NASHVILLE (AP) — The third and last inmate that escaped over the weekend from the Nashville jail was captured Tuesday night on Music Row. Billy Leo Potts Jr., 39, was caught by the U.S. Marshals Service and Metro Police after authorities received a tip that a suspicious man was sitting on a retaining wall in…

By BILL POOVEY / Associated Press Writer CHATTANOOGA (AP) — Bradley County’s sheriff has big crime-fighting plans for $1.1 million forfeited to the county from a traffic stop by drug officers. Joe Bartlett, the state Department of Safety’s managing attorney for asset forfeiture, described the $1.1 million as the largest haul of forfeited drug cash…

MEMPHIS (AP) — A proposed interstate linking Canada to Mexico would displace 73 to 117 families and destroy 54 to 122 acres of wetland as it passes through and around Memphis, according to a new study. State transportation officials were scheduled to hold the first of five public hearings on the project this week in…

CHATTANOOGA (AP) — Some businesses that benefit from showcasing their assembly lines and products are comfortable that workplace security changes since the Sept. 11 terrorist can accommodate tour groups. At other workplace attractions, tour doors remain locked. Plant tours help Komatsu America International’s marketing and recruiting efforts, according to Joe Fuqua, human resources manager. “It’s…

NASHVILLE (AP) — A federal judge has ruled that depositions in a class-action lawsuit against TennCare can go forward this week. Questions that can be included in the depositions concern Gov. Phil Bredesen’s reform plan for TennCare that will affect the care of an estimated 600,000 children, U.S. District Judge John Nixon said in a…

KINGSPORT (AP) — The AARP is turning its attention to long-term care for the elderly and disabled. Tennessee is “dead last as far as providing alternatives for older and disabled people — that is alternatives to nursing homes,” said Brian McGuire, the group’s Tennessee legislative director. “We think the whole thing needs to change,” he…

MEMPHIS (AP) — A new computer database is helping the state keep up with people like James Staggs who recently pleaded guilty to his 15th drunken-driving charge. “We have about 6,000 arrests in the database from about 33 counties with special DUI prosecutors and it allows you to track offenders very quickly,” said William Dwyer…

By MATT GOURAS / Associated Press Writer NASHVILLE — Tennessee’s private colleges are trying to woo students with a pitch that their schools are more affordable — thanks to lottery scholarships and tuition increases at state schools. Tuition at the state’s private colleges has risen an average of about 6 percent each of the past…

CHATTANOOGA (AP) — Food stamp usage grew 54 percent in Tennessee the past four years — to the point where about one in seven citizens receive them — but it may be leveling off, state officials say. “We’re in line with what’s happening nationally, and participation nationally has increased,” said Richard Dobbs, director of food…

BLOUNTVILLE (AP) — Jury selection will begin Tuesday 220 miles from the site where a Maryville woman is accused of crashing into and killing two Wilson County lawmen with a stolen car. Fallon Tallent, 23, is charged with first-degree murder and vehicular homicide in the July 9, 2003, deaths of Wilson County Sheriff’s Deputy John…