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US Supreme Court upholds South Carolina District 1 Congressional map

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US Supreme Court upholds South Carolina District 1 Congressional map


Justice Alito delivered the 6-3 majority opinion in the case Alexander v. South Carolina State Conference of the NAACP, released on Thursday, which concluded race did not impermissibly exclude Black voters.

South Carolina District 1 was redrawn following the previous census. The Republican led legislature redrew District 1 with the goal of increasing Republican votes. This resulted in part of the Black population previously in District 1 being split into various other districts. The South Carolina State Conference of the NAACP (NAACP) sued on the grounds this resulted in an unconstitutional gerrymander in violation of the Fourteenth Amendment.

A three judge panel for the Columbia Division of the District of South Carolina found that the redrawing of District 1 was unconstitutional. The District Court held that race was a predominant factor in redistricting and that the legislature did not prove a compelling state interest for this use. The redrawn District 1 had a Black voting-age population (BVAP) of 17%, which, based on “[a]nalyses of partisan voting patterns within Congressional District No. 1…indicated that a district in the range of 17% African American produced a Republican tilt.” To meet this BVAP, “30,000 African American residents of Charleston County [were moved out of] Congressional District No. 1.”

This District Court ruling was the center of the Supreme Court’s decision in Alexander. Under Court precedent, namely Miller v. Johnson and Shaw v. Reno, congressional maps cannot be drawn predominately based on race. Congressional districts are allowed to be drawn for partisan purposes, and in situations where race and partisan factors both play predominant roles, they “must disentangle race and politics if it wishes to prove that the legislature was motivated by race as opposed to partisanship.”

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Justice Alito in Alexander held that the plaintiff did not meet this standard. Despite the “tens of thousands of maps with differently configured districts,” Justice Alito stated, “[NAACP] did not offer a single map that achieved the legislature’s partisan goal while including a higher BVAP in District 1.” Due to this failure, the NAACP was unable to disentangle race and politics, and therefore, the Court held that the District Court clearly errored in finding the redrawn District 1 to be unconstitutional.

Justice Alito was joined by Chief Justice Roberts, as well as Justices Gorsuch, Kavanaugh, and Barrett. Justice Thomas joined the opinion in all, except Part III C. Justice Kagan wrote a dissenting opinion, arguing for the “more than plausible – findings of the District Court that the State engaged in race-based districting.”

Maya Wiley, president and CEO of the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, released a statement following the decision, stating,

Today’s decision by the U.S. Supreme Court…is an egregious and blatant assault on the rights of Black voters…The Court today engaged in a horrendous abuse of power by rejecting the trial court’s factual findings and making it more difficult to challenge unconstitutional gerrymandering…the ongoing fight for fair electoral maps and unimpeded ballot access, and the relentless disenfranchisement of Black voters, is a national shame and due to a Supreme Court majority that continues to see the country through the dirty lens of their own viewpoints.

This case is not the 0nly challenge to redrawn congressional maps in recent months. Since the 2020 census began redistricting efforts across the country, multiple states have had issues with their congressional maps. In February, the Missouri Supreme Court upheld their congressional map over racial gerrymandering concerns. Last year, the Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled their maps must be redrawn (not due to racial gerrymandering, but due to districts being drawn with detached territories.) The Supreme Court last June rejected the proposed Alabama map for being drawn on racial grounds.



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South-Carolina

Crash on South Carolina road leaves one dead, Highway Patrol says

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Crash on South Carolina road leaves one dead, Highway Patrol says


One person was killed Thursday in a car crash on a Midlands road, according to the South Carolina Highway Patrol.

The collision happened at about 10 p.m. in Newberry County, said Lance Cpl. Brittany Glover.

A 2018 Chevrolet Impala was driving west on Bush River Road, and near the intersection with Kendall Road it hit a pedestrian who was walking west in the road, according to Glover.

The pedestrian died at the scene, Glover said.

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The Newberry County Coroner’s Office has not publicly identified the pedestrian.

Glover said there were two people in the Chevy, but neither was hurt. No other injuries were reported.

There was no word if either the Chevy driver or passenger were wearing seat belts.

Glover did not say if the crash is being investigated by the Highway Patrol.

Through June 9, at least 399 people had died on South Carolina roads in 2024, according to the state Department of Public Safety. Last year, 1,030 people died in crashes in South Carolina, DPS reported.

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At least eight people have died in Newberry County crashes in 2024, according to DPS data. There were nine deaths in the county in 2023, DPS reported.



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'General Hospital' star Johnny Wactor's funeral held in South Carolina after his fatal shooting in Los Angeles

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'General Hospital' star Johnny Wactor's funeral held in South Carolina after his fatal shooting in Los Angeles


“General Hospital” star Johnny Wactor was remembered by family and friends at his funeral service in his home state of South Carolina three weeks after he was killed in Los Angeles.

The actor died May 25 at the age of 37 after he was fatally shot when he approached three individuals who were attempting to steal his car’s catalytic converter in downtown Los Angeles. 

On Saturday afternoon, mourners gathered for Wactor’s funeral at the Summerville Baptist Church in Summerville, South Carolina. The service was held by Wactor’s family, including his mother, Scarlett, and brothers, Grant and Lance.

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“General Hospital” star Johnny Wactor was laid to rest on Saturday. (Getty/Fox News)

Among the attendees were Wactor’s friend Micah Parker and co-worker Anita Joy. Earlier this week, Parker and Grant organized a rally in Los Angeles seeking justice for the actor, whose killers remain at large. In the final moments of his life, Wactor defended Joy by stepping in front of her before he was shot.

