The South Carolina Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that the Heritage Act, which prevents removal or changing of public monuments or names without the legislature’s approval, is legal. However, the same ruling struck down the two-thirds majority needed in the General Assembly to make the removal or name change. State Sen. Gerald Malloy, who represented a client in the case, said the reversal of the needed two-thirds vote is a victory because, “The voice of the majority can now be heard.” More: AP News, Spartanburg Herald-Journal, The State, The Orangeburg Times & Democrat, The Post and Courier
In other headlines:
Port volumes remain strong for August. The S.C. Ports Authority handled 114,671 import containers in the month of August. That amount represents an 18% year-over-year increase over last year. More: Charleston Regional Business Journal
Scott’s police reform talks fail. Democratic New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker was tasked with working with lead Republican negotiator Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina over police reforms aimed at curbing killings of unarmed Black people. But this week, Booker told reporters the two senators were at a stalemate. Scott blamed Booker for walking away, saying “Crime will continue to increase while safety decreases, and more officers are going to walk away from the force because my negotiating partners walked away from the table.” More: AP News, The Post and Courier, The State
Murdaugh cases to be overseen by veteran judge. S.C. Supreme Court Chief Justice Donald Beatty has tapped veteran judge Clifton Newman to oversee any Murdaugh-related proceedings in connection to the many ongoing investigations. More: Fits News
S.C. docs tell lawmakers their struggles in treating COVID-19. Hospital systems and doctors told state lawmakers this week that they would increase access to COVID-19 antibodies if they could but the demand is outstripping supply. More: The Post and Courier, The State, Spartanburg Herald-Journal
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