Stephen Elliott

www.youtube.com/watch?v=scI1...

Agents wrote on detainees, in one case referring to the "mark of the beast," to track arrests by team. After a restaurant employee was detained, an agent joked, "The guacamole’s never going to taste the same now," and continued even after the trooper said his body cam was “hot.” (4/11)

Nashville families still reeling from May 2025 THP, ICE operation - Nashville Banner An analysis of the May 2025 ICE operation in Nashville reveals THP was not focused on traffic safety. The fallout for those detained and/or deported continues.

@stelliott.bsky.social and Araceli Crescencio also wrote this story, detailing the aftermath of these arrests on individuals who were deported and their families. It highlights conditions in detention centers and economic strain caused by the operation:

nashvillebanner.com/2026/02/19/i...

Metro Council discusses winter storm response and more - Nashville Banner The Metro Council got a visit from Mayor Freddie O'Connell before it discussed winter storm-related resolutions and a bill and tackled other items at its latest meeting.

-Robert's Rules of Order 150th birthday
-We have the names for the mayoral winter storm response commission
-Resolution calling for firing NES CEO on hold for now

And the rest from last night's Metro Council meeting

8,2 mil reproducciones · 21 reacciones | Conferencia de prensa del alcalde Freddie O’Connell (traducción en español más tarde) | Nashville Noticias Conferencia de prensa del alcalde Freddie O’Connell (traducción en español más tarde)

starts at about 10:15 here www.facebook.com/100064873470...

Metro Council meeting: Winter storm items and more - Nashville Banner The agenda for the month's second Nashville Metro Council meeting includes winter storm response, employee benefits, Choose How You Move contracts and more.

The Metro Council has several items on its Tuesday agenda related to recovery from the recent winter storm. Check out our preview of the meeting:

📝: @stelliott.bsky.social

YouTube video by TNCourts (TNCourts) Metropolitan Government of Nashville & Davidson Co. Et Al. v. Bill Lee Et Al.

Metro Council reduction lawsuit arguments at the Tennessee Supreme Court underway: www.youtube.com/watch?v=XpNj...

Learn about and how to navigate Nashville's Metro government - Nashville Banner Your guide to navigate the Metropolitan Government of Nashville-Davidson County. Learn how to connect with and stay informed about your local government.

Whether you're a longtime Nashville resident newly interested in your city government or a recent transplant hoping to keep up with what's going on, the Metropolitan Government of Nashville-Davidson County can be hard to follow. That's why we put together this guide.

✍️: @stelliott.bsky.social

Voters Guide: Davidson County judicial primary elections - Nashville Banner Get to know the candidates in the Davidson County judicial primary elections, which will take place May 5 with recent appointees looking to hold their seats.

I learned that Dawn Deaner, currently speaking to the Metro Council about indigent defense, is running for criminal court judge from the @nashvillebanner.bsky.social

sitting at Metro Council thinking of this I read in a Carl Hiaasen book the other day

Tonight is the annual pre-budget public comment period. That's a two-hour opportunity for residents to weigh in on the city's annual budget before it all gets negotiated in a few months. Sign up to speak at city hall starting at 5. First come first served.

this isn't me by the way!

Nashville winter storm: Community aids those without power - Nashville Banner Effects of historic winter storm leaves in Nashville linger, with community aid and volunteers stepping up to provide food and warmth to those in need.

“¡Comida gratis!” One of the numerous community aid efforts underway in frozen Nashville this week was dedicated to delivering hot meals to cold and fearful immigrant families.

📝 @iamstevenhale.bsky.social and @stelliott.bsky.social

LISTEN: Metro Council Is Back — We Talk Downtown Safety, Buchanan Street and Mayoral Race - Nashville Banner Stephen Elliott and Steven Hale talk about the year's first Metro Council meeting, downtown public safety and the latest on the mayor's race.

"We may have some real Planning heads listening..."

In a special podcast episode, the Banner’s @iamstevenhale.bsky.social and @stelliott.bsky.social talk about the first Metro Council meeting of the year, what the Planning Commission does and the sort-of start or the mayoral race.

John Drake talks about five years as MNPD chief - Nashville Banner Nashville police chief John Drake discusses falling crime rates, immigration enforcement, the need for technology to further reduce crime and more.

