s oldest and largest single-issue right-to-life organization. “People need to be very careful when attempting to disregard this issue.”
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The South Carolina Citizens for Life Action PAC contributed to the defeat of two of the three “Sister Senators” in the June 11 primary – and forced the third Sister Senator, Katrina Shealy, into a runoff on June 25 when she was soundly defeated by our PAC-endorsed candidate Carlisle Kennedy.
The “Sister Senators” is the name the secular news media gave to five pro-abortion women Senators, including three Republicans, who voted to defeat the Human Life Protection Act, and tried, but failed to defeat the Fetal Heartbeat and Protection from Abortion Act. So far, the Fetal Heartbeat Act has caused abortions occurring in South Carolina to decline by 80 percent, according to data maintained by the S. C. Department of Public Health (SCDPH).
On June 11, Sister Senator Sandy Senn lost to SCCL Action PAC endorsed candidate Matt Leber by 36 votes, the narrowest of the three victories. Mr. Leber, a pro-life member of the South Carolina House of Representatives, now moves up to the Senate.
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Likewise, Sister Senator Penry Gustafson lost to SCCL Action PAC endorsed pro-life candidate Allen Blackmon by a resounding rejection vote of 82.07 percent to 17.93 percent, according to the South Carolina Election Commission.
Some news media reports claimed more than $350,000 funded the campaigns to re-elect the pro-abortion Sister Senators. South Carolina Citizens for Life and the SCCL Action PAC focused on pro-life identified voting lists, cost-effective and truthful social media, get-out-the vote advertisements, and the simple message: Vote Pro-Life. Vote for Carlisle Kennedy. Vote for Matt Leber. Vote for Allen Blackmon.
Once again, this election proves that South Carolina is pro-life, and voters will hold elected officials and candidates accountable to the unborn members of our human family who cannot yet vote.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR …
Holly Gatling is a 1972 graduate of the University of South Carolina College of Journalism, and a 2018 graduate of Divine Mercy University where she earned her Masters of Science in Psychology. She is the executive director of South Carolina Citizens for Life (SCCL).
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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.
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