South Carolina health officials have confirmed a measles outbreak in the Upstate region, with eight cases reported as of Wednesday, five of which are part of a newly identified outbreak. The outbreak is defined as three or more linked cases, and the individuals involved are unvaccinated. Health officials are concerned about the rapid spread of the highly contagious disease in communities with low immunization rates, as the source of some cases is unknown, indicating unrecognized community spread. To prevent further spread, officials urge those feeling ill to stay home, notify healthcare providers, and cooperate with investigations, emphasizing the importance of vaccination.
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Former South Carolina Representative RJ May will plead guilty to distributing child sexual abuse material. Using the screen name “joebidennnn69”, May exchanged 220 files of child sexual abuse content on the Kik social media network. The plea agreement includes five counts, each carrying a five to 20-year prison sentence, as well as sex offender registration and potential fines. May, who was acting as his own attorney, resigned earlier this year and was previously incarcerated.
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RJ May, a former South Carolina state lawmaker, has agreed to plead guilty to distributing child sexual abuse material, after allegedly exchanging over 200 explicit files. May resigned from the South Carolina House of Representatives last month and faces up to 20 years in prison on each of five counts, along with sex offender registration and a potential $250,000 fine. The former lawmaker was using the screen name “joebidennnn69” and was also acting as his own attorney. May has been in custody since June after being arrested while serving his third term in the South Carolina House.
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South Carolina House member RJ May, under the screen name “joebidennnn69,” has agreed to plead guilty to distributing child sexual abuse material. The former Republican, who resigned earlier this year, is accused of exchanging 220 files of child sexual abuse content on Kik. Facing up to 20 years in prison per count, May will also be required to register as a sex offender and could be fined $250,000. May, who acted as his own attorney, is scheduled to formally change his plea in federal court.
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Alan Hovorka is a breaking news and courts reporter currently working for The Post & Courier. Before joining the team, he honed his reporting skills covering government and education. Hovorka, a graduate of Ball State University in Indiana, spent five years working in central Wisconsin. He later relocated to the Lowcountry to continue his career.
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GOP Rep. Nancy Mace faced an embarrassing setback when a scheduled speech to Moms for Liberty was canceled due to a meager turnout of only eight attendees. The event, which organizers hoped would draw 100 people, forced Mace to retreat backstage before eventually addressing those present and fielding media questions. This incident adds to a series of public missteps for Mace, who is currently vying for South Carolina’s governorship and has been attempting to align herself with Donald Trump and MAGA ideology. Notably, Mace has faced criticism for her comments and actions, including an incident where she lost her composure with a reporter and a controversial statement about watching ICE deportation raids.
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Father drowns after saving 5 people from a rip current in South Carolina, a tragedy that resonates deeply, especially when you consider the context and the human element at play. Chase Childers, a former baseball player, lost his life in a selfless act, a stark illustration of courage that sadly ended in profound loss for his family. The information we have points to a man who saw others in danger and acted without hesitation, a quality that undoubtedly made him a cherished figure in his community, and a tragic hero in his final moments.
His family described his death as a “heroic act,” emphasizing the ultimate sacrifice he made.… Continue reading
Rick Chow, the former owner of a Columbia gas station, has been denied bond for a second time in connection to the fatal shooting of 14-year-old Cyrus Carmack-Belton. Chow is accused of chasing Carmack-Belton from his store in May 2023 and shooting him in the back, allegedly for stealing bottled water. Despite arguments from his defense team, including the presence of DNA evidence linking Carmack-Belton to a gun found at the scene, the prosecution maintained that Chow remains a danger and a flight risk. A pretrial hearing for the case is scheduled for November.
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Tropical Storm Chantal, which formed off the coast of South Carolina, was forecast to make landfall in the Carolinas early Sunday, triggering tropical storm warnings in the area. The National Hurricane Center predicted the storm would hit between Charleston, South Carolina, and Cape Fear, North Carolina, bringing maximum sustained winds of 45 mph. Heavy rainfall, potential flash flooding, gusty winds, and high rip currents were expected across the Carolinas through Monday, with total rainfall amounts between two and four inches, with local amounts up to six inches. The storm is anticipated to rapidly weaken after landfall, but the South Carolina Emergency Management Division stated it would begin impacting the state Saturday.
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James Robertson, a South Carolina death row inmate convicted of murdering his parents, seeks to represent himself, potentially accelerating his execution. This decision follows the recent executions of five fellow inmates, including his best friend, significantly impacting the death row population. A federal judge has granted a delay to ensure Robertson understands the ramifications of self-representation, ordering an evaluation to confirm his competency. Robertson’s history includes previous attempts to drop his appeals, indicating a potential pattern of behavior, although he has expressed understanding of his friend’s similar decision to volunteer for execution.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood