By KARIN MILLER / Associated Press Writer NASHVILLE (AP) — An effort to amend the constitution to restrict abortion rights in Tennessee is almost certainly dead for the year. Sen. David Fowler, who sponsored the amendment resolution, sent it back to committee Thursday after his colleagues added wording that he found unpalatable. He said the…

KnoxNews.com NASHVILLE — More than $10 million per year in property taxes is at stake in a legislative debate that pits local governments empowered to collect the levies against companies required to pay them. If the companies win, lobbyists for city and county governments say, property taxes paid by homeowners across the state are at…

By Joseph Perkins / Columnist “The aliens gathered by an imaginary line between two cities, two countries, two economies, and when the sun was about to set they moved.“In the old Border Patrol days a few dozen might try it on a given night. Now, in a zone of few square miles, in effect a…

By Joan Ryan / Columnist By the time Jesus was spilling his first quart or two of blood, and the Roman torturers were still swinging their spike-tipped whips for all they were worth, and the Jewish high priests were watching the horror with their cold little eyes, I was thinking, WWJD? What would Jesus do…

By James Clark / Columnist Since I’m a firm supporter of education, I’ve been doing my best to buy as many lottery tickets as possible. I know what you’re probably thinking: What a guy!I’m still buying tickets despite the fact my grand illusions of the state lottery have begun to crumble. And when I say…

Our Viewpoint Memo to accused arsonist Joseph Lee Merriman: Nowadays, jobs are hard to come by. If you are in fact the person responsible for burning the Federal Mogul distribution center in Smithville, maybe you should show just a touch of consideration and realize there are other people in this area who need to earn…

BABY GIRLJennifer Coppinger and Ricardo Sanchez announce the birth of their daughter, Maricela Makenna Hope Sanchez. She was born Feb. 19 at River Park Hospital weighing 6 pounds, 2 ounces. The infant is joined by sister, Ana Maria Coppinger and Gabriel Sanchez. Grandparents are Rita and Lanny Kesey; and Jose Sanchez and Soledad Gomez of…

Hickory CreekMembers of Hickory Creek Family and Community Education Club met March 4 in the Magnolia Room. Guests for the event were members of the Bonner FCE Club.Beulah McBee presided and read the Homemakers Prayer. McBee recently attended the leadership training meeting and gave information on sending used cards to St. Jude’s Ranch for Children.…

By JIM ABRAMS / Associated Press Writer WASHINGTON (AP) — President Bush has chosen a giant, jobs-rich highway bill to show his election-year toughness against congressional spending, to the chagrin of many Republican lawmakers, governors and business allies. Weeks of talks have yet to reach a middle ground between the Bush administration, which has threatened…

By NANCY BENAC / Associated Press Writer WASHINGTON (AP) — From child care for the toddler set to tuition credits for college students and better medical benefits for veterans, John Kerry has plans to distribute new federal dollars far and wide and still cut the deficit in half within four years. Stock up on calculator…