Downtown Knoxville has a lot to offer, but sometimes residents and visitors are left wanting more. From tall buildings to family activities to bar and restaurant variety, we came up with some amenities that have great quality in downtown Knoxville but not great quantity — and how this could be addressed. This episode, co-hosted by Brenna McDermott and Ryan Wilusz of Knox News, previews next week's episode all about the things in downtown Knoxville that are overabundant. "The Scruffy Stuff" is pr...
Apr 18, 2023•26 min
A rap about the Sunsphere? A poem about Randy Boyd? With the rise of artificial intelligence software, we fed some downtown Knoxville prompts to ChatGPT and predicted what it would say. Host Ryan Wilusz is joined on this episode by higher education reporter Keenan Thomas, who has reported on the rise of ChatGPT on the University of Tennessee at Knoxville campus and how officials are adapting. Listen to the episode now and check out the full story: "How UT professors are spotting chatbot-generate...
Apr 11, 2023•25 min
This past weekend, Big Ears Festival, Chalk Walk and the Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon all overlapped in downtown Knoxville. Not only that, but the Bassmaster Classic saw record attendance the weekend before. For some, that meant exploring the city and all it has to offer. For others, it meant navigating road closures and avoiding swarms of locals and out-of-town guests. Does it make sense to hold multiple events at the same time in downtown Knoxville, and what does a busy weekend tell us a...
Apr 04, 2023•19 min
Rick Emmett has worked for the city more than three decades, including the past 12 years as Knoxville's downtown coordinator. In this role, he helps residents and business navigate the ins and out of government while leading some of the most notable downtown efforts. With Emmett retiring, we invited him on "The Scruffy Stuff" to talk about how downtown has changed and where growth could be going as he enters a new life chapter. "The Scruffy Stuff" is presented by knoxnews.com. Want more downtown...
Mar 29, 2023•41 min
The 60-day waiting period required to demolish downtown Knoxville's most crumbling building is over, but there's one more hurdle to address before Pryor Brown Garage can come down: pedestrian safety. While the owner of the garage works on that, 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 yours by emailing [email protected] . "The Scruffy Stuff" is presented by knoxnews...
Mar 21, 2023•23 min
There's not much shopping that happens at coffee shops; they are more like caffeine lounges than anything else. This is especially true for those who prefer tea and other drinks, yet you'll still find these people in coffee shops around Knoxville. That's because coffee shops are about far more than their roasts. Atmosphere, meeting areas, gifts and food all are offered in these spaces around town. Co-hosts Ryan Wilusz and Brenna McDermott pick their favorite Knoxville coffee shops around town on...
Mar 13, 2023•21 min
Brian Canever and Patrick Teasdale of the Knox Soccer Podcast join Ryan Wilusz, co-host of "The Scruffy Stuff," to talk about One Knoxville SC's jump to a professional league. As Knoxville's sports culture continues to grow, with a baseball stadium planned just east of downtown, is the Scruffy City ready to become a soccer city? We answer this question and a whole lot more about the first pro soccer season in Knoxville, beginning March 18. To hear Ryan talk about the stadium on the Knox Soccer P...
Mar 07, 2023•30 min
If a bear does cocaine in the woods and no one is around to see it, did it really do cocaine? The answer is a resounding yes, and "Cocaine Bear" places this far-fetched premise prominently on display during the new film directed by Elizabeth Banks. With its ties to Knoxville − and Knox News − it was only fitting for two reporters, Ryan Wilusz and Keenan Thomas, to be among the first to see the movie at Regal Cinebarre. Listen for our thoughts about the movie and for what viewers should expect in...
Feb 24, 2023•21 min
Just the prospect of a downtown Knoxville stadium was enough for real estate investors to begin buying property left and right in the Old City and Magnolia Warehouse District. The trend has continued since the stadium was approved, and property values are rising. Areena Arora, Silas Sloan and Ryan Wilusz explore real estate transactions, property trends and the possible future of a stadium district. Host Brenna McDermott leads this discussion, based on our in-depth reporting available now at Kno...
Feb 21, 2023•27 min
Inspired by Bill Murray in "Groundhog Day," this podcast explores what it would be like to wake up in the same place day after day. The fun part: You get to choose. Ryan Wilusz, Brianna Paciorka and Keenan Thomas consider food, shopping, nightlife and other amenities to determine which block in the downtown Knoxville area they would select. "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 j...
