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

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.

Thursday, May 02, 2013  The Senate Ethics Committee has accused state Sen. Robert Ford of intentionally altering documents as the legislative panel reviewed his campaign records.

Thursday, April 18, 2013  The attorney for Sen. Robert Ford says the ethics charges against the 64-year-old Charleston Democrat stem from bookkeeping errors.

Wednesday, April 17, 2013  The Senate Ethics Committee has found probable cause that Sen. Robert Ford committed multiple ethics violations.

Wednesday, April 10, 2013  Two separate bills that would give federal authorities information about people who have been determined by a court to have mental problems have been passed by legislative committees.

Wednesday, March 20, 2013  South Carolina homeowners could rent out their homes for up to 100 days and still pay the lower, owner-occupied property tax rate under a measure advancing to the Senate floor.

Wednesday, March 13, 2013  A state Senate committee has passed a bill that would allow parents to send their children to public school outside of their school district.

Wednesday, February 27, 2013  The House has approved a bill shifting money collected from car sales taxes to road and bridge repair.

Wednesday, February 27, 2013  A bill that lawmakers hope will help turn abandoned buildings across South Carolina into bustling commercial space has advanced to the Senate floor.

Saturday, May 12, 2012  A state budget plan that boosts employees' paychecks, increases money to public schools and hires law enforcement officers is up for debate this week on the Senate floor.

Thursday, April 07, 2011  Charleston Sen. Robert Ford stood on the Senate floor waving a Confederate flag Thursday.  Ford says African-Americans should celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Civil War in South Carolina.  What do you think?