http://www.metropulse.com/news/stories/city-beat/?partner=RSSMetroPulse Stories: Citybeaten-usstories/city-beathttp://www.metropulse.com/news/2013/may/15/mpc-drafts-ordinance-create-building-design-guidel/?partner=RSSLast Thursday, the Metropolitan Planning Committee approved an ordinance that would allow the city to designate overlay zone districts. What are those? Paige Huntoon explains. paige.huntoon@metropulse.com (Paige Huntoon)Wed, 15 May 2013 14:19:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-26019-735005stories/city-beatPaige HuntoonKnoxville, TNMPC Drafts an Ordinance to Create Building Design Guidelines in Certain AreasMetroPulsempc-drafts-ordinance-create-building-design-guidelurn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-26019-735003Change735005Usablehttp://www.metropulse.com/news/2013/may/15/ut-holds-meetings-address-custodians-accusations-t/?partner=RSSLast week, University of Tennessee supervisors met with members of its custodial team to hear their complaints of mistreatment and poor management. Meant to clear the air, the meeting did not go altogether well, as Cari Wade Gervin reports. gervinc@metropulse.com (Cari Wade Gervin)Wed, 15 May 2013 14:17:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-26018-735003stories/city-beatCari Wade GervinKnoxville, TNUT Holds Meetings to Address Custodians' Accusations, But They Don't Seem to Calm NervesMetroPulseut-holds-meetings-address-custodians-accusations-turn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-26018-735003Change0Usablehttp://www.metropulse.com/news/2013/may/08/downtown-business-owners-question-rossini-festival/?partner=RSSAfter 12 mostly successful years on Gay Street and Market Square, the city will be moving the Rossini Festival’s unusual street fair in 2014 to Henley Street, between Main and Clinch, saying it is responding to business owners’ complaints. Jack Neely finds more of them to be disgruntled about the move. neely@metropulse.com (Jack Neely)Wed, 08 May 2013 15:01:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-25993-734996stories/city-beatJack NeelyKnoxville, TNDowntown Business Owners Question Rossini Festival's Move to Henley Street MetroPulsedowntown-business-owners-question-rossini-festivalurn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-25993-734996Change0Usablehttp://www.metropulse.com/news/2013/may/01/stacey-campfield-beats-rap-libel-roger-byrge-plans/?partner=RSSState Sen. Stacey Campfield manages to get his libel suit thrown out of court, but the plaintiff is planning to appeal, reports Betty Bean. Wed, 01 May 2013 13:08:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-25957-734989stories/city-beatBetty BeanKnoxville, TNStacey Campfield Beats the Rap for Libel, but Roger Byrge Plans to AppealMetroPulsestacey-campfield-beats-rap-libel-roger-byrge-plansurn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-25957-734989Change734989Usablehttp://www.metropulse.com/news/2013/apr/30/swept-under-carpet-ut-custodians-allege-harassment/?partner=RSSFrom January 2012 until last week, 65 employees have left their positions in Building Services. Five of those employees retired, and two died (one on the job), which means a total of 58 employees have been fired or have resigned over the past 16 months. That’s close to a 50 percent turnover rate, according to United Campus Workers, the union that represents some 1,400 UT employees. gervinc@metropulse.com (Cari Wade Gervin)Tue, 30 Apr 2013 22:25:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-25956-734988stories/city-beatCari Wade GervinKnoxville, TNSwept Under the Carpet?: UT Custodians Allege Harassment, Retaliatory Transfers, and More MetroPulseswept-under-carpet-ut-custodians-allege-harassmenturn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-25956-734988Change0Usablehttp://www.metropulse.com/news/2013/apr/24/tcwn-accuses-state-insufficient-enforcement-clean/?partner=RSSWhen the Tennessee Clean Water Network released its annual water-enforcement report last week, something looked odd. They collected data on the number of enforcement actions taken against groups or companies that had violated the terms of their discharge permits into Tennessee surface waters and had unnecessarily polluted nearby water sources, and found that there was a sharp drop last year, as Paige Huntoon reports. paige.huntoon@metropulse.com (Paige Huntoon)Wed, 24 Apr 2013 15:51:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-25946-734982stories/city-beatPaige HuntoonKnoxville, TNTCWN Accuses State of Insufficient Enforcement of Clean-Water RegulationsMetroPulsetcwn-accuses-state-insufficient-enforcement-cleanurn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-25946-734982Change0Usablehttp://www.metropulse.com/news/2013/apr/17/centennial-conservation-expo-promises-conjure-spir/?partner=RSSOn Wednesday, with some Edwardian fanfare, Mayor Madeline Rogero and her staff announced the centennial celebration of the National Conservation Exposition of 1913. If all goes according to still-unfolding plans, this year’s Centennial Conservation Expo will be an unusual Saturday in October involving dozens of regional organizations, all commemorating a huge event that’s both almost forgotten and more resonant than ever, as Jack Neely reports. neely@metropulse.com (Jack Neely)Wed, 