Budget talks turn into debate about abortion

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COLUMBIA --- Legislators argued Wednesday night about whether the state's health insurance plan should allow abortions for victims of rape and incest or when a mother's health is at risk.

A measure banning state funding of abortion for any reason was put into the $5 billion state budget last month as the House Ways and Means Committee wrapped up work on the spending plan.

Democrats railed against it then and again Wednesday night.

State Rep. Bakari Sellers, a Denmark Democrat, said the Republicans pushing the measure couldn't understand the gravity of what they were doing.

"This is not a time for us to play political games. This is not the time for me to say my God is better than yours. This is a time to do what is right," Sellers said.

State Rep. Greg Delleney, a Chester Republican, said the change would only affect people covered by the state plan and that he'd offer a measure that would allow for abortions when a mother's health was threatened. But that's as far as he would go.

"We live in a civilized society," Delleney said. "We not kill children for what their fathers do."

Romney backs Haley in race for governor

COLUMBIA --- Former Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney is endorsing state Rep. Nikki Haley for governor.

The former Massachusetts governor hailed the Lexington Republican in a statement Tuesday for her character and leadership.

Romney says Haley impressed him during his 2008 primary run in South Carolina and has a record of fighting wasteful spending.

Haley is one of four seeking the GOP nomination. Her competitors already have picked up endorsements from 2008 presidential hopefuls. Arizona Sen. John McCain is backing Attorney General Henry McMaster; former Tennessee Sen. Fred Thompson is endorsing U.S. Rep. Gresham Barrett; and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee has helped Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer raise money.

First phase of work over at Charleston market

CHARLESTON --- The first phase is complete on a $5 million face-lift for Charleston's open-air city market, one of the most popular tourist attractions in the state.

Market vendors were surprised Monday to discover the first market building had been finished, getting new paint, a new roof and other improvements, The Post and Courier reported.

Work began in January on renovating the buildings in the city's historic district dating to the 1800s. They were last refurbished more than 35 years ago.

One of the improvements allows customers to shop at counters from outside the market. Parking that used to line the streets and block outside access have been removed, and sidewalks will now line the market.

Officials won't explain camera found in forest

CHARLESTON --- Government officials have been vague in answering questions about a surveillance camera that a camper found in Francis Marion National Forest.

The camera was spotted last month near Lake Moultrie in Berkeley County, The Post and Courier of Charleston reported.

Heather Frebe of the U.S. Forest Service told the newspaper the camera was part of a law enforcement investigation but refused to give details.

She would not discuss how many cameras are routinely deployed throughout the forest but said they have been used for years to provide for public safety and protect natural resources.

-- Edited from wire reports