U.S.

How high will gas go? It's a question everyone is asking. Many wonder if the federal government can and should step in to do something about it.

That's one of many questions Gene Patterson has for this week's first guest, Rep. Jimmy Duncan (R-2nd Dist.)

Later, 6 News political analyst George Korda and Ackermann Public Relations executive Mike Cohen share thoughts on some of the events in the news this week.

6 News reporter Harlow Sumerford sits in this week for Gene Patterson.

Knox County Mayor Mike Ragsdale responded on Wednesday to the draft purchasing card audit report that revealed some questionable spending by the mayor and members of his staff.

In this week's program, the mayor's chief administrative officer, Dwight van de Vate, discusses the audit and steps the administration is taking to correct problems found in it.

Then Harlow sits down with U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander, who talks about a number of issues, including the presidential election and EPA air quality standards.

Mercy Health Partners Metro Division CEO Jeff Ashin talks about the recent announcement about changes at Baptist Hospital and a proposal to build a new hospital downtown.

Gene Patterson begins this week's program with a conversation with presidential hopeful Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-New York). He spoke with her via satellite on Thursday, prior to the South Carolina primary. Then he's joined by 6 News political analyst George Korda and the Tennessee Conservative Union's Lloyd Daugherty for look at presidential politics.

In the final segment, Diane Spining and Nicole Keeton from the American Heart Association talk about the Go Red for Women luncheon on May 16 at the Downtown Marriott and the National Wear Red Day on Feb. 1.

We are now just a few weeks away from February 5, which has been dubbed Super Duper Tuesday. That's the day voters from across Tennessee and 19 other states will go to the polls to make their choice for president.

In Knox County, the presidential primary is just one decision voters will make. They'll also be selecting party nominees for county commission and four county-wide offices. Because this is a primary, voters can't vote for president in one party and then switch over to vote for a local office in another party.

We'll talk more about the local races in the next few weeks, but this week our guests are here to talk presidential politics. Joining Gene Patterson are Metropulse columnist Frank Cagle, Billy Stair, who is a former chief of staff for Gov. Ned McWherter and currently serves as communications director at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and Lloyd Daughtery, head of the Tennessee Conservative Union.

It is the new year and that means a new session of the Tennessee General Assembly is just around the corner. In fact, lawmakers will be convening in Nashville on Tuesday, Jan. 8.

Joining Gene Patterson to take a look at the state legislative session are Sen. Tim Burchett, Rep. Harry Tindell and Rep. Bill Dunn.

Then for the Final Word, 6 News political analyst George Korda shares his thoughts on several topics, including former Tennessee senator Fred Thompson's showing in Iowa.

The lawyers have finished presenting witnesses and a decision in the Sunshine Lawsuit trial could be coming soon. At issue: Did Knox County commissioners violate the state's Open Meetings Law when they appointed 12 people to fill term-limited county seats back on January 31.

On Thursday the defense rested its case after about a week-and-a-half of testimony.

Friday, the jury got the day off while the parties in the lawsuit worked out the details of the chancellor's instructions to the jury.

On Monday the jury returns to the courtroom where we can expect closing statements and then deliberations. Joining Gene Patterson this week to talk about the lawsuit is 6 News political analyst George Korda, Editor of Knoxville Magazine Frank Cagle, and Mike Cohen, an executive with Ackermann Public Relations.

In the second segment, the panel returns but the conversation shifts to Knoxville and the re-election last Tuesday of Mayor Bill Haslam.

A new Rasmussen Reports survey of Tennessee voters finds that former Tennessee Senator Fred Thompson would beat any of the Democratic frontrunners if he was to win the Republican nomination for president.

The survey shows Thompson remains popular in our state, but how will he do nationwide? The panel of Korda, Cagle and Cohen return to discuss that in final segment.

Joining Gene Patterson this week is the former mayor of Knoxville, Victor Ashe, who is now the U.S. ambassador to Poland.

Then for a final word, the head of the Tennessee Conservative Union, Lloyd Daugherty, and Frank Cagle of Knoxville Magazine, talk to Gene about the ongoing scandal in county government.

(Video is not available for this program.)