COUNCIL HEARS PITCH ON PROPOSED MUSIC CITY CENTER HOTEL:

The sales pitch for a new convention center continued at Metro City Council. The focus was on the hotel that would stand next to the proposed Music City Center. Read the full story

NASHVILLE MAY FOOT THE BILL FOR CONVENTION CENTER HOTEL:

A plan to build a $300 million hotel to serve a new downtown convention center could force the city of Nashville into the hotel business if private financing can't be found. Read the full story

AT LAST: SOME ORGANIZED MUSIC CITY CENTER SKEPTICISM:

Calling themselves "a group of concerned citizens who have come together to educate the public about the impact the construction of a new downtown convention center and hotel would have," members of "Nashville's Priorities" have full story

SKEPTICS GROUP WANTS TO FORCE DIALOGUE ON NASHVILLE CONVENTION CENTER:

As Nashville's proposed downtown convention center approaches a do-or-die vote later this year, a group of skeptics is banding together to educate Metro Council members and their constituents about the risks they see in the plan. Read the full story

MAYOR KARL DEAN BUILDS ON SUCCESS, BUT TWO BIG HURDLES LIE AHEAD:

Going on WSIX 98's renowned morning show, the mayor told Gerry House he will indeed run for re-election. The funny man (that would be House) and the rumpled man (you know who that is) even came up with a preliminary re-election slogan: "More Honky. Less Tonky." Read the full story

BREAKING NEWS! RIOTS BREAK OUT AT PITTSBURGH UNIVERSITY, STUDENTS GASSED AND BEAT :

N.J. PRINCIPAL UNAPOLOGETIC FOR VIDEOTAPE OF KIDS PRAISING OBAMA, PARENTS SAY:

The principal of a New Jersey elementary school where young students were videotaped singing the praises of President Obama is making no apologies for the videotape and says she would allow the performance again if she could, according to parents who spoke with her Thursday night.

Read the full story

MAYOR DISCUSSES FUTURE OF STATE FAIRGROUNDS :

The name of the state fairgrounds may be changed because the fair has seen its last day at the South Nashville location. Residents are wondering what will become of the property. Read the full story

CHAMBER'S ANNUAL MEETING HIGHLIGHTS WINS IN A TOUGH ECONOMY :

It's the "Chamber of the Universe." At least, that was the joke at today's annual meeting of the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce and its Partnership 2010 economic development initiative, where the organization's leaders and Nashville Mayor Karl Dean applauded the Chamber for its accomplishments in this economically challenging year, including its selection in July as Chamber of the Year by the American Chamber of Commerce Executives. Read the full story

BUS CCTV COULD PREDICT ASSAULTS :

CCTV security systems could soon spot an assault on a bus before it happens, according to a major research project. Read the full story

REQUEST TO SAVE FAIR APPARENTLY IGNORED:

The governing body that oversees the Tennessee State Fair voted nine months ago to ask Metro's mayor and council to form a Blue Ribbon committee to decide the future of the state fair, but it appears that committee was never appointed and never met. Watch the video.

1909 LAW MANDATES NASHVILLE STATE FAIR, GROUP SAYS:

A group is fighting the mayor’s office move to end the sate fair in Nashville, because they say it is illegal. The 1909 law which authorized the bond issues for purchase of the property now known as the Tennessee State Fairgrounds, specified the property was to be used for a permanent State Fair. Watch the video.

METRO POLICE TO RECEIVE NEW TECHNOLOGY TO FIGHT CRIME:

The Metro Police Department is getting ready to do even more to keep neighborhoods and their residents safer. Technology will make sharing information easier and faster. Read the full story Read about the proposed state law that would allow fingerprints to be taken at routine traffic stops.

TENNESSEE STATE FAIR'S FUTURE IN AIR AS NASHVILLE BAILS OUT :

Mayor Karl Dean said Thursday that the city will stop putting on the fair because the fairgrounds is the wrong place for it. Metro won't run the financially struggling event in 2010 and doesn't plan to build an expensive facility. Read the full story

TENNESSEE CITIES SPEND MILLIONS LOBBYING :

Local governments in Tennessee are spending millions of dollars annually to lobby other government bodies in Nashville and Washington, according to an upcoming report from a group that tracks public spending in the state. Read the full story

MAYOR WANTS $35M OFF CONVENTION CENTER COST : During the recession, the cost of many construction materials has gone down, and Mayor Karl Dean thinks that could mean big savings for the proposed convention center.

Read the full story

NASHVILLE MAYOR DEAN WANTS CONVENTION HALL'S COSTS CUT :

Mayor Karl Dean has directed the construction team working on the proposed downtown convention center to build it for less than $600 million, cutting the long-expected price by 5 percent or more, his finance chief said Tuesday. Read the full story

PUBLIC GETS LOOK AT CONVENTION AUTHORITY CANDIDATES :

The public got its first look at the people who will control of the construction of the new downtown convention center. Read the full story

METRO COUNCIL DEFERS URBAN CHICKEN BAN INDFEINITELY:

Councilman Burch's bill "deferred indefinitely." Thanks to all the Nashvillians and councilpeople for your support of sustainable urban food production! Please stay tuned and join the Facebook fansite for more updates as they come.

