FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2011 Tenn.

in talks with GM over Spring Hill plant (Associated Press/Schelzig)

Gov. Bill Haslam's office confirmed Thursday that the state is in talks with General Motors to expand production at the automaker's Tennessee plant. The state's economic development chief, Bill Hagerty, was in Detroit to meet with GM officials, as were mayors representing communities surrounding the Spring Hill plant that stopped assembling the Chevrolet Traverse in 2009. "We've been having conversations with GM and local officials," Haslam spokesman David Smith said in an email to The Associated Press. "We've heard from the company that the primary factor is a question of vehicle demand increasing rather than incentives." More than 2,000 workers were idled at the plant south of Nashville when production of the Traverse as shifted to Michigan. But it has continued to build engines, and GM last year announced a nearly $500 million investment to manufacture the next generation of the company's Ecotec engine at the complex. The plant turned out more than 3.7 million Saturn cars between 1990 and 2007 before undergoing an overhaul and turning to other production. http://content.usatoday.net/dist/custom/gci/InsidePage.aspx?cId=tennessean&sParam=37464193.story

Alcoa getting 160 full-time jobs, maybe 550 later (Associated Press)
State officials say a company is expanding in Alcoa, Tenn., creating 160 full-time jobs. Officials announced Thursday that TeamHealth plans to expand its corporate operations by leasing a new facility to be constructed at Base Pointe Business Park costing about $18 million. Officials said the expansion could later mean 550 jobs in management, accounting, medical coding, billing and clerical. The Knoxville-based company already employs 400 in Alcoa. http://content.usatoday.net/dist/custom/gci/InsidePage.aspx? cId=tennessean&sParam=37465593.story

TeamHealth expansion in Alcoa will bring 160 jobs (WBIR-TV Knoxville)

160 new jobs are coming to Blount County, with the possibility of hundreds more to come. TeamHealth, which provides medical employees to hospitals, the military, and other organizations, is headquartered in Knoxville, and already employees 400 people at a facility in Alcoa. Now, the company has committed to expanding in Alcoa by leasing a new facility to be constructed at Base Pointe Business Park. The project developers will invest nearly $18 million and create 160 full-time jobs, with the anticipation of growing to 550 jobs in management, accounting, medical coding, billing and clerical. "I appreciate TeamHealth's commitment to and investment in Blount County," Governor Bill Haslam said. "W e will continue to focus on creating a business climate that gives companies the confidence to invest and create jobs as we work toward becoming the No. 1 location in the Southeast for high quality jobs." http://www.wbir.com/news/article/184196/2/TeamHealth-expansion-in-Alcoa-will-bring-160-jobs

TeamHealth to build $18 million facility, add 550 jobs in East Tennessee (TFP/Pare)
A health care company plans to build a new facility and create up to 550 jobs in East Tennessee, officials said today. TeamHealth plans the construction of an $18 million facility in Alcoa, Tenn., outside Knoxville, said Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam. The company will initially create 160 full-time jobs, with the anticipation of growing to 550 slots in management, accounting, medical coding, billing and clerical, officials said. The company was founded in 1979 and is headquartered in Knoxville. TeamHealths more than 6,600 affiliated health care professionals provide emergency medicine, anesthesiology, hospital medicine, and pediatric staffing and management services to more than 700 civilian and military hospitals, clinics and physician groups in 45 states. http://timesfreepress.com/news/2011/sep/15/company-add-550-jobs-east-tennessee/?breakingnews

TeamHealth expansion to generate 550 jobs (Business Clarksville)

TeamHealth will expand its corporate operations by leasing a new facility to be constructed at Base Pointe Business Park in Alcoa. The project developers will invest nearly $18 million and create 160 full-time jobs, with the anticipation of growing to 550 jobs in management, accounting, medical coding, billing and clerical. I appreciate TeamHealths commitment to and investment in Blount County, Said Gov. Bill Haslam said. We will continue to focus on creating a business climate that gives companies the confidence to invest and create jobs as we work toward becoming the No. 1 location in the Southeast for high quality jobs. Under Governor Haslams Jobs4TN plan, our department is committed to helping existing Tennessee businesses expand and remain competitive in our state, EDC Commissioner Bill Hagerty said. This investment represents the types of high-skilled jobs that Tennessee needs to grow our economy. http://businessclarksville.com/2011/09/15/teamhealth-expansion-to-generate-550-jobs-32838/

Haslam Tells Durbin How TN Will Ensure Voters Get Proper Photo ID (TN Report)
Dear Senator Durbin: In response to your letter dated September 8, 2011, we are taking steps to (1) inform registered voters in Tennessee of the new law requiring government-issued photo identification to vote starting in 2012, and (2) insure that registered voters have the proper forms of identification. First, under the law, any form of photo identification issued by the state or federal government, with the exception of student identification cards issued by state colleges or universities, is acceptable. This includes current or expired Tennessee driver licenses or driver licenses from other states, state or federal-issued employee cards (including staff or faculty identification cards issued by state colleges or universities), current or expired military identification cards, veterans cards, U.S. passports and handgun carry permits with photos. Any registered voter who does not have an acceptable form of government-issued photo identification may get a state-issued ID card at no charge at any of the current 48 state driver service centers that issue new licenses. http://www.tnreport.com/2011/09/haslam-tells-durbin-how-tn-will-ensure-voters-get-proper-photo-id/

Governor signs Chronicle)

proclamation

creating

POW/MIA

Recognition

Week

(Leaf

Governor Bill Haslam has proclaimed today to Thursday as POW/MIA Recognition Week, making Tennessee the first state in the union to take such action. Nationally, the third Friday of September has been set aside for years as National POW/MIA Recognition Day in honor of Prisoners of War and soldiers still Missing in Action. For Anthony "A.J." Perrone, that was a start, but not nearly enough. That's why Perrone, a Vietnam veteran, went to the governor for something more. "W e observe one day for POW /MIA's," Perrone said. "These people deserve more than one day of recognition. Those who have not been accounted for, and their families, have lived with this every day for years." Three weeks after Perrone first approached members of the governor's staff, he received a phone call telling him that Haslam had signed the document extending POW/MIA Recognition Day across an entire week. W hen asked if he wanted the document mailed, Perrone drove straight to the Capitol and picked it up himself. http://www.theleafchronicle.com/article/20110916/NEWS08/109160317/Governor-signsproclamation-creating-POW-MIA-Recognition-Week

Tennessee first lady Crissy Haslam reads to students (C. Appeal/Patterson)

Promotes literacy Tennessee first lady Crissy Haslam's first visit to Hamilton Elementary School went largely unnoticed -- she read to a second-grade class the day after President Barack Obama delivered his commencement speech at Booker T. Washington High School. But Thursday afternoon, all 50 or so sets of eyes in the school cafeteria were on her as she read an excerpt from "The Cat W ho Wished to be a Man" by Lloyd Alexander to the same students, now third graders. In her quiet, affable way, the St. Mary's Episcopal School graduate congratulated the students for improving their literacy scores at a higher rate than any of the other 10 schools across the state she has decided to focus on. Before school let out for summer, Haslam challenged the class to read for 20 minutes each day throughout the break. And before she read to them again Thursday, she met with several Hamilton parents to drive her message home. http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2011/sep/16/haslam-reads-to-students/

Crissy Haslam, Anne Davis named Women's Final 4 honorary co-chairs (AP)
Tennessee first lady Crissy Haslam says the Womens Final Four in Nashville in 2014 will leave a historical mark on the city and state. She commented Tuesday as she was named honorary co-chair of the event along with Nashville first lady Anne Davis. There will be a weeklong series of events culminating with the tournament in April at Bridgestone Arena. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20110916/NEWS/309160078/Crissy-Haslam-Anne-Davis-named-W omen-s2

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Grainger woman charged with TennCare fraud (Knoxville News-Sentinel)

A Grainger County woman is charged with TennCare fraud for allegedly using the state's public health care insurance program to obtain prescription drugs, which she later sold. Chrystal M. Crowe, 35, of Rutledge, was arrested on one count of TennCare fraud for presenting a prescription for Roxicodone, a brand version of the painkiller Oxycodone, and using TennCare to pay for the prescription while planning to sell a portion of the drug, according to the Office of Inspector General. The charges could result in a two-year sentence if Crowe is convicted. District Attorney General James B. Dunn is prosecuting. Tennesseans can get cash rewards for TennCare fraud tips that lead to convictions. Report suspected TennCare fraud by calling 1-800-433-3982 tollfree from anywhere in Tennessee, or log on to http://www.tn.gov/tnoig and follow the prompts that read "Report TennCare Fraud." http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2011/sep/15/grainger-woman-charged-with-tenncare-fraud/

Middle TN has seen its share of fraud schemes (Tennessean/Gee)

What do a group of women who started businesses to assist poor, elderly Nashville residents with daily tasks, a minister who prayed with nursing home residents and a psychologist for the military unit portrayed in the movie Black Hawk Down have in common? In the eyes of the law, theyre all criminals. As the Obama administration cranked up efforts this week to find and eliminate billions of dollars in faulty Medicare and Medicaid payments, a review of court cases shows that Middle Tennessee has been home to several fraud schemes in recent years. Some cases involve clearly egregious behavior. A typical example is a person who jumps from location to location, steals doctors provider identification numbers and bills the federal health programs for services that are never provided. Other times, prosecutions involve seemingly well-intentioned people who make bad, and illegal, decisions. Three weeks ago, Glenesha Bowling-Moye and Tabitha Jones were sentenced to 18 and 12 months imprisonment, respectively, on federal health-care fraud and money-laundering charges. The two had pleaded guilty to conspiring to defraud Medicare and TennCare of $1.1 million. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20110916/NEWS/309160080/Middle-TN-has-seen-its-share-fraud-schemes

August unemployment rate drops to 9.7 percent (Associated Press)

Tennessee's August unemployment rate of 9.7 percent decreased slightly from the previous month. July's rate was 9.8 percent. The national unemployment rate for August was 9.1 percent, unchanged from July. State Labor Commissioner Karla Davis says there's a "balance of seasonal hires and layoffs" each year from July to August. She says jobs related to education have started back and temporary hires for the summer are ending. According to a survey of businesses, monthly employment increases came in local government, up 13,600 jobs; administrative, support and waste services, up 6,300; and educational and health services, up 2,200. From July to August, nondurable goods manufacturing decreased by 2,100 jobs; and trade, transportation and utilities was down 2,100. http://content.usatoday.net/dist/custom/gci/InsidePage.aspx?cId=tennessean&sParam=37465901.story

Tennessee unemployment dips in August, first time in a year (Memphis Biz Journal)
Tennessees unemployment rate dropped to 9.7 percent in August, down from 9.8 percent in July, according to figures released today by the Tennessee Department of Labor & Workforce Development. It is the first decrease seen in Tennessee since August 2010, when the rate dropped to 9.6 percent from 9.7 percent the month prior. Each year from July to August we see a balance of seasonal hires and layoffs, Labor Commissioner Karla Davis said. Jobs related to education have resumed and summer temporary hires are ending. According to the departments monthly survey of 10,000 businesses in Tennessee, local educational services jobs increased by 12,100. Service-providing jobs tied to summer work, such as leisure and activity, dropped by 1,800. Retail positions dropped by 800. The national unemployment rate for August stood unchanged at 9.1 percent. http://www.bizjournals.com/memphis/news/2011/09/15/tennessee-unemployment-dips-in-august.html

Unemployment Drops Slightly in Tennessee, Still Above National Rate (WPLN)

