South Carolina residents can tap into about $4 million in federal rebate cash for energy efficient appliances under a program next spring. WJBF News Channel 6’s SC Capitol reporter, Robert Kittle, has more.

White House economists say the Obama administration’s recovery efforts have saved or created more than a million jobs. President Barack Obama has promised that his $787 billion stimulus plan will create or save 3.5 million jobs by the end of next year. In its first report to Congress, the Council on Economic Advisers says the number is more than 1 million, and the stimulus has been the driving force.

Everyone is trying to get their hands on some stimulus money. But financial excepts warn about some possible scams and unnecessary steps to get that government money. Our Fraendy Clervaud has the story.

Aiken County’s Workforce Center has some new money from the government, and new help for local employers. Think of it as a “traveling human resource” department, meant to connect job-seekers with people looking to hire. The best part? It’s free. WJBF News Channel 6’s Joy Howe has more.

Goshen residents wanted the skinny on what was in store for their neighborhood. Instead, they got the stonewall from the city. Even after several requests, they could not get a copy of the stimulus grant application that could bring $21 million to their neighborhood. Now, Augusta Commissioners want to know what happened. WJBF News Channel 6’s George Eskola has the story.

Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood says Georgia will receive another $11.8 million in federal stimulus funds for transit improvements.

Commissioners are not going to do anything about their $50 million stimulus money grant, at least for now. Commissioners voted not to act on the grant application, until after the city recieves word in December on whether it will recieve any money.

Residents in Goshen speak out against a plan to bring $21 million in stimulus money to their neighborhood. They fear it will bring with it low income housing because HUD money is involved, but one former HUD official says just because the department is involved doesn’t mean strings are attached. WJBF News Channel 6’s George Eskola has the story.

There’s a lot of concern over one Augusta neighborhood. Those who live in the Goshen area say they don’t want federal money…because that would mean low-income housing, but the federal dollars could mean big improements for another neighborhood. Well, Thursday night Goshen residents met again with city leaders to try and iron it all out. WJBF News Channel 6 photojournalist Corey Epps was at the meeting.

Going to electronic medical records is one of the requirements of the healthcare bill. WJBF News Channel 6’s Paige Tucker talked to a hospital administrator with a big budget leading a conversion and a small town physician with a much smaller budget. They’re doing the same thing, but it’s a much different process.

We have a follow up to a story we brought you earlier this week. It looks like support is faltering for using stimulus money for a housing project support in Augusta’s Goshen neighborhood. As we reported, the city wants to apply $21 million from a possible stimulus bill grant to jumpstart the stalled Village at Goshen townhouse development. But, neighbors are opposed, saying since federal housing money is involved, it would lead to cheaper homes, something they do not want in their neighborhood.

WJBF News Channel 6 has just learned, as a result of a meeting between local representatives, the South Carolina Public Service Commission has agreed to suspend all rates, water cut-offs, and penalties for the Avondale water companies, until further notice. Update: We now have the official press release available for viewing.

The talk around the water cooler is still over those big water bills, in Graniteville. This month, customers in that area watched their water and sewer bills skyrocket to triple-digit numbers. They are not happy, and neither are local representatives, who plan to do something about it. WJBF News Channel 6’s Joy Howe has more.

The Village at Goshen is one of the projects included in Augusta’s application for a $50 million stimulus bill grant for housing. If awarded, the grant would provide more than $20 million in funding for the project, but the proposal has Goshen neighbors asking questions. WJBF News Channel 6’s George Eskola looks for answers.

Money challenges are facing school leaders in Richmond County. The school system is more than $7 million in the hole. Dr. Dana Bedden, Superintendent for the Richmond County School System, says ongoing state budget cuts will leave Richmond County schools without enough resources to properly educate students. Dr. Bedden stopped by WJBF News Channel 6 to discuss the issues faced on our Wednesday noon newscast with Mary Morrison.