WASHINGTON (AP) — President Bush’s standing with an American public anxious about Iraq and the nation’s direction is lower than that of the last two men who won re-election to the White House — Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton — at this point in their second terms. But solid backing from his base supporters has…

WASHINGTON (AP) — As U.S. officials pressed Iraqis to finish work on a new constitution, a leading Democratic lawmaker said Sunday the Bush administration is downgrading expectations for a flourishing Middle East democracy — signaling a possible exit strategy. “They have squandered about every opportunity to get it right,” said Sen. Joseph Biden of Delaware.…

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Retail gas prices hit another record high over the past three weeks, mirroring a rapid increase in the cost of crude oil, according to a nationwide survey released Sunday. The average price for all three grades rose nearly 20 cents to $2.53 in the three weeks ending Aug. 12, said Trilby…

By DENNIS STANLEY / Publisher & Editor of the Smithville (Tenn.) Review TAYLOR A DeKalb County soldier serving his country in Iraq lost his life this weekend while on patrol near Tuz Khormato. Dead is Staff Sgt. Shannon D. Taylor, 30, of Prater Road in the Four Seasons area of DeKalb County. Taylor, a member…

Linda Murphy of Cincinatti, looks at the various pieces of art entered in this year’s Elvis Presley art contest across the street from Graceland in Memphis, Tenn., Saturday, Aug. 13, 2005. (AP Photo/Greg Campbell) MEMPHIS (AP) — In the world of the Elvis faithful, art is often judged by the quality of its black velvet…

CHATTANOOGA (AP) — Nearly all in-state freshmen who applied for admission to the University of Tennessee this fall qualify for lottery scholarships, administrators say. “Given that the scholarship eligibility requirements are generous, those numbers are right in line with what we expected,” said Brian Noland with the Tennessee Higher Education Commission. Statewide, about 60 to…

NASHVILLE (AP) — Two state troopers who helped an “honorary captain” in the Tennessee Highway Patrol get his drunken-driving case dismissed have been recommended for promotion. The recommendation from state Safety Department Commissioner Fred Phillips came just three days after Gov. Phil Bredesen told the department to stop issuing honorary captain ID cards and badges.…

NASHVILLE (AP) — A man competing in an ATV race at the Putnam County Fair Saturday night died when he crashed into a guardrail, authorities say. The ATV race, which was held at the fairgrounds in Cookeville, Tenn., was to be the final event of the night but it took a tragic turn when the…

NASHVILLE (AP) — The not-for-profit health insurance company BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee has more than $1 billion in reserves — twice as much as required by law. Critics say BlueCross is less interested in providing affordable health insurance than in feathering its nest. The company’s fiscal fitness “just sticks in the craw of the doctors,”…

By BETH RUCKER / Associated Press Writer U.S. House Majority Leader Tom DeLay acknowledges applauses as he speaks during the ‘Justice Sunday II’ broadcast Sunday. The program was designed to educate voters on how the courts affect the every day lives of Americans. (AP Photo) NASHVILLE — The No. 2 GOP leader in the House…