Friday 5: 1-7-22

Happy Friday and Happy New Year! Here are a few articles you may have missed this week. Take a few minutes and get smarter before church coffee hour this Sunday…

1. McMsater Pledges SC to Remain Open. Responding to an uptick in COVID-19 cases and an increased demand for testing, Governor McMaster continues to encourage vaccines, social distancing, and masking, but will not impose mandates or issue a new state of emergency for South Carolina.
2. SC Automakers see growth in sales despite chip shortages.  U.S. auto sales increased by double figures in 2021, with electric vehicles accounting for  growing percentage of deliveries. The Upstate’s BMW saw a 20.8% jump in North American sales in 2021.
3. Warren won’t challenge McMaster in 2022. No other Republicans have announced a 2022 challenge to the incumbent governor.
4. Supreme Court weighs Biden’s vaccine mandates. As conflicting rulings work their way through the lower courts, the Supreme Court is likely to issue a ruling on whether or not the administration can continue to enforce the mandate, while letting the decision on the regulation itself continue to move through the lower courts.
5. SC Lawmakers Struggle with Congressional Redistricting. While the Statehouse redistricting maps have been signed by Governor McMaster, the Congressional District Lines continue to be a challenge for lawmakers, especially in the areas surrounding Charleston and Columbia.

Bonus: How to Use All Your Vacation – And Really Unplug. For those of us who are still setting our New Years Resolutions.