Tennessee

August 26, 2008 -- TALLAHASSEE, FL -- John McCain's presidential campaign today announced its John McCain for President Tennessee Statewide Leadership. This distinguished team of leaders will direct Tennessee's growing grassroots organization and communicate John McCain's message of peace, prosperity and reform.

"I first met John McCain when he became the Navy's liaison to the United States Senate when I was Republican Leader," said former Senator and McCain Honorary State Chair Howard Baker. "He traveled abroad with me on many occasions, and I had the opportunity to observe first-hand his ability to relate with foreign leaders. I have a high regard, respect and confidence in his unique ability to lead our country as our next president."    » read more »

August 14, 2008 -- The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Sgt. Michael H. Ferschke Jr., 22, of Maryville, Tennessee, died Aug. 10 while supporting combat operations in Salah ad Din province, Iraq.

He was assigned to 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, Okinawa, Japan.

Source: DOD

July 16, 2008 -- The Department of Defense announced today the death of nine soldiers who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. They died of wounds suffered when their outpost was attacked by small arms fire and rocket propelled grenades from enemy forces in Wanat, Afghanistan, on July 13.

They were assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 503d Infantry Regiment (Airborne), 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, Vicenza, Italy.

Killed were:

1st Lt. Jonathan P. Brostrom, 24, of Hawaii.

Sgt. Israel Garcia, 24, of Long Beach, Calif.

Cpl. Jonathan R. Ayers, 24, of Snellville, Ga.

Cpl. Jason M. Bogar, 25, of Seattle, Wash.

Cpl. Jason D. Hovater, 24, of Clinton, Tenn.    » read more »

May 16, 2008 -- Opry Plaza Parties, one of Nashville’s favorite summertime activities, are set to launch their ninth season on Memorial Day Weekend, Sat., May 24. Plaza Parties are free and will run every Saturday night through July 25 beginning at 5:30 p.m. on the Opry Plaza concert stage located in the area in front of the Opry House, the Acuff Theatre, and the Opry Museum.

Grammy®-nominated Western swing band The Time Jumpers lead the summer series with a May 24 performance. The wide range of country, alt-country, and bluegrass artists scheduled to perform throughout the summer also includes Elizabeth Cook, The John Cowan Band, John England and the Western Swingers, Jypsi, Kieran Kane with Fats Kaplin and Lucas Kane, Tift Merritt, Kim Richey, Sunny Sweeney, and 3 Fox Drive.    » read more »

5/14/2008 -- Tennessee Automatic Delegate Vicky Harwell announced her support for Hillary Clinton today. Harwell, of Pulaski, is president of the Tennessee Federation of Democratic Women.

"Hillary’s decisive victory in West Virginia is the latest evidence that she is the strongest candidate to take on John McCain and win back the White House,” Harwell said. “Hillary has the plans, leadership and experience to deliver real results as President."

Source: Hillary Clinton campaign

05/07/2008 -- Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen has requested a federal designation of agricultural disaster for Giles, Lawrence and Warren counties due to April 11 tornadoes that caused extensive farm damages.

A designation from the U.S. Department of Agriculture would allow farmers in these counties who suffered damages to apply for low-interest emergency loans to help them manage losses and recover during the growing season. Bredesen made the request in a letter to U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Ed Schafer.    » read more »

San Antonio, April 8, 2008 (By David Byrd) -- The University of Kansas has defeated Memphis, 75-68, to take the American men's big-college basketball title. As VOA's David Byrd reports from San Antonio, the game came down to some crucial shots in the waning minutes.

The game was evenly-matched and fast paced for most of Monday night. The lead changed hands nine times and the contest was tied eight times. The biggest lead was Memphis by nine in the second half, but Kansas was able to cut the lead to just two points with less than a minute to play.

Memphis freshman Derrick Rose made one of two free throws, to give the Tigers a 63-60 lead. But Kansas guard Mario Chalmers was able to hit a three-point shot with less than two seconds left, to send the game into overtime.    » read more »

03/31/2008 -- Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen and ECD Commissioner Matt Kisber joined local officials today at three ceremonies across the state to sign agreements acknowledging the communities’ participation in the inaugural Orange Carpet Tour. The program is designed to acquaint veteran site selectors with development opportunities in Tennessee’s rural communities and to give communities the opportunity to gather feedback from veteran business consultants.

“Each of these communities has demonstrated a willingness to collaborate and work together on a regional basis,” Bredesen said. “At the end of this process, these communities will see how they are perceived by highly regarded site selection experts and how to use that knowledge to make themselves more competitive.”    » read more »

Atlanta, Ga., March 26, 2008 - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) - Region 4, as part of the Southeast Diesel Collaborative, today announced the availability of approximately $3.6 Million in grants to fund projects within the Southeast to demonstrate effective emission control technologies and strategies, methods or approaches to reducing diesel emissions. EPA expects to fund between five and ten grants ranging from $250,000 and $750,000. However, EPA reserves the option to fund a project at an amount lower than $250,000 if the proposed project involves retrofitting or upgrading an applicant’s entire fleet.    » read more »

03/19/2008 -- Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen today signed an Executive Order establishing the Governor’s Task Force on Energy Policy. The Task Force is charged with developing a state energy plan to make Tennessee a leader in energy efficiency and conservation, use of alternative fuels and renewable energy sources, and the development of clean-energy technology.    » read more »

March 10, 2008, NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Nearly five weeks after Tennessee's severe storms and tornadoes, $6.7 million has been approved in disaster assistance grants and loans for homeowners, renters and business owners by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).

Following are highlights of assistance as of Monday, March 10:    » read more »

March 3, 2008, NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Nearly one month after tornadoes ripped through Tennessee, more than $4.3 million has been approved in disaster assistance grants and loans for homeowners, renters and business owners by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).    » read more »

Fayette County Residents Now Eligible for Individual Assistance

February 21, 2008, NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’'s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is extending federal disaster assistance to homeowners, renters and business owners in Fayette County who suffered damage or loss as a result of the Feb. 5-6 severe storms and tornadoes.    » read more »

February 20, 2008, ARLINGTON, VA -- U.S. Senator John McCain's presidential campaign today announced that former Colorado Governor Bill Owens and former Tennessee Governor Winfield Dunn have endorsed John McCain for president.    » read more »

February 13, 2008, WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will deploy mobile homes from its Hope, Ark. facility for use as disaster housing in support of the recent tornadoes in Arkansas and Tennessee. The mobile homes will be used to provide temporary housing for eligible applicants who suffered damages to or losses of their homes until the residents are better able to make other, more permanent arrangements.    » read more »