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Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) sent a letter Monday to Democrats explaining his change of heart regarding the recent Supreme Court vacancy and the process to fill it.

Earlier in the day, Graham confirmed his position during a campaign stop in Charleston.

“When the American people elected a Republican Senate majority in 2014, Americans did so because we committed to checking and balancing the end of President Obama’s lame duck presidency," Graham wrote. "We did so. We followed the precedent that the Senate has followed for 140 years: since the 1880s, no Senate has confirmed an opposite-party president’s Supreme Court nominee during an election year.

“Lastly, after the treatment of Justice Kavanaugh I now have a different view of the judicial-confirmation process. Compare the treatment of Robert Bork, Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, and Brett Kavanaugh to that of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Sonia Sotomayor, and Elena Kagan, and it’s clear that there already is one set of rules for a Republican president and one set of rules for a Democrat president...

SPARTANBURG COUNTY, S.C. —

Two charges have been dismissed for two men who were initially accused of shooting at Spartanburg County deputies, according to a report from the Spartanburg County Sheriff's Office.

Akymzee Holbert and Tarus Mallory were initially charged with attempted murder and possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime.

Spartanburg County Sheriff Chuck Wright said Thursday they are now charged with breach of peace.

Holbert and Mallory were arrested early Sunday morning after a traffic stop, deputies said.

The traffic stop happened after two deputies, who were sitting in the parking lot of True Timber in Inman, reported hearing several gunshots, authorities said. The deputies reported they saw muzzle flashes coming from nearby I-26 East.

(AP) — The first day of the South Carolina legislature’s two-week special session to wrap up ends left loose by the COVID-19 pandemic was marked by two groups advocating for constitutional rights at the capitol building: One urging legislators to expand protections for voters this fall, and one demanding state leaders take the pandemic less seriously.

At the end of its own debate Tuesday, The House of Representatives made some acknowledgement of the pandemic’s severity, passing a bill that would allow all voters to cast absentee ballots due because of the outbreak. The bill is now headed to Gov. Henry McMaster, who intends to sign it into law once ratified, according to his office....

COLUMBIA, S.C. — South Carolina Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette announced on Monday she tested positive for COVID-19.

Evette made the announcement on Twitter.

“I’m fortunate to have had only mild symptoms and I’m already feeling much better,” she tweeted. “David has taken GREAT care of me! As careful as I’ve been, this really does show how easily the virus can spread. Please continue to be diligent in keeping yourselves and your loved ones safe.”

Evette urged anyone who believes they may have symptoms to get tested immediately.

Evette said she didn’t feel well Thursday morning and began to self-quarantine. She was tested on Friday and received a positive result on Saturday.

(WSPA) – Communities in the Upstate and in Western North Carolina will be observing the 19th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in the U.S. by holding remembrance ceremonies and events...

HENDERSON COUNTY, N.C. (WSPA) – Henderson County Sheriff’s Office officials said a deputy was critically injured and a suspect was killed early Thursday morning during a shooting.

Sheriff’s office officials said deputies responded at about 2:50 a.m. to a home in the 200 block of Bethea Drive in the Mountain Home community for a report of someone breaking into a vehicle.

The caller told 911 the homeowner and suspect had been shooting at each other.....

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — South Carolina senators will likely consider whether to restore the annual raises most teachers get each year to the state budget when they return to Columbia next week for a special session amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Senate Finance Committee is working on a proposal to spend $40 million out of about $775 million saved up over the past two years on what are called step increases.

Those are pay raises of usually about several hundred dollars a year given to teachers as they gain experience...

(WFXR) — Looking to hit the road for the long Labor Day weekend? Before leaving, consider what coronavirus restrictions are in place at some of your favorite destinations across Virginia, Washington, D.C., the Carolinas, and Tennessee.

Remember to wear a face mask no matter where you travel and practice proper social distance...

COLUMBIA, SC (WSPA) – South Carolina has been approved for FEMA’s Lost Wages Assistance program which will provide an extra $300 in unemployment benefits on top of the state’s weekly benefit.

The LWA payments will be retroactive to August 1. Officials said the grant from FEMA has a funding cap and that payments will end if funds run out.

All payments will end by December 26, 2020 if funding has not run out.

The program was created by President Donald Trump after the expiration of the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation program, which was a part of the CARES Act....

LOS ANGELES (AP/WSPA) — Actor Chadwick Boseman, who played Black icons Jackie Robinson and James Brown before finding fame as the regal Black Panther in the Marvel cinematic universe, died Friday of cancer, his representative said. He was 43.

Boseman died at his home in the Los Angeles area with his wife and family by his side, his publicist Nicki Fioravante told The Associated Press.

Boseman was diagnosed with colon cancer four years ago, his family said in a statement...

FORT MILL, S.C. (AP) — Authorities say a man has been arrested and accused of firing gunshots near a gathering of President Donald Trump’s supporters along a South Carolina road.

