Staff reports | South Carolina has the second highest rate of COVID-19 with 94 cases per 100,000 people, according to data today from The New York Times. That’s up 9 percent from two weeks ago. The state’s virus rate is slightly behind Tennessee today, but had the top rate in the nation earlier this week, according to media reports.
Over the last two weeks, the virus has shown few signs of abating as hospitals are filled with unvaccinated COVID-19 patients, schools struggle to stay open and hospitalizations are increasing for children.
- S.C. nears 11,000 dead, surpassing 750,000 cases since start of pandemic. The Post and Courier
In other recent news:
Democratic attorneys general challenge S.C.’s abortion law. Twenty Democratic attorneys general have voiced their support for a lawsuit challenging South Carolina’s new abortion law, which requires doctors to do ultrasound to check for a so-called “fetal heartbeat.” If cardiac activity is detected, an abortion can only be performed in limited circumstances.
State roads, infrastructure are “subpar,” say engineers. The South Carolina chapter of the American Society of Civil Engineers released a report blasting the state’s aging infrastructure, which is stressed by explosive growth. The report, which gave the state a D+ for infrastructure, said infrastructure in the state was “subpar” and leads to the state having the most deadly roads in the nation. Greenville News.
S.C. leaders say earmarks need accountability but no audit. An audit of state funds sent to pet projects has not been authorized despite top legislative leaders in South Carolina saying more accountability is needed for earmarks. The State.
Charleston again named top Travel+Leisure destination. Charleston edged out Santa Fe, New Mexico and Savannah for the top U.S. spot among Travel + Leisure‘s readers. Stuck between Jaipur, India and Tokyo, Japan, Charleston snagged No. 19 in the magazine’s top world city destinations. It was the only U.S. city named to the magazine’s worldwide list. Charleston City Paper.
S.C. one of hardest-hit states as foreclosure moratorium ends. Even prior to the July 31 federal foreclosure and eviction moratorium, South Carolina ranked in as one of the top states for current foreclosure rates and risk of foreclosure. GSA Business Report.
McMaster proposes using COVID aid to widen I-26. Gov. Henry McMaster has proposed widening nearly 70 miles of Interstate 26 between Columbia and Charleston to three lanes each way. The proposal suggests using $360 million in federal pandemic aid to get the project mostly completed by 2029. The Post and Courier.
- Want more headlines every business day that are like this? Visit our friends at SC Clips.
We Can Do Better, South Carolina!