Mary Green 4q486m

Reporter 4n1268

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Mary Green covers the South Carolina State House for WIS and our sister stations WCSC in Charleston, WHNS in Greenville, WMBF in Myrtle Beach, WTOC in Savannah, WRDW in Augusta, and WBTV in Charlotte. 1a2k1p

Prior to moving to Columbia, Mary reported for KCRG in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and WFXL in Albany, Georgia.

She was born and raised in Tampa, Florida, and attended the University of Notre Dame (go Irish!).

Regional

For several years, nearly $2 billion in South Carolina taxpayer money has sat, untouched, in...

Fraud is driving up insurance costs: What is S.C. doing about that? 155235

Updated: Jun. 11, 2025 at 8:50 PM EDT

By Mary Green

A new committee is taking a closer look at what lawmakers can do to lower insurance costs in South Carolina.

Regional

S.C. Supreme Court hears challenge to law banning online eye exams 5h624s

Updated: Jun. 3, 2025 at 8:15 PM EDT

By Mary Green

The South Carolina Supreme Court heard arguments today that could overturn a state law prohibiting insurance from covering online eye exams.

Regional

Do state actions concerning Columbia’s conversion therapy ban violate local rule? 5y5h3c

Updated: May 27, 2025 at 9:56 PM EDT

By Mary Green

A fight over how much control local governments have over their own communities versus the state’s authority to step in is brewing in South Carolina’s capital city.

Regional

Rep. Bruce Bannister, R – Greenville, left, and Sen. Harvey Peeler, R – Cherokee, right, talk...

Negotiators finalize deal for S.C.’s $14.7B state budget 4o317

Updated: May 24, 2025 at 11:09 AM EDT

By Mary Green

In the next year, hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars are set to go toward fixing South Carolina roads and bridges, while teachers, state employees, and state lawmakers are all in line for pay raises.

Regional

The South Carolina Supreme Court will hear a challenge to the state's six-week abortion ban...

‘We have prevailed’: Governor praises S.C. abortion ban ruling 2d2hr

Updated: May 14, 2025 at 10:56 AM EDT

By Patrick Phillips and Mary Green

South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster proclaimed victory Wednesday morning after a state Supreme Court ruling upholding the state’s so-called “Fetal Heartbeat Bill.”

Regional

Gov. McMaster has signed more than 70 new bills into law this year, but other priorities will...

What’s law, what’s paused, and what’s dead after SC’s 2025 legislative session 6u3l46

Updated: May 13, 2025 at 9:02 PM EDT

By Mary Green

Gov. McMaster has signed more than 70 new bills into law this year, but other priorities will have to wait until next year to try to get there.

Regional

Rep. Brandon Newton, R – Lancaster, speaks during a debate in the House of Representatives...

S.C. House approves plan that could eventually eliminate income taxes 5d166r

Updated: May 7, 2025 at 4:53 AM EDT

By Mary Green

A plan that could eventually eliminate income taxes in South Carolina earned key approval Tuesday at the State House.

Regional

Senators took up two bills Wednesday that could both impact drivers, but in very different ways.

Bills to improve S.C. road safety move closer to governor’s desk 1r602z

Updated: May 1, 2025 at 4:17 AM EDT

By Mary Green

Legislation that could soon reach the governor’s desk aims to make South Carolina’s roads safer for everyone.

Regional

This legislation recently earned its first approval, advancing out of a Senate Judiciary...

S.C. lawmakers consider giving themselves pay raises 84da

Updated: Apr. 28, 2025 at 9:03 PM EDT

By Mary Green

South Carolina lawmakers could receive a higher salary next year, totaling $3 million in taxpayer dollars each year.

Regional

State Treasurer Curtis Loftis testifies before a House Ways and Means subcommittee during a...

What’s next for S.C. treasurer after senators vote to remove him 6j195k

Updated: Apr. 22, 2025 at 8:33 PM EDT

By Mary Green

Late Monday night, South Carolina senators took the historic step of voting to remove the state’s elected treasurer from office.

Regional

The South Carolina Senate voted 33-8 to approve a resolution to remove South Carolina...

S.C. senators approve resolution to remove state treasurer from office 544z11

Updated: Apr. 21, 2025 at 11:32 PM EDT

By Mary Green, Patrick Phillips and The Associated Press

South Carolina senators voted 33-8 Monday night to approve a resolution to remove the state treasurer from office after an eight-hour hearing.

Regional

As South Carolina tries to get more teachers in the classroom, the state is looking not just...

