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VOL. 45 | NO. 37 | Friday, September 10, 2021

From ‘It’s curtains!’ to ‘curtains up!’

The arts across Tennessee try to recover from COVID-19

The show must go on? No, March 14, 2020, changed all that when the shows definitely did not go on. Theaters, concert halls and other arts venues around Tennessee were forced to cease operations as COVID-19 began its march across the state. A jarring situation, certainly, but given that a life in the performing arts is one that requires near-daily adapting to new challenges, everyone from actors and musicians to artistic directors and CEOs initially took it in stride.

JOE ROGERS: MY TAKE

What are the defining events of your lifetime?

One of those significant-number anniversaries of an unforgettable event is almost upon us: 20 years since 9/11. This is not a column about 9/11. I can’t bring anything new or insightful to the table on that topic.

RICHARD COURTNEY: REALTY CHECK

Spread the word: Party’s winding down for short-term rentals

News has never traveled faster than it does today, but the latest news concerning the short-term rental situation in Nashville seems to have exited the information highway.

Local Weather
Currently
Nashville, TN
44.1°F
Overcast
Wind: North at 9.2 mph
Humidity: 71%

EVENTS

Second Chance Hiring Event. Legal Aid Society will give presentation on encouragement. Free, but pre-registration is required. Wednesday 11 a.m.-noon, Thursday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. American Job Center, 1598 Greenlea Dr. Information: 615-451-5800

more events »

REAL ESTATE

Davidson County real estate trends for August 2021

August 2021 real estate trends for Davidson County, as compiled by Chandler Reports.

Top Davidson County residential sales for August 2021

Top residential real estate sales, August 2021, for Davidson County, as compiled by Chandler Reports.

US average mortgage rates rise slightly; 30-year at 2.88%

WASHINGTON (AP) — Average long-term mortgage rates were marginally higher this week as the recovering economy appeared stalled against the backdrop of a wave of new delta variant coronavirus cases. They remained under 3%.

In a hot market, companies compete with would-be homeowners

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Soaring home prices and rents are fueling real estate companies' appetite for houses, adding unwelcome competition for many would-be homebuyers.

TENNESSEE TITANS

NFL roster spots are for the great or versatile

I first heard the term, “the more you can do,” from the late Floyd Reese, former Titans general manager, when I first started covering the Titans and the NFL.

Tannehill, receivers have some rust to shake in opener

What’s an NFL season without a COVID-19 interruption? We already saw how COVID wreaked havoc last year, moving games around, closing the Titans practice facility and generally making everyone jump through hoops to try and squeeze a full season in.

Four Downs: Titans vs. Cardinals

The Titans open the 2021 season at home Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals (noon, CBS). Here’s what to watch:

NEWSMAKERS

Bradley attorneys appointed to ABA leadership positions

Seven Bradley Arant Boult Cummings attorneys have been appointed to new leadership roles with the American Bar Association, including Junaid Odubeko, a partner in the firm’s Nashville office.

BRIEFS

Amazon Air cargo comes to Nashville

The first Amazon Air cargo aircraft arrived at Nashville International Airport last week, beginning daily flights to the airport and adding to the company’s presence in the region.

BEHIND THE WHEEL

Vehicle prices remain high as traditional sale season ends

If this were a normal year, dealers would be kicking off their end-of-model-year vehicle clearance sales. Consumers can often find good deals as dealerships are eager to sell their remaining inventory to make room for next year’s models.

PERSONAL FINANCE

Check finances now to avoid falling behind later

Fall is the perfect time to review your finances because there’s still time to make adjustments before the end of the year. The continuing pandemic and economic uncertainty are making it more complicated, but financial experts recommend taking a close look at your savings and planning for 2022 goals now.

CAREER CORNER

Don’t love your work? It’s time to look elsewhere

Labor Day was designed to both honor and recognize the American labor movement. It’s a nod to the works and contributions of workers in the United States. But, let’s face it. As you celebrated Labor Day this week, could you confidently say you love your work?

MILLENNIAL MONEY

5 ways to curb impulse spending as finances return to normal

Since the COVID-19 vaccine started becoming available in the U.S., there have been more opportunities to impulse spend on items and experiences that you didn’t get to enjoy early in the pandemic.

