Rachel Wegner
@rachelannwegner.bsky.social
Children's reporter for The Tennessean | Part of the USA Today network | Former breaking news reporter | Forever weather nerd
Reposted by Rachel Wegner
A five-year-old boy with autism is facing assault charges after outbursts at his school. Here's what @evanmealins.bsky.social and I learned after digging into records, hearing from the boy's parents and getting perspective from police and an expert.
www.tennessean.com/story/news/e...
www.tennessean.com/story/news/e...
5-year-old with autism charged with assault after outbursts at Sumner County school
A Sumner County kindergartener with autism is facing assault charges after outbursts at school, leaving his parents shaken and full of questions.
www.tennessean.com
November 10, 2025 at 3:24 PM
A five-year-old boy with autism is facing assault charges after outbursts at his school. Here's what @evanmealins.bsky.social and I learned after digging into records, hearing from the boy's parents and getting perspective from police and an expert.
www.tennessean.com/story/news/e...
www.tennessean.com/story/news/e...
A five-year-old boy with autism is facing assault charges after outbursts at his school. Here's what @evanmealins.bsky.social and I learned after digging into records, hearing from the boy's parents and getting perspective from police and an expert.
www.tennessean.com/story/news/e...
www.tennessean.com/story/news/e...
5-year-old with autism charged with assault after outbursts at Sumner County school
A Sumner County kindergartener with autism is facing assault charges after outbursts at school, leaving his parents shaken and full of questions.
www.tennessean.com
November 10, 2025 at 3:24 PM
A five-year-old boy with autism is facing assault charges after outbursts at his school. Here's what @evanmealins.bsky.social and I learned after digging into records, hearing from the boy's parents and getting perspective from police and an expert.
www.tennessean.com/story/news/e...
www.tennessean.com/story/news/e...
Reposted by Rachel Wegner
Four Fayette County Public Schools employees filed a lawsuit on Oct. 23 against the district’s school board, alleging a pattern of racial discrimination and retaliation against Black staffers.
The next day, the district’s superintendent fired one of them. From cstephenson@bsky.social.
The next day, the district’s superintendent fired one of them. From cstephenson@bsky.social.
An employee filed a lawsuit against Fayette County Schools. The next day, he was fired. • Tennessee Lookout
The Fayette County Public Schools superintendent fired an employee the day after that worker and three others sued the district.
tennesseelookout.com
November 6, 2025 at 3:18 PM
Four Fayette County Public Schools employees filed a lawsuit on Oct. 23 against the district’s school board, alleging a pattern of racial discrimination and retaliation against Black staffers.
The next day, the district’s superintendent fired one of them. From cstephenson@bsky.social.
The next day, the district’s superintendent fired one of them. From cstephenson@bsky.social.
My Saturday shift just so happened to land in the middle of College GameDay here in Nashville. I got to meet Tyler, the Vanderbilt sophomore who nailed a 33-yard kick (wearing socks!) and won $500K.
Watch Vanderbilt student make 'College GameDay' field goal for $500K
Tyler Hwang, a Vanderbilt student, won $500,000 in a "College GameDay" kicking contest sponsored by Pat McAfee.
www.tennessean.com
October 25, 2025 at 5:55 PM
My Saturday shift just so happened to land in the middle of College GameDay here in Nashville. I got to meet Tyler, the Vanderbilt sophomore who nailed a 33-yard kick (wearing socks!) and won $500K.
Some good news: Nashville is set to open a 24-7 emergency mental health facility that will be available free of charge to children ages 4-17.
Nashville unveils 24-7 youth mental health emergency facility
Leaders praised the Children and Youth Crisis Stabilization Unit as an important addition to Nashville's mental health resources.
www.tennessean.com
October 22, 2025 at 6:59 PM
Some good news: Nashville is set to open a 24-7 emergency mental health facility that will be available free of charge to children ages 4-17.
I am delighted to celebrate this gem of a human being. She deserves every last one of her flowers, literally and figuratively. We love you, Miss Bev!
Tennessean staffer hits 50 years of helping journalists succeed: 'I'm part of history now'
The 'glue that binds The Tennessean family,' newsroom administrator Beverly Burnett says she gets back the love she so freely gives
www.tennessean.com
October 20, 2025 at 7:55 PM
I am delighted to celebrate this gem of a human being. She deserves every last one of her flowers, literally and figuratively. We love you, Miss Bev!
