Nashville

Axios Nashville

Trips to downtown Nashville are exceeding pre-pandemic levels, according to a new analysis of traffic patterns.

Why it matters: Somehow, traffic got worse despite the fact that many people are still working from home.

A report from traffic analytics firm Inrix identified Nashville as "a great example of bringing people back" to downtown areas in a "new normal" environment.

Zoom out: Researchers analyzed traffic patterns in 10 cities and found most downtown areas were still lagging behind pre-pandemic levels. Nashville was one of the few exceptions.

State of play: In 2021, trips downtown were at 60% of pre-COVID levels. By this year, traffic had exceeded those levels by 25%

Morning commute volume is up 3.8% in 2022. But traffic during off-hours appeared to be driving much of the surge.

What they're saying: "Downtown Nashville, which has seen increasing traffic volumes during evenings and weekends, has shown that work-related trips may not be the main driver of traffic and economic activity downtown," the report stated.

Between the lines: Transportation analyst Bob Pishue, who wrote the report, tells Axios the findings suggest the entertainment and tourism activity layered alongside the business district downtown are key factors behind the numbers.

"That kind of environment seems to be bringing people in," he says.

Good luck driving in downtown Nashville

Somehow, traffic got worse despite the fact that many people are still working from home.

cars lined up bumper to bumper on Broadway in Nashville

Photo: Christopher Hanewinckel/USA Today Sports/USA Today Network

Trips to downtown Nashville are exceeding pre-pandemic levels, according to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a new analysis" data-vars-click-url="https://inrix.com/learn/back-to-office-traffic-and-activity-report/" data-vars-content-id="60621a52-c069-4263-a587-a475b97cb577" data-vars-headline="Good luck driving in downtown Nashville" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://inrix.com/learn/back-to-office-traffic-and-activity-report/" target="_blank">a new analysis</a> of traffic patterns.Why it matters: Somehow, traffic got worse despite the fact that many people are still working from home.<ul><li>A report from traffic analytics firm Inrix identified Nashville as &quot;a great example of bringing people back&quot; to downtown areas in a &quot;new normal&quot; environment.</li></ul>Zoom out: Researchers analyzed traffic patterns in 10 cities and found most downtown areas were still lagging behind pre-pandemic levels. Nashville was one of the few exceptions.State of play: In 2021, trips downtown were at 60% of pre-COVID levels. By this year, traffic had exceeded those levels by 25%<ul><li>Morning commute volume is up 3.8% in 2022. But traffic during off-hours appeared to be driving much of the surge.</li></ul>What they&#x27;re saying: &quot;Downtown Nashville, which has seen increasing traffic volumes during evenings and weekends, has shown that work-related trips may not be the main driver of traffic and economic activity downtown,&quot; the report stated.Between the lines: Transportation analyst Bob Pishue, who wrote the report, tells Axios the findings suggest the entertainment and tourism activity layered alongside the business district downtown are key factors behind the numbers.<ul><li>&quot;That kind of environment seems to be bringing people in,&quot; he says.</li></ul>

News

COVID

Memorial Day signifies the unofficial start of summer. Here are a few ways to mark the occasion:

🇺🇸 Field of Honor: A display of 300 American flags will be set up on East Division Street in Mt. Juliet throughout the weekend to mark the holiday.

The display, which is free of charge, is hosted by the Exchange Club of Wilson County and American Legion Post 281.

🤠 Kenny Chesney at Nissan Stadium: Seats are still available to see country music's most summer-friendly singer perform hot-weather hits like "No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems" and, appropriately enough, "Summertime."

🎆 Fireworks at Nashville Shores: The show starts around 8:45pm Sunday and is included with admission.

🏃 Memorial Day Dash 5K: The 22nd annual race, hosted by the Nashville City Cemetery Association and the Metro Historical Commission, starts at 7:30am Monday. The course runs through the scenic Fort Negley Historic Park.

Registration is $40, and prizes are awarded for the best patriotic costumes.

🍻 Patio beers: The opportunities to drink outside keep increasing thanks to Nashville's growing craft brewery scene.

TailGate's headquarters on Charlotte Pike has one of the most spacious outdoor drinking areas in the city.

Yazoo drastically increased its outdoor seating area after relocating to Madison.

And Diskin Cider has a comfortable patio and an events calendar loaded with food trucks, music and trivia nights. 

Memorial Day weekend activities in Nashville

Our list includes fireworks, breweries and Kenny Chesney.

Illustration of an animated neutral emoji changing into a smiling-with-sunglasses emoji.

