By Peter White NASHIVLLE, TN — Veteran journalist Sandy Close knows how to tell a good story. She runs Ethnic Media Services and goes all over the country getting people to tell theirs. Close moderated a two-hour session last week at the Southeast Branch of Nashville Public Library in Antioch. It was a little like Story Corps and a bit like the Ted Radio Hour. Representatives from Nashville’s minority communities and members of the Spanish language news media sat around tables sharing information with consumer protection advocates. “This is about trying to reach the communities in Nashville, the ethnic minority…
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By Peter White NASHVILLE, TN — In February Congress failed to give legal status to immigrants who arrived in the U.S. as children. Martin Batalla Vidal, 27, is one of them. He was 8 and his brother was 6 when they joined their parents and began a new life in the U.S. Later, twins were born and they are U.S. citizens. The family lives in Queens. There are about 800,000 Dreamers like Batalla Vidal. Some of them are still in school. Some have already graduated, gone to work, and started families. If President Trump has his way, they will be…
NASHVILLE, TN — After deliberation and consultation with family members and key advisors, Bill Freeman has chosen not to join the campaign to complete the term in office left vacant by Megan Barry’s recent resignation. “I think Nashville will be best served by having Mayor Briley focused on what’s best for our city for the remainder of this term. As a result, I’ve chosen to refrain from entering the race.” While Freeman did not discourage others from entering the race, he considers his decision to be a personal one. “It is certainly within the capability of Nashvillians to determine what’s…
MURFREESBORO, TN — In the wake of inflammatory racist messages left on and around the MTSU campus and the fall 2017 “Murfreesboro Loves” antiracism campaign that earned national attention, the director of outreach for the Southern Poverty Law Center will present the MTSU Scholars Week keynote address Wednesday, March 21. Lecia Brooks will speak on “The Rhetoric of Hate and the Art of Resistance” at 7 p.m. March 21 in the Keathley University Center Theater. Her lecture, which is sponsored by MTSU’s Distinguished Lecture Fund and the Department of English, is free and open to the public. A campus parking map…
By Peter White NASHVILLE, TN – In the first major decision of his administration, Mayor David Briley announced Tuesday he would ask for $1 million to tear down Greer Stadium and turn it back into green space as originally planned. The 2007 supplement to the 1996 Fort Negley Master Plan called for re-integrating Greer Stadium into Fort Negley Park after the Sounds’ lease expired. The team played its last game at Greet Stadium in August 2014. “The end of baseball here, now that we’ve moved it closer to downtown, presents us with an opportunity for a new era in Nashville,”…
NASHVILLE, TN — Tennessee State University hosted a screening of the newly released documentary “Ed Temple and the Tigerbelles,” followed by celebration of the legendary track and field coach and the storied women’s track team. The documentary covers Temple and the Tigerbelles’ success during a time when the nation was embroiled in a civil rights crisis as African Americans sought equality. The film also features testimonials from historians, writers and former Tigerbelles. The screening and celebration featured a brief panel with the filmmakers, Tom Neff and Shelly Hay, as well as reflections and remarks from some of the former Tigerbelles…
By Peter White NASHVILLE, TN — The man who stopped the giveaway of the old Greer Stadium property at Fort Negley withdrew his complaint against District 17 Councilman Colby Sledge at an Ethics Board meeting last week. “I’ve been a fan and supporter of his and he just got caught up in this mess,” said Devinder Sandhu. Sandhu told the 5-member board he would drop his complaint against Sledge if they let him make a 10-minute statement. Three minutes into his firsthand experience of corruption in Metro’s Procurement Office, Board Chairman Josiah Reid cut him off. “This is a very…
NASHVILLE, TN — Nashville-Davidson County Sheriff Daron Hall announced Thursday DCSO employee volunteers are preparing for the 15th annual Sober Ride St. Patrick’s Day. Since its inception, Davidson County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) employees have taken approximately 7,700 people home. The holiday when everyone is Irish, will bring many out to celebrate on Friday night and Hall wants to ensure it’s a safe one. “Anyone who has had too much to drink in the downtown area should go our pick-up location for a ride. No questions asked,” Hall said. “No matter where you celebrate, make the decision to choose a sober…
By Peter White NASHVILLE, TN — The Nashville business community raised $30 million to push the plan and hired six public relations firms to convince voters to support it. Opponents include No Tax 4 Tracks and Better Transit for Nashville. Better Transit has three YouTube videos available here: https://www.bettertransit4nashville.com/ Building the light rail system would take until 2032 to complete but 25 miles of rapid bus service would begin sooner. Residents below the poverty level would get free bus passes. Housing developments in transit zones along bus and rail lines would be eligible for Tax Increment Financing (TIF) if at least…
Online Only Applications Will Be Accepted on a First-Come, First-Served Basis NASHVILLE, TN — MDHA will open its waiting list for Cumberland View, CWA Plaza Apartments and Edgehill Apartments in March and early April, beginning with Cumberland View at noon on March 19. Anyone currently on the waiting lists for these three properties will need to reapply. Applications will be accepted online only on a first-come, first-served basis, and can be submitted 24 hours a day during the waiting list periods at www.nashville-mdha.org (click on the button on the home page that says Apply for Affordable Housing). A valid email address…