Reposted by Rachel Wegner
A lot of information about who's benefitting from Tennessee's new school voucher law isn't available, but @rachelannwegner.bsky.social has found many of the participating schools are religious and concentrated in populous counties: www.tennessean.com/story/news/e...
Tennessee school vouchers benefit mostly religious schools in high-population counties
Around 80% of Tennessee private schools taking students with publicly-funded vouchers are religious, a Tennessean analysis shows.
www.tennessean.com
September 30, 2025 at 2:36 PM
A lot of information about who's benefitting from Tennessee's new school voucher law isn't available, but @rachelannwegner.bsky.social has found many of the participating schools are religious and concentrated in populous counties: www.tennessean.com/story/news/e...
Nashville middle schoolers will soon walk through weapon detection scanners on their way into school. The move follows a rollout of scanners in district high schools after the deadly Antioch High shooting earlier this year.
Weapon detectors coming to all Nashville middle schools
The MNPS board approved a pilot program that will install weapon detection systems across all Nashville middle schools.
www.tennessean.com
September 24, 2025 at 2:29 PM
Nashville middle schoolers will soon walk through weapon detection scanners on their way into school. The move follows a rollout of scanners in district high schools after the deadly Antioch High shooting earlier this year.
Yesterday, a group wielding MAGA hats and signs that said things like "DEI should be illegal" was removed from campus at Tennessee State University, an HBCU in Nashville. The group appears to be inspired by Charlie Kirk.
Here's my story on what we know.
Here's my story on what we know.
Tennessee State University: Group with MAGA hats, 'inflammatory' signs removed from HBCU
TSU said the group was unaffiliated with the university and not authorized to be there.
www.tennessean.com
September 24, 2025 at 1:59 PM
Yesterday, a group wielding MAGA hats and signs that said things like "DEI should be illegal" was removed from campus at Tennessee State University, an HBCU in Nashville. The group appears to be inspired by Charlie Kirk.
Here's my story on what we know.
Here's my story on what we know.
Dwayne Tucker was named as permanent president at Tennessee State University last month. He's taking the helm of the HBCU after years of leadership and financial upheaval. We sat down to talk about his story and his vision for TSU — and the sense of purpose that drew him back to his alma mater.
Now at the helm of TSU, President Dwayne Tucker talks vision for future
Newly named the permanent president of Tennessee State University, Dwayne Tucker is intent on steering his alma mater out of stormy seas.
www.tennessean.com
September 4, 2025 at 7:32 PM
Dwayne Tucker was named as permanent president at Tennessee State University last month. He's taking the helm of the HBCU after years of leadership and financial upheaval. We sat down to talk about his story and his vision for TSU — and the sense of purpose that drew him back to his alma mater.
Reposted by Rachel Wegner
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
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...
Reposted by Rachel Wegner
Kilmar Abrego Garcia has been let out of jail.
Kilmar Abrego Garcia free from custody, lawyer says: 'He is grateful'
Abrego Garcia had been in government custody since he was apprehended by immigration authorities in Maryland in March and illegally deported.
www.tennessean.com
August 22, 2025 at 7:08 PM
Kilmar Abrego Garcia has been let out of jail.
Public comments got heated at last night's MNPS board meeting over a $6.5M lawsuit settlement going to five people who claim Director Adrienne Battle fired or demoted them out of retaliation. Officials maintained the district and Battle did nothing wrong.
$6.5M lawsuit settlement sparks public pushback at Nashville school board meeting
The public spoke out during a Metro Nashville Public Schools board meeting over a recent $6.5 million lawsuit settlement.
www.tennessean.com
August 13, 2025 at 3:37 PM
Public comments got heated at last night's MNPS board meeting over a $6.5M lawsuit settlement going to five people who claim Director Adrienne Battle fired or demoted them out of retaliation. Officials maintained the district and Battle did nothing wrong.
Reposted by Rachel Wegner
Need a heartwarming (and possibly tear-jerking) read? I got you covered.
After I watched this all unfold on TikTok, I tracked down the people behind it to hear more of their story.
After I watched this all unfold on TikTok, I tracked down the people behind it to hear more of their story.
