🌱Aziz Ansari Coming To Charleston + Confirmed SC Omicron Cases

Happy Thursday, people of Charleston! Here's everything you need to know going on locally today.

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First, today's weather:

Partly sunny and warm. High: 71 Low: 57.

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Here are the top 3 stories today in Charleston:

1. Award-winning comedian Aziz Ansari is bringing his act home for the holidays, adding a stop in his native South Carolina to his "Last Minute Tour." On Dec. 30, Ansari will perform at the Charleston Gaillard Center. Tickets for the show go on sale this Friday. (WCBD News 2)
2. A judge set bond at $12,500 for a Charleston man facing charges connected to the sexual exploitation of minors. According to jail records, Vernon Ellis Birt III, 33, is charged with five counts of third-degree sexual exploitation of a minor. (Live 5 News WCSC)
3. This week, the Medical University of South Carolina confirmed the first three known cases of the omicron variant of COVID-19 in the state. The first case involved a COVID sample collected for testing on Dec. 4, MUSC says, which means the variant has been here for at least a couple of weeks. (Live 5 News WCSC)

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Today in Charleston:

• Bingo - CenterWell Senior Primary Care In North Charleston (10:00 AM)
• Free Groceries - Comida Gratis (1:00 PM)
• Holiday Celebration In The Park - Hazel Parker Playground (3:30 PM)
• The Motley Chew Food Truck! - Snafu Brewing Company (5:00 PM)
• Parent & Child Holiday Paint Event - Estuary Beans & Barley (6:00 PM)
• Brewery Bingo - The Motley Chew Food Truck (6:30 PM)

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From my notebook:

• The Charleston Fire Department is passing on some safety information for fuel-burning heating equipment. (Facebook)
• Join the Charleston County Public Library today at Bees Ferry West Ashley to celebrate stories and poems about gingerbread men! (Facebook)

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Thanks for following along and staying informed! See you all tomorrow for your next update.

— Nicole Fallon-Peek

About me: Nicole Fallon-Peek is a journalist and copywriter with a degree in Media, Culture and Communication from New York University. She has served as a freelance reporter, managing editor, copy editor, and editorial director for a variety of B2B news outlets. She currently co-owns and operates content creation agency Lightning Media Partners.