News

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (WMOT)  --  In 2009 Tennessee loosened laws governing the production of alcoholic beverages, leading to a dramatic rise in the number of breweries and distilleries operating in the state.

One of the newest companies is Mayday Brewery located in Murfreesboro. 

The operation is still small enough that owner Ozzie Nelson gives most of the tours. Nelson is clearly proud of his brewery and enjoys showing it off.

PARSONS, Tenn. (AP) — The brother of a young West Tennessee nursing student who was last seen walking into the woods with a man two years ago says he has been maligned.

Holly Bobo disappeared on April 13, 2011, from her family's home in Parsons. Clint Bobo saw his sister and a man wearing camouflage clothing walking away from the carport and into the woods.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — A special committee formed to suggest new names for three Memphis city parks mired in controversy has made a recommendation to the City Council.

The committee yesterday proposed new identities for parks that were formerly named in honor of the Confederacy.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP/WMOT) — State officials say a program that aims to revitalize downtown commercial districts in communities across Tennessee generated more than $82 million in private and public investment last year.

The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development says its Main Street program includes 24 towns and cities in the state.

The department says 604 jobs were generated and 107 new businesses sprang up in the 24 communities in 2012.

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (WMOT) --  Authorities are investigating two shooting deaths that took place a day apart at the same Murfreesboro home.

The first death occurred early Saturday morning at 2506 Gold Valley Drive. Police say an officer responding to a 911 call found 33 year-old Reginald Hughes shot. EMS pronounced him dead at the scene.

Investigators interviewed several people who were in the home at the time of the shooting. A statement released by police later Saturday said they were still investigating, but had tentatively ruled the death a suicide.

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (AP/WMOT) — A new survey says Middle Tennessee consumers are showing some confidence in the economy for the first time since 2008.

Middle Tennessee State University's Office of Consumer Research says mid-state consumer outlook has been gloomy since the economic downturn began. MTSU marketing professor Tim Graeff says consumer confidence began to rise again this spring, jumping from an index score of 144 to 193.

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (ANFINSON)  --  The new Tennessee Journalists Hall of Fame honored its inaugural inductees Friday.

Among the first six members named to the Hall was John Seigenthaler. He was the longtime editor and publisher of The Tennessean, the first editorial director of USA today, and founder of the First Amendment Center at Vanderbilt University.

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (WMOT)  --  Middle Tennessee continues to lead the state’s economic recovery.

The State Department of Labor says Tennessee’s unemployment rate rose in March for the third straight month, but here in the Metropolitan Nashville area, 9 of 13 counties saw their jobless rate fall, rates in three more remained flat, and rose in only one.

Of the top ten counties with Tennessee’s lowest unemployment rates, eight are located here in the mid-state.

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (WMOT)  --  Murfreesboro’s annual Main Street Jazz Fest is fast approaching.

This is the festival’s 17th year and it will kick off Friday evening, May 3 on Murfreesboro’s historic downtown square. On Saturday there will be acts performing on two stages with WMOT’s Greg Lee hosting the main stage.

Main Street Murfreesboro Director Kathleen Herzog says JazzFest features local talent Friday afternoon and evening with no less than 9 Rutherford County student jazz bands performing.

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (WMOT) – Tennessee higher education has received its first increase in general operating funds from the state in a decade.

In the legislative session just concluded, Tennessee lawmakers approved Governor Haslam’s full budget request of slightly more than $1.2 billion for the state’s universities, colleges and technical schools. The appropriation includes $78.7 million in new money, an increase of about 7 percent.