Stephen Elliott
@stelliott.bsky.social
Journalist in Nashville, from Alabama
https://nashvillebanner.com/newsletters/?utm_source=social-media&utm_medium=staff&utm_campaign=newsletter-fall-25
https://nashvillebanner.com/newsletters/?utm_source=social-media&utm_medium=staff&utm_campaign=newsletter-fall-25
Pinned
Stephen Elliott
@stelliott.bsky.social
· Jan 28
I cover government and politics in Nashville and Tennessee.
If you have a story idea here’s how you can reach me:
Email: selliott@nashvillepublicmedia.com
Signal: stephen.81
If you have a story idea here’s how you can reach me:
Email: selliott@nashvillepublicmedia.com
Signal: stephen.81
Reposted by Stephen Elliott
Tennessee voucher schools often exclude LGBTQ+ students and those with disabilities from inclusivity policies, citing religion and bandwidth.
✏️: Lillian Avedian and @sarahgracetaylor.bsky.social
✏️: Lillian Avedian and @sarahgracetaylor.bsky.social
LGBTQ+, disabled students face exclusion from private schools - Nashville Banner
Some Tennessee private schools receiving state-funded vouchers exclude LGBTQ+ students and those with disabilities, raising concerns about discrimination.
nashvillebanner.com
November 17, 2025 at 3:10 PM
Tennessee voucher schools often exclude LGBTQ+ students and those with disabilities from inclusivity policies, citing religion and bandwidth.
✏️: Lillian Avedian and @sarahgracetaylor.bsky.social
✏️: Lillian Avedian and @sarahgracetaylor.bsky.social
This year, @nashvillebanner.bsky.social has spent a lot of time and resources reporting on the Tennessee Highway Patrol, like last week's report that the agency rarely documented why it was pulling people over when it worked with ICE in May:
Reviewing records of ICE, THP immigration operation in Nashville - Nashville Banner
A review of records from ICE and THP's immigration sting in Nashville raises concerns about racial profiling and lack of transparency. Advocates demand accountability.
nashvillebanner.com
November 10, 2025 at 6:43 PM
This year, @nashvillebanner.bsky.social has spent a lot of time and resources reporting on the Tennessee Highway Patrol, like last week's report that the agency rarely documented why it was pulling people over when it worked with ICE in May:
Reposted by Stephen Elliott
A Banner analysis of 1,700 pages of incident reports from the May ICE sting shows that the Tennessee Highway Patrol rarely documented traffic stops. Of the 607 total reports, only approximately 14% provided a reason for the initial traffic stop.
Reviewing records of ICE, THP immigration operation in Nashville - Nashville Banner
A review of records from ICE and THP's immigration sting in Nashville raises concerns about racial profiling and lack of transparency. Advocates demand accountability.
nashvillebanner.com
November 5, 2025 at 2:43 PM
A Banner analysis of 1,700 pages of incident reports from the May ICE sting shows that the Tennessee Highway Patrol rarely documented traffic stops. Of the 607 total reports, only approximately 14% provided a reason for the initial traffic stop.
Despite a THP spokesperson saying "all stops were made after observations of traffic violations," only about 14 percent of 607 reports from the May 2025 ICE/THP sting list a reason for the traffic stop.
Reviewing records of ICE, THP immigration operation in Nashville - Nashville Banner
A review of records from ICE and THP's immigration sting in Nashville raises concerns about racial profiling and lack of transparency. Advocates demand accountability.
nashvillebanner.com
November 5, 2025 at 2:28 PM
Despite a THP spokesperson saying "all stops were made after observations of traffic violations," only about 14 percent of 607 reports from the May 2025 ICE/THP sting list a reason for the traffic stop.
Been sitting in this seat long enough I could have flown to Paris
November 5, 2025 at 5:25 AM
Been sitting in this seat long enough I could have flown to Paris
Reposted by Stephen Elliott
One main focus of Tuesday’s Metro Council meeting will be public hearings for proposed changes to the zoning code initiated by the Metro Planning Department.
