D. Patrick Rodgers

Did a Local Civil Rights Leader Play the FBI for Fools? It turns out local legend the Rev. Kelly Miller Smith served as an FBI 'informant.' But signs indicate that he knew exactly what he was doing.

Writes @betsyphillips.bsky.social: It turns out local legend the Rev. Kelly Miller Smith served as an FBI "informant." But signs indicate that he knew exactly what he was doing.

Incredible

A strange, deeply sensitive suburban boy finds love during the '96 Olympics Honestly, in retrospect, it was most likely my circumstances and my age — and not the hand of fate, or something equally profound — that plunged me deeply into my

Way back in 2012, I wrote about falling in love with Dominique Moceanu during the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta. Essay is embarrassing but not terrible lol.

Olympic Fever forever!

On the Hill: Feb. 2-6 As bills on same-sex marriage 'clarification' and delivery robots face committee discussion, State of the State address and RFK Jr. visit set the tone this week at the Capitol

Scene Team is covering a lot of ground in these recaps!

"When asked about reducing vaccine requirements in public schools, Kennedy — who has spread inaccurate anti-vaccine rhetoric in the past — said he’s not currently involved in those efforts but he believes in freedom of choice. This statement was met with applause from Republican lawmakers."

Major thanks to @littmanwrites.bsky.social for getting with folks to drill down on why it continues to be so hard to operate the indie venues we all love so much.

RFK Jr. Talks Dietary Guidelines in Nashville Local health care professionals protest as Health and Human Services secretary talks vaccines, rural health care at state Capitol

🫠🪱

Independents’ Day: Taking a Look at the State of Indie Venues 615 Indie Live is poised to celebrate the city’s independent artists and venues this weekend

This week’s cover story: With 615 Indie Live poised to celebrate the city’s independent artists and venues, we take a look at the state of the scene.

I just want to say that Margaret mentioned Mr. Aaron’s in the post. (And I went to Crieve Hall on Sunday, one of my faves.)

Ice Storm Leaves Lasting Damage for Families and Metro Leaders City and NES both face blowback for extended power outages and poor public communication

More than a week after the arrival of Winter Storm Fern, the city and NES alike continue to face blowback for extended power outages and poor public communication.

Governor's Budget Doubles Money for School Vouchers During State of the State address, Lee proposes $58 billion for 2026 budget; Democrats’ rebuttal focuses on affordability

In a tense fiscal year, during his final State of the State address, Gov. Bill Lee proposed doubling the money for his school voucher program.

Listening to Gov. Bill Lee's final State of the State address, and if I'm not mistaken, this man just compared himself to Davy Crockett.

Mayor Says NES Is 'Unequipped to Communicate' in a Crisis O'Connell notes utility will be 'held accountable' regarding power restoration efforts, issues executive order to form storm-response commission

Mayor says NES will be "held accountable" regarding power restoration efforts, issues executive order to form storm-response commission.

The 5 Spot Launches Support Pass The venerable Five Points venue offers passes good for future shows to help with current financial losses.

Tough start to the year after a rough one for lots of small businesses, including rightly beloved venue The 5 Spot. They're selling pre-purchased passes, a kind of fan IOU, to help cover the gap.

Deadline Sunday!

Sweet Scene

We are once again publishing valentines online and in print in the Feb. 12 issue of the Scene. Send a cute lil message to your sweetheart — or dog, or councilmember, or friend. Free, easy, wholesome.

Overnight Car Break-Ins Hit NES Parking Lot Windows smashed, 11 cars burglarized Friday morning at downtown electric utility headquarters parking lot

Smashed car windows greeted Nashville Electric Service workers early Friday morning amid ongoing efforts by the utility company to restore power to the county.

Both published by The Tennessean this morning. I’m sorry what the hell is going on over there

O’Connell Puts Distance Between Metro and NES For the first time since Sunday, the mayor’s office and the electricity provider held separate press conferences

On Thursday afternoon — for the first time since Sunday — the mayor’s office and Nashville Electric Service held separate press conferences.

Area Businesses Offer Free Resources During Storm Recovery Thousands of Nashvillians remain without power as storm impact nears seventh day

Here's a list of folks offering free meals and other resources during storm recovery.

Back to the Hill: What to Expect From the State Legislature in 2026 From immigration enforcement to voucher expansion, the Republican supermajority is pushing for Tennessee to be the nation’s conservative leader

This week’s cover package: From immigration enforcement to voucher expansion, the state’s Republican supermajority is pushing for Tennessee to be the nation's conservative leader.

At this point we have statements from IBEW, SEIU, and the TN AFL-CIO confirming that the rumors of union avoidance in recovery efforts are FALSE.

People are justifiably pissed. Misleading them will not help us recover.

City Anticipates Several More Days Without Full Power Top officials warn widespread power outages will last at least 'through the weekend'

Top officials warn widespread power outages will last at least "through the weekend."

The 2025 Jim Ridley Film Poll Dedicated to the Scene’s longtime critic and editor, our annual poll asks cinephiles, critics and industry insiders about 2025 in film

Dedicated to the Scene’s longtime critic and editor, our annual Jim Ridley Film Poll asks cinephiles, critics and industry insiders about 2025 in film.

Good stuff from Marissa.

Don’t fall for rumors and AI!