The Blame Game
The Daily · · 4 min read
Good afternoon, everyone. Today:
- 1 Happy Veterans Day! MNPS points the finger at the state and federal government for lower graduation rates
- 2 Tennessee’s largest landfill under scrutiny
- 3 Road rage turns into a gun fight
+ And much more!
Veterans Day Screening
Tonight, we're hosting a screening at NuMynd Studios of Call Sign Courage, a documentary about the current Under Secretary of the Air Force, Lt. Col. Matt Lohmeier, blowing the whistle on Marxism in the military. RSVP here.
Like what we do? Forward us to a friend!
MNPS Points the Finger at the State/Federal Government When Graduation Stats Don't Tell the Right Story
During last night’s MNPS school board meeting, members considered state and federal policies as contributing factors to the 6 percent graduation rate drop among hispanic students this year.
Despite record-high graduation rates among black, white, disabled, and economically disadvantaged students, the overall graduation rate decreased from 85.7 percent in 2024 to 83.6 percent in 2025.
It seems that graduation rates are still being used as political fodder. City and community leaders are often all too eager to roll out a PR campaign when the stats tell the right story and omit the rest.
For instance, last year, many touted the record-high graduation rate, but failed to mention that less than a third of graduates were prepared for college or careers.
THE SOUTHERN REVIVAL SALON
Join us for a classed-up, cowboy-formal type thing with an open bar, music, and the opportunity to meet some of the most talented and influential people in Nashville. Use the discount code PAMPHLETEER to get 25% off your ticket. (Buy Tickets)
HEADLINES
Air and water pollution violations at Middle Point Landfill.
Though Tennessee’s largest landfill received seven violations related to litter and liquid runoff, the 2025 observations issued by the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation were considered minor and did not require any enforcement action.
WPLNGovernor Lee is hoping to find revenue in the state budget to expand school vouchers.
The state received 42,000 applications for the program this year, and House Speaker Cameron Sexton supports doubling the number of vouchers made available.
LookoutTennessee Education Commissioner Lizzette Reynolds is battling cancer.
A spokesperson confirmed that “Commissioner Reynolds is receiving excellent care from her team of doctors after an early cancer diagnosis and is responding well to treatment.”
State AffairsA woman was shot during a road rage incident
. Yesterday, the victim was hit in the shoulder by a bullet as she was getting out of her vehicle near the Davidson County Criminal Court building.
WKRNTennessee is one of the first states to require gun safety courses in school
. The main takeaway of the lessons is a series of steps for when a child finds a gun: Stop, don’t touch, leave quickly, tell an adult.
AP
OUTSIDE REPORTING
Tennessee aims to attract research facilities as state manufacturing job growth slows:
Manufacturing has long been one of Tennessee’s strongest industries. Automation, production, and profits are on the rise, but job growth is leveling out
Lookout
DEVELOPMENT
Via Now Next Sushi-San To Open 1st Nashville Location At Ashwood 12 South
More InfoDowntown bagel shop eyes Franklin; Grocery planned for WeHo
NBJDetails could loom for Nate Bargatze’s proposed theme park
PostMultiple restaurant concepts to debut in W Nashville
Post
THINGS TO DO
- View our calendar for the week here. Visit our On The Radar list to find upcoming events around Nashville.
- On Spotify: Pamphleteer's Picks, a playlist of our favorite bands in town this week.
- Check out our Nashville farmer's market guide.
TONIGHT
🎸 The Woods @ The Basement, 7p, Free, Info
🎷 Rachael & Vilray @ Riverside Revival, 8p, $53, Info
🎸 Honky Tonk Tuesday @ Eastside Bowl, 8p, $10, Info
+ two-step lessons @ 7p, The Cowpokes @ 8p
Today's newsletter is brought to you by Davis Hunt, Megan Podsiedlik and Camelia Brennan.
The rest of today's issue
Keep reading: free, just your email
You keep coming back. It's free; we only ask for your email.
Headlines, tools, development and tonight's shows are one step away. Tomorrow's Daily comes with it.
Like what we do? Forward us to a friend.
Comments
Bards join the discussion. Everyone can read it.