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

Today at 8:30 AM  President Barack Obama vigorously defended the surveillance programs in a lengthy interview Monday, calling them transparent — even though they are authorized in secret.

Yesterday at 7:20 AM  Apple says it received between 4,000 and 5,000 government requests for data over 6-month period

Wednesday, June 12, 2013  South Carolina's top prosecutor is spending some time this week with students who might be some of the state's next generation of leaders.

Tuesday, June 11, 2013  Intelligence official says US spy program will remain despite backlash at home and abroad

Monday, June 10, 2013  The man responsible for leaking to the press information about sweeping U.S. surveillance programs has revealed his own identity.

Saturday, June 08, 2013  Simon Jacob was one of many men who attended the Real Men Get Real on Health event, hosted by Palmetto Health Baptist.

Friday, June 07, 2013  Like profit-driven companies, US government mining Big Data to dig deeper into people's lives

Friday, June 07, 2013  Intelligence chief declassifies details of phone-records program after uproar over snooping

Thursday, June 06, 2013  A Republican senator is defending the practice of collecting millions of telephone records in the ongoing war on terror.

Friday, May 31, 2013  Students at the Center for Accelerated Preparation honored a soldier they adopted with a special program and video truck.

Wednesday, May 29, 2013  Senators have advanced a bill allowing seventh- through 12-graders to take more courses through South Carolina's virtual education program.

Saturday, May 25, 2013  Some South Carolina seniors can line up for free and healthy food, thanks in part to a state agency.

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.

Friday, May 17, 2013  South Carolina's own Candice Glover was crowned the new "American Idol" on Thursday after defeating country singer Kree Harrison.

Friday, May 17, 2013  The commission working to preserve the culture of slave descendants on the Southeast coast is holding its quarterly meeting. The Gullah-Geechee Heritage Corridor Commission meets in Conway.