MORNING HEADLINES | Attorneys for the state of South Carolina and Planned Parenthood returned to the state’s highest court Wednesday to argue how restrictive an existing heartbeat abortion ban should be.
As it stands, South Carolina bans almost all abortions after cardiac activity begins — roughly six weeks in most cases. But abortion rights activists argue the law includes alternative definitions about the timing of a fetal heart forming and a “heartbeat,” which means the ban should actually start around nine or even 10 weeks.
Arguments were heard for over an hour at the S.C. Supreme Court in Columbia. Justices will likely take several months to decide the case. In the meantime, the abortion ban around six weeks is likely to remain in place after it was upheld by a lower court in 2024.
The legal fight has been brewing since the state Supreme Court reversed itself after overturning a similar ban in 2021. The Republican-dominated General Assembly then made small changes, and a justice who voted in the majority in the 3-2 decision to overturn the ban reached retirement age and was replaced.
Currently, 13 states are enforcing bans on abortion at all stages of pregnancy, with limited exceptions, and South Carolina and three others have bans that kick in at or about six weeks into pregnancy — often before women realize they’re pregnant.
In other recent headlines:
CP OPINION: Move forward now on Mace allegations. “Remember the story about the boy who cried wolf so many times that people stopped believing him? Do you remember its end? Yes, that’s right, there actually was a wolf.”
CP NEWS: Liquor liability crisis continues to divide lawmakers. If there’s one thing that everyone involved in South Carolina’s liquor liability debate seems to agree on, it’s that bar and restaurant owners need fast relief from the sky-high insurance rates that are putting too many of them out of business. But that’s where the consensus stops.
CP NEWS: 8 picks for a fun SEWE weekend. With Charleston’s Southeastern Wildlife Exposition (SEWE) set to kick off Friday, here are 8 great events visitors will love.
- Related: Chefs and farmers team up for SEWE
- Related: Duck dogs always make a splash at SEWE
Charleston considers narrow exception to bike path ban on golf carts. Facing pushback from some West Ashley residents, the city is considering a change to its strict prohibition of golf carts on bike paths.
Hundreds of Charleston’s new parking meters don’t work. A plan to replace Charleston’s old parking meters with state-of-the-art smart meters has gone awry, leaving motorists worried about tickets and towing.
Historic Emanuel AME preparing for Phase 2 of restoration project. The church, which was founded in 1891, is moving forward with an ambitious restoration plan that includes roof repairs and the completion of a memorial to those lost in the horrific 2015 mass shooting.
Charleston schools chief asks community to help advance literacy, math goals. Charleston County Superintendent Anita Huggins is calling on community organizations to support the district’s efforts to close racial disparities in area schools.
S.C. Senate president makes case for fentanyl homicide bill. South Carolina Senate President Thomas Alexander (R-Oconee) argued on behalf of S 156, a bill he’s offering to toughen prison sentences for fentanyl dealers in overdose cases, before a Senate Judiciary subcommittee Wednesday. A similar bill died without a vote last year in the S.C. House.
Minors would need parental permission to use social media under S.C. House bill. An S.C. House panel advanced legislation that would require parents to give their permission for anyone under the age of 18 to download a social media app. A similar bill failed in the S.C. Senate last year.
- Previous CP coverage: House bill would limit minors’ access to social media
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