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VOL. 39 | NO. 41 | Friday, October 9, 2015

Redshirting: Waiting an extra year to start kindergarten has its risks

Mary-Michael and Joe Horowitz know their son Armour, 5, can handle the academics of kindergarten. But instead of pushing him through to meet state age cutoff standards, they decided to delay his start until next year when he is older and emotionally ready.

Opportunities abound for student with perfect ACT score

Preston Abraham had always imagined he would go to Vanderbilt University after graduating from Goodpasture Christian School in the spring, but it’s not the only dream school in the running anymore.

Akiva looks to broaden geographic reach

At Nashville’s Akiva School, each graduating class creates a gift for the school and future students: framed artwork, a mosaic, a treehouse or a garden.

Middle Tennessee's private school tuition guide

All tuition prices are for the 2015-2016 academic school year unless otherwise noted. Some tuition prices are subject to change. Some schools have additional fees, payment plans and other programs such as need-based financial aid, tuition breaks for siblings or for religion, or other types of aid. Please contact the individual schools for more information. Compiled by Hollie Deese.

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EVENTS

YP Nashville Connect. This after-hours networking event helps young professionals find where they can get connected and involved in the Nashville area. Display booths will be staffed by members of more than 25 young professional organizations that are a part of YP Nashville so you can learn about the benefits and offerings of their organization. Thursday, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Rocketown, 601 Fourth Ave South, Nashville. Information: nashvillechamber.com, 615 743-3063.

more events »

VIEW FROM THE HILL

Metro’s local-hire rule gets battered on many fronts

The ink wasn’t dry on standards for Metro Nashville’s local-hire charter amendment when new Mayor Megan Barry put the measure on hold – despite sizable support in the August election.

REALTY CHECK

Tripped by TRID: New rules, big changes in closing home sales

TRID is upon us. Long live TRID. With the time and money that the industry has invested in crowning this monarch now ruling the real estate closing, the hope is that she will hang around for a while.

TENNESSEE TITANS

Weaker-than-usual AFC South is there for the taking

Some team has to win the AFC South. League rules require it, even if no team truly deserves to go to the playoffs.

UT SPORTS

Vols coach struggling on and off the field

Please, coach. Just say the right thing. Please. Tennessee football coach Butch Jones lost another press conference Monday, two days after his team blew a 14-0 lead and lost to Arkansas 24-20 at Neyland Stadium.

NEWSMAKERS

Dean, Henry, Hyde named to YWCA board

The YWCA of Nashville & Middle Tennessee has elected three new members for the 2015-2016 board term, including former Mayor Karl Dean.

BEHIND THE WHEEL

Kia Sorento becomes more refined, even luxurious

Buyers typically don’t associate Kia with luxury, but its 2016 top-level Sorento SX-Luxury model is so robust in its looks, pleasing in its ride and stocked with features that it feels like a luxury SUV.

GUERRILLA MARKETING

How to avoid destroying trust in the workplace

Company culture can make or break a sales team.

CAREER CORNER

Should credit scores really be used to screen new employees?

The last time you applied for a job, you probably assumed your application and resume were the only things your future employer used to make a decision about whether or not to hire you.

I SWEAR

Yogi’s feats greater than any quotations

For the guy who said “It ain’t over ‘til it’s over,” it’s over. Yogi Berra – catcher, coach, manager and quip-coining character extraordinaire – died Sept. 22 of natural causes. He was 90 years old.

STATEWIDE

Clinton names 46-member leadership team in Tennessee

NASHVILLE (AP) - Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Rodham Clinton has named a 46-member Tennessee leadership team headlined by U.S. Reps. Jim Cooper of Nashville and Steve Cohen of Memphis.

HEALTH CARE

Report: Number of Tennesseans without health insurance drops

NASHVILLE (AP) - A recent annual report has revealed that the estimated number of Tennesseans without health insurance has dropped again.

It's getting harder to sign uninsured up for health care

WASHINGTON (AP) — It's getting harder to sign up the uninsured for health coverage.

