By JEAN ORTIZ / Associated Press Writer OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Clint Dubas wants only to be a farmer. But because he’s not sure he can, he’s made other plans. Dubas went back to school for a degree in agriculture economics to give himself a backup if the cattle business he runs with his father…

By JONATHAN D. SALANT / Associated Press Writer WASHINGTON (AP) — For broadcasters seeking more guidance on what is indecent, federal regulators have some warning: Don’t use the F-word. The Federal Communications Commission on Thursday overruled its staff and declared that an expletive uttered by rock star Bono on NBC last year was both indecent…

WILMINGTON, N.C. (AP) — The parents of a first-grader are fuming over the book their daughter brought home from the school library: a children’s story about a prince whose true love turns out to be another prince. Michael Hartsell said he and his wife, Tonya, couldn’t believe it when Prince Bertie, the leading character in…

By KIMBERLY HEFLING / Associated Press Writer FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. (AP) — In remote desert outposts in Kuwait, the “Screaming Eagles” of the 101st Airborne Division waited a year ago for word from President Bush to strike Iraq. When his order came, they went. And it was not without sacrifice. On Thursday, the troops who…

By SCOTT LINDLAW / Associated Press Writer WASHINGTON (AP) — One year after ordering the first military strikes against Iraq, President Bush marks the anniversary with a fresh defense of his actions for a voting public that remains split over his decision and international allies who are growing weary of continued postwar violence in that…

NASHVILLE (AP) — Tennessee’s unemployment rate was up slightly in February, increasing to 5 percent from 4.9 percent in January, the state Labor Department reported. The state’s unemployment rate was still below the national average of 5.6 percent. “The February primary helped to better our employment picture this month with the hiring of more than…

By APARNA H. KUMAR / Associated Press Writer WASHINGTON (AP) — From the tiny Rocky Mountain hamlet of Virginia City, Mont., to the college town of Burlington, Vt., 20 communities including Franklin, Tenn., were recognized Thursday for their efforts to preserve historic landmarks and promote heritage tourism. They were the latest to be named Preserve…

By BILL POOVEY / Associated Press Writer DAYTON (AP) — Commissioners reversed a two-day-old vote to ban homosexuals Thursday in the county where a jury 79 years ago convicted John Scopes of teaching evolution. Rhea County attorney Gary Fritts said the commissioners unanimously rescinded their 8-0 Tuesday vote after it started a “wildfire” of public…

By TOM SHARP / Associated Press Writer NASHVILLE (AP) — The Tennessee Senate debated the charity gambling bill for several hours on Thursday and amended it slightly before deferring action until Monday because there weren’t enough votes left in the chamber to pass it. Thursday is the last day of legislative business for the week…

By AMBER McDOWELL / Associated Press Writer NASHVILLE (AP) — Gov. Phil Bredesen on Thursday signed into law a bill requiring nursing homes to tell prospective residents if the facilities do not have full sprinkler systems, smoke detectors and smoke alarms. Flanked by the bill’s sponsors, Sen. Thelma Harper and Rep. Janice Sontany, Bredesen approved…