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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.

JACKSON, Tenn. (AP) — The Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services will create nine recovery courts to combat mental health and substance abuse issues.

The Jackson Sun reports the courts will combine the services currently found in drug courts with those of mental health courts and veterans courts.

Department Commissioner Douglas Varney says that because so many people dealing with substance abuse also have a mental health issue, the recovery courts will help them get all the help they need at one time and in one location.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP)  --  Al-Jazeera plans to open a news bureau in Nashville.The Tennessean reports (http://tnne.ws/18HPsHc) the news organization that bought Al Gore's Current TV for $500 million earlier this year has said it will begin broadcasting Al-Jazeera America sometime late this summer. The network plans news bureaus in 12 cities across the country.

Bob Wheelock, executive producer of Al-Jazeera English, confirmed Nashville as one of the bureau sites during an interview with WWJ-AM 950 in Detroit on Thursday.

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (WMOT)  --  Tennessee’s poorest students may find it harder to stay in college next year as federal sequestration budget cuts take hold.

Money for so-called Opportunity Grants, federal tuition aid reserved for the neediest students, will be reduced in the coming school year.  Federal funding for college work-study programs is also expected to fall.

According to Tennessee higher education officials, 1660 needy students could lose federal tuition assistance, while 720 students participating in work-study could lose their positions.