Mike Osborne

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (WMOT)  --  The economic downturn of recent years has been hard on Tennessee, but even in a recession some corners of the economy continue to prosper.

In a special series of reports we’re calling “Tennessee Works,” WMOT is searching out those places where Tennesseans have done well during the Great Recession.

MURFREESBORO, Tenn (WMOT) – WMOT News is launching a special series of reports this week entitled "Tennessee Works." The series will examine economic sectors that prospered during the recession.

Tennessee’s unemployment rate peaked in June of 2009 at 10.8 percent. Joblessness has fallen slowly in the months since, but is still an uncomfortably high 8.7 percent.

There are some professions, though, that enjoyed low unemployment even at the height of the economic downturn.

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (WMOT)  --  A coalition of groups opposed to Tennessee’s new voter photo ID law are scheduled to hold a press conference on Legislative Plaza Wednesday afternoon.

The upcoming Super Tuesday presidential preference primary March 6th will be the first state-wide vote where the new law will be enforced. Most voters will be required to present some type of state or federal ID before being allowed to cast a ballot.

Opponents have launched initiatives to repeal the law as well as efforts to get voters the kind of photo ID they’ll need to vote.

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (WMOT) --  Murfreesboro Police made what they’re calling a major drug bust on the campus of Middle Tennessee State University Monday afternoon.

MPD spokesman Kyle Evans tells WMOT News that police were hearing rumors that drugs were being sold out of Jim Cummings Hall. University police gave MPD permission to pursue the case.  Evans described for WMOT what happened when officers approached the dorm room where suspicious activity had been reported.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The 46 institutions of higher learning governed by the Tennessee Board of Regents have nothing to fear from President Barack Obama’s latest education initiative, according to TBR Chancellor John Morgan. 

The Associated Press says in a story released Monday that the Obama administration is concerned about rising student debt, which now averages over $25,000. The president is also reportedly concerned by the apparent disconnect between what students learn at the nation's universities and the skills employers say they're looking for.

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (WMOT)  --  It was mostly good news for Middle Tennessee State sports in weekend action. The Blue Raider men's and women's basketball teams clinched top seeds in upcoming conference play.

The MT men claimed the Sun Belt’s regular-season title on Saturday evening with a 72-59 victory over Florida Atlantic. The MT women also defeated FAU, making them the lone unbeaten team in the conference and extending their winning streak to 16 games.

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (WMOT)  --  The nation has seen a rapid rise in fuel prices in recent weeks. The Triple “A” Fuel Gauge report says the average price for regular gas in the U.S. now stands at is $3.55.

The average price here in Tennessee is up to $3.48. Middle Tennessee’s prices are some of the highest in the state at $3.52.  Memphis and Knoxville stand at $3.46 and regular gas in Chattanooga is selling for $3.49.

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP/WMOT) — A federal appeals court will hear arguments in the case of a Tennessee elementary school student who claimed he was prohibited from holding playground Bible studies.

The U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals in Cincinnati will hear arguments in the case.

The original lawsuit was brought by the parents of student Luke Whitson in 2004. Whitson was in fourth grade at the time and was told by the school that he couldn’t hold Bible studies with his friends on the playground at recess.

MURFREESBORO, Tenn.  (WMOT)  --  Fire Departments throughout Tennessee are having trouble finding and keeping volunteers, and that may impact what you pay for home-owners insurance, or even put your family at increased risk.

Kevin Lauer is a fire management consultant with the University of Tennessee’s County Technical Assistance Service. He says fire fighting is a difficult and dangerous job that requires a significant time commitment and volunteers are getting harder to come by.

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (WMOT)  --  Tennessee Senator Lamar Alexander came out strongly Wednesday against renewing wind industry tax incentives.

On the floor of the Senate Wednesday morning, Alexander said the $27 billion worth of federal wind power subsidies would be better spent on renewable energy research, or on reducing the national debt.

During his comments, Alexander highlighted the Tennessee Valley Authority’s experience with a wind farm it built in East Tennessee.