4 Upstate women conspired to disguise drugs as legal mail, officials say (2024)

WE HAVE A LOOK AT TODAY’S TOP NEWS STORIES. TRAFFIC AND WEATHER ALL BEFORE YOU HEAD OUT THE DOOR. WE START IN COMMITMENT 2024. FORMER PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA WAS THE BIG FINALE ON THE SECOND NIGHT OF THE DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION. HE WAS INTRODUCED BY FORMER FIRST LADY MICHELLE OBAMA. HISTORY WILL REMEMBER JOE BIDEN AS AN OUTSTANDING PRESIDENT WHO DEFENDED DEMOCRACY AT A MOMENT OF GREAT DANGER. AND I AM PROUD TO CALL HIM MY PRESIDENT. BUT I AM EVEN PROUDER TO CALL HIM MY FRIEND. KAMALA HAS SHOWN HER ALLEGIANCE TO THIS NATION, NOT BY SPEWING ANGER AND BITTERNESS, BUT BY LIVING A LIFE OF SERVICE AND ALWAYS PUSHING THE DOORS OF OPPORTUNITY OPEN TO OTHERS. THE FORMER PRESIDENT THANKED PRESIDENT BIDEN FOR PASSING THE TORCH, AND HIGHLIGHTED HOW VICE PRESIDENT HARRIS SAYS SHE CARED ABOUT THE AVERAGE AMERICAN. MICHELLE OBAMA TALKED ABOUT HER RELATIONSHIP WITH HARRIS AND THEIR SHARED VALUES. MEANWHILE, THE DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION HELD A CEREMONIAL ROLL CALL VOTE LAST NIGHT TO NOMINATE VP HARRIS FOR PRESIDENT. THAT OFFICIAL NOMINATION VOTE TOOK PLACE VIRTUALLY. MORE THAN TWO WEEKS AGO. BUT THAT DIDN’T STOP THE CONVENTION FROM CELEBRATING THEIR NOMINEE. THE ROLL CALL STARTED WITH PRESIDENT BIDEN. STATE OF DELAWARE, ATLANTA’S OWN LIL JON HELPED CAST GEORGIA’S VOTES. THE FINAL STATE TO PLEDGE THEIR DELEGATES TO THE VICE PRESIDENT WAS HER HOME STATE OF CALIFORNIA, AND HER RUNNING MATE, GOVERNOR TIM WALZ’S STATE OF MINNESOTA. HARRIS RESPONDED TO THE CEREMONIAL VOTE. SHE AND WALZ TRAVELED TO BATTLEGROUND WISCONSIN FOR A CAMPAIGN RALLY AT THE SAME LOCATION THAT HOSTED THE RNC LAST MONTH. THE HARRIS CAMPAIGN AND ITS FUNDRAISING ORGANIZATIONS HAVE HAULED IN NEARLY $500 MILLION SINCE PRESIDENT BIDEN DROPPED HIS REELECTION BID LAST MONTH. MEANWHILE, FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP IS LAYING OUT HIS PLANS TO CRACK DOWN ON CRIME IN A POTENTIAL SECOND TERM. FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP SPOKE TO LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS IN MICHIGAN YESTERDAY, AND HE PLEDGED TO MAKE MORE USE OF THE DEATH PENALTY, PROMOTE STOP AND FRISK POLICIES, AND SHUT DOWN THE US-MEXICO BORDER. THE FORMER PRESIDENT ALSO ATTACKED VICE PRESIDENT KAMALA HARRIS’S RECORD AS CALIFORNIA’S ATTORNEY GENERAL AND COMPARED RIOTS IN MINNEAPOLIS AFTER THE DEATH OF GEORGE FLOYD