• As we’re sure you’ve already heard (and heard and heard), the federal budget runs out tonight and our country’s government will shut down. About 10,000 federal employees in Tennessee will be furloughed until things are worked out, we won’t be able to visit our beautiful national parks, some of our non-profits will have to get a little creative until their grants come through, and no one will be around to process our paper tax returns. [Tennessean]
• TDOT bulldozed a community garden today after allegedly receiving complaints that it had become an eyesore. Located at the corner of Leland and Gale next to I-440, the garden had been in operation since 1989 using land owned by TDOT. Among the complaints were large gatherings, live music, abandoned vehicles and no actual gardening. [City Paper]
• One student was arrested after setting off a firework at Cane Ridge High School, injuring eleven people. [WKRN]
• Mayor Dean formally filed the paperwork for his re-election campaign today and announced his intent to run on August 4th. [WTVF]
• A train collided with a parked car downtown this morning because the car was parked a little too close to the tracks. Police have not tracked down the driver yet. [WTVF]

Photo by Dan Hood.