» Subscribe Today!
The Power of Information
Home
The Ledger - EST. 1978 - Nashville Edition
X
Skip Navigation LinksHome
VOL. 43 | NO. 38 | Friday, September 20, 2019

Navigating the Medicare maze

Missteps to avoid as open enrollment period looms

As 10,000 new beneficiaries each day age into a Medicare population that already supports 60 million, it is important to understand which plan to select when open enrollment begins Oct. 1.

We like 'Medicare-for-all,' dislike 'national health plan'

Medicare-for-all is getting increasing traction as a campaign issue in the run-up to the 2020 presidential elections.

Will block grant help cure what ails state’s TennCare program?

Gov. Bill Lee has released details of the state’s proposal to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services for about half, or $7.9 billion, of the state’s Medicaid funding to come through a federal block grant.

NASHVILLE AREA

Mayor-elect inherits fight with state comptroller

Nashville Mayor-elect John Cooper, who campaigned on a platform of restoring order to Metro’s finances, is inheriting a file of correspondence from the Tennessee comptroller’s office concerning how the city manages cash and what will happen to its 2020 budget without a key revenue source – privatized parking – which Cooper has said he won’t allow.

Local Weather
Currently
Nashville, TN
44.1°F
Overcast
Wind: North at 10.4 mph
Humidity: 68%

EVENTS

September Sundown. Presented by Musicians Corner featuring local artists, food trucks, Kidsville, Musicians Corner Pub and other vendors. Each Thursday in September. Thursday, 5-9 p.m. Centennial Park. Sept. 26: The New respects, Daniella Mason, Whoa Dakota, Jamiah and Creature Comfort. Information

more events »

‘Because I love it:’ Volunteers rescue Walden’s Puddle

From ailing eagles to orphaned opossums, from forsaken fawns to wounded woodchucks, some 120 species of Middle Tennessee wild birds and animals are provided treatment, rehabilitation and a second chance for survival – salvation, in other words – at Walden’s Puddle Wildlife Center of Greater Nashville.

JOE ROGERS: MY TAKE

Hello? Ticked Off? I have a complaint about this feature

Its appeal is like that of a car wreck from which you can’t look away.

RICHARD COURTNEY: REALTY CHECK

New Metro Council has housing issues to resolve

With the mayor’s race in the rear-view mirror, developers, builders and Realtors are making efforts to discern how the election will affect their industries. Most of the matters the Council considers have to do with real estate, and most of that zoning.

TENNESSEE TITANS

Quessenberry’s TD caps years of struggle

David Quessenberry was in the spotlight for the Tennessee Titans in Sunday’s loss to the Indianapolis Colts after catching the Titans’ first TD of the game on a tackle eligible play.

Henry, Mariota among top concerns

Same old Titans – win when they are not expected to, lose when they are not expected to.

Week 3 predictions

Titans 21, Jaguars 20: Picking the Titans to win is like putting a game in the loss column, but given the Jaguars are playing backup Gardner Minshew at quarterback, the Titans should be favored to win on a short week, even on the road. But it will take a better effort than what they gave against the Colts.

PREDATORS

Predators target Cup with Matt Duchene, improved power play

The Nashville Predators have had plenty of time to look in the mirror. They still like what they see, but they did tweak the roster that had been good enough to win back-to-back Central Division titles.

UT SPORTS

Freshman To’o To’o gets a foot up on competition

Henry To’o To’o has given announcers a reason to grab the pronunciation guide because they know they will be calling his name multiple times.

NEWSMAKERS

Sherrard Roe places 25 on Best Lawyers list

Twenty-five attorneys at Sherrard Roe Voigt & Harbison have been named to The Best Lawyers in America 2020.

BRIEFS

Grand Hyatt shows off its indoor spaces

The 25-story Grand Hyatt Nashville, opening in the fall of 2020, has released updated renderings of its indoor event spaces.

BEHIND THE WHEEL

Gas sippers: Honda Insight vs. Toyota Corolla Hybrid

Car shoppers seeking superior fuel economy have two particularly intriguing choices this year: the Honda Insight and the Toyota Corolla Hybrid.

BUSINESS BOOK REVIEW

Leaning in isn’t always enough in securing rightful place in company

Your seat is down there, right at the end.

