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Judge Debra McCaslin, once a fellow law student of Alex Murdaugh at the University of South Carolina School of Law, is now set to preside over his retrial for double murder — a chilling twist in a case where their lives took wildly divergent paths. While Murdaugh rose from a legal dynasty, McCaslin clawed her way up through grit, diverse legal experience, and mentorship from figures like Senator S...

A former HR exec at Nephron Pharmaceuticals is suing the company for racial discrimination and retaliation after she refused to falsify audit data and reported fentanyl loss failures — actions that allegedly led to her firing and a campaign of hostile, discriminatory conduct by the CEO. As the only Black executive, she claims she was screamed at, called a liar, and had her personal space invaded,...

After nearly four decades shaping college athletics, Dan Radakovich is stepping away from the daily grind to return to his roots in Upstate South Carolina. Once the AD at Clemson for nine years, he moved to Miami in 2021, where he oversaw a breakthrough football season that reached the national championship game. Now 68, he officially retired on June 1st, citing it as the right time to slow down —...

A pastor in Lexington County, Daniel Keith Rabon, has been arrested on charges of third-degree sexual exploitation of a minor after authorities found over 26 explicit images and videos on his phone. Once the lead pastor at Taylor Street Baptist Church in Cayce, his name has been removed from the church’s official association site, though old records still list him as head. With a $125,000 bond set...

A house on Morninglo Lane in Columbia, South Carolina, erupted in flames Tuesday night, with fire pouring from three sides—firefighters battled it from multiple angles, entering through windows and vents to contain the blaze. Thankfully, the homeowner escaped unharmed. Multiple crews, including Fort Jackson Fire Department, responded. This incident joins a recent surge of fires across South Caroli...

Lewis Barbecue in Charleston just earned another crown—this time, Cheapism named it South Carolina’s best cheap eats barbecue spot. Pitmaster John Lewis, who brought Texas-style smoke to Charleston in 2016, delivers knockout brisket, hot guts sausage, and pork ribs that keep loyalists coming back—even for weekend waits. With roots in El Paso and Austin, Lewis handcrafts his own smokers and wakes u...

A routine traffic stop in South Carolina spiraled into a major bust when deputies found cocaine in Robert Antonio James Jr.’s car, triggering a raid on his home that uncovered more drugs, a stolen gun, and a history of legal trouble. Facing multiple felony charges—including possession with intent to distribute cocaine and marijuana, felon in possession of a firearm, and a probation violation—he’s...

In a surprising twist, new research reveals that nearly 90% of U.S. cities see homes selling for less than listed—meaning buyers are winning the bidding war more often than you think. Listen in comfort: Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN: advertise@thednn.ai This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting. Report issues to...

A South Carolina corrections employee allegedly abused his state-issued credit card to fuel his personal gas guzzlers — including another driver’s pickup — spending over $2,000 on unauthorized premium gas at Circle K and Quik Trip. Caught on surveillance, the breach of trust and forgery landed him in jail, despite being bonded out the same day. His history of traffic violations adds to the scandal...

Hurricane season means more than just storms—it brings snakes looking for shelter in flooded debris. Most are harmless and only strike if cornered, but South Carolina’s copperheads are venomous and worth knowing about. Snakebites are rare, but infections or allergic reactions can be serious. Stay safe by wearing gloves, boots, and long pants when cleaning up, clear debris piles, and give snakes sp...

The state is splurging big time on top-tier talent, offering salaries up to $250K for roles like Chief Legal Counsel, Project Management Director, and Deputy Chief of Staff — while also hiring for high-impact positions in corrections, AI, early learning, forensics nursing, and public safety, with pay ranging from $79K to $250K. From legal brains to tech innovators, the state’s recruiting spree sig...

South Carolina just unleashed a lightning-fast legal tool for property owners: a new law that slashes eviction timelines for unlawful occupants, letting homeowners get squatters out in court in days—not years. Supporters hail it as a game-changer against rising squatting, while housing advocates watch closely to ensure renters’ rights aren’t trampled. A key twist? Tenants now must keep paying rent...

