NashVillager

Would you trust a winter forecast based on worms and spider webs? On this date in 2000, Tennessee lost Helen Lane, the remarkable weather forecaster who used old-fashioned observations of nature to make predictions — and became nationally known. Plus the local news for February 17, 2026 and a feature on a local rapper who contains multitudes . Related reading: WDEF archives: Winter Forecasting wit...

Before we had wires connecting us all, we lit our homes with gas. And on this date, the lights came on for the first time. Plus the local news for February 13, 2026 and a new biography of Justin Townes Earle that offers some clarity on the singer-songwriter’s complex legacy.   Credits:   This is a production of Nashville Public Radio  Host/producer: Blake Farmer  Editor: LaTonya Turner  Additional...

A local Black History Month story of a Middle Tennessean who seized an impressive education despite all the roadblocks 19th century society put before people of her race and gender. Plus the local news for February 12, 2026 and the legal battle over the size of Metro Council heads to the state’s high court.   Credits:  This is a production of Nashville Public Radio Host/producer: Nina Cardona Edit...

An upcoming vote may see the Rutherford County [LT1] library board and library staff at odds. Plus the local news for February 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   [LT1] see...

The home to one of Nashville’s founding mothers is now a prominent park, where ongoing investments seek to protect its future relevance to the community. Plus the local news for February 10, 2026 and Appalachian truffle hunting.   Credits:  This is a production of Nashville Public Radio Host/producer: Nina Cardona Editor: LaTonya Turner Additional support: Mack Linebaugh, Tony Gonzalez, Megan Jone...

Tennessee may not be the most wintery place (ice storms aside), but we do have some connections to the Winter Games. Plus the local news for February 9, 2026 and how immigration tensions played out locally during the winter storm   Credits:  This is a production of Nashville Public Radio Host/producer: Nina Cardona Editor: LaTonya Turner Additional support: Mack Linebaugh, Tony Gonzalez, Megan Jon...

The Nashville Electric Service was founded out of a triumph of private utilities over private companies. It’s been the only source for power in the city ever since. Plus the local news for February 6, 2026 and Nashville’s Kurds react to news from their homeland.   Credits:  This is a production of Nashville Public Radio Host/producer: Nina Cardona Editor: LaTonya Turner Additional support: Mack Li...

Deadly events can leave their mark on a place, even when we don’t realize it. Plus the local news for February 5, 2026 and an arborist’s take on what Nashville trees need now.   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

With the president talking about “nationalizing” U.S. elections, let’s take a look at how things run right now in this state. Plus the local news for February 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 st...

The line crews working to restore power are only one part of the NES storm response. Communication to residents is the part where folks are finding major faults with the utility. Plus the local news for February 2, 2026 and locals take over on Lower Broadway.   Credits:  This is a production of Nashville Public Radio Host/producer: Nina Cardona Editor: LaTonya Turner Additional support: Mack Lineb...

We’re ready for a major change in the weather. And ready or not, it’s time to pay attention to more than just storm updates. Plus, the local news for February 2 and the lasting effects on our tree canopy.   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...

Until you make it to a friend’s house or a warming shelter (which should be your primary strategy), history and outdoor enthusiasts offer some strategies for weathering the freezing temps. Plus, the local news for January 30, 2026, and a GRAMMY preview.   Credits:  This is a production of Nashville Public Radio Host/producer: Nina Cardona Editor: LaTonya Turner Additional support: Mack Linebaugh,...

From power grid repairs to fixing damage to homes, winter weather like what that hit Middle Tennessee can be expensive. Plus the local news for January 29, 2026 and remembering our last big ice storm.    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...

The South is prone to winter weather that turns more ice than snow. Plus the local news for January 28, 2026 and riding out the storm with newborns   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

It's cold, but not cold enough to freeze the Cumberland River again. Nashville’s founders famously crossed the Cumberland on foot, but that’s not the only freeze on record. Plus the local news for January 27, 2026 and Nashville artist Shelldhn   Credits:  This is a production of Nashville Public Radio Host/producer: Nina Cardona Editor: LaTonya Turner Additional support: Mack Linebaugh, Tony Gonza...

There’s a physiological reason why the winter weather may be taking an emotional toll. Plus, the local news for January 26, 2026 and a HealthQ suggestion for finding help during pregnancy.   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

Today, Tennessee’s Deadly Drug Task Force pays a lot of attention to opioids and fentanyl, but its roots lie in sniffing out meth labs. Plus the local news for January 23, 2026, and Dry January USA.   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 WN...

Once again, kids are trying to sleep among cubicles when they should be cared for in home settings. Plus the local news for January 22, 2026 and saving Civil War sites.   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

It looks like this weekend could bring a big storm to Middle Tennessee. Are we ready to handle that kind of weather? Plus the local news for January 21, 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 WPL...

It’s been a winding path from Tennessee’s first constitution to the laws about how long a governor can serve now. Plus the local news for January 20, 2026 and Health Q on using the gym benefits in some insurance plans.   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...

Robert Renfro came here as a slave shortly after the city was founded. But, he earned his freedom and won both the support of Nashville’s elite and multiple lawsuits. Plus the local news for January 16, 2026 and Rock Nashville.   Credits:  This is a production of Nashville Public Radio Host/producer: Nina Cardona Editor: LaTonya Turner Additional support: Mack Linebaugh, Tony Gonzalez, Megan Jones...

With more and more aircraft flying through local skies, the FAA may institute tighter restrictions to make sure everyone stays safe. Plus the local news for January 15, 2026 and a taste of what it is to ride through a Boring Company tunnel.   Credits:  This is a production of Nashville Public Radio Host/producer: Nina Cardona Editor: LaTonya Turner Additional support: Mack Linebaugh, Tony Gonzalez...

The Supreme Court set precedent for when deadly force can be used in a case surrounding the police shooting of a Memphis teenager. Plus the local news for January 14, 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...

For a few decades, Nashville was treated to an occasional, irregular series of musical events that couldn’t fall neatly into any one category of either format or genre. Plus the local news for January 13, 2026    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...

One beloved barn is about to be torn down, but nearly a dozen Tennessee historic courthouses are getting money for rehabilitation efforts. Plus, the local news for January 12, 2026, and getting care during flu season.   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 s...