CHATTANOOGA (AP) — While John Robert’s confirmation as chief justice of the U.S. Supreme Court seems a lock, Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist thinks filling the second court vacancy will be a struggle. “I predict it will be more partisan,” Frist told the Chattanooga Times Free Press. “The Democrats will be itching for a fight…

NASHVILLE (AP) — Great American Country, the cable and satellite television network seen in almost 40 million households, said Monday it is moving from Denver to Nashville’s Music Row. GAC — acquired by media company E.W. Scripps Co. from Jones Media Networks for $140 million last November — is the latest addition to Scripps Networks,…

CHATTANOOGA (AP) — When Tennessee Valley Authority land managers make their case on Wednesday for the utility to swap publicly owned waterfront to a politically connected private developer, they probably won’t mention American Indian history or eminent domain. Although objections to the project to build more than 600 luxury homes, a golf course and boat…

MEMPHIS (AP) — The Shelby County Election Commission split 3-2 along party lines Monday to certify a 13-vote victory for Ophelia Ford for the state Senate seat formerly held by brother John Ford. Ophelia Ford, a Democrat, defeated Republican Terry Roland in the Sept. 15 special election by 4,333 votes to 4,320 according to results…

WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist promises to cooperate with federal investigators into his sale of stock in his family’s hospital company, but says he had no insider information. Speaking publicly Monday for the first time about his sale of Hospital Corp. of America Inc. stock, Frist told reporters he had received Senate…

NASHVILLE (AP) — Gov. Phil Bredesen told Nashville business leaders on Monday that he would not seek a state income tax if re-elected in 2006, extending a pledge he made for his current term. “I’m not interested in an income tax in a second term,” Bredesen told reporters following a speech to the Nashville Rotary…

By The Associated Press New York Jets quarterback Chad Pennington will spend the rest of the season in the trainer’s room, as will Buffalo linebacker Takeo Spikes. Down, but not necessarily out, are Arizona quarterback Kurt Warner and Denver cornerback Champ Bailey. All told, it was an ugly week for injuries in the NFL —…

NASHVILLE (AP) — Keeping Chris Brown in the game against the St. Louis Rams wasn’t a move to punish Travis Henry for a pending suspension by the NFL. Tennessee coach Jeff Fisher said Monday he simply stuck with the hot running back. “Chris was hot, and we were going to go with him,” Fisher said.…

NASHVILLE (AP) — Call Tennessee coach Jeff Fisher an optimist. Sure, his Titans (1-2) turned the ball over three times in the second quarter, including twice within three plays, and blew a 10-0 lead into a 17-10 halftime deficit. But he prefers to focus on the positives, like how his very young team didn’t quit…

NASHVILLE (AP) — The Tennessee Titans lost their insurance policy for oft-injured Chris Brown when the NFL suspended running back Travis Henry for four weeks Monday for violating the league’s substance abuse policy. At least the suspension without pay, which began immediately, gives the Titans salary cap relief to find a replacement. Coach Jeff Fisher…