Home Inspection in Charleston, SC

The Nevada men's basketball team will take its perfect record to the East Coast as it travels to Charleston, South Carolina for the Shriners Children's Charleston Classic, starting Thursday.

The Wolf Pack (4-0) plays Vanderbilt (4-0) at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, then will face either Seton Hall or VCU on Friday at either 2 p.m. or 4:30 p.m.

The Pack concludes the tournament on Sunday, Nov. 24 against one of the teams from the other side of the bracket — Drake, Florida Atlantic, Miami or Oklahoma State.

How to watch Nevada vs. Vanderbilt in the Charleston Classic

TV: ESPNU; Radio: 95.5 FM

Where: Shriner's Children's Charleston Classic, Charleston, S.C.

Thursday's game is on ESPNU, which is a cable channel and a streaming channel on DirectTV Stream. There are also four other options for watching ESPNU without cable, including Sling, Fubo, Hulu Live TV and YouTube TV.

The Wolf Pack has won four of the past five multi-team events it has played in. In the most recent KenPom ratings, Nevada is No. 38 and Vanderbilt is No. 86.

Vanderbilt is 4-0 for the first time since 2018-19 and coming off a 94-81 win over Jackson State. Vanderbilt freshman Tyler Tanner leads all freshmen nationally with 12 steals through four games.

Nevada has never faced Vanderbilt in men's basketball.

How to watch the Charleston Classic

In addition to Thursday's Nevada-Vanderbilt game on ESPNU, the tournament's other games will be broadcast by the ESPN family of networks. The full broadcast schedule will include (all times Pacific):

Thursday, Nov. 21

Friday, Nov. 22

Sunday, Nov. 24:

How Nevada matches up against other teams in the Charleston Classic

Depending on the outcome of the first-round games, Nevada will face either Seton Hall or Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) in their second game. VCU is currently ranked 35th in the KenPom ratings, barely edging out Nevada for the top ranking in the tournament. Seton Hall is 97th.

The Wolf Pack will face an opponent from the other side of the bracket in their second matchup. Their KenPom ratings as of Wednesday afternoon:

Nevada (four votes) and VCU (two) are the only two out of the eight tournament teams to receive votes in the most recent USA TODAY Sports Men's Basketball Coaches Poll. VCU (17 votes) and Miami (10) are the only two tournament teams to receive votes in the most recent AP Men's Basketball Poll.

Nevada's all-time record against the rest of the field: 1-3 vs. Drake, 1-0 vs. Florida Atlantic, 0-1 vs. Seton Hall, 1-1 vs VCU. Nevada has never faced Miami, Oklahoma State or Vanderbilt.

Just two years ago, Southern Living called Greenville a city on the rise.

Safe to say, it’s risen.

At least according to the numerous lists the city has been added to by national publications, most recently No. 4 best place to live in the U.S. By US News and World Report.

It was the highest ranking of any city in South Carolina.

Charleston, a perennial favorite, was listed as No. 13 while Myrtle Beach came in at No.51, Spartanburg 59 and Columbia 91.

The overall best U.S. city, the magazine said, was Naples, Florida, with “pristine beaches, sprawling golf courses, and fine dining and shopping.”

No. 2 was Boise, Idaho and third was Colorado Springs, Colorado.

The magazine ranked cities based on value, desirability, job market and quality of life.

Greenville’s overall score was 6.9 of 10, mere points from Naples, which scored 7.1. Greenville was also ranked No. 30 for best place to retire, a distinction Greenville had won earlier, along with friendliest, Christmassy, fall vacation. The New York Times called Greenville a must-see city.

“Situated in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Greenville has transformed from a blip on the national map to a bustling metropolis,” U.S. News wrote.

The magazine makes a nod to the past of a former textile mill town that was able to transform into a manufacturing center with GE, Michelin, BMW and scores of other companies setting up shop over the past few decades.

“The reinvigorated downtown serves as the focal point of the region, attracting new business, hosting an emerging culinary scene and housing what some call the crown jewel of Greenville: Falls Park on the Reedy,” the magazine said. “Greenville has big-city amenities without some of the unpleasantries that come with a more populated metro area.”

Cost of living is low, temperatures mild plus the closeness of the mountains make the area attractive.

Charleston had an overall score of 6.7 and was listed as 13th best place to retire.

“There is no place quite like Charleston,” US News said. “The region features a unique blend of historic preservation and new development, displayed in its cobblestone walkways and eerie cemeteries, buzzy nightlife and sophisticated art galleries. Its unique brand of Southern style shines in the bespoke boutiques that line downtown’s King Street, while Southern hospitality radiates from the award-winning dining establishments.”

The story talks about Charleston weather — gorgeous but hot and humid in summer — beaches and just the general beauty of the area, natural and otherwise.

“Whether it’s Spanish moss dangling from oak trees or the smell of shrimp and grits wafting downtown, Charleston is sure to charm you,” U.S. News said.

