LP Reports Dramatic 2nd-Q Improvement Despite Late Drop

Nashville-based building products company LP posted 24 million dollars in earnings in the second quarter, a dramatic turnaround from a loss of 27 million over the same period last year.

Nashville homeowners hit hardest by May’s flooding must decide this week whether or not to rebuild. A deadline comes Sunday for the largest home buyout program in Nashville’s history. It’s meant to demolish flood-prone homes, but it’s purely voluntary. A few are saying no. Others are waiting to see exactly how much the city’s willing to pay.

An open seat in Tennessee’s 8th Congressional District has generated the most costly race in the country. According to the Center for Responsive Politics, the more than $5 million spent and $7 million raised in the district west of Nashville makes it the most expensive House race this election cycle.

Last year, elementary schools needed 86 percent of students to make the grade in math. This year, they’ll only need 20 percent to reach proficiency. There will be similar changes at every grade level and subject area.

HCA reported a profitable second quarter Wednesday with revenues up more than three percent. But the number of people admitted to its more than 250 hospitals and surgery centers is falling. The Nashville-based company blames a declining birthrate.

The American Cancer Society says Tennessee still isn’t doing enough to prevent cancer. A report released Thursday pays particular attention to Tennessee’s efforts to combat lung cancer.

An automotive supplier announced plans Wednesday to build a manufacturing facility in Murfreesboro. NHK Seating of America expects to employ more than 200 workers by 2015.

Nashville Mayor Karl Dean announced Wednesday his office is creating a one-stop-shop for victims of family violence. A similar approach is being used to reduce truancy in Metro Schools.

The Tennessee Valley Authority is making far less electricity today than it thought it would need to if the economy hadn’t cooled down over the last few years. Because of that lull in demand, officials say they’re not depending as much on some of TVA’s less efficient power plants. And they’re thinking about which ones they might replace.

The Democrat in the race for governor told small business owners Tuesday he wants to give them tax breaks for creating new jobs. Republican candidates say the money isn’t there.