The Scruffy Stuff

From March 21, 2023: The waiting period required to demolish downtown Knoxville's most crumbling building is over, so we at Knox News started thinking about what could replace the historic structure. Listen as co-hosts Ryan Wilusz and Brenna McDermott share their thoughts, and share your own by emailing ryan.wilusz@knoxnews.com .  "The Scruffy Stuff" is presented by knoxnews.com. Want more downtow...

This year has been full of surprises in downtown Knoxville, from a new Sunsphere paint job to shocking business closings. But a lot of what happened in 2023 was on our radar heading into the year, and we documented those predictions on "The Scruffy Stuff" back in January.  This week, hosts Ryan Wilusz and Brianna Paciorka of Knox News look back to see how we fared and to discuss whether any of our...

Creating “safe spaces” was a selling point in the city's decision to close down the 400 block of Gay Street to vehicles on select weekends in November and December. But there are two things Gay Street business owners and urbanites are whispering about even if the city isn’t addressing them directly in this effort: That open streets seems like a natural segue to open container and that redirecting...

If you have tried the PB&J Mixtape sour by Xul Beer Company, consider yourself lucky. This beer doesn't last long in kegs around town and has led to long lines of people waiting outside the brewery just to get their hands on a four pack.  Perhaps, it's the fact this beer taste exactly like a PB&J sandwich, crust and all. Maybe the funky labels and lack of gluten have something to do with i...

No tuxedos, trophies or acceptance speeches required. These are the SCRUFFYs – similar to the Grammys, with a lot less music and a lot more Knoxville.  As the downtown reporter for Knox News, host Ryan Wilusz has seen plenty of exciting (and sometimes crazy) things happen in the center of our city over the years. But a Sunsphere paint job ,  Old City street fight ,  plant vandalism  and  pirate ba...

Knoxville has delayed the robot takeover for six months. That is, the Knoxville City Council voted Oct. 31 to enact an emergency moratorium on personal delivery robots. The ordinance, which passed unanimously, will keep companies from deploying the autonomous robots on city streets and sidewalks for six months to buy time for city officials to develop a policy. Downtown reporter Ryan Wilusz is joi...

From Nov. 21, 2022: Downtown reporter Ryan Wilusz and visual journalist Calvin Mattheis return to Knoxville to share what they learned from their trip to Durham, North Carolina, where a downtown baseball stadium opened in 1995 resembles the plans for downtown Knoxville, just east of the Old City.  As the Tennessee Smokies prepare to move downtown in 2025, visit  knoxnews.com  for more insight gath...

Knoxville is doing four weekend trial runs that will turn a busy stretch of Gay Street into a pedestrian plaza at night. Gay Street's 400 block, which runs from Wall Avenue to Union Avenue and is packed with restaurants and bars, will be closed to parking and traffic 7 p.m.-4 a.m. on these dates: Nov. 10 and 11   Nov. 17 and 18   Dec. 8 and 9   Dec. 15 and 16 Ryan Wilusz and Brianna Paciorka discu...

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 finally 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, this compre...

The Knoxville Chamber recently invited downtown reporter Ryan Wilusz to lead roundtable discussions at its 2023 Endeavor Summit, which connected young professionals with each other and with local resources to help advance their careers in Knoxville.  Throughout the day, young professionals stopped by to connect with Ryan to learn about opportunities to get involved personally and professionally wi...

With the changing of the seasons comes a change in preferences, whether it's the flavors you enjoy, the music you listen to or the activities your participate in.  Simply put: Some things just hit different in the fall, and that's the focus of this week's podcast.  Hosts Ryan Wilusz and Brianna Paciorka share what they tend to enjoy more as the temperatures lower and the leaves change, from certai...

It's not "goodbye" but, rather, "see you later" when it comes to the JFG sign. At least, that's what much of Knoxville hopes. Mayor Indya Kincannon says she is working with city partners to find the Knoxville icon a new home after it was disassembled and removed from its spot on the hill in South Knoxville. The sign's owners want to keep it in the downtown area.  Ryan Wilusz and Brianna Paciorka d...

The South Knoxville waterfront and nearby neighborhoods don't need a pedestrian bridge for growth. Substantial changes have been happening for years, and the city recently hired consultants to identify the next opportunities for growth along the river. The findings include a "statement piece" east of the Gay Street bridge akin to the Tennessee Aquarium in Chattanooga or the Rock & Roll Hall of...

