At the state capital, Nashville has a good amount of local news coverage. We’ve also attracted national attention, including multiple conservative outlets and their personalities. So, with a myriad of choices and a never-ending supply of information, what news sources do you use to stay fully and accurately informed? Are you willing to pay for that information? And how do you tell the difference between news that’s been checked for accuracy and news that hasn’t? 

This episode was produced by Mary Mancini.

GUESTS

Garrison Hayes | Video Correspondent, Center for Investigative Reporting
Ken Paulson | Dean Emeritus and director of the Free Speech Center at the College of Media and Entertainment, MTSU; Former editor-in-chief of USA Today

After the Covenant School shooting in the spring of 2023, three Covenant moms — Melissa Alexander, Mary Joyce, and Sarah Shoop Neumann — set out to pursue gun reform here in Tennessee. The women were lifetime conservatives and supporters of the Second Amendment. WPLN senior reporter Meribah Knight documented the women’s efforts to impact Tennessee state politics where the Republican Party holds a supermajority. You can listen to the full story on NPR’s Embedded: Supermajority. 

Today, we’re speaking with Knight about creating the series and hearing from the women themselves about their experience and where they are today. 

This episode was produced by Katherine Ceicys.

GUESTS

You’ve seen them around town, organizing Black Nashvillians to become greater participants in local, state and national governments. They are not the only organization in town to do this work, but they are one of the most effective. So, who are the folks that make up the BNA? How did they form? What is next for the group? And how important do they think your vote is for this year’s election in November?

This episode was produced by Khalil Ekulona.

GUESTS

He may have been born in Florida, but Mr. Boone has deep Nashville roots. He attended Lipscomb, had his first performances in Centennial Park, recorded in middle Tennessee, and appeared on Hee Haw. Today, we'll hear from Boone about his singing and film career, his family, his heavy-metal phase and so much more. Join us!

Today's episode was produced by Tasha A.F. Lemley.

GUEST

FURTHER LISTENING

• Pat Boone's new song “Where Did America Go?” is available on YouTube (lyric video) and all other streaming platforms.

This isn’t the first time they’ve ruled on this issue, with additional decisions on immunity in civil cases given during both the Richard Nixon and Bill Clinton administrations. But what does the ruling actually state? And what degree of immunity do our state and local leaders have? Most importantly, how do we as a country balance immunity with accountability? We've convened a panel of experts to take your questions and comments. Call 615-760-2000 to join the conversation.

This episode was produced by Mary Mancini.

GUESTS

Dr. John R. Vile | Dean, MTSU Honors College & Professor of Political Science
Junaid Odubeko | Attorney, Bradley Law Firm; Adjunct professor, Campaign Finance and Elections Law, Vanderbilt University Law School; Former legal counsel to Gov. Phil Bredesen

FURTHER

Aug. 1, 2024: Open Line Thursday - How are you doing this election season?

Wild turkeys are what biologists call an indicator species — meaning its presence in a location is indicative of a healthy ecosystem for all other species, including humans. The turkey is also a significant figure to Native cultures, both spiritually and practically. In the early 1900s, commercial hunting left the wild turkey population decimated, and it faced extinction. Hunters were the first to notice the trouble, and in the mid-1900s, efforts began to rescue and conserve them — a movement that changed the course of history for a bird that often roams our streets and neighborhoods.

From East Nashville to Natchez Trace, and from Radnor Lake to Hermitage, residents often have run-ins with the weird, wonderful, wild turkey. But its significance to this country and our environment cannot be understated — and the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency says it needs our help to keep it thriving.

GUESTS

Quantum computers can already complete calculations that would take current computers millions of years to solve, and experts say that researchers are on track to cross a game-changing threshold in this new technology by 2030. MTSU recently launched its Quantum Science Initiative and is working with regional partners, including Oak Ridge National Laboratory, to educate and train students here in Middle Tennessee to step into research and technical jobs in this emerging field. 

Today, we’re speaking with students and researchers about their work — and what we all need to know about what many are calling a revolutionary technology.

Today's episode was produced by Katherine Ceicys.

GUESTS

FURTHER READING

His focus on African American history has led to many discoveries about a hidden and sometimes forgotten past. He is leaned on by city officials, historic foundations, community members and most importantly, his students, to learn about the many people whose lives and work have impacted our city, region, and state. Today, we'll learn more about Dr. Lee, as he is famously known. Where did his thirst for knowledge and history come from? How did his early life shape the actions he takes today? Join us!

Today's episode was produced by Khalil Ekulona.

GUEST

FURTHER READING AND LISTENING

How are you staying informed and staying sane as we get closer to November? To lend us a hand we've assembled a panel of experts from the fields of political science, psychology, and American studies to take your calls at 615-760-2000. Join us!

Today's guests:

Dr. Heather Alesch  | Clinical Director, Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Nashville Center for Trauma and Psychotherapy
Dr. Nikol Alexander-Floyd | Professor of Political Science, Rutgers University
Dana D. Nelson, Dr. | Nancy Perot Chair of English and Professor of American Studies, Vanderbilt University

Today, we explore the past and present history of Olympians from Nashville. Who was John Noel, Sr., the first Olympian born in Tennessee to bring home a gold medal in 1924? And how did the Tennessee State University Tigerbelles, the 1960 all-Black women’s track team, find Olympic glory despite turbulent times at home?

This episode was produced by Khalil Ekulona and Mary Mancini.

Today’s guests:

John Noel lll | Grandson of John Noel, Sr., first Tennessean to bring home the gold
Matthew Gailani | Curator, Tennessee State Museum
Aime Card | Author, The Tigerbelles: Olympic Legends from Tennessee State; Editor, Pangyrus
Coach Chandra Cheeseborough | Olympic medalist; TSU Tigerbelle; TSU Director of Track and Field

Further in:

WPLN | Your curated guide to the Tennesseans competing in the Paris Olympics
NashVillager Podcast | Nashvillians at the Olympic swimming trials
Tennessean | He was Tennessee's first Olympic gold medalist — and he did it 100 years ago in Paris
Tennessee State Musuem | TSU Tigerbelles: The Road to Rome