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NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — A measure that seeks to ban Tennessee public schools from teaching about gay issues is once again before lawmakers.
The proposal, dubbed the "Don't Say Gay" bill, is sponsored by Republican Rep. Joey Hensley of Hohenwald and is scheduled to be heard today in the House Education Subcommittee.

The companion bill passed the Senate last year. It limits all sexually related instruction to, as the measure reads "natural human reproduction science" in kindergarten through eighth grade.

MEMPHIS, Tenn (AP/WMOT) --  Two Tennessee newspapers have teamed up to launch PolitiFact Tennessee, part of a national organization that works to hold politicians accountable by fact-checking their statemenst and claims.

The Commercial Appeal of Memphis and the Knoxville News Sentinel will examine claims made by local, state and national officials. PolitiFact Tennessee will also track Gov. Bill Haslam's progress in meeting his campaign promises.

The papers that participate research statements by elected officials and others and rate their accuracy.

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (WMOT)  --  More than 800 area volunteers helped spruce up Nashville Fire stations and a local homeless charity over the long holiday weekend as part of the Martin Luther King Jr. National Day of Service.

The event was sponsored by Hands On Nashville and Mayor Karl Dean’s Impact Nashville initiative. Dean and Senator Bob Corker joined volunteers yesterday as they added a new coat of paint to Fire House 19.

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee's highway deaths in 2011 stayed below 1,000 for just the third time in 48 years.

Preliminary figures released by the Tennessee Department of Safety show the state had 947 traffic-related deaths last year. According to the Knoxville News Sentinel, that could make 2011 the safest year on Tennessee roads in nearly a half century.

Last year's preliminary figure is six more than the total in 1963, when the state was less populated and fewer cars were on the road.

MURFREESBORO, Tenn.  (WMOT) The Blue Raider men’s basketball team racked up its eighth straight victory last night, winning 70-59 over Florida International in Miami.

The men's team now sports a 16-2 overall record and is 5-0 in Sun Belt league action.

In their game against FIU, the Lady Raiders turned an eight-point halftime deficit into a 14-point win, rallying for a 74-60 victory last night. The MTSU ladies remain the lone team in the Sun Belt women’s basketball race with an unblemished record.

NASHVILLE, Tenn (AP) -- The state House has approved a plan to redraw the chamber's 99 districts, overriding Democrats' objections that it placed five African-American incumbents into three seats.

The chamber voted 67-25, largely along partisan lines, to approve the Republican plan yesterday.