While it took a while for Kern's Food Hall to finally open, it didn't take long for people to begin exploring the property in packs – enjoying sushi and pizza from vendors, sipping on rooftop drinks, and shopping for flowers, clothes and artsy paper goods. Take it from this week's co-hosts, Ryan Wilusz and Brianna Paciorka, who visited on a Thursda…

Orson Welles has nothing on the far-fetched story inspiring a new out-of-this-world nightclub in the newly established Asylum District that could expand what people consider the boundaries of downtown Knoxville. The tall tale, from the mind of owner Scott West, goes like this: Rogue doctors from Oak Ridge recently hauled an extraterrestrial artifac…

Before you read about it on CBS News or even our own USA TODAY, Knox News was first to report that a Dolly Parton and Beyoncé collaboration could be happening as part of the latter's album "Cowboy Carter." How did we know? Trending news reporter Devarrick Turner straight-up asked Parton during a Dollywood interview, and she seemed eager to spill th…

For the first time in a long time, East Knoxville residents cut off from downtown through the demolition of mostly Black neighborhoods in the 1960s and '70s will be able to move more easily throughout the city to take advantage of new amenities, new infrastructure and new job opportunities. But amending the generational pains of urban removal, tout…

It’s not just the eclectic and distinguished lineup that sets Big Ears Festival apart in 2024. It’s the host city of Knoxville, Tennessee, that pairs Southern charm with world sounds to present a festival that’s more comfortable than most, with world-class venues that are closer than what most other cities can offer. Listen as Ryan Wilusz and Brian…

The future of free parking on nights and weekends, a downtown Knoxville amenity that helps encourage people to visit and explore our city, is the subject of a survey that has surfaced some stress among downtown businesses. The survey on whether free parking is the best strategy moving forward was organized by a handful of downtown business owners, …

From Oct. 30, 2023: Nearly one year ago, we embarked on a mission to create a resource for new residents – something to help people adjust as they settle in their new home or take on new roles in the community. We’re happy to share with you Knoxpedia, the one-stop shop for all things Knoxville. Whether you’re new to town, looking to become more civ…

A viral video of Knoxville native Briston Maroney walking off stage toward the end of his hometown show at The Mill & Mine sparked a conversation among two of Knox News' biggest music fans, downtown reporter Ryan Wilusz and visual journalist Brianna Paciorka. Listen as they discuss which Knoxville music venues have the best crowds, what you can do …

Potchke was just named by USA TODAY as one of the top 47 restaurants in the country. While we're stoked to see some Knoxville representation, Knox News started thinking about local restaurants we wish made the list. This casual conversation between your host, downtown reporter Ryan Wilusz, and fellow Knox News reporter Keenan Thomas led to a great …

Knoxville is growing, and so is our airport. While it might not sound like much, Avelo recently added cheap flights to and from Connecticut, which could open the door for more destinations out of McGhee Tyson. Growth and development reporter Daniel Dassow, who specializes in tech and energy, joins host Ryan Wilusz to discuss how the airport is grow…

It's not too late to make New Year's resolutions. Just blame the delay on the freezing snow and heated election cycle that has everyone talking. As the downtown growth and development reporter for Knox News, there's not much host Ryan Wilusz hasn't experienced in the center of our city. But with 2024 now upon us, we invited colleague Keenan Thomas …

While Bonnaroo and Big Ears Festival take place three months and 150 miles apart, both events were created by Knoxville native Ashley Capps. Plus, both festivals have become known for their diverse lineups and their unofficial status as music discovery festivals. Knox News journalists Ryan Wilusz and Brianna Paciorka, who have regularly attended bo…

Our downtown Knoxville predictions that didn’t happen in 2023 have potential to come true this year: replacing Pryor Brown Garage, building a block-sized development, creating stadium parking and welcoming a nationally known chef to the local culinary scene. But in the spirit of the new year, we’re starting fresh with a new round of predictions for…

From March 21, 2023: The waiting period required to demolish downtown Knoxville's most crumbling building is over, so we at Knox News started thinking about what could replace the historic structure. Listen as co-hosts Ryan Wilusz and Brenna McDermott share their thoughts, and share your own by emailing ryan.wilusz@knoxnews.com. "The Scruffy Stuff"…

This year has been full of surprises in downtown Knoxville, from a new Sunsphere paint job to shocking business closings. But a lot of what happened in 2023 was on our radar heading into the year, and we documented those predictions on "The Scruffy Stuff" back in January. This week, hosts Ryan Wilusz and Brianna Paciorka of Knox News look back to s…

Creating “safe spaces” was a selling point in the city's decision to close down the 400 block of Gay Street to vehicles on select weekends in November and December. But there are two things Gay Street business owners and urbanites are whispering about even if the city isn’t addressing them directly in this effort: That open streets seems like a nat…

If you have tried the PB&J Mixtape sour by Xul Beer Company, consider yourself lucky. This beer doesn't last long in kegs around town and has led to long lines of people waiting outside the brewery just to get their hands on a four pack. Perhaps, it's the fact this beer taste exactly like a PB&J sandwich, crust and all. Maybe the funky labels and l…

