Knoxville has delayed the robot takeover for six months. That is, the Knoxville City Council voted Oct. 31 to enact an emergency moratorium on personal delivery robots. The ordinance, which passed unanimously, will keep companies from deploying the autonomous robots on city streets and sidewalks for six months to buy time for city officials to develop a policy. Downtown reporter Ryan Wilusz is joined by growth and development reporter Daniel Dassow, who specializes in technology and who experien...
Nov 21, 2023•22 min
From Nov. 21, 2022: 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 abo...
Nov 14, 2023•30 min
Knoxville is doing four weekend trial runs that will turn a busy stretch of Gay Street into a pedestrian plaza at night. Gay Street's 400 block, which runs from Wall Avenue to Union Avenue and is packed with restaurants and bars, will be closed to parking and traffic 7 p.m.-4 a.m. on these dates: Nov. 10 and 11 Nov. 17 and 18 Dec. 8 and 9 Dec. 15 and 16 Ryan Wilusz and Brianna Paciorka discuss what this change could mean for Knoxville, including how Gay Street businesses could benefit from more ...
Nov 07, 2023•19 min
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 finally 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 has you cov...
Oct 31, 2023•13 min
The Knoxville Chamber recently invited downtown reporter Ryan Wilusz to lead roundtable discussions at its 2023 Endeavor Summit, which connected young professionals with each other and with local resources to help advance their careers in Knoxville. Throughout the day, young professionals stopped by to connect with Ryan to learn about opportunities to get involved personally and professionally with downtown, as well as to learn about where urban growth is going. The conversations recorded at the...
Oct 24, 2023•23 min
With the changing of the seasons comes a change in preferences, whether it's the flavors you enjoy, the music you listen to or the activities your participate in. Simply put: Some things just hit different in the fall, and that's the focus of this week's podcast. Hosts Ryan Wilusz and Brianna Paciorka share what they tend to enjoy more as the temperatures lower and the leaves change, from certain breweries to outdoor parks to businesses offering fall-flavored sweet treats. "The Scruffy Stuff" is...
Oct 17, 2023•14 min
It's not "goodbye" but, rather, "see you later" when it comes to the JFG sign. At least, that's what much of Knoxville hopes. Mayor Indya Kincannon says she is working with city partners to find the Knoxville icon a new home after it was disassembled and removed from its spot on the hill in South Knoxville. The sign's owners want to keep it in the downtown area. Ryan Wilusz and Brianna Paciorka discuss where the sign should go, from a riverfront park to a South Knoxville roof to a Gay Street blo...
Oct 10, 2023•20 min
The South Knoxville waterfront and nearby neighborhoods don't need a pedestrian bridge for growth. Substantial changes have been happening for years, and the city recently hired consultants to identify the next opportunities for growth along the river. The findings include a "statement piece" east of the Gay Street bridge akin to the Tennessee Aquarium in Chattanooga or the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio. Knox News journalists Ryan Wilusz and visual Brianna Paciorka discuss what...
Oct 03, 2023•14 min
No matter how many times it happens, J.C. Holdway owner and chef Joseph Lenn is thrown for a loop upon arriving at his downtown restaurant to find soil on the sidewalks − the work of an unknown person who ripped out his flowers and vanished into the night. A plant vandal. The perpetrators might change, but the puzzling plant destruction always ends the same way: Someone has to pick up the pieces of ripped-out roots and shredded stems in the morning. Downtown reporter Ryan Wilusz and visual journ...
Sep 26, 2023•15 min
Originally published Jan. 9, 2023: 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 su...
Sep 19, 2023•45 min
For years, Market Square bar owner Scott West kept his pulse on the Knoxville music scene, whose bands played his stages at Preservation Pub nearly every night of the week. But the scene is changing, and the Scruffy City is ready to crown a new champion of local music. West joins the show to talk about the new Band Eat Band contest, held every Thursday at Scruffy City Hall. Bands get their share of $25,000, with the top band walking away with\ the top prize. Through fan votes, earned through sup...
