June 30, 2006

A Quick Look at the News

Some headlines from Friday's Tennessean, Nashville City Paper, and Associated Press:

Tennessee corruption probes are not over yet - The FBI says "Operation Tennessee Waltz" and other public-corruption probes in Tennessee are not over yet.

Nashville economy tops state - The Nashville/Middle Tennessee area's economy is the strongest in Tennessee, UT economists say.

Pulitzer-winning photos capture history at exhibit - The Frist Center for the Visual Arts in Nashville is hosting a traveling exhibit, ''The Pulitzer Prize Photographs: Capture the Moment',' featuring more than 130 images culled from Pulitzer Prize-winning entries from 1942 to the present, today through August 20, at the downtown Nashville museum.

Nashville is ninth-worst speed trap, motorists say - That's among cities nationally. Nashville has some 35 "speed traps" within the city limits.

TennCare change requires proof of citizenship - A new federal law requires proof of citizenship to receive TennCare and, starting Monday, those applying for the first time for TennCare or those trying to be recertified will have to show proof of citizenship and identity. It's a new federal law designed to curb benefits for illegal immigrants. The City Paper says Tennessee State officials and "health care advocates" are "concerned about the possible side affects" of the law. TennCare, the state’s Medicaid program, is already prohibited for illegal immigrants - this new law simply adds teeth to that law.

Tour favorites barred in doping scandal - Favorites Jan Ullrich, Ivan Basso and dozens of other cyclists were barred Friday from the Tour de France in a doping scandal, causing a massive upheaval on the eve of cycling's premier race. Ullrich and Basso were the only riders who were a serious challenge to now-retired seven-time champion Lance Armstrong in recent years.

China cracks down on blogs, search engines - China's Internet regulators are stepping up controls on blogs and search engines to block material it considers unlawful or immoral, the government said Friday. A study by Tsinghua University in Beijing estimates that China has 37 million blogs, and that number is expected to nearly double this year to 60 million. The Chinese government is going to lose this fight eventually.