PRAGUE, Czech Republic (AP) For decades, it?s been confused with a cartoon dog and ridiculed as a puny poser. Now Pluto, the solar system’s consummate cling-on, has suffered its worst humiliation: It?s not even a planet anymore. After a tumultuous week of clashing over the essence of the cosmos, leading astronomers Thursday stripped Pluto of…

KINGSPORT, Tenn. (AP) A high school Spanish teacher accused of statutory rape initiated the relationship with a 17-year-old student, a police affidavit says. Teacher Gabriel Sanchez, 31, was arrested Tuesday at Dobyns-Bennett High School and arraigned Wednesday on one count of aggravated statutory rape by an authority figure and one count of sexual battery by…

CHATTANOOGA (AP) Tennessee’s rates of car crash fatalities for those 65 and older are higher than the national average, according to statistics from the Federal Highway Administration. The state also does not require senior drivers to pass vision or driving tests to renew their licenses. “We believe it’s a huge public safety issue,” said AAA…

NASHVILLE (AP) Gov. Phil Bredesen?s wife Andrea Conte acknowledged that information about the governor?s illness has been sparse, but asked reporters and the public to be patient Thursday as he recovers. Bredesen, 62, has not appeared in public or spoken with reporters since he went to the emergency room at Centennial Medical Center on Aug.…

Cokie & Steven Roberts In the hit movie, “The Devil Wears Prada,” Meryl Streep plays a ferocious fashion editor who mashes underlings of both sexes under her stylish stiletto heels. And many reviewers have praised her character as all too recognizable. This typical comment appeared in The Observer of London: “I’d rather eat my own…

James Clark If I?m state Sen. Jerry Cooper (and for the record, I?m glad I?m not), I say bring on the jury. There?s no way I would plead guilty to any of the charges Cooper currently faces. I?d make federal prosecutors earn a guilty verdict in court ? and I?m not convinced they have the…

Editorial: Our Viewpoint The average Warren County citizen has two comments about county government: 1) don?t raise my taxes, and 2) bring jobs to this community. It?s an unfortunate predicament that in order to achieve the goal of recruiting jobs, it also requires funding. To attract jobs, it?s necessary to spend money. That means the…

Nat Hentoff When I was growing up, national black leaders were also educators for us all: Roy Wilkins (NAACP), Whitney Young (National Urban League) and A. Philip Randolph (labor organizer and compelling integrationist). Today, however, Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton are not of that leadership quality — functioning more and more as self-promoters than educators.…

The 52nd Community Playhouse, Inc. season will open on September 8 with the romantic comedy “Nobody’s Perfect” by Simon Williams. The show will start at 7:30 p.m. at the South Jackson Civic Center in Tullahoma. A free reception will be held immediately following the opening night performance. Additional performances are slated for September 9, 15,…

Baby Boy Heather and Jeremy Jones announce the birth of their son, Timothy Isaiah Jones. He was born July 12 at River Park Hospital weighing 6 pounds, 15.5 ounces. He is joined by sister, Kaitlyn Nichole Jones. Grandparents are Yvonna and Russell Rutledge. Baby Boy Mattie and Don Smith announce the birth of their child,…