Listen Gov. Bill Haslam’s plan to restructure higher education in Tennessee — called the FOCUS Act — is moving quickly through the many layers of the legislature. But after a half-dozen hearings, some lawmakers seem to be getting FOCUS fatigue.
Vanderbilt Graduate Student Killed In Stabbing Attack In Israel Was ‘A Quiet Leader’
This story has been updated with more information about Taylor Force. The dean of Vanderbilt University’s business school is calling 28-year-old Taylor Force as “a quiet leader.” The West Point grad, who had served as an Army officer in Iraq and Afghanistan, was killed yesterday during a stabbing attack in Israel. He was there on […]
Why Did Dolly Call A Press Conference? To Announce A Tour, Album, Movie, Broadway Musical
Listen Country music superstar Dolly Parton has her sights set on Broadway and the silver screen — but first, she’s hitting the road again. Parton announced Monday morning that she’s taking her biggest North American tour in more than 20 years this summer, following the release of a new album. She’ll perform hits like “9 to […]
In Nashville’s Burgeoning Fashion Industry, A Challenge To Grow Enough For Its Biggest Brands
Listen An oversized warehouse in South Nashville is where Elizabeth Suzann clothing is born: boxy tees, long loose dresses and slouchy silk pants. The color scheme is dependably neutral. “We use blacks, grays, oatmeals, creams, and then we use very simple silhouettes. We don’t use a lot of zippers, any metal, no beading,” says founder […]
Tennessee Lawmakers Propose Shifting $5M For Diversity At UT Into Rural Outreach
Listen The Senate Education Committee voted Wednesday to strip the University of Tennessee of state funding for its diversity office. Instead, that money would go toward the university’s rural outreach programs.
Would TSU Lose Power If The Governor’s Higher Education Plan Passes?
Officials from Tennessee State University worry that the governor’s plan to restructure Tennessee’s higher education system would diminish the school’s power, they told lawmakers Tuesday. TSU, the state’s only public historically black university, is the first school in the Tennessee Board of Regents to testify publicly against the plan.
Curious Nashville: A Tombstone Mystery About Who ‘Turned From Bloodkin’
The winning question in our very first Curious Nashville voting round led us on a circuitous path — but we are pleased to say that we found the answer.
Tennessee May Require All School Employees — Even Bus Drivers — To Get Suicide Prevention Training
Some Tennessee lawmakers want school districts to focus more on preventing suicides. A bill sponsored by Rep. Mary Littleton (R-Dickson) would require every employee at public school systems in Tennessee to go through two hours of suicide prevention training each year. That includes people who work outside of the classroom, she says. “The bus drivers […]
Despite Concerns, Tennessee Officials Say Governor’s Higher Education Plan Won’t Hinder Cooperation
Listen State officials say they’re working to address concerns about the proposal to give some universities more autonomy. Gov. Bill Haslam announced late last year that he wanted to essentially spin out four-year schools from the Tennessee Board of Regents and let them establish their own boards. He said that would allow TBR to focus on […]
Movers & Thinkers #5: How Professional Investigators Get The Facts
When there’s trouble, these people are called to figure it out. They are investigators, tasked with tracking down what’s causing a problem, who knows about it and how to fix it. Featuring Hal Humphreys, Anita Wadhwani and Marion Kainer.
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