Memorial Day signifies the unofficial start of summer. Here are a few ways to mark the occasion:

Things to Do

Meharry Medical College is teaming up with the NFL to try to establish a more diverse pipeline of medical students going into sports medicine.

Why it matters: The new partnership will give students the opportunity to practice sports medicine during a clinical rotation with NFL team medical staff.

That's in line with Meharry's mission of increasing diversity across the medical field.

How it works: Meharry and three other historically Black medical colleges are participating in the program along with eight NFL clubs, including the Titans. Participating students will work alongside team doctors on orthopedic and primary care issues.

The students will learn about return-to-play guidelines and on-field treatment and may attend home games for observation, per the NFL.

The program launches this year with a total of 16 students and will expand in 2023.

By the numbers: The NFL Physicians Society (NFLPS) reports that 5% of its members identify as Black and 1% identify as Hispanic.

The NFL says a long-term goal of the program is to diversify team medical staff.

What they're saying: "We have significant work to do to ensure that the NFLPS membership more closely mirrors the player population we treat every day," NFLPS president and San Francisco 49ers head team physician Timothy McAdams said in a statement.

Meharry teams with NFL to diversify sports medicine pipeline

Meharry Medical College. Photo: Courtney Pedroza/The Tennessean/USA Today Network

Meharry Medical College is teaming up with the NFL to try to establish a more diverse pipeline of medical students going into sports medicine.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The new partnership" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nfl.com/playerhealthandsafety/resources/press-releases/nfl-launches-initiative-to-increase-diversity-in-sports-medicine" data-vars-content-id="73b8005c-7fd5-4610-8ff8-1bb576ad390c" data-vars-headline="Meharry teams with NFL to diversify sports medicine pipeline" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nfl.com/playerhealthandsafety/resources/press-releases/nfl-launches-initiative-to-increase-diversity-in-sports-medicine" target="_blank">The new partnership</a> will give students the opportunity to practice sports medicine during a clinical rotation with NFL team medical staff.<ul><li>That&#x27;s in line with Meharry&#x27;s mission of increasing diversity across the medical field.</li></ul>

Sports

Gov. Bill Lee's approval rating in the latest Vanderbilt University poll is 56%, up one point from last December, as he turns toward his 2022 reelection bid.

Meanwhile, President Biden's approval rating in Tennessee fell to 31%. 

Why it matters: Vanderbilt's statewide poll offers insight into Tennessee voters' views on leadership, abortion and criminal justice.

State of play: The poll was conducted April 26-May 14. In the midst of polling, news broke that the U.S. Supreme Court seemed poised to overturn Roe v. Wade, which would quickly ban almost all abortions in Tennessee.

The poll found 36% of respondents think abortion should be legal in all cases. 

An additional 44% favor allowing some legal abortions in cases of rape or incest or when the mother's life is in danger.

Only 17% of respondents thought abortion should be outlawed altogether.

Meanwhile, the poll found bipartisan support for criminal justice reform at the national and state levels.

70% of respondents said the criminal justice system needs "major changes" or "a complete overhaul."

And 72% said they supported using taxpayer dollars for convicted people to access rehabilitation programs such as mental health care or addiction treatment.

Between the lines: The poll surveyed 1,000 registered Tennessee voters. The margin of error is +/- 3.8 percentage points.

Lee's approval rating holds steady in Vanderbilt poll

Lee's approval rating sits at 56%, up a point since December.

Photo illustration of Tennessee Governor Bill Lee with lines radiating from him.

