WASHINGTON (AP) ? The leader of a bipartisan effort to rebuke President Bush’s Iraq strategy said Thursday he would not strike a compromise with a harsher Democratic resolution the Senate will debate next week. Sen. John Warner, R-Va., former chairman of the Armed Services Committee, said he won’t negotiate with Democrats to develop a single…

WASHINGTON (AP) ? Get health insurance through your employer? The average cost of a family policy is about $11,500, low enough to get you a tax break under President Bush?s new health care initiative. If an employer-provided plan covers you alone, the policy costs just under $2,500 on average, still low enough for a tax…

ATLANTA (AP) ? Spending nearly half his life in prison has not taken the twinkle from Willie O. ?Pete? Williams? eye or the optimism from his spirit about how he plans to spend the rest of his life as a free man. Two days ago, Williams walked out of a jail into the embrace of…

CHATTANOOGA (AP) ? Investigators charged six female students at rural Sequatchie County High School with conspiracy to commit criminal homicide after discovering Internet threats related to a list of students and faculty. The girls, ages 14 and 15, were taken to a juvenile facility in Cookeville after they were charged late Wednesday. A juvenile court…

By Nat Hentoff Many liberals believe they are far more firm in their support of freedom of speech than many conservatives. A strong argument against this stereotyping of both sides is the current campaign to restore the Fairness Doctrine in broadcasting by, among others, four liberal Democrat members of Congress — Sen. Bernie Sanders of…

By Cokie & Steven Roberts America has had 43 white male presidents. In 2008, is the country ready to elect a woman or a person of color? The answer is yes. Just the fact that three non-traditional candidates — Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama and Bill Richardson — are serious contenders for the Democratic nomination shows…

By LISA HOBBS In addition to patrolling parks and helping direct traffic, McMinnville?s Public Safety Unit takes a substantial load off police officers by leading funeral processions. McMinnville?s Public Safety Unit has saved the city $140,000 since its inception in 2003, city records show. Over the past four years, the unit has continued to increase…

By DUANE SHERRILL Kaizer Hillis, 18 months, sits in the lap of his grandmother, Penny Medley, who is the victim?s witness coordinator for the district attorney?s office. Across the desk is husband Junior Medley. Joining the effort to revitalize downtown, the District Attorney General?s office of Lisa Zavogiannis has set up shop on East Main…

By JAMES CLARK Torie Smith is following in her brother Nathan?s footsteps. Three years after he was named WCHS valedictorian, Torie has worked her way to the same honor. ?My mom is a teacher at Hickory Creek and she has always pushed education. My dad has too,? said Smith, the daughter of Mark and Jackie…

By DUANE SHERRILL After being warned that any future intimidation would be dealt with harshly, the stepfather of the 11-year-old boy who opened fire on two school buses is now the one facing time behind bars after two incidents involving alleged retaliation against one of the bus drivers. ?Any intimidation or attempts of retaliation will…