Bumps are likely in digital TV shift

By Joelle Tessler • ASSOCIATED PRESS • January 11, 2009 WASHINGTON — In less than six weeks, the nation's television broadcasters are due to shut off their analog signals and begin transmitting in digital — potentially blacking out as many as 8 million U.S. households that rely on analog TV sets to pick up over-the-air channels. That reality hit lawmakers and the incoming Obama administration last week after the Commerce Department ran out of money for coupons to subsidize digital converter boxes. Viewers who don't have cable or satellite service or a TV with a digital tuner will need the boxes to keep older analog sets working. The coupon-funding shortfall was a key reason behind the Obama transition team's call for Congress to delay the Feb. 17 analog shutoff. Yet the problem with the subsidy program is just one of several hurdles that appear to be in the way of a smooth digital transition. One potential pitfall is that many people who think they are prepared for the analog shutoff could lose some channels — or possibly even lose reception entirely — unless they purchase a new antenna. That's because many stations will shift their broadcast footprints with the switch to digital by changing transmitter locations, antenna patterns or power levels. The Federal Communications Commission has said 18 percent of the nation's full-power TV stations will have a digital signal that reaches at least 2 percent fewer viewers than their current analog broadcasts. Some viewers could lose signals because of the so-called digital "cliff effect." Unlike analog signals, digital broadcasts come in clear or don't come in at all, meaning that people on the fringes of analog coverage areas who currently get fuzzy reception will lose that reception entirely. These viewers probably will need more powerful indoor or outdoor antennas — in addition to converter boxes — to maintain their existing reception. Yet critics say the government has done too little to educate consumers about this issue and is not subsidizing the cost of an antenna, which can range from $75 to $150. What's more, consumers may not discover they need this equipment until after the transition actually happens. "Television is a connection to the outside world for many people. But if you're 80 years old and living on Social Security, you may not be able to buy an antenna or hire someone to install it," said U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, who is sponsoring a bill that would, among other things, expand the coupon program to help subsidize antenna purchases and installations. New scans required Another thing that consumers may not realize until the transition is upon them is that broadcast station channel assignments will move around. Viewers will have to make their converter boxes re-scan for the new assignments after the changeover. This issue, too, has received little attention and could lead many consumers to incorrectly assume their converter boxes do not work after the transition. That has led to questions about whether there will be adequate call center resources to handle what could be an avalanche of requests for help. The FCC is investing roughly $10 million in in-house and outsourced call center operations and has said it expects to be able to handle 2.15 million calls during the week of Feb. 15. But the agency acknowledged that it won't be able to handle all the expected calls on its own and will rely on broadcasters, cable companies, state and local governments, and community organizations to run their own call centers. The FCC also has awarded $8.4 million to 12 outside groups, including AARP, to staff call centers and help consumers buy and install converter boxes. Even with the years of warning, analysts at Nielsen Co. estimate that as of December, 6.8 percent of the 114 million U.S. households with TVs remained completely unready for the digital transition. An additional 10 percent still had at least one TV that was not yet ready.

30,000 can't pay NES bills on time

TVA rate increase, cooler weather bring unexpected surgeBy Chris Echegaray • THE TENNESSEAN • January 11, 2009 A record 30,000 Nashville Electric Service customers — nearly 10 percent — sought payment arrangements on December bills sometimes double what they expected. The utility's office was inundated with calls, spokesman Tim Hill said, often from customers who never had a problem paying on time. Some customers say they're making choices between turning on the heat and meeting basic needs. Nashville resident Charlesetta Buchanan came up with $414 to pay her 87-year-old aunt's latest monthly electric bill, which typically runs about $130. "It's become a choice between staying warm or eating," Buchanan said. "Or choose to stay warm over your medicine. This is not a one-time thing. With these rates, somebody is pocketing something." Several factors came together in December to force bills higher, according to an NES statement: • The Tennessee Valley Authority, where NES gets electricity, levied scheduled rate increases totaling 9.1 percent. • TVA also passed on a fuel cost adjustment of more than 20 percent. • The weather was colder in recent months than in November and December 2007. • Because of the holidays and meter reading cycle, NES tacked an extra day onto bills. NES serves about 355,000 customers in Davidson County and portions of other Middle Tennessee counties. The company will be more lenient for the next several months, Hill said, with representatives deciding whether to grant 10-day extensions on the due date and waive late fees. Residential customers were told to expect rate increases of up to $20, based on average usage of 1,320 kilowatt hours a month, beginning Oct. 1. But December overwhelmed many. Anthony Hardy said his latest bill made him believe in conspiracy theories. In June, he went to the NES office to sign up for the monthly average payment plan so he could anticipate the bill amount on his 768-square-foot duplex — $158 a month. His latest bill was $228. "It's impossible for a place this big to use that much more electricity," Hardy said. Next bill should dip Other regions are experiencing similar hikes in bills as a result of the spike in fuel and coal costs months ago, TVA spokesman Jim Allen said. The North Carolina Eastern Municipal Power Agency passed a 4 percent increase that will be in effect Feb. 1 after already raising rates in August. Portland General Electric Co. in Oregon is seeking a 9 percent rate increase this month. Still, Tennessee has some of the lowest rates in the country, Allen said. NES residential customers pay 9.8 cents per kilowatt hour when most of the nation pays well over 10 cents, federal statistics show. And customers should see a slight dip on their next bill, Allen said. "We will have a 6 percent decrease, and it will be passed on to the customer," Allen said. "Coal went through the ceiling as well as natural gas. It's come down and coal leveled off." The question for ratepayers now is how much of TVA's ash spill cleanup costs in Harriman, Tenn., will be passed along and when. The tab will cost tens of millions of dollars or more, and TVA Chairman Bill Sansom said last week that the cost will "get into rates sooner or later." Still, the utilities have their supporters. Nashville resident Theresa Morrow said her electric bill averages $80, but she heats her more than 1,600-square-foot home with gas. The highest electric bill she's received in the summer is $180 with the air conditioner set at 62 degrees. "I have no need to complain, and I get aggravated at those who do," she wrote in an e-mail. "Most of the ones complaining are either living in a drafty old place or leave the lights on 24/7. Electricity in Tennessee is still low in my opinion."

