This one's for my space nerds — and for those who need a little joy and whimsy in their lives. I had the honor of speaking with a Tennessee scientist and college dean who will help with an upcoming #Artemis mission that will land astronauts on the moon.

State testing season is upon us, teeing off the fast-moving timeline of the Tennessee reading law. Last year 58% of third graders failed the state reading test. Here's what parents need to know this year as thousands of third graders face being held back.

It's been a heartbreaking weekend in Tennessee after two students were killed and several others were injured in a school bus crash. Here's the latest on what we know. (1/2)

A bill backed by the Tennessee Department of Children's Services is drawing pushback. The bill allows some youth accused of assaulting residential staff to be kept in custody longer. Opponents say it doesn't guarantee due process and may perpetuate abuse.

A Tennessee bill would allow the death penalty for women who get an abortion. It's yet to be voted on, but is being backed by several Tennessee GOP lawmakers, including one in the running for governor. More from @vivianejones.bsky.social here. ⤵️

Really incredible and important work by Sarah Grace and the Nashville Banner team here.

I took off my "children's reporter" hat for a bit to hear from weather experts on what made the Nashville winter storm so devastating. The effects will be felt well into the spring, with weakened trees posing a risk as severe weather season nears.

I got to write a story with a much-needed happy ending about a very special (and tough) mule named Earl. (Spoiler: He's okay! And getting all the treats he wants.)

As Middle Tennessee districts burn through snow days after a catastrophic winter storm, I took a look at look at what happens if they run out of them.

So many local restaurants and organizations have come together to feed and support Nashville residents in the wake of this terrible winter storm. I dropped by to see the Prince's Hot Chicken crew in action yesterday in Germantown.

The threat of power outages as freezing rain and ice move in to Middle Tennessee is likely front-of-mind for many. This story has a ton of tips (with a big assist from my colleague Gabrielle) on how to stay warm if the power goes out.

Happy Saturday from the Tennessean breaking news desk (AKA my apartment). @ahornbostel.bsky.social and I will be holding down the fort today as a winter storm moves through Nashville. We'll keep live updates rolling all day here. ⤵️

It's been a year since a deadly shooting at Antioch High School in Nashville — the city's second school shooting in as many years. I caught up with two therapists who have worked with mass violence victims to get their advice on how people can cope, help and heal.

As the Tennessee Department of Children's Services grapples with a shortage of transitional and foster homes, the number of kids sleeping in DCS offices has skyrocketed. I looked into what's driving the spike at the highly-scrutinized department. www.tennessean.com/story/news/e...

This is not normal wapo.st/4pFh6lw

Know a Tennessee kid who's up to something neat, whether big or small? I want to hear about it. Maybe they're super into a hobby. Maybe they started a small business. Maybe they showed someone an act of kindness. Maybe they're dreaming big about the future. Reply here or DM me!

Know a Tennessee kid who's up to something neat, whether big or small? I want to hear about it. Maybe they're super into a hobby. Maybe they started a small business. Maybe they showed someone an act of kindness. Maybe they're dreaming big about the future. Reply here or DM me!

We need your help to see the full picture of how the dismantling of the Education Department's Office for Civil Rights is affecting students, parents, school employees and their wider communities. Here's how to reach out:

The final installment of my yearlong Class Disrupted project just published. This one is especially close to my heart. It tells the stories of kids and schools devastated by disasters and what it takes to recover. Here's a recap of part 4 and the project as a whole. ⤵️ (1/4) 📸: Mark Zaleski

A few weeks ago I had the honor of sitting down with staff and students at B.E. Academy for Girls. The private, nonprofit Nashville school is up for the prestigious $1 million Yass Prize. Read more about the school's vision and see it all in action here. ⤵️

A five-year-old boy with autism is facing assault charges after outbursts at his school. Here's what @evanmealins.bsky.social and I learned after digging into records, hearing from the boy's parents and getting perspective from police and an expert. www.tennessean.com/story/news/e...

Four Fayette County Public Schools employees filed a lawsuit on Oct. 23 against the district’s school board, alleging a pattern of racial discrimination and retaliation against Black staffers. The next day, the district’s superintendent fired one of them. From [email protected].

My Saturday shift just so happened to land in the middle of College GameDay here in Nashville. I got to meet Tyler, the Vanderbilt sophomore who nailed a 33-yard kick (wearing socks!) and won $500K.

Some good news: Nashville is set to open a 24-7 emergency mental health facility that will be available free of charge to children ages 4-17.

I am delighted to celebrate this gem of a human being. She deserves every last one of her flowers, literally and figuratively. We love you, Miss Bev!

