WPLN News - Nashville Public Radio

Trump's push for new nuclear weapons begins in Tennessee's oldest town The federal government is running out of a key ingredient for nuclear weapons: high-purity depleted uranium. Now they want to manufacture it in rural Tennessee.

The federal government is running out of a key ingredient for nuclear weapons: high-purity depleted uranium. Now they want to manufacture it in rural Tennessee.
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As Trump touts Tennessee troopers, state officials face questions of racial profiling, dehumanizing treatment As Gov. Bill Lee has calls for more state troopers officials with the Tennessee Highway Patrol are facing questions of racial profiling and dehumanizing treatment of Nashville’s immigrant community du...

As the legislature considers the budget, and the expansion of funds for state troopers, officials with the Tennessee Highway Patrol are facing questions of racial profiling and dehumanizing treatment of Nashville’s immigrant community.

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The Boring Company is cleared for construction, days after Nashville residents condemn ‘decadent billionaire’ access The Boring Company is ready to start digging underneath Nashville. Just days after the company met publicly with city officials for the first time, the company received new permits.

The Boring Company is ready to start digging underneath Nashville.

Just days after the company met publicly with city officials for the first time, the company was cleared for construction by state and federal agencies.

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‘We did not meet the expectations’: NES CEO admits problems as city begins storm investigation One month out from the devastating impacts of Winter Storm Fern, a city-formed commission has begun investigating how Metro agencies — and, in particular,

A city commission has begun investigating how Metro agencies and NES prepared for and responded to the ice storm.
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Tennessee could lock up foster youth in jail-like facilities under new bill Research shows it's best practice to house foster kids with families, but a bill would allow foster kids to be placed in the most secure juvenile facilities.

Foster care children in Tennessee could be placed in the most secure facilities — with barbed wire and cells that lock — under a newly proposed bill that is alarming advocates. My latest:

Tennessee could lock up foster youth in jail-like facilities under new bill Research shows it's best practice to house foster kids with families, but a bill would allow foster kids to be placed in the most secure juvenile facilities.

"Our governor, with DCS, have decided the solution to kids being placed in offices is to put them in prison. This is how the children in foster care are being treated — like criminals."

Will Nashville's Metro Council have 40 or 20 members? TN Supreme Court hears arguments from city and state The Tennessee Supreme Court will hear oral arguments over a state law that seeks to reduce the size of Nashville's Metro Council from 40 members down to 20.

The future of Nashville's Metro Council reached the Tennessee Supreme Court on Thursday.

Learn more about the high-profile case and its major implications for Nashvillians.

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After Trump's shakeup, TVA board votes to keep coal burning, drop renewable energy plans The Tennessee Valley Authority has moved to strike language about renewable energy generation and diversity, equity and inclusion while reversing plans to retire aging coal power plants.

The Tennessee Valley Authority has moved to strike language about renewable energy generation and diversity, equity and inclusion while also reversing plans to retire aging coal power plants.
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WPLN is experiencing website issues this morning — but you can catch the latest local newscast in our NashVillager Podcast.

Search for it in any podcasting app.

Tennessee's newest anti-LGBTQ bills go against U.S. Supreme Court rulings Tennessee lawmakers have advanced a host of anti-LGBTQ bills that would run counter to U.S. Supreme Court precedent. Two measures, both proposed by Rep.

Tennessee lawmakers have advanced a host of anti-LGBTQ bills that would run counter to U.S. Supreme Court precedent.
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Curious Nashville: What are those gleaming golden portraits on Nashville's historic courthouse? What are the pictures on the front of the Metro Courthouse that appear to be outlined in gold? Are they ever going to be restored?

#CuriousNashville: What are those gleaming golden portraits on Nashville’s historic courthouse?
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NashVillager Podcast: Tennessee’s Winter Olympians How does a state so unfamiliar with snowfall have any connection to the Winter Olympics? Plus the local news for February 9, 2026.

No, Tennessee isn't exactly a hub for winter sports, but the state still has a few ties to Winter Olympians wpln.org/post/nashvil... @wpln.bsky.social

Storm repair costs could mean rate increases for Nashville Electric Services customers The winter storm knocked out power and destroyed hundreds of miles of power lines and about 400 utility poles. To cover repair costs, customers could see higher bills.

The storm destroyed hundreds of miles of power lines and about 400 utility poles.

To cover repair costs, customers could see higher bills.

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Nashville taking steps to lessen storm burdens; more FEMA aid approved Nearly all Nashvillians have regained power as of Friday — and both Metro and federal leaders are escalating the next stages of the recovery. Here's the latest as of 10:45 p.m. Friday.