Bill aims to attract South Carolinians to second careers as teachers 1i4q2a

Updated: Apr. 14, 2025 at 5:19 AM EDT

By Mary Green

As South Carolina tries to get more teachers in the classroom, the state is looking not just toward college graduates but also at people who have work experience outside the classroom.

Regional

S.C. state treasurer files petition with State Supreme Court 1t343u

Updated: Apr. 11, 2025 at 4:52 AM EDT

By Mary Green

South Carolina State Treasurer Curtis Loftis announced that his attorneys have filed a Petition with the South Carolina Supreme Court to en a State Senate hearing.

Regional

Columbia doula Karen Nolen testifies before a House Labor, Commerce and Industry subcommittee...

S.C. bill would require doula care to be covered under Medicaid 2e4q15

Updated: Apr. 11, 2025 at 4:41 AM EDT

By Mary Green

Women in South Carolina are much more likely to die while pregnant or postpartum than those in almost all other states.

Regional

A person using their phone while driving.

After years of resisting, S.C. moves toward hands-free cellphones while driving 5f341y

Updated: Apr. 10, 2025 at 5:35 AM EDT

By Mary Green and Jeffery Collins

After eight years of trying to persuade his fellow lawmakers to require hands-free cellphone use while driving, a little pain might have helped a Republican lawmaker get his bill ed.

Regional

Those who want to take a spin on the slot machines, roll the dice in a casino, or bet on...

Gambling expansion draws increased attention at S.C. State House 164u1e

Updated: Apr. 9, 2025 at 4:29 AM EDT

By Mary Green

Efforts to expand gambling in South Carolina are getting more attention right now at the State House than they have in a while — including a push to develop the state’s first casino.

Regional

Authorities said several dogs were found hurt and chained up in Darlington County during the...

Agents rescue 160 dogs, seize drugs, guns in S.C. dogfighting operation 362z73

Updated: Apr. 8, 2025 at 5:52 AM EDT

By Mary Green and Patrick Phillips

The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division says it executed 10 search warrants in three counties last week related to dogfighting operations.

Regional

S.C. Senate es bill targeted at increasing energy needs 495i3m

Updated: Apr. 7, 2025 at 4:20 AM EDT

By Mary Green and Colt Yeargin

The South Carolina Senate has ed a bill targeted at the state’s growing power needs.

Regional

While South Carolina is spending more money than other states to boost people’s health, South...

More than half of S.C. income tax filers could soon pay more 6p1451

Updated: Apr. 2, 2025 at 6:57 AM EDT

By Mary Green

Last week, Republicans at the State House unveiled a tax reform plan they touted as transformative for South Carolina.

Regional

South Carolina stands alone in the country as the only state that has no law on the books...

Bill would make S.C. last state in US to criminalize ‘revenge porn’ 6t1p3i

Updated: Apr. 1, 2025 at 4:29 AM EDT

By Mary Green

Right now, a person in South Carolina can share intimate images of someone else without their consent and face no criminal penalties.

Regional

Justices for the nation’s highest court will hear arguments next Wednesday in a case...

S.C. effort to defund Planned Parenthood to come before US Supreme Court next week 376r5y

Updated: Mar. 28, 2025 at 7:55 PM EDT

By Mary Green

South Carolina will soon be front and center once again before the US Supreme Court.

Regional

Sen. Michael Johnson, R – York, speaks during a debate at the South Carolina State House in...

S.C. Senate es tort reform bill after 4 weeks of debate 273y2s

Updated: Mar. 27, 2025 at 8:34 PM EDT

By Mary Green

A bill that aims to make South Carolina’s legal system fairer has cleared a huge hurdle after months of fights, weeks of debate, and many hours of closed-door negotiations.

Regional

Republicans’ push to target diversity efforts in South Carolina will be delayed another week.

S.C. House unexpectedly delays debate on anti-DEI bill 3f6z4u

Updated: Mar. 27, 2025 at 3:55 AM EDT

By Mary Green

Republicans’ push to target diversity efforts in South Carolina will be delayed another week following an unexpected disruption during a debate at the State House.

Regional

S.C. Treasurer rejects calls to resign after senate finance report on $1.8B error c5a1l

Updated: Mar. 25, 2025 at 7:19 PM EDT

By Mary Green and Patrick Phillips

The state treasurer of South Carolina rejected calls for his removal by the Senate Finance Constitutional Subcommittee investigating a $1.8 billion ing error Tuesday.

Regional

Blythewood High School teacher Patrick Kelly points to a button on his mobile panic alert...

