NASHVILLE (AP) — Travel by automobile in the state is expected to remain even with last year’s Memorial Day weekend, despite higher gasoline prices. The AAA Auto Club South predicts 545,000 Tennessee residents will drive to a destination at least 50 miles from their homes over the upcoming holiday weekend. The club said Wednesday that…

NASHVILLE (AP) — The Senate Ethics Committee should proceed with caution if it wants to take up allegations of misconduct against state Sen. John Ford of Memphis, an attorney general’s report states. Attorney General Paul Summers’ summary report released Thursday shows that Ford appeared to be communicating with various Tennessee officials on behalf of TennCare…

NASHVILLE (AP) — On the same day four lawmakers were arrested and charged with taking bribes, the last major piece of ethics legislation before the General Assembly died Thursday in the Senate. The bill, sponsored by Sens. Steve Cohen of Memphis and Diane Black of Gallatin, would have required lobbyists to file disclosures every six…

NASHVILLE (AP) — At this time of year, lawmakers usually are racing to wrap up the state budget and last-minute deals so they can adjourn and go home. But the end-of-session frenzy came to a sudden stop Thursday morning. Rumors about the arrests of four colleagues on corruption charges ricocheted around Capitol Hill. Lawmakers, lobbyists…

TO THE EDITOR: The family of a West Tennessee boy whose bladder was severely damaged in a surgery at Vanderbilt University Medical Center has been awarded $16.4 million by a Nashville jury. In January of 2000, most of Joseph Palanki’s bladder was cut out, leaving him with a continuous affliction.There are several studies that report…

TO THE EDITOR: I hope state lawmakers read this letter. TennCare needs accountability. The program can be saved.Everyone should pay a premium of some amount based on income. There should be co-pays for all doctors visits. Anything, even $5 to $10, would stop much of the abuse.Everyone should pay a co-pay for emergency room visits.…

By Cokie & Steven Roberts / Columnists Conservative radio personality James Dobson called the compromise on judicial nominations “a complete bailout and betrayal.” Nan Aron, head of the liberal group Alliance for Justice, said she was “very disappointed” and added, “Is there anybody on our side who is happy?”If these two folks are so upset,…

By Nat Hentoff / Columnist Among the most deficient parts of the curricula in America’s school systems is teaching students why they are Americans — how our government works, our system of justice, the history of the Constitution, and, indeed, U.S. history and what it’s taken to maintain and protect our liberties.A chilling 2003 report…

By James Clark / Columnist I just love the response state Rep. Charlie Curtiss gave me yesterday when I asked him what he thought about even more ethics legislation on Capitol Hill. This comes in the wake of four state lawmakers being arrested for accepting bribes.Curtiss said more than any new rules, voters need to…

Lucy Appel Waechter will become the bride of Daniel Norman Webb June 25 in Midland, MI. Lucy Appel Waechter and Daniel Norman Webb will be married June 25 in a nuptial ceremony taking place in Midland, MI.Announcing the couple’s engagement and forthcoming wedding are their parents, Dr. John and Sue Waechter of Midland and Julius…