WASHINGTON (AP) ? Gearing up for the holidays, employers boosted hiring in November, and hundreds of thousands of jobseekers streamed into the market, putting the unemployment rate at 4.5 percent. The Labor Department’s mostly positive report, released Friday, showed a national job climate that remains quite sturdy despite the troubled housing and automotive industries. Employers…

WASHINGTON (AP) Nissan?s first hybrid vehicle, the Altima, goes into production Monday. A top Nissan Motor Co. executive in North America said Thursday the hybrid market still remains an unprofitable proposition in the auto industry despite the interest in alternative vehicles. ?Hybrids today are not a very viable economic proposition. It?s still a loss-making proposition…

Consumer Reports A Consumer Reports survey rates local independent electronic stores higher than most chain stores when it comes to customer service and checkout speed. Every year, our professional shoppers buy some $850,000 worth of electronic products for testing in our labs. And every year since 2004, we?ve surveyed our readers about their experiences with…

James Clark Dr. Mark Lambrick is a new dentist in town but he has over 75 years of local experience with his staff. Pictured are, from left, Dr. Lambrick, Kathy Fults, JoAnn Cox, Carla Pedigo and Susie Taylor. I?ve already started on my Christmas shopping which may be a new record for me. Normally, I…

Baby Girl Denae and Toby Green are announcing the birth of their daughter, Lauren Presley Green. She arrived Oct. 20 at Southern Tennessee Medical Center weighing 7 pounds, 8.5 ounces. She was 19 1/4 inches long and is joined by sister, Natalie Faith. She is the granddaughter of Juan and Randall Milstead, Bobby and Lisa…

Thinking about hosting a holiday party this season? Whether for 10 or 100 guests, even a novice can pull off a holiday party to remember, event planners say. The key: Plan ahead. This will help to avoid some common blunders of first-time party hosts, such as underestimating the guest count, running out of food or…

This time of year, many people take inventory of their life and make resolutions to change come the new year. One area to focus on is personal health. Are you as healthy as you could be? It’s important to make informed food choices and develop sound eating and physical activity habits to stay healthy. The…

Southern Standard readers are invited to extend happy birthday and anniversary best wishes to friends and loved ones through this weekly column. Please submit your messages by our noon deadline each Thursday. No more that three wishes to any individual, please. Happy Birthday Wishes: Dec. 6 ? Freddie Cravens, ?Happy birthday to my wonderful wife,?…

Now that the holiday season has arrived, many families are preparing to welcome a new puppy into their home. Bringing home a new dog can be one of the most exciting events in one’s life. However, if a family isn’t prepared for the work and effort it takes to be a good pet parent, frustration…

HOUSTON (AP) Titans quarterback Vince Young eyes his receivers just before taking the snap against Dallas earlier this season. Young, a former Texas Longhorn, will return to his hometown today to lead the Titans against Houston. Things couldn?t be going much better for Vince Young. The rookie quarterback has helped the Tennessee Titans (5-7) to…