Sep 12, 2023•14 min
Neyland Stadium will look a little different this year, though most new amenities were added for premium ticketholders. That doesn't mean the average fan won't benefit, and future renovations could make game days more comfortable for all. As Tennessee football prepares for its home opener against Austin Peay on Sept. 9, co-hosts Ryan Wilusz and Brenna McDermott began thinking about additional amenities they would like to see. Listen as we talk about alcohol menus, relaxation zones and activities...
Sep 06, 2023•18 min
It’s Election Day in Knoxville, with a handful of city candidates vying for a spot in the general election this November. Noticeably missing from the ballot: the positions of downtown party planner, mayor of the makers and happy hour coordinator. Never heard of these? Well, that’s because hosts Ryan Wilusz and Brenna McDermott just made them up, along with a handful of other fun positions they’d like to see created in downtown Knoxville. Who has your vote? "The Scruffy Stuff" is presented by kno...
Aug 29, 2023•17 min
If you’re a regular listener of “The Scruffy Stuff,” you should be deeply plugged in to what’s happening in and around downtown Knoxville. But do you know the Scruffy City well enough to identify businesses and public spaces by a single word? Hosts Brenna McDermott and Ryan Wilusz test each other’s knowledge with hints that are not too easy, not too hard, but very clever. Play along, and let us know how you do! You can always reach out to Ryan at [email protected] and give him a follow on...
Aug 22, 2023•24 min
Trolley buses are going away as part of KAT Reimagined, a transit overhaul that will put more resources toward ridership over coverage. But downtown transportation isn't disappearing entirely. In addition to increasing frequency for buses that come downtown, Knoxville Area Transit is planning a downtown connector loop that would replace the trolleys to an extent. But not everyone agrees that's the best move. Ryan Wilusz and Brenna McDermott discuss how removing trolleys could affect locals and t...
Aug 15, 2023•18 min
The tables are turned on this week's episode! Listen as Emilie Stooksbury from New2Knox interviews host Ryan Wilusz with questions new Knoxville residents have about our Scruffy City. The two chat about some holes in the downtown business scene, the possibility of a downtown grocery store, tips for connecting with the local sports community and the swankiest downtown apartment. And here's some more exciting news: Knox News and New2Knox are teaming up to keep you even more plugged in about everyt...
Aug 08, 2023•25 min
For the past month, Knox News reporters have chowed down across town, sampling some of the best food and drinks Knoxville has to offer. The center of the city has its fair share of fare so, of course, some downtown-area restaurants made our list. But we also explored neighborhoods to try bar bites, flavorful food trucks and desserts you can drink. Brenna McDermott, Brianna Paciorka and Ryan Wilusz lead the conversation with other Knox News journalists about shrimp burritos, PB&J beer, spicy ...
Aug 01, 2023•19 min
Happy Holler: You've probably heard the name. But like many Knoxville neighborhoods, it's not always clear where the lines are drawn. Perhaps, its ambiguity has to do with its size − just a few short blocks easily missed by a blink or a sneeze. It could also have to do with the nearby Old North Knoxville and Oakwood neighborhoods, which all seem to blend together. Then again, it could just be that − for a long time − the neighborhood hasn't had much to offer Knoxville residents that needed a car...
Jul 25, 2023•18 min
Knoxville is more than just Smoky Mountains and football; it's a subtle haven for movie lovers, too. But with two AMC theaters now closed in Knoxville , you might be wondering where to go. With its headquarters in Knoxville, Regal has four theaters to choose from − each one surprisingly different than its sister cinemas. Beyond that, independent cinemas and drive-ins offer unique viewing experiences that are hard to replicate. Knox News journalists Ryan Wilusz and Keenan Thomas took time to disc...
Jul 18, 2023•20 min
The Sunsphere: It’s bold, gold and getting kind of old. The structure has been plagued by some prohibiting factors over the years, including a lack of elevator capacity and nearby parking, as well as a center stalk that limits floor space. Surely, something can be done to make this attraction more … attractive. Brianna Paciorka, Keenan Thomas and Ryan Wilusz chat about their big ideas for alternative ways the Sunsphere could be used moving forward, from adventure attractions to themed bars. Plus...
