Latest news with #WCBD
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
14 agencies carry out targeted sting operation on unsanctioned nightclub, arresting ‘high-level' cartel members
CHARLESTON COUNTY, S.C. (WCBD) – Federal, state, and local agencies carried out a targeted sting operation at an unsanctioned nightclub in Ladson. 14 agencies approached The Alamo around 3 a.m. on June 1, as part of 'Operation Last Stand.' These include the Charleston County Sheriff's Office, South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and more. Sheriff Carl Ritchie said they have been monitoring the club since November 2024. 'This particular location has been a source of a lot of disruption, crime, assaults, drug dealing etc. going on in that particular area,' said Ritchie. 116 criminal and immigration warrants were served to 80 people. There over 60 people believed to be in the country illegally, who were detained. The multi-agency effort allowed for the arrest of two high-level cartel members and an international murder suspect wanted by Interpol. Governor Henry McMaster said this is why he believes stricter border policies are necessary. 'One way it happened is when you don't have strong law enforcement, this is what happens. When particularly, in these cases now, that we're going to have now and for years to come when we have illegal immigration,' McMaster said. 'People with criminal backgrounds, people that bet on causing trouble that are recognized – some as terrorists, that are allowed to come through a completely open border. This is what you get.' The governor added this operation was an example of a coordinated approach of these agencies working to enforce the laws under President Donald Trump. With over 200 patrons in the building, law enforcement also discovered seven people believed to be human trafficking victims and a missing juvenile. Officials said there were 10 underage minors in the building, with the youngest of them being 13 years old. Additionally, Charleston County code enforcement has shut down the unlicensed club. 'I'm very proud of what agencies did in that operation. I was there, very long day, but I was with them to see what these men and women do and supported them,' the sheriff said. 'I'm very proud we got this type of element out of our community. We made it safe for some of our young people and we're going to continue working on that.' Enrique Grace, president of the Charleston Hispanic Association, told News 2 he is grateful for the transparency from CCSO. 'The Hispanic community is applauding what happened. The Hispanic community and the immigrant community doesn't want criminals in their backyard, that's kind of why they left the country – they are coming here. We applaud what happened, that place has been around for a long time, I guess nobody knew what was going on in there. We're pretty happy that the bad guys are off the street,' Grace said. This is an ongoing investigation. Those with information about The Alamo are encouraged to call 803-896-7400. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
National Hurricane Center watching low pressure system for potential development off southeast coast
MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C. (WCBD) – Hurricane season is officially underway as of June 1, and forecasters with the National Hurricane Center are monitoring an area of low pressure off the southeastern U.S. coast. DOWNLOAD IT: Stay prepared with the Storm Team 2 Hurricane Ready Guide In a 2 p.m. update Monday, the NHC said a non-tropical area of low pressure was forecast to form near or offshore the U.S. coast sometime in the next couple of days. 'If the system remains offshore, the low could gradually develop some subtropical or tropical characteristics later this week while moving northeastward at 10 to 15 mph,' the NHC said. It's not yet clear what impacts, if any, the system could bring to the southeast. Forecasters are giving it a low 10 percent chance of development in the next seven days. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
State agencies to conduct full-scale hurricane evacuation exercise Wednesday
CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) — Multiple agencies are set to test how prepared the state is to reverse highways in three major coastal areas should an evacuation be needed during the 2025 hurricane season. State and local agencies will conduct a full-scale exercise on Wednesday, June 4, to test lane reversal plans on I-26, U.S. 21, U.S. 278, U.S. 501, and S.C. 544. The drill will last from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m. No traffic lanes will be reversed or closed during the drill, but drivers should expect to see equipment, state personnel, and more law enforcement officers staged along the shoulder of the highway and at exits. The Civil Air Patrol, South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, and South Carolina Forestry Commission will also be conducting aerial surveillance. 'These exercises help ensure that we are prepared to respond to a hurricane threatening our state,' said Robert G. Woods IV, the South Carolina Department of Public Safety director. 'Together with our state partners, we remain ready to quickly and efficiently move residents and visitors from the coast to the Midlands in the event that a mandatory evacuation order is given.' Storm Team 2 releases 2025 Hurricane Ready Guide Locally, lane reversal begins near mile marker 197 (Nexton Parkway) and I-26 in Charleston toward I-77 and I-26 in Columbia. Officials said the exercise should not disrupt traffic flow as intersections will not be blocked, and drivers will be able to travel freely. Forecasters are gearing up for a busy Atlantic hurricane season, which begins June 1 and runs through the end of September, with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration putting the chance of an above-normal season at 60%. The agency's outlook predicts a range of 13 to 19 named storms, six to 10 of which could become hurricanes. Three to five are forecast to become major hurricanes, with winds of 111 mph or higher. 'Forecasts are pointing to an active hurricane season,' said South Carolina Emergency Management Division Director Kim Stenson. 'Hurricane Helene was a reminder that it only takes one storm to cause major impacts for South Carolina. It's critical for everyone — not only people who live along the coast — to review and practice their hurricane plans now. You can download Storm Team 2's Hurricane Ready Guide to find vital information about how to keep your family and property safe throughout the 2025 season. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Democratic state Rep. Jermaine Johnson launches exploratory committee for 2026 governor's race