NASHVILLE COUNCIL BANS GENDER IDENTITY BIASES :

Current and future Metro employees are now officially guaranteed protection from discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity. Read the full story

DEAN WITHDRAWS CONVENTION CENTER AUTHORITY RESOLUTION :

The Mayor Karl Dean administration decided to withdraw a resolution at Tuesday’s Metro Council meeting that would have placed nine first-time board members on the new Convention Center Authority. Read the full story

STATE FAIR HAS FINAL RUN AT CURRENT LOCATION:

Mayor Karl Dean's office confirms that this will be the fair's last year at its current location. Watch the video

METRO MEETS MONDAY ON CONVENTION CENTER AUTHORITY:

Monday night the Metro Council's Rules and Confirmations Committee will meet to discuss procedures concerning the composition of the new Convention Center Authority. Read the full story

PERMANENT RFID BRACELET FOR THE VACCINATED:

PROPOSED NEW CONVENTION CENTER FIASCO:

If you were negotiating to buy a home or other property, would you tell the seller what your maximum acceptable price was before negotiations had even started? Would you begin your project without a guaranteed maximum price and without bank financing in place? That’s what the Mayor and the Metro Council voted to do when they approved $75 million for the purchase of the 16 acres in SoBro for this deal. The property has recently been generously appraised at around $35-40 million. Obviously the owners will hold out for the higher price, now that they know what Metro is willing to pay. Read the full story

PROPERTY OWNERS SNUB NASHVILLE'S OFFERS FOR CONVENTION CENTER LAND:

Three weeks after rejecting Metro government's initial offer to buy the site of his auto repair shop within the footprint of a proposed downtown convention hall, Will Fischer is anxious to see whether he and the city can bridge a sizable gap in each side's perceived value of the land. Read the full story

METROPOLITAN COUNCIL SEPTEMBER 11TH MEMORIAL OBSERVANCE:

On September 11, 2009 at noon the Metropolitan Council held its eights annual September 11th memorial observance. View pictures of this event.

ABC'S JOHN STOSSEL DESTROYS OBAMA'S ANTI-AMERICAN 'HEALTH CARE' PLAN :

Sign the Petition Opposing Government-Run, Socialized Health Care

MAKE CONGRESS GIVE UP HEALTH PERKS:

Rep. John Fleming, R-La., wants lawmakers to be compelled to enroll in the same reformed healthcare plan that they would like to foist upon the American people. Read the full story

OBAMA DELIVERS SPEECH TO YOUTH:

President Barack Hussein Obama delivered his speech to American school children. Read Why Obama’s Address to Schoolchildren Is Objectionable An Obama address to schoolchildren is an instance of the further development of national power and influence. It breaks new ground in the influence of State over society. Public education already is under the influence of objectionable forces, but this establishes a new precedent that can be extended.

SCHOOL BOARD POLICIES IN TENNESSEE COULD RESTRICT CAMERAS:

A recommendation by the Tennessee School Board Association has some school officials and citizens questioning whether school boards should be allowed to limit cameras at meetings. Read the full story

MAYOR DEAN APPOINTS CONVENTION CENTER AUTHORITY MEMBERS: COUNCIL TO VOTE ON PICKS SEPT. 15:

Mayor Karl Dean appointed a new authority Friday to oversee the proposed downtown convention center that includes investment bankers, an event coordinator, a union representative, and a music industry executive, among others. Read the full story

MAYOR APPOINTS CONVENTION CENTER BOARD:

It is Nashville's most expensive building project ever, and now it is another step closer to reality. Mayor Karl Dean has nominated nine people to manage the new Music City Center. Read the full story

INGRAM VS. COOLEY: FIGHT TO THE FINISH :

Finally, a way to settle this whole Music City Center controversy. And now ladies and gentlemen, for your entertainment pleasure, we present to you a clash of titans: Dave Cooley vs. Tom Ingram. That's right, a Friday Night Smackdown in the courthouse square! How about it? Read the full story

FINE FOR POT IN DENVER COULD GO DOWN TO $1 :

DENVER - A city panel in charge of overseeing marijuana possession crimes in Denver recommended on Wednesday that the fine for possession be set at $1. Read the full story

CONVENTION CENTER COALITION REFORMING:

The Music City Center Coalition - formed more than three years ago while Bill Purcell was still mayor - has regrouped to continue the push for building a new center downtown. Read the full story

THE STATE SENATE’S FUTURE LIBERTARIAN LEAN:

The possibility of three sometimes libertarian-leaning House members moving to the Senate has caused great excitement in some parts of political blogger land. Read the full story

COUNCILMAN WHO ADMITTED TO SHOPLIFTING WILL HEAD BUDGET PANEL:

Metro Councilman Ronnie Steine, who resigned as vice mayor seven years ago after admitting to shoplifting, is now in charge of the council's budget process. Read the full story

