South-Carolina

Lawmakers vote to revamp judicial selection in South Carolina

Published

1 year ago

June 27, 2024

Lawmakers vote to revamp judicial selection in South Carolina

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WRDW/WAGT) – South Carolina is one of just two states where lawmakers elect judges – and some critics have said that could give lawyers who are also lawmakers an unfair advantage in the courtroom.

Now a bill to revamp that process will soon be on the governor’s desk.

But it’s by no means the overhaul some wanted to see.

The bill was approved in the final minutes of what could likely be the General Assembly’s last day in session until after the November election.

It follows months of disagreements about how much reform is needed – if any at all.

“Some have argued that it isn’t broken, and some have argued that it needs to be thrown out,” said Sen. Luke Rankin, R-Horry, Senate Judiciary Committee chair.

The bill would expand the membership of the committee that screens judicial candidates. It now has 10 members, and two more would be added.

Four of them would be appointed by the governor, who currently has no role in the judicial selection process.

It would impose term limits on members for the first time, while still allowing lawyers who are also legislators to serve on the committee – a ban some critics wanted to see.

The proposal would prohibit most current members of the judicial screening panel from serving on the revamped version.

“We want to have fresh ideas and different people in there, vetting these judicial candidates,” said Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey, R-Edgefield.

Under the current system, the screening panel can advance the name of up to three finalists for each seat to the full legislature for its consideration.

This bill would raise that cap to six finalists – while giving lawmakers more time to review them before they hold elections and before candidates can try to earn their votes.

To reach this compromise, some ideas were dropped – including a House of Representatives proposal to screen magistrate candidates – a selection that senators entirely control.

“Our Senate colleagues were not interested in magistrate reform. … We did not want to miss the opportunity to have meaningful reform in the way we elect and select judges in the state over that issue,” said Rep. Weston Newton, R-Beaufort, House Judiciary Committee chairman.

Massey said: “I think that is something that is likely going to be talked about into the future, especially if we continue to have problems in that area, there’s going to be more conversation.”

Gov. Henry McMaster has previously said he wants to sign a judicial reform bill into law, but that it would depend on the details.

His spokesman says the governor will review and make a decision on this bill when it reaches his desk.

Some advocacy groups that have also been calling for judicial reform in South Carolina laud the passage of this bill – and say it’s a good start, but shouldn’t be the end of this work.

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South-Carolina

South Carolina Lottery Mega Millions, Pick 3 results for Dec. 19, 2025

Published

7 hours ago

December 20, 2025

Press Room

South Carolina Lottery Mega Millions, Pick 3 results for Dec. 19, 2025

The South Carolina Education Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Dec. 19, 2025, results for each game:

Winning Mega Millions numbers from Dec. 19 drawing

01-11-27-39-59, Mega Ball: 18

Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 3 Plus FIREBALL numbers from Dec. 19 drawing

Midday: 8-0-3, FB: 2

Evening: 1-0-0, FB: 6

Check Pick 3 Plus FIREBALL payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 Plus FIREBALL numbers from Dec. 19 drawing

Midday: 1-7-3-9, FB: 2

Evening: 7-1-9-3, FB: 6

Check Pick 4 Plus FIREBALL payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash Pop numbers from Dec. 19 drawing

Midday: 01

Evening: 14

Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Palmetto Cash 5 numbers from Dec. 19 drawing

07-18-20-25-41

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.

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South-Carolina

Teacher salaries could increase under proposed South Carolina budget plan

Published

19 hours ago

December 19, 2025

Press Room

Teacher salaries could increase under proposed South Carolina budget plan

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WACH) — Teacher salaries across South Carolina could rise under a new state education funding plan approved this week, as lawmakers are urged to spend more money on pay raises and rethink how teacher recruitment programs are working.

The S.C. Education Oversight Committee voted to approve its Education Improvement Act (EIA) budget recommendations for fiscal years 2026–27, which direct how money from the state’s one-cent education sales tax should be used.

The plan now goes to the General Assembly for consideration during budget talks.

A major focus of the proposal is increasing teacher pay. The committee recommended a $650,454 raise for teachers at special schools, with remaining new funds directed to the statewide EIA line that helps fund teacher salaries.

The plan also boosts the Teaching Fellows scholarship program, which members said is one of the few recruitment efforts producing results.

The committee approved a $640,000 increase to add 20 new four-year scholarships and another $1.76 million to raise the scholarship amount by $4,000, bringing the total award for juniors and seniors to $10,000.

At the same time, the committee cut $5 million in recurring funding from the National Board program, citing a drop in participation.

EIA-funded programs collectively asked for about $210 million in new funding, but available money is limited. The state has about $98.9 million in new recurring EIA funds and $84.1 million in nonrecurring funds to work with.

The committee recommended spending most recurring funds on classroom support, including $77.5 million for instructional support and $10 million for instructional materials.

Other recurring funding includes $1.4 million for the Teacher Career Ladder, $250,000 for Project Read and $150,000 for the S.C. Council on Economics. Nonrecurring funds include $5 million for school safety.

Members also approved changes to rules tied to the Teacher Loan Program and asked that districts in the state’s 4K waitlist pilot not be required to complete a student survey.

During the meetings, committee members raised concerns about the low number of teachers produced by most EIA-funded recruitment programs.

Teaching Fellows was highlighted as an exception, producing 177 teachers last fiscal year.

Members also questioned continued funding for SC Youth Challenge and incentives tied to the Rural Teacher Recruitment program.

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South-Carolina

South Carolina Lottery Pick 3, Pick 4 results for Dec. 18, 2025

Published

1 day ago

December 19, 2025

Press Room

The South Carolina Education Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Dec. 18, 2025, results for each game:

Winning Pick 3 Plus FIREBALL numbers from Dec. 18 drawing

Midday: 3-8-2, FB: 0

Evening: 1-0-6, FB: 8

Check Pick 3 Plus FIREBALL payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 Plus FIREBALL numbers from Dec. 18 drawing

Midday: 9-6-5-7, FB: 0

Evening: 7-9-1-5, FB: 8

Check Pick 4 Plus FIREBALL payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash Pop numbers from Dec. 18 drawing

Midday: 13

Evening: 09

Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Palmetto Cash 5 numbers from Dec. 18 drawing

13-19-23-32-35

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:

SC Education Lottery

P.O. Box 11039

Columbia, SC 29211-1039

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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