Davidson County crime log for Dec. 30-Jan. 2

CRIME LOG These are the most serious calls handled by the Metro police, listed by time, crime reported and address. Some reports may be unfounded. Police calls are listed by police precinct or town. When police cannot immediately determine the location of a crime, the address given is that of the police station or hospital where the crime was reported. Jan. 2 Antioch 10:23 a.m., residential burglary, 500 block Hickory Highlands Drive 5:56 p.m., holdup/robbery, 2300 block South Grafton Court Central 5 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 1200 block Rosa L. Parks 9:54 a.m., holdup/robbery, 1600 block Ninth Avenue North 10:50 a.m., holdup/robbery, 800 block Harrison Street Donelson 9:23 a.m., residential burglary, 3300 block Percy Priest Drive 6:58 p.m., residential burglary, 3100 block Lincoya Bay Drive East 9:24 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 2700 block Dickerson Pike 12:23 p.m., residential burglary, 100 block Oak Valley Drive 1:46 p.m., residential burglary, 1500 block Jones Avenue 2:53 p.m., shooting, 200 block Old Trinity Lane 4:03 p.m., holdup/robbery, 900 block Chicamauga Avenue Hermitage 11:33 a.m., residential burglary, 100 block Burning Tree Drive 12:44 p.m., holdup/robbery, 1300 block Vultee Boulevard 3:39 p.m., residential burglary, 4100 block Dodson Chapel Road 4:44 p.m., residential burglary, 4100 block Dodson Chapel Road Joelton 11:54 p.m., residential burglary, 4300 block Grays Point Road Madison 5:48 a.m., residential burglary, 600 block North Dupont Avenue 1:58 p.m., residential burglary, 100 block Harris Street 5:46 p.m., holdup/robbery, 300 block Rio Vista Drive North 1:01 a.m., residential burglary, 100 block Tiger Circle 1:58 a.m., residential burglary, 1900 block 14th Avenue North 5:27 a.m., holdup/robbery, 1900 block 15th Avenue North 5:29 a.m., holdup/robbery, 1900 block 15th Avenue North 9:46 a.m., residential burglary, 2000 block 14th Avenue North 4:45 p.m., residential burglary, 2000 block 12th Avenue North Paragon Mills 10:22 a.m., residential burglary, 4700 block Humber Drive South 1:47 p.m., holdup/robbery, 1000 block Murfreesboro Pike 3:46 p.m., holdup/robbery, 500 block Rosedale Avenue 7:37 p.m., holdup/robbery, 900 block Winthorne Drive 9:51 p.m., holdup/robbery, 900 block Winthorne Drive 10:02 p.m., shooting, 1300 block Vultee Boulevard Trinity Hills 1:30 p.m., residential burglary, 700 block Paige Circle Tusculum 10:12 a.m., residential burglary, 200 block Bart Drive 10:38 a.m., residential burglary, 5000 block Colemont Drive 5:14 p.m., residential burglary, 4900 block Packard Drive Union Hill 3:31 p.m., residential burglary, 2000 block Tinnin Road Vinehill 7:49 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 2000 block Lindell Avenue West 4:12 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 2200 block Bandywood Drive 7:31 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 7000 block Old Harding Pike 8:05 a.m., holdup/robbery, 4000 block Hillsboro Pike 8:15 a.m., residential burglary, 1000 block Wade Avenue 10:26 a.m., residential burglary, 900 block Bresslyn Road 11:10 a.m., residential burglary, 3000 block Hillsboro Pike 12:21 p.m., cutting/stabbing, 2300 block Herman Street 5:45 p.m., holdup/robbery, 4000 block Elkins Avenue 8:20 p.m., holdup/robbery, 7100 block Charlotte Pike 10:34 p.m., holdup/robbery, at 12th Avenue South and Summit Avenue Woodbine 2:20 p.m., holdup/robbery, 600 block Grassmere Park Road Jan. 1 Antioch 1:07 a.m., holdup/robbery, 900 block Strand Fleet Drive 3:23 a.m., residential burglary, 100 block Hickory Hollow Place 1:21 p.m., nonresidential burglary, 300 block Hickory Hollow Place Donelson 1:50 a.m., residential burglary, 800 block Colfax Drive 8:07 a.m., residential burglary, 3000 block Lebanon Pike 11:21 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 2500 block Elm Hill Pike 11:53 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 2600 block Elm Hill Pike East 6:40 p.m., holdup/robbery, 300 block Gallatin Avenue 10:55 p.m., residential burglary, 900 block Ramsey Street 11:53 p.m., residential burglary, 200 block South Fourth Street Hermitage 5:03 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 5700 block Old Hickory Boulevard 5:52 a.m., residential burglary, 1000 block Hickory Hill Lane 6:27 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 1700 block Elm Hill Pike 8:01 a.m., holdup/robbery, 1900 block Pamela Drive 10:34 a.m., holdup/robbery, 300 block Old Lebanon Dirt Road 11:35 a.m., holdup/robbery, 300 block Old Lebanon Dirt Road 1:01 p.m., residential burglary, 600 block Denver Court 2:03 p.m., residential burglary, 600 block Debbie Drive 9:54 p.m., residential burglary, 600 block Debbie Drive Paragon Mills 9:24 a.m., residential burglary, 200 block Tampa Drive South 1:52 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 500 block Bell Road 3:52 a.m., holdup/robbery, at Thompson Place and Murfreesboro Pike 11:45 p.m., nonresidential burglary, 500 block Murfreesboro Pike Trinity Hills 12:07 a.m., shooting, 1200 block Brick Church Pike 12:07 a.m., shooting, 1200 block Brick Church Pike 4:51 a.m., holdup/robbery, at West Trinity Lane and Brick Church Pike 6:46 a.m., holdup/robbery, at Brick Church Pike and West Trinity Lane Tusculum 3:59 