✏️: @stelliott.bsky.social
✏️: @stelliott.bsky.social
Nashville Metro Council's first November meeting agenda - Nashville Banner
The agenda for the first Nashville Metro Council meeting of November includes interviews for a judge position, public hearings on zoning changes, and resolutions.
nashvillebanner.com
November 4, 2025 at 2:36 PM
One main focus of Tuesday’s Metro Council meeting will be public hearings for proposed changes to the zoning code initiated by the Metro Planning Department.
✏️: @stelliott.bsky.social
✏️: @stelliott.bsky.social
Reposted by Stephen Elliott
Claude Whelan is a putz, a stuffed-shirt bureaucrat whose actions put people in danger, maybe the most incompetent and/or spineless character on Slow Horses, a show filled with incompetent and/or spineless characters
i adore this doofus
wrote about it
www.vulture.com/article/slow...
i adore this doofus
wrote about it
www.vulture.com/article/slow...
Long Live Claude Whelan, Slow Horses’s Finest Failure
Everyone on this show is incompetent in their own little way, but his personal brand of incompetence was something special.
www.vulture.com
October 29, 2025 at 10:06 PM
Claude Whelan is a putz, a stuffed-shirt bureaucrat whose actions put people in danger, maybe the most incompetent and/or spineless character on Slow Horses, a show filled with incompetent and/or spineless characters
i adore this doofus
wrote about it
www.vulture.com/article/slow...
i adore this doofus
wrote about it
www.vulture.com/article/slow...
Reposted by Stephen Elliott
The MNPS Board determined in its annual evaluation that Dr. Adrienne Battle met district goals for student performance. That evaluation did not include discussion of the $6.5 million settlement reached in a suit against the superintendent this year.
✏️: Lillian Avedian
✏️: Lillian Avedian
MNPS board committee ignores lawsuit in Dr. Battle's evaluation - Nashville Banner
MNPS Board evaluates Dr. Adrienne Battle's performance as superintendent, considering literacy, numeracy, and social-emotional learning.
nashvillebanner.com
October 29, 2025 at 2:24 PM
The MNPS Board determined in its annual evaluation that Dr. Adrienne Battle met district goals for student performance. That evaluation did not include discussion of the $6.5 million settlement reached in a suit against the superintendent this year.
✏️: Lillian Avedian
✏️: Lillian Avedian
Reposted by Stephen Elliott
The Metro Board of Ethical Conduct on Monday unanimously dismissed allegations that Metro Councilmember Joy Kimbrough had improperly demanded a payment in exchange for a rezoning.
✏️: @stelliott.bsky.social
✏️: @stelliott.bsky.social
Metro Board dismisses allegations against Joy Kimbrough - Nashville Banner
Metro Board of Ethical Conduct dismisses allegations against Metro Councilmember Joy Kimbrough filed by CEO of a Nashville liquor distributor.
nashvillebanner.com
October 28, 2025 at 3:19 PM
The Metro Board of Ethical Conduct on Monday unanimously dismissed allegations that Metro Councilmember Joy Kimbrough had improperly demanded a payment in exchange for a rezoning.
✏️: @stelliott.bsky.social
✏️: @stelliott.bsky.social
Very exciting stuff. Read more in the @nashvillebanner.bsky.social here:
October 28, 2025 at 1:57 PM
Very exciting stuff. Read more in the @nashvillebanner.bsky.social here:
Reposted by Stephen Elliott
At a short Metro Council meeting on Tuesday night, the body advanced legislation that would explicitly permit holiday decorations at Nashville homes, hand over management of Ascend Amphitheater to the company behind the Grand Ole Opry and move the city toward a 308-acre expansion of Beaman Park.
Metro Council advances bills, defers animal control - Nashville Banner
Metro Council meeting moves quickly after no public comment, members pass grant applications, defer a measure on an animal control committee.
nashvillebanner.com
October 22, 2025 at 2:39 PM
At a short Metro Council meeting on Tuesday night, the body advanced legislation that would explicitly permit holiday decorations at Nashville homes, hand over management of Ascend Amphitheater to the company behind the Grand Ole Opry and move the city toward a 308-acre expansion of Beaman Park.
