NASHVILLE (AP) — The Tennessee Board of Probation and Parole is implementing an electronic tracking system for paroled sex offenders that authorities say will help them better monitor such individuals. The Legislature appropriated $2.5 million to set up pilot projects in several counties to make sex offenders wear an ankle bracelet that uses a global…

NASHVILLE (AP) — A federal judge on Wednesday granted the state’s request for a temporary injunction that would prevent the Pentagon from recommending in a report to President Bush that the Tennessee Air National Guard’s 118th Airlift Wing be relocated. The state asked U.S. District Judge Robert Echols for the injunction last Friday because they…

NASHVILLE (AP) — The Republican field vying to replace outgoing Sen. Bill Frist narrowed Wednesday when state Rep. Beth Harwell announced she won’t seek the seat. Harwell, former chairwoman of the state Republican party and a Nashville lawmaker since 1989, did not rule out a run at Gov. Phil Bredesen in 2006. “We have been…

MEMPHIS (AP) — Shelby County Commission Chairman Michael Hooks Sr. pleaded not guilty Wednesday to extortion and bribery charges stemming from the FBI’s Tennessee Waltz investigation. Hooks, 54, was indicted last week by a federal grand jury on charges he took $24,200 in bribes from undercover FBI agents in exchange for using his influence to…

NASHVILLE (AP) — State Rep. Tre’ Hargett, who stepped down as House minority leader on Wednesday, will not be taking a lobbying job with drug manufacturer Pfizer Inc. and may keep his House seat through end of his term, The Commercial Appeal reported. The Bartlett Republican said Wednesday he is reconsidering his decision to resign…

CHATTANOOGA (AP) — A federal court decision allowing Gov. Phil Bredesen to make cost-saving cuts in Tennessee’s public health care program will not be appealed by the state, Bredesen said Wednesday. The governor said the decision gave his Democratic administration “85 percent or some such number” of what was sought in the attempt to reduce…

By MATT GOURAS / Associated Press Writer NASHVILLE — Tennessee’s lieutenant governor has changed his position on whether he talked to a fellow lawmaker about a bank loan now involved in a federal fraud trial. Lt. Gov. John Wilder said Wednesday that he was incorrect when he said last week that he had talked with…

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — His crew calls him “Money Man” because when the stakes are high, Jeff Gordon is the only driver they want on their team. His reputation is about to be tested with an entire season on the line. Gordon has one race left to squeeze his way into the chase for the…

NEW YORK (AP) — Andre Agassi bounded onto the court with the joyful grin of a child, his eyes wide as he soaked in the adoring cheers of the U.S. Open crowd. At 35, he is ageless, his tennis a timeless classic. Pushed to the edge of defeat by James Blake, Agassi responded with a…

KNOXVILLE (AP) — Tennessee officials have asked for an afternoon kickoff for the Sept. 24 game at LSU because of the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Most of the hotels in Baton Rouge, La., have been filled with people who fled the New Orleans area. A kickoff at noon or 3:30 p.m. would allow fans to…