The American Library Association's annual conference is underway in Chicago, where librarians are discussing topics including countering book challenges, fighting legislative censorship, and ensuring information access and the freedom to read. Authors, scholars and librarians have gathered as several states push to restrict access to books in schools and libraries — overwhelmingly those about race, ethnicity and LGBTQ+ topics. The association in March released data showing a record 1,269 demands to censor library books in the U.S. in 2022, a 20-year high.

A man who killed a U.S. Postal Service mail carrier has been sentenced to life in prison. Prosecutors say he shot her after she refused to deliver a large package of marijuana to his home, instead leaving in the mailbox telling him to pick it up at the post office. The court found 25-year-old Trevor Raekwon Seward killed 64-year-old Irene Pressley as she delivered mail in rural Williamsburg County in September 2019.

A Georgia congressman wants lawmakers to block a federal agency from imposing new speed restrictions on boats and ships to protect a critically endangered whale species. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says requiring vessels to slow down along the U.S. East Coast would reduce the risk of collisions with North Atlantic right whales. Scientists believe the whales' population has dwindled to less than 340. U.S. Rep. Buddy Carter, whose district includes coastal Georgia, introduced a bill Friday to prohibit the agency from spending federal dollars on the rule changes until new technology can monitor coastal waters for right whales. Critics say the proposed restrictions would make boats slow down to speeds that are often unsafe.

Chemical manufacturer 3M has agreed to pay at least $10.3 billion to settle lawsuits over contamination of many U.S. public drinking water systems with potentially harmful compounds known as PFAS. The deal was announced Thursday by the company based in St. Paul, Minnesota, and an attorney representing hundreds of public water systems. 3M is a leading maker of PFAS chemicals used widely in firefighting foams and many nonstick and grease-resistant consumer products. They're described as "forever chemicals" because they don't degrade naturally in the environment. PFAS compounds been linked to a variety of health problems, including liver and immune-system damage and some cancers.

The Coast Guard holds a news conference after rescue teams searching for a missing Titanic-touring submersible uncovered a field of debris. Watch the event live, here...

Even though the General Assembly isn’t in session this summer the Republican controlled House of Representatives finds itself in turmoil following a recent federal court ruling which may have un-intentionally blown a hole in the state ethics act.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is rolling out endorsements from 15 South Carolina lawmakers. The list was shared first on Thursday with The Associated Press ahead of DeSantis' town hall in North Augusta. The endorsements come from 11 state House members and four state senators.

Virginia's attorney general says a wild animal trainer featured in the popular Netflix series "Tiger King" has been convicted of wildlife trafficking. Attorney General Jason Miyares said Tuesday that Bhagavan "Doc" Antle was accused of illegally buying endangered lion cubs in Virginia for display and profit at his South Carolina zoo.

South Carolina Republicans have set Feb. 24 as the date of their 2024 presidential primary. Party official Hope Walker says the executive committee voted Saturday. Walker says setting that day gives GOP White House hopefuls more time to campaign in the first-in-the-South state after Nevada. The selection still needs approval from the Republican National Committee. The move comes as both major parties make moves to solidify their voting calendars ahead of the 2024 nominating process.

Nikki Haley's husband deployed on Saturday for a yearlong stint with the South Carolina Army National Guard to Africa. The mission will encompass most of the remainder of his wife's campaign for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination. Michael Haley was one of about 200 soldiers sent off during a deployment ceremony at The Citadel, a military college in Charleston. He is being deployed as a staff officer with the 218th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, which the National Guard says is providing support in the Horn of Africa. This is Michael Haley's second active-duty deployment since he joined the Guard as an officer in 2006.