The South Carolina Senate passed a new abortion ban Thursday, claiming that several clarifications of the bill’s language and repeals of conflicting laws will satisfy a majority on the S.C. Supreme Court, now an all-male bench. Earlier this year, the court overturned a 2021 ban based on the state constitution’s right to privacy, but that opinion was written by Justice Kaye Hearn, who will be replaced by more conservative incoming Justice Gary Hill.
The revised Senate bill threw out a provision dating to 1974 that allows women to be charged and sent to prison for up to two years for buying abortion-inducing drugs on the black market or otherwise arranging an abortion at home, according to one media outlet. The measure also includes exceptions for rape, incest, fatal fetal anomaly, and the patient’s life and health up to 12 weeks.
However, differences with stricter proposals in the House could derail the effort to take away a woman’s right to choose once again. House Republicans have insisted they will accept nothing less than a ban at conception and are expected to approve their latest attempt to ban nearly all abortions next week, which would then be sent to the Senate. The competing bills could result in another stalemate like the one that scuttled last year’s effort.
In other headlines:
S.C. official makes $3.5 billion accounting mistake. South Carolina’s top accountant overstated the state’s general fund balance by $3.5 billion due to double counting some of the state’s finances. The reporting error did not affect state operations, according to Comptroller General Richard Eckstrom, who apologized for the mistake. But legislative overseers want to know what happened — even though the post-budgeting reporting error didn’t reflect a loss of any revenue.
Fundraiser rewards family caregiver who testified against Murdaugh. A GoFundMe campaign was set up for the former Murdaugh family caregiver after she testified against disbarred lawyer Alex Murdaugh Feb. 6 in the double murder trial of his wife and son. The campaign raised $13,600 from more than 350 donors. Meanwhile Thursday, a close friend of Murdaugh testified that Murdaugh had admitted to stealing money.
Firefly Distillery celebrates 3 years in Park Circle Feb. 11. Charleston-based distillery is celebrating its third year in Park Circle after it moved from its original Wadmalaw Island location in 2020. The Saturday celebration will feature live music, food trucks and special one-day only cocktails.
King Street parking plan enforcement begins. Downtown Charleston’s new King Street Safety Plan is now in effect, prohibiting street parking from 6 p.m. to 3 a.m. between Spring and John Streets Thursdays to Saturdays.
Charleston officials tighten restrictions on downtown signage. Charleston officials are reminding King Street businesses of the sign restrictions they must follow. The rules were relaxed during the pandemic, but as foot traffic increases the need to enforce proper signage returns.
Inaugural civil rights, civics program opens to high school freshmen. Applications for the first-ever week-long Charleston Civil Rights and Civics (C3) program opened this week for Lowcountry high school freshmen. The free educational program designed to teach the history of slavery and civil rights in South Carolina.
Charleston to be test market for new Chick-Fil-A menu item. The Atlanta-based chain announced Feb. 9 that it will start testing a cauliflower sandwich in Charleston and two other markets starting Monday.
City of North Charleston considers rezoning. The City of North Charleston will consider an ordinance creating a new zoning district Thursday night at the site of a former Navy Base. The new site would establish a mixed-use urban area that will provide office, retail, entertainment, civic and public uses.
- To get dozens of South Carolina news stories every business day, contact the folks at SC Clips.
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