Tennessee

People have flocked to downtown Nashville, Tenn. the past few days to take in a rare sight: thousands of Purple Martins. The migratory birds, on their way south for the winter, rarely roost in urban areas.

National

Look Up! Purple Martins Delight Downtown Nashville

4:09pm August 31, 2020

by Blake Farmer

The rare migratory birds have made a pit stop in downtown Nashville. Residents are delighted, turning out at dusk to catch a glimpse of the Purple Martins before they head south for winter.

Queue Listen Now

Tennessee freshman delegate Harry Burn and his mother Febb, who urged him to vote for the 19th amendment in a letter.

National

The Nudge And Tie Breaker That Took Women's Suffrage From Nay To Yea

5:11am August 17, 2020

by Melissa Block

Tennessee was the final state needed to ratify the amendment that secured women the right to vote. At the last moment, a young state legislator switched his vote to yes after his mom asked him to.

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee visits a drive-through COVID-19 testing location on April 18 in Franklin, Tenn.

Tennessee Restaurants Reopen As State Sees Biggest 1-Day Jump In COVID-19 Cases

7:08pm April 27, 2020

by Brakkton Booker

The state reported 478 new confirmed cases on Sunday, an increase of 5.2%. Restaurants can begin serving dine-in customers on Monday, with retail stores opening later this week.

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee, right, answers questions concerning the state's response to the coronavirus Monday, March 16, 2020, in Nashville, Tenn.

National

Tennessee Orders Residents To Remain Home

5:33pm April 02, 2020

by Samantha Max

Tennessee has followed neighboring states in ordering residents to remain at home. Tennessee had looser coronavirus restrictions but new data show residents have not adhered to those warnings.

President Donald Trump speaks with a Putnam County rescue worker as he tours the damage left by the tornadoes in Cookeville, Tenn.

National

'We Love Them': Trump Tours And Consoles Tornado-Ravaged Tennessee

2:34pm March 06, 2020

by Colin Dwyer

At least 24 people died and dozens more were injured in the storms across the state earlier this week. On Friday, the president visited some of the hardest-hit areas with a message of hope.

A man looks over buildings destroyed by storms on Tuesday in Nashville, Tenn. Tornadoes ripped across the state early Tuesday, shredding infrastructure and killing multiple people.

National

Tornadoes In Tennessee Kill At Least 24, Cause Widespread Damage In Nashville

9:20pm March 03, 2020

by Brakkton Booker

State officials say the overnight twisters damaged buildings and roads across multiple counties. Thousands are without power, and a state of emergency remains in effect.

Faith leaders and members of human rights groups protest outside of the U.S. Capitol during a demonstration calling on Congress not to end refugee resettlement programs on Oct. 15, 2019, in Washington. Trump officials announced in September that it would

National

Advocates Challenge Trump Administration Plan To Let States And Towns Block Refugees

6:14pm November 21, 2019

by Joel Rose

The White House wants to give state and local officials the power to block refugee resettlement in their backyards. But immigrant advocates say the executive order violates federal law.

A Tennessee man named Horace Burgess began constructing the treehouse in the early 1990s, saying God had called on him to do it.

National

A Giant Treehouse 'Like A Castle' Is Destroyed By Fire In Tennessee

4:52pm October 24, 2019

by Laurel Wamsley

The structure rose five stories, with a towering steeple. Its builder said he'd been called by God to make it. By the time the firetrucks were called on Tuesday, it was fully engulfed in flames.

Queue Listen Now

The Wendell Smith's liquor store in Nashville, Tenn., pictured in 2013. The court struck down a Tennessee alcohol licensing residency requirement, opening up the pathway for big-box stores to enter the market.

Politics & Government

Supreme Court Hands Total Wine, Other Out-Of-State Liquor Retailers A Big Win

12:54pm June 26, 2019

by Nina Totenberg

The court struck down a Tennessee alcohol licensing residency requirement, opening up the pathway for big-box stores to enter the market.

A map provided by the U.S. Geological Survey shows the region that felt Wednesday's magnitude 4.4 earthquake.

National

Quake-Up Call: Magnitude 4.4 Temblor Rattles People Out Of Bed Across Southeast U.S.

3:10pm December 12, 2018

by Colin Dwyer

The earthquake struck eastern Tennessee before dawn Wednesday. As mild as it was, its effects were felt from eastern Kentucky all the way to Atlanta.