WEDNESDAY - Jan. 20, 2010

ANOTHER EARTHQUAKE ROCKS HAITI

This morning just after 5:00 yet another earthquake sent people in Haiti running into the streets. Officials measured the quake at 6.1, not quite as strong as the 7.0 that devastated the island last week but too big to be an aftershock. Many people on the island have made tents their home for fear that aftershocks will send buildings tumbling again. A week after last week's quake, rescuers are still finding survivors as they clean up the rubble. Last week's quake has taken 200,000 lives.

NEW NASHVILLE CONVENTION CENTER APPROVED

The Music City Center proposal passes the Metro Council 29-9. Onlookers packed the chamber of the Metro Council as they voted on the controversial proposal last night. The facility is scheduled to open in 2013 with construction starting as soon as 60 days from the voted. Council members expect tourism tax to pay for the $585 million project. Back-up funds have been arranged in the case that tourism projections fall short, but ultimately if the finance goals are not met, responsibility will fall on Davidson County tax payers.

Dec 10, 2009 Headlines

The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee gives TSU Five thousand dollars. The money has been granted to The Women’s Center to launch a life skills program for middle school aged girls. The founders of the program hope to decrease infant mortality and teen pregnancy.

A Belmont student raped at her campus apartment sues Belmont for faulty security. The lawsuit alleges the security gates at the entry to the apartments had been turned off because they were too expensive to operate. It also claims Belmont does not have enough officers patrolling the campus. In the 2008 assault, campus security showed up several minutes after the attacker had fled the scene.

Metro police investigate a charred body found in tent city. The body was burned beyond recognition when it was found this morning at the homeless camp in downtown Nashville. Police believe it to be that of a middle aged man.

State employees search for a new state tree. The official lighting took place over a week ago but the high winds flattened the state Christmas tree last night. Clean up started early this morning… the tree had been donated to the state.

Thursday 11/19/09 News

US FLIGHTS IRRUPT INTO CHAOS

An F-A-A computer glitch sends a ripple affect across the country.

Computers that went down in Salt Lake City and Atlanta caused flight cancellations and delays that began on the East Coast and rippled West. The F-A-A has resolved the problem but doesn't know how long it will take to catch up. If you plan on flying this weekend call your airline before you head to the airport!

CIVIL RIGHTS ICON DIES

The South mourns the loss of Civil Rights Icon, James Armstrong. Armstrong carried the American flag at the head of the Voting Rights March in Montgomery Alabama in 1965. He played a key roll in integrating schools and organizing demonstrations. Armstrong died of heart failure in his Alabama home yesterday. He was 86 years old.

USPS KILLS THE DREAM OF SANTA CLAUSE

The US Postal Service announces today… there is no Santa Clause. Since 1954 volunteers in the North Pole (Alaska) have replied to millions of letters sent to Santa this time of year. Over the last 3 years officials discovered a few volunteers that were also on the sex offender registry. The USPS has decided the program is too much of a risk to children, since there is not a system for screening the volunteers.

Tuesday 11/17/09

WHOA BUDDY!

Nashville buzzes this morning!... Titans owner Bud Adams was caught on camera shooting Bills fans a two-fisted bird! Turn on the TV... tune your radio dial... everyone is talking about it! Adams submitted a formal apology to all fans and the NFL and was fined $250,000!... ouch! Some say it's great that a team-owner still gets caught up in being a fan... Some say Adams was out of line.

What do you think???

YOU'RE SNIFFLING TOO?

Hospital Hospitality House hosts health care workshops every Tuesday (starting today) at 1:00... at the East Community Center (600 Woodland Street). Topics include "How to be a smart patient" "Navigating the health care maze" and "Health insurance 101" ... With all the coughing and sniffling going around campus lately, it might be worth heading down the street on your lunch break!

ON THE HILL...

Guess what... It's budget week up on Capitol Hill. Governor Bredesen says Tennessee is $1.5 billion short of what was expected to be available next year. (Maybe Bud Adams can donate a finger or two.) Many departments are being asked to make cuts of up to 9%.

Budget hearings continue through November 23rd, so stay tuned this week to find out what this means for us in higher education.