3

Tennessees jobless rate dipped slightly in the month of August. Unemployment is at 9.7 percent, still well above the national rate of 9.1. Theres often a shift from July to August as summer jobs end and positions related to education pick back up, says state Labor Commissioner Karla Davis. And the improvement while just a tenth of a point is Tennessees first month-to-month decrease in a year. It still leaves roughly one-in-ten jobless. Laquinta Henderson of Nashville is an out-of-work nurses aid with five children. You have people thats out here with college degrees who cant find jobs, so if you dont have that, and you just have a high school diploma like me, you dont really have any luck. Its hard. Im thinking about going back to school. Henderson says shes considered moving out of Tennessee to look for work. W hile the states unemployment rate was better than the country as a whole for several years, that changed in 2010. http://wpln.org/?p=30266

Residents get update on Velsicol cleanup (Times Free-Press/Pantazi)

The Tennessee Department of Health is analyzing thousands of pages of data to determine whether the defunct Velsicol Chemical plant in South Chattanooga is harming local residents. Bonnie Bashor, the director of the Environmental Epidemiology Program at the Health Department, hosted a meeting Thursday at the Bethlehem Center in Alton Park explaining the health assessment process. Were working as fast as we can go, Bashor said. But we want to do it right. Bashor and her staff will spend the next few months looking at data to determine if the current cleanup plan is sufficient or if more drastic measures need to be taken. The plant site, which already has had 24 million pounds of pollution removed, was given a permit saying that two feet of dirt needs to cover the polluted ground, but local activists say that isnt enough. Instead, activist Jeremy TallmanGazaway said workers should put a high-density polyethylene liner under two feet of compacted clay and twomore feet of soil to prevent groundwater contamination. http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2011/sep/16/residents-get-update-velsicol-cleanup/?local

UTC looks back on 125 years (Chattanooga Times Free-Press/Trevizo)

The first building on the current UTC campus was described by a reporter in 1886 as a light upon a hill, symbolizing a beacon of opportunity for the region. But not for the local black community, at least not until 1963, when Horace Traylor became the first black to enroll in the school. Black Chattanoogans saw this university as an upstart Crow, beautified with our feathers, Traylor said, using dramatist Robert Greenes assessment of fellow playwright Shakespeare, whom he didnt like and accused of plagiarizing. Ex-slaves got to build this universe, children of slaves swept its halls, cooked its food, cut its grass, cleaned its classrooms, said Traylor, yet it took 83 years before this universe admitted its first black student. On Thursday, Traylor, who graduated in 1965 and was the first black to do so, was the keynote speaker during the celebration of UTCs 125th anniversary. The event also marked the 50th year since the integration of Chattanooga City College where Traylor served as president with the University of Chattanooga and the University of Tennessee. http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2011/sep/16/utc-looks-back-125-years/?local

MTSU debuts $4.4M cow-friendly dairy farm (Daily News Journal)

The dairy cows won't come home until early morning Tuesday but an estimated 300 dignitaries, MTSU graduates, students, faculty and staff members and interested citizens celebrated the official opening of the university's new dairy facility Thursday afternoon. "Thank ya'll for being here," said an obviously ecstatic Warren Gill, director of the School of Agribusiness and Agriscience. "What a wonderful crowd. I can't believe it." Emcee John Hood reminded those in attendance that it was 10 months to the day since the groundbreaking of the $2.7 million state-of-the- art-dairy on Guy James Road. "(It) is the most visible part of an almost $4.4 million investment in our farm campus," MTSU President Dr. Sidney McPhee said. He announced that with all the improvements on the 435 acres previously known as the Guy James farm, "Today, we are going to re-brand this farm with the name MTSU School of Agribusiness and Agriscience Experiential Learning and Research Center." MTSU's president said the new name captures the wonderful student-centered work that is already happening on the farm everyday. http://www.dnj.com/article/20110916/NEW S07/109160313/MTSU-debuts-4-4M-cow-friendly-dairy-farm-? odyssey=tab|topnews|text|FRONTPAGE

Ramsey disputes claims photo ID law will disenfranchise voters (CP/W oods)
A scoffing Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey dismissed claims that the states new photo ID law will disenfranchise voters and pledged to personally help anyone even Democrats obtain the proper identification if need be. All thats just hypothetical, Ramsey said of Democratic contentions that tens of thousands of the poor and elderly will be turned away at the polls in next years elections when photo ID is required. Would-be voters without 4

acceptable government-issued photo ID reportedly have waited three or four hours for the free identification cards now offered at state driver service centers. But Ramsey said he is skeptical that many people have waited so long. I feel confident that if someone would call and let us know that they are going to have to stand in line for three hours, well make sure that they get a photo ID, Ramsey told reporters. So when you hear about one of those cases, please call my office and well go pick them up and take them. http://nashvillecitypaper.com/content/city-news/ramsey-disputes-claims-photo-id-law-will-disenfranchise-voters

Harwell Doubts GOP Will Consolidate Turf in Redistricting (WPLN-Radio Nashville)

Tennessee House Speaker Beth Harwell is downplaying concerns the redistricting process could undermine some fellow Republicans. Republicans control the redistricting process, and many expect them to slot multiple Democrats into the same districts, forcing them to run against each other. This week House Democratic Caucus Chair Mike Turner suggested shrinking populations in rural areas could also force a few seated Republicans into the same districts as well. Harwell says thats something theyre trying to avoid. When you look at the demographics of this state and certainly it is changing the growth in this state is really the suburban areas around Nashville, which tends to create Republican districts, so I dont have a great deal of concern in that area. Republican lawmakers have said it could be January before they unveil new district plans. http://wpln.org/?p=30268

Reagan Administration Economist Arthur Laffer Speaks at GOP Retreat (TNR)

