Demetria Kalodimos

1 month ago | nashvillebanner.com | Demetria Kalodimos |Steve Haruch

Rev. Matt Steinhauer was among the dozen or so clergy who interrupted a House committee meeting earlier this week by reciting the Lord’s Prayer. He was eventually escorted out by Tennessee State Troopers. What brought Matt to the Cordell Hull State Office Building that day was a belief that public education is for everyone, and that the bill under consideration β€” which would allow school districts to turn away or charge tuition to undocumented children β€” goes against the teachings of Jesus.

1 month ago | nashvillebanner.com | Demetria Kalodimos |Steve Cavendish

For the origin story of the Inmate Disciplinary Oversight Board, you need only look at the murder of Eliza Fletcher. The Memphis woman was killed by a recently released inmate who had a long record of violence behind bars, yet still earned “good time” credit. In response, the legislature established a panel to reduce sentence reductions. Now, a hand-selected board has the power to reconsider the punishments given for every serious offense committed in custody.

1 month ago | nashvillebanner.com | Demetria Kalodimos |Steve Haruch

Middle Tennessee weather can be unpredictable — and dangerous. When things get iffy, a trio of “suburban dads” keeps the information flowing. But once the watches turn to warnings, they really get serious: That’s when they start livestreaming on YouTube, tracking storms in real time and letting their audience know when to shelter and when it’s safe to carry on. Nashville Severe Weather started as a Twitter account to keep locals informed of potential rainouts and worse.

2 months ago | nashvillebanner.com | Demetria Kalodimos |Steve Haruch

Growing up in Johnson City, Tenn., Mo Sabri could look out the window of his parents’ house and see cows. He grew up listening to Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers. He played baseball and football. It was an all-American childhood in many ways. Add a guitar, and all of this sounds like the perfect backstory for a country music singer — except for a detail or two. Mo’s parents immigrated from Pakistan, and he grew up Muslim.

2 months ago | nashvillebanner.com | Demetria Kalodimos |Steve Haruch

Born to working-class parents in Massachusetts, Linda Rose came to Nashville in the 1990s — by way of Hawaii, where she first began working in immigration law. When she relocated to Tennessee for her then-husband’s career, she didn’t think there’d be much for her to do. But her practice took off. These days, Linda’s as busy as she’s ever been, and the political climate has her anxious for her clients.