PERSONAL FINANCE

The 6 biggest retirement mistakes – and 1 defense

One of the biggest retirement mistakes you can make is not realizing what you don’t know.

CAREER CORNER

Want to attract top candidates? Interview them like you want them

Years ago, job interviewing was an event. During my first job post-college search, I flew to companies across the U.S.

MIDSTATE

Middle Tennessee State homeless program to be used as model

MURFREESBORO (AP) — A Middle Tennessee State University program that helps homeless students will be a model for other state schools.

STATEWIDE

Recreation group says Tennessee parks among top 4 in nation

NASHVILLE (AP) — The National Recreation and Park Association says Tennessee's state parks system is among the best in the country.

COURTS

Witnesses clash in Tennessee abortion wait period trial

NASHVILLE (AP) — Expert witnesses on Wednesday presented dueling views of whether Tennessee's 48-hour waiting period before abortion helps or hinders women's decision making.

AUTO INDUSTRY

Japan welcomes US trade pact, but automakers appeal for help

TOKYO (AP) — Japanese automakers on Thursday urged the government to do more to support the industry after their government signed a trade deal with the U.S. that kept auto tariffs unchanged.

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS

US economy grew at modest 2% rate in second quarter

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. economy grew at a modest 2% annual rate in the second quarter, a pace sharply lower than the 3%-plus growth rates seen over the past year. Many analysts believe growth will slow further in coming quarters as global weakness and rising trade tensions exert a toll.

US House passes bill giving pot businesses access to banking

The U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill Wednesday that would grant legal marijuana businesses access to banking, a measure that would clear up a longstanding headache for the industry.

China demands US drop latest sanctions over Iran oil

BEIJING (AP) — China has demanded that Washington drop sanctions imposed on Chinese companies and executives for transporting Iranian oil.

China releases more pork from reserve to cool prices

BEIJING (AP) — China's government is releasing more pork from stockpiles to help cool surging prices ahead of celebrations of the Communist Party's 70th anniversary in power.

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL POLITICS

Acting intel boss to speak; Dems call complaint 'disturbing'

WASHINGTON (AP) — Acting Director of National Intelligence Joseph Maguire is set to speak publicly for the first time about a secret whistleblower complaint involving President Donald Trump as House Democrats who have read the document say it is "deeply disturbing."

Congress has redacted whistleblower complaint

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Latest on testimony by the acting director of national intelligence and a secret whistleblower complaint (all times local):

What's next now that Pelosi has launched impeachment inquiry

WASHINGTON (AP) — Now that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has launched an official impeachment inquiry of President Donald Trump, what's next?

Trump pushes Attorney General Barr into political fray again

WASHINGTON (AP) — In offering Ukraine's president the help of Attorney General William Barr in investigating rival Joe Biden, President Donald Trump is once again inserting the nation's top law enforcement officer in a political fray.


WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 25
UT SPORTS

LBs Ignont and Reid, WR Jones leave Tennessee's team

KNOXVILLE (AP) — Tennessee linebackers Will Ignont and Shanon Reid and wide receiver Jacquez Jones have left the team.

EDUCATION

Harwell lands job at Middle Tennessee

MURFREESBORO (AP) — Former Tennessee House Speaker Beth Harwell is joining Middle Tennessee State University as a visiting professor of political science.

MIDSTATE

TVA holds meetings to build public trust in coal ash storage

GALLATIN (AP) — The Tennessee Valley Authority has a three-pronged mission to promote energy, economic development and the environment. Now add to that rebuilding public trust.

COURTS

State Sen. Dickerson denies claims he committed fraud at clinic

NASHVILLE (AP) — A state senator is denying claims against him in a federal lawsuit that alleges he and other officials at a now-shuttered pain clinic company defrauded Medicare and Medicaid of more than $25 million.

Feds get Monday deadline to decide on Trump tax return fight

NEW YORK (AP) — A judge delayed enforcement of a subpoena seeking President Donald Trump's tax returns on Wednesday long enough for federal prosecutors to decide whether to join Trump's fight to prevent his tax returns from being turned over to a grand jury in a criminal probe.

Federal prosecutors join Trump to block tax return subpoena

NEW YORK (AP) — Federal prosecutors are joining President Donald Trump in asking a federal judge in New York to temporarily block a state court grand jury subpoena seeking his tax returns.

