MEMPHIS (AP) — The pilgrims will still weep at Elvis Presley’s grave, and the souvenir shops will still swarm with credit-card waving fans, an occasional black pompadour hardly drawing a glance. But change is in the air: Strangers are in Graceland. Lisa Marie Presley has sold the business side of her father’s estate and turned…

NASHVILLE (AP) — Doctors who swear to uphold the Hippocratic oath face hard choices because of TennCare cutbacks. The oath states physicians “will apply, for the benefit of the sick, all measures which are required.” But under TennCare reductions, doctors have to decide whether to keep treating patients who no longer have their office visits…

NASHVILLE (AP) — Three state lawmakers are asking Gov. Phil Bredesen to call a special legislative session to help Tennesseans losing their TennCare coverage. The Democratic lawmakers sent a letter Friday to Bredesen and to the speakers of the House and the Senate, saying those losing health insurance through TennCare deserve one last opportunity to…

TO THE EDITOR: In last Sunday’s editorial, the Standard renewed its suggestion that the county “open its own animal shelter and free itself from the never-ending squabbles of the Humane Society.” The editorial suggested the Humane Society unreasonably closed the animal shelter to place pressure on the county for increased funding.I respect the Standard’s right…

TO THE EDITOR: The cost of living in McMinnville continually rises: utility usage, brush pick up, and a few weeks ago mention was made of raising taxes again.A few weeks ago, an economist was brought in to evaluate our situation. With industries moving to Mexico and other places, people are out of work. The economist…

By Tad Bartimus / Columnist I recently learned why American automakers are in trouble — by buying a car.My husband and I were on our way to get a Sunday-afternoon ice cream when we stopped to look at a fuel-efficient hybrid vehicle. The dealer was sold out — they only had three to begin. Electric-gasoline…

By Thomas Vaughn / Columnist Our troops have been fighting in Afghanistan now for nearly four years and in Iraq for nearly two and a half.When the “global war on terrorism” began, U.S. public support for it was high. Now, as the war drags on and casualties mount, public support is waning.Reasons for the recent…

By Charles W. Johnson / Columnist Well, hang on to your hats. Today I’m going to start out by going into the correct usage of two words which have confused readers, writers and speakers for some 500 years: affect and effect. You see them used almost interchangeably, but they are definitely two different animals, according…

Members of Vinson’s Crossroads FCEC met July 21 at the Oak Restaurant for their monthly meeting. President Lois Self welcomed visitors Phillip Vinson and Cecil Taylor, along with their nine members. July is designated as club-outing month, making the trip to the Oak very enjoyable. A blessing for the meal was offered by Taylor.Business announcements…

Dawn Denise Cooke and John Mark Smith will be married in Gatlinburg August 13. (Photo provided) Dawn Denise Cooke and John Mark Smith are announcing their engagement and forthcoming wedding ceremony. The couple will wed August 13 in Gatlinburg.The bride-elect is the daughter of Billy and Anna Cooke. Her grandparents are the late James and…