No tuxedos, trophies or acceptance speeches required. These are the SCRUFFYs – similar to the Grammys, with a lot less music and a lot more Knoxville. As the downtown reporter for Knox News, host Ryan Wilusz has seen plenty of exciting (and sometimes crazy) things happen in the center of our city over the years. But a Sunsphere paint job, Old City …

Knoxville has delayed the robot takeover for six months. That is, the Knoxville City Council voted Oct. 31 to enact an emergency moratorium on personal delivery robots. The ordinance, which passed unanimously, will keep companies from deploying the autonomous robots on city streets and sidewalks for six months to buy time for city officials to deve…

From Nov. 21, 2022: Downtown reporter Ryan Wilusz and visual journalist Calvin Mattheis return to Knoxville to share what they learned from their trip to Durham, North Carolina, where a downtown baseball stadium opened in 1995 resembles the plans for downtown Knoxville, just east of the Old City. As the Tennessee Smokies prepare to move downtown in…

Knoxville is doing four weekend trial runs that will turn a busy stretch of Gay Street into a pedestrian plaza at night. Gay Street's 400 block, which runs from Wall Avenue to Union Avenue and is packed with restaurants and bars, will be closed to parking and traffic 7 p.m.-4 a.m. on these dates: Nov. 10 and 11 Nov. 17 and 18 Dec. 8 and 9 Dec. 15 a…

Nearly one year ago, we embarked on a mission to create a resource for new residents – something to help people adjust as they settle in their new home or take on new roles in the community. We’re happy to finally share with you Knoxpedia, the one-stop shop for all things Knoxville. Whether you’re new to town, looking to become more civically engag…

The Knoxville Chamber recently invited downtown reporter Ryan Wilusz to lead roundtable discussions at its 2023 Endeavor Summit, which connected young professionals with each other and with local resources to help advance their careers in Knoxville. Throughout the day, young professionals stopped by to connect with Ryan to learn about opportunities…

With the changing of the seasons comes a change in preferences, whether it's the flavors you enjoy, the music you listen to or the activities your participate in. Simply put: Some things just hit different in the fall, and that's the focus of this week's podcast. Hosts Ryan Wilusz and Brianna Paciorka share what they tend to enjoy more as the tempe…

It's not "goodbye" but, rather, "see you later" when it comes to the JFG sign. At least, that's what much of Knoxville hopes. Mayor Indya Kincannon says she is working with city partners to find the Knoxville icon a new home after it was disassembled and removed from its spot on the hill in South Knoxville. The sign's owners want to keep it in the …

The South Knoxville waterfront and nearby neighborhoods don't need a pedestrian bridge for growth. Substantial changes have been happening for years, and the city recently hired consultants to identify the next opportunities for growth along the river. The findings include a "statement piece" east of the Gay Street bridge akin to the Tennessee Aqua…

No matter how many times it happens, J.C. Holdway owner and chef Joseph Lenn is thrown for a loop upon arriving at his downtown restaurant to find soil on the sidewalks − the work of an unknown person who ripped out his flowers and vanished into the night. A plant vandal. The perpetrators might change, but the puzzling plant destruction always ends…

Originally published Jan. 9, 2023: The things Adeem the Artist hasn't directly experienced, the Knoxville musician has delicately observed in the struggles of strangers and friends in their 34 years, culminating in 11 sung stories of "White Trash Revelry" released on Dec. 2. Perhaps, you have seen the album on "best-of" lists by Rolling Stone and B…

For years, Market Square bar owner Scott West kept his pulse on the Knoxville music scene, whose bands played his stages at Preservation Pub nearly every night of the week. But the scene is changing, and the Scruffy City is ready to crown a new champion of local music. West joins the show to talk about the new Band Eat Band contest, held every Thur…

Neyland Stadium will look a little different this year, though most new amenities were added for premium ticketholders. That doesn't mean the average fan won't benefit, and future renovations could make game days more comfortable for all. As Tennessee football prepares for its home opener against Austin Peay on Sept. 9, co-hosts Ryan Wilusz and Bre…

It’s Election Day in Knoxville, with a handful of city candidates vying for a spot in the general election this November. Noticeably missing from the ballot: the positions of downtown party planner, mayor of the makers and happy hour coordinator. Never heard of these? Well, that’s because hosts Ryan Wilusz and Brenna McDermott just made them up, al…

If you’re a regular listener of “The Scruffy Stuff,” you should be deeply plugged in to what’s happening in and around downtown Knoxville. But do you know the Scruffy City well enough to identify businesses and public spaces by a single word? Hosts Brenna McDermott and Ryan Wilusz test each other’s knowledge with hints that are not too easy, not to…

Trolley buses are going away as part of KAT Reimagined, a transit overhaul that will put more resources toward ridership over coverage. But downtown transportation isn't disappearing entirely. In addition to increasing frequency for buses that come downtown, Knoxville Area Transit is planning a downtown connector loop that would replace the trolley…

The tables are turned on this week's episode! Listen as Emilie Stooksbury from New2Knox interviews host Ryan Wilusz with questions new Knoxville residents have about our Scruffy City. The two chat about some holes in the downtown business scene, the possibility of a downtown grocery store, tips for connecting with the local sports community and the…

