COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) _ A federal court has turned down an appeal from three South Carolina men convicted of fleecing investors of $80 million.

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) _ House members are fuming that senators delayed a meeting on pension reform to recognize retiring colleagues. A meeting to work on a compromise between the chambers' separate plans was set for Tuesday. It was delayed, then rescheduled for Wednesday. The panel's Senate members wanted to stay on the floor as the chamber spent five hours honoring retiring members with farewell speeches.

The Fort Jackson 17th Military Police Detachment hosted the 2012 Top Cop Competition on base. Twenty teams with competitors from several Army installations, S. C. National Guard, local law enforcement agencies and Shaw Air Force Base, competed over two days for top honors. But they say a safer community is the real winner.

SUMTER, S.C. (AP) _ Authorities say ballistics tests have linked a gun used to kill a Sumter man in April to the slaying of a pregnant teen last August.

A Midlands organization is trying to beat its own record of how many homes it can repair in less than a week, and the big winners are the elderly and disabled, whose homes need some TLC.

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) _ Gov. Nikki Haley has named a new state fire marshal to replace outgoing Adolf Zubia.

America's favorite past time of baseball belongs to the state of South Carolina this weekend. The two-time defending national champion USC Gamecocks baseball team has a rep to protect. It's one of three state teams playing in Columbia's Regional of the NCAA baseball tournament. But it's the local retailers that say they're hitting a home run.

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) _ An Irmo High School graduate has sued to stop prayers at future graduation ceremonies.

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) _ An amusement park outing, barbecue lunches and director dunking booths are among the ways that South Carolina state agencies showed appreciation for their employees. All state agencies were encouraged to do something on May 9 for State Employee Recognition Day, proclaimed this year by Gov. Nikki Haley.

South Carolina State University has named a senior fellow at Howard University School of Pharmacy as the school's new interim president.

A witness list is being compiled to testify at a public hearing on whether or not Gov. Nikki Haley broke the law and lobbied while she was a state representative.

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) _ A 45-year-old man has been sentenced to life in prison without parole after he was convicted of killing another man as he played dominoes in Orangeburg County.

Move over Charlotte. Step aside Charleston. Columbia Style Week is headed to the famously hot capitol city promising flare, fashion and a financial boost to the local economy.

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) _ A New Jersey family is suing a South Carolina pet food plant, saying their infant was sickened by salmonella from food at the plant.