Good morning, Nashville. Lest we start thinking that our 10.5% unemployment rate comes without a price, Governor Phil told state lawmakers yesterday that another hike in unemployment tax is just around the corner. The first increase was enacted earlier this year to help ensure that the state’s unemployment fund wouldn’t run dry and unemployed Tennesseans wouldn’t be left without that safety net. Now it’s looking like that wasn’t quite enough. Hopefully the second time’s the charm.

• Gangs on the rise. Gang violence is getting a little ridiculous in some Metro Schools, including Glencliff High where members of the Brown Pride and Sur-13 gangs have reportedly been beating each other silly at least twice a week. MNPS personnel are meeting with Metro Police to figure out how to handle the problem.
• Happy belated World Toilet Day. We’re sort of upset that we didn’t realize yesterday was World Toilet Day as declared by the World Toilet Organization. Fortunately the holiday was not overlooked by Vandy, who used the day to remind everyone just how much water with their fancy waterless urinals and dual-flush toilets.
• Bits & pieces. John Rich is back in court for that one time he allegedly assaulted and harassed Nashville Star contestant Jared Ashley … Hooray for the Preds winning again! … Gibson’s CEO is taking a leave of absence from the board of the Rainforest Alliance because of that whole federal raid thing … After having a really wet September and October, we’re in the midst of the driest November in recorded history.