VOL. 38 | NO. 9 | Friday, February 28, 2014
Despite a prestigious law degree and a seemingly endless capacity for work, Willow Fort has eschewed higher-paying opportunities for a career as a public service attorney.
Renovating an older home is a daunting task, no matter how well-versed the owner is in the fine arts of sanding and caulking.
The Nashville Lawn and Garden Show has added a wine festival to the mix as the event celebrates 25 years of showcasing the best of the best of local agriculture.
REALTY CHECK
A new term has infected media and marketing outlets, teasing readers, viewers and listeners with the tag “What (fill in the blank) doesn’t want you to know.” For example, a recent post states: “What Facebook doesn’t want you to know.”
VIEW FROM THE HILL
With hundreds of thousands of dollars flooding in from out-of-state education interests to usher in vouchers and charter schools, some Tennessee school boards have hired contract lobbyists or joined associations that lobby on their behalf.
LEGISLATIVE PROFILE
Many people who like problem solving usually tackle a tough crossword, or maybe Sudoku.
NEWSMAKERS
Wayne J. Riley, M.D., MPH, MBA, clinical professor of Medicine with Vanderbilt University School of Medicine and adjunct professor of Healthcare Management with the Owen Graduate School of Management at Vanderbilt University, is president-elect of the American College of Physicians.
GUERRILLA MARKETING
Referred prospects offer one of the strongest returns of any marketing or sales strategy you can deploy.
I SWEAR
“Friends around the campfire, and everybody’s high.” I cannot but think that John Denver was a prophet after all.
KAY'S COOKING CORNER
Last fall, my sister and I drove our mom to Grand Junction, Colo., to visit our other sister and all the family living there.
STATE LEGISLATURE
NASHVILLE (AP) - A proposal that requires Gov. Bill Haslam to secure legislative approval for any potential deal to expand Medicaid in Tennessee has passed the Senate even though the Republican governor has already said he would consult with lawmakers.
NASHVILLE (AP) — A proposal to strip local government control over whether to allow people with handgun carry permits to be armed at parks, playgrounds and sports fields has cleared its first legislative hurdle in the House.
COURTS
NASHVILLE (AP) — The Governor's Commission for Judicial Appointments has selected three finalists to fill an upcoming vacancy on the state Supreme Court.
REGION
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Obama administration is proposing a record fine for thousands of water pollution violations by coal mine operators in five Appalachian states.
NATIONAL BUSINESS
NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks were mostly higher Thursday afternoon after the government reported that the number of people filing for unemployment benefits fell last week to the lowest level in three months. Staples plunged after the company said it was closing 10 percent of its stores as more people shop online.
WASHINGTON (AP) — Average U.S. rates on fixed mortgages fell after three weeks of increases, edging closer to historically low levels.
WASHINGTON (AP) — Orders to U.S. factories fell in January for a second straight month but a key category that signals business investment plans rebounded. That could be an indication that businesses are becoming more confident.
WASHINGTON (AP) — The number of people seeking U.S. unemployment benefits dropped 26,000 last week to a seasonally adjusted 323,000, the lowest level in three months as layoffs remain at pre-recession levels.
Staples will shut down more than 10 percent of its stores in North American by the end of next year, the second major chain to announce the mass closing of stores this week and the latest evidence of a retail landscape that is being altered drastically by the way Americans shop.
NEW YORK (AP) — So far, 2014 is looking like the year of the big deal.
WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. productivity grew at an even slower annual rate than previously thought in the final three months of last year.
Oil prices declined further Thursday but stayed above $101 per barrel as concern about Ukraine eased and U.S. supplies rose.
NATIONAL POLITICS
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Republican-controlled House moved Thursday to block President Barack Obama's plan to limit carbon pollution from new power plants, an election-year strike at the White House aimed at portraying Obama as a job killer.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5
STATE LEGISLATURE
NASHVILLE (AP) - A proposal to create a school voucher program in Tennessee is advancing in the House despite concerns from some lawmakers that the legislation would be detrimental to public schools.
NASHVILLE (AP) - Republican leaders in the state Senate are warning that new funding for the University of Tennessee could be threatened over the use of student fees for a weeklong program about sex.
NASHVILLE (AP) - Gov. Bill Haslam said Wednesday he is standing by his anti-meth proposal despite the bill being sidetracked in a House subcommittee earlier this week.
NASHVILLE (AP) — Supporters of legislation to make students in the country illegally eligible for in-state tuition say the proposal is fair and would benefit Tennessee's economy.
NASHVILLE (AP) — Gov. Bill Haslam's proposal to create a community college program for all high school graduates is advancing in the House.
NASHVILLE AREA
NASHVILLE (AP) — President Barack Obama's administration is recommending Nashville receive $27 million to help fund The Amp.
MIDSTATE
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Liquor maker Brown-Forman Corp. says its third-quarter net income rose 12 percent on the strength of its flagship Jack Daniel's brand.