E-MAILS SHOW PR FIRM'S DEVELOPMENT ROLE :

Hundreds of pages of e-mails released Monday show just how big of a role a public relations firm played in the development of the Music City Convention Center. Read the full story

COUNCIL OKS NASHVILLE CONVENTION CENTER AUTHORITY: OVERSIGHT ISSUE STILL BOTHERS SOME:

Mayor Karl Dean will appoint a nine-member convention center authority after winning overwhelming approval from the Metro Council — for the second time — on Friday. Read the full story

LATEST IN STIMULUS: 'CASH FOR REFRIGERATORS':

A $300 million cash-for-clunkers-type federal program to boost sales of energy-efficient home appliances provides a glimmer of hope for beleaguered makers of washing machines and dishwashers, but it's probably not enough to lift companies such as Whirlpool (NYSE:WHR - News) and Electrolux out of the worst down cycle in the sector's history. Read the full story

MARTIAL LAW READY AND WAITING:

COUNCIL APPROVES CONVENTION CENTER AUTHORITY

Despite the expected three dissidents, Metro Council on Friday afternoon officially approved the creation of a Convention Center Authority to oversee development of the proposed Music City Center and its attached hotel. Read the full story

MANY CONVENTION CENTER CONTRACTS RISE ABOVE EARLY ESTIMATES :

Metro Development and Housing Agency's communications contract with McNeely, Pigott & Fox has drawn the most speculation in recent weeks, but several other convention center-related contracts have also exceeded the original agreed-upon maximum price. Read the full story

PR BILLS SHOW AIRPORT SPENT $10,000+ ON HOLIDAY E-CARD:

A leading Metro Council member says Metro bureaucrats just aren't watching your money. That came after NewsChannel 5 Investigates showed him video obtained by the team. Read the full story

COUNCILMAN ASKS FOR SPECIAL MEETING TO RECONSIDER CONVENTION CENTER AUTHORITY :

At the behest of Councilman Rip Ryman, Vice Mayor Diane Neighbors is prepared to call a special meeting for Friday at 4:30 p.m. to reconsider the resolution to create a new Convention Center Authority. Read the full story

THE MAYOR'S SUPPORTERS PULL THEIR OWN "OBSCURE" PARLIAMENTARY MOVE AND FORCE LESS TIME FOR RECONSIDERING AUTHORITY:

CMs who apparently have a dog in a speedy convention center hunt (Ronnie Steine, Michael Craddock, Jim Gotto, Anna Page, Carl Burch, Buddy Baker, Parker Toler, Jim Forkum, Rip Ryman, Charlie Tygard, Walter Hunt, Frank Harrison, Duane Dominy, and Phil Claiborne) submitted a letter earlier today requesting a special meeting to consider Mike Jameson's move to reconsider the council's snap approval of the Mayor's new convention center authority in the wake of the Mayor's PR debacle the last couple of weeks Read the full story

SPARKS FLY DURING CONVENTION CENTER FUNDING DEBATE:

A discussion on the creation of a new Convention Center Authority turned into a heated debate on the potential funding mechanisms for the proposed Music City Center project during a Council subcommittee meeting on Tuesday. Read the full story

NO GUNS IN PARKS; CONVENTION CENTER BOARD DELAYED :

Nashville reinforced its ban on guns in city parks Tuesday as the Metro Council voted by a narrow margin to opt out of a new state law. Read the full story

COUNCIL DELAYS VOTE ON CONVENTION CENTER AUTHORITY A crucial vote expected Tuesday at Metro Council did not happen. The vote was about whether to establish a Convention Center Authority.:

Read the full story

CONTROVERSIAL NONDISCRIMINATION BILL CLEARS ANOTHER HURDLE:

Metro Council passed a controversial non-discrimination bill on second reading Tuesday night, but before the vote there was a lot of debate between council members. Read the full story

NASHVILLE CONVENTION CENTER PROJECT MAY DIVERT SCHOOL CASH :

Some Metro Council and school board members are voicing concerns that a proposed convention center oversight board would be able to tap a pool of sales tax revenue that's meant to be used for schools if other funds didn't cover the $635 million facility's expenses. Read the full story

ANOTHER CONVENTION CENTER CONTRACT GOES OVER BUDGET:

NewsChannel 5 Investigates has discovered another contract that is well over budget and is expected to go even higher. Read the full story

COUNCILMEN TO HOST PUBLIC MEETING ON CONVENTION CENTER PR EXCESSES:

Metro Council members will host a public panel discussion concerning the public relations invoices turned in for the convention center project on Aug. 17 at 6 p.m. at the historic Metro courthouse. Read the full story

CRAFTON: CONVENTION CENTER AUTHORITY IS ATTEMPT TO AVOID REFERENDUM:

Metro Councilman Eric Crafton says he believes Mayor Karl Dean’s administration is pushing for the creation of a new board to oversee the proposed new convention center as an effort to avoid a voter referendum on the estimated $635 million project. Read the full story

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