How a new bill could make it easier for SC schools to get help in emergencies 2e256s

Updated: Mar. 24, 2025 at 8:20 PM EDT

By Mary Green

Every school in South Carolina could soon have lifesaving technology on hand that would allow teachers to call 9-1-1 in emergencies with the click of a button.

Regional

South Carolina will once again be front and center before the US Supreme Court.

S.C. tort reform negotiations on pause until next week 4o6a6o

Updated: Mar. 14, 2025 at 4:50 AM EDT

By Mary Green

Attempts to reach a compromise on a hotly watched and controversial bill at the State House fell short this week.

Regional

The budget puts $200 million toward repairing aging bridges, with more money going toward road...

S.C. House es budget with billions for tax cuts, bridge fixes, teacher pay 4p2w4c

Updated: Mar. 12, 2025 at 8:31 PM EDT

By Mary Green

Billions of dollars in taxpayer money could go toward tax cuts, road improvements, and pay raises for teachers in the next year in South Carolina.

Regional

A growing number of states are imposing a tax on the electricity EVs pull from charging...

SCDOT eyes law change that would impact how much EV drivers owe state 4l6d5x

Updated: Mar. 10, 2025 at 7:23 PM EDT

By Mary Green

South Carolina’s gas tax is at its peak, and a substantial amount of money in recent state budgets has gone toward road work.

Local

of the South Carolina Treasurer’s Office, left, testify before a Senate Finance...

S.C. continues $1.8 billion ing error investigation amid financial controversy 5y72r

Updated: Feb. 18, 2025 at 10:25 PM EST

By Mary Green

South Carolina lawmakers say their work investigating the state’s $1.8 billion mystery and figuring out what consequences should come from it is not over.

Regional

House Judiciary Committee discusses bills on social media, S.C. auditor

South Carolina lawmakers discuss bills on social media, auditor 6r2s5t

Updated: Feb. 12, 2025 at 8:01 AM EST

By Mary Green

The House Judiciary Committee met Tuesday afternoon to discuss several bills.

Regional

A new bipartisan bill in the South Carolina Senate hopes to boost incentives for employers to...

Bipartisan bill seeks to tackle S.C. child-care challenges 4e6d27

Updated: Feb. 5, 2025 at 6:49 AM EST

By Mary Green

In recent years, leaders at the South Carolina State House have put a concerted effort toward economic growth, including workforce development.

Local

U.S. Supreme Court to take up S.C.’s effort to defund Planned Parenthood 48336p

Updated: Dec. 20, 2024 at 5:31 AM EST

By Mary Green

South Carolina will once again be front and center before the U.S. Supreme Court.

Regional

According to Able South Carolina, a statewide organization that advocates for South...

South Carolina poised to impose Medicaid work mandate 6z5n3

Updated: Dec. 18, 2024 at 6:24 PM EST

By Mary Green

Many South Carolinians receiving government health benefits right now could soon be required to work to keep receiving this coverage.

Regional

Here’s why all SC voters will see this yes-or-no question on their ballots this election

All S.C. voters will see this yes-or-no question on their ballots in election 4f1i6s

Updated: Oct. 26, 2024 at 5:50 PM EDT

By Mary Green

Besides the race for the White House, there is one other question that all of them will be asked at the polls this year, a statewide constitutional referendum.

Regional

South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson speaks during an interview at his office in...

S.C. attorney general targeting crimes against vulnerable adults 5x586s

Updated: Jun. 18, 2024 at 2:51 PM EDT

By Patrick Phillips and Mary Green

Attorney General Alan Wilson announced a new plan to increase awareness and respond to the abuse and exploitation of vulnerable adults in South Carolina.

Regional

The bill has more than 50 Republican cosponsors but no backing from Democratic lawmakers at...

SCGOP chair calls for state to close its primaries; McMaster opposes 3h5h5r

Updated: Feb. 26, 2024 at 7:27 PM EST

By Mary Green

As presidential candidates move their campaigns beyond South Carolina and onto other states, the chair of the South Carolina Republican Party is calling for this year to be the last time the state’s presidential primaries are open to any ed voter, regardless of party affiliation.

Local

4 local S.C. school districts receive hundreds of dollars in safety grants 1a5u

Updated: Dec. 5, 2023 at 9:15 AM EST

By Mary Green and Staff

Four local school districts in South Carolina are about to receive hundreds of dollars in safety grants to ensure students and staff are safe.

Regional

Rep. Jay Kilmartin, R – Lexington, speaks outside the South Carolina Department of Revenue in...

