Staff reports | President Joe Biden this week declared a major disaster exists in Charleston, Georgetown and Horry counties following Hurricane Ian in late September. The declaration opens federal aid to supplement state and local recovery efforts.
According to the White House, “Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster.
“Federal funding is also available to state and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by Hurricane Ian in Berkeley, Charleston, Clarendon, Georgetown, Horry, Jasper and Williamsburg counties.”
In other news this week:
S.C. House members to push gender-altering ban. Conservative members of the state House announced they are pre-filing legislation to ban gender-altering medical procedures for minors.
Upstate lawmaker expected to lead House budget-writing committee. S.C. Rep. Bruce Bannister, R-Greenville, is expected to be named head of the powerful House committee that writes the state budget.
Graham testifies in Georgia probe investigation. U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., testified in a Georgia court Tuesday morning as part of an investigation into former President Donald Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election.
SC-4: Upstate congressman’s wife files for divorce. Sarah Timmons, wife of GOP U.S. Rep. William Timmons, has filed for divorce after a marriage of almost three years. The case was sealed by a judge.
Unemployment rate rises in S.C. South Carolina’s unemployment rate rose to 3.3% in October, according to data from the state Department of Unemployment and Workforce.
State parks offer free admission today. As an incentive to get people into nature, state parks today offer free admission.
Laffitte guilty on six federal counts. In a case that has captivated the nation, a federal jury in Charleston deliberated almost 11 hours Tuesday before finding former Hampton banker Russell Laffitte to be guilty on six federal fraud counts for aiding former lawyer Alex Murdaugh in a financial scheme that plundered client accounts of millions of dollars. Laffitte is expected to appeal the verdict that followed a three-week trial. Laffitte’s conviction makes him the first person connected to Murdaugh to be convicted of a crime. Murdaugh is also accused of murdering his wife and son. Meanwhile, Murdaugh’s this week questioned blood spatter evidence on a shirt connected to Murdaugh.
Experts concerned about pandemic over holiday travels. Health experts across the country are worried that mass holiday travel and big family gatherings may accelerate the current “tripledemic” of RSV, flu and Covid-19. Meanwhile, South Carolina officials reported 2,790 new Covid cases and 16 deaths in the last week.
We Can Do Better, South Carolina!