WASHINGTON Copyright 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. — 2006 has been postponed. But not for long. A leap second will be inserted in the world’s clocks just before midnight — Greenwich mean time — on New Year’s Eve, the U.S. Naval Observatory reported…

WASHINGTON Copyright 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. — In a Christmas Eve message, President Bush said the holidays are a time to mourn U.S. troops who have died in overseas missions and to find ways to help others in need, especially those whose…

BETHLEHEM, West Bank Copyright 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. — Holiday spirit returned to Bethlehem on Saturday for the first time in six years as thousands of foreigners and local people packed the town of Jesus’ birth for Christmas Eve celebrations. Lining the…

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. Copyright 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. — The Tennessee Valley Authority paid $12.9 million in bonuses and other compensation to 146 executives in 2005, a 12 percent increase over last year, according to an annual disclosure made by the nation’s largest…

NASHVILLE, Tenn. Copyright 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. — Schools and churches highlight this year’s Tennessee additions to the National Register of Historic Places. The 12 new spots join part of a nationwide program that strives to protect historic resources. There are now…

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. Copyright 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. — Federal officials have released half of the 12 illegal immigrants arrested at the Mexico de Noche tavern in Dunlap on Dec. 17. The men were arrested during a “bar check” done at the request…

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. Copyright 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. — Holiday cards from Tennessee’s public officials are taking on several themes this year, including standard Christmas greetings, fundraising efforts, campaign promotions or simple thanks for a year’s worth of support. Gov. Phil Bredesen kept…

NASHVILLE, Tenn. Copyright 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. — A lawyer involved in winning 15 Tennessee hospitals $50 million in Medicaid reimbursements said a spending bill stalled in Congress could threaten that settlement. Murray Klein of Reed Smith law firm said Friday the…

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. Copyright 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. — When Julie Abel goes grocery shopping each week, she drives more than 25 miles to Georgia to avoid paying the nation’s highest average tax on food: 8.4 percent in Tennessee. “If you can save…

NASHVILLE, Tenn. Copyright 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. — All business on Capitol Hill came to a halt May 26 as state employees, officials and lobbyists huddled around televisions to watch the news about the arrest of Tennessee lawmakers. Federal agents charged Rep.…