Lightning struck Newberry County’s emergency systems twice—first the 911 center, then the backup detention facility—knocking out critical tech. But dispatchers pulled out their old-school handheld radios and kept answering calls, proving resilience in a tech-heavy world. While crews battled rain, downed trees, and power outages overnight, no one lost emergency access. The sheriff’s assessing damag...

A four-year-old girl’s tragic death has shaken a community as investigators scour her home and surrounding areas for answers, uncovering disturbing evidence including a rotted cloth and a shoe. Her parents, charged with homicide by child abuse, allegedly confessed to the abuse — contradicting their earlier 911 report claiming she was missing. Authorities say the child died from severe abuse and th...

A candlelight vigil Listen in comfort: Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN: advertise@thednn.ai This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting. Report issues to feedback@thednn.ai. View sources & latest updates: https://sources.thednn.ai/0676c26262624f86

A freak lightning storm turned Newberry County’s Emergency Operations Center into a scene of chaos, frying critical tech and forcing dispatchers to revert to walkie-talkies and manual systems. With only one phone line working and backup operations running from a jail, responders scrambled to keep the county safe. Officials are now racing to rebuild and plan smarter backups—cellular, satellite, and...

Fourteen men arrested in Irmo, South Carolina, after a week-long undercover sting targeting online child sexual exploitation — law enforcement posed as minors to gather evidence, apprehending suspects at set locations or via a fugitive task force, with every arrest preventing potential harm to real children; authorities urge parents to watch for red flags and stay vigilant as predators lurk across...

Get ready to become a reading superhero—South Carolina’s Department of Education is launching free, hands-on literacy training this summer to empower parents, grandparents, and caregivers to boost kids’ reading skills. Join the We Care Literacy Training on July 8th from 1 to 3 PM at Reid Chapel AME Church in Columbia. You’ll walk away with practical strategies and real supplies to turn reading str...

Former Spartanburg County Sheriff Chuck Wright, who spent over three decades in law enforcement, is set to be sentenced after pleading guilty to stealing from a deputy fund to fuel his drug addiction, orchestrating a prescription painkiller scheme, and hiring a relative for a job they never performed. Prosecutors seek 33 to 41 months in prison and over $462,000 in restitution, while his defense ar...

Rabies is back in South Carolina—two animals, a fox in Saluda County and a goat in York County, have tested positive, exposing humans and pets. With 57 confirmed cases this year, experts warn foxes and goats can carry the virus too. Exposed humans should see a doctor, and the dog in Saluda will be quarantined. Keep pets vaccinated—livestock included—and call the 24-hour hotline if you suspect expo...

Former Spartanburg County Sheriff Chuck Wright, who served two decades in office, has been sentenced to 41 months in federal prison for stealing funds meant to help deputies and their families—money he allegedly used to fuel his opioid addiction. After admitting guilt to wire fraud, drug offenses, and theft, Wright now faces restitution, supervised release, and mandatory drug testing. His downfall...

Back-to-school chaos is heating up in the Midlands as schools scramble to start — some as early as July 29th! Public schools roll out staggered, with Fairfield and Kershaw leading the pack, followed by Calhoun, Clarendon, Lee, and Orangeburg on August 3rd, and others like Lexington and Sumter on the 4th. Private and charter schools? They’re running their own schedules — American Leadership Academy...

Prosecutors in South Carolina are seeking to unseal sealed records from Alex Murdaugh’s first murder trial, including transcripts and investigative files, as the state prepares for his retrial later this year. The move includes sensitive materials tied to the controversial “egg juror” — a juror who had eggs in the jury room and later requested public access to jury tampering documents — and video...

A man named Robert Antonio James Junior was pulled over in Winnsboro and charged with driving on a suspended license — but that’s just the start. Deputies found drugs on him, triggering a raid on his home that uncovered a massive stash of cocaine, marijuana, crack, and a stolen firearm. Now he faces multiple felony charges including possession with intent to distribute, illegal gun possession, and...

Former Spartanburg County Sheriff Chuck Wright, who served two decades behind the badge, is set to face sentencing this Tuesday after admitting to siphoning hundreds of thousands from a deputies’ fund to fuel his addiction. Facing up to 41 months in prison and full restitution, Wright has formally begged for mercy — but the U.S. Attorney’s office is pushing back hard, calling the case a “chess gam...