TENNESSEE TITANS

Titans sign kicker Randy Bullock, put safety Hooker on IR

NASHVILLE (AP) — The Tennessee Titans have another new kicker, signing Randy Bullock off their practice squad, and safety Amani Hooker becomes the latest starter on injured reserve.

STATE GOVERNMENT

Republican Vital wins special election for state house seat

CHATTANOOGA (AP) — A state House seat in southeastern Tennessee will remain in Republican hands.

NASHVILLE AREA

Belmont University unveils $180M performing arts center

NASHVILLE (AP) — Belmont University has unveiled its new $180 million performing arts center.

COURTS

DoorDash sues New York City over rights to customer data

DoorDash is suing New York City over a new law that requires delivery companies to share customer data with restaurants.

Justice Department seeks order against Texas abortion law

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Justice Department has asked a federal court in Texas to stop the enforcement of a new state law that bans most abortions in the state while it decides the case.

HEALTH CARE

Biden: Nearly 3M get health coverage during COVID-19 sign-up

WASHINGTON (AP) — Nearly 3 million consumers took advantage of a special six-month period to sign up for subsidized health insurance coverage made more affordable by the COVID-19 relief law, President Joe Biden said Wednesday.

TECHNOLOGY

UN urges moratorium on use of AI that imperils human rights

GENEVA (AP) — The U.N. human rights chief is calling for a moratorium on the use of artificial intelligence technology that poses a serious risk to human rights, including face-scanning systems that track people in public spaces.

VIRUS OUTBREAK

As COVID-19 vaccine mandates rise, religious exemptions grow

About 3,000 Los Angeles Police Department employees are citing religious objections to try to get out of the required COVID-19 vaccination. In Washington state, thousands of state workers are seeking similar exemptions.

Biden, CEOs, biz leaders meet on COVID-19 vaccine mandates

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden met Wednesday with the CEOs of Walt Disney and Columbia Sportswear, and other business executives and leaders, to discuss  his recently announced vaccine requirement for companies  that employ at least 100 people.

FDA strikes neutral tone ahead of vaccine booster meeting

WASHINGTON (AP) — Influential government advisers will debate Friday if there's enough proof that a booster dose of Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine is safe and effective — the first step toward deciding which Americans need one and when.

Largest colleges push student vaccines with mandates, prizes

STORRS, Conn. (AP) — At most of the largest U.S. public universities, students are under no obligation to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Some schools do require vaccines, but with leniency for those who opt out. Still others have expelled students who do not comply.

EU pledges 200 million vaccine doses to low-income nations

BRUSSELS (AP) — The European Union's top official said Wednesday that ramping up COVID-19 vaccinations around the world was the bloc's No. 1 priority right now and committed another 200 million vaccine doses to Africa and low-income nations.

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS

Stocks post broad gains, led by energy companies and tech

Stocks closed solidly higher Wednesday, shaking off some recent doldrums and giving the S&P 500 its biggest daily gain since late August. Energy companies did particularly well as prices for crude oil and natural gas climbed, and Microsoft helped pull the tech sector higher after announcing a dividend increase and a new stock buyback program. The S&P 500 added 0.8%, as did the Nasdaq composite. Small-company stocks did even better with a 1.1% gain. Utilities, which investors shun when they're more willing to take on risk, were the only sector to fall. The yield on the 10-year Treasury rose to 1.30%.

August industrial output slows to 0.4% gain after Ida strike

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. industrial production slowed to a 0.4% gain in August as shutdowns of petroleum refineries and petrochemical plants caused by Hurricane Ida curbed manufacturing activity.

UK posts the biggest jump in annual inflation on record

LONDON (AP) — Consumer prices in the U.K. rose at their fastest recorded rate during August as global supply shortages and higher wages accentuated the uptick from pandemic-related discounts a year ago, official figures showed Wednesday.

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL POLITICS

Milley defends calls to Chinese as effort to avoid conflict

WASHINGTON (AP) — The top U.S. military officer on Wednesday defended the phone calls he made to his Chinese counterpart in the turbulent final months of Donald Trump's presidency, saying the conversations were intended to convey "reassurance" to the Chinese military and were in line with his responsibilities as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Biles: FBI turned 'blind eye' to reports of gymnasts' abuse

WASHINGTON (AP) — Olympic gold medalist Simone Biles told Congress in forceful testimony Wednesday that federal law enforcement and gymnastics officials turned a "blind eye" to USA Gymnastics team doctor Larry Nassar's sexual abuse of her and hundreds of other women.

