Impact of budget on unemployment agency debated

A state legislator insists a clause in the House budget plan forces South Carolina’s unemployment agency to resume in-person help with unemployment benefits in 17 rural offices. But the governor’s office is adamant it does no such thing. Democratic Rep. Ted Vick of Chesterfield said Wednesday his amendment requires the Department of Employment and Workforce to restore one-on-one help with unemployment benefits. Offices where those services were cut Feb. 15 include Vick’s home county. Vick’s proposal became part of the budget plan Tuesday after a motion to kill it failed 42-66. But a spokesman for Gov. Nikki Haley says the paragraph actually does nothing, other than give the Cabinet agency flexibility it already has. Rob Godfrey says the agency used that flexibility in deciding how to reallocate diminishing federal dollars.

Stocks edge higher; Dow on hottest streak since ’96

NEW YORK The Dow Jones industrial average has notched its ninth gain in a row, giving the index its longest winning streak in 16 years. The Dow rose five points, or 0.04 percent, to close at 14,455 points Wednesday. The Dow has risen every day so far in March, adding 400 points to the index. It broke through its previous all-time high on March 5th. The broader Standard & Poor’s 500 index climbed two points to 1,554, a gain of 0.1 percent. The Nasdaq composite edged up nearly three points to 3,245. Retail stocks rose after the government reported an unexpectedly big increase in consumer spending last month.

McDonald’s to offer yolk-free Egg McMuffins

NEW YORK McDonald’s is rolling out a yolk-free version of its Egg McMuffin this spring. The world’s biggest hamburger chain had previously said the “Egg White Delight” would be made with egg whites, Canadian bacon and white cheddar cheese, clocking in at 260 calories. A regular McMuffin has 300. The Oak, Brook, Ill.-based chain announced last year that it was testing the breakfast sandwich. It was revealed as part of the chain’s announcement that it would begin posting calorie counts on menu nationwide ahead of a new federal regulation. The move was also intended to address criticism that fast-food chains such as McDonald’s Corp. contribute to rising obesity rates.

The Associated Press contributed.