Claudia Mora is exactly the kind of energetic, innovative researcher the University of Tennessee is trying to attract and keep with its Centers of Excellence program. In fact, Mora is a linchpin of two of UT's most recently named centers. Mike Gibson explores her boundary-crossing geologic work and assesses the university's commitment to keeping it alive.

Jesse Fox Mayshark reports on the school board's ongoing budget crisis, and Barry Henderson tries to find what happened to the county's efficiency audit.
Plus: Seven Days, Meet your City, and Knoxville Found.

Joe Sullivan explains why we should boost the local sales tax in Insights, Jesse Fox Mayshark watches the KnoxRecall dust settle in Editor's Corner, and Jack Neely files part two of a true-life Knoxville murder mystery in Secret History.

You've seen it in the movies: an escaped prisoner on the run, with bloodhounds baying in the distance. Ever wonder what it feels like? Well, maybe not—but that's because you're not Joe Tarr. Our intrepid reporter volunteered to help Brushy Mountain Correctional Complex with its dog-training program and spent an afternoon with a big nose hot on his trail.

Plus:The lemonade business booms and everything starts to wind toward a big climax in the penultimate chapter of Jack Mauro's five-part summer short story.

Mike Gibson indulges his taste for esoteric guitar wizardry with Adrian Belew of King Crimson in the Music Feature, while Eye on the Scene tries to figure out who put the voodoo on three nineteen's brew. Paige M. Travis says luck is a lady for the Oak Ridge Playhouse's production of Guys and Dolls in Backstage.

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