Federal lawsuit filed against Gov. Haley
A federal class action lawsuit was filed against Gov. Nikki Haley and Susan Alford, the appointed director of the Department of Social Services, regarding South Carolina’s child-welfare system, The State reported.
Attorney Matthew Richardson, Children’s Rights and the South Carolina Appleseed Legal Justice Center, filed the complaint on behalf of 11 plaintiffs, all of whom are children ages 2 to 17 and are in state care.
Amongst the list of complaints, Richardson alleges the governor and Alford are responsible for three larger and overarching problems within the system: the shortage of foster homes, excessive caseworker caseloads and inadequate health care for children in state care.
According to The State, most of the cases detailed have been known for decades and the complaint filed argues that the Department of Social Services neglected to fix the issues, which, in turn, resulted in the lawsuit.
The children will sue Haley and Alford in an attempt to remedy longstanding concerns in foster care.
— Lauren Shirley, Assistant News Editor
Ed Madden named as City Poet Laureate
Ed Madden was announced as Columbia’s first Poet Laureate, MidlandsBiz reported. He is as Associate Professor of English and the Director of Women’s and Gender Studies Program at the University of South Carolina.
His first readings as City Poet Laureate will be on Jan. 20, 2015 at the State of the City Address and Feb. 17, 2015 at the commemoration events for the 150th anniversary of the burning of Columbia.
As City Poet Laureate, Maddenwill have a chance to work with local schools, libraries, and writing groups. One Columbia will offer financial support for Madden to host activities that promote and strengthen the art community in Columbia.
Upon his acceptance of the position, Madden said, “I want to be a champion for poetry, language and the arts, and I want to use poetry to document the life and culture of the city.”
His official presentation will occur Jan. 15, 2015. Madden will serve a four-year term that begins January 2015.
— Lauren Shirley, Assistant News Editor
Disney cruise ship rescues overboard passenger
A 22-year-old guest fell off of the Oasis of the Seas cruise ship off the coast of Mexico, WLTX reported. The Oasis is one of the world’s largest cruise ships and was on a seven-night cruise to the Western Caribbean when the guest fell overboard.
The Disney Magic, a Disney Cruise Line ship based out of Port Canaveral, Florida, spotted the Royal Caribbean passenger in the water as the Magic was approaching Cozumel, Mexico for a scheduled port-of-call stop.
Passengers and crew of the Magic worked together to spot the man, lower the lifeboat and get the man onboard the Magic. He was immediately transported to the Mexican shore for treatment.
The Royal Caribbean cruise line has not provided additional comments beyond an initial statement.
The incident raises questions on cruise ship safety and passenger monitoring.
— Lauren Shirley, Assistant News Editor