By KARIN MILLER / Associated Press Writer NASHVILLE (AP) — Lawmakers sent Gov. Phil Bredesen legislation Monday night that would allow Tennessee charities to have raffles and other gambling fund-raisers this year. A compromise was reached last week by Senate and House members of a conference committee. Their report was adopted by the full chambers…

By KARIN MILLER / Associated Press Writer NASHVILLE (AP) — Gov. Phil Bredesen and first lady Andrea Conte joined more than 100 people in a walk around Bicentennial Mall Monday to help launch a new initiative aimed at improving the health of Tennesseans. “Tennesseans are dying earlier than they should and it’s about time that…

By TOM SHARP / Associated Press Writer BREDESEN NASHVILLE (AP) — Gov. Phil Bredesen proposes more statutes than are required for his TennCare reforms, hoping that writing them into law will carry more weight with the courts and federal government. Bredesen said Monday that he hopes enacting statutes instead of administrative changes will make it…

DETROIT (AP) — The Detroit Red Wings are confident going into their first-round Stanley Cup playoff series against the Nashville Predators, but aren’t taking their opponents lightly. “It’s going to be a tough, grinding series,” said Detroit’s Darren McCarty. Perennially one of the NHL’s top teams, the Red Wings finished with a league-leading 109 points…

By TERESA M. WALKER / AP Sports Writer Nashville Predators right wing Scott Walker carries the puck against the St. Louis Blues in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, April 3, 2004. (AP Photo/John Russell) NASHVILLE (AP) — Scott Walker never has to hear another comparison to Guy Charron, now that the Nashville Predators are in the playoffs.…

By EDDIE PELLS / AP Sports Writer SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Dominating in the middle, relentless from outside and brilliant on the bench, Connecticut was a team built for a title. Led by All-America center Emeka Okafor and stellar guard Ben Gordon, the Huskies and coach Jim Calhoun cashed in on the promise they showed…

By MARY FOSTER / AP Sports Writer NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Tennessee can do without being America’s sweethearts. The Volunteers would much rather be America’s champions. “We know a lot of people hate Tennessee,” Shanna Zolman said. “We know people don’t think we should be in this game. We just use that as motivation.” As…

By CHUCK SCHOFFNER / AP Sports Writer NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Ashley Robinson and Diana Taurasi defy the commonly held notion about the basketball rivalry between Tennessee and Connecticut. Two teams that can’t stand each other, right? The traditional women’s basketball power (Tennessee) and the usurper (Connecticut). Two coaches whose relationship is icy, at best.…

By EDDIE PELLS / AP Sports Writer SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Connecticut center Emeka Okafor is on the brink of winning a national championship, and almost as close to graduation. “I can’t say I’m more proud of one than the other,” he said. That’s the way things are for a player who sees the clear…

By STEVE WILSTEIN / AP Sports Columnist NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Candace Parker, the girl who outdunks the boys, watched this Final Four three levels up from the court. Next year, she figures to have a better view — smack in the middle of the action. “I definitely can visualize myself in that position,” the…