Economist Arthur Laffer, widely known as the father of supply-side economics, spoke to House Republicans during their retreat this week at Tims Ford State Park. Laffer, a member of President Ronald Reagans economic policy team, talked to the group about Tennessees economic assets, said Rep. Debra Maggart of Hendersonville, the House Republican Caucus chair. Dr. Laffer has a wealth of data, research, knowledge and experience about how the different states compare with one another, she said. One of the focuses he worked on with us was how Tennessee ranks with other states and what makes Tennessee so attractive to people to live here. Were in a central location, we dont have a state income tax, we are a right-to-work state, and states like that tend to have favorable economic outcomes. http://www.tnreport.com/2011/09/reagan-administration-economist-arthur-laffer-speaks-at-gop-retreat/

Midstate still wary of stalled economy (Daily News Journal)

Consumer confidence continues to drop Amid a continued shaky job market, national political gridlock Consumers in Middle Tennessee continue to have negative perceptions about the economy, according to MTSU's latest consumer confidence report. "Any hopes for improvement in consumer confidence during the summer months can be forgotten," said Timothy R. Graeff, director of the school's Office of Consumer Research, who conducted the research. The overall consumer confidence index is now at 27, down dramatically from 63 in May 2011. And it's a notable index, considering two-thirds of the American economy is made up by consumer spending. This local index has been significantly low in recent years, considering that when the economy was booming during the first half of the past decade it was routinely above 300. Pat Duncan, 39, is a U.S. Postal Service worker in Murfreesboro, and his wife is a teacher. http://www.dnj.com/article/20110916/NEW S01/109160308/Midstate-still-wary-stalled-economy-

La Vergne applies for aid from state (Tennessean/Loyal)

Concerned that they may not have enough money to make it through the end of the year, La Vergne officials are applying to the state for a Tax Anticipation Note to keep the city afloat until property taxes are collected at the beginning of next year. The city, which operates a $13.6 million annual budget, has less money coming in than usual, according to City Administrator Steve Mayer. Thats because impact fees, which are paid to the city by developers, have dropped because of the struggling economy. With a bond payment of $800,000 due Oct. 1, only about $700,000 would be left in the citys general fund. Because it takes a little more than $1 million a month to run the city, Mayer said La Vergne is applying for up to $2 million in the Tax Anticipation Note. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20110916/NEWS/309160079/La-Vergne-applies-aid-from-state?odyssey=tab| topnews|text|News 5

Sex offender taken into custody at downtown Knoxville library (NS/Donila)

Knoxville police arrested a sex offender inside the downtown library Thursday morning, just days after Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett implemented a policy to ban offenders from the building. The arrest, however, is only indirectly tied to the new rule. David Michael Jarnigan Jr, 34, was taken into custody around 11 a.m. after a staff member saw him on the first floor of Lawson McGhee Library. Police charged him with a sexual offender registry reporting violation, a felony. According to the Tennessee Sex Offender Registry, Jarnigan was convicted of two counts of statutory rape in late 1996. "I'm just glad another dirt bag is off the street," Burchett said. "It's good solid policy and we've got a great staff that works at our libraries and they do great work." The mayor on Monday said no one on the state's sex offender list is allowed inside county libraries. He said they can still use the system's online services and have a proxy check out and return materials on their behalf. http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2011/sep/16/sex-offender-taken-into-custody-at-downtown/

Corker, Alexander Call for Super Committee to Cut Deeper (WPLN-Radio Nash.)
Tennessees senators are part of a group of about three-dozen calling for big cuts from the so-called super committee. Thats the group tasked with finding more than one trillion dollars in federal cuts this fall. Senator Lamar Alexander signed a letter calling on the super committee to go above and beyond, and cut the deficit by at least four trillion dollars. Thats to send the right message to financial markets. The letter also says a deficit package should grow the economy in the short, medium and long-term. Senator Bob Corker signed that letter as well, arguing dealing with the debt will spur job growth. And the very best jobs and economic package that could possibly happen for this country would be for this super committee to do exactly what this group today assembled is urging them to do. http://wpln.org/?p=30289

Reps bill would undo new rule on unions (Columbia Daily Herald)
U.S. Rep. Scott DesJarlais has introduced a bill to Congress that would reverse a rule requiring employers to post unionization rights on their bulletin boards. The legislation, dubbed the Employer Free Choice Act, would repeal a rule promulgated by the National Labor Relations Board Aug. 25, 2011 that requires employers to prominently display posters containing information on workers rights to unionize and bargain collectively. If not repealed, businesses will be required to have the information posted by Nov. 14. It is unacceptable for the NLRB to force businesses to display posters that serve as nothing more than a de facto endorsement of unionization by the federal government, DesJarlais said in a press release. If employers want to distribute information on the ways employees can unionize, then that should be their choice not Washington bureaucrats. Clearly this arbitrary mandate is simply another favor for big labor made possible by their friends in the Obama administration. http://www.columbiadailyherald.com/articles/2011/09/15/top_stories/02newrule.txt

Tennessee Congressmen Vote to Block NRLB (WPLN-Radio Nashville)

All but one of Tennessees House delegation voted Thursday to block the National Labor Relations Board from ordering businesses to close, relocate or transfer jobs to other sites. The bill is a GOP reaction to a lawsuit the NRLB filed against Boeing this year, which claims the company retaliated against a unionized plant by opening a new facility in a right-to-work state. The overall tally fell largely along party lines, as did much of the Tennessee vote: Republicans for, Democrats against. But Nashville Congressman Jim Cooper was one of only eight Democrats who crossed party lines to vote for the measure. The states other Democrat, Steve Cohen, was the only Tennessee Representative to vote against the bill. http://wpln.org/?p=30287

Alexander behind proposal to cut back NCLB (Times-Gazette)

