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

Tuesday, January 15, 2013  The superintendent of the statewide charter school district says he needs at least $12 million just to keep up with the system's growing student population.

Friday, August 17, 2012  The South Carolina Education Department says the class of 2012 was offered a record $1.1 billion in college scholarships.

Monday, May 14, 2012  South Carolina's governor has signed a charter school bill that the state's education superintendent called his top legislative priority,

Monday, May 14, 2012  South Carolina's governor and education superintendent are heading to Greenville to celebrate a bill that supporters say will strengthen and expand charter schools statewide. Superintendent Mick Zais will join Gov. Nikki Haley as she signs the bill Monday at Greenville Technical Charter High School.

Monday, May 07, 2012  Cayce got a visit from an official with the Chinese Embassy.

Wednesday, May 02, 2012  South Carolina Education Superintendent Mick Zais is celebrating the passage of a bill to strengthen and expand charter schools statewide.

Thursday, March 15, 2012  The South Carolina Senate is debating a charter school bill that Superintendent Mick Zais calls his top legislative priority.

Tuesday, March 13, 2012  South Carolina-based public charter airline Direct Air has canceled all flights and there is no word on when they might resume. Myrtle Beach International airport director Mike LaPier said all operations by Direct Air were suspended Monday night.

Thursday, March 01, 2012  A father of three children ages 2 to 6, Fairfield County resident Kevin Thomas says he's not excited about sending them to the county's public school system.

Tuesday, March 15, 2011  South Carolina legislators will begin a second day of debate on the state's $5 billion spending plan.

Sunday, February 27, 2011  South Carolina's public schools chief will discuss charter schools live on South Carolina Educational Television.

Wednesday, February 23, 2011  A Ways and Means subcommittee voted Wednesday to send the money to schools organized under the statewide charter school district. Advocates praised the move as providing what's needed to keep the schools open.

Tuesday, February 22, 2011  House budget writers are expected to consider an amendment Wednesday as they work on a $5.2 billion general fund spending plan. The committee decided Tuesday not to take the money from a part of the budget that funds schools

Tuesday, February 15, 2011  There are 11 institutions in the South Carolina Public Charter School District.  Currently, they receive state and federal money, but some lawmakers are hoping to change that.

Wednesday, February 09, 2011  If passed by the full House, the bill would allow state and federal education dollars to follow students from traditional schools to public charter schools.