Business

Trailblazing state House Speaker Beth Harwell took a few moments before receiving a special award from MTSU Thursday (March 21) to share stories of other women who blazed a trail across Tennessee in the past three-plus centuries.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP/WMOT) — Tennessee's unemployment rate for February was 7.8 percent, up a tenth from January’s figure.

The state's jobless rate has risen the past two months, up from 7.6 percent in December.

The Department of Labor’s Jeff Hentschel says at least some of the increase can be attributed to seasonal factors.

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (WMOT) --  It’s looking more and more like Middle Tennessee’s housing market has turned the corner.

Candy Joyce is with the Middle Tennessee Association of Realtors.

“The phones are ringing, people are buying, investment properties are moving and folks are ready to get back in the market again.”

Joyce says that in Rutherford County the average home sales price has jumped $6,000 in the past year to more than $163,000. She also says the average time a home stays on the market is falling.

Middle Tennessee State University alternative fuels researcher Dr. Cliff Ricketts sits behind the wheel of a car knowing full well that he is less than 24 hours from achieving a career goal.

Should all go as planned, Ricketts a longtime agriculture faculty member and 35-year alternative fuels researcher, will complete a 2,600-mile journey without using any gasoline. It’s possible he may be the first person ever to achieve this feat. Follow on Twitter @WeilerRandy.

MADISONVILLE, Tenn. (AP/WMOT) — A private East Tennessee college says middle class students are being priced out of higher education and has decided to reduce tuition in response.

Hiwassee College in Madisonville voted to reduce the student tuition cost by $6,000 per year, resulting in a $24,000 saving on a four-year degree.

Hiwassee spokesman Todd Littleton says the move will help middle class families who earn too much to qualify for financial aid, but not enough to afford private college for their children.