As businesses, small and large, look to take advantage of the strengthening economy, many are looking forward to the 15th Annual Columbia Black Expo, hoping to continue a decrease in the state's jobless rate.

Facebook went public Monday, but are people here in the Midlands willing to buy into the company?

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) _ Two South Carolina companies are recalling nearly 7,000 pounds of ground beef which possibly are contaminated with E.coli.

ANDREWS, S.C. (AP) _ Authorities say the death of a couple in Williamsburg County was an apparent murder-suicide. Williamsburg County Sheriff Michael Johnson says the couple was driving Wednesday night on a road near Andrews when a witness noticed the vehicle was swerving and then pulled over.

McDonald's worker in Simpsonville has been cleared of a charge that he spit into two customers' iced tea.

Your child safety seat is more than likely installed and being used incorrectly. That's according to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. ABC Columbia has safety details before hitting the road.

SPARTANBURG, S.C. (AP) _ State health officials have released the name of a Spartanburg restaurant connected to a recent E coli outbreak after the business agreed to be identified. The Department of Health and Environmental Control says its scientists have not found any specific link between food served at the El Mexicano restaurant and the bacteria that has sickened 10 people.

CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) _ Heavy rains in the past week or so seem to be breaking the drought in South Carolina.

RIDGELAND, S.C. (AP) _ A 23-year-old man has been sentenced to 45 years in prison for a shooting death in a Ridgeland pool hall. Solicitor Duffie Stone says Brett Howard was sentenced after he was convicted Wednesday of murder in the 2009 death of Woodrow Brantley.

As some 32 million people plan to hit the roadways for the Memorial Day Holiday weekend, South Carolina Highway Patrol officials remind you that seat belt violations are now a primary offense in the state.

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) _ Investors are receiving some of the money they entrusted with a South Carolina trio dubbed the ``3 Hebrew Boys'' currently serving decades in prison for an $80 million scam.

After nearly two years, an arrest is made in a Newberry County shooting of a former cab driver, when the cab driver identifies the man he believes shot him multiple times and left him in a ditch to die.

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) _ Gov. Nikki Haley is demanding that South Carolina state senators cut more taxes. The Republican governor said Tuesday the Senate needs to include in its 2012-13 spending plan a reduction in personal income taxes.

GAFFNEY, S.C. (AP) _ The Cherokee County coroner says a 59-year-old inmate who died in the county jail suffered a heart attack.

Hundreds gathered in Columbia to remember the lives of a mother and son, they say, ministered together, served the community together and laid to rest, together.

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) _ Three federal judges are set to consider an attorney's argument that South Carolina decision to send partial ballots to overseas voters was a violation of federal election law.

Mother's Day is extra special for one Midlands family, as the ladies celebrate being an only child and the unique bond they all share.

COLUMBIA, SC (WOLO) - Mayor Steve Benjamin makes the list of the Midlands 10 Most Fascinating People.