from: KnoxNews [1]

AT&T negotiating with local government...in Mississippi

As AT&T tells Tennessee that it's too cumbersome to negotiate for TV franchises with each local government -- spawning an epic battle to change state law -- the company has negotiated for a local contract in suburban Memphis, according to the Commercial Appeal.

The cable industry and local governments, which oppose AT&T's statewide franchise proposal, have asked why AT&T can't negotiate contracts with individual Tennessee municipalities. This latest twist should open up a new round of questions about why AT&T can do it in Mississippi, but not Tennessee.