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Synthetic drug sellers and makers now face felony jail time and fines up to $5,000 following a ceremonial legislation signing by Gov. Bill Haslam in front of Tennessee High Schools student body Monday. Two bills sponsored by state Reps. Jon Lundberg and Tony Shipley which address both synthetic marijuana and bath salts similar to controlled substances are now law. Shipleys bill took effect Monday, while the effective date of Lundbergs legislation was April 27. The law also allows authorities to declare synthetic drug businesses as a public nuisance. Haslam indicated earlier this year he didnt know that much about synthetic drugs, but then began hearing about student protests outside local head shops. I think one of the things that affected our thinking ... was this is a big issue, Haslam told reporters following the legislation signing at Viking Hall. http://www.timesnews.net/article/9046602/governor-signs-bill-outlawing-synthetic-drugs
Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam unveils New Jobs Database (Clarksville Online)
Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam and Department of Labor and W orkforce Development Commissioner Karla Davis today announced a new jobs database to help connect job seekers with Tennessee employers. Jobs4TN Online is a virtual recruiter, automatically notifying job seekers when jobs they may qualify for are posted and notifying employers when candidates who fit their needs register. The online database contains positions from job orders placed directly by Tennessee employers, from corporate Internet sites, and from major job search engines. Jobs4TN Online also identifies available green jobs. The unemployment rate for Tennessee is at its lowest since November 2008 and has fallen below the national rate, but it is still too high, Haslam said. http://www.clarksvilleonline.com/2012/05/14/tennessee-governor-bill-haslam-unveils-new-jobs-database/
Larry Martin to join Haslam's state employee reform effort (News-Sentinel/W itt)
Gov. Bill Haslam stopped in Knoxville for a Leadership Knoxville luncheon and announced that we was taking one of the city's most well-known businessmen with him back to Nashville. Haslam on Monday announced the hire of Larry Martin, the former chief of staff when Haslam was Knoxville's mayor, as a special adviser for human resources. His salary will be $140,000 a year. "Larry has an incredible background, from running this part of the state for First Tennessee (Bank)," Haslam said at the luncheon at the Knoxville Convention Center. Haslam was the keynote speaker for the event that included short talks by Knoxville Mayor Madeline Rogero and Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett. The Leadership Knoxville class of 2012 was announced, and former Lady Vols head coach Pat Summitt received the group's distinguished alumni award for 2012. http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/may/14/larry-martin-to-join-haslams-state-employee/
employees on all levels, updating performance evaluations in all departments, and a review of employee compensation that includes the salary study funded in the governors FY 2013-2014 budget. Getting the TEAM Act passed into law was only the beginning of our work, Haslam said. Now we must make sure it is implemented effectively, which includes creating meaningful performance evaluations, truly getting a full picture of employee compensation, and changing the culture now that we can recruit the best and brightest to serve. I am grateful that Larry has agreed to take on this challenge for the taxpayers of Tennessee. Our goal is to build a state workforce that is dedicated to and focused on customer service, efficiency and effectiveness. http://www.wnws.com/news/17115-haslam-announces-jackson-native-to-oversee-team-act-implementation
Connected Vehicle Service Provider to Create More than 500 Jobs (WNW S-Radio)
Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam and Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bill Hagerty, along with company officials, announced today Agero, a leading provider of connected vehicle services including roadside assistance and claims management, will open a call center in Montgomery County. This announcement brings with it a capital investment of $8 million and the creation of more than 500 jobs. I am excited to welcome Agero to our state and look forward to watching the company grow in Tennessee, Haslam said. In creating our economic development strategies last year, we found Tennessee held a unique advantage in the business services cluster, which includes call centers, and this announcement exemplifies a promising future for our states economic growth. This is great news for Montgomery County and the state of Tennessee, Hagerty said. The available sites and exceptional workforce in the area made Clarksville the perfect choice for Agero to locate its new facility, and we appreciate the companys investment in our state. Ageros choice also underscores Tennessees strength in the business services industry a rapidly growing sector where Tennessees unique 3
