🌱 Carolina Crossroads Project Groundbreaking + Violent Crime Up

Morning, Columbia! Here's everything you need to know to get this Tuesday started off right.

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First, today's weather:

Nice with plenty of sunshine. High: 76 Low: 44.

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Here are the top stories today in Columbia:

1. On Tuesday, state leaders attended the ground-breaking ceremony for the $1.7 billion-dollar Carolina Crossroads interstate improvement project on I-26. According to the South Carolina Department of Transportation, the project, which is aimed at reducing traffic in areas like "Malfunction Junction," has been delayed for years due to a lack of vision and funding. It is South Carolina's largest interstate improvement project to date and will improve 14 miles of I-20, I-26, and I-126. (WLTX.com)
2. A new report released Monday by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division shows an "alarming increase" in violent crimes like murder (up 22.1 percent) and aggravated assault (up 10.1 percent) in 2020. The overall rate of violent crime in the state has increased 6 percent compared to 2019 and 9.5 percent since 2015, according to the report. However, property crimes have seen a decline for the ninth year in a row, down 5.9 percent last year. (WYFF4 Greenville)
3. Richland County is poised to lose a House seat and two members of its legislative delegation under South Carolina's redistricting proposal, including one delegate with a home base in the county. (Free: Flipboard; Subscription: The State)
4. The 43rd annual Columbia Veterans Day Parade will start at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 11, at the intersection of Sumter and Laurel streets. The parade route ends at Pendleton Street near the State House. (Abccolumbia.com)
5. The seventh annual South Carolina Underground Film Festival was held this weekend at the
   The Nickelodeon Theatre on Columbia's Main Street. Filmmakers from all over the globe competed for the honors of taking home a SCUFFY trophy. (ColaDaily.com)

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Alrighty, you're all good for today! I'll see you around. If you're into these newsletters, consider bringing some more friends and neighbors into the fold. You can send them this link to subscribe.

— Sean Peek

About me: Sean Peek is a writer and entrepreneur with a degree in English Literature from Weber State University. Over the years, he has worked as a copywriter, editor, SEO specialist, and marketing director for various digital media companies. He currently co-owns and operates content creation agency Lightning Media Partners.