NashVillager

It’s time for officials to get into the weeds of how surveillance technology is used and regulated. Plus the local news for August 24, and the secrecy surrounding data centers.   Credits:  This is a production of Nashville Public Radio Host/producer: Nina Cardona Editor: LaTonya Turner Additional support: Mack Linebaugh, Tony Gonzalez, Megan Jones and the staff of WPLN and WNXP

On the anniversary of a law that requires kids to be cared for as kids, wherever they come from, a look at ways officials are trying to change that. Plus the local news for August 21, 2026 and how Houston Kendrick bounced back with a little help from friends.   Credits:  This is a production of Nashville Public Radio Host/producer: Nina Cardona Editor: LaTonya Turner Additional support: Mack Lineb...

There’s a nearly year-and-a-half difference between the date we learned in history class and the day President Andrew Johnson declared the Civil War over. And Tennessee’s most prominent figures had end dates of their own. Plus the local news for August 20, 2026 and more from WPLN and ProPublica’s latest investigation into youth detention facilities in Tennessee.   Credits:  This is a production of...

Mary Anderson made it possible for all of us to drive in bad weather, but she was ahead of her time. Plus the local news for August 19, 2026 and this week’s edition of What Where Whens-day.   Credits:  This is a production of Nashville Public Radio Host/producer: Nina Cardona Editor: LaTonya Turner Additional support: Mack Linebaugh, Tony Gonzalez, Megan Jones and the staff of WPLN and WNXP

What should you keep in mind when planting trees to replace those lost to Winter Storm Fern ? It’s about to be one of the best times of the year to plant trees, and Nashville’s canopy could use some replacements after this year’s ice storm. Plus the local news for August 18, 2026 and bipartisan concerns over data centers . Credits: This is a production of Nashville Public Radio. Host/producer: Nin...

How did John Lewis keep the local Civil Rights Movement going in Nashville?  Before he was a leader on a national scale, and after the initial victory of the Nashville’s lunch counter sit-ins, John Lewis made sure the city's desegregation activists kept the pressure on Music City.  Plus, the local news for Aug. 17, 2026, and the return of the band Hovvdy.  Credits:   This is a production of Nashvi...

Where is the line between necessary punishment and cruelty? Tennessee’s execution methods have been through several iterations. The next person scheduled for death would rather return to a historic method of capital punishment. Plus, the local news roundup for Friday, Aug. 14. Credits:  This is a production of Nashville Public Radio. Host/producer: Nina Cardona Editor: Tony Gonzalez

What is Lyft building in Nashville to support Waymo’s car fleet? The rollout of autonomous cabs in Nashville now involves a partnership between competitors. Plus, the local news for Aug. 13, 2026, and the impact of data centers on our power bills. Credits:  This is a production of Nashville Public Radio. Host/producer: Nina Cardona Editor: Tony Gonzalez

How did a group of guardsmen from Tennessee make Nazi leaders fearful? Multiple times in World War II, a unit of the Tennessee National Guard beat out Hitler’s prized soldiers and defenses. Plus, the local news for August 12, 2026, and this week’s edition of What Where Whens-day. Credits:   This is a production of Nashville Public Radio.  Host/producer: Nina Cardona  Editor: Tony Gonzalez 

Conservation groups often sue for better enforcement of federal environmental laws. Two Tennessee cases are at the vanguard of a push to end the practice. Plus the local news for August 11, 2026 and black lung rates back on the rise.   Credits:  This is a production of Nashville Public Radio Host/producer: Nina Cardona Editor: LaTonya Turner Additional support: Mack Linebaugh, Tony Gonzalez, Megan...

A remarkably well-preserved shoe helps us picture the ancient people who used to live here. Plus the local news for August 10, 2026 and school security.    Credits:  This is a production of Nashville Public Radio Host/producer: Nina Cardona Editor: LaTonya Turner Additional support: Mack Linebaugh, Tony Gonzalez, Megan Jones and the staff of WPLN and WNXP

The results of yesterday’s primary elections and a look back at the 2000 election that painted Tennessee red. Plus the local news for August 7, 2026 and remembering Martha Ingram.   Credits:  This is a production of Nashville Public Radio Host/producer: Nina Cardona Editor: LaTonya Turner Additional support: Mack Linebaugh, Tony Gonzalez, Megan Jones and the staff of WPLN and WNXP

Dinah Shore grew up in an immigrant home in Middle Tennessee. She ended up a fixture in homes all across the United States. Plus the local news for August 6, 2026 and the line dancing resurgence.   Credits:  This is a production of Nashville Public Radio Host/producer: Nina Cardona Editor: LaTonya Turner Additional support: Mack Linebaugh, Tony Gonzalez, Megan Jones and the staff of WPLN and WNXP

