Start your weekday mornings with us! We’ll give you a dose of local news, analysis, history lessons, important conversations and more from the WPLN News, Nashville Public Radio.
James K. Polk is the second U.S. president from Tennessee, and we’re celebrating his birthday. Plus, the local news for Nov. 4, 2024 and a look at President Biden’s influence on the TVA. Credits: This is a production of Nashville Public Radio Hosts/producers: Tony Gonzalez & Nina Cardona Editor: Miriam Kramer Additional support: Mack Linebaugh, Tony Gonzalez, Rachel Iacovone, LaTonya Turner and the staff of WPLN and WNXP...
What was the dawn of Nashville’s electric age like? Nashville’s first electric company was founded on this day in 1881, but you can still see little glimpses of that early age of electricity today if you know where to look. Plus, the local news for Nov. 1, 2024 and the story of a disenfranchised voter who’s working to regain her right to vote. Credits: This is a production of Nashville Public Radio Host/producer: Tony Gonzalez Editor: Miriam Kramer Additional support: Mack Linebaugh, Nina Cardon...
What exactly is a special census? Some counties decide that they need a special census to recount their populations. That can bring new funding to the area, but it can also mean a logistical headache. Plus, the local news for October 31, 2024 and WNXP’s artist of the month: Kings of Leon. Credits: This is a production of Nashville Public Radio Host/producer: Tony Gonzalez Writer: Nina Cardona Editor: Miriam Kramer Additional support: Mack Linebaugh, Rachel Iacovone, LaTonya Turner and the staff ...
We pull back the curtain to explain how our newsroom functions and how we think about our coverage from day to day. Plus, the local news for Oct. 30, 2024, and an investigation into the ways children are affected by a state law meant to curb threats of mass violence in schools. Credits: This is a production of Nashville Public Radio Host/producer: Nina Cardona Editor: Miriam Kramer Additional support: Mack Linebaugh, Tony Gonzalez, Rachel Iacovone, LaTonya Turner and the staff of WPLN and WNXP...
Former Tennessee Senator Al Gore was accused by political opponents of claiming to have invented the Internet. We dig into the more complicated truth. Plus, the local news for Oct. 29, 2024 and a deep look at why Nashville’s theater community has to get creative to find rehearsal space. Credits: This is a production of Nashville Public Radio Host/producer: Nina Cardona Editor: Miriam Kramer Additional support: Mack Linebaugh, Tony Gonzalez, Rachel Iacovone, LaTonya Turner and the staff of WPLN a...
The Medical Department of the University of Nashville opened 173 years ago today, and a lot has changed in that time. Plus, the local news for October 28, 2024 and a look at how technology is transforming the music industry in Nashville. Credits: This is a production of Nashville Public Radio Hosts/producers: Catherine Sweeney & Tony Gonzalez Editor: Miriam Kramer Additional support: Mack Linebaugh, Tony Gonzalez, Rachel Iacovone, LaTonya Turner and the staff of WPLN and WNXP...
For this special edition of the NashVillager Podcast, WPLN has collected a batch of stories all about the upcoming election. From national races to local issues, this episode will help voters across Middle Tennessee get informed ahead of the Nov. 5 election. Credits: This is a production of Nashville Public Radio Host/producer: Tony Gonzalez Editor: Miriam Kramer Reporters: Char Daston, Marianna Bacallao, Paige Pfleger Contributor: LaTonya Turner Additional support: Mack Linebaugh, Rachel Iacovo...
What built the company town? The DuPont company has taken on an outsized roll in one Davidson County community’s development and history. Plus, the local news for October 25, 2024 and the final installment of our ride along series. Credits: This is a production of Nashville Public Radio Hosts: Nina Cardona & Tony Gonzalez Producer: Tony Gonzalez Editor: Miriam Kramer Additional support: Mack Linebaugh, Rachel Iacovone, LaTonya Turner and the staff of WPLN and WNXP...
What’s the best bike ride in Nashville? The Natchez Trace Parkway was completed in 2005, and today, it stands out as a popular biking spot for travelers in the Southeast. Plus, the local news for October 24, 2024 and a bus rider’s strong opinions on what can be better about transit in Nashville. Credits: This is a production of Nashville Public Radio Hosts/producers: Miriam Kramer & Tony Gonzalez Editor: Tony Gonzalez Additional support: Mack Linebaugh, Nina Cardona, Rachel Iacovone, LaTonya...