Maverick Dem senators meeting with Biden on spending plan

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden was holding face-to-face meetings Wednesday with two moderate Democratic senators who have opposed the size of his signature social and environment package as the White House amped up its drive to win the unanimous Democratic support the huge plan will need to survive in the Senate.

California Gov. Newsom crushes Republican-led recall effort

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Despite warnings the race would be close, California Gov. Gavin Newsom decisively defeated efforts to kick him out of office, a win the Democrat cast as an endorsement of his handling of the coronavirus pandemic and his party's liberal values.

5 takeaways after California governor handily defeats recall

California Gov. Gavin Newsom ably fended off a recall attempt from Republicans on Tuesday, changing the stakes of the contest from a referendum on his own performance and into a partisan fight over Trumpism and the coronavirus.

Democrats try delicate tax maneuvers for $3.5 trillion bill

WASHINGTON (AP) — House Democrats began the serious work of trying to implement President Joe Biden's expansive spending plan, but getting there will require remarkable legislative nimbleness, since Biden has said the revenue to pay for it must come only from Americans who earn more than $400,000 a year.

Trump aides aim to build GOP opposition to Afghan refugees

WASHINGTON (AP) — As tens of thousands of Afghan refugees fleeing the Taliban arrive in the U.S., a handful of former Trump administration officials are working to turn Republicans against them.


TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14
NASHVILLE AREA

Bridgestone Arena to require test or vaccination

NASHVILLE — (AP) — The NHL's Nashville Predators' home arena will require proof of COVID-19 vaccination or a negative test at least through Nov. 15.

COURTS

Judge declares mistrial at trial of Backpage.com founders

PHOENIX (AP) — A judge declared a mistrial Tuesday at the trial of the founders of the lucrative classified site Backpage.com on charges of facilitating prostitution and laundering money after deciding prosecutors had too many references to child sex trafficking in a case where no one faced such a charge.

Lawyer: Tennessee state senator did not steal federal funds

MEMPHIS (AP) — A Tennessee state senator charged with stealing $600,000 in federal grant money from a health care school she operated did not use government funds to pay for personal expenses, her lawyer told a jury Tuesday.

Justice Dept. curtails agents' use of 'no-knock' warrants

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Justice Department said Tuesday it is curtailing federal agents' use of "no-knock" warrants — which allow law enforcement agents to enter a home without announcing their presence — and would also prohibit its agents from using chokeholds in most circumstances.

Tennessee middle school teacher accused of kidnapping, rape

CHATTANOOGA (AP) — A Tennessee schoolteacher has been arrested on charges of aggravated kidnapping and rape, officials said.

Militia leader gets 53 years in Minnesota mosque bombing

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — The leader of an Illinois anti-government militia group who authorities say masterminded the 2017 bombing of a Minnesota mosque was sentenced Monday to 53 years in prison for an attack that terrified the mosque's community.

DOJ: 20 years for man who plotted attack on Ohio synagogue

TOLEDO, Ohio (AP) — A man who vowed support for a terrorist group and planned an attack on an Ohio synagogue was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison on Monday, federal prosecutors said.

AUTO INDUSTRY

GM to invest $50M in Detroit education, jobs, neighborhoods

DETROIT (AP) — General Motors Corp. plans to invest $50 million by 2025 to help improve access to education in Detroit, employment opportunities and city neighborhoods.

TRANSPORTATION

Pandemic hasn't dimmed Boeing's rosy prediction for planes

Boeing said Tuesday that the airline industry is showing signs of recovering from the pandemic, and the company is bullishly predicting a $9 trillion market over the next decade for airline and military planes and other aerospace products and services.

Southwest's president retires suddenly; didn't get CEO job

DALLAS (AP) — Southwest Airlines President Tom Nealon, who was once seen as a leading candidate for CEO but was passed over this year, has retired.

