COVID-19 is a national disaster for families and FEMA funeral assistance program aids By TOM WOOD / NOVEMBER 19, 2021 Before being assigned the Ledger’s Nov. 19-25 cover story, I had no idea that the Federal Emergency Management Agency had a funeral assistance program. And unless you lost a loved one to COVID-19 over the last two years, you probably weren’t aware of its existence, either. But as Continue reading
Lipscomb University program helps make Nashville a destination for animation projects By TOM WOOD / OCTOBER 22, 2021 I’ve lived in and written about Nashville for more than 40 years, but until recently I had no idea of how big Nashville’s reputation for animation had gotten. Sure, I knew “VeggieTales” was done here. But I didn’t know that in 2015 Lipscomb University launched an animation program that was Continue reading
Staying Fit During the Pandemic Isn’t Easy, Choosing Between a Trip to the Gym or Home By TOM WOOD / SEPTEMBER 24, 2021 Stay home or go to the gym for a workout? That’s a question people face daily as they try to stay in shape during the pandemic era. Some have no qualms about heading to a fitness facility and working up a good sweat next to Continue reading
Dollar General Expansion Plans Grow; Killer Nashville Celebrates 15th Anniversary By TOM WOOD / AUGUST 20, 2021 The past decade has taken a toll on some of America’s most recognizable company brands, a situation only made worse since the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic. Paul Dittman, the Haslam College of Business assistant department head for Supply Chain Management, says the “retail apocalypse” of store closings experienced during both the 2008 Continue reading
Pigskin, Papers and Publications: August Has Football, Writing and Killer Nashville Ahead By TOM WOOD / AUGUST 10, 2021 Now that the Music City Grand Prix is in the rearview mirror, let’s turn our attention to my three-pronged passion for books, football and newspapers … not necessarily in that order. High schools, colleges and the NFL are all in camp and the Titans’ first preseason game is Friday, Continue reading
IndyCar Solicits Your Opinions and Feedback On How the Music City Grand Prix Fared By TOM WOOD / AUGUST 9, 2021 So, whadja think? Year One of the Music City Grand Prix is in the rearview mirror and IndyCar.com wants your opinion. Click here to give your feedback. The drivers gave the city, the fans and the atmosphere high marks. The race course? After nine cautions and a Continue reading
Why are TV sports ratings falling? It’s a simple question with complex answers By TOM WOOD / JUNE 25, 2021 My June 25 Nashville Ledger story explains how the sports world — and our viewing habits — changed in the 15-plus months since COVID-19 struck full-force and the great pandemic pause of 2020 began. The lockdown immediately darkened arenas and stadiums across the country. Sometimes, months passed before Continue reading
Hemp’s shaky promise: A bust for many farmers but there’s growing hope for future By TOM WOOD / May 20, 2021 A couple of years ago, I wrote a story about the dynamic growth of the state’s emerging hemp industry, from 226 licensed growers in Tennessee in 2018 to 3,957 in 2019. But in a demonstration of the old axiom of “what goes up must come down,” a Continue reading
Knoxville partners race in from east to help Music City Grand Prix get off the line By TOM WOOD / April 9, 2021 Officially, it is known as the Big Machine IndyCar Music City Grand Prix, but Nashville’s Aug. 8 inaugural street race is truly a statewide event. Among those who helped turn a dream into reality are a high-powered group of owner investors stretching from Knoxville businessmen Continue reading
Nashville will get a boost from August debut of Music City Grand Prix on downtown streets By TOM WOOD / March 19, 2021 As Nashville continues to rebound from the COVID-19 global pandemic, expect at least a $20 million shot in the arm from the inaugural IndyCar NTT Music City Grand Prix on Aug. 8. Read more in the March 19 edition in the Nashville Ledger. Organizers expect Continue reading
