The Tennessean from Nashville, Tennessee • Page 1

SPECIAL SECTION GAME BREAKDOWN: NFL writers predict winner HARD TIMES: Both teams fought through a four-game losing streak HEFTY UNE Raiders keep QB well-guarded SIDELINED: Injury leaves Kevin Dyson a spectator NFC PREVIEW: Eagles face the Buccaneers 8 PACES fl) TITANS COVEfttSE GAME VITALS THE WINNER GOES: To San SCHEDULED START: 5:30 Dm THE LOSER: Goes home, but 'v Tf WHERE Network Associates the coaches qo to Honolulu for 3, Coliseum. Oakland. Calif. theProBowl TVVVTVFhannfilR WFATHPP- PartK innv VV' RADIO: WKDF103.3-FM sky, about 60 degrees 4 SWHJD. Lr S7 fir v.

All I TheTENNE EAN NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE A GANNETT NEWSPAPER VOLUME 99, NO. 1 9 11 SECTIONS PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID IN NASHVILLE, TN SUNDAY, JANUARY 19, 2003 Inauguration of Tennessee's 48th governor TD0T seeking to limit liability for unsafe roads mm W) Policy could alter which, how roads fixed, experts say By JOHN SHIFTMAN Huff Wriltr Quietly, through a series of legal motions in several obscure cases, the state is seeking to drastically limit its liability for failing to fix dangerous roads. If the state succeeds, this would eliminate an important check of the Tennessee Department of Transportation's obligation to safe roads, according to several law professors, lawyers for injured motorists and former state officials who follow the issue closely. State lawyers, however, argue that TDOT does not have the resources to fix every dangerous roadway immediately and therefore must have discretion about which roads to repair and whea It should not be penalized for exercising its discretion to spend its money as it sees fit, the state argues. The state lawyers argue in court papers that injured motorists should be barred by law from winning claims against TDOT for roads that have proven over time, even if TDOTs failure to improve the road plays a 1 I I i 0 Please see TOOT, 2A 4 TENNESSEAN FILE A Hendersonville couple was killed in 1999 on a section of Briley Parkway known as "Dead Mans Curve," which had been the scene of at least three previous fatal accidents.

i Phil Bredesen is swom into the office of governor as his wife, Andrea Conte, looks on. Bredesen is the 48th governor of Tennessee. New governor asks for end to bickering, partisan politics By BONNA dt la CRUZ Suff Writer In his first speech as Tennessee governor, Phil Bredesen asked Tennesseans yesterday to put aside partisan politics and stale debate over the state budget and move forward on Issues important to the state and its childrea More than 2,000 people braved subfreezing temperatures to witness the swearing-in of Tennessee's 48th governor in downtown Nashville at War Memorial Plaza. The temperature at midday the appointed hour for the Nashville Democrat to take the oath of office was 23 degrees, according to the National Weather Service. "I know we are going to find a broad and bright Luidscape in front of us," Bredesen said in a mercifully short inaugural address.

With the state Capitol and a giant Tennessee flag behind him and the downtown library he built as Nashville mayor facing him, Bredesen asked Tennesseans to overlook political and geographic differences and work to improve public educatioa In an eight-minute speech, Bredesen acknowledged divisive moments over the past few years, caused by tax and spend Issues, and problems ahead with TennCare and the state budget. "We have been through some challenging times that were difficult for our governor, frustrating for our legislature, confusing and in many cases, anger-provoking for Tennesseans," he said. He asked Tennesseans to look beyond the predictable ways of governing either more taxes or more cuts. "I want to say today that there is a third way. Let's leave behind the predictable and stale Please see BREDESEN, 13A Gun that lolled King, a dream, on display Unsealed evidence rekindles old mysteries doesn't want to get too close.

"It will leave a very lasting impression on me," said Qurd, now 45. "I dont think PHOTOS BY HANDY PILAND STAFF Phil Bredesen hugs Ns wife, Andrea Conte, after he was swom into office. More coverage inside and on the Web I'll soon forget it That's just a little bit more than I wanted to see." The ritle Is among 2(X) Address online Read a complete Legislators praise speech Democrat and Republican legislators praised Bredesen 's inaugural address, particularly his promise for inclusiveness. On 13A transcript of Bredesen 's speech at www.tennessean.com By BRAD SCHRA0C Slutl llricr MEMPHIS Jackie stares ahead silently as she confronts the rifle that ended a movement. The gun Is still now, encased in glass like a relic, but standing before it stirs memories of her mother crying, a nation on fire and a dreamer struck down on the balcony of a nondescript place called the Lorraine MotcL It Is the ritle that prosecutors say lames fcirl Ray fired on April 4, I'M, sending a single devastating slug into the Kev.

Martin Luther King lower right cheek. has never been in the gun's presence, but she has felt the chill of hate it represents. She Boost for business State's business community agrees that Bnedesens background will help in recruiting new companies and workers. On IE of dis- COARO Pnves freshly sealed evidence from assassination on public 302 uo Inaugural ball Thousands poured into Bredesen's inaugural ball last night billed as an event fa the people. On 13A av tor the first time It part of an $11 million expan Bredesen talks about what to do 84 sion wing at the National Civil Rights Museum here that Is sh.iking lixwe raw about TennCare, how to handle the state budget and what comes first On 19A Please see MLK, 2A 'USA Weekend' baby special School kid's foe, commuter's friend TODAY'S FORECAST Babies arenl the only ones learning new things every day.

Experts on infants give parents more tidbits of Information than tykes can tally on their Angers. In USA Weekend eg To our readers Delivery of The Tennessean could be delayed in some areas. Carriers will make every attempt to deliver all routes; however, if customers do not receive their paper by noon, It will be delivered with the next day's edition. For more information, call 254-5661 or 1-800-342-8237. Murnm Books 36-370 i Issues 19A Deaths Local 22-23A Sports FiQui skating Ufe 08,1 18 B-iness JODS Horoscope 870 Classified Lottery 2A Travel Ms.Oap jam Home Pwplem Business SE John Madden is a student's worst nightmare.

He chugs along in his winter weather-busting dump truck, plowing the roads. Since Thursday's 7-inch snowfall, he and his fellow Metro Public Works crews have been working overtime. On IB Segregated A Harvard study finds that crhnnlc schools are becoming increas-5cnums ingly segregated. On 8A A39 T34 5-day forecast on 8B To subscribe call: 242-NEWS or 1 800) 342-8237 tn Westbound Turtleneck Mock Neck Crew Neck (ofjg) Dillard's I V'U4J I "'I mmmmmJL.