The hardwood industry is defending a law that has come under attack from Gibson Guitar and Tennessee lawmakers. The National Hardwood Lumber Association helped write the regulations and held its annual convention in Nashville over the weekend.

Connie Smith’s new album is a long overdue return for a country music legend.

Nashville Mayor Karl Dean wants to dramatically improve college graduation rates, though it’s not yet clear how. Dean made the announcement today at the swearing-in ceremony for his second term.

The chief economist from Freddie Mac expects home sales in the Nashville area to rise about 5 percent next year. Frank Nothaft spoke to Middle Tennessee realtors yesterday, and forecast unemployment will tick down, but slowly.

While a state lawmaker continues her push to overhaul the board that disciplines judges in Tennessee, the stage could be set for a broader conflict over that judicial body.

A man credited with keeping the state’s nearly $30 billion budget ship-shape is moving on just as the head of an office that puts price tags on proposed laws jumps to the private sector.

Many GM workers in Spring Hill are weighing whether it’s time to leave the company, even as UAW members consider a new contract that includes new jobs at the plant. The automaker is still trying to shed its most expensive employees.

Spring Hill is celebrating. The UAW has now outlined its contract agreement with GM, which includes a commitment to build two midsize cars at the former Saturn plant. Some 1,700 jobs will be restored after a long two years for some workers.

A committee of state lawmakers raised concerns today over conflicts of interest and transparency from the board that handles ethics complaints against judges. Some lawmakers want big changes to Tennessee’s Court of the Judiciary, arguing it’s too lenient.

General Motors plans to divert work that was headed to Mexico and build two mid-size cars in Spring Hill. The assembly lines will restore 1,700 jobs in Tennessee.