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,

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.

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.

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 02, 2011  Legislators have advanced a bill requiring most of South Carolina's public school districts to spend some of their local property taxes on charter school students around the state.

Monday, August 23, 2010  South Carolina is getting a federal grant of nearly $6 million to help develop about 40 new charter schools.

Wednesday, March 03, 2010  The South Carolina Public Charter School District is getting their moment at the statehouse to not only promote the charter school system, but to thank lawmakers for their continued support.

Friday, December 19, 2008  The South Carolina Department of Education will conduct a free workshop on Jan. 15 persons or groups interested in applying to open charter schools.