Daily Dose for July 04, 2007

TPB Launches Redesign on July 4

Happy Fourth of July -- Happy Independence Day to our readers. We have a special treat for you today - as you can see we have redesigned the site to include lots of cool new features, all of which are not online yet. Check back soon for even more cool features of the site. Thanks for reading and have a safe and happy fourth. The dose follows:

Love Subpoenaed by Crutchfield -- State Sen. Ward Crutchfield is among the last of the defendants charged in FBI Operation TN Waltz to go to trial. Former County School Board member Charles Love, who has already been convicted in the Waltz cases, could take the witness stand in the upcoming federal bribery trial. Love was called by defense attorneys as a potential witness.

Davis Set to Resign August 4 -- TNGOP Chair Bob Davis will apparently wait a while before resigning. He told the Republican Executive Committee he would resign August 4 - to take a position with Fred Thompson's campaign for President. That will give plenty of time for replacement candidates to mechanize their campaigns. Van Hilleary has been making calls and there has been some support for Robin Smith, the current Vice-Chair. Two state legislators are also apparently in the hunt (Sen. Paul Stanley and Rep. Bill Dunn), undeterred by Davis' comments about the new ethics laws that may prevent legislators from raising money - even for the party - while they are in session.

Herenton Continues Anti-Media Populist Campaign -- Memphis Mayor Willie Herenton criticized again his political opponents and the "white-controlled" media. Herenton, referencing a Commercial Appeal story that profiled a political opponent who paid for an investigation of him, said: "It was the same self-righteous bigots that wore Ku Klux Klan robes, the same self-righteous bigots that racially segregated blacks ... They were the same self-righteous bigots." Herenton is expected to win an unprecedented fifth term as Mayor Memphis.

Knoxville's Sunsphere Reopens -- In one of those endearing political victories, Knoxville Mayor Bill Haslam has overseen the renovation and now reopening of Knoxville's most famous landmark - the Sunsphere built for the 1982 World's Fair. The Sunsphere observation deck is now open to the public free of charge, after the City used proceeds from the sale of nearby development - rather than tax money - to fund the project.

President Polk Home Vandalized -- The home of President James K. Polk and other buildings in downtown Columbia were vandalized with spray-painted graffiti late Sunday evening or early Monday morning, police said. Built in 1816 by the president's father, the Polk home is James K. Polk's only surviving residence. Polk served as governor of Tennessee before serving as president 1845-49. Also attacked were the nearby Maury County Republican Party headquarters.

Posted by Adam Groves | Email This |