WEDNESDAY, JULY 13, 2011 Haslam asks for disaster help for 7 counties (Associated Press)

Gov. Bill Haslam has asked President Barack Obama to declare seven counties federal disaster areas as a result of severe weather June 18-25. The counties are Anderson, Claiborne, Grainger, Henderson, Knox, Loudon and Marion. A presidential declaration would make the counties eligible for various federal assistance programs. Haslam said in his request Tuesday the weather included "historic floods and unprecedented storms." http://content.usatoday.net/dist/custom/gci/InsidePage.aspx?cId=tennessean&sParam=36949769.story

Haslam requests disaster aid for Knox, Anderson, Loudon, 4 other counties (N-S)
Knox, Anderson and Loudon are among seven counties targeted for federal disaster aid under a request Gov. Bill Haslam is making to President Barack Obama. The three, along with Claiborne, Grainger, Henderson and Marion counties, endured severe storms, straight-line winds, flash flooding, flooding, hail and tornadoes June 1825. If the request for aid is granted, residents would have access to varying levels of federal assistance. "This year, a series of natural disasters, including several historic floods and unprecedented storms, have impacted several Tennessee families, businesses and communities," Haslam said in a news release Tuesday. "Federal assistance would help people restore their lives and help local governments rebuild their infrastructure." Impacts of the storms included bridge washouts, mudslides, widespread debris and downed power lines blocking critical emergency routes, according to the governor's office. A lightning strike caused a failure of a sewer treatment facility, and an airport was closed because of taxiway erosion and mud submersion. http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2011/jul/13/haslam-disaster-aid-request-knox-anderson-loudon/

Haslam asks for Marion, 6 other counties, to be declared disaster areas (W RCBTV)
Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam has asked President Obama to declare seven counties federal disaster areas. Governor Haslam is asking for Marion, Anderson, Claiborne, Grainger, Henderson, Knox, and Loudon counties to be declared disaster areas following severe storms, straight-line winds, flash flooding, flooding, hail and tornadoes on June 18 through June 25. Should this request for assistance be granted, the counties would have access to varying levels of federal assistance programs. "This year, a series of natural disasters, including several historic floods and unprecedented storms have impacted several Tennessee families, businesses and communities," Haslam said. "Federal assistance would help people restore their lives and help local governments rebuild their infrastructure." The severe impacts to the affected counties included: bridge washouts, mudslides, widespread debris and downed power lines blocking critical emergency routes. A lightning strike caused a complete failure of a sewer treatment facility and an area airport was closed due to taxiway erosion and mud submersion. http://www.wrcbtv.com/story/15068602/haslam-asks-for-marion-6-other-counties-to-be-declard-disaster-areas

2010-11 TCAP results released (Business Clarksville)

The Tennessee Department of Education recently released district-level 2010-2011 Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program (TCAP) Achievement Test results. Now available online, the statewide and district-bydistrict breakdown shows how each school district performed in advancing student growth in all subject areas and grade levels three through eight. Tennessee educators deserve immense credit for their hard work this year in helping our students achieve marked improvements and success, Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam said. We want to make Tennessee the No. 1 location in the Southeast for high quality jobs, and the cornerstone of that effort is a great education system. Im very encouraged by these latest results, and were all committed to continuing to work together to improve the classroom experience for every student across the state. Across the state, Tennessee students scored higher in all subject areas and grade levels in grades three through eight on

this years TCAP achievement tests by comparison to 2009-2010 results. http://businessclarksville.com/2011/07/10/2010-11-tcap-results-released-28549/

Putnam students above state peers in reading language (Herald Citizen)

Preliminary Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program, TCAP, achievement test results show Putnam County students performing above their peers state-wide in reading and language, while some grade levels came in slightly below state averages in math. "We feel very encouraged that our teachers are stepping up the requirements," Director of Putnam County Schools Kathleen Airhart said. "We have not made AYP (Adequate Yearly Progress) at all of our schools, but we are making growth across the county and that's what the state is looking at right now as far as where schools need to be in keeping up with changes as they are happening." AYP is part of an education accountability measure within the No Child left Behind act, projecting expected increases in student achievement. Early results for the TCAP tests taken by students across the state in grades three through eight were released by the state department of education late last week. Those results showed scores for every test taker in the school system. http://www.herald-citizen.com/view/full_story/14674668/article-Putnam-students-above-state-peers-in-reading-language?instance=homefirstleft

Fire up grill for Tennessee Beef Month (Daily News Journal)

Follow tips for gourmet-style meal on a budget Bill Haslam Gov. has declared July to be Tennessee Beef Month. What a great salute to beef cattle fans here in Tennessee and what a perfect excuse to enjoy beef. Summer's heat calls for grilling and, as one of my friends told me, grilling is the easiest way to be a gourmet. No matter what cut or type of beef you enjoy, the grill can make your meal easier and more delicious. Here are some of my top tips for grilling beef: Make sure you get the grill hot enough to brown the meat but not so hot you char it. That means pre-heating a gas grill or starting the coals on a charcoal grill about 20 minutes early. If you are cooking a really thick cut, keep one part of the grill on low heat or coals. Brown the outside, then move the meat over to the lower temperature section to finish cooking. This seals in the juices but allows for the inside to come to temperature. http://www.dnj.com/article/20110713/LIFESTYLE/107130301

County seeks help on economic development (Marshall County Tribune)

City, county and state leaders had face time with assistant commissioners and the lieutenant governor recently when they asked that this community be remembered and pitched as a prospective location for business development and new jobs. "We want to stay in front of them," Marshall County Mayor Joe Boyd Liggett said when explaining the purpose of a recent visit with: Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey, speaker of the Senate; Sen. Bill Ketron who represents Marshall County; Paul Sassbender, assistant commissioner of economic and community development; and Iliff McMahan, assistant commissioner of labor and workforce development. "W e hadn't met with them before," Ketron said of McMahan and Sassbender. "We don't want to be forgotten with the unemployment situation," Liggett said to elaborate on the "good sit-down meeting" that's an introduction of leaders here and at two state departments dealing with unemployment issues and economic development. Liggett took the opportunity to point out there's a larger concern. http://www.marshalltribune.com/story/1743657.html

TN prepares for stricter crib rules at child-care centers (Tennessean/Wilemon)

