We all know that weather predictions change fast around here, so I’m not going to bother writing anything about our upcoming winter storm, which would probably be outdated by the time you read it.

(I do recommend, however, listening live to WPLN News for the latest updates.)

Instead, I’ll share this map from the Nashville Department of Transportation, which shows expanded list of “primary, secondary and post-secondary snow removal routes” in Davidson County, according to WPLN’s Caroline Eggers.

Franklin, Murfreesboro and Mt. Juliet have also mapped their snow and ice plow routes. 

Use these maps to know which streets are safest to drive on first — or better yet, if you can, just do as Middle Tennesseans have done for years: Ignore the roads and stay home.

WHAT TO KNOW

Families rallied at the Capitol on Tuesday morning urging lawmakers to invest in early childhood education. Credit: Tennesseans for Quality Early EducationEarlier this week, WPLN’s Camellia Burris told me that the median annual rate for childcare for infants in Tennessee is $13,926, according to a recent report from the Tennessee Commission on Children and Youth.

“Wow!” I said. “That’s a good deal!”

“You think that’s low?” she asked incredulously.

Then she informed me that that number is more than in-state tuition for the University of Tennessee.

Plus, UT students are eligible for grants, scholarships or, at the very least, student loans. Babies are not. 

And that’s when I realized that my idea of “affordable, high-quality childcare” is highly skewed. Skewed by the reality of what’s available in my area, yes. But skewed nonetheless.

Camellia covered a rally this week outside the state capitol that urged Tennessee lawmakers to increase investment in early childhood education. The organizers, Tennesseans for Quality Early Education, said that they are not focused on specific legislation but rather an awareness of the rising cost of childcare.

Kennedy Tuggle, an education policy and advocacy associate for First State Memphis, traveled from West Tennessee to voice her concerns about federal funding cuts.

She referred to the Child Care Development Fund, a federal program that provides states with funds to help families afford childcare. In Tennessee, the federal government cut those funds by $44.5 million for fiscal year 2025.

This cut, Tuggle said, has left many parents struggling.

“Parents are being placed on wait lists. So, if you need childcare, you aren’t able to get that at this moment,” she told WPLN News. “We’re wanting to share that large concern.”

Advocates are also pushing for paid family and paternal leave and mental health services for young kids. They say these investments will have long-term benefits for Tennessee’s economy and workforce.

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On today’s episode of the NashVillagerpodcast with host Nina Cardona 🎙️ 

How did cooperation between a few rural counties grow into the state’s major drug enforcement effort? Today, Tennessee’s Deadly Drug Task Force pays a lot of attention to opioids and fentanyl, but its roots lie in sniffing out meth labs. Plus the local news for Jan. 23, 2026, and Dry January USA.

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MORE TO KNOW

• A special mediator just signed off on the first phase of an improvement plan for Tennessee’s version of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. The SNAP program helps about 700,000 Tennesseans pay for food. But a lawsuit last year said the state was wrongly denying or cancelling people’s benefits. (Plaintiffs said the appeals process ran months longer than legally allowed, during which time they lost their homes or delayed medical care.) One part of the improvement plan: Previously, when someone got a rejection or cancellation letter, it didn’t explain why. DHS has now agreed to start listing the reason. It sounds simple, but DHS says making that change on the web portal is going to take several months of tech work. WPLN’s Catherine Sweeney latest story is a must-read for anyone who uses SNAP benefits, or who got interested during the government shutdown last year.
   
• Before you sign up for a gym membership, you might want to review your health insurance benefits. Many health plans, including some Medicare or Medicaid plans, offer free or discounted gym memberships. In fact, health insurers (and many employers) have an incentive to incentivize you to stay active: It can stave off more expensive healthcare costs in the long run. We dive into this in our new collaboration with KFF Health News, called HealthQ, which aims to boost your understanding of our convoluted healthcare system.
   
• OK, I said I wouldn’t write about the weather, but … I can’t resist adding in this trivia from WPLN’s Rose Gilbert: “The fourth and fifth biggest snowfalls recorded in Nashville history were both about ten inches. Those storms were in 1951 and 1964. The top three were all more than 90 years ago, and the city hasn’t seen a foot of snow in a single snowfall since 1929. In other words, this weekend’s storm will be be one to remember if it comes in anywhere near the top end of forecasts.”

FROM WNXP

Save the date for Saturday, Feb. 7! 

WNXP is partnering with Drkmttr Collective in a citywide celebration of Nashville’s independent music community called 615 Indie Live. They’re bringing Venus & The Flytraps, Total Wife, Hussy Fit and Ol Blue to Drkmttr.

The goal of this citywide festival include driving business to indie music venues during a historically slow time of year, while raising awareness of their importance. Plus, proceeds from ticket sales benefit the Music Venue Alliance Nashville and WNXP. Buy your tickets

FROM THIS IS NASHVILLE

This week, our Roundabout panel discusses President Donald Trump’s second first year. Have we entered “The golden age of America,” as President Trump said during his inauguration speech — or something else entirely? Immigration policy. The economy. Military action in foreign lands. We break it all down.

Your input is central to our show. Call (615) 751-2500 to leave us your  feedback. Submit your idea or email us. Stream This is Nashville with host Blake Farmeron YouTube, or listen and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

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