A decade before calling himself “a consistent supporter of pro-life values,” Tennessee physician and Republican U.S. Rep. Scott DesJarlais supported his ex-wife’s decision to get two abortions before their marriage, according to the congressman’s sworn testimony during his divorce trial.
Obtained by the Chattanooga Times Free Press, the couple’s 2001 trial transcript also confirms DesJarlais had sexual relationships with at least two patients, three coworkers and a drug representative while he was chief of staff at Grandview Medical Center in Jasper, Tenn. During one affair with a female patient, DesJarlais prescribed her drugs, gave her an $875 watch and bought her a plane ticket to Las Vegas, records show.
Despite all this DesJarlais did win re-election and told WMSR that he has strong family support after a lot of negative campaigning.
For more on this story click here Chattanooga Times Free-Press

An unofficial tally of votes from the recent presidential election shows more than 2.4 million people cast their ballots in Tennessee.
According to the secretary of state’s office, 2,454,470 Tennesseans voted. That’s down from the 2,599,749 votes cast in the 2008 presidential election.
This year, voters were required to show photo identification before voting. Those who didn’t have proper ID could vote provisionally.
Secretary of State Spokesman Blake Fontenay said Thursday that there were 674 photo ID-related provisional ballots cast, 178 of which have been counted.
Earlier this week, a coalition of Nashville poll watchers called for an audit of problems they documented with Election Day voting.
Tennessee Citizen Action organized the poll watching effort and its director, Mary Mancini, said that while some precincts were run effectively and smoothly, many were not.
Over 19,000 voted in Coffee County.

To honor Korean War veterans, Motlow College is hosting a screening of the documentary “Chosin.” The documentary is about the Battle of Chosin Reservoir, an epic battle that took place in North Korea in November, 1950.
Tullahoma native Curtis Hice, the driving force behind the Motlow screening, said, “I wanted to give Korean War veterans a chance to see this great movie,” he said. “I knew that many wouldn’t get to see it unless an event like this was held. It will give non-veterans a chance to see what these guys went through, also.
The screening will be shown from 2 to 4 p.m. this Saturday (Nov. 17) in Powers Auditorium, located in Eoff Hall on Motlow’s Moore County campus. Admission is free and open to the public.

Tennessee’s unemployment rate decreased slightly in October.
Labor and Workforce Development Commissioner Karla Davis said in a news release Thursday that October’s rate was 8.2 percent, down from 8.3 percent in September.
She said the October rate is the lowest since June.
The national unemployment rate for October was 7.9 percent, which is one-tenth of a percent higher than the previous month.
In Tennessee, total nonfarm employment rose by 7,500 jobs from September to October, with increases in leisure/hospitality and professional/business services. There were declines in government and mining/logging/construction.

Students in Amber Adams Health Science Class and Michelle Malachea’s Art class at Coffee County High School made posters to discourage smoking and to make a plan to stop smoking in conjunction with the American Cancer Society’s Great American Smokeout yesterday. School Nurse Sarah Walker, RN organized this school wide activity.
The American Cancer Society marked the 37th Great American Smokeout yesterday by encouraging smokers to use the date to make a plan to quit, or to plan in advance and quit smoking that day. By quitting — even for one day — smokers will be taking an important step towards a healthier life – one that can lead to reducing cancer risk.
Tobacco use remains the single largest preventable cause of disease and premature death in the US, yet about 43.8 million Americans still smoke cigarettes — Nearly 1 in every 5 adults. As of 2010, there were also 13.2 million cigar smokers in the US, and 2.2 million who smoke tobacco in pipes — other dangerous and addictive forms of tobacco.

Olde Towne Christmas Stroll, a longstanding Tullahoma Tradition… The city invites you to join them Tuesday, December 11 from 5pm – 8 pm. This free musical celebration takes place in Tullahoma’s historic district at sites delineated by luminaries. In keeping with the spirit of Christmas, the city asks you to bring a newly wrapped toy for Toys for Tots or non-perishable food item.