WEDNESDAY,AUGUST28, 2013 HaslamNamesMontgomeryto CriminalAppealsCourt(TN Report)

Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam has chosen Robert (Rob) H. Montgomery Jr. as a judge for the Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals, Eastern Section. Montgomery will replace Joseph M. Tipton, who will retire at the conclusion of his current term. Rob Montgomery will be an excellent judge, Haslam said. His experience on the bench, as well as his experience as an assistant district attorney and an attorney in private practice will serve East Tennesseans well. Montgomery, 59, has been a criminal court judge in the Second Judicial District since 2006. He was assistant district attorney general in Sullivan County from 1987-2006 and an unemployment appeals referee in the Department of Employment Security in Kingsport, Morristown, Johnson City and Knoxville from 1986-1987. Montgomery was in private practice as an attorney in Kingsport from 1979-1986. http://tnreport.com/2013/08/27/haslam-names-montgomery-to-criminal-appeals-court/

HaslamNamesMontgomeryto CriminalAppealsCourt(AssociatedPress)
Gov. Bill Haslam has named Robert "Rob" H. Montgomery Jr. to fill an upcoming vacancy in the eastern section of the Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals. Montgomery is a former assistant district attorney general who has been a criminal judge in Sullivan Count since 2006. He will replace Joseph M. Tipton, who is retiring at the end of his current term. Montgomery, of Kingsport, earned his law degree from the University of Tennessee in 1979. Haslam last week named W. Neal McBrayer to the middle section of the Tennessee Court of Appeals. He is replacing Patricia J. Cottrell, who isn't seeking another term. McBrayer is an attorney in private practice in Nashville. He specializes in commercial litigation and bankruptcy law. http://www.memphisdailynews.com/news/2013/aug/28/haslam-names-montgomery-to-criminal-appeals-court/

ChancellorGoldintappedto serveon TennCourtof Appealsnext year(CA/Locker)

Gov. Bill Haslam selected Shelby County Chancery Court Judge Arnold B. Goldin on Tuesday to fill a vacancy on the Tennessee Court of Appeals western section that will occur a year from now when Judge Alan E. Highers retires. Goldin, 64, was appointed chancellor in 2002 by then-governor Don Sundquist, elected in 2004 and elected to a full eight-year term in 2008. He was previously in private law practice in Memphis since 1974 when he graduated from the University of Memphis law school. He is a 1971 graduate of the University of Virginia. The Court of Appeals is Tennessees intermediate appellate court for civil cases, between the trial courts and the state Supreme Court. It has 12 judges statewide, divided into the western, middle and eastern sections of four judges each. Highers, the western sections presiding judge, is currently the longest serving appellate judge in the state. He was appointed to the court in 1982 and his term expires Aug. 31, 2014. He announced June 5 that he will not seek re-election next year. Chancellor Goldin has done an outstanding job and will be an excellent judge on the Court of Appeals, Haslam said. His experience on the bench and in private practice will serve the people of West Tennessee well. http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2013/aug/27/chancellor-goldin-be-appointed-statecourt-appeals/ (SUBSCRIPTION)

HaslamnamesGoldinto Tenn.appealscourt(NewsObserver)
Gov. Bill Haslam has named Shelby County chancellor Arnold B. Goldin to fill an upcoming vacancy in the western section of the Tennessee Court of Appeals. The Commercial Appeal (http://bit.ly/15gZNYy ) reports that Goldin will succeed Judge Alan E. Highers, who is retiring at the end of August 2014. Haslam's appointments to fill vacancies are being made unusually early because lawmakers allowed the Judicial Nominating Commission to expire. The panel tasked with proposing three nominees for the governor to choose from nevertheless made its suggestions before disbanding on June 30. Haslam in recent days named also named Robert "Rob" H. Montgomery Jr. to the eastern section of the Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals and W. Neal McBrayer to the middle section of the Tennessee Court of Appeals.

http://www.newsobserver.com/2013/08/28/3142975/haslam-names-goldin-to-tenn-appeals.html#storylink=cpy

