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Will Folks and Jenn Wood break down Friday’s pretrial hearing in Lexington for Alex Murdaugh’s double murder retrial. Judge Debra McCaslin ran out of patience with both sides. Frustrated by the constant bickering between prosecutors and the defense, she told the attorneys to stop rehashing grievances from the first trial and barred both sides from filing any more motions to compel. Despite the judge’s warnings, the defense still dropped a bombshell. Dick Harpootlian revealed a 2021 interview in which a federal inmate allegedly told investigators about prescription pill deals involving Curtis “Eddie” Smith. On the evidence front, the defense won new DNA testing on Maggie Murdaugh’s fingernails and cellphone but lost its bid to compare ballistics from other shootings. --- The Week In Review (WIR) is South Carolina's most indispensable news program — hosted by the independent media outlet that exposed the Alex Murdaugh crime and corruption dynasty. Each week, we break down the most impactful stories published to our website, FITSNews.com. New episodes drop every Saturday at 9 a.m. EST. --- For the latest this story and more, subscribe to FITSNews on site: https://fitsnews.com More ways to support:  On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FITSTube?sub_confirmation=1 On X/Twitter: https://x.com/fitsnews/ On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fitsnews/ On TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@fitsnews

A sitting South Carolina lawmaker was arrested by state police on a gun charge - while a former state legislator pleaded guilty in federal court on fraud charges. After briefing our audience on key developments in those two cases, our founding editor Will Folks welcomed research director Jenn Wood to the studio to discuss the controversy surrounding a horrific child fatality case out of Charleston County, South Carolina. The tragic deaths of 2-year-old Emory Rose Deacon and fifteen-month-old Harlow Paige Deacon have shaken the Palmetto State to its core - with the girls’ mother, Justine Marie May, facing homicide by child abuse charges after the children were found dead in her care on September 29, 2026. Could authorities have done more to protect these two little girls? That’s a question we explore in detail in this week’s episode. Jenn and I also discussed an absolute avalanche of filings in the retrial of accused killer Alex Murdaugh, set to commence on April 5, 2027 in Sumter, S.C. Ever since we reported last month on the existence of a secretive grand jury investigation into a possible cover-up of the 2021 murder scene - this case has gone completely off the rails. With big battles looming over cell phones, DNA evidence and alleged ballistics inconsistencies, the existence of this newly uncovered grand jury probe - and a related state law enforcement division investigation - will likely take center stage next week as S.C. circuit court judge Debra McCaslin hosts an emergency hearing on the case. --- Chapters: 0:00 - Rivers Recap 2:24 - The Deacon Case 16:07 - Murdaugh Madness 42:25 - Chuck Chronicles --- The Week In Review (WIR) is South Carolina's most indispensable news program — hosted by the independent media outlet that exposed the Alex Murdaugh crime and corruption dynasty. Each week, we break down the most impactful stories published to our website, FITSNews.com. New episodes drop every Saturday at 9 a.m. EST. --- For the latest this story and more, subscribe to FITSNews on site: https://fitsnews.com More ways to support:  On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FITSTube?sub_confirmation=1 On X/Twitter: https://x.com/fitsnews/ On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fitsnews/ On TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@fitsnews #WillFolks #JennWood #AndrewFancher #FITSNews #SouthCarolina #MurdaughMurder #TheDeaconCase #ChuckWright

It’s been a little more than a week since FITSNews exclusively exposed some shocking new developments in the ‘Murdaugh Murders’ crime and corruption saga - revelations which could completely reshape the retrial of accused killer Alex Murdaugh this coming spring. In the aftermath of our reporting on the alleged conspiracy to cover-up the Palmetto State’s ‘Crime of the Century’ - including the rumored stashing of the yet-to-be-found murder weapons - Murdaugh’s attorneys are pushing S.C. circuit court judge Debra McCaslin to hold investigators and prosecutors accountable for their handling of the case. Specifically, they want to know what a secret grand jury has uncovered about the crime - and the alleged coverup - that’s been hidden from defense lawyers and from the court.   Judge McCaslin has scheduled a hearing in this case on October 16, 2026 in response to these developments - and allegations that prosecutors are refusing to respond to requests from Murdaugh’s lawyers.  In this week’s episode, our founding editor Will Folks and research director Jenn Wood assess the fallout from the big reveal - and start putting together some of the new puzzle pieces that have been placed on the table. --- The Week In Review (WIR) is South Carolina's most indispensable news program — hosted by the independent media outlet that exposed the Alex Murdaugh crime and corruption dynasty. Each week, we break down the most impactful stories published to our website, FITSNews.com. New episodes drop every Saturday at 9 a.m. EST. --- For the latest this story and more, subscribe to FITSNews on site: https://fitsnews.com More ways to support:  On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FITSTube?sub_confirmation=1 On X/Twitter: https://x.com/fitsnews/ On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fitsnews/ On TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@fitsnews #WillFolks #JennWood #AndrewFancher #FITSNews #SouthCarolina

