12/29: TN legislators want to expand community colleges' mission

TENNESSEE: State legislators want to expand community colleges' mission

Gov. Phil Bredesen is developing an overhaul of the state's education system that could mean more students will attend four-year community college programs.

Lawmakers will open debate next month on a plan meant to cut costs and bolster Tennessee's graduation rate by realigning how the state's two-year colleges and four-year universities work together.

The plan would shift some course work from public universities to community colleges while also making it easier for students to transfer credits between schools.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: Gov. Riley publishes book touting life in the state

ARKANSAS: New iPhone application lists state's laws

FLORIDA: State Supreme Court orders statewide managed mediation program for glut of foreclosures

GEORGIA: One analyst's look at health reform costs in Georgia

KENTUCKY: Schools await new state standards

LOUISIANA: State's first-time jobless claims drop

MISSISSIPPI: 'Most religious' state is Mississippi

NORTH CAROLINA: State to compete for high-speed rail funding

SOUTH CAROLINA: Little clarity in race to replace Gov. Sanford

VIRGINIA: Drop in 7% noted in state's manufacturing jobs

If you have a news story about public policy to suggest, send an email to info@bettersouth.org

10/26: GA, TN senators not thrilled about new climate bill

Times Free-Press: GA, TN senators not thrilled about new climate bill

The bill calls for a 20% cut in greenhouse gases by 2020, a rule that senators from Georgia and Tennessee say could increase the cost of energy. Electric utilities, especially ones that use coal-powered plants that produce greenhouse gases, are expected to have to buy more allowances. That cost would be passed on to customers.

“I am concerned that some in Congress and the administration are rushing to judgment on a cap-and-trade system to regulate carbon,” said Sen. Johnny Isakson, R-Ga. “Cap-and-trade will raise the cost of energy to all Georgians, especially those who rely on electric energy.”

Said U.S. Sen. Bob Corker: "If we would focus solely on climate change, and people wouldn't view this as a mechanism to expand government and line the pockets of interest groups, this whole process would probably be much different."

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: Gov. Riley, Gov. Barbour to announce multi-state aerospace alliance today

ARKANSAS: Democratic Sen. Blanche Lincoln considered vulnerable for next election

FLORIDA: Largest solar power plant in U.S. to go online in Florida

GEORGIA: State is third in the nation for total number of meth users between 12 and 17

KENTUCKY: Coal still important to Kentucky, nation

LOUISIANA: School superintendents complain about forced charter school funding

MISSISSIPPI: Opinion: School consolidation can work in Mississippi

NORTH CAROLINA: State blocks release of dangerous inmates

SOUTH CAROLINA: SC to participate in Appalachian Regional conference on alternative energy

TENNESSEE: State's schools rank high in cutting junk food

VIRGINIA: State considers returning elk to mountains

If you have a news story about public policy to suggest, send an email to info@bettersouth.org

9/4: Some parents don't want students seeing Obama video

New York Times: Some parents against airing Obama video to students on Tuesday

Some conservative parents across the nation are opposed to a planned speech by President Obama on Tuesday to public school students across the nation. They're accusing the president of trying to indoctrinate the students with socialist ideas and want school officials to excuse their children from listening.

In the speech, President Obama plans to urge students to work hard and stay in school.

The Republican Party chairman in Florida, Jim Greer, said he “was appalled that taxpayer dollars are being used to spread President Obama’s socialist ideology.” Kentucky Education Commissioner Terry Holliday is urging superintendents to provide an alternative to the speech for those children whose parents don't want them hearing the speech.

Herb Garrett, executive director of the Georgia School Superintendents Association, said many of his members felt that the controversy had put them in an awkward situation, vulnerable to attacks from conservative talk-show hosts if they open up instructional time for Mr. Obama’s speech, and open to accusations that they have disrespected the president if they do not.

“It’s one of those no-wins,” Mr. Garrett said.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: Gov. Riley plans industry hunting trip to Germany

ARKANSAS: Sen. Lincoln voices opposition now to public option on health reform

GEORGIA: State has limited success in making ethanol a viable alternative fuel

KENTUCKY: New loan program will make it easier for agencies to be 'green'

LOUISIANA: Today is start of state sales tax holiday for guns, ammunition

MISSISSIPPI: Gov. Barbour orders 2.9% budget cut

NORTH CAROLINA: Teacher turnover down in state schools

SOUTH CAROLINA: State agencies must cut 4% from budgets

TENNESSEE: Some state officials oppose ICE's plan to limit public information about detainees

VIRGINIA: Both sides pleased with new permit for coal-fired power plant

If you have a news story about public policy to suggest, send an email to info@bettersouth.org

8/18: New storm-tracker gives more detail on hurricanes

8/18: Christian Science Monitor: New storm-tracker offers more detail on hurricanes

Hurricane season 2009 has begun, and a new site -- Emicus -- has been launched by the US Emergency Operations Center to provide more information on developing storms.

“We are preparing to go to either the Carolinas or Florida this coming Wednesday to work on-disaster-site operations so there will be a lot of on-site reporting," says Yobie Benjamin, a columnist and an official advisor to Emicus. “Our web site is undergoing last minute tweaks. Satellite phones, Broadband Global Area Network (BGAN) satellite Internet systems, cameras, laptops, trucks and generators are getting ready for staging.”

As Hurricane Bill builds (now Category 2), sites like this may prove more valuable to Southerners in the path of such storms.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: Gov. Riley says he'll meet with Georgia governor on water issue

ARKANSAS: Sen. Blanche Lincoln navigates health talks carefully

FLORIDA: Rural residents grill U.S. Rep. Allen Boyd at health-care town hall meeting

GEORGIA: Large increases seen in Hispanic voter registration

KENTUCKY: State creates electronic health information office

LOUISIANA: Rainy-day fund boosts state budget by $86 million

MISSISSIPPI: Citizens angry in Mississippi about health care reform

NORTH CAROLINA: Site in North Carolina to be home to solar farm

SOUTH CAROLINA: State closes books on fiscal year with $98 million deficit

TENNESSEE: Gov. Bredesen takes lead role in debate over health care costs

VIRGINIA: Three GOP candidates to challenge Congressman Tom Perriello

If you have a news story about public policy to suggest, send an email to info@bettersouth.org