AP/WMOT

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (AP/WMOT)  --  Bonnaroo released a  new economic impact study Monday indicating the annual music festival contributes more than $50 million dollars to Middle Tennessee’s economy each year.

Greyhill Associates of New York conducted the study, which says festival goers directly spend about $36 million annually, while also generating indirect expenditures amounting to $15 million.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP/WMOT) — Metro Nashville held a ribbon cutting ceremony Monday morning for its new Music City Center convention facility.

The official opening actually came at the end of festivities marking the center’s completion.

Officials say about 15,000 visitors toured the new facility Sunday, enjoying tours, live music, and even an indoor zip line.

The city set an ambitious goal of booking conventions for the facility representing one-million hotel room nights before the convention center opened. Mayor Dean says that goal has been met.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Governor Bill Haslam has signed two bills that received a lot of attention in the most recent legislative session.

Haslam announced today that he's signed the latest revision to Tennessee's ignition interlock law. It will now apply to more drunken drivers.

Currently, ignition-locking devices, which force drivers to pass breath tests to start vehicles and keep them running, are required for DUI offenders whose blood alcohol level topped 0.15 percent.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP/WMOT) — Many of the recently released case files of children who died or nearly died after being under the supervision of the Tennessee Department of Children's Services were not filled out until months after a child's death.

The Tennessean has now reviewed 36 of the 42 records of cases released at a hearing on Friday by a Davidson County judge. The newspaper also found that many of the records lacked legally required information.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee’s attorney general says legislation requiring anyone recording images of animal abuse to submit unedited footage or photos to law enforcement within 48 hours is constitutionally suspect.<?xml:namespace prefix = o />

Attorney General Robert Cooper says in an opinion issued yesterday that the bill is questionable on three grounds, including that its "reporting requirement could be found to constitute an unconstitutional burden on news gathering. "

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP/WMOT) — Longtime state senator Doug Henry will not seek re-election next year.

The Tennessean reports that Henry's political ally attorney Nick Bailey sent an email to Henry's supporters yesterday announcing the 86-year-old Nashville Democrat's decision. Bailey says Henry will serve the remainder of his term.

Henry was the longtime chairman of the powerful Senate Finance Committee until Republicans took control of the upper chamber in 2007 and party spokesman Brandon Puttbrese says his decades of public service are deeply appreciated.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP/WMOT) — The Tennessee Department of Health is urging people to protect themselves from viruses transmitted by mosquitoes. Last year Tennessee experienced 33 human cases of West Nile virus, including one in December.

Health Department spokesman Dr. Abelardo Moncayo says four out of five people with West Nile won't show symptoms, but others will develop severe illness that can result in permanent neurological damage or even death.

WASHINGTON (AP/WMOT) — The U.S. Senate has passed a bill that could end tax-free shopping on the Internet for many shoppers. Tennessee Senator Lamar Alexander is a prime sponsor of the measure.

The bill now goes to the House where it faces opposition from some lawmakers who regard it as a tax increase.

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. (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.