3/16: TN bill on divorce draws national attention

The Tennessean: Bill on divorce would require equal custody of children

National attention is focused on a bill in Tennessee that would evenly split child custody in contentious divorce cases. Groups for and against the bill are divided along gender lines. On the one hand is a powerful alliance of women's groups, the Tennessee Bar Association, and some judges who say the change would make divorces harder to settle. On the other hand, fathers-rights groups say children are being deprived of full relationships with both parents, and this law could help that.

Observers say that, if the bill passes, Tennessee would become home of the most gender-neutral and revolutionary child custody law in the United States.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: State court system to lay off more than 100 temporary employees

ARKANSAS: Appliance rebate program begins in state

FLORIDA: Legislature seeks property tax cuts, but this could cost local governments

GEORGIA: State lottery announces record profits for first half of 2010 budget year

KENTUCKY: U.S. Senate race includes stab at candidates with Duke degrees

LOUISIANA: Roads in Louisiana are worst in the nation, according to data

MISSISSIPPI: Gov. Barbour vetoes extension of wind pool bill

NORTH CAROLINA: State can't explain a 39% jump in 2008 cases of SIDS

SOUTH CAROLINA: Legislators use federal money to patch South Carolina's budget

VIRGINIA: A look at winners and losers in state budget talks

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9/3: Speculation abounds over Justice Stevens' one hire

Washington Post: Speculation abounds over Justice Stevens' one hire

U.S. Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens has hired only one clerk instead of the usual four for the term that begins in October 2010. Speculators believe Stevens, who is 89, may be preparing for retirement. Retired justices are entitled to one clerk.

If he retires, President Obama would have his second opportunity to appoint a justice.

And in the South:

ALABAMA: State's education budget likely won't get cut any more this year

ARKANSAS: Another candidate announces for U.S. Senate seat

FLORIDA: Seminole Tribe to pay state $6.8 billion over 20 years for gambling rights

GEORGIA: Gov. Perdue talks water at state tourism conference

KENTUCKY: State considers grasses, grains, wood products as potential fuel

LOUISIANA: Looking at Gov. Jindal's Sunday helicopter travel to churches

MISSISSIPPI: Gov. Barbour to announce major budget decisions today

NORTH CAROLINA: Schools fear 'dangerous' label

SOUTH CAROLINA: 22 counties in Upstate are back in drought conditions

TENNESSEE: Interim chief of University of Tennessee notes poor graduation rates

VIRGINIA: DNC to spend $5 million on Virginia's governor's race

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