p.m., residential burglary, 500 block Janice Drive 10:13 p.m., residential burglary, 300 block Delvin Drive West 5:28 a.m., holdup/robbery, 6100 block Cowden Avenue 3:08 p.m., residential burglary, 700 block Branch Creek Road Woodbine 10:43 a.m., holdup/robbery, 2900 block Sidco Drive Dec. 31 Bordeaux 4:03 p.m., nonresidential burglary, 2100 block Buena Vista Pike Brentwood 8:05 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 700 block Old Hickory Boulevard Central 12:51 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 1200 block Broadway 8:39 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 1000 block Jefferson Street 10:21 a.m., rape, at James Robertson Parkway 1:48 p.m., nonresidential burglary, 1100 block Jefferson Street 11:59 p.m., holdup/robbery, 1500 block Ninth Avenue North Crieve Hall 8:59 a.m., residential burglary, 300 block Blackman Road Donelson 6:18 p.m., holdup/robbery, 3100 block Lincoya Bay Drive East 3:02 p.m., residential burglary, 900 block Chickasaw Avenue 5:14 p.m., residential burglary, 3000 block Hillside Road Goodlettsville Davidson 9 a.m., holdup/robbery, 500 block South Main Street Hermitage 12:51 a.m., residential burglary, 4400 block Gina Brooke Drive 1:34 p.m., rape, at Hamilton Church Road J.C. Napier 12:37 a.m., residential burglary, 500 block Claiborne Street Lakewood 9:16 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 3800 block Old Hickory Boulevard Madison 12:26 a.m., rape, at South Gallatin Pike 2:41 p.m., residential burglary, 500 block East Old Hickory Boulevard 5:27 p.m., cutting/stabbing, 200 block East Old Hickory Boulevard 5:30 p.m., cutting/stabbing, 500 block North Dupont Avenue 5:40 p.m., holdup/robbery, 1100 block South Gallatin Pike North 10:54 a.m., residential burglary, 4900 block Kentucky Avenue 2:39 p.m., holdup/robbery, 700 block 42nd Avenue North 5:35 p.m., residential burglary, 2000 block 14th Avenue North Priest Lake 9:49 p.m., kidnapping, 500 block Castlegate Drive Providence 4:52 p.m., kidnapping, 4900 block Edmondson Pike South 12:26 a.m., holdup/robbery, 700 block Bell Road 9:10 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 20 block Lafayette Street Trinity Hills 10:23 a.m., residential burglary, 300 block West Trinity Lane 7:11 p.m., residential burglary, 700 block Vanderhorst Drive Tusculum 9:41 a.m., residential burglary, 1500 block Brentwood Terrace 3:17 p.m., residential burglary, 4800 block Gillespie Drive 4:54 p.m., holdup/robbery, 500 block Ocala Drive West 4:11 a.m., holdup/robbery, 1900 block West End Avenue 9:21 a.m., holdup/robbery, 10 block White Bridge Road 2:15 p.m., holdup/robbery, 4000 block Granny White Pike 3:55 p.m., holdup/robbery, 3100 block West End Avenue 11:58 p.m., shooting, 900 block Blank Street Dec. 30 Antioch 10:03 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 1300 block Bell Road Bordeaux 7:29 a.m., residential burglary, 800 block Hillmore Drive 11:57 p.m., nonresidential burglary, 3500 block West Hamilton Avenue Central 4:43 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 600 block Second Avenue South Crieve Hall 8 p.m., residential burglary, 4900 block Timberhill Drive Donelson 3:05 a.m., holdup/robbery, 500 block Donelson Pike East 1 a.m., residential burglary, 1900 block Greenwood Avenue 3:20 a.m., residential burglary, 1500 block Porter Road 10:25 a.m., residential burglary, at South Fifth Street and Main Street 3:06 p.m., residential burglary, 2600 block Morganmeade Drive 3:59 p.m., nonresidential burglary, 100 block Grizzard Avenue 3:59 p.m., nonresidential burglary, 100 block Grizzard Avenue 8:57 p.m., residential burglary, 800 block South Eighth Court 9:56 p.m., holdup/robbery, 200 block Myrtle Street 11:11 p.m., residential burglary, 200 block Treutland Avenue Hermitage 6:56 a.m., residential burglary, 700 block Spence Enclave Lane 2:32 p.m., residential burglary, 200 block Barker Road 2:32 p.m., residential burglary, 200 block Barker Road Madison 9:50 a.m., residential burglary, 100 block Harris Street 12:39 p.m., residential burglary, 200 block Slayton Drive 7:30 p.m., residential burglary, 1500 block Crestview Drive 8:03 p.m., holdup/robbery, 2200 block North Gallatin Pike North 2:49 p.m., residential burglary, 3700 block Tigerbelle Drive 2:49 p.m., residential burglary, 3700 block Tigerbelle Drive 6:03 p.m., shooting, at Brickmont Drive and Moorewood Drive 11:34 p.m., holdup/robbery, at Underwood Street and 17th Avenue North Providence 9:03 a.m., holdup/robbery, 400 block Cotton Lane South 8:35 a.m., holdup/robbery, 300 block East Thompson Lane 8:55 a.m., residential burglary, 300 block Harding Place 8:09 p.m., nonresidential burglary, 5800 block Nolensville Road Trinity Hills 9:11 a.m., residential burglary, 600 block Walker Court 11:16 a.m., holdup/robbery, 2400 block Whites Creek Pike 5:39 p.m., shooting, 3700 block Buena Vista Pike Una 2:20 a.m., residential burglary, 1500 block Doubletree Lane West 8:56 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 1400 block Charlotte Avenue 9:46 a.m., residential burglary, 800 block 17th Avenue North 11:54 a.m., residential burglary, 300 block Old Hickory Boulevard 7:36 p.m., holdup/robbery, 5700 block Charlotte Pike 10:31 p.m., residential burglary, 6100 block Hill Circle Woodbine 8:35 p.m., holdup/robbery, 200 block Twin Oaks Drive

