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MAY 15–21, 2025
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COVERING BEAUFORT COUNTY
FABB blames BOE for books banned statewide Though just 1 parent complains, Board has final say
By Delayna Earley The Island News After the May South Carolina Board of Education meeting, the state now leads the country in the highest number of books banned in public schools. The number of books banned from S.C. public school libraries has now been raised to 21 books after the state Board voted to remove an additional 10 books that they had previously tabled pending further discussion in April’s monthly meeting. More than half of the books banned were submitted for review by Beaufort County resident Elizabeth “Ivie” Szalai, who previ-
ously attempted to have a list of 97 books removed from public school libraries within Beaufort County School District and resulted in a book review process involving the community that lasted more than a year. Szalai argues that the challenged books should be removed because they contain explicit sexual descriptions and depictions that are not appropriate for a K-12 school setting and students. With the passage of Regulation 43-170 in 2024, which allows books that contain visual depictions and descriptions of sexual conduct to
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Nancy Mace addresses constituents during a Town Hall meeting at Dataw Island on Wednesday, April 23, 2025. Amber Hewitt/The Island News
A photo illustration made from the 10 books banned this month by the S.C. Board of Education. Delayna Earley/The Island News
Public figures must show ‘actual malice’ to win a defamation case
TCL GRADUATION
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eaufort’s Waterfront Park was packed with graduates, family and friends during the 2025 TCL Graduation on Friday, May 9. S.C. Rep. Shannon Erickson of Beaufort gave the commencement address. Jeff Evans/ The Island News
Technical College of the Lowcountry 2025 Graduation By the Numbers
328
Graduates crossed the stage at Beaufort’s Waterfront Park.
479
Certificates, diplomas, and associate degrees awarded in total.
Mace sues man she accused of sex crimes
By Shaun Chornobroff SCDailyGazette.com A lawsuit filed Monday by U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace claims one of the men she targeted in a shocking speech in Congress defamed her on social media in the weeks afterward. The 1st District congresswoman accuses Eric Bowman of “repeatedly and maliciously” damaging her reputation following her hourlong speech in February, for which she’s being sued for defamation by another man she named. Bowman has said more lawsuits are likely, but he meant against her. All four men, who include Mace’s ex-fiancé, have vehemently denied her accusations from the U.S. House floor that they committed “some of the most heinous crimes against women imaginable.” Bowman, a Sullivans Island software developer, called the lawsuit filed in Charleston County court “headline theater.” Mace claims Bowman “acted with reckless disregard to the truth and with actual malice towards Rep. Mace through his utter disregard of and callousness to her rights as a South Carolinian in purposely making such knowingly false declarations,” the lawsuit reads. The lawsuit cites Bowman’s posts on X, formerly Twitter, between Feb. 27 — 17 days after her speech — and March 17. In that nearly hour-long speech broadcast live on C-SPAN, Mace accused the men of an array of sexual crimes, including raping and videotaping women without their knowledge. Mace said she was among the victims. All four men immediately denied her claims. At the time, the state Law Enforcement Division confirmed it
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SPORTS
ARTS
BA’s boys and girls soccer teams win state titles.
‘Decoration Day’ to premiere at annual Original Gullah Festival.
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EDUCATION
INSIDE
Beaufort County School District announces teachers, support staff of year.
Lowcountry Life A2 News A2–7 Business A7 Sports A8 Arts A9 Education A9–10
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Voices A11–13 Legals A14 State News A15 Military A16–17 Directory A18 Classifieds A19