SC Gov Haley bashing House budget-writers
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley is lambasting the House budget-writing committee for not including $140 million worth of tax cuts in their spending plan for the coming year.
Local News
Texting and Driving
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) _ A bill banning drivers from texting or reading electronic messages on South Carolina's roadways has received key approval in the House.
Stolen Pit Bulls 'Ready' for Adoption
Nearly a month after several pit bulls were stolen from a Columbia animal shelter and transported to Bamberg County to be placed in a dog training compound, the dogs return to Columbia and shelter officials claim many of them are ready to be adopted.
State Trooper Hurt in I-20 Wreck Near Columbia
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) _ Authorities say a state trooper was injured after his patrol car was rear-ended as he tried to stop another car from speeding near Columbia. Richland County deputies said the wreck happened on I-20 near Interstate 77 around 12:30 p.m. Wednesday.
SC House committee advances private school choice
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — A measure offsetting parents' cost of private school tuition and homeschool expenses is moving to the House floor.
SC Ways and Means panel advances pension reform
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — A bill meant to shore up South Carolina's pension system for roughly 220,000 public workers is heading to the House floor.
Preventable Fires
The Columbia fire department says they're seeing a disturbing trend of preventable fires throughout the area. It's what's sparking them, that now has them sending a warning to local residents.
You Can Win Baseball Tickets by just Shopping
As spring quickly approaches, that means more people will be spending time outside - including at South Carolina ball fields.
Longest-serving SC senator not seeking re-election
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — South Carolina's longest-serving senator is retiring.
Teacher Sex Charge
MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C. (AP) _ A teaching assistant from Cayce has been charged with having sex with one of his students while in Mount Pleasant for the Special Olympics.
Owners fight to bring pit bull home
The owners of a pit bull named Apollo contacted ABC Columbia News recently about their dog being taken from their backyard. According to the owners, Apollo was taken by animal control officers for the City of Columbia Animal Shelter. We took their complaints to those in charge to get answers.
SC Man's Leg Freed After 2 Hours Stuck in Machine
EFFINGHAM, S.C. (AP) _ Authorities say a man has been freed after spending two hours with his leg trapped in a machine at a Florence County lumber yard. Firefighters said a log press closed around the man's leg around 9 a.m. Tuesday at Ingram Lumber Co. in Effingham and he could not get free.
SC county GOP wants hopefuls to sign purity pledge
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — A county Republican group in South Carolina wants its candidates to promise to not cheat on their spouses and not watch pornography. But the state GOP says it would be illegal to keep candidates off the ballot only because they refuse to sign the pledge.
Drunken boating charges changed in SC deaths
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Prosecutors have dropped boating under the influence charges in the deaths of two women in a crash on Lake Murray nearly two years ago.
Hurricane Center chief predicts longer forecasts
CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) — The director of the National Hurricane Center expects the agency soon will be able to project storm positions a week ahead of time.
Fort Jackson hosting job fair for military
FORT JACKSON, S.C. (AP) — The Army's largest training post is playing host to a job fair designed to connect employers with members of the local military community.
Leveraging Literacy
The Salvation Army has been a part of the community for years. Now they're getting ready to open their doors for a new program that will encourage children to open a book.
Bill Would Require SC Shops to Open Restrooms
A bill requiring every shop in South Carolina to open their restrooms to the public is up for debate by a House panel.
Bill Would Create SC Day of Prayer
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) _ South Carolina senators will consider creating a State Day of Prayer to coincide with the national one. A bill designating the first Thursday in May is up for debate this week by the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Police Chief Defends Decision to Fire Officers
COLUMBIA, S.C. (WOLO) -- Columbia Police Chief Randy Scott fired one top investigation official and accepted the retirement of another, after it was revealed it took officers 10 days to find the body of missing, high-profile lobbyist and CEO, Tom Sponseller, who reportedly killed himself in the parking garage of his office building and left a suicide note in his desk.
Tornado Drills, Tried and True Method
Midlands schools join others statewide for Severe Weather Awareness Week to be reminded of and prepare for severe storms, tornadoes and flash floods, which are significant hazards in South Carolina.
SC House GOP to propose tax reform package
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — House Republicans are introducing a package of bills that would eliminate most sales tax exemptions, streamline individual income taxes, and cut business taxes in South Carolina.
Many SC agencies don't file racial profiling data
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Less than half of South Carolina's nearly 300 police agencies are fully complying with a law requiring them to report the race of drivers during traffic stops.
Severe weather awareness week begins in SC
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — State officials hope that a week of awareness about severe weather will help South Carolinians be prepared if a big storm hits.
One tornado confirmed in Richland County
(Picture Courtesy: National Weather Service - Columbia) The storms responsible for causing widespread damage and the deaths of more than 30 people in the Tennessee and Ohio River valleys moved through South Carolina early Saturday morning, firing off severe thunderstorms throughout the Midlands and a tornado in Richland County.
