The Metro Action Commission has run out of funds for its energy assistance program. Despite unseasonably warm temperatures over the past few months, all of the federal energy assistance money has been obligated for the year. The news comes little more than a month after the Action Commission said the warm fall had spared much […]
Metro Energy Assistance Out of Funds
Council to Redefine Health Benefits
The Metro Council will take up a bill today on the first of three readings, to allow members to access discounted health insurance when they serve partial terms. Currently, council members must serve 8 years to be eligible for life-time health insurance at the discounted, Metro-employee rate. Bill sponsor Charlie Tygard says originally the law […]
Council Committee Questions MNPS ‘Corrective Action’ Status
Metro Nashville’s school district is facing a state takeover if test scores don’t improve. The state legislature passed a bill last session giving the state more authority to reform and possibly even assume control of failing districts. Last night, council members heard from state education officials about what a school take over means for Nashville. […]
Councilman Wants Metro Auditor in on Data Security Survey
One Metro Councilman has asked the city auditor to review the departments which deal with data and building security. Following the Christmas Eve theft of laptop computers from the Election Commission headquarters, Mayor Karl Dean called for a data security audit from all Metro department heads. Councilman Jim Ghotto says he has no reason to […]
Songwriter’s Tax Equity Act
In recent years, shrinking radio playlists and illegal file sharing have only made it harder for songwriters to make a buck. According to the Nashville Songwriters Association International, the average songwriter earns just short of five thousand dollars a year. Last year, the US Congress gave them a much-needed reprieve—a tax change that saves them big money if they sell a song catalog. The change benefits catalog buyers too, and is luring new kinds of investors to Music Row. WPLN’s Kim Green reports.
Gov Says Ready for Pre-K Funding Showdown
State legislators return to the capitol tomorrow, and with a projected $150 – 200 million shortfall this year, the budget will likely be the biggest issue. Governor Phil Bredesen held budget hearings last month with every state department, noting that “across-the-board” cuts weren’t planned, but that it would be a tight budget year. Senate Speaker […]
Tennessee Could Bypass National Lethal Injection Debate
As the U-S Supreme Court hears oral arguments today on lethal injection methods, one Tennessee lawmaker says this state could bypass the national debate. The High Court will discuss the use of a three-drug cocktail used to carry out the death penalty by 37 states, including Tennessee. The question is over whether the method may […]
TACIR Recommends Switching Voting Machines
A new state report finds that most Tennessee counties use inadequate machines for counting votes.
Security Guard Fired After not Catching Laptop Thief
Metro council members found out last night that when a thief broke into the Election Commission Christmas Eve, the security guard was slacking off. The thief stole laptops containing the names, social security numbers, addresses and dates of birth of every registered voter in Nashville after throwing a rock through a ground-level window. At the […]
Metro Schools Tighten Security at Ball Games
Metro school officials are promising tighter security at high school basketball and football games. The action is in response to a drive-by shooting at a basketball game in November that wounded two teenagers. A subsequent game was rescheduled because of fears of retaliation, but some Metro council members said rumors shouldn’t disrupt school events. Ralph […]