AP/WMOT

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.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP/WMOT) — Strong thunderstorms are expected to develop across Tennessee today and tonight and some could become severe.

The National Weather Service says stormy weather will move into the state this afternoon as a squall line moves eastward out of Arkansas.

Nashville based meteorologist Tom Johnstone says the biggest risk is in West Tennessee as the storm’s squall line moves across the state.

BOSTON (AP/WMOT) — Boston police commissioner Ed Davis says the number of people injured in yesterday’s bombing has risen to 176, with 17 of those in critical condition

Three people were killed, including an 8-year-old boy.

More than 260 Tennesseans were registered to run in the Boston Marathon, including a large contingent from the mid-state. There were more than 50 runners registered for the race from Nashville, 17 from Franklin, 13 from Clarksville and 10 from Murfreesboro.

There are currently no reports of injuries among race participants from Tennessee.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP/WMOT) — Country artist and Middle Tennessee resident Brad Paisley has stirred controversy with the release of his song "Accidental Racist.”

The song is a collaboration with artist LL Cool J and focuses on racial perceptions. “Accidental Racist” has drawn the ire of both the country and urban music worlds.

Paisley, a Franklin resident, says he wrote the song after someone called him racist for wearing a t-shirt with a Confederate flag in the logo.

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (AP/WMOT)  --  A delegation from Middle Tennessee was in the nation’s capital yesterday for a pro-immigration reform rally held on the grounds of the capital building.

Thousands took part in yesterday’s rally in Washington D.C. Thousands more participated in rallies in 18 state capitals.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP/WMOT) — Authorities say a 4-year-old shot and killed the wife of a Wilson County sheriff's deputy over the weekend.

The shooting took place inside the Lebanon home of Deputy Daniel Fanning. Authorities say the deputy and a friend were looking at firearms in a bedroom when a 4-year-old, who was also in the room, picked up a gun and pulled the trigger.

The weapon was loaded and discharged once and hitting Josephine Fanning. The deputy’s 48-year-old wife was pronounced dead at the scene.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP/WMOT) —  A bill that will limit the way Tennessee law enforcement agencies can use unmanned drone aircraft is advancing in the state legislature.

Drones are a hot topic both in Congress and on the state levels as the technology has rapidly outpaced regulations on the use of remotely piloted aircraft domestically.

The bill's sponsor, Senator Mae Beavers, says the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, as well as the Nashville and Memphis Police Departments are already using drones.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The current session of the Tennessee legislature is moving into its final weeks.

With the Tennessee Republican Party holding a super majority in both chambers of the legislature, a fairly low-key session might have been expected. Instead, a number of contentious issues have roiled the 108th Tennessee General Assembly.

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP/WMOT) — Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning and his wife plan to donate $500,000 to the Pat Summitt Foundation.

The commitment by Peyton and Ashley Manning represents the largest gift announcement made to the foundation since it was created in 2011. The charity was organized to help fight Alzheimer's disease.

Patrick Wade, the foundation's director, says some of that money will stay right here in Tennessee to conduct dementia research.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP/WMOT) — Crime on Tennessee's college campuses has dropped slightly, but a new report by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation shows the number of assaults increased at the state's institutions of higher learning.

The TBI report shows that crime on campus decreased overall by about four percent between 2011 and 2012, but assaults increased by nearly 14 percent over the same period.