BMW to Increase SC Workforce, Launch Recruitment Program

(COLUMBIA, S.C.) -- More jobs are on the way for residents of South Carolina, as state officials and BMW announced on Thursday that the auto giant plans to increase its workforce at its Spartanburg plant.

The automotive company says it plans to create 100 new jobs at the plant, while also adding two new workforce programs. The programs include a new manufacturing recruitment program titled BMW Scholars, and a $5 million Associate Family Health Center, company officials announced.

The new job openings include positions for engineers, IT professionals and production management associates, according to a release from the German automaker.

Company officials say BMW will partner with area technical colleges: Spartanburg Community College, Greenville Technical College and Tri-County Technical College, to launch the BMW Scholars program.

Copyright 2011 ABC News Radio

Fatal Three-Car Collision Shuts Down I-95 Northbound

(COLUMBIA, S.C.) -- A fatal three-car collision shut down both northbound lanes of Interstate 95 on the Lake Marion Bridge Thursday.

The State reports that motorists were asked to seek an alternate route as South Carolina Highway Patrol investigated the incident.

Of the few details released, reports indicate the wreck was responsible for two deaths.

Copyright 2011 ABC News Radio

Report: States Made Significant Cuts in Unemployment Benefits

(WASHINGTON) -- In an awful economy in which many states are facing high unemployment, 10 states have made cuts in unemployment insurance programs due to budgetary shortfalls, says a new report released by the National Employment Law Project (NELP) on Wednesday.

The report found that some states reduced the number of weeks residents can receive unemployment benefits despite lingering joblessness nationwide. Arkansas and Illinois reduced benefits from the standard 26 weeks to 25 weeks, while Michigan, Missouri, and South Carolina limited applicants to 20 weeks. Florida enacted the deepest cuts in benefits including providing assistance ranging from as little as 12 weeks to a maximum of 23.

Colorado and Rhode Island were singled out for increasing funding to benefit programs in order to assist their unemployed residents.

Christine Owens, executive director of the NELP said, "It's disconcerting that these lawmakers would expend so much energy making cuts to state unemployment insurance programs when more people are out of work for longer than any other period on record. Rather than adopting responsible financing practices and doing the hard work of fostering job creation, far too many state lawmakers have taken the easy out of cutting workers' unemployment insurance benefits."

Copyright 2011 ABC News Radio

Rabid Skunk Bites Woman; Health Officials Issue Warning

(COLUMBIA, S.C.) -- Oconee County health officials are warning residents to stay away from wild animals and have their pets vaccinated against rabies after a woman was bitten by a rabid skunk.

Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) officials said Wednesday that a Long Creek woman was exposed to rabies after she was nipped by the critter in the garage of her home.

She has since tested negative for the virus.

The Department advises that anyone who is bitten, scratched or otherwise exposed to the saliva of a rabid animal should immediately wash the affected area with soap and water and then seek medical treatment. Individuals are also being asked to notify the DHEC as well.

The rabies virus can be fatal to humans and animals if it reaches the brain after going untreated.

Copyright 2011 ABC News Radio

South Carolina Ranked Last in the Nation for Entrepreneurship

(LINCOLN, Neb.) -- South Carolina was recently ranked on a list of the nation’s most entrepreneurial states—but the results weren’t anything to boast about.

According to the State Entrepreneurship Index (SEI) released Tuesday, the Palmetto State ranked last on the list.

Economists at University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Bureau of Business Research and Department of Economics developed the index to measure states’ business formation and innovation by combining five components: a state’s percentage growth and per capita growth in business establishments, its business formation rate, the number of patents per thousand residents and gross receipts of sole proprietorships and partnerships per capita.

New York topped the list, Washington came in second, and Massachusetts was a close third.

The SEI uses detailed data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the IRS Statistics of Income Bulletin, the U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Statistical Abstract to compile its results.

Copyright 2011 ABC News Radio