For the past month, Knox News reporters have chowed down across town, sampling some of the best food and drinks Knoxville has to offer. The center of the city has its fair share of fare so, of course, some downtown-area restaurants made our list. But we also explored neighborhoods to try bar bites, flavorful food trucks and desserts you can drink. …

Happy Holler: You've probably heard the name. But like many Knoxville neighborhoods, it's not always clear where the lines are drawn. Perhaps, its ambiguity has to do with its size − just a few short blocks easily missed by a blink or a sneeze. It could also have to do with the nearby Old North Knoxville and Oakwood neighborhoods, which all seem to…

Knoxville is more than just Smoky Mountains and football; it's a subtle haven for movie lovers, too. But with two AMC theaters now closed in Knoxville, you might be wondering where to go. With its headquarters in Knoxville, Regal has four theaters to choose from − each one surprisingly different than its sister cinemas. Beyond that, independent cin…

The Sunsphere: It’s bold, gold and getting kind of old. The structure has been plagued by some prohibiting factors over the years, including a lack of elevator capacity and nearby parking, as well as a center stalk that limits floor space. Surely, something can be done to make this attraction more … attractive. Brianna Paciorka, Keenan Thomas and R…

We hope you are kicking off July dressed in your finest red, white and blue − the topic of this discussion, though not how you might imagine. Brianna Paciorka, Keenan Thomas and Ryan Wilusz chat about what makes them red with anger and blue with sadness when it comes to downtown Knoxville. And for the sake of keeping things positive, we decided whi…

The Tennessee Theatre marquee or the Sunsphere? Market Square or the Old City? This exercise feels a bit like picking your favorite child – or your favorite episode of "The Scruffy Stuff." Hopefully, this week's episode is a candidate. Growth and development reporter Silas Sloan joins host Ryan Wilusz to pick between a handful of Knoxville essentia…

Believe it or not, there's more to life than work and home. And whether or not you realize it, you probably have a "third place" – that is, a home away from home where you frequently socialize and relax. Hosts Ryan Wilusz and Brenna McDermott are joined by Knox News reporters, who share the bars, restaurants, public spaces and community gathering p…

Knoxville is full of great bars, restaurants and entertainment venues. Many of them are spread across Knox County, but the Scruffy Stuff team would move a key few of them to downtown. Some of them fill a downtown niche, some just fit the downtown "vibe" and would benefit from operating in the heart of the Scruffy City. Here's our list. "The Scruffy…

Knoxville's poet laureate Rhea Carmon, better known as "RheaSunshine," joins The Scruffy Stuff as she wraps up her term as Knoxville's storyteller-in-chief. Rhea talks to us about the power of spoken word poetry to begin challenging conversations around race, class, gender, ability and all the things that separate us. Rhea shares where she gets ins…

For fun under the sun, downtown Knoxville has plenty of patios to offer. And as the weather keeps getting warmer, our thirst keeps getting stronger for outdoor spaces to enjoy drinks and food. Host Ryan Wilusz, along with producer Brianna Paciorka and higher education reporter Keenan Thomas, average their individual scores to determine an admittedl…

For fun under the sun, downtown Knoxville has plenty of patios to offer. And as the weather keeps getting warmer, our thirst keeps getting stronger for outdoor spaces to enjoy drinks and food. Host Ryan Wilusz, along with producer Brianna Paciorka and higher education reporter Keenan Thomas, average their individual scores to determine an admittedl…

One month after inviting Brian Canever and Patrick Teasdale of “Knox Soccer Podcast” to join “The Scruffy Stuff,” Knox News sent higher education reporter Keenan Thomas to Regal Soccer Stadium for his first One Knoxville SC game. Thomas joins this week’s episode to share his experience with co-host Ryan Wilusz. The two chat about atmosphere, conces…

We're not saying downtown Knoxville businesses need to go; they just need to go somewhere else. While there are plenty of bars, restaurants, and activities to enjoy in the city's core, co-hosts Brenna McDermott and Ryan Wilusz discuss how these businesses might be better served elsewhere. From aligning Knoxville's two most notable spheres to bringi…

The Scruffy City has a lot to offer, but downtown Knoxville sometimes relies on an overabundance of certain businesses and amenities. This podcast, part two of last week's episode, features co-host Ryan Wilusz and producer Brianna Paciorka discussing the things downtown could cut back, from certain restaurant offerings to alcohol-forward activities…

Downtown Knoxville has a lot to offer, but sometimes residents and visitors are left wanting more. From tall buildings to family activities to bar and restaurant variety, we came up with some amenities that have great quality in downtown Knoxville but not great quantity — and how this could be addressed. This episode, co-hosted by Brenna McDermott …

A rap about the Sunsphere? A poem about Randy Boyd? With the rise of artificial intelligence software, we fed some downtown Knoxville prompts to ChatGPT and predicted what it would say. Host Ryan Wilusz is joined on this episode by higher education reporter Keenan Thomas, who has reported on the rise of ChatGPT on the University of Tennessee at Kno…