June 19, 2013

Proposal Linking Welfare Checks to Kids’ Grades Debated (Watch)

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*This afternoon, the Fox News program “Happening Now” debated a new Tennessee proposal that would tie parents’ welfare payments to their kids’ school grades, leading to a clash between the law’s creator and a former superintendent who finds the idea to be misguided at best, reports Mediate. Republican State Rep. Stacey Campfield explained that the [...]




The Journal of Steffanie Rivers: The Not-So Invisible Man

steffanie rivers

*Thirty-five years ago when I grew up in east Tennessee the only people I saw with tattoos were members of a motorcycle gang. I had to go to school on the other side of town to see white people, because only black people went to my church and lived in my neighborhood. When my teacher, [...]




Donna Summer’s Funeral Set for Wednesday in Nashville

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*Donna Summer will be laid to rest during a private funeral ceremony in Tennessee on Wednesday, May 23. The disco legend died of lung cancer on May 17 in her Florida home. She was 63. Publicist Brian Edwards said in a statement Friday that Summer’s family is overwhelmed and appreciates the outreach from fans and [...]




The Journal of Steffanie Rivers: The Consequences of Your Behavior

*My parents divorced when I was 2, the last time I saw my father I was 12 and he rarely if ever paid child support. That happened more than thirty years ago, so my mother and I survived his neglect. But when I read about Desmond Hatchett, the male (he doesn’t deserve to be called [...]




Tenn. College Party Erupts in Club Gun Battle, 17 Shot, 1 Killed

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*What has happened to the days of a good ol’ after game party where everyone just partied hard as they repped their team wearing college jackets and/or other school paraphernalia? What has happened when you can’t go to a college party without getting shot? The parents that send their children off to college to get [...]




The Journal of Steffanie Rivers: Wanted: Creative and Resourceful Leadership

The website for Obion, Tennessee– population 1,137 – says it’s “a good place to live for young families, seniors and those in between.” But if your house is located outside the city limits and it catches fire and you haven’t paid the $75 annual fee to the city fire department there’s no need to call [...]




NFLer Chris Johnson Signs Multimillion Dollar Deal After Hold-Out

Chris Johnson

*Tennessee Titans running back  Chris Johnson is now in the money. He’s scheduled to sign a revised four-year, $53.5 million contract extension with $30 million guaranteed. After holding out, the player is ready to go back to practice. The team’s general manager complained that it was a tough negotiation, but they eventually got it done, [...]




Tennessee High School Gets Presidential Treatment

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*A lucky group of Tennessee high school students were encouraged by the president of the United States at their senior graduation Monday. Some cried, some laughed, some contemplated, and some just marveled. He told the smiling group of seniors, “You inspire me, that’s why I’m here.” Students who are typically labeled at-risk and poor and [...]




The Journal of Steffanie Rivers: Penny Saver Comes to the Internet

I’ve been using coupons to get discounts on merchandise since the A&P grocery store on Magnolia Avenue in Knoxville, Tennessee issued Green Stamps forty years ago. Every grocery store in the country probably had its own coupon program designed to get your business. Coupons have come a long way since then. As quite as it’s [...]




Tenn. Gospel Group Saved from Bus Fire

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*A Tennessee based gospel group was saved on Saturday after a flat tire sent the group’s tour bus off the road and into flames. Tribute Quartet was traveling to their next performance in Texarkana when the tragedy occurred. Firefighters were able to help the group before anyone got hurt. The accident of course attracted a [...]




Video: Johnson, Finnegan Fight in Texans’ 20-0 Win Over Titans

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*In MMA, er, NFL action, on Sunday the Houston Texans not only beat the Tennessee Titans 20-0 in the football game, but won the fight also. Apparently Tennessee’s Courtland Finnegan, who’s known to talk mucho smack and play dirty talked smack and played dirty on the wrong day as far as the Texans’ usually low [...]




Teens Use Bible to Set Church Bus on Fire

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*Investigators said arsonists in Rutherford County, Tenn used an unthinkable item to add fuel to their fire, the Bible. Authorities said a group of teens used the pages to set fire to a church bus. Fire officials believe this is the work of some teens trying to have fun, but investigators and church members are [...]