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

Yesterday at 3:40 PM  The South Carolina State Ports Authority board has approved an aggressive budget for the next fiscal year that includes projections of an almost 6 percent increase in container volume.

Yesterday at 11:45 AM  The South Carolina Aquarium is releasing a group of endangered sea turtles.

Yesterday at 11:10 AM  Ceremonies are being held in South Carolina marking the sixth anniversary of a furniture store fire that claimed the lives of nine Charleston firefighters.

Friday, June 14, 2013  South Carolina lawmakers have confirmed the appointments of two members to the state's Board of Paroles and Pardons.

Friday, June 14, 2013  Several Flag Day events are being held in the Charleston area.

Thursday, June 13, 2013  An investigation by Citadel campus police finds no evidence of a crime in the case of a female cadet who complained she was strip searched.

Thursday, June 13, 2013  South Carolina's population grew more than 2 percent between 2010 and 2012. And new numbers from the U.S. Census Bureau show the fastest growing areas are along the state's coast.

Wednesday, June 12, 2013  A North Charleston businessman has been sentenced to three years in prison for illegally exporting goods to Iran.

Wednesday, June 12, 2013  A woman says a North Charleston bonding company failed to monitor a 25-year-old man who sexually assaulted her while wearing one of the firm's tracking devices.

Wednesday, June 12, 2013  This year's Spoleto Festival USA in Charleston took in nearly $3 million at the box office.

Tuesday, June 11, 2013  The state Supreme Court has dismissed several claims in a lawsuit brought against Carnival cruise lines concerning Charleston's year-round cruise industry.

Tuesday, June 11, 2013  A former Charleston County sheriff's deputy has reached an agreement to avoid a conviction on a charge of using excessive force during a traffic stop last year.

Monday, June 10, 2013  The body of a 12-year-old child has been found in the water near a dock at Johns Island in Charleston County.

Monday, June 10, 2013  South Carolina has a new Irish Memorial.

Monday, June 10, 2013  U.S. Rep. Mark Sanford is spending some time meeting with people in his coastal congressional district.