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

Sunday, December 16, 2012  Former Lt. Gov. Ken Ard says he had trouble asking people to donate money to his political campaign. So Ard says he came up with a scheme to give his own money to family members to give to others to donate to his campaign.

Tuesday, July 31, 2012  A panel is meeting to determine if voters will need clarification on a particular ballot option when they head to the polls in November.

Wednesday, July 18, 2012  It appears the Republicans will keep the state Senate seat vacated by Glenn McConnell when he became lieutenant governor earlier this year.

Tuesday, July 26, 2011  South Carolina Lt. Gov. Ken Ard presided over the state Senate as a grand jury investigation of ethics charges against him begins.  Ard took up his regular duties Tuesday as the Senate meets to discuss a compromise plan for how U.S. House district lines are drawn.

Monday, July 25, 2011  A spokesman for Attorney General Alan Wilson said Monday that SLED Chief Mark Keel and the judge should get the paperwork Monday. Wilson last week approved sending the case to a grand jury for review, but that action requires approval from Keel and the judge in charge of the grand jury's operations.

Thursday, July 21, 2011  South Carolina Democrats are renewing calls for Republican Lt. Gov. Ken Ard to resign a day after the state's top prosecutor said a grand jury should review the ethics case against Ard for potential criminal charges

Wednesday, July 20, 2011  Attorney General Alan Wilson announced Wednesday his team has completed a review of information from the State Ethics Commission and says the case would best be handled by a grand jury.  Wilson says that process will start immediately.

Thursday, July 14, 2011  South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson has created a task force to review the campaign spending case against Lt. Gov. Ken Ard.  Wilson spokesman Mark Plowden said Thursday the public corruption task force was created last week after Ard agreed to pay a $48,000 fine and $12,500 for the state Ethics Commission's investigation costs. The investigation found Ard used campaign cash for personal spending including a family vacation, iPads and clothes.

Wednesday, July 13, 2011  Lt. Gov. Ken Ard has filed his latest quarterly report with the state Ethics Commission.  The report was due Sunday, but he didn't turn it in until Tuesday.  The commission gives lawmakers a five day grace period before imposing fines.

Monday, July 11, 2011  The South Carolina Ethics Commission says Lt. Gov. Ken Ard’s latest quarterly report is late. Ard, who recently paid a $48,400 ethics fine, missed a filing deadline Sunday to disclose his campaign donations and expenses for the second quarter of the year.

Wednesday, July 06, 2011  Days after the South Carolina Ethics Commission Director said Lt. Gov. Ken Ard provided inaccurate explanations of spending to investigators, the state Democrats are calling on Ard to step down.  Dick Harpootlian, the South Carolina Democratic Party's chairman, says Ard should resign from his post after, what he calls, repeated lies to the ethics commission.

Thursday, June 30, 2011  South Carolina Lt. Gov. Ken Ard has agreed to pay $48,400 In fines to resolve charges the state Ethics Commission brought as it investigated his use of campaign account money for personal and other expenses.

Thursday, March 17, 2011  Late Wednesday evening the South Carolina Ethics Commission announced 92 charges alleging Ard used campaign money for personal purposes and failed to disclose campaign spending.

Wednesday, February 02, 2011  South Carolina's ethics regulators say Lt. Gov. Ken Ard did not file a required campaign finance report when he was a Florence County council member.

Tuesday, February 01, 2011  State Ethics Commission executive director Herb Hayden said Tuesday he is reviewing how Ard used campaign money and is planning to ask questions about expenses.