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

Tuesday, November 13, 2012  A South Carolina legislative panel has approved giving state agency directors and college presidents their first state-provided raise in five years.

Thursday, October 18, 2012  The South Carolina Conference of Black Mayors is hosting its 24th biennial meeting and community forum in downtown Columbia this week.

Friday, May 25, 2012  South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley is accusing House Speaker Bobby Harrell of inappropriately inserting himself into the House panel's probe into an ethics complaint against her.

Wednesday, May 23, 2012  The House Ethics Committee has asked for more employment information from South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley before deciding whether to reopen an ethics complaint against her.

Friday, May 18, 2012  The South Carolina House Ethics Committee is seeking more information as they consider whether to reopen an ethics complaint against Gov. Nikki Haley.

Tuesday, May 15, 2012  A state representative is asking a legislative panel to reconsider its decision dropping ethics charges against South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley.

Thursday, May 03, 2012  Gov. Nikki Haley has been cleared of charges she violated ethics laws while a member of the South Carolina House. A Haley spokesman called the allegations against the governor "made-up nonsense claims."

Wednesday, April 11, 2012  South Carolina Senate Democrats want to remove the secrecy of investigations by the House and Senate ethics committees. They are pushing a measure called the Transparency in Ethics Act.  It comes during the possible ethics investigation into Governor Nikki Haley.

Wednesday, April 11, 2012  The State Ethics Commission has opened a public inquiry into Gov. Nikki Haley's campaign finances after a state Democratic Party staffer filed a complaint last summer.

Tuesday, March 27, 2012  Democrats are calling on South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley to make public any ethics complaint that may be filed against her in a legislative committee.

Wednesday, March 14, 2012  A legislative panel has postponed a vote on a bill that would exclude medical expenses from the $600,000 per-event liability cap that protects the government from paying unlimited damages, regardless of the number of government entities involved.

Wednesday, February 29, 2012  A legislative panel is discussing a bill that would ban teens from sexting in South Carolina. A House subcommittee on Wednesday is planning to debate proposed legislation that would make it illegal for juveniles ages 12 through 17 to knowingly transmit sexually explicit photos.

Wednesday, February 22, 2012  A legislative panel has approved a measure that could reduce costs for South Carolina citizens seeking documents under open records laws. The House Judiciary Committee on Tuesday approved a bill that bars public agencies from charging more than fair market rates for copies.