By JOHN GEROME / Associated Press Writer NASHVILLE (AP) — The Tin Pan South Songwriters Festival next week is billed as a celebration of the men and women who craft the tunes we like to hum. But many Nashville songwriters aren’t in the mood for celebrating. Radio consolidation, corporate mergers and music piracy have made…

TO THE EDITOR: The greenway is a wonderful place where one can go and enjoy the quiet places, perhaps a spring or a bridge crossing a lovely stream. It is where one might see a frog, a salamander or a grass snake. And the trees! The tall trees that arch above one’s head in an…

To the Editor: The destruction of Tennessee’s once-vast forests of oak and hickory has spread to the Cumberland Mountains of Warren, Van Buren and surrounding counties. I realize the paper industry is creating huge pine plantations to provide the wood they need for the products we consumers need. However, we as residents of this area…

By Diana West / Columnist Richard Clarke has very thin skin — literally. It’s the kind of complexion that shows the ruddy glow of a circulation system at work. But when asked a really tough question while testifying before the 9/11 commission, I wondered if the former White House counterterrorism honcho would have the decency…

By Charles W. Johnson Americans are obsessed with size. Problem is, we don’t seem to know exactly what size we want. It seems whatever size something is right now, we would really rather it be some other size.Take the bed for instance. For centuries people got by with basically two sizes, single and double. You…

The Jackson Sun Tennessee lawmakers looking for a way to close a giant loophole in state gun laws that allows mentally ill people to bypass background checks and legally buy firearms need look no further than neighboring Georgia for the solution.That state simply denies mentally ill people’s application while not disclosing the reason why to…

The Commercial Appeal (Memphis) Kiss any chance of a civilized debate goodbye when abortion is the issue in an election, which it promises to be if state legislative candidates decided to pursue a fight that started over the issue.Both major parties showed signs in Nashville that they are prepared to engage with vigor to capture…

March 23 – Amber Holt, “Happy 18th birthday; I love you,” Momma Ynita.March 23 – “Happy birthday Amber Holt; love you, Uncle Harry.March 23 – Amber Holt, “Happy 18th birthday Wiggles; you finally made it,” love Mom, Jerry, Jerald, C.J. and Angel. March 26 – “Happy birthday Uncle Randy; hope you had a great day,”…

BABY BOYJennifer Pippin announces the birth of her son, Randy Wayne Pippin. He was born Feb. 17 at River Park Hospital, weighing 7 pounds, 2 ounces. BABY GIRLSara Giselle Balderas was born Feb. 17 at River Park Hospital weighing 7 pounds, 14 ounces. Her parents are Saleifi and Sebastian Balderas.She is welcomed by brothers, Jose…