REAL ESTATE

US new home sales climbed a healthy 7.1% in August

U.S. new home sales jumped 7.1% in August, as low mortgage rates pull buyers into the housing market.

AUTO INDUSTRY

Committees finish work in GM talks, top bargainers take over

DETROIT (AP) — Contract talks between General Motors and striking United Auto Workers took a big step toward an agreement Wednesday when committees finished their work and sent it to the top bargainers.

Volkswagen board backs CEO, chairman in markets case

FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — The full Volkswagen board of directors has defended CEO Herbert Diess and Chairman Hans Dieter Poetsch against charges that the two failed to give investors timely notice of the company's impending diesel emissions scandal in 2015.

Workers, car owners, dealers and GM feel pinch from strike

DETROIT (AP) — As the United Auto Workers' strike against General Motors stretches into a second week, it's not just the company and striking workers getting pinched.

ENVIRONMENT

17 states sue feds over Endangered Species Act lawsuit

SEATTLE (AP) — Seventeen states are suing to block Trump administration rules weakening the Endangered Species Act.

'We're all in big trouble': Climate panel sees a dire future

NEW YORK (AP) — Earth is in more hot water than ever before, and so are we, an expert United Nations climate panel warned in a grim new report Wednesday.

HEALTH CARE

Health system closing Humbolt ER, expanding in Milan

JACKSON (AP) — A health care system in Tennessee is closing the emergency room at one medical center and expanding emergency services at a hospital.

Report: Opioids settlement won't fix areas hardest hit

A new analysis finds that money from a tentative settlement with OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma will be "no more than a stopgap" for state and local governments struggling to combat the opioid epidemic.

TECHNOLOGY

Best Buy sees growth in health care technology for elderly

NEW YORK (AP) — The nation's largest consumer electronics chain, known for selling TV sets, cellphones and laptops, is looking to health care as a big source of its future growth.

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS

US stocks rebound on housing data, Trump trade deal remark

U.S. stocks finished broadly higher Wednesday after President Donald Trump indicated that a deal to resolve the long-running, costly trade dispute with China could happen soon.

Trump: US, Japan agree on 1st stage of new trade agreement

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The U.S. and Japan on Wednesday signed a limited trade deal that will eliminate tariffs and expand market access on farm, industrial and digital products. But the deal does not address autos, a key sticking point during months of contentious negotiations, and President Donald Trump indicated the two countries were still working on a broader agreement.

Postal union accepts reform, quashes US walkout threat

GENEVA (AP) — Nearly 150 countries reached a compromise Wednesday that will keep the United States in the world's largest union of postal operators, following a threat by the Trump administration to quit unless it got its way.

Juul to end advertising and lobbying efforts of e-cigarette

Juul Labs will no longer promote its e-cigarettes in print, digital and TV advertisements and is replacing its CEO amid an escalating backlash against vaping nationwide.

IPO values screen-sharing app maker Teamviewer at $5.78B

BERLIN (AP) — Teamviewer, the maker of the eponymous screen-sharing and conferencing software, has held the biggest initial public offering for a German tech company since the dot-com boom.

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL POLITICS

Whistleblower: White House tried to "lock down" call details

WASHINGTON (AP) — White House officials sought to "lock down" records of a phone call in which President Donald Trump urged his Ukrainian counterpart to investigate Democratic rival Joe Biden, according to a secret whistleblower complaint made public Thursday.

Washington plunges into Trump impeachment investigation

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump repeatedly pushed Ukraine's president to "look into" Democratic rival Joe Biden, according to a rough transcript of a summer phone call that is now at the center of Democrats' impeachment probe into Trump.

AP sources: Lawmakers, staff to view whistleblower complaint

WASHINGTON (AP) — A whistleblower complaint that has triggered a renewed impeachment effort in the House will be available to some members and staff of congressional intelligence committees Wednesday, according to two people familiar with the matter.

American asylum pact with Honduras seals 'Northern Triangle'

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration says it has a deal that paves the way to send many asylum-seekers to Honduras, one of the world's most violent countries, to seek protection there.

Memo: Trump prodded Ukraine leader to investigate Bidens

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump repeatedly prodded Ukraine's new leader to work with the U.S. attorney general and lawyer Rudy Giuliani to investigate Democratic political rival Joe Biden, according to a rough transcript summarizing the call released Wednesday.

