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Environment

Boring Company edges closer to tunnel construction, inking deal with Nashville airport

By Caroline Eggers

February 19, 2026

The Boring Company secured a crucial green light this week in its plans to build a 10-mile tunnel system between downtown and the Nashville International Airport. 

Filed Under: Environment, Metro, WPLN News Tagged With: Airport Authority, Nashville International Airport, The Boring Company, tunnels

After Trump’s shakeup, TVA board votes to keep coal burning, drop renewable energy plans

By Pierce Gentry, WUOT

February 12, 2026

The Kingston Fossil Plant, built and operated by the Tennessee Valley Authority, viewed from Interstate 40 near Kingston, Tennessee.

The Tennessee Valley Authority has moved to strike language about renewable energy generation and diversity, equity and inclusion while reversing plans to retire aging coal power plants.

Filed Under: Environment, WPLN News Tagged With: Coal plants, Cumberland Fossil Plant, Don Moul, kingston fossil plant, Tennessee Valley Authority, Tom Rice, xAi

Conservation group sues federal agency to protect salamander

By Derek Parham, WKU Public Radio

February 10, 2026

A slender, purplish-brown salamander with two rows of yellow spots along its back stands on a bed of vibrant green moss.

The Center for Biological Diversity is suing the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for failing to decide whether to protect an imperiled salamander found in Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia.

Filed Under: Environment, WPLN News Tagged With: Appalachia + Mid-South Newsroom, center for biological diversity, salamander, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Farmer dreams of the region becoming the truffle ‘center of the universe’

By Derek Parham, WKU Public Radio

February 9, 2026

A fluffy, mottled white and brown dog is in an orchard of hazelnut and oak trees. He wears a fluorescent orange harness labeled "Luca: NewTown Truffle."

Truffle cultivators are becoming increasingly common across Appalachia and the southeast region, and say the climate and soil quality are ideal for growing the coveted fungi.

Filed Under: Arts, Culture & Music, Environment, WPLN News Tagged With: Appalachia + Mid-South Newsroom, farming, foraging, fungi, truffles

Trees splintered, split and crashed across Nashville. Here’s how to help

By Caroline Eggers

February 4, 2026

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Nashville’s natural skyline changed last week.  Thousands of trees tipped, splintered and died after frozen water blanketed the town, worsened by prolonged cold and occasional strikes from wind.

Filed Under: Environment, WPLN News Tagged With: severe weather, trees, Winter Storm Fern

Winter storm week 2: Challenges linger and some school districts remain closed

By LaTonya Turner, Pierce Gentry, WUOTandAlexis Marshall

February 1, 2026

Winter Storm Fern has created lingering challenges for residents, city leaders and emergency workers in Tennessee. Here’s the latest at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday.

Filed Under: Environment, WPLN News Tagged With: Cold weather, Freddie O'Connell, Middle Tennessee, Nashville Electric Service, NDOT, snow, Tennessee Department of Transportation, Weather, William Swann, Winter Storm Fern

Rare frost quakes rattle parts of Tennessee and Kentucky

By Lisa Autry, WKU Public Media

January 29, 2026

Ashley Lloyd experienced her first-ever frost quake on Monday, Jan. 26, 2026 at her home in rural Warren County.

Some have reported hearing loud booms following last weekend’s winter storm.The rare occurrence is known as “frost quake.”

Filed Under: Environment, WPLN News Tagged With: Appalachia + Mid-South Newsroom, frost quake, severe weather, Warren County

Half of Nashville lost power. Here’s the latest.

By Caroline Eggers

January 26, 2026

Nashville experienced a record volume of homes and businesses without power on Sunday, affecting as many as 500,000 people.

Filed Under: Environment, WPLN News Tagged With: blackouts, electricity, Nashville Electric Service, power outages, Tennessee Valley Authority, Winter Storm Fern

Winter storm week 1: Tennessee fatalities rise; outage frustrations mounting

By LaTonya Turner, Rose Gilbert, Tony Gonzalez, Catherine Sweeney, Jacqui Sieber, WUOT, Nina CardonaandCynthia Abrams

January 24, 2026

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Lengthy power outages continue to fray nerves in Tennessee after the winter storm and weather-related fatalities climb to 21 as another arctic blast brings dangerous cold this weekend.  Here’s the latest from WPLN at 6:00 p.m. Saturday.

Filed Under: Environment, WPLN News Tagged With: Cold weather, Freddie O'Connell, Middle Tennessee, Nashville Electric Service, NDOT, snow, Tennessee Department of Transportation, Weather, William Swann, Winter Storm Fern

Middle Tennessee is bracing for a major winter storm this weekend. Here’s what to expect.

By Rose Gilbert

January 21, 2026

Middle Tennessee is expecting a major winter storm this weekend. But how would that stack up against our region’s past historic snowfalls?

Filed Under: Environment, WPLN News Tagged With: National Weather Service, snow, winter storm, Winter Storm Fern

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