COLUMBIA

The state Supreme Court said Thursday it will hear a case filed by four state employees in the TERI program who claim the state is illegally deducting money from their paychecks.

The court has not yet decided whether the case will apply to all 14,000 TERI employees, but that decision could come in a few weeks.

The case centers on a new state law that requires TERI employees — who are retired but continue to work — to contribute to the state’s retirement system.

A circuit judge temporarily barred the state from deducting 6.25 percent from the paychecks of the four employees. The Supreme Court instead ordered the money should be set aside until the case is decided.

• Meeting will address Medicaid changes

The state NAACP has scheduled the first of several town hall meetings for Tuesday in Columbia to discuss proposed changes in the state’s Medicaid program.

The meeting is at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at St. John Baptist Church, 3404 Beltline Blvd. The group plans to schedule other meetings in Greenville, Charleston and the Pee Dee region.

For more information, call (803) 754-4584.

• Zoo visitors can get a look at new tiger cubs

Three 3-month-old tiger cubs went on exhibit Thursday at Riverbanks Zoo, and they will be out for public viewing for limited periods each day as they get used to their new environment.

The cubs — named Nika, Kyra and Anya — were born May 9 to Koshka. This is her second litter, and the first that she reared herself. Two cubs born to Koshka in 2003 had to be hand-reared because Koshka failed to produce milk.

The father is Globus, who was on the cover of National Geographic in 1997 while living in a Russian game preserve.

Riverbanks is open daily 9 a.m.-5 p.m., with admission fees of $8.75 for adults and $6.25 for ages 3-12.

• Committee looks at bus route changes

A subcommittee of the Central Midlands Regional Transit Authority is still reviewing information about the area’s bus routes and whether to eliminate Saturday service.

The group originally had planned to make a recommendation Thursday but decided they needed more time.

They’re expected to meet later this month.

EASTOVER

• State jobs agency opens Eastover office

The Employment Security Commission marked its new satellite office in Eastover with an open house Thursday evening.

The office, open Thursdays, has attracted 10 to 15 people a day since opening about a month ago — and that’s more than expected, said Sam Pike, deputy director for employment and training. “I think the community was ready for it and needed the help.”

Residents can look for work and file for unemployment benefits at the office in Town Hall.

Before, folks had to travel to Columbia, Mayor Chris Campbell noted.

Contributing: The Associated Press, staff writers Joey Holleman, Gina Smith, Dawn Hinshaw