State investigators and prosecutors are probing reports that at least one Lowcountry law enforcement official assisted accused killer Alex Murdaugh in disposing of the weapons used in the double homicide of his wife and younger son. News of the investigation was exclusively reported this week by http://FITSNews.com. Our founding editor Will Folks and research director Jenn Wood explore this bombshell development - and its implications for Murdaugh’s upcoming retrial. Will and Jenn also discuss reports that Murdaugh’s attorneys have made significant progress linking the June 2021 murders of Maggie Murdaugh and Paul Murdaugh to a Lowcountry gang. In our second segment, chief photog and lead investigative reporter Andrew Fancher details the arrest of two Upstate law enforcement officers - and the selective transparency accompanying the incident.  Andy also previews his upcoming reporting on files released from the substantially less-than-aggressive state and federal investigations of former Spartanburg County sheriff Chuck Wright. --- Chapters: 0:00 - Murdaugh Madness 27:57 - Pickens Problems 36:05 - Chuck Continues --- The Week In Review (WIR) is South Carolina's most indispensable news program — hosted by the independent media outlet that exposed the Alex Murdaugh crime and corruption dynasty. Each week, we break down the most impactful stories published to our website, FITSNews.com. New episodes drop every Saturday at 9 a.m. EST. --- For the latest this story and more, subscribe to FITSNews on site: https://fitsnews.com More ways to support:  On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FITSTube?sub_confirmation=1 On X/Twitter: https://x.com/fitsnews/ On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fitsnews/ On TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@fitsnews #WillFolks #JennWood #AndrewFancher #FITSNews #SouthCarolina

Gas and diesel prices are surging across the country in the aftermath of president Donald Trump’s ill-conceived war with Iran. Not only is South Carolina ground zero for these pernicious price hikes - but the Palmetto State is home to the late U.S. senator whose warmongering landed our nation in this crisis. Our founding editor Will Folks discusses the worsening pain at the pump - and what elected officials are (and aren’t) doing about it. Jenn Wood joins the show next to break down oral arguments in the Southern Charm case that was heard this week by the S.C. Supreme Court. After assessing the merits of points made on behalf of Thomas Ravenel and Kathryn Dennis, Jenn looks at what the court’s ruling could mean for open records in the Palmetto State. Finally, Jenn shared excerpts from her widely watched interview with Sam Rickman, one of the former worship leaders at Solid Rock Church in Myrtle Beach, S.C. Rickman had a front-row seat for the fallout from John-Paul Miller’s abusive relationship with his late wife, Mica Francis Miller - and shared his unique perspective with our audience. --- Chapters: 0:00 - Gas fiasco 8:03 - All the Southern Charm Drama 16:55 - Mica Miller Continued  --- The Week In Review (WIR) is South Carolina's most indispensable news program — hosted by the independent media outlet that exposed the Alex Murdaugh crime and corruption dynasty. Each week, we break down the most impactful stories published to our website, FITSNews.com. New episodes drop every Saturday at 9 a.m. EST. --- For the latest this story and more, subscribe to FITSNews on site: https://fitsnews.com More ways to support:  On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FITSTube?sub_confirmation=1 On X/Twitter: https://x.com/fitsnews/ On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fitsnews/ On TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@fitsnews #WillFolks #JennWood #AndrewFancher #FITSNews #SouthCarolina #SouthernCharm #HenryMcMaster #SamRickman #MicaMiller