Jul 11, 2023•16 min
We hope you are kicking off July dressed in your finest red, white and blue − the topic of this discussion, though not how you might imagine. Brianna Paciorka , Keenan Thomas and Ryan Wilusz chat about what makes them red with anger and blue with sadness when it comes to downtown Knoxville. And for the sake of keeping things positive, we decided white should represent happiness (and not surrender). This exercise resulted in a glorious discussion about restaurants, transportation, entertainment, ...
Jul 03, 2023•19 min
The Tennessee Theatre marquee or the Sunsphere? Market Square or the Old City? This exercise feels a bit like picking your favorite child – or your favorite episode of "The Scruffy Stuff." Hopefully, this week's episode is a candidate. Growth and development reporter Silas Sloan joins host Ryan Wilusz to pick between a handful of Knoxville essentials, ranging from bars to music festivals to natural landmarks. . "The Scruffy Stuff" is presented by knoxnews.com. Want more downtown analysis? Sign u...
Jun 27, 2023•20 min
Believe it or not, there's more to life than work and home. And whether or not you realize it, you probably have a "third place" – that is, a home away from home where you frequently socialize and relax. Hosts Ryan Wilusz and Brenna McDermott are joined by Knox News reporters, who share the bars, restaurants, public spaces and community gathering places where they regularly find community. "The Scruffy Stuff" is presented by knoxnews.com. Want more downtown analysis? Sign up for the free weekly ...
Jun 14, 2023•16 min
Knoxville is full of great bars, restaurants and entertainment venues. Many of them are spread across Knox County, but the Scruffy Stuff team would move a key few of them to downtown. Some of them fill a downtown niche, some just fit the downtown "vibe" and would benefit from operating in the heart of the Scruffy City. Here's our list. "The Scruffy Stuff" is presented by knoxnews.com. Want more downtown analysis? Join the downtown discussion by becoming part of the Urban Knoxville group on Faceb...
Jun 08, 2023•19 min
Knoxville's poet laureate Rhea Carmon, better known as "RheaSunshine," joins The Scruffy Stuff as she wraps up her term as Knoxville's storyteller-in-chief. Rhea talks to us about the power of spoken word poetry to begin challenging conversations around race, class, gender, ability and all the things that separate us. Rhea shares where she gets inspiration and what she's learned during her time as Knoxville's poet laureate. "The Scruffy Stuff" is presented by knoxnews.com. Want more downtown ana...
May 30, 2023•31 min
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 "the Sunsphere," rese...
May 23, 2023•42 min
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 "the Sunsphere," rese...
May 16, 2023•32 min
One month after inviting Brian Canever and Patrick Teasdale of “Knox Soccer Podcast” to join “The Scruffy Stuff,” Knox News sent higher education reporter Keenan Thomas to Regal Soccer Stadium for his first One Knoxville SC game. Thomas joins this week’s episode to share his experience with co-host Ryan Wilusz. The two chat about atmosphere, concessions, parking and more factors related to the game-day experience (and why you should experience a game, yourself). "The Scruffy Stuff" is presented ...
May 09, 2023•27 min
We're not saying downtown Knoxville businesses need to go; they just need to go somewhere else. While there are plenty of bars, restaurants, and activities to enjoy in the city's core, co-hosts Brenna McDermott and Ryan Wilusz discuss how these businesses might be better served elsewhere. From aligning Knoxville's two most notable spheres to bringing the dance party down to Gay Street, this episode is like one giant game of Monopoly. Do you agree with our decisions? "The Scruffy Stuff" is presen...
May 02, 2023•22 min
The Scruffy City has a lot to offer, but downtown Knoxville sometimes relies on an overabundance of certain businesses and amenities. This podcast, part two of last week's episode, features co-host Ryan Wilusz and producer Brianna Paciorka discussing the things downtown could cut back, from certain restaurant offerings to alcohol-forward activities. "The Scruffy Stuff" is presented by knoxnews.com. Want more downtown analysis? Sign up for the free weekly Urban Knoxville newsletter by clicking he...
Apr 25, 2023•24 min
