WE HAVE A LOOK AT TODAY’S TOP NEWS STORIES. YOUR TRAFFIC AND WEATHER ALL BEFORE YOU HEAD OUT THE DOOR ON THIS FRIDAY MORNING. WE BEGIN WITH A POTENTIAL BAN ON TIKTOK ON THIS FRIDAY. WE’VE BEEN FOLLOWING THIS THROUGHOUT THE WEEK, AND PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN SAYS NOW HE WILL NOT ENFORCE THE BAN ON TIKTOK THAT’S SET TO TAKE EFFECT THIS SUNDAY, ONE DAY BEFORE HE LEAVES THE WHITE HOUSE. THAT LEAVES THE FATE OF THE SOCIAL MEDIA APP IN THE HANDS OF PRESIDENT ELECT TRUMP, WHO ONCE CALLED TO BAN IT BUT HAS SINCE PLEDGED TO KEEP IT IN THE U.S. THE SUPREME COURT IS EXPECTED TO MAKE A DECISION TODAY, DETERMINING WHETHER THE ORIGINAL BAN IS CONSTITUTIONAL OR SHOULD BE DELAYED, AND DEBATED FURTHER. A TEENAGER ACCUSED OF HAVING A STOLEN GUN AND MARIJUANA IN HIS CAR AT SCHOOL WAS GRANTED BOND. 18 YEAR OLD JALEN SHANDS WAS IN COURT YESTERDAY MORNING AND GIVEN A MORE THAN $6,000 BOND. WE’RE TOLD THAT GUN WAS FOUND INSIDE HIS CAR AT CLINTON HIGH SCHOOL WEDNESDAY MORNING, AND INVESTIGATORS ALSO SAY THEY LATER CONFIRMED THE GUN WAS REPORTED STOLEN OUT OF NORTH CAROLINA. THEY SAY THE WEAPON WAS NEVER INSIDE THE SCHOOL BUILDING, AND THERE WAS NO DIRECT THREAT TO STUDENTS. AN UPDATE NOW TO A STORY WE FIRST TOLD YOU ABOUT ONLY ON WYFF NEWS FOUR EARLIER THIS WEEK, UPSTATE SENATOR JOSH KIMBALL SAYS HE ADDRESSED CONCERNS ABOUT THE FETAL HEARTBEAT LAW YESTERDAY AT THE STATE HOUSE THIS WEEK, AN UPSTATE WOMAN TOLD US SHE HAD TO TRAVEL OUT OF STATE FOR CARE AFTER HAVING A MISCARRIAGE. SHE SAID A DOCTOR TOLD HER SHE WOULD HAVE TO WAIT SEVERAL EXTRA DAYS TO GET A SECOND ULTRASOUND BECAUSE OF THE FETAL HEARTBEAT LAW. STATE SENATOR KIMBALL SAID THAT WAS NOT THE INTENT OF THE LAW. IN ADDITION TO ADDRESSING THE TOPIC AT THE STATE HOUSE, HE ALSO SHARED A LETTER ON SOCIAL MEDIA THAT HE SENT TO THE STATE MEDICAL ASSOCIATION ASKING FOR HELP CLARIFYING THE INTENT OF THE FETAL HEARTBEAT LAW WITH DOCTORS ACROSS SOUTH CAROLINA. YOU CAN READ MORE ABOUT THIS ON WYFF4.COM. THE TSA IS RELEASING NEW DATA ABOUT FIREARMS FOUND AT SECURITY CHECKPOINTS. THEY SAY A TOTAL OF 99 FIREARMS WERE DETECTED IN THE SIX COMMERCIAL AIRPORTS ACROSS SOUTH CAROLINA IN 2024. TSA OFFICERS AT GSP DETECTED 32 FIREARMS IN 2024, MATCHING THEIR RECORD TOTAL FROM CALENDAR YEAR 2023. AS TWO OF THE MOST DESTRUCTIVE WILDFIRES IN LA’S HISTORY CONTINUE TO RAGE, RED CROSS VOLUNTEERS HAVE RESPONDED TO THE CALL FOR HELP. ONE VOLUNTEER FROM HILTON HEAD ISLAND SAYS SHE FELT THE NEED TO HELP IN ANY WAY SHE CAN IN HER YEAR AND A HALF AS A VOLUNTEER. SHE’S RESPONDED TO SEVERAL KINDS OF DISASTER RELIEF SITUATIONS, INCLUDING WILDFIRES. BUT SHE SAYS THIS ONE IS DIFFERENT FROM ANYTHING SHE’S EVER SEEN BEFORE. IT’S MY ROOMMATE MADE AN INTERESTING COMMENT, AND SHE’S BEEN DOING THIS FOR 25 YEARS. SHE GOES, THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THAT SHE’S BEEN AT A DISASTER RELIEF. WHILE IT WAS STILL ACTIVE. I’VE BEEN WITH RED CROSS FOR YEARS, BUT I HAVEN’T BEEN ON AN ACTIVE TRAGEDY AT THE SAME TIME. IT WAS STILL GOING. I’VE ALWAYS COME IN AFTERWARDS. SHE SAYS THEY’RE CURRENTLY OPERATING ABOUT 6 OR 7 SHELTERS IN THE LA AREA, AND THEIR PLANS TO OPEN ANOTHER TWO, A PAIR OF MASSIVE CONCERTS ARE BEING PLANNED TO RAISE MONEY FOR THE LOS ANGELES FIRE VICTIMS, CALLED FIRE AID. THOSE TWO SHOWS WILL TAKE PLACE JANUARY 30TH AT THE KIA FORUM AND NEARBY INTUIT DOME IN INGLEWOOD. THE LIST OF PERFORMING ARTISTS INCLUDES BILLIE EILISH, LADY GAGA, KATY PERRY, JELLY ROLL, STING AND STEVIE NICKS. DAVE MATTHEWS AND JOHN