One of Tennessee’s longest serving state senators has died. Nashville Democrat Thelma Harper, known for her endless energy and elegant hats, was 80 years old.
Blake Farmer, Senior Healthcare Reporter
Blake Farmer is Nashville Public Radio's senior health care reporter. In a partnership with Kaiser Health News and NPR, Blake covers health in Tennessee and the health care industry in the Nashville area for local and national audiences.
With COVID Shots Declining, Nashville To Close Primary Vaccination Site
Fewer and fewer people are getting vaccinated at Nashville’s primary hub for COVID shots. So first doses will stop being offered at the Music City Center on May 7.
In Tennessee, The Vaccination Slowdown Has Begun
Southern states are seeing a pretty sharp drop off in the pace of COVID vaccinations — and the slowness can’t be blamed on supply. In Tennessee, the vaccination numbers on Monday were less than half of the highest days in recent months, with plenty of shots on hand.
Curious Nashville: Tell WPLN News Why You’re Holding Off On The COVID Vaccine
More than half of Tennesseans are still hesitant to get the COVID-19 vaccine, according to state-based surveying conducted this month by the Tennessee Department of Health. But the “why” is often more complicated than a multiple-choice survey can handle.
Nashville’s Latest Flooding Renews Push To Buy Creekside Homes
A federal disaster declaration could trigger another round of buyouts for flooded homes in Nashville. Increasingly, cities are fighting floodwaters by — more or less — getting out of the way: The federal government buys the houses just to tear them down. But a buyout offer doesn’t mean people will take it.
Mental Health Takes Center Stage As Pandemic Devastates Nashville’s Live Music Industry
When COVID-19 took hold, financial support unsurprisingly topped the list of priorities for most nonprofits who provide direct assistance to people in the live music industry. But, as weeks off of the road turned into months and now over a year, mental health remains a major concern for those whose stages have sat blank and […]
In Nashville, Reopening Will Continue As Vaccines Become Widely Available
This weekend was the first one in a long time when restaurants and bars could stay open until 3 a.m. with increased capacity. Sporting events and concerts can now have slightly larger crowds, as well. And private gatherings can include as many as 15 people.
Tennessee Tries Out Messaging That Might Overcome Rural Vaccine Reluctance
Tennessee is looking for messaging that might overcome COVID vaccine reluctance in rural communities, as health officials prepare public service announcements to be used in the coming months.
With Appointments Going Unfilled, Nashville Invites Walk-In COVID Vaccinations
On Thursday, the Metro Public Health Department announced that for the first time, vaccine appointments have been going unfilled. The city has been giving about 2,000 shots a day at the convention center.
Johnson & Johnson Vaccine Blood Clot Case Identified In Nashville
A woman from East Nashville hospitalized with severe blood clots is believed to be one of the handful suffering from the syndrome after receiving the Johnson & Johnson COVID vaccine. The case was reported Wednesday in the Nashville Scene.
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