SATURDAY, JULY 16, 2011 Video: Gov.

Bill Haslam on the future of Tennessee under Republican leadership

http://www.tennessean.com/videonetwork/1058509383001?odyssey=mod|tvideo|news

At Statesmen's Dinner, Republicans urged to flip Obama's slogan (Tenn./Cass)

The campaign slogan President Barack Obama rode to victory three years ago is one Republicans should flip its head in 2012, Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels told a large crowd of Republicans in Nashville on Friday. Daniels sa the presidents campaign slogan, Change You Can Believe In, is an empty phrase that can mean whatever t listener invests in it. Other speakers celebrated the partys gains in the state in 2010, including the election Gov. Bill Haslamand the pickup of three congressional seats, which gave Republicans a 7-2 edge ove Democrats in the states U.S. House delegation. But they also looked ahead to 2012, when congressional a state House seats will be up for election again, Corker will be seeking a second term, and a GOP standard-bear to be determined will try to unseat Obama. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20110716/NEWS02/307160049/At-Statesmen-s-Dinner-Republicans-urged-fl Obama-s-slogan-its-head?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|News|s

GOP Leaders Gather For Statesmen's Dinner (W TVF-TV Nashville)

GOP leaders from around the state and beyond gathered for the 35th annual Statesmen's Dinner on Friday nig Governor Bill Haslam was joined by his counterpart from Indiana, Governor Mitch Daniels. State Republican Chairman Chris Devaney praised Daniels for his work in Indiana, calling him a "serious voice in getting o country's fiscal house in order" Haslam spoke with reporters before dinner, and fielded questions about the ne pay raise policy, that kept many state workers from getting a raise because of past demerits. Everybody got a rai except for those people who'd been demoted, suspended or two written warnings... I don't think that's setting th high of a bar. And one of the things we want to do in government service is make certain we're rewarding tho people doing a great job. And to do that you have to make decisions and I'm very comfortable with the one made.http://www.newschannel5.com/story/15091857/gop-leaders-gather-for-statesmens-dinner

Tennessee getting 'steady' interest from firms looking to locate here (N-S/Clayton)

Double-digit unemployment is still hitting many areas in East Tennessee, but the state is receiving "stead inquiries from companies interested in locating here, Assistant Commissioner of Economic and Commun Development Kingsley Brock said Thursday. Brock spoke to about 100 business leaders and local officials fro East Tennessee at the 2011 Monroe and Loudon counties Industry Appreciation Day held at the Tellico W e Conference Center in Vonore. "The last three years have been difficult, but right now we have a good flow projects and expansions across the state," Kingsley said. "But I am excited about the future." He said that contra to rumors, the state is still trying to lure companies to locate in Tennessee, but has increased its work with existi industries who may expand. The department has increased its regional districts from three to nine to allo directors to work on more local issues. Statewide, the administration has established a Jobs for Tennessee Plan. http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2011/jul/15/outlook-for-jobs-addressed/

Read Tennessee Encourages Early Grades Reading (Clarksville Online)

The Tennessee Department of Education announced today the launch of ReadTennessee.org, a website that w help teachers, parents, and community members understand new curriculum standards and increas expectations for learning. The online toolkits provide information on promoting early grades reading a accelerating student achievement for young students across the state. Research has shown that if children do n read on grade level by third grade, they may never catch up with their peers, Tennessee First Lady Crissy Hasla

said. ReadTennessee.orgs tool kits offer resources to parents, teachers and community members to help improve early childhood literacy making our children competitive for college and prepared for a high qua workforce. Read Tennessee provides an easy to navigate resource for teachers, families and commun members to utilize in the classroom and at home. Each section compiles information, activities, and tools to he inspire young children to engage and develop early grades reading and learning skills. These tools will he teachers create more challenging lessons, guide parents and guardians in better understanding what their ch might be learning and doing at different stages of his/her development, and encourage community members to g informed and get involved in motivating our children towards successful futures. http://www.clarksvilleonline.com/2011/07/15/read-tennessee-encourages-early-grades-reading/

