VOL. 39 | NO. 36 | Friday, September 4, 2015
BEYOND BELIEF
Father Joseph Breen always makes an entrance, whether he wants to or not, a beloved Nashville figure who inevitably collects handshakes and hugs wherever he goes, unmistakable when he rolls up in his white Chrysler 300 and clerical collar.
REALTY CHECK
The new closing documents that the Feds threatened to impose and implement on August 1 will now come into fruition on October 3, after they missed their own deadline.
REAL ESTATE
WASHINGTON (AP) — Average long-term U.S. mortgage rates rose this week after a sharp drop the previous week, as global markets continued to whipsaw amid economic disruption in China and uncertainty over Federal Reserve interest-rate policy.
TENNESSEE TITANS
“Coach wants see you – and bring your playbook.” Those eight words will shatter many an NFL dream over the next few days, not only with the Tennessee Titans but around the league as rosters are trimmed from 90 players to 75 and, finally, to 53.
NEWSMAKERS
Baker Donelson has named Nashville attorneys John H. Rowland and Courtney H. Gilmer as new practice group leaders within the firm’s Financial Services Department.
BEHIND THE WHEEL
Those looking for a luxury-branded convertible with a low price tag should turn toward Audi’s A3 Cabriolet.
BUSINESS BOOK REVIEW
How will you be seen? That’s a big concern for you on many days: will your mode of dress impress or are you feeling frumpy? Can a strong handshake overcome onions for lunch?
GUERRILLA MARKETING
Former IBM president Thomas Watson was known for saying, “Nothing happens until a sale is made.” We saw that truth painfully realized during the 2007-09 recession. Approximately 1.6 million sales jobs were cut across multiple industries as demand plummeted, according to a report by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
THE WORLDLY INVESTOR
As you already know, markets have gyrated wildly over the last two weeks. While suspicions of crisis have developed, the market has behaved as if crisis were already upon us.
I SWEAR
Reflecting at the end of an era: Park City, Utah. January 20, 2006. Susan and I clamber onto the bus that stops at the edge of the snow-filled parking lot.
KAY'S COOKING CORNER
Hubby and I, along with two other couples, went to Jason’s Deli to eat lunch after church not long ago. Jason’s Deli is always good and always crowded, but the food helps us to completely forget the latter and just pile in with everyone else.
NASHVILLE AREA
NASHVILLE (AP) - Voters in Nashville go to the polls Thursday to select their next mayor after a campaign marked by heavy partisanship and negative advertising.
NASHVILLE (AP) - House speakers from nearly 40 states are in Nashville this week as part of the National Speakers Conference.
COURTS
NASHVILLE (AP) - Applications are now open to fill a vacancy on the bench of Tennessee's highest court, but one heavy favorite - should he chose to apply - still won't divulge his plans.
MIDSTATE
MURFREESBORO (AP) - Middle Tennessee State University will dedicate a statue honoring former coach and athletic director Boots Donnelly on Oct. 3 before the Blue Raiders host Vanderbilt for homecoming.
AUTO INDUSTRY
DETROIT (AP) — Fiat Chrysler is recalling more than 1.5 million trucks to fix problems with side-impact and driver's air bags.
TECHNOLOGY
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Pope Francis' personality is more joyful than grumpy cat, his vestments undeniably white and gold — not blue or black — and you'll never hear him say OMG or ermahgerd.
REAL ESTATE
WASHINGTON (AP) — Average long-term U.S. mortgage rates inched up this week as financial markets awaited the Federal Reserve's crucial decision next week on interest rates.
NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS
WASHINGTON (AP) — Fewer Americans applied for unemployment benefits last week, keeping this key indicator of labor market health near historic lows.
NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks are rising in midday trading Thursday as investors try to anticipate when and how quickly the Federal Reserve will raise interest rates. A government report on unemployment claims suggested the job market remains strong. Markets in Europe and Asia were mostly lower.
WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. companies are advertising a lot more jobs. But when it comes to filling them, many remain cautious.
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Justice Department issued new guidance to its prosecutors Wednesday, aimed at encouraging more white-collar criminal and civil cases against corporate executives.
LONDON (AP) — The Bank of England has kept its main interest rate unchanged at the record low of 0.5 percent and provided no indication that it's in a hurry to start raising borrowing rates, to the likely relief of homeowners and businesses.
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9
NASHVILLE AREA
NASHVILLE (AP) - A closer-than-expected mayor's race in Nashville has Republicans hoping they can grab one of the last remaining major elected offices in Tennessee that has eluded their grasp amid a statewide GOP wave.
MUSIC INDUSTRY
NASHVILLE (AP) - Little Big Town crushed it with their song "Girl Crush" and are tied with Eric Church with five nominations each at the 49th annual Country Music Association Awards.
TECHNOLOGY
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Apple staked a new claim to the living room on Wednesday, as the maker of iPhones and other hand-held gadgets unveiled an Internet TV system that's designed as a beachhead for the tech giant's broader ambitions to deliver a wide range of information, games, music and video to the home.
MIDSTATE
NASHVILLE (AP) — Six counties, including Sumner, have been selected to participate in the Select Tennessee Property Evaluation Program.
AUTO INDUSTRY
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Where does a practical car like the Toyota Prius go to reinvent itself? The same place many people go to let loose and have fun: Las Vegas.
NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS
WASHINGTON (AP) — Income inequality will remain a persistent problem despite brighter prospects for U.S. companies globally, according to an annual survey of Harvard Business School alumni.
WASHINGTON (AP) — The number of available jobs jumped sharply in July to the highest level in 15 years, evidence that confident employers sought to step up hiring to meet greater demand for their goods and services.
NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks are closing lower after an early rally fizzled.
Instagram is adding 30-second video ads and other features as it gives businesses more ways to reach potential customers through the Facebook photo sharing app.
NATIONAL POLITICS
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Puerto Rico's government released a long-awaited fiscal reform plan on Wednesday that would reduce much of the island's $72 billion public debt and calls for restructuring the remainder at the expense of bondholders.
MIAMI (AP) — Republican presidential candidate Jeb Bush's tax reform plan calls for a lower corporate tax rate and immediate tax deductions for business investments.
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8
NASHVILLE AREA
Media General is buying Meredith Corp. in an approximately $2.4 billion cash-and-stock deal.
AUTO INDUSTRY
LAS VEGAS (AP) — The rollout of Toyota's new Prius comes at an inauspicious time for gas-sipping vehicles.
TECHNOLOGY
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Hey, Siri, what does Apple have in store for us this week?
NEW YORK (AP) — Disney has signed agreements with Amazon and Microsoft that will allow them to use its cloud-based digital movie service.
HEALTH CARE
CHICAGO (AP) — About 9.9 million people have signed up and paid for health insurance under President Barack Obama's health care law, the administration said Tuesday, a slight dip from a previous count but on track toward the administration's year-end goal of 9.1 million.
WASHINGTON (AP) — If things are a bit tense in your doctor's office come Oct. 1, some behind-the-scenes red tape could be to blame.
NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS
NEW YORK (AP) — The wild ride for investors continued on Tuesday. Stocks surged to their second-biggest gain of the year, more than wiping out a big loss from Friday and leaving the Dow Jones industrial average down just slightly for the month.
MANILA, Philippines (AP) — The head of the U.N. agency promoting equality for women says her office is mounting a major campaign for equal pay for women, who get 24 percent less than men on global average and around 30 percent less for those in Asia.
HONG KONG (AP) — Chinese exports and imports contracted in August in the latest sign of weakness for the world's second-biggest economy.
NATIONAL POLITICS
BOSTON (AP) — Courting unions on Labor Day, President Barack Obama denounced Republicans for a "constant attack on working Americans" and said he was using his executive power to force federal contractors to give paid sick leave to their employees.
WASHINGTON (AP) — Congress returns on Tuesday with a critical need for a characteristic rarely evident through a contentious spring and summer — cooperation between Republicans and President Barack Obama.
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 7
NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS
LONDON (AP) — Attempts by Chinese officials to reassure investors helped European markets post some modest gains Monday, on a day when trading activity was diminished by a U.S. holiday.
WASHINGTON (AP) — On Labor Day weekend 2015, the U.S. job market has found an old sweet spot: 5.1 percent unemployment — many miles from the 10 percent joblessness America endured back in 2009.
NATIONAL POLITICS
WASHINGTON (AP) — Showing solidarity with workers on Labor Day, President Barack Obama will sign an executive order Monday requiring paid sick leave for employees of federal contractors, including 300,000 who currently receive none.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4
STATEWIDE
NASHVILLE (AP) - In the end, the Tennessee Attorney General says the argument all comes down to the lack of a comma.
NASHVILLE (AP) - The Transportation Department is making sure travelers on Tennessee highways aren't delayed by road construction over the Labor Day weekend.
NASHVILLE (AP) - The Department of Revenue is offering free tax workshops this month to new businesses in five Tennessee cities.
REGION
COLUMBUS, Ky. (AP) — Part of the Mississippi River was closed as crews investigated and cleaned up an oil spill caused by the collision of two tow boats, the U.S. Coast Guard said Thursday.
HEALTH CARE
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Obama administration proposed Thursday to ban discrimination against transgender people throughout the health care system, carrying out anti-bias provisions in the president's health overhaul.
TECHNOLOGY
BERLIN (AP) — Computer manufacturers are unveiling the first big batch of devices running Windows 10 at the IFA home electronics show opening in Berlin on Friday.
BERLIN (AP) — Gadget makers have been showcasing their latest gear at Europe's flagship technology show, the IFA in Berlin, this week.
AUTO INDUSTRY
EAST PALO ALTO, Calif. (AP) — Toyota is investing $50 million with Stanford University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in hopes of gaining an edge in an accelerating race to phase out human drivers.
Nissan is recalling nearly 300,000 of its Versa and Versa Note vehicles to adjust a console panel that could catch the driver's shoe and slow braking efforts.
NEW YORK (AP) — It has been more than a decade since U.S. drivers paid so little to fuel up for that last road trip of summer.
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Playing deejay with voice commands will get easier for more Americans this fall as some best-selling cars get updated with software that integrates smartphones into the dashboard.
COURTS
SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) — A federal judge has approved a $415 million settlement to resolve a class-action lawsuit alleging Apple, Google, Intel and two other Silicon Valley companies illegally conspired to prevent their workers from getting better job offers.
NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS
WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. unemployment rate fell to a seven-year low in August as employers added a modest 173,000 jobs, a key piece of evidence for the Federal Reserve in deciding whether to raise interest rates from record lows later this month.
NEW YORK (AP) — It's an old adage that investors hate uncertainty. Unfortunately for them, they got more of it on Friday.
NEW YORK (AP) — More than 23,000 Cannondale mountain bicycles are being recalled because a steering tube can fail which can cause riders to fall off.
WASHINGTON (AP) — More than 3,000 former Corinthian College students will have their college loans erased, the first wave of debt relief tied to the collapse of the for-profit higher education chain. The potential cost to taxpayers if all Corinthian students seek relief: $3.2 billion.