FITSNews' founding editor Will Folks and research director Jenn Wood cover a lot of ground in this episode, including a pair of Supreme Court cases that are heading to the campus of Clemson University next week. Jenn and Will also discussed the change of venue in Alex Murdaugh's murder retrial and the latest developments in the investigation into the death of 5-year-old Saylor Hayes in Georgetown, S.C. late last month. Chapters: 0:00 - Intro 2:20 - The Southern Charmers 4:45 - Clemson Dilemma 10:20 - Murdaugh Location Unlocked 14:10 - Saylor Hayes Update 18:50 - Mica Miller Revisited 26:10 - Political Updates - The Week In Review (WIR) is South Carolina's most indispensable news program - hosted by the independent media outlet that exposed the Alex Murdaugh crime and corruption dynasty. Each week, we break down the most impactful stories published to our website, FITSNews.com. New episodes drop every Saturday at 9 a.m. EST. - For the latest this story and more, subscribe to FITSNews on site: https://fitsnews.com More ways to support: On YouTube:    / @fitstube  On X/Twitter: https://x.com/fitsnews/ On Facebook:   / fitsnews  On TikTok:   / fitsnews  #WillFolks #JennWood #AndrewFancher #FITSNews #SouthCarolina

South Carolina made national headlines on multiple fronts this week - including its special election for the U.S. Senate and the tragic passing of actress Hayden Panetierre in Greenville on Sunday. Our Will Folks and Jenn Wood discussed the ongoing investigation into Panetierre’s death, while Andy Fancher joined Will to discuss the latest on an ongoing criminal investigation into two former state election officials. --- Chapters: 0:00 - Election Insanity 4:15 - Murdaugh Updates 7:24 - Hayden Panettiere Explained 16:55 - The Disgraced Knapp 25:53 - Sheriff Saga --- The Week In Review (WIR) is South Carolina's most indispensable news program — hosted by the independent media outlet that exposed the Alex Murdaugh crime and corruption dynasty. Each week, we break down the most impactful stories published to our website, FITSNews.com. New episodes drop every Saturday at 9 a.m. EST. --- For the latest this story and more, subscribe to FITSNews on site: https://fitsnews.com More ways to support:  On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FITSTube?sub_confirmation=1 On X/Twitter: https://x.com/fitsnews/ On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fitsnews/ On TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@fitsnews #WillFolks #JennWood #AndrewFancher #FITSNews #SouthCarolina

The first substantive hearing of accused killer Alex Murdaugh’s retrial was full of fireworks. Founding editor Will Folks and research director Jenn Wood break down a busy status conference dealing with Murdaugh 2.0 venue, DNA evidence, polygraphs - and a surprise reference to a potentially related homicide. --- The Week In Review (WIR) is South Carolina's most indispensable news program — hosted by the independent media outlet that exposed the Alex Murdaugh crime and corruption dynasty. Each week, we break down the most impactful stories published to our website, FITSNews.com. New episodes drop every Saturday at 9 a.m. EST. --- For the latest this story and more, subscribe to FITSNews on site: https://fitsnews.com More ways to support:  On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FITSTube?sub_confirmation=1 On X/Twitter: https://x.com/fitsnews/ On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fitsnews/ On TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@fitsnews #WillFolks #JennWood #AndrewFancher #FITSNews #SouthCarolina #murdaughmurders #crimenews #weekinreview

Founding editor Will Folks discusses how South Carolina is putting the ‘special’ in a special election for the U.S. Senate, specifically the seat vacated by last month’s sudden passing of Lindsey Graham. From cattle call to court drama, this race is off the rails! Will and research director Jenn Wood also discuss a flurry of filings in Alex Murdaugh’s looming retrial - as well as big developments in two Murdaugh-related civil cases.  --- Chapters: 0:00 - Senate Election Updates 9:50 - Murdaugh Saga Continued --- The Week In Review (WIR) is South Carolina's most indispensable news program — hosted by the independent media outlet that exposed the Alex Murdaugh crime and corruption dynasty. Each week, we break down the most impactful stories published to our website, FITSNews.com. New episodes drop every Saturday at 9 a.m. EST. --- For the latest this story and more, subscribe to FITSNews on site: https://fitsnews.com More ways to support:  On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FITSTube?sub_confirmation=1 On X/Twitter: https://x.com/fitsnews/ On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fitsnews/ On TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@fitsnews #WillFolks #JennWood #AndrewFancher #FITSNews #SouthCarolina

