Week In Review

Week In Review - What Happened to Hayden Panettiere?

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

WIR - Special Murdaugh Retrial Edition

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

WIR: ‘Special’ U.S. Senate Election, Multiple Murdaugh Retrial Filings

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

Church Scandal, ‘Rose Petal Murder,’ Teen Drowning and Chuck Wright’s Next Day of Reckoning | WIR

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

Lindsey Graham's Death, an Upstate Flock Scandal and Escalating Murdaugh Drama | Week in Review

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

Chuck Wright Gets Prison, Toddler's Parents Arrested and Yet Another Rallis Scandal | Week In Review

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

Elena Moore's Pending Toxicology, Chuck Wright's Incoming Sentence & Murdaugh's Slated Retrial | WIR

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

S.C. Primary ‘Blowout’ and Alex Murdaugh's Road to Retrial | WIR

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

Murdaugh's Legal War, a Death in Belize & "Corrupt" Bargaining Ahead of the S.C. Primary | WIR

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

Oops All Politics: Clemson’s DEI Fight, the Murdaugh Debate and SC’s Redistricting Failure | WIR

FITSNews' Will Folks and Jenn Wood weigh in on whether formerly convicted, now-accused killer Alex Murdaugh deserves the death penalty -- with Wood sitting down individually with attorney Phillip Barber and novelist James Lasdun to revisit the case. Also this week: Clemson University inherits a DEI problem while simultaneously grappling with billion-dollar woes. Plus, South Carolina strikes down Trump's redistricting push. --- 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. -- Chapters: 0:00 - The Groundwork 0:51 - South Carolina Bucks Trump on Redistricting 4:08 - Clemson University’s DEI Controversy and Billion-Dollar Woes 10:16 - Does Alex Murdaugh Deserve the Death Penalty? 16:58 - Murdaugh’s Case Re-examined with Attorney Phillip Barber and Novelist James Lasdun

EXCLUSIVE: S.C. Attorney General Alan Wilson & Creighton Waters on Retrying Alex Murdaugh

As the second trial of accused killer Alex Murdaugh takes shape, FITSNews.com founder Will Folks sat down with S.C. Attorney General Alan Wilson and lead prosecutor Creighton Waters -- the two men who secured his first convictions and who must now convince another jury he killed his wife and younger son after the S.C. Supreme Court reversed the original verdicts. Filmed inside the S.C. Attorney General's Office in Columbia, S.C., Wilson and Waters discuss the challenges awaiting them as they prepare for what many are calling the Retrial of the Century.

Murdaugh's Defense Attorneys React to Overturned Murder Convictions | WIR

Alex Murdaugh's defense attorneys, Jim Griffin and Dick Harpootlian, sit down with FITSNews.com founder Will Folks in the wake of Murdaugh's bombshell murder convictions being overturned by the S.C. Supreme Court. The attorneys discuss what it took to get here and what comes next for their high-profile client. 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

Murdaugh Convictions Overturned | FITSNews Special Report

South Carolina's Supreme Court unanimously and emphatically overturned Alex Murdaugh's double homicide convictions, concluding that Colleton County clerk of court Becky Hill "placed her fingers on the scales of justice." FITSNews founding editor Will Folks and research director Jenn Wood break down the court's landmark decision and what it means for the future of South Carolina's most high-profile murder case. For the latest on these 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

The Price of Covering Alex Murdaugh, a Train Track Murder & Chuck Wright's Federal Countdown | Week in Review

FITSNews' Week in Review returns with a vengeance. Founding editor Will Folks and research director Jenn Wood break down the latest developments in the Alex Murdaugh appeal, with a decision from the S.C. Supreme Court now imminent. What happens if the justices -- as widely expected -- reverse Murdaugh's convictions and remand his case back to the circuit court? FITSNews.com has answers, while Will has some blunt words for the powerful interests who have sought to intimidate this news outlet into backing away from the inconvenient truths at the heart of this case. Will also sat down with FITSNews chief photographer and researcher Andrew Fancher to discuss the long-awaited sentencing date announcement in the federal case against former Spartanburg County Sheriff Chuck Wright. Fancher also previewed Devil's Right Hand, an investigative series into the disgraced former lawman. Also on this week's program: an update in the mysterious death of Daniel Reed “DJ” Smith, whose body was found on a remote stretch of railroad tracks nearly seven years ago. Chapters: 0:00 — Back With a Vengeance 1:12 — Alex Murdaugh's Appeal & the Pressure Campaign Against FITSNews 19:37 — A Body on the Tracks and an Official Story Under Fire in Civil Court 30:40 — Disgraced Former Sheriff Chuck Wright Gets a Federal Sentencing Date For the latest on these 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

Ennis Fant Under Prosecutorial Scrutiny, Kimbrell Held in Contempt, Botched Drug Case - WIR 3/14/26

Shandon Stabber Given Bond, Silfab Solar Chemical Spill, Asbestos Docket Racket -WIR 3/7/26

FITSPolitic LIVE: S.C. Governor’s Race Update, Mace Ethics Probe & Supreme Court Race

LIVE: Murdaugh Appeal, Spivey Civil, Vilardi Verdict – Month in Review 2/27/26

February featured significant developments in multiple stories FITSNews has been tracking for years. We reported on three major legal proceedings this month: Alex Murdaugh’s appeal before the S.C. Supreme Court, the Scott Spivey civil stand your ground hearing – which concluded in a ruling against defendant Weldon Boyd, and the quadruple murder trial which this afternoon resulted in a guilty verdict against defendant Amy Vilardi. We’d be remiss if we didn’t also discuss our Andrew Fancher’s multiple exclusive reports on disgraced former financier Jeffrey Epstein’s South Carolina ties. Fancher also has delivered his latest installment in the Chuck Wright saga, which has chronicled the downfall of Spartanburg County’s former sheriff. The largest political publication in America penned a sprawling feature story about U.S. congresswoman Nancy Mace focusing on her personal and political evolution. The piece pulls together themes we’ve been discussing for months and features an attention to detail rarely seen in 21st century journalism. Finally, two of the Palmetto State’s top political troublemakers, state representative Joe White and first circuit solicitor and attorney general candidate David Pascoe stirred the pot at the S.C. State House by taking aim at the Palmetto State’s sole statue of limitations, one that imposes a four year time limit on the prosecution of public corruption.

Gubernatorial Candidate Jermaine Johnson FITSPolitic Live

Spivey Stand Your Ground, Rhett Riviere Sentenced, Supreme Court Appointment Fight - WIR 2/21/26