New Horizons passes by Pluto after 9 years of flight
NASA's New Horizons research vessel hit an important milestone Tuesday as it passed by Pluto, following a nine-year journey that took the craft more than 3 billion miles from Earth.
The closest the spacecraft got to the surface was 7,750 miles, which is roughly the same distance from South Carolina to Ethiopia.
New Horizons captured one photo in particular that has become popular online, showing what appears to be a heart-shaped geologic formation on the planet's surface.
The vessel will begin to transmit more data regarding Pluto starting tonight and experts claim it will take until October 2016 before all of the collected data has been transmitted back to Earth.
—James Stewart, News Editor
Columbia pastor accused of child molestation
Authorities are accusing a local Columbia pastor of engaging in sexual activities with an underage minor, according to WLTX.
Walter C. Ballenger III, has been charged with third-degree criminal sexual conduct. According to the police, Ballenger, 59, is a pastor of Grace United Methodist Church on Harbison Boulevard.
According to authorities, Ballenger touched a girl in a "sexual manner" and was arrested on July 13.
—James Stewart, News Editor
Spurrier: QB slot still "wide open"
Earlier this week, the Gamecocks released their depth chart for the upcoming season, though who will end up leading the team is still up in the air.
Despite the chart having Connor Mitch listed as the top QB choice, the head football coach is "going to let it play out."
Mitch threw six passes last season, but junior Perry Orth and redshirt freshman Michael Scarnecchia are also viable options.
“We’ve got a month (of practice) before the first game," Spurrier said. "So we should be able to figure out who can play the best. (Mitch) may go out there with the first bunch, but it’s pretty much wide open.”
—James Stewart, News Editor