Smelcer, Taylor families wish $10K reward was offered (Times-Gazette)

Gov. Bill Haslam offered rewards Tuesday in three separate criminal cases involving Tennessee women, includi a $10,000 reward in the case of Shelbyville teacher Shelley Mook. But the announcement was bittersweet for t families of two other missing persons from Shelbyville. Bobby Smelcer, 52, went missing last November. Anton Taylor, 21, hasn't been seen since September 1999. The Smelcer family has petitioned District Attorney Charl Crawford for assistance and has made dozens of calls to Haslam's office. Repeated attempts "I called him the fi day he was in office," said Kristy Ray of her calls to the governor's office. "They told me they were giving m request a 'high priority.'" Ray is a sister of Smelcer. "How do they determine how much a person's life is worth said Karen Harris, another sister in Smelcer's large family. "The governor's office called us this (Thursday) morni and said they were not going to grant a $10,000 reward for Bobby Smelcer," Sgt. Brian Crews, a Shelbyville poli detective, said. http://www.t-g.com/story/1744665.html

Pick Tennessee helps Market Park in Athens celebrate grand opening (TFP/Leach)

More than 200 people celebrated the grand opening of Athens Market Park, braving heavy rains and taking shel in the parks recently built pavilion. Pick Tennessee Products, a Tennessee Department of Agriculture progra created to promote locally grown produce, co-hosted the Thursday evening celebration as part of its 25 anniversary tour. Market Park was selected as only one of 10 tour sites statewide. We selected Market Pa because of its innovative design and because its a true farmers market, said Tammy Algood, spokeswoman Pick Tennessee Products. Algood praised the work of Athens Parks & Recreation in ensuring that real farme offered their produce at Market Park, as opposed to people who sell second-hand produce that could come fro anywhere. W e are here to tell people that the farmers market should be their summertime supermarket, Algo said. http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2011/jul/16/pick-tennessee-helps-market-park-athens-celebrate-/?loca

TDOT to lose $51.9 million in federal funds (Associated Press)

The Tennessee Department of Transportation will have to do without about $52 million in additional federal fund Commissioner John Schroer said Friday that the money will be rescinded from the departments federal allocati of funds for fiscal year 2011. A rescission of funds means that federal dollars promised to Tennessee have be canceled. Schroer said 50 percent of the departments budget comes from the federal government, so t departments resources will be significantly impacted. But he said he doesnt intend to make cuts anywhere th would delay the delivery of projects that are ready to go. The Full-Year Continuing Appropriations Act, 201 contains a $2.5 billion rescission of unobligated balances of funds apportioned to the states, of which Tennessee share is $51.9 million. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20110716/NEWS/307160019/TDOT-lose-51-9-million-federal-funds? odyssey=mod|newswell|text|News|s

GOP creates pro-gun group (Knoxville News-Sentinel/Humphrey)

Facing criticism for failure to expand gun owner rights this year, Republican state legislators have established task force to set an agenda for passage of pro-gun legislation next year. All seven members of the Republic Caucus Firearms Task Force, appointed last week by House Majority Leader Gerald McCormick, are outspok proponents of Second Amendment rights. Two of the members are Rep. Andy Holt, R-Dresden, w unsuccessfully sponsored a "guns on campus" bill this year, and Rep. Josh Evans, R-Greenbrier, who h unsuccessfully sponsored "guns in cars" bills. The latter proposal would mandate that employers allow handg permit holders to bring their weapons to work, so long as they remain in the permit holder's vehicle. Som companies prohibit guns in employee parking lots. The task force is chaired by Rep. Curry Todd, R-Colliervi who successfully sponsored "guns in bars" legislation in 2009 to allow those with carry permits to take th weapons into establishments where alcoholic beverages are served. 2

http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2011/jul/15/gop-creates-pro-gun-group/

Protesters who disrupted Senate hearing acquitted (Associated Press/Loller)

