A group of state senators probing S.C.’s juvenile prison system voted Wednesday to say they have no confidence in Department of Juvenile Justice Director Freddie Pough. Meanwhile, Gov. Henry McMaster, who appointed Pough, issued a statement Wednesday that said private security would immediately help with staffing shortages. More: AP News, The Post and Courier
In other headlines:
Condemned men seek stay from federal judge. Attorneys for two death row inmates condemned to die on June 18 and June 25 have asked U.S. District Judge Bryan Harwell to block their executions while a lawsuit over the state’s new law forcing inmates to choose between electrocution or firing squad proceeds. A circuit court judge declined to stay the executions in a decision earlier this week. Harwell did not indicate on Wednesday how he would decide. More: AP News, The Post and Courier
S.C. House declines vaccine lotto, OKs raises for state workers. The South Carolina House of Representatives passed its version of a nearly $11 billion state spending plan for the coming fiscal year. It includes raises for teachers, law enforcement officers and nearly every state employee, and it offers money to colleges and arts centers as it spends more money than anticipated after fears of economic woes from the pandemic. Not in the budget? A COVID-19 vaccine lottery prize. More: AP News, The State
Little public information on Murdaugh deaths fuel rumors. Persons of interest have not been named in the shooting deaths of two members of the prominent legal Murdaugh family. Maggie Murdaugh, 52, and her son Paul Murdaugh, 22, were found shot to death Monday at the family’s land in Colleton County. Paul Murdaugh was awaiting trial on charges of driving a boat under the influence, which may have contributed to the death of Mallory Beach, 19, in 2019. More: WCSC, The State, The Post and Courier
State high court nixes lifelong sex offender registry. The state’s Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that a state law requiring sex offenders to register for life, without prior judicial review, is unconstitutional since it “violates due process.” The Justices set a 12-month timeline to implement the ruling. More: AP News
- To get dozens of South Carolina news stories every business day, contact the folks at SC Clips.
Stay cool. Support City Paper.
City Paper has been bringing the best news, food, arts, music and event coverage to the Holy City since 1997. Support our continued efforts to highlight the best of Charleston with a one-time donation or become a member of the City Paper Club.