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How Flooding Affects Tennessee
Story by Maddy Williams / Contributing Writer Flooding in Tennessee continues to worsen because of climate change’s ever-present hold on the environment. As tornado season approaches, flooding will likely increase, so Tennessee residents must be mindful of potential flood damage and ways to stay safe. Humphrey County saw extensive flood damage last fall. The 17 …

Governor Lee Proposes Budget, Includes Funds for HOPE and MTSU Renovations
Story by Zoe Naylor / Contributing Writer Governor Bill Lee presented his proposed 2022-23 budget to the Tennessee General Assembly on Jan. 31. If approved by the General Assembly, the budget would prioritize “good jobs, great schools, and safe neighborhoods,” according to Lee’s website. Proposed in the budget are $1.1 billion in capital improvements funding for …

Three MTSU Latinos Discuss How American Media Platforms Criminalize Latino Immigrants
Story and photos by Ashley Barrientos Innumerable studies have confirmed that Latinos and immigrants— both documented and undocumented— have been heavily criminalized throughout different media platforms for generations. Research also suggests that by using language and coded images, different media outlets have indirectly contributed to the rhetoric against Latines and the immigrant community— specifically, Latino …

Vibe Check: New Coffee Shop Opens on the Square
Story and photos by Kailee Shores / Contributing Writer Red Bicycle Coffee and Crepes opened a second Murfreesboro location on the square on Friday. The grand opening was on Friday, but the shop did a soft open on both Wednesday and Thursday. The coffee shop is just a three-minute drive from campus and has a …

Rise of Sex Trafficking in Tennessee
Story by Destiny Mizell / Contributing Writer In recent years, there has been a rise in sex trafficking in Middle Tennessee. Sex trafficking is a form of modern-day slavery. A U.S. Department of State fact sheet from January defined sex trafficking as “the range of activities involved when a trafficker uses force, fraud, or coercion …

Rutherford County Celebrities Compete in Read to Succeed Spelling Bee
Story by Gus Wright / Contributing Writer Photos by Aubrey Salm / Contributing Writer and Photographer The 15th Annual Read To Succeed Spelling Bee took place Thursday night, intending to have fun with local celebrities and promote literacy. Read to Succeed recognized a loss they suffered this year, with Paul Vaughan, a senior contributor to …