U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander and two of his GOP colleagues say they want to scale back some provisions of the No Child Left Behind act which are no longer needed, while preserving its testing, accountability and parent information provisions. "It's time to transfer responsibility back to the states and the cities," said Alexander during a conference call with Tennessee reporters on Wednesday. Also on the call were Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.) and Sen. Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) Progress, problems Alexander said much progress has been made under NCLB, with 40 states having adopted Common Core curriculum standards. "Tennessee has new academic standards," said Alexander. "They're much higher than they were before." But Isakson said that as schools improve, the Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) targets become more of a challenge. "There was only a matter of time," said Isakson, "that AYP would be harder and harder to achieve." http://www.t-g.com/story/1763040.html

Area Republicans dubious of presidents jobs act (Times Free-Press/Laslo)

The White House claims President Barack Obamas new jobs legislation can spur economic growth in the region, but Republican lawmakers are dubious. The administration says the American Jobs Act would mean an additional $619 million for Tennessees ailing roads and bridges, and more than $1 billion for infrastructure projects in Georgia. It also would provide hundreds of millions of dollars to modernize schools in the two states. To the GOP the proposal sounds similar to the Democratic presidents $878 billion stimulus bill that they ran against in the 2010 midterm elections. Unfortunately this is more of the same from the president, said U.S. Rep. Chuck Fleischmann, R-Tenn. His focus again is these largesse government programs. The president tried to sweeten the sprawling bill for Republicans by including tax relief. http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2011/sep/16/area-republicans-dubious-presidents-jobs-act/?local

Cost Cuts Would Slow First-Class Mail (Wall Street Journal)

The U.S. Postal Service on Thursday proposed ending one-day delivery of first-class mail as it considered closing more than half of its mail-processing facilities, in the latest retrenchment for the money-losing operation in the face of declining mail volumes. The latest move is expected to save about $3 billion a year and result in the elimination of about 35,000 of its 151,000 mail-processing jobs. The Postal Service said it would work with the union and hoped to avoid layoffs, relying on retirements instead. The postal service currently has 559,000 employees. "We simply need fewer facilities to process less mail," said Megan Brennan, chief operating officer of the Postal Service, at a news conference. The Postal Service said 41.5% of its first-class mail now gets delivered in one day. Doing away with that service would enable workers to sort letters more frequently each day. Processing could start at noon and occur 16 hours a day, instead of from 12:30 a.m. to 7 a.m., the Postal Service said. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424053111903927204576572571491624628.html?mod=ITP_pageone_1 (SUBSCRIPTION)

TVA ash spill trial begins in Knoxville (Associated Press/Poovey)

Federal judge will determine if damages due A federal judge on Thursday began hearing from both sides in the legal battle over whether the Tennessee Valley Authority should pay damages for a huge coal ash spill that fouled a riverside community. At a brief opening session, TVA attorney Edwin Small told U.S. District Judge Thomas Varlan that TVA would land a helicopter in downtown Knoxville if he wanted to visit the spill site. The judge, who ruled on several pending motions, said he understood the offer and would keep it in mind during the two-week bench trial on five lawsuits that cover more than 230 plaintiffs. The trial resumes Monday. Other lawsuits are set for trial in November. The Environmental Protection Agency has described the spill as one of the worst environmental disasters of its kind. TVA has been cleaning up since the Dec, 22, 2008, collapse of an earthen dam spilled 5.4 million cubic yards of sludge from a storage pond at the utilitys coal-fired Kingston Plant on the Emory River about 40 miles west of Knoxville. Its kind of like going out there and looking at a car that has been wrecked after it has been repaired, plaintiff attorney Jeff Friedman of Birmingham jokingly told the judge. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20110916/NEWS/309160054/TVA-ash-spill-trial-begins-Knoxville? odyssey=tab|topnews|text|News

TVA ash spill court cases begin Monday (Knoxville News-Sentinel/Marcum)

Lawyers for TVA and about 230 plaintiffs suing the federal utility over the 2008 Kingston coal fly ash spill met in federal court Thursday to work out ground rules for the long-awaited trial that will determine damages and begins Monday. The trial is expected to last several weeks. U.S. District Court Judge Tom Varlan, said he expects the trial to last at least two weeks and held out the possibility of going five days a week until it concludes. "We will see how it goes for the first two weeks and depending on where we are, we may go to Fridays as well," Varlan told the court. However, those involved say it could take longer. The five lawsuits involved represent more than half of some 400 people who are suing TVA for damages from the environmental catastrophe. The lawyers began squaring off Thursday, arguing procedural points as Varlan began setting boundries for the bench trial. The first week will deal with issues involving TVA's responsibility in the collapse of a dyke that sent 5.4 million cubic yards of coal fly ash into the Emory River and across surrounding countryside on Dec. 22, 2008, and took 7

out several homes. The second phase of the trial will deal with individual claims against TVA. The remaining cases against TVA will be heard in November, Varlan said. http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2011/sep/16/tva-ash-spill-court-cases-begin-monday/

TVA details plans for modifying four dams (Knoxville News-Sentinel/Willett)

TVA officials met with the public Thursday to detail plans for modifying four area dams to better withstand an historic weather event as residents expressed concern about the impact on their property. The open house was held at Louisville Town Hall to gather public comments and provide information on a series of proposed modifications to Cherokee, Fort Loudoun, Tellico and Watts Bar dams. The modifications are designed to protect TVA infrastructure, including nuclear power plants, from a probable maximum flood (PMF). Such a flood might occur once every thousand years or more. TVA is facing a Nuclear Regulatory Commission mandate to provide PMF protection for nuclear plants on the Tennessee River, including the Bellefonte plant in Alabama, which was given a green light for completion by TVA's board in August, said TVA spokesman Bill Sitton. It was during the recent flood modeling required by NRC for the Bellefonte plant that TVA concluded the local dams were not high enough to prevent overtopping during a PMF. http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2011/sep/15/tva-details-plans-for-modifying-four-dams/

ORNL to cut up to 350 jobs to prepare for tight budgets (News-Sentinel/Munger)