TO THE EVENTS OF JANUARY 6TH, FALSELY CLAIMING THAT NO ONE WAS KILLED IN THE CAPITOL ATTACK. I WILL DELIVER LAW, ORDER, SAFETY AND PEACE, AND I WILL PROTECT THOSE WHO PROTECT US. THE FORMER PRESIDENT WILL BE BACK IN NORTH CAROLINA TODAY AND HE’LL BE JOINED BY RUNNING MATE JD VANCE. TRUMP WILL BE SPEAKING IN ASHEBORO, WHICH IS IN A CENTRAL PART OF THE STATE NEAR GREENSBORO. AND WE’RE TOLD HE WILL DELIVER REMARKS ABOUT NATIONAL SECURITY ISSUES. AN UPSTATE ORGANIZATION SAYS THE NEED FOR VICTIM ADVOCATE PROGRAMS IS ON THE RISE, BUT THEIR FUNDING WON’T REFLECT THAT AFTER BUDGET CUTS. SAFE HARBOR SERVES AS A SAFE SPACE FOR VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC ABUSE. THEY OFFER PROGRAMS AND SERVICES TO EMPOWER INDIVIDUALS AND THEIR FAMILIES. BUT WITH ONGOING BUDGET CUTS, THEY’VE HAD TO ELIMINATE KEY POSITIONS LIKE A SHELTER ADVOCATE, A CLIENT SUPPORT SPECIALIST, STAFF ATTORNEY AND CHILD THERAPIST. ACCORDING TO DATA GATHERED BY SAFE HARBOR, GREENVILLE COUNTY HAS THE HIGHEST NUMBER OF DOMESTIC ABUSE REPORTED IN THE STATE. THE CEO SAYS THEY HAVE GREAT PARTNERSHIPS AND SUPPORT FROM DONORS IN THE COMMUNITY, AND THEY’LL NEED EVEN MORE HELP FROM DONORS TO CONTINUE THEIR. SERVICES. 647 IS YOUR TIME, AND A NEW REPORT FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY FINDS THAT THE U.S. IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT, OR ICE, CAN’T MONITOR THE LOCATION AND STATUS OF ALL UNACCOMPANIED MIGRANT CHILDREN ONCE THEY ARE RELEASED FROM CARE. THE REPORT FINDS THAT MORE THAN 32,000 CHILDREN FAILED TO APPEAR FOR THEIR IMMIGRATION COURT HEARINGS. WHILE ICE MANAGES MIGRANTS THROUGH A VARIETY OF OPERATIONS, THE AGENCY ISN’T RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CARE OF THESE CHILDREN. HHS IS RESPONSIBLE FOR MAKING WELFARE CHECKS. HOWEVER, ICE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR TRANSPORTATION OF CHILDREN TO SPONSOR LOCATIONS AND TRACKING WHETHER MIGRANTS SHOW UP TO THEIR IMMIGRATION HEARINGS. SEVERAL MILLION DOLLARS IN SPARTANBURG COUNTY HAVE BEEN SET ASIDE TO UPGRADE THE AGING SEWER INFRASTRUCTURE DOWNTOWN. SPARTANBURG COUNTY COUNCIL ALLOCATED $7.5 MILLION FROM ITS LEFTOVER PANDEMIC RELIEF MONEY FOR THE PROJECT LAST NIGHT. THE COUNTY PLANS TO REPLACE AND RELOCATE THOSE LINES DOWN. CHURCH STREET TO MEET UP WITH NEW INFRASTRUCTURE FOR THE UPCOMING BASEBALL STADIUM. THIS IS ONE OF THOSE THINGS WE WEREN’T NECESSARILY EXPECTING TO RUN INTO, BUT WE FEEL LIKE WE ARE ADDRESSING IT IN THE MOST PRACTICAL WAY. IT’S