Coal miners, crawfish offer, full-capacity Opry: News from around our 50 states From USA TODAY Network and wire reports
Alabama
Montgomery: Public health officials are urging people to get COVID-19 shots as soon as possible, after the White House informed governors last week that it might reallocate supply from states with decreasing demand. Distribution has been in steady decline for several weeks, according to Alabama Department of Public Health data. “Y’all, we want shots in the arms and off the shelf,” Gov. Kay Ivey said. “If you have not made it a priority to schedule a vaccine, I encourage you to go get the shot as soon as you are able. If you are hesitant to get the COVID-19 vaccine, please speak to a physician you trust and ask if he or she would recommend it for you. If we don’t use it, we could lose it. This is our ticket back to normal. The vaccine is free and could possibly save your life.” In the early stages of the vaccine rollout, the Al
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A South Carolina county is planning to pay charities and civic groups $250 a mile for cleaning up litter.
Pickens County has set aside $75,000 for the program, enough to clean up 300 miles, said County Councilman Roy Costner III.
The program is designed to help struggling groups that have been unable to do their usual fundraising during the pandemic, Costner said.
It would also be a way to use COVID relief money aimed at helping communities, without having officials pick and choose which organizations get the relief, he said.
The program aims to clean up at least 25% of the county s roads while supporting local organizations and businesses, said Jamie Burns, a spokeswoman for the county.
Billions of dollars could soon be bringing faster internet to South Carolina s rural areas.
There are large parts of Pickens County where there is no internet access, and across the state at least half a million people can t get the internet speed that makes distance learning, remote work and telehealth possible.
Money is already flowing.
A $30 million state fund for rural broadband expansion projects opened up to applications Thursday. The state spent about $50 million in CARES Act money on related projects last year.
Gov. Henry McMaster has proposed another $30 million for broadband improvements. The state is using $6 million in federal COVID funds to set up eight Internet labs in areas with limited or no access.
Funds could bring faster internet to South Carolina s rural areas independentmail.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from independentmail.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.