NASHVILLE (AP) — Legislators pushing for new state oversight of the chip mill industry said they have given up on the bill for this year. Rep. Mike McDonald, D-Portland, and Sen. David Fowler, R-Signal Mountain, said Tuesday they don’t have enough support in the House or Senate. The bill sought to require chip, pulp and…

By AMBER McDOWELL / Associated Press Writer NASHVILLE (AP) — High school students pursuing a technical career could qualify for lottery-funded scholarships with just a 3.0 grade-point average under legislation approved Wednesday by a Senate committee. Currently, those students must have a 19 ACT score — no matter what their GPA is — to receive…

NASHVILLE (AP) — Tennessee will join the multistate Powerball lottery game on April 19, which will allow players to win multimillion-dollar jackpots and retailers who sell winning tickets to get large bonuses. “Powerball is a proven favorite of Tennesseans who have been anticipating its arrival since a lottery was created in the state,” said Rebecca…

By KARIN MILLER / Associated Press Writer Tennessee’s new tourism slogan “Tennessee, the stage is set for you!” is shown during a news conference in Nashville Wednesday, where it was unveiled by Gov. Phil Bredesen and Tourism Commissioner Susan Whitaker. (AP Photo) NASHVILLE (AP) — Dolly Parton and Isaac Hayes will appear in a new…

By KARIN MILLER / Associated Press Writer NASHVILLE (AP) — Gov. Phil Bredesen on Wednesday ordered a new task force to develop a comprehensive strategy to deal with the “scourge” of methamphetamine use in Tennessee. Legislators asked the governor to take charge after failing to agree on a solution to the spread of the illegal…

MT Media Relations CLARKSVILLE — Shane Kemp’s double helped score the tying run and a single from Nate Jaggers plated the go-ahead run, as Middle Tennessee scored twice in the ninth to come from behind and defeat Austin Peay, 7-6, Wednesday night at Raymond C. Hand Park. The Blue Raiders (18-11) jumped out early, 3-0,…

By LESLIE MILLER / Associated Press Writer WASHINGTON (AP) — Child care centers should require background checks for drivers who transport children and stop using 15-person vans that are susceptible to rollovers, federal safety investigators said Wednesday. The National Transportation Safety Board made the recommendations in a report on a van crash that killed four…

By KRISTEN WYATT / Associated Press Writer ATLANTA (AP) — The nation’s most sweeping lottery-funded scholarship program was scaled back by Georgia lawmakers Wednesday out of fear that its exploding costs will soon outstrip the lottery’s ability to support it. The popular HOPE scholarships — which cover books, fees and tuition for B students at…

By JOHN PORRETTO / AP Auto Writer NEW YORK (AP) — Volvo is trying to retain its image as a leader in safety with new technology designed to help drowsy drivers. Volvo and its owner, Ford Motor Co., released results of a study on the problem Wednesday at the New York Auto Show and announced…

By DAN NEPHIN / Associated Press Writer PITTSBURGH (AP) — Being funny without being offensive is tough to do, which is why college newspapers that publish April Fools’ Day editions often end up paying for it. Three student publications that put out spoofs this year — those at Carnegie Mellon University, the University of Scranton…