MAYER WILL ALSO PERFORM TOGETHER FOR THE FIRST TIME, AND ORGANIZERS HAVE PROMISED TO ANNOUNCE EVEN MORE ARTISTS SOON. THOSE CONCERTS WILL ALSO BE LIVE STREAMED ON MOST OF THE MAJOR APPS, AND BROADCAST ON MORE THAN 850 IHEARTRADIO STATIONS. IF YOU’D LIKE TO HELP OUT THE VICTIMS OF THE WILDFIRES IN CALIFORNIA, YOU CAN SCAN THE QR CODE THAT’S ON YOUR SCREEN RIGHT NOW AND DONATE THROUGH THE AMERICAN RED CROSS. THAT SAME QR CODE ALSO HAS THE INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW YOU CAN DONATE ONLINE, BY PHONE, OR THROUGH THE MAIL. WELL, HAPPY FRIDAY! 647 A BEAUTIFUL DAY SHAPING UP. IT’S COLD. SOME OF US ARE FREEZING, BUT SOME OF US ARE NOT. FOR ONLY THE SECOND TIME THIS YEAR, BY THE WAY, TONIGHT ACROSS THE UPSTATE, MOST OF US WILL NOT FREEZE. SO WE’RE GETTING A LITTLE BIT OF A MILDER DAY AND NIGHT BEFORE THAT BIG COOLDOWN STARTS BY THE END OF THE WEEKEND. BUT LOOK AT THIS AS FAR AS THE EYE CAN SEE. WE’VE GOT NOTHING BUT SUNSHINE ON THE WAY TODAY. TEMPERATURES A COUPLE DEGREES WARMER THAN YESTERDAY, LOW TO MID 50S AND OH, WE’RE NOT GOING TO HAVE THOSE WINDS WE HAD YESTERDAY. SO IT’S GOING TO BE ENJOYABLE TO GET OUTSIDE. AND IF YOU CAN SPARE A FEW MINUTES I HIGHLY RECOMMEND YOU DO IT BECAUSE YOU’RE PROBABLY NOT GOING TO WANT TO BE OUTSIDE AFTER TODAY, AT LEAST FOR NOT FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME. HIGHS NEAR 50 FOR THE MOUNTAINS TWO. THAT’S QUITE WARM, ESPECIALLY CONSIDERING WHERE WE HAVE BEEN. I’VE GOT A LOT MORE DETAILS ON THE WEEKEND AND NEXT WEEK’S WEATHER. WE’LL TAKE A LOOK AT YOUR FOUR DAY PLUS COMING UP IN JUST A LITTLE WHILE. FIRST THOUGH, LET’S GET YOU OUTSIDE. TAKE A LOOK AT THOSE ROADS. ERIC, IT’S LOOKING PRETTY GOOD OUT THERE. PARELLA AT 648. 85 NORTH NEAR PELHAM ROAD IN GREENVILLE COUNTY. THIS IS, AS EXPECTED. THIS IS A TYPICAL ABOUT 7:00 AMOUNT OF TRAFFIC THAT YOU WOULD SEE ON PELHAM ROAD. THE GOOD NEWS IS NO CONGESTION, NO ACCIDENTS, NO DELAYS UP AND DOWN 85 OR A MAJOR INTERSTATES FOR THAT MATTER. OUR TRAVEL TIMES HAVE LOOKED FIVE STARS THIS MORNING. 240 TO ASHEVILLE HIGHWAY. 12 MINUTES AIRPORT ON WOODRUFF ROAD. IT’S UP JUST A MINUTE, BUT STILL IN THE GREEN AT SEVEN MINUTES. FAIRVIEW ROAD TO DOWNTOWN IN 385 NORTHBOUND. LOOKS GREAT AS WELL. AT 13 MINUTES. SOME PARTS OF THE UPSTATE ARE USING THIS WEEKEND TO REMEMBER DOCTOR KING’S LEGACY. OUR ISABELLE MARAK JOINS US LIVE THIS MORNING FROM FURMAN UNIVERSITY WITH WHAT TO EXPECT FROM THIS YEAR’S COMMUNITY BREAKFAST. GOOD MORNING, ISABELLE. HEY, AARON. GOOD MORNING. THE COMMUNITY BREAKFAST WILL TAKE PLACE HERE AT 8 A.M. THIS MORNING, WITH THE PROGRAM FOLLOWING SHORTLY AFTER AT 830. AND THIS YEAR, FURMAN IS HOSTING L. JOY WILLIAMS, WHO IS A LONGTIME POLITICAL STRATEGIST AND CREATOR OF THE PODCAST SUNDAY CIVICS. THERE WILL ALSO BE OTHER REMARKS FROM THE FURMAN UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT AND THE SENIOR PASTOR OF JUBILEE BAPTIST CHURCH. ORGANIZERS SAY THE ANNUAL EVENT IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE COMMUNITY TO JOIN FURMAN STUDENTS, FACULTY AND STAFF TO HONOR DOCTOR MARTIN LUTHER KING JUNIOR. AND AGAIN THIS MORNING, THE BREAKFAST WILL TAKE PLACE HERE AT THE CONFERENCE CENTER. BUT FOR NOW, REPORTING LIVE HERE IN GREENVILLE, ISABELLE MARAK. WYFF NEWS FOUR. ISABELLE. THANK YOU. IT’S 649 NOW, AND COUNTRY MUSIC FANS, THIS IS FOR YOU. CHRIS STAPLETON’S ALL-AMERICAN ROAD SHOW IS COMING TO GREENVILLE. HE’LL PERFORM AT THE BON SECOURS WELLNESS ARENA WITH SPECIAL GUEST, AN UPSTATE NATIVE, NIKKI LANE, THAT TAKES