KNOXVILLE (AP) — Knoxville’s new mayor proposed one of the largest property tax increases in the city’s history on Thursday. Bill Haslam, who was elected Knoxville’s first new mayor in 16 years last September, said a 35-cent increase on the tax rate will help keep the city moving forward despite rising employee costs and a…

By AMBER McDOWELL / Associated Press Writer NASHVILLE (AP) — One of the cornerstones of Gov. Phil Bredesen’s proposed revisions to the workers’ compensation system was changed in a House committee Thursday to benefit workers, and could throw the plan out of balance. The change approved by the House Consumer and Employee Affairs Committee concerns…

Cokie & Steven Roberts Here’s an irony: If the military situation in Iraq continues to deteriorate, President Bush could benefit at the polls in November.It sounds crazy, but it’s entirely plausible. As the price of the Iraqi occupation keeps rising, in lives and dollars, discontent could rise as well. If a true antiwar movement takes…

By Morton Kondracke The Bush and Kerry campaigns are playing the public for fools, avoiding one of the biggest questions in America’s future: how to finance the retirement of the baby boom generation.It’s a monstrous problem that will either break the American economy or — if addressed creatively and soon — revitalize it. Demographically, there’s…

By James Clark The most up-to-date reports indicate 735 Americans have died in combat since the U.S. invaded Iraq. And none of those deaths have received as much publicity as that of Pat Tillman, the former NFL player turned Army Ranger.It goes to show how our society places professional athletes on a pedestal. But it’s…

Our Viewpoint The votes are in and results have been released for the Standard’s annual Best of the Best contest.Just like in previous years, the newspaper was overwhelmed with community response. Ballots came in for people and businesses from all over the county, showing the level of widespread interest we have in proclaiming who is…

By Janice M. Howard / Style Editor for the Southern Standard Emphasis was placed on “The Many Hats of the Woman of God” for the fourth annual Ladies Day at East End Church of Christ. Registration began at 9 a.m. with several East End members wearing their spring hats.Maggie Colley was the keynote speaker, making…

By CHARLES W. JOHNSON / News Editor for the Southern Standard In conjunction with Occupational Therapy Month, which is recognized in April, River Park Hospital wants to let people know the local facility has a first-class rehabilitation department.In the past 10 months, the inpatient rehabilitation unit at River Park has had the opportunity to work…

By CHARLES W. JOHNSON / News Editor for the Southern Standard Local polio survivor Linda Hale looks over some of the extensive material she has collected over the years concerning Post Polio Syndrome. (Charles W. Johnson photo) Linda Hale looks fine as she sits in her spacious and well-appointed living room. In fact, the tall…