As the murder trial of embattled former lawyer Alex Murdaugh is set to begin in Walterboro next week, Netflix on Tuesday released a trailer of its coming three-part documentary, Murdaugh Murders: A Southern Scandal. According to the Greenville News, the docuseries “explores the scandals and criminal allegations surrounding disbarred South Carolina attorney Richard Alex Murdaugh and the fall of his disgraced family dynasty.” 

The show, which premieres Feb. 22, is a “”closely involved attempt to make sense of the years of dishonesty, misdeeds and misfortune that followed around a powerful family — and forever changed a small town in the process,” according to E! News.

According to the film streamer: “The Murdaughs were one of South Carolina’s most prominent families, but the death of teenager Mallory Beach in a drunken boating accident began the unraveling of their legacy. When Paul Murdaugh — the alleged driver of the boat — and his mother Maggie are found brutally murdered, a century of corruption, power and cover-ups in the Low Country [sic] is brought to light.”

Meanwhile, The Post and Courier reported today that Walterboro is ready for a big media onslaught expected from state and national press next week.

CP OPINION: Legislature should abandon unfair school voucher scheme

‘Here we go again with school vouchers. Conservatives at the Statehouse again are hellbent in approving vouchers, conveniently now called “education scholarship accounts,” to steal public education dollars to allow some K-12 students to get up to $6,000 to pay for private schools. Think of it as the South Carolina Private School Subsidy Act.”

In other headlines:

Two women drop out of S.C. Supreme Court race. That means the state’s highest court will be all male for the first time in 35 years — and that it likely will take a more conservative tone. One of the two candidates who dropped out was from the Lowcountry.

CDC, DHEC prioritize Covid severity levels over case quantity. With so many people using home tests to check whether they have Covid-19, you may wonder how accurate state-reported data are in framing the prevalence of the disease. Short answer: State data are kind of like the fishwrap that newspapers become. The numbers indicate increases in Covid-19 cases within a population, but little more.

How reducing light pollution helps humans. Too much exposure to artificial light at night can reduce the production of melatonin, causing big health issues.

Politician, bridge namesake Ravenel dies. This new Associated Press obituary of Arthur Ravenel Jr., the Charleston GOP politician who served six decades in public office. He passed away Monday. A funeral is set for Friday in Charleston.

Charleston port handled record cargo in 2022, but imports waning. Despite records last year, the current quarter is expected to be challenging, port officials said. Meanwhile the Ports agency has approved $100+ million in contracts for a new North Charleston rail facility.

Chef offers dinner with a side of history. An inside look at Charleston chef and author Kevin Mitchell and his culinary pearls.

Graham, McMaster to join former present at Jan. 28 Trump event. U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham and S.C. Gov. Henry McMaster will join former President Donald Trump at a Jan. 28 event in Columbia to unveil his leadership team for his third presidential bid. It’s Trump’s first public 2024 campaign event for the new year.

Activist announces bid for Charleston mayor. Activist Tamika Gadsden announced she will run for mayor of Charleston.

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