Seven protesters who disrupted a state Senate committee hearing in March have been acquitted of resisting arre and disorderly conduct charges. "We argued they were exercising their First Amendment rights, and we think t First Amendment is really important," said defense attorney Jay Steed, who represented the group in Davids County General Sessions Court with partner Jonathan Farmer. Judge Casey Moreland found the group not gu on Friday. The seven men and women who were arrested on March 15 were mostly students from the University Memphis who were at the Capitol to denounce a bill to strip teachers of their collective bargaining rights. Th were among a group that stood up during a Senate hearing to chant about "union busting" by the Legislature. Mo demonstrators left the hearing room after a half-hour, but a small group tried to lock arms to keep from bei removed. Troopers pulled the holdouts out of the room one by one, while lawmakers, lobbyists and other observe looked on. A bill replacing teachers' collective bargaining rights with a concept called collaborative conferenci was later passed and signed into law. http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2011/jul/15/protesters-who-disrupted-senate-hearing/

Civil War anniversary boosts tourism in Franklin (Nashville Business Journal)

Civil War landmarks from the Battle of Franklin are seeing an uptick in visitors in 2011 as the nation celebrates t 150th anniversary of the war. Visitors at Carnton Plantation, The Carter House and the Lotz House have grow significantly compared to previous years, according to tourism officials. The Battle of Franklin has been called t five bloodiest hours of the Civil War. Two historic Franklin sites witnessed that devastation firsthand. E Jacobson, chief operating officer and historian for the Battle of Franklin Trust, anticipates 80,000 visitors to T Carter House and Carnton Plantation this year, an increase he also attributes to a marketing blitz and increas awareness of Franklins Civil War participation. The increase marks about a 15 to 20 percent increase in visito from last year for both sites. Jacobson expects the growth to continue as the city prepares for the 150 anniversary of the Battle of Franklin, which took place in 1864. http://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/print-edition/2011/07/15/civil-war-anniversary-tourism-franklin.html (SUB)

Torrence resigns; Arriola in cross hairs (Tennessean/Haas)

As District Attorney General Torry Johnson closed an investigation into one elected official Friday, he announc plans to launch another inquiry into a second officeholder. During a news conference, Johnson said he will be me next week with officials from the TBI and the Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury to investigate Davids County Clerk John Arriolas practice of pocketing $40 for marriages he performs and the employment of h campaign treasurer, whose work for the office has been difficult to determine. At the same news conferenc Johnson announced that his investigation into Criminal Court Clerk David Torrence ended with Torrence resignation Friday morning after his office found that Torrence averaged no more than a 19-hour workweek for t last 2 1/2 years. Had Torrence not resigned, Johnson would have sought to oust him with a rarely used state la allowing judges to unseat court clerks. Weve certainly had a run of bad luck, Johnson quipped. Neither Arriola Torrence could be reached for comment Friday. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20110716/NEWS/307150099/Torrence-resigns-Arriola-faces-investigation? odyssey=tab|topnews|text|FRONTPAGE

Germantown might consider relocating city hall if price is right (CA/Garlington)

Only one thing prevents the northeast corner of Germantown Road and Farmington Boulevard from being prim real estate for development: Germantown's city hall. If some city leaders have their way, that may not be a proble much longer. Some of the suburb's officials are pushing to hire an outside firm to draw up a master redevelopme plan for the 38 acres making up Municipal Square. If approved, it could clear the way for the city's municipal cen to relocate, probably nearby, and open the high-visibility frontage for sale for mixed use and high-dens development in a city that has only about 1,000 acres of undeveloped land. "W e need to be prepared when t (real estate) market changes," says Alderman Mike Palazzolo, who supports the idea. "We would have a gam plan in place for the entire city block on what's off-limits and what's on-limits." No one is discussing a price tag, b the familiar property -- an average of 20,487 vehicles drive past each day -- has attracted the eye of at least o unidentified investor. http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2011/jul/16/open-to-offers/

Drug court program succcessful, representative says (Times-Gazette)

