Renée Cooper

investigator - reporter - journalist

Published on Apr 15, 2016

Baseball fans flooded Spirit Communications Park Thursday night for the first ever Fireflies home game. Columbia's new minor league team was greeted with nothing but positive energy and excitement, despite the traffic and unfinished parking. Renée Cooper was in the middle of the action to tell us how fans reacted to the new ballpark





Columbia's new minor league team plays inaugural game 
Columbia police are investigating a drive-by murder

Published on Apr 12, 2016

Police are still investigating after a man was gunned down outside of his North Columbia apartment Friday night. The incident occurred before 9 P.M. at Hammond Village apartments. Renée Cooper visited the apartment complex earlier today and is in the newsroom with the latest.





USC awarded Tree Campus USA for seventh consecutive year

Published on Apr 7, 2016

From the Horseshoe to Davis field and Gibbes Green, trees are an essential part of USC’s identity. The care of those trees has earned the university the designation as a tree campus USA for the seventh consecutive year. Renée Cooper tells us about this National Arbor Day program and how it brings faculty, staff and students closer to their environment.





Muslim leader responds to incompatibility statement

Published on Apr 4, 2016

World politicians are speaking out about Islam after recent ISIS attacks in Brussels, Pakistan and Paris.

The world's second most practiced religion has been under fire for countless attacks committed by radicals who claim to practice Islam. Renée Cooper set out to see how Islam is practiced today, despite being a regular topic in the headlines.





Proposed law requires South Carolina Schools to teach CPR

Published on Mar 28, 2016

A new law requires high schools to teach all students CPR before they graduate. It passed the South Carolina Senate Wednesday. The Bill was introduced in 2014 as a response to a high school football player's death back in 2012. Renée Cooper followed the bill and reports on the implications of this unfunded mandate.





USC's International Student Association hosts "World Night"

Published on Mar 18, 2016

USC students celebrated Saint Patrick’s Day by observing and honoring world culture. The International Student Association created a night to remember, filled with performances, fashion and food from all over the world. Renée Cooper reports about why recognizing global culture is so important.





Healthcare professionals discuss universal healthcare

Published on Mar 14, 2016

A Kaiser Family Foundation Health Tracking Poll says that health insurance and the cost thereof is extremely important to 28 percent of voters in the 2016 presidential election. Democratic candidates, particularly Bernie Sanders, have pressed the idea of a universal health care system. Renée Cooper sat down with health care professionals to find out what this still theoretical system would look like.






Vehicle thefts up in Columbia

Published on Mar 2, 2016

31 vehicles were stolen between January 1 and February 15 of 2012 because the keys were left in the ignition. This statistic does not include vehicle break ins, which are also on the rise. Renée Cooper investigated the increase in crime related to unattended vehicles in Columbia to find out how to be proactive and avoid these cases all together.





Looking to the 2016 Iowa Caucus

Published on Feb 8, 2016

After months of campaigning, the inaugural votes in the 2016 election will be cast tonight. Beginning at 8 p.m. the Iowa Caucuses are the opening votes for a presidential candidate this year. In anticipation of tonight's outcome, Renée Cooper spoke with South Carolina Democratic Chair Jaime Harrison about expectations and the importance of voting.




Feature: Columbia's COMET

Published on Feb 10, 2016

Columbia's public transportation system, known for its big colorful buses, is continuing to expand. The COMET is now offering free bus rides to Columbia students, including first-year college students with a valid I.D.




After the South Carolina flood: community input and recovery

Published on Jan 22, 2016

The rainfall in October left many without a home, livelihood, or even running water. Today, Richland County reached out to the community for feedback on official recovery efforts. Those who attended sought compassion and change.




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