1 big thing: Exploring the Cumberland River

2. O'Connell turns focus to East Bank

A rendering showing people on a redeveloped East Bank.

3. Titans walloped by Browns

4. The Setlist

Illustration of a concert-style poster reading "The Setlist, catch up quick, weekday mornings, the internet," and two silhouettes of the Nashville skyline, over a three-color gradient.

5. Music Monday gets ready for corduroy season

Good morning, everyone. We're starting another new week. Let's make it a good one.

Today's weather: Mostly sunny with a high of 86°.

Situational awareness: Mayor-elect Freddie O'Connell will take the oath of office today at 7:30am. Judge David Briley, who served as mayor 2018-19, will swear him in.

🎂 Happy birthday to our Axios Nashville members Alexia Poe and Meagan Frazier!

Today's newsletter is 863 words — a 3-minute read.

👏 Great work on the quiz, folks! Congratulations to Randy R., Bo L., Byron S., Melissa H., Jim S., Dan R., Dana C., Shelley A., Dylan J., Marie H., Lisa B. and Brad O., who got every question right.

Nate believes the Packers somehow found three franchise quarterbacks in a row after yesterday's performance by Jordan Love.

🕯️ Adam is suddenly very into scented candles and is looking for recommendations.

This newsletter was edited by Jen Ashley and copy edited by Katie Lewis.

Nashville

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A daily look at the most significant and interesting stories affecting Nashville. Written by Nate Rau and Adam Tamburin.

Axios Nashville

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1 big thing: Nashville a driver in U.S. apartment boom

Nashville airport adds new international arrival space, retail options

2. New additions open at BNA

3. Otaku Ramen's newest location

Illustration of an electric guitar in the shape of the Axios A logo. 

5. 📈 Chart du jour: Tennessee's increasing age

Good morning! Welcome to Wednesday. The weekend is closer than ever.

Today's weather: Sunny with a slight chance of storms and a high of 89°.

Today's newsletter is 829 words — a 3-minute read.

🍷 Nate and Adam are anxiously awaiting the arrival of the "Frasier" reboot, but we doubt it will live up to the original without Niles.

Nashville Mayor Freddie O'Connell takes oath of office

1 big thing: O'Connell takes over

Freddie O'Connell takes the oath of office.

A new career is waiting for you

Tennessee Republican leaders form group to consider rejecting federal education funding

2. New group considers walking away from education funding

Illustration of a dollar made out of chalk on a chalkboard being erased

3. The Setlist

Illustration of a neon sign in the shape of an arrow reading "THE SETLIST."

Nashville breweries win at Great American Beer Fest

4. 🍻 Nashville breweries take gold

Good morning, folks. Tuesday is here — crank up a fast song and get started.

Today's weather: Too warm, if you ask us. Sunny with a high of 90°.

🎂 Happy birthday to our Axios Nashville member Jane Johnson!

Today's newsletter is 854 words — a 3-minute read.

🧢 Nate's song of the day is "Oh, Atlanta" by Alison Krauss, in honor of the Cubs' big series against the Braves this week.

🌊 Adam is reliving our river-themed content from yesterday while listening to Alison Krauss' cover of "River in the Rain."

1 big thing: Vanderbilt doubles down

Illustration of the Vanderbilt mascot Mr. Commodore ripping the U.S. News & World Report logo in half.

2.  Hattie B's among most photographed restaurants in the U.S.

The line outside of Hattie B's in Midtown.

Illustration of a gramophone with Axios As coming out of it.

4.  Nashville Zoo has matchmaking plans for Andean bears

On the job hunt?

5. Your Thursday dose of Dolly

Good morning, everyone. Thursday has arrived, but we're still waiting on that crisp fall weather. (Our fall-themed playlist will have to do for now.)

Today's weather: Stormy with a high of 84°.

Today's newsletter is 949 words — a 3.5-minute read.

Nate's song of the day is "It's Alive!" by Ratboys.

Adam is excited to hear country music powerhouses Wynonna Judd and Trisha Yearwood's new duet coming out tomorrow.

Fall break road trip ideas near Nashville

1 big thing: Planning your fall break 

2. Taylor Swift, Beyoncé reporting jobs get big interest

Taylor Swift and Beyonce laughing at an awards show.

Illustration of a chicken wearing sunglasses with fire reflected in the lenses. 

4. A fresh Friday news quiz

Illustration of a question mark with a text bubble.

