Today's news clips

Tennessee News Clips

Politics

Politicians consider run for Stanley seat
July 30, 2009 Memphis Commercial Appeal
So far, at least one Republican has announced his candidacy and two other GOP leaders are considering a run for the soon-to-be-vacant state Senate seat now held by Germantown Republican Paul Stanley who resigned.

Senators Seek a Ban on Texting and Driving
July 29, 2009 New York Times
States that do not ban texting by drivers could forfeit hundreds of millions of dollars in federal highway funds under legislation introduced Wednesday in the Senate.

Education

Tennessee gets charter school grant
July 30, 2009 Tennessean
Tennessee was one of five states picked to receive a piece of an $82 million federal charter school grant from the U.S. Department of Education.

Class sizes grow as school budgets shrink
July 29, 2009 Associated Press
Like a seesaw on the school playground, falling state budgets are pushing class sizes higher.
Stimulus

Lawmakers dreading end of stimulus dollars
July 27, 2009 Stateline
Whether they welcomed or snubbed the federal economic stimulus package, state lawmakers took advantage of the bailout dollars this year to help patch their state’s shaky finances.
Healthcare

President talks health care reform at Bristol event
July 29, 2009 Kingsport Times News
Kroger deli worker Charlotte Norman asked President Barack Obama Wednesday if her 90-year-old mother will be “put out to pasture” and abandoned by Medicare.

House Democrats End Impasse on Health Bill
July 29, 2009 New York Times
Efforts to pass sweeping health care legislation took a big step forward on Wednesday as House Democratic leaders reached an agreement with fiscally conservative party members that would cut the bill’s cost and exempt many small businesses from having to provide health benefits to workers.

Energy

Efficiency Drive Could Cut Energy Use 23% by 2020, Study Finds
July 29, 2009 New York Times
The biggest opportunity to improve the nation’s energy situation is a major investment program to make homes and businesses more efficient, according to a study released Wednesday by the consulting firm McKinsey.

Economy

Fed Survey, Economic Data Signal Recession Is Easing
July 30, 2009 Wall Street Journal
The pace of decline in economic activity has "moderated" or "begun to stabilize," the Federal Reserve's latest survey of regional economic conditions found, and a Commerce Department report showed the steep drop in U.S. business-investment spending appears to be bottoming out.

Guidelines Aim to Help Struggling Borrowers
July 30, 2009 Wall Street Journal
The Obama administration plans to announce Thursday new guidelines designed to help struggling homeowners with Federal Housing Administration-insured mortgages.

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