New data reveals good news for South Carolina’s economy.

Personal finance website WalletHub found our state has the 3rd largest decrease in unemplyment claims over this same week in 2020.

It found weekly unemployment claims in SC:

Decreased by 91.49% compared to the same week last year.

Increased by just 27.19% compared to the same week in 2019. This was the 5th smallest increase in the US.

Decreased by 65.93% compared to the start of 2020. This was the biggest decrease in the US.

Local super lawyers

A trio of Moore Taylor Law Firm partners have been named South Carolina Super Lawyers.

Super Lawyers Magazine selected James Bradley for personal injury, Jane Downey for bankruptcy and Stanley Myers for criminal defense.

Super Lawyers is a rating service of lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement.

The selection process includes independent research, peer nominations, and peer evaluations.

International Festival returns

The 2021 Columbia International Festival will return June 5 and 6 at the South Carolina State Fairgrounds.

A mask mandate will be strictly enforced indoors. All measures to prevent spread of covid-19 will be observed.

Attractions will include an international food courty, cultural entertainment, fashion show, bazaar, cultural demonstrations and a parade of nations.

To learn more about the event, visit https://www.cifonline.org/.

State Fair scholarship winners

2 Lexington County students have won $6,000 each in college scholarships.

Ethan Hall of Chapin High School and Ford Pierce of White Knoll High School will receive the SC State Fair Scholarship.

The SC State Fair annually awards 50 scholarships to high school students planning to pursue their studies at any public or private college, university, or technical college in the state.

Winners will receive $1,500 each year.