There are more than 3,500 licensed child-care businesses in Tennessee, and the state is about to launch a crib check at every one of them. The centers must have new cribs with greater safety standards in place by Dec. 28, 2012. The old drop-side railings, which were easy on caregivers backs but proved deadly for babies in rare instances, are a thing of the past. New manufacturing guidelines also require stronger construction and tougher testing. Lesley Hosford isnt waiting for inspectors with the Tennessee Department of Human Services to tell her to upgrade cribs at the seven child-care centers her company operates in Williamson County. We will have our first delivery in two to four weeks, she said. But it is up to parents to do safety checks in their homes and their baby sitters houses. People who make money taking care of fewer than five children arent licensed or monitored by the state. The new cribs, manufactured according to more stringent guidelines set by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, became available June 28. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20110713/NEWS07/307130105/TN-prepares-stricter-crib-rules-child-carecenters?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|News 2

39 disabled residents file suit against Tennessee (Tennessean/Haas)

Group wants to block cuts to in-home help A group of 39 disabled Tennesseans filed suit against the state over cuts to medical assistance they say will force them away from their families and into group care homes. The lawsuit, filed by plaintiffs from Nashville, Madison, Brentwood, Franklin, Murfreesboro, Mt. Juliet, Goodlettsville and other cities across the state, seeks to block cuts to the states in-home nursing and personal assistance services. The suit was filed by the Legal Aid Society on behalf of People First, a nonprofit group that advocates for people with disabilities, and asserts the state is violating the Americans with Disabilities Act, among other federal safeguards. Missy Marshall, spokeswoman for the Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, said the state had not been served with the suit and would not comment until it could consult with the Tennessee Attorney Generals Office. The plaintiffs range in age from 7 to 52 and suffer from a host of physical and mental ailments. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20110713/NEWS03/307130092/39-disabled-residents-file-suit-againstTennessee?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|News

Disabled Patients Sue to Keep At-Home Care (WPLN-Radio Nashville)

Some 680 people with intellectual disabilities may lose in-home assistance services as part of state budget cuts that took affect July 1st. This week 39 families sued the states Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. The lawsuit suggests the state capped in-home care to 215 hours a month and 12 hours a day without considering the total costs. Lenny Croce is an attorney with the Legal Aid Society and says cuts will force some people into an institution. Some of these individuals, regardless of where theyre at, have to have the services theyre currently getting in order to stay safe. For example, some of them need two assistants at all times. Two assistants care for Dusty Hollis of Clarksville 24 hours a day. He suffers from mental retardation and as many as 300 seizures a month. His mother Nancy has joined the lawsuit against the state, primarily to keep her 25-year-old son at home. She calls putting him in a state-run facility her worst nightmare. http://wpln.org/? p=28745

Warrant issued in state Capitol vandalism case (Associated Press)

State officials have issued a warrant for a woman charged with spray painting graffiti on the state Capitol last month. The Highway Patrol on Tuesday said in a news release that 37-year-old Barbara Ann Smith of Murfreesboro, Tenn., is charged with felony vandalism. She is currently jailed in Murfreesboro on unrelated vandalism charges. On June 19, troopers found hand-drawn pentagrams on the exterior walls of the Capitol. The words "RIP TONY AL" and "WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE" were spray painted in black. Surveillance video showed a hooded suspect near the scene. http://content.usatoday.net/dist/custom/gci/InsidePage.aspx?cId=tennessean&sParam=36950827.story

State Filing Charges Against Capitol Graffiti Suspect (TN Report)

Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security Commissioner Bill Gibbons announced Tuesday that the Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) had issued an arrest warrant for a suspect charged for vandalizing the Tennessee State Capitol Building last month. The THPs Criminal Investigation Division issued an arrest warrant for Barbara Ann Smith, 37, of Murfreesboro on one count of vandalism over $1,000 (a class D felony). Smith is currently being held in the Rutherford County Detention Center for unrelated vandalism charges filed by the Murfreesboro Police Department. Upon being released from Rutherford County custody, Smith will be transported to Davidson County to face the charge in the Capitol graffiti case. I am proud of the work our Criminal Investigation Division put into this case. Initially, there was not much information to go on, but they followed up several leads and, ultimately, solved the case, said Commissioner Gibbons. http://www.tnreport.com/2011/07/state-filing-charges-against-capitol-graffiti-suspect/

Authorities charge woman with vandalizing state Capitol (City Paper/Woods)

Vandalism charges were filed Tuesday against a woman suspected of spray-painting graffiti on the walls of the state Capitol. The Tennessee Highway Patrol issued an arrest warrant for Barbara Ann Smith, 37, who is jailed in Rutherford County on charges of vandalizing government property near the Murfreesboro public square. Murfreesboro police said Smith took responsibility for the vandalism at both places. I am proud of the work our Criminal Investigation Division put into this case. Initially, there was not much information to go on, but they followed up several leads and, ultimately, solved the case, Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security Commissioner Bill Gibbons said. In the early morning hours of June 19, state troopers on duty at the 3

state Capitol discovered graffiti spray painted on the exterior walls of the building. The graffiti included handdrawn pentagrams and the words RIP TONY AL and WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE spray painted in black. Surveillance video showed a hooded suspect near the scene. http://nashvillecitypaper.com/content/city-news/authorities-charge-woman-vandalizing-state-capitol

Murfreesboro woman charged in Capitol vandalism (Tennessean/Sisk)

The Tennessee Highway Patrol has charged a Murfreesboro woman with vandalizing the state Capitol. The THP filed a single count of vandalism Tuesday against Barbara Ann Smith, saying she was responsible for a June 19 incident in which phrases such as Welcome to the Jungle and an anarchist symbol were spray-painted on the exterior of the Capitol. The charge comes after Smith, 37, was arrested over the weekend in Murfreesboro for spray-painting similar symbols on memorials and buildings there. Police say Smith admitted to spray-painting the Capitol, as well as other locations in the state. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20110713/NEWS0201/307120095/Murfreesboro-woman-charged-Capitolvandalism?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|News|s

