MORNING HEADLINES | The iconic bald eagle has for centuries been the emblem of the United States, serving as a symbol of freedom across the globe. The majestic raptor, however, has only just this week been made the official national bird, thanks to an act of Congress signed by President Joe Biden on Tuesday.
The bald eagle, long diminished last century by post-war pesticides, started recovering after a ban on DDT in 1972. The birds were, in fact, considered an endangered species in the U.S. until 1995, and it was later removed from the threatened species list in 2007.
Today, South Carolina’s ACE Basin is a hotspot for nesting eagles, who live where they like to hunt — near slow-moving water filled with fish and smaller waterfowl.
“You’ve got huge development in Charleston and in Beaufort County, and then there’s a stretch between,” David Bishop, The Nature Conservancy’s ACE Basin project director said in a June 2024 article. “The ACE Basin is that space between the people. Eagles need that.”
The legislation to make the eagle become the national bird was introduced by U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar and Rep. Brad Finstad, both of Minnesota. The two said the bald eagle is “a historical symbol of the United States representing independence, strength and freedom.”
The bird has long been a cultural symbol, emblazoned on U.S. currency, depicted on stamps and representing sports teams and American clothing brands. The spacecraft that landed on the moon during the Apollo 11 mission was even identified with the bird when Neil Armstong said, “The Eagle has landed.”
The eagle now joins the same ranks as the American bison, which became the national mammal in 2016, and the oak, which has been the national tree since 2004.
In today’s issue of the City Paper:
CP OPINION: Our View: A checklist for an even better Charleston. “The water is rising, the roads are full, the schools are struggling. Welcome to Charleston, right? But that’s the point. These are the issues that disrupt our daily lives and threaten our children’s future. We can’t afford to lose sight of them every time a social media tempest blows across our screens.”
- CP CARTOONS: Ariail: She won’t shut up.
- CP CARTOONS: Stegelin: Happy New Year!
CP NEWS: South Carolina wrapped: The top statewide news stories of 2024. Referring to the ideological conflicts that occasionally roiled his administration, President Ronald Reagan once winkingly noted that “sometimes our right hand doesn’t know what our far-right hand is doing.”
CP NEWS: The 12 biggest stories that topped Charleston headlines in 2024. The last year has been jam-packed with news headlines that made waves across the Lowcountry and the Palmetto state. It seemed like each passing month brought bigger, more impactful stories. Here’s the breakdown month by month.
CP ARTS: A look back at the City Paper’s top artistic highlights of 2024. There were arts-focused feature stories on everything from self-expression in the skateboarding scene in Charleston to Spoleto offerings, Lowcountry film locations and independent fashion designers.
In other headlines:
North Charleston’s new police chief breaks down goals on ride-along. The North Charleston Police Chief spoke about his background, his goals, and his adjustments to the Lowcountry during a ride-along with reporters on Christmas.
How and where to dispose of holiday decorations in the Charleston area. With the 2024 holiday season ending, it will soon be time to take down the Christmas tree and festive decorations that have adorned your house for weeks.
Folly Beach community to hold third annual Hanukkah celebration. A celebration scheduled for Friday night on Folly Beach will gather people in a celebration of the Festival of Lights.
IAAM hosts educational workshops for Kwanzaa in Charleston. The International African American Museum in downtown Charleston kicked off Kwanzaa celebrations Thursday to honor the rich history of African American culture.
Daniel Island will do without supermarket for much of 2025. Daniel Island’s Publix this week closed to the community as part of a plan to replace it with a store with about 70% more shelf space.
S.C. lawmakers discuss bill that could convict drug dealers for homicide. South Carolina lawmakers are targeting drug dealers in a new bill that could put dealers in prison for homicide, aiming to stop the use and dealing of fentanyl.
New federal anti-hazing law expands reporting requirements for S.C. universities. President Joe Biden signed into law Dec. 24 a bill that requires universities in South Carolina and across the country to include hazing incidents in their annual security disclosures.
Help keep the City Paper free.
No paywalls.
No subscription cost.
Free delivery at 800 locations.
Help support independent journalism by donating today.