R. Neal

December 18, 2007 - The Tennessee Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations (TACIR) is conducting an ongoing study of voting and election systems in Tennessee. The first report on voting machine systems was presented to TACIR in June.

December 13, 2007 - Most of Alabama and Georgia, the Tennessee Valley, and now North Carolina are experiencing "exceptional" drought conditions in the record-breaking drought that has plagued the South throughout the second half of 2007.

December 11, 2007 - The U.S. Department of Energy published a public notice in local newspapers today to "inform the public of DOE enforceable requirements for protection of human health and the environment from past releases of contaminants within the Melton Valley portion of the Oak Ridge Reservation located in Roane County, Tennessee."

December 6, 2007 - This recent Economist article about Dollywood is making the Tennessee blog rounds. It's a somewhat amusing look at Southern/Appalachian culture from a British/European point of view. Characterizing Dolly Parton as the "backwoods Barbie", the article observes:

December 4, 2007 - Good Jobs First, a "national policy resource center for grassroots groups and public officials, promoting corporate and government accountability in economic development and smart growth for working families" has compiled a report entitled The State of State Disclosure which evaluates "online publi

November 29, 2007 - Citing concerns about investments in sub-prime mortgage backed securities, Florida local governments have withdrawn billions of dollars from a State of Florida investment fund, including withdrawals of $3.5 billion in one day. The run on the State Board of Administration operated Local Government Investment Pool has resulted in a freeze on withdrawals from the fund.

November 27, 2007 - Their annual migration is underway, and Sandhill Cranes are beginning to arrive at the Hiwassee Refuge.