Austin Hornbostel
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ahornbostel.bsky.social
Austin Hornbostel
@ahornbostel.bsky.social
68 followers 57 following 7 posts
Metro reporter at The Tennessean. Kansas City native. Get in touch: ahornbostel@tennessean.com
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Reposted by Austin Hornbostel
evanmealins.bsky.social
New today: We dug into the company behind last week's explosion. While it has a good reputation, there were other issues. Among them, its president's 2008 guilty plea to destruction of government property related to a product it made for the U.S. Navy.
Tennessee small explosives company praised for safety but had past issues, criminal charge
Community members say Accurate Energetic Systems has a good reputation, but its former president was convicted in connection with a Navy contract in 2008.
www.tennessean.com
October 17, 2025 at 6:25 PM
Reposted by Austin Hornbostel
usatoday.com
The 16 victims who died in the blast at an explosives plant in Tennessee spanned generations. Here's what we know so far.
What we know about the 16 people who died in Tennessee plant explosion
The 16 victims who died in the blast at an explosives plant in Tennessee spanned generations. Here's what we know so far.
bit.ly
October 14, 2025 at 11:00 AM
Reposted by Austin Hornbostel
liamsadams.bsky.social
Pretty proud of this cross-newsroom collaborative reporting from: Kelly Puente on records of THP's immigration sweep on May 3-4, @angelelatham.bsky.social on the lack of transparency from THP, and myself, who built a map of the traffic stops + census demographics. www.tennessean.com/story/news/i...
Lack of records in Nashville ICE raids criticized, available reports reveal new details
Newly obtained records from a Nashville immigration traffic sweep show its first night largely took place in predominantly Latino neighborhoods.
www.tennessean.com
August 25, 2025 at 1:22 PM
Reposted by Austin Hornbostel
evanmealins.bsky.social
An unusual situation is playing out in Nashville's courts and jails.

After Nashville grand jury said evidence was lacking, defendants got extra jail time
After Nashville grand jury said evidence was lacking, defendants got extra jail time
When a grand jury decided not to indict certain defendants, it ended up complicating some cases. Defendants are now in jail facing a second bail payment.
www.tennessean.com
August 20, 2025 at 4:13 PM
Reposted by Austin Hornbostel
liamsadams.bsky.social
U. S. Supreme Court upheld Tennessee’s law barring transgender minors from using puberty blockers and hormone therapy. Important breaking news from @evanmealins.bsky.social, @itsmelissabrown.bsky.social following our reporting on the family who challenged the law:
www.tennessean.com/story/news/2...
U.S. Supreme Court rules Tennessee ban on gender transition treatments for minors is legal
The U.S. Supreme Court upheld Tennessee's ban on gender transition treatments for transgender minors in a case brought by a Nashville family.
www.tennessean.com
June 18, 2025 at 3:04 PM
Reposted by Austin Hornbostel
liamsadams.bsky.social
In yet another turn of fate for Metro Council following a 2023 law ordering the number of council members to be halved, an appeals court has sided with the state in what was widely considered retaliatory legislation. From @ahornbostel.bsky.social, @evanmealins.bsky.social:
Metro Nashville Council can be cut in half, Tennessee Court of Appeals rules
The Tennessee Court of Appeals has ruled that the Metro Nashville Council can be cut in half.
www.tennessean.com
June 3, 2025 at 9:20 PM
Reposted by Austin Hornbostel
liamsadams.bsky.social
A grassroots team of Nashville immigrants rights' activists organized night patrols during the ICE/THP mass traffic sweep to monitor civil liberty violations. @angelelatham.bsky.social and Nicole Hester joined some of those patrols and here's their dispatch: www.tennessean.com/story/news/2...
Inside the volunteer group patrolling Nashville to look for ICE activity
After a sudden and large-scale deportation operation began on May 4, Nashville residents came together to monitor the city and report ICE activity.
www.tennessean.com
May 29, 2025 at 2:48 PM
Reposted by Austin Hornbostel
liamsadams.bsky.social
Nashville diocese spokesperson Rick Musacchio said the two main Spanish-speaking parishes, Iglesia Sagrado Corazón de Jesús and Our Lady of Guadalupe, saw a 50% decrease in Mass attendance on May 11. www.tennessean.com/story/news/l...
Nashville Catholics launch petition for man detained by ICE and called the 'heart of our parish'
Nashville Catholics are rallying around their immigrant neighbors in the wake of a massive immigration enforcement operation, with a petition circulating for a fellow parishioner in detainment and the...
www.tennessean.com
May 15, 2025 at 8:39 PM
Reposted by Austin Hornbostel
liamsadams.bsky.social
With an unprecedented immigration enforcement traffic sweep ongoing in greater Nashville this week, community members showed up in force at a metro council committee meeting and a vigil last night to express outage and sadness. @ahornbostel.bsky.social’s dispatch:
www.tennessean.com/story/news/l...
Nashville Council members call for city actions after ICE operation: 'Frustration is palpable'
The Metro Nashville Council's public health and safety committee is calling for city actions in the wake of recent ICE activity in the city.
www.tennessean.com
May 8, 2025 at 2:58 PM
ahornbostel.bsky.social
The latest batch of Davidson County property values has been released. Compared to the last reappraisal cycle four years ago, Nashvillians are looking at an average jump in value of 45% -- a new record-high.

