Nashville Bachelors Allege ABC Discriminates

Two young men from Nashville have filed a lawsuit against ABC, accusing the television network of racial discrimination. Both plaintiffs were turned down to be “The Bachelor.”

Parents could stop their kids from joining extracurricular groups in public schools under a bill that passed today in the state Senate. As The proposed law would give parents veto power in advance.

The Tennessee Senate approved a bill today to allow students to cite their religious beliefs in doing schoolwork and to allow prayer groups to be formed as easily as a chess club.

A state trooper from north of Cookeville was arrested today for having sex with an underage girl while he was off duty. State officials say they’re reacting strongly, in part out of concern for the reputation of the Tennessee Highway Patrol.

Today marks the end of a 38-year career for Pat Summitt. Early onset dementia has now sidelined the head coach of the Lady Vols after nearly 1,100 career wins – the most of any NCAA basketball coach.

The price for taking the GED-the high school equivalency exam-is about to double. State officials are worried that many who need to take the test won’t be able to afford it.

A state Senate committee has approved a proposal to raise taxes on cigarettes from “roll-your-own” tobacco shops. Right now raw tobacco is taxed less than cigarettes, and shop owners worry such a measure could put them out of business.

One of the country’s largest food companies has announced a deal to acquire a Madison-based sausage maker. ConAgra Foods will purchase Odom’s Tennessee Pride for an undisclosed sum.

Two bills to enable gun-permit holders to leave firearms in their vehicles were voted out of a state House Committee today after only ten minutes of testimony against, and ten minutes for, the controversial issue. In the face of some high profile opposition, the bills are now on the way to be scheduled for a House floor vote.

A noted conservative economist casually told state lawmakers this week that FedEx CEO Fred Smith had said he would leave the state if Tennessee’s estate tax wasn’t repealed. Smith denies making any such statement.