KNOXVILLE, Tenn. Copyright 2006 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. — Rich Meehan and his band of radiation experts are trying in a small way to cool some of the world’s hot spots. The team, made up of members from the Department of Energy’s nuclear…

NASHVILLE, Tenn. Copyright 2006 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. — Van Hilleary’s campaign said Monday that the former U.S. congressman has raised nearly $350,000 in the fourth quarter and a total of $1.4 million to date in hiss bid for U.S. Senate. Hilleary, a…

NASHVILLE, Tenn. Copyright 2006 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. — Army Pfc. Brian J. Schoff, who was killed Saturday in Iraq, often opened his home to fellow Ft. Campbell soldiers on the weekends, giving them a home away from home, his mother said. Schoff,…

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. Copyright 2006 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. — For the first time in at least 25 years, the Tennessee Valley Authority is developing a midyear rate increase to offset higher fuel costs. “We don’t have a date yet or an amount,” TVA…

NASHVILLE, Tenn. Copyright 2006 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. — Gov. Phil Bredesen’s proposed fiscal year 2006-07 budget calls for a 19 percent increase in spending on building and renovation projects across the state. Bredesen’s budget includes $354.6 million for new structures and renovations…

NASHVILLE, Tenn. Copyright 2006 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. — An ethics bill lawmakers hope will restore the public’s trust in state government passed a key House committee Monday, clearing the way for a floor vote later this week. The House Finance, Ways and…

DETROIT Copyright 2006 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. — Welcome to sunny Detroit! OK, so maybe it’s partly cloudy Detroit. Either way, there’s certainly one thing almost every visitor will notice — or not notice — upon reaching the Motor City for Super Bowl…

DETROIT Copyright 2006 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. — If Super Bowl experience matters, the Steelers are in trouble. Just imagine: Every team in the NFL this season had at least two players who’d been to the big game — except for Pittsburgh. Yes,…

Copyright 2006 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. — North Carolina finally added what was missing from its women’s basketball resume after a national championship and six Atlantic Coast Conference titles — a No. 1 ranking. North Carolina climbed to the top of The Associated…

Copyright 2006 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. — Northern Iowa is ranked in The Associated Press’ Top 25 for the first time. Michigan is back in for the first time in almost a decade. The Panthers and Wolverines were among four teams new to…