Blake Farmer
Latest Stories (109)
What happens when you put rich and poor students together in charter schools?
by
Blake Farmer
Jan 27, 2014
One knock on charter schools is the lack of diversity -- filled with either all minority and low-income students, or mostly affluent students. Some charter schools see a benefit to pulling students from both sides of the tracks.
Where everyone graduates high school, but few go to college
by
Blake Farmer
Oct 15, 2013
In parts of Tennessee, about one third of working-age residents have a college degree. In a few counties, the rate drops to fewer than one in 10.
A housing-first solution to chronic homelessness in Nashville
by
Blake Farmer
Oct 7, 2013
Nashville's homeless get housing from private landlords in a new experimental program.
Vanderbilt's football team fights to put fans in the stands
by
Blake Farmer
Jul 19, 2013
Vanderbilt still has the poorest attendance record in the Southeastern Conference even though it’s coming off its best season in a century.
'Dead malls' get new life
by
Blake Farmer
Jul 5, 2013
Shopping malls around the country are dropping like flies. Roughly a third have trouble keeping the lights on.
Could the country’s largest public power utility really become private?
by
Blake Farmer
May 22, 2013
President Obama floated the idea of selling the Tennessee Valley Authority in his budget, released last month. He started receiving pushback almost immediately.
Nashville's Music City Center hopes to make a lasting note
by
Blake Farmer
May 20, 2013
Nashville's Music City Center cost $600 million and has a lot of cutting-edge bells and whistles. But convention organizers looking for a new convention center have a lot of options.
How some rural areas are being pinched by lack of Medicaid expansion
by
Blake Farmer
May 9, 2013
An expansion of Medicaid is supposed to cover more of the working poor. But Republican-led states have been opting out and outlying areas in states like Tennessee may be the hardest hit.
Tax refunds can burn a hole in your pocket
by
Blake Farmer
Mar 1, 2013
Some retailers run special promotions to lure customers in during tax refund season.
Short line railroads face tough track ahead
by
Blake Farmer
Jan 8, 2013
Even with a new tax break for upgraded train tracks, short line railroads have trouble picking up business.