HaslamnamesTraughberto stateEthicsCommission(NewsSentinel/Humphrey)
Gov. Bill Haslam has appointed Charles Traughber, who recently retired as chairman of the state Board of Paroles, to a seat on the Tennessee Ethics Commission, which will hear a complaint filed against Haslam in October. I think Charles has been around a while and theres nobody who would question his ethics, Haslam said. Former state Democratic Party Chairman Chip Forrester, who filed a complaint with the Ethics Commission over Haslams failure to disclose personal payments to lobbyist and political operative Tom Ingram, certainly did not do so. I am pleased that the governor filled out the board and pleased that he chose someone of Mr. Traughbers caliber, Forrester said in a telephone interview. Forrester said Traughber has demonstrated his commitment as a public servant for many years and the appointment will bring an impartial and thoughtful perspective to the Ethics Commission. http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2013/aug/27/haslam-names-traughber-to-state-ethics/ (SUB)

Collegesexpectto see growthwithlaunchof program(Tennesssean/Rabun)

Starting next fall, new high school graduates in Davidson County can learn to weld, work on a car or manage collision repair without paying a penny in tuition and make impressive salaries within a year of finishing high school. After an eight-week truck driving program, for example, program graduates can be earning upwards of $35,000, said Mark Lenze, director of the Tennessee College of Applied Technology on White Bridge Road. Or, new high school graduates can attend neighboring Nashville State Community College for a two-year associates degree, tuition-free. Both West Nashville schools are preparing for an influx of Davidson County students next fall after this months launch of the nashvilleAchieves scholarship program, which will make community or technical college education available with no tuition cost to any public high school graduating senior in Davidson County. A public-private partnership spearheaded by Gov. Bill Haslam and Mayor Karl Dean, nashvilleAchieves is an extension of the tnAchieves program, established in 2008 by Randy Boyd, special adviser to Haslam on higher education. TnAchieves has given 34,000 high school students in 26 counties the opportunity to attend community or technical college at no cost . http://www.tennessean.com/article/20130828/DAVIDSON/308280004/Collegesexpect-see-growth-launch-nashvilleAchieves-program (SUBSCRIPTION)

Tennschools,industryworktogetherto preparestudentsfor top jobs(TFP/Hardy)

Several Hamilton County high schools will pilot new advanced manufacturing and IT courses next school year as part of a regional effort to better prepare students for the workforce. County and school leaders from Hamilton, Bradley, McMinn and Rhea counties gathered Tuesday to celebrate the Southeast Tennessee Pathways to Prosperity effort. Through the program, officials said, schools and businesses would work together to create a new series of courses for students headed into jobs or higher education in IT and advanced manufacturing. That should help schools better prepare students for work in the region, whether those students go on to earn college degrees or immediately find jobs after high school graduation. "The goal is to provide kids with a lot more information on what the jobs actually are in the region," said Hamilton County Schools Superintendent Rick Smith. Many schools already offer some career and technical education courses. But the new program will take students beyond just learning about a particular field. The idea is for students to spend time outside school, getting hands-on experience in the kinds of places they eventually may find employment. With new opportunities for internships and college credit, officials hope kids will leave high school with skills that lead directly to jobs that need filling. http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2013/aug/28/schools-industry-aim-for-top-jobs/?local

HaslamSignsHawkinsWilsonAct, ReformingTNsBondAuthorizationLaw(TNR)
Legislation enacted by the General Assembly this year ensuring Tennessees financial integrity was recognized recently at a ceremonial signing event in Nashville. The bill, sponsored by Senate Finance Committee Chairman Randy McNally (R-Oak Ridge), is named the Hawkins-Wilson Act, in recognition of Tennessees 22nd Governor, the late Alvin Hawkins, and Justin Wilson, who is currently serving his third term as the states Comptroller. Hawkins served as Governor from 1881 to 1883. He favored full repayment of the state debt which was in default after the Reconstruction Era building of roads and bridges. The Hawkins-Wilson law reforms, clarifies and modifies Tennessees bond authorization statute to ensure the financial integrity of the state of Tennessee into the next century, said Chairman McNally. It also says the states annual debt service shall not exceed 10 percent of the total state revenue allocated to the general fund and the highway fund, setting out a clear, explainable debt service limitation to keep us on the right financial course. http://tnreport.com/2013/08/27/haslam-signs-hawkins-wilson-act-reforming-tns-bond-authorization-law/

GapInc. to expanddistributioncenterin Gallatin(AssociatedPress)

State business development officials say clothing retailer Gap Inc. plans to expand operations at its distribution center in Gallatin, creating about 90 jobs in the process. Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bill Hagerty says the expansion amounts to an investment of about $35 million in Sumner County. The Gallatin facility provides service to the South for Gap brands, including Gap and Gap Outlet, Banana Republic and Banana Republic Factory stores, and Old Navy. Hagerty says Gap provided about 2,500 Tennesseans with high quality jobs in 2012. He says Gap's decision to expand its distribution center in Middle Tennessee speaks highly of the state's central location and infrastructure. http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2013/aug/28/gap-inc-to-expand-distribution-center-in/