Audit finds fault with states drug task forces (Chattanooga Times FreePress/Sher)
Crooked drug dealers arent the only thorn sticking in the side of Tennessees local judicial drug task forces, according to a state comptroller audit. Six of the 24 multijurisdictional task forces one out of every four were plagued by problems of their own making such as sloppy record keeping, double billing for meals and missing equipment, state auditors found in a review of special funds operated under the auspices of district attorneys general during fiscal year 2009-10. Among those with problems is the 10th Judicial District Drug and Violent Crimes Task Force, which operates in Bradley, Polk, McMinn and Monroe counties. Auditors are calling on the former 10th Judicial District director, Mike Hall, to repay the agency $311 for six travel advances. After getting the money, Hall charged up another $698.42 on credit cards for meals and incidentals covered by these same advances, the audit says. While acknowledging that Halls charges included meals for other people, auditors pointed out they couldnt identify the special meals and incidentals incurred by the director because of spotty documentation. In fact, slipshod record keeping was part of a pattern at the 10th Judicial Task Force, auditors reported, noting they found that $17,196.25 of nearly $54,000 worth of credit card expenditures did not have adequate documentation. http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2011/jul/13/audit-finds-fault-states-drug-task-forces/?local

Pharmacist pleads guilty to illegal prescription pill distribution (City Paper/Nix)

The pharmacist at the center of a major prescription pill distribution investigation has pleaded guilty to the illegal distribution of those pills as well as falsifying his tax returns. Glenn Brooks, 74, of Brentwood, pleaded guilty in a federal court Monday to eight counts of unlawful distribution of hydrocodone and two counts of filing a false income tax return, according to a statement released by the office of Jerry E. Martin, U.S. attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee. The investigation that began with Metro police but later involved the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Internal Revenue Service, also led to the January 2007 arrest of then-Williamson County Sheriff Ricky Headley, as well as others. Brooks owned and operated Brooks Pharmacy on Trousdale Drive in Nashville and, according to the government, admitted to purchasing almost 2 million hydrocodone and Lortab pills in 2005 and 2006 as part of his business before selling many of them for cash to persons without valid prescriptions. http://nashvillecitypaper.com/content/city-news/pharmacist-pleads-guilty-illegal-prescription-pill-distribution

State reviews reports on stormwater runoff at UT site (News-Sentinel/Boehnke)

Clean-water group found record pollution levels at Sorority Village Less than a month after a watchdog group reported finding record-high pollution levels in stormwater runoff from the University of Tennessee's Sorority Village project, the state is reviewing all reports taken from its roughly 15 visits to the construction site. That includes a visit from an inspector following a complaint by the Tennessee Clean Water Network in late June after the group measured levels of mud and sediment higher than previous record levels taken from the same site in July 2010. The follow-up visit by an inspector from the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, however, "did not find abnormal discharge," said spokeswoman Tisha Calabrese-Benton. The inspector did find stormwater controls that needed to be repaired, which was being done when he arrived, she said. The overall 4

evaluation, a "standard practice" which is now under way, includes reviewing about 15 visits over two years to the construction site on the corner of Neyland Drive and Cumberland Avenue, uphill from Fort Loudoun Lake, said Calabrese-Benton. http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2011/jul/13/state-reviews-work-at-ut-site/

Study: Worker shortage expected in a decade (Daily News Journal)

Service workers with degrees to be in biggest demand, speaker says The local 8.6 percent unemployment rate will be replaced in 10 years by a workforce shortage as baby boomers retire, a keynote speaker told business leaders Tuesday. "We will be short on jobs by 24,000 at the end of the decade," Nancy Eisenbrandt said while speaking before the women's group Rutherford CABLE during a monthly breakfast meeting for the local organization. "There will be a fierce competition for the workers." Eisenbrandt is the chief workforce development officer for the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce. She based her keynote speech at the DoubleTree Hotel in Murfreesboro on an economic study for her chamber and others, including the Tennessee Department of Labor & Workforce Development. Based on population trends, the Nashville area will have 93,860 available workers, which is short of the 117,548 needed, Eisenbrandt said. The biggest demand will be for service workers with at least four-year college degrees, including nurses, accountants and auditors, Eisenbrandt said. Eisenbrandt said keys to attracting younger workers and their families to the Nashville area will include providing a welcoming quality of life and good K-12 schools. http://www.dnj.com/article/20110713/NEW S01/107130312/Study-Worker-shortage-expected-decade

Brownsville officer retires after TBI probe (Jackson Sun)

The investigation of Brownsville Police Lt. Shawn W illiams is complete and revealed that he improperly disposed of evidence that he said was more than 10 years old. Williams, 45, has been on paid administrative leave since June 9, he said. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation and Special Agent in Charge John Mehr said the case has been handed over to District Attorney General Garry Brown for his review. Williams said he had no problem with the investigation and was confident that he was not involved in any criminal activity. "On June 4, a pipe burst (in the office) and water overflowed," he said. "We lost furniture and paper files in the process. We threw lots of things away and somehow a bag with my initials on it from a case over 10 years old ended up in the trash. I don't know whether I threw it away or not." During his leave, Williams decided to retire from his job after 22 years of service "My position was stagnant and this was an opportunity for me to go ahead, retire and move on," he said. http://www.jacksonsun.com/article/20110713/NEWS01/107130308/Brownsville-officer-retires-after-TBI-probe

All legislation OK'd by state lawmakers now online (Associated Press)

All the legislation approved this year during the General Assembly is now available online. According to a news release from the Tennessee secretary of state, it's the first year that all resolutions are available on the website: www.tn.gov/sos/acts/index.htm . The documents include 510 public acts, 32 private acts and 1,071 resolutions. The online documents are scanned versions of the original ones. They will eventually be stored at the Tennessee State Library and Archives. http://content.usatoday.net/dist/custom/gci/InsidePage.aspx?cId=tennessean&sParam=36953483.story

Ketron sponsors 'Caylee Act' bill (Daily News Journal)

