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

50 minutes ago  Sen. Robert Ford's attorney argues ethics allegations against the Charleston Democrat should be thrown out because he didn't realize he was under investigation.

Today at 1:00 PM  Senators have advanced a measure to keep government running at current levels if legislators can't finish a budget before the fiscal year starts July 1.

Yesterday at 6:40 PM  Jenny Sanford has donated her scrapbooks, emails and letters to the College of Charleston.

Yesterday at 5:40 PM  Officials with the United States Army announced Tuesday afternoon that Brig. Gen. Bryan T. Roberts is suspended of his duties as Commanding General of Fort Jackson.

Yesterday at 3:25 PM  Campus-wide bans against smokers could spread to several South Carolina universities.

Yesterday at 11:20 AM  Authorities say no charges will be filed in the death of an 80-year-old South Carolina double-amputee mauled to death by dogs earlier this month.

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.

Yesterday at 6:55 AM  The budget debate in the South Carolina Senate enters week two.

Monday, May 20, 2013  The state inspector general says prescription painkiller abuse is rampant in South Carolina, but there's no statewide effort to combat it.

Monday, May 20, 2013  A bill representing the largest overhaul of state government in decades is again approaching passage. Both Gov. Nikki Haley and her chief Democratic opponent are working to get it to her desk in the legislative session's waning weeks.

Friday, May 17, 2013  A Laurens County jury has found a Gray Court man guilty of murder in the shooting death of his estranged wife.

Thursday, May 16, 2013  Democrats accuse Gov. Nikki Haley of misusing the state's planes by taking her campaign-paid videographer with her on flights around South Carolina.

Wednesday, May 15, 2013  The Legislature elected a House member's father to the Medical University of South Carolina board after he agreed to pay higher property taxes at his beach home.

Tuesday, May 14, 2013  Wofford College has chosen its new president.

Tuesday, May 14, 2013  Kershaw Co. Senator Vincent Sheheen and State Treasurer Curtis Loftis want to go one step ahead to help victims from last fall's hack at the state Department of Revenue.