The fiscal clampdown in W ashington is being felt in the field. Oak Ridge National Laboratory Director Thom Mason told lab staff Thursday that as many as 350 jobs could be eliminated in coming months as the lab prepares for budget cuts in Fiscal 2012, which begins Oct. 1, and perhaps beyond. ORNL currently employs 4,705 people. The average salary is $90,000. Mason announced a management reorganization, outlined plans for both voluntary and involuntary staff reductions, and indicated that lab officials will also be evaluating the employee benefits packages for other cost cuts. "We've got to demonstrate that we can really produce results in a resource-constrained environment," Mason said in a telephone interview. Mason's staff-wide memo was titled, "Positioning ORNL for the Future." The memo addresses a number of cost-cutting actions to help prepare for anticipated budget impacts in 2012 and 2013. As many as 350 jobs could be eliminated, via voluntary and involuntary reductions, although Mason said the involuntary cuts would not be carried out until a 2012 budget is in hand and the lab knows exactly what funding is available. http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2011/sep/15/ornlcut-350-jobs/

Wright Medical layoffs to affect 40-50 local employees (Memphis Biz Journal)
Between 40 and 50 local employees of Wright Medical Group will be part of the an 80-employee reduction by the Memphis-based orthopedic device company. Wright Medical announced a corporate restructuring plan earlier today that included the job cuts as well as the streamlining of the companys international operations and some of its products. The job cuts will be enacted on a 60 percent/40 percent split across the companys domestic and international operations and will touch every part of the Wright Medicals business except for the sales staff, according to Lance Berry, the companys senior vice president and CFO. W right employs 1,084 people locally and 1,373 people companywide. Wright Medical also reached an agreement with the U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of New Jersey and the Office of the Inspector General of Health and Human Services to extend the companys Deferred Prosecution Agreement until Sept. 29, 2012. http://www.bizjournals.com/memphis/news/2011/09/15/wright-medical-layoffs-to-affect-40-50.html

Wright Medical will cut 80 employees as part of a restructuring (CA/Sells)

Wright Medical Group Inc. said Thursday it will lay off 80 employees as part of a restructuring plan. The Arlington-based medical device manufacturer also announced it has voluntarily extended its deferred prosecution agreement with the federal government for 12 months. The restructuring plan will reduce spending, streamline the companys international operations and product portfolio and review its research and development projects. The company said it had already notified affected employees of the change and has taken steps to ensure a smooth transition. Overall, the cuts will reduce Wrights total workforce of more than 1,300 by 6 percent, according to the company. The first phase of the plan is expected to be completed in the next nine months, the company said. The cuts will come across the business geographically and functionally but would not impact the companys sales force, said Lance Berry, W right chief financial officer. http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2011/sep/15/arlington-tenn-based-wright-medical-will-cut-80-em/

Wright Medical Cutting About 80 Employees (Memphis Daily News)

Arlington-based Wright Medical Group Inc. plans to cut its workforce by 6 percent, or about 80 employees. The global orthopedic medical device manufacturer already has notified employees of the move, part of a cost restructuring plan the company announced Thursday to promote growth, profitability and build shareholder value. Wright expects the first phase of the plan to be completed over the next nine months, with additional phases of the effort to come in 2012 and beyond. Our industry continues to face a challenging economic environment and, after extensive analysis and consideration, we believe this plan will enhance the companys prospects for growth and value creation, said Wrights interim CEO David Stevens. We are taking these actions now to better position the company to grow its earnings in 2012, and we are confident that this plan will result in a leaner, more cost efficient operation, which is in the best interest of our business and all of our stakeholders. Additionally, the company continues to have a strong balance sheet and is positioned well for investments in acquisitions to drive future growth. http://www.memphisdailynews.com/news/2011/sep/16/wright-medical-cutting-about-80employees/

Cash gives himself mostly 'excellent' ratings in evaluation (C. Appeal/Roberts)

The focus was on Supt. Kriner Cash on Thursday as he assessed his leadership in a year that included mammoth political distractions but also highlights Memphis will never forget -- particularly President Barack Obama's visit for Booker T. Washington High's commencement. In his self-evaluation, the first phase of job review, Cash rated himself "good" in six subjective categories and "excellent" in 18 others that include strategic direction, maintaining the community's respect and engaging it in the work of the district. "We describe a lot of phenomenal things happening that aren't happening in other places," he said, ticking off a list that included consolidation and the president's visit but also the "phenomenal" $178 million in scholarships awarded to the class of 2011. "Whitehaven High School had $44 million of that $178 million, a phenomenon within a phenomenon," Cash said. He called the 70.8 percent graduation rate -- up 8 percentage points over last year -one of the highest "in urban school districts in the country, and that is a fact. We expect it to continue to go up, and with that has to come college readiness." http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2011/sep/16/cashs-rating-of-himself-positive/

Hume-Fogg named Blue Ribbon School (Tennessean)

The U.S. Department of Education named Hume-Fogg Academic Magnet High School a 2011 Blue Ribbon School for its high performance. A total of 305 U.S. schools received the designation, awarded for either student performance or closing the achievement gap among races. All of them, 256 public and 49 private, will be honored at an awards ceremony Nov. 14-15 in Washington. Hume Fogg is in the top 10 percent of Tennessees schools for academic achievement. Education Secretary Arne Duncan said the schools selected are committed to accelerating student achievement and preparing students for success in college and careers. Their success is an example for others to follow. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20110916/DAVIDSON/309160050/Hume-Fogg-named-Blue-Ribbon-School? odyssey=mod|newswell|text|News|p

Rhea, Chattooga schools get Blue Ribbon honor (Times Free-Press/Johns)