THE BEST WAY TO USE THIS FEDERAL FUNDING THAT WE MUST USE ANYWAY. THE COUNTY HAS UNTIL THE END OF THIS YEAR TO ALLOCATE THE REST OF ITS PANDEMIC RELIEF MONEY, WHICH NOW STANDS AT ABOUT $3 MILLION. BOND REFERENDUM PASSED FOR SPARTANBURG DISTRICT SEVEN LAST NIGHT. OFFICIALS SAY THE COST FOR A NEW JESSE BOYD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IS ABOUT $55 MILLION. THE DISTRICT IS ALSO LOOKING AT A $4.5 MILLION ADDITION TO MARY H. WRIGHT ELEMENTARY. TAXPAYERS WILL SEE AN INCREASE OF NINE MILLS. THOSE PROJECTS ARE SCHEDULED TO START IN AUGUST OF 2027. IT’S 648, AND THOSE WARMER TEMPERATURES CAN BRING OUT ALL SORTS OF CREATURES FROM BEARS TO BUGS. WELL, ONE BUG IN PARTICULAR IS CAUSING QUITE THE PROBLEM IN UPSTATE YARDS. OUR ISABEL MARCUS JOINS US LIVE IN GREENVILLE WITH A WAY TO TAKE THEM OUT. ISABEL. ERIN. DESTINY. GOOD MORNING. WE’RE TALKING ABOUT ARMYWORMS. THOSE LITTLE CATERPILLARS THAT WE SEEM TO SEE ALL OVER THE UPSTATE. BUT WHAT ARE THEY, EXACTLY? WELL, THEY’RE AN INVASIVE TYPE OF CATERPILLAR THAT EVENTUALLY TURNS INTO A MOTH. AND WHILE THEY CAN LOOK HARMLESS, THEY CAN HAVE A BIG IMPACT ON YOUR YARD. YOU SEE A BUNCH OF THEM MOVING IN PACKS. YOU COULD HAVE AN INFESTATION, BUT DON’T WORRY, A UNIVERSITY PROFESSOR FROM CLEMSON UNIVERSITY SAYS THAT YOU CAN TRY A SOAP FLUSH. WHAT YOU CAN DO IS GRAB ABOUT A GALLON OF WATER AND 1 TO 2 TABLESPOONS OF SOAP. MIX THAT UP REAL NICE AND THEN YOU CAN POUR IT RIGHT NEXT TO THE AFFECTED AREA. IF YOU HAVE THESE BUGS, THEY SHOULD CLIMB RIGHT OUT. LIVE IN GREENVILLE ISABEL MAREK, WYFF NEWS FOUR. ALL RIGHT ISABEL, THANK YOU. AFTER A PERIOD OF HEAVY RAIN AND FLOODING AROUND THE STATE DUE TO TROPICAL STORM DEBBY, THE SOUTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH IS REMINDING PEOPLE TO REMOVE STANDING WATER TO HELP CONTROL MOSQUITO POPULATIONS. THE NUMBER OF MOSQUITOES TENDS TO GROW AFTER STORMS DUE TO AN INCREASE IN STANDING WATER. MOSQUITOES CAN DEVELOP IN WATER THAT STANDS FOR MORE THAN FIVE DAYS. THE ATLANTIC HURRICANE SEASON RUNS THROUGH NOVEMBER 30TH. DPH SAYS REMOVING STANDING WATER FROM THE AREA SURROUNDING YOUR HOME IS IMPORTANT. AFTER ANY STORM. LET’S TAKE A LIVE LOOK AT PARIS MOUNTAIN AND THE SKIES ABOVE. TALK ABOUT A VERY NICE START TO THE DAY. PARTLY CLOUDY SKIES OUT THERE. A LITTLE BIT OF A NIP IN THE AIR. DEFINITELY FOR THE MOUNTAINS AND I’LL TELL YOU, YOU GET UP IN HIGHER ELEVATIONS. IT FEELS VERY MUCH LIKE FALL HERE ACROSS THE UPSTATE. GETTING CLOSE TO THAT KIND OF THAT PRE FALL FEEL. BUT IT IS TEMPORARY. THE SUMMER IS COMING BACK LATE THIS WEEKEND. HEY 59 DEGREES IN GAFFNEY AND IN RUTHERFORDTON AND HENDERSONVILLE. 