AUTO INDUSTRY
GENEVA (AP) — A new study shows that the top 10 global automakers amassed more than $221 billion (161 billion euros) in cash by the end of 2013 to invest in new products, strategic alliances and other growth strategies.
HEALTH CARE
WASHINGTON (AP) — The House on Wednesday backed a one-year delay in the penalty that individuals would have to pay for failing to sign up for health insurance, the 50th time Republicans have forced a vote to repeal, gut or change the law championed by President Barack Obama.
NATIONAL BUSINESS
WASHINGTON (AP) — Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen says the Fed has made much progress in repairing the damage caused by the financial crisis and recession but cautions that more work must be done.
ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — Under pressure from gun control advocates, Facebook agreed Wednesday to delete posts from users seeking to buy or sell weapons illegally or without a background check.
WASHINGTON (AP) — A private survey shows that U.S. companies added slightly more jobs in February than in the previous month, but harsh winter weather still weighed on hiring.
NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks wound up pretty much where they started after a report of modest hiring gains at U.S. businesses failed to excite investors.
The price of oil fell nearly 2 percent Wednesday as concerns over the crisis in Ukraine eased and U.S. supplies rose for a seventh straight week.
NATIONAL POLITICS
WASHINGTON (AP) — Bipartisan Senate opposition blocked swift confirmation Wednesday for President Barack Obama's choice to head the Justice Department's Civil Rights division, the emotional residue of the long-ago murder of a Philadelphia policeman and the legal representation his killer received.
WASHINGTON (AP) — Republicans are dismissing President Barack Obama's new $3.9 trillion budget as nothing more than a Democratic manifesto for this fall's congressional campaigns, but the fiscal plan is taking hits from another quarter too — anti-deficit groups.
TUESDAY, MARCH 4
STATE LEGISLATURE
NASHVILLE (AP) - Supporters of legislation to make children of people living in the country illegally eligible for in-state tuition say the proposal is fair and would benefit the state's economy.
NASHVILLE (AP) — The sponsor of a proposal to give state lawmakers the power to name U.S. Senate nominees has a hold on the measure.
STATEWIDE
NASHVILLE (AP) — A recent report shows that more than 8 million visitors to national parks in Tennessee spent $541 million in 2012.
AUTO INDUSTRY
GENEVA (AP) — Carmakers are banking on the fast-growing demand for small SUVs to earn new customers in the U.S. and help turn around their businesses in Europe's still-fragile market.
NATIONAL BUSINESS
NEW YORK (AP) — Facebook is in talks to buy Titan Aerospace to step up its efforts to provide Internet access to remote parts of the world, according to reports in the technology blog Techcrunch and financial news outlet CNBC.
WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. home prices rose in January after three months of declines as a tight supply of properties likely supported prices despite slower sales.
Stocks are surging after Russia pulled its troops back from the border of Ukraine.
The price of crude oil dropped sharply Tuesday after Russian President Vladimir Putin said his country was not seeking to escalate the conflict in Ukraine
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Dish Network and Disney have reached a landmark deal that envisions the day when Dish will offer a Netflix-like TV service to people who'd rather stream TV over the Internet than put a satellite receiver on their roof.
NEW YORK (AP) — RadioShack plans to close up to 1,100 stores in the U.S. as its troubles continue to grow.
NATIONAL POLITICS
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama's $3.9 trillion budget proposal for next year suggests the U.S. economic recovery that began in 2009 will continue to gain momentum over the next few years but that the unemployment rate won't fall to pre-recession levels of below 6 percent until 2017.
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Obama administration says the government shutdown last fall resulted in nearly 8 million fewer visitors to national parks, costing the parks and surrounding communities an estimated $414 million in lost visitor spending.
MONDAY, MARCH 3
STATE LEGISLATURE
NASHVILLE (AP) — Legislation that would let voters decide whether their cities or counties allow wine to be sold in supermarkets and convenience stores has been sent to the governor, who is expected to sign the measure into law.
MIDSTATE
NASHVILLE (AP) — Tennessee State Veterans homes in Murfreesboro and Knoxville have been ranked among the best in the country.
NASHVILLE AREA
NASHVILLE (AP) — Restoration work at The Hermitage in Nashville is on track to be completed in time for former President Andrew Jackson's 246th birthday on March 15.
AUTO INDUSTRY
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Apple is accelerating the race to make smartphone applications easier and safer to use in cars.
DETROIT (AP) — March is the month to watch for the U.S. auto industry.
DETROIT (AP) — General Motors and Ford reported U.S. sales declines last month as frigid temperatures and snowstorms pounded much of the nation.
DETROIT (AP) — Late last month, David Kelleher had 412 unsold new cars and trucks at his Chrysler-Jeep-Dodge-Ram dealership southwest of Philadelphia. He would have been more comfortable with about 40 less.
