It was unthinkable 30 years ago that a South Carolina, mother could strap her young sons into their car seats and watch as the car sank into a lake.

Stephen Monroe, 26, has been sentenced for the shooting death of 16-year-old Noah Smith following a three-day trial.

Smith is the second Democratic senator to announce their retirements ahead of the midterms in 2026, when the party wants to contend for the majority but faces obstacles.