NASHVILLE, Tenn. (OSBORNE) -- A new report says Nashville’s tech sector is booming.

The technology trade group Comptia says the Metro area added more than 2500 new tech jobs in 2018. That’s a 4.2 percent increase over the previous year.

Comptia’s Steven Ostrowski says that kind of growth puts Nashville in some impressive company.

“Only behind some of the bigger markets. San Francisco is first, of course, but then Charlotte, Raleigh, Orlando, Nashville. So they outperformed a lot of other cities around the country.”

DALLAS (AP) — The bounce-back effort by Ben Bishop after a tough game didn't surprise Dallas Stars coach Jim Montgomery.

Dallas also got a power boost to go with Bishop's 34 saves, scoring three power-play goals in the first period on the way to a 5-1 victory over the Nashville Predators on Wednesday night to even the best-of-seven series at two games each.

"It was nice to see the power play do it in such a dominant fashion," Montgomery said.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee lawmakers have struck a deal that would limit community oversight boards that investigate police misconduct but maintain limited subpoena power.

A House-Senate panel voted Monday for legislation that would allow subpoenas only if an oversight board receives its city council's approval. The bill still requires full House and Senate votes.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — A Tennessee proposal to penalize some voter registration groups with fines for too many faulty signups and criminal charges for violating new requirements has cleared the House.

Monday's vote bucked some voting rights groups, who fear a chilling effect on Tennessee's already-low turnout.

It next heads to the Senate floor.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (OSBORNE) -- The Metro Police Department is launching a program that will provide victims of hate crimes a safe place to wait until officers arrive.

Metro LGBTQ liaison officer Katie Poole announced Thursday that four downtown businesses have agreed to be designated shelters in the city’s Safe Space Program.

Officer Poole says it's an idea that MNPD borrowed from Seattle.

WASHINGTON, DC. (OSBORNE) -- Tennessee Senator Marsha Blackburn is proposing legislation that would force internet service providers to offer “clear and conspicuous notice of their privacy policies.”

Blackburn’s proposal would also mandate users be given “opt-in” choices about how their personal information is used. Companies would not be permitted to deny service to customers who “refuse to waive their privacy rights.”

During Senate hearings Wednesday, Blackburn also suggested a stronger role for federal regulators.

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (OSBORNE) -- Murfreesboro Police are investigating an explosion at an apartment complex popular with students located just north of Middle Tennessee State University.

Police say no one was injured in the explosion that occurred just before sunrise.

Investigators say the blast may possibly have been caused by an improvised explosive device.

Minor damage to a single apartment has been reported. MPD says the area has been cordoned off and part of the apartment complex evacuated.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee is removing one state court's review before executing inmates under legislation signed by Republican Gov. Bill Lee.

With Lee's approval Tuesday, Tennessee in July will begin skipping the state Court of Criminal Appeals and provide automatic state Supreme Court death penalty reviews.

Lee spokeswoman Laine Arnold has said the governor was deferring to the Legislature's will on the legislation.