Attorney General Announces Court Ruling That Blocks Title IX Changes at Some SC Schools

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Attorney General Alan Wilson announced that a court ruling in Kansas will temporarily block the Biden administration’s new Title IX Rule from being implemented at some South Carolina schools, colleges, and universities.

Wilson said the Biden administration has reinterpreted Title IX’s prohibitions on sex discrimination to include “gender identity.”

Although South Carolina isn't a party to the suit, the ruling does affect some South Carolina schools, Wilson said.

A list of schools that may be affected by the order can be found here.

The schools are preliminarily enjoined from “implementing, enacting, enforcing, or taking any action to enforce” the Title IX Rule until further notice, Wilson said.

He said the Biden administration has asked a court to pause portions of that ruling and let the Title IX Rule go into effect while the case goes up on appeal, but no further decision has been made on that request.

South Carolina is awaiting a ruling in its own case against proposed changes to Title IX.

The new rule, slated to take effect Aug. 1, 2024, requires any school receiving federal funding to accommodate students’ and teachers’ “gender identity.”

Wilson said that means biological boys and men that identify as female will be allowed to use girls’ bathrooms and locker rooms. He said students and teachers also will be required to use others’ “preferred pronouns"

Wilson filed a separate lawsuit in April on this same rule, arguing that the Biden administration doesn’t have the authority to override the text of Title IX that Congress passed in 1972.

SCDOT Awarded $175 Million to Replace I-95 Bridges Over Lake Marion

Gov. Henry McMaster, U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, and U.S. Congressman James E. Clyburn announced July 17, 2024, that the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) has been awarded $175 million by the Federal Highway Administration to replace four bridges on I-95 over Lake Marion.

Officials said the award is one of the largest federal discretionary grant awards ever received by SCDOT. 

Graham and Clyburn led the South Carolina Congressional Delegation in securing funding for the project.

In November, McMaster sent a letter to U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg supporting the delegation's efforts. 

The grant will allow the four bridges, originally constructed in 1968, with narrow shoulders and roadway approaches, to be rebuilt into one bridge with two 12-foot travel lanes in both the southbound and northbound direction.

The project would provide a barrier-separated bicycle and pedestrian path.

The project also will provide space for a potential future additional travel lane in each direction with a 10-foot minimum inside shoulder and a 12-foot outside shoulder in each direction.

You can read more on the project here. 

"The I-95 bridge project has long been a top priority in South Carolina, and once complete, it will reduce highway congestion, improve safety and enhance coastal evacuation capabilities during major hurricanes," McMaster said.

He added, "This could not have been accomplished without the work of Team South Carolina, and especially the work of Congressman Clyburn and Senator Graham, who worked tirelessly to secure this funding."

Fenecon Establishing First North American Operation With Headquarters, Manufacturing In Greenville County

Fenecon, a provider of energy storage systems, said it is establishing its first North American operation with headquarters and manufacturing in Greenville County.

The company’s $3 million investment will create 68 new jobs, according to Gov. Henry McMaster's office.

Founded in Germany, Fenecon is a leader in the clean energy sector, known for its innovative battery energy storage systems and smart energy management.

The company designs and produces cutting-edge energy storage solutions for the home, commercial and industrial markets.

Fenecon’s new, state-of-the-art manufacturing facility, located at 315 Tanner Price Way in Greenville, will produce, customize and distribute the company’s “Industrial L” energy storage system.

Operations are expected to be online in September 2024. Those interested in joining the Fenecon team should email [email protected].

The state’s Coordinating Council for Economic Development approved job development credits related to the project.

Cheryl Lang Promoted to President, CEO of Tindall Corporation

Tindall Corporation, a leading provider of precast, prestressed concrete solutions, announced the promotion of Cheryl Lang to president and CEO of the company effective July 1.

Headquartered in Spartanburg, South Carolina, Tindall Corporation is one of North America's largest precast concrete manufacturers.

Tindall’s two business groups have facilities throughout the Mid-Atlantic, Southeastern and South-Central United States. Tindall provides engineering, manufacturing, shipping and installation solutions for precast, prestressed concrete systems and underground utility structures.

Lang joined Tindall in 1990 as a controller until 2006, when she was named vice president and CFO. She was promoted again in 2022 to the role of senior vice president of administration, where she was responsible for accounting and finance, human resources, safety, trucking, information technology, and marketing.

In 2023, Lang became acting president.

“After more than thirty years of dedicated service, Cheryl brings a wealth of experience, business knowledge and solid leadership skills to this role,” said Greg Force, previous CEO of Tindall Corporation.

Force added, “I am confident she and her team will do an excellent job proving Tindall to be the company with whom our customers and our employees will want to invest their futures.”

In addition to her professional career, Lang is also active in several organizations in the Upstate community and industry-specific memberships, including Women Giving for Spartanburg, First Presbyterian Church, the South Carolina Association of CPAs (SCACPA) and the Precast Concrete Institute (PCI).

Lang graduated from East Tennessee State University with a degree in business and earned a master’s degree in business administration from Clemson University.    

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