The Scruffy Stuff

The proposed Neyland Entertainment District, shake-ups at WUTK and new public parking spaces. It's safe to say the University of Tennessee at Knoxville is at a turning point.  Staying on top of it all is higher education reporter Keenan Thomas, who joins host Ryan Wilusz on this week's episode to discuss the biggest changes the campus community should expect and how those changes impact the rest o...

Whether you have the voice of an angel or require a little liquid courage before taking the stage, karaoke is always a fun option for a night out, and Knoxville has plenty of options.  Knox News reporter Allie Feinberg joins host Ryan Wilusz to discuss their recent visits to some of the most popular karaoke destinations in town. They talk about what makes each venue unique, what makes for a good k...

The left turn into and out of the Knoxville McKay's used books and record store on Papermill Drive is a headache on a normal day. But when the store celebrated its 50th anniversary July 9 with an all-day, prize-filled road trip to five locations in Tennessee and North Carolina, traffic was exacerbated − and some got more than they bargained for. Growth and development reporter Daniel Dassow joins...

The world was watching June 24 as Tennessee defeated Texas A&M to capture its first national title in the baseball program's history. Behind the scenes and on the field, Knox News was tirelessly working to capture the biggest moments during the Vols' quest for gold.  Brianna Paciorka, visual journalist at Knox News and producer of "The Scruffy Stuff," was in the middle of the action throughout...

FROM MAY 14, 2024: There's nothing quite like springtime in Knoxville ... except for summertime. OK, fall and winter are awesome too.  Knoxville has plenty to offer any time of year, from mouth-watering bars and restaurants to family-friendly festivals to natural amenities like the Urban Wilderness.  But with summer quickly approaching, hosts Ryan Wilusz and Brianna Paciorka share their bucket lis...

It's Bonnaroo week, one of the most magical times of year for Knox News journalist Ryan Wilusz, host of this week's episode of "The Scruffy Stuff."  Ryan is joined by photographer Hanna Mattix, who is attending the Manchester, Tennessee, music festival for the first time this year. For Ryan, it will be his 10th trip to The Farm as a fan.  Listen as Hannah asks first-timer questions to the Bonnaroo...

Since September, Knox News journalist and co-host of  "The Scruffy Stuff" Ryan Wilusz has devoted Thursday nights to judging the bracket-style competition known as Band Eat Band, first at Scruffy City Hall and then at Asylum 801.  The West-family competition paid performers and donated to local charities, including Knox News' own Empty Stocking Fund, before signing a $5,000 check for the winning b...

From May 23, 2023: For fun under the sun, downtown Knoxville has plenty of patios to offer. And as the weather keeps getting warmer, our thirst keeps getting stronger for outdoor spaces to enjoy drinks and food.  Host Ryan Wilusz, along with producer Brianna Paciorka and higher education reporter Keenan Thomas, average their individual scores to determine an admittedly unscientific ranking of pati...

FROM MAY 16, 2023: For fun under the sun, downtown Knoxville has plenty of patios to offer. And as the weather keeps getting warmer, our thirst keeps getting stronger for outdoor spaces to enjoy drinks and food.  Host Ryan Wilusz, along with producer Brianna Paciorka and higher education reporter Keenan Thomas, average their individual scores to determine an admittedly unscientific ranking of pati...

There's nothing quite like springtime in Knoxville ... except for summertime. OK, fall and winter are awesome too.  Knoxville has plenty to offer any time of year, from mouth-watering bars and restaurants to family-friendly festivals to natural amenities like the Urban Wilderness.  But with summer quickly approaching, hosts Ryan Wilusz and Brianna Paciorka share their bucket list of things they ho...

Adeem the Artist dropped their highly anticipated follow-up to "White Trash Revelry" on May 3, and we can't stop listening! The appropriately titled album, "Anniversary," released the same day they celebrated 10 years of marriage with local artist High Five Hannie.  Adeem joins "The Scruffy Stuff" to talk about their family's journey amid newfound fame, the research that goes into writing, the exp...

A proposed high-rise along the Tennessee River would be one of the first things people see when entering downtown from the south, but the design is still up for debate.  While developers have expressed to stakeholders the challenges of building on a sloped riverside site, the Design Review Board wants them to go back to the drawing board to brainstorm how the project will better benefit the public...

