Staff reports | The S.C. Department of Mental Health (DMH) said the state has received a one-time $1 million grant to help prevent suicides through the state’s 988 phone number. The money comes from a $130 million national program by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to “enhance 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline services.”
“Almost two-thirds of the money will go towards staffing for the call centers,” said Jennifer Butler, director of DMH emergency services/. The majority of that funding will go to Mental Health America of Greenville County to hire staff and some to Charleston-Dorchester which is coming online,” Butler said.
Currently, there is one national crisis lifeline call center in South Carolina. It’s operated and staffed by Mental Health America of Greenville County. Another is to be funded in the Lowcountry and should open next year. Butler said the grant also will fund 10 staff members in the Upstate call center.
In other news this week:
Union wins port labor ruling. A National Labor Relations Board panel has ruled against the Port of Charleston, which may jeopardize the hybrid union-non-union employment model implemented by the State Ports Authority at the Leatherman Terminal. According to a 2-1 ruling, all work at the Leatherman Terminal must now be performed by union workers. But the State Ports Authority said it intends to appeal the ruling. And the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) vowed to fight back.
With S.C. abortion ban stalled, lawmakers look for another push in 2023. South Carolina Republican lawmakers are looking to continue their efforts for a statewide abortion ban after the state’s Supreme Court blocked their motion in the fall. Republican legislators filed two proposals to start the Jan. 10 session.
South Carolina senator files bill to pay college athletes. S.C. Sen. Marlon Kimpson, D-Charleston, filed a bill that would provide pay to Division I college athletes, a bill he said is “long overdue.”
Carolina Squat ban possibly coming to S.C. Virginia and North Carolina recently passed a ban on the infamous “Carolina Squat” car modified. One state lawmaker has filed a bill that will ban the modification of South Carolina roads.
S.C. lawmaker drafting bill to send South Carolinians to space. S.C. Rep. Neal Collins, R-Pickens, introduced a bill to the state’s House Ways and Means Committee that would offer South Carolinians a trip to space.
2024 presidential intrigue follows Haley, Scott. Former Gov. Nikki Haley and recently reelected U.S. Sen. Tim Scott are in the rumblings for running in the 2024 presidential race. Haley and Scott spent much of the 2022 election cycle traveling around the country, putting their names and faces in front of GOP voters.
State won’t seek death penalty for Murdaugh. State prosecutors announced Tuesday they won’t seek the death penalty for disbarred attorney Alex Murdaugh, accused of murdering his wife and son as well as a host of financial crimes, according to S.C. Attorney General Alan Wilson. Lawyers for Murdaugh, who has pleaded not guilty and repeatedly denied involvement with the murders, welcomed the move, the Associated Press reported, saying it moves impediments to starting the trial as scheduled next month. Murdaugh also faces dozens of finance related charges, including tax evasion.
Covid cases, deaths rise in South Carolina. State health officials reported 7,999 new cases of Covid-19 between Dec. 11-17 — 1,498 more cases than the previous week. For the week ending Dec. 17, state officials reported 23 people died from Covid-19.
S.C. unemployment rate steady at 3.3%. November’s rate was the same as a month earlier, state officials said.
We Can Do Better, South Carolina!