When were Middle Tennessee’s counties established? Dickson, Rutherford, Williamson and Wilson counties were all established on days this week in history. Plus, the local news for Oct. 23, 2024 and a bus ride along with a high schooler who says public transport gave them a sense of freedom. Credits: This is a production of Nashville Public Radio Host/producer: Tony Gonzalez Editor: Miriam Kramer Additional support: Mack Linebaugh, Nina Cardona, Rachel Iacovone, LaTonya Turner and the staff of WPL...
What signs of our past still float down the Cumberland? The Cumberland River isn’t the busy working river that it once was — but when you glimpse a barge coming around a bend it can illuminate layers of local history. Plus, the local news for Oct. 22, 2024 and a rideaong with a bus riding enthusiast. Credits: This is a production of Nashville Public Radio Host/producer: Tony Gonzalez Editor: Miriam Kramer Additional support: Mack Linebaugh, Nina Cardona, Rachel Iacovone, LaTonya Turner and the s...
Every voice counts. Every story matters. Today kicks off our fall fund drive, and on today’s episode of the podcast, we’re taking a moment to bring you the inside story of how we do what we do. Plus, the local news for Oct. 21, 2024 and your questions on Nashville’s transit referendum answered. Credits: This is a production of Nashville Public Radio Host/producer: Tony Gonzalez Editor: Miriam Kramer Additional support: Mack Linebaugh, Nina Cardona, Rachel Iacovone, LaTonya Turner and the staff o...
What's the latest on transit? In this special edition of the NashVillager Podcast, WPLN metro reporter Cynthia Abrams brings you four stories all about the coming transit referendum on the ballot this election cycle. Check out all the stories below: Here’s how Nashville’s 2024 transit referendum compares to what voters rejected in 2018 Nashville’s proposed transit sales tax could burden low-income residents. Here’s how the city would try to offset the impact. Nashville’s transit referendum is bo...
Election Day is coming, and we here at WPLN News are on top of it. Today we'll share our coverage plan — and you can already find many stories at WPLN.org/elections . Plus, the local news for Oct. 18, 2024 and a conversation with civically engaged kids. Credits: This is a production of Nashville Public Radio Host/producer: Tony Gonzalez Editor: Miriam Kramer Additional support: Mack Linebaugh, Tony Gonzalez, Rachel Iacovone, LaTonya Turner and the staff of WPLN and WNXP...
A Middle Tennessee facility has played a role in the testing and development of rockets, NASA spacecraft and cutting-edge planes from around the world. Plus, the local news for October 17, 2024 and a look at genomic sequencing. Credits: This is a production of Nashville Public Radio Host/producer: Nina Cardona Editor: Miriam Kramer Additional support: Mack Linebaugh, Tony Gonzalez, Rachel Iacovone, LaTonya Turner and the staff of WPLN and WNXP...
The state will likely release a new protocol for lethal injections in Tennessee soon, and more executions could follow. Plus, the local news for October 16, 2024 and this week’s edition of What, Where, Whens-day . Credits: This is a production of Nashville Public Radio Host/producer: Nina Cardona Editor: Miriam Kramer Additional support: Mack Linebaugh, Tony Gonzalez, Rachel Iacovone, LaTonya Turner and the staff of WPLN and WNXP
One Nashville mayor’s daytime TV appearance forced the city as a whole to question how we’re seen and who should lead us. Plus, the local news for October 15, 2024 and how bus rapid transit would work if the transit referendum passes. Credits: This is a production of Nashville Public Radio Host/producer: Nina Cardona Editor: Miriam Kramer Additional support: Mack Linebaugh, Tony Gonzalez, Rachel Iacovone, LaTonya Turner and the staff of WPLN and WNXP...
On the anniversary of Vanderbilt’s first faculty Nobel win, one of the university’s graduates is basking in the glow of his own new award. Plus, the local news for October 14, 2024 and a musical Forest Gump. Credits: This is a production of Nashville Public Radio Host/producer: Nina Cardona Editor: Miriam Kramer Additional support: Mack Linebaugh, Tony Gonzalez, Rachel Iacovone, LaTonya Turner and the staff of WPLN and WNXP...
Dottie West was born on this day in 1932, but before she became a massive country music star, she was a victim of abuse at the hands of her father. Today, those facing abuse have more places to turn; however, our system is far from perfect. Plus, the local news for Oct. 11, 2024, and the last installment of Making Noise . Credits: This is a production of Nashville Public Radio Host/producer: Nina Cardona Editor: Miriam Kramer Additional support: Mack Linebaugh, Tony Gonzalez, Rachel Iacovone, La...
This nation faced a Nullification Crisis nearly two centuries ago, and a president from Tennessee stopped it, but this state’s legislators are once again considering that kind of legal mutiny from the federal government. Plus the local news for October 10, 2024 and Making Noise. Credits: This is a production of Nashville Public Radio Host/producer: Nina Cardona Editor: Miriam Kramer Additional support: Mack Linebaugh, Tony Gonzalez, Rachel Iacovone, LaTonya Turner and the staff of WPLN and WNXP...