Agero To Build New Call Center, Adds 500 Jobs In Clarksville (WTVF-TV Nashville)
The city of Clarksville announced that Agero, a leading provider of connected vehicle services will open a call center inMontgomery County bringing over 500 jobs to the area.Massachusetts-based roadside assistance The company held job fairs in January to gauge interest in the jobs. Clarksville was in the running with Florence, South Carolina. am excited to welcome Agero to our state and look forward to watching the company grow in "I Tennessee," Gov. Bill Haslam said. "In creating our economic development strategies last year, we found Tennessee held a unique advantage in the business services' cluster, which includes call centers, and this announcement exemplifies a promising future for our state's economic growth." call center will be The new located2971 International Blvd in Clarksville. Clarksville center is Agero's sixth North American driver The assistance call and data response center. The company's other response centers are located in Medford, Massachusetts; Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada; Irving, Texas; Tucson, Arizona; and Sebring, Florida. http://www.newschannel5.com/story/18374965/agero-to-build-new-call-center-adds-500-jobs-in-clarksville
Big Rock man charged with TennCare 'doctor shopping' (Leaf Chronicle)
A Stewart County man is charged in Montgomery County with TennCare fraud involving doctor shopping, or going to multiple doctors in a short time-frame to obtain prescription drugs. The Office of Inspector General, with assistance from the Montgomery County Sheriffs Office, announced the arrest of William B. Singleteary, 39, of Big Rock. He is charged with three counts of fraudulently using TennCare to obtain a controlled substance by doctor shopping, in this case, for the painkillers Oxycodone and Morphine, with the physician office visits paid for by TennCare. This type of criminal activity is serious business, but the Office of Inspector General is going after these cases in all 95 counties in Tennessee, Inspector General Deborah Y. Faulkner said. Health care providers and their employees are great at spotting these cases, and they are as committed as we are to stop TennCare fraud, he said. http://www.theleafchronicle.com/article/20120515/STEW ART01/305090020
says that just left a few seams to fill in, about the same time the rain broke for a few hours. This was a lot of rain that we got two inches is a significant amount, so the fact that they were able to soldier on and get all of that work done despite the weather is a really good sign. The nearly $9 million project is on a narrow timeline, with only two weekends to make up for any lost work. http://wpln.org/?p=37182
Rocky Top Trail driving tour highlights 130 spots throughout East TN (NS/Osborne)
East Tennessee natives and out-of-towners alike can experience all the region has to offer on the newest driving tour in the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development's Discover Tennessee Trails and Byways program. The "Rocky Top: Smoky Peaks to Crafts and Creeks Trail" will be announced today at a launch party in Gatlinburg, according to officials from Knoxville Tourism and Sports Corp. who are also assisting in the program. A brochure guide and map for the Rocky Top Trail and the 13 other completed trails can be found online at http://www.tntrailsandbyways.com. The complete program will have 16 separate driving tours that provide access to the entire state. The 282-mile Rocky Top Trail includes 130 points of interest historic sites, restaurants and music and art attractions. The journey begins in Gatlinburg and does a counterclockwise loop through seven counties through Sevierville, Knoxville, Lenoir City and Maryville before finishing in Wears Valley, close to where it all began in Pigeon Forge. http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/may/15/rocky-top-trail-driving-tour-highlights-130-east/
http://www.timesnews.net/article/9046608/tbi-investigates-shooting-of-ex-hcso-drug-detective
AG's
Office
asks
Supreme
Court
to
allow
appeal of
re-trial decisions
(NS/Satterfield)