COLUMBIA, S.C. (WCBD) — State Rep. Jermaine Johnson, a Richland County Democrat, announced over the weekend that he is exploring a run for South Carolina governor in 2026. Johnson said Saturday that he is launching an exploratory committee to connect with South Carolina voters and assess support for a potential Democratic bid, suggesting the state is at a 'crossroads.' 'We need leadership that listens, leads with integrity, and puts people before politics,' Johnson said in his announcement. I believe in South Carolina, where every child, every family, and every community has the opportunity to thrive—and I'm ready to explore how we make that vision a reality.' Since being elected to the state house in 2020, Johnson has become a prominent voice in the state's Democratic coalition, often drawing on personal experiences to shape his arguments on the House floor. His journey from growing up homeless and losing his brother to gun violence to becoming a College of Charleston basketball star and eventually rising to political power was chronicled in a documentary released last November. 'For years, I've worked to uplift our communities — not just with words, but with action,' he said. 'From expanding economic opportunity and improving education to advocating for criminal justice reform and protecting working families, I've stood side by side with South Carolinians through every challenge. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, in South Carolina remarks, calls on Democrats 'to be a little meaner' Johnson joins a growing field of people reportedly considering campaigns to replace Republican Gov. Henry McMaster, who cannot run again due to term limits. On the Republican side, U.S. Reps. Nancy Mace and Ralph Norman, Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette, Attorney General Alan Wilson, and state Sens. Sean Bennett and Josh Kimbrell have said they are exploring runs. Johnson is the first Democrat to publicly express interest in the office. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Spoleto Festival artist feature: Phillip Golub
CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) – Modern age composer, improviser, and pianist, Phillip Golub, graced the Spoleto Festival with his highly expressive and original sound. Loyal festival goers might have recognized him from last year, as he was a part of an opera project called Ruinous Gods, written by Layale Chaker. However, this year marked an exciting milestone in Golub's musical career as it was his first year presenting his original work at the festival. 'It was a special opportunity for me, really the first of its kind in my career, to have a focused spotlight on my work and present it in front of audiences at a high-profile festival,' said Golub. What can listeners expect to hear from this new age composer? Music rooted in—but not restricted by—his dynamic practice in jazz, creative music, and new music. However, Golub's music is not constrained by labels. He sates, 'we sort of have to describe our music as in terms of genres or terms that are agreed upon by the world so people have a basic reference point on what we do, but I think I can speak for many musicians that I know, maybe all musicians I know, that we don't see our music divided into these categories, it's all music just for us and we draw upon our influences freely and it's one thing, it's my music.' Each night at the festival, Golub offered his artistry in a variety of different formats. The first night was a solo piano performance, and according to Golub, it was the first time presenting a full-length solo piano program. 'I crafted it specifically for Spoleto and for these performances,' Golub said. The second night was with drummer Leslie Bock, as they presented themselves under the name 'dream brigade.' Golub states that 'this project is heavily improvisation-based; we also play compositions, play standards, but the core of what we do is improvisation.' According to Golub, improvising might not be what you think it is. 'Leslie and I have practiced improvising, and we do specific things that might not be written down on paper, might not be planned, but we know what they are, and there are zones that we like to get into. We know how to listen to each other in certain ways. While it is improvising, it's been prepared,' Golub explains. The third night, Golub presented his music with a quintet that consisted of an electric guitar, cello, piano, and drums. They played songs off their album, Abiding Memory. Golub expressed, 'We've been working on that music for years now, and it was really special to bring it to Spoleto.' Golub stated that he started to play piano at age five. Although he may be an expert in his craft, Golub expressed that he is always learning. 'I am a pianist. I think there is a lifelong process of discovery, figuring out one instrument, that I feel like I am still very much at the beginning of,' he said. When it comes to creating new music, Golub states that 'I have a phase of all creative processes that I would essentially describe as 'messing around.' I sort of set up a rough frame, and I have to spend some time with my hands in the clay before I put pen to paper; what that is depends on the project.' Interested listeners can discover his music here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
