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: [email protected]
Signal: stephen.81
If you have a story idea here’s how you can reach me:
Email: [email protected]
Signal: stephen.81
Metro Council reduction lawsuit arguments at the Tennessee Supreme Court underway: www.youtube.com/watch?v=XpNj...
Metropolitan Government of Nashville & Davidson Co. Et Al. v. Bill Lee Et Al.
YouTube video by TNCourts (TNCourts)
www.youtube.com
February 12, 2026 at 3:04 PM
Metro Council reduction lawsuit arguments at the Tennessee Supreme Court underway: www.youtube.com/watch?v=XpNj...
Reposted by Stephen Elliott
Whether you're a longtime Nashville resident newly interested in your city government or a recent transplant hoping to keep up with what's going on, the Metropolitan Government of Nashville-Davidson County can be hard to follow. That's why we put together this guide.
✍️: @stelliott.bsky.social
✍️: @stelliott.bsky.social
Learn about and how to navigate Nashville's Metro government - Nashville Banner
Your guide to navigate the Metropolitan Government of Nashville-Davidson County. Learn how to connect with and stay informed about your local government.
nashvillebanner.com
February 10, 2026 at 3:30 PM
Whether you're a longtime Nashville resident newly interested in your city government or a recent transplant hoping to keep up with what's going on, the Metropolitan Government of Nashville-Davidson County can be hard to follow. That's why we put together this guide.
✍️: @stelliott.bsky.social
✍️: @stelliott.bsky.social
sitting at Metro Council thinking of this I read in a Carl Hiaasen book the other day
February 4, 2026 at 12:52 AM
sitting at Metro Council thinking of this I read in a Carl Hiaasen book the other day
Tonight is the annual pre-budget public comment period. That's a two-hour opportunity for residents to weigh in on the city's annual budget before it all gets negotiated in a few months. Sign up to speak at city hall starting at 5. First come first served.
The Metro Council meets Tuesday in the wake of a winter storm that left hundreds of thousands of Nashvillians without power.
🖊️: @stelliott.bsky.social
🖊️: @stelliott.bsky.social
Metro Council to recognize NES workers, criticize Boring Company - Nashville Banner
First Metro Council meeting of February to include nod to NES workers, pre-budget public comment session, a resolution criticizing The Boring Company, and more..
nashvillebanner.com
February 3, 2026 at 6:07 PM
Tonight is the annual pre-budget public comment period. That's a two-hour opportunity for residents to weigh in on the city's annual budget before it all gets negotiated in a few months. Sign up to speak at city hall starting at 5. First come first served.
this isn't me by the way!
To give u an idea of how powerful men protect each other, remember Moira Donegan's "Shitty Men in Media" list? Here are former Paris Review Editor Lorin Stein (who got fired for being named), Michael Wolff, & Epstein discussing backing Stephen Eliott to supress MeToo
www.justice.gov/epstein/file...
www.justice.gov/epstein/file...
February 3, 2026 at 5:09 PM
this isn't me by the way!
Reposted by Stephen Elliott
“¡Comida gratis!” One of the numerous community aid efforts underway in frozen Nashville this week was dedicated to delivering hot meals to cold and fearful immigrant families.
📝 @iamstevenhale.bsky.social and @stelliott.bsky.social
📝 @iamstevenhale.bsky.social and @stelliott.bsky.social
Nashville winter storm: Community aids those without power - Nashville Banner
Effects of historic winter storm leaves in Nashville linger, with community aid and volunteers stepping up to provide food and warmth to those in need.
nashvillebanner.com
January 28, 2026 at 2:56 PM
“¡Comida gratis!” One of the numerous community aid efforts underway in frozen Nashville this week was dedicated to delivering hot meals to cold and fearful immigrant families.
📝 @iamstevenhale.bsky.social and @stelliott.bsky.social
📝 @iamstevenhale.bsky.social and @stelliott.bsky.social
Reposted by Stephen Elliott
"We may have some real Planning heads listening..."
In a special podcast episode, the Banner’s @iamstevenhale.bsky.social and @stelliott.bsky.social talk about the first Metro Council meeting of the year, what the Planning Commission does and the sort-of start or the mayoral race.
