WASHINGTON (AP) FRIST Their farewell hug was awkward at best. When Democratic leader Harry Reid held open his arms to the man he battled and will replace, retiring Majority Leader Bill Frist, the Tennessee doctor hesitated before returning the embrace. Loosely. Frist, serving the last days of a self-imposed two-term limit, held the Senate itself…

CHATTANOOGA (AP) The former senior pastor at a Hixson church pleaded guilty to raping a 16-year-old boy while he was the teenager?s music minister. Gregory Stanley Dempsey, 42, pleaded guilty Tuesday in Hamilton County Criminal Court to two counts each of statutory rape and sexual battery by an authority figure. Dempsey was the music minister…

The Leaf Chronicle Clarksville Which do you want first _ the good news or the bad news concerning methamphetamines in Tennessee? Under the good news, the number of meth labs in the state has decreased. The work of the 7-year-old Tennessee Methamphetamine Task Force and laws restricting the sale of nonprescription drugs with ingredients used…

Cokie & Steven Roberts Here’s the problem the Democrats face: They know too much about Hillary Clinton and not enough about Barack Obama. Clinton has a boatload of baggage after 15 years in the national spotlight; Obama is an untested commodity after barely two years in the Senate. But primary voters will probably have to…

William Rusher With the Congressional elections behind us, and the Baker-Hamilton commission’s report published at last, the stage would now seem set for a major national debate on the central question: Should the United States continue to seek “victory” in Iraq (however that is defined), or withdraw its forces from that country and leave it…

Johnson City Press Bettering Tennessee’s dismal high school graduation rate is going to take time, work and money, but it is a job educators and state leaders must undertake with both force and zeal. The economic well-being of this state is at stake. As the Press reported last month, just 79.5 percent of Tennessee students…

James Clark Nashville leaders chickened out Tuesday night when it came time to vote on a measure that would make English the official language of Nashville government. As more and more immigrants flock to the United States for employment, it makes me wonder exactly what language we?ll be speaking in another 20 years. That?s what…

Baby Girl Lottie Sue Hash, daughter of Chasidy Moody and John Hash, Jr., arrived Oct. 16 at River Park Hospital. She weighed 6 pounds, and is joined by sister, Kaylee Jade Hash. Her grandparents are Christy Bonner, Kirk Moody of Smithville and John and Barbara Hash. Baby Boy Lindsey and Travis Trusty are the parents…

Margo Howard Dear Margo: I’m a 46-year-old woman who’s been married for two years to a man I adore. I think the feeling is mutual. My problem? I’m pretty sure that he is disappointed with my breasts. Not only am I 46, but also I breast-fed two kids 20 years ago, which doesn’t help the…

With the holiday season upon us, it’s time, once again, to string up the Christmas lights. With the holiday season upon us, it’s time, once again, to string up the Christmas lights. Helpful Hints for Stringing Up Holiday Lights (605 words, US, UK, CAN) Chances are, when it comes to designing your Christmas lights display,…