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The director of drug court for the 12th Judicial District told Bedford County commissioners this week that t program there has been a success, with 92 percent of participants remaining out of legal trouble for at least tw

years after completion, and that it is a dramatic cost savings when compared to jail. Ken Stewart of Centerston who has spoken to local officials about starting a drug court program here, introduced Ken Bailey, director of t 12th Judicial District Drug Court based in Winchester.. The program has existed since 2005. It isn't yet available all of the counties of the 12th District, but is expanding into new counties this year. Bedford County is in the 17 judicial district. Drug court is an alternative sentencing program for those whose crimes are related to drug alcohol abuse. Bailey said each jurisdiction can set its own rules and guidelines for drug court but described t way the program works in his community. http://www.t-g.com/story/1744662.html

Federal Cuts Shouldnt All Be Immediate: Cooper (WPLN-Radio Nashville)

Nashville Congressman Jim Cooper says whatever deal emerges to bring down federal debt should be a phased over several years. Cooper says otherwise budget cuts risk undermining Americas fragile economic recovery. T federal government can be a huge driver for jobs, demand and economic growth. So cutting the federal budg could also hurt the economy. Cooper says that makes it better to use gentle medicine right now, and save t harsher stuff for a couple years out when the economy is strong enough to take it. And that would mean putting number of the cuts in the out years, so youre not reducing a demand in our economy right now in this cruc stage. I am hopeful that Congress will be able to able to fine-tune a proposal like that, but right now Congress even having trouble agreeing on what day of the week it is. If lawmakers and the president dont settle on a de soon, Cooper figures a U.S. default will drive up the cost of borrowed money. Cooper says America cant affo that, and labels that outcome a catastrophe. http://wpln.org/?p=28863 http://wpln.org/?p=28863

Duncan, others don't like what they see with debt limit talks (News-Sentinel/Collins

U.S. Rep. John J. Duncan Jr. has voted against increasing the national debt limit numerous times during t quarter-century he has served in Congress. So W hite House and congressional negotiators trying to strike a de that would keep the country from defaulting on its financial obligations should not count on his support. "I rea doubt they are going to produce a bill that I can vote for," the Knoxville Republican said, "because what I'm seei is, even if they do reach some kind of agreement, they are going to be talking about cuts that are eight or 10 yea down the road. And I don't think I can support something like that." U.S. Rep. Chuck Fleischmann, R-Ooltewa said he's keeping an open mind, but so far, he has yet to see any proposal that he would support to raise t national debt limit. "Right now, I'm a very, very firm no vote," the freshman lawmaker said. http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2011/jul/15/duncan-others-dont-what-they-see-debt-limit-talks/

GOP bill would eliminate airport subsidies to Jonesboro, Jackson (CA/Sullivan)

Airports in Jackson, Tenn., and Jonesboro, Ark., would lose their Essential Air Service subsidies because of th proximity to Memphis under a bill introduced today extending Federal Aviation Administration programs for the 21 time. U.S. Rep. John Mica, R-Fla., the chairman of the Transportation Committee, introduced a bill that modifi his earlier proposal to scrap Essential Air Service subsidies to 110 rural airports, including Muscle Shoals, Ala.; H Springs, El Dorado, and Harrison, Ark.; Tupelo, Greenville, Hattiesburg and Meridian, Miss.; and Cape Girardea Mo. Under the new proposal, just 13 airports would lose the subsidy either because it costs more than $1,000 p passenger to provide service to those airports or because they are within 90 miles of a large or medium airp hub. The airport in Ely, Nevada, for instance, receives $3,720 per passenger to maintain its service and would lo the subsidy under Micas plan. The elimination of the 13 airports would save $16.6 million a year.. http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2011/jul/15/gop-bill-would-eliminate-airport-subsidies-jonesbo/

No Matter How Debt Debate Ends, Governors See More Cuts for States (NY Times)

