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Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Thank you, David Plazas, for your civility, in your service to Tennessee conversations
David Plazas probably never dreamed when he took the editorial director job at The Tennessean, he would yet again drive further down south to Georgia. But alas, that is where he will plant his next stake with family in the deep Georgia marshes (amid bustling Atlanta) after 11 years leading editorial conversations throughout Middle Tennessee as director of opinion and engagement for the USA TODAY Network Tennessee and 25-year career with Gannett. I'd like to think when he gets there, people will see the Southern charm he has acquired in Tennessee and quickly embrace him as a new local, the edges of his Chicago roots polished from his stay. Or maybe, his hospitality was always there anyway. Whether or not you agree with views expressed in his columns, I can assure that anyone who has ever met David in person has been immediately disarmed with a smile and a genuine ear for listening. He opens doors for others, looks you in the eye, has an intentional handshake and patiently waits for you to finish your sentence. The first year I was in the Tennessean newsroom in 2019, I watched him escort fellow opinion writer Alex Hubbard and his service dog to and from his workstation everyday. (I learned from experience not to leave food in my aisle trash can to avoid tempting canine Xana on her walk.) During his time at The Tennessean, David has dedicated his career to facilitating conversations, presenting differing opinions and introducing new ideas as founder of the Civility Tennessee initiative, Black and Latino Voices and led diversity initiatives. More: Thank you, Tennessee, for your hospitality. Now, it's time to move south. | Opinion David's leadership in public discourse has led to countless enlightening conversations through the Tennessee Voices podcast, election debates, initiating conversations with city and state leaders in the newsroom and, not to mention, his visits to communities across Middle Tennessee. Whether transportation, controversy, growth, politics or culture, David has always been on the forefront of issues affecting the Nashville Metropolitan Statistical Area. And he did not forget about rural surrounding communities in Middle Tennessee in the process. I was especially glad when he decided to trade his view of sky-high buildings in Nashville to kick up a little dust at Mule Day in Columbia —my neck of the woods— last year. From what I understand, he enjoyed the covered wagons drawn by mules and even had a ham and biscuit on a friendly porch, a Mule Day tradition. And, yes, in David Plazas-style, he opened up conversation with someone completely different from him, found common ground and, yes, wrote a column about it. From the nuances of Nashville to the backroads of Middle Tennessee, David captured the issues affecting Tennesseans and has a heart for underrepresented communities. He understands how issues affect the region from a 10,000-foot view to the tiniest nuances in his beloved city for over a decade. He thanked Tennesseans for their hospitality in his farewell column May 1, but thank you, David, for your civility. Let's continue the legacy and the conversations, Tennessee. Kerri Bartlett is Middle Tennessee Region Editor and a member of the Tennessean editorial board. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Farewell Nashville Tennessean's David Plazas, thank you for civility
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Thank you, Tennessee, for your hospitality. Now, it's time to move south.
When my family and I − husband and two dogs − moved from Florida to Tennessee in 2014, we stopped at the rest area off Interstate 24 in Chattanooga. A sign reading "Tennessee The Volunteer State Welcomes You" greets visitors there and made us feel immediately at ease, embraced and welcome. Hospitality is a calling card for this state and, in spite of the polarized politics of the day, the relationships I have built over nearly 11 years here have shown me that humanity − and humans, when they are willing − can transcend those barriers that keep us apart. Now that my parents have moved to Georgia, I frequently stop at this rest area to stretch my legs, go on a walk and take in the beautiful natural vistas. Soon, our little family will be moving south to be near my folks and the opportunity for me to continue doing what I love as an opinion journalist, but now in Atlanta instead of Nashville. My service at The Tennessean ends May 2 after nearly 25 years with my employer Gannett. I leave with an immense sense of gratitude for all the people I have met and events I have experienced. From Sunday brunches at Lipstick Lounge in East Nashville to seeing the iconic Dolly Parton perform an acoustic show at The Ryman Auditorium. From running my first and only marathon in the 2015 Rock N' Roll Race Series in Nashville to doing the much-less punishing 5K on April 26 as a way to take in the incredible views of the city and reminisce about my time here. From enjoying Mule Day in Columbia and the annual Wilson County − Tennessee State Fair to taking road trips to be awed by Fall Creek Falls, to buy ceramics in Sparta, to pray in Sewanee and to check out the Eiffel Tower in Paris, Tennessee. During my time in Tennessee, I have had the privilege of moderating political forums featuring candidates for U.S. Senate, governor, Nashville mayor, and other local and state offices. I have developed a relationship over seven visits in six years with the citizens of McMinnville, Tennessee, who graciously invited me to step out of my blue bubble of Nashville-Davidson County and explore intentional civic commitment in red Warren County (shout out to Bill Zechman). Partnerships with multiple universities have allowed me to get to travel all over the state of Tennessee, from Memphis to Johnson City (no, I have not visited Mountain City). As I have been reflecting upon my service in Tennessee, these are five highlights that immediately come to mind as great points of pride for me: "Cost of Growth and Change in Nashville" series (2017): An examination of the widening prosperity gap affecting low- and middle-income residents' access to housing, good transportation options and other essentials needed to live in an ever-booming region. The crisis has grown since then. Civility Tennessee initiative (2018-Present): A campaign to model, promote and encourage civil discourse. While these days, I prefer the term "citizenship mindset" over "civility," the whole point is about developing self-actuated residents working together to uphold, challenge and strengthen our democratic republic. The Tennessean launched it at Vanderbilt University and held events at Lipscomb University and across all University of