By Seanna Adcox | Editor-in-chief
The state’s new fiscal year starts July 1, as in tomorrow. But there is no new state budget yet. A panel of six legislators meets at 11 a.m. to resume public discussions on a potential compromise between the two chambers’ spending plans. Skylar will be there.
While there definitely won’t be a budget in place by tomorrow, there is no risk of a state government shutdown. A resolution passed unanimously by both chambers and signed by the governor last month keeps the government running at current spending levels while negotiations continue. Legislators pass such a just-in-case resolution every year. Normally, however, it’s not needed.
“That would give the new attorney general time to look at his case in case he’s going to be here and join us.” - Judge Debra McCaslin on the date set for Alex Murdaugh’s retrial.
During a pretrial hearing in Lexington on Monday, a judge told attorneys for Alex Murdaugh to expect his retrial to take place in April 2027. (File photo by Getty Images)
By Skylar Laird
Alex Murdaugh’s second double murder trial is slated for April, guaranteeing a new attorney general will oversee the prosecution. Voters will choose in November between 8th Circuit Solicitor David Stumbo, who won last week’s GOP runoff, and Charleston attorney Richard Hricik, the Democratic nominee.
The U.S. Supreme Court on April 9, 2026. (Photo by Ashley Murray/States Newsroom)
By Jonathan Shorman with States Newsroom’s D.C. bureau
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled Monday that law enforcement officers need a warrant to obtain data from cellphones near crime scenes. South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson was among attorneys general from 31 states and Washington, D.C., who urged justices to uphold the warrants.
(Left to right) Dave DeStefano stands with Rose Hood, sister of a donor; and Amy and John McArdle, parents of a donor, at the nonprofit’s offices in Charleston. (Photo courtesy of We Are Sharing Hope)
COMMENTARY
By David DeStefano
Today’s commentary comes from David DeStafano, CEO of We Are Sharing Hope, an organ procurement organization in South Carolina. He writes how a 2022 federal rule change puts the nonprofit at risk of decertification. “The uncertainty created by these metrics is already negatively affecting decisions across the donation system,” he writes. (Two articles written by Skylar about the rule change are linked inside.)
MORE FROM OUR AFFILIATES...
Virginia’s budget includes new tax on data centers’ energy usage that could provide the state up to $600M a year | From the Virginia Mercury
North Carolina’s Education Lottery sets new records but faces headwinds | From NC Newsline
Indiana’s new prison already equipped for firing squads as death penalty debate continues | From the Indiana Capital Chronicle
Bill makes presidential library official home for Theodore Roosevelt artifacts; authorizes funding | From the North Dakota Monitor
MORE FROM STATES NEWSROOM’S D.C. DESK…
Former Oklahoma trooper nominated by Trump to head up ICE | By Ariana Figueroa
US Senate Ethics Committee dismisses complaint against Arizona’s Gallego | By Jennifer Shutt
Thanks for reading Gazette to Go. Did you know our weekend digest is also free? Sign up here. And if you enjoyed today’s edition, please forward to a friend. Increasing our readership helps us cover more news.