Mary Anderson made it possible for all of us to drive in bad weather, but she was ahead of her time. Plus the local news for August 19, 2026 and this week’s edition of What Where Whens-day.

Credits:

This is a production of Nashville Public Radio

Host/producer: Nina Cardona

Editor: LaTonya Turner

Additional support: Mack Linebaugh, Tony Gonzalez, Megan Jones and the staff of WPLN and WNXP

What should you keep in mind when planting trees to replace those lost to Winter Storm Fern?

It’s about to be one of the best times of the year to plant trees, and Nashville’s canopy could use some replacements after this year’s ice storm. Plus the local news for August 18, 2026 and bipartisan concerns over data centers.

Credits:
This is a production of Nashville Public Radio.
Host/producer: Nina Cardona
Editor: Tony Gonzalez

How did John Lewis keep the local Civil Rights Movement going in Nashville?

Before he was a leader on a national scale, and after the initial victory of the Nashville’s lunch counter sit-ins, John Lewis made sure the city's desegregation activists kept the pressure on Music City.

Plus, the local news for Aug. 17, 2026, and the return of the band Hovvdy.

Credits:

This is a production of Nashville Public Radio

Host/producer: Nina Cardona

Editor: Tony Gonzalez

Where is the line between necessary punishment and cruelty?

Tennessee’s execution methods have been through several iterations. The next person scheduled for death would rather return to a historic method of capital punishment.

Plus, the local news roundup for Friday, Aug. 14.

Credits:

This is a production of Nashville Public Radio.

Host/producer: Nina Cardona

Editor: Tony Gonzalez

What is Lyft building in Nashville to support Waymo’s car fleet?

The rollout of autonomous cabs in Nashville now involves a partnership between competitors. Plus, the local news for Aug. 13, 2026, and the impact of data centers on our power bills.

Credits:
This is a production of Nashville Public Radio.
Host/producer: Nina Cardona
Editor: Tony Gonzalez

How did a group of guardsmen from Tennessee make Nazi leaders fearful? Multiple times in World War II, a unit of the Tennessee National Guard beat out Hitler’s prized soldiers and defenses.

Plus, the local news for August 12, 2026, and this week’s edition of What Where Whens-day.

Credits:

This is a production of Nashville Public Radio.

Host/producer: Nina Cardona

Editor: Tony Gonzalez

Conservation groups often sue for better enforcement of federal environmental laws. Two Tennessee cases are at the vanguard of a push to end the practice. Plus the local news for August 11, 2026 and black lung rates back on the rise.

Credits:

This is a production of Nashville Public Radio

Host/producer: Nina Cardona

Editor: LaTonya Turner

Additional support: Mack Linebaugh, Tony Gonzalez, Megan Jones and the staff of WPLN and WNXP

A remarkably well-preserved shoe helps us picture the ancient people who used to live here. Plus the local news for August 10, 2026 and school security.

Credits:

This is a production of Nashville Public Radio

Host/producer: Nina Cardona

Editor: LaTonya Turner

Additional support: Mack Linebaugh, Tony Gonzalez, Megan Jones and the staff of WPLN and WNXP