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VOL. 38 | NO. 38 | Friday, September 19, 2014

The road to better mass transit: New MTA CEO says Amp will be success only if part of larger system

Picking a new transit chief is critical for a city in transition.

STREET LEVEL

Singing Mechanic’s life much like the songs he sings

The Singing Mechanic – “I’ve got that name. Nobody else can use it,” says Billy Devereaux – sits by his worn, 1,200-square-foot, two-room cottage and looks down at Boots, his Dutch Shepherd.

REALTY CHECK

Offer too much that dream house? Let the inspector bail you out

While real estate rambles along on its record-setting pace, there are bumps all over the road leading to culmination of the transactions.

Local Weather
Currently
Nashville, TN
41.0°F
Overcast
Wind: Southwest at 4.6 mph
Humidity: 47%

EVENTS

Heritage Days at Sam Davis Home. Hands-on activities today and Friday will demonstrate what life was like for Civil War soldiers, how quilts provided warmth during cold months and how to separate cream from milk to churn into butter. The lower floor of the historic house will be open for touring, and demonstrators will show their crafts across the property. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Admission: $5 per person. Information: 459-2341, www.samdavishome.org.

more events »

REAL ESTATE

Middle Tennessee Real Estate trends for August 2014

August 2014 real estate trends for Davidson, Williamson, Rutherford and Wilson counties, as compiled by Chandler Reports.

Top Davidson County lenders for August 2014

A look at Davidson County’s top lenders based on total number of all loans, commercial and residential.

TENNESSEE TITANS

So which Titans team will show up at Cincinnati?

You only get one chance to make a first impression, as the old saying goes.

UT SPORTS

Prep coaches, players sold on Jones the recruiter

Nothing surprises Murfreesboro Blackman High School football coach Philip Shadowens when it comes to college recruiting.

Vol commitments for 2015, 2016 classes

Tennessee football commitments for 2015 and 2016

NEWSMAKERS

Finalists are announced for entrepreneur awards

The Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce and the Nashville Entrepreneur Center have announced the finalists for the fourth annual NEXT Awards. These awards recognize excellence in business and entrepreneurship in Middle Tennessee.

GUERRILLA MARKETING

Five negotiation mistakes you’ll want to avoid

More than 75 percent of the sales reps I’ve coached through the years cite price as their No. 1 objection. Given the state of our economy for the last several years, it’s no wonder.

THE WORLDLY INVESTOR

Government for the prosperity of the people

The reporting out of the U.S. on China is uniformly downbeat. By applying our western perspectives, China appears inhumane, politically oppressive, over-indebted and fragile.

CAREER CORNER

Right fit more important than accepting first offer

The title of my column today may sound a bit confusing. It comes from one of my own mentors. Years ago, when I was finishing graduate school, I spent a significant amount of time searching for the right job.

I SWEAR

Child’s legacy lives on with $2M in scholarships

THEA crops up in crosswords occasionally. In an easy puzzle, it’ll be clued as “Ellington’s ‘Take ___ Train’.” Or “Mr. T’s ‘___ Team’.”

KAY'S COOKING CORNER

Try twice-baked potato salad at your next tailgate

Not long ago, we were eating dinner with our daughter Betsy and her family. Betsy, who’s a super cook, had made twice-baked potato salad, and it was so delicious.

STATEWIDE

Ball challenges Alexander to US Senate debates

NASHVILLE (AP) - Democratic Senate candidate Gordon Ball is criticizing incumbent Republican Lamar Alexander for refusing to participate in debates that would highlight differences on issues including abortion, education and guns.

MIDSTATE

MTSU to offer Carnegie courses

MURFREESBORO (AP) — Middle Tennessee State University's Jennings A. Jones College of Business has entered an exclusive partnership with Dale Carnegie Training to help students develop "soft skills" such as communication and problem solving.

AUTO INDUSTRY

Auto components manufacturer coming to Spring Hill

SPRING HILL (AP) — State officials say Comprehensive Logistics Co. Inc. plans to build a facility that will house the manufacturing and light assembly of automotive components for the General Motors plant in Spring Hill, about 30 miles south of Nashville.

