Archive for category: News

Last week, Governor Henry McMaster unveiled his proposed budget for FY2025-26, which includes his recommendations and the priority items he would like to see the General Assembly include in the final version of the budget released later this year. Thanks to the continued strong performance of the state’s economy, lawmakers will once again have a significant budget surplus (somewhere between $1.6 and $1.8 billion) in one-time and recurring dollars to appropriate.

Notable items included in the Governor’s proposal are:

• $240 million in disaster relief to cover recovery costs that are not eligible for FEMA reimbursements.
• $200 million to raise teacher salaries and increase starting teacher pay from $47,000 to $50,000.
• $193.5 million to reduce the state’s individual income tax rate from 6.2% to 6.0%. Tax relief will be a top item of discussion in this year’s legislative session.
• $100 million to the Department of Transportation (SCDOT) for the acceleration of bridge infrastructure improvements throughout the state.
• $95 million for technical college scholarships for critical needs jobs through the SC Workforce Industry Needs Scholarship Program (SCWINS).
• $20 million to continue the SC BOOST program, which provides wage supplements directly to qualified individuals employed in childcare facilities in South Carolina to retain these caregivers and reduce turnover rates in childcare centers.
• $13.7 million to the Department of Environmental Services (DES) to reduce the backlog of existing permit applications and shorten the timeline for permitting decisions to no more than 90 days.
• $10 million to create Electric Vehicle (EV) training institutes.
• $1 million to launch a tri-share pilot program that would assist qualifying employees, who work with participating employers, with childcare costs. Through this innovative new approach, childcare expenses are shared by the employer, the employee, and the State of South Carolina with each contributing one-third of the cost.

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Downtown Florence‘s favorite award-winning block party is excited to kick off their 15th season in 2025!

They’re thrilled to announce the return of our APRIL concert added to their lineup this year, for a total of SIX downtown block parties in 2025.

They’ve also got another big announcement thanks to ideas from fans of this iconic community event coming up as we get closer to their first event, but in the meantime, check out the incredible lineup of old favorites and newcomers to the Florence After 5 stage. They can’t wait to see you on Friday, April 25!

For more information, click here.

The Florence County Museum has partnered with the Smithsonian American Art Museum to bring Fighters for Freedom: William H. Johnson Picturing Justice to the Florence County Museum starting Feb. 4 through Aug. 10.

This exhibition marks the first national tour of the magnum opus by Florence’s William Henry Johnson entitled Fighters for Freedom.

Johnson painted the series in the mid-1940s, creating a pantheon of historic and contemporary leaders who fought for the freedom of individuals worldwide. The exhibition of 25 works showcasing Johnson’s later iconographic style is on loan from the Smithsonian American Art Museum and features works rarely exhibited outside Washington, D.C.

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The South Carolina Governor’s School for Science & Mathematics (GSSM) proudly celebrates senior Rachel Graham of Lancaster, S.C., for being named the Region 2A Runner of the Year and a 2025 National YoungArts award winner in Writing/Nonfiction. These accolades showcase Rachel’s remarkable dedication to both athletics and academics, embodying the well-rounded excellence GSSM encourages in its students.

As captain of the girls’ cross-country team, Rachel led by example, inspiring teammates to push their limits. Under the guidance of Coach Randell Ewing, who was also honored as the Girls Cross-Country Region 2A Coach of the Year, Rachel played a pivotal role in securing the team’s third consecutive regional championship. “Rachel is one of the toughest runners I have ever been associated with,” said Coach Ewing. “She is a take-charge kind of student.”

Reflecting on her cross-country journey, Rachel shared, “I always did other sports, but when I started running, I realized this is what I was meant to do. Running is so mental, and with Coach Ewing’s guidance, I find ways to push past my limits.”

Rachel balances her athletic achievements with a strong passion for research and writing. She was named a 2025 National YoungArts award winner in Writing/Nonfiction, an honor accompanied by a cash prize and opportunities for professional development. Rachel has excelled in GSSM’s advanced research programs, focusing on plant science, including work in the school’s hydroponic research lab and a summer research project at Winthrop University.

To read the full press release, click here.