By AMBER McDOWELL / Associated Press Writer NASHVILLE (AP) — The state will spend $102 million to expand its Pikeville prison by 1,300 beds to accommodate Tennessee’s growing inmate population, The Associated Press has learned. State officials and two lawmakers told the AP about the prison expansion plans Monday on condition of anonymity. Expansion of…

CHATTANOOGA (AP) — Beekeepers in Tennessee hope this year will be more productive after honey production was down 43 percent in the state in 2003. The Tennessee Agriculture Statistics Service said 280,000 pounds of honey were produced last year, the lowest since 1995. Dayton beekeeper Kenneth Keith said rain and bee mites cut down his…

By MORGAN SIMMONS / The Knoxville News Sentinel Ranger Steven Seven is reflected in a rear view mirror while driving in the 116,000 acre Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area Wednesday, March 24, 2004, near Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/ Knoxville News-Sentinel, Joe Howell) ONEIDA (AP) — With its 1870’s farmhouse, log barn and…

NASHVILLE (AP) — State transportation officials are questioning the need for a Nashville-to-Lebanon commuter rail line and taking a hard look at its financing. If the state withdraws its 10 percent funding, it would be a major setback — and possibly the end — for the $37.6 million rail project. The proposed rail service has…

By KARIN MILLER / Associated Press Writer NASHVILLE (AP) — Tennessee is one of four states that does not require small businesses with fewer than five employees to provide workers’ compensation insurance, but lawmakers may change that. Treasurer Dale Sims told members of the Legislature’s Joint Oversight Committee on Workers’ Compensation on Monday that he…

Chicken City owner Ben Harrison, Jr., stands outside his business Wednesday, March 24, 2004, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Knoxville News Sentinel, Saul Young) KNOXVILLE (AP) — The Tennessee Department of Transportation is investigating whether its representatives offered fair compensation to business owners for property that lies in the path of an interstate construction project. State…

CHATTANOOGA (AP) — Doctors pushing legislation that would put state limits on verdicts in malpractice lawsuits say they are giving up for this year but they plan to be back in 2005. “Our discussions are an uphill battle to explain there’s a crisis in the making. Hopefully they will come around next year,” said Russ…

NASHVILLE (AP) — A proposal requiring high schools to use the same grading scale when reporting student grades is making its way through the General Assembly, with the Senate discussing the issue Tuesday. A uniform grading scale for high school students throughout the state became an issue after implementation of the Tennessee lottery, which is…

By STEVE WILSTEIN / AP Sports Columnist There never was much doubt that Larry Eustachy, Mike Price and George O’Leary would slip back into the college coaching ranks, despite their transgressions. The surprise comes from where they landed and how soon. Barely 10 months after Eustachy’s fall from grace at Iowa State, he popped up…