Staff reports | Blustery and powerful, Ian is a reincarnated hurricane after it slashed through Florida Wednesday and hit the open water of the Atlantic Ocean Thursday. The storm is expected to smash into the middle of South Carolina’s 187-mile coastline sometime this afternoon. It’s then predicted to head north through the Pee Dee.
But all of the huffing and puffing that will blow through the Palmetto State will start long before that as outer bands of the storm wrap the coast in curtains of rain and strong winds of 85 mph, half the strength of what hit Florida Wednesday. As of 5 a.m. Friday, the center of this Category 1 hurricane was 140 miles south-southeast of Charleston.
- For more of what’s to come, view the latest Lowcountry forecast.
- For cancellations and local updates, check out our latest storm news, which is updated throughout the day.
In other headlines:
S.C. abortion law not expected to get stricter. Republicans in the S.C. General Assembly couldn’t agree on a total ban on abortion during a special session, which means the procedure likely won’t get more restrictive – at least this year. On Tuesday, the House passed a strict ban that was in conflict with an earlier bill passed by the state Senate, which means the measure likely won’t be taken up this year. Currently, abortion is legal up to 20 weeks as a 6-week ban triggered by the June overturning of Roe v. Wade by the U.S. Supreme Court is being challenged in state courts.
Domestic violence increased during pandemic, advocates say. Advocates say the pandemic increased the severity and cases of domestic violence as victims were forced to stay indoors with their abusers. Many feel it might grow again as Hurricane Ian approaches and locks everyone indoors.
S.C. has 4,516 new Covid cases, 5 deaths. South Carolina had 1,827 fewer cases of Covid-19 between Sept.18-24 than the previous reporting period (Sept. 11-17), state officials reported Sept. 27. Five people died from the virus between Sept.18-24.
Studies show pandemic led to more income inequality in Charleston area. The Charleston area was ranked third nationally for metropolitan areas in the United States that saw income equality worsen the most between 2019-2020, according to a new study from MagnifyMoney.
Biden adjusts student loan forgiveness amid multiple lawsuits. The Biden administration has cut back its eligibility for those who can receive student loan forgiveness. Borrowers whose federal student loans are guaranteed by the government but held by private lenders will now be excluded, affecting nearly 770,000 people.
Interior secretary in S.C. to promote telling America’s stories. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland joined U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn to talk about a National Park Service program that will help tell stories about the landmark 1954 Brown v. Board of Education decision that included a Summerton school.
USC to expand telehealth services in rural areas. The Medical University of South Carolina recently received a $1.5 million federal grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration. The grant will be used to help the healthcare provider expand its telehealth services in rural communities in the state.
We Can Do Better, South Carolina!