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A monstrous tornado at least a half-mile wide roared through the Oklahoma City suburbs Monday, flattening entire neighborhoods with winds up to 200 mph, setting buildings on fire and landing on an elementary school.More >> A monstrous tornado at least a half-mile wide roared through the Oklahoma City suburbs Monday, flattening entire neighborhoods with winds up to 200 mph, setting buildings on fire and landing a direct blow on an elementary school.More >> A Spring Hill pediatrician says she has some sympathy as the Tennessee Department of Children's Services tries to sort through claims about children's welfare.More >> A Spring Hill pediatrician says she has some sympathy as the Tennessee Department of Children's Services tries to sort through claims about children's welfare.More >> ![Commissioner Jeff Ownby]( "Commissioner Jeff Ownby")
Commissioner Jeff OwnbyKnox County Commissioners will vote next week to censure Commissioner Jeff Ownby.More >> Knox County Commissioners will vote next week to censure Commissioner Jeff Ownby.
More >> VONORE (WATE) - Gov. Bill Haslam signed legislation in Monroe County today to reduce the state portion of the sales tax on groceries from 5.25 percent to 5 percent. He held a ceremonial bill signing atMore >> Gov. Bill Haslam signed legislation in Monroe County today to reduce the state portion of the sales tax on groceries from 5.25 percent to 5 percent.More >> Blount County deputies are investigating after a Louisville couple was found dead in their home over the weekend.More >> Blount County deputies are investigating after a Louisville couple was found dead in their home over the weekend.More >> A jury convicted Tyler Schaeffer of four counts of using a gun in a robbery and using a gun while trafficking drugs on Friday.More >> A jury convicted Tyler Schaeffer of four counts of using a gun in a robbery and using a gun while trafficking drugs on Friday.More >> The co-chairman of the Roane County Tea Party said the group has joined at least 17 other conservative groups in a lawsuit against the IRS and the Department of Treasury.More >> The co-chairman of the Roane County Tea Party said the group has joined at least 17 other conservative groups in a lawsuit against the IRS and the Department of Treasury.More >> A trial date has been set for the Campbell County teen who pled guilty to a 2005 shooting at Campbell County High School.More >> A trial date has been set for the Campbell County teen who pled guilty to a 2005 shooting at Campbell County High School.More >> A Maryville College professor has been the first African-American woman to be awarded tenure at the school. She hopes the honor will open more doors for diversity.More >> A Maryville College professor has been the first African-American woman to be awarded tenure at the school. She hopes the honor will open more doors for diversity.More >> To lure customers, home security companies often offer "free equipment" and a low installation charge. But one couple said their bill ended up being a lot more than advertised once installed.More >> To lure customers, home security companies often offer "free equipment" and a low installation charge. But one couple said their bill ended up being a lot more than advertised once installed.More >>
By ROGER ALFORD
Associated Press
FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) - Students wouldn't be permitted to drop out of high school until they're legally adults under a proposal that Gov. Steve Beshear hopes to get approved by the Legislature after they convene next week.
The second-term Democrat who has been pushing for years to gradually raise the dropout age from 16 to 18 said he's hopeful this will be the year that it gets done.
The idea is to change a generations-old law that allows minors to quit school. The dropout age would be raised incrementally over a period of years to 17 and then to 18, giving both students and school districts time to adjust to the change.
Proponents say changing the law has societal benefits because dropouts are more likely go to prison or rely on welfare.
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