Myrtle Beach had an overall score of 6.4 and was No. 121 in Best Places to Retire.

Vacation hot spot for beachgoers and golfers, Myrtle Beach, also “attracts young professionals, growing families and empty nesters who are drawn to the area’s mild weather and beaches.”

High number of job prospects, low cost of living make Myrtle Beach attractive.

“Those who live here have access to quality restaurants, a variety of leisure activities and a jam-packed events calendar,” the magazine said.

Spartanburg scored 6.4 and was No. 67 in Best Places to Retire.

“With a history that predates the Revolutionary War, Spartanburg became known as Hub City in the 1800s, when it served as a major railroad center,” the magazine said. “Today, the Upstate South Carolina town is home to the first full-time North American BMW plant as well as the headquarters of the restaurant chain Denny’s.”

Multiple colleges and a burgeoning food scene adds to the quality of life. Also, Spartanburg likes dogs.

“It’s common to see locals walking their dogs downtown or sharing a meal on a restaurant patio with pets in tow,” the magazine said.

Columbia scored and was ranked 78 in Best Places to Retire.

“Columbia, South Carolina, is a traditionally Southern town with a modern twist,” the magazine said. “The abundance of oak, pecan and magnolia trees help the region retain a rural flavor, while the downtown skyline is representative of the state capital’s role as a growing industrial hub.”

Traffic is not horrendous and there are “trendy shops, cafes, bars and other businesses that make urban life enjoyable.”

“Much of Columbia’s vibrancy is fed by the students who attend the University of South Carolina,” the magazine said. “On many of the borders of USC’s sprawling campus, it’s not always clear where the university ends and the rest of the city begins, as a number of Columbia’s businesses and neighborhoods are interposed with USC’s buildings and student housing. As a result, residents share a close bond with the student community, including a fierce pride in the Gamecocks football team.”

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - Charleston County voters will be able to cast their ballots as early as next Monday through seven different early voting locations.

The Charleston County Board of Elections is expecting a high turnout for the 2024 general elections. Early voting will be available from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday.

A law change in 2022 eliminated the use of a signed form and instead allows voters to use a photo ID to check in, making for a smoother voting process.

“Early voting gives us the opportunity for a lot of resources. Personnel and equipment on election day. Since we have 104 locations, we have to divy that out per population. Early voting gives us the opportunity to have a bigger voting facility, accessibility,” Charleston County Board of Voter Registration and Elections Executive Director Isaac Cramer said.

Curbside voting will be offered on both on Election Day and during early voting. They will also be workshopping a pilot sensory space for neurodivergent voters.

In the wake of controversies surrounding ballot integrity and voter suppression, the board is focused on protocol, ballot reconciliation and sealing of votes.

“There’s been a lot of misinformation around casting your ballot ahead of Election Day. There’s been a scare tactic being used that we’re trying to push against, and our messaging is centered around the security of the vote,” Cramer said.

Cramer recommended checking the SC VOTES website to ensure voter registration is up to date. Voters with questions or concerns should contact the state Election Commission.

The board is reporting more than 500 new poll workers. The goal is to have 1,500 total, like in 2020. Poll workers are paid $250 for working Election Day and there are no background checks required.

“Poll workers get to serve people in your neighborhoods. Ensure their right to vote is protected. The laws are being followed. This election has integrity because of the people who are working. These are your friends, these are your neighbors,” Cramer said.

CARTA will offer free rides on Election Day. The voter office in North Charleston will be accessible from the Main Library during early voting, but it will not be free.

The deadline to receive a mail ballot is Oct. 25 at 5 p.m. If you are able to return your vote in person, you can drop it off at an early voting site.

Absentee voters are being asked to double-check they witnessed and signed their voter pack properly.

The county board is offering a voter guide which explains this information, who is running for office and what each office is for.

Copyright 2024 WCSC. All rights reserved.

South Carolina officials say they’re still determined to transform the Palmetto State into a global powerhouse in electric vehicle (EV) and battery manufacturing, despite delays in major projects.

An economic driver in that unwavering commitment is almost $1 billion in new federal funding announced in recent weeks.

“South Carolina remains bullish on the industry and [its] role in our economy — and creating opportunities for all South Carolinians,” S.C. Commerce Department spokesman Alex Clark told the Charleston City Paper. “Many of our large, announced projects are already under construction and starting to make their mark on local communities [and] the local economy.”

Five of those local battery production and recycling projects got major boosts on Sept. 20 with the announcement of $850 million in federal funding under 2021’s Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), better known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The recipients were:

Despite continuing commitments at the federal and state levels, experts say 2024 is a challenging time for automotive and battery manufacturers, with softer-than-expected demand for EVs, particularly in the U.S.

As a result, car companies have recently announced major cutbacks in planned EV production. Meanwhile, the price of lithium, a rare metal used in modern batteries, has fallen more than 80% over the past two years, reflecting significant oversupply in the context of weakened demand.

