South Carolina

The South Carolina Supreme Court has overturned Alex Murdaugh's murder convictions in the killings of his wife Maggie and son Paul. The disbarred former lawyer was sentenced in 2023 to life in prison after a trial that drew national attention. The court's ruling means his convictions must now be reviewed, and attention is turning to whether he will face a new trial.

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.

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.