Major Bryan Zachary of the Fort Mill Police Department said no one was injured in the incident Monday evening.

Sgt. Bill Rhyne of the South Carolina Highway Patrol said about 30 people had gathered and were waving American flags and holding up “Trump” signs...

(WSPA) – School districts across the country are scrambling to figure out how to conduct school during a pandemic, and many are deciding on in-person instruction, virtual learning, as well as a mix of both.

Below you’ll find links and information that will be continuously updated, as school districts in Upstate South Carolina, Western North Carolina and Northeast Georgia submit their final plans for the 2020-21 school year...

ANDERSON COUNTY, S.C. (WSPA) – The Anderson County Sheriff’s Office will be holding a memorial service for a K-9 deputy who was killed in the line of duty.

K-9 Roscoe died last week following a foot chase that led to deputy-involved shooting.

The K-9 was shot by friendly fire during the incident.

The memorial service will be held Thursday, Aug. 27 at 1 p.m. at the Anderson County Civic Center in the William A Floyd Amphitheater, located at 3027 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard in Anderson...

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) – A new bill that may be pre-filed in Columbia later this year on behalf of frontline workers, teachers, and school staff which would allow all to receive ‘Hazard Pay’.

Representative Wendell Gilliard of District 111 explained that South Carolina is ‘behind the times’ when it comes to caring for their teachers and school staff. He said this bill will assist with keeping teachers in South Carolina facilities as well as additional frontline workers.

In accordance with the bill, a frontline public employee is described as a person that is employed by a state agency or state institution. That could be a political subdivision of the State, or a public school district and who routinely works directly, in person with non-public employees in the course of their employment.

With the state operating in the black, that means they have the money for what Representative Gilliard said is the essential needs...

(WSPA-CNN) As millions of families know, working from home and parenting little ones at the same time can be a challenge.

So, Fisher-Price has a new line of toys for babies and toddlers who want to hangout near mom or dad while they work.

The line includes a play-office complete with a toy laptop, pretend cellphone and coffee cup.

There’s also a chef’s set, which has an apron-bib and a chewable over mitt.

Also featured is a “Baby Biceps” set that has a play dumbbell, headband and a pretend protein-shake drink-cup.

UPSTATE, S.C. (WSPA) – The economic impact due to the COVID-19 pandemic has affected us all in many different ways.

As elected officials try to balance the health of the economy without sacrificing the health of citizens, many people in the state are struggling to afford one of the most bare basics of living: housing.

Experts estimate that approx. 43% of South Carolinians are at risk of eviction within the coming months. However, some local housing organizations have received funding to help those in need, but directors said they’re unsure how long the money will last.

“We’ve never faced this situation before so it’s hard to predict what’s coming,” Lorain Crowl, executive director at United Housing Connections said.

Greenville County (WSPA) – Greenville County Schools announced it will follow Plan 1 for the fall, which brings students to the classroom one day a week, on Monday and Tuesday Superintendent Dr. Burke Royster answered parents questions.

The new school year is upon us and the Greenville County Schools’ superintendent is answered parent questions, trying to put them at ease before students head back to the classroom.

Dr. Burke Royster serves as Greenville County Schools tenth superintendent.

In managing the 44th largest school district in the nation during Covid,  heavy decisions carry huge consequences. 

“We have excellent leadership in our district. Our principals, our senior staff at the district level, so that weight is distributed,” Dr. Burke Royster said...

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) – Charleston Southern University will be waiving standardized test scores for some students applying for the 2020-2021 Fall and Spring semesters.

You do not need them if your unweighted high school GPA is a 3.0 or higher.

“High school students have faced immense disruption in college prep and planning this year,” CSU Director of Undergraduate Admissions Kimberly Ford said. “Navigating college admissions is already a stressful process for many families, but decreased availability and capacity of standardized testing facilities has added to that anxiety this year. CSU aims to minimize that stress during an already difficult time in our world.”

Click on the story for a link to the video where we were able to ask Burke Royster our questions about our kids and back to school. We all agree there is an important decision we are facing: To send them on not to send our kids. So many questions on cleanliness to keeping our kids safe to how are they going to be learning? 

Check out this story, you may just get the answers you are looking for. Thank you to our Media Partners at WYFF.

SPARTANBURG, S.C (WSPA) – Upstate Family Resource Center will be holding their annual Packs for Kids event next week. The event helps to provide school supplies for children in need in Spartanburg District Two.

Many Spartanburg families are feeling a financial pinch. The coronavirus pandemic has put some people out of work and has forced others to spend money on necessities like bills and meals.

The Upstate Family Resource Center has helped many families with meals and food distribution this summer, but now the organization is switching to school supplies.

The drive-through distribution will be August 10 through August 12 from 1 p.m. until 6 p.m. The event will be held at the Upstate Family Resource Center, located at 1850 Old Furnace Road in Spartanburg...