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

Wednesday, September 26, 2012  The campaign spending by House Speaker Bobby Harrell has recently come under fire and the criticism is increasing calls to overhaul state ethics laws.

Thursday, July 21, 2011  South Carolina Democrats are renewing calls for Republican Lt. Gov. Ken Ard to resign a day after the state's top prosecutor said a grand jury should review the ethics case against Ard for potential criminal charges

Wednesday, July 20, 2011  Attorney General Alan Wilson announced Wednesday his team has completed a review of information from the State Ethics Commission and says the case would best be handled by a grand jury.  Wilson says that process will start immediately.

Thursday, February 10, 2011  The State Ethics Commission continues to press Lt. Gov. Ken Ard on his spending records and campaign account.  Ard has been fined $300, but the panel has additional questions.

Tuesday, February 01, 2011  State Ethics Commission executive director Herb Hayden said Tuesday he is reviewing how Ard used campaign money and is planning to ask questions about expenses.

Wednesday, October 27, 2010  t's a record year for midterm election spending with Republican-leaning groups spending much more than liberal and Democratic-leaning organizations.

Thursday, January 28, 2010  Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito didn't like hearing President Barack Obama publicly criticize the high court's ruling removing corporate campaign spending limits — and he didn't try to hide it.

Wednesday, December 09, 2009  South Carolina lawmakers have defeated a move to oust Gov. Mark Sanford over his summertime tryst and his use of state aircraft.