South-Carolina

SC leads nation in school book bans after board votes to remove 10 more titles

Published

8 months ago

May 8, 2025

SC leads nation in school book bans after board votes to remove 10 more titles

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) – Following a vote that removed ten more books from public schools across the Palmetto State, South Carolina is now the state with the most state-mandated public school book bans in the United States.

The South Carolina Board of Education met on Tuesday to discuss the removal of ten more books from public schools across the Palmetto State. The titles are as follows:

“Collateral” by Ellen Hopkins
“Empire of Storms” by Sarah J. Maas
“Half of a Yellow Sun” by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
“Hopeless” by Colleen Hoover
“Identical” by Ellen Hopkins
“Kingdom of Ash” by Sarah J. Maas
“Last Night at the Telegraph Club” by Malinda Lo
“Living Dead Girl” by Elizabeth Scott
“Lucky” by Alice Sebold
“Tricks” by Ellen Hopkins

This latest round of removals brings the total number of books banned from South Carolina public schools to 21, surpassing Utah’s 17 books that have been removed from their schools.

The board initially met to discuss these materials on Tuesday, April 1 but decided to postpone the vote after several board members expressed hesitancy about recent applications of Regulation 43-170, a rule that allows the State Board of Education to have the final say in local disputes over what materials are appropriate.

“I am concerned about potential abuses of a process that we intended to be fair and equitable,” said board member Maya Slaughter during the April meeting.

Despite the concerns voiced during the April meeting, only two board members, David O’Shields and Tony Vincent, dissented during Tuesday’s vote.

Regulation 43-170 bans “instructional material [that] is not ‘age and developmentally appropriate’ for any age or age group of children if it includes descriptions or visual depictions of ‘sexual conduct.‘”

If a citizen has a complaint about a book found in public school libraries and classrooms, the regulation allows them to send a form to the Instructional Materials Review Committee (IMRC), who review the complaint and submit a recommendation to the state board.

After receiving the recommendation from the IMRC, the State Board of Education then votes to accept or deny it. Under Regulation 43-170, the board is not required to read the books before making their vote.

All 10 of the most recently banned materials had been reviewed at the Beaufort County local board before being kicked up to the state board, as the complaints for the titles were all submitted by one woman from Beaufort County.

“The state is continuing to leave educational decisions for all students up to one parent,” said Josh Malkin, Advocacy Director for the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of South Carolina. “This is problematic and counter to the foundational democratic ideals of public education.”

Regulation 43-170 went into effect in June 2024 and has been used frequently since then, though not without controversy.

Malkin and other critics of the regulation have argued that one individual should not have the power to influence reading access for the entire state while the legislation’s proponents believe it’s a valuable way to protect children.

The 11 books that had been previously removed by the board include:

“A Court of Frost and Starlight” by Sarah J. Maas
“A Court of Mist and Fury” by Sarah J. Maas
“A Court of Thorns and Roses” by Sarah J. Maas
“A Court of Wings and Ruin” by Sarah J. Maas
“Damsel” by Elana Arnold
“Ugly Love” by Colleen Hoover
“Normal People” by Sally Rooney
“The Perks of Being a Wallflower” by Stephen Chbosky
“All Boys Aren’t Blue” by George M. Johnson
“Flamer” by Mike Curato
“Push” by Sapphire

In addition to the 21 removals, access to “Crank” by Ellen Hopkins has been restricted. The book remains in high school libraries, but a parent or guardian must fill out an opt-in form for a student to borrow it.

As a response to Regulation 43-170, several Democratic State House representatives spoke in February about a “Freedom to Read” bill focused on access to books in public school libraries across South Carolina.

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South-Carolina

South Carolina Lottery Powerball, Pick 3 results for Dec. 20, 2025

Published

12 hours ago

December 21, 2025

Press Room

South Carolina Lottery Powerball, Pick 3 results for Dec. 20, 2025

The South Carolina Education Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Dec. 20, 2025, results for each game:

Winning Powerball numbers from Dec. 20 drawing

04-05-28-52-69, Powerball: 20, Power Play: 3

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 3 Plus FIREBALL numbers from Dec. 20 drawing

Midday: 3-9-7, FB: 7

Evening: 5-9-6, FB: 9

Check Pick 3 Plus FIREBALL payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 Plus FIREBALL numbers from Dec. 20 drawing

Midday: 4-8-4-2, FB: 7

Evening: 6-7-5-5, FB: 9

Check Pick 4 Plus FIREBALL payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash Pop numbers from Dec. 20 drawing

Midday: 02

Evening: 08

Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Palmetto Cash 5 numbers from Dec. 20 drawing

05-08-11-17-26

Check Palmetto Cash 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Powerball Double Play numbers from Dec. 20 drawing

05-08-19-23-43, Powerball: 06

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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South-Carolina

South Carolina pastor indicted, accused of cyberstalking estranged wife Mica Miller before her death

Published

24 hours ago

December 20, 2025

Press Room

South Carolina pastor indicted, accused of cyberstalking estranged wife Mica Miller before her death

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WTVD) — A South Carolina pastor has been federally indicted, accused of cyberstalking his wife and posting a nude photo of her online before her death by suicide last year.

John-Paul Miller, 46, of Myrtle Beach, faces charges of cyberstalking and making false statements to federal investigators, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of South Carolina.

His estranged wife, Mica Miller, 30, was found dead at Lumber River State Park on April 27, 2024. Her death was ruled a suicide, but the case gained national attention amid allegations that John-Paul had abused her before her death.

Online records show that Mica and John-Paul were in the process of getting a divorce at the time of her death. Police documents indicate that Mica “was afraid for her life” in the month leading up to her death.

SEE ALSO: Mica Miller’s husband says he’s not to blame in her death: ‘I did everything I could to protect her’

Prosecutors claim that from November 2022 until her death, he sent “unwanted and harassing communications” to Mica, including posting a nude photo of her online without her consent and contacting her over 50 times in a single day.

The indictment also alleges that John-Paul interfered with her finances and daily activities, damaged her vehicle tires, and lied to investigators about his actions. Despite purchasing a tire deflation device online and discussing the victim’s vehicle with others, he denied damaging her tires when questioned.

If convicted, John-Paul could face up to five years in prison for cyberstalking and two years for making false statements, along with a fine of up to $250,000. His arraignment is set for January 12, 2026, in Florence.

If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide — free, confidential help is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call or text the national lifeline at 988.

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South-Carolina

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

Published

1 day ago

December 20, 2025

Press Room

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:

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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