MEMPHIS (AP) — City officials, concerned by a string of deaths and lax rules enforcement at local day care centers, say another round of regulations could make child care more professional. The Memphis City Council is considering more stringent day care requirements, such requiring more educated employees. Day care centers already must adhere to state…

By MATT GOURAS / Associated Press Writer NASHVILLE (AP) — A man accused of lying about his experience before cleaning up in an amateur “Toughman” contest has been charged by state authorities who say he injured several competitors. The civil charges, the first prosecution attempted under the state’s 14-year-old “Toughman” laws, come as the governor…

By TOM SHARP / Associated Press Writer NASHVILLE (AP) — A bill to prevent Tennessee from legally recognizing same-sex civil unions was deferred for a week after a contentious House subcommittee hearing Wednesday. Tennessee doesn’t allow same-sex civil unions and has a state law defining marriage as a union between one man and one woman.…

FUGATE DAYTON (AP) — The conservative county known best for its 1925 “Monkey Trial” that convicted a man for teaching evolution has a new target for a new century — homosexuality. Rhea County commissioners voted unanimously to ask state lawmakers to introduce legislation amending Tennessee’s criminal code so the county can charge homosexuals with crimes…

By AMBER McDOWELL / Associated Press Writer NASHVILLE (AP) — Nursing home resident Elizabeth Bledsoe uses the $30 she is allotted each month from her Social Security benefit to pay her phone bill and burial insurance premium and buy one newspaper a week. When she finishes, there’s no money left over to buy the things…

By TOM SHARP / Associated Press Writer NASHVILLE (AP) — Gov. Phil Bredesen’s plan to equalize teacher pay across the state will eventually shift more of the cost of education to local property taxes, Comptroller John Morgan told a House committee Wednesday. The state Supreme Court has three times held the state’s funding system for…

By KARIN MILLER / Associated Press Writer NASHVILLE (AP) — Gov. Phil Bredesen told business leaders from across the state Wednesday that if lawmakers can’t agree on reforms to the workers’ compensation system, he’ll propose some. Some legislators have complained about a lack of progress in determining whether there is a problem within the system…

DICKSON — The inspiring story of Helen Keller and Anne Sullivan, the teacher who opened the world to a blind and deaf child, comes to the stage of The Renaissance Center when the Renaissance Players present a community theater production of “The Miracle Worker” from March 19-April 3.Directed by Ryan Hunt of the Renaissance Repertory…

NASHVILLE — The Minnie Pearl Cancer Foundation will again host the American Cancer Society program “Look Good, Feel Better” at the Patient Resource Center from 3-5 p.m. Monday, March 29. The Patient Resource Center is located at the Centennial Medical Center campus in Nashville.This is a free program for women cancer patients who would like…

By SCOTT LINDLAW / Associated Press Writer WASHINGTON (AP) — White House political chief Karl Rove said Wednesday that President Bush had just begun to demonstrate the kind of targeted, multi-front campaign he plans against Democratic rival John Kerry. Addressing a small group of conservative activists, Rove assured them that Bush planned a nimble campaign…