When the clock radio sounded this morning, 100.3 The River was still broadcasting, but without Phil Williams, Frank Murphy and David Henley. Someone was there to give the FCC-mandated station indentification, but that was it.

We knew that the crew wouldn't be back immediately, but we hoped they would be back eventually. This afternoon I received this letter from Frank Murphy which doesn't paint a rosy picture:

Les & Melissa,

Thanks for the kind words. I had a great time working at The River. It
ended too soon. Today I'm starting my search for a new on-air job. I would
love to find a job in East Tennessee. My family and I are happy here and
want to stay.

I truly appreciate your support. Thanks for listening.

Sincerely,
Frank Murphy

Frank came to Knoxville from Los Angeles. Once he settled in, his family moved to Knoxville and they bought a house here, so he can't just hop on an airplane and leave. I wish him luck.

Don't Damn the River is another source of breaking news.

MATT WELCH: Ex-convicts should be allowed to vote. I disagreed with the premise until I read the article.

GLENN REYNOLDS: The Prison Rape Elimination Act is a good first step in recognizing the problem of prisoner rape.

FINDLAW: What the Prison Rape Elimination Act does and doesn't say. It primarily provides $60 million for studies. Penalties are almost absent.

FLORIDA TIMES UNION: Concealed carry permits are reducing crime in Florida and other states.

As of 2000, Florida ranked No. 4 in population but ranked No. 21 in suicides. Since the right-to-carry law was enacted in Florida the following changes occurred:

The homicide rate dropped 36 percent, firearm homicides dropped 37 percent and handgun homicides dropped 41 percent.

In the 10 states that adopted right-to-carry laws, the results were no change in the suicide rate, a 0.5 percent rise in accidental firearm deaths, a 5 percent decline in rapes, a 7 percent decline in aggravated assaults and an 8 percent decline in murder.

Hat tip to SayUncle, who also notes that Tennessee now has reciprocal carry.

On July 1, 2003, Tennessee joined Kentucky, Indiana, and Montana, as states that honor all other state permits or licenses to carry "defensive weapons". Two other states Alaska and Vermont, do not require any permit or license to carry weapons if the individuals carrying are law abiding citizens [I.e. not a felon or someone using the weapon unlawfully]. With more states allowing other state residents to carry weapons within their boarders, legally armed organizations and police organizations are working together to eliminate problem areas.