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MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (WMOT)  --  WMOT News is asking news makers from across the political spectrum to comment on the just ended 107th Tennessee General Assembly. Today the views of State Democratic Party Communications Director Brandon Puttbrese.

While this legislative session was the first in decades that Tennessee Democrats found themselves in the minority, Puttbrese says the Party did enjoy some legislative victories.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — State officials are promoting motorcycle safety awareness month as motorcycle fatalities rise in Tennessee.

Thirty-eight motorcyclists have died in state crashes this year, up 31 percent from 2011.

Tennessee Department of Transportation spokesperson Deanna Lambert says the unseasonably warm weather may be partially to blame for the increase.

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (WMOT)  --  WMOT News is giving community leaders from across the political spectrum a chance to comment on the just completed 107th Tennessee General Assembly. Today we look at the the views of Hedy Weinberg, Director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Tennessee.

Weinberg counts the demise of the so-called “Don’t Say Gay,” bill as a legislative victory for the ACLU. The bill would have muzzled Tennessee teachers on the topic of homosexuality. Even though the bill failed, Weinberg believes its consideration has damaged the state.

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (AP) — Attorneys in the murder trial of a former Middle Tennessee State University freshman who stabbed to death her roommate presented very different pictures of the problems that lead to a deadly fight last year.

Lawyers gave those differing views during opening statements Wednesday in the murder trial of Shanterrica Madden. The 19-year-old is accused of stabbing her former roommate to death, MTSU basketball player Tina Stewart.

Madden, who is charged with first-degree murder, is claiming that she acted in self-defense.

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (AP) — The trial of a Middle Tennessee State University freshman who stabbed her roommate to death last year is scheduled to begin on Wednesday.

Nineteen-year-old Shanterrica Madden has said she acted in self-defense when she killed Tina Stewart during a fight in their off-campus apartment on March 2, 2011.

Madden has said the fight happened when Stewart called police on her after she brought home a friend who was smoking marijuana.

Madden is charged with first-degree murder in the death of the 21-year-old Lady Raiders junior guard.

MURFREESBRO, Tenn. [NELSON]    ---   A Middle Tennessee State University professor is launching a new film that’s already proved controversial. 

Dr. Bob Pondillo’s film, “The Miracles on Honey Bee Hill,” debuts Tuesday and will get the red carpet treatment at Belcourt Theater. 

The short 23-minute film focuses on the thorny issue of gay marriage and features child actors.

An early version of “Miracles” was recently shown at MTSU and offended a student, who then brought the film to the attention of state senator Bill Ketron.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP/WMOT) — A large group of Middle Tennessee veterans are getting an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington D.C.

About 100 vets and their guardians will depart from Nashville International Airport today on a so-called “honor flight” to visit the World War II Memorial  in the nation’s capital.

The Nashville non-profit Music City Honor Flight is paying for the excursion as a way to thank the veterans for their war-time service.