Tennessee system campuses. Tennessee Voices video podcast (2020-2025): A show developed at the start of the COVID pandemic in 2020 just for the sheer need to pivot, innovate and stay relevant in uncertain times. I have hosted 450 episodes with newsmakers, leaders, thinkers and doers over five years, and I have learned so much about leadership, purpose and recovering from one's mistakes. Black and Latino Tennessee Voices (2020-Present): This effort emerged from our diversity, equity and inclusion task force − which has hosted gun owners, young American Muslims, and experts in neurodivergence − as a means to go from telling stories about communities of color to telling stories for, with and by them. This project evolved from soliciting more guest opinion columns to curating weekly newsletters then producing annual live shows featuring community members sharing a story about their lives. The most recent storytellers show hosts were Meharry Medical College and Trevecca Nazarene University. The Nashville Mayoral Debates (2023): A series of four debates during an open mayoral election in 2023 in partnership with Belmont University, American Baptist College, News Channel 5 and the League of Women Voters of Nashville for the purpose of illuminating and educating voters, supplemented with both long-form candidate surveys and a popular candidate score card. Every single one of these efforts required a team. I am proud to have served on the award-winning, extraordinary staff of The Tennessean, full of dedicated professionals committed to telling stories fairly, truthfully and justly. I would encourage readers and the general public to support their efforts by continuing or starting a subscription. Thank you to my past and present executive editors and current and past editorial board members: Michael A. Anastasi, Laura Hollingsworth, Stephanie Murray, Maria De Varenne, Ben Goad, Frank Daniels III, Mark Russell, Gary Estwick, Cameron Smith and Kerri Bartlett. Also, a shoutout to the glue that holds the team together: Beverly Burnett, our newsroom administrator who celebrates her 50th anniversary at The Tennessean this year. I leave knowing that I stood on the shoulders of giants, not least of all, the late fomer Publisher and Editor John Seigenthaler who died shortly before I arrived in Nashville. Former Editorial Page Editor Dwight Lewis has been a friend, mentor and source who taught me so much over a meat-and-three lunch at Swett's Restaurant. I am grateful to former publisher, Carol Hudler, my longtime mentor and friend, who persuaded me to come to Nashville in the first place. I am thankful too for the my colleagues, past and present, on the opinion team, including, Alex Hubbard, Tom Chester, LeBron Hill, Andrea Williams, Donna Cruze, Sarah Frazier, Elena Wilson, Jaymey Hedberg, Kyra Watts; freelance columnists Keel Hunt and Saritha Prabhu; and our foreign exchange journalists: visting Burns Fellows from Germany, Johanna Roth, Tatiana Heid and Angela Gruber, and Russian journalists Stanislav Zaharkin and Evgenia Shcherbina. Opinion: I'm Roman Catholic-adjacent — and I embrace Pope Francis' message on love and kindness As someone who loves being among people and community, I am especially grateful to my fellow Rotary Club of Nashville members, Leadership Nashville alums and Salemtown Neighbors Neighborhood Association friends − all who share the values of moral imagination and civic investment. I mention this because when I am frequently asked about coping in uncertain times, I believe the answer is in building community − both in small and big ways: spending time with neighbors, attending a community event or public meeting, and/or using your voice to challenge injustices, but also to praise the positive. Now is the time to hold the people in your communities close and to find ways to strengthen each other. Build upon that strength and also take occasional moments to disengage from the noise in order to rest and recharge. Most important, pay the spirit of hospitality forward. That rest area welcome sign off I-24 was not just aspirational. The people of Tennessee overwhelmingly proved to me that this message is true. David Plazas served as the director of opinion and engagement for the USA TODAY Network Tennessee from Nov. 25, 2014, to May 2, 2025. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee made me feel welcome and I am incredibly grateful | Opinion
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Mule Day on track, Wagon Train arrives despite stormy weather, 'Everything is good here'
After another round of storms swept through Maury County on Wednesday evening, emergency workers continue assessing damages and if attendees will endure a soggier-than-usual Mule Day this year. In Maury County, several church shelters opened for those seeking refuge from the storm Wednesday, which brought high winds, heavy rain and a tornado warning. The storm follows two tornadoes that touched down in Maury County just days before on March 31, destroying a home in Mt. Pleasant in Maury County. More: Maury Co. farmers continue cleanup after Sunday tornado, 'It was like a freight train' More: Three Tennessee storm deaths reported in McNairy, Obion, Fayette counties As of Thursday morning, Mule Day events have not been affected by Wednesday's storms, Mule Day PR Director Louise Mills said. "Everything is coming off normal, and we are prepared to open the park today at 10 a.m.," Mills told The Daily Herald on Thursday morning. "Everything is good here, and we don't have any wet ground. It didn't rain much here at all. We heard the wind a little bit, but it was all good." More: Things to do: Mules, markets, First Fridays, CAB Festival, Clean Comedy at Packard The annual Mule Day Wagon Train also reached Maury County Park without a hitch after a few days of travel by mule-drawn wagons throughout counties in Southern Middle Tennessee. 'The mule train had a fabulous week traveling and arrived at the park about 4 p.m. Wednesday,' Mills said. "I think they had three very nice days on their wagon train." Columbia Mayor Chaz Molder posted to social media on Wednesday stating that safety during Mule Day is the city's number one priority. "Mule Day emergency preparedness and oversight is one of the most sophisticated operations we handle," Molder stated. "The latest predictions show a 'break' in the bad weather for Friday thru Sunday afternoon. As far as events, most events will be inside the park and OEM and the Maury County Sheriff's Department have EOC set up at the [Ridley] 4-H center to monitor events. CPD will assist with any requests for help." Jay Powell is a general reporter for The Daily Herald. Get up-to-date news in your inbox by subscribing to The Daily Herald newsletter at This article originally appeared on The Daily Herald: Columbia Mule Day on track, Wagon Train arrives despite bad weather
