This is the first of a three-part conversation between Dean Baquet and Chattanooga, Tennessee Mayor Tim Kelly at the Big Towns summit in Lafayette, Louisiana. In this episode, The Current's Executive Editor Christiaan Mader introduces Dean Baquet and Mayor Tim Kelly and Dean invites Mayor Kelly to riff on why the local stuff matters (a lot), what precipitated his choice to run for mayor and how the One Chattanooga plan is addressing the city's one big intractable problem. Produced by The Current. (c) 2025 The Current Media Inc.

Special Guests: Dean Baquet and Mayor Tim Kelly.