Good morning, Mount Pleasant.

Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum will kick off its 50th anniversary celebration in January with a Throwback Day event on Jan.

3 featuring a ceremonial ribbon cutting at 11 a.m., original $2 admission and a cake cutting at noon. The museum will also offer archival talks and exhibit previews.

The International African American Museum is launching The Renewal Series to offer community events focused on cultural healing.

The series begins today with a Midday Watch Service at Morris Brown AME Church and will include an Emancipation Day celebration on Jan. 1 and an MLK Day event on Jan. 19 at IAAM.

Recent sightings off the coast confirmed two right whale mother calf pairs — including veteran whale Mantis who swam with her eighth calf after a Christmas Day call — and marine experts say this calving season shows promise with 14 new calves confirmed so far.

Roper St. Francis Mount Pleasant Hospital saw a busy emergency department as a new flu strain raised cases during the holiday season.

Health officials said the vaccine still helps reduce hospitalizations even though this season's shot does not match the circulating influenza A variant.

The CDC is investigating a salmonella outbreak that may be linked to raw oysters after 64 cases were reported nationwide and three here—local producers say safety checks remain strict despite some refund requests.

Hospitals in the Midlands reported a surge in flu cases with most patients testing positive for influenza A, prompting doctors to urge vaccination, hand washing, and staying home when sick.

Prisma Health limited visitors aged 15 and under in Columbia since Dec. 30 to protect patients & staff.