PLACE ON JUNE 4TH. BUT THE TICKETS GO ON SALE THIS MORNING AT 10:00. FINDING FUN THINGS FOR THE FAMILY TO DO ONCE THE DOLDRUMS OF WINTER SET IN CAN BE PRETTY DIFFICULT. SO HERE’S OUR STEPHANIE TROTTER WITH SOME FUN OPTIONS THAT ARE NEW FOR YOU. PARENTS KNOW THE CHALLENGE OF KEEPING KIDS ENTERTAINED AT THE AIRPORT BEFORE YOU FLY. WELL, FAMILIES FLYING IN AND OUT OF GSP NOW HAVE A NEW PLACE TO PARK THE KIDS BEFORE THEY GET ON THE PLANE. GSP IS PARTNERED WITH THE CHILDREN’S MUSEUM OF THE UPSTATE, AS WELL AS PLUS PLUS TO MAKE THIS EDUCATIONAL AND ENGAGING PLAY SPACE IN THE GRAND HALL. RIGHT AFTER YOU PASS THROUGH SECURITY. THE NEW SPACE OPENED UP JUST THIS WEEK. LOOKING FOR SOMETHING SWEET? NOTHING. BUNDT CAKES IS OPEN TO NEW SHOP IN GREER ON WADE HAMPTON BOULEVARD, WITH SEVERAL DIFFERENT SIZES AND A DOZEN PLUS A NEW SPACE. THEY’VE BEEN ABLE TO DOUBLE THE NUMB
South Carolina, Staley ink historic contract extension
The University of South Carolina Board of Trustees approved today a contract extension for women’s basketball head coach Dawn Staley that will go through the 2029-30 season and make her the highest paid college women’s basketball coach in the history of the sport.”Dawn Staley is a once-in-a-generation coach who has made a tremendous impact on the University of South Carolina,” Athletics Director Jeremiah Donati said. “She has elevated the sport of women’s basketball on the national level and here on campus, and I am excited that she will be representing our University for many years to come.”The contract, which began immediately following Board approval, starts with an annual salary of $4 million, includes a $500,000 signing bonus and an annual $250,000 escalator, making the total value approximately $25.25 million.”I’m proud to represent the University of South Carolina and of its investment in women’s basketball,” Staley said. “What we’ve been able to accomplish on the court is a testament to what can happen when you bring together the right people from a team perspective but also have the right commitment from the University, the Athletics Department and the community to providing that team with everything it needs to be successful. I appreciate every person who has been part of our journey — player, staff member, University President and leadership, Board of Trustee member, athletics director, athletics department employee and fan. I look forward to continuing to be an example of how an investment in women’s basketball is one that will pay off for everyone.”Since taking the reins of the program in May 2008, Staley has made South Carolina into a perennial national power. The Gamecocks are one of five programs to have at least three NCAA Women’s Basketball National Championships, and they are one of two programs to have put together multiple 40-game win streaks. Staley has led South Carolina to six of the last nine NCAA Final Fours, including each of the last four. Their current 107 consecutive weeks in the top 10 of the AP Poll is the longest active streak and the 11th longest streak in the history of that poll. The Gamecocks’ 86 AP No. 1 rankings, all coming under Staley, are the third-most by a program in that poll’s history as well.Staley’s teams have been the benchmark in the SEC over the last decade, amassing eight regular-season titles since 2013-14 and finishing no lower than second in that time. Since that season, the Gamecocks have a 165-15 record in league action, including an 81-3 mark since 2019-20. South Carolina’s current 52-game