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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.

The coalition “No Barriers to the Ballot Box” is hosting the press conference this afternoon at 3 p.m. and they’re expected to announce new initiatives in opposition to the law.

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

Blue Raider baseball season got off to a rocky start Friday with a 7-3 loss to Kansas, but the team redeemed themselves with a 3-2 win over Saint Louis on Saturday. Sunday's game against Evansville was canceled due to weather.

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.

Dr. Murat Arik, an economist with Middle Tennessee State, says if gas prices remain higher for any length of time, it could put a serious dent in the state’s economic recovery.

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.

A jury in Knoxville sided with Knox County Schools in the case, turning away arguments that Whitson’s rights were violated. The Court of Appeals has now decided to review that decision.