NEWS BRIEFS: Judge issues temporary order blocking new abortion law

Staff reports  |  A federal judge on Friday issued a temporary restraining order on the after S.C. Gov. Henry McMaster signed a bill that effectively banned most abortions, one of his top priorities since he took office more than four years ago. Planned Parenthood South Atlantic and Greenville Women’s Clinic immediately sued in federal court to block it. 

U.S. District Judge Mary Geiger Lewis issued an order to block the restrictive abortion law for 14 days and indicated it might be renewed.  Louise Geiger issued a 14-day temporary restraining order.    

The new law prevents a woman from getting an abortion as early as six weeks into a pregnancy, which is only two weeks after a missed period.  Critics say many women may not realize they’re pregnant at six weeks.   At the Friday hearing, Lewis reminded the state attorney general’s office, which is challenging the lawsuit, “that South Carolina’s new law violates nearly 50 years of established law … that women have a constitutional right to an abortion up to six months of pregnancy,” according to The State.

“Important health care decisions should be made by individuals in consultation with their trusted medical providers and their families, not politicians,” said Dr. Katherine Farris, chief medical officer for Planned Parenthood South Atlantic. “Abortion is a critical component of comprehensive reproductive health care, and everyone deserves to have access to the health care they need, without politicians controlling when, how, or why.”

In other recent news:

Fresh Future Farm soon might be able to buy property.  A plan approved by a North Charleston City Council committee Thursday would clear the way for Fresh Future Farm and Metanoia to buy properties from the city separately rather than having the urban farm nonprofit negotiate an agreement with the community development group. More: Charleston City Paper.

S.C. legislature integrated 50 years ago.  In 1971, James Felder, Isaac Samuel (I.S.) Leevy Johnson and Charleston’s Herbert Fielding entered the S.C. House as the first elected Black lawmakers to serve in the legislature since the turn of the 20th century. Today, Black lawmakers hold 45 seats in the General Assembly. More: The State.

RiverDogs to open season May 4.  The Charleston RiverDogs will open its season May 4 at The Joe to kick off a six-day home stand against the Myrtle Beach Pelicans.  The RiverDogs, which were idle all of last season because of the pandemic, plan to allow fans into all home games this year at reduced capacity, with hopes for full-capacity games if possible. Also this year, the team is a new affiliate of the 2020 American League champion Tampa Bay Rays.

• • Read what Charlie The RiverDog “says” about the coming season in this special report in the Charleston City Paper.

New director.  The Charleston Parks Conservancy has hired Tom McGuire, former head of the Friends of the National Arboretum, as its new executive director.  He also had senior leadership roles with the National Wildlife Foundation and World Wildlife Fund. 

Progressives say it’s time to go on offense.  South Carolina’s Republicans are pressing legislative advantages like never before with legislative victories long dreamed of by their right-wing and corporate bases.  Now some are asking when progressives will go on offense more to counter GOP majorities at the Statehouse, as outlined in this news analysis in sister publication Statehouse Report.

S.C. one of the least-educated states in America, study shows. South Carolina ranked No. 42 in a list of the most educated states in America, according to a study from personal finance site WalletHub. The Palmetto State earned the same spot in 2019, but dipped even lower, to No. 44, in 2020. More: The State.

Lawmakers approve bill to boost spending on vaccine rollouts. McMaster is reviewing a bill proposed by state lawmakers on Tuesday to spend $208 million on a vaccine allocation plan. The measure, which passed the House and Senate, would provide money to be used to administer vaccines, boost testing, increase PPE supplies and cover other vaccine-related expenses.

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