Economy: Tennessee's been told

An Associated Press economic stress report out today in The Washington Post makes clear the linkages between improving higher-ed, tech-industry concentration, healthcare and quality-of-life amenities and the future well-being of states and communities. A key question raised: Whether Sun Belt states, in particular, will generate revenue necessary to improve and sustain education. One AP Photo caption accompanying the Post story notes, "Despite the current recession, Nashville has continued to be a Mecca for music recording and production." Meanwhile, Gov. Phil Bredesen has been pressing to focus state efforts on improving the University of Tennessee's standing as a national research university, and today's report in the Times Free Press provides perspective on that issue, which looms large in Tennessee's future. (Photo: AP via WashPost)