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

Today at 1:00 PM  Senators have advanced a measure to keep government running at current levels if legislators can't finish a budget before the fiscal year starts July 1.

Today at 12:45 PM  South Carolina State University trustees have offered new president Thomas Elzey a salary of $330,000 a year, but several trustees say that is too much money.

Today at 8:44 AM  Exactly how do desperate parents know when it's best to leave their children in a presumably safe place or race into the face of danger?

Yesterday at 5:40 PM  Officials with the United States Army announced Tuesday afternoon that Brig. Gen. Bryan T. Roberts is suspended of his duties as Commanding General of Fort Jackson.

Yesterday at 12:50 PM  Death toll was corrected and lowered to 24 people, including 7 children.

Yesterday at 12:50 PM  The storm's death toll was corrected and lowered to 24, including 7 children.

Yesterday at 8:33 AM  Associated Press photographer's first-person account of efforts to rescue chidlren and staff in a collapsed school.

Monday, May 20, 2013  Updated with new photos (Caution, graphic images), new video added; death toll now at 51.

Monday, May 20, 2013  Numerous witnesses testified Monday about Bryan Capnerhurst, one of two people the state believes Brett Parker shot and killed at his Ascot Estates home in April 2012.

Friday, May 17, 2013  Former Brookland-Cayce Head Football Coach and Athletic Director Abby Bray passed away Thursday night after a battle with pancreatic cancer.

Friday, May 17, 2013  The Columbia Police Department will be conducting a joint training exercise with Hammond School, on Galway Lane, Friday from 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m.

Thursday, May 16, 2013  Dozens of children will benefit from the fundraising efforts of a Midlands high school.

Wednesday, May 15, 2013  South Carolina's school districts may be able to sell advertisements on activity buses next school year.

Wednesday, May 15, 2013  Autopsies have determined two children authorities say were shot and killed by their mother suffered several gunshot wounds at the family's Pickens County home.

Tuesday, May 14, 2013  The Senate's 2013-14 budget could buy $15 million worth of new school buses for South Carolina's aging fleet.