Sets a 24-hour time limit on reporting missing child In the wake of the Casey Anthony acquittal, state Sen. Bill Ketron is backing legislation to make it a felony for failing to report a missing child. Ketron, R-Murfreesboro, said Tuesday he will sponsor the Senate version of legislation dubbed the "Caylee Anthony Act" filed this week by state Rep. Tony Shipley, R-Kingsport. The bill is designed to strengthen state law and make it a Class E felony for a parent, legal guardian or caretaker to fail or refuse to make a reasonable effort to notify law enforcement about a missing child within 24 hours. Anthony, who was acquitted last week of murder and child abuse in the death of her child, Caylee, did not report her daughter missing for more than a month. State law in Florida and Tennessee does not penalize a parent for failure to take action. "The Casey Anthony trial has shined a bright light on the gap in many states' laws, including Tennessee's, regarding the reporting of a missing child," Ketron said in a written statement. http://www.dnj.com/article/20110713/NEWS01/107130315/Ketron-sponsors-CayleeAct-bill-

Immigration Issues Still on State Lawmakers Minds (TN Report)

Republicans in the Tennessee General Assembly are bragging on their accomplishments in immigration reform 5

 especially about a unique approach to the E-Verify hiring system but what could be ripe for debate is the list of immigration bills theyre ready to push next year. Lawmakers say they intend to pursue legislation beginning in January on immigration enforcement at the state level (SB0780), denying state taxpayer benefits to illegal aliens (HB1379), an English-only drivers license process (SB0010) and, in what may be a highly volatile issue, an effort (HB0751) to seek clarification on whether a child born here to illegal aliens should be considered a citizen, as has generally been the practice. Legislators are trumpeting their accomplishments in this years session not only on the successful E-Verify plan and the material support bill to fight homegrown terrorism but a lesser-known bill meant to address issues related to legal refugees who come into the state. The Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition has issued a detailed report on the Legislatures efforts on immigration this year, including continued warnings about each of the bills that didnt pass. The group claims success in holding the line on Arizona copycat legislation, but it remains aware of states individual efforts at enacting immigration reforms. http://www.tnreport.com/2011/07/immigration-issues-still-on-state-lawmakers-minds/

Lawmaker to pay for carving initials into desk (Associated Press)

A freshman lawmaker who admits carving her initials into her desk in the state House chamber is going to have to pay to fix it. Speaker Beth Harwell said Tuesday that Rep. Julia Hurleys initials will be removed at the lawmakers expense. Hurley is a Republican from Lenoir City. The desk-carving was first reported by WSMV-TV. Hurley on Monday confirmed to the Knoxville News Sentinel that she made the etching in May. She told the paper that she wasnt thinking straight. Harwell told The Associated Press that the desk will be restored and that she expects Hurley will be more than happy to compensate the state to make the repairs. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20110713/NEWS0202/307120069/Lawmaker-pay-carving-initials-into-desk? odyssey=mod|newswell|text|News|p

Sanderson visits China (State Gazette)

State Rep. Bill Sanderson left for China from Nashville on Saturday morning as one of 14 state representatives on an exchange program paid for by the Chinese government. The trip, which will last for two weeks, is an opportunity for Sanderson and his colleagues to observe a foreign government and foreign business up close. "It's an opportunity to talk to some of the leaders in China and tour some of the attractions," said Sanderson. The trip was organized by Rep. Jim Coley out of District 97, which includes part of Shelby County. Coley who has made previous trips to China before has formed relationships with people in China that made this trip possible. The idea behind the exchange program is that China would in turn send some of its leaders to visit Nashville and have the opportunity to speak with their American counterparts and tour the attractions here as well. Sanderson has never been to China, but was excited prior to his departure to visit with business leaders in China and learn about their business practices. http://www.stategazette.com/story/1743506.html

Mt. Juliet passes property tax hike to fund enhanced fire service (TN/Anderson)
Mt. Juliet city commissioners passed a 20-cent property tax increase Monday night to pay for enhanced fire protection in the growing southern part of the city, where response times can exceed 15 minutes. Until now, the city has had a property tax rate of zero. The board voted 3-2 to approve the citys 2011-12 budget, which included the tax. Before the vote, Mayor Ed Hagerty proposed about $1 million in cuts to what had been a $12.7 million budget to pay for fire protection without a tax hike. The cuts would have reduced staff at the Mt. Juliet animal shelter, closed the community center at Charlie Daniels Park on Sundays and removed a 1.5 percent raise for all city employees. The board voted to restore those cuts to the budget after city employees and animal control volunteers argued in their favor. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20110713/NEWS01/307120014/Mt-Juliet-passes-property-tax-hike-fundenhanced-fire-service?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|News|s

Bradley County fire plan wont increase taxes (Times Free-Press/Higgins)

Bradley County can enhance its full-time fire department without a fire-tax increase, county Mayor D. Gary Davis told commissioners this week. Davis reviewed the plan, which calls for two additional fire stations and 36 more firefighters by the time the countys fire contract with the city ends in 2013. The county department has two stations and 24 firefighters, plus a volunteer force that will remain with the expanded service. The fire-tax rate, which is separate from the property tax rate of $1.79 per $100 of assessed value, is 33.5 cents in the five-mile fringe area around the citys fire stations, which is covered by the city, and 26.4 cents in rural areas. The county pays the city $1.8 million annually for fire service in urban areas. The numbers look more encouraging than they ever have, Commissioner J. Adam Lowe said. Davis, who said the No. 1 priority is to keep the coverage we 6

have, will present the plan again Tuesday to the County Fire Board, which has recommended forgoing any new contract with the city. http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2011/jul/13/bradley-county-fire-plan-wont-increasetaxes/?local

Roane tax hikes aid capital fund, executive says (Knoxville News-Sentinel/Fowler)
County officials approve increases for city residents The new Roane County budget and accompanying tax rates approved Monday will set a new course for future capital purchases, Roane County Executive Ron W oody said. "For the first time in decades, funds are not programmed to be borrowed for capital assets, and the debt service fund should be set for years to come," Woody stated in an email. The new $96.6 million county budget is for the fiscal year that started July 1 and doesn't include pay raises for county employees. School workers, however, get 2 percent pay hikes. The new budget is funded by property tax rates that give rural residents a slight break while boosting levies for city dwellers. Rural residents will see a penny rollback in taxes, dropping to $2.18 per $100 of assessed value. Property owners in Kingston, Rockwood and Oliver Springs will see their tax rate increase by 2.6 cents, to $2.13. http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2011/jul/13/roane-tax-hikes-aid-capital-fund-executive-says/

Blackburn Rails Against Compact Fluorescent Bulbs (WPLN-Radio Nashville)

