Good morning, Nashville. The Metro Transit Association has narrowly avoided a potentially disastrous bus strike after reaching an agreement with Nashville bus drivers.  In recent weeks, drivers have been threatening to strike over a change in contract that would allow MTA to fire them after eight unplanned absences. They initially implemented this rule because they actually had to hire 27 new drivers just to cover the shifts of those who called in last-minute absences, but they’ll soon be overturning it to avoid the strike.

• The end of the world is nigh. In typical Tennessee fashion, it was 60 degrees yesterday, hailing this morning, and will be snowing by this afternoon. Hope you guys remembered your jackets!
• Some expensive parties. A newspaper investigation revealed that Murfreesboro City Schools dropped $40K for wining and dining staff and members of the school board, which they claim to do “to promote fellowship and have members show up on time.”
• Bits & pieces. Libertarians are planning a Sarah Palin protest at the Tea Party convention next week … At least 14 people ended up with gas tanks full of water after stopping at a Smyrna Shell station for gas … Glencliff High and Cameron Middle are preparing to be taken over by charter groups after failing to meet No Child Left Behind benchmarks … According to MSNBC, Memphis has beaten us out of the recession.

Photo by Paul Nicholson.