NEWS BRIEFS: Is Lincoln Project the vanguard of American democracy?

By Andy Brack  |  America is in the throes of the largest internal political war since its first, the American Civil War, began in Charleston 160 years ago. Then, as now, the nation was being pulled apart by injustice, inequity and white supremacy. Now, however, the battlefield is far different. The weapons aren’t rifles, cannon or a submarine. Rather, warriors often employ sophisticated technology, messaging, misinformation, disinformation, gerrymandering and fear to manipulate a sleeping electorate to question long-held values of decency, the common good, fairness and the American dream. 

Is anybody really standing up and fighting these days for democracy? Meet the Lincoln Project. (First published in the Charleston City Paper.)

In other recent news:

Charleston area to be home to 100+ Afghan refugees.  At least 100 adults and children fleeing regime change in Afghanistan are expected to settle in the Charleston area in the next six weeks. North Carolina-based Lutheran Services Carolinas will spend the next month or so preparing for the arrival of the Afghans and their families — and there are ways locals can help. Speaking at a dinner hosted downtown at Park & Grove Monday night, Bedrija Jazic, Lutheran Services director for refugee services, said the group is in the process of lining up accommodations and employment opportunities for the Charleston newcomers.

Charleston libraries extending hours.  Ten Charleston County Public Library branches will expand evening and weekday operating hours beginning Jan. 3 in efforts to provide better access and more flexibility for patrons needing to visit the library after work or school.  Click the link to see the changes.

Activists call on county for more affordable housing. Charleston Area Justice Ministry (CAJM) leaders during a press conference last week called on Charleston County Council to put $20 million of an $80 million federal-dollar gift toward an affordable housing trust, and $10 million toward making an immediate dent in the housing crisis.

State Senate has new leaders.  Oconee County Republican Sen. Thomas Alexander became the new president of the state Senate following the resignation this week of Sen. Harvey Peeler, R-Cherokee, who took the powerful position of chairman of the Senate Finance Committee.  While controlling the day-to-day business and debate of the state Senate is a key position, Peeler’s move to chair the budget-writing committee is actually a step up in power because of the way the position has its fingers in every part of funding state government.  The position became open last month after the passing of longtime Finance Chair Hugh Leatherman of Florence. 

S.C. experts say state could have sun, few clouds in economic forecast. Amid concerns that new COVID-19 variants could derail the national economy again, South Carolina’s economy is booming and has recovered almost all of its losses from the pandemic, according to state experts at the University of South Carolina’s annual economic conference. More: The Post and Courier.

New House, Senate districts approved.  South Carolina state senators approved new districts for the Senate and House Tuesday, but legal challenges are almost certain before filing begins in March for the 2022 elections. Work is still underway to finish maps for the U.S. House districts. Efforts were delayed after Democrats appeared ready to put up a fight over efforts to split Charleston between the 1st and 6th districts. More: The State.

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