| 10 counties see 200 or more unemployment claims For the week ending March 6, 5,146 initial unemployment claims were filed in South Carolina, an increase of 1,057 from the week before. DEW has paid out $5.5 billion in state and federal benefits since March 15. Coastal wetlands projects receive $5 million in grants Projects in five S.C. counties each received $1 million from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to increase protection for coastal habitats, some of which are home to threatened species and others which help provide clean drinking water. | 