Reposted by Stephen Elliott
Wright Middle School’s mariachi ensemble plays shows all over Nashville. On Thursday, they’ll open for Jason Isbell at the Ryman. Along the way, they’ve learned to play with pride from Maikel Rodriguez, who wants them to embrace their talent.
✏️: @mikeiereiland.bsky.social
✏️: @mikeiereiland.bsky.social
Ryman Auditorium show a big one for Wright Middle School mariachi ensemble - Nashville Banner
Wright Middle School's mariachi ensemble prepares for a performance at the Ryman Auditorium, overcoming obstacles and embracing their heritage.
nashvillebanner.com
October 21, 2025 at 3:11 PM
Wright Middle School’s mariachi ensemble plays shows all over Nashville. On Thursday, they’ll open for Jason Isbell at the Ryman. Along the way, they’ve learned to play with pride from Maikel Rodriguez, who wants them to embrace their talent.
✏️: @mikeiereiland.bsky.social
✏️: @mikeiereiland.bsky.social
Charlie Hatcher, ex Tennessee ag commissioner and scion of the Hatcher Family Dairy, is running against US Rep Andy Ogles in the GOP primary next year.
Charlie Hatcher to challenge Andy Ogles in 2026 primary - Nashville Banner
Longtime Tennessee commissioner of agriculture, Charlie Hatcher, is planning to challenge U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles in the 2026 Republican primary in Tennessee's 5th Congressional District.
nashvillebanner.com
October 15, 2025 at 1:47 PM
Charlie Hatcher, ex Tennessee ag commissioner and scion of the Hatcher Family Dairy, is running against US Rep Andy Ogles in the GOP primary next year.
Reposted by Stephen Elliott
The Davidson County Election Commission voted Monday to name John Richardson the next elections administrator for Nashville. Until last week he was an active member of the TNGOP Executive Committee, a partisan position that gave pause to some commissioners.
✏️: @stelliott.bsky.social
✏️: @stelliott.bsky.social
Davidson County Commission appoints John Richardson - Nashville Banner
John Richardson, a former Republican Party member, has been appointed as the new administrator of elections for Nashville.
nashvillebanner.com
October 14, 2025 at 2:37 PM
The Davidson County Election Commission voted Monday to name John Richardson the next elections administrator for Nashville. Until last week he was an active member of the TNGOP Executive Committee, a partisan position that gave pause to some commissioners.
✏️: @stelliott.bsky.social
✏️: @stelliott.bsky.social
We’ll be discussing the Banner/WPLN reporting on housing and neighborhoods at noon today:
October 14, 2025 at 1:08 PM
We’ll be discussing the Banner/WPLN reporting on housing and neighborhoods at noon today:
Feels good to be voted Third Best of Nashville! Thank you, @nashvillescene.com readers!
October 9, 2025 at 9:51 PM
Feels good to be voted Third Best of Nashville! Thank you, @nashvillescene.com readers!
Reposted by Stephen Elliott
Despite claims that community engagement is a priority for the project, residents of one South Nashville neighborhood were taken aback when they learned that The Boring Company had purchased property within a stone’s throw of their homes. “I don’t want the tunnel nowhere near us,” said one.
Boring Company tunnel project sparks neighborhood concern - Nashville Banner
Residents in South Nashville are concerned about how The Boring Company's planned tunnel connecting the airport to downtown will impact their lives and neighborhood.
nashvillebanner.com
October 8, 2025 at 2:13 PM
Despite claims that community engagement is a priority for the project, residents of one South Nashville neighborhood were taken aback when they learned that The Boring Company had purchased property within a stone’s throw of their homes. “I don’t want the tunnel nowhere near us,” said one.
Reposted by Stephen Elliott
After a day of interviews with candidates and debates over partisanship and impartiality, the Davidson County Election Commission failed to reach a decision to hire a new administrator of elections and will reopen the application period.
