MORNING HEADLINES | In a case that may have national implications, a federal judge in Charleston on Wednesday threw out a defamation lawsuit against U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace, R-Charleston. It was brought after she accused four men of being sexual predators during a fiery February speech on the floor of the U.S. Capitol.
In a ruling from the bench, U.S. District Judge Richard Gergel said he had no choice but to dismiss the lawsuit brought by one of the four men because of a law that shields members of Congress from facing lawsuits when they are performing official duties, such as making speeches on the Capitol floor.
Meanwhile, another of the four men accused by Mace in February turned himself in for arrest Tuesday on an unrelated first-degree domestic violence charge reportedly stemming from a 2016 incident. According to media reports, a man can be heard hitting a woman in an argument captured on video.
A magistrate later denied bond in the case against 45-year-old software developer Eric Bowman, who is in Charleston County’s jail.
In other headlines
CP Review: In quirky ‘End Days,’ Jesus meets the King. It’s likely rare to see the words “comedy” and “9/11” in the same story. Even as we round 24 years since that paradigm-pulverizing tragedy, its pall on the national psyche endures.
Utility pushes forward with new power line through Beidler Forest. Santee Cooper officials say they’re moving forward with a major power line project that will impact about 1.5 acres in Dorchester County’s Beidler Forest,the world’s largest old-growth cypress-tupelo swamp forest.
Dorchester County state legislator resigns. Dorchester County Republican Rep. Chris Murphy on Wednesday became the latest S.C. legislator to step down, calling the decision “bittersweet.” Three other state legislators resigned earlier this month, although one of them is running for another seat.
Charleston Animal Society kicks off ‘Clear the Shelter’ initiative in Berkeley County. This week, more than 600 pets will be available at the Charleston Animal Society’s Berkeley shelter at 50% off, with free adoptions scheduled for next weekend.
MUSC gets initial approval to take control of struggling hospital system. The state’s Joint Bond Review Committee gave initial approval yesterday to the Medical University of South Carolina’s plan to buy a 50% share in Tidelands Health, employs more than 2,500 people in coastal Georgetown, Horry, and Williamsburg counties.
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