Scattered storms have returned to the forecast for this afternoon and into this evening. The weekend brings along some drier weather – there are still chances for rain – but the activity picks up again Sunday and into Monday. [NashSevereWx]
You bet your behind Nashville is favoring big business over small business. How is that even a question? More than 300 Nashville small businesses have joined a coalition demanding property tax relief while Metro Nashville considers possible incentives for Starbucks to relocate office operations to the city. [WZTV]
A Republican candidate for governor in Tennessee is an out and proud white nationalist. He says he would ban Islam and outlaw same-sex marriage, two things he would be unable to do. Oh, he’s also a State Representative. Monty Fritts, to be specific. He wants to criminalize abortion in all cases – including rape – and would deny the morning-after pill to women who are raped. So hide your kids, hide your wives, get this lunatic out of public office. [Phil Williams & YouTube]
Looking for exciting music tonight and tomorrow? Here you go. The Nashville Symphony. Teddy Abrams. Time for Three. GRAMMY- and Emmy-winning trio Time for Three joins GRAMMY-winning conductor Teddy Abrams for the genre-defying Silicon Hymnal by Mason Bates, a work blending orchestral sound with electronic textures, with their Americana flair. [Nashville Symphony]
As churches aid the fight for voting rights in Tennessee, some allies are doubting commitment. An explosive protest that spilled throughout the state Capitol on May 7 when lawmakers eliminated Tennessee’s only Black-majority congressional district started days before with strategy meetings at Memphis churches. [The Tennessean]
In June 2026, the world will be watching the World Cup, and Nashville is throwing the biggest party in the Southeast. Summer Kickoff at GEODIS Park turns our home into a month-long celebration of concerts, Nashville SC Soccer Celebrations presented by Discount Tire, and can’t-miss cultural moments that bring fans, visitors, and the entire city together. [Summer Kickoff]
State Sen. Charlane Oliver (D-Nashville) says Tennessee Lt. Gov. Randy McNally (R-Oak Ridge) is trying to “silence” her through punishments he handed down following her protest on the Senate floor during the special legislative session to redraw the state’s congressional map, while the Lt. Gov. calls her actions “childish.” In a letter to Oliver, McNally wrote the lawmaker “stood on her desk, unfurled a banner and resisted handing it to the sergeant of arms when requested, and sang while dancing on her desk.” [WKRN]
For most people, the idea of retirement conjures images of travel and leisure: rocking chairs, family time, and seeing the world with one’s hard-earned life’s savings. However, for 36 elephants since 1995, retirement has meant roaming free over 3,060 acres of diverse habitats. [Nashville SUNN]
In a major victory for transparency, the Tennessee Supreme Court on Thursday unanimously ruled that a lower court must unseal records related to former Judge Cheryl Blackburn’s competence. Following a series of articles about sealed court files, the Banner intervened in the criminal case of Randall Johnson in 2024, when attorneys for the defendant entered affidavits questioning the judge’s ability to perform her duties. Blackburn sealed the files without a proper order and then recused herself from the case. When the Banner asked Judge Angelita Dalton to unseal the files, she denied the request, stating that “more compelling interests [were] at stake.” [Nashville Banner]
What happens when inflation, insane property taxes and ridiculous gas prices all get together? McNeil’s Fresh Produce in Bellevue will close this week after 40 years of operation. Owners David and Tabatha McNeil said rising costs of goods, property taxes and gas drove them to close their family-owned business. [WSMV]
According to recent Lobbying Disclosure Act reports from the U.S. Senate, Vanderbilt’s lobbying expenses in 2025 totaled $910,000 — the greatest in university history. The total represents a greater sum than the last four years of lobbying expenditures combined and nearly twice that of 2016, when Vanderbilt University Medical Center was still a part of the university. [Vanderbilt Hustler]
As data centers continue to be developed around Nashville, local leaders are looking into new regulations. The Metro Council will begin considering legislation next week that would restrict some types of data centers in Nashville. Some projects have been met with opposition over possible pollution, water usage and potential electricity cost increases. In Memphis, residents living near Elon Musk’s xAI facility, called ‘Colossus,’ say it is spewing significant amounts of air pollution. [WPLN]
State Sen. Charlane Oliver says she will not be intimidated after receiving a letter from Lt. Gov. Randy McNally outlining disciplinary actions related to her protest against Tennessee’s congressional redistricting maps. She concluded her statement with a message directed at her critics. “This fight is far from over,” Oliver said. “Next time, spell my name right.” [Tennessee Tribune]
At least things are going well for the mega-wealthy? The nation’s largest baking is adding its name to the Nashville skyline. JPMorganChase is consolidating its Nashville headquarters in an office expansion that puts its name in the city’s growing skyline. [Nashville Business Journal]
CMA Fest 2026 is upon us and cool things are happening next week. Joining previously-announced main stage artists, Spotify has revealed their line up of emerging country artists set to take over the Fresh Finds Rooftop. Go see Logan Crosby next Friday for free. [Music Row]
Looking to get out of town for a few hours but don’t want to go too far? Drive the hour north to Bowling Green for Duncan Hines Days. Events kickoff downtown on Sunday afternoon and run through June 6th. Food, food, food, free screening of Steel Magnolias on Monday. If you can’t say anything nice about anybody, you can come sit by us. [Duncan Hines Days]
