Welcome to a Friday edition of FITSFeed, our recently launched format which focuses on news briefs, reader feedback and other stuff I probably would have posted to Twitter had that platform not decided to piss me off.
My news outlet is continuing to allow articles to auto-populate on Twitter, but beyond the random single-emoji tweet I’m simply not engaging on that forum any longer.
Got something you think would fit this format? Please email me.
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THE FEED …
2:15 p.m. EST – PHILLIP LOWE GETS LAW ENFORCEMENT LOVE
(Via: Phillip Lowe for S.C. House)
Back in January, I gave “Republican” legislative leaders some grief over their ongoing failure to adequately fund law enforcement as a core function of government.
This week, a budget subcommittee chaired by state representative Phillip Lowe (above, center) adopted a spending plan that – for the first time in years – made law enforcement a true priority in the FY 2022-2023 state budget.
Just in the nick of time, too …
Stay tuned for a full report on the details of the current law enforcement spending plan … including some praise for Lowe’s efforts on behalf of public safety in the Palmetto State.
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1:58 p.m. EST – INSIDE NANCY MACE’S BIG FUNDRAISER
(Via: Provided)
Earlier today, I filed a report on U.S. congresswoman Nancy Mace’s big fundraiser in Charleston, S.C. featuring former South Carolina governor Nikki Haley.
This afternoon, an attendee at the gathering snapped a pic and sent it to me …
Looks like a packed house, huh? But did it net the cash Mace was counting on?
According to a source familiar with the haul from this event, Mace’s campaign is said to have taken in a staggering $300,000 from the luncheon … or $50,000 more than they were expecting.
Guess my source who called Haley a “grinder” wasn’t kidding ;)
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1:15 p.m. EST – HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MATTHIAS!
(Via: FITSNews)
My littlest man, Matthias, turns one year old today!
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12:01 p.m. EST – ‘WEEK IN REVIEW’ UPDATE
(Via: FITSNews)
Just finished filming this week’s edition of the ‘Week in Review,’ people. Lots of stuff on the ‘Murdaugh Murders’ true crime saga …
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10:05 a.m. EST – TRANS-ATHLETE DEBATE
So I kinda went off …
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8:16 a.m. EST – COVID-19 DATA REPORTING UPDATE
(Via: Getty Images)
Unlike a growing segment of the population (including me), the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC) is apparently not “done with Covid.” However, in yet another sign of the relaxing of government’s “viral paranoia,” the agency is shifting its reporting on Covid-19 cases from every day to just once a week.
Beginning on March 15, 2022, SCDHEC will report the latest number of “cases, hospitalizations, deaths, and vaccinations, among other data points” each Tuesday.
“Tracking daily case numbers is less useful, especially with the rise of non-reportable at-home tests,” agency public health director Brannon Traxler said. “It’s much more useful to track severe cases, meaning those that unfortunately result in hospitalizations and deaths. That gives us a clearer picture of how the virus is impacting local communities.”
To read SCDHEC’s release announcing its updated reporting parameters, click here.
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7:51 a.m. EST – LETTER TO THE EDITOR/ MENTAL HEALTH
(Via: Getty Images)
Dear Editor,
In the fall of 2018, my son was a freshman at the University of South Carolina Honors College. That November, he suffered a psychotic break on campus. Leading up to his break, the University had informed us of his upcoming disciplinary action – and at that point, along with other clues, we knew his mental state was declining. As I learn more about the suicide of Katie Meyer from Stanford, and the fact that her parents never knew of her University disciplinary hearing, I remain grateful for their communication to us. We lost my nephew to suicide at Ole Miss in February 2018, and know painfully well their loss.
So, as the mom of son with a serious mental illness that manifested itself during his time at University (as most do), I thank the University of South Carolina, and beg them and other schools to continue to keep parents in the loop. Yes, they are “adults”, but teens and young adults in the throes of mental illness – including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia – are not equipped to manage their illness alone. Their friends, also young adults dealing with their own issues, will likely become alienated from them, because of their inability to understand or because of their frustration with the mental illness. We can’t solely rely on friends to “ask if they are okay.”
Sincerely,
Catherine Clark
From the editor …
Catherine, Thank you so much for sharing your story with us. More and more people are struggling these days, and the more informed those who care for them are – the more they can do to (hopefully) help.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR …
(Via: FITSNews)
Will Folks is the founding editor of the news outlet you are currently reading. Prior to founding FITSNews, he served as press secretary to the governor of South Carolina. He lives in the Midlands region of the state with his wife and seven children. Oh, he also has LOTS of hats … but has given them up for Lent this year.
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WANNA SOUND OFF?
Got something you’d like to say in response to one of our articles? Or an issue you’d like to proactively address? We have an open microphone policy here at FITSNews! Submit your letter to the editor (or guest column) via email HERE. Got a tip for a story? CLICK HERE. Got a technical question or a glitch to report? CLICK HERE.
BANNER VIA: GETTY IMAGES