WPLN News - Nashville Public Radio

Tennessee lawmakers soften measure that sought to keep undocumented students out of school A new version of the bill would require schools to check students' immigration status. Opponents say the proposal still poses a threat.

A bill that originally aimed to keep undocumented students out of Tennessee schools is advancing in the statehouse — but with key changes.
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‘Tennessee Tree Day’ is coming up. Reserve trees by Sunday The Tennessee Environmental Council organized a statewide tree sale on March 21, and the deadline to reserve seedlings in advance is now Sunday, March 8.

The Tennessee Environmental Council organized a statewide tree sale to help the state's canopy — and the deadline to reserve trees is Sunday.
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As Nashville businesses decry rising tax bills, lawmakers consider a cap on increases A coalition of more than 100 local businesses is asking for property tax reforms from Nashville’s mayor and property assessor.

As Nashville businesses decry rising tax bills, state lawmakers consider a cap on property tax increases
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How friction between Nashville, the state and Boring Company materialized this week Tensions between Nashville, the state government and the Boring Company escalated this week, days after tunneling began downtown. Nashville’s Metro

Tensions between Nashville, the state government and the Boring Company escalated this week, days after tunneling began downtown.

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ICE agent identities would be confidential under Tennessee proposal As immigration enforcement in Tennessee faces increased scrutiny, state lawmakers want to further limit what records of ICE operations are open to the

As immigration enforcement in Tennessee faces increased scrutiny, state lawmakers want to further limit what records of ICE operations are open to the public.

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The Live Nation trial could reshape the music industry. Here's what you need to know On Tuesday opening statements will begin for the federal antitrust trial against Live Nation, one of the largest entertainment companies in the world.

The Live Nation trial could reshape the music industry. Here’s what you need to know
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5 lessons from Learotha Williams, newly named as Davidson County historian There’s a little-known role in the Metro government: Davidson County Historian. A familiar face has stepped into the role. Dr. Learotha Williams Jr., a

Metro's new Davidson County Historian is on a mission.

“If you have no knowledge of the past then something is fundamentally wrong ... The same is true for people, communities, neighborhoods, cities, and states.”
— Dr. Learotha Williams Jr.

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Nashville's main library sets tentative date for downtown reopening, nine months after closure The library has been closed since June, when an adjoining parking garage caught fire.

Nashville's main downtown library could reopen at the end of March. Complicated insurance claims are still being sorted out.
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‘There are serious risks of sinkholes.’ Experts remain cautious of the Boring Company’s Nashville project The Boring Company has officially began drilling a tunnel between downtown and the airport. City officials and residents remain unclear about the potential impact to Nashville’s underground environmen...

The Boring Company began drilling its tunnel between downtown and the airport. City officials and residents remain unclear about the potential impact to Nashville’s underground environment and the company’s plans for extreme weather.
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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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