UnitedHealth again looks to fast-growing businesses in 3Q

UnitedHealth Group's third-quarter profit slipped, but the nation's largest health insurer still beat Wall Street expectations due partly to fast growth in pharmacy benefits management and other areas outside its core business.

Valeant subpoenaed over patient assistance program, pricing

NEW YORK (AP) — Valeant Pharmaceuticals International Inc. says that federal prosecutors are seeking information on the drug developer's drug pricing, distribution and patient assistance program.

AUTO INDUSTRY

Germany orders fixes to VW cars with deceptive software

BERLIN (AP) — Germany's transport authority has ordered a mandatory recall of all 2.4 million Volkswagen cars in the country fitted with software that gave them the ability to evade diesel emissions testing, officials said Thursday.

Kia recalls 377,000 SUVs to fix shift lever problem

DETROIT (AP) — Kia is recalling more than 377,000 Sorento SUVs because the transmission can be shifted out of park when the driver's foot isn't on the brake.

TECHNOLOGY

Yahoo's updated email app aims to kill the password

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Yahoo is trying to phase out passwords with an update to its mobile application for its email service.

REAL ESTATE

Average US rate on 30-year mortgage rises to 3.82 percent

WASHINGTON (AP) — Average long-term U.S. mortgage rates rose this week yet remained below 4 percent for a 12th straight week.

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS

US stocks advance; Citigroup gains on strong earnings

NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks climbed on Thursday as investors responded to some positive earnings surprises. Financial stocks were boosted by a strong third-quarter earnings report from Citigroup. Hospital shares slumped after HCA said its earnings would fall short of projections.

Applications for US unemployment aid drop to 42-year low

WASHINGTON (AP) — The number of Americans seeking unemployment aid fell last week, matching the lowest level in 42 years, strong evidence that employers remain confident enough in the economy to hold onto their staffs.

Consumer prices drop 0.2 percent in September

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. consumer prices were dragged lower again last month by plunging energy costs, according to the Labor Department.

No benefit increase for Social Security next year

WASHINGTON (AP) — There will be no benefit increase next year for millions of Social Security recipients, disabled veterans and federal retirees, the government said Thursday.

NATIONAL POLITICS

Treasury warns Congress: Debt limit deadline now Nov. 3

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Treasury Department on Thursday told Congress that it needs to act by Nov. 3 or the government will be dangerously close to being unable to pay all its bills.

Officials: Obama to keep troops in Afghanistan beyond 2016

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama will keep 5,500 U.S. troops in Afghanistan when he leaves office in 2017, according to senior administration officials, casting aside his promise to end the war on his watch and instead ensuring he hands the conflict off to his successor.


WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14
STATEWIDE

Tennessee tax collections beat projections by $117M

NASHVILLE (AP) - Tennessee's general fund tax collections have beaten projections by $117 million through the first two months of the budget year.

Embattled new Tennessee logo gets trademark approved

NASHVILLE (AP) — Republican Gov. Bill Haslam's embattled new Tennessee logo has finally received approval from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

HEALTH CARE

Employers offer cash to push shopping around for health care

Paula Bennett pockets about $3,000 a year from her employer mainly for driving around 80 miles roundtrip for a deal on doses of her Crohn's disease treatment Remicade.

COURTS

Tennessee lawyers offering free legal services this month

NASHVILLE (AP) — Lawyers across Tennessee are providing free legal services in October to mark "Celebrate Pro Bono Month."

AUTO INDUSTRY

Tesla's autopilot lets cars drive, change lanes themselves

DETROIT (AP) — Electric car maker Tesla Motors is leapfrogging competitors with a new autopilot system that lets cars change lanes by themselves.

2016 VW diesels have new software affecting emissions tests

WASHINGTON (AP) — Volkswagen has disclosed to U.S. regulators that there is additional suspect software in its 2016 diesel models that would potentially help their exhaust systems run cleaner during government tests.

Recently named head of VW North America will not take post

FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — The recently named head of Volkswagen's North American business won't be taking up his new job - and has left the company.