Tennessee's budget shortfall grows

By Theo Emery • THE TENNESSEAN • January 10, 2009 As the national recession deepens, revenues in Tennessee continued their downward slide in December, with a record plunge in sales taxes, a mainstay of the state's revenue collections, according to administration officials. The state collected $811 million in overall revenues in December, about $83 million less than budgeted, according to the Finance and Administration Department. This fiscal year, the state has taken in almost $380 million less in general funds than expected, putting the state on track for a projected billion-dollar shortfall estimated late last year, said Finance Commissioner Dave Goetz. The steepest decline appeared in sales taxes, which came in almost $68 million less than estimated, a fall of about 10.3 percent compared with last December. The declines were spread across various categories of goods, from groceries to new and used cars to home furnishings. Two out of every three state tax dollars in Tennessee come from sales taxes. "We are seeing a continued, relentless deterioration in sales taxes," Goetz said. The last time that sales tax dropped at the same rate compared to the year before was in 1961, when sales tax collections fell 8.7 percent, he said. The gloomy revenue reports have become a monthly exercise, with each month providing new grim reports and dour predictions. The latest revenue data are for business activity in November, so the numbers don't reflect most holiday sales. The data, however, do include revenue generated on Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving that generally marks the first day of holiday shopping. The new revenue figures come as Gov. Phil Bredesen's administration grapples with the state budget, which has been thrown out of balance by the recession. The administration expects this fiscal year's revenues to be up to a billion dollars less than estimated, and possibly a billion dollars again next year. At the end of December, most state departments submitted new budgets that included multi-stage plans for budget-cutting: two stages of potential cuts totaling about 15 percent, and then contingency plans for cutting an additional 5 percent if necessary. Governors across the country are waiting to see if economic stimulus from Washington will help, but creating a package, which probably will include relief for state Medicaid spending and funds for infrastructure, appears to be taking longer than originally expected. The state's budget problems have forced Bredesen to delay his State of the State address and wait to unveil his budget until after the first week in February. The General Assembly convenes next week for an organizational session, but then plans to adjourn for three weeks. On Thursday, Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey suggested that the administration wait even longer, until mid-March, to propose the budget. Goetz said that waiting wouldn't necessarily help because the federal stimulus "won't be some sort of silver bullet."

Metro calorie posting vote moved to March

The Metro Board of Health will meet for a work session before its Feb. 5 meeting to discuss possible changes to a proposal that would force restaurants to post calorie information on their menus. Board members will meet at 2 p.m. in Room 212 of the Lentz Public Health Center, 311 23rd Ave. N. The regular meeting begins at 4 p.m. The board had planned to vote on adoption of the regulation at its February meeting. To allow more time for discussion, the board now plans to vote on March 5. The proposal would require all Davidson County restaurants with 15 or more establishments to include calorie information for items on their menus. Calorie data would be printed next to the menu item, similar to the price. Restaurants also would have to post a notice that adults should limit daily intake to 2,000 calories. "I don't have any thought that if we passed a menu labeling ordinance, that we'd have any kind of quick cure to obesity in Nashville," Dr. Ruth Stewart, a board member, said at a meeting Thursday. "So we're really not targeting people who may already be obese. We're hopefully providing information for families who have children, future children, future teenagers and hopefully starting slowly to turn around the kind of numbers we're seeing in Nashville." — RACHEL STULTSrstults@tennessean.com

Unemployed get squeezed on health insurance

By Kevin Freking • ASSOCIATED PRESS • January 10, 2009 WASHINGTON — Newly unemployed Americans will have to spend about 30 percent of their jobless benefits, on average, to pay for health insurance through their former employer, a new report says. And if they want coverage for their families, the report by Families USA says, that will take more than 80 percent of their unemployment check. Unemployment hit a 16-year high last month as 524,000 jobs were cut. Workers who lose their jobs are usually eligible to maintain their health insurance through their old employer if they pay the premiums, plus a 2 percent administrative fee. The benefit is called COBRA insurance, after the law that established it. President-elect Barack Obama is proposing to spend $80 billion to extend unemployment benefits and subsidize health care for people who have lost their jobs. Families USA, a liberal advocacy group, says its report comparing average COBRA costs and unemployment benefits shows the need for the subsidy proposed by Obama. At present, for most people who lose their jobs, COBRA cuts too deeply into their government-paid jobless benefits. In nine states — Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Delaware, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina and West Virginia — the average premium for continuing family coverage through a former employer equals or exceeds unemployment benefits, the report says. As for individual coverage, in six states — Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Louisiana, Mississippi and West Virginia — jobless workers would have to spend more than 40 percent of their unemployment insurance on COBRA premiums.