Iowa bars Tesla Motors from offering test drives

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa Transportation Department has told Tesla Motors to stop offering test drives.

NATIONAL BUSINESS

Apple falls as software glitch gets more attention

NEW YORK (AP) — Shares of Apple Inc. are down more than 3 percent as a glitch in an iPhone software update garnered more headlines.

US stock market sinks as Apple drags down tech

NEW YORK (AP) — Technology companies are leading a broad decline in U.S. stocks that has pulled the Dow Jones industrial average down 200 points.

US durable goods fell 18.2 percent in August

WASHINGTON (AP) — Business orders for long-lasting manufactured goods fell by a record amount in August, dragged lower by a plunge in demand for commercial aircraft. But orders in a key category that tracks business investment plans posted a gain.

Applications for US unemployment rise 12K to 293K

WASHINGTON (AP) — The number of people seeking U.S. unemployment benefits increased last week after falling sharply two weeks ago. Despite the rise, the level of applications remains near pre-recession levels, a sign that hiring will likely remain healthy.

Average US 30-year mortgage rate at 4.20 percent

WASHINGTON (AP) — Average long-term U.S. mortgage rates declined slightly this week, after marking their largest one-week gain of the year the previous week.

Drones for moviemaking face likely FAA approval

WASHINGTON (AP) — The government granted six movie and television production companies permission to use drones for filming, an important step toward greater use of the technology by commercial operators, Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx announced Thursday.

Dozens of other industries are lined up to follow Hollywood's lead. Until now, the Federal Aviation Administration, which is part of the Transportation Department, had banned commercial drone operations with the exception of two oil companies in Alaska.

Swedish H&M eyes further expansion around world

STOCKHOLM (AP) — Swedish fashion retailer Hennes & Mauritz AB says it is to expand its business further over the coming year to build on the popularity of its collections.


WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24
STATEWIDE

Report finds $3M in political ads in Tennessee

NASHVILLE (AP) — A new study finds that nearly $3 million has been spent on broadcast TV advertising for state-level races in Tennessee so far this year.

COURTS

State Supreme Court won't hear appeal in MTSU player's death

MURFREESBORO (AP) — The Tennessee Supreme Court says it won't hear an appeal from a woman convicted of murder in the stabbing death of a Middle Tennessee State University basketball player.

TECHNOLOGY

Struggling BlackBerry releases new phone

TORONTO (AP) — BlackBerry has launched a new smartphone as the embattled Canadian company tries for a comeback.

AUTO INDUSTRY

GM says China sales this year to top 3.1 million

SHANGHAI (AP) — General Motors Co. expects its sales in China this year to top 3.1 million vehicles and sees no impact on business from an anti-monopoly probe of the industry, the president of the automaker's China unit said Wednesday.

NATIONAL BUSINESS

US stocks recover, shaking off a three-day slump

NEW YORK (AP) — The stock market had its best day in a month, shaking off a three-day slump.

Wal-Mart's mobile checking account nixes fees

NEW YORK (AP) — Wal-Mart is the latest company to get rid of fees that traditional banks charge customers who don't have enough money in their accounts to cover purchases.

Middle-class squeeze: From day care to health care

WASHINGTON (AP) — Three years ago, Jason Prosser was stunned to discover the cost of child care for his newborn son — so much so that he and his wife postponed having a second child.

Harvard's endowment grows to $36.4B

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (AP) — Harvard University's largest-in-the-nation endowment grew to $36.4 billion in the fiscal year that ended in June on a 15.4 percent return, the university agency that's oversees the endowment announced.

Sales of US new homes soar in August

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. sales of new homes surged in August, led by a wave of buying in the West and Northeast.

US, California release roadmap for solar projects

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — State and federal officials sought Tuesday to bring order to California's boom for renewable-energy plants in the Mojave and other southern California deserts, releasing a roadmap covering 22.5 million acres that designates some areas for large-scale solar, wind and geothermal plants and others for conservation of desert habitat and animals.

GE to give Penn State $10M for gas drilling center

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Penn State University said Wednesday that General Electric Co. will give the school up to $10 million to create a new center for natural gas industry research.


TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23
NASHVILLE AREA

Mayor appoints Tennessean's Cass communications advisor

NASHVILLE – Mayor Karl Dean today announced that he has appointed veteran reporter Michael Cass as communications advisor/speechwriter in his office, where his responsibilities will include preparing and writing speeches. Cass has worked for 19 years as a reporter, including at The Tennessean since 1999 with the last nine years covering Metro government and politics. He will assume the post starting Oct. 20.

Nashville mayor creates office to help immigrants

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Nashville Mayor Karl Dean is creating a new office that is dedicated to offering aid to the city's booming immigrant population.

STATEWIDE

Transportation grants to help local communities

NASHVILLE (AP) — The Tennessee Department of Transportation is providing grants to help local communities with transportation projects and planning.

Martineau to lead Environmental Counsel of States

NASHVILLE (AP) – The Environmental Council of the States has elected Tennessee's Bob Martineau as its new president.

Pilot founder Jim Haslam in traffic accident

KNOXVILLE (AP) — Pilot Flying J founder Jim Haslam, the father of Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam and Cleveland Browns owner Jimmy Haslam, has been involved in a three-car traffic accident in Knoxville.

Fewer Tennessee teenagers engage in binge drinking

NASHVILLE (AP) — Tennessee officials say fewer teenagers and pre-teens in the state are binge drinking.

TECHNOLOGY

Messaging app seeks to bring voices back to phones

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Longtime technology guru Ray Ozzie wants to bring back the emotions of the human voice to phones.

AUTO INDUSTRY

Cadillac to ditch Detroit for trendy NYC address

DETROIT (AP) — Cadillac wants a jolt from the city that never sleeps.

NATIONAL BUSINESS

Coke, Pepsi pledge to reduce calorie consumption

NEW YORK (AP) — Coke, Pepsi and Dr Pepper say they'll work to reduce the calories Americans get from beverages by 20 percent over the next decade by more aggressively marketing smaller sizes, bottled water and diet drinks.

Europe, Syria drag on global stock markets

NEW YORK (AP) — Grim economic news from Europe and airstrikes in Syria rattled global stocks Tuesday.

Businesses and investors pressing for green policy

NEW YORK (AP) — Hundreds of corporations, insurance companies and pension funds are calling on world leaders gathering for a U.N. summit on climate change this week to attack the problem by making it more costly for businesses and ordinary people to pollute.

P&G selling rest of pet care business to Spectrum

NEW YORK (AP) — The Procter & Gamble Co. is selling its Iams and Eukanuba brands in Europe to Spectrum Brands, shedding the remaining parts of its pet care business.

Deutsche Bank co-CEO, 4 others face charges

FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — Prosecutors in Germany have brought charges against Deutsche Bank co-CEO Juergen Fitschen and two former CEOs in connection with what prosecutors say were misleading statements in a court case.

NATIONAL POLITICS

Limits on overseas mergers prompt renewed debate

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Obama administration's decision to curb the ability of U.S. corporations to skirt taxes by merging with foreign companies kicked off an immediate election-season debate over when and how to tackle the nation's complex corporate tax code.


MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 22
NASHVILLE AREA

Former Haslam aide Ali joins Nashville law firm

NASHVILLE (AP) - A former member of Gov. Bill Haslam's administration vilified by tea party groups for having once worked in the area of Shariah compliant finance is joining Bone McAllester Norton to work on international law and diplomacy issues.

TECHNOLOGY

Investors fret Yahoo's future, stock dips

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Yahoo's stock fell Monday as investors grappled with uncertainty about the Internet company's future in the wake of last week's record-setting Wall Street debut by the Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba.

Apple: 10 million iPhone 6 and 6 Plus sold

NEW YORK (AP) — Apple says it sold more than 10 million iPhone 6 and 6 Plus models, a record for a new model, in the three days after the phones went on sale.

AUTO INDUSTRY

GM expert says 21 deaths eligible for compensation

DETROIT (AP) — The death toll from crashes involving General Motors small cars with faulty ignition switches is at least 21.

NATIONAL BUSINESS

US existing home sales fall in August

WASHINGTON (AP) — Fewer Americans bought homes in August, as investors retreated from real estate and first-time buyers remained scarce.

