Knoxville is filled with small, meaningful places that capture the city’s personality in ways most travel guides miss. These sites reflect the charm of local culture, neighborhood creativity, and the slower pace that gives Knoxville its appeal. This guide highlights some of the best hidden gems in Knoxville that residents love and newcomers often overlook. […]

The Tennessee Cost of Living Is Rising Faster Than Wages — And It’s Changing Daily Life The Tennessee cost of living continues climbing rapidly, leaving many residents struggling to keep pace. While the state once touted affordable living as a competitive advantage, that gap is shrinking as housing, transportation, food, and healthcare costs rise faster […]

The Tennessee Homelessness Crisis Is Reshaping Communities — And the Numbers Are Rising The Tennessee homelessness crisis has become one of the most visible and emotional challenges facing cities like Knoxville, Chattanooga, Memphis, and Nashville. Camps under overpasses, tents along riverbanks, and increasing numbers of unsheltered residents in downtown corridors illustrate a struggle that is […]

Tennessee Street Closures Are Crippling Local Businesses — Here’s the Data Behind the Disruption Tennessee street closures are becoming a major point of frustration for businesses, commuters, and visitors across Nashville, Knoxville, and Chattanooga. As construction projects multiply and urban events grow in size, many local business owners say the closures are no longer occasional […]

Across Maryville, Tennessee, local residents are talking about one small but powerful act of kindness that has captured the heart of the community: a Maryville community pantry handcrafted and installed by a local woman named Ellie Gratton. What began as a simple idea—“take what you need, give what you can”—has grown into a symbol of […]

Let’s stop using soft words for a harsh process. When people from wealthy areas “discover” a poorer region, we call it “development” or “revitalization.” But I’m starting to call it what it feels like: Domestic Colonization. It’s a pattern, and it’s a destructive one. Once you see the playbook, you can’t unsee it. First, the […]