The University of South Carolina is getting nearly $5 million in federal funds to study possible ways to curb climate change.

A South Carolina senator says a ruling by the state Supreme Court would take a multi-million-dollar chunk out of a state budget already hemorrhaging money.

Sen. John McCain wants to remove the $1.75 billion recently inserted into the proposed 2010 defense budget for more fighter jets from Lockheed Martin.

It was a bold plan to find the dollars to complete construction of the Trade Exhibit and Events (TEE) Center and jump start revitalization in Augusta’s historic Inner city neighborhoods. But, in a stunning vote, city leaders rejected the proposal. WJBF News Channel 6’s George Eskola has the story.

MCG could be facing some major budget cuts, under a proposal making its way through the state legislature.

It would be a death blow for the James Brown Arena…the loss of the tax money it gets from the city to pay off debt, and keep the doors open. But, Augusta Coliseum Authority members are meeting to figure out a way to keep the funding from being taken by the city Commission. WJBF News Channel 6’s George Eskola has more.

South Carolina’s top educator spent the day, Wednesday, explaining to lawmakers how the school system should handle the economy. Superintendent Jim Rex wants districts to be able to lower some salaries…and furlough teachers. K-12 education has lost more than $334 million this past year. He wants lawmakers to give districts more flexibility in how they spend state money.

South Carolina schools are dealing with problems when it comes to balancing their budgets. Legislators say that’s because of an outdated tax structure that funds schools. Their new plan? Find out how to put a consistent amount into school budgets, even during lean years. WJBF News Channel 6’s Joy Howe has more.

According to Sergeant Jake Mahoney, for the second year in a row, the Aiken Department of Public Safety has been selected to receive grant funding from the SC Department of Public Safety, Office of Highway Safety, to continue its Highway Enforcement of Aggressive Traffic (HEAT) program.