WPLN News - Nashville Public Radio

10/12/2025

The picturesque Sewanee University of the South campus is often touted as one of the most beautiful in the country.

One reason? It’s surrounded by 13,000 acres of forests and waterfalls — and features a publicly accessible 20-mile perimeter trail that's known for making memories and traditions.

Every year, before graduating, seniors at Sewanee: The University of the South try to hike the entirety of the 20-mile trail that encompasses the school.

10/11/2025

UPDATE: Blast at Tennessee explosives plant leaves multiple people dead and missing

An explosion at a Tennessee military munitions plant left multiple people dead and missing on Friday, a county sheriff said, as first responders said secondary blasts forced rescuers to keep their distance from the burning site.

10/10/2025

WPLN and 91.ONE, WNXP made Nashville Scene Best of 2025. Thank you, Nashville!

WNXP was voted by readers as the #1 radio station in Nashville, and WPLN was #3 (two out of three spots in the Best Radio Station Category!).

This Is Nashville's ongoing series about homelessness, "In My Place," is a Writers' Choice for Best News Podcast. And WPLN reporter Rose Gilbert's podcast about Kurdish immigrants in Nashville, "The Country in Our Hearts," is a Writers' Choice for Best Audio Storytelling. Missed these podcasts? You can listen on wpln.org or wherever you get your podcasts.

https://www.nashvillescene.com/bon/2025/

Our award-winning news department news produces thoughtful stories on critical news issues such as local and state electoral politics, healthcare, and education.

10/10/2025

An explosion at a Tennessee military munitions plant left multiple people dead and missing on Friday, a county sheriff said, as first responders said secondary blasts forced rescuers to keep their distance from the burning site.

The blast occurred Friday at Accurate Energetic Systems, a company that makes and tests explosives. The cause of the explosion is not yet known. Residents miles away reported feeling the explosion.

A powerful blast ripped through a military explosives manufacturing plant in Hickman County on Friday morning, rattling homes miles away and bringing emergency responders to the scene, authorities and residents said.

10/09/2025

A new Taylor Swift lyric is causing debate in Nashville. Twenty six seconds into the 6th song of her new album, " The Life of a Showgirl," she says Gallatin Road. It is a reference to a street in Nashville, which many of us here have to encounter and endure every single day. It was very cool to hear Taylor Swift, the biggest pop star in the world, make a reference to something so small. But is it a correct reference? Was she showing Nashville how much of a true Nashvillian she is? 🤔

10/09/2025

It's Thursday, which means it's Roundabout time on This is Nashville. Congressional District 7 candidate Rep. Jody Barrett, Owen School prof and Tennessee Lookoutut contributor Bruce Barry, and WPLN's Marianna Bacallao join to help us think through the biggest news – including the special election in the 7th congressional district. We’ll digest the primary results with the help of Barrett, who was the focus of much of the money spent in the race. We'll also look at how the state ended up banning more books than almost any other state and Vanderbilt’s opportunity to make up with the Trump administration. Plus, we're taking your calls. Call 615-760-2000 to join the conversation. Today at noon on 90.3 and streaming live on YouTube.com/.

10/08/2025

Fewer people are traveling out of state for abortion care — but that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re getting fewer abortions.

Fewer people are traveling out of state for abortion care — but that doesn’t necessarily mean they're getting fewer abortions. Following the end of Roe v

10/08/2025

Longtime sponsors of Nashville Pride Festival have withdrawn support, leading organizers of the event scrambling for next steps. The deadline for meeting the fundraising goal – 250,000 dollars, to be precise – is set for October 11, which is National Coming Out Day.

On today’s This is Nashville, we speak with parade organizers, historians, and city officials to learn about the positive impact Pride has on Metro Nashville and implications behind the withdrawal.

Plus, this weekend marks the 23rd annual celebration. We'll explore this year's theme, Roots and Rhythm, and learn more about the organization behind the event.

This is Nashville is sponsored by Music City Prep Clinic

10/08/2025

Former Tennessee commissioner Matt Van Epps will face off against state Rep. Aftyn Behn in December’s general election to replace U.S. Congressman Mark Green.

Former Tennessee commissioner Matt Van Epps will face off against state Rep. Aftyn Behn in December’s general election.

10/07/2025

Flights in and out of Nashville were reduced Tuesday amid a shortage of air traffic controllers at BNA.

Flights in and out of BNA were reduced Tuesday due to a shortage of air traffic controllers during the government shutdown.

10/07/2025

If Roger Williams University hadn’t burned down in a suspicious fire in 1905, it may have joined Nashville’s Fisk, Meharry, and TSU as one of the most well-known historically Black universities and colleges in the country. But the fires – yes, more than one – led to its relocation off Vanderbilt’s campus and eventual closure. Today we uncover the history of RWU, visit the nearby Curb Center for Art, Enterprise & Public Policy, and meet artists and scholars working to memorialize the institution.

Listen today at noon on 90.3 and at YouTube.com/.

10/06/2025

About the time the Dixie Chicks were facing blowback for their comments about the Iraq War, Tamara Saviano was in a similar spat over politics and country music. But her firing led her to a fateful phone call from Kris Kristofferson. The rest is her life in Americana music, captured in her new book “Poets and Dreamers.”