VIRUS OUTBREAK

UK recommends COVID-19 booster shots for over 50s

LONDON (AP) — The U.K. said Tuesday it will offer a third dose of COVID-19 vaccine to everyone over age 50 and other vulnerable people after an expert panel said the boosters were needed to protect against waning immunity this winter.

Putin to self-isolate due to COVID cases among inner circle

MOSCOW (AP) — Russian President Vladimir Putin is going into self-isolation because of coronavirus cases in his inner circle, the Kremlin said Tuesday, adding that he tested negative for COVID-19.

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS

Study: State worker pension systems in best shape since 2008

Pension systems for state government workers across the U.S. are in their best shape since the Great Recession began more than a dozen years ago, according to a study released Tuesday.

Amazon eyes 125K more hires, $18+ per hour average salary

Amazon wants to hire 125,000 delivery and warehouse workers and said Tuesday that it is paying new hires an average of $18 an hour in a tight job market as more people shop online.

Census: Relief payments staved off hardship in COVID crash

WASHINGTON (AP) — The share of Americans living in poverty rose slightly as the COVID-19 pandemic shook the economy last year, but massive relief payments pumped out by Congress eased hardship for many, the Census Bureau reported Tuesday.

US consumer prices rise 0.3% in August, lowest in 7 months

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. consumer prices rose a lower-than-expected 0.3% last month, the smallest increase in seven months and a hopeful sign that inflation pressures may be cooling.

Gates, Rockefeller warn leaders about pandemic's impact

Just ahead of the annual meeting of the U.N. General Assembly that opens on Tuesday, leaders of the Gates and Rockefeller Foundations — grant makers that have committed billions of dollars to fight the coronavirus — are warning that without larger government and philanthropic investments in the manufacture and delivery of vaccines to people in poor nations, the pandemic could set back global progress on education, public health, and gender equality for years.

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL POLITICS

Book: Top US officer feared Trump could order China strike

WASHINGTON (AP) — Fearful of Donald Trump's actions in his final weeks as president, the United States' top military officer twice assured his Chinese counterpart that the two nations would not go to war, according to a forthcoming book.

Democrats revise elections bill but face Senate headwinds

WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Democrats unveiled a pared back elections bill Tuesday in hopes of kickstarting their stalled push to counteract new laws in Republican states that could make it more difficult to cast a ballot.

Billionaire Cohen to invest in new crypto trading firm Radkl

NEW YORK (AP) — A cryptocurrency company launched by partners of a major Wall Street trading firm said Tuesday that it has snagged the support of billionaire investor Steven A. Cohen, as big names from the traditional financial world continue to embrace the industry surrounding crypto.

General promises US 'surge' against foreign cyberattacks

WASHINGTON (AP) — The general who leads U.S. efforts to thwart foreign-based cyberattacks, and punish those responsible, says he's mounting a "surge" to fight incursions that have debilitated government agencies and companies responsible for critical infrastructure.

Blinken defense of Afghan policy clouded by al-Qaida warning

WASHINGTON (AP) — Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday sought to parry bipartisan congressional criticism of the Biden administration's Afghanistan withdrawal, as new intelligence estimates warned that al-Qaida could soon again use Afghan soil to plot attacks on the United States.

Democrats seek corporate, wealthy tax hikes for $3.5T plan

WASHINGTON (AP) — House Democrats unveiled a sweeping proposal for tax hikes on big corporations and the wealthy to fund President Joe Biden's $3.5 trillion rebuilding plan, as Congress speeds ahead to shape the far-reaching package that touches almost all aspects of domestic life.

Blinken pushes back on GOP criticism of Afghan withdrawal

WASHINGTON (AP) — Secretary of State Antony Blinken pushed back Monday against harsh Republican criticism of the handling of the military withdrawal from Afghanistan, saying the Biden administration inherited a deal with the Taliban to end the war, but no plan for carrying it out.

Biden: Results of California recall will be felt nationally

LONG BEACH, Calif. (AP) — President Joe Biden put Democrats' approach to the coronavirus pandemic on the line Monday, casting the California recall that could remove Gov. Gavin Newsom from office as an opportunity for voters to show the nation that "leadership matters, science matters."


MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 13
TENNESSEE TITANS

No time for excuses or pouting for Titans after ugly loss

NASHVILLE (AP) — Tennessee is about to find out if the Titans are who they thought they were coming into this season.

