South Carolina ETV

01/14/2026

🚨 Former state Rep. RJ May was sentenced to 17 and a half years in federal prison after pleading guilty to five counts involving child sexual abuse material.
🦠 The South Carolina Department of Public Health reports 124 new measles cases since Friday, bringing the total to 434 statewide, with one confirmed in Columbia.
💼 Gov. Henry McMaster says 2025 saw over $9 billion in capital investment and more than 8,000 new jobs, including 34 projects in rural communities.

01/14/2026

South Carolina’s 2026 legislative session kicked off with routine decorum, but there’s already news to watch. House Speaker Murrell Smith swore in four new representatives and the Senate welcomed a new senator — bringing the General Assembly back to its full 170-member roster for the first time in months.

📌 Early highlights from the Statehouse:
• The Senate Judiciary Committee advanced a DUI reform bill that heads toward a floor vote — a top public safety priority this session.
• Other committee work included homestead exemption expansion, transportation and infrastructure discussions.

Stay tuned to The State House Gavel for daily updates on hearings, bills and what lawmakers are tackling this year.

Statehouse reporters Gavin Jackson and Maayan Schechter are back at the Capitol reporting what you need to know when lawmakers are in Columbia. They'll post news, important schedules, photos/videos and behind-the-scenes interviews with policymakers.

01/14/2026

Measles cases continue to surge in South Carolina, now surpassing 400 statewide. The South Carolina Department of Public Health reports a possible public exposure in Columbia after someone with measles visited the South Carolina State Museum on Friday, Jan. 2, between 1–5 p.m. Anyone who was there during that time is urged to monitor symptoms and check vaccination status.

The South Carolina Department of Public Health announced Tuesday more than 120 new measles infections have been confirmed in the state since Friday. The total number of cases related to the Upstate outbreak now stands at 434.

01/14/2026

⚖️ Former South Carolina lawmaker RJ May sentenced today
🗳️ Greg Perry wins North Charleston special election
🚔 City of Dillon names new police chief

01/14/2026

🏛️ Lawmakers gav­eled in for the 2026 legislative session, with priorities on population growth, infrastructure and energy costs.
📚 Gov. Henry McMaster's budget proposes $50,500 starting teacher pay and $8M+ for free breakfast in public schools.
🗳️ Attorney General Alan Wilson named Senator Mike Reichenbach as his running mate, the first gubernatorial candidate to pick a lieutenant governor.

01/13/2026

Heads up, Columbia drivers. The SCDOT will close a portion of Elmwood Avenue this weekend—Saturday and Sunday—for bridge repairs. Expect traffic delays and consider alternate routes if you’re traveling through the area.

Plan and stay informed:🔗 https://bit.ly/3YBACV3

The South Carolina Department of Transportation will close a portion of Elmwood Ave. both Saturday and Sunday for bridge work.

01/13/2026

🏛️ The gavel is about to drop at the South Carolina State House.

Today marks the first day of the 2026 legislative session, a tradition rooted in South Carolina’s 130-year-old Constitution. This session also carries added significance as Gov. Henry McMaster begins his final year in office, delivering his last executive budget to lawmakers.

From taxes and spending to policy priorities that will shape the state’s future — there is a lot to watch.

📖 Read more from The State House Gavel: https://bit.ly/3ZarPJX

Statehouse reporters Gavin Jackson and Maayan Schechter are back at the Capitol reporting what you need to know when lawmakers are in Columbia. They'll post news, important schedules, photos/videos and behind-the-scenes interviews with policymakers.

01/13/2026

During our live taping of "South Carolina Lede" and "This Week in South Carolina," Gavin Jackson led an in-depth conversation with House Speaker Murrell Smith, breaking down what to watch heading into the 2026 legislative session — from tax policy and infrastructure priorities to how lawmakers are shaping South Carolina’s long-term growth.

01/13/2026

🗳️ North Charleston voters head to the polls today for a special election to fill the District One City Council seat.
⚖️ Former Myrtle Beach pastor John Paul Miller pleaded not guilty to federal cyberstalking and false statement charges.
🦠 Free measles vaccines will be offered in Spartanburg this week as the outbreak tops 300 cases

01/13/2026

01/12/2026

🦠 South Carolina Department of Public Health says the Upstate measles outbreak has passed 300 cases, mostly among children and teens.
🏛️ Charleston Democratic Rep. Spencer Wetmore will not seek reelection.
⚖️ Former Rep. R.J. May returns to federal court this week for sentencing on child sexual abuse material charges

01/12/2026

As the monks walked on, the crowd craned their necks to catch a glimpse of Aloka — the monks’ loyal dog.

Aloka, whose name means “light” in Sanskrit, is from India. Once a stray, he was found by Ven. Pannakara during a similar walking journey through Asia. Now, he walks alongside the monks as a quiet symbol of compassion and peace.

Read more about Aloka and the monks’ journey:
🔗

A group of monks walking from Texas to Washington, D.C. to promote peace stopped in Saluda before heading to Columbia.