Local
Black Coalition Backing Heyward in Challenge To His Voting Record
By Barney Blakeney The Lowcountry Black Leadership Coalition, a newly formed organization of individuals from the political, religious and activists communities have launched an effort to show support for North Charleston City Councilman Jerome Heyward criticized in recent daily news media articles for his votes on issues those reports say come alarmingly close to…
Read MoreCity of Charleston Launches Citibot, Text Message Communication Tool for Residents and Government
The city of Charleston has launched Citibot, an interactive text messaging and customer service tool for civic engagement with government. With Citibot, residents and visitors of Charleston will be able to use text message-based technology to easily access city information regarding business licenses, garbage and trash collection, permits, public meetings and more. Citizens can also…
Read MoreRep. JA Moore Calls on SC Superintendent to Waive Standardized Testing Regardless of US Dept.’s Decision
As the 2020-2021 school year approaches, Rep. JA Moore (D-Berkeley) is calling on State Superintendent of Education Molly Spearman to waive standardized testing regardless of whether or not the US Department of Education approves of it. “The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly disrupted our education system,” Rep. Moore stated in a letter to Superintendent Spearman on…
Read MoreNative Charlestonian Jade Simmons Running For President 2020
By Beverly Gadson-Birch Jade Simmons, a graduate of St. Andrew’s High School, has decided to enter the 2020 Presidential race as an unaffiliated independent. After graduating from high school, she earned a bachelor’s degree in Music (Piano) from Northwestern University in Chicago, Illinois and a master’s degree from Rice University, Houston, Texas. Jade is the…
Read MoreSC Law Firms, Charleston Legal Expand Pro Bono Legal Clinic Statewide to Help Small Businesses & Nonprofits Navigate Pandemic’s Economic Impact
July 1, Charleston Legal Access, along with law firms Nelson Mullins and Jackson Lewis, announced they will expand their South Carolina Virtual Legal Clinic statewide to assist small business owners and nonprofits. Initially launched at the end of May to help those in the Lowcountry region, the clinic offers pro bono legal consultations to help…
Read MoreIntroducing scVOTES.gov
As of June 30, the State Election Commission’s voter education website has a new address: scVOTES.gov. The switch to the .gov domain name was made to help maintain the public’s trust in the information and services provided through the site. Before the change, scVOTES.gov was scVOTES.org. Having the .gov extension will help voters easily recognize the site as a trusted…
Read MoreCharleston Council Votes To Remove Calhoun Statue
By Barney Blakeney Charleston City Council June 23 approved the removal and relocation of the monument to staunch slavery advocate John C. Calhoun. The 115-foot statue has overlooked the street named in Calhoun’s honor from its place at Marion Square since 1896. The statue’s removal comes amidst a national wave of challenges to Confederate and…
Read MoreTedder Beats The Odds And Johnson To Fill House 109 Seat
By Barney Blakeney Despite rallying calls from some of North Charleston’s most well-known politicos, S.C. House Dist. 109 candidate James Johnson lost his bid to succeed Rep. David Mack in one of the most contentious elections of the season. Political newcomer Deon Tedder defied the odds to pull out a victory over Johnson despite challenges…
Read MoreCharleston County Council Announces Vacancies on Boards and Commissions
Charleston County Council announces the following vacancies on boards and commissions: Applications for the following boards and commissions are accepted through Monday, June 29, 2020. • Awendaw-McClellanville Consolidated Fire District Advisory Board o 3 vacancies for residents serviced by the Awendaw-McClellanville Consolidated Fire District • Board of Assessment Appeals o 4 vacancies • Business License/User Fee Appeal o 2 vacancies • Charleston County…
Read MoreBe Careful What You Ask For, Cautions Kimpson
By Barney Blakeney As protests calling for justice and police reform in the wake of the May 25 police murder of George Floyd in Minnesota continue, a peripheral evolution is occurring since protesters began calling for defunding of police agencies. Charleston Sen. Marlon Kimpson this week offered some thoughts on the subject. Without hesitation,…
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