Obama asks Congress to delay digital TV switch

By Jim Puzzanghera and Christi Parsons • LOS ANGELES TIMES • January 9, 2009 WASHINGTON — President-elect Barack Obama on Thursday asked Congress to delay next month's planned switch to all-digital broadcast television, warning that the TVs of millions of Americans could lose their pictures because of major problems in the government's preparations. I n a letter to congressional leaders, John Podesta, co-chairman of Obama's presidential transition team, urged that the Feb. 17 conversion date be extended. A major reason was the announcement this week by the Commerce Department that it had run out of money for a government program to provide $40 coupons for low-cost converter boxes to allow older TVs to receive the new digital signal. But Podesta also cited problems with the government's effort to educate the public about the switch and help prepare people, particularly the elderly, poor and those living in rural areas. "With coupons unavailable, support and education insufficient and the most vulnerable Americans exposed, I urge you to consider a change to the legislatively mandated analog cutoff date," Podesta wrote to the chairmen and top Republicans on the Senate Commerce Committee and the House Energy and Commerce Committee. According to the Nielsen Co., about 6.8 percent of U.S. TV households, or 7.7 million homes, were unprepared for the digital switch as of last month, meaning they had no TVs capable of receiving a digital signal. The digital TV transition is being hailed as broadcast television's most dramatic upgrade since it bloomed to color from black and white half a century ago. The technology gives free viewers vastly sharper pictures and enables TV networks to offer a wider range of channels. A wide swath of the analog airwaves will go for free to public safety organizations, such as police and fire departments, so they can improve their communications systems. People with cable, satellite or phone company TV services will continue to get broadcast stations. But those who rely on antennas to watch TV must either own a newer set with a digital receiver or get a digital-to-analog converter box. No-frills versions of those boxes cost between $40 and $70. To offset the cost, the federal government allocated $1.5 billion to provide households with up to two $40 coupons. But the agency running that program announced Monday that the program had reached its limit and that new requests would be put on a waiting list. Waiting list to grow Podesta said in the letter that 1 million requests were on the waiting list and that the number could climb to more than 5 million by early February. Obama supports waiving federal rules to allow the Commerce Department to start sending more coupons and is planning to include additional money for the digital TV switch in the economic stimulus package the administration is drafting. Broadcasters, who have spent billions of dollars preparing for the transition and are eager to turn off their old analog signals, oppose a delay. They're pressing for Congress to provide more money to make sure people who need coupons get them.

Digital switch could send flood of TVs to trash

By Bill Theobald • TENNESSEAN WASHINGTON BUREAU • January 9, 2009 WASHINGTON — Environmentalists fear that next month's switch to digital television broadcasting could cause a flood of old televisions, and the toxins they contain, to be tossed in the trash. But electronics industry officials counter that these fears are overblown and that there are plenty of ways for people to continue to use their old TVs or to properly recycle them. Both sides agree that the issue of electronic waste probably will get more attention as the Feb. 17 switchover approaches and that federal legislation is needed to deal with the growing problem, of which televisions are just a small part. "There is a tsunami of e-waste that is going to be created," said Barbara Kyle, national coordinator of the Electronics TakeBack Coalition, which includes environmental groups. "This is the largest government-sponsored planned obsolescence event in history." Kyle said tube televisions are a particular problem because they contain 4 to 8 pounds of lead, which is difficult to extract because much of it is in glass. In addition to lead, federal health officials warn that televisions contain cadmium, beryllium and other dangerous substances. Exposure to high levels of lead can damage the nervous system and other organs. Americans accumulated an estimated 99.1 million out-of-service TVs in 2007, according to a study by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The same study estimated 6.3 million televisions were collected for recycling in 2007 out of 26.9 million ready to be disposed of. Less than one in five electronic devices disposed of in 2007 was recycled. A Consumer Electronics Association consumer survey done in early 2008 offered a somewhat rosier view with people saying they planned to recycle 25 percent of the 43.5 million televisions they expected to remove from their homes last year. Recycling efforts grow Concerns about how to dispose of televisions have prompted three manufacturers to create their own recycling programs in recent years: Samsung, LG and Sony. Panasonic, Sharp and Toshiba formed a company to help consumers recycle their products. Manufacturers also were driven to act by a flood of state laws, 17 now, that require recycling — not dumping — of electronic products. Companies bridle at having to deal with a patchwork of state laws, but efforts to find agreement on a federal standard have been sidetracked over what will be covered and how a recycling requirement would be funded. Parker Brugge, vice president of environmental affairs for the electronics association, said a bipartisan electronic waste working group made up of House members has been meeting for several years. Kyle doesn't think legislation will move in 2009 and that Congress will instead wait to see which of the various approaches in state laws works best. Recent stories about the export of old televisions and other electronic waste to foreign countries where crude recycling methods expose people to harmful chemicals also may attract the interest of Congress. Advice for consumers Kyle advises people to hold onto their old TVs until laws and government oversight catch up enough to ensure recyclers aren't just going to ship your TV overseas. Brugge advises people to find out whether they are in a state with electronics recycling law and program, and to look for recyclers on the group's Web site www.mygreenelectronics.com. Households that rely on over-the-air television signals can purchase a converter box that will allow their old TVs to work just fine.

