Charleston Currents – News briefs

News briefs

Hawker, middle, interviews S.C. Democratic Party Chair Trav Robertson, left, in 2018 in Florence.

BRIEFS: New documentary highlights country’s divisive mood

Staff reports | A new documentary released last week highlights the divisive political mood of South Carolina and the rest of the country in 2018 with a focus on the emerging political fissures that exploded in this pandemic year with national protests over civil rights and race.

The second episode of the film, A Hard Road: Travels in Trump’s America, features discussions of race, religion, President Trump and politics in South Carolina.

by Charleston Currents · 10/26/2020 · Comments are Disabled · Good news, News briefs

NEWS BRIEFS: Holiday Festival of Lights set to kick off Nov. 13

Staff reports | Children won’t be able to sit in Santa’s lap this year for pictures at regular visits to the annual Holiday Festival of Lights, but they will offer photos with a popular Old St. Nick uring select daytime visits. Families can sign up for a timeframe visit with Santa during the day at James Island County Park, according to Charleston County Parks. Sessions come complete with a private visit and a photo package from the official Holiday Festival of Lights photographer Gary Coleman. For details or to register, visit HolidayFestivalofLights.com.

by Charleston Currents · 10/19/2020 · Comments are Disabled · Good news, News briefs

NEWS BRIEFS: How to vote early in the 2020 general election

Staff reports | With so much voting information available online, the options to vote early can seem overwhelming or complicated. But voting early may save you long waits in line on Nov. 3. So here is a breakdown of everything you need to know:

by Charleston Currents · 10/12/2020 · Comments are Disabled · Good news, News briefs

NEWS BRIEFS: Offshore wind in S.C. in peril thanks to memo, group says

Staff reports | A presidential memorandum that halts offshore drilling and testing off South Carolina waters also puts an end to the burgeoning offshore wind industry, clean energy advocates say.

The memo initially seemed to be good news for conservationists: President Donald Trump recently signed a memo halting new leases for offshore drilling exploration for South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia and Florida from July 1, 2022, until June 30, 2032.Sure, it could easily be undone with another memo, it doesn’t apply to any current leases already issued and it wouldn’t stop seismic testing completely. But it was something and appeared to be in the direction South Carolina officials have pushed: putting an end to chants of “drill, baby, drill” in Palmetto waters.

by Charleston Currents · 10/05/2020 · Comments are Disabled · Good news, News briefs

In what is believed to be a sign of positive maritime activity to come, Charleston’s port last week welcomed the largest ship ever to dock on the East Coast -- the 15,072-TEU CMA CGM Brazil. (Photo SCPA/English Purcell).

NEWS BRIEFS: Upswing at Ports since drops caused by pandemic

Staff reports | The South Carolina Ports Authority saw some positive cargo trends in August, pointing to a slow but emerging recovery during the ongoing global pandemic.

SC Ports handled 208,837 twenty-foot equivalent container units (TEUs) at the Wando Welch and North Charleston container terminals in August, down about 10 percent year-over-year, according to a press release. When compared to recent months however, volumes are trending positively, with TEUs up 18 percent since July and up 33 percent since June. Furthermore, the ports moved 116,248 pier containers, down 12 percent year-over-year, but up 17 percent from July and up 31 percent from June.

by Andy Brack · 09/28/2020 · Comments are Disabled · Good news, News briefs

NEWS BRIEFS: On trolls, a big ship and a big gift

By Lindsay Street | Two Clemson University professors want to fight online misinformation by giving everyone a pop quiz. But don’t worry, it’s only eight questions. Darren Linvill and Patrick Warren have debuted this week “Spot the Troll,” an educational tool to guide users toward being better informed on social media while asking participants to divine the legitimate profiles from those linked to foreign governments.

by Charleston Currents · 09/21/2020 · Comments are Disabled · Good news, News briefs

NEWS BRIEFS: Coalition sets sights on curbing hate crimes

Staff reports | A startup coalition called Stamp Out Hate South Carolina is rallying ahead of the 2021-2022 legislative session to urge lawmakers to finally pass a hate crimes law in South Carolina. Despite efforts for years by S.C. Democratic Reps. Wendell Gilliard of Charleston and Beth Bernstein of Columbia to pass protections, South Carolina remains one of three states without a hate crimes law.

by Charleston Currents · 09/14/2020 · Comments are Disabled · Good news, News briefs

NEWS BRIEFS: Hollings terminal now welcomes airport visitors

Staff reports | Charleston International Airport’s main passenger terminal now has signage that designates it as the Ernest F. Hollings Terminal.

Hollings, a South Carolina Democrat who served in the United States Senate for 38 years and was the state’s governor from 1959-63, was a key overseer of aviation policy and funding while a powerful member of two committees, the Senate Commerce Committee and the Senate Appropriations Committee. He died April 6, 2019 at age 97.

by Charleston Currents · 09/07/2020 · Comments are Disabled · Good news, News briefs

FOCUS, Palm: Governor should create new state health testing office

By Fred Palm, contributing editor for the common good | In the bizarro world of 2020, South Carolina legislators of both parties are not only demanding that a state agency ask for more money, but telling its leaders outright they will get whatever they need.

It should be obvious by now — even to us dullards casually watching the paint dry with the absence of our no-show legislature — that for seven long months, our governor, Henry McMaster, does not want a big effective testing program to contain COVID-19. The S.C. McMaster program is no testing and no masking.

McMaster lacks the modicum of a plan to contain the COVID-19 infections, illnesses and deaths. There is no victory; just enduring the pain and dislocations. Nada. Nope. Just Southern plantation slow talk without substance.

McMaster likes coasting and bumping along, as if this is a flood. McMaster dons his black emergency-in-charge shirt standing ready to send in helpful stuff as the waters recede. Governor: This is a pandemic. The storm emergency model does not work in this virus emergency.

by Fred Palm · 08/31/2020 · 1 comment · Focus, Good news, News briefs

NEWS BRIEFS: Charleston collecting input to update its comprehensive plan

Staff reports | Charleston residents can help update the city’s comprehensive plan, the guiding outline for decisions on development, housing, transportation, land use and more for the next 10 years.

This input ensures the “Charleston City Plan” reflects citizens’ vision for the Holy City’s future. Some of what officials are looking for are ways to strengthen residential neighborhoods, improve transportation, increase affordable housing and improve the general quality of life for the Charleston community.

by Charleston Currents · 08/24/2020 · Comments are Disabled · Good news, News briefs