Wednesday headlines: High court says universal mask mandates OK in SC universities, colleges

A Tuesday afternoon opinion published by S.C. Supreme Court rejected interpretations by state Attorney General Alan Wilson that a state budget proviso would prohibit state colleges from enacting mask mandates. The two-sentence item folded into the state budget says vaccinations cannot be required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 in order to be on campus without a mask, but makes no mention of universal mask requirements.

Soon after the ruling, colleges such as the College of Charleston and the University of South Carolina, moved forward with a mask mandate. More: Associated Press, The State, The Post and Courier, Charleston City Paper

In other headlines:

Eviction rules relaxed as more than a quarter-billion in relief remains unclaimed. In South Carolina and across the nation, efforts to put billions of dollars in rent relief into the hands of landlords to keep tenants from being evicted have been moving at a snail’s pace. More: The Post and Courier

Citywide Charleston mask mandate fails as students head back to classrooms. Charleston City Council failed to pass an emergency ordinance Tuesday night that would have mandated masks inside public and private schools and daycares. The city’s main school district passed its own mask mandate Monday. More: Charleston City Paper, The Post and Courier, WCSC TV

Charleston Grill closes temporarily due to staff shortage. Charleston Grill, a signature upscale restaurant inside the city’s biggest hotel, stressed that their recent shutdown is temporary. More: Charleston City Paper, The Post and Courier

North Charleston nonprofit helps provide safe water in Haiti after natural disaster. Staff members are actively working out of Water Mission’s office in Port au Prince to find clean drinking water solutions to people displaced by the recent earthquake in Haiti. More: The Post and Courier