MORNING HEADLINES | While the state Senate balked Tuesday on pushing South Carolina into a war over redistricting its seven congressional seats, word on the street is that S.C. Gov. Henry McMaster is about to overturn the legislative redistricting applecart.
McMaster, who earlier said he wouldn’t call the General Assembly back into session over maps — now appears poised to succumb to political pressure and call for a special session Friday to redraw maps. The move would line up with President Donald Trump’s call to try to eliminate the state’s only Democratic congressional district. Longtime U.S. Rep. James Clyburn is the only Democrat in the state’s seven-member U.S. House delegation.
But some say the remapping effort could ultimately backfire – leaving state Republicans, who are mired in a novel mid-decade national redistricting fracas over control next year of the U.S. House, with five GOP seats, not all of them. Regardless, as redistricting efforts intensify across the nation, voters are caught in the middle.
Stuff to do around town
Our online events calendar has scores of events around the Lowcountry every day, making it the most detailed calendar of what’s happening in the area. Just click on “Events” above at right under the black toolbar. You’ll be amazed at what you find.
- Also sign up today to get relevant newsletters on art, music, food, fun events, statewide news and opinion.
- Coming Friday: The City Paper’s 2026 Best of Charleston winners!
In recent headlines
MURDAUGH: S.C. top court overturns murder convictions. The S.C. Supreme Court on Wednesday cited jury interference by a county court clerk in overturning disgraced Lowcountry lawyer Alex Murdaugh’s two murder convictions for killing his wife and son in 2021. The 2023 trial captivated the nation. Murdaugh remains in prison due to convictions on financial crimes. The state says it will retry Murdaugh for the killings. Here’s a timeline of events surrounding the Murdaugh cases.
Scott’s family pushes back on early release for Slager. The family of slain North Charleston resident Walter Scott is pushing back against the possible early release of his killer, former policeman Michael Slager.
S.C. lawmakers celebrate planned Smalls monument. A look at how S.C. legislators are celebrating a monument to Civil War hero Robert Smalls some 164 years after he escaped slavery.
- Lawmakers reach deal on charter school reform
- Bill to speed road construction projects moves forward
Charleston Co. breaks ground on new EMS headquarters. A groundbreaking is scheduled today for a new 130,000 square foot EMS facility on Azalea Drive.
- Folly Road to see transportation improvements
- Habitat building new Johns Island neighborhood
- Shem Creek restaurant to curb dock hours after accident
S.C.’s population boom shifts to smaller cities. New census data show that people who moved to South Carolina, the nation’s fastest growing state in 2025, moved to smaller cities — not Greenville, Charleston or Myrtle Beach.
Support independent journalism
Keep the City Paper strong with a spring gift. This holiday season, please consider donating $25 — or even $100 — to support free, independent journalism at the Charleston City Paper. Every donation helps keep alive a voice of freedom. Your help is appreciated.
Help keep the City Paper free.
No paywalls.
No subscription cost.
Free delivery at 800 locations.
Help support independent journalism by donating today.