In a special podcast episode, the Banner’s @iamstevenhale.bsky.social and @stelliott.bsky.social talk about the first Metro Council meeting of the year, what the Planning Commission does and the sort-of start or the mayoral race.
LISTEN: Metro Council Is Back — We Talk Downtown Safety, Buchanan Street and Mayoral Race - Nashville Banner
Stephen Elliott and Steven Hale talk about the year's first Metro Council meeting, downtown public safety and the latest on the mayor's race.
nashvillebanner.com
January 23, 2026 at 4:52 PM
"We may have some real Planning heads listening..."
In a special podcast episode, the Banner’s @iamstevenhale.bsky.social and @stelliott.bsky.social talk about the first Metro Council meeting of the year, what the Planning Commission does and the sort-of start or the mayoral race.
In a special podcast episode, the Banner’s @iamstevenhale.bsky.social and @stelliott.bsky.social talk about the first Metro Council meeting of the year, what the Planning Commission does and the sort-of start or the mayoral race.
Reposted by Stephen Elliott
I talked to Nashville Police Chief John Drake about falling crime rates, local debates about surveillance technology and ICE. nashvillebanner.com/2026/01/22/m...
John Drake talks about five years as MNPD chief - Nashville Banner
Nashville police chief John Drake discusses falling crime rates, immigration enforcement, the need for technology to further reduce crime and more.
nashvillebanner.com
January 22, 2026 at 3:18 PM
I talked to Nashville Police Chief John Drake about falling crime rates, local debates about surveillance technology and ICE. nashvillebanner.com/2026/01/22/m...
Reposted by Stephen Elliott
At its first meeting of 2026 on Tuesday, the Metro Council rejected grant funds for new downtown security cameras while accepting funds for other downtown security items. Here’s @stelliott.bsky.social's rundown of the meeting.
Metro Council debates downtown safety grant and proposals - Nashville Banner
The Metro Council's decisions on how to use a $15 million downtown safety grant included one rejection while proposed changes to the Metro charter were abandoned.
nashvillebanner.com
January 21, 2026 at 4:06 PM
At its first meeting of 2026 on Tuesday, the Metro Council rejected grant funds for new downtown security cameras while accepting funds for other downtown security items. Here’s @stelliott.bsky.social's rundown of the meeting.
Vincent Dixie is running for Congress again and Fran Bush is running for school board again. (From this morning's Flyer newsletter @nashvillebanner.bsky.social)
Vincent Dixie to run again for Tennessee District 7 seat - Nashville Banner
Matt Van Epps, Vincent Dixie and others to run for the Tennessee District 7 Congressional seat; winter weather on the way to Nashville this weekend.
nashvillebanner.com
January 21, 2026 at 2:55 PM
Vincent Dixie is running for Congress again and Fran Bush is running for school board again. (From this morning's Flyer newsletter @nashvillebanner.bsky.social)
Reposted by Stephen Elliott
Pretty nice little podcast chat with @sarahgracetaylor.bsky.social about the return of the Tennessee legislature which you can listen to here or in your podcast app. nashvillebanner.com/2026/01/16/d...
LISTEN: Tennessee's Legislature is back in session
The Banner’s Steven Hale and Sarah Grace Taylor talk about the return of the Tennessee legislature, what they’ve done so far and what to expect in the coming months. Sarah Grace discusses bills relate...
nashvillebanner.com
January 16, 2026 at 9:37 PM
Pretty nice little podcast chat with @sarahgracetaylor.bsky.social about the return of the Tennessee legislature which you can listen to here or in your podcast app. nashvillebanner.com/2026/01/16/d...
Reposted by Stephen Elliott
Four incumbent school board members and three challengers are poised to run in the MNPS board primary election this year for Districts 2, 4, 6 and 8. Candidates have until Feb. 19 to gather petition signatures and join the race.
📝: Lillian Avedian
📝: Lillian Avedian
MNPS Board Primary Election: Four Incumbents, three challengers - Nashville Banner
The Metro Nashville Public Schools board primary election is heating up with four seats up for election and challengers already lined up for three.
nashvillebanner.com
January 15, 2026 at 3:15 PM
Four incumbent school board members and three challengers are poised to run in the MNPS board primary election this year for Districts 2, 4, 6 and 8. Candidates have until Feb. 19 to gather petition signatures and join the race.
