Bright & Early: Rough Around The Edges Edition

Good morning, Nashville. It’s been a few weeks since we’ve checked in with Fisk University, which was teetering on the edge of bankruptcy and trying to sell off its Georgia O’Keefe art collection to pay the bills. The university is now trying to come up with a way to raise $90 million by reaching out to alumni and community donors, hosting some musical events and awarding an honorary degree to “someone who [Fisk President Hazel O'Leary] promises will delight the students.” Fisk has seen numerous students drop out for financial reasons in addition to an overall decline in enrollment numbers which means less money flowing into the school.

Hate crimes on the decline. Nashville’s hate crimes were reduced by almost a third in 2009, which is the first time in five years that the numbers have declined. Metro Police attribute this to Nashvillians becoming more educated and more sensitive to crimes like that.
Gettin’ hangry. If you’ve got some extra cash or food this season, Second Harvest Food Bank really needs our help. Donations are down 15%, there’s more folks in need than ever, so please send them some love.
Seriously? Seriously. To everyone who has landed on this site by furiously googling Opry Mills Black Friday deals, there are none (well, except these guys)! Because Opry Mills is closed. Try your luck at the Cool Springs Galleria.
Bits & pieces. The Army Corps of Engineers is releasing another report on how they handled the May flood … Tennessee is ending their prepaid tuition program because they say it has cost taxpayers millions of dollars … We’re looking at a potentially stormy Thanksgiving … Classes were held at Lighthouse Christian School yesterday for the first time since the flood. Lighthouse was the recipient of a pretty fancy renovation by Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.

Nashvillest