AltWeeklies Wire
The Soft Science of Snow Daysnew

For all the snow-related headaches that plagued the Charleston area this week — the traffic snarls on I-526, the two-and-a-half days of school closures, the chunk of ice that fell from the Ravenel Bridge superstructure and crushed a car windshield — local government officials could find one piece of solace: At least we’re not Atlanta.
Charleston City Paper |
Paul Bowers |
01-31-2014 |
Science
South Carolina's ethics laws are a messnew
On the very few occasions I have found myself in agreement with Gov. Nikki Haley, I immediately step back and ask myself, is this some kind of a trick? Did I misunderstand her? But on the matter of South Carolina's desperate need for ethics reform in government, the guv and I are in complete agreement.
Charleston City Paper |
Will Moredock |
01-09-2014 |
Policy Issues
What if dueling had never been outlawed in South Carolina?new

It's not that hard to imagine, really: Two politicians lock horns. They start lobbing insults at each other in press releases, passive-aggressive tweets, and cable news interviews. Words like "socialist" and "racist" get thrown around. Then they go out in a field and shoot guns at each other.
Charleston City Paper |
Paul Bowers |
12-27-2013 |
Policy Issues
S.C. natural birth centers could face closure by state regulatorsnew

A North Charleston natural birth center and other birth centers around the state have been in danger of closing since September, when the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control began investigating them for compliance with state law. “We’re in limbo right now. I don’t really know what’s going to happen,” says Lesley Rathbun, owner and director of the Charleston Birth Place.
Charleston City Paper |
Paul Bowers |
11-22-2013 |
Policy Issues
Two years later, Occupy Columbia v. Nikki Haley drags on in federal courtnew
A three-judge panel in Richmond, Va., is likely hearing one of the last cases left in the federal court system relating to Occupy Wall Street
Charleston City Paper |
Corey Hutchins |
11-05-2013 |
#OCCUPY
Why is S.C. Supreme Court Not Following Law on Timely Court Decisions?new

According to state law, justices on the S.C. Supreme Court have 60 days to file their decisions from the time a term ends after hearing a case. So why aren't they doing it?
Charleston City Paper |
Corey Hutchins |
11-01-2013 |
Policy Issues
Health insurance industry targets Charleston's hospitality workers during Obamacare launchnew

Nick Johnson is a 33-year-old Folly Beach bartender who hasn't had health insurance since he was 18. He also hasn't seen the inside of a hospital or a doctor's office for more than a decade, but two weeks ago he injured his left hand playing baseball with his nephew.
Charleston City Paper |
Corey Hutchins |
10-10-2013 |
Policy Issues
Mark Sanford is no legal scholar when it comes to the Affordable Care Actnew

In an opinion piece published in Tuesday’s issue of The Post and Courier, Congressman Mark Sanford dedicated most of his column to a “constitutional issue” that he claims “really hasn’t been discussed” but that he thinks “provides legitimacy to the Republican House’s attempts to delay the implementation of [the Affordable Care Act]” by refusing to pass a budget and holding the entire federal government hostage.
Charleston City Paper |
Laurin Manning |
10-06-2013 |
Policy Issues
Saving Veronicanew

Baby Veronica is no longer a baby. She's not even a toddler. The smiley, curly-haired little girl last seen in Charleston draped over her dad's shoulder, trailed by a flock of reporters and photographers on her way to meet and go home with her other dad, is back in Charleston.
Charleston City Paper |
Sam Spence |
10-02-2013 |
Children & Families
Tags: Baby Veronica
How South Carolina Continues to Thwart Solar Powernew

For years, sun-soaked South Carolina has been one of the worst states in the nation when it comes to harnessing the power of solar energy.
Charleston City Paper |
Corey Hutchins |
09-26-2013 |
Energy
A Fistful of Bitcoinsnew

The good, the bad, and the ugly of crypto-currency.
Charleston City Paper |
Corey Hutchins |
09-06-2013 |
Economy
S.C. to End Segregation of HIV-Positive Prisonersnew

South Carolina is 49th state in nation to have a nonsegregation policy.
Charleston City Paper |
Paul Bowers |
07-12-2013 |
Policy Issues
Mr. Sanford goes (back) to Washingtonnew

You could feel it in the air. The cautious optimism that characterized South Carolina Democrats' anxiety over the prospect of Elizabeth Colbert Busch being elected to Congress was gone. Polling numbers be damned, it was anybody's race going into the special election on May 7, and by the end of the day, it was still a toss-up.
Charleston City Paper |
Sam Spence |
05-15-2013 |
Policy Issues
Preservation Society works to save one of Magnolia Cemetery's masterpiecesnew

Before he was ultimately laid to rest, William Burroughs Smith spent 30 months inside the Magnolia Cemetery receiving tomb. Or, more accurately, his body did.
Charleston City Paper |
Susan Cohen |
05-09-2013 |
Policy Issues
From farmers markets to cooking classes, schools are helping families grow better eating habitsnew

The children gathered around the classroom table at Pinehurst Elementary in North Charleston are having a difficult time cutting mangoes. Ann Hoch, a former chef, is there to help.
Charleston City Paper |
Stratton Lawrence |
05-09-2013 |
Policy Issues