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

Thursday, February 21, 2013  South Carolina officials hope restricting what people can buy with food stamps will cut down on obesity.

Thursday, February 21, 2013  Gov. Nikki Haley and the chiefs of the state's health and social services agencies are discussing how to combat obesity in South Carolina.

Wednesday, January 30, 2013  South Carolina's welfare recipients will see a slight increase in their payments starting in April.

Tuesday, October 02, 2012  Governor Nikki Haley Tuesday applauding the Department of Social Services for helping welfare recipients get off welfare and land a job.

Thursday, October 27, 2011  Each year, state social workers are unable to substantiate thousands of reports of child abuse or neglect, yet hundreds of those cases later result in harm to children. South Carolina officials said Thursday they aim to improve that record with a review of caseworker practices.

Thursday, September 29, 2011  The director of South Carolina's social services agency expects to double the number of welfare recipients who trade a government check for a paycheck.

Sunday, July 31, 2011  The director of South Carolina's social services agency wants to speed up the time it takes to find safe, permanent homes for the thousands of abused and neglected children put in the state's care.

Thursday, March 10, 2011  New DSS director Lillian Koller told senators investigating the deficit that the agency's financial chief retired and the agency didn't have replacements who knew how to accurately forecast how much cash was needed. Koller says the official was also chiefly responsible for seeking federal matching cash for programs.

Thursday, February 10, 2011  The state Senate on Thursday approved former judge Bill Byars, Lillian Koller, Retired Army Maj. Gen. Robert St. Onge, Former Army Col. Kevin Shwedo and Bob Toomey.

Wednesday, February 02, 2011  Lillian Koller's nomination to run DSS was approved Wednesday and now moves to the Senate floor.