South Carolina is considered the fourth most vulnerable state to climate change’s effects, according to a recent report from the John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. The report also found that it is among the eight most unprepared states to deal with negative health effects associated with climate change. But do South Carolina legislators...
CHARLESTON, S.C. – As law enforcement attempts to crack down on abandoned boats in local waterways, a new bill would place more responsibility on the owners. Bill H.3865, introduced by freshman Representative Spencer Wetmore, would require a permit for watercraft or floating structures to be moored in a public waterway for an extended period, specifically,...
COLUMBIA — A S.C. House panel shelved a GOP-led proposal on March 16 that would prevent participation in girls’ middle and high school sports by transgender athletes, with one Republican calling it deceptively worded. Known as the “Save Women’s Sport Act,” the measure raised concerns among opponents that such a move would be unconstitutional and marginalize...
FOLLY BEACH, S.C. — In 1987, just moments before bulldozers were about to plow a new road on the island, Charleston historian Robert Bohrn noticed something peculiar. Sticking out of the earth were the skeletal remains of 19 African American soldiers of the Union’s 55th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry. If it weren’t for Bohrn’s watchful eye,...
“I will continue to support good legislation, from either political party, that benefits our sea islands district and the state of South Carolina.” – District 115 Rep. Spencer Wetmore After the marathon of running in four elections last year (Primary, Runoff, Special, and General), reporting to Columbia to begin the work of legislating instead of...
Every beach along the South Carolina coast is unique, but each of them is blessed with the same natural beauty and in many ways burdened by similar natural and man-made issues. This symbiotic relationship was a major reason South Carolina Beach Advocates (SCBA) was formed in 2014, and the mission of the organization has remained...
Critics and supporters of a bill that would ban transgender female students from participating on many school sports teams based on gender identity delivered testimony before a S.C. House subcommittee on Tuesday. Without the bill, supporters predicted the demise of women’s sports. The bill’s opponents said the proposal was unenforceable and fans flames of transphobia...
COLUMBIA, S.C. — After watching more liberal states shut down or limit religious gatherings in an attempt to slow the spread of the coronavirus, a group of conservative state lawmakers is seeking to ensure that South Carolina will never be able to to take similar action if another pandemic arises in the future. A new...
Robert E. Bohrn, of Charleston, was awarded the Order of the Silver Crescent by Gov. Henry McMaster on Thursday. S.C. Rep. Spencer Wetmore, D-Folly Beach, presented Bohrn with the commendation at a Statehouse ceremony. This award is the state’s highest civilian award for significant contributions, leadership, volunteerism and lifelong influence within a region or community....
COLUMBIA, S.C. — A bill to ban most abortions in South Carolina took yet another step closer to passage on Feb. 9, advancing out of a House committee on party lines to set up one final debate on the House floor before the Republican majority almost certainly approves it. After around 2.5 hours of debate,...
