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Black History Month: The story of Robert Booker

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www.youtube.com – WBIR Channel 10 – 2025-02-05 06:36:59

SUMMARY: During Black History Month, East Tennessee highlights Bob Booker, who desegregated downtown Knoxville. Born in 1935 in the segregated South, he became Knoxville’s first black Tennessee representative and a key figure in the Civil Rights Movement. He served in the military for three years, experiencing freedom for the first time, and upon returning, he was determined to challenge societal segregation. Throughout his life, Booker engaged with thousands of students, promoting local black contributions through his writings. A documentary celebrating his impactful life and legacy will stream later on WB Plus, showcasing his role as a leader and historian in East Tennessee.

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Booker was born in a segregated South in 1935 and later became Knoxville’s first Black Tennessee representative.

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News from the South - Tennessee News Feed

Gov. Lee's proposed budget includes $1 billion loan for capital projects, $1 billion to TDOT

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www.wkrn.com – Tori Gessner – 2025-02-11 17:40:00

SUMMARY: Tennessee may secure a $930 million loan to fund state and higher education construction projects, allowing cash to be allocated for road improvements amidst rising construction costs. Governor Bill Lee’s proposed $59.5 billion budget includes no tax cuts but earmarks funding for 100 new Tennessee Highway Patrol troopers and $1 billion for the Department of Transportation (TDOT), which faces a $38 billion project backlog. The debt would increase annual payments by $61.7 million but maintain the state’s AAA bond rating. Lawmakers will review and adjust the budget before final approval later this legislative session.

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Committee discusses road spending in first look at Lee’s budget | Tennessee

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www.thecentersquare.com – By Kim Jarrett | The Center Square – 2025-02-11 14:12:00

SUMMARY: During the Senate Finance, Ways and Means Committee’s review of Gov. Bill Lee’s $59.5 billion budget, members requested details on road projects funded by an additional $1 billion and $80 million redirected from tire sales. Commissioner Jim Bryson emphasized that much of the $30 billion earmarked for roads addresses maintenance of aging infrastructure. Concerns arose about transparency in the Department of Transportation’s budget, with Sen. Ken Yager noting the difficulty in tracking expenditures. Sen. Jeff Yarbro highlighted the ongoing struggles with highway funding, indicating that current measures may be inadequate for long-term solutions.

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News from the South - Tennessee News Feed

Tennessee’s medical research is in limbo while the Trump administration considers illegal budget cuts

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wpln.org – Catherine Sweeney – 2025-02-11 13:05:00

SUMMARY: The Trump administration plans to significantly reduce National Institutes of Health (NIH) grants, risking over 9,000 jobs in Tennessee that rely on approximately $700 million annually. The cuts will particularly affect funding for indirect costs vital for lab operations, impacting major universities like Vanderbilt and smaller towns. NIH supports diverse projects, including cancer care improvements at St. Jude and Alzheimer’s pain management research at the University of Tennessee. After a coalition of 22 states filed a lawsuit, a federal judge temporarily halted cuts, stressing the need for adequate resources to conduct medical research. Compliance with the ruling remains uncertain.

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