South-Carolina

SC lawmaker wants to ensure paid parental leave covers stillbirths

Published

4 months ago

September 1, 2025

SC lawmaker wants to ensure paid parental leave covers stillbirths

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) – A South Carolina lawmaker is asking the state’s attorney general to weigh in after grieving families claimed their requests for paid leave from work were denied following stillbirths.

Three years ago, the governor signed a bill into law that provides up to six weeks of paid family leave to state employees who welcome a new child via birth, adoption, or fostering.

The next year, it was expanded to also cover South Carolina’s public school teachers, through a bipartisan bill filed by Rep. Neal Collins, R – Pickens.

But recently, Collins found out at least three school districts in the state, which he declined to identify, had denied paid leave requests to employees who experienced stillbirths.

“It’s just a weird interpretation of the law to me,” he said. “The qualifying event is a birth, and to say a stillbirth is not a birth under this scenario, it goes against the intent of what I was trying to do.”

One of the groups that alerted Collins was the Palmetto State Teachers Association, which said these are limited instances but nonetheless concerning.

“Completely out of line with the spirit of the law,” said Patrick Kelly, PSTA’s director of government affairs. “The law was designed to support the experience of a new parent, both physically, mentally, emotionally. Second, it’s just inhumane.”

Kelly, who also teaches high school in Richland County, said decisions like these can hurt staff morale beyond the one employee.

“I don’t want to work in a district that doesn’t value their employees enough to come alongside them in what is one of the most tragic and heartbreaking things that a new mother can experience. Just put people first,” he said.

Collins said at least two of the districts have since changed their policies to say stillbirths are covered and granted the time off they initially declined.

“But even in that scenario, the mother came back before she otherwise would have,” he added.

Collins has asked for an opinion from South Carolina’s attorney general on whether parents who experience stillbirths are eligible for paid time off under the existing law.

He also plans to file legislation that would clarify it in state code, so no other grieving parents go through this confusion.

“I’m never too optimistic of what we’re going to do in Columbia, but I’m hopeful on this one,” Collins said.

Once that bill is filed, lawmakers can take it up for consideration when they return to the State House next January to begin a new legislative session.

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South-Carolina

SC invests nearly $1M into Darlington pump station upgrade

Published

12 hours ago

January 5, 2026

Press Room

SC invests nearly M into Darlington pump station upgrade

DARLINGTON COUNTY, S.C. (WPDE) — The City of Darlington received a $957,000 grant from the South Carolina Rural Infrastructure Authority (RIA) to upgrade the Woodcreek Pump Station.

The project eliminates the current station on Country Club Road and will flow to the Woodcreek pump station while it is being renovated.

The city said that this will better serve those who live within the Darlington County Club by utilizing newer technology.

MORE: 6 years later: Memorial march honors fallen Florence airport officer

“This project has been on the City’s radar for quite some time now,” said City of Darlington Public Utilities Director Michael Morris. “The City is very thankful to receive this grant funding. It will be impactful to the residents in the Darlington Country Club, and it will enhance the service in the area.”

The funding is a part of a $23 million investment by the SC RIA to upgrade the state’s capital improvement.

The Woodcreek Pump Station Upgrade project is set to begin construction in 2026.

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South-Carolina

South Carolina Lottery Pick 3, Pick 4 results for Jan. 4, 2026

Published

1 day ago

January 5, 2026

Press Room

South Carolina Lottery Pick 3, Pick 4 results for Jan. 4, 2026

The South Carolina Education Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Jan. 4, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Pick 3 Plus FIREBALL numbers from Jan. 4 drawing

Evening: 4-3-2, FB: 3

Check Pick 3 Plus FIREBALL payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 Plus FIREBALL numbers from Jan. 4 drawing

Evening: 5-0-6-8, FB: 3

Check Pick 4 Plus FIREBALL payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash Pop numbers from Jan. 4 drawing

Evening: 06

Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Palmetto Cash 5 numbers from Jan. 4 drawing

03-15-21-28-31

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

South Carolina Lottery Powerball, Pick 3 results for Jan. 3, 2026

Published

2 days ago

January 4, 2026

Press Room

The South Carolina Education Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Jan. 3, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Powerball numbers from Jan. 3 drawing

18-21-40-53-60, Powerball: 23, Power Play: 3

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 3 Plus FIREBALL numbers from Jan. 3 drawing

Midday: 1-8-9, FB: 9

Evening: 0-5-1, FB: 0

Check Pick 3 Plus FIREBALL payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 Plus FIREBALL numbers from Jan. 3 drawing

Midday: 2-5-1-7, FB: 9

Evening: 3-9-5-0, FB: 0

Check Pick 4 Plus FIREBALL payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash Pop numbers from Jan. 3 drawing

Midday: 12

Evening: 07

Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Palmetto Cash 5 numbers from Jan. 3 drawing

02-06-23-25-33

Check Palmetto Cash 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Powerball Double Play numbers from Jan. 3 drawing

28-40-52-53-54, Powerball: 12

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:

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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