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
From the story: Legislation is in the works to codify Eviction Right to Counsel in Metro law
In Nashville, more than 1,000 people face losing their home each month. Getting evicted can be a huge blow to safety and mental health, especially if you are young when it happens. But the city is working harder than most to fight it.
✏️: @mikeiereiland.bsky.social
✏️: @mikeiereiland.bsky.social
Evictions on the rise as Nashville addresses a housing crisis - Nashville Banner
A mother and daughter in Nashville know first-hand the challenges that come with evictions. They made it through, and there are assets available to help others.
nashvillebanner.com
December 9, 2025 at 3:15 PM
From the story: Legislation is in the works to codify Eviction Right to Counsel in Metro law
Reposted by Stephen Elliott
ICYMI: Follow along with
@stelliott.bsky.social for a look at a day in the life of a Metro reporter. ⬇️
@stelliott.bsky.social for a look at a day in the life of a Metro reporter. ⬇️
Ever wondered what a Nashville Metro Council meeting actually looks like? Follow along with @stelliott.bsky.social for a day in the life of the Banner’s Metro reporter. Watch as he navigates late-night debates, tracks big decisions, and keeps Nashville informed –– all fueled by kiwi guava Celsius.
December 5, 2025 at 6:51 PM
ICYMI: Follow along with
@stelliott.bsky.social for a look at a day in the life of a Metro reporter. ⬇️
@stelliott.bsky.social for a look at a day in the life of a Metro reporter. ⬇️
Reposted by Stephen Elliott
The Metro Council’s penultimate 2025 meeting on Thursday will feature discussion of zoning changes, TPAC’s move to the East Bank, the mayor’s latest capital spending plan, and a surveillance and security grant for downtown.
✏️: @stelliott.bsky.social
✏️: @stelliott.bsky.social
Nashville Metro Council continues to weigh zoning codes updates - Nashville Banner
Nashville's Metro Council to debate two zoning code bills on third reading, two others not as far along while skeptical members push related legislation.
nashvillebanner.com
December 4, 2025 at 4:28 PM
The Metro Council’s penultimate 2025 meeting on Thursday will feature discussion of zoning changes, TPAC’s move to the East Bank, the mayor’s latest capital spending plan, and a surveillance and security grant for downtown.
✏️: @stelliott.bsky.social
✏️: @stelliott.bsky.social
Here at the Millenium Maxwell House Hotel in Nashville as Matt Van Epps and Tennessee Republicans await special election results
December 3, 2025 at 12:38 AM
Here at the Millenium Maxwell House Hotel in Nashville as Matt Van Epps and Tennessee Republicans await special election results
Reposted by Stephen Elliott
Ever wondered what a Nashville Metro Council meeting actually looks like? Follow along with @stelliott.bsky.social for a day in the life of the Banner’s Metro reporter. Watch as he navigates late-night debates, tracks big decisions, and keeps Nashville informed –– all fueled by kiwi guava Celsius.
December 2, 2025 at 4:17 PM
Ever wondered what a Nashville Metro Council meeting actually looks like? Follow along with @stelliott.bsky.social for a day in the life of the Banner’s Metro reporter. Watch as he navigates late-night debates, tracks big decisions, and keeps Nashville informed –– all fueled by kiwi guava Celsius.
Reposted by Stephen Elliott
A proposed agreement quietly filed before the Thanksgiving holiday could bring increased police capabilities and surveillance technology to downtown Nashville. The Metro Council is set to consider it this week.
✏️: @iamstevenhale.bsky.social
✏️: @iamstevenhale.bsky.social
Metro Council to consider Downtown Partnership security grant - Nashville Banner
Timing of Mayor Freddie O'Connell's proposal for increased police capabilities and surveillance in downtown Nashville sparks backlash.
nashvillebanner.com
December 1, 2025 at 3:07 PM
A proposed agreement quietly filed before the Thanksgiving holiday could bring increased police capabilities and surveillance technology to downtown Nashville. The Metro Council is set to consider it this week.