The state is making a last-ditch effort to block retrials in cases presided over by disgraced former Knox County Criminal Court Judge Richard Baumgartner. Tennessee Attorney General Bob Cooper is asking the state Supreme Court to grant an appeal of Special Judge Jon Kerry Blackwood's decision to upend convictions in the January 2007 torture-slayings of Channon Christian, 21, and Christopher Newsom, 23. The move comes after a midlevel appellate court the Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals refused in a 2-1 vote to allow an appeal and just weeks before the alleged ringleader in the Christian/Newsom case, Lemaricus Davidson, is set to be retried. Although Cooper's office is only challenging Blackwood's ruling in the cases of three of four defendants in the fatal carjacking, the outcome will impact at least four unrelated cases. It also could set the stage for future attacks on convictions and sentencings handled in Baumgartner's court. In its application, Cooper's office acknowledges as much and cites turmoil within the system over what impact Baumgartner's misconduct will have as a reason for the high court to take up an appeal of Blackwood's decision now. The special judge found Baumgartner had committed numerous crimes while presiding over the cases including doctor shopping. http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/may/15/ags-office-asks-state-supreme-court-to-allow-of/
Citizen-led group forms to push Dean's property tax hike proposal (CP/Garrison)
A Nashville pastor, public education activist and former Metro councilman have formed a new alliance to help Mayor Karl Dean make his case for a proposed 13 percent property tax increase. Moving Nashville Forward, billed as a grassroots coalition, hopes to mobilize citizens to support the mayors tax increase plan, which the group says is essential to make key investments in public education and safety. The organization announced its creation Monday, one day before the mayors proposed 53-cent hike to the property tax rate heads before the Metro Council on the first of three votes. We see it as a major priority, said Erik Cole, a former two-term East Nashville councilman. We also know its a very difficult decision. We want to be there to work with the community and talk with folks over the next few weeks, and talk with council members to try to garner their support for greater revenue in the city, he said. For now, Moving Nashville Forward consists of only three players: Cole, who held the councils District 7 seat from 2003-2011; Michael Joyner, pastor of Greater Faith Missionary Baptist Church; and Francie Hunt, an education advocate who previously headed the Nashville Chapter of Stand for Children. http://nashvillecitypaper.com/content/city-news/citizen-led-group-forms-push-deans-property-tax-hike-proposal
Davidson County election official reprimanded for early voting mistake (TN/Cass)
Davidson Countys election administrator was formally reprimanded by state officials Monday for failing to open the polls on a Saturday during the early voting period for the March 6 presidential primary. But the State Election Commission decided not to pursue further disciplinary action against Albert Tieche after he acknowledged his mistake without a fight and said he had not intended to break state law. The commission could have gone so far as to decertify Tieche as an election administrator if it had voted to proceed with a show cause hearing, but that wasnt likely to happen until February, after the state gets through this years primary and general elections. None of Tennessees 94 other counties closed their polls on Feb. 18, the first Saturday of the early voting period, 7
State Election Coordinator Mark Goins said. That fell on the Presidents Day holiday weekend, and Tieche said he and his staff thought they didnt have to open then, based on historical precedents. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120515/NEWS01/305150017/Davidson-County-election-officialreprimanded-early-voting-mistake?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|News
Corker calls for hearings on JPMorgan trading loss (Los Angeles Times)
Tennessee Sen. Bob Corker, a Republican who serves on the Senate Banking Committee, has called for a hearing on the $2-billion trading loss by JPMorgan Chase & Co., saying that "policies are going to be derived out of what's happened." Corker, who was a key participant in the debate over the 2010 financial reform law, said it was important for policymakers to get the facts about the situation and whether pending regulations would have prevented it. "I'd like for us to be dealing with reality instead of myth and perception," the Tennessee lawmaker told CNBC Monday. "I just want to make sure we have a good policy outcome here." Corker noted that some analysts have said such trading would have been prevented by the so-called Volcker Rule. The provision of the financial reform law, which is still being drafted by regulators, is intended to stop banks from taking excessive risks in trading for their own accounts, a practice known as proprietary trading. http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/may/14/corker-calls-for-hearings-on-jpmorgan-trading/
Scottie
Mayfield
praises
opponent's
record
(Chattanooga
Times
Free-
Press/Carroll)
