Brendan Doughtie begins term as youngest-ever member of Rutherford County Commission
Brendan Doughtie’s run for a seat on the Rutherford County Commission started with concern about mistreatment of hermit crabs. The 2021 Siegel High School graduate, now 23, became the county’s youngest commissioner in August. “I’ve always been passionate about people and animals, the Earth … I am very...
TBI Executes Search Warrant at Murfreesboro Daycare Following Abuse Investigation
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (WGNS) - Special agents with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) executed a search warrant at a local daycare facility following state regulatory citations for improper discipline, failure to report child abuse, and interference with a state inquiry. TBI Public Affairs Administrator Carley G
MTE Advises Residents to Monitor Energy Usage Following Unprecedented September Heat Wave
RUTHERFORD COUNTY, Tenn. (WGNS News) - Throughout the first three weeks of September, Middle Tennessee and the Volunteer State as a whole experienced record-breaking high temperatures, complicating conditions for residents working outside. Typically, the average daily high for September begins at 84 degrees and cools t
Dr. Mark Kestner: Mississippi students death may be related to kratom
Two University of Mississippi students were found dead on Sept. 21, One on-campus, one off-campus. Police are still investigating. At the time of this writing, there is much to be learned about how the deaths may be related. The herbal product called kratom was found at both locations. Final toxicology...
Rutherford County approves Ten Commandments, historic document displays in schools
The Ten Commandments, along with parts of the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution could start popping up in Rutherford County Schools soon. A new law went into effect this year allowing schools to display the texts if they wanted to. Rutherford County Schools could soon start putting the...
Smyrna Depot Days Returns with Local Food, Crafts, and Live Music
Don’t miss the 20th Annual Depot Days on Saturday, September 26th, 2026, from 10 a.m.–4 p.m. on Front Street in Downtown Smyrna!. As dawn breaks on Saturday, Front Street undergoes a magical transformation into a bustling pedestrian paradise. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., vendors will be set up all along Front Street. Immers
MTSU connects with 1,000 Maury County students at college fair
Middle Tennessee State University was among more than 30 colleges, universities, technical schools and military branches represented at a recent college fair hosted by Columbia State Community College for high school juniors and seniors in Maury County. The event, held in partnership with Maury County public and privat
Latest Dickson County College Student Achievements
Middle Tennessee State University has released the final graduate list and congratulates the students who received their degrees at its summer 2026 commencement ceremony. MTSU’s summer commencement saluted members of the second Class of 2026 during a single ceremony in Murphy Center to confer their degrees. Area studen
Former Rutherford County library director sues board over firing
Luanne James, the former Rutherford County library director, has filed a lawsuit against the library board over her March termination. The suit raises claims of civil rights violations, employee discrimination and First Amendment violations tied to a dispute over relocating children’s books. The board is currently inte
Concerns raised about Rutherford County builder Canaan Builders
After viewers raised concerns about Murfreesboro-based Canaan Builders, NewsChannel 5 reviewed court records and asked part-owner Eric Hensley to respond.

















