Good morning, Murfreesboro.

MTSU’s A Moment of Magic established the first Tennessee chapter to bring joy to children battling chronic illness through child-led hospital visits and community programs.

Led by chapter president Rachel Wallace, the team uses dress-up and character training (Little Mermaid, Sleeping Beauty) to teach coping skills across Middle Tennessee.

Chef Alex Belew, Season 21 Hell’s Kitchen winner, will open Chinwag restaurant in Murfreesboro late October.

The 9th Annual Boro International Festival celebrates diverse cultures with performances, vendors & food trucks at the MTSU Student Union Courtyard at 1768 MTSU Blvd on Oct.

17 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. It is free and open to all residents.

Tennessee gas prices dropped four cents this week to $4.03 per gallon today, AAA reported, but prices remain near record highs and add roughly $19 to fill a 15-gallon tank; drivers may see more fluctuations later this week.

Retired Lt. Gen. Keith Huber was honored with the Outstanding Eagle Scout Award on Sept.

15 in Nashville for his 38-year Army career + founding the Daniels Veterans Center in Murfreesboro. Since 2015, he serves as MTSU’s senior adviser for veterans and leadership initiatives.

Siegel Middle School held a USA-themed pep rally Tuesday honoring Coach Martaveon Dockery, a staff sergeant with the National Guard who will deploy this fall.

Support spanned the team’s game against Rocky Fork Middle School, with students and staff wearing special bracelets (Siegel loves Coach Doc).

Middle Tennessee State University has started building a $5.6 million cybersecurity range in the Miller Education Center (Bell Street) in Murfreesboro.

The facility, developed with IBM, AWS and Cloud Range Technologies, will offer immersive training for students, businesses and government agencies and is set to open in January 2027.

Tennessee voters are weighing school voucher expansion as Governor candidates Marsha Blackburn & Jerri Green take opposing stances.

The debate over education policy has taken center stage in the governor's race.

Casa Tio's, a Murfreesboro Mexican restaurant at 4433 Veterans Pkwy Suites B & C, received a health score of 70 between Sept.

22 and Sept. 29 after inspectors found 11 violations (including unsanitized dish machines and improperly cooled food). A follow-up inspection is set to address these issues.

Construction is underway on Atrium at Fountains, a $92 million mixed-use development at Fountains at Gateway in Murfreesboro that will include 52 luxury condos, Class A office space, retail, a health collective, and a 175-seat theater; it is expected to be completed in 2028.

Middle Tennessee baseball will host the annual John Stanford Grand Slam Social on Friday, Oct.

23. The event features a Happy Hour at Reese Smith Jr. Field and dinner with a World Series game viewing at Floyd Stadium — where fans can meet the Blue Raider Baseball team and hear from Head Coach Jerry Meyers.