Tennessee Congressman Marsha Blackburn wants to undo a law requiring light bulbs to become more efficient. The Brentwood Republican is sponsoring a bill to repeal part of an energy law signed by President Bush in 2007. The current law requires light bulbs to use two-thirds less energy by the end of this decade. Speaking on the House floor yesterday, Blackburn said that amounts to a de facto ban on incandescent light bulbs like most people grew up with. And she railed against newer compact fluorescent bulbs, saying they cost too much, are made abroad, and are bad for the American job market. The CFLs dont work as well. It requires more bulbs to get the same amount of light in a given area. These things have proven to be very vulnerable to power surges; we hear that from our constituents in the rural areas. In essence, Madame Speaker, they dont save any energy. An opponent speaking immediately after Blackburn argued the increase in light bulb efficiency irks coal executives whose profits depend on energy use. http://wpln.org/?p=28735

GOP fails to turn off light bulb standards (Associated Press/Abrams)

Fight is symbol of larger divide in Washington House Republicans on Tuesday failed to stop the enactment of new energy-saving standards for light bulbs they portrayed as yet another example of big government interfering in peoples lives. The GOP bill to overturn the standards set to go into effect next year fell short of the two-thirds majority needed for passage. The vote was 233-193. For many Republicans, those newfangled curly fluorescent light bulbs were the last straw, pushed by an overreaching government thats forcing people to buy health insurance, prodding them to get more fuel-efficient cars and sticking its nose into too many places. Their legislation would have kept the marketplace clear for the cheap, energy-wasting bulbs that have changed little since Thomas Edison invented them in 1879. For most Democrats, its an exasperating debate that, just like the old incandescent bulbs being crowded out of the market, produces more heat than light. The standards in question do not specifically ban the old bulbs but require a higher level of efficiency than the classics can produce, essentially nudging them off store shelves over the next few years. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20110713/NEWS08/307130110/GOP-fails-turn-off-light-bulb-standards? odyssey=mod|newswell|text|News|s

Roe scheduled to testify on repealing Independent Payment Advisory Board (T-N)

U.S. Rep. Phil Roe will testify before a House subcommittee today on repealing an Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB) created in the health care reform law to rein in Medicare spending. Roe says he is building bipartisan support for his legislation to eliminate the IPAB, which he claims will cut doctors Medicare payments and ration health care to seniors. The IPAB kicks in 2014, and guess who gets the cuts? Roe, RTenn., asked. Its the (health care) providers. ... By 2020, Medicare will pay providers less than Medicaid does. ... If that happens, I wont be able to find a doctor unless a friend will see me. Roe, a retired physician and member of the House GOP Doctors Caucus, will discuss the IPAB with the subcommittee along with Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and other members of Congress from both political parties. http://www.timesnews.net/article/9033803/roe-scheduled-to-testify-on-repealing-independent-payment-advisoryboard

Should parents lose custody of extremly obese children? (AP/Tanner)

Should parents of extremely obese children lose custody for not controlling their kids weight? A provocative 7

commentary in one of the nations most distinguished medical journals argues yes, and its authors are joining a quiet chorus of advocates who say the government should be allowed to intervene in extreme cases. It has happened a few times in the U.S., and the opinion piece in W ednesdays Journal of the American Medical Association says putting children temporarily in foster care is in some cases more ethical than obesity surgery. Dr. David Ludwig, an obesity specialist at Harvard-affiliated Childrens Hospital Boston, said the point isnt to blame parents, but rather to act in childrens best interest and get them help that for whatever reason their parents cant provide. State intervention ideally will support not just the child but the whole family, with the goal of reuniting child and family as soon as possible. That may require instruction on parenting, said Ludwig, who wrote the article with Lindsey Murtagh, a lawyer and a researcher at Harvards School of Public Health. Despite the discomfort posed by state intervention, it may sometimes be necessary to protect a child, Murtagh said. http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2011/jul/13/should-parents-lose-custody-extremly-obese-childre/?local

Coming this fall: big tuition hikes (Stateline)

For a telling example of the money troubles facing public colleges and universities, consider Pennsylvania. On June 30, Governor Tom Corbett signed a state budget that slashes funding for higher education by 19 percent, and school officials smiled with relief. For universities, it could have been much worse. In March, Corbett introduced a budget proposal that called for a 50-percent cut to higher education. But improving state revenues and a public backlash against the proposal led lawmakers to pare back the governors plan. In the end, Pennsylvanias 14 state-owned universities walked away with a painful but manageable cut that will result in tuition increases of 7.5 percent this fall. Students elsewhere will not be so fortunate. Double-digit tuition increases await public university students in Louisiana, Tennessee and Nevada, all as a result of reduced state funds. In New Hampshire, lawmakers followed through on what Pennsylvania only talked about doing: cutting higher education funding in half. A 48-percent funding reduction has the University System of New Hampshire warning that it will face its most challenging academic year ever, and students and parents will feel the pain in the form of tuition hikes of up to 9.7 percent. http://www.stateline.org/live/details/story?contentId=587120

Nashville among leaders in clean job gains (Tennessean/Hirst)

Some environmentally conscious industries in Middle Tennessee are thriving, giving Nashville one of the fastestgrowing green economies in the nation, a new report says Nashville ranked 11th among the nations 100 largest metropolitan areas for job growth in green industries, according to the nonprofit Brookings Institution. Released today, the report looked at data from 2003 to 2010 and evaluated each state and metropolitan area in the United States on number of clean jobs, annual wages, growth and other factors. With 17,913 green jobs, Nashville placed 28th for number of positions. However, green employment grew by 6.9 percent annually, ranking 11th in the nation for growth. Green jobs, ranging from transportation to organic farming, give better pay for a modest education, according to Brookings. The median annual wage for Nashvilles clean employment is $37,705, almost $3,000 higher than the median for all jobs. Gardens of Babylon, an organic gardening company in Nashville, has grown by about 25 percent a year since 2003, said Mark Kerske, co-owner. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20110713/NEWS11/307130113/Nashville-among-leaders-clean-job-gains? odyssey=tab|topnews|text|News