Feb 14, 2023•25 min
Love is in the air and money is in your wallet. Let's keep it that way! Downtown Knoxville has its fair share of fine dining and fancy cocktails. But when you're with a special someone, memories hold the most value. Brianna Paciorka joins hosts Brenna McDermott and Ryan Wilusz to talk about their ideal Valentine's Day experiences, from the most affordable to the most out-of-the-box ideas that are sure to keep your crush blushing (and your partner asking why you can't always be this romantic). "T...
Feb 07, 2023•25 min
Get your stomach and taste buds ready for another year of babka and matzo ball soup. Potchke is sticking around downtown Knoxville longer than anticipated. Owners Laurence Faber and Emily Williams join "The Scruffy Stuff" to talk renewing their lease on Gay Street, being featured in The New York Times and planning an exciting second year for the New York City-style Jewish deli (with a south Florida twist). "The Scruffy Stuff" is presented by knoxnews.com. Want more downtown analysis? Sign up for...
Jan 31, 2023•39 min
New year, new you ... and a new member of "The Scruffy Stuff" team! There's so much to do in downtown Knoxville that it's easy to miss out on experiences, whether that's trying new restaurants, exploring alternative transportation or immersing yourself in the local music scene. Host Ryan Wilusz is again joined by Keenan Thomas, now a full-time reporter at Knox News, and visual journalist Brianna Paciorka to share what they hope to accomplish downtown in 2023. Paciorka also is our new podcast pro...
Jan 23, 2023•26 min
The city of Knoxville is seeking to suspend or revoke the license of Aramark, the company that runs beer sales at Neyland Stadium for the University of Tennessee. City officials say the company served underage adults three times in the 2022 football season and claim beer sales create a "disorderly" environment on game days. But since beer sales began in 2019, the rate of incidents logged by University of Tennessee police essentially have been the same as years without beer sales. Is there a path...
Jan 18, 2023•23 min
The things Adeem the Artist hasn't directly experienced, the Knoxville musician has delicately observed in the struggles of strangers and friends in their 34 years, culminating in 11 sung stories of "White Trash Revelry" released on Dec. 2. Perhaps, you have seen the album on "best-of" lists by Rolling Stone and Billboard or heard their music praised by Brandi Carlile, a queer country artist in her own right − and a Grammy-winning one, at that. Conversations surrounding Southern music and cultur...
Jan 09, 2023•45 min
This week's podcast is not about projects that have been announced for 2023 (you can visit knoxnews.com to read all about that). Instead, we share our bold predictions for the new year – which businesses announced for 2023 might not happen, for example, and which neighborhood is going to be the hot new place to live and play. Ryan Wilusz and Brenna McDermott have big ideas about whether crumbling buildings will be demolished, whether a downtown grocery store is finally viable, whether Neyland St...
Jan 03, 2023•26 min
It's a bizarre scene — sometimes harmonious, other times cacophonous but never loud. At least, not by modern dance club standards. Silent Disco is not a new concept, but it seems to be picking up in popularity in communities across the country where people have the unshakable urge to dance. That's definitely true in Knoxville. "The Scruffy Stuff" is presented by knoxnews.com.
Dec 26, 2022•14 min
Knoxville has charm, but a handful of ugly structures in the city's core are dictionary-definition scruffy: unkempt, shabby and worn. If character is what makes a downtown Knoxville building attractive, then lack of character can make it an eyesore. Ryan Wilusz, Kelli Krebs and Brenna McDermott explore the ugliest buildings in downtown Knoxville. "The Scruffy Stuff" is presented by knoxnews.com.
Dec 19, 2022•32 min
From flavorful food trucks to fast-growing neighborhoods, downtown Knoxville and surrounding areas offered a year's worth of fun and growth in 2022. While the best way to support businesses and entrepreneurs is by spending money and spreading the word, a little recognition never hurts. That's why hosts Ryan Wilusz and Brenna McDermott take it back to the days of high school yearbooks to share superlatives for downtown Knoxville across multiple categories, from best new bar to the MVP developer a...
Dec 12, 2022•37 min
For those in the giving spirit this holiday season, a large amount of money makes for a fine gift. But an even better gift is one that keeps on giving, like an upgrade to downtown infrastructure that encourages growth for generations or (on the crazier side) a publicly accessible party boat on the Tennessee River. While $50 million may seem like pocket change to some major downtown Knoxville investors, this amount could go a long way in igniting the next growth spurt for the city, and co-hots Ry...
