By RICHARD N. OSTLING / AP Religion Writer An interfaith group released a new textbook Thursday aimed at teaching public high school students about the Bible while avoiding legal and religious disputes. The nonprofit Bible Literacy Project of Fairfax, Va., spent five years and $2 million developing “The Bible and Its Influence.” The textbook, introduced…

NEW YORK (AP) — From the time “60 Minutes” began in 1968, the first face viewers saw after the ticking stopwatch has been Mike Wallace’s — until now. Ed Bradley will replace Wallace in that prominent position when “60 Minutes” begins its new season on Sunday, a further indication of a changing of the guard…

By FRAZIER MOORE / AP Television Writer NEW YORK — With the return of “Desperate Housewives,” scads of pressing questions will be answered. Or at least addressed. Or something. Please! Ever since the hit ABC series wrapped its first season, fans have been marking time, itching to learn what lies ahead for Bree (Marcia Cross)…

By MICHAEL GRACZYK / Associated Press Writer HOUSTON — Hurricane Rita closed in on the Texas Gulf Coast and the heart of the U.S. oil-refining industry with howling 140-mph winds Thursday, but a sharper-than-expected turn to the right set it on a course that could spare Houston and nearby Galveston a direct hit. The storm’s…

NASHVILLE (AP) — A white Republican lawmaker from Knoxville is asking about joining the Legislature’s Black Caucus, saying he wants to find out how the group spends its money. “I think he just wanted to mess with somebody,” said Black Caucus Chairman Rep. Johnny Shaw. “(Rep.) Stacey Campfield is a strange guy. That’s the best…

MEMPHIS (AP) — The Voodoo Music Experience, a national music festival held each October in New Orleans, is being moved to Memphis, event officials announced Thursday. Displaced by Hurricane Katrina, the festival will take place Oct. 29-30 in Tom Lee Park and is being recast as a hurricane benefit. The event will raise money for…

By DALE STUBBLEFIELD / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard Lady Pioneer keeper Erin Wolford makes a diving save on an attempt by Lady Owl Katie Finkle in second half action, as Beth Damon looks on for Warren County. (Dale Stubblefield photo) Offensive production has been a big problem for the Warren County girls’ soccer…

By Rob Nunley / Columnist Two weeks into the football season, we were at an all-time high.But as we find ourselves at the halfway point of the 2005 Pioneer campaign, stinging from three straight losses — including two straight double-digit setbacks — some tongues have started their annual wagging.“What’s the matter, have we just all-of-a-sudden…

By RALPH D. RUSSO / AP Sports Writer With Tulane’s plight fresh in their minds, University of Houston officials told the football team to pack for a lengthy trip with Hurricane Rita bearing down on the Texas Gulf Coast. The Cougars were ready to go but unsure early Thursday where they were headed and how…

By ELIZABETH A. DAVIS / AP Sports Writer KNOXVILLE — LSU’s home opener has been delayed by a hurricane once again, and this time it was Rita that forced the Tigers’ game against Tennessee scheduled for Saturday to be moved to Monday night. The Southeastern Conference made the announcement Thursday after a conference call with…