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The Student News Site of Middle Tennessee State University

MTSU Sidelines
The Student News Site of Middle Tennessee State University

MTSU Sidelines
All content by Kailee Shores
A sign reminding voters to have their Tennessee or federal photo ID ready in order to vote at Central Magnet School on November 5, 2024. (Photo by Bailey Brantingham)

MTSU out-of-state students registered to vote in Tennessee misunderstand ID requirements, forced to vote provisionally

Bailey Brantingham, Noah McLane, Alyssa Williams, and Kailee Shores
November 5, 2024
Citizens receive an "I Voted" sticker after they vote in an election in Tennessee. (Photo by Makayla Boling)

Rutherford County voting precinct housing MTSU clocks lowest early voting turnout

Kailee Shores, Editor-in-chief
October 22, 2024
The MTSU obelisk sits on the border of campus in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. (Photo by Brian Branch)

Note from the Editor: A call for stories

Kailee Shores
October 7, 2024
Verlon Thompson and Jaimee Harris share the stage at City Winery on Sept. 17 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Noah McLane)

Photo gallery: AmericanaFest 2024

Bailey Brantingham, Noah McLane, and Kailee Shores
September 23, 2024
Photo from Big Hassle Media.

AmericanaFest 2024: 10 music newbies and notables you can’t miss

Kailee Shores
September 16, 2024
During a study abroad trip to Japan, MTSU students attended a ninja and samurai training. Photo courtesy of Lillian Chapman.

MTSU in Japan: Students dive into business and culture during study abroad

Kailee Shores
July 29, 2024
Students and faculty look on as Larry Burriss, professor in the School of Journalism and Strategic Media, gives a short speech. Photo by Kailee Shores.

MTSU School of Journalism and Strategic Media hosts 50th anniversary celebration

Kailee Shores
April 19, 2024

Sidelines: The Weekly Newsletter

Kailee Shores
February 16, 2024
"Mean Girls" the musical wardrobe design: Is Generation Z misrepresented?

“Mean Girls” the musical wardrobe design: Is Generation Z misrepresented?

Kailee Shores
January 31, 2024

Everyone experiences burn out, but results may vary by personality type

Kailee Shores
December 10, 2023

Tips and tricks for dealing with finals week burnout

Kailee Shores
December 10, 2023
The americana duo The Secret Sisters headlined this year's WMOT Raider Rewind Concert, which was fully produced by students. Photo by Serena Vasudeva.

WMOT celebrates MTSU Recording Industry program’s 50th anniversary with student-run concert

Kailee Shores
November 27, 2023
Representatives of the United Campus Workers at MTSU met with President McPhee to discuss a shift from monthly to biweekly pay. Photo by Ethan Schmidt.

UCW delegation discuss biweekly pay with President McPhee

Kailee Shores
November 15, 2023
Police investigate separate robbery and shooting incidents near campus

Police investigate separate robbery and shooting incidents near campus

Kailee Shores
November 9, 2023
Students for Environmental Action went on a hike together. Photo via Tom Smith.

SEA circulates petition to increase MTSU’s sustainable campus fee

Kailee Shores
November 7, 2023
Entrance to Middle Tennessee State University campus at East Main and Old Main Circle. (MTSU photo)

Murfreesboro confronts MTSU over deteriorating rental properties

Kailee Shores
November 7, 2023
Photo by Aiden O'Neill

Economic crisis creates overwhelming rent costs for young adults

Kailee Shores
November 7, 2023
Rep. Aftyn Behn speaks to the MTSU Department of Social Work about macro social work. MTSU National Association of Social Workers Ambassador Erin Sheehan organized the event. Photo by Ethan Schmidt.

Rep. Aftyn Behn discusses social work and politics with MTSU’s department of social work

Kailee Shores
November 7, 2023
Photo by Angel Perez. The incident at Peck Hall on Nov. 1 brought police, EMT and fire and rescue first responders to the scene.

MTSU contract worker found dead inside Peck Hall

Kailee Shores
November 1, 2023
Editors' note

Editors’ note

Kailee Shores
October 31, 2023
MTSU is renewing efforts to change the name of Forrest Hall. Photo by Noah McLane.

