• A 14-day COVID-19 testing campaign will take place in Columbia starting this Saturday. Testing sites will be set up in Martin Luther King Jr. Park + the UofSC baseball stadium. The campaign will have the capacity to test 5,000 individuals per day. Saliva testing on UofSC’s campus will also double its capacity (from 400 to 800 tests per day) this week. (The State)
• The South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce has distributed over $4 billion in unemployment benefits since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Last week, 4,283 individuals filed unemployment claims, which is a decrease from the week prior. (CRBR)
• Beginning Monday, civil and criminal jury trials will resume across the state – after being halted in mid-March due to the coronavirus. According to S.C. Supreme Court Chief Justice Donald Beatty, hearings will follow CDC recommendations including wearing face masks and social distancing. (The State)

Weather

• 79º | Scattered showers | 30% chance of rain

Announced

• The Post and Courier announced that the company will expand to begin providing daily news in Columbia, in addition to the Free Times, on Oct. 1. A weekly print edition will continue to be distributed on Wednesdays for free. (Post and Courier)
• The B. Strong Group blood drive we told you about yesterday has moved the location to 2751 Bull St. on Sat. Sept. 19 from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Award

• BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina was named to Forbes list of America’s Best Employers for New Graduates. BCBS of SC is one of two South Carolina-based companies to make the nationwide list. Check out the full list here.

Closed

• City of Columbia Parking Services Department announced that the intersection of Main + Blanding streets in downtown Columbia will be closed for construction for the next eight weeks. Main Street businesses and the two-hour free parking will remain open.
• The West Columbia Riverwalk Park and Amphitheater, located at 109 Alexander Rd., West Columbia, is temporarily closed due to flooding.

Edu

• Savannah River Nuclear Solutions has committed to donate scholarship money + paid internships opportunities to students attending HBCUs in South Carolina, including Allen University and Benedict College. (CRBR)

Community

• Piney Woods Elementary, the new elementary school in Richland-Lexington School District 5, is seeking community input on the new school mascot. Vote here for your choice of the Purple Martins, Bears or Ospreys. (Cola Daily)

State

• South Carolina Hospital Association has released a list of themes the organization will prioritize next few years. The list includes low birth weight, infant mortality, delayed medical care, health insurance coverage, suiside, drug overdose, obesity, and stroke. Read more about the strategies here. (Metro Columbia CEO)

Development

• ICYMI, 700 Huger St. (next to Columbia Craft) has been getting a major glow up. After being added to Trinity Parners’ Property Management and Listing Portfolio in August, the 3-story building (available for lease) began receiving exterior improvements like pressure washing, landscaping + parking lot renovations, all scheduled to be completed by the end of the month. Ⓟ

NowOpen

• Crabby’s Cajun is now open in the former Takosushi building, located at 1115 Assembly St. The new seafood boil restaurant offers 10% off for students + military, and is open Monday - Sunday from 11 a.m. - 9:30 p.m. (Cola Daily)

Digs

• DYK? Brookland is open + leasing now, offering luxe amenities like a saltwater pool, pet spa + free tubing for residents. And it’s still plenty hot out there. 🌊 Ⓟ

Holiday

• Rosh Hashanah begins at sundown tonight, marking the first two days of the Jewish New Year. Celebrations typically include the sounding of the shofar, sharing delicacies such as pomegranate and challah, + performing Tashlich.

Health

• Having trouble getting pregnant? You’re not alone. Prisma Health reproductive endocrinologist Johanna Von Hofe, MD, shares factors that may affect fertility in both women + men, and how to know when it’s time to seek help when conceiving your bundle of joy is taking longer than you’d like. Ⓟ

FeaturedDeal

• Hosting a virtual event? Now through 9/30 we're offering 25% off all event listings. Submit your event here and guarantee that it's included in our daily newsletter and website. Use promo code 25VIRTUAL at check out. Ⓟ