Founding Fathers of the United States

Liberty Hill, North Charleston's oldest surviving community and a historic Black neighborhood founded in 1871, will appear before the S.C. State Board of Review on Nov. 20 as it seeks designation as a national historic district, with final approval resting on the National Park Service. The community, built by four men on 112 acres along East Montague Avenue, declined after the nearby Navy Base closed in 1996 and now faces development pressure from surrounding growth.

Alongside the federal nomination, the city has announced streetscape upgrades—improved medians, lighting, crosswalks and historic signage—funded partly through a $2.5 million council district allocation, plus plans for a future Neighborhood Conservation District to limit development size and preserve the area's character.

Tempe, Arizona, is weighing an ordinance that would bar the city from owning or using automated license plate reader (ALPR) systems for law enforcement, a measure the ACLU of Arizona says would be the first municipal-level ban of its kind in the U.S. The proposal, championed by Councilmember Bobby Nichols, follows widespread backlash against ALPR vendor Flock Safety amid concerns the technology enables mass surveillance in violation of Fourth Amendment protections. Tempe and other Valley cities have already canceled Flock contracts after reports of misuse at other agencies. The draft would still allow ALPR data obtained through a warrant and permit non-police uses like parking enforcement.

At Thursday's first council hearing, 26 residents spoke in support, while Tempe's police union and Police Chief Kenneth McCoy opposed the ban, arguing the department found no misuse and had added safeguards before cameras were shut off. Mayor Corey Woods and two other councilmembers raised concerns about effects on multi-jurisdictional task forces. A vote is scheduled for Oct. 15, with Nichols needing to win over additional council votes.

St. Philip's Church Cemetery in downtown Charleston, South Carolina, was named the ninth most beautiful cemetery in the country by National Parks Guide, an Instagram account highlighting notable U.S. destinations. The cemetery sits on the grounds of St. Philip's Church, established in 1680 as Charleston's oldest congregation and designated a National Historic Landmark in 1973. Notable burials include former Vice President John C. Calhoun, Constitution signer Charles Pinckney, and Declaration of Independence signer Edward Rutledge. The site has withstood fires, the Civil War, an earthquake, a tornado, and Hurricane Hugo over its history.

Bonaventure Cemetery in Savannah, made famous by the novel "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil," topped the list. Other top-ranked cemeteries include Green-Wood in Brooklyn, Sleepy Hollow in Concord, Massachusetts, Laurel Hill in Philadelphia, and Lafayette Cemetery No. 1 in New Orleans. Arlington National Cemetery placed sixth.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom capped a multi-state "take it back tour" with eight public events across South Carolina, plus stops in Alabama and North Carolina, intensifying speculation about a 2028 Democratic presidential run. In North Carolina, Newsom campaigned for U.S. Senate candidate Roy Cooper in Charlotte and rallied Labor Day weekend crowds in Monroe, urging Democrats to focus on the 2026 midterms rather than 2028. He accused Trump of ruthlessness, corruption and attempting to "nationalize" elections through mail-in voting restrictions, telling supporters it's time to "fight fire with fire." Newsom told the Associated Press a 2028 decision could come before year's end.

Voters and strategists increasingly frame California itself as Newsom's central liability, with critics warning his state's liberal image could hurt him against rivals like Josh Shapiro and Pete Buttigieg. Republicans, including North Carolina Senate candidate Michael Whatley and local officials, mocked the visits with "Wrong Coast" signs and accused him of trying to "California" their states. Newsom's team counters that his progressive record on health care, wages and climate could be an asset in a Democratic primary. South Carolina, hosting Democrats' first 2028 primary, remains a key early proving ground alongside hopefuls like Cory Booker.