Texting Takes the Stage at Concerts

The glow of a cell phone has pretty well replaced the cigarette lighter for concert-goers trying to set the mood during a favorite slow song. Now the people on stage are trying to collect those phone numbers by allowing fans to send text messages to giant screens in front of the crowd. As WPLN’s Blake Farmer reports, country music acts are some of the early adopters.

Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital says it has seen a dramatic increase in the number of swimming pool accidents this year. In just one month, eight children have drowned in an area swimming pool; 11 have been treated for near drowning.

The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency has cracked down on boating under the influence ahead of one of the busiest weekends on the state’s lakes and reservoirs.

Nearly 600 custodians returned to work in Nashville’s public schools Thursday, but with lower pay and a new boss. Many who were not rehired warmed seats in the unemployment office.

Federal officials have approved a new fee charged to hospitals that will help avoid deeper cuts to the state’s Medicaid program – TennCare.

About 250 soldiers will return home to Tennessee just in time for Independence Day.

Thursday afternoon, the Metro School Board officially dissolved Nashville Global Academy, a charter school that opened in the fall and has struggled since day one.

June sales for Franklin-based Nissan North America went up nearly 11 percent compared to last year.

Thursday, Knoxville-based Pilot Travel Centers finished a deal to buy the Flying J truck-stop chain for some $1.8 billion. But to close the deal, the Federal Trade Commission made Pilot sell off 26 stores, saying otherwise the lack of competition could have driven up diesel prices.

Area denominations are offering extra help and resources for their clergy following Tennessee’s recent floods. The job of comforting and counseling congregants can be especially difficult after a disaster.