This Is Nashville

One idea pushed as a solution to school shootings is to give teachers guns in the classroom, in lieu of school resource officers. The importance of this conversation has never been higher, in the aftermath of the deadly Covenant School shooting. HB 41/SB 1429 , which was introduced in the state legislature earlier this year and now sits in the House Civil Justice Subcommittee, would expand the rig...

How do our unhoused neighbors find community? Today, we're speaking with current and formerly unhoused residents about life in shelters and encampments, as well as how they make friends and find support. We are also joined by outreach workers from Metro Nashville's Homeless Impact Division to discuss how their department is changing, and what it means for the services they offer.

But who are these giant beings living among us?  Researchers tell us that  trees have an underground network  that they use to communicate with each other. So, how is the health of Middle Tennessee’s arboreal ecosystem? Which trees are native to this region? Which species are endangered, and what do we lose if we lose them? Due to the bustling housing construction industry, tree removal is big bus...

This episode first aired on July 19.   Among cultures around the world, it’s traditional to grow your own food. But with the rise of supermarkets and grocery stores, gardening in the United States has become more and more uncommon. But, what do you do when the food you like to eat isn’t sold in grocery stores? Or when there are no supermarkets near you, and you can’t afford to buy fresh produce? T...

Nashville has a healthy local beer scene, with dozens of local breweries and beer halls, and even a WNXP-themed beer . This Sunday, the Craft Brewers Conference is coming to town, so in today's episode, we’re diving into the history and culture of the local beer scene, as well as hosting an on-air taste test. But first, Tennessee’s top education official is stepping down at the end of this school...

And every corner of Latin America has a different style of music represented here. What once was a small community of musicians has exploded in recent years. Now, any night of the week you can see live music en español at a local restaurant or club. Today we talk to local Latino musicians about this growing and diverse scene. But first, we address listener feedback in our @us segment. Today's epis...

This episode first aired on April 11, 2022. In 2021, Nashville resident Marie Varsos tried to get protection from her husband after he strangled and threatened to kill her. She did everything she was supposed to do. She had resources and support. But Shaun Varsos killed her and her mother . In recent years, the city of Nashville has made strides in improving the systems to address domestic violenc...

The real numbers are much smaller, but there’s no denying that the Nashville area has welcomed a lot of newcomers in recent years. So where are all these recent transplants finding to live? Are new developments keeping pace with the needs of our growing population? Or is the new housing mismatched with what new residents want in location, size, or price? And what is the effect on longtime Nashvill...

For many outside of the state, the swift expulsions of state Reps. Justin Jones and Justin J. Pearson from the Tennessee General Assembly were a shocking display of power by the state’s Republican supermajority. But for longtime observers, this was a continuation of patterns that have persisted over recent decades, as African Americans in the state have seen their political influence diminished. I...

Nashville residents are . . . kind of sick of tourists. Perhaps very sick of tourists. Increased traffic downtown, a 24/7 party culture, rising housing costs – it all contributes to the sense that Nashville as a city is prioritizing tourism and business interests over the wellbeing of the people who live here. However, tourism is a real economic force, and living in a city that’s cool enough that...

Public trust of the media is down , and political polarization is rampant. But studies show the answer to both of these problems lies  in local journalism .  Today we talk with journalists and scholars about the media landscape in Middle Tennessee. How do we address issues of funding, access, and diversity in our newsrooms? And how does that impact the information that is spread? But first, host K...

In 2018, voters approved the creation of the Metro Nashville Community Oversight Board to keep police accountable to the community. But this month, the Tennessee legislature passed a bill to replace COBs with mayor-appointed committees that will not be able to conduct independent investigations. In this episode, we speak with community members, as well as current and former board members, about wh...

States with looser gun laws experience higher rates of road rage shootings that lead to injuries or deaths,  according to a report by Everytown . Tennessee is in the top five states for road rage shootings.  Studies show  that the mere presence of a firearm in the car can induce what’s called the “weapons effect” and increase chances of aggressive behavior. But what is making drivers so angry in t...