17 Apr 2013 14:22:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-25908-734975stories/city-beatJack NeelyKnoxville, TNNew Centennial Conservation Expo Promises to Conjure the Spirit of the Enormous, Influential 1913 FairMetroPulsecentennial-conservation-expo-promises-conjure-spirurn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-25908-734975Change0Usablehttp://www.metropulse.com/news/2013/apr/10/non-profit-developer-consider-some-fragile-fifteen/?partner=RSSArtspace, a non-profit company that specializes in refurbishing old buildings into artists’ studios, is coming to Knoxville to see the lay of the land. paige.huntoon@metropulse.com (Paige Huntoon)Wed, 10 Apr 2013 14:32:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-25868-734968stories/city-beatPaige HuntoonKnoxville, TNNon-Profit Developer to Consider Some "Fragile Fifteen" Buildings for Artist Work SpaceMetroPulsenon-profit-developer-consider-some-fragile-fifteenurn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-25868-734968Change0Usablehttp://www.metropulse.com/news/2013/apr/10/should-developers-have-more-rights-cities-they-jus/?partner=RSSA new bill in the state Legislature aims to help developers by freezing municipal codes at the time building plans are submitted. But such a freeze on regulations could create a lot of problems for city planners, as Cari Wade Gervin reports. gervinc@metropulse.com (Cari Wade Gervin)Wed, 10 Apr 2013 14:28:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-25867-734968stories/city-beatCari Wade GervinKnoxville, TNShould Developers Have More Rights Than Cities? They Just Might, if New State Legislation PassesMetroPulseshould-developers-have-more-rights-cities-they-jusurn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-25867-734968Change0Usablehttp://www.metropulse.com/news/2013/apr/03/gov-haslams-tennessee-plan-expanding-health-insura/?partner=RSSLast week Gov. Bill Haslam announced that he would not accept federal money to expand Medicaid, but he added a big qualifier. He’ll take those federal funds, all right, but only if he can work out a deal with the Department of Health and Human Services that would allow Tennessee to use the money to buy private insurance for those who can’t afford it. This “third option” faces a lot of obstacles, as Paige Huntoon reports. paige.huntoon@metropulse.com (Paige Huntoon)Wed, 03 Apr 2013 14:02:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-25857-734961stories/city-beatPaige HuntoonKnoxville, TNGov. Haslam's "Tennessee Plan" for Expanding Health Insurance Faces a Lot of ObstaclesMetroPulsegov-haslams-tennessee-plan-expanding-health-insuraurn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-25857-734961Change0Usablehttp://www.metropulse.com/news/2013/mar/27/critics-say-tennessee-bill-aimed-reducing-animal-c/?partner=RSSA bill ostensibly aimed at preventing animal cruelty could actually make animal abuse easier to hide. It would make it a crime to not turn over any unedited videos and photographs that record cruelty to livestock to law enforcement authorities within 24 hours—but it may end up giving more protection to the food industry instead, as Cari Wade Gervin reports. gervinc@metropulse.com (Cari Wade Gervin)Wed, 27 Mar 2013 14:35:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-25824-734954stories/city-beatCari Wade GervinKnoxville, TNCritics Say Tennessee Bill Aimed at Reducing Animal Cruelty May Actually Protect Food IndustryMetroPulsecritics-say-tennessee-bill-aimed-reducing-animal-curn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-25824-734954Change0Usablehttp://www.metropulse.com/news/2013/mar/27/lost-tribe-tribe-one-longstanding-inner-city-youth/?partner=RSSAfter a quarter-century of providing innovative educational, entrepreneurial, and recreational programs for the city’s under-served inner-city youth, Knoxville’s Tribe One has closed its doors on Magnolia Avenue. Mike Gibson reports. mconnergibson@gmail.com (Mike Gibson)Wed, 27 Mar 2013 14:24:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-25818-734954stories/city-beatMike GibsonKnoxville, TNLost Tribe: Tribe One, Longstanding Inner-City Youth Center, Closes Its DoorsMetroPulselost-tribe-tribe-one-longstanding-inner-city-youthurn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-25818-734954Change0Usablehttp://www.metropulse.com/news/2013/mar/20/plowing-ahead-knoxville-didnt-win-bloomberg-philan/?partner=RSSKnoxville was one of the finalists in the Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Mayor’s Challenge with a multi-faceted plan for an “Urban Food Corridor” to increase access to healthy food, reuse abandoned lots, and create local food-industry jobs. It didn’t win the grant, but officials say they want to pursue the plan, as Eleanor Scott reports. Wed, 20 Mar 2013 14:25:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-25800-734947stories/city-beatEleanor ScottKnoxville, TNPlowing Ahead: Knoxville Didn't Win Bloomberg Philanthropies' Contest Money. Is the "Food Corridor" Dead?MetroPulseplowing-ahead-knoxville-didnt-win-bloomberg-philanurn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-25800-734947Change0Usablehttp://www.metropulse.com/news/2013/mar/13/educational-fracking-ut-wants-research-oil-and-gas/?partner=RSSThe University of Tennessee’s new plan to