Nearly all Nashvillians had regained Friday, and both Metro and federal leaders are escalating the next stages of the recovery.

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Nashville taking steps to lessen water and housing burdens caused by winter storm The “Restore Nashville” campaign seeks to suspend all penalties on water bills for February and increase the funds available for emergency winter housing.

Nashville taking steps to lessen water and housing burdens caused by winter storm

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As storm response emotions run high, some Nashvillians find relief at warming shelters When hundreds of thousands of Nashvillians lost power late last month, Metro — in a rare move — opened warming stations across the city.

Nashville opened more shelters than usual in the wake of the ice storm.

WPLN's Cynthia Abrams visited residents at the Fairgrounds to learn about their sheltering experiences.

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Epstein files show former UT professor used students to develop AI tools for predatory billionaire An associate professor of computer science at UT spent years communicating with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein before leaving the university in 2021, DOJ documents show.

Dozens of emails involving a former Tennessee professor and Jeffrey Epstein were released by the DOJ. They reveal an effort funded by the disgraced financier to develop an AI-powered robot with facial recognition capabilities.

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NashVillager Podcast: Monopoly vs. electricity markets Why is NES the only option for electricity in Nashville?  Plus the local news for February 6, 2026.

In some places, you can shop around for an electric provider. I found the backstory to Nashville's power monopoly. wpln.org/post/nashvil... @wpln.bsky.social

Nashville calls for volunteers as cleanup phase accelerates Nashville is accelerating the next stage of the winter ice storm: the clean up.

Nashville is moving into the next stage of the winter ice storm: the clean up. And it’s going to be a team effort.
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Tennessee appeals court says school shooter's writings can be made public The writings of the person who killed three 9-year-olds and three adults at a private Christian elementary school in Nashville can be made available to

The writings of the person who killed three 9-year-olds and three adults at the Covenant School can be made available to the public, an appeals court ruled
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As Nashville thaws, fears over immigration enforcement remain As a historic winter storm devastated Tennessee, the fight over immigration continued to play out at the statehouse and in Nashville’s streets.

As a historic winter storm devastated Tennessee, the fight over immigration continued to play out at the statehouse and in Nashville’s streets.
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Trees splintered, split and crashed across Nashville. Here’s how to help Nashville’s natural skyline changed last week.  Thousands of trees tipped, splintered and died after frozen water blanketed the town, worsened by

Trees splintered, split and crashed across Nashville. Here’s how to help:
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Nashville students will start their days a little later next school year Many Nashville students will soon start their school days a little later. On Tuesday, the Board of Education adopted a proposal to push back school start

Nashville students will start their days a little later next school year
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Time – and money – is running out to save Civil War sites in Tennessee As real estate developers continue to buy up swaths of land in Nashville and the surrounding area, portions of Tennessee's 122 Civil War battlefields are being lost in the process.

Time – and money – is running out to save Civil War sites in Tennessee

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'Beyond betrayal': Nashville Kurdish community worries for future of Kurds in Syria Fierce fighting has left more than 150,000 Kurdish civilians displaced. A deal announced Friday leaves many Kurds remain skeptical, including members of Nashville's community.

‘Beyond betrayal’: Nashville Kurdish community worries for future of Kurds in Syria

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NashVillager Podcast: Communication matters How does lack of information in the storm recovery make life harder for residents? Plus the local news for February 3, 2026.

When you're trying to make decisions about your personal disaster recovery, you need clear communication about where things stand in the broader landscape. wpln.org/post/nashvil... @wpln.bsky.social

Tennessee Gov. Lee silent on immigration, pledges to double school vouchers at final State of the State address In his last year, Lee is focused on expanding nuclear energy, rural health care and his signature school voucher program.

Tennessee Gov. Lee silent on immigration, pledges to double school vouchers at final State of the State address

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Storm updates: Ice, power, water challenges linger after a week; deaths and frustrations rise Winter Storm Fern has created lingering challenges for residents, city leaders and emergency workers in Tennessee. Here's the latest at 12:45 p.m. Monday.

Storm updates: Ice, power, and water challenges linger after a week; deaths and frustrations rise
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The Debt: What Tennessee Owes Its HBCU | News From The States

Episode 13 is live! This week, we will address Tennessee State University’s decades-long fight for fair funding.

@wpln.bsky.social @tennesseelookout.com

www.newsfromthestates.com/episode/debt...

NES scrutiny mounts as electric utility promises better outage information With Nashvillians still without power, NES is facing intense scrutiny from the public and Nashville’s mayor, who says he “expects them to do better.”

NES scrutiny mounts as electric utility promises better outage information and larger crews
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