A TN teacher changed a struggling homeless boy's life. Decades later, TikTok reunited them
Cordaro Cummings spent decades looking for the teacher who changed his life as a boy. A viral TikTok found her in a matter of days.
www.tennessean.com
July 30, 2025 at 4:06 PM
Need a heartwarming (and possibly tear-jerking) read? I got you covered.
After I watched this all unfold on TikTok, I tracked down the people behind it to hear more of their story.
After I watched this all unfold on TikTok, I tracked down the people behind it to hear more of their story.
Need a heartwarming (and possibly tear-jerking) read? I got you covered.
After I watched this all unfold on TikTok, I tracked down the people behind it to hear more of their story.
After I watched this all unfold on TikTok, I tracked down the people behind it to hear more of their story.
A TN teacher changed a struggling homeless boy's life. Decades later, TikTok reunited them
Cordaro Cummings spent decades looking for the teacher who changed his life as a boy. A viral TikTok found her in a matter of days.
www.tennessean.com
July 30, 2025 at 4:06 PM
Need a heartwarming (and possibly tear-jerking) read? I got you covered.
After I watched this all unfold on TikTok, I tracked down the people behind it to hear more of their story.
After I watched this all unfold on TikTok, I tracked down the people behind it to hear more of their story.
Trump's Big Beautiful Bill Act paves the way for federal school vouchers to help families pay for private school. Tennessee intends to opt in to the program, which is set to start in 2027.
Here's a look at how it will work and who qualifies.
Here's a look at how it will work and who qualifies.
Big Beautiful Bill includes tax credit for school vouchers: Here's how much, how it works
A new federal school voucher program means any Tennessean can get a tax credit for certain donations for scholarships. Here are the details.
www.tennessean.com
July 29, 2025 at 4:02 PM
Trump's Big Beautiful Bill Act paves the way for federal school vouchers to help families pay for private school. Tennessee intends to opt in to the program, which is set to start in 2027.
Here's a look at how it will work and who qualifies.
Here's a look at how it will work and who qualifies.
More than $118M in frozen federal funds for underserved children in Tennessee will start flowing again next week after a monthlong delay by the Trump administration.
The money is part of $6.2B previously passed by Congress and signed by Trump for K-12 schools nationwide.
The money is part of $6.2B previously passed by Congress and signed by Trump for K-12 schools nationwide.
Trump administration to unfreeze $118M in Tennessee education funds. What to know
After a monthlong delay, more than $118 million in federal K-12 funds will be released to Tennessee.
www.tennessean.com
July 25, 2025 at 8:05 PM
More than $118M in frozen federal funds for underserved children in Tennessee will start flowing again next week after a monthlong delay by the Trump administration.
The money is part of $6.2B previously passed by Congress and signed by Trump for K-12 schools nationwide.
The money is part of $6.2B previously passed by Congress and signed by Trump for K-12 schools nationwide.
Metro Nashville Public Schools just rolled back its DEI policies to comply with a Tennessee's new "Dismantling DEI Act." Board members expressed frustration over it during a committee meeting yesterday.
"If not for state law, we would not be taking this action," Board Member Erin O'Hara Block said.
"If not for state law, we would not be taking this action," Board Member Erin O'Hara Block said.
Nashville schools nix DEI efforts to comply with new Tennessee law
A new Tennessee law targeting DEI efforts drove policy changes for Nashville schools.
www.tennessean.com
July 23, 2025 at 1:56 PM
Metro Nashville Public Schools just rolled back its DEI policies to comply with a Tennessee's new "Dismantling DEI Act." Board members expressed frustration over it during a committee meeting yesterday.
"If not for state law, we would not be taking this action," Board Member Erin O'Hara Block said.
"If not for state law, we would not be taking this action," Board Member Erin O'Hara Block said.
I had the honor of talking about the anniversary of the Scopes Monkey Trial on today's episode of The Excerpt. The trial kicked off in a small town in Tennessee 100 years ago today, starting what some say was the country's first culture war.