The Ukraine memo: What we know, don't know

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump repeatedly prodded Ukraine's new leader to work with lawyer Rudy Giuliani and the U.S. attorney general to investigate Democratic political rival Joe Biden, according to a rough transcript summarizing a July 25 call that was released Wednesday.

How the ground shifted on Trump impeachment

WASHINGTON (AP) — After more than two years of jousting over President Donald Trump's conduct, the ground suddenly shifted in Congress and a move toward impeachment broke free of constraints.

Trump's Ukraine episode crossed 'red line' for Dem freshmen

WASHINGTON (AP) — The rookie Democratic lawmaker caught House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's eye as the two women brushed past each other in a marbled Capitol hallway. Neither slowed her step. But over her shoulder, Pelosi flashed Rep. Elissa Slotkin a thumbs-up and said, "Congratulations."

Israel, US urge EU to take action against boycott movement

BRUSSELS (AP) — Israeli and U.S. officials are warning about a rise in attacks targeting Jews in Western Europe and are urging European Union leaders to take action against organizations supporting an international boycott of Israel.

An unrepentant Boris Johnson faces raucous Parliament

LONDON (AP) — An unrepentant Prime Minister Boris Johnson brushed off cries of "Resign!" and dared the political opposition to try to topple him Wednesday at a raucous session of Parliament, a day after Britain's high court ruled he acted illegally in suspending the body ahead of the Brexit deadline.


TUESDAY, SEPT. 24
COURTS

Tennessee AG seeks execution dates for 9 death row inmates

NASHVILLE (AP) — Tennessee's attorney general has asked the state Supreme Court to set nine execution dates in a move that bucks the national trend of shying away from using capital punishment.

NASHVILLE AREA

Nashville airport breaks single-day passenger record again

NASHVILLE (AP) — The airport in the growing city of Nashville has again broken its record for most passenger departures on a single day.

MUSIC INDUSTRY

1 of B.B. King's 'Lucille' guitars sells for $280K at auction

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — A guitar given to B.B. King for his 80th birthday has sold for $280,000 at an auction of items from the blues legend's estate.

REAL ESTATE

US home prices rise at slowest pace in 7 years

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. home prices rose in July from a year earlier by the smallest amount in seven years, as modest sales are forcing sellers to keep costs in check.

HEALTH CARE

US official expects 'hundreds more' cases of vaping illness

WASHINGTON (AP) — The number of vaping-related illnesses in the U.S. could soon climb much higher, a public health official said Tuesday.

TECHNOLOGY

Google wins case over reach of EU 'right to be forgotten'

BRUSSELS (AP) — Google won a major case in the European Union on Tuesday, when the bloc's top court ruled that the U.S. internet giant doesn't have to extend the EU's "right to be forgotten" rules to its search engines outside the region.

AUTO INDUSTRY

Feds: Engineer manipulated diesel emissions at Fiat Chrysler

DETROIT (AP) — Prosecutors on Tuesday unsealed criminal charges in an investigation of Fiat Chrysler diesel vehicles, accusing an engineer of cheating on pollution tests to get approval from U.S. and California regulators to sell more than 100,000 pickup trucks and SUVs.

Daimler fined $1 billion over diesel car certification

BERLIN (AP) — German prosecutors have fined Daimler 870 million euros ($957 million) over the alleged certification of diesel cars whose emissions didn't comply with regulatory requirements.

Volkswagen bosses charged in Germany over diesel scandal

BERLIN (AP) — German prosecutors said Tuesday they have charged Volkswagen's current chief executive and chairman as well as its former CEO with market manipulation in connection with the diesel emissions scandal that erupted in 2015.

MEDIA

Fox apologizes for 'disgraceful' comment about Thunberg

NEW YORK (AP) — Fox News has apologized for a guest who called environmental activist Greta Thunberg mentally ill, and said he would never appear on the network again.

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS

Stocks drop as Dems eye Trump inquiry

Stocks dropped on Wall Street Tuesday as House Democrats met to consider a potential impeachment probe of President Donald Trump and a report showed a drop in consumer confidence.

Senate panel approves Trump's pick to run Labor Department

WASHINGTON (AP) — A Republican-led Senate committee voted along party lines Tuesday to advance the nomination of President Donald Trump's pick to lead the Labor Department.