The rancorous debate in Washington over whether to raise the federal debt ceiling is alarming many of the nation governors from both parties, who fear that whatever the outcome, much-needed money will almost certainly drained from their states. If the federal debt limit is not raised, several governors said as they gathered here Friday for the semiannual meeting of the National Governors Association, the ensuing default will harm t economy, make it difficult for states to borrow money and delay some of the vital federal payments that stat count on for everything from Medicaid to unemployment benefits But even if the debt ceiling is raised, as ma governors expect it ultimately will be, states could still pay a high price. Both Democrats and Republicans Washington want to pair any increase in the debt limit with deep new spending cuts cuts that many governo fear will hurt their states as they are still recovering slowly from the Great Recession. If I can use a whitewa analogy here, the two rocks we need to shoot between is, on the one side, being needlessly driven into defau which will kill the jobs recovery, said Gov. Martin OMalley of Maryland, the chairman of the Democratic Governo Commission. The other rock is massive public sector cuts, by whatever name, that would also kill the jo 4

recovery.http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/16/us/politics/16governors.html?hp

TVA says all damaged transmission lines now replaced (Associated Press)

The Tennessee Valley Authority says it has repaired or replaced the last two transmission lines damaged by t April 27 storms. Both are located exiting the Widows Creek Fossil Plant in Bridgeport. TVA crews and contracto worked days, nights and weekends to put the utility's transmission line back in service. The last two 500-kilov lines and three 161-kilovolt lines in north Alabama were placed back into service in early July. TVA had dama across north Mississippi, Alabama and into parts of Tennessee. Workers restored 108 transmission lines. The j required 1.4 million pounds of steel and 275 miles of wire to replace the 353 transmission structures a transmission line that were destroyed in the storm. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20110715/NEWS11/110715007/TVA-says-all-damaged-transmission-linesnow-replaced?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|News|s

Cracker Barrel Shrinks HQ (WPLN-Radio Nashville)

Cracker Barrel is announcing layoffs at its corporate headquarters in Lebanon. The restaurant chain is cutti costs and streamlining management. Cracker Barrel is eliminating roughly 60 positions. Board chairman Micha Woodhouse says in a statement the job cuts are difficult decisions. He blames rising commodity costs expect next year as well as customers who still face economic uncertainty. Cracker Barrels sales have been relatively fl Affected employees are receiving severance pay, which will cost the company between $4-$5 million. Wh moving toward a leaner headquarters, Cracker Barrel continues to grow, with more than 600 stores in 42 state The company reports adding 1,200 restaurant jobs this http://wpln.org/?p=28818 year.

Cracker Barrel cuts 60 jobs (Nashville Post/De Lombaerd)

Saying its operating structure has become more efficient since the Great Recession started, Cracker Barrel O Country Store this morning announced it has laid off about 60 managers and staff members. The majority of t cuts have taken place at the company's Lebanon headquarters. The move will generate annual pre-tax savings about $10 million but will trim between $4 million and $5 million from the company's operating profits during t fiscal fourth quarter. (It's the second one-time charge that will come with this quarter's numbers: Cracker Barrel la week said it had revamped its bank credit line, which will also cost it about $5 million in fees.) The diffic decisions announced today were made as part of the annual business planning process for our 2012 fiscal yea said Chairman and CEO Mike Woodhouse. Our customers continue to face a challenging economic environme and our Company will continue to face commodity cost increases next year. http://nashvillepost.com/news/2011/7/15/cracker_barrel_cuts_60_jobs

Despite incentives, electric cars get slow start (Tennessean/Williams)

A push to electrify the cars Americans drive has lots of federal dollars behind it, but questions over whether the will be enough charging stations to refuel the vehicles quickly and other factors are threatening to short-circ buyer interest. As Nissan, Ford, Mitsubishi and other automakers roll out all-electric vehicles, a debate rages ov evolving standards for recharging stations, which have been slow to materialize on U.S. highways, as well as t limited distances that the Nissan Leaf and some other models can travel before needing more juice. EVs are harebrained scheme, said Bonner Cohen, senior fellow for environmental and energy issues for the Nation Center for Public Policy Research. The government can set a goal to sell a certain amount of battery-power cars by a certain date, but will the demand be there for those cars? http://www.tennessean.com/article/20110716/BUSINESS03/307160038/Despite-incentives-electric-cars-get-slow start?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|News|s

School going down (Chattanooga Times Free-Press/Higgins)