After relinquishing license, lawmaker s call for changes to SC liquor liability law 6n3u3f

Updated: Dec. 1, 2023 at 7:06 PM EST

By Mary Green

Bars and restaurants across South Carolina fear they can’t afford to stay open if they want to serve an item essential to their business: alcohol.

Traffic

What to expect on SC roads over this Thanksgiving travel period 2c6z4k

Updated: Nov. 22, 2023 at 5:59 PM EST

By Mary Green

If you’re hitting the road between Wednesday and Sunday, about 50 million Americans are expected to be doing the same thing.

Regional

Abortion providers file new lawsuit challenging S.C.’s ‘fetal heartbeat law’ 1r3445

Updated: Sep. 14, 2023 at 6:51 PM EDT

By Mary Green

South Carolina’s restrictive ban on abortion has been hit with another legal challenge from abortion providers.

State

South Carolina Department of Veterans’ Affairs Secretary Todd McCaffrey, left, speaks to Gov....

S.C. leaders lay out plan for helping state’s nearly 400K veterans over next year 5t2f6n

Updated: Sep. 7, 2023 at 5:28 PM EDT

By Mary Green

About one in 10 adults living in South Carolina has served the country through military service.

Regional

The Power SC interagency working group meets at the USC Alumni Center in downtown Columbia on...

State agency-led group figuring out how to keep up with SC’s rising energy demands 16k2g

Updated: Aug. 25, 2023 at 5:46 PM EDT

By Mary Green

Leaders in South Carolina’s energy sector say the state’s power capacity must expand.

Regional

The South Carolina Supreme Court upheld the state’s 6-week abortion ban.

SC Supreme Court upholds state’s 6-week abortion ban 5v2k6c

Updated: Aug. 23, 2023 at 10:16 AM EDT

By Tiffany Sarvis, Mary Green, Jordyn Markhoff and Jordyn Markhoff

The South Carolina Supreme Court upheld the state’s 6-week abortion ban.

Local

The t Citizens and Legislative Committee on Children is traveling around the state for its...

Committee wants to hear your ideas on how to help South Carolina’s children 4f4171

Updated: Aug. 22, 2023 at 7:34 PM EDT

By Mary Green

If you have an idea on how to make South Carolina better for its children or concerns about issues affecting them, your opinion is wanted.

State

South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson speaks during an interview in his Columbia office...

‘We want the wrongdoer to pay for it’: S.C. attorney general sues over toxic ‘forever chemicals’ 5n1673

Updated: Aug. 9, 2023 at 7:23 PM EDT

By Mary Green

South Carolina’s top prosecutor is calling for the companies he claims are responsible for polluting the state’s drinking water and natural resources with toxic chemicals to be held able.

Regional

The new school year means new students, new teachers, and now, for South Carolina schools, a...

S.C. schools can now have supply of overdose-reversal drugs under new law 233p58

Updated: Aug. 8, 2023 at 6:51 PM EDT

By Mary Green

The new school year means new students, new teachers, and now, for South Carolina schools, a new tool in their first-aid kits that could save lives.

Politics

Former president Donald Trump waves to ers at the Columbia Airport

Trump speaks in Columbia at SC Republican fundraising event days after arraignment l3719

Updated: Aug. 5, 2023 at 10:24 PM EDT

By WIS News 10 Staff and Mary Green

Former President Donald Trump is expected to arrive in Columbia on Saturday evening to headline the biggest event of the South Carolina Republican party history, according to event organizers.

Politics

Former President Donald Trump speaks during an interview at the South Carolina State House in...

What Trump’s top rivals, allies in S.C. say about his indictment ahead of Columbia visit 1k3d65

Updated: Aug. 3, 2023 at 6:54 PM EDT

By Mary Green

In just two days, the focus of the political world will be on South Carolina, where former President Donald Trump will make his first visit to an early-voting state following his third indictment in four months.

Regional

South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster signs new boating regulations law on Thursday.

Gov. McMaster signs new SC boating safety bill 5522f

Updated: Jul. 27, 2023 at 7:38 PM EDT

By Pilar Briggs and Mary Green

South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster held a ceremony for the state’s new boating safety and education bill on Thursday.

Regional

New S.C. law to let students bring sunscreen to school without a doctor’s note

New S.C. law lets students bring sunscreen to school without a doctor’s note 6p2t63

Updated: Jul. 26, 2023 at 5:45 PM EDT

By Mary Green

For the first time, starting this school year, South Carolina families will be able to send their kids to school with sunscreen without also needing a doctor’s note.