South-Carolina
SC lawmakers want to freeze in-state college tuition next year. Not everyone’s on board
COLUMBIA, S.C. (WCSC) – It’s a reality many families know very well: College tuition adds up quickly, and for many schools, costs continue to increase year after year.
South Carolina’s House of Representatives is debating the next state budget this week, and they want to implement another tuition freeze for in-state students at public colleges and universities for the sixth straight year.
“If you would like to pursue further and get a degree or get a certificate, some way where you can better your life and your family’s life, we want to help you in any way possible,” Rep. Nathan Ballentine (R-Lexington) said.
Current public-school tuition costs for undergraduate in-state students in South Carolina range between around $10,000 and $15,000, not including other costs like books and room and board.
The House budget proposal would give public colleges and universities money to freeze tuition for all students again next year, totaling to $60.7 million, less than half of what the schools collectively requested for this.
Members of the ultra-conservative Freedom Caucus said that is still too much, arguing higher education is not a core function of government and should not receive these taxpayer dollars.
“Having blue-collar workers further subsidize four-year degrees, which are frankly oversaturated,” Rep. Jordan Pace (R-Berkeley) said.
They proposed to give that money instead to the South Carolina Department of Transportation to repair and replace aging bridges.
But other lawmakers pointed out, their budget proposal already gives SCDOT $200 million for this, the amount the agency asked for in its request.
Ballentine said appropriating extra dollars this year wouldn’t speed work up.
“Although it sounds good and we can go back home and tell our constituents we gave them more money, they would not see more pylons on the side of the road, they would not see more work getting done,” he said.
And Ballentine argued that withholding this money from colleges would come with a cost.
“If we do not keep the in-state tuition down or frozen and these universities help us to help our families back home, they’ve got to come up with the money somewhere,” he said. “So they’re either going to raise tuition or, as Mr. Burns mentioned and as I don’t like, they’re going to start bringing in more out-of-state tuition. That’s just math, y’all.”
Ultimately the House voted to approve this money for tuition freezes, but it is still debating the overall budget.
Then in a few weeks, the Senate will debate its version of the spending plan, so these freezes are not final yet.
The House budget proposal also includes more than $400 million for scholarships like LIFE, HOPE, and Palmetto Fellows, along with need-based and tuition grants.
Copyright 2024 WCSC. All rights reserved.
Top astronomy events for June 2026
From a trio of planets lining up with a crescent moon to a solstice bringing the beginning of summer, here are the top astronomy events to mark down in June.
It may have felt like summer in South Carolina these past few weeks, but it is just now the first official day of summer.
Days have become longer, and temperatures have pushed toward 100 on some days ahead of the first day of summer. Now the longest day of the year is here, and the hottest months in the South are ahead of us.
On June 21, Greenville and Upstate South Carolina will experience more than 14 hours of daylight, according to Time and Date. From there, days will start being shorter once again.
Here’s how much daylight Upstate South Carolina is expected to see for the summer solstice.
When is the first day of summer 2025?
Well, there are technically two answers.
The first official day of summer astronomically for 2026 is Sunday, June 21, which is when the Northern Hemisphere has the longest day of the year, according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac.
But when we talk meteorologically, summer starts on June 1. The reason for this is that meteorologists divide the year into four seasons based on the months and the temperature cycle. Doing it this way also allows them to compare and organize climate data more easily. In this system, summer begins on June 1 and ends on August 31.
What is the summer solstice?
The summer solstice marks the astronomical first day of the summer season in June in the Northern Hemisphere.
This is also when the Earth arrives at the point in its orbit where the North Pole is at its maximum tilt toward the sun, according to the Almanac. This makes it the longest day with the longest period of sunlight hours and the shortest night of the calendar year.
It will begin at 8:25 UTC or 4:25 a.m. ET on June 21, according to EarthSky.org.
When is the longest day of the year?
The summer solstice is the longest day of the year. On June 21, it will be the day with the longest period of sunlight, with some areas in the Northern Hemisphere getting upwards of 15 hours of sunlight on that day, according to EarthSky.org.
In South Carolina, communities will see around 14 hours and 28 minutes of daylight on the longest day of the year, according to timeanddate.com, which tracks when sunrise and sunset occur in communities across the United States.
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 20, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Powerball numbers from June 20 drawing
16-20-44-48-50, Powerball: 15, Power Play: 2
Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 3 Plus FIREBALL numbers from June 20 drawing
Midday: 3-8-7, FB: 6
Evening: 3-8-5, FB: 6
Check Pick 3 Plus FIREBALL payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 4 Plus FIREBALL numbers from June 20 drawing
Midday: 5-6-4-2, FB: 6
Evening: 3-5-4-4, FB: 6
Check Pick 4 Plus FIREBALL payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash Pop numbers from June 20 drawing
Midday: 06
Evening: 14
Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Palmetto Cash 5 numbers from June 20 drawing
02-13-16-19-21
Check Palmetto Cash 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Powerball Double Play numbers from June 20 drawing
11-12-25-42-57, Powerball: 20
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.
South-Carolina
With 77 days until South Carolina football kicks off 2026 season, a look back at No. 77 George Schecterly
South Carolina football will take the field for the first time in 2026 on September 5 against Kent State. Williams-Brice Stadium will play host to the Gamecocks and Golden Flashes at 12:45 p.m., just 77 days from today.
The No. 77 is often worn by offensive linemen. One of two tough-nosed offensive tackles in a fun Gamecock era wore the number, as George Schechterly played for the Gamecocks from 1978 to 1980.
Questions about this story? Kevin Miller is discussing it with subscribers on The Insiders Forum.
Schechterly actually began his career at Penn State, playing for legendary coach Joe Paterno. However, as a redshirt, he didn’t meet the conditioning requirements to stay with the Nittany Lions. South Carolina gave him a second chance, and the offensive lineman dedicated himself to getting better. It paid off in a big way.
Despite being a little undersized, Schechterly earned a starting job at right tackle for the Gamecocks. He played opposite left tackle Chuck Slaughter, and the duo excelled at sealing off defensive ends with reach blocks.
That proved to be a big deal for South Carolina, as a running back named George Rogers made defenses pay on toss sweep plays. Of course, Rogers wound up winning the 1980 Heisman Trophy, and Schechterly and Slaughter provided a lot of assistance. The toss sweep play worked so well that the fanbase often joked that the best ideas in the team’s playbook were “George Sweep Right” and “George Sweep Left.”
See other jersey countdown stories like this on GamecockCentral.com.
That same 1980 season, Schechterly was an All-Independent selection at tackle and won the Jacobs Blocking Trophy as the top overall blocker among Independent School blockers. He was USC’s only tackle ever to earn the honor, though several interior blockers did.
Following his graduation, Schechterly played briefly in the NFL, CFL, and USFL.
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