📝: Lillian Avedian
📝: Lillian Avedian
Reposted by Stephen Elliott
MNPS is gathering feedback on three proposed models for adjusting school start and dismissal times. During a week of community meetings, families and staff expressed diverse perspectives, with no one proposal emerging as a clear favorite.
✏️: Lillian Avedian
nashvillebanner.com/2026/01/12/m...
✏️: Lillian Avedian
nashvillebanner.com/2026/01/12/m...
Nashville school start times: No consensus after feedback - Nashville Banner
Metro Nashville Public Schools continues to seek public opinion on proposed changes to school start and dismissal times as no consensus is apparent from early efforts.
nashvillebanner.com
January 12, 2026 at 6:09 PM
MNPS is gathering feedback on three proposed models for adjusting school start and dismissal times. During a week of community meetings, families and staff expressed diverse perspectives, with no one proposal emerging as a clear favorite.
✏️: Lillian Avedian
nashvillebanner.com/2026/01/12/m...
✏️: Lillian Avedian
nashvillebanner.com/2026/01/12/m...
Department of Emergency Communications director Stephen Martini has been placed on leave after the mayor asked for his resignation and he declined.
January 9, 2026 at 11:10 PM
Department of Emergency Communications director Stephen Martini has been placed on leave after the mayor asked for his resignation and he declined.
So many people showed up for the public hearing about this overlay for North Nashville’s Buchanan Street that the fire marshal had to get involved.
Metro Planning Commission defers Buchanan Street business bill - Nashville Banner
Metro Councilmember Brandon Taylor's bill to restrict certain businesses on Buchanan Street in North Nashville is delayed after public debate.
nashvillebanner.com
January 9, 2026 at 2:41 PM
So many people showed up for the public hearing about this overlay for North Nashville’s Buchanan Street that the fire marshal had to get involved.
Reposted by Stephen Elliott
Hundreds of people at another vigil and demonstration this evening in Nashville’s Centennial Park in response to the killing of Renee Good by an ICE agent in Minneapolis yesterday.
January 9, 2026 at 12:01 AM
Hundreds of people at another vigil and demonstration this evening in Nashville’s Centennial Park in response to the killing of Renee Good by an ICE agent in Minneapolis yesterday.
Reposted by Stephen Elliott
Homicides fell to their lowest level in a decade in Nashville last year, while robberies and burglaries were as rare as they’ve been since the 1960s.
✏️: @iamstevenhale.bsky.social
nashvillebanner.com/2026/01/07/n...
✏️: @iamstevenhale.bsky.social
nashvillebanner.com/2026/01/07/n...
Nashville sees historic drop in crime rates for 2025 - Nashville Banner
Violent crime in Nashville dropped significantly in 2025, with homicides, assaults, and robberies decreasing. Property crime also saw a decrease.
nashvillebanner.com
January 7, 2026 at 4:42 PM
Homicides fell to their lowest level in a decade in Nashville last year, while robberies and burglaries were as rare as they’ve been since the 1960s.
✏️: @iamstevenhale.bsky.social
nashvillebanner.com/2026/01/07/n...
✏️: @iamstevenhale.bsky.social
nashvillebanner.com/2026/01/07/n...
Reposted by Stephen Elliott
Nashville labor union LiUNA Local 386 is wading into the ongoing debate over the future of the Fairgrounds Nashville and its Fairgrounds Speedway, opposing a charter amendment referendum push aimed at ending racing at the fairgrounds.
✏️: @stelliott.bsky.social
nashvillebanner.com/2026/01/05/l...
✏️: @stelliott.bsky.social
nashvillebanner.com/2026/01/05/l...
Fairgrounds Speedway: LiUNA seeks guarantees for local labor - Nashville Banner
LiUNA Local 386 launches campaign to preserve Fairgrounds Nashville and Fairgrounds Speedway, seeking labor guarantees and opposing anti-racing referendum.
nashvillebanner.com
January 5, 2026 at 5:27 PM
Nashville labor union LiUNA Local 386 is wading into the ongoing debate over the future of the Fairgrounds Nashville and its Fairgrounds Speedway, opposing a charter amendment referendum push aimed at ending racing at the fairgrounds.
