Good morning, Nashville. Tennessee lawmakers are all about finding creative ways to boost revenue with the current state of the economy, and they’re now proposing a tax hike for tourists. The state’s hotel tax is nearly 17% already, which is one of the highest rates in the country. The new proposal would tack on an additional tax on continental breakfasts and is expected to bring in $1-2 million if passed.
- 2012 is just around the corner. East Tennessee was hit with yet another earthquake last night. This one was a 2.6 on the Richter Scale and only a few people actually felt it. But! This is the second third quake to rattle the area in less than a week. The end is surely nigh.
- Hacking fallout. Bristol Palin testified at the trial of UT hax0r extraordinaire David Kernall yesterday, accusing him of distributing her cell phone number and prompting harassing phone calls and text messages. Kernall could apparently face up to 50 years in prison for the prank.
- Bits & pieces. Vanderbilt students and faculty are remembering the life of beloved 2009 graduate Kyser Miree who was murdered in Mobile, Alabama over the weekend … MBA was also shaken by the murder of a custodian Malik Wiek who came to the United States as one of the Lost Boys of Sudan … Metro says that all the construction and water main work downtown isn’t scaring away the tourists … A Franklin mom will run her second marathon on Saturday while battling cancer.
Photo by Kittywinks Peeks.