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

Yesterday at 7:08 AM  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.

Tuesday, April 30, 2013  High school students would no longer have to pass South Carolina's exit exam to earn a diploma under a bill passed by the House.

Friday, February 08, 2013  Spartanburg County election officials say they would like schools to be closed for voting in local races as a security measure.

Tuesday, January 01, 2013  Former Columbia Police Chief Scott said the decision to retire was based on new changes to the South Carolina Police Retirement System.

Tuesday, December 11, 2012  South Carolina House lawmakers are getting a head start on the legislative session by pre-filing more than 100 bills.

Monday, November 12, 2012  The show goes on, minus condoms, as LA's porn industry contemplates future of 'safe sex' films

Thursday, September 20, 2012  An explosion at a recycling plant near Newberry has the owner of the plant taking a closer look at safety measures taken at the business.

Monday, August 13, 2012  Hospital spokesperson Lauren Chess says the cost-cutting comes as the result of the overall rising costs of health care.

Thursday, June 28, 2012  The Supreme Court's ruling to uphold the individual insurance requirement of President Barack Obama's Affordable Care Act has South Carolina leaders torn.

Monday, June 18, 2012  A panel of House and Senate members is trying to work out differences in their chambers' budget plans before legislators return to Columbia for a special session.

Thursday, June 07, 2012  Legislative measures to hire more judges, give non-violent offenders another chance and provide a free vaccine to seventh graders are among those that made it to the finish line in the South Carolina Legislature.

Wednesday, May 16, 2012  Tuesday night, Columbia city council approved a measure that could clear the way for downtown dormitory living along Main Street. An out-of-state company has plans to house more than 800 college students in the vacant Palmetto Center.

Wednesday, May 09, 2012  On Wednesday, a Senate effort to get the dozens of disqualified candidates back on the ballot died after hours of heated debate. Nearly 200 candidates were tossed off the June primary ballots after the Supreme Court ruled last week they failed to properly file financial paperwork.

Wednesday, April 11, 2012  As the warm summer months get closer safety officials are urging the public to be careful on Midlands’rivers.

Thursday, March 29, 2012  This week, state lawmakers approved a measure that would help parents send their children to private schools and receive a tax credit in return.  The issue has been a controversial source of debate in South Carolina from almost a decade.