Gapinvesting$35Min SumnerCountyexpansion(NashvilleBusinessJournal)
Gap Inc. is investing $35 million to expand its Gallatin distribution center, company and government officials announced today. The expansion will create 90 jobs. Gap currently has about 550 full-time employees in Sumner County, making it the sixth-largest employer in the county, according to Nashville Business Journal research. "Gap Inc. is a valued corporate citizen, providing about 2,500 Tennesseans with high-quality jobs in 2012 alone," Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bill Hagerty said in a news release. "Gap Inc.'s decision to expand its distribution center in Middle Tennessee speaks highly of our state's central location and world-class infrastructure. I appreciate Gap Inc.'s investment and look forward to their continued presence in Tennessee." The Gallatin campus is one of Gap Inc.'s largest distribution centers and currently provides service to the southern region of the United States for Gap Inc. brands, including Gap and Gap Outlet, Banana Republic and Banana Republic Factory Stores, and Old Navy. http://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/blog/2013/08/gap-investing-35m-in-sumner-co.html

TheGap'sGallatindistributioncentergetting$35Mexpansion(Tenn/Williams)
The Gap Inc. distribution center in Gallatin has announced a $35 million expansion, which will add 90 jobs. The Gallatin campus is one of Gaps largest distribution centers and currently provides service to the southern region of the United States for Gap Inc. brands, including Gap and Gap Outlet, Banana Republic and Banana Republic Factory Stores and Old Navy. The center has been in operation for 15 years in Gallatin, and ranks as one of Sumner Countys largest employers. Company officials didnt immediately respond to interview requests. Exactly whats involved in the expansion has not been announced, including when hiring will begin or whether a new building will be needed or it will involve an expansion of the current facility. Gap Inc. is a valued corporate citizen, providing about 2,500 Tennesseans with high-quality jobs in 2012 alone, said Bill Hagerty, Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development commissioner. Gap Inc.s decision to expand its distribution center in Middle Tennessee speaks highly of our states central location and world-class infrastructure. I appreciate Gap Inc.s investment and look forward to their continued presence in Tennessee. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20130828/BUSINESS01/308280132/The-Gap-s-Gallatin-distribution-centergetting-35M-expansion?gcheck=1 (SUBSCRIPTION)

Tenn.reducingantipsychoticuse in nursinghomes(AssociatedPress)
Tennessee nursing homes have dramatically decreased the use of antipsychotic drug use for residents living with dementia. According to the state Health Department, antipsychotic drugs cost hundreds of millions of Medicare and Medicaid dollars and increase the risk of stroke, heart attack, falls with fractures, hospitalizations and other complications. Lowering the use of unnecessary antipsychotic medications improves residents' quality of life and reduces health care costs. Tennessee led the nation for antipsychotic use in nursing homes in the fourth quarter of 2011. By the first quarter of this year the state had dropped to 48th in the nation. Tennessee reduced the use of the drugs by conducting training sessions for nursing home staff members across the state. The training was part of a nationwide initiative to improve dementia care. http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2013/aug/28/tenn-reducing-antipsychotic-use-in-nursing-homes/

Twinfatalitiesbringscrutinyto conditionson OcoeeRiver(TFP/Bradbury,Green)

More than 100 rafters were waiting on the shore for their chance on the river when Marnita McGruder fell out of her raft and died on the Ocoee River on Saturday. The guides knew what was happening. The guests didn't. Just yards 3

away on the ramp, Noah Perdue, a guide, tried to distract his guests as he waited to take them out, and he watched the rescue attempt. No one panicked. "It was more like helplessness, because you're just watching people," he said. "There's nothing anyone can do. If you put in, you're putting yourself at risk." That was Saturday, when 51-year-old McGruder died. Perdue was there the next day, too, when another boat flipped at the same rapids and another woman died, 36-year-old Katherine Tyler Luna, of Smyrna, Tenn. "It was definitely more somber on Sunday," Perdue said. "Because it had just happened. We were like, 'Wow.'" Now the Ocoee rafting community is trying to figure out how two women died on the river within 24 hours, under nearly identical circumstances. After Sunday's death, some people on the river were saying that the Tennessee Valley Authority was letting too much water through Ocoee No. 2 Dam, causing unsafe conditions. http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2013/aug/28/twin-fatalities-over-weekend-bring-scrutiny-to/?local