An elementary school in Dayton, Tenn., and another in Trion, Ga., have been named National Blue Ribbon Schools by the U.S. Department of Education. Trion Elementary in Chattooga County and Frazier Elementary in Rhea County both are listed among the 305 schools to get the designation Thursday. I wouldnt say that I was surprised, but Im pleased that someone else has noticed what weve really known all along, Rhea County Schools Superintendent Jerry Levengood said. Overall, nine Georgia schools and six Tennessee schools made the list, which grades schools based on academic achievement and improvement. Trion and Frazier were the only schools in the Chattanooga area to make the list. Five schools were awarded Blue Ribbons in Alabama, but none were in the northeastern part of the state. Its a hard award to come by, Trion Superintendent Phil Williams said. Its a tremendous award for our school system. http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2011/sep/16/rhea-chattooga-schools-get-blue-ribbon-honor/?local

Hume-Fogg using tattered, duct-taped pre-calculus textbooks (CP/Garrison)

Pre-calculus students at Hume-Fogg Academic Magnet High School are using 13-year-old textbooks that in some cases are bound together by duct tape, the result of teacher preference and budgetary constraints. Ive seen them, and I can confirm they are held together by duct tape, Fred Carr, Metro Nashville Public Schools chief operating officer, told The City Paper. School board member Anna Shepherd at Tuesdays board meeting 9

recounted receiving an email from a Hume-Fogg parent who saw the tattered textbooks at a recent open house and expressed concern about the condition in their exchange. Metro school officials say the Hume-Fogg math team opted to use 1998 pre-calculus textbooks preferring the content instead of 2004 versions that were purchased in 2005 and are in far better shape. Hume-Fogg is believed to be the only Metro school using 1998 pre-calculus textbooks. In all, 244 pre-calculus textbooks published in 2004 are being stored at Hume-Fogg, but are currently receiving no use. The books, which were used for one year, cost Metro $65.95 each, totaling more than $16,000. http://nashvillecitypaper.com/content/city-news/hume-fogg-using-tattered-duct-taped-pre-calculus-textbooks

No decisions yet on outsourcing of Knox County school custodians (N-S/McCoy)

Knox County Schools Superintendent Jim McIntyre anticipates he could make a recommendation to the school board this fall on outsourcing custodial services. "We went through the (request for proposal) process. The Knox County Purchasing Department has identified a bidder and is still in the final negotiations phase of that procurement," McIntyre said this week. In budget talks in March, the superintendent said the system could save more than $1 million by subcontracting some or all of the system's cleaning services. The conversation to outsource, he said, is not because the current custodians aren't doing a good job. "We have very solid custodial services provided here in the Knox County Schools," McIntyre said. "They do a fine job and provide a great service to our school district. W e have an obligation to explore if we can get the same quality at a lower cost and those resources realigned back into the classroom for our children." Since the discussion began, advocates and custodians have voiced opposition about the plan to school board and by picketing outside of meetings. http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2011/sep/16/no-decisions-yet-on-outsourcing-of-knox-county/

Michigan: State beaches could go smoke-free under proposal (MLive)

State beaches could become smoke-free a major shift for Lake Michigan sunbathers that some fear would be unenforceable under a proposal from Gov. Rick Snyder. Snyder unveiled a wide range of ideas to improve Michigan's health, including requiring insurance coverage for autism, participating in insurance exchanges and incorporating body mass index information into the state registry which tracks childhood immunizations. Snyder cited tobacco use as the top cause of preventable death, and said it killed 14,419 Michigan residents in 2009 and costs the state $3.4 billion each year for health care. The state previously banned smoking in most workplaces. State parks currently allow smoking on beaches and in camping areas, Muskegon State Park Manager Kevin Klco said, though it is banned in buildings and state-owned vehicles. Few beachgoers have complained, likely because those who were bothered moved farther down the beach from smokers, he said. Park rangers must witness violations like bringing dogs or glass containers to the beach before they can issue a citation, Klco said. That could make it difficult to enforce a ban when violators can just stub out the evidence, he said. http://www.mlive.com/news/muskegon/index.ssf/2011/09/state_beaches_could_go_smoke-f.html

Texas: U.S. Supreme Court Halts Execution (Associated Press)

The United States Supreme Court Thursday halted the execution of a black man convicted of a double murder in Texas 16 years ago after his lawyers contended his sentence was unfair because of a question asked about race during his trial. The man, Duane Buck, 48, was spared from lethal injection when the justices said they would review an appeal. Two appeals, both related to a psychologists testimony that black people were more likely to commit violence, were before the court. One was granted, the other denied. Praise the Lord! Mr. Buck told a Texas Department of Criminal Justice spokesman. Gods mercy triumphs over judgment. The reprieve came nearly two hours into a six-hour window when Mr. Buck could have been taken to the death chamber. Texas officials, however, refused to move forward with the punishment while legal issues were pending. A similar request for a reprieve was made to Gov. Rick Perry. He was not in the state Thursday and any decision on a reprieve would have fallen to Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/16/us/texas-us-supreme-court-halts-execution.html?_r=1&ref=todayspaper

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OPINION Mark Gwyn: Seizing illegal synthetic drugs needed (Tennessean)

During the last 18 months, Tennessee has seen an explosion in the synthetic drug market. The dangerous drugs quickly grew in popularity as a legal way to get high and act as an alternative to ecstasy, cocaine and other controlled substances. Marketed to young people with their flashy and brightly colored packaging, the recreational drugs commonly known as plant food, bath salts, incense or spice have caused harmful and severe physical and psychological effects in a number of cases. Emergency room physicians have reported seeing patients who have used the products in life-threatening situations. This year, Tennessee closed a legal loophole and made it illegal to produce, distribute, manufacture, offer for sale or sell any product containing synthetic derivatives of methcathinone and synthetic cannabinoids. After the new law went into effect, some tobacco shops and convenience stores continued to market and sell the illegal substances. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20110916/OPINION03/309160061/Seizing-illegal-synthetic-drugs-needed? odyssey=mod|newswell|text|Opinion|p

Editorial: A test for voter ID (Commercial Appeal)

