The Nashville stories that will make headlines in 2024
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
/2023/12/20/1703086823401.gif?w=3840)
Illustration: Brendan Lynch/Axios
We've opened the presents, loaded up on family time and sipped Champagne to ring in the new year.
- It's time to get back to the news.
State of play: Here are three major stories we know we'll be watching in 2024.
The story: Mayor Freddie O'Connell's ambitious year
Why it matters: Politically speaking, it's been a quiet first few months of the O'Connell administration.
- O'Connell spent much of the time building his staff, including some notable hires. The December tornadoes turned his attention to recovery efforts.
- But one reason it seems relatively calm is the O'Connell administration appears poised for one of the more politically ambitious years in recent Nashville history.
What we're watching: O'Connell seems likely to pitch a large-scale mass transit improvement plan, which will require voter approval through a referendum on the November ballot.
- We're hearing the transit plan will be centered around a half-cent sales tax increase and bus rapid transit routes on major city streets like Murfreesboro Road and Gallatin Pike.
- Look for the emergence of a political coalition linking the business community to progressive activist groups in advance of the referendum.
- Before the transit vote, O'Connell will present a sweeping East Bank development agreement with contractor The Fallon Company to Metro Council for approval. The East Bank vote is likely to happen in the first few months of 2024.
The story: Gov. Bill Lee's voucher expansion
Why it matters: Lee wants the legislature to support expanding school vouchers across the state, eventually with universal access for all students.
What we're watching: Lee's proposal to provide state money for private school tuition or home-schooling received immediate pushback from school superintendents, and there are some skeptical Republican lawmakers as well.
- That means some elements of the plan, such as offering vouchers to current private school students, could be amended out.
The story: Will Levis looks to level up
Why it matters: The Titans haven't really had a star quarterback — the kind the team can build a marketing plan around — since Steve McNair.
What we're watching: Since being named the starting quarterback, Levis showed glimpses of brilliance.
- Finding a top starting quarterback means competing for the playoffs and hopefully the Super Bowl on a yearly basis.
- Despite playing behind a ragtag offensive line, Levis showed grit, leadership, athleticism and a cannon for an arm. Maybe general manager Ran Carthon and coach Mike Vrabel found the long-term solution at quarterback.
Yes, but: In order for Levis to reach his full potential, the Titans must drastically upgrade the offensive line. Levis suffered another injury in the team's loss to the Texans on Sunday.