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

Monday, June 03, 2013  South Carolina Electric and Gas is asking to increase its electric rates by about 3 percent to help pay for costs of building two new nuclear reactors.

Monday, March 18, 2013  South Carolina's unemployment rate increased slightly in January.

Tuesday, November 20, 2012  South Carolina Electric & Gas Co. has agreed to reduce the size of a rate increase.

Monday, March 19, 2012  Aggressive efforts to prevent students from dropping out contributed to a modest 3.5 percentage point increase nationally in the high school graduation rate from 2001 to 2009, according to research presented Monday at the Grad Nation summit in Washington.

Thursday, July 14, 2011  A public hearing on a proposed rate hike by Carolina Water Service was flooded Wednesday by more than 200 Midlands residents and business owners. The utility is requesting an 80 percent increase in its water rate and a 14 percent increase in its sewer rate.

Tuesday, July 12, 2011  The discussion will be over the application filed by Carolina Water Service to raise water and sewer rates.  CWS wants an 80 percent increase in water rates and a 14 percent hike in sewer rates.

Wednesday, June 01, 2011  The company filed its request last week with the state Public Service Commission to raise residential rates 2.8 percent. That would mean another $3.50 for a customer using 1,000 kilowatt hours a month for a total bill of $130. Business, government and other customers would see varying increases of more than 2 percent.

Wednesday, April 27, 2011  Republican state Sen. Greg Ryberg of Aiken said state workers should split the cost of higher premiums as the Senate debated a $5.8 billion spending plan.

Tuesday, April 26, 2011  At a work session Tuesday, City manager Steve Gantt gave the council two options for next fiscal year's water and sewer budget; they can either opt to raise rates or issue bonds to pay for improvement projects. City leaders reluctantly agreed to advertise a 2011-2012 budget that includes the hike for the city's water and sewer operating budget and capital improvement program.

Wednesday, April 20, 2011  The Office of Regulatory Staff said Wednesday that Carolina Water Service Inc. wants to raise rates from an average of $36 a month for full-service water customers to more than $65. Typical full-service sewer customers would see a smaller increase of about $5 a month to $44.

Thursday, September 30, 2010  The independent panel that oversees the U.S. Postal Service denied the agency's request Thursday to increase the cost of mailing a letter by 2 cents - to 46 cents.

Wednesday, June 16, 2010  In a four to one vote, the council approved the two percent increase that would fund upgrades and rising costs on their end.

Monday, May 24, 2010  South Carolina regulators will begin hearing testimony on a request by the state's largest privately owned utility to raise power rates by 5 percent.

Saturday, May 15, 2010  SCE&G has slashed its first rate increase request by half.

Saturday, January 16, 2010  South Carolina Electric & Gas Co. is asking for a 9.5 percent increase in retail electric rates.