Today's weather: Mostly cloudy with a high of 85°.

🏡 We want to hear if you're saving up to buy a house. If so, how? For example: Are you cutting back on monthly expenses? Asking for down payment cash as a wedding gift? Tapping retirement savings?

Email realestate@axios.com or hit reply with your thoughts — and let us know where you live. We might feature your insights in an upcoming newsletter.

🎂 Happy early birthday to our Axios Nashville member Maureen Cassidy!

Today's newsletter is 871 words — a 3-minute read.

Nate's song of the day is "Red Eyes" by The War on Drugs.

🕯 Adam is thankful to all the readers who've offered advice on the best scented candles — especially the ones with local recommendations.

The newest arrival to the Nashville Zoo is a 10-year-old Andean bear named Pinocchio, who features dark fur and a bit of a blonde goatee.

Details: Pinocchio came to the Nashville Zoo in July and underwent a quarantine period as he got used to his new habitat.

Roarthy of your time: The zoo's Andean bear exhibit won top honors for exhibit design from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums in 2019.

Mate of play: Pinocchio is the subject of a matchmaking plan, as executives hope he is a breeding partner for the zoo's other Andean bear Luka.

The Nashville Zoo tried unsuccessfully to pair Luka with male bear Muniri, who was then sent to a zoo in Indiana.

Pinocchio fathered three cubs at his previous zoo in Maryland.

Flash fur-ward: Pinocchio was rescued as an abandoned cub in the countryside of Ecuador. He was deemed unfit to be released back into the wild.

Be smart: There are believed to be about 18,000 Andean bears living in the wild. They are native to the mountains of South America.

The Nashville Zoo partners with the Andean Bear Conservation Alliance, a Peru-based organization, to help track and protect the bears.

Nashville Zoo has matchmaking plans for Andean bears

The newest arrival at the zoo is a bear named Pinocchio.

Pinocchio the bear. Photo: Courtesy of the Nashville Zoo

The newest arrival to the Nashville Zoo is a 10-year-old Andean bear named Pinocchio, who features dark fur and a bit of a blonde goatee.Details: Pinocchio came to the Nashville Zoo in July and underwent a quarantine period as he got used to his new habitat.

News

The Hattie B's location in Midtown, known for its long lines of patrons eager to dive into a basket of Nashville hot chicken, is one of the most photographed restaurants in the U.S., according to Yelp.

Driving the news: Yelp determined the list, which was unveiled earlier this month, based on how frequently its users submitted photos of the restaurants to the recommendation site.

Of note: The most photographed restaurant, according to the list, was Gordon Ramsay Hell's Kitchen, located on the Strip in Las Vegas.

Las Vegas has four restaurants in the top 25, and New York has three.

Zoom in: There will soon be more space for hot chicken enthusiasts to feed their phones.

Hattie B's unveiled plans last month to expand its popular Midtown location. The expansion will add 678 square feet of dining space, accommodating up to 46 additional diners.

Hattie B's among most photographed restaurants in the U.S.

Yelp determined the list, which was unveiled earlier this month.

Photo: Courtesy of Hattie B's Hot Chicken

The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Hattie B&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2022/08/03/best-hot-chicken-nashville" data-vars-content-id="5b680794-ea4f-456a-a937-d9af00ee956b" data-vars-headline="Hattie B&#x27;s among most photographed restaurants in the U.S." data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2022/08/03/best-hot-chicken-nashville" target="_self">Hattie B&#x27;s</a> location in Midtown, known for its long lines of patrons eager to dive into a basket of Nashville hot chicken, is one of the most photographed restaurants in the U.S., according to Yelp.Driving the news: Yelp determined <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the list" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/09/07/most-photographed-restaurants-us-2023-yelp" data-vars-content-id="5b680794-ea4f-456a-a937-d9af00ee956b" data-vars-headline="Hattie B&#x27;s among most photographed restaurants in the U.S." data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/09/07/most-photographed-restaurants-us-2023-yelp" target="_self">the list</a>, which was unveiled earlier this month, based on how frequently its users submitted photos of the restaurants to the recommendation site.<ul><li>Hattie B&#x27;s came in at No. 24.</li></ul>

Food and Drink

Almost 1,000 people have applied for the Tennessean's Taylor Swift and Beyoncé reporting gigs, per the Wall Street Journal.

The applicants include Emmy winners, influencers and a White House reporter.