US consumer confidence drops as economic uncertainties rise

WASHINGTON (AP) — Consumer confidence fell sharply in September, a likely indication that growing economic uncertainties are taking a toll on American households.

AP FACT CHECK: Trump misstates NAFTA impact on US job losses

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump is attributing too many job losses to the North American Free Trade Agreement.

Trump administration issues less-generous overtime rule

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration has issued a rule that will make overtime pay available to 1.3 million additional workers, though the proposal replaces a more generous one advanced by former President Barack Obama.

China central bank says no plans for big economic stimulus

BEIJING (AP) — China's central bank governor said Tuesday its monetary policy will stay "stable and healthy," suggesting Beijing has no plans to join the United States and Europe in cutting interest rates to stimulate economic growth amid a tariff war with Washington.

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL POLITICS

Pelosi orders impeachment probe: 'No one is above the law'

WASHINGTON (AP) — House Speaker Nancy Pelosi launched the House into a formal impeachment inquiry against President Donald Trump on Tuesday, acquiescing to mounting pressure from fellow Democrats and plunging a deeply divided nation into an election year clash between Congress and the commander in chief.

Tennessee's Cooper joins call for impeachment inquiry of Trump

NASHVILLE (AP) — U.S. Rep. Jim Cooper is abandoning previous misgivings by calling for the House to begin impeachment proceedings against President Donald Trump.

Schiff says whistleblower wants to speak on Hill

WASHINGTON (AP) — The chairman of the House intelligence committee says a whistleblower who has been blocked by the Trump administration would like to speak to Congress.

Trump confidant Stone loses bid to get evidence thrown out

WASHINGTON (AP) — A judge has denied Trump confidant Roger Stone's efforts to suppress evidence in the case against him.

Trump's Senate Republican allies give OK to $5B wall request

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump's Senate GOP allies are pushing to give him his full $5 billion request to build about 200 miles (322 kilometers) of fencing along the U.S.-Mexico border, but the plan ran into immediate opposition from Democrats and is a non-starter with powerful House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

Top UK court: Johnson's suspension of Parliament was illegal

LONDON (AP) — In a major blow to Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Britain's highest court ruled Tuesday that his decision to suspend Parliament for five weeks in the crucial countdown to the country's Brexit deadline was illegal.

Dueling 'wealth tax' plans may prompt Sanders-Warren clash

WASHINGTON (AP) — Bernie Sanders announced on Tuesday a plan to tax the nation's wealthiest households, saying it will generate more than $4 trillion over the next decade and substantially reduce billionaires' fortunes — his version of Democratic presidential rival Elizabeth Warren's signature proposal.


MONDAY, SEPT. 23
STATE GOVERNMENT

GOP lawmaker, wife cited as reason judge quit after 9 days

NASHVILLE (AP) — A former Tennessee judge says the meddling of a Republican lawmaker and his wife was the reason she resigned just nine days after being appointed to take over the court position.

STATEWIDE

Tennessee moves up open-air burn permit requirements

NASHVILLE (AP) — State officials are telling Tennessee residents that all open-air outdoor fires will require a burn permit starting Monday.

NASHVILLE AREA

Tennessee State president leads $1M, 1-day fundraiser

NASHVILLE (AP) — Tennessee State University says its president, Glenda Glover, has led a $1 million, one-day fundraiser for historically black colleges and universities.

Newgarden wins championship and Herta wins IndyCar finale

MONTEREY, Calif. (AP) — Josef Newgarden wrapped up his second IndyCar championship and burst into tears — an odd reaction for a steely-nerved race car driver who rarely shows emotion.

UT SPORTS

Domestic assault charge against Vols' Thompson dismissed

KNOXVILLE (AP) — A misdemeanor domestic assault charge against Tennessee cornerback Bryce Thompson has been dropped after his girlfriend requested the dismissal.

AUTO INDUSTRY

Nissan paying $15M, Ghosn $1M to settle SEC fraud charges

WASHINGTON (AP) — Nissan will pay $15 million and former chairman Carlos Ghosn will pay $1 million to settle allegations by U.S. regulators that they hid more than $140 million of Ghosn's retirement benefits from investors.

