Bill banning nearly all abortions in heads to S. Carolina House floor: Wednesday, Aug. 17

A bill that would ban nearly all abortions without exceptions for rape or incest in South Carolina is heading to the full House floor after a 13-7 vote from the House Judiciary Committee. It's the latest move as some lawmakers move to outlaw the procedure following the decision to overturn Roe V. Wade earlier this summer.

The vote fell along party lines, with all yes votes coming from Republicans and all votes against the bill from Democrats. Five members did not vote.

Rep. Weston Newton (R-Beaufort) hinted that exceptions for rape or incest could be added back.

"Exceptions including rape and incest of minors are not now included in this bill, but are no less significant today, than they were when we passed the heart beat bill and celebrated that as being pro life," said Newton.

The proposed legislation does provide protections for the life of the mother and includes a limited number of health conditions that would allow doctors to perform abortions.

The bill does not criminalize South Carolinian's seeking an abortion, but does include penalties for those who perform the procedure. It also includes banning the selling and buying of drugs that induce abortions.

READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/politics/near-abortion-ban-south-carolina-full-south-carolina-house-representatives/101-42635f32-94ba-43e3-b008-6c1c927e0b19

Less than two weeks after her husband's COVID-19 isolation ended, first lady Jill Biden has tested positive for the virus.

The White House said Jill Biden tested negative for COVID-19 Monday as part of regular testing, but then developed cold-like symptoms in the evening. A rapid antigen test came back negative, but she tested positive on a PCR test.

"The First Lady is double-vaccinated, twice boosted, and only experiencing mild symptoms," the White House said in a Tuesday morning statement.

Like her husband, Jill Biden was prescribed the anti-viral drug Paxlovid. She will isolate from others for at least the next five days and is currently in South Carolina, where she and Biden were on vacation. She will return home after two negative COVID tests in a row.

READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/nation-world/jill-biden-tests-positive-for-covid-19/507-5ef9f695-2a80-4af0-8470-92bcad6d13dc

Plus, When should school start?

As students across the Carolinas return to the classroom, when do you think the school year should start?

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