By FREDERIC J. FROMMER / Associated Press Writer WASHINGTON (AP) — Baseball must institute a more stringent drug-testing policy, such as the one in place by the NFL, or Congress will step in and make changes. “Your failure to commit to addressing this issue straight on and immediately will motivate this committee to search for…

By ROBERT GEHRKE / Associated Press Writer WASHINGTON (AP) — Reacting to reports that sex is used to recruit athletes to the University of Colorado and other colleges, Congress wants to know how the NCAA handles schools that go too far. “I’m really concerned about the NCAA recruiting practices and how they seem to have…

MT Media Relations MURFREESBORO — The sixth annual Middle Tennessee Football Coaching Clinic is scheduled for Friday and Saturday (April 16-17) in the Blue Raider Football Complex. The Double Tree Hotel, Whitt’s Barbecue, and Mike’s Catfish Restaurant and LRS Sports Software are sponsoring this year’s event. Guest speakers at this year’s clinic will be Joe…

MT Media Relations NASHVILLE — Brett Carroll homered twice and drove in four runs while Chase Eakes doubled, tripled and had three RBIs, as Middle Tennessee jumped out to an early lead and never looked back, defeating Belmont, 10-2, Wednesday afternoon at Greer Stadium. Middle Tennessee scored twice in the first and second and four…

By ROBERT TANNER / AP National Writer It’s an old gripe, but one with an increasingly large price tag: States say they’re now paying at least $29 billion for programs that Washington launched but did not fully fund — including education, prescription drugs, homeland security and more. Similar complaints a decade ago spurred a federal…

Kingsport Times-News KINGSPORT — If you’re concerned about your weight, you may want to consider having dinner with your family tonight.

Nashville Scene “Every time we black folks want something, you white folks want to take it away,” an older African American woman said during a neighborhood meeting at an East Nashville church late last month.

By ELLIOTT MINOR / Associated Press Writer ALBANY, Ga. (AP) — The dreaded boll weevil, a ravenous pest that dethroned cotton as the king of Southern crops, has been virtually wiped out throughout most of the region, thanks to a 20-year pest-control program that was largely funded by farmers. Workers monitoring traps around cotton fields…

CHATTANOOGA (AP) — After years of trying to deal with chronic homelessness using temporary shelters, Chattanooga officials are focusing on permanent housing as part of a plan to end it in 10 years. Mayor Bob Corker said the Blueprint to End Chronic Homelessness will not require additional city or county funds. Chattanooga has received more…