This Is Nashville WPLN News - Nashville Public Radio

Call 615-760-2000 to share what’s on your mind or to ask a question. This is your opportunity to get your questions answered. We never know what’s going to come up on our Ask The Mayor show, but it’s always interesting. Join us!This episode was produced by Mary Mancini.Guests:
Freddie O'Connell | Mayor, Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County
Wally Dietz | Director of Law, Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County
Listen to previous Ask the Mayor episodes:
Ask the Mayors with Freddie O'Connell and Benton McDonough (June 18, 2024)
Ask the Mayors with Freddie O'Connell and Ken Moore (May 30, 2024)
Ask the Mayor with Freddie O'Connell, plus Taking Cover (April 17, 2024)
Ask the Mayor with Freddie O'Connell, plus Votes For Women (March 28, 2024)
Ask the Mayor with Freddie O'Connell & Photographer Jeff Fasano (Feb. 15, 2024)
 

The Christmas Day bombing caused extensive damage to the historic buildings, homes and businesses that dot Second Avenue. Redevelopment of the area is ongoing, with some sections rebuilt and open to pedestrians and cars, while others remain untouched. Today, we’ll learn about the historic cultural and economic importance of Second Avenue, provide updates on the vision for redevelopment and communication infrastructure improvements, and check in on former residents and business owners.This episode was produced by Ambriehl Crutchfield.Guests:

James Hoobler | Senior Curator, Art & Architecture, Tennessee State Museum (Retired)

Ron Limb | Owner, Hostel, Second Avenue business

Demetrius Kelley | Owner, Melting Pot/Rodizio, Second Avenue business

Mariyo Deon | Former Second Avenue resident

Michelle Scopel | Urban Development Senior Project Manager, MDHA

Further reading and listening:
WPLN | Timeline: The Nashville Bombing, From Advance Warning To The Aftermath

WPLN | Rebuilding After Bombing Will Test Resilience Of Downtown Nashville’s Historic District

Marketplace | 3 years after bombing, Nashville wants tourists to give its downtown another chance

The first marker, "Heaton's Station," was placed in 1968 at a bend in the Cumberland River in North Nashville and commemorates one of the city’s first structures, a fortified house built for protection in 1780. Now there are almost 300 markers across the city, with at least one in every council district. Today, we’ll talk about the importance of the marker program and how to get one made and planted. We'll also find out all about the marker for Warehouse 28, a gay disco that also made possible the founding of Nashville CARES, and the double-sided marker that commemorates Riverside Sanitarium and honors Dr. Dorothy Brown, the first female African American surgeon in the South.Guests:

Jessica Reeves | Preservationist, Metro Historical Commission; Administrator, Historical Marker Program 

John Bridges | Author; Board member, Metro Historical Commission 

Bennie Thompson | Founder and Chairman, Riverside Historical Society

Michael Hubbard | Member, Riverside Historical Society; Executive Director, Charles and Etta Dudley Foundation
Further Reading and Listening:

WPLN News | On A Downtown Corner, A New Marker Acknowledges Nashville’s Slave-Trading Past


NPR Investigations | Off The Mark: The fractured landscape of U.S. historical markers


Read about all the people, places and things Nashville's historical markers commemorate at the program website.

She has written under her own name and collaborated on multiple books for celebrities - five of which made the New York Times best seller list. Now in her memoir Ghosted, she has emerged from behind the scenes to tell the story of losing her political allies, feeling spiritually adrift and politically confused, and becoming unemployable after she was unwilling to endorse an unsuitable president.Nancy lives in Franklin, Tennessee with her husband – journalist David French – and family.This episode was co-produced by Elizabeth Burton.

Today, we’re speaking with Caché McClay, The Tennessean’s dedicated Beyoncé reporter, and Bryan West, The Tennessean’s dedicated Taylor Swift reporter, about what it’s like to cover two global superstars from here in Nashville. Julia Masters from the Nashville Business Journal will be in to break down her recent entertainment coverage, including: a new plan by hospitality leaders to shape tourism in Nashville, the current trends in local restaurants, and Metro Council's look into how to better support independently owned venues. Plus, we’re checking in with Gracie Fuisz, the host of the recently launched City Cast Nashville podcast.Today's episode was produced by Katherine Ceicys.GUESTS

Caché McClay | Beyoncé Knowles-Carter reporter, The Tennessean


Bryan West | Taylor Swift reporter, The Tennessean


Julia Masters | Entertainment reporter, Nashville Business Journal


Grace Fuisz | Host, City Cast Nashville

One of the main ways we can interact with others is through our hobbies and niche interests. And they’ve got another benefit, too: When we learn more about other people’s hobbies and niche interests, we better appreciate the world around us and we can embrace and celebrate our differences.Today, we delve into three vastly different niche activities and the people who pursue them. From Rubik’s cubing to cooking to professional Santa artistry, these guests illustrate the importance of finding our “niche” in all stages of life.This episode was produced by Leslie Eiler Thompson.Guests:

Shook G. | Rubik’s Cube player

Zach and Maggie White | Regional cooking

Santa Shed (Shedrich) Webster | Professional Santa portrayal artist