Inside Politics - NewsChannel 5 Plus Nashville

NewsChannel 5+ Nashville
  • 5.0 (4)
  • POLITICS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Inside Politics is a weekly, half-hour show televised by NewsChannel 5+ in Nashville, Tennessee. It premieres on Fridays at 7PM Central Time (Comcast Channel 250, Charter 182). This audio-only format of the show is identical to what is televised and is available anywhere you get your podcasts so you can listen outside of the viewing area or available for download in case you miss the televised broadcast.  The show features numerous high-profile guests as well as historical and political subject matter experts including professors from Vanderbilt University, reporters from other Nashville news outlets, and household name politicians like Representative Jim Cooper, former Nashville Mayor Megan Barry, Congressman John Rose, Tennessee House Speaker Cameron Sexton, and more.  Pat Nolan serves as the show's host. Pat has worked as a political analyst and reporter in and around Nashville for almost fifty years. He has worked in television, radio, and for the Office of the Mayor in Nashville. He has covered breaking news stories, live election updates, and for many years served as announcer for Nashville Metro Council meetings. 

  1. 12/20/2025

    FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS FIGHT

    A comment about a private Facebook post after Charlie Kirk's death causes a UT professor to be suspended. Tamar Shirinian, M.A., Ph.D. thought the University of Tennessee at Knoxville would protect Freedom of Speech as they had done for other employees and protest groups in the past including controversial words spoken by Charlie Kirk earlier in the year. The school is taking action to fire her after public officials have called for her termination. Shirinian's lawyer, Robb Bigelow thinks there is a double standard when it comes to freedom of speech. Shirinian says she has heard from colleagues around the world who are concerned. "This could happen to any body because if you have opinions that the government of Tennessee in someway, doesn't like, you could lose your job at a government institution. That's scary to a lot of people. It's terrifying to my colleagues across the country and frankly across the world." Inside Politics is a half-hour current events show that centers around the news of the week hosted by Ben Hall.  The format allows for a deeper dive into a specific topic or topics with news significance.  The show airs weekly Friday evenings at 7pm on Newschannel 5+ and throughout the weekend, then is posted to our website and is also available as a podcast.   We record the show Friday morning or the later part of the week.  Newschannel 5+ can be seen of Comcast/Xfinity Ch. 250, Spectrum/Charter Ch. 182 and over the air on Ch. 5.2.  Inside Politics also streams live Fridays at 7pm and Saturdays at 3pm on our website: https://www.newschannel5.com/live3   as well as the NewsChannel 5 Now app on Connected TVs through Roku, AppleTV, AndroidTV, etc.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    22 min

  2. 12/06/2025

    TN-07 Congressional Race -The Analysis

    Political Strategist Tucker Karnes, Public Affairs for Cooley Public Strategies breaks down the highly contested TN-07 Congressional Race.  Karnes joins host Ben Hall to analyze the dramatic numbers from the special election comparing them to the November 5, 2024 race between Democrat Megan Barry and Republican Mark Green.  With Megan Barry pulling in over 120,000 votes just a year earlier, the Aftyn Behn campaign's primary mission was mobilizing Democratic voters. What other critical factors contributed to a 13 point swing from Republicans in 2024 to 2025?  Which counties delivered the biggest impact?  Will this voting pattern reshape the 2026 mid-terms? What does this mean for District 5's U.S. House seat up in 2026?    Newschannel 5+ can be seen of Comcast/Xfinity Ch. 250, Spectrum/Charter Ch. 182 and over the air on Ch. 5.2.  Inside Politics also streams live Fridays at 7pm and Saturdays at 3pm on our website: https://www.newschannel5.com/live3   as well as the NewsChannel 5 Now app on Connected TVs through Roku, AppleTV, AndroidTV, etc.  The episode will air throughout the weekend on Newschannel 5+  Sat. at 5:30am, 3pm, Sun. at 1am, 9am, 7pm, Mon. at 2:30pm and Tues., 3pm unless pre-empted. This story was reported by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    22 min