In S.C., those issues have led to delays in a number of major projects, most notably an indefinite pause in the construction of a $1.3 billion lithium production facility in Chester County.

“Currently, two main elements are driving consumer demand and those come down to price and convenience,” University of South Carolina economist Joseph Von Nessen told the City Paper.

And while prices are starting to become competitive with traditional automobiles, Von Nessen explained, convenience of EVs for consumers is still a major roadblock to widespread adoption.

“When we talk about convenience, that primarily means battery life and the availability of charging stations,” Von Nessen said. “And it’s still very much an open question as to how quickly those elements will improve.”

With more than $12 billion in federal, state and private investments and almost 11,000 new jobs promised in current projects, South Carolina is betting big on EVs and the batteries that power them.

“EV-related companies account for more than half of the $10.27 billion in economic development South Carolina announced last year [and] that speaks to our state’s great potential to lead in this sector,” Gov. Henry McMaster, long a champion of EV manufacturing, said in February 2023. “Our business-friendly climate and our greatest resource — our people — make South Carolina the place where the EV industry can transform the future.”

This week, the Commerce Department’s Clark called that transformation “critical” — particularly given the 75,000 S.C. jobs that already rely on a healthy automotive sector fueled by tire production, vehicle manufacturing, logistics and engineering, port operations and more.

“The industry is currently undergoing the largest transformation in the last 100 years as it shifts from the gasoline combustion engine to the electric vehicle,” Clark said. “It is imperative for South Carolina to be part of this transformation in order to secure our existing jobs and to create jobs that will last into the future.”

According to Von Nessen, those sentiments square with the long-term projections, though there are still important questions to be answered.

“Demand is coming, but the timing is very uncertain,” he said. “And where that demand will land is also uncertain. Are we talking about a market where 50% of new vehicles are EVs in 10 or 15 years or does it stabilize at 30 to 40%?”

Nevertheless, he says, EVs and batteries represent an opportunity for South Carolinians to profit from auto manufacturing in a way they never have in the past.

“If we look at auto manufacturing to date, one of the things we don’t make in South Carolina is engines, which is the highest value-add of a vehicle,” Von Nessen said. “And so, by focusing on electric motor and battery production, that allows us to move up in the value chain, which will be very beneficial to the state in the long run.”

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CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - The Charleston County School District’s Board of Trustees discussed an update to one important policy Monday night: the prohibition of personal electronic devices during the school day.

The conversation and changes are necessary as the State Board of Education approved a model policy to ban cellphones for students in South Carolina public schools back in September.

Members of the Board of Trustees heard the updated cellphone policy for the first time on Monday, prompting conversations about some questions in the policy.

“I believe that we need to be very detailed and explicit about this policy across middle school and high school, because if we are not, you have a lot of issues with students and teachers,” Board Member Carlotte Bailey said.

To share the purpose of the policy, it states the goal is to create a phone-free school environment that fosters a positive learning experience free from electronic distractions.

It also reads in part:

By prohibiting the use of personal electronic devices during the school day, this policy aims to provide an environment that enhances focus and engagement.

The majority of the changes to the policy come directly from the State Board of Education as a full statewide implementation will start in January.

From Pre-K to 12th grade, students may possess devices such as mobile telephones, smartphones, smart watches, or other such devices as described above provided such devices are not visible, used, or activated and are kept in the “off” position throughout the instructional school day, according to the policy.

Once the policy is approved, it will be applicable to grades kindergarten through twelve for the 2024-2025 school year.

“I think this is an opportunity for parental engagement, because there’s going to be parents who are very upset about this, and it’s going to need to be very clear,” Board Member Courtney Waters said.

The policy states students would be allowed to use their devices before and after the school day, during classroom instruction when approved by the school and on school buses, field trips, and athletic events approved by the superintendent.

“Let’s say I’m a teacher; I want the kids to use their cell phones. That means I really have to plan to get permission for that, and if it had to go up to the superintendent, it seems a long step,” Board Member Dr. Carol Tempel.

One piece of the policy that states students must keep such devices stored in a purse, locker, backpack, or other non-visible secure location during the school day brought discussion from the board.

“With the possession of the cell phone, you’re telling the kids, ‘OK, you can have it in your book bag, but you can’t use it,’” Bailey said.

“Why are we putting them in bags in the homeroom? If the student says, ‘I don’t want mine in my bag, I want it in my backpack with me‘?” Board Member Ed Kelley said.

Board members also raised questions about how a student would be punished for having a electronic device.

Deputy Superintendent Dr. Luke Clamp clarified the district does not want to suspend students because of cellphones.

“We do not intend to treat the cellphone any differently than the PDP that we already right now,” Clamp said. “We want to focus our attention on keeping students in class and keeping students in our schools.”

The overall conversation between board members was civil and members of district staff said they agreed some clarification in the policy needs to be made before the first official reading on Oct. 28.

Copyright 2024 WCSC. All rights reserved.