✏️: @stelliott.bsky.social
nashvillebanner.com/2026/01/05/l...
✏️: @stelliott.bsky.social
nashvillebanner.com/2026/01/05/l...
Reposted by Stephen Elliott
We took some of your questions straight to Nashville Mayor @freddieoconnell.bsky.social. He reflects on reaching the midpoint of his term, public safety, housing and reelection.
✏️ : @stelliott.bsky.social
✏️ : @stelliott.bsky.social
nashvillebanner.com
December 29, 2025 at 2:30 PM
We took some of your questions straight to Nashville Mayor @freddieoconnell.bsky.social. He reflects on reaching the midpoint of his term, public safety, housing and reelection.
✏️ : @stelliott.bsky.social
✏️ : @stelliott.bsky.social
Reposted by Stephen Elliott
Look back at 2025 through the lens of Banner staff photographer Martin B. Cherry.
The Banner's Best Photos of 2025 - Nashville Banner
Staff photojournalist Martin B. Cherry selected his favorite photos from the year, including notable figures, community gatherings and more
nashvillebanner.com
January 2, 2026 at 3:00 PM
Look back at 2025 through the lens of Banner staff photographer Martin B. Cherry.
Reposted by Stephen Elliott
More than 18 months later, an outside law firm's report on their investigation into wide-ranging allegations against the Metro Nashville Police Department is out. It essentially clears the department. nashvillebanner.com/2025/12/22/n...
Butler Snow report clears MNPD of misconduct allegations - Nashville Banner
An investigation clears the Metro Nashville Police Department of misconduct allegations. Report finds no evidence of wrongdoing or policy violations.
nashvillebanner.com
December 22, 2025 at 11:36 PM
More than 18 months later, an outside law firm's report on their investigation into wide-ranging allegations against the Metro Nashville Police Department is out. It essentially clears the department. nashvillebanner.com/2025/12/22/n...
Reposted by Stephen Elliott
Breaking: Independent investigation into scathing whistleblower complaint against Metro Nashville Police Dept concludes in most cases there was no evidence of alleged misconduct – that includes claim that top Nashville police lobbied to eliminate police oversight.
nashvillebanner.com/2025/12/22/n...
nashvillebanner.com/2025/12/22/n...
Butler Snow report clears MNPD of misconduct allegations - Nashville Banner
An investigation clears the Metro Nashville Police Department of misconduct allegations. Report finds no evidence of wrongdoing or policy violations.
nashvillebanner.com
December 22, 2025 at 11:40 PM
Breaking: Independent investigation into scathing whistleblower complaint against Metro Nashville Police Dept concludes in most cases there was no evidence of alleged misconduct – that includes claim that top Nashville police lobbied to eliminate police oversight.
nashvillebanner.com/2025/12/22/n...
nashvillebanner.com/2025/12/22/n...
Reposted by Stephen Elliott
As an AI-generated song zooms up the country charts, Nashville’s music industry begins grappling with the increasing use of artificial songmaking
AI in music: A challenge for Nashville songwriters and artists - Nashville Banner
AI is a growing tool in music production, threatening the livelihoods of the Nashville music industry, and raising the issue of authenticity in art.
nashvillebanner.com
December 22, 2025 at 2:08 PM
As an AI-generated song zooms up the country charts, Nashville’s music industry begins grappling with the increasing use of artificial songmaking
Reposted by Stephen Elliott
It's the final day of the @nashvillebanner.bsky.social year-end campaign. Thanks to everyone who's helped get us this far, and if you're able to give or even become a member, it would mean a lot. Help us reach our new stretch goal of $55k!
Join | Nashville Public Media
Nashville Public Media is supported by people like you. Support Nashville Public Media today.
nashville-public-media.fundjournalism.org
December 15, 2025 at 9:14 PM
It's the final day of the @nashvillebanner.bsky.social year-end campaign. Thanks to everyone who's helped get us this far, and if you're able to give or even become a member, it would mean a lot. Help us reach our new stretch goal of $55k!