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Play is part of the healing process at MUSC Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital

At MUSC's Shawn Jenkins Children's Hospital, playtime is considered essential — not an afterthought.Immediately after walking into the outpatient pediatric oncology playroom on the 10th floor at the Medical University of South Carolina campus in downtown Charleston, children are greeted by a spectacular view of the Ashley River, colorful tables and chairs, and perhaps most importantly, a plethora of toys.The cancer unit sees more than 30 patients a day. Some of the children may be kept in isolat...

13-year-old survivor in Green Pond mass killing identified attacker, leading to arrest

GREEN POND — A 13-year-old child is the only survivor of a mass weekend killing in which six lives were lost and a family member was taken into custody, charged with several of the slayings.The girl played dead in an effort to survive the attack, a family member told The Post and Courier hours before Ryan Lenard Manigo, 33, and now accused of murder, was denied bond in the killings that unfolded in this tiny town 55 miles west of Charleston.Manigo is father to one of the victims, family member M...

Gov. McMaster celebrates strengthened SC ignition lock law for convicted drunken drivers

COLUMBIA — Gov. Henry McMaster celebrated a new state law that strengthens South Carolina's drunken driving laws by requiring those convicted of the crime to install — and pass — a breath device test before their vehicle will start."It's ok to drink if you want to. It's ok to drive if you want to," McMaster said July 12 during a ceremonial bill signing ceremony at the Statehouse. "But you can't do both at the same time."Beginning in May 2024 the law mandates anyone convicted of driving under the...

Green Pond vigil, colorful remembrance honors family, victims of mass killing

GREEN POND — Overwhelming, raw emotion hung in the air July 7 as family and friends gathered under the picnic area at Ace Basin Park. A vigil and balloon release was held to remember the six lives lost in a mass killing and house fire last weekend on Folly Creek Lane.Community members and immediate Magwood family greeted each other warmly, happy to see one another despite the tragic events."I'm heartbroken, obviously," said family member Curtis Magwood Sr. "I'm keeping God close to me."The vigil...

Missing Sumter mom and 2-year-old son's car found at home

Sumter Police have yet to release any more details 12 days after a Sumter mother and her 2-year-old son seemingly disappeared.Sophia Van Dam, 20, and Matteo Van Dam have gone missing since their family had contact with them on June 24 in Beaufort. She was returning to her new home in Sumter when last seen, and her vehicle was found at the Sumter home, her sister Desiree Pevey said.The youngest of five children, Sophia Van Dam and her family had never lost contact before, Pevey said. They are ask...

Green Pond community members support Magwood family with candlelight vigil

GREEN POND — A candlelight vigil hosted by the Magwood family to recognize family members lost in a violent attack and housefire last weekend will take place July 7 at 7 p.m., at Ace Basin Park.The site is not far from the crime scene where six people died July 2.The July 7 vigil follows another planned vigil the evening of July 6 at 7 p.m. at the same park hosted by GP Hope Inc., a non-profit organization based in Green Pond.The events are tied to the deaths of six family members and one surviv...

As extreme heat rises, Charleston area 'far behind' peers in planning for the worst

A record-breaking heat wave has scorched much of the Southwest and parts of the Southeast this summer. South Carolina hasn't yet felt sustained temperatures over 100 degrees, which has given the region time to plan for the worst. But what is the plan? Compared to other Southern cities, the Charleston region has little to no strategic approach to address extreme heat. The area's two largest cities, Charleston and North Charleston, do not have official heat resilience plans. Unlike Miami and Phoen...

Kids from children's hospital take over Charleston's Church and Union for a night

Little footprints trailed each staff member in the dark-lit interior of Charleston's Church and Union restaurant on July 26. The sound of children's laughter could be heard from the back kitchens in a roles-reversed dining experience."This is the best night ever!" server's assistant Drew Moss exclaimed happily.The fourth annual Hospital and Hospitality fundraising event, in partnership with children from the Medical University of South Carolina Shawn Jenkins Children's Hospital, donates 100 perc...

Kids just want to be kids: MUSC Shawn Jenkins understands that

Emma Egonut, 14, was splashing around in her pool at home when her mother got a frantic call from her pediatrician: Her bloodwork had come back and Emma's kidneys were shutting down.She was rushed to Medical University of South Carolina Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital and diagnosed with end-stage renal disease. Her mother, Mindy Busse, had no idea what to expect when she got there but immediately noticed the difference in care.“They were there to wrap their arms around us,” Busse said. “Some n...

SC shoppers switch tactics as grocery prices surge

MOUNT PLEASANT — Carol Tolstoy had never really found herself buying Walmart brands before.But recently, after seeing the inflation-fueled “crazy high” prices at her usual supermarkets, the Mount Pleasant resident said it has affected where and how she shops.“I mean (Walmart) is half the price of regular items,” she said while wheeling her cart through the produce section in the retail giant's Wando Crossing location.Tolstoy’s reaction to the prolonged price spikes isn't unusual. An estimated 52...

