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

Monday, May 13, 2013  The Senate's 2013-14 budget could buy $15 million worth of new school buses for South Carolina's aging fleet.

Friday, May 03, 2013  The Senate Finance Committee has approved a budget proposal that expands full-day 4-year-old kindergarten, gives state workers a slight raise, and puts more troopers on the highways.

Thursday, May 02, 2013  The Senate Finance Committee has refused to expand Medicaid eligibility to more poor adults as part of the state budget.

Thursday, April 18, 2013  Data posted online for South Carolina's 60 acute-care hospitals shows a wide disparity in their financial health, with bottom lines ranging from a four-year loss of $96 million to a combined profit of $223 million.

Tuesday, March 12, 2013  The South Carolina House has rejected attempts by Democrats to temporarily extend Medicaid eligibility to hundreds of thousands of poor adults.

Monday, March 11, 2013  The South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles is allowing drivers with certain types of suspended licenses to come in this week and apply for a new chance.

Tuesday, February 26, 2013  Thousands of students couldn't afford to go to college this school year because the U.S. Department of Education made changes to a popular loan program.

Thursday, February 21, 2013  The House budget-writing committee has advanced a spending plan that includes $75 million for Medicaid initiatives designed to improve residents' health.

Thursday, February 21, 2013  House Republicans will lay out their alternative to expanding Medicaid eligibility under the federal health care law.

Tuesday, January 01, 2013  Former Columbia Police Chief Scott said the decision to retire was based on new changes to the South Carolina Police Retirement System.

Monday, October 22, 2012  The director of South Carolina's Medicaid agency says he realizes his preliminary budget calling for nearly $200 million more in 2013-14 is likely an impossible request.

Thursday, May 31, 2012  State Law Enforcement Division agents have arrested an Oconee County sheriff's candidate and charged him with plotting to kidnap a retired judge.

Tuesday, March 06, 2012  South Carolina drivers with certain license suspensions may be able to reduce or clear the remaining tiime of their suspension with the help of a Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) program that will be held in March.

Saturday, February 25, 2012  Romney says he would raise Medicare eligibility age to help program survive in future decades

Tuesday, September 20, 2011  Military portrays repeal of gay ban as business-as-usual, after months of preparation