Schoolsissuewhoopingcoughwarning(Tennessean/Matthews)
Williamson County hasnt seen an outbreak of pertussis better known as whooping cough but the local health department, schools and physicians are still warning parents of the seriousness of the illness. Across the state, 131 cases of pertussis have been reported this year as of Aug. 24, according to data from the Tennessee Department of Health. Twenty-six of those cases were in the departments Mid-Cumberland Region, which includes Williamson County and 11 other counties, and seven were in the Nashville-Davidson County Region. Brentwood Middle School Principal Bill Harlin sent an email to parents this morning warning them on the dangers of pertussis. In his email, Harlin said the Williamson County Health Department had requested schools pass along the information on the highly contagious illness because of the number of cases seen yearly in Williamson County. The Department of Health doesnt release data on individual counties in its regions, and the Williamson County Health Department referred all inquiries to the state department. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20130828/WILLIAMSON/308270053/Schools-issue-whooping-cough-warning (SUBSCRIPTION)

Educatorsmeetto studySCORE,exchangeideas(Tennessean/Fingeroot)
Hundreds of Tennessee educators converged on Nashville last week for a two-day summit on improvement ideas. SCORE, or the State Collaborative on Reforming Education, hosted about 600 participants at Music City Center for sessions ranging from teacher pay to using technology in the classroom. Speakers included administrators and others from school districts in Tennessee, staff from the Tennessee Department of Education and experts from other states. Among the topics discussed on the first day was placing effective teachers and principals in highneed schools. Speaker Ann Clark said she is embarrassed it took 24 years of her 30-year career to come up with the idea of putting the best teachers and principals in poor-performing schools. Clark is a deputy superintendent in North Carolinas Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, where officials six years ago began moving effective teachers and principals to the schools that needed help. The action is sensible when a business moves a manager to a lowperforming branch, but tough and courageous when done in education, she said. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20130828/DAVIDSON/308280110/Educators-meet-study-SCORE-exchangeideas (SUBSCRIPTION)

BretskeHall boostsUTCsustainability, getsLEEDcertification(TFP/LaFave)

It's a day one art lesson: Combining blue and yellow makes "green." Bretske Hall, UTC's former cafeteria and lab space, has been transformed into an environmentally sound art space. After a $2.14 million renovation, the brick box is now the university's prototype for campus sustainability. "UTC has made a commitment to be environmentally aware, to lower our campus footprint and provide a healthy environment for our faculty and staff," Sustainability Coordinator Lisa Darger said. Bretske is the first UTC building to be LEED-certified, or verified that the facility meets national third-party sustainability standards like air quality and cost efficiency. Points are awarded for using low-emitting painting, sealing and building products. Darger said the engineering building and $48 million library are next on UTC's list for LEED certification, and the verification process should be underway before the library's spring 2014 opening. If Bretske represents how far UTC's future sustainability efforts will go, those upcoming projects will be no small task. The project turned out to be a "99 percent" reconstruction. Bretske now boasts three different sorts of electric light, a new elevator and ADA-compliant ramps, and a wide-open, minimalist aesthetic. "People who knew this space are shocked by how unfamiliar it looks," said art department head Ron Buffington. Bretske's main bragging point is the north wall's massive new windows, which open the two painting studios for natural sunlight. The university can ease power usage while artists thrive on a "jaw-dropping" view of campus. http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2013/aug/28/bretske-hall-boosts-utc-sustainability/?local

Statecourtsdirectorto stepdown(NashvillePost)
Elizabeth Sykes, director of the Administrative Office of the Courts, has announced she will retire late this year, capping a 27-year career in state government. Sykes, a resident of Clarksville who earned her law degree from the University of Memphis, joined the AOC in 1995 after working at the Tennessee Department of Corrections and being the executive director of the Sentencing Commission. She was promoted to deputy director in 1999 and named administrative director in 2006. The Tennessee Supreme Court will appoint her successor. Libby Sykes has enjoyed a remarkable career in her service to the State of Tennessee, especially during her tenure as administrative director of the Courts, said Supreme Court Chief Justice Gary Wade. By her remarkable competence and caring manner, she and her staff have earned the respect and admiration of the entire Judicial Branch of government. http://nashvillepost.com/news/2013/8/27/state_courts_director_to_step_down

U.S. Sen. LamarAlexanderpoll showshim'very strong'(TimesFree-Press/Sher)