COURTS
NASHVILLE (AP) - A former Tennessee magistrate who changed a baby's first name from Messiah to Martin was censured Monday.
HEALTH CARE
WASHINGTON (AP) — It's one of the most impressive statistics about the new health care law. The Obama administration says more than 8.9 million people have been, quote "determined eligible" for Medicaid from Oct. 1 through the end of January.
WASHINGTON (AP) — Sick of hearing about the health care law?
NATIONAL BUSINESS
NEW YORK (AP) — Russia's military advance into Ukraine rattled global markets Monday.
The price of oil jumped more than $2 a barrel Monday as Russia's military advance into Ukraine raised fears of economic sanctions against one of the world's major energy producers.
WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. manufacturing expanded more quickly last month as companies received more orders and boosted their stockpiles.
WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. construction spending showed a tiny increase in January as strength in housing helped to offset declines in nonresidential building and government projects.
WASHINGTON (AP) — Americans spent more in January, but the increase came from a surge in spending on heating bills during the harsh winter. Spending in areas such as autos and clothing declined.
NEW YORK (AP) — Airlines canceled nearly 2,300 flights Monday as the latest winter storm hit the U.S. East Coast.
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Investor Warren Buffett says the economy continues the steady improvement that began in fall of 2009 and he remains optimistic about the future.
NEW YORK (AP) — Men's Wearhouse and Jos. A. Bank Clothiers Inc. are moving a bit closer to a possible combination, announcing they are exchanging certain confidential information with each other.
NATIONAL POLITICS
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Obama administration is driving ahead with a dramatic reduction in sulfur in gasoline and tailpipe emissions, declaring that cleaner air will save thousands of lives per year at little cost to consumers.
WASHINGTON (AP) — The budget gurus in Congress have failed for years to find a grand bargain to reduce the government's long-term debt, so this year they decided to go small. Just 1 percentage point would be shaved from the annual cost-of-living increase in military pensions for veterans under age 62.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28
STATE LEGISLATURE
NASHVILLE (AP) — Tennessee Senate Majority Leader Mark Norris is among two southerners leading the Council of State Governments this year.
NASHVILLE (AP) — A proposal that would prohibit the use of drones to conduct video surveillance of outdoorsmen in Tennessee without their permission has passed the Senate.
NASHVILLE (AP) - House Democratic Caucus Chairman Mike Turner said Thursday that he will not seek re-election because he wants to spend more time with his family and explore a run for Nashville mayor.
MIDSTATE
NASHVILLE (AP) — The Tennessee Environmental Council is planning to plant 10,000 trees on Saturday.
AUTO INDUSTRY
NASHVILLE (AP) - Friday marks the end of the two-week period within which U.S. Sen. Bob Corker promised Volkswagen would announce another line at its factory in Tennessee if workers there rejected representation by the United Auto Workers union.
NATIONAL BUSINESS
WASHINGTON (AP) — When the weather warms up, so, too, will the U.S. economy.
NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks are ending mostly higher after the market had a brief stumble in the afternoon.
The price of oil rose slightly Friday and finished the month with a gain of 5 percent. And the price of gasoline saw the biggest monthly increase since July as refineries prepared for the U.S. driving season.
WASHINGTON (AP) — A rising stock market and a more optimistic outlook among younger Americans pushed up a measure of U.S. consumer sentiment in February.
WASHINGTON (AP) — The number of Americans who signed contracts to buy homes was essentially flat in January, a possible sign of a softening real estate market.
WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. economy grew at a 2.4 percent annual rate last quarter, sharply less than first thought, in part because consumers didn't spend as much as initially estimated.
TOKYO (AP) — The Mt. Gox bitcoin exchange in Tokyo filed for bankruptcy protection Friday and its chief executive said 850,000 bitcoins, worth several hundred million dollars, are unaccounted for.
GILLSBURG, Miss. (AP) — Residents living above an oil-rich shale formation that stretches across southwest Mississippi and Louisiana have been waiting on a boom for years. A steady trickle of drilling is already boosting the rural region's economy, and spending by two oil companies could make 2014 the year that many other locals finally cash in on the oil far beneath their feet.
WASHINGTON (AP) — Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen noted Thursday that recent economic data have pointed to weaker-than-expected gains in consumer spending and job growth. She said the Fed will be watching to see whether the slowdown proves only a temporary blip caused by severe winter weather.
NATIONAL POLITICS
WASHINGTON (AP) — A divided Senate on Thursday derailed Democratic legislation that would have provided $21 billion for medical, education and job-training benefits for the nation's veterans. The bill fell victim to election-year disputes over spending and fresh penalties against Iran.
WASHINGTON (AP) — Obama administration officials faced the prospect of contentious questioning Thursday from lawmakers about reports that China and India are significantly expanding imports of Iranian petroleum.
Mohawk Industries today announced it is building a new ceramic tile production facility and distribution center in the Dickson County Industrial Park.