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

Tuesday, December 04, 2012  The South Carolina Supreme Court has blocked an increase in costs for state employee health insurance.

Monday, November 26, 2012  The state Commerce Department says it spent $134,000 on economic development trips to London and Tokyo earlier this year. That's $26,000 below the agency's initial estimates.

Tuesday, November 13, 2012  A South Carolina legislative panel has approved giving state agency directors and college presidents their first state-provided raise in five years.

Tuesday, September 25, 2012  The South Carolina Supreme Court will decide if state employees must pay more for health insurance.

Wednesday, August 15, 2012  The leaders of groups representing teachers and state employees are asking the state Supreme Court to take up its lawsuit against a panel led by Gov. Nikki Haley for ignoring the budget and hiking workers' health insurance premiums.

Wednesday, August 08, 2012  South Carolina's public employees and retirees will pay more for their health care next year after all, despite legislators passing a budget that covered premium hikes.

Wednesday, August 08, 2012  State employees and retirees won't pay more for their health care premiums next year, but South Carolina taxpayers will.

Friday, June 22, 2012  House and Senate members are trying to break a stalemate and agree to a budget compromise.

Thursday, March 15, 2012  The South Carolina House has sent a $6.5 billion state spending plan to the Senate with another unanimous vote.

Wednesday, March 14, 2012  The South Carolina House has unanimously approved a $6.5 billion state spending plan that gives most employees a 2 percent raise, boosts state law enforcement and provides health coverage to more children.

Thursday, January 05, 2012  The leaders of South Carolina's Republican-controlled Legislature say they will not use an additional $913 million in revenue to boost agencies' budgets back to pre-recession levels.

Friday, November 11, 2011  Legislators will consider the requiring state workers to work a couple of years longer to retire, and changing the way pensions are calculated when the session that starts in January.

Tuesday, November 01, 2011  South Carolina state workers and teachers say they are willing to pay more for their retirement benefits, if they get a raise.

Monday, March 14, 2011  Debate on the $5 billion state general fund budget began Monday and Haley told legislators that workers should put $16 million into premiums.