US stocks fall as China weighs on markets

NEW YORK (AP) — Worries about growth in China and a slide in the price of oil pushed the stock market to its biggest loss in almost seven weeks.

Protesters stage Wall Street climate crisis sit-in

NEW YORK (AP) — Hundreds of activists protesting what they say is Wall Street's role in the climate crisis have gathered in lower Manhattan's financial district.

Tesco suspends execs over inflated profit report

LONDON (AP) — Tesco, Britain's largest retailer by revenue, has suspended four executives and launched an accounting investigation after admitting that its half-year profit was overstated by 250 million pounds ($407 million).


FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19
STATEWIDE

Haslam keeps door open to pre-K; Ramsey skeptical

NASHVILLE (AP) - While Gov. Bill Haslam is keeping the door open to an expansion of the public pre-kindergarten program in Tennessee, any such move would remain a tough sell among some fellow Republicans in the Legislature.

Alexander, Corker honored by business association

NASHVILLE (AP) — U.S. Sens. Lamar Alexander and Bob Corker are being honored by the nation's leading small business association.

Summit focuses on education changes in Tennessee

NASHVILLE (AP) - After holding a state education summit, Gov. Bill Haslam said Thursday he plans to hold more discussions about education changes in Tennessee, particularly on the Common Core standards.

MUSIC INDUSTRY

50-year Opry member George Hamilton IV dies

NASHVILLE (AP) — Grand Ole Opry Member George Hamilton IV, who was one of country music's first international ambassadors, has died. He was 77.

COURTS

State Supreme Court rules on surrogacy case

NASHVILLE (AP) - A juvenile judge was wrong to terminate the parental rights of a surrogate mother before her baby was born, the Tennessee Supreme Court has ruled.

New chief justice echoes Haslam mantra on review

NASHVILLE (AP) - First, the state Supreme Court hired Gov. Bill Haslam's top legal adviser as Tennessee's next attorney general. Now the high court's new chief justice is also adopting the Republican governor's rhetoric.

HEALTH CARE

Health law enrollment now 7.3M

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Obama administration says 7.3 million people have signed up for subsidized private health insurance under the health care law — down from 8 million reported earlier this year.

AUTO INDUSTRY

GM to introduce new, high-end Cadillac next year

DETROIT (AP) — General Motors will begin building a new, top-end Cadillac sedan late next year at its Detroit-Hamtramck assembly plant.

NATIONAL BUSINESS

Stock indexes end mixed after Alibaba debuts

NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stock indexes are ending mixed on a day when the Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba made its big debut in the market.

Alibaba stock soars in jubilant trading debut

NEW YORK (AP) — Alibaba debuted as a publicly traded company Friday and swiftly climbed more than 40 percent in a mammoth IPO that offered eager investors seemingly unlimited potential for growth and a way to tap into the burgeoning Chinese middle class.

Procter & Gamble cancels on-field NFL promotion

NEW YORK (AP) — Procter & Gamble is canceling an on-field breast cancer awareness promotion it had been planning with the National Football League, the latest sponsor to respond to the NFL's growing problems.

Gauge of US economy edges up 0.2 percent in August

WASHINGTON (AP) — A gauge designed to predict the economy's future health rose in August but at a much slower pace than in July.

Pabst Brewing to be sold to Russian company

NEW YORK (AP) — The maker of Pabst Blue Ribbon beer is being sold to Russian company Oasis Beverages for an undisclosed sum.

R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. names new president

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (AP) — Camel and Pall Mall cigarette maker R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. is tapping the head of PepsiCo North America's nutrition division as its new president and chief commercial officer.

Brighter economy driving up holiday hiring plans

NEW YORK (AP) — UPS will hire up to 95,000. Kohl's plans to take on 67,000 and FedEx 50,000. Wal-Mart will add 60,000.

Stock gains lift US household wealth to a record

WASHINGTON (AP) — Strong stock market gains and higher home prices boosted Americans' net worth in the April-June quarter to a record high, a trend that could encourage more spending.

Higher education panel to discuss work readiness

NASHVILLE (AP) — The Nashville Business Journal has organized a panel discussion on higher education and workforce readiness.

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