1stHeadlinesBreaking News Headlines

Nashville Banner

Nashville TN · RSS · up to 100 stored headlines · Visit site

Text size100%

Metro Nashville Government Plans to Offer Employee Buyouts

Mayor Freddie O'Connell has introduced legislation to create a retirement incentive program offering up to $1,000 per year of service to encourage eligible Metro employees to retire ahead of a challenging budget cycle.

Staking Our Claim Episode 4: Trailblazers

McKenzie Tuckson and Joyce George have each been trailblazers in their own ways. McKenzie was the first student with Rett Syndrome, a rare and severe form of autism that rendered her nonverbal, to attend Metro Nashville Public Schools. With the help of assistive devices, she found her voice, succeeded in school and…

The 2026 Nashville Banner Impact Report

When the new Nashville Banner was launched in March 2024, we said it was a response to the decline of local public service journalism, and we’ve tried to live that pledge through our journalism this year. In February, our investigation into the 2025 ICE raids in Nashville uncovered a problematic relationship with the…

Tennessee Democrats Pick Up Six State Legislative Seats

Tennessee Democrats made significant gains during the midterm elections, winning six state house seats and a congressional district, marking their most successful legislative expansion in decades.

LISTEN: Breaking Down 2026 Tennessee Election Results

Banner reporters Steven Hale and Sarah Grace Taylor stay up late to talk about Tuesday night’s election results. They discuss Marsha Blackburn’s surprisingly close victory over Jerri Green to become the next governor and several congressional races, including one shocking upset. They also drink beer and think out loud…

Johnny Garrett Wins Tennessee’s 6th District

Republican Johnny Garrett defeated Democrat Mike Croley to win the seat for Tennessee's 6th Congressional District, joining Congress as a freshman member of the now-minority party.

Staking Our Claim Episode 3: More Than a Map

The Nofal family was the picture of the American dream: high school sweethearts; a Navy officer husband and a nurse wife; two young kids at home. But even though Hani Nofal had spent most of his life not thinking much about his Palestinian identity, the war in Gaza changed that. He couldn’t accept being part

LISTEN: Here’s What You Need to Know for the Nov. 3 Election in Nashville

Banner reporters Steven Hale and Stephen Elliott sit down to talk about next week’s elections. They answer community questions about election integrity, bus fare on Election Day and the three proposed constitutional amendments before rounding up all the races on the ballot. They also discuss fond memories of past…

Watch the Tennessee Gubernatorial Debate Here

Democrat Jerri Green and independent candidates for governor David Hatley and Lauren Pinkston are scheduled to debate on Tuesday, while Republican frontrunner Marsha Blackburn has declined to participate.

Staking Our Claim Episode 2: Working Overtime

Miguel* knows what work is. During the peak of summer, he works seven days a week, sometimes 14 hours a day or more. He does it to provide a good life for his family. As an HVAC technician, he’s done a lot to help people feel comfortable in their homes. But his own sense of

Candidates in Tennessee’s 5th District Face Off at Campaign Forum

Democratic nominee Chaz Molder and Republican nominee Charlie Hatcher appeared together on stage at a civil forum in Spring Hill to discuss key issues for an audience of several chambers of commerce as they campaign to be the representative from Tennessee's 5th District.

Jack Cawthon, Legend of Nashville Barbecue Scene, Dies at 80

Nashville barbecue pioneer Jack Cawthon died on Wednesday at age 80 after a battle with cancer, leaving behind a legacy as a trailblazer who helped establish the city as a premier culinary destination and a sense of camaraderie among chefs.

Ad Watch: Chaz Molder Drops Pair of Ads Attacking Charlie Hatcher

Democrat Chaz Molder released two new attack ads targeting Republican opponent Charlie Hatcher's policy positions and public service record in the campaign to represent in the 5th Congressional District as early voting begins in Tennessee.

Quiz: Which Tennessee Candidate for Governor Do You Align With?

As early voting begins in Tennessee, the Nashville Banner has produced a quiz to help voters compare the platforms of gubernatorial candidates Marsha Blackburn, Jerri Green, David Hatley, and Lauren Pinkston and decide which best aligns with what is important to them.

Robert C. Vick

Candidate For: Governor Party: Christian Independent Age: 66 Occupation: Retired (June 2026) after 40 yrs in public ed K-12 Campaign Website: http://drvick4tn.com/ Education: Doctorate ETSU Political Experience: First time running for any office. Bio: Born and raised in Jefferson County TN. Graduated Jefferson Co HS…

Dave Seeman

Candidate For: Governor Party: I’m an independent, endorsed by the Green Party of Tennessee. Age: 34 Occupation: Designer, Engineer, Business Owner Campaign Website: https://davefortn.com Education: B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, University of Tennessee, Knoxville Political Experience: This is my first run for…

Lauren Pinkston

Candidate For: Governor Party: None, I am a lifelong Independent voter Age: 39 Occupation: Counter-Human Trafficking Research and Practice; Former University Business Professor and Elementary Teacher Campaign Website: http://www.pinkstonfortn.com Education: Masters/PhD, Clemson University; International Family and…

Misam Abidi

Candidate For: Governor Party: Independent Age: 47 Occupation: Entrepreneur Campaign Website: http://www.misamforgovernor.com Education: Some college Political Experience: No prior elected office. Bio: Misam Abidi is a fintech entrepreneur and technology innovator with experience across banking, technology, small…

Chaz Molder

Candidate For: Congress, District 5 Party: Democratic Age: 43 Occupation: Mayor of Columbia; Attorney Campaign Website: chazmolder.com Education: Bachelor of Arts, University of Tennessee; Juris Doctor, Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law at the University of Memphis Political Experience: Mayor of Columbia, 2018 –…

Staking Our Claim Episode 1: Walking Home

Shawn Dromgoole was afraid to walk in his own neighborhood. Even though he’d grown up in 12South, as a Black man in a rapidly gentrifying part of Nashville, he felt paralyzed by fear. Then, what started as a simple walk with his mother became a national story, and blossomed into something bigger than either of

After Deadline: A Data Center Lawsuit, a Retirement and More From Metro Council

Banner reporters Steven Hale and Stephen Elliott sit down to talk about the DC Blox lawsuit, Sheriff Daron Hall’s retirement and this week’s Metro Council meeting. There’s much discussion about a no-longer-endangered salamander. Plus we unveil the podcast’s new official name and honor Andrea’s new title as the city’s…