By MARGARET HOBBS The most treasured nativity in Webster?s collection is this pyramid Nativity purchased in Germany while her daughter was stationed there serving in the Air Force. Celebrating and decorating for Christmas for many people is not complete without setting out a Nativity scene. Lolly Webster starts getting her collection out in early November,…

After many months and hours of practice, Irving College Elementary cheerleaders recently competed in Gatlinburg at Jamfest Nationals. They were awarded second place in the L4 small/medium junior high division. They are, front row from left, Taylor Irwin, Alexa Austin, Abbie McGowan, Britny Fults, Destiny Clendenon and Cheyenne Cobb. At back, Katie Jones, Cheyenne Hutchings,…

DURHAM, N.C. (AP) ? Prosecutors dropped rape charges Friday against three Duke University lacrosse players accused of attacking a stripper at a team party, but the three still face kidnapping and sexual offense charges, a defense attorney said. Joseph Cheshire and attorneys for the other players have said for months the woman told several different…

M.J.?s Family Martial Arts Center is proud to announce the promotion of Dan Qualls to fourth-degree blackbelt. Qualls, left, was tested by Mark Johnson, right, and J. Gary Smith of Huntsville on Dec. 9. Qualls has been studying the martial arts for 14 years.

MEMPHIS (AP) ? Former state Sen. John Ford, facing corruption charges in Memphis and Nashville, bragged about getting a $40,000 watch for helping a wealthy real estate developer avoid pollution fines, prosecutors say in a court filing. Prosecutors want to tell Ford?s jury about the watch, a Rolex Masterpiece, when he goes to trial on…

NASHVILLE (AP) ? Gov. Phil Bredesen has hired former House Majority Leader Kim McMillan to be a senior adviser on his staff for his next term, his office announced Wednesday. Bredesen’s office also announced that Revenue Commissioner Loren Chumley and Health Commissioner Dr. Kenneth Robinson would be leaving at the beginning of 2007. McMillan, a…

By Gov. Phil Bredesen December is the time when people across our state and country celebrate the joy and goodwill found in many faiths. Much of this joy centers around our children. Earlier this month, my wife Andrea and I joined Tennessee students to kick off the holiday season at the State Capitol. Children came…

By Morton Kondracke Partisan wrangling over health care could be as raucous in the new Congress as the sparring over Iraq, but in the longer run, there’s reason to hope for consensus. The Bush administration and the new Democratic Congress almost certainly will be at odds over the Medicare prescription-drug program, stem-cell research and funding…

By Morton Kondracke Partisan wrangling over health care could be as raucous in the new Congress as the sparring over Iraq, but in the longer run, there’s reason to hope for consensus. The Bush administration and the new Democratic Congress almost certainly will be at odds over the Medicare prescription-drug program, stem-cell research and funding…

By Gene Lyons Although the U.S. Constitution mandates a presidential election two years hence, nothing compels citizens to obsess about it until that blessed day. As I write, exactly 761 days remain in the lamentable reign of George the Incompetent, according to my electronic Bush Countdown Calendar. Turning what CNN bills as the “Race to…