It was more than fitting that President Obama’s inauguration fell on the national day of celebration for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. It was even more fitting that he took the oath of office on the bible that King used. More than any other resident of the White House, Obama understood that King is a big reason for his political success. Then Democratic presidential candidate Obama first publicly expressed deep gratitude to King and the civil rights movement in a speech in Selma, Alabama in March, 2007. He’s referenced King many times since then.

Last Sunday, Col. Calvin Elam was promoted to the rank of brigadier general at the McEntire Joint National Guard Base outside of Columbia.

Nikky Finney, winner of the 2011 National Book Award for poetry for her book "Head Off & Split.", is leaving the University of Kentucky to return home to South Carolina.

Columbia City Council has voted to approve an employment contract with Teresa Wilson for the position of City Manager. The announcement was made Tuesday during the City Council meeting. The position comes with a salary of $190,000 a year, along with a car.