Brookings ranks Memphis 46th among cities for 'clean economy' jobs (CA/Sells)
While Tennessee isn't the "greenest" state in the land of the free, it's one of them. Tennessee's green economy was the 14th largest among the 50 states and the District of Columbia last year, according to a new Brookings Institute study that says Tennessee and its metros have secured important spots in the emerging green economic sector. Memphis and Tennessee turned in Top 10 numbers in the study, which is titled "Sizing the Clean Economy" and is being released today by the Washington public policy group and independent research organization. The metro Memphis area's overall green economy ranked 46th among the nation's 100 largest metros, the study found. Memphis had 11,515 green jobs at the end of 2010 and each one produced $40,621 in exports, a metric that ranked the city fourth nationally. Exporting is important to the green economy, as 26percent of all green jobs are in manufacturing, making products that can be shipped around the world. Memphis is a "strong player" in the segment as it produces HVAC systems, solar panels and components, energy-efficient appliances and green consumer products, said Jonathan Rothwell, a co-author of the Brookings report. http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2011/jul/13/shades-of-green/ 8

Analyst say Chattanooga 'has a shot' at getting Audi plant (Times Free-Press)
Volkswagen subsidiary plans U.S. car production The CEO of German automaker Audi is saying the company has decided to build cars in North America, prompting an automotive analyst to declare that Chattanooga "has a shot" at the new plant. Audi CEO Rupert Stadler told Automotive News that it's clear the premium automaker needs capacity in the United States. Decisions about a plant location, models and capacity are to come within three years, he said in the report. Audi is a wholly owned subsidiary of Volkswagen. "It makes a lot of sense to add capacity to Chattanooga," said Michelle Krebs, senior analyst for Edmunds.com, citing the new assembly plant that Audi parent Volkswagen opened in Chattanooga this spring. http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2011/jul/13/audi-may-look-at-tennessee/

Nash to put failing schools in cluster to try to avoid state takeover (TN/Hubbard)
Metro hopes consolidation will 'pull out all the stops' for turnaround Metro Nashvilles lowest-performing schools will be grouped together in their own cluster, run by their own administrator and inspected often. At Tuesdays school board meeting, Director of Schools Jesse Register outlined an aggressive school turnaround plan Metro created to avoid the state stepping in to run failing schools. State officials oversee five schools four in Memphis and one in Chattanooga considered at the bottom 5 percent. Two Metro schools, Glencliff High and Cameron Middle, almost qualified for the states Achievement School District. Half of Metro schools miss testing goals each year. The intention is to cut through the red tape and pull out all the stops to turn around our lowest-performing schools, Register said. We think there are 10 schools that fall into this category. Once schools fall into corrective action, we see the strategies we use to turn the schools around have not been successful. The schools cant be selected until test scores from the spring are released in a few weeks. Register said hed appoint the new executive director of innovation from within, and the cluster will launch for the coming school year. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20110713/NEWS04/307120092/Nashville-put-failing-schools-own-cluster-tryavoid-state-takeover?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|News

46 Memphis City Appeal/Callahan)

Schools

teachers

join

list

of

jobless

(Commercial

Layoffs hit those with less than 2 years in district Amanda Barnett is due to have her baby in eight days, a girl she has already named Hailey. The doctors have told her that Hailey will likely face kidney issues, something that may well require surgery. So it was even more devastating for Barnett to find out Tuesday afternoon that, after two years teaching in Memphis City Schools, she was suddenly out of a job. Barnett, who taught English at Manassas High, was one of 46 teachers laid off Tuesday, the third mass layoff of MCS employees so far this summer. Perhaps Barnett will now be able to make use of the bundle of headache and antacid medicines included in her severance packet. "It's frustration. Before today, we all expected to get positions," said the 26year-old Barnett. "In my state right now, who's going to hire someone who can barely walk across a room?" This summer, MCS has laid off more than 250 employees, beginning with the dismissal of 95 vocational instructors in early June. That cut more than half the staff in career fields including business technology (51 jobs) and marketing (16 jobs). They also eliminated smaller programs in fashion and orthopedic shoe repair, calling them obsolete. http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2011/jul/12/memphis-city-schools-lays-english-history-teachers/

California: California Counties Talk of Cutting Ties to State (New York Times)
Natives here have long called this area the Inland Empire, a grand title for a stretch of cities about 50 miles east of Los Angeles. Now, a few political leaders are hoping this empire will lead a movement to break off from the State of California. Frustrated by a state government he calls completely dysfunctional and totally unresponsive, a conservative Republican county supervisor is pushing a proposal for roughly a dozen counties in the eastern and southern parts of the nations third-largest state conspicuously not including the heavily Democratic city of Los Angeles to form a new state to be called South California. We have businesses leaving all the time, and were just driving down a cliff to become a third-world economy, said the supervisor, Jeff Stone, who once ran for the Legislature. Anyone you ask has a horror story. At some point we have to decide enough is enough and deal with it in a radically new way. He added: I am tired of California being the laughingstock of late-night jokes. W e must change course immediately or create a new state. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/13/us/13secession.html?ref=todayspaper (SUBSCRIPTION) 9

Georgia: Atlanta School Scandal Sparks House Cleaning (Wall Street Journal)
The interim superintendent of Atlanta's public schools promised to reform the district and remove teachers and supervisors implicated in one of the nation's biggest cheating scandals. Erroll Davis Jr. removed the city's four area superintendents as well as two principals this week, pending further investigation into cheating on standardized tests. At the same time, a former Atlanta deputy superintendent agreed to go on paid leave from a Texas school district that hired her earlier this year. All were named in an 800-page state report released last week that outlined widespread, systematic cheating by students, teachers and administrators on standardized tests required annually at Georgia's elementary and middle public schools. The cheating, which was intended to raise scores to meet performance benchmarks, involved practices such as teachers erasing incorrect answers on the standardized tests. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303678704576441752866036530.html?mod=ITP_pageone_1 (SUBSCRIPTION)

Minnesota: Frustration Bubbles Up in Minnesota (Wall Street Journal)