Requiring voters to present photo identification at the polls is an idea that is being promoted primarily by Republican politicians and opposed, for the most part, by Democrats. It's not hard to figure out which party expects to benefit and which expects to lose when voter ID laws go into effect, as a new one will in Tennessee next year. So, politics aside, which course is best for small-d democracy? U.S. Sen. Richard Durbin, uppercase D-Illinois, during an appearance in Tennessee this week argued that the hassle of obtaining photo IDs among older, younger and poorer citizens depresses voter turnout. W ith Democratic Rep. Jim Cooper of Tennessee at his side, Durbin suggested that the civil rights division of the Department of Justice should challenge the law on the ground that it disenfranchises voters. Democrats have seized on that argument for more than altruistic reasons. Older, younger and poor voting blocs lean Democratic. Republicans imply that anyone who opposes photo IDs is not sufficiently concerned about protecting the integrity of elections. http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2011/sep/16/a-test-for-voter-id/

Times Editorial: Dayton, Trion schools honored (Chattanooga Times Free-Press)

Frazier Elementary in Dayton, Tenn., and Trion Elementary School in Trion, Ga., are among the 305 schools 11

named as 2011 National Blue Ribbons Schools by the U.S. Department of Education on Thursday. Designation as a Blue Ribbon school is a signal honor. The two are among the 305 elementary, middle and high schools -256 public and 49 private -- in the nation to be hailed for either their overall academic excellence or for their success in closing achievement gaps, especially among disadvantaged students. Several other schools in Tennessee and Georgia received the award, but none are in the tristate area. The Blue Ribbon awards have been given out for almost three decades as part of the Department of Education's on-going effort to identify and share information about excellence in teaching and in school leadership. The award is among the nation's most prestigious educational honors and competition is rigorous. It should be. The award winners, quite properly, are considered national models that other schools around the country can emulate. http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2011/sep/16/dayton-trion-schools-honored/?opiniontimes

Editorial: A unified voice for the schools (Commercial Appeal)

Districts prepare to merge: On the charter approval question and other matters, MCS and SCS should speak as one. The Memphis and Shelby County public school systems will be one in the fall of 2013. Prospects for the unified district's success will be better if they speak with one voice on state legislative affairs today. Right now it's not clear what that voice will sound like. But as the 2011 gathering of the General Assembly demonstrated with passage of the Norris-Todd law and other measures, state legislation is too important for public education to turn its back on. In appearances before the 2012 General Assembly, district leaders should have the interests of the unified school district in mind. Lobbyists employed to represent public education in Shelby County should be deployed at the direction of both Memphis City Schools and Shelby County Schools. The districts should speak with one voice, for example, regarding efforts by charter school backers to cut local publicly elected school boards out of the charter school approval process by establishing independent boards. http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2011/sep/16/editorials-a-unified-voice-for-the-schools/

Pam Strickland: Sex offender ban may face legal hurdles (Knoxville NewsSentinel)
A state law prompted by a specific problem at a small rural library has led to the creation of a policy by the Knox County Public Library that bans sex offenders from library facilities, which is apparently the most restrictive such rule in the country. Deborah Caldwell-Stone, deputy director of the American Library Association Office of Intellectual Freedom, expressed concern in a telephone interview Wednesday that the policy might violate the organization's Code of Ethics, which emphasizes equality for all patrons. Further, Caldwell-Stone, a lawyer, said the new policy may violate First Amendment right to access to libraries and to enter a library to use its resources. Any restriction on that well-established right must pass strict scrutiny, Caldwell-Stone said, which is not only reasonable but drawn narrowly, and must ensure that the individual has "sufficient alternative means" to access library materials and services. "We are concerned that this policy failed to consider what threat an individual actually poses to children," Caldwell-Stone said. http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2011/sep/16/sex-offender-ban-may-face-legal-hurdles/

Guest columnist: Constitution shines brightly (Tennessean)

Strong enough to withstand ignorance I believe the United States Constitution is indeed far mightier than any individual, any politician or any political party. But things are not looking good. For instance, when the president of the United States refers to the Constitution as a rigid idea in a speech before a televised joint session of the U.S. Congress, a very poor example is set. W hen the mayor of Americas largest city states on live TV that the words separation of church and state are found in the U.S. Constitution, one surmises that he has probably never read the entire document. W hen the Congress cedes law-making authority to unelected boards and commissions in the administrative branch they reveal a profound lack of understanding for their constitutional duties and authority. When lawmakers feel entitled to take over 1/6 of the U.S. free market economy by means of a mammoth law, authority for which is nowhere found in the Constitution and whose corner stone is a mandate that imposes force and penalty on ordinary citizens who have committed no crime or wrong, the superciliousness is profound. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20110916/OPINION03/309160059/Constitution-shines-brightly? odyssey=mod|newswell|text|News|p

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Guest columnist: Nation not on verge of shredding document (Tennessean)

Despite rhetoric from some Tea Party leaders that says the Obama administration is running shod over the Constitution, the nation is not on the verge of shredding the document. Debate over the Constitution, its meaning and how to interpret it is not new nor should it be worrisome. Indeed healthy debate over the nations founding document can be inspiring and educational. So lets try to engage in some. Some Tea Party representatives argue that the Constitution was written primarily for one purpose to limit the federal government. The Constitution does indeed include limits on the federal government. The First Amendment, for example, places limits on the type of speech the government can regulate. The Fourth Amendment limits the governments ability to unreasonably search our homes or seize our property. But the mantra that the Constitution as a whole established a limited, weak national government is overstated at best, disingenuous at worse. The Articles of Confederation, which preceded the Constitution, had set up a weak system a relationship between the states and one central governing body, the Congress, which was comprised of state delegations. Under the Articles of Confederation, there was very little the central body could do in running government. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20110916/OPINION03/309160058/Nation-not-verge-shredding-document? odyssey=mod|newswell|text|Opinion|p

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