South-Carolina
Seriously injured right whale calf spotted off the coast of South Carolina, GA DNR urging caution
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/PCLOJAVSMVCGJCOHO2ZTCIRCBY.png?ssl=1 "Seriously injured right whale calf spotted off the coast of South Carolina, GA DNR urging caution")
BRUNSWICK, Ga. — The Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resources Division is asking that all boaters be on the lookout for an injured right whale calf.
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The report came from anglers fishing off of South Carolina’s South Edisto River inlet when they spotted the young whale approaching their boat. The anglers were said to have gotten a close look at its injuries and that it was consistent with being hit by a boat propeller.
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The DNR said that researchers have confirmed that the injured calf belongs to Juno (right whale catalog no. 1612). Action News Jax reported that Juno and her then 2-week-olf calf were first spotted on Nov. 24 off the South Carolina coast. This was before an injury was ever seen or reported.
All boaters off the coast of Georgia, South Carolina, and Northeast Florida are being asked to report sightings of the injured calf by calling 877-942-5341. Scientists and researchers are hoping they can better asses the injuries.
Read: Two new right whale calves spotted off the coast of Florida New Year’s Eve
“DNR biologists said the calf’s injuries appear severe but they are not fresh,” the DNR said in a statement. “Images taken by the anglers show the wounds covered in cyamids, small crustaceans commonly found on whales that indicate the wound is at least a few days old.”
The DNR also said that vessel strikes, along with entanglement in commercial fishing gear, are one of the leading causes of death for North Atlantic right whales.
Here are some ways that the DNR said boaters can help:
- When boating off Georgia’s coast from November to April, follow the guidelines for navigating in right whale waters (https://georgiawildlife.com/conservation/rightwhales). The website also includes recommendations for recreational boaters.
- Slow down when boating where right whales are present. The Whale Alert app (https://www.whalealert.org) can help inform you if whales are possibly in the area.
- Report sightings by calling 877-WHALE-HELP (877-942-5343) or by hailing the U.S. Coast Guard on marine VHF channel 16.
- If you spot a whale, slow down further, operate at a slow speed, or put your engine in neutral. Assess the scene and slowly leave the area while keeping watch — other whales could be nearby.
- Stay at least 500 yards from any right whale you see (it’s the law) and never pursue or follow one.
- Be wise stewards of Georgia’s natural resources and enjoy the outdoors responsibly.
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North Atlantic right whales are considered some of the most endangered large whales on the planet. It’s estimated that there are only 350 left.
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Impact of the longest government shutdown in US history
USA TODAY’s Washington bureau chief lays out of the impact of the longest government shutdown in U.S. history.
The federal government shutdown ended late on Nov. 12 after President Donald Trump signed a temporary spending plan.
All of South Carolina’s Republican delegation in the House of Representatives voted in favor of the spending plan when it came before their chamber.
This week’s About Politics examines South Carolina representative’s response to the government shutdown, one congresswoman’s increased security push, and why one political candidate says he is running against Lindsey Graham.
House members on government shutdown
The U.S. government is back open after 43 days of shutdown. President Trump signed a temporary spending plan into place late at night on Nov. 12, meaning that furloughed employees will be back at work and crucial government programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will be funded.
The temporary spending plan passed the House in a 222 to 209 vote. All six of South Carolina’s Republican House members voted for the bill. The lone Democrat, 6th-District Rep. James Clyburn, voted against the policy.
Clyburn said on X that he opposes the bill because it fails to extend Obamacare tax credits that have kept healthcare costs down for millions of Americans.
“As a result of this bill, Americans will continue to experience painful sticker shock when they see their new healthcare premiums,” Clyburn said. “The end of this shutdown does not mean the end of Democrats’ fight to ensure that health care in this country is accessible and affordable for all.”
South Carolina’s Republican House members commended the end to the shutdown, while pointing a finger at their Democratic peers for holding out on a spending plan.
U.S. Rep. Sheri Biggs, R-District 3, wrote on X that she spent the weeks of the shutdown traveling across her district and connecting with people who were impacted.
“While Democrats were playing political games at risk of American families, we remained focused on doing right for our people and rejecting their radical demands,” Biggs wrote. “Now, it’s time to move forward, and get back to work for South Carolina and continuing in our America First agenda.”
U.S. Rep. Timmons writes op-ed on impacts of shutdown on veterans
U.S. Rep. William Timmons, R-District 4, wrote an op-ed for The Washington Reporter on Nov. 11 about the impacts that the government shutdown was having on veterans and their families. He said that the shutdown caused delays in career counseling, job trainings and adaptive employment support for veterans. The congressman also pointed to weeks of delays for new disability claims and limited communication from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
“These are not just statistics,” Timmons wrote. “They are real people who have served our country and are trying to move forward in civilian life. Every day that services were delayed made reintegration harder for them and their families.”
