News

Survey: SC has 8th fastest recovery for weekly unemployment

Columbia, S.C. (WOLO)–When it comes to job recovery, South Carolina is among the nation’s best. According to wallethub.com, South Carolina has the 8th fastest recovery for weekly unemployment claims in the country. The survey was based on three metrics, comparing last week’s unemployment claims to last year, the start of 2020, and the start of the pandemic. For a complete…

Family of Wisconsin man shot several times pleads for peace

Mother of shooting victim urges protesters to stop damaging communities

(CNN) at the request of the Wisconsin Governor,  President Donald Trump is sending the National Guard and federal law enforcement to Kenosha after protests turned deadly. The community’s outrage comes after officers shot Jacob Blake in the back seven times. officials say a teenager opened fire during the third night of protests in Kenosha last night,  killing two people and…

Mayor Benjamin: Everyone needs to do their part to edge out the COVID-19 pandemic

Mayor said mask ordinance still in place, but said another citywide curfew unnecessary at this point

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WOLO) — Columbia Mayor Steve Benjamin said more needs to be done by all South Carolina citizens to curb the spread of COVID-19, saying everyone in South Carolina has a role to play in slowing the spread of the virus.  Even though cases have declined in the last month, Mayor Benjamin told ABC Columbia that with a decline…

Irmo Okra Strut canceled for this year

Officials say they plan to begin planning for 2021 in December

IRMO, SC (WOLO)– A Fall tradition in Irmo will not go on this year. The 47th annual Irmo Okra Strut festival is cancelled. Irmo Mayor Barry Walker announced that the town will not host the festival this year. The 2020 Irmo Okra Strut was scheduled for September 26, with safety measures in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Planning for the…

Group of Mayors sue federal government over ‘ghost guns’

The Mayors involved in the suit call the firearms a 'public safety threat'

ABC Columbia interview- image Columbia, SC (Associated Press) –Columbia Mayor Steve Benjamin is part of a group of Mayors that are suing the federal government over what they are calling a ‘public safety threat’. Wednesday Mayor Benjamin joined the Mayors of San Jose California as well as Syracuse, new York to announce the new lawsuit aimed at seeking a court…