Latest local news, weather and high school sports for Myrtle Beach and Florence

Friday, March 22, 2013  The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced Friday it will close 149 air traffic control towers because of federal budget cuts. The tower at Grand Strand Airport in North Myrtle Beach is on the list to close.

Monday, March 18, 2013  Federal budget cuts have grounded the Myrtle Beach Air Show's main attraction, the United States Air Force Thunderbirds, according to air show officials.

Friday, March 01, 2013  President Barack Obama has signed an order authorizing the government to begin cutting $85 billion from federal accounts, officially enacting across-the-board reductions that he opposed but failed to avert.

Monday, February 25, 2013  The Federal Aviation Administration says air traffic control towers at the Florence Regional Airport, Grand Strand Airport in North Myrtle Beach, Donaldson Center in Greenville and Hilton Head Airport could shutdown due to budget cuts.

Wednesday, August 08, 2012  Republican leaders in South Carolina are warning that impending across-the-board cuts in federal spending will devastate military bases in the state.

Saturday, August 04, 2012  A Washington think tank says two South Carolina airports could be among more than 100 nationwide forced to close if $1 trillion in federal budget cuts take effect in January.

Sunday, July 08, 2012  Some key players in North Myrtle Beach are reacting to Governor Nikki Haley's veto of funding they say is crucial to get a historical museum up and running.

Wednesday, May 30, 2012  U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham says looming across-the-board budget cuts will have a catastrophic effect on America's military and force more than 180,000 soldiers out of the Army.

Tuesday, May 15, 2012  Administrators with Florence School District Three in Lake City say they had to save more than one million dollars to balance their budget. Last week, the school board cut 24 positions, including 16 teaching positions.

Tuesday, May 08, 2012  The Lake City schools superintendent laid out next year's budget which includes deep cuts and a tax increase.

Friday, January 13, 2012  Gov. Nikki Haley's first budget proposal calls for corporations and people to get a break on their income taxes, while public workers in South Carolina go a fourth year without a pay raise.

Tuesday, September 20, 2011  South Carolina's Department of Natural Resources wants to raise fees to generate more revenue as the agency struggles with budget cuts, but the State newspaper reported Tuesday the agency may wait to propose the increases until 2013, because of worries lawmakers won't raise fees next year, an election year.

Sunday, August 21, 2011  Pressures on its members, including long deployments and the prospect of budget cuts, were at the top of the agenda during a three-day South Carolina Army and Air National Guard strategy session in Greenville.

Wednesday, August 03, 2011  South Carolina's educational television network is cutting 17 jobs as it deals with budget cuts and the loss of some federal grants.

Monday, July 11, 2011  Doctors and hospitals are getting less money for treating Medicaid patients.  The Department of Health and Human Services thinks the reductions will save the state $125 million.