Founding editor Will Folks and research director Jenn Wood discuss a major scandal enveloping a coastal South Carolina church, updates in the ‘Rose Petal Murder’ appeal, a critical motions hearing in an upcoming quadruple homicide trial and horrific details associated with n alleged drowning murder. Jenn and chief photog Andy Fancher also take inventory of the latest accountability set to befall disgraced South Carolina sheriff Chuck Wright. --- 0:34 - Sickening Church Scandal Rocks the South Carolina Coast 6:23 - Zachary Hughes and His Push For A New ‘Rose Petal Murder’ Trial 15:33 - Ross Vilardi Challenges Evidence Ahead of Quadruple Murder Trial 18:20 - Criminal Charges, Civil Probe of Midlands Foster Child 21:13 - Ex-Sheriff Chuck Wright Faces 65 Ethics Charges; Abandoned SLED Investigation --- The Week In Review (WIR) is South Carolina's most indispensable news program — hosted by the independent media outlet that exposed the Alex Murdaugh crime and corruption dynasty. Each week, we break down the most impactful stories published to our website, FITSNews.com. New episodes drop every Saturday at 9 a.m. EST. --- For the latest this story and more, subscribe to FITSNews on site: https://fitsnews.com More ways to support:  On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FITSTube?sub_confirmation=1 On X/Twitter: https://x.com/fitsnews/ On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fitsnews/ On TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@fitsnews #WillFolks #JennWood #AndrewFancher #FITSNews #SouthCarolina #ChuckWright #RosePetalMurder #WeekinReview

Our founding editor, Will Folks, opens with a wide-ranging breakdown of the passing of U.S. senator Lindsey Graham and the fallout from it globally, nationally and in his home state of South Carolina. Then he breaks down the week's biggest South Carolina stories — including the Vilardi and Murdaugh sagas — with researcher Jenn Wood, followed by a candid conversation with investigative reporter Andy Fancher on the Flock camera scandal rocking the Upstate. --- Chapters: 0:00 - The Death of Senator Lindsey Graham 0:00 - Murdaugh's Civil Case and New Ross Vilardi Filings 0:00 - Allegations of Flock Abuse Envelop Upstate PD -- The Week In Review (WIR) is South Carolina's most indispensable news program — hosted by the independent media outlet that exposed the Alex Murdaugh crime and corruption dynasty. Each week, we break down the most impactful stories published to our website, FITSNews.com. New episodes drop every Saturday at 9 a.m. EST. --- For the latest this story and more, subscribe to FITSNews on site: https://fitsnews.com More ways to support:  On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FITSTube?sub_confirmation=1 On X/Twitter: https://x.com/fitsnews/ On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fitsnews/ On TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@fitsnews #WillFolks #JennWood #AndrewFancher #FITSNews #SouthCarolina #LindseyGraham #Vilardi #GreerPolice #MurdaughSaga

FITSNews founding editor Will Folks and researcher/chief photog. Andrew Fancher discuss a week in federal court where everything came to a head for ex-Sheriff Chuck Wright and two codefendants, who each received varying sentences ranging from 41 months in federal prison to five years probation.  They further acknowledge the broader network of alleged criminal activity tied to Wright's 20+ years in office. Then, Folks is joined by FITSNews researcher Jenn Wood to discuss the deeply disturbing murder of 4-year-old Javeayah Harris. They then switch gears to cover yet another arrest of the man now unofficially designated "The Folly Beach Menace," Ron Rallis. --- Chapters: 0:00 - Ex-Sheriff Chuck Wright Sentenced to 41 Months in Prison 0:00 - The "Deeply Disturbing" Murder of 4-Year-Old Javeayah Harris 0:00 - Yet Another Ron Rallis Arrest -- The Week In Review (WIR) is South Carolina's most indispensable news program — hosted by the independent media outlet that exposed the Alex Murdaugh crime and corruption dynasty. Each week, we break down the most impactful stories published to our website, FITSNews.com. New episodes drop every Saturday at 9 a.m. EST. --- For the latest this story and more, subscribe to FITSNews on site: https://fitsnews.com More ways to support:  On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FITSTube?sub_confirmation=1 On X/Twitter: https://x.com/fitsnews/ On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fitsnews/ On TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@fitsnews

