State agencies dealing with education are in the spotlight at state budget hearings today.

As Gov. Mark Sanford prepares the 2005-06 budget proposal he will present to the Legislature next year, he will meet with officials from the Department of Education, First Steps, S.C. Educational Television and the Education Oversight Committee beginning at 9 a.m.

The hearings, which are open to the public, will be held in the governor’s conference room in the Wade Hampton Building, on the State House grounds.

• State will prosecute slaying suspects first

GREENVILLE — The two people charged with killing a retired Sara Lee executive will be tried in state court first.

David W. Edens, 34, and Jennifer A. Holloway, 27, have been charged with kidnapping and murder in the death of Jim Cockman last month.

They were charged with similar crimes in federal court, but U.S. Attorney J. Strom Thurmond Jr. decided to let state prosecutors try them first, said prosecutor Bob Ariail.

Ariail expects to decide this week whether to seek the death penalty, spokeswoman Marcia Barker said.

Edens and Holloway kidnapped Cockman on Sept. 14, luring the 71-year-old businessman by offering to buy a vehicle he had for sale, authorities said.

Cockman’s body was found more than a week after he disappeared in a freezer near Sevierville, Tenn., where the two suspects live.

An autopsy found Cockman’s head had been wrapped in duct tape up to his eyes, suffocating him.

• Fort Mill High debate restrictions revoked

ROCK HILL — Days after school administrators restricted topics, school officials now say Fort Mill High School students can discuss stem cell research, abortion and gay marriage at a debate.

The student-run debate scheduled for Oct. 19 is intended to mirror the presidential debates between President Bush and Democratic nominee John Kerry.

A list of topics was approved by school Principal David Damm, but some expressed concern that the issues of stem cell research, abortion and gay marriage were too sensitive and could be offensive.

School officials said there was a misunderstanding about a state law that prohibits discussion of homosexual sex and abortion in sex education class. They feared the rule would extend to student events.

Damm talked with Fort Mill Superintendent Thomas Dowling, who said the school probably should stay away from the controversial debate topics, Damm said.

But school district lawyer David Duff said Friday that the state rule would not apply to the debate.

• No problems reported at motorcycle rally

MYRTLE BEACH — This week’s fall motorcycle rally along the Grand Strand has gotten off to a quiet start.

Police reported no major problems and only a few wrecks as bike week kicked off Saturday.

The 40,000 motorcycle enthusiasts expected for the fall bike week is much smaller than the several hundred thousand bikers that come to Myrtle Beach for the better-known spring rallies.

That suits many coming to the fall event just fine.

“This seems like more of a family friendly environment,” said Lee Bastillo, who brought his children to the beach for the week. “I don’t have to worry about the kids seeing too many crazy things or wondering if they’ll be safe.”

Contributing: Staff reports, The Associated Press