A week after the release of a poll that suggests Republican U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander would be vulnerable to a "credible conservative" in the GOP primary next year, the Alexander campaign says its own new poll shows the Tennessee lawmaker is in a "very strong position" to fend off GOP rivals. The Alexander campaign's survey of 600 likely Republican primary voters, conducted Aug. 19-22, showed the senator's job approval at 69 percent with 24 percent disapproval. It also shows Alexander leading announced GOP primary challenger Joe Carr, a state representative, by 64 to 22 percent. Alexander also has a substantial lead over Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett, who is weighing a challenge, with 62 percent favoring the senator to 23 percent for Burchett. A two-term senator, Alexander also led former Williamson County GOP Chairman Kevin Kookogey, a likely challenger, by 69 to 15 percent. http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2013/aug/28/alexander-poll-shows-him-very-strong/?local

Alexanderpoll showsincumbentdoingwell againstrivals(NS/Humphrey)

U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander enjoys almost a 3-to-1 lead over prospective rivals in next years Republican primary, according to a poll commissioned by the incumbents campaign. A memo distributed to media by the campaign shows Alexander leading Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett, who says hes considering the race, by 62 percent to 23 percent. State Rep. Joe Carr of Lascassas, who recently announced as a candidate, trailed Alexander a bit more, 64 percent to 22 percent. Two others mentioned as potential candidates did even less well, according to Whit Ayers, president of North Star Opinion Research, who has been polling for Alexander since his 1996 presidential campaign. The poll had Alexander leading Brian Kookegey, former Williamson County Republican chairman, 69 percent to 15 percent, while leading Brenda Lenard, who ran unsuccessfully against U.S. Sen. Bob Corker in the 2012 primary, 69 percent to 16 percent. http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2013/aug/28/alexander-poll-shows-incumbent-doing-well-rivals/ (SUB)

RonPaulin Nashville:JustLegalizeFreedom(TN Report)

The Federal Reserve and how it facilitates the growth of government and spending was the topic of a speech given by retired Texas Congressman Ron Paul at a conference in Nashville Friday. The libertarian-leaning Republican who ran in the partys presidential primaries in 2008 1nd 2012 was speaking at a conference titled A Night of Clarity. The event at the Nashville Sheraton featured lectures from libertarians and free-market economists on the history of U.S. monetary policy. Pauls speech, titled My History with Austrian Economics and Fighting the Fed, covered a range of topics from how he discovered the so-called Austrian School of economics and got involved in politics to how the Federal Reserve encourages federal government expansion. Although the main topic of the conference was money and banking, Paul tied the Fed to many of the public policy issues prominent in the news today. Issues such as excessive spending, rising debt, foreign interventionism and perpetual war, NSA surveillance and the loss of civil liberties are directly linked with the Federal Reserve and ever-expanding government, Paul said. http://tnreport.com/2013/08/27/ron-paul-speaks-in-nashville/

StatesWinin Fightfor WithheldPayments(Wall StreetJournal)

Wyoming and 30 other states won a battle against the federal government this week over more than $80 million in royalty payments the states were owed, but didn't immediately receive due to the across-the-board federal budget cuts known as the sequester. The federal Office of Natural Resources Revenue had been keeping the money, which is mostly derived from oil and gas production on federal lands, and normally is divided between the federal government and the states. But on Monday, the agency told state officials that it determined the states, by law, are entitled to receive their share of the withdrawn funds a year later. A spokesman said officials came to the conclusion following a review on how to implement sequestrationautomatic budget cuts mandated by Congress 5

due to lawmakers' inability to reach agreement on deficit reduction. Numerous western states, including New Mexico, Utah and Colorado, had fought the federal government over the money, saying it shouldn't be considered an expenditure subject to sequestration. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324906304579039313296912766.html?mod=ITP_pageone_1 (SUBSCRIPTION)

Fedaudit saysORNL'snewsteamplant costingmorethanit should(N-S/Munger)

Oak Ridge National Laboratorys new Biomass Steam Plant, which began operations a year ago amid much hype and celebration, is supposed to save more than $260 million over the next two decades. However, according to a new audit report by the Department of Energys Office of Inspector General, the wood-chip-burning facility is still costing more than it should perhaps incurring as much as $67 million in unnecessary costs over its lifetime. Federal auditors looked at two biomass facilities one at ORNL, the other at DOEs Savannah River Site in South Carolina that were built using so-called Energy Savings Performance Contracts, which involve private companies developing and financing projects on the front end in exchange for a share of the savings later on. The IG auditors didnt really find any problems with the Savannah River project, but they identified a number of planning and operational issues with the ORNL facility that could expose the federal agency to financial risks. The ORNL project was based on a performance contract between DOEs Oak Ridge office and Johnson Controls, which developed and managed the big construction project. http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2013/aug/28/fed-audit-says-ornls-new-steam-plant-costing-it/

