COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) _ South Carolina’s unemployment rate stayed right where it was last month to end 2015. The state Department of Employment and Workforce said Tuesday that South Carolina’s jobless rate was 5.5 percent in December, the same as November. While unemployment was unchanged, the number of people working in the state went up by more than 10,000 in…
CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) — A record 50,000 South Carolinians sought to either buy guns or carry concealed weapons during December. The Post and Courier of Charleston reports the statistics come from the FBI criminal background check system. The spike came when President Barack Obama indicated he would seek to tighten gun control measures this year. It was the busiest month…
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — The director of South Carolina’s tax collection agency says delaying refunds, using software to flag suspicious returns and collecting wage documents quicker will reduce the theft of taxpayers’ money. Director Rick Reames said those are among the fraud prevention strategies the agency is rolling out this year. People should not expect to see a refund before…
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — The Senate plans to start talking about how to find additional money for roads next week. The Senate adjourned Thursday with Sen. Ray Cleary holding the floor. The Republican from Murrells Inlet told senators he wants to debate increasing money for roads first thing Tuesday. Cleary has been trying to craft a bill the Senate can…
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — A House panel has approved changes to how county magistrates are chosen and what kind of cases they can hear. A House subcommittee Thursday approved a bill to require candidates for magistrates to be screened and qualified by the same panel that checks the credentials of state judges. A second bill would increase to $25,000 the…
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Now that South Carolina voters have approved the governor and lieutenant governor running on the same ticket, lawmakers are working out the details. A House subcommittee passed a bill Thursday that would have a gubernatorial candidate name a running mate after getting the party’s nomination. Rep. Tommy Pope is the bill’s sponsor. He says there are…
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — The northwestern part of South Carolina will be facing winter weather this weekend. The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning for nine counties in the northwestern and central parts of the state. The warning begins Thursday night and runs through 7 p.m. Saturday. Forecasters say snow, sleet and freezing rain is possible in…
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) _ In an attempt to combat fraud, South Carolina taxpayers won’t be receiving their state income-tax refunds until after March 1, regardless of how early they file. In a statement, the South Carolina Department of Revenue says that the delay will give the department time to verify wage documents with the Internal Revenue Service and ensure that…
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Some South Carolina senators are listening to a pair of proposals that would strictly limit refugees in South Carolina. One bill would require a public database of refuges resettled in the state and hold their sponsors liable for damages if they committed an act of terrorism. A second resolution calls for a ban on state agencies…
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) _ Republican presidential hopeful Ted Cruz is talking about legal issues as part of a campaign swing through the Palmetto State. The Texas senator is sitting down with state Attorney General Alan Wilson on Friday for a conversation on the constitution and potential upcoming vacancies on the U.S. Supreme Court. The forum at the University of South…
