The United Auto Workers (UAW) union has decided to drop its objections filed with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) over what it had claimed was illegal interference with a vote to unionize at a Chattanooga, Tennessee Volkswagen plant in February, the company said in a press release on Monday. The union said this “effectively terminate[s] the NLRB review process,” in which it had asked for the election results to be thrown out so that it could have a new one.

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NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Were hundreds of millions of your tax dollars offered to Volkswagen -- and then pulled back -- to try to keep the United Auto Workers out of Chattanooga?

After 40 separate votes to repeal and a threatened government shutdown, now it's "silly effort" says Corker.

The "Talk is Cheap Tour" is coming to the Harriman High School Auditorium on August 8th at 7:00 pm. Tickets are $20.00 general admission and may be purchased at the door or at the following locations:
Roane County Schools Central Office, 105 Bluff Road, Kingston 376-5592 Mark Clem-Shelter Insurance, 1318 N Gateway Ave, Rockwood 354-3504 AGA Insurance, 1176 N Kentucky St, Kingston 717-6737 Kingston Barber Shop, 205 E Race St, Kingston 599-5355

8th over all in corruption risk according to stateintegrity.org.
New Jersey (1) had the best score, while Georgia (50) was worst.

Knoxville: 2nd most well read city. Although the quality of the reads maybe in question, I say to each his own. On another subject, it's too bad so much of this business is going to a company that collects no sales tax rather than local booksellers that have to collect and pay the tax. Apparently that is changing in 2014 when Amazon will start collecting sales tax at check out for sales in TN. However it looks like it's something you can opt out of and pay later.

"While fuel spills and spilled milk on aisle three are the sort of spills that worry most convenience store operators, a bean spill has rocked local travel giant Pilot Flying J. Top Pilot sales executives, clandestinely recorded by one of their own working as an FBI informant, were caught on tape spilling the beans about bamboozling customers."

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LinkGreat news!

Responding to constituent(s) concern over his proposed bill to outlaw discussion of homosexuality in the classroom:

"Republican state Sen. Stacey Campfield of Knoxfield told at least three people who wrote his office that they should consider therapy and medication after they expressed opposition to legislation he has filed this session."

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Folk musician Doc Watson dies at age 89
It turns out my girl is related by marriage and is also distant blood kin. I'm sorry I never got to hear him play.

I just discovered this great site and interesting topic.
2012 : WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE DEEP, ELEGANT, OR BEAUTIFUL EXPLANATION?
What's your favorite explanation?

Another example of the "good" in public education.

"The Technology Centers work closely with advisers from local businesses to keep their programs in sync with economic reality. That's one reason why around 8 in 10 students finish and get a job in their field — amazing statistics for any higher-ed institution."

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After living in and traveling all over Florida for more than 40 years, last week I visited and was surprised to learn of this stunning place. If you're ever this way, I highly recommend a visit.
I shot the image with my Windows phone, sorry about the quality.

"Like Mordor, but with shopping carts" - Beautiful
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“I think it’s ironic that there was no collaboration whatsoever with any Democrats with any of the seven or eight versions that we have had on this bill,” said Sen. Andy Berke, D-Chattanooga, one of the lawmakers appointed to the conference committee.

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It's too bad the leaders we elect are not as concerned about what amounts to corporate welfare, as they are about curing our budget woes on the backs of the middle class, the poor, and the retired. Smells like corporate socialism to me. Ramsey and Haslam would have done exactly the same.
Let's add Amazon to the boycott list along with Georgia Pacific.
Senate speaker questions Amazon deal

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Disenfranchising probable left leaning voters; that's what is important. Where are all those jobs bills?
Have to take care of all that rampant voter fraud first.
Bill to require photo ID from Tenn. voters passes House 57-35 despite legal opinion from AG

NASHVILLE — Gov. Bill Haslam signed his teacher tenure bill into law today, predicting the effect of his first major piece of legislation “will be felt for many, many years.”
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What are we supposed to feel, Guvnor?

ArcelorMittal LaPlace is closing the steel rolling mill it operates in Harriman, eliminating 72 jobs, according to information from the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development.

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Though Roane County is not one of the high-target areas predicted by University of Tennessee Extension, high populations are anticipated for surrounding counties, including Loudon, Meigs, Monroe and McMinn.
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In a statement on Tuesday night, a White House spokesperson slammed the Senate GOP's efforts, arguing that an amendment from Senate Republicans "rolls back the Clean Air Act and harms Americans' health by taking away our ability to decrease air pollution."

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Harriman faces Hampton tonight at 7:00 in Sectional play at Hampton. Live scoring here.
Bracket here.
Go Blue Devils!

All 27 Senators up for re-election have reluctantly agreed not to run.
(snark warning)

Freshman Republican Bob Corker of Tennessee said, "My state is known as the Volunteer State but I sure as hell didn't volunteer for this," while New York Democrat Kirsten Gillebrand, appointed to succeed Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in 2009 and elected in 2010 to the remainder of her term with 63 percent of the vote, said, "This proves the Senate is nothing but an old boy's club."

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I didn't know that we have three of them here in Tennessee.
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“I think it is the highest ethical standard,” he said. “We’re telling everybody exactly what we own. I don’t think that next step of telling exactly what the amount is makes a difference.”
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What he said:

I don't know anything about who the man was who shot me to-night. He was seized at once by one of the stenographers in my party, Mr. Martin, and I suppose is now in the hands of the police. He shot to kill. He shot -- the shot, the bullet went in here -- I will show you.

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Except Pilot holdings

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Just 3 snow days left for Roane Schools.
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