Morning Answer Daily

WASHINGTON — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a new eviction moratorium that would last until Oct. 3, as the Biden administration sought to quell intensifying criticism from progressives that it was allowing vulnerable renters to lose their homes during a pandemic.

The ban announced Tuesday could help keep millions in their homes as the coronavirus’ delta variant has spread and states have been slow to release federal rental aid. It would temporarily halt evictions in counties with “substantial and high levels” of virus transmissions and would cover areas where 90% of the U.S. population lives...

WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham said Monday he has tested positive for COVID-19.

Graham tweeted the announcement and it was also sent as a news release from his office.

The positive test comes after Graham said he was previously vaccinated.

The Republican senator from Central said he started having flu-like symptoms Saturday night.

"I feel like I have a sinus infection and at present time I have mild symptoms," Graham said.

He said he would be quarantined for 10 days.

“I am very glad I was vaccinated because without vaccination I am certain I would not feel as well as I do now," Graham said...

A University of Arkansas alum from Greenville, Sandi Morris, injured her hip and broke her pole during warmups at the Tokyo Olympics Monday morning, ending her chances of taking the podium during the 2020 Games.

"I’m devastated… but I’m going to be ok," Morris said in a tweet.

Morris took a warmup vault during a break in the rain at Tokyo's Olympic Stadium. The track was wet and slick and when she attempted her vault, she crashed down near the edge of the mat. Her pole broke at a 90-degree angle...

COLUMBIA, S.C. —

A dozen Republican governors and more than 200 GOP members of Congress are wading into a court fight over a Mississippi law to restrict abortion, the outcome of which could have implications for similar measures across the country.

On Thursday, attorneys for South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster, leader of the gubernatorial effort, submitted an amicus brief to the U.S. Supreme Court in support of Mississippi, which wants to enforce its 2018 law that would ban abortion after 15 weeks of pregnancy. Mississippi’s Republican attorney general filed papers last week asking the Supreme Court to overturn Roe v. Wade, the landmark 1973 court decision that legalized abortion nationwide...

GREENVILLE, S.C. — South Carolina State Education Superintendent Molly Spearman says coronavirus is already hitting some South Carolina schools.

“One superintendent I spoke with whose schools went back into session last week said they are already beginning to quarantine some students,” Spearman said.

And she is concerned there will be a lot more kids getting sick in the weeks to come.

“What we see going across the country-- South Carolina will be the same way,” she said. “Yes, I think there will be an increase in numbers.”...

FRANKLIN COUNTY, Ga. — Traffic is backed up into South Carolina after a crash on Interstate 85 in Georgia this morning.

The crash happened around at 6:30 a.m. near the Highway 17 exit near Lavonia.

All southbound lanes from Highway 17 to Highway 106 are blocked.

Sky 4 reported at 8:15 a.m. that traffic was backed up into South Carolina.

There is no word of there are any injuries...

TOKYO — Simone Biles came to Tokyo as the star of the U.S. Olympic movement and perhaps the Games themselves. It all came to a stunning halt in the women’s gymnastics final on Tuesday night with an uncertain vault.

In a flash, the rest of the American star's Games came into question. And the United States' long run at the top of the sport came to an end.

The team representing the Russia Olympic Committee surged past the shorthanded U.S. to the top of the podium, posting a score of 169.258 to win the country's first Olympic team gold in nearly 30 years.

The Americans, with Biles serving as head cheerleader while clad in a white sweatsuit and dealing with what USA Gymnastics called a “medical issue,” hung on for silver...

GREENVILLE, S.C. — "Simple rule: don't be an idiot."

That's the message from Greenville Drive General Manager Eric Jarinko.

Jarinko sent out tweets on Saturday to address foul language being directed at players so far this season.

One tweet said:

"We’ve removed more fans from the ballpark over the last two games for foul language (directed at players) than I recall over the previous 14 seasons combined! Did no 2020 season make everyone lose their damn minds?!"

He said the language goes beyond "you suck" being yelled here and there...

GREENVILLE, S.C. — WYFF News 4 Investigates is looking into the need for nurses in South Carolina. We've reported that there are more job openings for nurses than any other position in the state. For this report, WYFF News 4 Investigates surveyed more than 50 nurses who work at facilities around the Upstate.

The nurses tell WYFF News 4 Investigates that the work is demanding.

"The biggest thing I think is the burnout," said Jason Burgess, an ICU nurse.

"You have to be willing to work really hard," said Christina Dye, a bedside nurse.

"We are stressed. It's hard, it's hard to watch people even if you're not related to them, it's hard to watch people pass away from COVID or pneumonia or natural causes," said Joslin Williams, who works with disabled adults...

GREENVILLE, S.C. — Smoke from more than 100 wildfires in the Western United States and Canada is drifting into our area.

While not a major problem, it will make air quality poor at times in the mountains and Upstate and allow for more vibrant sunsets and sunrises.

Folks with respiratory problems may want to avoid peak heating of the day when the smoke can settle closer to the surface....

VAN HORN, Texas — Jeff Bezos blasted into space Tuesday on his rocket company’s first flight with people on board, becoming the second billionaire in just over a week to ride his own spacecraft.

The Amazon founder was accompanied by a hand-picked group: his brother, an 18-year-old from the Netherlands and an 82-year-old aviation pioneer from Texas — the youngest and oldest to ever fly in space.