While it took a while for Kern's Food Hall to finally open, it didn't take long for people to begin exploring the property in packs – enjoying sushi and pizza from vendors, sipping on rooftop drinks, and shopping for flowers, clothes and artsy paper goods.  Take it from this week's co-hosts, Ryan Wilusz and Brianna Paciorka, who visited on a Thursday afternoon and were welcomed by the bustling sou...

Orson Welles has nothing on the far-fetched story inspiring a new out-of-this-world nightclub in  the newly established Asylum District  that could expand what people consider the boundaries of downtown Knoxville. The tall tale, from the mind of owner Scott West, goes like this:  Rogue doctors from Oak Ridge recently hauled an extraterrestrial artifact they discovered to limestone caves beneath Th...

Before you read about it on CBS News or even our own USA TODAY, Knox News was first to report that a Dolly Parton and Beyoncé collaboration could be happening as part of the latter's album "Cowboy Carter."  How did we know? Trending news reporter Devarrick Turner straight-up asked Parton during a Dollywood interview, and she seemed eager to spill the tea. The result was a whirlwind of coverage rel...

For the first time in a long time, East Knoxville residents cut off from downtown through the demolition of mostly Black neighborhoods in the 1960s and '70s will be able to move more easily throughout the city to take advantage of new amenities, new infrastructure and new job opportunities. But amending the generational pains of urban removal, touted as urban renewal at the time, is just a sliver...

It’s not just  the eclectic and distinguished lineup that sets Big Ears Festival apart in 2024. It’s the host city of Knoxville, Tennessee, that pairs Southern charm with world sounds to present a festival that’s more comfortable than most, with world-class venues that are closer than what most other cities can offer. Listen as Ryan Wilusz and Brianna Paciorka – co-hosts, journalists and Big Ears...

The future of  free parking on nights and weekends,  a downtown Knoxville amenity that helps encourage people to visit and explore our city, is the subject of a survey that has surfaced some stress among downtown businesses. The su rve y  on whether free parking is the best strategy moving forward was organized by a handful of downtown business owners, though it has gathered enough steam for the c...

From Oct. 30, 2023: Nearly one year ago, we embarked on a mission to create a resource for new residents – something to help people adjust as they settle in their new home or take on new roles in the community. We’re happy to share with you Knoxpedia, the one-stop shop for all things Knoxville. Whether you’re new to town, looking to become more civically engaged or just a generally curious person,...

A viral video of Knoxville native Briston Maroney walking off stage toward the end of his hometown show at The Mill & Mine sparked a conversation among two of Knox News' biggest music fans, downtown reporter Ryan Wilusz and visual journalist Brianna Paciorka.  Listen as they discuss which Knoxville music venues have the best crowds, what you can do to improve everyone's concert experience and...

Potchke was just named by USA TODAY as one of the top 47 restaurants in the country. While we're stoked to see some Knoxville representation, Knox News started thinking about local restaurants we wish made the list.   This casual conversation between your host, downtown reporter Ryan Wilusz, and fellow Knox News reporter Keenan Thomas led to a great discussion about the current state of the city's...

Knoxville is growing, and so is our airport. While it might not sound like much, Avelo recently added cheap flights to and from Connecticut, which could open the door for more destinations out of McGhee Tyson.  Growth and development reporter Daniel Dassow, who specializes in tech and energy, joins host Ryan Wilusz to discuss how the airport is growing and what factors will influence that growth o...

It's not too late to make New Year's resolutions. Just blame the delay on the freezing snow and heated election cycle that has everyone talking. As the downtown growth and development reporter for Knox News, there's not much host Ryan Wilusz hasn't experienced in the center of our city. But with 2024 now upon us, we invited colleague Keenan Thomas to join and discuss  what we hope to accomplish in...

While Bonnaroo and Big Ears Festival take place three months and 150 miles apart, both events were created by Knoxville native Ashley Capps. Plus, both festivals have become known for their diverse lineups and their unofficial status as music discovery festivals.  Knox News journalists Ryan Wilusz and Brianna Paciorka, who have regularly attended both festivals over the years, dive into the respec...

Our  downtown Knoxville predictions  that didn’t happen in 2023 have potential to come true this year:  replacing Pryor Brown Garage,  building a block-sized development,  creating stadium parking  and welcoming a nationally known chef to the local culinary scene. But in the spirit of the new year, we’re starting fresh with a new round of predictions for 2024, from new hotels to new festivals to a...