South Carolina

The South Carolina Supreme Court has overturned the murder convictions of Alex Murdaugh, the disbarred lawyer previously found guilty of killing his wife Maggie and son Paul in 2021. The ruling throws out the 2023 verdicts, and attention now turns to whether prosecutors will retry him in the double-murder case.

Memorial services honoring Rev. Jesse Jackson, the longtime civil rights leader, have been expanded to include events in Chicago and South Carolina, according to ABC7 Chicago. Jackson, a prominent figure in the American civil rights movement and founder of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, is being honored with services in multiple locations as tributes continue.

Readers writing to the Post and Courier in South Carolina are pressing three demands: repeal the local rental property cap, maintain support for Ukraine, and rein in US military spending. The letters reflect ongoing frustration among residents over housing affordability rules at home, combined with debate over how the federal budget balances defense costs against foreign aid commitments.

The US Department of Housing and Urban Development is showcasing innovative approaches as it searches for solutions to the country's affordable housing shortage. The story is being carried by Sinclair-owned local stations across the country, including outlets in Maine, Texas and South Carolina, reflecting widespread interest in how federal housing policy might address rising housing costs.

The Joy and Justice Tour has concluded in Columbia, South Carolina, with events centred on girls' mental health and period poverty. Organisers highlighted the barriers girls face in accessing menstrual products and mental health support, drawing local attention to issues often left out of mainstream policy debates. Coverage notes the tour used its final stop to call attention to these combined challenges affecting young women.

A man from West Columbia has been charged with murder in connection with the death of a 17-year-old in Union, South Carolina, according to WLTX. Few details about the suspect, the circumstances of the killing, or the relationship between the two have been released so far, and authorities have not publicly outlined what led to the charges.

Georgetown County is weighing a dredging project at Murrells Inlet, South Carolina, that could deliver an economic boost by improving navigation for boats and supporting tourism and fishing. Officials say they first want a full picture of the environmental consequences, including effects on wetlands and marine habitats, before committing to the work.

Charleston officials and emergency planners are facing fresh questions about whether South Carolina could withstand a Category 5 hurricane, a storm stronger than Hugo, which devastated the state in 1989. The Post and Courier examined how the city would prepare and respond to a worst-case scenario, including evacuations, flooding defenses and infrastructure strain. The report is prompting discussion about the region's growing vulnerability as coastal development and climate risks increase.

The North Carolina Department of Transportation says sections of Highway 12, the main route along the Outer Banks, remain closed after ocean water washed over the road. Drivers are being kept off the affected stretches while crews assess conditions and wait for water to recede. Travelers in the area should expect delays and check updates before heading north or south along the barrier islands.

A historic restaurant in Murrells Inlet, South Carolina, could be sunk offshore to serve as an artificial reef, with parts of the structure living on beneath the waves. The idea would preserve a piece of the waterfront community's history while creating habitat for marine life along the Grand Strand coast.