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

Monday, April 30, 2012  South Carolina voters are on the brink of losing their reputation for correctly picking the Republican nominee for president.  Newt Gingrich, January's South Carolina's primary winner, is set to drop out of the race.

Wednesday, March 07, 2012  For the past 32 years the winner of South Carolina's first-in-the-South primary has moved on to be the eventual GOP presidential nominee. That track record could be in jeopardy after the results of Super Tuesday.

Saturday, January 21, 2012  After disappointing finishes in Iowa and New Hampshire, the former House speaker has hit his stride before the nation's first Southern primary, rising in polls as he has rallied conservatives behind him as the most viable alternative to former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney.

Saturday, January 21, 2012  With the race in South Carolina here seemingly between Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich, Republican hopeful Rick Santorum is bracing for a setback and looking ahead to the next contest. That's the Florida primary.

Saturday, January 21, 2012  Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul is looking past the South Carolina primary with plans to make the most of a handful of caucus states that could be more receptive to his libertarian message.

Saturday, January 21, 2012  Mitt Romney is heading into primary day conceding that he'll win some and lose some.

Friday, January 20, 2012  The game is changing again in South Carolina just hours before the polls open for Saturday's First-in-the-South primary.  A poll released by Clemson University Friday afternoon shows that new frontrunner Newt Gingrich has extended his slim lead over former GOP leader Mitt Romney.

Friday, January 20, 2012  With just two days until South Carolina's First-in-the-South primary it seems things are just getting in to high gear.  New polls released Thursday showed Newt Gingrich with a thin lead over Mitt Romney, who earlier this week held a 14-percentage point advantage.

Monday, January 16, 2012  It’s a perfect storm for Blue Marlin owner Bill Dukes.

Wednesday, January 11, 2012  The polls ahead of South Carolina's first-in-the-South primary show Mitt Romney is the frontrunner, and situation on the streets seems to back up those numbers.  Several hundred supporters crowded a Columbia venue to see the presidential hopeful speak Wednesday.

Wednesday, January 04, 2012  South Carolina Republicans say it is winner-take-all in the Palmetto State as the first-in-the South primary inches closer. Since 1980, South Carolina voters have accurately picked the eventual GOP nominee. Political insiders say 2012 will be no different.

Friday, December 30, 2011  The GOP presidential candidates are getting ready for the first real contest of the primary schedule. With the Iowa caucus just days away, most candidates are hoping a strong showing in Iowa could yield momentum heading into New Hampshire and South Carolina.

Thursday, December 15, 2011  Some leading South Carolina Republicans are irked after the state GOP backed out of paying for most of the first-in-the-South presidential primary. The state Election Commission is now seeking a taxpayer bailout after the GOP said it wouldn't pay for more than half the $1.5 million tab.

Monday, December 12, 2011  The South Carolina Republican Party says it will provide only the $20,000-per-candidate filing fee toward the cost of running next month's GOP presidential primary.

Monday, November 14, 2011  Both sides presented their final arguments Monday in South Carolina Supreme Court, in a case over whether counties can be forced to pay for part of the GOP first-in-the-South primary.