Welcome to your reimagined Sunday Tennessean
Whether tucked under-arm in tow to a neighborhood coffee shop or spread out on the kitchen table, the Sunday newspaper is, for many of us, part of a weekly ritual.
Other days may find us rifling through its pages, or quickly scrolling headlines on our phone before rushing out the door. But the Sunday paper is a chance to absorb and reflect, to catch up on the week that was and look forward to the one that will be in this bustling and dynamic city.
Beginning today, The Tennessean is doubling down on that experience with a reimagined Sunday newspaper. We know that most readers no longer count on the print edition for the latest votes out of the state legislature or the final score from yesterday's Preds or Titans game. That information is a click away at Tennessean.com or a tap away on your phone. Our job, particularly on Sunday, is to give readers not just the "what" but also the "why" and the "how." And with the largest and best newsroom in the state, we are positioned to deliver this brand of explanatory journalism.
Readers will notice the difference right away, with striking new frontpage designs highlighting a weekly deep-dive cover story. This week, it's an examination of the massive planned development of the Cumberland River's east bank, a historic undertaking that dwarfs even the largest master-planned projects such as the Gulch or Nashville Yards.
City hall reporter Cassandra Stephenson lays out the anticipated timeline of the years-long effort that will bring an entirely new sprawling, 550-acre neighborhood anchored by Nissan Stadium 2.0 and Oracle's planned campus for more than 8,000 workers. Cassie explores what the East Bank's make-over means for traffic and walkability, with Mayor Freddie O'Connell's transit initiative in the backdrop.
The project will impact many facets of life in Nashville, so it is reflected throughout today's paper. Growth and development reporter Molly Davis examines how decisions in the effort's early phases will determine the character of this nascent neighborhood. In sports, Titans beat reporter Nick Suss explains what the new stadium could mean for the franchise and its fans. In Portfolio, our weekly arts section, music writer Melonee Hurt dives into what the new enclosed stadium and planned relocation of Tennessee Performing Arts Center to the East Bank will mean for Nashville's arts. And of course, Tennessean opinion and engagement director David Plazas will weigh in on what the East Bank project means for Nashville, now and in the future. Come back Monday for Titans beat reporter Nick Suss’ explanation of what the new stadium could mean for the franchise and its fans, and for a look at how transit and parking will be affected.
The new Sunday edition will include new features as well, including a couple that we've already rolled out in recent weeks.
A transparency page: As we fight to shine light on public agencies and institutions, we will use this page to take readers into our newsroom. This might include the inside story of how we reported on a news event or a Q&A with one of our journalists.
A community page: This space will be reserved for news from one of Nashville's neighborhoods or surrounding counties, where so many of our readers live and work. Weekly features will include a photo of the week and an at-a-glance look of major events in the coming week.
From the archives: The Tennessean has been around for more than a century. We'll dig each week into our expansive archives for historic photos and tales of Nashville's past.
Our inspiration page: In an era with more than enough hard news, it's vital to shine on stories of hope and positivity. So we've folded The Good News with Brad Schmitt, our veteran columnist's weekly newsletter, into our print pages.
Local Focus: This is our weekly list of news snippets from each of the state's 95 counties, because we know our readers' interests don't disappear at city borders or county lines.
Of course the new Sunday Tennessean will still have all the other content our readers look for, from market-leading statehouse and real estate stories to unparalleled sports and entertainment coverage, comics, puzzles and so much more. Ultimately, our team of journalists is here for you and we hope this revamped edition will add value to your own Sunday ritual.
And, as always, thank you for your subscription and loyalty, without which we could not do this work.
Ben Goad is news director of The Tennessean. He can be reached at bgoad@tennessean.com.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Welcome to your reimagined Sunday Tennessean