A lot of information about who's benefitting from Tennessee's new school voucher law isn't available, but @rachelannwegner.bsky.social has found many of the participating schools are religious and concentrated in populous counties: www.tennessean.com/story/news/e...

Nashville middle schoolers will soon walk through weapon detection scanners on their way into school. The move follows a rollout of scanners in district high schools after the deadly Antioch High shooting earlier this year.

Yesterday, a group wielding MAGA hats and signs that said things like "DEI should be illegal" was removed from campus at Tennessee State University, an HBCU in Nashville. The group appears to be inspired by Charlie Kirk. Here's my story on what we know.

Dwayne Tucker was named as permanent president at Tennessee State University last month. He's taking the helm of the HBCU after years of leadership and financial upheaval. We sat down to talk about his story and his vision for TSU — and the sense of purpose that drew him back to his alma mater.

Pretty proud of this cross-newsroom collaborative reporting from: Kelly Puente on records of THP's immigration sweep on May 3-4, @angelelatham.bsky.social on the lack of transparency from THP, and myself, who built a map of the traffic stops + census demographics. www.tennessean.com/story/news/i...

Kilmar Abrego Garcia has been let out of jail.

Public comments got heated at last night's MNPS board meeting over a $6.5M lawsuit settlement going to five people who claim Director Adrienne Battle fired or demoted them out of retaliation. Officials maintained the district and Battle did nothing wrong.

Need a heartwarming (and possibly tear-jerking) read? I got you covered. After I watched this all unfold on TikTok, I tracked down the people behind it to hear more of their story.

Need a heartwarming (and possibly tear-jerking) read? I got you covered. After I watched this all unfold on TikTok, I tracked down the people behind it to hear more of their story.

Trump's Big Beautiful Bill Act paves the way for federal school vouchers to help families pay for private school. Tennessee intends to opt in to the program, which is set to start in 2027. Here's a look at how it will work and who qualifies.

More than $118M in frozen federal funds for underserved children in Tennessee will start flowing again next week after a monthlong delay by the Trump administration. The money is part of $6.2B previously passed by Congress and signed by Trump for K-12 schools nationwide.

Metro Nashville Public Schools just rolled back its DEI policies to comply with a Tennessee's new "Dismantling DEI Act." Board members expressed frustration over it during a committee meeting yesterday. "If not for state law, we would not be taking this action," Board Member Erin O'Hara Block said.

I had the honor of talking about the anniversary of the Scopes Monkey Trial on today's episode of The Excerpt. The trial kicked off in a small town in Tennessee 100 years ago today, starting what some say was the country's first culture war. (1/2)

More than half of third graders in Tennessee's public schools fell short of a reading benchmark on this year's standardized test. That set off a fast-moving timeline for them to avoid being held back under the state's controversial reading law.

More than half of third graders in Tennessee's public schools fell short of a reading benchmark on this year's standardized test. That set off a fast-moving timeline for them to avoid being held back under the state's controversial reading law.

Advocates say Trump's sprawling tax and spending bill that just passed will have "devastating" effects on children, low-income families and other vulnerable people in Tennessee. While the full impact is still uncertain, here's a look at what we know.

Just published: The Trump administration is holding back $6.5 billion in funding for K-12 schools that the law says must flow to states tomorrow. It's not clear when, or if, the money will be released. www.edweek.org/policy-polit...

Three key education laws will take effect in Tennessee tomorrow. Here's a look at what they entail, along with a look back at other major education bills that made it across the finish line after yet another contentious session earlier this year.

A bit of wholesome news to cleanse your timeline: The community has rallied around a Nashville middle school band that was slated to be cut. Today, their effort got a $50,000 boost from Old Dominion frontman Matthew Ramsey.

I had the honor of stopping into a few Juneteenth celebrations around Nashville today. Here's a look at what I saw, heard and learned.

Kilmar Abrego Garcia has pleaded not guilty to the criminal charges against him in Tennessee. More below:

My Tennessean teammates are on the ground and in the courthouse today for a hearing for Kilmar Abrego Garcia. The Maryland man’s deportation has become symbolic of Trump’s aggressive immigration enforcement. Live updates will be rolling here all day. ⬇️

Tennessee is suing the U.S. Department of Education over federal funding that supports Hispanic students. Tennessee AG Skrmetti, a Republican, joined with an anti-affirmative action group to file the suit against the Trump administration.

A lesser-known fact about CMA Fest: It doubles as a fundraiser for music education for kids in Tennessee and nationwide. This go around, it brought in $2.5M for the cause.

A little dose of joy: Antioch High School held its graduation ceremony last night. Tennessean photojournalist Mark Zaleski captured some truly beautiful photos of it all.