WASHINGTON (AP) — Most Americans believe the government should do more to make the Internet safe, but they don’t trust the federal institutions that are largely responsible for creating and enforcing laws online, according to a new industry survey. People who were questioned expressed concerns over threats from identity theft, computer viruses and unwanted “spam”…

WASHINGTON (AP) — Never mind fancy computers, satellites and Doppler radar. Most people have limited faith that meteorologists can accurately forecast the weather. Four in 10 say they have made plans in the past month based on a weather forecast that turned out to be wrong, according to an AP-Ipsos poll. Still, most people closely…

NEW YORK (AP) — Michael Jackson’s career has been declared dead before.When his success as a child wunderkind fronting The Jackson Five was waning, some doubted whether he could make it as an adult star. And when he had hits again with his brothers as part of The Jacksons, others questioned whether he could become…

NASHVILLE (AP) — Over his 20-year career Dwight Yoakam has borrowed from rock, blues, bluegrass, rockabilly and even punk to keep his country songs interesting. But the tune “I’ll Pretend” from his new album “Blame the Vain” seems contorted even for him. “It’s me interpreting the Beatles interpreting country music,” the 48-year-old singer-actor said from…

KNOXVILLE (AP) — While cockfighting critics would jail anyone who participates in the ancient blood sport, enthusiasts question why it should be illegal at all. The weekend raid at the Del Rio Cockfight Pit near Newport in rural Cocke County, about 42 miles east of Knoxville, has renewed attention on Tennessee’s legal position against battling…

MARYVILLE (AP) — The Rebel flag is on its way to being banned at any Maryville school system events. The Maryville Board of Education voted on first reading to ban flags, noisemakers, sirens, whistles, laser-pointers and hand-held signs Monday night during its monthly meeting. “This would prohibit bringing in any kind of flags,” Director of…

WASHINGTON (AP) — Among the assets listed in Republican Sen. Lamar Alexander’s financial disclosure forms this year is an undeveloped property on Nantucket, which critics say may give another clue to why he has been so vocally opposed to wind-power projects recently. Alexander has never hidden the Massachusetts property, listing it on required disclosure forms…

NASHVILLE (AP) — House Speaker Jimmy Naifeh said he hopes a special panel of lawmakers will start hammering out new ideas for tougher ethics laws shortly after July 1, and may support a special session. A joint House-Senate panel will explore such things as disclosure of lobbying activities or whether the state needs an independent…

TO THE EDITOR: I just want to say on behalf of myself and the Daniel Brantley Foundation that helps terminally ill children, we extend a big thank you to everyone who helped make our recent yard sale a success.This includes those who donated items, who helped in setting up the yard sale, and who came…

TO THE EDITOR: I sit alone here in my cellThinking of my past I don’t dare to tellTwisted was my mind like a bat in the darkMy family begged me to quit, but I broke their heartLife goes by so fast on methAnd it only leads you to the pit of deathNow I have time…