MTSU has initial hearing with Tennessee Historical Commission in second attempt to rename Forrest Hall

Kailee Shores
October 24, 2023
MTSU history professor Amy Sayward holds her friend Farris Morris' painting. Morris is an inmate on death row. Photo by Kailee Shores

An unlikely friendship: A history professor and an inmate on death row

Kailee Shores
October 17, 2023
Entrance to Middle Tennessee State University campus at East Main and Old Main Circle. (MTSU photo)

MTSU football employee charged with exposing himself and resisting arrest

Kailee Shores
October 16, 2023
Evan Scandrett, an audio production major at MTSU, recently used an artificial intelligence tool, Chat GPT-4, to write a song. He was impressed, for the most part. Photo by Isabella Gutierrez

MTSU student cowrites song set in El Paso with ChatGPT-4

Kailee Shores
October 13, 2023
As fall passes by, seasonal affective disorder looms.

Seasonal depression is right around the corner. Here are some tips to combat it.

Kailee Shores
October 12, 2023
Her pink dress shimmering in the spotlight on the stage of the Grand Ole Opry, MTSU alumna Jaelee Roberts performs a solo set at the iconic venue on September 19. She graduated with a commercial songwriting degree in August. (Photo courtesy of Jaelee Roberts)

MTSU alumna makes solo debut at the Opry

Kailee Shores
October 12, 2023
MTSU President Sidney A. McPhee (left) shakes Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee's hand (right). (Photo by Noah McLane)

Gov. Lee, MTSU President McPhee announce Shelbyville airport as new home for aerospace program

Kailee Shores
September 24, 2023
Photo by Jenene Grover

Constitution Week at MTSU: an annual celebration

Kailee Shores
September 21, 2023
Classroom doors are now to be locked at all times, causing class disruption anytime a student needs to leave and return. Photo by Brian Branch

MTSU’s new “locked classroom” policy spawns questions and difficulties

Kailee Shores
September 21, 2023
True crime podcaster and private investigator Catherine Townsend spoke at MTSU as a part of the distinguished lecture series. Photo by Angel Perez.

True Crime podcaster visits MTSU

Kailee Shores
September 14, 2023
(Photo by Kailee Shores)

Remembering Sept. 11, 2001

Kailee Shores
September 12, 2023
Photo by Noah McLane

Three men from MTSU Campus Outreach Ministry indicted

Kailee Shores
September 3, 2023
MTSU is renewing efforts to change the name of Forrest Hall. Photo by Noah McLane.

Why, in 2023, does MTSU still have a building named after a Confederate icon?

Kailee Shores
September 1, 2023
Trevor Shannon has been communicating via American Sign Language all of his life. He is a CODA (child of deaf adults) and has been signing at music festivals and other performances for several years.

ASL at Bonnaroo: A performance in and of itself

Kailee Shores
June 21, 2023
Taylor Balkissoon, a tarot card reader, listens intently to a young woman at Bonnaroo. Hundreds of people visited Balkissoon’s tent at the music festival for a reading of the cards. Each one hoped to have a glimpse of their future or to better understand their past.

Fortune at Bonnaroo: Tarot card readings in Outeroo

Kailee Shores
June 21, 2023
Sheryl Crow had the Bonnaroo crowd at the What Stage up and dancing during her late afternoon set on June 17, 2023.

Bonnaroo: Thousands “Soak up the sun” at Sheryl Crow’s performance

Kailee Shores
June 19, 2023
Rapper Yung Gravy answers questions about his rising career and explains how he happened to fall off a stage in late May at an Alabama festival. He broke a wrist in the process.

Yung Gravy at Bonnaroo: “The fans make everything worth it.”

Kailee Shores
June 19, 2023
AFI vocalist Davey Havok bends to the audience as he sings to an appreciative audience at Bonnaroo’s What Stage on June 16, 2023. Guitarist Jade Puget is in the background.

Bonnaroo: AFI photo gallery

Kailee Shores
June 19, 2023
Planet Roo houses Bonnaroo's only solar-powered How Stage.

Planet Roo: Bonnaroo’s environmental impact

Kailee Shores
June 19, 2023
The Ratliff family from Richmond, Virginia made the trek to Bonnaroo this year. (From left) Aurora, Julia, Odin (front) and Graham (back) Ratliff enjoy the live music for Father's Day weekend.