He said that some Senate Democrats’ decision to switch their votes in support of a spending plan “cannot come soon enough.”
Nancy Mace gets federal security at Lowcountry office
U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace’s office in Charleston now has a full time security detail, according to her staff. The Republican congresswoman who represents South Carolina’s 1st District claims to receive over 1,300 credible threats every year.
U.S. Capitol Police worked with the Charleston Police Department after an incident with the congresswoman’s security detail at the Charleston International Airport in late October, according to her office. The dispute between Mace and the airport started after a mixup involving Mace’s arrival at the airport and the security detail that was supposed to escort her through the facility.
Mace said in a statement that she is grateful for both departments’ work to provide security at the office.
“Unfortunately, it took an airport falsifying police reports and retaliating against a Member of Congress to wake everyone up to the reality of the threats we face daily,” Mace stated.
Alan Wilson supports posting Ten Commandments in classrooms
South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson and 17 other state attorneys general signed a friend-of-the-court brief in support of a Louisiana law requiring a display of the Ten Commandments in public schools. The brief was filed after an appeals court deemed the law unconstitutional.
Kentucky, Idaho, Mississippi and Utah were among other state attorneys general who signed onto the brief. The group of attorneys general argued that acknowledgements of how the Ten Commandments influenced America’s heritage are common. The commandments displayed in the U.S. Supreme Court building is a representation of their impact on the legal system, the brief stated.
“Our society is healthier and stronger when we have more religion in public life — not less,” Wilson said. “It is time to end the left’s war on religion.”
Paul Dans speaks with Tucker Carlson on Senate race
Author of Project 2025 and Republican candidate for U.S. Senate Paul Dans spoke to conservative political commentator Tucker Carlson on his bid against Incumbent Sen. Lindsey Graham. Tucker introduced Dans and said he is grateful for Dans running “not as a protest candidate,” but as someone who has been involved in policy making.
“My motives are not personal. I’ve always liked Lindsey Graham, but I think he’s very obviously evil and if he is the face of the Republican Party, normal people can’t support it including me,” Carlson said.
Dans said he is running to make sure that the Make America Great Again (MAGA) and America Firm movements survive beyond Trump’s presidency. The candidate said his primary values as a candidate are god, family and country.
“I cannot sit back and watch someone like Lindsey Graham represent our state,” Dans said.
Greenville businessman Mark Lynch is also running in the Republican Senate primary. There are five Democrats in the primary: Charleston pediatrician Dr. Annie Andrews, Greenville business owner Brandon Brown, Columbia preservationist Catherine Fleming Bruce, Columbia logistics professional Kyle Freeman and Myrtle Beach resident Christopher Giracello.
The independent candidates are Jack Ellison of Charleston, Cindy Glaser of Fountain Inn and Paul Sedletsky of North Myrtle Beach. Kasie Whitener, a businessowner and writer residing in Blythewood, is also running as a Libertarian.
Bella Carpentier covers the South Carolina legislature, state, and Greenville County politics. Contact her at bcarpentier@gannett.com
South-Carolina
SC Ports launches annual holiday toy drive to fulfill wish lists for SC foster children
MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C. (WCIV) — South Carolina Ports is calling on Charleston area businesses and residents to help fulfill the holiday wish lists of SC foster children this holiday season, through their fourth annual toy drive.
This annual event, supported by SC Ports, the International Longshoreman’s Association Locals 1422,1422-A and 1771, Coalition 18 and the Maritime Association of South Carolina, aims to fill a 40-foot shipping container with donations for children across the state.
According to the release from SC Ports, approximately 2,000 donations are collected each year, and from there are distributed statewide by the S.C. Department of Social Services, ensure no child is without a gift this holiday season.
Those who wish to donate and support this cause can deliver unwrapped toys to the SC Ports headquarters, located in Mount Pleasant. Alternatively gifts can be purchased off the following wish lists:
Amazon Gift Wish List
Target Gift Wish List
Walmart Gift Wish List
Anyone who purchases items from an online wish list is urged to ensure that the gift is being shipped to the address linked in the registry.
The deadline for donations is Dec. 12.
COLLETON COUNTY, S.C. (WCIV) — A Colleton County man has been charged for allegedly striking a 4-year-old, according to the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division.
31-year-old Garrett Scott Biering was arrested on Nov. 5 and faces a charge of unlawfully placing a child at risk of harm, SLED announced Wednesday. Biering allegedly struck a 4-year-old with an open palm on the thigh “three or more times,” causing the child to bruise, according to an affidavit.
READ MORE | “North Charleston police charge two with attempted murder after shots fired during dispute”
Biering was booked at the Colleton County Detention Center, and the case will be prosecuted by the 14th Circuit Solicitor’s Office.
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