Dec 05, 2022•25 min
Major residential developments have been announced for downtown Knoxville and the surrounding areas in recent weeks, and each project has unique characteristics that set them apart. There's Honeysuckle, a condo project among the trees of South Knoxville, and the modern redevelopment of the former Hotel Knoxville. Plus, seasoned downtown developer Buzz Goss has something big planned for the lot next to Marble Alley Lofts. Which of these apartments or condos would you like to live in? Co-hosts Bre...
Nov 28, 2022•26 min
Downtown reporter Ryan Wilusz and visual journalist Calvin Mattheis return to Knoxville to share what they learned from their trip to Durham, North Carolina, where a downtown baseball stadium opened in 1995 resembles the plans for downtown Knoxville, just east of the Old City. As the Tennessee Smokies prepare to move downtown in 2025, visit knoxnews.com for more insight gathered from our trip, including video tours and stories on the lessons Durham Bulls officials learned about their downtown st...
Nov 21, 2022•30 min
With Knoxville’s downtown stadium scheduled to open for the 2025 baseball season, Knox News and "The Scruffy Stuff" visited Durham, North Carolina, to meet with representatives of the Triple-A Bulls team and other local leaders to learn if a downtown ballpark can become a community asset and catalyze growth. Visit knoxnews.com for more insight gathered from our trip, including video tours and stories on the lessons Durham Bulls officials learned about their downtown stadium over time. There are ...
Nov 14, 2022•14 min
It has been a wild first year for Marble City Market, the downtown food hall that hasn't lived up to its potential – yet. Since management has been turned over to Paul and Ashley Moody, the couple behind SmashCity Knoxville has been working to turn things around by making changes that include improving the food hall's public perception. Paul and Ashley join hosts Ryan Wilusz and Brenna McDermott on this week's episode to discuss what's in store for year two. Visit knoxnews.com to read o ur Marbl...
Nov 07, 2022•31 min
The Tennessee Volunteers' monumental win against Alabama was a "Third Saturday in October" for the history books and, shortly after, Google added "Neyland Stadium Goal Post" as a geographical pin in the Tennessee River. But this electric game, followed by fans rushing the field and even more national media attention, put Knoxville on the map in another major way. Ryan and Brenna explore how on-field success trickles down to Knoxville's business community, from attracting talent to striking NIL d...
Nov 02, 2022•20 min
Simple bar food is great. There's nothing more classic than burgers or wings with beer, but bars on this podcast take it up a notch by offering high-quality flavors and unique ingredients. Then there's the more-unique side of bar food, where watering holes thrive by offering out-of-the-box items that seem totally reasonable when you're drinking and turn out to be quite tasty. Downtown reporter Ryan Wilusz is joined on this week's episode by growth and development reporter Silas Sloan and growth ...
Oct 19, 2022•25 min
Downtown Knoxville living is a fantasy for many and a reality for few. No matter how you slice it, living in the center of the city almost always is more expensive than the suburbs. Listen as growth and development editor Brenna McDermott and downtown reporter Ryan Wilusz help guide you through the decision of whether it makes sense to give urban life a try. We break down amenities that are most important in a downtown environment, how lifestyles change upon moving downtown and which hidden cost...
Oct 10, 2022•21 min
Fall, Autumn or Spooky Season – whatever you want to call it, there's something different in the air around downtown Knoxville. Downtown reporter Ryan Wilusz, your host, is joined by growth and development intern Keenan Thomas to discus which activities you should not miss this season, from film screenings to drink specials to fall festivals. "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...
Oct 03, 2022•25 min
Some live by the philosophy that rules are meant to be broken, but what about non-rules that are meant to be followed? Residents and frequent visitors of downtown Knoxville know what we're talking about, even if they never publicly acknowledge these unspoken guidelines − the shortcuts to bar entries, the etiquette on sidewalks and the red light some people believe is totally OK to run through. On this week's episode, higher education reporter Becca Wright joins downtown reporter Ryan Wilusz to d...
Sep 26, 2022•24 min
When streaking came to Knoxville in 1974, a couple Knox News staffers were around to witness the craze that earned the city its streaking capital nickname from Walter Cronkite. Though teens at the time, they still remember (all too vividly) some of the best parts (all too literally). There were bare-bottomed bikers and robe-less rooftop revelers. Sarah Frazier, now a Shopper News editor, tagged along wither her father to the Cumberland Avenue "Strip" show, while current Knox News office manager ...
Sep 19, 2022•17 min