Catch up quick: The positions will cover the wide-ranging influence of the pop culture juggernauts.

An executive at Gannett, parent company of the Tennessean and USA Today, told the Journal that the positions are expected to generate revenue for the broader company and could help "save local journalism." If these roles are successful, the executive said, more specifically tailored beats could follow.

The big picture: Swift and Beyoncé have undeniable cultural and economic prestige. Swift recently caused a firestorm this week simply by attending a Kansas City Chiefs game at tight end Travis Kelce's invitation.

Sales of Kelce's jersey spiked nearly 400%.

💭 Our thought bubble: In the hands of experienced journalists, these beats could delve into the business of celebrity, the ever-evolving music industry and culture writ large. If we were in charge, here are some stories we'd assign:

Given Swift's very Nashville origin story, it would be a natural fit to examine the early days of her career, including the venues where she played her first gigs and the executives who discovered her.

We'd also read a deep dive into her philanthropic influence on local institutions like the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum and the Music Health Alliance.

Beyoncé and Swift have used merchandise and special edition vinyls to expand their financial footprints. Their personal brands and business models would be natural entry points in a story about the evolving ways artists make money in the streaming era.

Taylor Swift, Beyoncé reporting jobs get big interest

Applicants include Emmy winners and a White House reporter.

Taylor Swift and Beyoncé in 2016. Photo: Michael Kovac/WireImage

Taylor Swift

Almost 1,000 people have applied for the Tennessean&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Taylor Swift and Beyoncé reporting gigs" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/09/14/tennessean-usa-today-taylor-swift-beyonce-beats" data-vars-content-id="65d4275c-a543-46f9-b37b-372cb4867a3d" data-vars-headline="Taylor Swift, Beyoncé reporting jobs get big interest" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/09/14/tennessean-usa-today-taylor-swift-beyonce-beats" target="_self">Taylor Swift and Beyoncé reporting gigs</a>, per the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Wall Street Journal" data-vars-click-url="https://www.wsj.com/business/media/taylor-swift-beyonce-reporter-applications-a2c827c0" data-vars-content-id="65d4275c-a543-46f9-b37b-372cb4867a3d" data-vars-headline="Taylor Swift, Beyoncé reporting jobs get big interest" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.wsj.com/business/media/taylor-swift-beyonce-reporter-applications-a2c827c0" target="_blank">Wall Street Journal</a>.<ul><li>The applicants include Emmy winners, influencers and a White House reporter.</li></ul>Catch up quick: The positions will cover the wide-ranging influence of the pop culture juggernauts.<ul><li>An executive at Gannett, parent company of the Tennessean and USA Today, told the Journal that the positions are expected to generate revenue for the broader company and could help &quot;save local journalism.&quot; If these roles are successful, the executive said, more specifically tailored beats could follow.</li></ul>

In his first day as mayor of Nashville, Freddie O'Connell had to go through the same human resources onboarding we all encounter when we start a new job.

Driving the news: O'Connell took the oath of office Monday in the courtroom of Judge David Briley, a former Nashville mayor.

O'Connell said he had to get his Metro email account reactivated. It had been shut down after his council term ended a few weeks ago.

Zoom out: Once the paperwork was out of the way, O'Connell faced the hard work of running the government of a city facing tremendous challenges: a lagging mass transit system, an ongoing political feud with the state and a complicated riverfront redevelopment project.

Why it matters: For the progressive wing of Metro politics, O'Connell's oath represents a hard-fought political victory, which his supporters hope brings about a back-to-basics approach to government.

What he's saying: O'Connell told reporters a top challenge facing him on Day 1 was the fractured relationship between Metro and the Republican-led state government.

"That is also going to be a part of what we get started with today. I have already talked to several state legislators," O'Connell told reporters. "I've talked to folks in the governor's office. I've talked to some of the key constitutional officers at the state level."

"Those conversations will continue, because as we re-engage in a conversation of regionalism, we know not just Nashville but all of Middle Tennessee has to be successful. That's only going to happen if this doesn't feel like two warring factions, but rather key partners."

Details: O'Connell said he'd fill out his administration over the next 100 days.

As was previously reported by the Nashville Banner, O'Connell confirmed legal director Wally Dietz would stay in his role. Finance director Kelly Flannery is unlikely to stay, O'Connell said.

What's next: A public inauguration celebration will take place at 11:30am Saturday in Public Square Park.

