Former Vice President Mike Pence urged tougher abortion laws in a Wednesday speech at a Florence church. Last month, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the landmark abortion protection case, Roe v. Wade.

“Today at long last, Roe v. Wade has been sent to the ash heap of history where it belongs,” he said Wednesday. “We must resolve that we will not rest, we will not relent until the sanctity of life is restored to the center of American law in every state in the nation.”

Pence, long a defender of former President Donald Trump, has increasingly distanced himself after the Jan. 6 riot and as the 2024 presidential election season approaches.

In other headlines:

Ex-lawyer pleads not guilty in murder case. Disbarred lawyer Alex Murdaugh pleaded not guilty Thursday in murders of his wife and son — crimes that have captivated the nation. Defense lawyers and prosecutors agreed to keep the evidence secret. His lawyers also pushed for a speedy trial because they said he feels the killer or killers are still at loose, according to this story. Meanwhile, Murdaugh associate Russell Laffitte was indicted by a grand jury on charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and bank fraud, bank fraud, wire fraud, and misapplication of bank funds.

S.C. Democrat pre-files bill to outlaw military-style rifles. State Rep. Wendell Gilliard, D-Charleston, said he plans to pre-file a bill in November with the state legislature to ban military-style weapons across South Carolina. The bill would outlaw the weapons and require current owners to surrender them.

Lucas joins Prisma Health as government liaison. Former S.C. House Speaker Jay Lucas is the new chief government liaison for Prisma Health, the state’s largest health care provider. The announcement comes three weeks after Lucas resigned from his seat in the House, a seat he’s held for 24 years.

Former school to become affordable senior housing complex. The former Henry P. Archer School that once taught Black children before desegregation has received funding to become a new affordable senior living. The area on Nassau Street will be redeveloped into 89 residential units for seniors at or below 60 percent of the area median income and renamed Archer School Apartments.

Boeing sells more Charleston-based 787 Dreamers. Boeing Co. recently signed an agreement with Azerbaijan Airlines to sell four of the locally-built 787-8 model Dreamers. The deal with Azerbaijan Airlines is the second deal Boeing struck this week. On Tuesday, the company announced the sale of five 787-9s to AerCap Holdings.

Medal of Honor recipients honored in Charleston ceremony. The Riviera Theater in downtown Charleston held a Medal of Honor ceremony July 20 in honor of citizens who give back selflessly. The ceremony is sponsored by the Congressional Medal of Honor Society based at Patriots Point in Mount Pleasant.