🖤 Why Nashville needs a Civil Rights museum

🖤 Nashville’s Role in the Civil Rights Movement

Some local lawmakers are calling Tennessee’s recent statewide congressional redistricting “a return to Jim Crow.” On today’s podcast, author and local historian Betsy Phillips dives into the role Nashville played in shaping the Civil Rights Movement, and calls for the city to have its own Civil Rights museum. [🎧 City Cast Nashville]

• Read more about Nashville’s lunch counter sit-ins, and the first day of school desegregation. [📰 City Cast Nashville]

🏥 Some Kids Might Lose Health Coverage

About 100 kids with disabilities in Nashville are potentially at risk of losing their healthcare, including those with life-threatening conditions. Under a recent law, Metro’s Board of Health must disenroll people who are unable to verify their citizenship status from public benefit programs, but it’s unclear whether that applies to children, too. Adult applicants who can’t verify their status will be disenrolled by May 29. [WKRN]

👮 New Police Force in Napier

After opening a new precinct, the Metro Nashville Police Department replaced Napier’s Hermitage police force with the South force. According to Napier resident Dianne Swafford, the Hermitage officers got to know the community, but the South officers are “not communicating well or interacting well.” For example, at an Easter egg hunt, South MNPD officers arrested the event’s organizer, Chef Sterling Wright, concerning attendees. [Nashville Banner]

• We interviewed the former “Hell’s Kitchen” contestant about his program teaching Napier’s kids how to cook earlier this year. [🎧 City Cast Nashville]
  

✈️ Will the Airport Board Oppose a State Takeover?

Mayor Freddie O'Connell is asking the Metro Nashville Airport Authority board to approve a resolution saying the authority “disputes and objects” to a new state law that seeks to take over control of the board. Nashville has appointed board members since the authority was created 56 years ago. The board will vote on the resolution tomorrow. [🔐 Nashville Business Journal]

• State attempts at taking over Nashville were a common theme at this year’s legislative session. [🎧 City Cast Nashville]

Wondering what to read this spring and summer? Here are the newest book releases by Nashville authors, from local activity guides to weedy gardens.

“Salomé” by Leslie Baird

This delightfully weird gothic novel reexamining the biblical figure through a modern feminist lens releases today! Celebrate with the author at The Lipstick Lounge on May 26.

“Nonviolent” by Rev. James Lawson Jr. & Emily Yellin

Before his death in 2024, Rev. James Lawson — a pivotal player in Nashville’s Civil Rights Movement — collaborated on this memoir with journalist Emily Yellin. If you’ve been meaning to learn more about this pivotal figure in U.S. history, now’s the time. Also check out “Expelled,” about Vanderbilt University’s decision to expel Lawson.

“Moon Tennessee” by Margaret Littman

Looking for local summer adventure ideas? Check out this updated “Moon Tennessee” travel guide written by our very own City Cast Nashville contributor, Margaret Littman! From whitewater rafting to distillery tours, she’s got you covered.

“Asian Smoke” by Andrew Ho, Andrew Samia, & Sean Wen

If you can’t get enough of Curry Boys BBQ, then this cookbook is for you. The three chefs behind the popular Texas BBQ plus Thai curry chain are revealing their secrets in this photo-rich cookbook.

“Stuck in Space” by Barry “Butch” Wilmore

Retired Mt. Juliet astronaut Barry Wilmore shares his experiences as a NASA astronaut stranded aboard the International Space Station for nearly a year, and how his relationship with God helped him become who he is today. While you wait for the book to arrive, listen to our interview with Butch while stuck in space!

“Won't Back Down” by Erin Osmon

Local music journalist Erin Osmon delves into the origins of heartland rock and its influence on musicians in the 1980s. From “American Girl” to “Born in the U.S.A.,” Osmon argues these rock classics played a vital role in opposing ’80s conservatism.

“The Story of Us” by Olivia Levin

Author Olivia Levin launched her @SwiftiesforEternity account when she was just 13, and now she’s turned her Taylor Swift love into a book! “The Story of Us” celebrates the Swiftie fandom, from unexpected friendships to Ticketmaster drama.

“The Weedy Garden” by Margaret Renkl & Billy Renkl

Acclaimed local naturalist Margaret Renkl makes her children’s lit debut in this beautifully illustrated picture book about observing all the wondrous critters in a backyard garden. Adults can read this to the kiddos in their life, then listen to our episode with Margaret about what Nashville can learn from nature.

“Rose by the Sea” by Rebecca Rose Mooradian & Myo Yim

Nashville-based author Rebecca Rose Mooradian bases this lyrical picture book on her great-grandmother’s escape from the Armenian Genocide in the early 1900s. Follow Dzovinar as she flees her home, makes her way to France, then finally settles in the United States.