Bathed in controversy since the beginning, University of South Carolina President Bob Caslen has resigned his post amid the latest scandal: Flubbing a commencement speech, addressing the USC grads the latest products of the University of California. Oh, and plagiarizing from a decorated war veteran. The much beloved Harris Pastides, who served in the role before Caslen, will serve on an interim basis during a search for a replacement.
And, if any trustees are reading this, Charleston City Paper alum Paul Bowers has humbly thrown his hat in the ring for the gig. Every major news outlet is reporting on Caslen this morning, but go local with these: The State, The Post and Courier (And if you’re into unofficial news sites, it was FitsNews that first reported the plagiarism, so give them a generous click.)
In other headlines:
Adios, Andino: State elections chief resigns after loosening voting restrictions. S.C. Election Commission executive director Marci Andino submitted a letter of resignation Wednesday without specifying a reason for her departure. Her resignation, which will become official at the end of the year, comes after drawing heat for loosening voting restrictions amid the pandemic. More: The Post and Courier
Pipeline operations resume, but panic buying continues. Running on empty? Yeah, it’s going to take a while for fuel levels to return to normal, despite Colonial Pipeline resuming operations of its massively important pipeline none of us had heard about until last Saturday (or really cared about until Tuesday). If you can find gas, prepare for lines and $3-plus a gallon. Remember when we were concerned about TP? Fun times. More: The Washington Post
Open carry with permit gun bill heads to McMaster’s desk (Also, see: firing squad/electric chair). The legislative session is winding down the first year of its two-year session and so a flurry of bills is heading to Gov. Henry McMaster’s desk. Two national headline grabbers are the open carry with permit bill and the firing squad/electric chair execution methods bill. No, they are not intended to be a package deal. More: AP News (open carry), AP News (expeditious executions)
Mask opt-out leads to governor-education chief spat. Gov. Henry McMaster issued an executive order Tuesday letting parents to opt their children out of wearing masks in public schools. Fellow elected Republican Superintendent Molly Spearman said Wednesday that he has no legal basis for such a move and that he is “inciting hysteria and sowing division.” The legal argument is that the governor cannot enforce a policy on another constitutional officer unless under an emergency declaration. More: The Post and Courier
To get dozens of South Carolina news stories every business day, contact the folks at SC Clips.
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