Scottie Mayfield celebrated U.S. Rep. Chuck Fleischmann's voting record Monday, downplaying a shared political philosophy between himself and the man he wants to beat. "I haven't studied his votes enough to tell you that I would vote significantly different," Mayfield told the Hamilton County Pachyderm Club. "He has voted conservative, and I praise him for that." Along with Chattanooga businessmen Ron Bhalla and Weston Wamp, Mayfield is challenging Fleischmann in the GOP primary in Tennessee's 3rd Congressional District. The election is Aug. 2. A Fleischmann aide who filmed Mayfield's Pachyderm speech quickly responded. "It speaks a lot to Chuck's leadership that Scottie chose to use Chuck's voting record in his stump speech," campaign spokesman Jordan Powell said. Scheduled weeks in advance, Mayfield's appearance found the Athens, Tenn., dairy executive battling perceptions that he refuses to debate, lacks legislative goals and agrees with Fleischmann on every critical matter facing Congress -- ideas he never refuted during 25 minutes of remarks. http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/may/15/mayfield-praises-opponents-record/?local
"Democrats are trying to run from the president's announcement, because they recognize some political vulnerabilities," said Brian Walsh, spokesman for the National Republican Senatorial Committee. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303505504577404613338323828.html?mod=ITP_pageone_2 (SUBSCRIPTION)
Dry weather, early spring pose problems for reservoir management (NS/Marcum)
Despite recent rain, an early spring and several months of dry weather are making it difficult for TVA to get its system of reservoir lakes ready for the summer recreation season, which starts June 1. If TVA can't get the lake levels as high as they need to be, boaters and others using the waters may have more worries about obstacles lurking in shallower waters. "W e will still have a good recreation season, but the impacts will be lower levels," said Charles Bach, general manager of river operations for TVA. "Some of the places people have gone into with 9
boats in the past, they will need to be very careful because the chance to hit a sandbar, stump or something like that will be greater." David Bowling, TVA River Forecasting Center manager, said rain over the weekend and Monday was welcome but more is needed. "Every little bit helps, of course, but we are still behind for the last couple of months. For the past 30 days we are probably one-half an inch below normal in the Eastern valley," he said. Each spring, the Tennessee Valley Authority starts trying to hold onto water that makes it into the reservoirs so that levels will rise to sufficient levels by June 1. This year has been a challenge, Bach said. http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/may/14/dry-weather-early-spring-pose-problems-for-tva/
Afterschool Program Baits Girls with Art, Switches to Science (WPLN-Radio Nash.)
Politicians continue to call for more students pursuing science, technology, engineering and math what have become known as the STEM disciplines. Women are particularly underrepresented. An afterschool program in Nashville tries to stir up female interest in science by way of art. Its almost a bait and switch. You like art? How about the science behind it? Nothing wrong with being an art teacher, says Art3STEM coordinator John Hawkins. But you could also be a graphic designer. Kim Chigumira is one of more than 250 participating middle-schoolers. On a recent afternoon, shes turning a drawing of her dream home into a three dimensional computer model. Besides drafting, Chigumira says she also enjoyed her field trip to play with robots at Tennessee Tech. Whatever the path, she sees a career in her future. You know how back in the old days, the women either had to stay home, cook or clean or watch the family, she says. I dont have time for that. http://wpln.org/?p=37162
a master of science degree in elementary education from the University of Tennessee. She also holds an education specialist degree in administration from Lincoln Memorial University. The superintendent also announced that Joy Foster, principal at Shannondale Elementary School, has requested a transfer. "I have decided to honor Dr. Foster's request and assign her to a position to be determined," McIntyre wrote in the release. "W e will immediately begin the process of selecting a new principal for Shannondale Elementary School." http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/may/15/new-principal-appointed-at-sequoyah-elementary/
Seven Schools Chosen For Innovation Zone Program (Memphis Daily News)