We all have a general sense that tourists pay more in Music City; here’s a look at just how we tax them. Plus the local news for August 5, 2026 and this week’s edition of What Where Whens-day.   Credits:  This is a production of Nashville Public Radio Host/producer: Nina Cardona Editor: LaTonya Turner Additional support: Mack Linebaugh, Tony Gonzalez, Megan Jones and the staff of WPLN and WNXP

Breaking down what a Nuclear Lifecycle Campus could be in Tennessee. Plus the local news for August 4, 2026 and an exception to the datacenter boom.   Credits:  This is a production of Nashville Public Radio Host/producer: Nina Cardona Editor: LaTonya Turner Additional support: Mack Linebaugh, Tony Gonzalez, Megan Jones and the staff of WPLN and WNXP

As long as there have been elections, there have been efforts to limit who can vote. Plus the local news for August 3, 2026 and Shakespeare in prison   Credits:  This is a production of Nashville Public Radio Host/producer: Nina Cardona Editor: LaTonya Turner Additional support: Mack Linebaugh, Tony Gonzalez, Megan Jones and the staff of WPLN and WNXP

Tennessee has had two tracks of action after Charlie Kirk’s death. One limits free speech, the other has ended in legal settlements for limiting people’s free speech. Plus the local news for July 31, 2026 and hellbenders   Credits:  This is a production of Nashville Public Radio Host/producer: Nina Cardona Editor: LaTonya Turner Additional support: Mack Linebaugh, Tony Gonzalez, Megan Jones and th...

Tennessee’s electric grid was built on a renewable power, but poor efficiency and increased reliance on fossil fuels are at the center of the current landscape. Plus the local news for July 30, 2026 and Curious Nashville finds out what happened to a statue that used to sit at the top of the city’s skyline.   This is a production of Nashville Public Radio Host/producer: Nina Cardona Editor: LaTonya...

Middle Tennessee is now home to half of Tennessee’s law schools, but the first one decamped to Alabama decades ago. Plus the local news for July 29, 2026 and this week’s edition of What Where Whens-day.   Credits:  This is a production of Nashville Public Radio Host/producer: Nina Cardona Editor: LaTonya Turner Additional support: Mack Linebaugh, Tony Gonzalez, Megan Jones and the staff of WPLN an...

Now that license plate readers are in place over much of Tennessee, there’s a bill to limit future rollout. Plus the local news for July 28, 2026 and the MTSU tie to Supergirl.   Credits:  This is a production of Nashville Public Radio Host/producer: Nina Cardona Editor: LaTonya Turner Additional support: Mack Linebaugh, Tony Gonzalez, Megan Jones and the staff of WPLN and WNXP

Twice in Nashville history, allegations of financial wrongdoing reached such a fever pitch that the state took over the purse strings and the mayors were pushed out of office. Plus the local news for July 27, 2026 and how AI datasets impact musicians.   Credits:  This is a production of Nashville Public Radio Host/producer: Nina Cardona Editor: LaTonya Turner Additional support: Mack Linebaugh, To...

As much housing as we’ve built in recent years, our city still doesn’t have enough places for people to live. But population trends suggest that we shouldn’t assume this growth will last forever. Plus the local news for July 24, 2026 and playing baseball by ear.   Credits:  This is a production of Nashville Public Radio Host/producer: Nina Cardona Editor: LaTonya Turner Additional support: Mack Li...

Nashville may attempt to stop a data center project by using eminent domain, Rutherford County is considering it for obtaining the land for a public safety campus, but how does the process work in Tennessee? Plus the local news for July 23, 2026 and Nashville’s booming boot business.   Credits:  This is a production of Nashville Public Radio Host/producer: Nina Cardona Editor: LaTonya Turner Addit...

Normally, the identities of people who carry out an execution are kept firmly secret. That private detail has been made public. Plus the local news for July 22, 2026 and this week’s edition of What Where Whens-day.   Credits:  This is a production of Nashville Public Radio Host/producer: Nina Cardona Editor: LaTonya Turner Additional support: Mack Linebaugh, Tony Gonzalez, Megan Jones and the staf...

From a political fight (that compared Nashville to Sodom) to an untimely death and unusual grave, the story behind Tennessee’s physical seat of government has more twists than you might expect. Plus the local news for July 21, 2026 and reclaiming the American flag.   Credits:  This is a production of Nashville Public Radio Host/producer: Nina Cardona Editor: LaTonya Turner Additional support: Mack...