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 of Knoxville. LINKS: How University of Tennessee students are scrambling to keep WUTK on air in 'hecti...
Aug 13, 2024•21 min
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 karaoke song and what songs they consider their go-to choices. "The Scruffy Stuff" is presented by kno...
Jul 23, 2024•22 min
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 host Ryan Wilusz to discuss all things McKay's, from how people spent their $800 in store credit to ...
Jul 17, 2024•22 min
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 the championship weekend. Her job: photograph history. The tireless work paid off with incredible sh...
Jul 02, 2024•22 min
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 list of things they hope to accomplish before football season picks up – things like finding their go-to ...
Jun 18, 2024•18 min
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 veteran, who discusses his tips and tricks for staying comfortable, unofficial Bonnaroo traditions an...
Jun 11, 2024•24 min
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 band. Listen as Wilusz and co-host Keenan Thomas discuss the competition, who won and how the format se...
Jun 04, 2024•12 min
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 patios in the Scruffy City. Scores are given a letter score, with a special "S" ranking we are calling "t...
May 29, 2024•42 min
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 patios in the Scruffy City. Scores are given a letter score, with a special "S" ranking we are calling "t...
May 21, 2024•32 min
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 hope to accomplish before football season picks up – things like finding their go-to place, enjoying the...
May 14, 2024•18 min
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 expectations for their hometown album release show and just how many times you can wear a shirt on tour ...
May 07, 2024•36 min
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. Growth and development reporters Ryan Wilusz and Silas Sloan discuss what must happen for this proj...
Apr 30, 2024•23 min
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 sounds of a diverse customer base, including UT students. It makes sense with all the apartments aimed a...
Apr 23, 2024•18 min
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 The International property in downtown Knoxville, where radiation technology was used to see what's insid...
Apr 16, 2024•33 min
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 related to the possibility of a "Jolene" cover, all citing Knox News and Turner's work. Turner joins hos...
Apr 02, 2024•22 min
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 of the expansive overhaul known as "Reconnecting Knoxville" that will add walkways to highways, repl...
Mar 26, 2024•16 min
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 veterans – talk about how to plan for this year's festival, including some changes that might surpris...
Mar 19, 2024•13 min
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 city to take notice and clear up some confusion. Ryan Wilusz and Brianna Paciorka talk about the implica...
Mar 13, 2024•24 min
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, this comprehensive guide is for you! Looking for the best brewery or music venue in town? Knoxpedia...
Mar 05, 2024•13 min
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 why shouting "Free Bird" is never a good idea. "The Scruffy Stuff" is presented by knoxnews.com. Want...
Feb 27, 2024•27 min
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 food scene and how success stories from restaurants like Potchke can help shape the future of food in...
Feb 20, 2024•25 min
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 over the next five years. "The Scruffy Stuff" is presented by knoxnews.com. Want more downtown analysi...
Feb 14, 2024•25 min
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 downtown Knoxville this year. A lot of what we came up with involves supporting local, whether it's ...
Jan 30, 2024•21 min
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 respective lineups to share their top picks from both bills. Listen as they discuss why each of their most ...
Jan 16, 2024•33 min
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 new downtown district. Read along as you listen to a monumental 200th episode, hosted by Ryan Wilusz and ...
Jan 09, 2024•18 min
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 [email protected] . "The Scruffy Stuff" is presented by knoxnews.com. Want more downtown analysis? Sign up for the free weekly Urban Knoxville newsletter by clicking here, and join the dow...
Jan 02, 2024•23 min
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 missed predictions could happen in 2024. "The Scruffy Stuff" is presented by Knox News. Want more do...
Dec 26, 2023•28 min
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 traffic would cut down on excessive car noise. Downtown reporter Ryan Wilusz and visuals journalist ...
Dec 19, 2023•22 min
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 it. Regardless, it's rare to see a single beverage take over a city to this level. Host Ryan Wilusz is...
Dec 12, 2023•26 min
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 bar were not on his 2023 Bingo card. Obscure events deserve obscure categories, though we've included some ...
Dec 05, 2023•24 min