lease land in Scott and Morgan counties to oil and gas interests is causing no little dispute, as Cari Wade Gervin reports. gervinc@metropulse.com (Cari Wade Gervin)Wed, 13 Mar 2013 14:40:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-25767-734940stories/city-beatCari Wade GervinKnoxville, TNEducational Fracking? UT Wants to Research Oil and Gas Drilling, But at What Cost?MetroPulseeducational-fracking-ut-wants-research-oil-and-gasurn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-25767-734940Change0Usablehttp://www.metropulse.com/news/2013/mar/13/buzz-goss-residential-project-looks-boon-downtown/?partner=RSSThe press conference at the blank corner of State and Commerce last Friday drew an impressive convention of mayors, commissioners, councilmen, and other conspicuous Knoxville boosters, affirming that architect-turned-developer Buzz Goss’ Marble Alley project is huge. But it’s not much like the Marble Alley Goss was touting four years ago. neely@metropulse.com (Jack Neely)Wed, 13 Mar 2013 14:38:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-25766-734940stories/city-beatJack NeelyKnoxville, TNMarble Alley 2.0: Buzz Goss' Residential Project Looks Like a Boon for Downtown, if not the Landmark Once ProposedMetroPulsebuzz-goss-residential-project-looks-boon-downtownurn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-25766-734940Change0Usablehttp://www.metropulse.com/news/2013/mar/06/legal-limits-will-judicial-redistricting-get-pushe/?partner=RSSLt. Gov. Ron Ramsey is pushing for a new map, and much of the legal community is not happy about it. gervinc@metropulse.com (Cari Wade Gervin)Wed, 06 Mar 2013 15:28:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-25734-734933stories/city-beatCari Wade GervinKnoxville, TNLegal Limits: Will Judicial Redistricting Get Pushed Through? How Much Will it Mess Things Up?MetroPulselegal-limits-will-judicial-redistricting-get-pusheurn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-25734-734933Change0Usablehttp://www.metropulse.com/news/2013/feb/27/state-charter-school-authorizer-bill-raises-contro/?partner=RSSWhen Michelle Rhee’s controversial education reform organization, StudentsFirst, started pouring money into the campaign coffers of state House and Senate Education Committee members last year, it denied it was buying votes. But it has marshaled legislative support for education bills this session, including one that may give the state authority to approve charter schools regardless if local school systems want them. Cari Wade Gervin reports. gervinc@metropulse.com (Cari Wade Gervin)Wed, 27 Feb 2013 19:46:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-25719-734926stories/city-beatCari Wade GervinKnoxville, TNState Charter School Authorizer Bill Raises ControversyMetroPulsestate-charter-school-authorizer-bill-raises-controurn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-25719-734926Change0Usablehttp://www.metropulse.com/news/2013/feb/20/time-money-kats-proposed-route-changes-are-result/?partner=RSSEarlier this month, Knoxville Area Transit released a set of proposed changes to its bus routes. If the proposals are approved by the Knoxville Transportation Authority later this month, many riders may find their typical routes served more frequently by early summer. Paige Huntoon maps them out. paige.huntoon@metropulse.com (Paige Huntoon)Wed, 20 Feb 2013 16:34:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-25689-734919stories/city-beatPaige HuntoonKnoxville, TNTime is Money: KAT's Proposed Route Changes are Result of Expiring UT Contract and Increased Federal FundsMetroPulsetime-money-kats-proposed-route-changes-are-resulturn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-25689-734919Change0Usablehttp://www.metropulse.com/news/2013/feb/20/grand-old-party-pains-small-election-west-knox-rep/?partner=RSSWho knew that electing a vice chair of the largest Republican club in Knox County could get so many GOP shorts in a wad? But evidently there was something more at stake than this not exactly lofty position. Betty Bean goes behind the scenes. Wed, 20 Feb 2013 16:31:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-25687-734932stories/city-beatBetty BeanKnoxville, TNGrand Old Party Pains: Small Election at the West Knox Republican Club Escalates Into Battle Over Party's DirectionMetroPulsegrand-old-party-pains-small-election-west-knox-repurn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-25687-734919Change734932Usablehttp://www.metropulse.com/news/2013/feb/13/state-senate-votes-favor-guns-in-cars-bill/?partner=RSSOn Monday, the Tennessee state Senate voted to expand gun rights by approving SB 142—the so-called “guns-in-cars” bill—by a vote of 28 to 5. House Speaker Beth Harwell has said the House version of the bill will probably be passed as well. What do local businesses and law enforcement think of it? Paige Huntoon finds out. paige.huntoon@metropulse.com (Paige Huntoon)Wed, 13 Feb 2013 15:41:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-25657-734912stories/city-beatPaige HuntoonKnoxville, TNState Senate Votes in Favor of the "Guns-in-Cars" Bill, Setting Up Potential Conflicts with Business OwnersMetroPulsestate-senate-votes-favor-guns-in-cars-billurn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-25657-734912Change0Usable