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Trump tax bill supercharges Coast Guard’s Arctic icebreaker fleet
USA TODAY National Correspondent Trevor Hughes breaks down a part of the recent tax bill that adds new ships to the Coast Guard's fleet in the Northwest Passage, and the broader context in that region...
art19.com
July 10, 2025 at 5:00 PM
I had the honor of talking about the anniversary of the Scopes Monkey Trial on today's episode of The Excerpt. The trial kicked off in a small town in Tennessee 100 years ago today, starting what some say was the country's first culture war.
(1/2)
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Reposted by Rachel Wegner
More than half of third graders in Tennessee's public schools fell short of a reading benchmark on this year's standardized test. That set off a fast-moving timeline for them to avoid being held back under the state's controversial reading law.
58% of Tennessee third graders failed 2025 state reading test
More than half of Tennessee's public school third graders fell short of the state's reading benchmark on this year's TCAP test.
www.tennessean.com
July 9, 2025 at 3:59 PM
More than half of third graders in Tennessee's public schools fell short of a reading benchmark on this year's standardized test. That set off a fast-moving timeline for them to avoid being held back under the state's controversial reading law.
More than half of third graders in Tennessee's public schools fell short of a reading benchmark on this year's standardized test. That set off a fast-moving timeline for them to avoid being held back under the state's controversial reading law.
58% of Tennessee third graders failed 2025 state reading test
More than half of Tennessee's public school third graders fell short of the state's reading benchmark on this year's TCAP test.
www.tennessean.com
July 9, 2025 at 3:59 PM
More than half of third graders in Tennessee's public schools fell short of a reading benchmark on this year's standardized test. That set off a fast-moving timeline for them to avoid being held back under the state's controversial reading law.
Advocates say Trump's sprawling tax and spending bill that just passed will have "devastating" effects on children, low-income families and other vulnerable people in Tennessee.
While the full impact is still uncertain, here's a look at what we know.
While the full impact is still uncertain, here's a look at what we know.
Trump bill is 'devastating' for Tennessee children and families, advocates say
Tennessee advocates say deep cuts to key programs in the bill will harm children and families statewide.
www.tennessean.com
July 3, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Advocates say Trump's sprawling tax and spending bill that just passed will have "devastating" effects on children, low-income families and other vulnerable people in Tennessee.
While the full impact is still uncertain, here's a look at what we know.
While the full impact is still uncertain, here's a look at what we know.
Reposted by Rachel Wegner
Just published: The Trump administration is holding back $6.5 billion in funding for K-12 schools that the law says must flow to states tomorrow.
It's not clear when, or if, the money will be released. www.edweek.org/policy-polit...
It's not clear when, or if, the money will be released. www.edweek.org/policy-polit...
Trump Tells States He's Holding Back $6.8 Billion for Schools
Schools nationwide won't see almost $6.8 billion in funding for English learners, migrant students, professional development, and more.
www.edweek.org
June 30, 2025 at 10:32 PM
Just published: The Trump administration is holding back $6.5 billion in funding for K-12 schools that the law says must flow to states tomorrow.
It's not clear when, or if, the money will be released. www.edweek.org/policy-polit...
It's not clear when, or if, the money will be released. www.edweek.org/policy-polit...
Three key education laws will take effect in Tennessee tomorrow. Here's a look at what they entail, along with a look back at other major education bills that made it across the finish line after yet another contentious session earlier this year.
Tennessee education laws taking effect July 1: Cell phone bans, school threat felony, more
Education was a focal point of the Tennessee legislative session in 2025. Here are a few laws that came out of it.
www.tennessean.com
June 30, 2025 at 9:11 PM
Three key education laws will take effect in Tennessee tomorrow. Here's a look at what they entail, along with a look back at other major education bills that made it across the finish line after yet another contentious session earlier this year.
A bit of wholesome news to cleanse your timeline: The community has rallied around a Nashville middle school band that was slated to be cut. Today, their effort got a $50,000 boost from Old Dominion frontman Matthew Ramsey.
Old Dominion frontman presents $50K to save J.T. Moore Middle School band: ‘Game changer’
As the J.T. Moore Middle School band faced being cut, the community rallied to save the program, including Old Dominion singer Matthew Ramsey.
www.tennessean.com
June 24, 2025 at 7:01 PM
A bit of wholesome news to cleanse your timeline: The community has rallied around a Nashville middle school band that was slated to be cut. Today, their effort got a $50,000 boost from Old Dominion frontman Matthew Ramsey.