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

Yesterday at 7:11 AM  Legislators are returning to Columbia to consider a budget compromise that provides more money for highways and schools.

Friday, June 14, 2013  A legislative panel working on a budget compromise has agreed to keep South Carolina's two state planes but not let colleges use them for athletic recruiting.

Wednesday, May 29, 2013  The South Carolina state task force formed to support its military bases is hearing concerns that automatic Pentagon spending cuts are hurting the readiness of military forces in the state.

Friday, May 17, 2013  The commission working to preserve the culture of slave descendants on the Southeast coast is holding its quarterly meeting. The Gullah-Geechee Heritage Corridor Commission meets in Conway.

Monday, May 13, 2013  A plan to preserve the culture of slave descendants of the sea islands on the Southeast coast has been approved by the Department of the Interior.

Thursday, May 02, 2013  Gov. Nikki Haley has named a New York City labor lawyer who worked previously for President George W. Bush as the new leader of South Carolina's unemployment agency.

Wednesday, May 01, 2013  An effort to expand South Carolina's full-day 4-year-old kindergarten program to more poor children is advancing in the Senate.

Wednesday, May 01, 2013  A state panel has decided the new president of South Carolina State University in Orangeburg could be paid up to $326,000 a year.

Wednesday, April 24, 2013  A South Carolina Senate panel has advanced a bill aimed at boosting students' chances for success by ensuring they can read by fourth grade.

Wednesday, April 24, 2013  Parents could no longer buy a small plot to send their child to a certain school under a bill advanced by a House panel.

Wednesday, April 17, 2013  A state Senate Judiciary Subcommittee listened to testimoney Wednesday on a bill that would make solar panels more affordable.

Wednesday, April 17, 2013  Supporters of a bill updating South Carolina's 25-year-old sex education law say students need accurate information about their bodies to make wise choices in a society filled with sexual messages.

Tuesday, April 16, 2013  A South Carolina House panel has advanced a bill that increases politicians' income disclosure, steps up penalties for ethics violations and eliminates legislative ethics panels.

Thursday, April 11, 2013  A South Carolina Senate panel has advanced a measure meant to reduce government bureaucracy for hospitals as they expand and buy equipment.

Thursday, April 11, 2013  A House panel has postponed making a decision on whether to approve a bill that would make cyberbullying against children a crime in South Carolina.