  3. 11/22/2025

    TN-07 Congressional Race - The Independents

    The fiercely competitive TN-07 Congressional race with Democrat Aftyn Behn and Republican Matt Van Epps is underway. But 4 other names will be on the ballot for the General Election, December 2nd. We continue our coverage by introducing you to 3 of the 4 Independent candidates who want your vote to represent District 7 in Washington. Teresa "Terri" Christi, Jon Thorp and Bobby Dodge join host Ben Hall to tell us why you should vote for an Independent candidate. Robert James Sutherby declined our invitation due to a scheduling conflict. All candidates on set believe that most Americans align with their values but Independents are under represented. The 3 candidates tend to skew conservative, but each candidate have distinct differences. All three candidates are disillusioned by a 2 party system and feel those parties have lost touch with constituent issues. Plus hear one candidate's issue with PAC support that he didn't ask for or knew about and who may be behind it. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    22 min

  4. 11/15/2025

    The Power of the PAC - Rep. Jody Barrett

    In January 2025, Club for Growth a Washington D.C.-based political action committee issued a stark warning to all State Republicans to support Governor Bill Lee's School Freedom Act. State Representative Jody Barrett who represents Dickson, Hickman and Lewis Counties chose to stand by his constituents and voted "no". Barrett says he is pro-school choice, but "I just didn't like this particular plan. It wasn't going to do enough for the amount of money it was going to cost the state. There were a lot of fiscally responsible questions and responsibility questions." When Barrett ran for the U.S. Representative seat left open by Mark Green, Club for Growth/School Freedom Fund ran approximately $2.5 million dollars in attack ads against Jody Barrett and over $1 million against 3 other anti-school freedom Republicans in Tennessee Legislative primaries. Club for Growth President David McIntosh is taking credit for Jody Barrett's loss in the TN-07 Republican Primary. Barrett warns about the Washington D.C. PAC meddling in Tennessee affairs. "The mask is off. The threat that was made is a clear and open threat that you're gonna do what we tell you to do because we have more resources than you do to make sure you are beat."   Newschannel 5+ can be seen of Comcast/Xfinity Ch. 250, Spectrum/Charter Ch. 182 and over the air on Ch. 5.2.  Inside Politics also streams live Fridays at 7pm and Saturdays at 3pm on our website: https://www.newschannel5.com/live3   as well as the NewsChannel 5 Now app on Connected TVs through Roku, AppleTV, AndroidTV, etc.  The episode will air throughout the weekend on Newschannel 5+  Sat. at 5:30am, 3pm, Sun. at 1am, 9am, 7pm, Mon. at 2:30pm and Tues., 3pm unless pre-empted. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    22 min

  5. 11/08/2025

    Using State Reserve Funds -Sen. Paul Bailey

    District 15 State Senator Paul Bailey (R) sent out a press release urging Governor Lee to fund SNAP benefits for Tennesseans after the federal government shutdown, which halted payments November 1st, affecting more than 690,000 Tennesseans - including 20,635 constituents in district 15.   Bailey's concerns stem from a firsthand look at the crisis during an October visit to a local food bank, where he witnessed empty shelves and overwhelming demand. "Tennessee had reached crisis mode before November 1st." Bailey highlighting how "the elderly and working-class families struggling to make ends meet," and relatives raising children not their own have already exhausted local food pantries.  Tuesday, Governor Lee announced he is directing $5 million dollars in state funding to food banks across Tennessee, with funding coming from TennCare. Previously, the federal government covered half of the $128 million in administrative costs and allocated $145 million in monthly cash benefits to the state.  Under the Big Beautiful Bill Act, Tennessee will now shoulder half of the administrative costs and a portion of the benefit expenses. Bailey acknowledges the $5 million allocation is a good start, but warns it may take up to 2 weeks to fully restore SNAP benefits once the federal shutdown ends.  Tennessee is currently conducting budget hearings to identify spending reductions to comply with the Big Beautiful Bill Act.  Beyond TennCare/Medicaid cuts and the elimination of the ACA healthcare premium subsidies, the most significant federal funding cuts will impact the TANF program which helps low-income families meet basic needs and move toward self-sufficiency, also programs in the Department of Aging and Disability.   Newschannel 5+ can be seen of Comcast/Xfinity Ch. 250, Spectrum/Charter Ch. 182 and over the air on Ch. 5.2.  Inside Politics also streams live Fridays at 7pm and Saturdays at 3pm on our website: https://www.newschannel5.com/live3   as well as the NewsChannel 5 Now app on Connected TVs through Roku, AppleTV, AndroidTV, etc.  The episode will air throughout the weekend on Newschannel 5+  Sat. at 5:30am, 3pm, Sun. at 1am, 9am, 7pm, Mon. at 2:30pm and Tues., 3pm unless pre-empted. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    22 min

