“Ambient sense of order” is a good phrase from this MARTA rider talking to @davidplazas.bsky.social about the gap between crime/perception of crime. This is absolutely connected to lower ridership, which results in fewer “eyes on the street.” www.ajc.com/opinion/2025...

Congratulations, Dr. Forrest Harris, on your leadership. @thetennesean.bsky.social was very fortunate to benefit from the partnership with American Baptist College during the 2023 Nashville Mayoral Debates. Story by @liamsadams.bsky.social www.tennessean.com/story/news/r...

I also organized a student panel discussion on this topic. Listen in to their thoughtful (and often heartbreaking) replies to our questions. Side note: It was an honor to have @davidplazas.bsky.social host this as his last-ever discussion for The Tennessean. (3/3)

Tennessee Immigrant & Refugee Rights Coalition (TIRCC) organized a news conference to elevate the voices of family members of people whom ICE/Tennessee Highway Patrol detained in an ongoing mass traffic sweep operation this week. Will share some updates + a story later.

I’ve been so pleased to be on this journey for greater civic engagement and citizen empowerment with you.

In his latest opinion column, @davidplazas.bsky.social outlines his personally faith journey as "Catholic-adjacent" and how "I was impressed by Pope Francis’s focus on peace, acceptance and hospitality." www.tennessean.com/story/opinio...

Findings from our policy brief “Breaking Ground: Local Tools for Housing and Infrastructure” were featured in a recent opinion piece by @davidplazas.bsky.social for The Tennessean: www.tennessean.com/story/opinio...

My latest column on immigration politics is written in three acts. 1. Trump administration is detaining, deporting and denying due process to non-criminal immigrants ... www.tennessean.com/story/opinio...

Today marks two years since three 9-year-olds and three adult staff members were killed at The Covenant School in Nashville. The anniversary comes as Nashville grieves yet another school shooting that left a 16-year-old dead at Antioch High in January.

I spent part of my weekend re-reading my pocket copy of the U.S. Constitution courtesy @917Society because I've been vexed that legal experts are saying we are either in or edging toward a "constitutional crisis." I think that term has lost its meaning. www.tennessean.com/story/opinio...

The Tennessean opinion team asked readers about how they were feeling re: the economy. In short, most are not feeling optimistic. OTOH those who are bullish are happy about federal spending cuts and urge fellow citizens to be patient. Check out results here: www.tennessean.com/story/opinio...

This is the start of my latest column on the chaos we are seeing right now. "President Donald Trump is more interested in political theater than in solving the problems facing American families. www.tennessean.com/story/opinio...

Latest column: Nashville General Hospital turns a new page when CEO Dr. Joseph Webb ends his 10-year tenure on Friday. www.tennessean.com/story/opinio...

Latest column from @andreawillwrite.bsky.social on TSSAA transfer guidelines: Student athletes "deserve the opportunity to find the right program fit, even if it means changing schools for purely athletic reasons." www.tennessean.com/story/opinio... via @thetennesean.bsky.social

On Tuesday, I attended the annual breakfast of the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce where TN @GovBillLee spoke, but I was disappointed that he did not publicly address the elephant in the room: Tariffs and their impact on businesses and consumers statewide. www.tennessean.com/story/opinio...

Fellow Tennesseans: We want to know how you would rate your member of Congress. Take our survey & grade @marshablackburntn.bsky.social Sen. Bill Hagerty and your district House of Representatives member. Add your comments too. www.tennessean.com/story/opinio... via @thetennesean.bsky.social

Thank you so much for the opportunity @thisisnashville.bsky.social This is a conversation about building community, developing a citizen mindset and connecting deeply with neighbors at a high anxiety time. I hope it’s useful to others.

My latest column is about Tennessee's priorities. Link in the first comment. What kind of state is Tennessee that it approves $1.5 billion in corporate tax refunds but won’t accept a $75 million federal grant to feed hungry children? www.tennessean.com/story/opinio...

Today we launched "Class Disrupted," a year-long education project and a collaboration between me and my incredible Tennessean teammates. First up: Book bans. Start here for a column by my editor and a guide to our stories for Part 1. ⤵️ (1/5)

Latest column: Critics of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) say the pendulum has swung too far, but they expose their grievances as a smokescreen simply to undo the hard work of pushing this nation forward as a 'more perfect union.' www.tennessean.com/story/opinio... via @Tennessean

Survey results are out: Does Elon Musk wield too much power with DOGE? Here's what @thetennesean.bsky.social readers said. Pie charts show the votes. The link below offers comments both pro and con. www.tennessean.com/story/opinio...

Andrea writes frequently about the intersection of sports, culture and race. In her latest column, she offers background and analysis on why Eagles QB Jalen Hurts' Super Bowl win is so significant.

In TN, we have witnessed a barrage of laws passed targeting transgender Americans. Recent executive orders, "legitimize bullying a small, marginalized group for political expediency." My latest column: www.tennessean.com/story/opinio... via @thetennesean.bsky.social

Latest @thetennesean.bsky.social opinion staff survey: Elon Musk is a key Trump adviser. Do you think he has too much power? Go to the link and tell us what you think. www.tennessean.com/story/opinio...