Toyota aims to nearly eliminate gasoline cars by 2050

TOKYO (AP) — Toyota, under ambitious environmental targets, is aiming to sell hardly any regular gasoline vehicles by 2050, only hybrids and fuel cells, to radically reduce emissions.

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS

Fed says consumer spending, auto sales boost US growth

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Federal Reserve says steady consumer spending and an improving housing market spurred modest U.S. economic growth in the late summer, though factory output was sluggish in part because of the strong dollar.

US stocks drop; Wal-Mart slumps on weak guidance

NEW YORK (AP) — Weak earnings guidance from Wal-Mart and a couple of tepid reports on the economy pushed stocks lower on Wednesday.

Car-buying fuels bump in September retail sales

WASHINGTON (AP) — Americans spent cautiously at retailers in September, with stepped-up spending for cars, clothes and restaurants tempered by sales declines for gasoline, building materials and online outlets.

US producer prices fell in September because of cheaper gas

WASHINGTON (AP) — Prices fell for manufacturers, farmers and other producers in September, as lower energy costs have limited broader inflation.

Bank of America earns $4.1 billion in third quarter

NEW YORK (AP) — Bank of America, the consumer banking giant, said it swung to a profit in the third quarter on Wednesday, helped by lower borrowing costs and legal expenses.

Wells Fargo's earnings edge up 1 percent to $5.4 billion

NEW YORK (AP) — Wells Fargo reported a slight gain in third-quarter earnings on Wednesday, helped by an increase in borrowing from consumers and businesses.

NATIONAL POLITICS

AP FACT CHECK: In Democratic debate, when 'free' isn't free

WASHINGTON (AP) — When does "free" cost a lot of money? It's when presidential contenders Hillary Rodham Clinton and Bernie Sanders pitch plans for free college tuition, playing down the cost to taxpayers and brushing past assorted other perils to the education system, as happened in the Democratic debate.


TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13
NASHVILLE AREA

Dollar General cutting 255 positions as part of restructuring

Dollar General Corporation today announced it is restructuring its corporate support functions to eliminate approximately 255 positions.

STATEWIDE

Tennessee officials told to avoid emailing about outsourcing

NASHVILLE (AP) - Officials mulling over the privatization of operations at state buildings, college campuses, prisons and armories are being discouraged from putting their thoughts into emails.

Tennessee creates $8M fund to promote rural development

NASHVILLE (AP) - The state Economic and Community Development Department is creating an $8 million program aimed at promoting projects in rural Tennessee.

TECHNOLOGY

Twitter purging 336 workers as new CEO slashes costs

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Twitter is laying off up to 336 employees, signaling CEO Jack Dorsey's resolve to slash costs while the company struggles to make money.

Apple adds Retina displays to its iMacs

NEW YORK (AP) — Apple is adding Retina displays to its iMacs, which will enhance the text and the image quality of photos and videos.

AUTO INDUSTRY

DiCaprio, Paramount option Volkswagen scandal book proposal

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Volkswagen clean diesel emissions scandal is still chugging along, but Hollywood already has its eyes on a possible movie about the ordeal.

VW brand to change diesel technology, cut investments

FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — Volkswagen's flagship brand will switch to new diesel emissions control technology in Europe and North America as well as cut a billion euros ($1.1 billion) in annual investment spending.

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS

US stocks drop as investors assess earnings, deals

NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks dropped on Tuesday for the first day in five as investors assessed company earnings and the latest corporate deal news. More evidence of weakness in China's economy also unsettled the market.

Top beer makers to join forces to face industry challenges

BRUSSELS (AP) — The world's biggest beer maker clinched a deal Tuesday to take over its nearest rival in a bid to stave off the megabrewers' most serious problems: the surge in popularity of craft brews and weakening sales in the rich markets of the U.S. and Europe.

Playboy to stop running pictures of completely naked women

NEW YORK (AP) — Playboy is about to find out how many people really do read it for the articles.


