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.

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.

Wednesday, March 20, 2013  South Carolina Democrats are criticizing a Republican lawmaker's decision to fly a conservative columnist and radio commentator on the state plane to Columbia to testify against the federal health care law.

Wednesday, March 20, 2013  A House panel has advanced a bill declaring South Carolina's opposition to the federal health care law.

Wednesday, March 13, 2013  The South Carolina House has sent the Senate a $6.3 billion proposed spending plan that boosts school spending, hires law enforcement officers and fixes bridges with load restrictions.

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  South Carolina Democrats say the state needs to expand Medicaid eligibility at least as long as the federal government promises to fully cover the cost.

Monday, March 11, 2013  It's budget week at the South Carolina House.

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

Saturday, January 19, 2013  Several bills filed over the past few years would allow the state to ignore federal laws on gun control and light bulbs and mint its own currency.

Saturday, January 12, 2013  The federal health care law, terrorist threats to America and the nation's financial situation are among the topics up for discussion at the South Carolina tea party convention.

Tuesday, January 08, 2013  Several hundred people rallied at the Statehouse in support of a South Carolina bill that would declare the new health care law supported by President Barack Obama unconstitutional.

Thursday, January 03, 2013  Reforming state ethics and elections laws and better security for taxpayers' personal information are top priorities for both Republicans and Democrats in the South Carolina House.

Wednesday, November 28, 2012  The director of South Carolina's Medicaid agency sent another warning to state senators that costs for the health insurance program will likely keep rising.

Wednesday, September 26, 2012  AP-GfK Poll: Most say Obama's health care law will be implemented; but 7 in 10 expect changes