FITSNews founding editor Will Folks and researcher Jenn Wood break down the latest in the Alex Murdaugh case. With his double-murder retrial date set for April 2027, long-standing discrepancies in the state's evidence have drawn renewed interest. Then, Wood is joined by FITSNews investigative reporter Andrew Fancher to discuss the death of Elena Moore and a decade-old police scandal tied to her husband, along with ex-sheriff Chuck Wright's incoming federal sentencing and the network of corruption that allegedly surrounds him. --- Chapters: 0:00 - Judge Sets Double-Murder Trial Date for Alex Murdaugh 8:42 - Murdaugh “Evidence" and a Federal Civil Lawsuit 16:11 - Elena Moore's Death and Her Husband's Decade-Old Police Scandal 23:04 - Chuck Wright's Federal Sentencing and the Network That Persists -- The Week In Review (WIR) is South Carolina's most indispensable news program — hosted by the independent media outlet that exposed the Alex Murdaugh crime and corruption dynasty. Each week, we break down the most impactful stories published to our website, FITSNews.com. New episodes drop every Saturday at 9 a.m. EST. --- For the latest this story and more, subscribe to FITSNews on site: https://fitsnews.com More ways to support:  On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FITSTube?sub_confirmation=1 On X/Twitter: https://x.com/fitsnews/ On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fitsnews/ On TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@fitsnews

FITSNews founding editor Will Folks and researcher Jenn Wood break down a big night in South Carolina politics as Attorney General Alan Wilson wins storms to a runoff victory over Lt. Gov. (and Ohio native) Pamela Evette. Folks and Wood then discuss the looming retrial of accused family killer Alex Murdaugh, including an upcoming status conference and the nonstop stream of new questions surrounding SLED's handling of the case. -- Chapters: 0:00 - Life’s a beach  1:59 - Alan Wilson Wins Big, Trump Endorsement Falls Flat 11:49 - The Alex Murdaugh Retrial Process Begins 19:13 - Did SLED Drop the Ball on Murdaugh? --- The Week In Review (WIR) is South Carolina's most indispensable news program — hosted by the independent media outlet that exposed the Alex Murdaugh crime and corruption dynasty. Each week, we break down the most impactful stories published to our website, FITSNews.com. New episodes drop every Saturday at 9 a.m. EST. --- For the latest this story and more, subscribe to FITSNews on site: https://fitsnews.com More ways to support:  On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FITSTube?sub_confirmation=1 On X/Twitter: https://x.com/fitsnews/ On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fitsnews/ On TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@fitsnews

FITSNews founding editor Will Folks and researcher Jenn Wood break down this week's biggest stories ahead of South Carolina's June 9 partisan primary. As first reported on FITSNews.com -- The interplay between election year politics and the Alex Murdaugh retrial, the suspiciously timed death of political operative Chris Slick and allegations of a "corrupt bargain" shadowing Trump's endorsement for South Carolina governor. -- Chapters: 0:00 - Bracing for a Chaotic Partisan Primary 1:06 - Election Politics v. Murdaugh Retrial 8:07 - A Political Operative's Mysterious Death in Belize 15:15 - Trump endorsement fuels speculation of "corrupt bargain" 21:10 - Polls, Candidates, Dropouts and Greenbacks --- The Week In Review (WIR) is South Carolina's most indispensable news program — hosted by the independent media outlet that exposed the Alex Murdaugh crime and corruption dynasty. Each week, we break down the most impactful stories published to our website, FITSNews.com. New episodes drop every Saturday at 9 a.m. EST. --- For the latest this story and more, subscribe to FITSNews on site: https://fitsnews.com More ways to support: On YouTube:    / @fitstube  On X/Twitter: https://x.com/fitsnews/ On Facebook:   / fitsnews  On TikTok:   / fitsnews