New map of state roads available

TENNESSEE The official 2009 Tennessee Transportation Map has been redesigned to feature larger, easier-to-read information with interstate mile and exit markers listed on the map, the state department of transportation says. The map is free and available at welcome centers and rest areas across the state. Individuals may request up to five free maps, and organizations and schools may order up to 100 maps. The state map is available on the TDOT Web site, www.tn.gov/tdot/maps.htm. Appeared in the Tennessean

TSU layoffs, furloughs are on the table

School must cut budget by $9M By Colby Sledge • THE TENNESSEAN • January 9, 2009 Tennessee State University could face furloughs and layoffs in the next year as the school faces a proposed 15 percent cut in state money as well as declining student revenues. TSU President Melvin Johnson delivered the news Thursday in his "State of the University" address, which also celebrated recent successes, including a $1 million gift, the largest TSU has ever received. "We have the opportunity to take a good hard look at not only what we need to cut back, but also what we need to invest in," Johnson said. In TSU's report to the Tennessee Higher Education Commission this week, the school planned to use layoffs, voluntary furloughs and possibly larger classes to reach the $9 million in cuts to the school's budget. State higher education funds overall probably will decrease at least 15 percent, or $181.6 million, in the next fiscal year. Johnson did not give specifics Thursday when asked about layoffs or furloughs, only saying all plans were on the table. The school laid off 10 employees last year. "No matter how much we do to cut back in other areas, it's going to eventually hit our personnel," Johnson said. Personnel costs account for about three-quarters of the school's budget. President-issued furloughs would have to be approved by the Tennessee Board of Regents, which will take up a vote on the matter Wednesday. David Stephens, a building activities supervisor for the student center, said he would be willing to take a furlough or even lose his job if it helped TSU. "We may say we work 40 hours, but we have people who come in on Saturday and Sunday," Stephens said. "A lot of people will bend over backward to keep TSU running and viable." After Johnson's address, faculty and staff members proposed possible cuts and savings, including an online warehouse for departments to keep running inventories of office supplies and renting out university spaces for conferences. Revenue from students will be increasingly important, Johnson said, as state appropriations decrease. Johnson displayed a chart that showed $57.1 million, or 56 percent, of the school's budget came from student tuition and fees. The tuition revenues were down $6.8 million from last year as enrollment dropped nearly 700 students to 8,400 this fall. Johnson fired the financial aid director and reassigned several top officials after students complained about student services. As of late Thursday, about 750 students had not paid or had not confirmed their registration on the school's intranet, meaning their schedules for the spring semester would be dropped. The school switched to the Banner student registration system in the fall, resulting in confusion over changes in requirements. All students who had not paid or confirmed their registration by mid-December were notified by e-mail to their TSU accounts and by phone, said Cynthia Brooks, TSU vice president of business and finance. Candace Carr, a senior nursing student, received an e-mail from the school when she hadn't confirmed her schedule. She took care of it that day. "It went smoothly," Carr said. "My sister had the same system in her school (University of Tennessee-Chattanooga), so she told me I needed to confirm my classes." Students whose schedules were dropped will be able to re-register for classes beginning Monday. The first day of classes is Thursday.

Volunteering is a Great New Year's Resolution

Happy New Year District 29: I pray that this information finds you looking forward to a very positive New Year 2009! As you begin to initiate your New Year's resolution, please consider "Volunteering" as one of your resolutions. It has been said that volunteering ignites your social justice being and establishes a legacy of what you stand for. That's why volunteer work makes a difference. So, please, add to your list an effort or many efforts of making a difference through volunteer work. With that said, allow me to suggest volunteering in our Metro Public Schools. Below is vital Volunteering opportunity information provided by Bradley Rodmond of Metro Nashville Public Schools. Once again Happy New Year and Happy Volunteering, of course. Vivian Metro Nashville Public Schools Volunteer DatabaseWelcome to the MNPS Volunteer Database. This database has been developed as part of the Community School Partnership, a collaborative effort to bring community service providers together with public schools to effectively meet the needs of students and their families. Volunteers are encouraged to use this site to log their service hours. Community Service Providers can submit applications to provide services to individual schools or simply post the services they offer. Organizations can also submit applications to become PENCIL partners <https://mail.nashville.gov/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.pencilfd.org/partners> . School Principals and Volunteer Coordinators can review and approve any partnership applications that have been submitted to their school by logging into their school's account. Your account can also be used to post requests for services and supplies. In addition, schools may also search for needed services through the partner programs search <https://mail.nashville.gov/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.schoolvolunteers.org/advsearch.php> page. Teachers can submit requests for classroom speakers and search for volunteers that have signed-up for the Speakers Bureau.Please volunteer and sign up at:http://www.schoolvolunteers.org/ <http://www.schoolvolunteers.org/>

Police Search For Two Men Who Robbed Dairy Queen

News Channel 5 Posted: Jan 6, 2009 07:35 AM CST NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Police said they were searching for two gunmen who held up a restaurant overnight. A worker told police two gunmen forced him back inside the Dairy Queen on Murfreesboro Road as he was closing up shop around 11 p.m. Monday. The robbers demanded money and took off with some cash. Police with K-9 units tried to track the suspects, but didn't have any luck. Tuesday morning, the robbers were still on the loose.