Photo illustration: Allie Carl/Axios. Photo: Terry Wyatt/Getty Images

Gov. Bill Lee&#x27;s approval rating in the latest <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Vanderbilt University poll" data-vars-click-url="https://www.vanderbilt.edu/csdi/vupoll-home.php" data-vars-content-id="ac988f7e-d451-4554-a098-de3049d4eaba" data-vars-headline="Lee&#x27;s approval rating holds steady in Vanderbilt poll" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.vanderbilt.edu/csdi/vupoll-home.php" target="_blank">Vanderbilt University poll</a> is 56%, up one point from last December, as he turns toward his 2022 reelection bid.<ul><li>Meanwhile, President Biden&#x27;s approval rating in Tennessee fell to 31%. </li></ul>Why it matters: Vanderbilt&#x27;s statewide poll offers insight into Tennessee voters&#x27; views on leadership, abortion and criminal justice.State of play: The poll was conducted April 26-May 14. In the midst of polling, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="news broke" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/05/03/roe-v-wade-supreme-court-leak-stuns-nation" data-vars-content-id="ac988f7e-d451-4554-a098-de3049d4eaba" data-vars-headline="Lee&#x27;s approval rating holds steady in Vanderbilt poll" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/05/03/roe-v-wade-supreme-court-leak-stuns-nation" target="_self">news broke</a> that the U.S. Supreme Court seemed poised to overturn Roe v. Wade, which would <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="quickly ban almost all abortions" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2022/05/04/whats-next-in-abortion-law-in-tennessee" data-vars-content-id="ac988f7e-d451-4554-a098-de3049d4eaba" data-vars-headline="Lee&#x27;s approval rating holds steady in Vanderbilt poll" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2022/05/04/whats-next-in-abortion-law-in-tennessee" target="_self">quickly ban almost all abortions</a> in Tennessee.<ul><li>The poll found 36% of respondents think abortion should be legal in all cases. </li><li>An additional 44% favor allowing some legal abortions in cases of rape or incest or when the mother&#x27;s life is in danger.</li><li>Only 17% of respondents thought abortion should be outlawed altogether.</li></ul>Meanwhile, the poll found bipartisan support for criminal justice reform at the national and state levels.<ul><li>70% of respondents said the criminal justice system needs &quot;major changes&quot; or &quot;a complete overhaul.&quot;</li><li>And 72% said they supported using taxpayer dollars for convicted people to access rehabilitation programs such as mental health care or addiction treatment.</li></ul>Between the lines: The poll surveyed 1,000 registered Tennessee voters. The margin of error is +/- 3.8 percentage points.

Politics

Note: Includes public high school graduates who enroll at a post-secondary institution the summer or fall after graduation; Data: THEC; Chart: Axios Visuals

Fewer Tennessee high schoolers are going to college after graduation, according to data released Monday.

Why it matters: Tennessee officials at every level of government have spent years trying to encourage more residents to pursue higher education. Enrollment rates dropping substantially during the pandemic is the latest sign of lagging interest.

Boosting enrollment is an important part of Tennessee's economic development strategy, especially as businesses like Ford seek employees with post-secondary training.

Context: The Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC) published a new report tracking the college-going rate, which measures the percentage of high school seniors who go straight into college. 

College-going reached 64.4% in 2015, bolstered by programs like Tennessee Promise.

Driving the news: That number has dropped significantly, falling to 52.8% in 2021. The drop was especially steep during the pandemic.

What's next: THEC hopes to brainstorm ways to reverse the downward trend by hosting a coalition of state and local leaders at a meeting Tuesday.

What they're saying: "Tennessee is not alone in this challenge ahead, but it's still pretty shocking to see," Samantha Gutter, THEC's chief access and outreach officer, tells Axios.

"To see that number, to see that decline, it's a real call to action."

Between the lines: Gutter says officials will need to find ways to make the case to high schoolers that investing time in higher education — whether through a four-year degree, a community college program or a technical college certificate — will pay off with higher wages and employment options.

In an effort to make college more affordable and enticing amid inflation, state colleges are freezing their tuition next year.

Yes, but: Colleges typically struggle to attract students during periods of low unemployment. Tennessee unemployment remains at record lows, per state data.

Zoom in: Davidson County's college-going rate is 47%, which is lower than the statewide figure.

Williamson County has the highest rate in the state at 81%.

The big picture: Statewide data shows racial and gender gaps, with Black and Latino students less likely to enroll than their white peers and women more likely to enroll than men.

Tennessee college enrollment sinks

The percentage of TN high school seniors who go straight into college was 52.8% in 2021.

Fewer Tennessee high schoolers are going to college after graduation, according to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="data released Monday" data-vars-click-url="https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/thec/bureau/research/college-going-reports/CGR-HSSO%20Report%20Draft_Final.pdf" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/thec/bureau/research/college-going-reports/CGR-HSSO%20Report%20Draft_Final.pdf" target="_blank">data released Monday</a>.Why it matters: Tennessee officials at every level of government have spent years trying to encourage more residents to pursue higher education. Enrollment rates dropping substantially during the pandemic is the latest sign of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="lagging interest" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2022/04/04/community-college-enrollment-drop-leads-to-layoffs" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2022/04/04/community-college-enrollment-drop-leads-to-layoffs" target="_self">lagging interest</a>.

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Stories

Memorial Day weekend activities in Nashville

Lee's approval rating holds steady in Vanderbilt poll

Good luck driving in downtown Nashville

Meharry teams with NFL to diversify sports medicine pipeline

Tennessee college enrollment sinks