NASHVILLE (AP) — Tennessee lobbyists have banded together to influence and shape proposed changes to the state’s ethics laws that mostly aim at reducing lobbyists’ influence at the state Capitol. More than 200 lobbyists gathered at the Nashville downtown Sheraton at the start of the Legislature’s special session on ethics to map out a plan…

By KRISTIN M. HALL / Associated Press Writer NASHVILLE — More than 500,000 Tennesseans have enrolled in the new Medicare drug benefit program, but the process hasn’t been as smooth as state agencies had hoped. Since the drug program took effect Jan. 1, thousands of poor senior citizens and the disabled have had problems understanding…

Remember to keep those tips coming. I’ve been fielding a number of questions about what’s coming to the old Shoney’s. People have been asking about O’Charley’s and Chili’s and Ruby Tuesdays and just about any other restaurant you can name. Until I hear something fairly concrete, I don’t think I’m going to call every restaurant…

The latest talk had Crockett’s Roadhouse coming to the spot formerly occupied by Shoney’s. With three locations in Manchester, Tullahoma and Murfreesboro, a number of local folks have enjoyed the pleasure of a Crockett’s dining experience.But that experience won’t be taking place in McMinnville, not unless you order carry-out. Crockett’s director of operations Diane Barnett…

Nephrologist Dr. R.P. Sabo has been seeing patients in McMinnville since September and is excited McMinnville Dialysis Center is set to open in February. Excitement was in the air when it was announced a new dialysis facility would be opening in the shadow of the Birthing Tree. Now that McMinnville Dialysis Center is near completion,…

Sandy Elwood is busy getting her store, Sandy’s Gifts on Main, up and running. The official opening is this Wednesday but she’s already been getting some customers. (James Clark photo) Sandy Elwood is no stranger to Main Street. About two years ago she had a booth at The Collection before deciding to leave for greener…

Speaking of all the factories leaving, the news is bad at A.O. Smith. After another round of layoffs, the company currently employs around 160.But wait, it gets worse. Another round of layoffs is scheduled to take place around mid-March, possibly sooner. Those layoffs will cut the A.O. Smith workforce in half to about 80 employees.…

Some of you may have read the story in Wednesday’s edition about the sudden closing of U.S. Factory Outlets at Three Star Mall. After notifying its employees on a Friday, the store closed the next night.When I talked to CEO Fred Raiff on Monday, he said there was a chance the chain could be purchased…

By James Clark / Columnist My observation for the week is this: After a jury awarded a local family $7.2 million in a lawsuit against River Park, our court system better get ready. I bet we’re in store for an onslaught of lawsuits from people thinking they can get rich quick.One person who did get…

SAN DIEGO Copyright 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. — For the longest time, Tiger Woods was simply part of the crowd. Little did he know when he knocked in an 8-foot putt for the only birdie on the 12th hole at Torrey Pines…