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

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

Monday, May 13, 2013  The Senate's 2013-14 budget could buy $15 million worth of new school buses for South Carolina's aging fleet.

Friday, May 03, 2013  The Senate Finance Committee has approved a budget proposal that expands full-day 4-year-old kindergarten, gives state workers a slight raise, and puts more troopers on the highways.

Thursday, May 02, 2013  The Senate Finance Committee has refused to expand Medicaid eligibility to more poor adults as part of the state budget.

Tuesday, April 23, 2013  Religious leaders coming together at the Statehouse Tuesday, calling on lawmakers and the governor to accept the Medicaid expansion.

Thursday, April 18, 2013  Data posted online for South Carolina's 60 acute-care hospitals shows a wide disparity in their financial health, with bottom lines ranging from a four-year loss of $96 million to a combined profit of $223 million.

Thursday, March 21, 2013  GOP-dominated House expected to pass budget plan promising slashing cuts, balance in 10 years

Thursday, March 14, 2013  The only emergency room doctor in South Carolina's Legislature says frustration over the refusal by Republicans to accept Medicaid expansion led to a flippant comment that was taken out of context.

Wednesday, March 13, 2013  The South Carolina House has sent the Senate a $6.3 billion proposed spending plan that boosts school spending, hires law enforcement officers and fixes bridges with load restrictions.

Tuesday, March 12, 2013  The South Carolina House has rejected attempts by Democrats to temporarily extend Medicaid eligibility to hundreds of thousands of poor adults.

Monday, March 11, 2013  South Carolina Democrats say the state needs to expand Medicaid eligibility at least as long as the federal government promises to fully cover the cost.

Monday, March 11, 2013  It's budget week at the South Carolina House.

Thursday, March 07, 2013  State Sen. Vincent Sheheen says South Carolina lawmakers should put political ideology aside and allow expansion of Medicaid under the federal health care law to thousands of additional adults.

Tuesday, March 05, 2013  Senior citizens in the Palmetto State feel their health care for the poor and disabled is a top priority.

Monday, February 25, 2013  South Carolina's Medicaid agency hopes home visits steer patients away from expensive trips to the emergency room.