t'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 downtown area.  Ryan Wilusz and Brianna Paciorka discuss where the sign should go, from a riverfront park to a South Knoxville roof to a Gay Street block in need of some love.  "The Scruffy Stuff" is presented by knoxnews.com. Want more downtown analysis? Sign up for the free weekly Urban Knoxville newsletter by clicking here, and join the downtown discussion by becoming part of the Urban Knoxville group on Facebook.

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 Aquarium in Chattanooga.  Knox News journalists Ryan Wilusz and visual Brianna Paciorka discuss what a statement piece could look like, including their ideas for a museum showcasing the Southeastern Conference and an outdoor adventure park bridging downtown with the Urban Wilderness.  "The Scruffy Stuff" is presented by knoxnews.com. Want more downtown analysis? Sign up for the free weekly Urban Knoxville newsletter by clicking here, and join the downtown discussion by becoming part of the Urban Knoxville group on Facebook.

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 the same way: Someone has to pick up the pieces of ripped-out roots and shredded stems in the morning. Downtown reporter Ryan Wilusz and visual journalist Brianna Paciorka talk about what this mysterious trend could tell us about downtown Knoxville and the ramifications vandalism can have on a city's identity. "The Scruffy Stuff" is presented by knoxnews.com. Want more downtown analysis? Sign up for the free weekly Urban Knoxville newsletter by clicking here, and join the downtown discussion by becoming part of the Urban Knoxville group on Facebook.

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 Billboard or heard their music praised by Brandi Carlile, a queer country artist in her own right − and a Grammy-winning one, at that. Conversations surrounding Southern music and culture are changing, and Adeem the Artist is a newfound flagbearer for that movement. But if you ask them, they're just calling it how they see it. "The Scruffy Stuff" is presented by knoxnews.com. Want more downtown analysis? Sign up for the free weekly Urban Knoxville newsletter by clicking here, and join the downtown discussion by becoming part of the Urban Knoxville group on Facebook.

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 Thursday at Scruffy City Hall. Bands get their share of $25,000, with the top band walking away with\ the top prize. Through fan votes, earned through supporting local charities, the contest also is raising money for The Empty Stocking Fund, a Knoxville News Sentinel charity founded in 1912 to provide holiday meals for families in need.  "The Scruffy Stuff" is presented by knoxnews.com. Want more downtown analysis? Sign up for the free weekly Urban Knoxville newsletter by clicking here, and join the downtown discussion by becoming part of the Urban Knoxville group on Facebook.

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 Brenna McDermott began thinking about additional amenities they would like to see. Listen as we talk about alcohol menus, relaxation zones and activities for fans without tickets.  "The Scruffy Stuff" is presented by knoxnews.com. Want more downtown analysis? Sign up for the free weekly Urban Knoxville newsletter by clicking here, and join the downtown discussion by becoming part of the Urban Knoxville group on Facebook.

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, along with a handful of other fun positions they’d like to see created in downtown Knoxville. "The Scruffy Stuff" is presented by knoxnews.com. Want more downtown analysis? Sign up for the free weekly Urban Knoxville newsletter by clicking here, and join the downtown discussion by becoming part of the Urban Knoxville group on Facebook.

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 too hard, but very clever. Play along, and let us know how you do! You can always reach out to Ryan at ryan.wilusz@knoxnews.com and give him a follow on Instagram @KnoxScruff. "The Scruffy Stuff" is presented by knoxnews.com. Want more downtown analysis? Sign up for the free weekly Urban Knoxville newsletter by clicking here, and join the downtown discussion by becoming part of the Urban Knoxville group on Facebook.

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 trolleys to an extent. But not everyone agrees that's the best move. Ryan Wilusz and Brenna McDermott discuss how removing trolleys could affect locals and tourists, how new transportation concepts could fill this gap and whether the new downtown bus loop should be free. "The Scruffy Stuff" is presented by knoxnews.com. Want more downtown analysis? Sign up for the free weekly Urban Knoxville newsletter by clicking here, and join the downtown discussion by becoming part of the Urban Knoxville group on Facebook.

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 swankiest downtown apartment.  And here's some more exciting news: Knox News and New2Knox are teaming up to keep you even more plugged in about everything new in Knoxville. Keep your eyes peeled for some exciting collaborations!  "The Scruffy Stuff" is presented by knoxnews.com. Want more downtown analysis? Sign up for the free weekly Urban Knoxville newsletter by clicking here, and join the downtown discussion by becoming part of the Urban Knoxville group on Facebook. Knox News: Instagram | Facebook | Twitter New2Knox: Instagram | TikTok | Facebook Move2Knox: Instagram | Facebook