Truckdealerdoublingsize at newChattanoogalocation(TimesFree-Press/Pare)
A Chattanooga truck dealership is shifting gears and moving from an inner city location to a high profile site off Interstate 75 as it builds a new $5 million facility. "We're in a growth mode," said Bobby Bethune, branch manager of MHC Kenworth, which has broken ground on a nine-acre tract on Lee Highway north of Bonny Oaks Drive. He said the dealership will more than double its footprint to 60,000 square feet as well as bolster its workforce by nearly 30 employees. "We'll probably get up to 60 to 70 [employees] pretty quick," Bethune said. The facility will sell new and used heavy and medium-duty trucks. Bethune said MHC is the nation's largest Kenworth dealers group with 55 locations, also selling Hino, Ford, Volvo and Isuzu trucks. In addition to sales, the new facility will hold 30 state-of-the-industry service and body shop bays and expand its retail parts offerings, according to the Kansas-based company. Chattanooga has a heavy trucking presence with two of the biggest over-the-road transportation companies in the industry headquartered in the city. Both U.S Xpress Enterprises and Covenant Transportation Group are key players in the sector. http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2013/aug/28/truck-dealer-doubling-size-at-new-location/?business

Schoolboardagreesto seeka morepermanentcalendar(Tennessean/Fingeroot)

Metro Nashville school board members once again failed to come up with a 2014-15 school calendar Tuesday night, but they did agree on one thing. Theyd be better off if they didnt have to do this every year. The board sent staff members back to the board with a new idea, one that would forestall the need to come up with a calendar every year. Adopting a calendar every year, board Chairwoman Cheryl Mayes said, is extra stress nobody needs. Board members were scheduled to discuss a compromise plan that tried to split the difference between the current calendar and one with longer summer breaks and a later start date. Instead they cut off discussion and told staff to come up with long-term guidelines the district can stick with for many years. The board had already discussed a proposed strategic plan for nearly two hours when the calendar came up and did not appear ready for another lengthy conversation. You have three minutes, Mayes jokingly told Director of Schools Jesse Register. A few minutes after Register started, board member Will Pinkston had a question. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20130827/NEWS/308270123/1970 (SUBSCRIPTION)

MNPSAimsTo Be No.1In Five-YearStrategicPlan(WPLNRadioNashville)

Nashvilles public schools are setting very specific goals to reach by 2018. They include becoming the top urban school system in the country. Superintendent Jesse Register was praised Tuesday night for aiming high in a new strategic plan. (refer back to the 2014 plan created in 2007 here) Its unclear exactly who is currently the highestperforming big-city school system, but board member Michael Hayes says he appreciates shooting for number one. In probably the better part of a decade following the district and three years sitting at this table, we havent said that out loud, aggressively. Hayes says hed be happy even with the top 15. The district is trying to get half of high school students scoring a 21 on the ACT and increase the graduation rate to 88 percent after being in the 70s. The five-year strategic plan envisions a diminished role for the central office and more autonomy and accountability 6

for principals. Each student will also get more individualized learning plans, similar to those created for disabled students. At Tuesday nights work session, the Metro school board looked at further revisions to the calendar. They made no final decision but seemed to be leaning toward pushing the start of school to the second week of August. http://nashvillepublicradio.org/blog/2013/08/27/mnps-aims-to-be-no-1-in-five-year-strategic-plan/

ShelbyCountyschoolboardrecognizesunionsin symbolicvote (CA/Kelley)

