AP/WMOT

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP/WMOT)  --  A proposal aimed at stopping Occupy Nashville protesters from staying overnight on the Capitol complex has passed the House.

The measure sponsored by Republican Rep. Eric Watson of Cleveland was approved 70-26 after a lengthy debate Thursday morning. The companion bill was to be heard on the Senate floor, but the upper chamber adjourned before hearing the legislation.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP/WMOT) — Gov. Bill Haslam is abandoning his proposal to do away with average class size restrictions in Tennessee.

The Republican governor's decision Wednesday comes amid fears raised by educators and parents that the change would lead to more classrooms being filled to capacity. 

Here’s what Rutherford County Director of Schools Harry Gill told WMOT about the Governor's bill.

"To expect more, and at the same time increase the load on teachers is ludicrous, and I think that's pretty much the consensus among superintendents."

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP/WMOT) — An attempt to move the Occupy Nashville protest from the state Capitol to the city's Public Square was short-lived.

One tent was set up on the lawn of the city government headquarters Monday night. According to an Occupy spokesperson, seven Metro Nashville police cruisers arrived at the site early Tuesday morning and officers told tent dweller Matt Hammill a local ordinance barred camping there.

Hammill packed up his tent and left.

NASHVILLE, Tenn (AP) — Gov. Bill Haslam says he hopes Tennessee's waiver from the federal No Child Left Behind education law boosts teacher morale.

President Barack Obama announced yesterday that Tennessee is among 10 states to receive the waiver.

No Child Left Behind requires all students to be proficient in reading and math by 2014, which critics say is unrealistic.

Phil Waldrop, the Associate Dean at Middle Tennessee State’s College of Education says it’s one less thing for teachers to worry about.

MURFREESBORO, Tenn (WMOT)  --  Occupy Nashville is calling for fresh protests in downtown Nashville today. The group is using social media to encourage supporters to picket at a meeting of the Tennessee Banker’s Association being held at the Renaissance Hotel.

Occupy protesters are upset over a $25 billion dollar settlement announced yesterday between the federal government, 49 states, and five of the nation’s top mortgage lenders for loan abuses in recent years. Tennessee will reportedly receive $146 million dollars as part of the deal.

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (AP/WMOT) — Tennessee will receive 146 million dollars as part of a settlement with the nation’s five largest mortgage lenders over foreclosure abuses.

Federal officials say the lenders will pony up a total of $25 billion to be shared among 49 states. Oklahoma is the lone holdout.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The sponsor of a bill that would make it a felony to harbor or transport an illegal immigrant has withdrawn the measure from consideration.

The bill had been scheduled for a vote in the House Judiciary Committee Tuesday.

Immigrants' rights activists claimed victory for the change. A Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition spokesman says members and supporters asked their legislators to oppose the measure.

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP/WMOT) — Teachers and lobbyists would be penalized for defaulting on student loans under legislation headed to the governor for his consideration.

The measure sponsored by Republican Rep. Charles Sargent of Franklin passed the House 70-24 last week. The companion bill was approved in the Senate 32-1 last year.

According to the Knoxville News Sentinel, under the proposal individuals could lose the right to practice their professions if they default.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP/WMOT) — This is Tennessee's annual Earthquake Awareness Week, which includes the second annual Great Central U.S. ShakeOut drill.

The drill at 10:15 a.m. Tuesday morning will mark the 200th anniversary of the largest of the great New Madrid earthquakes of 1811 and 1812, which created West Tennessee's Reelfoot Lake.

A spokesman for Tennessee Emergency Management says, even this far east, we will feel a big quake’s impact.

NASHVILLE, Tenn (AP/WMOT) — A proposal that seeks to prevent Occupy Nashville protesters from staying overnight on the plaza next to the state Capitol advanced in the Tennessee General Assembly yesterday.

The measure sponsored by Republican Rep. Eric Watson of Cleveland was approved on a voice vote in the House Judiciary Subcommittee. The companion bill is awaiting a vote in the Senate Judiciary Committee.