State legislative wrap-up: immigration, vouchers and preemption

The dust is starting to settle after the annual whirlwind that is the final days of the legislative session at the Tennessee State Capitol.Today we take you inside the halls of power to wrap-up. We hear from reporters who offer their insights into what passed and why, what failed and what might surface again in 2027. From school vouchers and immigration policy to preempting local laws, what were the predominant issues and political dynamics that shaped the laws — and will shape our state’s future? And we want to hear from you: How would you rate legislative performance? Were your priorities addressed? If not, what do you want from lawmakers next year? Join the conversation by calling 615-760-2000 or chiming in on the chat on our live YouTube stream.This episode was produced by Mary Mancini.Guests Marianna Bacallao, State Legislature reporter, WPLN Sarah Grace Taylor, Statehouse reporter, Nashville Banner Vivian Jones, State government and politics reporter, Tennessean

As usual, it all starts with a question to Curious Nashville:"I live in East Nashville, on Sharpe Avenue. We adopted a hound mix and she digs up bizarre trash. Did people bury their trash? Was there no trash pick up? Auto parts, beer bottles, air gun cartridges, porn videos. Others in East have described similar experiences."We've learned this is not an isolated experience. You folks are obsessed with what you find in the dirt. So, why do we dig what we dig? We're unearthing some answers.The phone lines and our live stream are open for this one. Give us a call at 615-760-2000 or pop into chat on our YouTube stream.Guests:• Whit Hill, metal detectorist, musician• Matt Pilcher, landscaper, Gardens of Babylon• Benjamin C. Nance, Cultural Resource Consultant Manager, Tennessee Division of Archaeology

Our need and desire for connection doesn’t retire as we grow older. NextAge Season 2 explores love, intimacy, and companionship in the second half of life.Through personal stories and expert insight, we’re covering topics from digital dating, sex, and changing bodies to medical myths, healing psyches and long-held identities finally coming into full expression. Today's episode kicks off another season of our special series featuring stories and information about growing older in the 21st century — and how Middle Tennesseans are reframing aging. In Tennessee, our population that’s 60-plus now includes the oldest GenXers and is projected to grow by 30% in the next 15 years. Today, we review some of the stories and topics from last year and how it led to new reporting on  what it means to keep falling in love with others — and ourselves.Guests: LaTonya Turner, news editor & on-air host, WPLN News Natasha Senjanovic, journalist & contributing producer

We call ourselves Music City.But for a lot of kids growing up here, music lessons are simply out of reach. There’s a place in Edgehill where lessons still cost fifty cents — just like they did more than 40 years ago. It’s called the W.O. Smith Music School, and hundreds of students benefit from its founding each year. Our guest today is executive director Valerie Cordero. She’s an ethnomusicologist whose own story veered away from music for much of her career. Now she’s back to helping make music every day.This episode was produced by Josh Deepan. Guests Valerie Cordero, W.O. Smith Music School Executive Director

Mayor Freddie O’Connell joins us live in the studio to take your questions –– and nothing is off the table.Today we're asking about Waymo, the Superbowl and the new state laws that will affect the city. But as always, the most important questions are yours.So what’s been bothering you lately? Are you looking forward to next week's State of Metro? Do you have concerns about your city services or something in your neighborhood that just hasn’t been addressed? No matter what it is, this is your chance to ask the man directly. Call 615-760-2000 during the live show or pop into chat on our YouTube stream to join the conversation.After we say goodbye to Mayor O'Connell, Curious Nashville is back to answer the Nashville questions piquing your curiosity. Today, we round out the show with a hot topic in light of the severe weather and the NES kerfuffle the city experienced this winter. Guest Wade Sexton has thirty years of experience working in the utility industry –– on the company side and as a utility contractor –– and he's here to answer a question that's been on our minds: "What would it take to put electrical lines underground? And, would it even be worth it?"Guests: Freddie O'Connell, mayor, Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County Wade Sexton, board member, National Utility Contractors Association

For some, a book is just a book. For others, it can be life-changing, or controversial, or both.When the Age-Appropriate Materials Act was signed into law by Governor Lee in 2022, it paved the way for certain book titles to be challenged and removed from both school and public libraries. Now, the debate about access, education and community values rages throughout the state.What does book banning actually look like? Who’s making these calls — and how do they affect readers? Today, we unpack the issue, share perspectives and talk about what might be at stake when a book disappears from the shelf.Guests: Bruce Barry, opinion columnist, Tennessee Lookout Angele Latham, First Amendment reporter, Tennessean Christina Soontornvat, author; state leader, Authors Against Book Bans

We’re bringing our voices together in harmony.It’s a show where everyone has a part. This is a choir town, after all. And choral music is a communal act. We’re visiting with the symphony chorus, the Crimm singers and Vox Grata. Do your warm ups and join us for a singing on the web, on 90.3 or live streaming on our YouTube channel.This episode was produced by Josh Deepan. Guests Tucker Biddlecombe, Nashville Symphony Chorus Director Renita Smith-Crittendon, Nashville Symphony Chorus Member Heaven Howard, Nashville Symphony Chorus Member Patrick Dailey, W. Crimm Singers Director Nicole Simone, W. Crimm Singers Assistant Director and Member Brooklyn Cook, W. Crimm Singers Member Jeanette MacCallum, Vox Grata Chorus Founder and Artistic Director Hannah Baisley, Vox Grata Member

At 84, biochemist Billy Hudson is still at it, researching collagen and kidney function. He's been named as a 2026 medal of honor recipient by the Ellis Island Honors Society. An unlikely pioneer in the field of nephrology, Hudson endured poverty and abuse in rural Arkansas, not even finishing high school before he found himself on a welcoming college campus. After a successful research career, he's spent the last two decades trying to make a path to higher education for kids like himself through a program he started with his wife and siblings called Aspirnaut. Not until he was working with kids whose stories rivaled his own trauma did he start dealing with it in a meaningful way. Note: The details of Hudson's story are somewhat graphic and there is some mention of thoughts of suicide.Further Reading: After Escaping 'Torture' and Poverty as a Kid, Professor Has Helped Thousands of Struggling Students Arkansas scientist behind 'magic' school bus expands learning opportunities for kids Ellis Island Medal of Honor 2026 recipients

It’s Thursday, which means it’s time for our weekly roundtable discussion featuring a variety of voices. Otherwise known as The Roundabout.Today is for anyone who’s ever thought, “I’m not sure I can live here anymore,” or “I just got here and I’m never leaving.” People threaten to leave where they’re from for all kinds of reasons: rising costs, community, limited opportunity, politics, principle, or personal health. After yesterday’s conversation about Tennessee expats, today we’re talking with those who’ve considered leaving and decided to stay, at least for now, as well as folks who came from other parts of the country and found Tennessee a more welcoming place to land.Guests: Malick Gaye, Vice President of Livability, Nashville Chamber of Commerce Margaret Littman, freelance journalist Morgxn, singer/songwriter, owner Fruity Farms

Folks are flocking to Nashville from around the country — and even around the world. Today we explore the other side of the story.As Middle Tennessee’s economy continues to outpace much of the nation, fueled by a steady influx of new residents, there’s also a consistent stream of departures. For some, it was a single inciting moment; for others, a gradual realization over time. Now living as expats, former Nashvillians join us remotely from California, Illinois, Oregon and Maryland to tell their stories.Guests: Dr. Michelle Fiscus, officer at a national non-profit related to public health Josh Black, comedian and artist Bean Chapman, Policy Analyst, Tennessee Equality Project, parent of a transgender adult Christina, parent of a transgender child Kristen Chapman, parent of a transgender child