By DAVID CRARY / AP National Writer NEW YORK (AP) — Even as they issue dire warnings, many longtime opponents of the gay-rights movement are welcoming the furor over same-sex marriage as a chance to expand the audience for their unfavorable views of homosexuality. Activists in this camp — clergy, conservative lobbyists, men and women…

By BECKY BOHRER / Associated Press Writer POWELL, Wyo. (AP) — When this rural town’s clothing store closed, residents like Ken Witzeling put up money to start their own shop, ensuring that they wouldn’t have to leave Powell to buy a dress shirt for work or trendy jeans for school. Hundreds of people bought shares…

By JOHN HANNA / Associated Press Writer COTTONWOOD FALLS, Kan. (AP) — Half an hour before classes begin at Chase County Elementary School, dozens of children congregate in the gym, their conversations creating an overpowering din. Dozens more eat breakfast in the adjacent cafeteria. More than 80 percent of the school’s 160 children, kindergarten through…

By LORI JOHNSTON / Associated Press Writer University of Georgia student Jessica Smith, left, speaks with fellow student Jamie Hirsch during a gathering of the Stitch and Bitch program on Thursday evening, Jan. 29, 2004 at the Campus Center for Jewish Life in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo) ATHENS, Ga. (AP) — As their knitting needles…

The Tony award-winning musical “Ain’t Misbehavin’” plays joyous tribute to the talents of the legendary Fats Waller, and will be on the stage of The Arts Center of Cannon County March 12-27.Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for seniors or groups of 10 or more, and $5 for students.The Arts Center is located at 1424…

The March Artist of the Month at the Sam Davis Home Museum Store is tinsmith Allen Ragland of Murfreesboro. He makes decorative items such as chandeliers, as well as everyday items such as cups, bowls and coffee pots. His work will be on display in the Sam Davis Museum Store through March 31.A special reception…

The luck of the Irish will flood downtown Franklin Saturday and bring sunny weather and warm temperatures to the town’s free St. Patrick’s Day celebration, organizers hope. The event is slated to be held from 10 a.m.-10 p.m. on historic Main Street.The Irish festival will be complemented by Brew, Stew and Stroll from 6-10 p.m.…

By Doug Patton / Columnist Last week, the Bush-Cheney re-election campaign unveiled a 30-second television commercial touting the leadership of the president in the aftermath of September 11, 2001. It depicted a portion of the outer wall at ground zero after the collapse of the World Trade Center, along with a very brief image of…

By JOHN HEILPRIN / Associated Press Writer WASHINGTON (AP) — On his Texas ranch, President Bush gets back to nature by cutting down cedar trees with a chain saw to give the native oaks more water and light. Visiting the Santa Monica Mountains, he shovels dirt to fix a trail — an image the White…

By NANCY BENAC / Associated Press Writer WASHINGTON (AP) — When John Kerry visited Atlanta’s most famous black church last month, parishioners at Ebenezer Baptist had to be nudged back to their pews after hundreds rushed to meet the Democratic front-runner. When President Bush solemnly placed a wreath at the Atlanta grave of Martin Luther…