Andrea Williams

6 days ago | tennessean.com | Andrea Williams |Andréa Williams

Country music fans will tell you that their purist inclinations have nothing to do with politics. They’ll also skip past the cultural realities of country’s golden era. The 60th annual Academy of Country Music Awards celebrated a return to traditional country music. Newcomer Ella Langley and established artist Lainey Wilson won multiple awards, reflecting this trend. This shift back to older styles coincides with a broader societal shift towards conservatism.

1 week ago | tennessean.com | Andrea Williams |Andréa Williams

While Nashville's 85.7% high school graduation rate is record-breaking, only about a third of graduates are considered "ready" for college or careers. The "ready graduate" rate for the 2022-23 school year was 34.2% overall, and significantly lower for minority and economically disadvantaged students. Mayor O'Connell touted the high graduation rate but failed to acknowledge the low college/career readiness figures. Just how good was Metro Nashville Public Schools’ graduation rate last year?

2 weeks ago | tennessean.com | Andrea Williams |Andréa Williams

As future of TSSAA remains uncertain, Tennessee student-athletes find themselves torn between the unsympathetic governing body and an authoritarian state government threatening to take control. Tennessee lawmakers are considering dissolving the TSSAA and bringing its governance under the state legislature. This follows disputes over TSSAA's transfer rules and perceived unwillingness to adapt to athlete empowerment.

3 weeks ago | tennessean.com | Andrea Williams |Andréa Williams

Shedeur Sanders is expected to be drafted into the NFL, marking a successful trajectory from youth sports to the professional level. While Shedeur's father, Deion Sanders, has been instrumental in his career, the article raises concerns about "daddy ball" in youth sports. The article acknowledges Shedeur's talent and success while questioning the broader implications of parental involvement in youth sports.

4 weeks ago | tennessean.com | Andrea Williams |Andréa Williams

Tennessee House Bill 793 and Senate Bill 0836 aim to allow schools to deny enrollment to undocumented students, potentially violating the Supreme Court's Plyler v. Doe ruling. Critics argue this legislation will create financial burdens for the state, including potential loss of federal funding and legal challenges. The author argues that denying education to undocumented children perpetuates a cycle of poverty and reinforces socioeconomic disparities.