Archives for July 2006

According to a new survey released today by the American Association of Retired Persons, most of those polled in Tennessee say they are opposed to diverting Social Security taxes into private accounts. AARP polled its members in June on the issues of Social Security, Medicare spending, and retirement security. The survey also noted the party […]

For the first time since 2001, two TennCare managed care companies will assume full financial risk. The TennCare bureau announced today that it awarded two new managed care contracts for the Middle Tennessee region after a competitive bid process. TennCare director Darin Gordon says that means the companies will be paid a set amount for […]

This morning the state granted approval to plans for a new HCA hospital in Spring Hill. In a hearing before the Health Services and Development Agency supporters argued that Spring Hill is growing at a fast enough rate that it needs its own 56 bed hospital. But the proposal met stiff opposition from surrounding communities […]

Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist says he expects the “Child Custody Protection Act” will pass the Senate this evening. In a conference call with reporters this afternoon, Frist says the bill will penalize adults taking girls under 18 across state lines for an abortion, without informing their parents. “Transporting a minor across state lines to […]

Tennessee’s tourism industry grew by $1 billion last year, with all 95 counties seeing an increase in tourism dollars—something that hasn’t happened in 8 years. Speaking in Goodlettsville today, state tourism commissioner Susan Whitaker says the momentum from last year should continue. Witaker says a recent state tourism commercial, featuring Dolly Parton inserted into old […]

Congressman Harold Ford Junior told a group of African American ministers today that education is one of his main themes as he campaigns for the seat of outgoing Senator Bill Frist. Ford told the Interdenominational Ministerial Fellowship that all kids need to be encouraged to go to college and says he’d support the government paying […]

Tennessee lawmakers questioned the state’s poor rankings in child welfare today. The national organization that annually ranks the well-being of children in each state gave lawmakers an overview of its methodology. The Annie E. Casey Foundation publishes a report each year called KIDS COUNT. It ranks states on things like infant mortality, high school dropout […]

Oreck, the maker of lightweight vacuums and other home cleaning products, is expanding its manufacturing operations to Tennessee. The New Orleans-based company purchased a 310-thousand square foot facility in Cookeville, and is starting to bring in equipment today. CEO Tom Oreck says the company wanted to expand and diversify its manufacturing operations. “After Katrina, we […]

HCA’s shares rose this afternoon after news that a private buyout of the company is the largest on record. Nashville-based HCA announced this morning that it has agreed to a buyout with investors valued at $33 billion. The buyout is the largest on record, surpassing RJR Nabisco’s buyout of $31.3 billion in 1989. This investor […]