NashVillager

On the anniversary of a landmark voter registration case out of Tennessee, this state’s elections laws could be impacted by two other lawsuits currently moving through the federal judicial process. Plus the local news for March 24, 2026 and Ben Slinkard, AKA drag performer Kennedy Ann Scott   Credits:  This is a production of Nashville Public Radio Host/producer: Nina Cardona Editor: LaTonya Turne...

The elevator unlocked the possibility of building structures that extended beyond the number of stairs people were willing to climb. WPLN is looking for the public service equivalent to that invention. Plus the local news for March 23, 2026 and the resilience of a local restaurateur who was victim of a mass shooting.   Credits:   This is a production of Nashville Public Radio Host/producer: Nina C...

While vehicle assembly lines are pulling away from electric car and truck production, the factories designed to make their batteries are going through a different transition. Plus the local news for March 20, 2026 and marking Nowruz through music.   Credits:  This is a production of Nashville Public Radio Host/producer: Nina Cardona Editor: LaTonya Turner Additional support: Mack Linebaugh, Tony G...

There’s just something magical about walking through a sea of blooms. Plus the local news for March 19, 2026 and TSU’s president on the financial plans for the HBCU.   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

Federal investigators have released findings from the first phase of their probe into the Bucksnort blast that killed 16 in October. Plus the local news for March 18, 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 th...

Irish immigrants were once a visible presence in this city, but now you have to go a little farther West to see that heritage embraced on a large scale. Plus the local news for March 17, 2026 and the strange story of a Meat Storm.   Credits:  This is a production of Nashville Public Radio Host/producer: Nina Cardona Editor: LaTonya Turner Additional support: Mack Linebaugh, Tony Gonzalez, Megan Jo...

The story of Nashville’s Kurdish community and the losses that lead so many to leave their homeland for Tennessee is valuable context for understanding the position of Kurdish people encouraged to join in the current war on Iran. Plus the local news for March 16, 2026, and HealthQ looks at the cost of dental care.   Credits:  This is a production of Nashville Public Radio Host/producer: Nina Cardo...

It’s Oscars time again. There’s not much Tennessee representation at the awards, but the state is continually trying to change that. Plus the local news for March 13, 2026 and Book Not Brooke.   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

At the start of the Great Depression, a Minnesota candy magnate moved to the Pulaski area and became the community’s biggest employer. Plus the local news for March 12, 2026 and Winter Storm Fern evictions.   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 WPL...

Some folks want some state funding converted into digital currency. Plus the local news for March 11, 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

From college teams to pro athletes starting professional video game teams, esports is expanding the definition of what sports are. Plus the local news for March 10, 2026 and unlawful imprisonment of immigrants   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...

For roughly 40 years, a volunteer effort has been a major part of the war on litter. Plus, the local news for March 9, 2026 and Health Q takes on HSAs   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

Music City is gearing up to have far more options for getting from point A to point B. Plus the latest news for March 6, 2026 and Curious Nashville figures out what’s under a conspicuous grassy mound   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 W...

Mutual aid organizations used to be the only tool for minority groups to make sure the people most in need of help got assistance. Now, with the government handling things, tweaks to the food aid system are coming down the pike. Plus the local news for March 5, 2026 and property tax concerns boil over.   Credits:  This is a production of Nashville Public Radio Host/producer: Nina Cardona Editor: L...

Roughly a year and a half after devastating floods, two East Tennessee state parks continue to have significant closures. Plus the local news for March 4, 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 WP...

Last year, the attention on a federal law enforcement rollout in Memphis was on the involvement of the National Guard. Perhaps we should have paid more attention to the Highway Patrol, instead. Plus the local news for March 3, 2026 and environmental reviews for Nashville’s tunnel project.   Credits:  This is a production of Nashville Public Radio Host/producer: Nina Cardona Editor: LaTonya Turner...

Tennesine may not have any practical applications as an element, but it does have value. Plus the local news for March 2, 2026 and uranium enrichment.   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

Aren't we all missing Mister Rogers? On this day in 2003, the world said goodbye to Fred Rogers. The beloved children’s TV host is also known in the public media world for his valiant effort to defend its educational mission. Plus the local news for February 27, 2026, and insight into the WNXP Nashville Artist of the Month: Venus and the Flytraps .

When were streetcars desired in Nashville? There wasn't a streetcar named Desire in Nashville. But there was a time when streetcars were the most desired form of transit in the city.  Back in the 19th century, public transit in Nashville was said to be among the finest in the nation, but it was kind of chaotic.  That story, plus the local news for Feb. 26, 2026 and a look at efforts to bring Major...

The murder of Marcia Trimble, as described by a police captain at the time, is when “Nashville lost its innocence.” Why that case still haunts the city to this day. Plus the local news for February 25, 2026 and this week’s What Where Whens-day.

Judicial review has been a part of the American legal process since 1803, but lawsuits challenging state measures have become particularly prevalent in Tennessee in recent years. Plus the local news for February 24, 2026 and housing more kids in jail-like facilities.

A landmark in Texas history is also a Tennessee story. Plus the local news for February 23, 2026, and Leonard Slatkin.   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

When the Emergency Broadcast System was activated on this day in 1971, people thought all-out nuclear war had started. While the system is used more for weather emergencies these days, the FCC takes false alarms very seriously (even on public radio). Plus, the local news for February 20, 2026 and a story about potentially funneling foster kids to jail-like facilities.    Credits:  This is a produc...

When people in one small town wanted hydrocodone, a primate helped them know they’d found the pharmacist who’d hook them up. Plus the local news for February 19, 2026 and a conversation with new conductor of the Nashville Symphony, who happens to be one of the most prominent American conductors of our time.

Building a landmark nuclear facility in East Tennessee was about speed and incredible scale. Plus the local news for February 18, 2026 and this week’s edition of What Where Whensday.