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MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (WMOT)  --  Tennessee sales tax collections rose almost 9 percent in April, signaling that the pace of the state’s economic recovery is accelerating.

In some parts of the Tennessee, sales tax receipts have now exceeded the pre-recession highs of 2007.  While that’s good news, economists at Middle Tennessee State University caution the numbers are somewhat deceiving.

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (WMOT)  --  A video created by a Woodbury woman is getting national and international attention.

Lacey Buchanan recently recorded a simple, home-made video about her son Christian. The boy was born with severe birth defects. Christian has no eyes and a cleft lip and palette were repaired soon after birth.

Buchanan uses hand drawn note-cards and family photos to tell baby Christian’s story during the seven minute video.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Up to 150 Memphis City Schools teachers could be fired over performance issues.

The Commercial Appeal is reporting that teachers are starting to get notices of termination. According to their contract, teachers must be notified by June 15 if they’re not being retained for the following academic year.

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (NELSON)  --  Three Mid-State students recently won a recording competition against competitors from some of the nation’s top schools.

Middle Tennessee State University Recording Industry majors Taylor Bray, Jeff Braun, and Grant Hartford took first place in the “Fantastic Scholastic Recording Competition” sponsored by the Shure Company.

The MTSU team won with a recording of an original composition called “Falliday” by aspiring singer-song writer, Rebecca Roubion.

Winning team member Taylor Bray gives MTSU faculty most of the credit.

MURFREESBORO, Tenn (WMOT)  --  State legislators recently wrapped up the work of the 107th Tennessee General Assembly and WMOT is asking newsmakers from across the political spectrum to share their impressions of the session.

Today we hear the views of Gera Summerford, president of the state’s largest teacher’s union, the Tennessee Education Association.

Summerford says that, compared to last year when the legislature enacted a number of measures the TEA opposed, this most recent session was far less confrontational.