By TOM SHARP / Associated Press Writer NASHVILLE (AP) — At least one lawmaker is worried that Tennessee Lottery scholarships are too easy to earn and is considering raising the standard for future years. Sen. Steve Cohen, D-Memphis and prime sponsor of the lottery, suggested Monday to the Lottery Oversight Committee that the state should…

By KARIN MILLER / Associated Press Writer COOPER NASHVILLE (AP) — Gov. Phil Bredesen’s plan to overhaul the state’s workers’ compensation laws will be rolled out Tuesday, according to one of the new sponsors. After negotiations between the governor and Senate Democratic Leader Joe Haynes broke down over the bill, Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Jerry…

By DAVE GOLDBERG / AP Football Writer NEW YORK (AP) — San Diego has been here before. For the third time in seven NFL drafts, the Chargers have a chance to take a franchise quarterback. This time, they hope they get it right. But Ryan Leaf was a bust when he was chosen second overall…

By LARRY NEUMEISTER / Associated Press Writer NEW YORK (AP) — Maurice Clarett is facing another major obstacle on his way to the NFL. On Monday, the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals put on hold a lower-court decision to allow the former Ohio State star and other athletes to be eligible for this weekend’s…

KNOXVILLE (AP) — Tennessee’s Neyland Stadium needs some renovations and upgrades, and the athletic department is turning to fans for suggestions. Tennessee officials are developing a master plan for the stadium, where the Volunteers first took the field in 1921. The plan will include improvements to restrooms, concession stands and concourse areas with costs between…

MURFREESBORO — Middle Tennessee freshman softball player Brittany Herald was named Sun Belt Hitter of the Week. Herald, from Old Hickory, Tenn., went 12-of-23 (.522 average) to lead the Lady Raiders to a 5-1 week, including three Sun Belt wins at North Texas. She knocked in 11 RBI on five doubles and scored two runs.…

MURFREESBORO — Two free airline tickets will be given to a Middle Tennessee student and the first 500 people to enter the stadium will be given a free Blue Raider baseall t-shirt as the Blue Raiders try to set a new single-game attendance record when they play Vanderbilt on “Pack the Park Night” at Reese…

MEMPHIS (AP) — John and WillieAnn Madison, the Memphis couple accused of diverting to their own uses hundreds of thousands of dollars intended to provide day care for the poor children on Memphis, go on trial Monday. The trial follows a sweeping federal investigation that began with the deaths of two toddlers left in day…

OAK RIDGE (AP) — Four people were arrested Sunday as about 100 demonstrators took part in an annual protest at the Y-12 National Security Complex, authorities said. Three of those arrested were protesting nuclear weapons research at the plant. The fourth person apprehended was an unidentified woman who took part in a counter-demonstration by a…

CHATTANOOGA (AP) — Students at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga will vote this week on whether to charge themselves an extra $75 per semester to support the school’s athletics programs. The university says the fees would raise $1.2 million. The money would allow UTC to comply with federal Title IX standards regarding equality of…