SEC regular-season win streak is the league record and is the seventh-longest conference win streak in NCAA history. Earlier this season, Staley became the second-fastest coach to reach 200 SEC regular-season victories, and her .787 SEC winning percentage (203-55) is second only to the legendary Pat Summitt. In Staley’s tenure, the Gamecocks have also had a lock on the SEC Tournament, winning eight titles since claiming their first in 2015. They became the first program in league history to win four consecutive tournaments, claiming the crowns in 2015-18.Under Staley’s tutelage, 11 Gamecocks have amassed 27 All-America honors, including two National Players of the Year in A’ja Wilson (2018) and Aliyah Boston (2022), who also became the program’s first National Defensive Player of the Year, CoSIDA Academic All-America Teammate of the Year and Honda Cup Collegiate Woman Athlete of the Year. Three Gamecocks have earned SEC Player of the Year honors a combined seven times, and 22 have picked up All-SEC honors at least once, including 16 first-team selections.After a Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame career as a player, which included five WNBA All-Star appearances and three Olympic gold medals, Staley has proven she can prepare young talent for the next level. She has seen 14 Gamecocks taken in the WNBA Draft in the last nine seasons, including a pair of No. 1 overall picks in Wilson (2018) and Boston (2022). Three of those 14 picks earned WNBA Rookie of the Year honors and three others made their WNBA All-Rookie Teams.Staley is a five-time National Coach of the Year. Her 2020 unanimous selection made her the first former Naismith Player of the Year to earn the Naismith Coach of the Year award, and she became the first men’s or women’s coach to claim the award in three straight seasons 2022-24. She is a seven-time SEC Coach of the Year, narrowly trailing Summitt’s SEC-record eight selections.Off the court, Staley has made South Carolina women’s basketball a community event, with Gamecock fans leading the NCAA in average attendance for the last 10 seasons. The program sold out of season tickets for the first time in program history, with 13,152 sold this season, putting the Gamecocks in line for a historic 11th consecutive season atop the national attendance rankings.Also a force in USA Basketball, Staley was named head coach of the U.S. Women’s National Team in May 2017 and led the team to its record-tying seventh-straight Olympic gold medal at the 2020 Tokyo Games. She was on the sideline as a head or assistant coach or on the court as a player for six of those seven gold medals. As a head coach, Staley has been named USA Basketball National Coach of the Year twice (2018, 2015) and helped the U.S. to 11 international gold medals. For her contributions to international basketball, Staley will be inducted into the FIBA Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2025.Staley has this season’s team ranked No. 2/2 in the nation with a 17-1 overall record and a 5-0 mark in SEC play, including an NCAA-best six wins over ranked opponents. Her Gamecocks are next in action on Sun., Jan. 19, hosting No. 13/13 Oklahoma at Colonial Life Arena. Tipoff is set for 3 p.m. on ESPN.
The University of South Carolina Board of Trustees approved today a contract extension for women’s basketball head coach Dawn Staley that will go through the 2029-30 season and make her the highest paid college women’s basketball coach in the history of the sport.
