MORNING HEADLINES | Flu activity in the Palmetto State is currently at a high level and is higher than surrounding states, according to the latest FluView from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Health officials are reporting doctor visits for flu-like illness are well above the state’s normal baseline.
The virus has already resulted in six S.C. deaths, according to Flu Watch from the state Department of Public Health (DPH). Four of those deaths were in the Pee Dee region, one was in the Lowcountry and one in the Midlands.
“The two best things you can do to protect against the flu are to get an influenza vaccine and wear a mask during the height of flu season,” said Scott Curry, associate professor of medicine in the Division of Infectious Diseases at MUSC.
Meanwhile, the state’s measles outbreak continues to spread Upstate with nine new reported cases, pushing the outbreak in the Upstate to 153 cases and 156 total for the state this year, according to DPH officials. There are currently 249 people in quarantine and seven in isolation, they said.
“Flu and measles are both transmitted by respiratory viruses very easily,” said Dr. Linda Bell, the state epidemiologist, though measles is far more infectious. “Flu is another vaccine-preventable disease.”
View our updated online calendar
Our new online events calendar is even more packed than holiday roadways. It has scores of events around the Lowcountry every day, making it the most detailed calendar of what’s happening in the area.
Just click on “Events” above at right under the black toolbar. You’ll be amazed at what you find.
- Also sign up today to get relevant newsletters on art, music, food, fun events, statewide news and opinion.
In other recent headlines
CP HOLIDAY ROUNDUP: Best bites, sips for 2025. Here’s a look at some of the City Paper’s favorite staff bites for 2025. Compare what we ate this year to what you ate. Also on the City Paper online:
- Area restaurants to celebrate Christmas, holidays
- Charleston’s best year-end parties, concerts
- Restaurants where you can ring in the new year
- Blue Dogs to have ‘homecoming’ on Dec. 27
MORE HOLIDAY: Christmas brings above-average temperatures. The holidays tend to bring slightly chillier weather, with the average high on Christmas day reaching 61 degrees, according to National Weather Service records. But this Christmas will be far from Charleston’s record Christmas temperature, which was 80 degrees in 2015.
- Holiday travel picks up, leaving travelers to face delays
- Mental health experts encourage open mental health conversations during holidays
- Lowcountry nonprofit brings Christmas gifts to businesses
- What Christmas looks like for foster families
- Charleston-area grocery stores open Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
The most checked out books from Charleston Co, in 2025. The Charleston County Public Library has rounded up the top reads of 2025 based on the roughly three million print, digital and audiobooks people borrowed in 2025.
Charleston Co. schools face widest racial achievement gap among S.C. districts. White students in Charleston County ranked first and second when compared to the other 14 largest districts on state assessments. Black and brown students from Charleston County ranked in the bottom tier.
CBS News anchor gives shoutout to Charleston-area restaurant. The anchor for “CBS Evening News” said the hush puppies at Sullivan’s Fish Camp were “meal down South worth traveling for,” in a man-on-the-street-style video for Travel & Leisure magazine.
This year’s hurricane season is evidence of climate change. No storms made landfall in the U.S. for the first time since 2015. And, for about three weeks in the middle of the hurricane season, no storms formed at all in the Atlantic. And yet, the storms that did form were among the most powerful hurricanes ever recorded.
GUN VIOLENCE: North Charleston police in search of vehicle in shooting death of 4-year-old. The North Charleston Police Department has released information on a vehicle that may be in connection with the shooting death of a 4-year-old on Dec. 16. Officers believe that a dark blue or black BMW 740 Series sedan may be in connection with the shooting.
Support independent journalism
Keep the City Paper strong with a holiday gift. This holiday season, please consider donating $25 — or even $100 — to support free, independent journalism at the Charleston City Paper. Every donation helps keep alive a voice of freedom. Your help is appreciated.
Help keep the City Paper free.
No paywalls.
No subscription cost.
Free delivery at 800 locations.
Help support independent journalism by donating today.