Tonya Abari is an author, journalist, essayist, former high school English teacher, children’s book author and much, much more.
NashVillager Podcast: The long road to Juneteenth
How did Juneteenth become a holiday in Tennessee? Plus your local newscast for June 18, 2024.
Franklin Alderman Gabrielle Hanson resigns before vote to censure her
Franklin Alderman Gabrielle Hanson has resigned from her position before the board could vote on whether to censure her.
Franklin Ethics Commission recommends censuring Alderman Gabrielle Hanson over Juneteenth controversy
The Franklin Ethics Commission unanimously determined that Alderman Gabrielle Hanson had violated two provisions of the city’s ethics code.
Interactive map: 40+ 2023 Juneteenth celebrations happening in Middle TN
There are dozens of Juneteenth events planned in Middle Tennessee communities from Nashville to Lewisburg to Cross Plains.
Interactive map: 50+ 2022 Juneteenth celebrations happening in Middle TN
As the popularity of Juneteenth has continued to grow, WPLN News has compiled 50 events and counting for the holiday happening across Middle Tennessee. Many are being organized by Black-led organizations.
Teacher raises, tax cuts, Titans dome are in Tennessee’s $53 billion budget. Here’s some of what didn’t make the cut.
The budget includes money for a new Titans stadium, tax cuts, adds to the state’s rainy-day fund, and includes funds for public school teacher raises. But some items from the governor’s wish list didn’t make the cut.
Metro makes Juneteenth an official holiday for city employees
Juneteenth will be a formal holiday for all Metro Nashville employees starting this year. The holiday commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans after the end of the Civil War.
After pushback, Nashville council decides to spend city money, not federal dollars, on police Tasers
Nashville’s police department wanted almost $6 million for new Tasers and had requested it come from the federal COVID relief money the city had been allocated. But Metro Council got pushback from the community and within its chambers on what the city’s priorities are for the pandemic money.
Black Tennesseans Take Ownership of Juneteenth Through Good Food, Music, Company — And History
Juneteenth has historically been a day that most people didn’t know existed. But this year, it was met with widespread recognition, as thousands of residents flocked to celebrations across Middle Tennessee.
On Air - 90.3 WPLN-FM