Brightstone Students Visit WSMV4 for Behind-the-Scenes News Experience

Students with intellectual and developmental disabilities produce their own newscast and documented their station visit.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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A group of students from BrightStone, a nonprofit organization that offers a day program for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, visited the WSMV4 news station in Nashville, Tennessee. The students, who produce and host their own newscast, toured the station's control room, practiced on the green screen with anchor Tracy Kornet, and recorded segments on the news set.

Why it matters

The visit provided the BrightStone students with a unique opportunity to learn about television news production and gain hands-on experience in a professional news environment. This aligns with BrightStone's mission to develop programs and resources that empower individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

The details

During their visit, the BrightStone students were able to see how a news station operates behind the scenes. They toured the control room with assistant news director Erin Newnam and practiced on the green screen with anchor Tracy Kornet. The students also recorded segments on the news set, which they will feature in their own newscast, WBST News.

  • The BrightStone students visited WSMV4 recently.
  • A new episode of WBST News featuring the students' reports was released today.

The players

BrightStone

A nonprofit organization that offers a day program for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and fundraises to continue developing its 140-acre residential campus in Franklin, Tennessee.

Jumpin' Jack Flash

A BrightStone student who anchors WBST News.

Erin Newnam

The assistant news director at WSMV4.

Tracy Kornet

An anchor at WSMV4.

Cool Weather Colin

A BrightStone student who reported for the WBST News episode.

Brightstone Bublé

A BrightStone student who reported for the WBST News episode.

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What they’re saying

“And you know who else gives us the forecast? Our local news station WSMV4, which we got to visit recently.”

— Jumpin' Jack Flash, BrightStone student and anchor of WBST News (WSMV.com)

The takeaway

The BrightStone students' visit to WSMV4 provided them with a valuable learning experience and the opportunity to gain hands-on knowledge about television news production. This aligns with BrightStone's mission to empower individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and highlights the importance of inclusive programs that offer diverse educational and vocational opportunities.