www.tennessean.com/story/news/l...
Nashville's property values jump up by a record 45%. See the areas with the highest jump
The Davidson County property assessor found values have jumped by an average of 45% since 2021, a record increase.
www.tennessean.com
April 21, 2025 at 6:20 PM
ahornbostel.bsky.social
If you’ve ever had a question for the members of The Tennessean’s city team about how we do our work, now’s your chance to ask us face-to-face.

www.tennessean.com/story/news/l...
Meet the Tennessean's city reporters over local bagels. Here's where and when
Know of a Nashville story that needs told? Pitch it to The Tennessean's city team April 16 at Crieve Hall Bagel Co.
www.tennessean.com
April 11, 2025 at 4:51 PM
ahornbostel.bsky.social
Ever wondered why Nashville has so many speed humps, bumps, cushions and tables? We tried to find out.

www.tennessean.com/story/news/l...
Since 2022, Nashville neighborhood speed barriers have more than quadrupled. Here's why
Motorists think the speed deterrents are necessary, but most still say they hate 'em — even as research shows speed humps are effective at slowing vehicles down
www.tennessean.com
April 10, 2025 at 2:48 PM
ahornbostel.bsky.social
From me earlier today: Gov. Bill Lee has joined Nashville officials in submitting a letter of interest to host the biggest game in football in 2029 at the Titans' new stadium on Nashville's East Bank.

www.tennessean.com/story/news/l...
Gov. Lee submits official letter of interest to host 2029 Super Bowl in new Titans stadium
This means the state of Tennessee has now joined the city of Nashville in officially expressing interest in hosting the biggest game in football.
www.tennessean.com
March 20, 2025 at 6:42 PM
ahornbostel.bsky.social
ICYMI: Mayor Freddie O'Connell's office kicked off Friday by announcing the first 11 projects that are rolling out as part of the Choose How You Move transportation improvement plan.

www.tennessean.com/story/news/l...
Bus expansion, signal upgrades and more: See the first 11 Nashville transit projects
Nashville Mayor Freddie O'Connell has announced the first 11 projects to roll out as part of the Choose How You Move transportation improvement plan.
www.tennessean.com
March 7, 2025 at 6:12 PM
ahornbostel.bsky.social
While talks over the fate of the Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway have yet to ramp up significantly in early 2025, surrounding neighborhood associations are voicing concern about whether they’ll have a seat at the table.

www.tennessean.com/story/news/l...
Amid Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway discussions, neighbors push for seat at the table
Neighbors to the Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway are voicing concern about whether they'll have a say in conversations around a renovation deal.
www.tennessean.com
February 28, 2025 at 5:34 PM
ahornbostel.bsky.social
Today it's known as SoBro, but this area of downtown Nashville used to go by a different name: Black Bottom. The historic neighborhood, once a cultural center for Black Nashvillians, is getting a historical marker to recognize those roots. www.tennessean.com/story/news/l...
Black Bottom neighborhood to get new marker. What to know about storied Nashville area
A new marker will recognize the Black Bottom neighborhood, known today as SoBro, that was a cultural center for Black Nashvillians.
www.tennessean.com
February 27, 2025 at 4:46 PM
Reposted by Austin Hornbostel
evanmealins.bsky.social
The volatility of President Donald Trump's administration is stretching thin Nashville’s legal department and other city agencies as they navigate a rapidly changing federal policy landscape.

From me and @rachelannwegner.bsky.social @ahornbostel.bsky.social
Federal volatility puts strain on Nashville leaders: 'It takes a lot to just keep up'
Nashville officials have grappled with widespread uncertainty due to memos, executive orders and court decisions issued since Donald Trump took office.
www.tennessean.com
February 24, 2025 at 2:49 PM