Hello Columbia! Stay connected with the latest updates from around town. Let's dive in! ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
Also on today's calendar: Free Bra Fittings to Support Breast Cancer Awareness and 9 more events.
Today's riddle: What do you call cows dancing in the dark 🤔 (Answer below!)
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1. Columbia Chamber Honors Tim Arnold at Annual Gala (businessdailynetwork.com) — Columbia's business community will spotlight longtime Colonial Life leader Tim Arnold when the Columbia Chamber honors him as its 2026 Ambassador of the Year at the Uncorked annual gala on October 1. Local readers can expect other awards recognizing young professionals, public servants, military advocates and key partners, underscoring how civic and corporate leaders are shaping the Midlands' economic and community life.
2. SAFE Federal Credit Union acquires Columbia campus for expansion (lexingtonchronicle.com) — SAFE Federal Credit Union is expanding its footprint in Columbia with a new 26,000-square-foot campus on Science Court that will serve as a regional hub and backup operations center. The credit union also plans a full remodel of its St. Andrews Road branch, signaling long-term investment in services, jobs and member support across the Midlands.
3. South Carolina Lottery Mega Millions, Pick 3 results for Sept. 18, 2026 (greenvilleonline.com) — If you bought a South Carolina lottery ticket in Columbia or nearby, you can now check the Sept. 18 Mega Millions, Pick 3, Pick 4, Cash Pop and Palmetto Cash 5 numbers and see if you won. Smaller prizes can be claimed at retailers or by mail, but big winners over $100,000 must visit the Education Lottery headquarters on Assembly Street in Columbia within 180 days.
4. OnPoint on WACH Fox: Helping SC's children manage mental health (wach.com) — From Columbia, a WACH Fox OnPoint segment is spotlighting the growing mental health struggles of South Carolina middle schoolers and even younger children. The program explores how smartphones, social media and cyberbullying contribute to anxiety and depression, and urges families, schools and community members to recognize warning signs and respond more actively to kids' emotional distress.
5. Alternative certification program aims to help fill South Carolina teacher vacancies (wistv.com) — State leaders are weighing how to ease South Carolina's teacher shortage, with lawmakers set to revisit recruitment policies when they return to Columbia in January. An alternative certification group, Teachers of Tomorrow, is already placing hundreds of career-changers in classrooms statewide and reports retention rates similar to traditional teacher programs, especially in high‑need areas like special education.
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Ok Columbia! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: Night Moo-s (Thank you John S. for sending it in!)
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