South-Carolina
South Carolina sophomore MiLaysia Fulwiley relishes her growth – The Next
The Gamecocks’ sophomore sensation fielded the pass, leaped off two feet with confidence — with Payton Verhulst’s outstretched arm slightly in her sight — and drained her only 3-pointer of the game. Fulwiley greeted the Carolina Band as well as Gamecock cheerleaders and fans with a big smile before briefly skipping down the left sideline inside Bon Secours Wellness Arena. Her shot gave the Gamecocks an 83-65 advantage against the Sooners with 3:39 remaining.
Little did Fulwiley know that it would be her last field goal of the contest. With 2:03 to play in South Carolina’s (29-3) eventual 93-75 victory against Oklahoma (25-7) to advance to an SEC-record sixth consecutive tournament championship game, head coach Dawn Staley subbed her second-leading scorer out of the game. As Fulwiley walked to the sideline, the SEC Sixth Woman of the Year shared a few chuckles with her coach before she received multiple high-fives from her teammates and walked to the end of the bench.
“I can’t remember what [Staley] told me,” Fulwiley told reporters postgame. “She was just telling me that I played good.”
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Not only did Fulwiley play well, she made smart decisions with the ball and was efficient, hitting 8 of 17 shots to finish with 19 points, five assists and three rebounds.
The moment felt all too familiar, but things were different.
Nearly a year ago to the date, Fulwiley played in her first SEC Tournament semifinal and delivered 13 points, four rebounds and a steal in 13 minutes in the Gamecocks’ dramatic 74-73 win against Tennessee en route to the program’s eighth conference tournament championship.
But on Saturday, Fulwiley’s journey — one where she once advocated for more playing time off the bench and felt comfortable voicing that to Staley — delivered more clarity and understanding. One of women’s college basketball’s most electrifying players feels freer and more comfortable as she heads into the title game on Sunday and a run toward another NCAA championship in a few weeks.
“I think it was really all up to me, and I’m glad I finally actually understood that part,” Fulwiley told reporters about her growth on the team. “I’m glad that I just stayed positive for everything. We got great coaches. They all kept my head high, and they all told me what [my role] was. … The outsiders, they didn’t really even know. But I’m glad that the coaches got me together.”
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As a freshman, Fulwiley started only three games and averaged 11.7 points, 2.9 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.7 steals per game while shooting 43.8% from the floor. Yet the 5’10 guard also took home SEC Tournament MVP honors that year.
Through two games in this year’s tournament, Fulwiley has registered a combined 34 points, nine rebounds and eight assists. She has also generated several highlight plays, including an emphatic steal, a jaw-dropping cradle layup and a sensational behind-the-back pass to teammate Sania Feagin for a scoring opportunity in the Gamecocks’ victory over Vanderbilt.
And to think, Fulwiley is only in Year 2. That’s something Staley doesn’t take for granted.
“[Fulwiley] is still very young,” Staley said. “She has played probably her entire life doing what she wants to do and does it well. … So we have to figure out how we get her to be a better reader out there on the floor. What we’ve been working on with her is just simplifying, making the layups, direct line drives, utilizing her speed. … There’s nobody that can beat her when she has the ball. … That is her superpower.”
Staley added, “She’s been great to just kind of go through this journey with. … She’s such a great player, and you want to see her just complete her journey in a way that makes her a better pro, makes her more predictable, makes her more reliable.”
Related reading: South Carolina’s Te-Hina Paopao is poetry in motion
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With Saturday’s win, South Carolina will face Texas (31-2) on Sunday afternoon in the SEC title game. It will be the third matchup between the two AP top-five opponents this season. The teams split the regular-season games: South Carolina captured a 67-50 win on Jan. 12, while the Longhorns earned their revenge on Feb. 9, 66-62.
Against Texas this season, Fulwiley totaled 21 points, six rebounds, three assists and six steals. As Texas seeks to follow up its first co-SEC regular-season title with a first SEC Tournament title, Fulwiley hopes to play a part in winning her second and South Carolina’s ninth SEC Tournament crown since 2015.
