The Scoop: Pop Quiz

It’s June, and we love a quiz. Pew Research just released its updated Political Typology quiz, which breaks Americans into nine political groups based on 24 questions. Find out if you align more with the four groups on the right or left, or the “tuned-out middle.”

Sycamore Than You Knew

• Break the News ~ We are partnering with the Press Forward Middle Tennessee chapter to get a sense of the news consumption habits of Middle Tennesseans. If you’re located in one of the 40 counties comprising Middle Tennessee, we want to hear from you by 7/31!
• Balancing the Books ~ There are only two more months in Tennessee’s fiscal year 2026. How much tax revenue has the state received? Our monthly tracker shows actual and budgeted collections.
• Holding Steady ~ Tennessee ranks 37th in the country for child well-being in the 2026 KIDS COUNT Data Book, the same ranking as last year. Tennessee saw academic achievements among youth improve while economic well-being metrics declined. 
• A Whole Lot of History ~ Learn more about how Sycamore was founded and what we’ve accomplished over the past 10 years. While you’re at it, add your story to our timeline! 
   
  Notes and Quotes ~

• Knox News includes Sycamore’s opioid abatement analysis information in a story on the aid flowing to the region: “The 2024 disbursements include $12 million for prevention and $19 million for recovery support, according to the Sycamore Institute.”
• The Times Free Press writes about public subsidies for Finley Stadium writing, “Together, all three of the sports venues, in addition to Bridgestone Arena, where the Nashville professional hockey team plays, CHI Memorial Stadium in Chattanooga, where the Red Wolves soccer team plays, and the Raceway at the Nashville Fairgrounds have received over $500 million in public funds or financed debts from the state as of 2022, according to a report by the Sycamore Institute, an independent, nonpartisan public policy research center for Tennessee.”
• The Johnson City Press and Kingsport Times News wrote about Tennessee’s kids’ health metrics, saying, “The Sycamore Institute also highlighted further areas where the state could improve, such as the 29% of children living in households with a high housing cost burden — the first time that percentage has risen since 2019.”

Not From Around Here

• Y’all’s Accents ~ As more and more non-Southerners move to the region—and as locals try to avoid stereotypes—the Southern accent is fading.
• Childcare Costs ~ New Mexico may have become the first state to offer universal childcare for families, but several states are raising money for childcare in their states. Vermont business owners successfully lobbied for a new tax to subsidize childcare for families, with no family paying more than 10% of their income on childcare.
• Goal-den ~ Unlike Chattanooga, Nashville wasn’t even on FIFA’s list of approved cities to host a World Cup team, so how did the city manage to host the Japanese National Team? This short video from WPLN answers.
• Housing Fun(ds) ~ The New York Times highlighted Invest Chattanooga, a fund created to invest in local apartments and increase the affordable housing supply in the area. The article highlights Chattanooga’s efforts to respond to the housing crisis by overhauling zoning laws and creating this new fund.
• Mother Knows Best ~ One Hendersonville woman has fostered 91 teenagers in the last 15 years. To mark Mother’s Day last month, she shared her story with The Tennessean.
• One Man’s Trash ~ “Why are billions of pounds of usable products tossed each year? Why aren’t these companies selling, donating, or recycling the stuff they no longer want?” A Wirecutter reporter goes dumpster diving to find out.

Rated G for Graph