Middle Tennessee’s Palestinian community may not be as large as other ethnic groups in the region, but its roots go back decades. The community has become increasingly visible in recent years, especially after public rallies in Nashville. In this episode, we meet a few local Palestinians and learn more about their common bonds and hopes for the future. But first, the Tennessee legislature has adjo...

Saturday will be Music City’s first official Bettie Page Day. In this episode, we’re talking all about the native Nashvillian turned “Queen of Pinups” with her friends, family, and fans.  Saturday is also Record Store Day. WNXP DJ Celia Gregory stops by Studio A with a rundown of local events and the limited edition vinyl that's available this year.  This episode was produced by Rose Gilbert. Gues...

Paul Vasterling, longtime artistic director for the Nashville Ballet , is retiring at the end of this season. Vasterling has been with the company for more than 30 years and at its helm for 25 years. Under Vasterling's leadership, the Nashville Ballet became one of the most notable ballet companies in the Southeast. He credits part of the Nashville Ballet's success an enthusiastic community and co...

On April 19, 1960, a bomb exploded in the North Nashville home of attorney and former city councilmember Z. Alexander Looby. The blast was so powerful it shattered windows at the nearby Meharry Medical College, but Looby and his wife escaped unscathed. The bomber behind the assassination attempt was never identified. In this episode, we’ll reflect on Looby's legacy and unravel the pivotal role he...

Part of this is  due to institutional discrimination  and land distribution policies that favored white farmers and landowners.  Land loss among Black farmers  far outpaces that of white landowners.  But that hasn’t stopped some Black farmers from living and working on land that has been in their family for generations. In this episode, we have a conversation with Black farmers about their traditi...

The mass shooting at the Covenant School thrust Nashville into the international spotlight. And it hit particularly close to home for our city’s Christian communities. In this episode, we explore how local faith leaders have been navigating this tragedy, which happened at a Christian school with many connections to other churches throughout Nashville, and discuss how religion has become intertwine...

The annual Nashville Cherry Blossom Festival takes place tomorrow. Founded in 2009 as a collaboration between the Japan-America Society of Tennessee, the General Consulate of Japan, and the Mayor’s Office, the festival is a celebration of Japanese culture, from martial arts to traditional music to wood block prints. Today, we're talking about the history of the festival, what it means to the commu...

With the  drama  and attention around the  gigantic purple martin roost  at the symphony over the last two years, more of our eyes are on the sky and on our migrating feathered friends. What is migration? Why is Nashville not only a stopping point for bachelor parties – but hundreds of thousands of  feathered  birds each year? And how can we be better hosts? In this episode, we hear from three gue...

The deadly Covenant School shooting revived the conversation about gun control in Middle Tennessee. In this episode, we talk to the people who are leading that conversation, including a survivor of gun violence and someone who has lobbied against pro-gun bills in front of the the Tennessee legislature. We'll also discuss how the push for gun control has evolved in the more than 10 years between th...

In the two weeks since the  Covenant School shooting , many in Nashville have rallied for gun control and school safety. A significant portion of those raising their voices are youth. One week after the shooting, students organized a school walk-out, and marched to the capitol to tell lawmakers what they want done about the very real danger in schools.  Today we hear from students themselves about...

Tennessee House Republicans voted Thursday to  expel two Democratic colleagues  for breaking House rules. This came just days after Reps. Justin Jones, Gloria Johnson and Justin Pearson took to the House floor  to join protesters calling for gun reform . The expulsion made national and international headlines. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre opened the Thursday’s press briefing by c...

In the past two years, war and violence in Afghanistan and Ukraine have displaced millions of people, and some refugees have resettled here in Middle Tennessee. Today, we’re sitting down with people from both countries to learn what their lives have been like since leaving home. But first, the Tennessee State House has expelled two young Democratic representatives from Nashville and Memphis on Thu...