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South Carolina ending federal COVID-related unemployment benefits due to "labor shortage"

South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster (R) on Thursday ordered the termination of the state's participation in all federal, pandemic-related unemployment benefit programs.

Driving the news: McMaster cited labor shortages, but some experts say it's the job climate and not unemployment benefits that is determining the pace at which people are returning to work.


  • The state currently has 81,684 open positions, according to Department of Employment and Workforce Director Dan Ellzey.

What he's saying: "South Carolina’s businesses have borne the brunt of the financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic," McMaster wrote in a letter to Ellzey.

  • "Those businesses that have survived – both large and small, and including those in the hospitality, tourism, manufacturing, and healthcare sectors – now face an unprecedented labor shortage," he added.
  • "What was intended to be a short-term financial assistance for the vulnerable and displaced during the height of the pandemic has turned into a dangerous federal entitlement."
  • The move takes effect June 30.

The big picture: As economic recovery continues, states have moved to return their labor force to pre-pandemic levels.

  • McMaster's announcement follows a similar move by Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte (R) earlier this week, per AP.
  • A Labor Department spokesperson told AP that the department has seen no evidence that enhanced unemployment benefits keep people from seeking work. “Choosing to eliminate these critical benefits will have the greatest impact on the most vulnerable,” the spokesperson said.
  • Several states, including Arizona, Florida and Kentucky, have said they're reinstating full work search requirements for people who receive unemployment benefits.

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"No words to describe the tragic loss": Remembering the victims of the Surfside condo collapse

They were mothers, fathers, grandparents, newlyweds and young daughters. The victims identified so far from the Surfside condo collapse are being remembered by family and friends as "very dedicated," "super mom" and a "silent warrior."

The big picture: As of Thursday, 16 of the 18 confirmed victims have been identified. At least 145 people remain unaccounted for.

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Latin America and the Caribbean wait for COVID-19 vaccines

Data: Our World In Data; Map: Axios Visuals

Latin America and the Caribbeanhave the highest weekly death rate per capita of any region in the world, and it could climb, with vaccinations difficult to come by and hospitals still short on staff and equipment like ventilators and oxygen tanks.

Why it matters: Fewer than 10% of the people of Latin America and the Caribbean have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 since immunization campaigns started in December, mostly due to the low availability of doses.

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Exclusive: Fresh data reveal how Trump made inroads with Latinos

Reproduced from: Equis Labs; Chart: Axios Visuals

A new analysis of U.S. voters suggests — counterintuitively — that the coronavirus pandemic may have helped drive former President Donald Trump's surprising increase in support from Latinos last November.

The big picture: By shifting Trump's rhetoric from immigration to fears around the economic impact of shutdowns, the virus gave conservative and low-information Latino voters a permission structure to back Trump even if they shunned him in 2016, according to preliminary findings by research firm Equis that were reviewed by Axios.

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