“Dawn Staley is a once-in-a-generation coach who has made a tremendous impact on the University of South Carolina,” Athletics Director Jeremiah Donati said. “She has elevated the sport of women’s basketball on the national level and here on campus, and I am excited that she will be representing our University for many years to come.”
The contract, which began immediately following Board approval, starts with an annual salary of $4 million, includes a $500,000 signing bonus and an annual $250,000 escalator, making the total value approximately $25.25 million.
“I’m proud to represent the University of South Carolina and of its investment in women’s basketball,” Staley said. “What we’ve been able to accomplish on the court is a testament to what can happen when you bring together the right people from a team perspective but also have the right commitment from the University, the Athletics Department and the community to providing that team with everything it needs to be successful. I appreciate every person who has been part of our journey — player, staff member, University President and leadership, Board of Trustee member, athletics director, athletics department employee and fan. I look forward to continuing to be an example of how an investment in women’s basketball is one that will pay off for everyone.”
Since taking the reins of the program in May 2008, Staley has made South Carolina into a perennial national power. The Gamecocks are one of five programs to have at least three NCAA Women’s Basketball National Championships, and they are one of two programs to have put together multiple 40-game win streaks. Staley has led South Carolina to six of the last nine NCAA Final Fours, including each of the last four. Their current 107 consecutive weeks in the top 10 of the AP Poll is the longest active streak and the 11th longest streak in the history of that poll. The Gamecocks’ 86 AP No. 1 rankings, all coming under Staley, are the third-most by a program in that poll’s history as well.
Staley’s teams have been the benchmark in the SEC over the last decade, amassing eight regular-season titles since 2013-14 and finishing no lower than second in that time. Since that season, the Gamecocks have a 165-15 record in league action, including an 81-3 mark since 2019-20. South Carolina’s current 52-game SEC regular-season win streak is the league record and is the seventh-longest conference win streak in NCAA history. Earlier this season, Staley became the second-fastest coach to reach 200 SEC regular-season victories, and her .787 SEC winning percentage (203-55) is second only to the legendary Pat Summitt. In Staley’s tenure, the Gamecocks have also had a lock on the SEC Tournament, winning eight titles since claiming their first in 2015. They became the first program in league history to win four consecutive tournaments, claiming the crowns in 2015-18.
Under Staley’s tutelage, 11 Gamecocks have amassed 27 All-America honors, including two National Players of the Year in A’ja Wilson (2018) and Aliyah Boston (2022), who also became the program’s first National Defensive Player of the Year, CoSIDA Academic All-America Teammate of the Year and Honda Cup Collegiate Woman Athlete of the Year. Three Gamecocks have earned SEC Player of the Year honors a combined seven times, and 22 have picked up All-SEC honors at least once, including 16 first-team selections.
After a Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame career as a player, which included five WNBA All-Star appearances and three Olympic gold medals, Staley has proven she can prepare young talent for the next level. She has seen 14 Gamecocks taken in the WNBA Draft in the last nine seasons, including a pair of No. 1 overall picks in Wilson (2018) and Boston (2022). Three of those 14 picks earned WNBA Rookie of the Year honors and three others made their WNBA All-Rookie Teams.
Staley is a five-time National Coach of the Year. Her 2020 unanimous selection made her the first former Naismith Player of the Year to earn the Naismith Coach of the Year award, and she became the first men’s or women’s coach to claim the award in three straight seasons 2022-24. She is a seven-time SEC Coach of the Year, narrowly trailing Summitt’s SEC-record eight selections.
Off the court, Staley has made South Carolina women’s basketball a community event, with Gamecock fans leading the NCAA in average attendance for the last 10 seasons. The program sold out of season tickets for the first time in program history, with 13,152 sold this season, putting the Gamecocks in line for a historic 11th consecutive season atop the national attendance rankings.
Also a force in USA Basketball, Staley was named head coach of the U.S. Women’s National Team in May 2017 and led the team to its record-tying seventh-straight Olympic gold medal at the 2020 Tokyo Games. She was on the sideline as a head or assistant coach or on the court as a player for six of those seven gold medals. As a head coach, Staley has been named USA Basketball National Coach of the Year twice (2018, 2015) and helped the U.S. to 11 international gold medals. For her contributions to international basketball, Staley will be inducted into the FIBA Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2025.
Staley has this season’s team ranked No. 2/2 in the nation with a 17-1 overall record and a 5-0 mark in SEC play, including an NCAA-best six wins over ranked opponents. Her Gamecocks are next in action on Sun., Jan. 19, hosting No. 13/13 Oklahoma at Colonial Life Arena. Tipoff is set for 3 p.m. on ESPN.
