Machinists Keep Chins Up Through Cutbacks

The economic recession has hit small business in a bad way. At Smithfield Manufacturing in Clarksville, machinists who’ve survived a round of layoffs are trying to keep busy, hoping business picks back up. They’re still waiting. WPLN’s Blake Farmer has this profile.

Nashville Mayor Karl Dean backed away from publicly financing a 750-room hotel at Thursday night’s presentation of a new downtown convention center.

Middle Tennesseans are much less sure of the economy than just a few months ago.

Six local artists have been chosen to build sculptures that will double as bike racks on Nashville’s sidewalks.

Nashville’s hockey arena could keep its name as the Sommet Center. Last week the Nashville Predators sued to end Sommet’s naming rights deal and change the name of the downtown arena, saying Sommet wasn’t paying. But as WPLN’s Daniel Potter reports, a compromise is possible.

Brentwood Republican Representative Marsha Blackburn is welcoming the President’s Afghan troop surge. But Congressman Lincoln Davis is just one of many Democrats skeptical of the idea.

Another democratic candidate for Governor has pulled out of the race.

Tennessee Congressman Bart Gordon’s bill to ban foreign radioactive waste passed the House today, after a lively floor debate.

West Point cadets cheered President Obama’s way forward in Afghanistan with polite applause. Soldiers from Fort Campbell wanted to hear a little bit more about how to fight the Taliban, not just how many troops it would take.

West Point cadets cheered President Obama’s way forward in Afghanistan with polite applause. Soldiers from Fort Campbell wanted to hear a little bit more about how to fight the Taliban, not just how many troops it would take.