  6. 11/01/2025

    TN-07 Congressional Race -Matt Van Epps

    Republican Primary Winner Matt Van Epps will face Democrat Aftyn Behn December 2nd in the General Election for U.S. Representative for the TN-07 Congressional District. Matt Van Epps returns to Inside Politics to answer more question from host Ben Hall. Van Epps says his experience in the military and small business while still serving National Guard helped him win the primary. Van Epps says his goals if elected will be multifaceted. "Driving down the cost of living, driving our economy, decreasing inflation are all incredibly important and will be a priority on day one." He will also prioritize the military and veterans. "The first bill will be a bill for veterans." He also answered questions about his allegiance to Donald Trump and a possible 3rd term as president, the impact of tariffs on Tennessee farmers, his view on the Epstein files, ACA subsides and SNAP benefits. When asked about his war chest and PAC money, he said he is honored by the support. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    22 min

  7. 10/25/2025

    TN-07 Congressional Race- Aftyn Behn

    Democratic Primary Winner Rep. Aftyn Behn will face Republican Matt Van Epps Dec. 2nd in the General Election for U.S. Representative for theTN-07 Congressional District.  Aftyn Behn returns to Inside Politics to answer more questions from host Ben Hall.  Behn touts her campaign as "grassroots energy and not taking Corporate PAC money."  She considers herself an angry social worker who will fight for Tennesseans.  Behn said, "This race is not about left vs right but top vs. bottom."  She is running to "make life affordable for Tennesseans and reverse cuts from the Big Ugly Bill."  Behn says her main priority if elected will be increasing wages, decreasing costs and ensuring and improving our quality of life in Tennessee.  She will work to bring back ACA Marketplace subsides for over 600,000 Tennesseans, restore TennCare, and roll back tariffs that are squeezing farmers to bankruptcy.  Behn says, "If you think things are going well, I'm not your candidate.  If you are upset with the cost of living and the chaos of our federal and state government, then I am your candidate because I will go to Washington to fix it. " See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    22 min

  8. 10/18/2025

    DEVELOPMENT IN NASHVILLE - BOB MENDES

    As Chief Development Officer Bob Mendes wraps up his political career in Nashville government, he's taking stock of the key projects that have reshaped Music City over the past decade and a half. The numbers tell a compelling story: the Nashville area generates an approximate 40% of Tennessee's income—a fact that hasn't gone unnoticed by state lawmakers creating ongoing tension between state and city on major development projects. Mendes sees striking parallels between today's East Bank development and The Gulch's transformation. Mendes sees the pace of East Bank's economic development as fast compared to Nashville's historically measured approach, he points to The Gulch as proof that patience pays off. He suggests the East Bank could follow a similar trajectory. During his conversation with host Ben Hall, Mendes touched on several pivotal projects shaping Nashville's future, including the Tennessee Performing Arts Center (TPAC), Oracle's continued presence in the city, the East Bank Development Authority Board's ongoing work, and the ambitious Music City Loop transit project.   This story was reported by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    22 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

Inside Politics is a weekly, half-hour show televised by NewsChannel 5+ in Nashville, Tennessee. It premieres on Fridays at 7PM Central Time (Comcast Channel 250, Charter 182). This audio-only format of the show is identical to what is televised and is available anywhere you get your podcasts so you can listen outside of the viewing area or available for download in case you miss the televised broadcast.  The show features numerous high-profile guests as well as historical and political subject matter experts including professors from Vanderbilt University, reporters from other Nashville news outlets, and household name politicians like Representative Jim Cooper, former Nashville Mayor Megan Barry, Congressman John Rose, Tennessee House Speaker Cameron Sexton, and more.  Pat Nolan serves as the show's host. Pat has worked as a political analyst and reporter in and around Nashville for almost fifty years. He has worked in television, radio, and for the Office of the Mayor in Nashville. He has covered breaking news stories, live election updates, and for many years served as announcer for Nashville Metro Council meetings. 

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