Davidson County crime log from Dec. 27-29

These are the most serious calls handled by the Metro police, listed by time, crime reported and address. Some reports may be unfounded. Police calls are listed by police precinct or town. When police cannot immediately determine the location of a crime, the address given is that of the police station or hospital where the crime was reported. Dec. 29 Antioch 2:14 a.m., holdup/robbery, 400 block Mountainhigh Drive 2:29 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 1100 block Bell Road 10:17 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 5100 block Hickory Hollow Parkway 3:10 p.m., residential burglary, 2800 block Evergreen Ridge Point 9:45 p.m., holdup/robbery, 1100 block Bell Road Belmont 6:25 p.m., residential burglary, 1900 block 19th Avenue South Bordeaux 10:31 a.m., residential burglary, 2400 block Buena Vista Pike 11:42 p.m., residential burglary, 800 block Hillmore Drive Central 6:27 a.m., residential burglary, 1300 block Seventh Avenue North 5:39 p.m., holdup/robbery, 800 block Monroe Street Crieve Hall 9:41 p.m., residential burglary, 5200 block Overton Road Donelson 1:19 p.m., holdup/robbery, 500 block Donelson Pike East 6:58 a.m., residential burglary, 800 block Virginia Avenue 9:36 a.m., residential burglary, 1300 block Shelton Avenue 10:51 a.m., residential burglary, 4500 block Saunders Avenue 11:47 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 100 block Kingston Street 12:08 p.m., holdup/robbery, 1000 block Lischey Avenue 2:26 p.m., residential burglary, 1400 block Crockett Court 2:32 p.m., residential burglary, 1500 block Forrest Avenue 2:44 p.m., residential burglary, 1200 block Joseph Avenue 5:23 p.m., residential burglary, 700 block Lemont Drive 6:09 p.m., residential burglary, 600 block South 12th Street 6:19 p.m., residential burglary, 600 block South Sixth Street 11:41 p.m., residential burglary, 300 block Chapel Avenue Goodlettsville Davidson 8:32 p.m., holdup/robbery, 800 block Wren Road 9:06 p.m., holdup/robbery, 800 block Wren Road Hermitage 12:47 p.m., residential burglary, 600 block Dutchmans Drive 2:08 p.m., nonresidential burglary, 600 block Cornelia Court 2:51 p.m., residential burglary, 1900 block Omohundro Court Madison 7:05 p.m., residential burglary, 1500 block Pierce Road 10:57 p.m., holdup/robbery, 600 block East Old Hickory Boulevard North 12:58 a.m., shooting, at Chesapeake Drive and Brickmont Drive 11:34 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 2800 block Buchanan Street 11:46 a.m., residential burglary, 1500 block 16th Avenue North 12:22 p.m., residential burglary, 1900 block Cephas Street 3:47 p.m., residential burglary, 1900 block Cephas Street 4:31 p.m., residential burglary, 1700 block 23rd Avenue North 6:20 p.m., holdup/robbery, 2200 block 26th Avenue North Old Hickory 2:45 p.m., nonresidential burglary, 11:20 p.m, 200 block Donelson Avenue Priest Lake 4:51 a.m., residential burglary, 3400 block Towne Village Road 4:24 p.m., residential burglary, 3100 block Hamilton Church Road 6:20 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 1200 block Second Avenue South South 6:31 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 500 block Hagan Street 8:20 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 300 block Plus Park Boulevard 2:57 p.m., residential burglary, 50 block Trimble Street Trinity Hills 1:06 a.m., residential burglary, 400 block Cornish Drive Tusculum 3:53 p.m., residential burglary, 4900 block Karen Ray Drive 10:18 p.m., holdup/robbery, at Haywood Lane and Nolensville Road West 3:03 a.m., rape, at 11th Avenue South 10:14 a.m., holdup/robbery, 1300 block Jefferson Street 11:49 a.m., residential burglary, 2400 block Meharry Boulevard 12:20 p.m., residential burglary, 500 block Old Hickory Boulevard 5:30 p.m., rape, at Acklen Park Drive Whites Creek 6:09 p.m., residential burglary, 3100 block Bridgepoint Drive Woodbine 9:01 p.m., residential burglary, 3300 block Dumas Drive 11:40 p.m., holdup/robbery, 2200 block Nolensville Road Dec. 28 Antioch 1:28 p.m., residential burglary, 1800 block Hickory Hollow Terrace 2:22 p.m., residential burglary, 400 block Dover Glen Drive Bordeaux 11:45 a.m., rape, at Crowe Drive Central 3:32 a.m., holdup/robbery, at Second Avenue North and Broadway Cockrill Bend 11:22 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 7300 block Cockrill Bend Boulevard Downtown 5:46 p.m., rape, at Broadway East 3:14 a.m., residential burglary, 600 block South 12th Street Hermitage 1:24 p.m., nonresidential burglary, 1300 block Central Court 7:49 p.m., residential burglary, 6000 block Baltic Drive 9:28 p.m., residential burglary, 80 block Maury Street 10:40 p.m., holdup/robbery, at Lafayette Street and Lewis Street J.C. Napier 1:24 p.m., residential burglary, 700 block Lewis Street Madison 12:43 a.m., holdup/robbery, 200 block South Gallatin Pike North 4:09 p.m., residential burglary, 1900 block 10th Avenue North 10:12 p.m., residential burglary, 400 block Ponder Place Oak Hill 10:01 a.m., holdup/robbery, 4900 block Thoroughbred Lane Old Hickory 12:03 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 1400 block Robinson Road 1:02 a.m., residential burglary, 1000 block Berry Street Paragon Mills 4:59 a.m., holdup/robbery, 300 block Harding Place South 12:07 a.m., holdup/robbery, 300 block Harding Place 1:02 p.m., residential burglary, 700 block Woodmere Drive 7:03 p.m., nonresidential burglary, 2700 block Murfreesboro Pike 8:24 p.m., residential burglary, 15100 block Old Hickory Boulevard 8:36 p.m., residential burglary, 2900 block Hamilton Church Road Una 2:08 p.m., holdup/robbery, 2500 block Murfreesboro Pike West 12:35 a.m., holdup/robbery, 1200 block 14th Avenue South 10:27 a.m., holdup/robbery, 3800 block Hillsboro Pike 3:03 p.m., residential burglary, 1300 block Erin Lane 5:51 p.m., residential burglary, 1400 block Grandview Drive 7:20 p.m., residential burglary, 5400 block Knob Road Dec. 27 Bakertown 1:35 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 600 block Bakertown Road Belmont 12:03 p.m., nonresidential burglary, 2500 block 12th Avenue South Brentwood 9:34 a.m., residential burglary, 200 block Glenstone Circle Central 12:36 a.m., holdup/robbery, 500 block Broadway 9:02 a.m., holdup/robbery, 500 block Church Street 1:40 p.m., holdup/robbery, 300 block Fourth Avenue North Donelson 9:12 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 2600 block Lebanon Pike East 5:26 p.m., residential burglary, 800 block Carter Street 7:42 p.m., holdup/robbery, 900 block Woodland Street 8:10 p.m., residential burglary, 100 block Hart Lane 11:10 p.m., residential burglary, 1000 block West Greenwood Avenue Hermitage 4:30 p.m., holdup/robbery, 3300 block Lebanon Pike 7:55 p.m., holdup/robbery, 1200 block Kermit Drive Joelton 11:37 a.m., kidnapping, 5200 block Whites Creek Pike Madison 10:36 a.m., holdup/robbery, 1100 block South Gallatin Pike 12:13 p.m., nonresidential burglary, 100 block Welworth Street 7:36 p.m., holdup/robbery, 100 block North Gallatin Pike 10:35 p.m., holdup/robbery, 200 block South Gallatin Pike North 5:27 a.m., holdup/robbery, at Cockrill Street and Dr D B Todd Jr Boulevard 1:50 p.m., shooting, 1700 block Kellow Street 2:31 p.m., holdup/robbery, 1700 block Kellow Street 10:14 p.m., shooting, 2400 block 25th Avenue North Priest Lake 10:33 a.m., residential burglary, 3300 block Oak Trees Court 4:41 p.m., residential burglary, 300 block Kothe Way South 2:13 a.m., holdup/robbery, 500 block Bell Road 3:40 a.m., holdup/robbery, 500 block Bell Road 6:51 a.m., holdup/robbery, 500 block Bell Road 8:54 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 14900 block Old Hickory Boulevard 11:04 p.m., holdup/robbery, 800 block Murfreesboro Pike Tusculum 9:41 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 1600 block Bell Road 2:03 p.m., residential burglary, 4600 block Packard Drive 2:08 p.m., residential burglary, 5200 block Edmondson Pike Una 5:48 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 2500 block Murfreesboro Pike West 9:05 a.m., holdup/robbery, 300 block White Bridge Road 11:43 a.m., holdup/robbery, at 12th Avenue South and Edgehill Avenue 1:47 p.m., holdup/robbery, 3700 block Hillsboro Pike 5:52 p.m., holdup/robbery, 1400 block Hillside Avenue Whites Creek 2:49 p.m., residential burglary, 4800 block Lickton Pike Woodbine 3:30 a.m., holdup/robbery, 300 block Lutie Street 4:37 p.m., residential burglary, 300 block Glenrose Avenue 9:24 p.m., holdup/robbery, 100 block Neese Drive

