Author: Associated Press

AG: N. Carolina to continue opposing advancement of seismic testing off coast

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) – North Carolina plans to keep challenging the U.S. government’s decision to advance seismic testing off the state’s Atlantic coast. One testing company has pulled out, but four others still want to search for natural gas and oil. Attorney General Josh Stein’s office made the announcement on Friday. The state sued last month over the decision by…

Midlands native receives Congressional Medal of Honor

Photo: ABC News WASHINGTON (WOLO, AP) – President Donald Trump has bestowed the Medal of Honor on a U.S. soldier for his role in a daring 2015 mission to rescue dozens of hostages set to be executed by Islamic State militants in Iraq. Sgt. Maj. Thomas “Patrick” Payne, a Batesburg-Leesville native, received the medal of honor today for his heroism…

3 inmates die in a week span after positive COVID results

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP)–Officials said three inmates at a South Carolina prison have died after testing positive for COVID-19, bringing the death toll at the facility up to five. The South Carolina Department of Corrections said 61-year-old Terry Lee Alewine, 73-year-old Paul Earl Jeter, and 78-year-old Sam Harold Smith suffered from coronavirus-related deaths this week at Broad River Correctional Institution. Officials…

North Carolina deputy shot to death; suspect killed

HENDERSONVILLE, N.C. (AP) – Authorities in North Carolina say a sheriff’s deputy was fatally shot by a break-in suspect, and that the suspect was then killed when other deputies returned fire. News outlets report 35-year-old Henderson County Deputy Ryan Hendrix died Thursday afternoon, hours after being shot when he and other deputies responded to a call about a vehicle break-in….

10 now dead in massive Northern California wildfire

Firefighters watch the Bear Fire approach in Oroville, Calif., on Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2020. The blaze, part of the lightning-sparked North Complex, expanded at a critical rate of spread as winds buffeted the region. (AP Photo/Noah Berger) GRIDLEY, Calif. (AP) – Authorities now say at least 10 people have died in a massive Northern California wildfire and 16 people remain…

Senate to consider $40 million spending plan for teachers, state employees

The hazrd pay and bonuses would be designed for those making $50 thousand dollars or less

Columbia, SC (Associated Press) — A raise for teachers and a hazard pay bonus for many state employees who could not work from home during the COVID-19 pandemic are in the spending plan that’s headed to the South Carolina Senate floor next week. The Senate will consider $40 million dollars to provide small raises to teachers whose pay was frozen…