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NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP/WMOT)  WMOT News told you yesterday about the American Civil Liberties Union and the Sumner County Board of Education settling a law suit claiming the system was promoting Christianity.

In a consent decree announced earlier this week schools officials agreed to a long list of changes.  However, David French, the attorney who represented the school system in the case, downplayed the scope of those changes when he spoke with WMOT.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The American Civil Liberties Union and the Sumner County Board of Education have settled a law suit claiming educators there were promoting Christianity.

Under a consent decree announced yesterday, schools officials are not allowed to proselytize, religious symbols and items have to be kept out of sight, course material must have a clear educational purpose and school officials can’t encourage or solicit prayer at school functions.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee’s international exports are way up and the state wants to push them still higher.

A new government initiative to boost exports called TNTrade was announced yesterday. TNTrade is designed to help small and medium businesses increase their exports.

Under the program, eligible businesses will receive a reimbursement equal to half of any one-time export-related expense such as consultant fees or trade show participation. The maximum reimbursement amount is $5,000 per company.

BRENTWOOD, Tenn. (AP/WMOT)  A Nashville-area woman has been honored as an inspiration for her work with needy children in Africa.

Beliefnet, an online site focusing on spirituality, chose Katie Davis of Brentwood for its Editor's Choice Award. 

After traveling to Uganda in 2006 when she was just 16, Davis started a ministry two years later that matches children there with sponsors worldwide who donate funds to pay for their schooling.

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - A proposed reduction in state-funded college scholarships worries students and administrators at some of Tennessee's small private institutions.

Projections show the HOPE scholarship fund will be operating in the red within a few years. A legislative task force was convened to suggest solutions.

Their recommendation to legislators is to reduced scholarship payouts by requiring applicants to meet both the high school grade point and college entrance exam benchmarks to get the full award.