The nation’s election administrators say it’s time to restructure elections to reflect the way Americans live, scrapping neighborhood precincts and Election Day for large, customer-oriented “vote centers” where people could cast ballots over a period of weeks. In a new, sweeping report, state and local officials focus much of their attention on voters and poll…

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Once a frustrated renter, Chris Economou is now a happy homeowner, enjoying a splendid view of San Francisco and an $80,000 increase in his property’s value since he bought the one-bedroom condominium for $435,000 a year ago. He credits his good fortune to an interest-only mortgage, an increasingly popular — and…

BOSTON (AP) — Sen. John F. Kerry’s grade average at Yale University was virtually identical to President Bush’s record there, despite repeated portrayals of Kerry as the more intellectual candidate during the 2004 presidential campaign. Kerry had a cumulative average of 76 and got four Ds his freshman year — in geology, two history courses…

WASHINGTON (AP) — Anyone who lights up a joint for medicinal purposes isn’t likely to be pursued by federal authorities, despite a Supreme Court ruling that these marijuana users could face federal charges, people on both sides of the issue say. In a 6-3 decision, the court on Monday said those who smoke marijuana because…

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Tonya Callahan’s two-run homer just inside the left-field foul pole in the 11th inning gave Tennessee a 2-0 win over Michigan in a game that ended early Monday and forced a rematch between the schools in the Women’s College World Series. UCLA (39-18) advanced to the championship series earlier Sunday. The…

KNOXVILLE (AP) — Tennessee ripped 18 hits, including six doubles and two homers, to beat Wichita State 12-2 Sunday and claim the NCAA Regional. The Vols (44-19) advanced to the NCAA Super Regional against the winner of the regional at Georgia Tech. It will be Tennessee’s first trip to the Super Regional round since 2001,…

CHATTANOOGA (AP) — In an attempt to stop racial profiling, legislation that’s been signed into law by the governor calls for Tennessee Highway Patrol officers to collect racial data during each traffic stop they make. Troopers will record race, ethnicity, gender and the age of stopped motorists, and note whether they did a search or…

CLEVELAND (AP) — State Rep. Chris Newton says he’s received much support from both colleagues and constituents since being charged with four other sitting or former lawmakers accused of taking bribes in an FBI sting operation. “You find out who your true friends are during times of tribulations like this,” the Cleveland Republican said. “I’ve…

NASHVILLE (AP) — A big stack of documents produced by state investigators paint a picture of TennCare contractors more willing to spin the truth than divulge ties to Sen. John Ford. One contractor linked to Ford, Doral Dental, said earlier this year that it wasn’t aware of any improper links to Ford. But it was…

NASHVILLE (AP) — TennCare enrollees will begin receiving letters this week notifying them they’re being cut from the expanded Medicaid program, and advocates say they don’t think the governor’s so-called “safety net” to provide relief is strong enough. “It patches together a rather thin mattress for people to land on,” said Sita Diehl, executive director…