The Bradley County Board of Education has authorized the demolition of the tornado-damaged Blue Sprin Elementary School building. At its Thursday night meeting, the board also authorized schools Director John McDaniel to formalize what he said is an oral agreement to buy 20 acres on which to build a new Blue Sprin school. The site, on Blue Springs Road, has been offered for sale at $13,000 an acre for a total of $260,000 pl closing costs. The transaction is contingent on soil tests, officials said. Those were among several steps taken help the school system recover from the April 27 tornadoes and storms. Meanwhile, work is under way to prepa storm-damaged Michigan Avenue Elementary School to be ready for classes in August. Classrooms will be read Principal Robert Brittingham said. But morning and evening traffic patterns will change, he said, because one 5

the two driveways is blocked for gymnasium construction. http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2011/jul/16/school-going-down/?local

2 accused of making meth (Jackson Sun)

Deputies responding to possible overdose discover meth chemicals Sheriff's deputies have arrested two people drug charges after responding to a report of a possible drug overdose Wednesday at a residence on Low Brownsville Road, according to a news release from the Jackson-Madison County Metro Narcotics Unit. Jam Michael Garst, 42, was charged with two counts of initiation of methamphetamine manufacture, two counts possession of drug paraphernalia and aggravated burglary. He was arraigned in Madison County Gene Sessions Court and is being held on a $30,000 bond. Lisa Marie Horne, 31, was charged with initiation methamphetamine manufacture and possession of drug paraphernalia. She was arraigned in Madison Coun General Sessions Court and is being held on a $20,000 bond. The release said that on Wednesday, deputies we dispatched to 216 Lower Brownsville Road in reference to a possible drug overdose. Deputies arrived to fi emergency workers giving care to Garst, who was found unresponsive after self-injecting an unknown substan from a syringe. Medical Center EMS then took Garst to Jackson-Madison County General Hospital for treatme The deputies immediately noticed a chemical odor about the property associated with the production methamphetamine, the release said. http://www.jacksonsun.com/article/20110716/NEWS01/107160311/2-accused-making-meth

D.C. Hundreds of Teachers Are Dismissed for Poor Performance (Wall St. Journal)

Washington, D.C., school officials fired 206 teachers on Friday for poor performance and put an additional 528 notice that if they don't improve, they will be gone next year. This is the second year officials have dismiss educators based on a controversial evaluation system that rates teachers, in part, on student test scores. T evaluation program was developed under former schools chancellor Michelle Rhee. "Under any good huma capital system there are going to be people who don't meet our standards, and our children deserve that w operate with a sense of urgency in moving them out," said Kaya Henderson, who succeeded Ms. Rhee chancellor. Ms. Henderson also noted that 663 teachers, out of a total of 4,116, received the highest possib rating and are eligible for bonuses ranging from $3,000 to $25,000. "This is not only about firing teachers," s said. All told, 321 teachers lost their jobs, including 94 who were working on temporary certificates but failed earn permanent licenses. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304203304576448181206833902.html?mod=ITP_pageone_1 (SUBSCRIPTION)

North Dakota: Frigid N.D. Is a Hot Draw For Out-of-State College Students (WSJ)

As a high school senior from Connecticut, Diva Malinowski took a coast-to-coast tour of 10 public universitie bearing acceptance letters from each. She fell in love in Fargo. "The minute I stepped onto campus, I knew th North Dakota State was for me," says Ms. Malinowski, a 21-year-old senior who matriculated from Miss Porte School, a private academy for girls in Farmington, Conn. Ms. Malinowski is evidence of an unlikely trend: t growing allure of higher education in North Dakota. The state ranks 48th in the U.S. at attracting tourists. Its you people routinely flee for warmer or more exciting places. The private sector here, struggling to lure sufficie numbers of workers from elsewhere, is wrestling with labor shortages even amid national unemployment arou 9%. But college students are flocking here in ever greater numbers. Out-of-state students account for about 55% the 14,500 enrolled at North Dakota State University, as well as at similarly sized University of North Dakota Grand Forks. Nonresident students at North Dakota's 11 public colleges constitute a higher ratio than in almo every other state. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304231204576406042109860376.html?mod=ITP_pageone_0 (SUBSCRIPTION)

