Good morning, Murfreesboro.

Family activities run Thursday, Oct.

29 through Wednesday, Nov. 4 across town, including a Friday daytime trick-or-treat on the Historic Square, library parades and museum story times Saturday, plus multiple trunk-or-treats, fall festivals, and kids' programs.

Murfreesboro Fire Rescue firefighter Tim Corder is retiring after 25 years of service, and the department issued congratulations and thanks as he begins his retirement.

Oaklands Mansion will host a Roaring 1920s speakeasy and masquerade ball tomorrow from 5 to 9 p.m. at Oaklands and Maney Hall; $65 reservations include timed speakeasy sessions (5, 6, 7, 8 p.m.), an open bar, live jazz, tarot readings, aerial acts, hors d'oeuvres, and parking at Oaklands Park Picnic Pavilion, 427 Roberts St.

United Way of South Central Tennessee is recruiting volunteers to staff its free VITA tax-prep program at five Rutherford County sites with varying schedules: Smyrna Town Hall Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Patterson Park Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays noon to 5 p.m. and Saturdays 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; training provided, contact Shannon Bauer 615-893-7303.

A shed on South Rutherford Boulevard caught fire Tuesday night, and Murfreesboro Fire Rescue crews stopped the blaze from spreading to the home while the Fire Marshal's Office investigates (officials say the house suffered no major damage).

Buc-ee's will open its new Murfreesboro travel center off Interstate 24 on Nov.

16, becoming the chain's fourth Tennessee store and introducing its massive snack selection + souvenir shop to the area.

Students have until Monday to apply through the THEC Student Portal to stay eligible for TN Promise and receive TN Direct Admissions offers; applicants need their name as on their Social Security card, SSN, date of birth, and email.

At an Oct. 27 forum at MTSU, three gubernatorial candidates urged defunding or reforming the state voucher program to protect the (HOPE) scholarship, warning MTSU students could face cuts as lottery and sports-betting revenue decline; the Nov.

3 election will decide the next governor's approach.

David Hatley held a rally on Oct.

27 at the Walnut House (downtown) and pledged to order an independent audit of state spending on his first day and create an inspector general's office, while his campaign-released poll that day showed him as high as 26.5%.

Middle Tennessee State women's basketball will open the 2026-27 season under first-year coach Matt Insell (hired this year) and will aim to extend a postseason streak that stretches back to 2002-03, with only the 2019-20 COVID cancellation breaking it.

Central Magnet swept the Section 3 AA cross country meet Tuesday, Oct.

27 at Macon County High School, sending boys (16th straight appearance) and girls (15th straight appearance) to the state meet at Memphis Shelby Farms Park Thursday and Friday, Nov. 5-6; Parker Ward won the boys 5K in 16:29 and Rachel Benefield won the girls in 19:30.