Titans wind up outcoached, outplayed in opening 38-13 loss

NASHVILLE (AP) — Outcoached. Outplayed. Beaten soundly. The Tennessee Titans just got a big ego check after being routed in their season opener.

STATEWIDE

Tennessee offering food benefits to flood victims

NASHVILLE (AP) — Some Tennessee residents affected by last month's flooding can apply for emergency food benefits.

STATE GOVERNMENT

Tennessee state senator's trial on theft charges begins

MEMPHIS (AP) — A jury was selected Monday in the trial of a Tennessee state senator charged with stealing more than $600,000 in federal funds received by a health care school she directed and using the money to pay for her wedding and other personal expenses.

COURTS

Tennessee governor makes pick for 25th District judge

NASHVILLE (AP) — Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee has selected Blake Neill to become a circuit court judge for the 25th Judicial District.

Epic Games appeals ruling in lawsuit alleging Apple monopoly

Epic Games filed notice that is appealing a federal judge's decision in a lawsuit alleging that Apple has been running an illegal monopoly that stifles competition.

TECHNOLOGY

Apple patches exploit attributed to hacker-for-hire firm

BOSTON (AP) — Apple released an emergency software patch to fix a security vulnerability that researchers said could allow hackers to directly infect Apple devices without any user action.

AUTO INDUSTRY

NTSB chief: focus on road safety must shift to entire system

DETROIT (AP) — The new chairman of the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board wants governments and businesses to change the way they look at highway safety, considering the whole system rather than individual driver behavior.

VIRUS OUTBREAK

UK OKs vaccines for 12 year olds, aims to avoid lockdowns

LONDON (AP) — Britain's chief medical officers said Monday that children aged 12 to 15 should be vaccinated against coronavirus, despite a ruling by the government's vaccine advisors that the step would have only marginal health benefits.

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS

US stocks edge higher, regrouping after a down week

Stocks managed to end a wobbly day mostly higher on Wall Street Monday as the market regroups after its biggest weekly drop since June.

Walmart quashes cryptocurrency partnership claim

NEW YORK (AP) — Walmart denied any partnership with the digital currency Litecoin after a fake news release led to a brief flurry of inaccurate reports from national news outlets and social media users on Monday.

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL POLITICS

Blinken defends Biden's handling of Afghanistan withdrawal

WASHINGTON (AP) — Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Monday defended the Biden administration's much-criticized handling of the military withdrawal from Afghanistan in a contentious congressional hearing.

US budget deficit rises to $2.71 trillion through August

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. budget deficit rose to $2.71 trillion through August, on track to be the second largest shortfall in history due to trillions of dollars in COVID relief.

Study: Pentagon reliance on contractors hurt US in 9/11 wars

Up to half of the $14 trillion spent by the Pentagon since 9/11 went to for-profit defense contractors, a study released Monday found. It's the latest work to argue the U.S. reliance on private corporations for war-zone duties that used to be done by troops contributed to mission failure in Afghanistan.

Democrats seek corporate, wealthy tax hikes for $3.5T plan

WASHINGTON (AP) — House Democrats unveiled a sweeping proposal Monday for tax hikes on big corporations and the wealthy to fund President Joe Biden's $3.5 trillion rebuilding plan, as Congress speeds ahead to shape the far-reaching package  that touches almost all aspects of domestic life.

US steps up effort to unite families separated under Trump

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration is expanding its effort to find and reunite migrant families who were separated at the U.S.-Mexico border under President Donald Trump as part of a zero-tolerance policy on illegal crossings.

House Democrats post record August fundraising ahead of 2022

WASHINGTON (AP) — The campaign organization aiming to maintain Democratic control of the House in the 2022 midterm races raised $10 million last month, its best August haul ever during a year without a national election.

EXPLAINER: If Newsom recall fails, no winning candidate

WASHINGTON (AP) — California voters are being asked to weigh in on two questions in Tuesday's recall election for Gov. Gavin Newson. But it's possible The Associated Press will only declare the winner in one of the races.

Capitol rally seeks to rewrite Jan. 6 by exalting rioters

WASHINGTON (AP) — First, some blamed the deadly  Jan. 6 attack at the U.S. Capitol  on left-wing antifa antagonists, a theory quickly debunked. Then came comparisons of the rioters to peaceful protesters or even tourists.


FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 10
STATEWIDE

Tennessee sees chronic wasting disease in deer in 9th county

NASHVILLE (AP) — Tennessee officials say a ninth county has a confirmed case of chronic wasting disease in deer.

Tennessee site could be added to Superfund priority list

MEMPHIS (AP) — The federal Environmental Protection Agency is proposing the addition of a former munitions factory in west Tennessee to a list of prioritized Superfund toxic cleanup sites, U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen said.

COURTS

Federal judge acquits Tennessee professor with ties to China

A federal judge on Thursday threw out all charges against a University of Tennessee professor accused of hiding his relationship with a Chinese university while receiving research grants from NASA.

Judge loosens Apple's grip on app store in Epic decision

SAN RAMON, Calif. (AP) — A federal judge ordered Apple to dismantle a lucrative part of the competitive barricade guarding its closely run iPhone app store, but rejected allegations that the company has been running an illegal monopoly that stifles competition and innovation.

TRANSPORTATION

US investigating airlines over slow refunds during pandemic

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Transportation Department is detailing efforts it says it is making to help airline customers who were wrongfully denied refunds after flights were canceled or changed during the pandemic.

RESTAURANTS

DoorDash, Grubhub, Uber Eats sue NYC over price caps

Three of the nation's largest food delivery companies are suing New York City over a limit on fees it put in place during the pandemic to protect restaurants devastated by the forced closure of their dining rooms.

McDonald's introducing McPlant vegan burger in UK, Ireland

McDonald's will begin selling a vegan burger in the United Kingdom and Ireland this month.

VIRUS OUTBREAK

Biden's vaccine rules ignite instant, hot GOP opposition

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden's aggressive push to require millions of U.S. workers to vaccinate against the coronavirus is running into a wall of resistance from Republicans threatening everything from lawsuits to civil disobedience, plunging the country deeper into culture wars that have festered since the onset of the pandemic.

Biden: GOP governors 'cavalier' for resisting vaccine rules

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden called some Republican governors "cavalier" on Friday for resisting his call for far-reaching new federal coronavirus vaccine requirements he hopes will curb the surging delta variant.

Federal mandate takes vaccine decision off employers' hands

Larger U.S. businesses now won't have to decide whether to require their employees to get vaccinated against COVID-19. Doing so is now federal policy.

Analysis: Biden takes fight to unvaccinated in virus battle

WASHINGTON (AP) — They're a source of frustration. A risk to their fellow citizens. A threat to the nation's economic recovery.

Key parts of Biden's plan to confront delta variant surge

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden has unveiled a new "action plan" plan to confront the COVID-19 surge that's being driven by the spread of the delta variant. It mandates vaccines for federal workers and contractors and certain health care workers, requires employees at companies with 100 or more workers to be vaccinated or tested weekly, lays the groundwork for a booster shot campaign and recommends that large venues require proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test. The plan also makes recommendations on keeping schools open.

US doubles the fine for people who break mask rule on planes

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. is doubling the fine for people who break the rule requiring masks on planes, trains and other forms of public transit to slow the spread of COVID-19, with President Joe Biden warning Thursday that violators should "be prepared to pay."

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS

Tech slide pulls S&P 500 down for its 5th straight loss

Stocks ended an up-and-down day lower on Wall Street, giving the S&P 500 its fifth consecutive loss and its first weekly decline after two weeks of gains.

US producer prices jump an unprecedented 8.3% in August

WASHINGTON (AP) — Inflation at the wholesale level climbed 8.3% last month from August 2020, the biggest annual gain since the Labor Department started calculating the 12-month number in 2010.

Policy center says debt limit could be hit in mid-October

WASHINGTON (AP) — The government will likely face an unprecedented default on its debt obligations between mid-October and mid-November, a Washington think tank said Friday, seconding a warning earlier this week from the Treasury.

For new hires, remote work brings challenges, opportunities

LONDON (AP) — Rebekah Ingram's remote internship has come with a series of unexpected challenges: She lacks a proper office set-up, her mother often calls for her while she works, and her dog barks during video calls.