Those planning the new consolidated countywide school system to come in August 2013 now have a list of seven elementary and middle schools that will be part of a federally funded innovation zone. The $14.7 million federal education funding over three years will begin with the 2012-2013 school year and continue into the next school year, which is the first year of the merger. The schools in the zone to be run by the Memphis City Schools system and to use new practices, including extended learning time and new technology, are Chickasaw, Hamilton and Geeter middle schools as well as Fairley, Ford Road, Lucie E. Campbell and Magnolia elementary schools. The announcement last week is one more detail of what will happen at specific schools once the merger takes place. The innovation funding and school selection is one of several schools reform efforts that will be part of the merger plan being drawn up by schools consolidation planning commission. But like the state-run Achievement School District, it is an element that would be happening even without the schools merger. Both initiatives aimed at low performing schools are part of broader statewide education reform measures. http://www.memphisdailynews.com/news/2012/may/15/seven-schools-chosen-for-innovation-zone-program/
Rhode Island: Rhode Island Order on Gay Unions (New York Times)
Gov. Lincoln Chafee of Rhode Island on Monday ordered all state agencies to recognize same-sex marriages performed elsewhere and to afford those couples many of the same rights and benefits that heterosexual couples get. By issuing an executive order, Mr. Chafee, an independent, reaffirmed a 2007 opinion by the state attorney general, which he said state agencies had followed inconsistently. An effort to legalize same-sex marriage in Rhode Island failed last year, with the legislature approving civil unions for gay couples instead. Gay rights advocates said that among other things, the order would help ensure that insurance plans regulated by the state provide the same benefits to same-sex couples who were married in other jurisdictions that they do to heterosexual couples. http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/15/us/executive-order-on-same-sex-marriage-rights-inrhode-island.html?_r=1&ref=todayspaper (SUBSCRIPTION)
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OPINION Editorial: Court delivered wise ruling in Tech speech case (News-Sentinel)
A panel of judges in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 6th District has rejected a Tennessee Technological University policy restricting outside speakers on campus as being unreasonable and in violation of the First Amendment. The decision, filed April 23, properly supports free speech rights of visitors to Tech's Cookeville, Tenn., campus. The three-judge panel reversed Tech's initial victory in U.S. District Court for Middle Tennessee and ordered the district judge to reconsider the case in light of the appellate court decision. The Tennessee Board of Regents has already adopted new guidelines for public speaking on its campuses. Other institutions in the Sixth Circuit might do likewise as a result of the ruling. The case stems from an April 2009 incident when a Kentuckian named John McGlone and a friend, Shawn Holes, visited the Tech campus to share their Christian beliefs with students. A Tech official told them the school has a policy that requires registration in writing 14 business days prior to speaking on campus. To register, a person or organization must list the name of the speaker and the topic. http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/may/15/editorial-court-delivered-wise-ruling-in-tech/
Editorial: Pay raises, tax increase a bad mix for budget (Daily News Journal)
If it seems too good to be true, it probably is. That rule was proven last week when after Rutherford County Mayor Ernest Burgess gave assurances that $l.6 million in proposed employee pay raises could be accomplished next year without a property tax increase, he changed his tune when the county school system presented a budget plan that doesnt balance. Burgess told the Rutherford County Commissions Budget, Finance & Investment Committee on May 7 that a pay upgrade plan for about 1,023 workers would not require a property tax increase. We hope no county worker went out and bought anything on credit based on Burgess initial assessment. He should have been more specific. By May 10, commissioners learned that the Rutherford County Board of Education does not have enough in its reserves to cover its estimated $11.7 million deficit. Now, figures show, that when counting all budgets, the commission is looking at $443.9 million in spending plans, which exceeds the projected $423.3 million in revenues. http://www.dnj.com/article/20120515/OPINION01/305150002/EDITORIAL-Pay-raises-tax-increase-bad-mixbudget?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|FRONTPAGE
innovations and thousands more are being developed and are entering the health-care marketplace every day, yet there is no single location where the companies behind these quantum advancements can share their ideas with medical professionals and others. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120515/OPINION03/305150011/Medical-Trade-Center-gains-globalcharacter?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|Opinion|p
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