SC State President Scores Poor Evaluation Marks

(COLUMBIA, S.C.) -- South Carolina State University's president scored poor marks in this year's performance evaluation, according to the Charleston Post and Courier.

The university's board gave George Cooper a 2.86 out of 5 for his work this year, slightly up from his score of 2.56 in 2010. Cooper's grade was released following the board's initial refusal to make public his evaluation. However, the South Carolina Press Association subsequently ruled it was illegal to withhold it under the state's open records law.

Last year's evaluation led to the board opting not to renew Cooper's contract, but he was rehired two weeks later, backed by the approval of two new board members.

Copyright 2011 ABC News Radio

South Carolina Judge Unanimously Confirmed to Court of Appeals

(WASHINGTON) -- A South Carolina jurist was elevated to the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals by the U.S. Senate on Monday.

The Senate voted unanimously for Henry Floyd to service of the Court of Appeals. The 4th circuit's jurisdiction includes Maryland, the Carolinas, Virginia, and West Virginia.

Floyd has served as a state legislator and a judge on the South Carolina 13th Judicial Circuit.

Copyright 2011 ABC News Radio

Department of Public Safety Gets New Director

(COLUMBIA, S.C.) -- The search for the new director of the South Carolina Department of Public Safety is now over.

On Monday, Governor Nikki Haley announced that Maj. Leroy Smith has been selected to fill the position. Smith, whose experience includes working with the Florida Highway Patrol for 22 years, will officially begin work in his new role on November 15.

He will take over from Kenny Lancaster, who has been serving as interim director since June.

The position became open when Mark Keel left the department to take on the role of director of the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division.

Copyright 2011 ABC News Radio

SC Presidential Primaries Set for Jan. 21 Vote

(COLUMBIA, S.C.) -- State GOP Chair Chad Connelly announced Monday Republicans will vote in the state's presidential primary on Jan. 21.

"South Carolina Republicans have a 30-year track record of picking the eventual Republican presidential nominee," said Connelly. "We will continue that historic tradition on January 21, 2012."

The move comes days after Florida announced it would hold its primary vote on Jan. 31.

Copyright 2011 ABC News Radio

Haley to Reveal Legislative Report Cards

(ROCK HILL, S.C.) -- Gov. Nikki Haley is returning to Rock Hill, S.C., on Monday to finish her report card on the state legislature.

Haley introduced a report card system that grades state lawmakers in regards to their support of her legislation.

Haley is expected to preside over a town hall meeting at Winthrop University at 6:30 p.m.

Copyright 2011 ABC News Radio