White House competition council seeks lower consumer prices

A new White House council on U.S. economic conditions plans to hold its first meeting Friday, with participants to highlight at least 18 actions taken to help consumers and potentially lower prices.

Britain's economic growth slowed more than expected in July

LONDON (AP) — Britain's economic growth slowed more than expected in July as concern about the spread of the highly contagious delta variant of COVID-19 overshadowed the government's decision to end most social distancing rules.

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL POLITICS

As flights resume, plight of Afghan allies tests Biden's vow

WASHINGTON (AP) — Evacuation flights have resumed for Westerners, but thousands of at-risk Afghans who had helped the United States are still stranded in their homeland with the U.S. Embassy shuttered, all American diplomats and troops gone and the Taliban now in charge.


THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 9
UT SPORTS

Pitt defense will be tested by Tennessee's up-tempo offense

KNOXVILLE (AP) — The Tennessee Volunteers are about to see if the Pitt Panthers can handle their speed.

TOURISM

CBS to broadcast 5-hour Nashville New Years Eve 'Bash'

CBS will ring in the New Year by presenting "New Year’s Eve Live: Nashville’s Big Bash," marking the first time for Music City to anchor an entire New Year’s Eve national TV special, the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp announced today.

MUSIC INDUSTRY

Chris Stapleton, Eric Church share top CMA nominations

Country stars Chris Stapleton and Eric Church will go toe-to-toe with each other at this year's Country Music Association Awards, with both vying in the same five categories, including entertainer of the year.

NASHVILLE AREA

Southern Festival of Books goes virtual

Humanities Tennessee, the organizer of the 33rd annual Southern Festival of Books: A Celebration of the Written Word, has announced the festival will take place completely online and free-of-charge this year out of an abundance of caution for public health amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Nashville airport breaks ground on new hotel, garage

NASHVILLE (AP) — Nashville International Airport has broken ground on a new 14-story hotel that is scheduled to open in late 2023.

STATEWIDE

Tennessee offering tree seedlings for reforestation

NASHVILLE (AP) — Tennessee's forestry office is now taking orders for tree seedlings for planting throughout the state,

STATE GOVERNMENT

Tennessee redistricting starts; focus on Nashville-area boom

NASHVILLE (AP) — Tennessee's Republican supermajority Legislature began work Wednesday on the once-a-decade task of carving up new legislative and congressional districts based on population shifts, a task that a Democratic congressman testified should not divide fast-growing Nashville into different U.S. House seats.

AUTO INDUSTRY

After exiting Brazil, Ford pulls plug on production in India

Ford will cease auto production in India after logging accumulated operating losses of more than $2 billion over the past 10 years.

AP FACT CHECK: Biden overstates UAW support of electric cars

DETROIT (AP) — President Joe Biden glossed over important details and oversimplified the facts in his boast about support from the United Auto Workers union for his effort to dramatically increase sales of electric vehicles by decade's end.

TRANSPORTATION

Airlines say rise in COVID-19 cases is hurting ticket sales

DALLAS (AP) — Several leading U.S. airlines warned Thursday that the rise in COVID-19 cases due to the delta variant is hurting their bookings and further delaying a recovery for the travel industry.

EasyJet rejects bid offer as it seeks to raise more money

LONDON (AP) — British airline easyJet said Thursday it rejected an unsolicited takeover approach as it announced plans to raise another 1.2 billion pounds ($1.7 billion) from shareholders to shore up its recovery from the coronavirus pandemic.

TECHNOLOGY

Magnet milestones move distant nuclear fusion dream closer

SAINT-PAUL-LES-DURANCE, France (AP) — Teams working on two continents have marked similar milestones in their respective efforts to tap an energy source key to the fight against climate change: They've each produced very impressive magnets.

ENVIRONMENT

EPA seeks to restart process that could restrict Alaska mine

JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced Thursday it would seek to restart a process that could restrict mining in Alaska's Bristol Bay region, which is renowned for its salmon runs.

HEALTH CARE

FDA delays decision on e-cigarettes from vaping giant Juul

WASHINGTON (AP) — Federal health officials on Thursday delayed a high-stakes decision on whether to permit bestselling vaping brand Juul to stay on the market, while ordering thousands of other electronic cigarettes off store shelves.