GM strike enters 2nd week with no clear end in sight

NEW YORK (AP) — The strike against General Motors by 49,000 United Auto Workers entered its second week Monday with progress reported in negotiations but no clear end in sight.

GM electric car push could mean fewer and lower paying jobs

DETROIT (AP) — If U.S. consumers ever ditch fuel burners for electric vehicles, then the United Auto Workers union is in trouble.

UAW strike puts Trump, GOP in political bind in key states

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Democrats were quick to back working-class United Auto Workers in their strike against General Motors, delivering doughnuts and holding picket signs outside factories to show solidarity. It's a union they long have aligned with politically.

COURTS

Tennessee abortion clinics hope to defeat waiting period

NASHVILLE (AP) — The former medical director of Planned Parenthood of Tennessee and North Mississippi testified on Monday that Tennessee's 48-hour waiting period for abortions actually delays the procedure by up to a month.

HEALTH CARE

Johnson says he'll tell Trump: Hands off UK health service

NEW YORK (AP) — Britain's prime minister has promised to tell U.S. President Donald Trump that any notion of American firms buying parts of the U.K.'s beloved, state-funded health service will be off the table in future trade negotiations, and that the United States will have to open its markets to British goods if it wants to make a deal.

TOURISM

Perfect storm of change, debt and Brexit sank Thomas Cook

FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — British tour operator Thomas Cook fell victim to multiple setbacks including shifting travel habits, the rise of online booking sites, the sinking pound and even unusually hot weather that encouraged fewer Northern Europeans to travel.

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS

Late burst of selling leaves US stock indexes little changed

A listless day on Wall Street ended Monday with major indexes closing little changed as modest gains from earlier in the afternoon faded in the final minutes of trading.

Global postal union meets amid Trump threat to pull US out

GENEVA (AP) — The effects of President Donald Trump's standoff with China could soon be coming to a post office near you — and higher shipping rates for some types of mail are the likely outcome.

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL POLITICS

Pressure grows for Trump transcript; he says will clear him

WASHINGTON (AP) — Congressional Democrats on Monday pressed their demands for full disclosure of a whistleblower's complaint about President Donald Trump and intensified calls for impeachment. Trump insisted anew he did nothing wrong in his conversation with Ukraine's leader that is at the center of the complaint.

Trump suggests he talked Bidens with Ukraine's president

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump suggested that he raised former Vice President Joe Biden and Biden's son in a summer phone call with Ukraine's new leader, as Democrats pressed for investigations into whether Trump improperly used his office to try to dig up damaging information about a political rival.

The story behind Biden's son, Ukraine and Trump's claims

WASHINGTON (AP) — In 2014, then-Vice President Joe Biden was at the forefront of American diplomatic efforts to support Ukraine's fragile democratic government as it sought to fend off Russian aggression and root out corruption. So it raised eyebrows when Biden's son Hunter was hired by a Ukrainian gas company.

AP FACT CHECK: Trump's twisted reality on guns, environment

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump is twisting reality on gun control and the environment.

In UN building, Trump sees a real estate deal that got away

WASHINGTON (AP) — As President Donald Trump visits the United Nations building in New York this week, he won't be focused only on the global challenges facing the world body — he's still reliving the real estate deal there that got away.


FRIDAY, SEPT. 20
TENNESSEE TITANS

Minshew, defense shine as Jaguars thump Titans 20-7

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Minshew Mania is gaining momentum.

NFL bans on-field pyrotechnics, reviewing Titans incident

NEW YORK (AP) — The NFL has banned any on-field pyrotechnics and "flame effects" at any league or team events, including games, in the wake of an incident at last Sunday's game at Nissan Stadium.

STATEWIDE

China: FedEx pilot suspected of 'smuggling weapons'

BEIJING (AP) — A FedEx pilot who was detained in southern China is under investigation on suspicion of "smuggling weapons and ammunition" after air gun pellets were found in his baggage, a foreign ministry spokesman said Friday.

AUTO INDUSTRY

23 states sue Trump to keep California's auto emission rules

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California and 22 other states sued Friday to stop the Trump administration from revoking the authority of the nation's most populous state to set emission standards for cars and trucks.

Auto union strike is latest worry in Flint, GM's birthplace

FLINT, Mich. (AP) — The birthplace of General Motors has been on an economic roller-coaster ride for more than a century as the automaker rose, crashed and retooled for changing markets. Now, the city of Flint is again steeling for economic impact amid a nationwide United Auto Workers' strike against the automaker.