Titans to take on Ravens in rematch of 2000 playoff game

WKRN Channell 2 News Posted: Jan 5, 2009 09:59 AM CST With Sunday's 27-9 win over the Dolphins in Miami, the Baltimore Ravens will travel to Nashville this weekend to take on the Titans in what eerily resembles a post-season matchup from eight years ago. Just like this year, Tennessee posted the NFL's best record at 13-3 in the 2000 season and earned the AFC's No. 1 seed with home-field advantage throughout. Tampa is hosting the Super Bowl this year, just like in 2000, and the Ravens win Sunday only added to the déjà vu feeling. The Ravens defeated the Titans in the divisional playoff game that year, 24-10, en route to what would become a Super Bowl championship. Titans coach Jeff Fisher called Baltimore a "tremendous challenge." "Baltimore has improved in all areas since we saw them earlier this season. They are built around a strong run game and a great defense, which reminds us of the classic matchups against them in the past," he said in a statement. In week five, the Titans defeated the Ravens in Baltimore 13-10 but it was a game the Ravens defense dominated. Kerry Collins was intercepted twice as Baltimore built a 10-6 lead but the Titans intercepted rookie Joe Flacco two times and Collins got it together late, delivering a game-winning fourth quarter touchdown pass to Alge Crumpler. The big question this weekend for the Titans will be Pro Bowl center Kevin Mawae who, in December 21's win over Pittsburgh, injured his right elbow. He did not play against Indianapolis and did not practice during the team's bye week. Fisher said he may be questionable going into Saturday's game and will be "day by day." Pro Bowl defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth also missed the final two games of the season with a sprained left knee and defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch missed the final three with an injured groin. Fisher said Sunday both would practice this week. Kick-off Saturday is set for 3:30 p.m. at LP Field. Should the Titans win, they will host the AFC Championship game the following week.

Metro Action Commission plans faster help on rent, utilities

By Michael Cass • THE TENNESSEAN • January 5, 2009 Deluged with requests for help from residents who are struggling to pay their bills, the Metro Action Commission plans to give priority this week to those in danger of being hit the hardest by cold weather and economic misfortune. The commission said it would look first at applications from customers who are having trouble paying energy bills, in jeopardy of being evicted or potentially facing foreclosure as a result of overdue mortgage payments. The agency has received nearly 1,000 applications for utility assistance alone in the last 10 business days. "With nearly 200 people coming to us each day for help mostly with utilities, rent and mortgages, we need to make some temporary changes to the way we handle all requests so that families will not have to wait extreme amounts of time for assistance," Cynthia Croom, the commission's executive director, said in a news release Friday. MAC spokeswoman Lisa Gallon said the economic recession has forced people who never showed up at the agency before to seek help this winter. "We think it's primarily due to the economic situation our nation is facing," Gallon said. Metro gets $3.1 million MAC recently received an additional $3.1 million in federal energy assistance funds to aid more families who need help with utility payments. Gallon said the agency expects to have served 6,000 customers by mid-January, a little more than six months into this fiscal year, which began July 1. MAC served 5,993 customers in the full 12 months of the previous fiscal year. Most customers won't notice any change in the way the agency operates, Gallon said. Applications that aren't processed this week will be handled next week. Contact Michael Cass at 259-8838 or mcass@tennessean.com.