By FRAZIER MOORE / AP Television Writer NEW YORK (AP) — This is a TV event that aims to be as big as its story. A cycle of six weekly two-hour films, “Into the West” spans 65 years of U.S. history — 1825 to 1890 — embracing big events like the Gold Rush, the building…

NEW YORK (AP) — Bob Costas will become a regular substitute host for Larry King on CNN, conducting prime-time interviews about 20 times a year, the network said Wednesday. The veteran sportscaster is currently host of “Costas Now” on HBO. King, 71, celebrated the 20th anniversary of his show last week by interviewing former presidents…

NEW YORK (AP) — Russell Crowe on the East Coast, Tom Cruise on the West Coast. It was dueling damage control on late-night TV. Crowe appeared on David Letterman’s “Late Show” Wednesday to apologize for throwing a tantrum and telephone at a hotel concierge, and show Americans he’s not always such a hothead. At the…

NASHVILLE (AP) — American Idol winner Carrie Underwood is becoming a Nashville idol. Underwood was set to perform on the first day of the Country Music Association’s annual festival Thursday in a lineup that included stars like Dolly Parton, Keith Urban, and Lee Ann Womack. “I’m from Oklahoma and grew up listening to country music.…

WASHINGTON (AP) — The sizzling housing market may be getting a bit too hot, Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan suggests. Though the economy in general “seems to be on a reasonably firm footing,” rapidly rising home prices in some areas do pose a risk to the housing boom, the Fed chief told Congress’ Joint Economic…

WASHINGTON (AP) — Consumer confidence rebounded over the past month as people felt better about current economic conditions as well as making investments. The RBC CASH Index, based on polling conducted by Ipsos, showed consumer confidence rising to 84 in June, an improvement from May’s 78.2, which had marked the lowest reading since October 2003.…

COOKEVILLE (AP) — About 400 union employees at the Russell Stover plant here will be laid off by late summer, a city official said. Built in the 1970s, the plant has 800 union workers who make candy for the third-largest American chocolate manufacturer. The company’s three brands — Russell Stover, Whitman’s and Pangburn’s — account…

NASHVILLE (AP) — The United Steelworkers of America reached tentative agreements with Bridgestone Firestone, covering 6,000 workers in seven states, the union and the company announced Thursday. The agreements cover workers at the tiremaker’s plants in Russellville, Ark.; Bloomington, Ill.; Noblesville, Ind.; Des Moines, Iowa; Akron, Ohio; Oklahoma City; La Vergne, Tenn.; and Warren County,…

Smithville resident and Nashville native Vera Mai Jones, 69, died unexpectedly June 8 at River Park Hospital.A homemaker and a member of the Baptist Church, she was the daughter of Henry and Vernon Oats McKay and was preceded in death by her husband, Herbert Gibbons Jones.She is survived by daughters, Jane Melton and Paulette Reed,…

McMinnville resident and Warren County native Sharon Coonrod, 54, died unexpectedly June 7 at River Park Hospital.An Oster employee and a member of Hiawassee Church of Christ, she was the daughter of Arthur and Freda Price Coonrod, and was preceded in death by brothers, Arthur and Billy Coonrod.She is survived by brother, Steve Coonrod of…