‘GENERAL HOSPITAL’ STAR JOHNNY WACTOR’S HORRIFIC FINAL MOMENTS AFTER BEING SHOT BY ‘COWARD’ KILLER: CO-WORKER

“Laid to Rest. But still so present with us,” Parker wrote on Instagram as he shared an image of a framed photo of Wactor.

Parker also uploaded an image of floral arrangements and framed portraits of Wactor that were displayed on the steps of the altar during the service. On the photo, he tagged the Instagram page @justiceforjohnnywactor, which provides updates from Wactor’s family and friends on the search for his murderers.

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People attend a funeral a church for Johnny Wactor

Family and friends attend a memorial service for the slain actor at Summerville Baptist Church, in Summerville, South Carolina. (The Image Direct for Fox News Digital)

People attend a funeral a church for Johnny Wactor

Wactor’s family held his funeral service in their home state. (The Image Direct for Fox News Digital)

People attend a funeral a church for Johnny Wactor

Wactor was shot and killed when he encountered a trio of alleged thieves who were in the process of stealing his catalytic converter. (The Image Direct for Fox News Digital)

On her Instagram Story, Joy posted an image of the funeral program, which featured a photo of Wactor, writing, “Today was beautiful for you, Johnny. We love you.” 

In another post, Joy wrote “Unbelievable. But you are so loved,” on a photo of one of Wactor’s funeral portraits.

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In an emotional post that Joy shared last month, she recalled how she and Wactor were walking to their cars after a bartending shift at the downtown L.A. bar Level 8 when they encountered the three individuals who were attempting to steal the catalytic converter. 

“Johnny was between me and the man who shot him,” she wrote. “As I heard the shot ring into the night, he forcefully tumbled back into my arms. As I grabbed for him, I shouted ‘Hunny you ok?!’ And he only responded, ‘Nope! Shot!’ We toppled onto the street where I pushed my legs under him and tried to hold his body up while screaming for help and screaming at him to stay with me.” 

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“I’m so grateful to have been a part of his world and him, mine. My heart is shattered with his loss but I believe l have gained the best guardian Angel out there. I love you Johnny Wacky,” Joy concluded. 

johnny wactors portrait at funeral

Wactor’s friend Micah Parker shared photos from inside the service. (Micah Parker Instagram)

the altar at johnny wactors funeral

Parker and Wactor’s brother, Grant, led a protest rally in LA seeking justice for the actor. (Micah Parker Instagram)

Scarlett had previously confirmed that Parker and Joy would be attending the service. She told Fox News Digital that she was looking forward to meeting Joy for the first time.

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“I told Anita that ‘God must have big plans for her,’ and then I said, ‘Johnny’s death has got to be bigger than all that,’” Scarlett said. “So, for it to make a change, like what we’re asking the city to do and change, that would at least be something.”

Wactor’s obituary, which was featured in the funeral program, noted that the actor had been murdered while “heroically shielding his co-worker.” 

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People attend a funeral a church for Johnny Wactor

In the final moments of his life, Wactor protected his co-worker Anita Joy. (The Image Direct for Fox News Digital)

People attend a funeral a church for Johnny Wactor

Joy was also in attendance at the funeral. (The Image Direct for Fox News Digital)

“Johnny stood up for what he believed in and remains an example of how to live life with non-negotiable integrity and grit,” read the obituary. “He found solace and serenity with his loving family, on the mountain, climbing, being a proud big brother to Lance and Grant, with the boys, just talking to his mother, in play, always outside, in nature.”

“A man brimming with magnetism and humility. A pure life force, passion Personified, awaking in the early mornings with purpose, ready to go. Johnny’s love will be remembered and felt by all. Forever leaving an everlasting mark on this world.”

The program also included Bible passages from the Gospel of Matthew, the Gospel of John and the Book of Job.

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Johnny Wactor in promotional photo on white background

Wactor’s mother Scarlett said that she hopes people “continue to pray” for justice. (Craig Sjodin/ABC via Getty Images)

People attend a funeral a church for Johnny Wactor

Scarlett said that she believes that “justice is coming.” (The Image Direct for Fox News Digital)

While speaking with Fox News Digital earlier this week, Scarlett commended the efforts being made by Wactor’s friends in Los Angeles, who launched the #JusticeforJohnny movement to find his killers. 

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As the investigation led by LAPD continues and the movement grows, Scarlett said she is asking “people to continue to pray.” 

“I really do think justice is coming. I just hope it’s sooner rather than later. And I think God’s help is what they’re going to need. Because it sounds like there’s some really weak laws and help for the police department, unfortunately. I feel for them.”



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Authorities announce memorial service for K9 killed in shooting, McMaster to attend

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Authorities announce memorial service for K9 killed in shooting, McMaster to attend


COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) – The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) announced they will be holding a memorial service to honor Coba, a K9 who was killed in the line of duty on Tuesday.

Coba was a member of the team who responded to a home on Gravel Road in an attempt to serve a felony warrant to James Peterson, 37. When he was confronted by Coba, his handler and a deputy with the Newberry County Sheriff’s Office inside the home’s hallway, Peterson shot the K9. Coba was rushed to an emergency veterinarian but died from his wounds later that day.

The ceremony will take place at the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy at 5400 Broad River Road at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, June 19.

Gov. Henry McMaster said he is planning to attend the memorial.

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Officials ask that guests not bring pets but law enforcement K9s are welcome.

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