President Boone has been a passionate advocate for educating Dreamers. The Tennessean hosted its 3rd annual Latino Tennessee Voices storytellers live show last fall at Trevecca Nazarene.

TN's Constitution protects Tennesseans' "rights of conscience," but a recent immigration bill passed by the legislature threatens elected officials with a felony conviction and removal for voting their conscience. Latest column. www.tennessean.com/story/opinio... \

"This is a blatantly unconstitutional order," the judge said. Trump tried to amend the Constitution on his own. It was wrong, but the court was right to block it. Imagine if the executive decided that one of the five freedoms of the First Amendment was expendable. www.usatoday.com/story/news/p...

Column from @andreawillwrite.bsky.social "This is a matter bigger and deeper than firearms." www.tennessean.com/story/opinio...

I am so sorry for the community in Southeast Nashville who have endured this terrible violence. Our reporters continue to update the shooting at Antioch High. www.tennessean.com/story/news/c...

Latest column: possibility of Sen. Marsha Blackburn running for TN governor in 2026. Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs offered his endorsement if she runs. Why would she do it since she's never been more powerful in the Senate? www.tennessean.com/story/opinio... via @thetennesean.bsky.social

Interested in about the outlook for the 2025 real estate market in Middle Tennessee? Watch our live broadcast. It will be available for replay once it finishes. @thetennesean.bsky.social www.youtube.com/live/oLoaX05...

On Monday, the presidential vote certification in Congress should be routine. That doesn't mean we should forget the attack on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. Upholding a democratic republic means accepting free and fair elections even when your candidate loses. www.tennessean.com/story/opinio...

Published today: The Tennessean ‘s Person of 2024 is …. Nashville Mayor Freddie O'Connell @mayorofnashvilletn.bsky.social There are many reasons why, among them a drama-free administration after so many years of tumult and a successful transit referendum. www.tennessean.com/story/opinio...

TN U.S. House delegation splits 6-3 on the Trump-Musk deal to avoid a government shutdown. For: Harshbarger, Fleischmann, DesJarlais, Rose, Green, Kustoff (all Rs) Against: Burchett and Ogles (Rs) + Cohen (D) clerk.house.gov/Votes/2024516

I had a lot of fun looking back at and re-reading our top consumed opinion columns and letters of the year in @Tennessean . They included musicians behaving badly, the presidential election, and some quirky topics. www.tennessean.com/story/opinio...

This is my third time attending the certification of electoral votes in Tennessee. All three times, all 11 votes went to Trump. Regardless of how one voted, it is important to show and claim once’s civic space.

This is my third time writing about country music superstar Morgan Wallen this year. I'm not a music critic or entertainment writer, but I do write about Nashville city issues, public safety and the First Amendment. www.tennessean.com/story/opinio...

Fascinating story. I have visited The Hermitage several times to understand history of 7th President Andrew Jackson and his times. Over the years, presidential home’s leaders have worked to give a more comprehensive view, warts and all, of who he was.

Four years ago this week, the first Trump administration touted the great success of COVID-19 vaccines developed through Operation Warp Speed. As he prepares to take office again in January, the president-elect has turned his back on that achievement and plans to disrupt public health as we know it.

Thanks for sharing this message. Our elected leaders should model better behavior.

Capped the week by moderating a conversation tonight with Vanderbilt Professor Robert Talisse about his new book “Civic Solitude.” It is an invitation to reflection beyond “doing” the work of democracy. It is important to do it, but also to take time to think about why we are doing it.

It is “unfortunate,” as Sen. Ken Yager said, that he was involved in an incident involving his arrest for DUI and a hit-and-run crash. As a citizen, he is due a fair legal process. As a public official, he must hold himself to a higher standard. Some suggestions. www.tennessean.com/story/opinio...

Tennessee was front and center before the US Supreme Court today. @itsmelissabrown.bsky.social was there to hear the arguments in the major case on transgender health care for minors. www.tennessean.com/story/news/p...

Powerful and empathetic reporting and writing by Melissa Brown.

Follow live coverage of the Supreme Court oral arguments on the gender affirming care for minors case from Tennessee. www.tennessean.com/story/news/p...

Spoiler alert for those who haven't watched "Gladiator II." Trigger for those avoiding political news. I've created an editorial mashup. BTW while the first film was superior, the sequel was pure fun. www.tennessean.com/story/opinio...

Walmart became the latest company to roll back key DEI initiatives after pushback from "anti-woke" advocates. My preference would have been for the company to adapt policies to present conditions based on informed, transparent decision making rather than fear. www.tennessean.com/story/opinio...

A thoughtful profile by @itsmelissabrown.bsky.social of the family behind the big Tennessee transgender health care case going before the U.S. Supreme Court on Dec. 4. Photos by the talented Nicole Hester. www.tennessean.com/story/news/p...

Univ. of TN Health Science Center in Memphis invited me to speak to hundreds of medical students on Nov. 20. Topic: "How to Develop a Citizenship Mindset: Evolution of Civility." This speech was organized before the election, but I was so pleased with the students' curiosity, questions and ideas.