Bonnaroo: Father’s Day on The Farm

Kailee Shores
June 19, 2023
Odesza’s performance at the What Stage, Bonnaroo’s main event stage drew well over 30,000 festival attendees to their set. The EDM group headlined this years festival along with two other EDM acts.

Bonnaroo’s EDM scene is growing

Kailee Shores
June 19, 2023
Singer-songwriter Katie Boeck (right) performs at the Café Stage, accompanied members of the Pitch Band.

Special band helps Bonnaroo fans make their own music 

Kailee Shores
June 19, 2023
The crocodile hunters, from left to right: Amanda Ruesch, Connor Gibney, Ben Lowden, Max Himelhoch, Jordan Sykes, Ian Mcgraw, Sam Gray.

People of Bonnaroo

Kailee Shores
June 19, 2023
Pyrotechnics were part of Three 6 Mafia’s hour-long set at Bonnaroo on June 16, 2023.

Bonnaroo 2023: Three 6 Mafia photo gallery

Kailee Shores
June 18, 2023
Virginia Slim Jim (left) and Otto Von Blotto (right) are the officiants of the Roo weddings and have married nearly 50 couples this Bonnaroo. Their extravagance and commitment to spreading love make getting married at Bonnaroo a special experience.

Saying “I do” at Bonnaroo’s House of Matrimony

Kailee Shores
June 18, 2023
Tik Tok favorite Noah Kahan’s debut performance at Bonaroo was a hit with his fans. His songs, many written from his life experiences, drew an appreciative audience.

Crowds for Noah Kahan spilled out of That Tent at Bonnaroo

Kailee Shores
June 18, 2023
Bonnaroovians take part in waving the parachute, sending a rainbow of plastic balls soaring through the air. (Taken by Brian Branch)

The Parachute People provide a chance to play at Bonnaroo

Kailee Shores
June 18, 2023
Music venues at night are lit up in bright lights.

Bonnaroo: Life on The Farm

Kailee Shores
June 18, 2023
Standing under the large Bonnaroo arch, Austin Donohue asked his longtime girlfriend, Hayley Durant to marry him. She said, “Yes,” making the couple one of many over the years who became engaged during the music festival. Photo by Jordan Reining.

Roo Romance: She said yes!

Kailee Shores
June 17, 2023
Butler Touchton has been coming to Bonnaroo for 14 years. Over the years all four of his children have attended with him. In 2023, he was joined by his daughter Georgia and son James. Photo by Noah McLane.

Murfreesboro family takes on Bonnaroo for over a decade

Kailee Shores
June 17, 2023
Maggie Arthur (left) and Lena Charity-Shapira pose in The Academy building at Bonnaroo, an area of the music festival where they gave a presentation on social justice issues including sexism, racism and ableism. Photo by Zoe Naylor.

Calling All Crows: Prevention and reduction of sexual violence at Bonnaroo

Kailee Shores
June 17, 2023
As storm clouds gather in the distance, hundreds of Bonnaroovians find relief from the afternoon heat in the fountain area of The Farm in Manchester on the opening day of Bonnaroo 2023. (Photo by Brian Branch.)

Bonnaroo 2023 overtakes Manchester, TN June 15-18

Kailee Shores
June 17, 2023
Wanda Wesolowsko is volunteering at Bonnaroo for Headcount to get people registered to vote. Photo by Kaleigh Young.

Activism at Bonnaroo: Planet Roo

Kailee Shores
June 17, 2023
Reps. Jones and Pearson Reinstated to Original Positions

Reps. Jones and Pearson Reinstated to Original Positions

Kailee Shores
April 17, 2023
Demonstrators rally for strengthened gun laws on the Franklin Public Square. (Photo by Ethan Schmidt)

Rally on Franklin Public Square Calls for Strengthened Gun Laws

Kailee Shores
April 17, 2023
Trump was indicted by a grand jury in Manhattan on Thursday. He is the first former president who has been formally charged. (Photo by Jenene Grover)

Trump Indictment: the first ex-president to be formally charged

Kailee Shores
March 31, 2023
The Luminara Ceremony at the Relay for Life event involved students and cancer survivors walking laps around the MTSU Rec Center's indoor basketball courts. (Photo by Noah McLane)

MTSU holds Relay for Life event in the Campus Rec Center

Kailee Shores
March 29, 2023
Tennessee's third grade retention law goes into effect this year: what does the MTSU College of Education have to say?

