AP/WMOT

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — A proposal designed to evict Occupy Nashville protesters is headed to the governor for his consideration.

The legislation passed the House 68-21 Monday evening after lawmakers agreed to a change by the Senate, which approved the bill 20-10 last week.

The measure makes it a crime to camp on any state-owned land that’s not specifically designated for camping.

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — A new study finds that one in four Tennessee children lives in poverty, and the problem is getting worse.

The data snapshot released last week by the Annie E. Casey Kids Count project shows that the number of Tennessee children living in concentrated poverty areas has doubled since 2000.

Linda O'Neal, executive director of the Tennessee Commission on Children and Youth, says poverty impacts a child in ways you might never imagine.

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (AP) — Nearly 500 grade school students where on the MTSU Campus Thursday for the 20th annual Invention Convention.

Fourth, fifth and sixth grade students from all across Middle Tennessee participated. The young scientists were asked to invent something in one of two categories: "games" and "make our lives easier."

Justin Saunders of Hendersonville entered a project in the "make our lives easier" category. His invention is an insulated bowl that keeps hot food hot and cold food cold. Justin said it was a particular cold food that inspired his creation.

ATLANTA (AP/WMOT) — Health officials say the flu season is finally here, but so far few cases have been reported in Tennessee.

Until this month, there weren't enough cases in the U.S. to signal the start of the season. 

The Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta says this is the slowest start to the flu season in nearly 25 years. Flu season usually starts in December or January. Often, it's half over by this point in the year.

Here in Tennessee, the CDC is calling the incidence of flu "sporadic."

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP/WMOT)  --  A proposal aimed at stopping Occupy Nashville protesters from staying overnight on the Capitol complex has passed the House.

The measure sponsored by Republican Rep. Eric Watson of Cleveland was approved 70-26 after a lengthy debate Thursday morning. The companion bill was to be heard on the Senate floor, but the upper chamber adjourned before hearing the legislation.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP/WMOT) — Gov. Bill Haslam is abandoning his proposal to do away with average class size restrictions in Tennessee.

The Republican governor's decision Wednesday comes amid fears raised by educators and parents that the change would lead to more classrooms being filled to capacity. 

Here’s what Rutherford County Director of Schools Harry Gill told WMOT about the Governor's bill.

"To expect more, and at the same time increase the load on teachers is ludicrous, and I think that's pretty much the consensus among superintendents."

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP/WMOT) — An attempt to move the Occupy Nashville protest from the state Capitol to the city's Public Square was short-lived.

One tent was set up on the lawn of the city government headquarters Monday night. According to an Occupy spokesperson, seven Metro Nashville police cruisers arrived at the site early Tuesday morning and officers told tent dweller Matt Hammill a local ordinance barred camping there.

Hammill packed up his tent and left.

NASHVILLE, Tenn (AP) — Gov. Bill Haslam says he hopes Tennessee's waiver from the federal No Child Left Behind education law boosts teacher morale.

President Barack Obama announced yesterday that Tennessee is among 10 states to receive the waiver.

No Child Left Behind requires all students to be proficient in reading and math by 2014, which critics say is unrealistic.

Phil Waldrop, the Associate Dean at Middle Tennessee State’s College of Education says it’s one less thing for teachers to worry about.

MURFREESBORO, Tenn (WMOT)  --  Occupy Nashville is calling for fresh protests in downtown Nashville today. The group is using social media to encourage supporters to picket at a meeting of the Tennessee Banker’s Association being held at the Renaissance Hotel.

Occupy protesters are upset over a $25 billion dollar settlement announced yesterday between the federal government, 49 states, and five of the nation’s top mortgage lenders for loan abuses in recent years. Tennessee will reportedly receive $146 million dollars as part of the deal.

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (AP/WMOT) — Tennessee will receive 146 million dollars as part of a settlement with the nation’s five largest mortgage lenders over foreclosure abuses.

Federal officials say the lenders will pony up a total of $25 billion to be shared among 49 states. Oklahoma is the lone holdout.