About this episode

The episode discusses the legacy of Alex Haley's Roots amidst current book banning debates in Tennessee.

On one end of the state, a historic landmark celebrating the important legacy of Alex Haley and the family story he told in Roots . On the other end, a school district’s decisions that made Haley’s book the poster child for the book banning debates. Plus the local news for July 14, 2026 and the contracting of access to TennCare. Credits: This is a production of Nashville Public Radio Host/producer: Nina Cardona Editor: LaTonya Turner Additional support: Mack Linebaugh, Tony Gonzalez, Megan Jones and the staff of WPLN and WNXP

People in this episode

Host: Nina Cardona

Topics covered

• book banning
• Alex Haley
• Roots
• TennCare
• local news
• historic landmark

Keywords

• book banning
• Alex Haley
• Roots
• TennCare
• local news
• historic landmark

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: WPLN, WNXP

Books & works: Roots

Places: Tennessee

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