By Morton Kondracke Michael Bloomberg is back in the 2008 presidential picture, and one thing is for sure: There is a statesman-sized hole to fill in the center of American politics. It would fit a figure who is strong on national security, unlike all the Democratic candidates, yet fiscally responsible and socially moderate to liberal,…

By CHARLES W. JOHNSON Oddly enough, one of the constants about language is it changes. New words and terms are coined and somehow find their way into common usage. Some of these words are pretty weird and I’ve always been fascinated with their evolution and origins. Some have their basis in science or technology. Others…

By Thomas Vaughn Hold on to your handguns, America!?? Our ‘right to keep and bear arms’ is about to be tested again.??The Supreme Court is going to decide whether the District of Columbia’s ban on handguns violates the Constitution. The High Court’s decision to take the D.C. gun ban case comes just in time for…

McMinnville resident and Warren County native Lonnie F. Clemons, 69, was born June 4, 1938 and died Nov. 22 at River Park Hospital following an extended illness. A truck driver and a member of the Baptist Church, he was the son of Essie Clemons Bouldin of McMinnville and the late Eskel Clemons. He was married…

Green Hill community resident and Warren County native James Alton Hildreth, 74, was born Aug. 16, 1933 and died Nov. 21 at DeKalb Community Hospital in Smithville following an extended illness. A self-employed farmer and a member of Green Hill Church of Christ, he was the son of the late Clarence Charles and Roberta Cope…

McMinnville resident and Overton County, Tenn. native, Eureatha Beasley London, 90, was born Jan. 25, 1917 and died Nov. 21 at River Park Hospital following a brief illness. A retired bookkeeper at Caney Fork Electric and a member of Concord Baptist Church, she was the daughter of the late George and Della Eubanks Beasley. She…

NEW YORK (AP) ‘ Stocks rose as investors capped a capricious week by engaging in a bit of Black Friday bargain hunting while awaiting word of how retailers might fare during what is expected to be a tough holiday shopping season. Friday’s holiday-shortened session ended three hours early and followed fractious trading that on Wednesday…

ATLANTA ‘ Country music star, Willie Nelson, has filmed a television spot supporting an anti-dogfighting bill that is moving through the Georgia legislature. In the ad, Nelson looks into the camera while “Georgia on My Mind” plays in the background. He says: “Dogfighting is against the law in Georgia, but the laws are so weak,…

CLEARWATER, Fla. ‘ Linda Hogan has filed for divorce from her husband Hulk Hogan, the wrestler and reality star, a newspaper reported Friday. Hulk Hogan, whose real name is Terry Bollea, told the St. Petersburg Times that he had no idea his wife had filed for divorce. He was informed by a reporter that Pinellas…

PHILADELPHIA, Tenn. (AP) ‘ A Tennessee company is recalling cheese sold in seven states and distributed natiowide in gift baskets that could be contaminated with dangerous bacteria. No illnesses have been reported. Sweetwater Valley Farms Inc. said its Southern Cheddar Jack Volunteer Special Cheese was distributed in 7-, 10-, 15-ounce and 5-pound blocks sold in…