Cynthia Abrams

2 weeks ago | wpln.org | Cynthia Abrams

A federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to pay out millions in grants that were frozen earlier this year. Nashville was one of six cities — along with 13 nonprofits — that signed onto a legal challenge led by the Southern Environmental Law Center and the Public Rights Project. The challenge sought to continue various programs that rely on federal funding.

2 weeks ago | wpln.org | Cynthia Abrams

After years of unflattering scores on a national ranking of park systems ranking among the nation’s worst park systems, Nashville is slowly moving its way up the list. In the latest survey by the Trust For Public Land, Nashville ranked 74 out of the 100 most populous cities in the United States — moving four spots higher than last year. According to the Trust, park acreage and public investment are to thank for the improvement. Nashville raised how much it spends on parks to $116 per capita.

2 weeks ago | wpln.org | Cynthia Abrams

One day before commencement, the Nashville high schooler who set out to ride every city bus route before graduation completed his quest. When Reagan Harkins was a sophomore, he crafted what he called his “bus-ket list.” It’s a checklist with all WeGo bus routes, and a goal to try every one of them. Read: An audacious quest: Nashville teen tries to ride every city bus route before graduation“It’s been a fun project to explore the city just beyond my world view,” Harkins said.

3 weeks ago | wpln.org | Cynthia Abrams

As the cost of living in Nashville continues to climb, the wages of many local jobs are failing to keep up. That’s the key takeaway from the annual “Community Needs Evaluation” by Metro Social Services. The findings are in line with those of previous years — which have consistently identified rising costs and stagnant wages as contributors to many of Nashville’s pressing issues. This year’s study estimates a “living wage” for an adult Nashvillian, with no children, at $52,858 per year.

4 weeks ago | wpln.org | Cynthia Abrams

The relationship between Nashville and the state legislature has been fraught for years. Back in 2023, after the city’s Metro Council rejected a proposal to host the Republican National Convention in Nashville, lawmakers passed multiple preemption bills targeting Metro. These sought to overhaul the Sports and Airport Authority boards, and to shrink the size of the Metro Council. In turn, the city sued more than once. Nashville is still embattled with the state in some of these lawsuits.