✏️: @stelliott.bsky.social
✏️: @stelliott.bsky.social
Davidson County Election Commission deays hiring - Nashville Banner
The Davidson County Election Commission fails to hire a new administrator, extends the application for a week in a bid to fill the nonpartisan role.
nashvillebanner.com
October 6, 2025 at 2:03 PM
After a day of interviews with candidates and debates over partisanship and impartiality, the Davidson County Election Commission failed to reach a decision to hire a new administrator of elections and will reopen the application period.
✏️: @stelliott.bsky.social
✏️: @stelliott.bsky.social
Reposted by Stephen Elliott
I'm biased, but I think the Nashville Banner is the best source for Nashville and Tennessee news. There's no paywall on the stories, and the daily morning newsletter is free, too. It includes our stories plus exclusive news blurbs and links.
Sign up here:
Sign up here:
Newsletters - Nashville Banner
Sign up for our free daily newsletter. Start each day with a rundown of the most important stories impacting our city and state.
nashvillebanner.com
September 22, 2025 at 6:10 PM
I'm biased, but I think the Nashville Banner is the best source for Nashville and Tennessee news. There's no paywall on the stories, and the daily morning newsletter is free, too. It includes our stories plus exclusive news blurbs and links.
Sign up here:
Sign up here:
Reposted by Stephen Elliott
We got new footage of a May ICE arrest in Nashville. Every law enforcement face is blurred and the THP refuses to identify the trooper who repeatedly covers them removes his bodycam. But in this clip, you can hear the trooper and ICE discussing flaws in the local sting and changes at ICE.
ICE, THP operation footage raises transparency issues - Nashville Banner
Newly released footage reveals how Tennessee Highway Patrol and ICE managed an immigration sting in Nashville, raising concerns about transparency.
nashvillebanner.com
September 26, 2025 at 12:08 PM
We got new footage of a May ICE arrest in Nashville. Every law enforcement face is blurred and the THP refuses to identify the trooper who repeatedly covers them removes his bodycam. But in this clip, you can hear the trooper and ICE discussing flaws in the local sting and changes at ICE.
I demand @nashvillescene.com revive TV recap blogging culture for 911:Nashville.
September 26, 2025 at 1:33 AM
I demand @nashvillescene.com revive TV recap blogging culture for 911:Nashville.
I'm looking for people to meet, events to attend and stories to tell in the 37217 ZIP code (Percy Priest, Smith Springs, Nashboro Village, part of Murfreesboro Pike and south side of the airport). If you know of anything I should check out in the area, please let me know.
September 25, 2025 at 6:07 PM
I'm looking for people to meet, events to attend and stories to tell in the 37217 ZIP code (Percy Priest, Smith Springs, Nashboro Village, part of Murfreesboro Pike and south side of the airport). If you know of anything I should check out in the area, please let me know.
Reposted by Stephen Elliott
one thing that remains unchanged between now and 100 years ago: if you have a big baby, they’re gonna put you in the news
September 25, 2025 at 12:21 PM
one thing that remains unchanged between now and 100 years ago: if you have a big baby, they’re gonna put you in the news
Reposted by Stephen Elliott
Sara Jane Moore, who attempted to assassinate President Gerald Ford in 1975, died in Franklin today. She was 95.
nashvillebanner.com/2025/09/24/s...
nashvillebanner.com/2025/09/24/s...
Sara Jane Moore, who tried to kill Gerald Ford, dies at 95 - Nashville Banner
Sara Jane Moore, who attempted to assassinate President Gerald Ford in 1975, dies at 95. She was radicalized by revolutionary politics and the Patricia Hearst kidnapping.
nashvillebanner.com
September 24, 2025 at 10:44 PM
Sara Jane Moore, who attempted to assassinate President Gerald Ford in 1975, died in Franklin today. She was 95.
nashvillebanner.com/2025/09/24/s...
nashvillebanner.com/2025/09/24/s...