O'Connell's oath represents a hard-fought political victory for progressives.

Freddie O'Connell takes the oath of office from Judge David Briley surrounded by his family. Photo: Nate Rau/Axios

In his first day as mayor of Nashville, Freddie O&#x27;Connell had to go through the same human resources onboarding we all encounter when we start a new job.Driving the news: O&#x27;Connell took the oath of office Monday in the courtroom of Judge David Briley, a former Nashville mayor.<ul><li>O&#x27;Connell said he had to get his Metro email account reactivated. It had been shut down after his council term ended a few weeks ago.</li></ul>Zoom out: Once the paperwork was out of the way, O&#x27;Connell faced the hard work of running the government of a city facing tremendous challenges: a lagging mass transit system, an ongoing political feud with the state and a complicated riverfront redevelopment project.Why it matters: For the progressive wing of Metro politics, O&#x27;Connell&#x27;s oath represents a hard-fought political victory, which his supporters hope brings about a back-to-basics approach to government.What he&#x27;s saying: O&#x27;Connell told reporters a top challenge facing him on Day 1 was the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="fractured relationship" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2023/08/02/nashville-mayor-lawsuits-tennessee-legislature" data-vars-content-id="cdbd9ca8-1fd6-4e6e-9951-43029bdab9dd" data-vars-headline="Nashville Mayor Freddie O&#x27;Connell takes oath of office" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2023/08/02/nashville-mayor-lawsuits-tennessee-legislature" target="_self">fractured relationship</a> between Metro and the Republican-led state government.<ul><li>&quot;That is also going to be a part of what we get started with today. I have already talked to several state legislators,&quot; O&#x27;Connell told reporters. &quot;I&#x27;ve talked to folks in the governor&#x27;s office. I&#x27;ve talked to some of the key constitutional officers at the state level.&quot;</li><li>&quot;Those conversations will continue, because as we re-engage in a conversation of regionalism, we know not just Nashville but all of Middle Tennessee has to be successful. That&#x27;s only going to happen if this doesn&#x27;t feel like two warring factions, but rather key partners.&quot;</li></ul>Details: O&#x27;Connell said he&#x27;d fill out his administration over the next 100 days.<ul><li>As was previously reported by the Nashville Banner, O&#x27;Connell confirmed legal director Wally Dietz would stay in his role. Finance director Kelly Flannery is unlikely to stay, O&#x27;Connell said.</li></ul>What&#x27;s next: A public inauguration celebration will take place at 11:30am Saturday in Public Square Park.

Politics

Blackstone Brewing Company, the elder of Nashville's craft brewery scene, won big at the Great American Beer Festival in Denver over the weekend.

Details: Blackstone, which opened in 1994 before the local craft brewery explosion, won a gold medal for its Pumpkin Ale in the pumpkin beer category.

Nashville Brewing Co., an homage to the city's brewing past, also won gold for its Nashville Light in the light lager category. Nashville Brewing Company beers are brewed in partnership with Blackstone.

What he's saying: Blackstone celebrated its wins in a post on the brewery's Instagram page. "What better way to celebrate the first day of fall than with two 1st place medal-winning beers?!"

The big picture: Other Nashville-area breweries also went home with hardware. Barrique Brewing & Blending won gold in the wood- and barrel-aged sour category for its Wet Hop Strata.

Half Batch Brewing, based in Hendersonville, also won a bronze for its strong red ale called Contemplation Time.

Multiple Nashville-area breweries also went home with hardware.

Nashville Brewing accepts a GABF medal at the awards ceremony Saturday in Denver. Photo: John Frank/Axios

Beer

Blackstone Brewing Company, the elder of Nashville&#x27;s craft brewery scene, won big at the Great American Beer Festival in Denver over the weekend.Details: Blackstone, which opened in 1994 before the local craft brewery explosion, won a gold medal for its Pumpkin Ale in the pumpkin beer category.

Nate Rau

Stories

Taylor Swift, Beyoncé reporting jobs get big interest

Hattie B's among most photographed restaurants in the U.S.

Nashville Zoo has matchmaking plans for Andean bears

Nashville Mayor Freddie O'Connell takes oath of office

Nashville breweries win at Great American Beer Fest

Newsletter editions

🛣 Road trip ideas

🐻 1 bear thing

🏗 9,000 new apartments

🍻 Cheers for beers

🔮 The East Bank's future