A former South Carolina election official has apologized for his Internet posting that compared a gorilla to an ancestor of first lady Michelle Obama. Former state Election Commission Chairman Rusty DePass read a statement during an NAACP news conference in Columbia Wednesday saying his comments were offensive and foolish. WJBF News Channel 6’s SC Capitol reporter, Robert Kittle, has more.

The state NAACP is demanding an apology from a former South Carolina official whose Internet posting suggested a gorilla that escaped from the Columbia zoo was an ancestor of first lady Michelle Obama.

Extra precautions were taken at Riverbanks Zoo, this weekend, after a gorilla briefly got out of his habitat, Friday, and into the public area of the park. Zoo staff inspected all mammal habitats before the park opened, Saturday, and removed any underbrush or landscaping that they thought were too close to an exhibit.

Extra precautions were taken at Riverbanks Zoo, this weekend, after a gorilla briefly got out of his habitat, Friday, and into the public area of the park. Zoo staff inspected all mammal habitats before the park opened, Saturday, and removed any underbrush or landscaping that they thought were too close to an exhibit.

A gorilla is back in its pen after escaping an enclosure at a South Carolina zoo and injuring a worker. Multiple media outlets reported Friday that a gorilla named Mike escaped his exhibit for about five minutes and injured a food service employee. No details immediately were given on the worker’s condition. WJBF News Channel 6’s SC Capitol reporter, Robert Kittle, has more.

A gorilla is back in its pen after escaping an enclosure at a South Carolina zoo and injuring a worker. Multiple media outlets reported Friday that a gorilla named Mike escaped his exhibit for about five minutes and injured a food service employee. No details immediately were given on the worker’s condition. WJBF News Channel 6’s SC Capitol reporter, Robert Kittle, has more.