I'm going to be out of pocket for a while.  I'm on assignment for the next week or so in Africa.  We're traveling with UT Athletic Director Mike Hamilton. 

He's going - not on UT business - but on a humanitarian trip as a Board member of Blood Water Mission.  The Nashville-based group is involved in water and HIV projects in Kenya and Rwanda. 

Last year, Mike organized a fundraiser for the Marsabit, Kenya water project.  We're traveling to Marsabit to see if the funds raised, went where they were intended.

Thirty years ago today John Lennon was murdered outside his apartment in New York City. I remember that day well. 

I was a young reporter working at night as a one-man band. That's someone who shoots his own video, writes the story, voices the script and edits the final story.

As word began to filter across the country about Lennon's death, spontaneous gatherings took place. I guess people just didn't want to be alone with this awful news.

On a recent Tennessee This Week - we discussed the issue of the proposed Midway Business Park in East Knox County.

Several statements were made by our pundits panel including the assertion that there were more than 2,000 acres along Rutledge Pike that could be developed into a business park. We used the term Rutledge Pike Industrial Park, which is incorrect. It's the Rutledge Pike Industrial Corridor.

Regardless, Chamber officials say our information is wrong. Here's what Todd Napeir, Executive VP with the Development Corporation of Knox County says:

After months of silence on the severance pay controversy, former Ragsdale Communications Director Susanne Dupes came out firing on Wednesday.

Dupes, along with former Library head Larry Frank and former Public Works director Bruce Wuethrich have been the targets of criticism - along with former Mayor Mike Ragsdale - since August, after reports surfaced that they were getting tens of thousands of dollars in severance pay for resigning days before Tim Burchett took office.

In his first major interview since losing the Republican nomination for Governor last month, Zach Wamp tells 6 News he and Bill Haslam have gotten together and "reconciled."

"Bill Haslam needs to be Tennessee's next governor," said Wamp.

Wamp is leaving his seat in the United States Congress after serving for 16 years.

He said he's now weighing his options regarding his future. One thing he says he'll definitely do is write a book.

Sensing a major Republican electoral victory this fall,  Wamp says the GOP needs to remember history.

Lt. Governor Ron Ramsey's campaign responds to release of Bill Haslam's internal poll that shows Haslam in a comfortable lead over Republican rivals Zach Wamp and Ron Ramsey.

Below is a statement from Ramsey Communications Director Rachel Taylor:

The Wamp Campaign wasting no time responding to release of an internal poll commissioned for Bill Haslam.

The survey - conducted June 1 - 3 - shows the Knoxville Mayor with a comfortable lead over his Republican rivals, Zach Wamp and Ron Ramsey.

“Despite going on TV four months ago and spending millions of dollars, Bill Haslam has only managed to rent the attention of some voters but can’t close the sale," said Sam Edelen, Wamp campaign spokesman.

An internal poll commissioned by the Haslam for Governor Campaign shows the Knoxville Mayor enjoying a comfortable lead over his two Republican rivals.

The latest numbers show Bill Haslam leading statewide over Congressman Zach Wamp and Lt Governor Ron Ramsey. 

The poll was conducted between June 1- 3, by Ayres, McHenry and Associates - and shows Haslam with 37 percent, Wamp with 24 percent, Ramsey with 15 percent and Undecided at 24 percent.

I was sorry to hear this morning of the passing of Andy Kozar.

I didn't know him well, but the times I was privileged to be in his presence will be fondly remembered.

I never saw him play, but as a UT alum I was very aware of his name and of his exploits on the field.  He helped Tennessee win a national title in 1951.

But Andy was more than just a football player.  He was also a teacher.

After his playing days, he earned a PH.D from Michigan in 1961 and returned to UT to head up its Phys Ed department.