MORNING HEADLINES | The S.C. Supreme Court on Wednesday unanimously upheld the state’s “fetal heartbeat” law that bans abortions at six weeks.
Lawyers for Planned Parenthood of S.C. argued that under the law’s precise wording, the ban shouldn’t take effect until the ninth week of a pregnancy.
But according to the Associated Press, the state argued that conception begins at the moment when an ultrasound detects cardiac activity.” And although justices recognized the statute had vague language, they said they studied the General Assembly’s intent “which left no doubt that lawmakers on both sides of the issue saw it as a six-week ban.”
The AP story also said 12 states currently have bans on abortion at all stages of pregnancy, with limited exceptions. “South Carolina and three others prohibit abortions at or about six weeks into pregnancy — often before women realize they’re pregnant.”
The current five-member court is all-White and includes one woman justice. Previous courts that dealt with the ban included two other members – one Black and one woman – who tended to side with ban opponents. Planned Parenthood said it would continue to challenge the ban.
DON’T FORGET: Be on the lookout Friday for the City Paper’s annual Best of Charleston issue, which features 469 winners from around the area. A winner’s party is scheduled tonight in North Charleston. Get tickets.
In other headlines:
CP FOOD: Charleston Chef Bob Carter passes away. Chef Bob Carter, a founding father of Charleston’s vibrant dining scene, died Tuesday night in a Mount Pleasant hotel room where he was staying, according to Charleston County Coroner Bobbi Jo O’Neal.
Murdaugh trial clerk of court charged with multiple counts of obstruction, perjury. Former Colleton County’s clerk of court Rebecca “Becky” Hill, 57, was arrested Wednesday on multiple counts of misconduct in office, obstruction of justice and perjury, stemming from actions that came to light after the murder trial of notorious S.C. powerbroker Alex Murdaugh.
Big deal for Boeing in Qatar. The White House announced on Wednesday that Qatar has pledged to purchase 130 South Carolina-made Boeing 787 Dreamliners and 30 other jets in a deal worth billions. In a statement, Gov. Henry McMaster called the order “a major victory for Boeing, North Charleston, and all of South Carolina.” Time magazine called it a new era of “aviation diplomacy.”
5 new state laws you need to know about. Gov. Henry McMaster has signed five bills into law since the legislative session ended on May 8.
- McMaster signs law expanding red snapper-grouper fishing off S.C. coast.
- Democratic businessman announces campaign to unseat Graham
- New census data shows S.C. population continuing to swell.
James Island works to memorialize teen who died at intersection. The town of James Island will vote Thursday on a resolution asking state officials to rename an intersection in honor of Gabriel Seagraves, a 15-year-old pedestrian who died 10 years ago when he was hit by a motorist who was driving 51 mph in a 30 mph zone.
Charleston working to get Washington on board with new sea wall plan. Charleston Mayor William Cogswell will travel to Washington, D.C., on May 21 for meetings with federal officials on the city’s new sea wall plan from the peninsula.
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