NEW YORK (AP) — Let the surfing begin.With an ailing king, two would-be successors and a ubiquitous substitute, New Year’s Eve on television has more subplots than a party with three ex-girlfriends.Dick Clark and his “New Year’s Rockin’ Eve” on ABC has been the go-to party for 32 years, but he’ll be away from Times…

By William Rusher Confession, they say, is good for the soul, and I have decided to end 2004 by giving mine a thorough dry-cleaning.For at least four decades, we conservatives have complained loudly that the major media in this country are biased in favor of the liberals. With the sole exception of the editorial page…

By Joseph Perkins Catherine Ryan Hyde tells the story of driving alone in a rough area of downtown Los Angeles when, all of a sudden, the engine died in her worn-out car. The lights went out, and the passenger compartment started to fill with smoke.Hyde got out of her car to see two men running…

By Ingrid Canterbury What’s in a name?Judas, for example, is rarely used anymore because of its biblical connection to the betrayal of Christ. Benedict Arnold has come to mean traitor. Yuri is used when referring to a spy. Kleenex represents all brands of facial tissue and Xerox is now a verb meaning to photocopy.In the…

The Nashville Tennessean Many of the recent changes in Medicare have rightfully been criticized, but one change announced by the Bush administration is a definite step in the right direction.The administration says Medicare will soon begin paying for counseling to help enrollees stop smoking. The move is overdue.The coverage will be extended to beneficiaries who…

Kingsport Times-News With the heightened worry about the lack of flu vaccine this season, many may be forgiven for mistaking those hallmarks of the common cold with something more serious.But national health statistics show there’s a far more likely danger that anxious patients with nothing more than the common cold will show up at their…

By Roger Cook As the year ends and a new year is upon us, many people are thinking of partying. Along with that partying there will be much drinking of alcoholic beverages. I, for one, never think of going to New Year’s Eve parties, much less drink such beverages. Actually, I would feel out of…

The Community Playhouse is pleased to announce open auditions for the hit comedy/drama “Steel Magnolias,” written by Robert Harling and directed by Stuart Fulkerson.Auditions will be held at the South Jackson Civic Center in Tullahoma at 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 2; and 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 3. Parts are available for six women ranging in…

Kellye Cash, left, portrays Patsy Cline, with Patty Payne taking on the role of Cline’s friend and fan Louise Seger as Always, Patsy Cline returns Jan. 15 to the Cumberland County Playhouse stage. Tickets to all performances are now on sale. Cumberland County Playhouse’s Adventure Theater will seem like the Grand Ole Opry in more…

By ROB NUNLEY / Sports Editor for the Southern Standard A woeful shooting night from the Morrison Eagles led to an early exit from the Warren Lodge Christmas Tournament Tuesday night.The Eagles went cold from the floor after a close first quarter, falling in their first-round matchup to the DeKalb Middle Saints by an eventual…