WASHINGTON (AP) — The test used to gauge the academic progress of children in Head Start is not a valid measure of their learning, congressional investigators say. The Government Accountability Office’s review, released Tuesday, found a series of flaws with the National Reporting System test and with the way it is run by the Head…

WASHINGTON (AP) — Five civil rights, animal rights and environmental groups are joining together to sue the FBI to release records about monitoring of anti-war and other political activities by federal agents assigned to counterterrorism duties. The American Civil Liberties Union said the decision to file a lawsuit Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Washington…

By JAKE COYLE / Associated Press Writer NEW YORK (AP) — Like the all-powerful tractor beam of the Death Star, “Star Wars” has exerted an inexorable force in popular culture. When “Star Wars” premiered to the public at Grauman’s Chinese Theater in Hollywood on May 25, 1977, a great line of people formed — despite…

By CHRISTY LEMIRE / AP Movie Critic All those “Star Wars” geeks, who’ve been waiting for weeks outside movie theaters with their Yoda sleeping bags and their homemade lightsabers, finally have a film that’s worthy of their perseverance. The Force is strong with “Episode III — Revenge of the Sith,” the sixth and final piece…

By JOHN GEROME / Associated Press Writer TOBY KEITH NASHVILLE — He’s tangled with Peter Jennings and the Dixie Chicks over his music, criticized the media for its coverage of the Iraq war, tweaked the Country Music Association over awards snubs and threatened to flee his record label. Toby Keith was at the Country Music…

WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House says the image of the United States suffered irreparable damage from a Newsweek article alleging that American interrogators of suspected terrorists at Guantanamo Bay desecrated the Muslim holy book. The administration used the now-retracted Newsweek incident to criticize other, unnamed news organizations. “One of the concerns is that some…

By TOM GARDNER / Associated Press Writer Kenny Chesney poses with his award for Entertainer of the Year during the 40th annual Academy of Country Music Awards at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, Tuesday, May 17, 2005. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) LAS VEGAS — Newlywed Kenny Chesney took home entertainer of…

It was another exciting weekend of racing when the Highland Rim Cycling Classic took place in Warren County May 7-8. It was the 14th consecutive year the two-day event has been held here.But not only is it a fun-filled weekend of bike-pedaling exhilaration, it’s also a major fundraiser for the Chamber of Commerce and, according…

By DUANE SHERRILL / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard So he can be ready in a jiffy, locksmith Jim Cunningham has a portable office in the back of his van. He can be reached at 808-7247. The sound of the door shutting behind you combined with the sinking feeling you just left your keys…

By AMY SATTERWHITE / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard In addition to offering clients the relaxing benefits of massage, licensed massage therapist Nicki Lawrence Hopkins offers natural health advice. Healing Hands, which is located in the Plaza Shopping Center, can be reached by calling 473-9220. Americans are more stressed out and have more unhealthy…