The Impact of the Obama Presidency on the African-American Community; Knox County Budget Troubles

It was a watershed moment in American history when the nation's first African-American president took the oath of office. Barack Obama's swearing-in celebration was seen by millions of Americans as a start of more hopeful times ahead.

His presidency is of particular significance to the African-American community on a number of levels, and the first guests of this week's program discuss some of them. Joining Gene Patterson is Sherryl Rollins, head of the local chapter of the NAACP, and Theotis Robinson, who broke the color barrier at the University of Tennessee when he became UT's first Black under graduate.

Knox County commissesioners are in the early stages of formulating next year's budget, but already there are signs of a difficult time ahead.

Schools are looking at personnel layoffs to cover an expected shortfall in its budget. And we're told there is a huge deficit in the county's pension program. Specifically, the problem lies in the defined plan for the sheriff's office, which was approved three years ago by voters.

Knox County commissioners Paul Pinkston and Amy Broyles share their thoughts on the budget process.

Then, 6 News political analyst George Korda and Cortney Piper, who is with SRW and Associates, join Gene for the Final Word.