The Shelby County Board of Education approved by a vote of 16-4 Tuesday night a resolution recognizing a half dozen unions as the representatives of district employees in discussions with administrators. The resolution was offered by Dr. Jeff Warren and also drew the support of Chris Caldwell, Snowden Carruthers, Joe Clayton, Diane George, Tomeka Hart, Martavius Jones, Teresa Jones, Sara Lewis, Oscar Love, Patrice Robinson, Dr. Kenneth Whalum Jr., Dr. Freda Williams, Mike Wissman, Kevin Woods and chairman Billy Orgel. Mary Anne Gibson, Betty Mallott, David Picker and David Reaves voted no. Approval was largely symbolic. It followed a litany of protests from employees dealing with the lack of salary harmonization that has left former Shelby County Schools employees who perform the same tasks as former employees of Memphis City Schools earning unequal pay, higher insurance costs and other issues. There was also a lengthy debate among board members over the wisdom of recognizing unions, although current state law prohibits the school district from engaging in the kind of bargaining with employees that would result in an enforceable contract. Warren argued that employees of the district have made significant sacrifices in the painful budget-tightening process the board has engaged in, and the board needs employees on its side when it lobbies for funds. http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2013/aug/27/shelby-county-school-board-recognizes-unions-in/ (SUB)

Literacyplana priorityin publicschools(JacksonSun)

Jackson-Madison County Schools Superintendent Verna Ruffin said cutting funds from instruction in order to implement a strong literacy plan is necessary, but the cuts arent easy. When we looked at our finances this year, we realized there was no money set aside for a literacy program, said Ruffin during Tuesday evenings budget committee meeting. On the elementary level, we have to have a program to help children become better readers at an early age and theres no funding for that. We dont (currently) have a successful intervention for our middle school students. We must have something thats going to help move them along because we have some students that are two or more years behind. The cuts account for $350,000 of the $700,000 needed to fund a literacy program, which will focus on phonics skills for elementary and reading comprehension and fluency for older students. Funding for such programs as accelerated reader software, replacement textbooks, Do The Write Thing and TALKS mentorship and Academic Decathlon Nationals Trip expense will be redirected for the reading mastery program. http://www.jacksonsun.com/article/20130828/NEWS/308280011/Literacy-plan-priority-public-schools (SUBSCRIPTION)

SomecountyschoolsaddID scanfor entry(DailyNewsJournal)

One Rutherford County parent said the day after the school shooting in Newtown, Conn., was the scariest day shes ever had to drop her kids off at school. But with the new Raptor program that began in Rutherford County schools this year, she may be able to rest a little easier during the day. Weve been at this school for two years, and weve always had to sign in, said parent MaryBethHagan. But after the shooting (in Connecticut), its nice to know there are extra precautions. Hagan comes in to Homer Pittard Campus School at least once a week to have lunch with one of her children one is in first grade and one is in third grade. All Rutherford County elementary and middle schools this school year rolled out the new program that requires anyone who comes into a school to have a government-issued photo ID card scanned before leaving the front office area. The ID is kept in the front office and exchanged for a printed sticker with a photo of the visitor on it,which must be given back before leaving the school. http://www.dnj.com/article/20130828/NEWS/308280016/Some-county-schools-add-ID-scan-entry (SUBSCRIPTION)

California:BrownOffersNewPrisonPlan(AssociatedPress)
Gov. Jerry Brown on Tuesday responded to a federal court order to significantly reduce the states prison population by proposing a $315 million plan to send inmates to private prisons in California and other states and empty county jail cells. The cost could reach $700 million over two years, with much of the money likely to come from a $1 billion reserve fund in the state budget. California has already released some 46,000 inmates to comply with the courts orders. The judges have ordered the state to release an additional 9,600 inmates by the end of the year to improve medical and mental health treatment in prisons. The plan will now head to the Legislature. 7

Assembly Speaker John Perez, a Democrat, was joined by the Republican leaders of both houses at the governors news conference. Mr. Perez said he expected lawmakers to act before their session ends in midSeptember. http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/28/us/california-brown-offers-new-prison-plan.html?ref=todayspaper (SUBSCRIPTION)

Michigan:MedicaidExpansionBattlein MichiganEndsin Passage(NYTimes)

The fierce struggle among Republicans over whether to make Medicaid available to more low-income people played out in Michigan on Tuesday as the Republican governor, Rick Snyder, narrowly succeeded in swaying enough conservative senators in the State Legislature to accept the expansion, which was part of President Obamas health care law. Mr. Snyders preferred bill one he had lobbied for intensely for months initially fell short by one vote, but the governor salvaged a deal hours later. The vote in the Republican-controlled Senate was 20 to 18, with only 8 Republicans in favor. The Michigan House, which had earlier approved a similar measure, will need to vote on the Senate version before Mr. Snyder can sign the bill. The Affordable Care Act has probably been one of the most divisive issues that our country has faced in the last few years, and many people do have strong opinions both for and against, Mr. Snyder said after the vote. I just ask that all Michiganders step back and look to say this isnt about the Affordable Care Act. This is about one element that we control here in Michigan that we can make a difference in here in peoples lives. http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/28/us/medicaid-expansionbattle-in-michigan-ends-in-passage.html?ref=todayspaper&_r=0 (SUBSCRIPTION)

