SC today: Flood insurance, USC lawsuit and road construction top local stories

Here are some of the top stories from The State on April 23, 2026. From a USC student’s lawsuit to rising flood insurance costs on the coast, here’s what you need to know today.

Here are key takeaways:

• Five Points lawsuit: A University of South Carolina student who suffered multiple fractures after being hit by a car on Harden Street in October 2025 is suing the city of Columbia and SCDOT, alleging negligence in the design of a mid-block crosswalk installed as part of a $5 million pedestrian safety overhaul.

• Bauer nominated for ambassador: Former South Carolina Lt. Gov. André Bauer has been nominated by the Trump administration to serve as U.S. ambassador to Belize, a post that still requires Senate confirmation.

• Irmo trees at risk: Planned improvements to the Interstate 26 interchange at Broad River Road will likely require removal of town-maintained trees and landscaping in Irmo, and the town would be responsible for replacing them.

• Latimer Manor coming down: Columbia Housing Authority expects to begin demolishing the troubled Latimer Manor apartments May 4, with plans to replace the 200-unit complex with 243 new housing units including senior housing and homeownership opportunities.

• Flood insurance crisis: Coastal South Carolina homeowners are facing rapidly rising flood insurance premiums, with Pawleys Island averaging $4,199 a year — the highest coastal average in the state — leaving residents to weigh whether they can afford to stay.

The summary points above were compiled with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists. The source reporting referenced above was written and edited entirely by journalists.