I talked to Nashville Police Chief John Drake about falling crime rates, local debates about surveillance technology and ICE. nashvillebanner.com/2026/01/22/m...

Metro Council debates downtown safety grant and proposals - Nashville Banner The Metro Council's decisions on how to use a $15 million downtown safety grant included one rejection while proposed changes to the Metro charter were abandoned.

At its first meeting of 2026 on Tuesday, the Metro Council rejected grant funds for new downtown security cameras while accepting funds for other downtown security items. Here’s @stelliott.bsky.social's rundown of the meeting.

Vincent Dixie is running for Congress again and Fran Bush is running for school board again. (From this morning's Flyer newsletter @nashvillebanner.bsky.social)

LISTEN: Tennessee's Legislature is back in session The Banner’s Steven Hale and Sarah Grace Taylor talk about the return of the Tennessee legislature, what they’ve done so far and what to expect in the coming months. Sarah Grace discusses bills relate...

Pretty nice little podcast chat with @sarahgracetaylor.bsky.social about the return of the Tennessee legislature which you can listen to here or in your podcast app. nashvillebanner.com/2026/01/16/d...

MNPS Board Primary Election: Four Incumbents, three challengers - Nashville Banner The Metro Nashville Public Schools board primary election is heating up with four seats up for election and challengers already lined up for three.

Four incumbent school board members and three challengers are poised to run in the MNPS board primary election this year for Districts 2, 4, 6 and 8. Candidates have until Feb. 19 to gather petition signatures and join the race.

📝: Lillian Avedian

Nashville school start times: No consensus after feedback - Nashville Banner Metro Nashville Public Schools continues to seek public opinion on proposed changes to school start and dismissal times as no consensus is apparent from early efforts.

MNPS is gathering feedback on three proposed models for adjusting school start and dismissal times. During a week of community meetings, families and staff expressed diverse perspectives, with no one proposal emerging as a clear favorite.

✏️: Lillian Avedian

nashvillebanner.com/2026/01/12/m...

Metro Council's Women's Caucus seeks answers on 911 dispatch service - Nashville Banner Metro Council members push for answers about 911 dispatch service management, citing a culture of intimidation and inconsistent leadership.

Read about some of the issues at the department here: nashvillebanner.com/2025/04/30/m...

Department of Emergency Communications director Stephen Martini has been placed on leave after the mayor asked for his resignation and he declined.

Metro Planning Commission defers Buchanan Street business bill - Nashville Banner Metro Councilmember Brandon Taylor's bill to restrict certain businesses on Buchanan Street in North Nashville is delayed after public debate.

So many people showed up for the public hearing about this overlay for North Nashville’s Buchanan Street that the fire marshal had to get involved.

Hundreds of people at another vigil and demonstration this evening in Nashville’s Centennial Park in response to the killing of Renee Good by an ICE agent in Minneapolis yesterday.

Nashville sees historic drop in crime rates for 2025 - Nashville Banner Violent crime in Nashville dropped significantly in 2025, with homicides, assaults, and robberies decreasing. Property crime also saw a decrease.

Homicides fell to their lowest level in a decade in Nashville last year, while robberies and burglaries were as rare as they’ve been since the 1960s.

✏️: @iamstevenhale.bsky.social

nashvillebanner.com/2026/01/07/n...

Fairgrounds Speedway: LiUNA seeks guarantees for local labor - Nashville Banner LiUNA Local 386 launches campaign to preserve Fairgrounds Nashville and Fairgrounds Speedway, seeking labor guarantees and opposing anti-racing referendum.

Nashville labor union LiUNA Local 386 is wading into the ongoing debate over the future of the Fairgrounds Nashville and its Fairgrounds Speedway, opposing a charter amendment referendum push aimed at ending racing at the fairgrounds.

✏️: @stelliott.bsky.social

nashvillebanner.com/2026/01/05/l...

We took some of your questions straight to Nashville Mayor @freddieoconnell.bsky.social. He reflects on reaching the midpoint of his term, public safety, housing and reelection.

✏️ : @stelliott.bsky.social

The Banner's Best Photos of 2025 - Nashville Banner Staff photojournalist Martin B. Cherry selected his favorite photos from the year, including notable figures, community gatherings and more

Look back at 2025 through the lens of Banner staff photographer Martin B. Cherry.