55 IN CULLOWHEE. WE’RE ABOUT TWO DEGREES COOLER THAN WE WERE YESTERDAY AT THIS TIME IN ELBERTON. FIVE AND SEVEN DEGREES IN GREENVILLE, SPARTANBURG AND LAURENS. AS WE TAKE A LOOK ACROSS THE REGION, HIGH PRESSURE IN CONTROL THAT SINKING AIR SQUASHING DOWN MOST CHANCES FOR RAIN. SO HERE WE GO. IF YOU LIKED YESTERDAY, YOU’RE GOING TO LIKE TODAY. IT’S JUST GOING TO BE A COUPLE DEGREES COOLER THIS AFTERNOON. 70S MUCH OF THE EARLY AFTERNOON. AND THEN EVENTUALLY GETTING INTO THE LOW 80S THIS AFTERNOON FOR THE UPSTATE AS WE TAKE A LOOK AT THE MOUNTAINS, 50S AND 60S MOST OF THE MORNING AND THEN EVENTUALLY CLIMBING BACK INTO THE MID AND UPPER 70S LATER TODAY. HOW LONG WILL IT LAST EXACTLY? WE’LL TAKE A LOOK AT YOUR FOUR DAY PLUS. I’LL HAVE THAT FOR YOU COMING UP IN ABOUT 7 OR 8 MINUTES FROM RIGHT NOW. HOWEVER, FIRST LET’S GET YOU OUTSIDE. GET A CHECK ON THOSE ROADS. HOW’S IT LOOKING, DESTINY CHANCE. LET’S TAKE A LIVE LOOK RIGHT NOW AT I-85 NORTHBOUND NEAR BATTLEGROUND ROAD IN COWPENS. WE WERE SEEING SOME MINOR TOUCH AND GO SLOWDOWNS ON THE ENTRANCE RAMP, BUT THAT HAS SINCE CLEARED, SO THAT’S GOOD TO GO RIGHT NOW IN THAT PARTICULAR AREA. BUT TAKING A LOOK AT OUR TRAVEL TIMES, EVERYTHING LOOKS AMAZING. HONESTLY, IF YOU’RE HEADED OUT THE DOOR THIS MORNING, YOU CAN DO SO WITH A SMILE ON YOUR FACE. I-40 TO ASHEVILLE HIGHWAY 11 MINUTES. AIRPORT TO WOODRUFF ROAD SEVEN MINUTES, AND FAIRVIEW ROAD TO DOWNTOWN WILL TAKE YOU 13 MINUTES. CHECK THIS OUT. LABOR DAY IS LESS THAN TWO WEEKS AWAY, ACCORDING TO TRIPLE A DOMESTIC TRAVEL BOOKINGS FOR THE HOLIDAY WEEKEND ARE 9% HIGHER THIS YEAR THAN COMPARED TO 2023. NOW, ANALYSTS ARE SAYING SEATTLE IS THIS YEAR’S TOP LABOR DAY WEEKEND DESTINATION. OTHER POPULAR PLACES ON TRIPLE A’S LIST INCLUDE NEW YORK, BOSTON AND ORLANDO. AS FOR PEOPLE HEADED OUT OF TOWN BY CAR, GAS PRICES ARE ABOUT $0.30 LESS EXPENSIVE COMPARED TO THIS TIME LAST YEAR. ARE YOU CRAZY? ABSOLUTELY NO WAY. IMAGINE GETTING GAS AND LOOKING OVER. AND KEITH URBAN’S HERE. ALL RIGHT. COUNTRY STAR KEITH URBAN PULLED HIS TOUR BUS INTO AN ALABAMA. BUCKY’S FOR A FREE POP UP CONCERT. THE SURPRISE SHOW DREW IN MORE THAN 5000 PEOPLE. HE POSTED ABOUT THE SHOW ON SOCIAL MEDIA JUST HOURS BEFORE IT WAS SET TO BEGIN. URBAN ALSO WENT INSIDE THE BUCKY’S AND PUT HIS FOOD PREPPING SKILLS TO THE TEST. AS FOR THE MUSIC, IT WAS HIS CLASSIC HITS. A NEW SINGLE OFF HIS ALBUM COMI