The Roundabout: News of the Week for September 4, 2025

It’s Thursday and time for another episode of The Roundabout.

The Roundabout is your news of the week, analyzed by our panelists from points of view that span left, right and center. Joining us today are attorney John Spragens, former reporter and political operative who also previously handled communications for Congressman Jim Cooper; Toby Compton, who worked for Nashville Mayor Karl Dean and also in the administrations of governors Bill Haslam and Bill Lee; And Sarah Grace Taylor, reporter with the Nashville Banner.

And The Roundabout also welcomes your voice on the big stories of the week! What story is making the rounds in your circle? Give us a call at 615-760-2000 to weigh in — or join us live streaming on YouTube at noon and pop your question into chat.

This episode was produced by Mary Mancini.

Guests:

• • John Spragens, attorney, former reporter, political operative and communications director for Congressman Jim Cooper
  • Toby Compton, formerly in the administration of Nashville Mayor Karl Dean and governors Bill Haslam and Bill Lee
  • Sarah Grace Taylor, reporter with the Nashville Banner

Further reading:

• Effect of ICE raids on schools [Nashville Banner]
• TN ranking high for ICE arrests [WPLN]
• Meharry/General Hospital vow feud is over [Tennessean]
• Cade Cauthren/Glen Casada sentencing coming [Tennessee Lookout]
• Gov. Lee adds funding for child care [Nashville Scene]
• Trump administration moves closer to ending protections for 58M acres of national forests [Tennessee Lookout]
• Christian Nationalist Church Challenges Women’s Right to Vote Around Anniversary of Tennessee Ratifying the 19th Amendment Nashville Banner]
• Tennessee woman appeals banned license plate to Supreme Court [Tennessean]