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FRANKLIN, Tenn. (AP) — Republican Gov. Bill Haslam is expressing exasperation at the flood of "crazy" measures flowing through the Tennessee General Assembly. But instead of taking lawmakers to task, the governor points the finger of blame squarely at the news media.

During a panel discussion this week, Haslam argued that an overhaul of standards in schools has failed to gain the proper attention, while reporters have focused on other matters like a measure to ban students from wearing revealing clothing at school

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (WMOT)  --  Over 900 Tennesseans have registered for federal disaster assistance following the severe weather that swept the state February 29 and March 2.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency says it’s already paid out more than $640,000 in disaster recovery assistance to residents in the 10 Tennessee counties that were declared disaster areas by President Obama.

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (WMOT)  --  WMOT News continues to look at the results of the 2011 “Crime on Campus” report released this week.

Compiled by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, the report shows a more than 4 percent increase in crime on the state’s college campuses last year. One of the more dramatic findings was the sharp increase in the number of sex oriented crimes.

SPRING CITY, Tenn. (AP) — The Tennessee Valley Authority cost estimate to complete Unit 2 at Watts Bar Nuclear Plant in Spring City, Tenn.,  has been revised upward to $4.5 billion.

The earlier estimate in 2007 had been $2.5 billion.

In a statement released Thursday, the federal utility blamed the increase on poor previous estimates and that reviews to support the initial estimate were not completed.

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (WMOT)  -- Crime is up significantly on Tennessee college campuses.

According to a report released yesterday by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, crime at state schools increased by more than 4 percent last year.

Of the several universities located here in Middle Tennessee, Fisk University appears to have fared the worst in 2011.  The report indicates Fisk had the mid-state’s worst crime ratios for assault, theft, and drug violations.

NASHVILLE, Tenn (AP/WMOT) — Senate Speaker Ron Ramsey is chiding the Tennessee Chamber of Commerce for focusing on a bill to guarantee workers the right to store firearms in vehicles parked on company lots.

The Blountville Republican acknowledged Wednesday that the guns-in-parking-lots measure involves prickly property rights issues, but said he expects to reach a compromise on the matter.

In a recent interview with WMOT, Chief Policy Officer Mark Hill was adamant about the chamber’s opposition.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Almost 90 years after the Scopes "monkey trial," the state of Tennessee is close to enacting a law that critics say renews the attack on evolution.

Republican Gov. Bill Haslam said he’ll likely sign the bill, which would protect teachers who allow students to criticize evolution and other scientific theories, such as global warming.