✏️: @iamstevenhale.bsky.social
✏️: @iamstevenhale.bsky.social
Metro Councilmember Zulfat Suara filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against her former employer, Meharry Medical College, shortly before the Thanksgiving holiday.
Metro Councilmember Zulfat Suara sues Meharry Medical College - Nashville Banner
Metro Councilmember Zulfat Suara files a civil rights lawsuit against Meharry Medical College, alleging discrimination based on religion and ethnicity.
nashvillebanner.com
December 1, 2025 at 2:54 PM
Metro Councilmember Zulfat Suara filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against her former employer, Meharry Medical College, shortly before the Thanksgiving holiday.
spent all day yesterday at a formal ethics hearing where they spent hours discussing text messages about me
November 25, 2025 at 4:28 PM
spent all day yesterday at a formal ethics hearing where they spent hours discussing text messages about me
Reposted by Stephen Elliott
New @nashvillebanner.bsky.social: Stranded after ICE operations, some immigrant families in Nashville are ‘self-deporting’ back to distressed and dangerous countries they once fled. nashvillebanner.com/2025/11/20/i...
Nashville aide says struggle awaits self-deporting families - Nashville Banner
Nashville activists share stories about of immigrant families forced to self-deport as a result of ICE operations, advocacy efforts and community support.
nashvillebanner.com
November 20, 2025 at 6:18 PM
New @nashvillebanner.bsky.social: Stranded after ICE operations, some immigrant families in Nashville are ‘self-deporting’ back to distressed and dangerous countries they once fled. nashvillebanner.com/2025/11/20/i...
Reposted by Stephen Elliott
The latest entry in our Street View column: Councilmember Terry Vo pushes back on blame for lack of progress on SomeraRoad’s planned Wedgewood-Houston development.
Street View: What’s Delaying WeHo’s New Apartment-Hotel Complex?
Councilmember Terry Vo says developer needs to address community concerns before moving forward
www.nashvillescene.com
November 19, 2025 at 2:00 PM
The latest entry in our Street View column: Councilmember Terry Vo pushes back on blame for lack of progress on SomeraRoad’s planned Wedgewood-Houston development.
Reposted by Stephen Elliott
The Metro Council weathered quorum challenges on Tuesday night but was able to appoint attorney Jodie Bell to a vacancy on the Davidson County General Sessions Court. Read our rundown of the rest of the meeting:
✏️: @stelliott.bsky.social
✏️: @stelliott.bsky.social
Jodie Bell appointed to Davidson County General Sessions Court - Nashville Banner
Metro Council appointed Jodie Bell to General Sessions Court, deferred to an investigation already underway regarding DEC director's conduct.
nashvillebanner.com
November 19, 2025 at 3:28 PM
The Metro Council weathered quorum challenges on Tuesday night but was able to appoint attorney Jodie Bell to a vacancy on the Davidson County General Sessions Court. Read our rundown of the rest of the meeting:
✏️: @stelliott.bsky.social
✏️: @stelliott.bsky.social
Reposted by Stephen Elliott
At @nashvillebanner.bsky.social it’s our end of year fundraiser. Nonprofit news with no paywall and this helps us stay that way. Please subscribe or give $$ if you can. Or repost this and I will offer a Thing To Do In Nashville for each one. nashville-public-media.fundjournalism.org/makeagift/?c...
Join | Nashville Public Media
Nashville Public Media is supported by people like you. Support Nashville Public Media today.
nashville-public-media.fundjournalism.org
November 18, 2025 at 2:14 PM
At @nashvillebanner.bsky.social it’s our end of year fundraiser. Nonprofit news with no paywall and this helps us stay that way. Please subscribe or give $$ if you can. Or repost this and I will offer a Thing To Do In Nashville for each one. nashville-public-media.fundjournalism.org/makeagift/?c...
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.