Judge hears arguments in Charleston cruise case

CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) _ A state judge in Charleston is hearing arguments on a lawsuit challenging the city’s cruise industry. Local residents, environmentalists and preservation groups have sued, alleging that the cruises are a public nuisance. An attorney for the South Carolina State Ports Authority told Circuit Judge Clifton Newman Thursday the authority has immunity from such lawsuits. An attorney for the city of Charleston said the plaintiffs are cherry-picking part of the city’s zoning as a basis for their case. But the plaintiffs argued that there’s not enough evidence before the judge to dismiss the suit. Newman has been appointed as a special referee by the South Carolina Supreme Court to hear the case. Thursday’s hearing was over whether the case should be dismissed.