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

Yesterday at 10:55 AM  Gov. Nikki Haley is calling on legislators to get a bill strengthening the state's weak ethics laws to her desk.

Friday, May 10, 2013  South Carolina legislators would have to wait eight years after leaving office before they could lobby their peers, under legislation advanced by a Senate committee.

Tuesday, May 07, 2013  Efforts to strengthen South Carolina's ethics laws have moved to the Senate.

Tuesday, April 23, 2013  Lawmakers will have to wait before discussing legislation requiring lawmakers to get permission to use state planes which specifically bars using them as a shuttle to legislative hearings.

Wednesday, April 17, 2013  A state Senate Judiciary Subcommittee listened to testimoney Wednesday on a bill that would make solar panels more affordable.

Tuesday, April 16, 2013  A South Carolina House panel has advanced a bill that increases politicians' income disclosure, steps up penalties for ethics violations and eliminates legislative ethics panels.

Friday, March 22, 2013  Senate leader Reid says Democrats' gun bill will seek expanded background checks for buyers

Thursday, March 21, 2013  A House panel has advanced a bill designed to prevent people who have been declared mentally ill from buying guns.

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  The House has dealt a blow to a bill strengthening South Carolina's public records law.

Tuesday, March 12, 2013  Senate panel ready to OK Dems' bill on gun background checks, fate in full Senate less sure

Monday, March 11, 2013  Efforts to legalize raffles in South Carolina have taken another step forward.

Wednesday, March 06, 2013  A House panel has advanced a bill designed to keep electronic cigarettes out of juvenile's hands.

Wednesday, February 27, 2013  A bill designed to strengthen South Carolina's public records law has passed a House panel, but with a provision that may have doomed the proposal last year.

Wednesday, February 20, 2013  South Carolina's top jurist says she's confident that the technology used by the state's court system is secure.