But even as Staley prepares her players for the big stage that has become a mainstay in the DNA of the Gamecocks’ program, she wants to continue to allow her sophomore star to become the player she wants to be — one that Staley deems powerful and a generational talent.
“We don’t want to strip [Fulwiley] away from feeling the game and being out there and taking chances sometimes,” Staley said. “Within those chances, there’s some greatness that’s taking place.”
South-Carolina
South Carolina Lottery Pick 3, Pick 4 results for July 9, 2026
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 July 9, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Pick 3 Plus FIREBALL numbers from July 9 drawing
Midday: 1-0-2, FB: 4
Evening: 7-2-5, FB: 5
Check Pick 3 Plus FIREBALL payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 4 Plus FIREBALL numbers from July 9 drawing
Midday: 4-0-7-0, FB: 4
Evening: 7-5-7-0, FB: 5
Check Pick 4 Plus FIREBALL payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash Pop numbers from July 9 drawing
Midday: 13
Evening: 02
Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Palmetto Cash 5 numbers from July 9 drawing
05-11-23-25-39
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.
South-Carolina
SC is at the top for food waste in the nation. How you can make changes
Americans throw out billions of dollars in food each year, experts say
Americans throw out billions of dollars worth of good food each year. Experts share how to prevent food waste.
Fox – 32 Chicago
Each year, Americans discard nearly 60 million tons of food, the highest amount of any country in the world.
‘While the world wastes about 2.5 billion tons of food every year, the United States discards more food than any other country in the world: nearly 60 million tons — 120 billion pounds — every year,” according to the Food Waste in America in 2026 report from Recycle Track Systems, a waste management company.
That wasted supply represents lost meals for families already facing food insecurity, according to the Food Waste in America in 2026 guide. While also filling U.S. landfills and contributing to harmful greenhouse gas emissions.
Tackling this growing problem requires solutions from restaurants, grocery stores, farms, and manufacturers, where overproduction and waste are most common.
Food waste remains one of the nation’s most challenging problems, but some states, like South Carolina, have bigger problems controlling it than others.
South Carolina ranks ninth for states with the largest food waste
From state to state, the struggle against food waste reveals stark differences in efforts to conserve food.
To measure which states are falling behind, Lawn Starter analyzed food waste using 37 key metrics, and the results show South Carolina is one of the states behind the rest.
The study shows the Palmetto State ranked among the most wasteful in the nation, placing ninth overall with a score of 46.1 out of 100. South Carolina also ranked 46th in commercial and industrial waste, 43rd in household waste, 36th in recycling and 19th in reduction efforts.
How South Carolina and other states got their rating
The rankings were based on four key metrics, according to the LawnStarter study.
- Commercial and industrial food waste
- Household food waste
- Most food recycled
- Food waste reduction efforts
South Carolina food waste statistics
In light of the Lawn Starter study, here are the food waste statistics for the Palmetto State.
- The Palmetto State recorded the highest year‑over‑year increase in farm waste of any state, with a 41% jump in farm waste volume and a 103.9% surge in surplus crops value.
- Storms in the 2024 hurricane season, including Tropical Storm Debby and Hurricane Helene, left fields damaged and unsellable crops considered waste.
- South Carolina’s food recycling rate fell 1.15% to 29.03%, retail food waste climbed 4.17%, and residential waste barely declined, dropping only 2.59%, the smallest household reduction in the country.
Reducing food waste can help save the planet
Globally, discarded food accounts for 11% of greenhouse gas emissions, according to the Food Waste in America in 2026 guide.
In the United States, the impact is profound, the World Wildlife Federation states that the production of wasted food generates emissions equal to those of 37 million cars.
Experts with RTS state that if Americans continue on the same food loss path, environmental consequences could be catastrophic.
Ways to reduce food waste
In the United States and beyond, there are many ways to reduce waste, according to the Food Waste in America in 2026 guide. From improving household habits to strengthening recycling and recovery efforts.
Here are some suggested strategies to reduce waste.
Food waste recovery strategies
- Source reduction — Take only what you need
- Feed hungry people — Redirect surplus food to those in need
- Feed animals — Use safe leftovers as animal feed
- Industrial uses — Convert waste into energy or other products
- Composting — Recycle food scraps into soil nutrients
- Landfill/Incineration — Last resort disposal methods
Travis Jacque Rose is the trending news reporter for the Greenville News, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at trose@gannett.com.