The geography of Nashville’s music scene has changed a lot over the years, and once a new venue opens, it’ll bring music into an entirely different part of downtown. Plus, the local news for October 9, 2024 and this week’s edition of What Where Whens-day . Credits: This is a production of Nashville Public Radio Host/producer: Nina Cardona Editor: Miriam Kramer Additional support: Mack Linebaugh, Tony Gonzalez, Rachel Iacovone, LaTonya Turner and the staff of WPLN and WNXP...
Alvin C. York came back to the U.S. a hero during World War I, but at his core, he was a pacifist with a passion for rural education. Plus, the local news for October 8, 2024 and the second installment of Making Noise. Credits: This is a production of Nashville Public Radio Host/producer: Nina Cardona Editor: Miriam Kramer Additional support: Mack Linebaugh, Tony Gonzalez, Rachel Iacovone, LaTonya Turner and the staff of WPLN and WNXP...
Uncle Dave Macon was born on this day in 1870 and he helped define country music – in Nashville and around the world – with his unique, vaudeville-infused banjo style. Plus, the local news for October 7, 2024, and the first feature in our special week of Making Noise. Credits: This is a production of Nashville Public Radio Host/producer: Nina Cardona Editor: Miriam Kramer Additional support: Mack Linebaugh, Tony Gonzalez, Rachel Iacovone, LaTonya Turner and the staff of WPLN and WNXP...
The first ripple effect of the investigation into surveillance at the Nashville District Attorney’s office is a big one: a major murder trial on indefinite hold. Plus the local news for October 4, 2024 and equal access to country music’s stages. Credits: This is a production of Nashville Public Radio Host/producer: Nina Cardona Editor: Miriam Kramer Additional support: Mack Linebaugh, Tony Gonzalez, Rachel Iacovone, LaTonya Turner and the staff of WPLN and WNXP...
Vanderbilt University opened on this day in 1875, and the university has major plans for the coming years. Plus, the local news for October 3, 2024 and reporters in East Tennessee witnessing the devastation of last week’s storms Credits: This is a production of Nashville Public Radio Host/producer: Nina Cardona Editor: Miriam Kramer Additional support: Mack Linebaugh, Tony Gonzalez, Rachel Iacovone, LaTonya Turner and the staff of WPLN and WNXP...
When a natural disaster like the fallout from Hurricane Helene hits, states organize to help their neighbors. We dive into how it works. Plus, the local news for October 2, 2024 and this week’s edition of What Where Whens-day . Credits: This is a production of Nashville Public Radio Host/producer: Nina Cardona Editor: Miriam Kramer Additional support: Mack Linebaugh, Tony Gonzalez, Rachel Iacovone, LaTonya Turner and the staff of WPLN and WNXP...
Winfield Dunn spent a short time as Tennessee’s governor, but his administration was a watershed moment for the state. Plus, the local news for October 1, 2024 and voter’s questions answered. Credits: This is a production of Nashville Public Radio Host/producer: Nina Cardona Editor: Miriam Kramer Additional support: Mack Linebaugh, Tony Gonzalez, Rachel Iacovone, LaTonya Turner and the staff of WPLN and WNXP...
The investigation into misconduct in DA Glenn Funk’s office has some historical parallels. Plus the local news for September 30, 2024 and a discussion about the state of Nashville’s music industry. Credits: This is a production of Nashville Public Radio Host/producer: Nina Cardona Editor: Miriam Kramer Additional support: Mack Linebaugh, Tony Gonzalez, Rachel Iacovone, LaTonya Turner and the staff of WPLN and WNXP...
Lawmakers are trying to make big changes in public schools, but it was a long and winding road to get to this moment. Plus, the local news for September 27, 2024 and how faith-based organizations can expand affordable housing. Credits: This is a production of Nashville Public Radio Host/producer: Nina Cardona Editor: Miriam Kramer Additional support: Mack Linebaugh, Tony Gonzalez, Rachel Iacovone, LaTonya Turner and the staff of WPLN and WNXP...
Understanding the iconic building in Centennial Park unlocks the history of how Nashville’s concept of itself has changed over time. Plus, the local news for September 26, 2024 and how far rural Tennesseans have to go for chemotherapy. Credits: This is a production of Nashville Public Radio Host/producer: Nina Cardona Editor: Miriam Kramer Additional support: Mack Linebaugh, Tony Gonzalez, Rachel Iacovone, LaTonya Turner and the staff of WPLN and WNXP...
