South Carolina

Justices said decision was due to ‘improper external influences on the jury’ by a court clerk during the trialSign up for the Breaking News US newsletter emailThe South Carolina supreme court on Wednesday overturned the murder convictions of Alex Murdaugh, the disgraced South Carolina attorney, due to “shocking jury interference” and ordered a new trial in the 2021 killing of his wife and son.In a unanimous opinion, the justices said that “although we are aware of the time, money, and effort expended for this lengthy trial, we have no choice but to reverse the denial of Murdaugh’s motion for a new trial” because of what they described as “improper external influences on the jury” by a court clerk during the trial, according to CNN. Continue reading...

Republican leader acknowledges ‘likely consequences’ for resisting US president’s demands to redraw mapSign up for the Breaking News US newsletter emailSouth Carolina state senators on Tuesday defied pressure from Donald Trump to approve plans to redraw the state’s congressional map after the US supreme court effectively gutted the Voting Rights Act.As Republicans scramble to redraw key districts after the US supreme court rendered ineffective a major section of the civil rights law that prevented racial discrimination, Shane Massey, the Republican majority leader in South Carolina’s senate, argued in an extraordinary address that doing so would be against the interest of his state. Continue reading...

• A growing measles outbreak in South Carolina, reported in recent days, has seen case numbers rise amid low vaccination rates in certain communities. • Public health officials note multiple exposures and urge unvaccinated individuals to seek MMR shots immediately. • The outbreak underscores U.S. vulnerabilities with national MMR coverage at 92.7%, below herd immunity thresholds, risking wider spread.

• South Carolina health officials ended the nation's largest measles outbreak after six months, with 997 infections and 21 hospitalizations but no deaths. • The outbreak concluded Sunday following over a month without new cases. • This marks a significant public health milestone amid rising national vaccination concerns.

• In late March 2026, the South Carolina Senate passed heavily amended H. 3924, regulating rather than banning hemp-derived THC products like drinks and gummies. • The bill restricts sales to those 21 and older, tightening safety standards to close 2018 Farm Bill loopholes on high-potency THC. • Legislation now returns to the House for concurrence before the May 7, 2026, deadline.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 1,362 confirmed measles cases nationwide in 2026, with 94% linked to ongoing outbreaks. South Carolina's outbreak, which began in October 2025, has decelerated to approximately 10 cases per week after peaking at 200 weekly cases in mid-January, bringing the state total to 996 cases as of March 13. Utah's outbreak, originating in June 2025, has accelerated to 405 cases as of March 10, representing a 47-case increase in one week. Both states currently host the largest active measles outbreaks in the United States.

A major measles outbreak in South Carolina is showing signs of slowing, with cases nearing 1,000 total and new infections dropping to about 10 per week from a peak of 200 weekly in mid-January. State health officials report a consistent downward trend over several weeks amid vaccination efforts. The decline matters as it reduces strain on public health resources in a state hit hardest by the outbreak. Monitoring continues to prevent resurgence through summer.

A major measles outbreak in South Carolina is slowing, with nearly 1,000 total cases reported and new infections dropping to about 10 per week from a peak of 200 in mid-January. Health officials note a consistent downward trend over several weeks amid vaccination efforts. The decline matters as it signals potential containment in the largest U.S. outbreak this year, reducing risks to unvaccinated communities. Monitoring continues to prevent resurgence as cases stabilize.