Latest local news, weather and high school sports from the Midlands

Today at 3:50 PM  A state audit of South Carolina First Steps says lawmakers need to define "school readiness" and implement pre-school testing to better determine which children most need help and how to boost chances for success.

Today at 8:30 AM  President Barack Obama vigorously defended the surveillance programs in a lengthy interview Monday, calling them transparent — even though they are authorized in secret.

Yesterday at 7:20 AM  Apple says it received between 4,000 and 5,000 government requests for data over 6-month period

Thursday, June 13, 2013  Leaker Snowden's allegations about US hacking give China new edge in cyber war of words

Tuesday, June 11, 2013  Intelligence official says US spy program will remain despite backlash at home and abroad

Monday, June 10, 2013  The man responsible for leaking to the press information about sweeping U.S. surveillance programs has revealed his own identity.

Friday, June 07, 2013  Like profit-driven companies, US government mining Big Data to dig deeper into people's lives

Friday, June 07, 2013  Intelligence chief declassifies details of phone-records program after uproar over snooping

Thursday, June 06, 2013  A British newspaper reported that the administration was collecting telephone records of millions of US citizens who were Verizon customers.

Wednesday, June 05, 2013  A lawsuit accuses the South Carolina town of Timmonsville of putting residents' health at risk by improperly discharging raw sewage and wastewater.

Wednesday, May 29, 2013  South Carolina's unemployment agency is making a $144 million early payment toward its debt to the federal government, helping to reduce businesses' insurance taxes.

Tuesday, May 28, 2013  A bill aimed at strengthening cyber-security across state government may be dead for the year, but legislators expect to incorporate the essentials into the state budget.

Thursday, May 23, 2013  A federal judge has scheduled a hearing to formally settle lawsuits challenging the $650 million deepening of the Savannah River shipping channel.

Wednesday, May 22, 2013  Federal nuclear regulators are visiting Hartsville to discuss safety at a power plant.

Friday, May 17, 2013  South Carolina's unemployment has dropped to its lowest rate in five years.