Tennessee’s third grade retention law goes into effect this year: what does the MTSU College of Education have to say?

Kailee Shores
March 29, 2023
New leadership for the Rutherford County Democratic Party is sworn in to their positions after the meeting concludes. (Photo by Jenene Grover)

Rutherford County Democratic Party elects new executive chair

Kailee Shores
March 21, 2023
Megan Hollis, an X-ray and laboratory technician in MTSU Student Health Services, continues the lab work process for an MTSU student seen by a nurse on March 17, 2019 in the Student Health, Wellness and Recreation Center. (MTSU photo and caption by J. Intintoli)

The third anniversary of the COVID-19 pandemic is upon us

Kailee Shores
March 13, 2023
Freshman Council and SGA Senate Hold Joint Session For the First Time This Semester

Freshman Council and SGA Senate Hold Joint Session For the First Time This Semester

Kailee Shores
March 7, 2023
Chat GPT is changing the way colleges look at online learning

Chat GPT is changing the way colleges look at online learning

Kailee Shores
March 7, 2023
Two new senators, Jeremiah Vincent and Macy Franks, were inaugurated, and one, Elena Dupree, was welcomed back. (Photo by Gus Wright)

SGA Recap, Feb. 23

Kailee Shores
February 26, 2023
Sen. Edward W. Brooke (Photo Courtesy of United States Congress)

MTSU professor brings to life an instrumental but little known senator and civil rights activist through research

Kailee Shores
February 25, 2023
(Photo by Kailee Shores)

Depolarizing America: National Divorce?

Kailee Shores
February 24, 2023
Photo by Reggie Johnson

Putin’s War

Kailee Shores
February 24, 2023
Tennessee Speaker of the House Cameron Sexton and Lt. Gov. Randy McNally spoke on the current state of Tennessee and the agenda for Gov. Lee's second term. (Photo by Jenene Grover)

Tennessee Legislature passes bills restricting gender affirming care for minors and drag show performances

Kailee Shores
February 24, 2023
Beanie's MTSU-blue high-top Chuck Taylors. (Photo via Beanie Secrest)

Celebrating MTSU’s first female Black basketball player

Kailee Shores
February 23, 2023
President Jada Powell called the Feb. 9 meeting to order. (Photo by Gus Wright)

SGA Recap, Feb. 9

Kailee Shores
February 20, 2023
Campus Crossings is now Albion at Murfreesboro and is moving away from student style housing. (Photo by Kailee Shores)

Campus Crossings under new management, student housing landscape changing

Kailee Shores
February 20, 2023
The Colorado River is nearing its breaking point despite state and federal efforts to develop a plan to cut down on water usage. (Photo by Noah McLane)

The Colorado River is in crisis

Kailee Shores
February 13, 2023
Racist graffiti was found on a whiteboard in Cummings Hall at MTSU. (Photo by Kailee Shores)

Racist graffiti found in Cummings Hall at MTSU

Kailee Shores
February 13, 2023
Senators Delquan Dorsey Jr., Lily Bethwoods and Logan J. Mcvey were sworn in at the SGA meeting on Thursday. (Photo by Gus Wright.)

SGA Recap, Feb. 2

Kailee Shores
February 6, 2023
The P.O.D. in the Bragg building has been closed since the beginning of the semester. (Photo by Kailee Shores)

Why is the Bragg P.O.D. closed?

