Sen. John McCain won the Repbulication nomination after Tuesday's caucsues in Texas, Ohio, Rhode Island and Vermont. He received 1,226 delegates and only needed 1,191 to win the nomination.

"I am very pleased to note that tonight, my friends, we have won enough delegates to claim with confidence, humility and a great sense of responsibility that I will be the Republican nominee for president of the United States," McCain said.

I am very pleased to note that tonight, my friends, we have won enough delegates to claim ... that I will be the Republican nominee for president of the United States. Arizona Sen. John McCain On Wednesday, President George W. Bush endorsed McCain.

"He's a president. And he's gonna be the president who will bring determination to defeat an enemy and a heart big enough to love those who hurt," Bush said.

Next up for McCain is finding a running-mate. His choice could significantly affect his standing in the general elections. Many conservatives are worried that McCain might be too moderate. It could be a good idea for McCain to pick a very conservative running-mate. However, a more moderate running-mate might appeal to the independents. 

More information about McCain's GOP nomination can be found in the article entitled "McCain ties up the GOP nomination." and more information about Bush's endorsement of McCain can be found in the article entitled "Bush endorses McCain; Huckabee drops out of the race."

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After Sen. McCain won the GOP nomination, Gov. Mike Huckabee, the only other Republican left running for the nomination, withdrew from the race.

"I'd rather lose an election than lose the principles that got me into politics in the first place," Huckabee said in a press conference.

Huckabee has set himself up to be a potential Republican nominee in the near future.

"We aren't going away completely. We want to be a part of helping to keep the issues alive that kept us in this race," he said.

More information about this can be found in the article entitled "Bush endorses McCain; Huckabee drops out of the race."

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It has been a big week for the Democratic candidates as well. Clinton won three out of four of the states up for grab Tuesday including: Texas, Ohio and Rhode Island, bringing her delegate count to 1,213.

"For everyone here in Ohio and across America who's ever been counted out but refused to be knocked out, for everyone who has stumbled but stood right back up, and for everyone who works hard and never gives up -- this one is for you," she said.

For everyone here in Ohio and across America who's ever been counted out but refused to be knocked out ... this one is for you. Sen. Hillary Clinton Obama picked up nine delegates with his win in Vermont. He is still currently in the lead for the Democratic nomination with 1,355 delegates. However, with the states still up for grab, anything could happen.

"We know this: No matter what happens tonight, we have nearly the same delegate lead as we had this morning, and we are on our way to winning this nomination," Obama said Tuesday night.

There are two things the Democrats can be sure about: whoever the nominee is will be making history, and he or she will be facing Sen. McCain in the general elections.

More information about this can be found in the article entitled "Super Tuesday II: The Deomcrats battle it out," and on CNN.com.

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In local news, several Knox county officials including Stacey Campfield were late paying their taxes and may be prosecuted or fined.

Other officials who payed their taxes late or have not payed yet include Knox County commissioners, City Council members and state legislators.

The full article can be found at KnoxNews.com.