South Carolina officials say more than 500,000 people in South Carolina have had COVID-19 as the S.C. Department for Health and Environmental Control reported Monday 664 new confirmed cases and 303 new probable cases. Agency leaders have repeatedly said the vast majority of those hospitalized and dying from COVID-19 are unvaccinated, and have urged vaccination. Fewer than half of the state’s eligible population has received full vaccination. Officials also say vaccinated people might again consider wearing masks. More: WISTV, Spartanburg Herald-Journal, The Post and Courier
In other headlines:
Defense rests without witnesses in Uber ride murder trial. Closing arguments will begin this morning in the trial of Nathaniel Rowland, who is accused of kidnapping and murdering Samantha Josephson, a University of South Carolina student, in 2019. Josephson is believed to have gotten into Rowland’s vehicle after mistaking it for her Uber ride. While the prosecutors called nearly three dozen witnesses and rested their case on Monday, the defense team rested its case without calling any witnesses. More: AP News
Coastal cities continue strong sales of homes in S.C. While nationally, the housing boom appears to be normalizing, South Carolina is still experiencing strong sales, especially along the coast. Inventory declined by 57% in June compared to this time last year, but residential home sales were up almost 15%, according to S.C. Realtors’ statewide real estate market reports. More: Charleston Regional Business Journal
New jobless claims still coming by the thousands in S.C. The S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce has reported 2,403 initial unemployment claims for the week of July. It was only a small drop from the previous week. Since March 15, 2020. workers have filed 912,746 initial claims for benefits. This report comes as The Washington Post reported that states — like South Carolina — that cut jobless benefits early didn’t see a hiring boom. More: Columbia Business Report
S.C. inspector says school violated laws designed to prevent fraud. In a new report, the South Carolina inspector general’s office said the newest governor’s school, John de la Howe near McCormick, violated state purchasing laws, and that school employees need ethics training. More: Greenwood Index-Journal
To get dozens of South Carolina news stories every business day, contact the folks at SC Clips.
Help keep the City Paper free.
No paywalls.
No subscription cost.
Free delivery at 800 locations.
Help support independent journalism by donating today.