Kailee Shores
February 2, 2023
Gov. Bill Lee discussed the deeply contested school voucher plan in his State of the State Address in February. (Photo by Kailee Shores)

Ticketmaster and LiveNation investigated by U.S. Senate for possible monopoly on live music

Kailee Shores
February 2, 2023
Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett visited MTSU's SGA on Thursday. (Photo by Gus Wright)

SGA Recap, Jan. 26

Kailee Shores
January 31, 2023
Turning Point USA hosted a rally on the Murfreesboro square on Saturday. (Photo by Kendall Burrill)

Turning Point USA rallies on Murfreesboro square, LGBTQIA+ community turns out in protest

Kailee Shores
January 30, 2023
(Photo by Kailee Shores)

Depolarizing America: Take a walk in someone’s ideological shoes

Kailee Shores
January 27, 2023
Congress is inching towards the debt ceiling. (Photo by Kailee Shores)

U.S. is quickly approaching the debt ceiling: What happens if it is hit?

Kailee Shores
January 26, 2023
Gov Bill Lee takes the oath of office on Saturday, Jan 21, marking the beginning of his second term. (Photo by Jenene Grover)

Tennessee Gov Bill Lee sworn in for second term

Kailee Shores
January 26, 2023
Pictured during the recent winter break are Calliope, Joseph, Amanda, Raquel, and Gabriela Fisher. The siblings are all MTSU students. The youngest, Raquel, says, “I love college. I feel very, very comfortable here.”

From Mexico to Middle Tennessee, the Fisher Siblings take on MTSU

Kailee Shores
January 26, 2023
Every seat in Tucker Theater was filled for the special event. (Photo by Makayla Sulcer)

Grammy winning musician Peter Frampton held free concert at Tucker Theater

Kailee Shores
January 24, 2023
Dr. Zakiya Leggett and Yaseen Ginnab. (Photo provided by DJ Glisson from Firefly Imageworks)

MTSU Student declared finalist in environmental science leadership program, eligible for fellowship

Kailee Shores
November 5, 2022

Love is Alive: Wynonna Judd Pays Tribute to her Mother

Kailee Shores
November 4, 2022
Jeff Zentner shares passages from his newest books to be released in 2024. (Photo by Jenene Grover)

MTSU Creative writing event series hosts young adult novelist Jeff Zentner

Kailee Shores
October 29, 2022
Chloe Akers (zoom) and Julie Edwards (in person) discuss the abortion ban in Tennessee with a group of MTSU students. Photo by Lillian Chapman.

Tennessee Lawyer talks about legality of abortion in the state

Kailee Shores
October 15, 2022
Becca Andrews (front row, fourth from right) stands with a Middle Tennessee State University reporting class with copies of her book, "No Choice." (Photo by MTSU Sidelines staff photographer)

Author and MTSU Alum Becca Andrews comes home for first book signing

Kailee Shores
October 5, 2022
MTSU students address the rise of Antisemitism during the Holocaust Studies Conference

MTSU students address the rise of Antisemitism during the Holocaust Studies Conference

Kailee Shores
September 25, 2022
Club secretary for the American Democracy Project, Kayla Jenkins, is standing in front of the KUC urging people to register to vote.

Voter registration drive on campus, American democracy project hosts

Kailee Shores
September 16, 2022
Students celebrate the start of the new semester at Crash the Commons. Photo by Bill Lickman

Crash the Commons: fraternities and sororities host carnival event for MTSU students

Kailee Shores
September 6, 2022
Roe v. Wade Overturned, Tennessee Abortion Ban Activated

Roe v. Wade Overturned, Tennessee Abortion Ban Activated

Kailee Shores
June 24, 2022
MTSU students take on Bonnaroo as featured act

MTSU students take on Bonnaroo as featured act

Kailee Shores
June 21, 2022
An MTSU College of Media and Entertainment student films a performance early Sunday, June 19, at the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival in Manchester, Tenn., one of 21 performances captured by students in the Media Arts and Recording Industry departments during the four-day festival. (MTSU photo by James Cessna)

“Hands-on Experience”: MTSU students produce concerts on Bonnaroo stages

Kailee Shores
June 20, 2022
24-Year Walker Library Employee Set to Retire

24-Year Walker Library Employee Set to Retire

Kailee Shores
May 31, 2022
Lia Thomas: Is Women's NCAA Swimming a Fair Race?

Lia Thomas: Is Women’s NCAA Swimming a Fair Race?

Kailee Shores
April 3, 2022
(Photo by Matthew Giffin)

MTSU SGA hears about plans to renovate Kirksey Old Main, confirms four new senators

Kailee Shores
March 25, 2022
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