NOVEMBER 10, 2011

in

RSVP By Today for Vanderbilt's 'Girls' Day Out' Mammograms
More than 230,000 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in the United States this year, and approximately 39,000 women will die from the disease, according to the National Cancer Institute. The Vanderbilt Breast Center is inviting women to get their mammograms done during a special Girls' Day Out, this Saturday (Nov. 12, from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.) at Vanderbilt Health One Hundred Oaks. The special Girls' Day Out will feature a free brunch, massages, a healthy cooking demonstration, door prizes and free parking. You have to RSVP by today, Thursday. (615) 936-6979. (Insurance will be billed and co-pays will apply.)

The Band Perry, Taylor Swift Big Winners At CMAs
Taylor Swift won the CMA Entertainer Of The Year award. Swift leapt from her seat with her arms in the air and jumped up and down before hugging her mother and good friend Tim McGraw. Taylor's only the second woman ever to win entertainer of the year twice. Her first was in 2009. Barbara Mandrell was the only other woman to win it twice, in 1980 and 1981. The Band Perry won three awards, Sugarland, Jason Aldean, Kenny Chesney, Lady Antebellum, Blake Shelton and wife Miranda Lambert won awards for Male and Female Vocalists of the Year. Meanwhile, the CMA Awards were good for Nashville's economy. Tourism officials say people stayed longer and spent more, plus hotel prices are up, so we end up with a $5 million economic boost.  More about the show here.                  

Penn State Trustees Fire Joe Paterno In Wake Of Scandal
Joe Paterno's statement after being fired as Penn State's head football coach was brief and to the point. Paterno says, "I'm not the football coach and I'll have to get used to it." Paterno and university president Graham Spanier were dismissed as the school is in the middle of a child sex-abuse scandal involving former defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky. The scandal comes because Spanier and Paterno allegedly knew about at least one of the alleged crimes and did not report it to police.  Riots broke out last night when word of Paterno's firing spread among students. Police in riot gear were called in to secure the area after hundreds of students took to the streets in protest.

Wal-Mart To Begin 'Black Friday' Shopping On Thanksgiving
A new holiday shopping season strategy is being launched by retail giant Wal-Mart. It's announced it's kicking off "Black Friday" on Thanksgiving night rather than in the early hours of Friday. The Chief merchandising officer says customers would rather stay up later to shop than get up early.

Senate To Vote On Jobs Bill Today
The Senate is expected to vote on two parts of President Obama's jobs bill on Thursday. One part repeals a pending three-percent withholding tax on federal contractors. The other offers tax incentives for businesses that hire veterans. The jobless rate among Iraq and Afghanistan war vets is about three percent higher than the national unemployment rate of nine percent.

Lamar Proposes Tax Bill To End Online "Loophole"
The online sales tax bill proposed by state Republican Senator Lamar Alexander could bring Tennessee close to $400 million next year. The new legislation would require online retailers to collect sales tax. Retailers currently don't have to charge sales tax in a state where they don't have a physical presence. Alexander says its a loophole that has been growing for 20 years.

Study: Children With Autism Have Distinct Facial Features
We may be a step closer in understanding what causes autism, now that a University of Missouri study has found differences between the facial characteristics of children who have autism and those who don’t. The lead researcher says, it may help researchers understand if something environmentally or genetically is happening in the uterus during pregnancy that causes autism.

Obama Not Taxing Christmas Trees This Year
The Obama administration is reportedly backing away from a new tax on fresh Christmas trees this year. The National Christmas Tree Association asked for the fee in 2009.

State October Tax Revenue Up Eight-Percent
Here's some more good news for the local economy. Tax revenues for October were up eight-percent compared to last year. Finance officials say collections added up to almost $800 million. They say sales tax receipts showed the best first quarter seen since 2006.
 
Violence High Against ER Nurses
Violence in the Emergency Room remains high, with more than half of nurses reporting verbal assaults and abuse, and more than 1 in 10 experiencing physical attacks, in the past week (according to poll by the national Emergency Nurses Association). Long waits, crowded conditions and growing numbers of mentally disturbed patients all exacerbate the stress of emergency department visits. A growing number of hospitals have bolstered both physical security measures and staff training.

Eddie Murphy Drops Out As 'Oscar' Host
It's back to the drawing board for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Less than 24 hours after Brett Ratner resigned as producer of the 2012 Oscar telecast, Eddie Murphy has dropped out as host. Ratner was under fire for a homophobic slur during an interview. He was Murphy's creative partner for the show. No word yet on who'll host the show.

Jackson Family Trying To Stop Damaging MJ Documentary
The family of Michael Jackson wants MSNBC to drop its plans to broadcast a tell-all documentary about the singer's relationship with Dr. Conrad Murray. Executors for Jackson's estate are calling the film "reprehensible," charging that it attempts to shift the blame for Michael's death from Murray to the late singer.