OPINION Editorial: Survival of area crops good news in costly storms (News-Sentinel)

The lingering effects of last month's violent storms will be with us for a while, visibly and economically, but we c be thankful in many ways that the area's farm produce survived without serious damage. That is good for t growers and producers and for the rest of us who depend on and buy their produce. In fact, the heat wave th brought only a few drops of rain in a two-week period and scorching 90-degree plus weather might have posed greater threat. Area crops also survived the heavy thunderstorms and damaging hail in late April, prompting J Cannon, owner and manager of Dixie Lee Farmers Market in Farragut to note, "Overall, it's been a pretty go growing season." As far as the April hailstorms are concerned, it was early enough to replant, said Emily Gonzale a University of Tennessee Extension agent with the Knox County office. And 15 counties, including Knox, we designated as agricultural disaster areas, enabling farmers to apply for economic assistance. http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2011/jul/15/survival-of-area-crops-good-news-in-costly/

Guest columnist: Debt crisis puts free local television at risk (Tennessean)

Thursdays article from Fred Congdon, executive director of the Association of County Mayors of Tenness concerning improvements of our digital infrastructure and AT&Ts proposed merger with T-Mobile prompted me respond to your readers with more on the subject. Our continued economic development, investment and j creation is critical to our state and the nation, especially during this time of negotiation in W ashington concerni the debt-ceiling crisis. Peoples lives will be impacted with whatever the stability of our economy is. In fa television viewers and radio listeners will soon be notified of yet another way their lives may be affected besid taxes and jobs in these deliberations for our childrens future. Local television is threatened. Viewers who s depend on a free, advertiser-supported medium without subscription could be impacted with a number legislative incentives to acquire current spectrum currently occupied by the television broadcasters. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20110716/OPINION03/307160011/Debt-crisis-puts-free-local-television-risk? odyssey=mod|newswell|text|Opinion|p

Editorial: Teacher layoffs spell great loss (Commercial Appeal)

Cost of losing educators is great: Unexpected events have cost City Schools pupils the benefit of some talent instructors. There's plenty of blame to go around for the staffing quandary Memphis City Schools is in three wee from the start of the new school year. The net result is that students won't get the benefit of instruction from som young, energetic and well- qualified teachers. How MCS got into the fix starts with the decision by the Memp City Council in 2008 to withhold $57 million in funds. Council members had their fingers crossed in the hope th Shelby County would step up and fill the gap because of its constitutional obligation to fund public education. T wish didn't come true. An attempt by MCS to collect the money has not yet succeeded. The city budget for fisc 2012 comes no closer to fulfilling the city's full responsibility to MCS. Add to that the loss of 150 teachers in layo that were made necessary by the budget shortfall and were required, under a traditional union contract, to based on seniority. http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2011/jul/16/editorials-teacher-layoffs-spell-great-loss/

Guest columnist: When Teachers CheatAnd Then Blame the Tests (WSJ)

Only two years ago, Atlanta Public Schools were the toast of the educational establishment. Scores standardized tests had been risingskyrocketing, in some casesfor a decade. In February 2009, schools ch Beverly Hall was feted as national superintendent of the year. Two months later, dozens of Ms. Hall's teachers a principals engaged in the annual ritual required to produce such success: They cheated on the state standardiz test. The difference between 2009 and previous years of cheating (dating back at least as far as 2006, a perhaps 2001) was that reporters at my newspaper, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, questioned the schoo remarkable scores on Georgia's Criterion-Referenced Competency Test. Those articles prompted an investigati by then-Gov. Sonny Perdue, and this month the devastating final report arrived. It uncovered cheating by adults 44 schools, covering 1,508 classesalmost all of them serving low-income, minority students. Many politicia and teachers have responded to the report by blaming the test and accountability measures like No Child L 7

Behind. This is exactly the wrong reaction: Atlanta shows us why public schools need more, not few accountability measures. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303406104576443883731218922.html?mod=ITP_opinion_0 (SUBSCRIPTION) ###