Watch Lightship's all-electric RV hit the road for the first time

Lightship recently took its all-electric RV trailer on the road for its first-ever interstate road trip.The team recently set off from Broomfield, Colorado, heading south towards Dallas and Austin, Texas, marking a major milestone for the company’s road-ready RV.The trip isn’t just about mileage; it’s the real-world test of the Lightship L1’s performance, comfort, and charging efficiency. The crew reported smooth handling through the high winds of eastern Colorado, seamless stops at EV chargers...

Haven Energy launches free solar and battery program for underserved California communities

Haven Energy, a climate tech company focused on expanding access to renewable energy, announced a new initiative to provide free home solar and battery systems to low and moderate income homeowners in California.The program aims to eliminate financial barriers to clean energy by leveraging California’s $280 million Self-Generation Incentive Program Residential Solar & Storage Equity (SGIP RSSE) fund.Under the new initiative, Haven, a TechNexus Venture Collaborative portfolio company, will cover...

AmpUp partners with Roundtrip EV to accelerate electrification of waste management fleets

AmpUp, a leading electric vehicle charging solutions provider, has partnered with Roundtrip EV Solutions Inc. to enhance depot-based fleet electrification, beginning with the waste management sector. This collaboration displays AmpUp's dedication to delivering comprehensive solutions for electrifying essential fleets where reliability is paramount.Since its inception in 2018, AmpUp has powered over 1,500 charging networks across 75 North American markets. The company's software is trusted by bra...

Maverick Metals raises $19M to accelerate critical metals recovery technology

Maverick Metals, a leading North American specialty chemical solutions provider, secured a $19 million equity funding round to advance its innovative LithX™ technology, a breakthrough lixiviant designed to improve critical metals recovery and reduce processing costs. The surge in capital will enable LithX™ expansion in active mining operations across North America and beyond.The round, led by Olive Tree Capital, includes contributions from investors like TechNexus Venture Collaborative, Y Combin...

Harbinger gears up production of its American-made EV

Harbinger, the California-based electric vehicle manufacturer making waves in the commercial transportation sector, is kicking off production of its medium-duty, American-made electric vehicle platform, also known as a stripped chassis. Already the company has manufactured more than 100 units for customers.This production milestone comes only four years after Harbinger, a TechNexus Venture Collaborative portfolio company, was founded in 2021."Our ability to design and move our vehicle into produ...

Harbinger gears up production of its American-made EV

Harbinger, the California-based electric vehicle manufacturer making waves in the commercial transportation sector, is kicking off production of its medium-duty, American-made electric vehicle platform, also known as a stripped chassis. Already the company has manufactured more than 100 units for customers.This production milestone comes only four years after Harbinger, a TechNexus Venture Collaborative portfolio company, was founded in 2021."Our ability to design and move our vehicle into produ...

Paul Atkins’ Nomination to SEC Could Carve a Future for Crypto Regulation - Medill on the Hill

Cryptocurrency enthusiasts had reasons to celebrate Wednesday after President-elect Donald Trump tapped crypto advocate Paul Atkins for Securities and Exchange Commission chair—but his approach stops short of offering the industry a free pass.
Atkins serves as co-chair to Token Alliance, a lobbying group and initiative of the Chamber of Digital Commerce. He will replace acting chairman Gary Gensler, who announced his resignation in November and whose aggressive stance towards cryptocurrency defi...

Supreme Court grapples with Nvidia’s bid to avoid securities fraud case - Medill on the Hill

WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court raised concerns Wednesday about the technical complexities required to issue a ruling on a securities lawsuit against Nvidia Corp. and CEO Jensen Huang for allegedly misleading investors on its cryptocurrency sales ahead of a crash.
Nvidia (NVDA) took a dive Wednesday morning and remained down 1.36% at U.S. market close on the Nasdaq. 
The nine justices were faced with deciding whether a 2018 class-action, led by Stockholm-based investment firm E. Ohman J:or Fonder...

“Trump Trade” soars in aftermath of Tuesday’s elections - Medill on the Hill

WASHINGTON – U.S. stock futures soared to record highs Wednesday in response to Donald Trump’s win in the battle against Vice President Kamala Harris for president.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 3.4%, or around 1,430 points, around 1:50 pm EST, notching an intraday peak Wednesday afternoon in New York. Additionally, the Nasdaq composite picked up momentum and gained 2.6%, while the S&P 500 gained around 2.3% in afternoon trading. Most impressive was the small-cap Russell 2000 climbing ov...

Live updates on Election Day 2024 - Medill on the Hill

These reports are published in conjunction with the Washington Post. 
By Ananya Chag
Democratic voters in Montgomery County said they’ve struggled with voting against former Republican Governor Larry Hogan for the senate seat.
“God I really love that guy, I’d vote for him for President,” Roberta “Bobby” Hammer, 49, said, just after voting at Poolesville Elementary School. “But we can’t lose the house,” Hammer said, referring to the Democratic party’s potential to win majority control of the Sena...
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