This year’s General Assembly is well underway. Sen. Charlane Oliver of Nashville and Rep. Justin J. Pearson of Memphis are two of Tennessee’s younger lawmakers, both with backgrounds in activism. Now, they are in office representing two of Tennessee’s largest cities and are tasked with creating change within the system.

In today’s episode, we’ll talk to these lawmakers about their approach to policy, the relationship between the state and the cities they represent, and the future of Tennessee politics.

But first, we're saying goodbye to WPLN's senior healthcare reporter, and a true fixture of Nashville's radio waves, Blake Farmer.

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In January the Tennessee Department of Health announced that the state will no longer accept funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for HIV prevention, testing and treatment.

Around 20,000 Tennesseans are living with HIV, and the CDC estimates that 14% of Tennesseans with HIV are unaware of their status. The funding will run out at the end of May, and there is no set plan of how the state will compensate for this lack of federal money. So, how did we get here?

In this episode, we look into the why the state made this decision and talk to physicians and health advocates about potential long-term consequences. Tennessee Health Commissioner Dr. Ralph Alvarado was invited to join the panel, but declined.

But first, we check in with WPLN’s criminal justice reporter Paige Pfleger on a bill designed to eliminate community oversight boards in Tennessee.

Editor’s note: This episode inaccurately states that TN Health Commissioner Dr. Ralph Alvarado made the announcement that the state would reject federal CDC funds for HIV prevention. The TN Health Department made the announcement.

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At 12:40 p.m. on February 13, 1960, Black college students sat down at lunch counters in downtown Nashville and asked to be served. They sat in silent protest against the segregation at the city’s lunch counters, but were met with with racial slurs and abuse.

John Lewis, who would go on to become an icon of the civil rights movement and later a U.S. representative, was arrested for the first time at Woolworth and would spend weeks in jail along with dozens of fellow activists. By May, six of the downtown lunch counters began serving Black customers.

These sit-ins marked a turning point in the struggle for racial equality in Nashville, the South and the country at large. In this episode, we hear from three Nashvillians participated in the sit-ins.

But first, Paul Shane Garrett served 10 years in prison for a murder the Nashville District Attorney’s Office later found they had no credible evidence he committed. On Tuesday, the Metro Council approved a $1.2 million settlement with Garrett. Nashville Banner Editor Steve Cavendish stops by the studio to discuss what the settlement means for the city, Nashville police and the DA’s Office.

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Nashville is famous for its hot chicken, but what about its hot sauce. In just the past five years, several local companies have popped up, each with their own blend of flavors and heat.

In this episode, we’re talking with several local hot sauce makers and small business owners about the rise of local hot sauce production. Host Khalil Ekulona also puts his taste buds to the test.

But first, we’re joined by WPLN senior health care reporter Blake Farmer to discuss his latest article on how the state investigates TennCare fraud.

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The Fairgrounds Speedway is a Nashville institution. It’s held car races and horse races since 1904, and still had horse racing up until 1957 when they paved the track. It held NASCAR races up until 1984, when disputes between city government and track management put an end to it. But it has continued to be a local and regional spot for car racing.

In 2011, Nashville voters passed a referendum that obligated the city to maintain the track for racing. For years, Bristol Motor Speedway has been courting the city with a plan to renovate the track, in part to attract NASCAR and other big races back to Nashville. Mayor John Cooper is championing a proposal under consideration by the Fair Board Commission that would give Bristol the greenlight to update the Speedway.

However, residents who live near the Speedway are concerned about what kind of traffic, congestion and noise an improved track will bring to their neighborhood.

In this episode, we’ll hear from residents who are both for and against the proposal.

But first, it’s time for @ US! Host Khalil Ekulona and digital lead Anna Gallegos-Cannon respond to listener feedback and questions.

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In July 2021, pandemic-era eviction protections ended in Nashville. Since then, state and federal sources of rent assistance have dried up, and this December eviction filings in Nashville were 70% higher than they were before the pandemic.

To understand what happens when a person is evicted and how it impacts their ability to find housing, we’re talking to community members with firsthand experience. Then, we’re joined by legal experts from the Legal Aid Society and the Hispanic Bar association to discuss resources, tenant rights and the  Eviction Right to Counsel Project.

On Thursday, Feb. 9, from 2-4 p.m. Legal Aid Society and Conexión Américas are co-hosting an open house to answer questions about the new Eviction Right to Counsel pilot program, which will provide legal aid to low-income renters at risk of eviction in Davidson County.

But first, we’re joined by WPLN education reporter Alexis Marshall to discuss local relief efforts in response to Monday’s deadly earthquake in Turkey and Syria.

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The death of Tyre Nichols, who was beaten by Memphis police officers, has once again sparked discussion about police violence and public safety.

Just days after Memphis officials released video of police pulling over and assaulting Nichols, Metro Nashville police officers shot and killed a 48-year-old Black man on Buchanan Street in North Nashville.

Activists are seeking change. Lawmakers are introducing legislation that aims to address police violence at a state level. But what can be done? Is oversight enough? And what does the future look like — for police and for the community?

But first, WPLN political reporter Blaise Gainey breaks down Gov. Bill Lee’s State of the State address.

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Tennessee State University’s Aristocrat of Bands made history on Sunday by becoming the first college marching band to win, not one, but two Grammys.

AOB won the Grammy for Best Roots Gospel Album for their album “The Urban Hymnal” and the Best Spoken Word Poetry Album for their collaboration with J. Ivy on “The Poet Who Sat by the Door.”

In this episode, we check in with Nashville Public Radio’s Jewly Hight about other local winners and what the awards mean for the Nashville music industry.

In honor of AOB’s big wins, we’ll revisit an earlier interview with Larry Jenkins, TSU’s assistant director of bands, and look at marching bands in Nashville.

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For a long time, Nashvillians have known that there are certain times of day when they could get away with parking downtown without feeding the meter. But this month, the Nashville Department of Transportation is moving to 24/7 parking enforcement.

This is the first in a series of upcoming changes, including switching out meters for QR codes and kiosks.

How will these changes be implemented? And what do they mean for the city’s budget and priorities? We’re talking all about it with local residents, government officials and members of the Traffic and Parking Commission.

But first, we’re joined by Nashville Banner editor Steve Cavendish for an update on Nashville’s mayoral race.

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The issues at the Tennessee Department of Children's Services are well documented. Over the last year there have been reports of staffing shortages, overwhelmed case workers, kids sleeping in state offices and abuse allegations.

But, at one time, Tennessee's DCS was considered a model for other states on how to serve vulnerable children and their families. So, how did DCS end up in its current condition?

In this episode, we talk to people with firsthand experience with DCS and the foster care system, child advocates and attorneys involved in the 2000 Brian A. lawsuit that helped turn the agency around. This Is Nashville invited DCS Commissioner Margie Quin to join the panel, but the department declined on her behalf.

But first, you'll hear from Kendra, a 14-year-old Nashville girl currently in foster care. She and her family spoke to criminal justice Paige Pfleger about their experience with DCS.

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