South-Carolina
Watch out for SC’s 5 most common ticks and take steps to avoid bites
What is alpha-gal syndrome? Symptoms, risks of tick-borne disease
Alpha-gal, a tick-triggered red-meat allergy, is spreading in the South. Here’s what to k now about symptoms, risks, and how to protect yourself.
Lone star, Gulf Coast, and American Dog are some of the unique names for South Carolina’s most common bloodsucking ticks that are out and about now that the summer season is in full swing.
One of the ticks in particular has been making headlines recently for causing alpha-gal syndrome, an immune system reaction that makes those bitten allergic to red meat.
If you plan to spend much of your time outdoors this summer, you’ll want to take precautions to avoid tick bites and tick-borne diseases. Here’s what to know about the Palmetto State’s most common ticks and why you should steer clear of tall grass.
Are ticks active year-round in South Carolina?
Tick season is active year-round in South Carolina due to the state’s mild winters. They are most active in the warmer months from April to September, increasing the risk of exposure during the period, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
What is questing?
The National Library of Medicine defines “questing” as a tick’s heat-seeking behavior in which they climb plants and stretch out their front legs, waiting to attach themselves to a passerby. During this process, ticks rely on sensing cues such as carbon monoxide, heat, and movement.
Common ticks in South Carolina
In South Carolina, five ticks are commonly observed. Here’s what they are and the diseases they carry, according to Clemson University:
Lone Star Tick
- The most common tick in South Carolina.
- Can cause alpha-gal allergy (meat allergy), ehrlichiosis (bacterial disease that causes fever, headache, muscle aches, fatigue), and Southern Tick-Associated Rash Illness (Lyme disease-like rash that may cause fatigue, fever, headache, muscle, or joint aches).
Black-legged Tick
- Found in low volume in South Carolina.
- Can transmit Lyme disease, tick-borne relapsing fever, and anaplasmosis (bacterial illness that causes fever, headache, chills, and muscle aches).
Gulf Coast Tick
- An important South Carolina tick that can cause Rickettsia parkeri, a recently identified disease that can cause spotted fever in humans.
American Dog Tick
- Transmits Rocky Mountain Spotted fever, an illness that presents with fever, severe headache, muscle aches, and a characteristic rash that requires prompt treatment with doxycycline to prevent medical emergencies.
Brown Dog Tick
- Also transmits Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever.
Lyme disease and South Carolina ticks
Lyme disease is the most common tick-borne disease in the country, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates 476,000 patients are treated for it annually.
Black-legged ticks are the culprits behind the spread and must be removed within 24 hours of the bite to prevent infection.
Some of the symptoms of Lyme disease include fever, facial paralysis, an irregular heartbeat, arthritis, and a bull’s-eye rash. The disease has no cure, although treatment options are available.
Tips to prevent tick bites
The South Carolina Department of Public Health listed the following tips to reduce your chances of being bitten by a tick:
- Wear repellent containing 20% or more of any active ingredient approved by EPA as a tick repellent (such as DEET) year-round.
- Wear long pants tucked into socks.
- Pretreat clothing with 0.5% permethrin, which can provide protection even after a few washes.
- Avoid wooded and brushy areas with tall vegetation.
- Stay in the center of walking/hiking trails.
- Check in and around the hair and ears, under the arms, inside the belly button, around the waist, between the legs, and the back of the knees. These areas on the body are where ticks can hide.
How to safely remove a tick from the body
To safely remove a tick from the body, use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick closely to the skin, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Pull upwards with steady, even pressure without jerking or twisting the tick, as this may cause the mouthparts to break off and remain in the skin.
Upon removal, cleanse the bite area with soap and water. Apply an antiseptic like iodine, hydrogen peroxide, or rubbing alcohol.
Record the date of the bite and contact your doctor immediately if symptoms arise.
Nina Tran is the breaking news and education reporter for The Greenville News, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach her via email at ntran@usatodayco.com.
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