🌱 SC Legislation + Water Boil Advisory + VIBE Youth Ministry Relaunch

Hello again, Columbia! Important update: You all, as readers, have made the Columbia Daily so successful that it is my honor to announce the next stage of the newsletter. Patch is looking for a local writer and entrepreneur to take the helm of the Columbia Daily. Although I have loved getting to know this community, we want to pass the torch to someone truly local to write about Columbia long term. So if you’re interested in earning extra income while making this newsletter a more valuable resource for your neighbors, learn more and apply here.

First, today's weather:

Partly sunny and warmer. High: 80 Low: 55.

Here are the top three stories today in Columbia:

1. South Carolina legislators raced against the clock to meet the crossover deadline last week. House members passed controversial bills banning transgender students from competing in certain sports based on their preferred gender identity, while abortion-related legislation and legislation focused on certain classroom topics failed to pass. A House committee also passed a medical cannabis bill, which now makes its way to the floor to be voted on by the full House assembly. (WLTX.com)
2. Columbia Water is urging residents nearby Main Street and Whaley to boil their water after a 12-inch main broke on Saturday. The 100 block of Main Street and the 1100 block of Whaley Street have been closed for the duration of the repairs. The boil advisory will be repealed once the water is safe to drink and use. (WLTX.com)
3. Brookland Baptist Church relaunched its VIBE Youth and Teen Ministry this weekend at 1066 Sunset Blvd. in West Columbia. The event included an unveiling of the new teen center as well as Fifth Quarter Cafe. (WIS News 10)

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Today in Columbia:

• April Harvest Dinner At City Roots Farm (6:30 PM)
• Michael Feinberg Quintet At Koger Center For The Arts (7:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• University of South Carolina Alumnus Darius Rucker is donating $10,000 to the USC Dance Marathon, which raises money to provide healthcare services, medical equipment, and charitable care at Prima Health Hospitals around Columbia. (wpde.com)
• South Carolina State Fairgrounds hosted the South Carolina Food Truck & Craft Beer Festival on Saturday. More than 30 food trucks and local craft beers were available at the fairgrounds on Saturday, including Billy G’s Carolina BBQ. (WIS News 10)
• Riverbanks Zoo is now accepting applications for the ZooTeen ambassador program. The program allows teens to get involved in wildlife conservation and learn important life skills. High school students age 14 and older can apply online through May 15. Interested? Click the link to learn more and apply. (ColaDaily.com)

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Alrighty, you're all good for today. I'll see you soon!

— Dan Casarella

About me: Dan Casarella is a writer, podcast producer, and small business development specialist who formerly worked in late-night television. He’s produced many talk segments, including with President Joe Biden, Kobe Bryant, and Chadwick Boseman. Dan studied Media Studies and Production at Temple University. He also enjoys running, painting, and the highs and lows of Philadelphia’s sports teams.