With No Sign of Progress on Shutdown, Governor Finds Sympathetic Audience But One That W ants a Compromise Gov. Mark Dayton headed 75 miles northwest of the deadlocked capital Tuesday to talk about special-education funding before a largely sympathetic audience. But frustration over the longest state shutdown in recent U.S. history12 days so farwas never far from view. Jim Golombecki, who repairs vending machines stocked by legally blind workers as part of a state program, was among the furloughed state workers in the standing-room-only crowd of about 150 at Apollo High School. "I think Dayton's got to budge a little bit," said Mr. Golombecki, 57 years old. "I don't totally disagree with him, but the state's got to go back to work. I've lost enough wages to cover a house payment, so I'm having to scrape." W hile Mr. Dayton, a Democrat, arrived to a standing ovation, he and local Republican lawmakers who attended faced criticism from voters as the conversation shifted to a broader discussion of the role of government and the responsibility of both parties to compromise. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304584404576442201131151590.html?mod=ITP_pageone_1 (SUBSCRIPTION)

New Jersey: NJ education reform cannot wait (Star-Ledger)

If you came upon a foundering boat full of children, would you stop to debate whether you could save all of the children or just some, argue whether it was a parochial or private boat, debate shipbuilding efficiency in the decades ahead, or delay your attempts to save those young lives while waiting for consensus on shore? The current delay of the Opportunity Scholarship Act pending in Trenton is exactly that, a Swiftian argument over the minutiae of a bill designed to save the hopes, dreams and lives of our inner-city children not after a decade of bureaucratic system tweaking, but now. An interview last week with Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver served to illustrate the frustrating morass of confusion and political gamesmanship over what is essentially a tiny pilot program for a few of our worst school districts. In the recent words of another Essex County leader, the Rev. Reginald Jackson: These legislators decry increasing violence, gangs and unemployment and say we have to do something about it, and then when they have a chance to take even a small step, which the OSA is, they dont act. http://blog.nj.com/njv_guest_blog/2011/07/nj_education_reform_cannot_wai.html

MORE

10

OPINION Editorial: Keep open government at forefront (Leaf Chronicle)

The decision by Gov. Bill Haslam's administration to cut the recipient list for a daily roundup of state media reports from around 1,100 people down to just 150 is a curious one. An administration staffer who culls Tennessee government and political news from online sources, provides a web link and then sends it out before 7 a.m. compiles the Daily News Clips summary. The email list was inherited from Haslam's predecessor, former Gov. Phil Bredesen. The list reduction "came without any warning or explanation," Frank Gibson, executive director of the Tennessee Coalition for Open Government, told the Associated Press, which has made a public records request last week for the names on the old and new lists. "They ought to just post it on their website every morning it's something the government is creating at taxpayer expense," Gibson said. Indeed, the explanation from the governor's office that culling the list makes it more manageable doesn't hold up to closer scrutiny. As anyone who has ever compiled an email recipients' list is well aware, it requires only minimal maintenance once it is in place. Officials in the governor's office later said there was no cost savings from the pared list. http://www.theleafchronicle.com/article/20110713/OPINION01/107130316/EDITORIAL-Keep-open-governmentforefront

Editorial: Caylee bill needs careful study before being passed (Daily News Journal)
People across the country are screaming for tougher laws with harsher punishments following the acquittal of Casey Anthony on murder and child neglect charges. Considering it took a month for Anthony to report 2-yearold Caylee was missing and nearly six months before her remains were found in a swamp, the nation's outcry is understandable. Most people panic if their child is out of sight for one minute, but Anthony kept up her party lifestyle while little Caylee was gone. It's a horrible situation that created outrage across America. But from a legislative standpoint, lawmakers don't need to act rashly and enact laws that create all sorts of unintended consequences. With that in mind, state Sen. Bill Ketron's proposal for the "Caylee Anthony Act" should be scrutinized before it becomes law. The Murfreesboro Republican announced Tuesday he would sponsor a bill in the 2012 session of the General Assembly making it a Class E felony for a parent to wait more than 24 hours to 11

report a missing child. Such an offense would be punishable by a prison sentence of one to six years and a $3,000 fine. http://www.dnj.com/article/20110713/OPINION01/107130304/Editorial-Caylee-bill-needs-carefulstudy-before-being-passed

Gail Kerr: 2 clerks let greed get in the way of public service (Tennessean)
John Arriola and David Torrence have nobody but themselves to blame. Both men were given the publics trust to do simple, well-paid jobs. Both have come under fire in recent days for working their sweet gigs with more selfservice than public service. Davidson County Criminal Court Clerk Torrence, who retires Friday with an annual taxpayer-funded pension of $80,000, was nailed by WSMV Channel 4s Jeremy Finley for working three days a week, playing golf on city time and using a city car for personal use. His job? To handle the collection of court fines and assign proper staffing to the city courts. Davidson County Clerk Arriolas office was ordered to be audited after reports by WTVF Channel 5s Phil Williams that he accepted $40 tips for marrying people and spent your tax dollars on signs and a public relations campaign to promote his name. His job? To sell you car tags and business and marriage licenses. Their salary tops $100,000 each, plus health care. Once caught, they both made excuses. Torrence gave up his city car and begrudgingly admitted to the shoddy work habits. He retired after threat of ouster by the district attorney. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20110713/COLUMNIST0101/307120091/Gail-Kerr-2-clerks-let-greed-getway-public-service?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|FRONTPAGE

Editorial: Court clerk called for a foul (Commercial Appeal)

Whether Shelby County General Sessions Court clerk Otis Jackson survives his legal troubles or not, it's a sad day in Memphis to see this hometown hero's reputation stained by a criminal indictment. If the allegations against him are true, however, Jackson's indictment serves as another example of how the intoxicating effects of political power can lead to abuses that are indefensible on any level. One would think that after almost 100 indictments of elected officials and public employees in Memphis and Shelby County over the past decade that anyone holding public office would be keenly aware that his or her actions are being watched closely by federal and state law enforcement officers. But if that were the case, how could an elected official even consider using heavy handed tactics to pressure office employees, including civil servants, to raise money for that official's reelection campaign, as Jackson is accused of doing? Jackson earned his place in Memphis lore as a Memphis State University basketball star who not only had athletic skills but the leadership and inspirational qualities that won him the position of point guard -- a field general whose responsibilities include eliciting better performances from the other players on the court for the good of the team. http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2011/jul/13/editorials-court-clerk-called-for-a-foul/

Guest columnist: Lines drawn over Castalian Springs quarry (Tennessean)

