Patrick Phillips

Digital Content Manager

Charleston, SC

Patrick is the digital content manager for Live 5 News in Charleston.

He joined the Live 5 News team in October 2006 and has been managing the station's website since March 2014.

He began his broadcasting career in 1991 at WLTX-TV in Columbia and graduated from the University of South Carolina with a degree in Broadcasting.

Recent Articles by Patrick

Downtown Charleston escapes major flooding from Isaias

While the rain from Isaias has been coming down for hours, the Holy City dodged a bullet when it comes to flooding.

Patrick Phillips, Paola Tristan Arruda, Alexis Simmons, Carter Coyle and Nick Reagan

Published August 3, 2020 at 7:51 PM

Surfers brave the waves Isaias churns up at Folly Beach

As conditions at Folly Beach began to deteriorate as Tropical Storm Isaias approached the Carolinas, some surfers took advantage of the big waves ahead of the storm.

Patrick Phillips and Harve Jacobs

Published August 3, 2020 at 5:23 PM

McMaster says no plans to issue state of emergency for South Carolina

“We have no intention of issuing an emergency evacuation order,” he said during a press conference this afternoon. “It looks like it will not be necessary.”

Ray Rivera and Patrick Phillips

Published July 31, 2020 at 6:49 PM

Casting agency warns of scam involving Netflix show ‘Outer Banks’

The casting agency who assisted the Netflix program “Outer Banks” during its first season said it learned of a scam targeting people who hope to be cast for the program’s second season.

Patrick Phillips

Published July 22, 2020 at 5:16 PM

Court temporarily blocks McMaster’s SAFE Grants program

An Orangeburg County circuit court judge signed a temporary restraining order Wednesday to prevent the distribution of SAFE Grants designed to help subsidize private and parochial school tuition for lower-income students.

Patrick Phillips

Published July 22, 2020 at 4:27 PM

Gov. McMaster announces SAFE Grants program to help families afford tuition for private schools

Gov. Henry McMaster announced Monday morning a new program that will provide scholarships or one-time grants to help families subsidize tuition for the state's participating private, parochial or independent schools in the state.

Patrick Phillips

Published July 20, 2020 at 12:25 PM

Gov. McMaster orders school districts to plan for in-person school this fall

Gov. Henry McMaster called on all public school districts in the state to give parents the option to send students to school five days a week or provide a virtual education option.

Patrick Phillips

Published July 15, 2020 at 4:23 PM

McMaster bans alcohol sales after 11 p.m. at bars, restaurants

South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster has issued a new executive order that will stop alcoholic beverage sales at restaurants and bars after 11 p.m. beginning Saturday.

Patrick Phillips

Published July 10, 2020 at 1:35 PM

S.C. unemployment claim totals surpass 650K mark

More than 650,000 South Carolinians have filed their first claim for unemployment benefits since mid-March when the coronavirus pandemic began affecting jobs in the Palmetto State.

Patrick Phillips

Published July 9, 2020 at 9:28 AM

Latest S.C. unemployment numbers show total of 635K+ new claims since March

The South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce says the number of people who have filed their first claim for unemployment benefits continues to grow months after the coronavirus pandemic began having a major impact on jobs in the state.

Patrick Phillips

Published July 2, 2020 at 8:44 AM

Beaufort, Hilton Head pass mask ordinances; 5 other communities to decide Monday

Several Lowcountry communities will discuss and potentially vote Monday on whether to require their residents to wear face masks in public to help slow the spread of the coronavirus.

Patrick Phillips and Alexis Simmons

Published June 29, 2020 at 11:13 AM

Coast Guard suspends search for boater who went missing near Ravenel Bridge

The Coast Guard suspended its search Friday night for an 18-year-old man who went missing in the water near the Ravenel Bridge late Thursday night.

Patrick Phillips

Published June 26, 2020 at 9:12 AM

Crews remove John C. Calhoun statue from Marion Square

After more than 17 hours, workers have brought down the statue of former United States Vice President and South Carolina statesman John C. Calhoun in downtown Charleston.

Ray Rivera and Patrick Phillips

Published June 24, 2020 at 7:07 PM

Hurricane lane reversal drill planned for Thursday

The South Carolina Department of Transportation will participate in a statewide hurricane lane reversal drill on Thursday to make sure crews are prepared in case reversals become necessary this hurricane season.

Patrick Phillips

Published June 24, 2020 at 9:35 AM

SC governor announces ‘Palmetto Priority’ program focused on restaurant safety

The program, called “Palmetto Priority,” is a commitment made by restaurants to provide a safe place for staff and customers to demonstrate real precautions that they are taking to prevent the spread of the virus.

Ray Rivera and Patrick Phillips

Published June 23, 2020 at 5:03 PM

AccelerateED unveils recommendations for new school year

South Carolina Education Superintendent Molly Spearman presented back-to-school recommendations at a Monday afternoon news conference.

Patrick Phillips and Live 5 Web Staff

Published June 22, 2020 at 7:01 PM

Former federal prosecutor named U.S. attorney for South Carolina

A former state lawmaker is now officially the top federal prosecutor in South Carolina.

Patrick Phillips

Published June 22, 2020 at 8:41 AM

Charleston 9 remembered 13 years after deadly fire

The city of Charleston will pay tribute Thursday to the Charleston 9, nine firefighters who died battling a West Ashley furniture store fire.

Patrick Phillips and Summer Huechtker

Published June 18, 2020 at 9:37 AM

Wednesday marks 5 years since killings at Mother Emanuel AME Church

It has been five years since a white supremacist opened fire on churchgoers at the end of a Wednesday night Bible study at Mother Emanuel AME Church in downtown Charleston.

Patrick Phillips and Danielle Seat

Published June 17, 2020 at 1:31 PM

Charleston plant explosion claimed 9 lives 29 years ago

As families of the Emanuel 9 mark five years since their loved ones' deaths in a church shooting Wednesday, families of nine plant workers are remembering the 29th anniversary of the tragedy that changed their lives as well.

Patrick Phillips

Published June 17, 2020 at 5:34 AM

Caught on Camera: Sprinklers interrupt high school graduation ceremony

Wednesday morning’s graduation ceremony at Ashley Ridge High School will surely be one the school and the Class of 2020 won’t ever forget.

Patrick Phillips and Nick Reagan

Published June 11, 2020 at 4:26 AM

One killed in Colleton County motorcycle crash

The South Carolina Highway Patrol is investigating a fatal Monday night motorcycle crash.

Patrick Phillips

Published June 4, 2020 at 5:09 AM

Mayor: ‘Band of thugs’ responsible for Charleston rioting, ‘won’t be allowed to do it again’

Charleston Mayor John Tecklenburg vowed that more forces will be brought to bear Sunday night and in the foreseeable future following a night of riots.

Patrick Phillips

Published May 31, 2020 at 10:32 AM

Daylight reveals extent of damage downtown after protest turns to riot

As the sun rose Sunday morning, business and property owners in downtown Charleston had already been at work sweeping broken glass and boarding up broken windows.