NASHVILLE (AP) — Two lawmakers are disputing which of them helped save the life of a seizure victim at a Nashville hotel recently.
State Rep. Joanne Favors told the Knoxville News Sentinel she was "stunned" to learn Rep. Tony Shipley had been honored for "heroic actions" in helping the man.
The Chattanooga Democrat and nurse said she had a bystander call 911 while she helped turn the man on his side and checked to see there was no obstruction in his mouth.
Favors said Shipley came up later and "stood around."
The Kingsport Republican said Favors' account was "not correct."
The Air Force veteran with paramedic training said he administered a "jaw thrust" to assure the man's throat was clear.
The resolution honoring Shipley passed 98-0 with Favors voting for it.
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MURFREESBORO (AP) — In the past 10 years, the state has gone from covering 55 percent of Tennessee's public college and university budgets, to just 30 percent. The other 70 percent is covered by the students.
The state's HOPE scholarship for high achievers used to cover about 60 percent of university tuition. It's 45 percent now.
All that means students are taking out bigger and bigger loans.
It's a situation that Richard Vedder, who heads the Center for College Affordability and Productivity in Washington, says is unsustainable, according to The Tennessean.
State officials are trying to find solutions. They include eliminating programs that don't generate enough state funding, making sure credits transfer between schools and graduating students as quickly as possible.
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KNOXVILLE (AP) — A Knoxville couple who were keeping numerous illegal exotic animals at a home have pleaded guilty in General Sessions Court to animal law violations.
Fifty-two-year-old William Anthony Smith and 49-year-old Kimberly Elaine Smith were placed on probation Friday for 11 months and 29 days.
The Knox County Sheriff's Office and Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency seized more than 100 animals from the residence on Dec. 19. According to The Knoxville News Sentinel, these included a lynx, a monkey and poisonous reptiles.
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ELIZABETHTON (AP) — A Volkswagen beetle owned by the Carter County Sheriff's Department became an improvised pursuit vehicle — at about 20 mph. The beetle won.
Deputy Shane Watson was leaving the courthouse Feb.2 when a man reported a pickup truck being driven erratically. Watson jumped into the bug and soon caught up with it. He turned on the little car's lights and siren, but the driver ignored him, according to The Johnson City Press.
Deciding the women behind the wheel showed no signs of stopping for a red light, Watson went around her and braked, expecting to sacrifice the beetle, but the truck stopped inches off the back bumper.
Driver Cynthia Ann Andes of Hampton said she drank half a liter of vodka and took prescription pain pills.
Lawmakers quibble over who is real hero