The announced intention of Hoover Inc. Crushed Stone to open a rock quarry, crusher, ready-mix concrete plant and hot-mix asphalt operation in Castalian Springs has met a hostile reception from the community and historical organizations. Neighbors to the 350-acre pastoral farmland on Corum Hill Road at State Highway 25 in Sumner County are incensed because Hoover acquired the land by setting up a front company called Western Farm Products LLC so that local people would not suspect that a rock quarry was about to settle among them. Many in the community were further incensed when Hoover posted no-trespassing signs along the property line in what appeared to be an effort to deter opponents from investigating the property for Indian burials and artifacts. People with homes and farms surrounding the proposed quarry believe that their property values will plummet. They ask, Who will want to buy homes on land near a rock crusher and asphalt plant? Neighbors and outdoorsmen object because of the impact of the quarry on the natural resources of the area fields, forests, streams and clean air. How will air pollution affect lives of the young and the elderly? http://www.tennessean.com/article/20110713/OPINION03/307130073/Lines-drawn-over-Castalian-Springsquarry?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|Opinion|p

Guest columnist: (Tennessean)

Hoover

will boost

local

economy, be

good

neighbor

The proposed Hoover quarry in Sumner County will bring a number of economic benefits. Often in the midst of the hue and cry of land-use controversies, the important benefits of locally owned businesses and the opportunities they bring are forgotten. The benefits of this business are quite evident. The federal government has reported the number of jobs created nationally during June 2011 was a dismal 18,000. In May, the number 12

was only 25,000. Part of the reason for these shockingly low numbers is continuing job layoffs across our country, including Middle Tennessee. The proposed Hoover quarry would create an estimated 125 good-paying jobs, with excellent benefits and an annual payroll of close to $5 million. In turn, this money will be spent in the local community and help to improve economic conditions in Sumner County and Middle Tennessee. The materials produced by the quarry site are necessary for the construction, development and future growth not only of Sumner County but Middle Tennessee. Construction is an important part of our regional economy, and quarries provide the raw materials needed for more jobs in the construction industry. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20110713/OPINION03/307130074/Hoover-will-boost-local-economy-goodneighbor?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|Opinion|p

Editorial: Early Goodyear closing a big economic blow to Northwest Tenn. (J. Sun)
News of the final closing of the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company in Union City came as a shock on Sunday. Earlier this year, the company announced that tire production would end by the end of 2011. For it to end six months earlier than anticipated is disappointing, and it is sure to be a shock to Northwest Tennessee. Goodyear had employed about 1,900 people at its Union City manufacturing plant, and it had been the areas largest employer for decades. The company said it would continue to pay workers for 60 days. Saturday night-shift workers were told to take their personal belongings with them on Sunday morning and that their jobs were terminated. That had to come as a terrific shock. Other workers were notified to come pick up their personal belongings on Monday. Adding 1,900 people to Northwest Tennessee unemployment rolls will be a serious blow to the area economy. Union City has a population of about 10,500, and the surrounding counties are mostly rural. Replacing that many jobs could take years. There is some hope that a large number of jobs will be created at the new Cates Landing port on the Tennessee River in Lake County. But that facility will not be operational for many months. http://www.jacksonsun.com/article/20110712/OPINION/110712007/Early-Goodyear-closing-bigeconomic-blow-Northwest-Tennessee

Times Editorial: Chuck? Hes not talking (Chattanooga Times Free-Press)

No one should be surprised that Rep. Chuck Fleischmann wouldnt speak directly to Chris Carroll, this newspapers reporter, on Monday about a possible 2012 re-election campaign. Thats nothing unusual. Fleischmann, it is increasingly evident, refuses to talk to constituents or anyone else. Carrolls query prompted by a New York Times story about opposition to Fleischmann next year was answered, instead, in an email from Jordan Powell, a spokesman for the congressman. Right now, the correspondence read, were worrying about the deficit, cutting spending and getting our financial house in order. Were not thinking about politics. Thats disingenuous, to say the least. Theres strong evidence to the contrary. A Federal Election Commission report itemizes $102,674 raised for a potential 2012 campaign. Given that and continuing fund-raising efforts, its clear that someone in the Fleischmann camp is thinking about politics and getting its own financial house in order, regardless of the congressmans silence and the rhetoric flowing from his office. http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2011/jul/13/chuck-hes-not-talking/?opiniontimes

Jim Leonhirth: Local push may spark better diets (Daily News Journal)
As debate continues about appropriate funding for health care and medical services in the United States, few seem to argue against the notions that preventing illness is cheaper than treating illness and that good nutrition is a key component of a healthy lifestyle. Specifics about addressing those notions, however, quickly fall victim to political, economic, ideological and even scientific debate. A coalition of food industries, restaurant chains and media companies, for example, plans to lobby against proposed voluntary federal guidelines for marketing of food products to children, the Washington Post reported last weekend. Among the goals of the guidelines is the reduction of salt and added sugars and fats in food and drinks targeted to children, and the guidelines specifically target the advertising of the products. Opponents of the guidelines, including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, contend that they pose First Amendment problems, and, more importantly, could result in the loss of jobs in the affected industries. The United States, however, has a problem with obesity and specifically a problem with children being obese. http://www.dnj.com/article/20110713/OPINION02/107130305/Leonhirth-Local-push-may-spark-better-diets

Editorial: Suffering in the Parched South (New York Times)

Right now, the official drought map of the United States looks as if it has been set on fire and scorched at the bottom edge. Scorched is how much of the Southeast and Southwest feel, in the midst of a drought that is the most extreme since the 1950s and possibly since the Dust Bowl of the 1930s. The government has classified 13

much of this drought as D4, which means exceptional. The outlook through late September shows possible improvement in some places, but in most of Texas, Oklahoma, southern Arkansas, and northern Louisiana and Mississippi the drought is expected to worsen. Dry conditions began last year and have only intensified as temperatures rose above 100 in many areas. Rain gauges have been empty for months, causing a region-wide search for new underground sources of water as streams and lakes dry up. The drought is produced by a pattern of cooling in the Pacific called La Nia. A cooler ocean means less moisture in the atmosphere, which shuts down the storms shuttling east across the region. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/13/opinion/13wed4.html? ref=todayspaper (SUB)

###

14