AP Source: GM's offer to UAW would add lower-paying jobs

DETROIT (AP) — A General Motors offer to invest $7 billion in U.S. facilities includes $2 billion from joint ventures and suppliers for new plants that would pay workers less than the top union wage, a person briefed on the matter said.

COURTS

Tennessee attorney general appeals dropping death sentence

NASHVILLE (AP) — Tennessee's attorney general is appealing after a black inmate on death row had his sentence converted to life in prison because of concerns that racism tainted his jury selection pool.

Tennessee's abortion wait period law faces court arguments

NASHVILLE (AP) — Four years after Tennessee passed a law requiring a 48-hour waiting period for women seeking abortions, abortion clinics are getting a chance to argue against it in court.

TRANSPORTATION

FAA chief meets Boeing officials, tries out Max simulator

DALLAS (AP) — The chief of the Federal Aviation Administration tested the Boeing 737 Max in a flight simulator Thursday, but the FAA declined to say how its updated anti-stall software performed.

TECHNOLOGY

Senate tech critic to Facebook CEO: Sell WhatsApp, Instagram

WASHINGTON (AP) — As Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg met Thursday with President Donald Trump and other critics of the tech industry, the Senate's most vocal detractor offered a challenge: Sell your WhatsApp and Instagram properties to prove you're serious about protecting data privacy.

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS

Stocks fall on fresh trade worries

Wall Street closed out a volatile week with losses Friday as investors worried that upcoming trade talks aimed at resolving the costly trade war between Washington and Beijing could be in trouble.

Fed announces plans to provide more support for repo market

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Federal Reserve says it will keep pumping cash into a vital but obscure corner of U.S. financial markets in coming weeks.

Trump says he doesn't need China trade deal before election

WASHINGTON (AP) — As China and the U.S. near a new round of trade talks, President Donald Trump said Friday he doesn't feel he needs to secure an agreement before next year's election.

Walmart to stop selling electronic cigarettes at its stores

NEW YORK (AP) — Walmart says it will stop selling electronic cigarettes at its namesake stores and Sam's Clubs following a string illnesses and deaths related to vaping.

2 Federal Reserve officials highlight deep divisions

WASHINGTON (AP) — Two Federal Reserve officials who dissented from this week's quarter-point rate cut on Friday highlighted the current deep divisions at the central bank.

House votes to end forced arbitration in business disputes

WASHINGTON (AP) — The House approved a bill Friday to end forced arbitration clauses that prevent workers and consumers from filing lawsuits in disputes with companies over employment practices, billing or civil rights.

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL POLITICS

Trump denounces 'partisan' whistleblower but says ID unknown

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump irritably defended himself Friday against an intelligence whistleblower's potentially explosive complaint, including an allegation of wrongdoing in a reported private conversation Trump had with a foreign leader.

US military to present Trump with several options on Iran

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Pentagon will present a broad range of military options to President Donald Trump on Friday as he considers how to respond to what administration officials say was an unprecedented Iranian attack on Saudi Arabia's oil industry.

AP FACT CHECK: Trump team distortions on fuel economy rules

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump and his team are distorting the facts in explaining the administration's decision to stop California from setting its own emission standards for cars and trucks.


THURSDAY, SEPT. 19
STATEWIDE

A FedEx pilot is detained before boarding a flight in China

FedEx says one of its pilots was detained in China after an item was found in his luggage before he boarded a commercial flight.

UT to livestream campus spot recently marred by hate message

KNOXVILLE (AP) — The University of Tennessee will set up a livestream at a rock that's often painted by students to promote events, but was recently marred by an anti-Semitic message.

REAL ESTATE

Average 30-year mortgage rate rises to 3.73%

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. long-term mortgage rates shot up this week, yet they stayed close to the historic lows that appear to be helping the real estate market.

Mortgage rates boosted US home sales 1.3% in August

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. home sales rose 1.3% in August to the highest level in 17 months, as mortgage rates near historic lows have spurred a rush of home-buying.

TECHNOLOGY

Huawei debuts phone without Google apps as US sanctions bite

MUNICH (AP) — Huawei launched a new flagship smartphone on Thursday but it comes without popular Google apps such as Chrome or YouTube after U.S. sanctions kicked in, limiting its appeal to consumers.