No matter how many times it happens, J.C. Holdway owner and chef Joseph Lenn is thrown for a loop upon arriving at his downtown restaurant to find soil on the sidewalks − the work of an unknown person who ripped out his flowers and vanished into the night. A plant vandal. The perpetrators might change, but the puzzling plant destruction always ends the same way: Someone has to pick up the pieces o...

Originally published Jan. 9, 2023: The things Adeem the Artist hasn't directly experienced, the Knoxville musician has delicately observed in the struggles of strangers and friends in their 34 years, culminating in 11 sung stories of "White Trash Revelry" released on Dec. 2.  Perhaps, you have seen the album on "best-of" lists by Rolling Stone and Billboard or heard their music praised by Brandi C...

For years, Market Square bar owner Scott West kept his pulse on the Knoxville music scene, whose bands played his stages at Preservation Pub nearly every night of the week. But the scene is changing, and the Scruffy City is ready to crown a new champion of local music.  West joins the show to talk about the new Band Eat Band contest, held every Thursday at Scruffy City Hall. Bands get their share...

Neyland Stadium will look a little different this year, though most new amenities were added for premium ticketholders. That doesn't mean the average fan won't benefit, and future renovations could make game days more comfortable for all.  As Tennessee football prepares for its home opener against Austin Peay on Sept. 9, co-hosts Ryan Wilusz and Brenna McDermott began thinking about additional ame...

It’s Election Day in Knoxville, with a handful of city candidates vying for a spot in the general election this November. Noticeably missing from the ballot: the positions of downtown party planner, mayor of the makers and happy hour coordinator.  Never heard of these? Well, that’s because hosts Ryan Wilusz and Brenna McDermott just made them up, along with a handful of other fun positions they’d...

If you’re a regular listener of “The Scruffy Stuff,” you should be deeply plugged in to what’s happening in and around downtown Knoxville. But do you know the Scruffy City well enough to identify businesses and public spaces by a single word? Hosts Brenna McDermott and Ryan Wilusz test each other’s knowledge with hints that are not too easy, not too hard, but very clever. Play along, and let us kn...

Trolley buses are going away as part of KAT Reimagined, a transit overhaul that will put more resources toward ridership over coverage. But downtown transportation isn't disappearing entirely. In addition to increasing frequency for buses that come downtown, Knoxville Area Transit is planning a downtown connector loop that would replace the trolleys to an extent. But not everyone agrees that's the...

The tables are turned on this week's episode! Listen as Emilie Stooksbury from New2Knox interviews host Ryan Wilusz with questions new Knoxville residents have about our Scruffy City.  The two chat about some holes in the downtown business scene, the possibility of a downtown grocery store, tips for connecting with the local sports community and the swankiest downtown apartment.  And here's some m...

For the past month, Knox News reporters have chowed down across town, sampling some of the best food and drinks Knoxville has to offer. The center of the city has its fair share of fare so, of course, some downtown-area restaurants made our list. But we also explored neighborhoods to try bar bites, flavorful food trucks and desserts you can drink. Brenna McDermott, Brianna Paciorka and Ryan Wilusz...

Happy Holler: You've probably heard the name. But like many Knoxville neighborhoods, it's not always clear where the lines are drawn. Perhaps, its ambiguity has to do with its size − just a few short blocks easily missed by a blink or a sneeze. It could also have to do with the nearby Old North Knoxville and Oakwood neighborhoods, which all seem to blend together. Then again, it could just be that...

Knoxville is more than just Smoky Mountains and football; it's a subtle haven for movie lovers, too. But with two AMC theaters now closed in Knoxville , you might be wondering where to go. With its headquarters in Knoxville, Regal has four theaters to choose from − each one surprisingly different than its sister cinemas. Beyond that, independent cinemas and drive-ins offer unique viewing experienc...

The Sunsphere: It’s bold, gold and getting kind of old. The structure has been plagued by some prohibiting factors over the years, including a lack of elevator capacity and nearby parking, as well as a center stalk that limits floor space. Surely, something can be done to make this attraction more … attractive. Brianna Paciorka, Keenan Thomas and Ryan Wilusz chat about their big ideas for alternat...