"Best day ever!" Bezos said when the capsule touched down on the desert floor at the end of the 10-minute flight.

Named after America’s first astronaut, Blue Origin’s New Shepard rocket soared from remote West Texas on the 52nd anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing, a date chosen by Bezos for its historical significance. He held fast to it, even as Virgin Galactic’s Richard Branson pushed up his own flight from New Mexico in the race for space tourist dollars and beat him to space by nine days...

GAFFNEY, S.C. — Strong words, again, from the Cherokee County coroner after three people were killed in a construction zone along Interstate 85.

The crash happened Thursday at mile marker 90 in a single-lane chute used to divert traffic around the construction project.

After the crash Cherokee County Coroner Dennis Fowler called the area a "death trap" and "maze of concrete."

Read his full statement here.

Since the crash, the South Carolina Department of Transportation says it is working to lower speed limits in the area.

This is as crews work to widen the roadway to change plans in order to eliminate the "chute" as quickly as possible...

CHEROKEE COUNTY, S.C. — Three people were killed Thursday in an eight-vehicle crash on Interstate 85 in an area the county coroner calls "death traps."

The crash happened at 2:50 p.m. in the southbound lane near exit 90 in Gaffney.

According to Cherokee County Coroner Dennis Fowler, Thomas Newman McElroy, 58, and his wife, Ruth Ann McElroy, 60, of Townville died in the crash.

Karen Marie Goggin, 60, of Virginia also died in the crash, Fowler said.

According to Fowler, the McElroys were in a Chrysler van heading south on I-85 and Goggin was a front-seat passenger in a Ford Focus that was being driven south by her husband...

Ga. — The body of a Greenville man missing in a Georgia lake since April was found Wednesday, according to the Georgia Department of Natural Rresources.

DNR game wardens located the body of Dorian Adonis Pinson, 24, about 11:20 a.m. in Lake Lanier, in Hall County, DNR Public Affairs Officer Mark McKinnon said in a release. They recovered the body more than an hour later, he said.

McKinnon said Pinson's body was found in 117-feet of water by a nonprofit company out of Wisconsin, called Bruce's Legacy, that specializes in locating and recovering hard-to-find drowning victims across the country...

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Top Republicans in South Carolina have voiced strong opposition to a proposition to legalize marijuana.

Gov. Henry McMaster, however, left some room open when discussing the legalization of medicinal marijuana Tuesday.

Democrat Joe Cunningham announced Monday that, if he is elected governor, he would move to legalize both medicinal and recreational marijuana.

That day, the state GOP chairman, Drew McKissick, sent out a strongly worded press release entitled: “Democrats want to raise crime, health problems by legalizing marijuana.”

The Republican leader said Colorado is an example of a state where crime has risen following the legalization of marijuana...

GREENVILLE COUNTY, S.C. — Hobby Lobby and Five Below will be in a new shopping center off North Pleasantburg Drive and Furman Hall Road in the Cherrydale area, according to Greenville County Councilman Joe Dill.

The lot, now under construction, has been the center of curiosity in recent weeks.

The owner of the property, which is Carolina Holdings, Inc., posted a site plan on its website which indicates the center will encompass more than 100,000 square feet of retail space.

One building in the site plan is set for 55,000 square feet and another will be 21,000 square feet, among other others.

“It’s just a big empty space, so I was hoping something would go in there eventually, but more business in this area is always needed,” said Brock Kirchner, who was at the nearby Cherrydale Point shopping center Monday afternoon...

SPARTANBURG COUNTY, S.C. — Drivers can expect delays Monday due to bridge replacements along Business 85 in Spartanburg County.

I85-B from Exit 3 to 4B will be closed (North and South Bound) for bridge replacements, that’s according to Spartanburg County Emergency Management.

The bridges over Buffington Road/Norfolk Southern Railroad & Howard Street will be replaced, according to Spartanburg County Emergency Management.

Officials said vehicles should not be passing under the bridge while the work is being performed...

GREENVILLE, S.C. — A downtown Greenville restaurant and venue is leaving several brides and bridesmaids scrambling to make new plans.

A sign on the door of Mary's at Falls Cottage in downtown Greenville says the building is closed and needs a new floor, but the sign doesn't say if and when the building will reopen.

“What went from a happy time has just become a nightmare,” said Sunnie Scott, who's supposed to be getting married at Mary's in August.

Scott is in the military and is currently stationed in Texas. She has been trying to plan her wedding for months from miles away.

One woman is holding a bridal shower next weekend. On Thursday, she came by and was greeted by the signs saying it was closed...

GREENVILLE, S.C. —

Traffic was slow moving on Interstate 385 coming into Greenville Wednesday morning after a tree fell on the interstate.

A witness told WYFF News 4 that the tree did hit a truck but no one was injured.

The tree fell in the northbound lanes near the Haywood Road exit.

(Click the story title to see pictures)

HAVANA, Cuba — The conditions in southern Florida have begun to deteriorate as Tropical Storm Elsa took aim at the Florida Keys early Tuesday, prompting a hurricane watch for portions of the west coast of the state, according to the National Hurricane Center.

In addition to damaging winds and heavy rains, the Miami-based center said the peninsula was in danger of life-threatening storm surges, flooding and isolated tornadoes. A hurricane watch was issued for the west-central and Big Bend coast of Florida from Egmont Key to the Steinhatchee River...