HEALTH CARE

Pelosi unveils an ambitious plan to lower drug prices

WASHINGTON (AP) — House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, trying to seize the agenda on a leading consumer issue, announced an ambitious prescription drug plan Thursday that would allow Medicare to negotiate prices for seniors and younger people.

ENVIRONMENT

'Middle of the herd' no more: Amazon tackles climate change

NEW YORK (AP) — Online shopping giant Amazon revealed a carbon footprint Thursday that rivals that of a small country and vowed to reduce the damage to the planet by cutting its use of fossil fuels.

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS

Stocks little changed after rally wanes

NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks are sputtering at the close on Wall Street Thursday after an early rally fizzled.

Walgreens, Google affiliate to launch drone delivery test

Walgreens and a Google affiliate are testing drone deliveries that can put drugstore products on customer doorsteps minutes after being ordered.

President Trump says Fed Chair Powell's job is 'safe'

WASHINGTON (AP) — Despite all of his attacks on the Federal Reserve, President Donald Trump says Chairman Jerome Powell's job is safe.

Labor nominee says he won't be influenced by corporate work

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump's pick to lead Labor Department tried to assure senators Thursday that his years of legal work for corporate clients would not influence his actions as a Cabinet member.

Airbnb says it will go public in 2020

Airbnb Inc. said Thursday it plans to go public in 2020, a long-awaited move by the home-sharing company that is both loved and reviled for its disruption of the hotel business.

France floats tariffs on US goods amid Airbus-Boeing dispute

PARIS (AP) — France's finance minister says Europe is ready to impose retaliatory tariffs next year on U.S. goods as part of a long-running dispute over subsidies to plane makers Airbus and Boeing.

Bank of England holds rates as it awaits Brexit clarity

LONDON (AP) — The Bank of England kept its main interest rate unchanged at 0.75% Thursday, its last scheduled interest rate decision before Britain is due to leave the European Union.

Japan central bank stands pat after Fed rate cut

TOKYO (AP) — Japan's central bank opted Thursday to keep its monetary policy unchanged despite the growing signs of trouble that prompted the Federal Reserve to cut its benchmark rate.

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL POLITICS

Key Senate panel approves $250 million for election security

WASHINGTON (AP) — A key Senate panel on Thursday approved $250 million to help states beef up their election systems, freeing up the money after Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell came under criticism from Democrats for impeding separate election security legislation.

House OKs measure to prevent possible end-of-month shutdown

WASHINGTON (AP) — The House passed a short-term bill Thursday to prevent a federal shutdown when the budget year ends Sept. 30, and give lawmakers until the Thanksgiving break to negotiate and approve $1.4 trillion for federal agencies.

Iran envoy: 'All-out war' to result if hit for Saudi attack

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Any attack on Iran by the U.S. or Saudi Arabia will spark an "all-out war," Tehran's top diplomat warned Thursday, raising the stakes as Washington and Riyadh weigh a response to a drone-and-missile strike on the kingdom's oil industry that shook global energy markets.

House chairman: Whistleblower complaint may involve Trump

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump's director of national intelligence is refusing to turn over to Congress a whistleblower complaint that reportedly concerns Trump making an unspecified promise to a foreign leader. It's a matter of urgent concern, the intelligence community's inspector general said.

Trump says gun negotiations going 'very slowly'

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump is pouring cold water on prospects for a bipartisan compromise on gun legislation, even as his aides circulate a draft plan on Capitol Hill.

Walmart CEO McMillon named Business Roundtable chairman

The Business Roundtable, a group that represents the most powerful companies in America, is naming Walmart President and CEO Doug McMillon as its new chairman.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter & RSS:
Sign-Up For Our FREE email edition
Get the news first with our free weekly email
Name
Email
TNLedger.com Knoxville Editon
RECORD TOTALS DAY WEEK YEAR
PROPERTY SALES 0 0 0
MORTGAGES 0 0 0
FORECLOSURE NOTICES 0 0 0
BUILDING PERMITS 0 0 0
BANKRUPTCIES 0 0 0
BUSINESS LICENSES 0 0 0
UTILITY CONNECTIONS 0 0 0
MARRIAGE LICENSES 0 0 0