Staff reports | The federal Center for Disease Control and Prevention announced Thursday that it has a more relaxed Covid-19 protocol. Now, those exposed to the virus no longer have to quarantine. The new guidelines also place less emphasis on contact tracing and social distancing.
Meanwhile, South Carolina doctors continue to urge parents to get their children vaccinated and some school districts across the state have announced their own Covid-19 protocols for the upcoming 2022-23 school year.
While the state had 15,811 new cases and seven deaths from Covid in the week ending Aug. 6, that’s 844 fewer cases than the week before, state health officials said.
In other headlines:
First Family begins vacation on Kiawah Island. President Joe Biden landed in S.C. this week for a Kiawah Island vacation with his family. Biden and his family are expected to stay until next Tuesday. Here are some fun things they can do.
McMaster sues feds over workplace fines. Gov. Henry McMaster recently filed a lawsuit against the Department of Labor and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration over a new rule he thought to be an overreach of power. The new rule would require the state to more than double its fines for workplace violations.
Graham, Republicans react to raid on Trump’s home. U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., said an FBI raid this week on the home of former President Donald Trump would fuel a bid to reclaim the White House. He said he thought Trump would run in 2024, in part because of the raid. Other Republicans jumped to Trump’s defense. The FBI reportedly took a dozen boxes from Trump’s home.
Biden to nominate state judge to key federal appellate judgeship. President Biden is expected to fill a vacant seat on the 4th U.S. Court of Appeals by nominating S.C. Circuit Judge DeAndrea Gist Benjamin, wife of former Columbia Mayor Steve Benjamin. Judge Benjamin has sat on the state bench since 2011. In 2021, she ran and lost for a seat on the state Court of Appeals in what was considered a partisan race.
Kimbrell calls for ‘sexual identity’ books to be moved. State Sen. Josh Kimbrell, R-Spartanburg, called on Spartanburg public libraries to move children’s books that explore sexual identity to the adult section. Kimbrell said sexual identity books are too mature and inappropriate for children.
Average U.S. gas price falls below $4. The national average for U.S. gas prices have dipped below $4 after peaking in mid-June. Prices are seeing a return to what it was in March.
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