VIRUS OUTBREAK

Sweeping new vaccine mandates for 100 million Americans

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden on Thursday is announcing sweeping new federal vaccine requirements affecting as many as 100 million Americans in an all-out effort to increase COVID-19 vaccinations and curb the surging delta variant that is killing thousands each week and jeopardizing the nation's economic recovery.

Microsoft return to U.S. offices delayed indefinitely

REDMOND, Washington (AP) — Microsoft told employees Thursday that it has indefinitely delayed their return to U.S. offices until it's safer to do so.

Can kids get 'long COVID' after coronavirus infections?

Can kids get "long COVID" after coronavirus infections? Yes, but studies indicate they're less likely than adults to be affected by symptoms that persist, recur or begin a month or more after infection.

Japan extends virus emergency until end of September

TOKYO (AP) — Japan announced Thursday it is extending a coronavirus state of emergency in Tokyo and 18 other areas until the end of September as health care systems remain under severe strain, although new infections have slowed slightly.

United lays out employee rules as vaccine requirement looms

United Airlines says that more than half its employees who weren't vaccinated last month have gotten their shots since the company announced that vaccines would be required.

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS

Stocks end lower on Wall Street, extending weekly losses

Stocks gave up an early gain and ended lower on Wall Street Thursday, keeping the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq on track for their first weekly losses in three weeks.

Fast hiring: UPS to hire 100,000, many in 30 minutes or less

NEW YORK (AP) — Besides packages, UPS is promising to deliver something else fast: job offers.

US jobless claims reach a pandemic low as economy recovers

WASHINGTON (AP) — The number of Americans seeking unemployment benefits fell last week to 310,000, a pandemic low and a sign that the surge in COVID-19 cases caused by the delta variant has yet to lead to widespread layoffs.

Crushed by pandemic, conventions mount a cautious return

In pre-COVID times, business events __ from small academic conferences to giant trade shows like CES __ routinely attracted more than 1 billion participants each year. The pandemic brought those global gatherings to a sudden halt, emptying convention centers and shuttering hotels.

European Central Bank easing support as recovery strengthens

FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — The European Central Bank will dial back some of its massive emergency pandemic support for the economy amid signs of increasing business activity and consumer readiness to spend as the 19 countries that use the euro rebound from the coronavirus recession.

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL POLITICS

House Dems begin moving parts of Biden $3.5T domestic plans

WASHINGTON (AP) — Democrats began pushing plans for providing paid family and medical leave, easing climate change and bolstering education through House committees Thursday as they battled Republicans and among themselves over President Joe Biden's $3.5 trillion vision for reshaping federal priorities.

US, Mexico restart high-level economic talks after 4 years

WASHINGTON (AP) — The United States and Mexico restarted high-level economic talks Thursday after a four-year pause as top advisers to presidents Joe Biden and Andrés Manuel López Obrador expressed eagerness to make headway on issues important to both nations such as infrastructure, trade and migration.

AP source: White House planning to withdraw ATF nomination

WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House will withdraw the nomination of a gun-control advocate to lead the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives after David Chipman ran into bipartisan opposition in the Senate, a person familiar with the decision said Thursday.

Police planning to reinstall Capitol fence ahead of rally

WASHINGTON (AP) — Law enforcement officials concerned by the prospect for violence at a rally in the nation's capital next week are planning to reinstall protective fencing that surrounded the U.S. Capitol for months after the Jan. 6 insurrection, according to a person familiar with the discussions.

Fighting Texas abortion law could be tough for federal gov't

WASHINGTON (AP) — Foes of the new Texas law that bans most abortions have been looking to the Democratic-run federal government to swoop in and knock down the most restrictive abortion law in effect in the country. But it's nowhere near that simple.

Biden, Democrats push Civilian Climate Corps in echo of New Deal

WASHINGTON (AP) — Inspired by the New Deal-era Civilian Conservation Corps, President Joe Biden and congressional Democrats are pushing for a modern counterpart: a Civilian Climate Corps that would create hundreds of thousands of jobs building trails, restoring streams and helping prevent catastrophic wildfires.

Biden ousts 18 Trump military academy board appointees

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration on Wednesday removed 18 appointees named to U.S. military academy boards by Donald Trump in the final months of the Republican president's term in office, according to the White House.

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