Listen Now: For the last few weeks, we’ve been bringing you stories recorded in Middle Tennessee, during StoryCorps’ recent visit to Nashville. Today, we close out the series with the story of Remziya Sulyeman. She cast her first vote in America, in 2005. But it wasn’t on a US ballot.
WPLN’s StoryCorps: Casting a First Vote
Nashville Researchers Get Big Grant to Develop ‘Microbrain’
Scientists in Nashville are hoping to revolutionize the study of how diseases and new drugs affect the brain. Instead of experimenting on actual brains, the idea is to integrate a few brain cells into part of a microchip, to use as a kind of model. Researchers at Vanderbilt and a colleague at Meharry Medical College […]
Alexander Maintains No Limit Position During Disclose Act Debate
Tennessee Senator Lamar Alexander says he should be able to raise as much money as possible from whomever will give it, so long as he discloses his donors.
On State Appeal, Great Hearts Allowed Into Metro
A Phoenix-based charter-school operator will be able to expand into Nashville, even though it was rejected by Metro last month. Great Hearts Academies appealed to the state school board, which today effectively overturned Metro’s decision, ushering in a new kind of charter school.
Maggart Fights for Seat After Crossing the NRA
Listen Now: The National Rifle Association has just a few named enemies this campaign season. The first is obvious – President Obama. Another is much lower profile but perhaps more precedent setting – a Republican state lawmaker from Hendersonville.
Test Scores Show Gains in Younger Grades but Trouble in Algebra II, Biology
Tennessee’s district-by-district test scores for the last academic year are out. Two-thirds of the school systems saw across-the board improvement on the state’s standardized tests for elementary and middle schools, known as TCAP. Results for high school are more mixed.
Metro Schools Show Progress Closing ‘Achievement Gap’
Top officials with Metro Schools say they made progress this past year toward closing what’s called the “achievement gap.” That means catching up groups such as poor students or those learning English. It’s something Metro had to show progress on to avoid a “warning” status from the state.
Drought Hot Topic at Milan No-Till Day
Thousands of farmers from across the country will find their way to Milan, Tennessee, Thursday at an annual event that began decades ago as a way to share the latest research to prevent soil erosion. It’s called “No Till” farming. It happens to also be an effective method to protect row crops like corn and […]
State Board Director Recommends Approval of Great Hearts Charter
The Tennessee Board of Education appears poised to overturn a controversial decision by the Metro school board.
Fans Cheer Record Weber Contract
Nashville Predators fans gathered outside Bridgestone Arena as the team paused to recognize the significance of the moment. The franchise has agreed to the largest contract in its history and the second largest ever in the NHL to keep team captain Shea Weber.