Whistleblower Case Ends in Big Settlement

The US Attorney’s Office for East Tennessee has reached a settlement for nearly 42 million dollars—the largest amount that office has ever recovered in a civil fraud case.

Tennessee’s Republican senators helped pass a temporary spending bill to avert a government shutdown this weekend.  The compromise came after the Federal Emergency Management Agency said it could stretch its budget until the fiscal year ends Friday.

Nearly a thousand Tennessee homeowners have applied with the state so far this year for temporary help making mortgage payments. The Tennessee Housing Development Agency is lending federal money to families who’ve lost work in recent years, and are trying to stay in their houses.

Governor Bill Haslam doesn’t use the same rhetoric to describe the federal Department of Education as Republicans running for President.

A concert series taped more than 300 feet under ground near McMinnville has begun airing on PBS stations around the country. “Bluegrass Underground” is scheduled for New York City, Dallas and Seattle.

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.