OPINION Columnist:Bill Haslamsbravenewworldfor Tennessee(InsideVandy)

Last Thursday, Chip Forrester, former chairman of the Tennessee Democratic Party, filed an ethics complaint against Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam. The complaint charges Haslam with fail(ing) to disclose a campaign expenditure, the services of political advisor Tom Ingram, which is required by state law. In short, Gov. Haslam did not reveal (and refused to reveal when questioned by the media) how much he was personally paying Ingram, who was also doing campaign work for Haslam. Unfortunately, this incident represents only the tip of the iceberg for malfeasance in the Haslam administration, which has been marked by a web of inside deals, conflicts of interest and preferential treatment of former business partners. Paid personally by the governor, Tom Ingram also lobbied on behalf of special interests, representing a spectrum of clients ranging from a coal company to the International Storytelling Center. Haslam denies that Ingrams clients received special treatment, but leaked e-mails obtained by NewsChannel5 show that Ingram was regularly in contact with Haslams chief of staff Mark Cate and had little trouble getting his clients enviable attention from top officials. In an email, Ingram complained that an investigation into fraud committed by one of his clients, a human-capital management company called HR Comp, was egregious and driving (the) company out of business. At 9 p.m., just three hours after Ingrams email was sent, Cate responded that he had talked to the commissioner of commerce and insurance, who was going to work on this first thing in the morning. http://www.insidevandy.com/opinion/columns/article_929ca87e-0f38-11e3-8827-001a4bcf6878.html

TimesEditorial: Coalashlawsuitpointsto healthhazardsin Harriman,Tenn.(TFP)

In four short months it will have been five years since the Kingston Ash Spill became a household phrase in the Southeast after an earthen dike broke and unleashed 50 years of wet coal ash slime on a sleepy community along the Emory River in Harriman, Tenn. When we say 50 years of coal ash slime, we mean the toxic remains of waste from burning coal to make electricity. Even before the Clean Air Act of 1970 was passed, scientists knew the dangers of breathing air polluted with coal-fired smoke and ash particles. The wet treatment of coal waste -8

scrubbed from the burners, moistened and tossed into a pit-turned-60-foot-landfill -- was a stopgap way to keep more silica, mercury, selenium, arsenic and other dangerous pollutants out the air and water. But then the unthinkable happened. A poorly maintained, ever-growing, 50-year-old landfill wall ruptured, and most of toxic stew inside spilled over 300 acres of neighborhood yards and fields and into the Emory River. In all, some 5.4 million cubic yards of muck -- more than a billion gallons -- suddenly was exposed to sun, rain, air and wind. Eventually, the wetness that theoretically had kept the ash dangers at acceptable levels dried up. http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2013/aug/28/coal-ash-lawsuit-pointsto-health-hazards-in/?opiniontimes

GregJohnson:JamesWhiteParkwaynot just a SouthKnoxvillethoroughfare(N-S)

My morning commute to Gay Street was teaching time from 1985 until 1997, my radio tuned to famous (in conservative circles) Bible teachers like Chuck Swindoll or Adrian Rogers or Charles Stanley. But by the time I nudged my way north from Sevier County on Chapman Highway into the South Knoxville rush-hour slog, I occasionally, ahem, lost my religion. Were I still making the same weekday pilgrimage, surely TDOTs recently released Modified Green Alternative for the James White Parkway Extension would elicit some Hallelujahs! TDOTs plan bypasses the bottleneck that gets bigger for northbound Chapman commuters as they come closer to downtown Knoxville. The proposed road would connect with Chapman near the Gov. John Sevier Highway intersection, giving northward travelers a more direct, limited-access thus, quicker route into downtown Knoxville. This (extension) has been on the books for 40-some years, state Rep. Dale Carr, R-Sevierville, said in an interview. Carr, a member of the House Transportation Committee, said the James White Extension would alleviate some traffic tangles on John Sevier and Chapman, but not all. There will still be tons of traffic on Chapman Highway, Carr said. http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2013/aug/28/greg-johnson-james-white-parkwaynot-just-a/ (SUBSCRIPTION) Note: The news-clips will be distributed later than usual Thursday, August 29 through Sunday, September 1. There will be no news-clips distribution on Monday, September 2.

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