🌱 Judge Denies Block On COVID Vax Mandates + New Housing Funds

Happy Friday, people of Charleston! Here's everything you need to know going on in Charleston today.

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First, today's weather:

A t-storm around in the p.m.. High: 80 Low: 60.

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Here are the top stories in Charleston today:

1. On Thursday, U.S. District Judge David Norton of South Carolina denied efforts by local firefighters, police officers, sheriff's deputies, and paramedics to block COVID-19 vaccination mandates across Charleston. The lawsuits filed by these groups attempted to temporarily stop four separate COVID-19 vaccination mandates from going into effect in North Charleston, Charleston County, the city of Charleston, and the St. John's Fire District next month. In a 51-page opinion, Norton rejected the plaintiffs' motion for a temporary restraining order, writing that they "failed present a viable legal theory in their attempts to block the vaccine mandates." (The State)
2. Charleston's Department of Housing and Community Development has announced several funding opportunities for the 2022 to 2023 program year. Applications are now open to organizations that wish to apply for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Community Planning and Development, Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), Home Investment Partnerships Program (HOME), and Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) funds. Awards can be used to support programs that accomplish the goals and objectives outlined in the city's 2020 to 2025 Consolidated Plan. (Press Release Desk)
3. The City of Charleston is one step closer to implementing a 12-foot, $1.1 billion sea wall to combat what the Army Corps of Engineers calls a "deadly and expensive storm surge." (Live 5 News WCSC)
4. A suspect has been arrested after a man suffered a brain injury during a violent attack in Charleston Thursday. Antonio Martez Blake, 31 of North Charleston, has been charged with strong armed robbery, first and second-degree assault, and battery. (Live 5 News WCSC)
5. Out of the Darkness, a community walk for suicide prevention, will be held at Riverfront Park in North Charleston tomorrow at 2 p.m. (ABC NEWS 4)

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Today in Charleston:

• Municipal Election Commission - City of Charleston (9:00 AM)
• Free Food Giveaway (1:00 PM)
• Theo Von - Charleston Gaillard Center (7:00 PM)

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You're all caught up for today. I'll catch up with you bright and early tomorrow with your next update! If you're into these newsletters, consider inviting some of your friends and neighbors to follow along. You can send them this link to subscribe.

— Nicole Fallon-Peek

About me: Nicole Fallon-Peek is a journalist and copywriter with a degree in Media, Culture and Communication from New York University. She has served as a freelance reporter, managing editor, copy editor, and editorial director for a variety of B2B news outlets. She currently co-owns and operates content creation agency Lightning Media Partners.