MONDAY, OCTOBER 12
COURTS

9 apply to fill vacancy on Tennessee Supreme Court

NASHVILLE (AP) - Three appeals judges appointed by Gov. Bill Haslam are among the nine applicants to fill a vacancy on the bench of Tennessee's highest court.

AUTO INDUSTRY

VW diesel cars recalled in China, sales halted in Singapore

BEIJING (AP) — Volkswagen said Monday it is recalling 1,950 diesel vehicles in China to change engine software it has admitted cheats on emissions tests and Singapore suspended sales of the company's diesel cars.

Fiat Chrysler kick-starts sale of Ferrari stake

MILAN (AP) — Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV has begun the process of selling a near 10-percent stake in luxury sports car brand Ferrari to Wall Street investors.

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS

US stocks edge higher after a big week; Oil slumps

NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks are closing higher as traders look ahead to a busy week for corporate earnings.

Economists still expect rate hike before end of 2015

NEW YORK (AP) — A survey of business economists finds that a majority still expect the Federal Reserve to raise interest rates before the end of the year, with the broader economy expected to grow at a slightly faster pace in 2015 than previously forecast.

Southwest operations appear on track after day of delays

A day after technological problems delayed hundreds of flights, operations appear to have returned to normal Monday for Southwest Airlines.

Dell buying EMC in transformational $67 billion deal

NEW YORK (AP) — Dell is buying data storage company EMC in a deal valued at approximately $67 billion, a move that will transform the PC company into a major player in the data storage market.

Angus Deaton wins Nobel economics prize for work on poverty

STOCKHOLM (AP) — Angus Deaton of Princeton University won the Nobel prize in economics Monday for improving understanding of poverty and how people in poor countries respond to changes in economic policy.


FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9
MIDSTATE

Rutherford County chief officer suspended amid ethics probe

MURFREESBORO (AP) — Rutherford County Chief Administrative Officer Joe Russell has been suspended for 10 days without pay after records showed he used his work email to conduct business unrelated to his job.

AUTO INDUSTRY

UAW leaders approve richer Fiat Chrysler contract

DETROIT (AP) — The United Auto Workers union unveiled a richer proposed contract with Fiat Chrysler on Friday, a week after angry union members voted down a previous agreement.

VW may compensate owners of diesel cars for loss of value

DETROIT (AP) — Volkswagen could compensate owners of diesel-powered cars that emit high levels of pollutants, possibly by paying them for the lost value of their vehicles, the company's top U.S. executive said.

VW executive apologizes but says scandal not his fault

WASHINGTON (AP) — Volkswagen's top U.S. executive offered deep apologies yet sought to distance himself Thursday from the emissions scandal enveloping the world's largest automaker, asserting top corporate officials had no knowledge of the cheating software installed in 11 million diesel cars.

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS

2 Fed officials think data will justify rate hike this year

WASHINGTON (AP) — It's a question whose answer seems to be in constant flux: When will the Federal Reserve finally raise interest rates?

Stocks close out best week of the year with a small gain

NEW YORK (AP) — The stock market closed out its best week this year with a modest gain on Friday, helped by airlines and industrial companies.

US wholesale stockpiles rise in August, but sales fall

WASHINGTON (AP) — Cheaper oil and less demand for autos and machinery weighed on wholesalers in August, as their inventories edged up just slightly while sales dropped.

Global worries kept Fed from hiking rates in September

WASHINGTON (AP) — Federal Reserve officials were almost ready to raise interest rates in September but held off because of China's economic slowdown and its potential to derail U.S. growth and inflation.

Airlines post better on-time rate but get more complaints

WASHINGTON (AP) — More flights are arriving on time but consumer complaints about the airlines have risen sharply.

NATIONAL POLITICS

McCarthy abruptly withdraws candidacy for House speaker

WASHINGTON (AP) — With no warning, Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy withdrew Thursday from the contest for speaker of the U.S. House, shocking fellow Republicans just before voting was to begin and plunging Congress into chaos.

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