COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) _ A Republican senator wants residents to be able to carry a gun openly. Sen. Kevin Bryant of Anderson introduced legislation Tuesday revising the state's concealed carry law, saying the Second Amendment doesn't use the words concealed permit.

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) _ A Republican senator wants residents to be able to carry a gun openly.

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) _ The Education Oversight Committee wants legislators to put more money in a teacher loan program meant to encourage students to teach in South Carolina's needy schools. The group also recommends changing how a needy school is defined, to at least 80 percent of students living in poverty, up from 70 percent.

Easter spending is expected to reach $16.8 billion this year, according to the National Retail Federation. But spending isn't the only thing that's big. Some Midlands churches are taking the message of Easter, literally, over the top.

Diamond Pet Foods says it is voluntarily recalling its Diamond Naturals Lamb Meal & Rice dry dog food.

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) _ The final executive convicted in the collapse of Carolina Investors is heading to prison to serve his five-year sentence nearly a decade after one of the biggest bankruptcies in South Carolina history.

AIKEN, S.C. (AP) _ South Carolina Department of Transportation crews are rushing to shore up a bridge in Aiken that is quickly sinking. Authorities say severe erosion under the Laurens Street bridge has caused it to settle nearly a foot in the past several days. The bridge has been closed to vehicles and pedestrians.

Officers with the Columbia Police Department were at the scene of Gonzalez Gardens Apartments near downtown Columbia Thursday, but not for a crime. The only villain they were fighting is the heat. Their secret weapon is brand new air conditioning units to residents who need them most.

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) _ The South Carolina Supreme Court has given a Newberry private club its liquor license back after deciding state agents and revenue officials were too strict in their enforcement of rules over who can be a guest to the club. In a 3-2 decision Wednesday, the justices said an undercover State Law Enforcement Division agent was denied entry to the Blue Moon Sports Bar and ordered to call a number. A club employee who answered the call made him an official guest.

Almost one year after it was proposed, Richland County council members give final approval to have their meeting broadcast on TV, for all to see.

A DOUBLE MURDER SUSPECT WANTED IN ORANGEBURG HAS BEEN ARRESTED IN LOUISIANA.