WASHINGTON (AP) The United States issued its highest terrorism alert for commercial flights from Britain and raised security for all air travel Thursday after a major terror plot was foiled in London. The Bush administration said the scheme was ?suggestive of an al-Qaida plot.? The scheme involved 10 flights, one U.S. counter-terrorism official said. Heightened…

MEMPHIS (AP) A woman who handed over her newborn girl to firefighters in a paper sack and then drove away did not violate state law, state officials say. Newborns 72 hours old or younger can be left with a member of the professional medical community, according to state law. That includes emergency personnel like firefighters…

James Clark I was talking with a reporter from the Jackson Sun last night trying to make sure I had all the correct details of Mary Winkler?s release from jail, which is supposed to happen at high noon today. I followed the story and its many twists and turns for most of the day yesterday.…

Guest Editorial: By Gov. Phil Bredesen BREDESEN Back to school is an exciting time for Tennessee. Parents watch their children grow and take one more step toward young adulthood. For students, it?s a time for the discoveries of science, literature and language to fade away regrets of another summer gone. Back to school is also…

Donald Lambro WASHINGTON — A rising anti-incumbent tide threatens Republican control of Congress this year, but political winds, like the tides, can shift direction, and that may happen before Election Day. Murphy’s Law says if things can get worse, they probably will, and that seems to be the case for President Bush and the Republicans.…

Cokie & Steven Roberts Democrats think they’ll take back the House this fall for the first time in 12 years, and most independent analysts agree with them. The well-respected Charlie Cook foresees “a very large tidal wave election” sweeping Republicans out of office. But this elation could be premature. Republicans have used their majority to…

Baby Girl Arabella Rose Pittman, daughter of Desirae Laney and James Pittman, arrived at River Park Hospital on July 3. She is the couple?s first child. Her grandparents include Charlotte Smith, James Stilwell, Catherine Pittman and Jerry Detman of McComb, Miss. Baby Girl Emma Marie Cathcart was born July 5 at River Park Hospital weighing…

Entertaining at home is on the rise. Where it was once trendy to go out to celebrate special occasions or just to socialize, now 80 percent of women choose to take party planning into their own hands. The simple secret? Arm yourself with insider short cuts and easy tips so you can throw a memorable…

Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar Dear Annie: Please help me. My friend, “Nancy,” is undergoing chemotherapy for cancer treatment. She asked me to drive her to a doctor’s appointment because her usual driver was not available. Of course I agreed. Unfortunately, I parked over the line a little bit, and when we returned from the…

Photo provided Dara Michelle Webb and Kenneth Edward Johnson will be married Sept. 16 in a nuptial ceremony taking place at Lakeside Resort in Smithville. Dara Michelle Webb and Kenneth Edward Johnson will be married Sept. 16 in a nuptial ceremony taking place at Lakeside Resort in Smithville. Announcing the couple?s engagement and forthcoming wedding…