In the era of “AI slop,” we’re increasingly surrounded by fake images and videos engineered to hijack attention and provoke outrage. Strengthening psychological and media literacy not only helps us spot these fakes, but also resist being manipulated in the first place. Here’s how.

"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."

As local health care professionals protested nearby, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on Wednesday visited the state Capitol, where he talked vaccines, rural health care and dietary guidelines.

INBOX: Washington Post Ukraine Correspondent Lizzie Johnson announces that she has been laid off in the middle of a below-freezing war zone without power, heat, or running water.

It continues to be a big problem that so many people think they don’t need outlets like the NY Times or Washington Post because they get their news from IG and TikTok but apparently don’t realize places like the Times and Post are the original source for much of that news.

The Metro Council has kicked off budget talks for fiscal year 2027, and support for affordable housing was among the top concerns expressed by residents at a Tuesday night's meeting. www.nashvillescene.com/news/pithint...

The Barnes fund, eviction support and rental assistance were among Nashvillians’ top concerns during the Metro Council's public comment session Tuesday night.

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.

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.

The Trump administration is planning to use Google Gemini’s artificial intelligence to write federal transportation regulations, according to U.S. Department of Transportation records and interviews with six agency staffers. By @jessecoburn.bsky.social

"We have been frustrated with their response," the mayor said of Nashville Electric Service at a Friday press conference.

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

Need help? Come see us! 10am-2pm, Friday & Sat (Jan.30/31), Nashville Fairgrounds, Southeast Comm Ctr, Madison Comm Ctr. Our case managers are there, connecting those impacted by the storm with resources to recover - help finding housing, connecting to food resources, help with rent & more.

As tens of thousands of Nashville households remain without power in the wake of a historic ice storm, Mayor Freddie O’Connell has commended NES' response efforts — though he’s now signaling the need for more direct communication from the company. www.nashvillescene.com/news/pithint...

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.

There's a lot of misinformation making the rounds about the events in Minneapolis and beyond. I highly recommend giving @politifact.bsky.social a follow. They do great job of debunking online rumors, fact checking statements from top U.S. officials and determining the validity of social media posts.

Tennessee Republicans are expected to push for an expansion of the statewide voucher program this year, but a potentially tight state budget might mean that isn't feasible. Plus, some rural Republicans have expressed opposition toward growing the program. www.nashvillescene.com/news/coverst...

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

In the wake of Winter Storm Fern, Nashvillians are looking out for one another. Here's a list of free resources as storm recovery continues.

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

The Davidson County Medical Examiner’s office is investigating a third death possibly related to January's historic winter ice storm.

In a press conference Tuesday morning, Nashville leaders said it’s possible two people have died as a result of a winter ice storm that has blanketed Davidson County.

Metro has now established a hotline for transportation to warming stations: 615-401-1712.

Anyone needing transportation to a warming station can call 615-401-1712. (Be prepared to share your name, location, number of people needing transportation, special needs or mobility concerns, and whether you’re bringing pets.)

More than 50K applications have been submitted for the state’s school voucher program for 2026-27 school year. Meanwhile, Tennessee Republicans look to expand the program amid a potentially tight budget year as Democrats seek increased transparency. www.nashvillepost.com/politics/sta...

I spoke with some clinicians with the public health department who responded to the scene on the day of the Antioch High School shooting. They reflected on the tragic events that unfolded a year ago, yet remained hopeful as students, faculty and staff heal. www.nashvillescene.com/news/citylim...

One year after the shooting death of 16-year-old Antioch High School student Josselin Corea Escalante, the status of school safety and gun reform remains uncertain.

Downtown surveillance cameras will not be purchased with state grant funds awarded to the Nashville Downtown Partnership, following a Tuesday vote from the Metro Council.

The Tennessee Governor’s Mansion is set for an approximately $5.5 million makeover. www.nashvillepost.com/politics/sta...

Republican state lawmakers announced on Thursday a sweeping immigration package — tailored with the help of the White House — that seeks to make Tennessee a model for immigration crackdowns across the country.

The lower levels of the Nashville Public Library’s downtown parking garage could soon reopen, a move that would come more than eight months after a fire caused the closures of both the garage and the library's main branch.

Social media users shared a screenshot that they said shows Renee Nicole Good had been accused of child abuse. That’s wrong. The document shows details inconsistent with those of Good’s profile, including her birthday.

Coverage by Matt, Emily West and @julianneakers.bsky.social.

Day one of the Tennessee General Assembly's 2026 session. Photos by @formvscontent.bsky.social for the @nashvillescene.com.

More than 100 protestors gathered outside of Tennessee State Museum tonight as state lawmakers and other top leaders in Tennessee politics — including Gov. Bill Lee and U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn — attended a private reception to kick off this year’s legislative session.

They're back. From me and @julianneakers.bsky.social for the @nashvillepost.com. www.nashvillepost.com/politics/sta...

Here on the Senate floor for the first day of the 2026 legislative session in Tennessee. ✍️

Councilmember Joy Kimbrough has filed a $40 million defamation lawsuit against Ryan Moses and his liquor distribution company following a now-dismissed ethics complaint.

It begins.

Metro Councilmember Joy Kimbrough has filed a $40 million defamation lawsuit against Ryan Moses and his liquor distribution company following a now-dismissed ethics complaint. https://bit.ly/3LGyEzS

Metro Councilmember Joy Kimbrough filed a $40 million defamation lawsuit against Ryan Moses and his liquor distribution company Best Brands on Jan. 11, accusing Moses of “defamatory, malicious, slanderous, libelous, reckless, and tortious conduct." www.nashvillepost.com/joy-kimbroug...

Department of Emergency Communications Director Stephen Martini has been placed on administrative leave following an investigation into allegations of sexual harassment, intimidation, mismanagement and toxic workplace culture.

From this week’s cover package: Additional permits and approvals are likely to be requested for The Boring Company’s airport-to-downtown Music City Loop.

Venerable Nashville indie venue The End met its crowdfunding goal in a matter of hours. It’s good news about a thing that’s still troubling.

Several hundred people gathered in Centennial Park Thursday night for a candlelight vigil in honor of Renee Nicole Good, who was shot and killed by an ICE officer in Minneapolis this week.

Coverage from @julianneakers.bsky.social and @angelinac.bsky.social from last night's vigil for Renee Nicole Good in Nashville.

This week’s cover package: From midterm elections and the Music City Loop to zoning reform and artificial intelligence, here are eight stories to keep an eye on in the coming year.