South-Carolina

Help to replace stolen SNAP benefits could soon end

Published

2 years ago

September 24, 2024

Help to replace stolen SNAP benefits could soon end

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WCSC) – Hundreds of thousands of South Carolina families rely on public assistance every month to put food on their tables.

But a way to help make up for losses if those benefits are stolen could soon end.

In 2022, the federal government enacted a policy to allow states to reimburse recipients of SNAP, formerly known as the food stamp program, if their benefits were stolen.

But unless Congress acts again — and soon — that help could stop.

“We really don’t know what Congress is going to do. We have sent our support in saying how much of this is needed and this would be something that would allow us to continue to serve children and families, especially those families that need help putting food on the table,” Connelly-Anne Ragley with the South Carolina Department of Social Services said.

Barring Congressional action, the reimbursement allowance is set to expire after next Monday, Sept. 30.

The South Carolina Department of Social Services oversees the state’s SNAP system and said it has received 707 reports statewide of fraud involving stolen SNAP benefits from EBT cards since Aug. 30.

To put that into perspective, DSS distributed SNAP benefits to 278,259 households last month, so fewer than 0.1% of all recipient households reported stolen benefits.

“While one family struggling and being able to not put food on the table because of some ill-doers is one family too many, we’re hopeful that Congress will act so that we can continue to replace stolen benefits,” Ragley said.

DSS urges people receiving SNAP to protect their EBT cards like they would a credit or debit card.

“We always encourage folks to change their PIN number frequently for their EBT card and make it something difficult — not 1234 or four 0s or 9876. Make it something that is challenging,” Ragley said.

Like credit and debit cards, the Federal Trade Commission advises SNAP recipients to frequently check their EBT account for unauthorized charges.

Even if the reimbursement provision is not renewed, DSS still encourages people to file a report if their benefits have been stolen.

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South-Carolina

South Carolina family raises awareness of rare Batten disease

Published

8 hours ago

June 18, 2026

Press Room

South Carolina family raises awareness of rare Batten disease

(WPDE) — June 9 marked International Batten Disease Awareness Day, shining a light on a rare, inherited neurodegenerative disorder.

It primarily affects children and causes harmful waste material to build up inside the cells of the brain and nervous system.

One South Carolina family used the day to raise awareness as their 2-year-old son, Sam Stockton, lives with CLN2 Batten disease.

Sam was diagnosed at 16 weeks old, and his family says they travel every other week for enzyme-replacement therapy while also searching for clinical research opportunities.

Through Hope for Sam, the family is working to spread information about Batten disease and support other families facing rare diseases.

“Just the more you know about rare diseases, I never knew that over 300 million people worldwide live with rare diseases. And that means there’s less access to care because people aren’t researching it and not as many people have it. So the more information that’s out there, we feel is the better,” Jordan Stockton said.

There are 13 known types of Batten disease, and there is no cure. Researchers estimate the disease affects about two to four out of every 100,000 births in the United States.

The Stockton family says they have found support through the Batten Disease Support, Research and Advocacy Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to helping families navigate the disease while providing resources.

More information and donation details are available at this link.

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South-Carolina

Talent competition takes center stage at Miss South Carolina

Published

18 hours ago

June 18, 2026

Press Room

Talent competition takes center stage at Miss South Carolina

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WACH) — Contestants in the 2026 Miss South Carolina and Miss South Carolina’s Teen competitions will showcase their talents on Thursday at the Township Auditorium.

Miss South Carolina’s Teen’s Got Talent is set to begin at 5 p.m., followed by Miss South Carolina’s Got Talent at 7 p.m.

READ MORE | Miss South Carolina kicks off with preliminary rounds

The talent competitions are part of the weeklong Miss South Carolina Scholarship Organization competition, which brings delegates from across the state to Columbia to compete for scholarships and the opportunity to represent South Carolina on the national stage.

READ MORE | Miss South Carolina’s Teen preliminary round begins

Contestants competed in fitness, evening wear, and onstage question preliminaries on Wednesday, while Miss South Carolina’s Teen contestants completed their preliminary competition on Tuesday.

Preliminary winners include:

Preliminary Fitness Award winners:

Jenna Huggins, Miss Clemson
Lindsay Jones, Miss Charleston
Reagan McMahon, Miss Chapin

Preliminary Evening Gown Award winners:

Mary Kimball Osborn, Miss Palmetto
Chelby Drafts, Miss Golden Corner
Reagan McMahon, Miss Chapin

Teen Preliminary Fitness Award winners:

Alissa Claire Rhodes, Miss Fox Creek High School’s Teen
Kamryn Mathis, Miss Greer High School’s Teen
Logan Wells, Miss Palmetto’s Teen

Teen Preliminary Evening Gown Award winners:

Logan Wells, Miss Palmetto’s Teen
Cleo Floyd-Johnstone, Miss Ballentine’s Teen
Kursten Long, Miss Newberry’s Teen

The Miss South Carolina’s Teen finals are set for Friday night, while the Miss South Carolina finals will take place Saturday.

Watch the 2026 Miss South Carolina Competition LIVE at 8:00 PM on Saturday, June 20. Tune in on WACH FOX 57 in Columbia, ABC 4 in Charleston, ABC 15 in Myrtle Beach/Florence, and My40 in the Upstate.

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South-Carolina

South Carolina Lottery Powerball, Pick 3 results for June 17, 2026

Published

1 day ago

June 18, 2026

Press Room

South Carolina Lottery Powerball, Pick 3 results for June 17, 2026

The South Carolina Education Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at June 17, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Powerball numbers from June 17 drawing

03-26-49-53-61, Powerball: 12, Power Play: 2

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 3 Plus FIREBALL numbers from June 17 drawing

Midday: 9-1-5, FB: 8

Evening: 9-0-2, FB: 2

Check Pick 3 Plus FIREBALL payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 Plus FIREBALL numbers from June 17 drawing

Midday: 5-3-5-2, FB: 8

Evening: 0-4-1-5, FB: 2

Check Pick 4 Plus FIREBALL payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash Pop numbers from June 17 drawing

Midday: 09

Evening: 11

Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Palmetto Cash 5 numbers from June 17 drawing

08-11-12-27-40

Check Palmetto Cash 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Powerball Double Play numbers from June 17 drawing

10-17-44-63-67, Powerball: 24

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.

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