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Marianna Bacallao

Marianna Bacallao, Power & Equity Reporter

Marianna Bacallao (mare-ee-AW-nuh bah-kuh-YOW) covers systems of power from the statehouse to the pulpit with a focus on those most impacted by policy. Previously, she served as the afternoon host for WPLN News, where she won a regional Edward R. Murrow for hosting during a deadly tornado outbreak, served as a guide on election night and gave live updates in the wake of the Covenant School shooting. A Georgia native, she was a contributor to Georgia Public Broadcasting during her undergrad years and served as editor-in-chief for Mercer University’s student newspaper.

Tennessee ranks near the top for ICE arrests

By Marianna Bacallao

September 2, 2025

Federal immigration officials are making arrests from within Tennessee jails at a much higher rate than other states. A new report ranks Tennessee second only to Texas in the number of people ICE picks up from jail.

Filed Under: Politics, WPLN News Tagged With: deportations, Donald Trump, ICE, Immigration, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Tennessee Highway Patrol

Cracker Barrel brings back old logo after public outcry, plea from Trump

By Marianna Bacallao

August 26, 2025

Cracker Barrel is changing its logo back to the iconic man and barrel after the company’s new, more minimalist design sparked outcry from fans — and the White House.

Filed Under: Business, WPLN News Tagged With: Cracker Barrel, Donald Trump, Lebanon, MAGA

What to know about Elon Musk’s Nashville tunnel project

By Marianna Bacallao

August 26, 2025

Here’s everything we know so far about the Boring Company’s proposed “Music City Loop” in Nashville.

Filed Under: Metro, Politics, WPLN News Tagged With: Bill Lee, Elon Musk, Freddie O'Connell, Justin Jones, Metro Nashville, Music City Center, Nashville International Airport, The Boring Company, tunnels, xAi

Nashville Pride raises alarm as long-time sponsors pull funding

By Marianna Bacallao

August 20, 2025

The future of Nashville Pride is uncertain as organizers face a more than $300,000 shortfall year-over-year in corporate giving and volunteers.

Filed Under: Politics, Race & Equity, WPLN News Tagged With: anti-lgbt, lgbt, lgbtq, Nashville Pride, Pride, tnleg, tnpol

Meet the congressional candidates for Tennessee’s special election

By Marianna Bacallao

August 14, 2025

With the filing deadline come and gone, the candidates are set for the Oct. 7 special primary election.

Filed Under: Politics, WPLN News Tagged With: Aftyn Behn, Bo Mitchell, clarksville, Donald Trump, election, Freddie O'Connell, Gino Bulso, Immigration, jan. 6, Jody Barrett, Lee Reeves, Mark Green, Nashville, tnleg, tnpol, Vincent Dixie

A regional ICE detention center is coming to rural Tennessee

By Marianna Bacallao

August 13, 2025

A small town in rural Tennessee will soon be the site of a privately-run Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention center.

Filed Under: Criminal Justice, Politics, WPLN News Tagged With: civil rights, CoreCivic, Department of Justice, ICE, immigrants, Immigration, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Mason, prison, private prisons, Tennessee Department of Correction, West Tennessee

Marsha Blackburn leads Republican primary for Tennessee governor in early polling

By Marianna Bacallao

August 11, 2025

U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn had a commanding lead in the Republican primary for governor of Tennessee even before she announced her candidacy.

Filed Under: Politics, WPLN News Tagged With: Beacon Center, Beacon Center of Tennessee, governor, governor's race, John Rose, Marsha Blacburn, memphis, Tennessee Republican Party, Tennessee Republicans, tnleg, tnpol, U.S. Supreme Court

Tennessee can execute man despite medical complications, state supreme court rules

By Marianna Bacallao

July 31, 2025

Tennessee is moving forward with executing a man on death row next week, despite concerns that a heart implant may prolong his death or worsen his pain.

Filed Under: Criminal Justice, Politics, WPLN News Tagged With: American Baptist College, Bill Lee, Byron Black, Davie Tucker, death penalty, lethal injection, Tennessee Department of Correction

Tennessee partners with Elon Musk on Tesla tunnel between downtown Nashville and airport

By Tony Gonzalez|Cynthia Abrams|Marianna Bacallao

July 28, 2025

A privately developed tunnel project could soon connect travelers from downtown Nashville to Nashville International Airport.

Filed Under: Metro, WPLN News Tagged With: BNA, Elon Musk, infrastructure, Nashville International Airport, transportation, tunnels

Nashville will see a rise in ICE agents under Trump’s budget plan

By Marianna Bacallao

July 18, 2025

During a Friday visit to Nashville, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said that ICE will be sending more officers to the city.

Filed Under: Politics, WPLN News Tagged With: deportations, Donald Trump, El Salvador, Freddie O'Connell, human smuggling, ICE, Immigration, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Kilmar Abrego Garcia, raid, Tennessee Highway Patrol

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