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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 Thought Bubble

Axios Nashville

Data: U.S. Census Bureau; Map: Simran Parwani/Axios

The share of Tennesseans primarily working from home more than doubled between 2019 and 2021, per survey results released Thursday by the U.S. Census Bureau.

Why it matters: The new figures provide a fresh look into how the pandemic upended how Americans work, play and live, Axios' Erin Doherty reports.

By the numbers: Survey results show 14% of people in Tennessee primarily worked from home in 2021, compared with 5.6% in 2019.

The national figure stood at 17.9% in 2021.

Read about how some of Nashville's largest companies reimagined their approach to office work during the pandemic

The rise of remote work in Tennessee

The number of remote workers rose greatly between 2019 and 2021.

Tennessee

The share of Tennesseans primarily working from home more than doubled between 2019 and 2021, per survey <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="results" data-vars-click-url="https://www.census.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2022/people-working-from-home.html" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.census.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2022/people-working-from-home.html" target="_blank">results</a> released Thursday by the U.S. Census Bureau.Why it matters: The new figures provide a fresh look into how the pandemic upended how Americans work, play and live, Axios&#x27; Erin Doherty <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="reports" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/09/15/census-bureau-work-from-home-pandemic-labor" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/09/15/census-bureau-work-from-home-pandemic-labor" target="_self">reports</a>.

Business

Gov. Bill Lee and legislative leaders will fast-track new hires in the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation forensic labs that test DNA evidence.

Why it matters: The governor announced the plan Thursday as part of the urgent effort to shorten the months-long wait times to process criminal evidence, including sexual assault kits.

Driving the news: Long turnaround times for testing drew widespread interest after Memphis teacher Eliza Fletcher was kidnapped and killed.

Authorities say DNA evidence connects the suspect in that case to a September 2021 sexual assault.

But a TBI lab did not receive the results until 11 months later, just before the kidnapping, per the Tennessean.

State of play: Last year, the TBI asked for 50 additional positions in forensics. The 2022-23 budget funded half of them. The new plan from Lee and legislative leadership would make up the difference with an additional 25 hires.

Under the plan, TBI would use existing funds to start hiring for the new round of positions. They will be fully funded in the 2023-24 budget.

There is bipartisan support for efforts to shorten testing times.

What they're saying: Lee, House Speaker Cameron Sexton and Lt. Gov. Randy McNally touted the plan in a statement.

Lee, legislative leaders fast-track TBI lab positions

Gov. Bill Lee and legislative leaders will fast-track new hires in the TBI forensic labs that test DNA evidence.

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 and legislative leaders will fast-track new hires in the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation forensic labs <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="that test DNA evidence" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2021/11/05/tbi-wants-40-new-forensic-scientists" data-vars-content-id="4322f032-6cbc-4ba2-96b6-1b034b974b6d" data-vars-headline="Lee, legislative leaders fast-track TBI lab positions" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2021/11/05/tbi-wants-40-new-forensic-scientists" target="_self">that test DNA evidence</a>.Why it matters: The governor announced the plan Thursday as part of the urgent effort to shorten the months-long wait times to process criminal evidence, including sexual assault kits.

Politics

News

Developing a new coffee drink can feel a lot like songwriting, barista Graciela Jean tells Axios.

The journey from that first burst of inspiration to a final product requires hours of editing, creative energy, and trial and error. And then you await the audience's response.

Earlier this week, we asked our readers to recommend seasonal offerings from local coffee shops. Your suggestions give the ubiquitous pumpkin spice latte a run for its money.

Why it matters: Embracing local options is another way to support the creative class that makes Music City sing.

Zoom in: Reader Karen C. steered us toward Humphreys Street Coffee in Wedgewood-Houston, where Jean is the manager.

One of the drinks she developed for the fall menu this year is the Banoffee, a rich cafe au lait with a banana and brown sugar syrup that evokes a buttery piece of banana bread, complete with a dusting of cocoa powder to mimic the chocolate chips. 

Jean says it takes hours of slow cooking to extract the banana flavor for the syrup. It's worth the wait.

Flashback: Jean has a degree in songwriting and initially moved to Nashville for the music scene. The same skills she uses to hone a chorus and verse come in handy at the coffee shop, too.

In both cases, she says, several rounds of tweaking and feedback go toward capturing a specific feeling or memory. She wanted the drink to embody the nostalgia of grandma’s kitchen.

"It's probably the performer in me, but, man, does it feel good when people love what I made," Jean says.

Meanwhile, reader Meredith P. recommended the Sumpkin Spice Latte at Sump Coffee, a balanced alternative to the PSL that she prefers over the mass-produced option.

The cafe's creative and spookily named Rosemary's Baby also stood out during our visit.

It's an espresso-based drink with sweetened condensed milk, juniper berry and clove that tastes like a campfire in the woods. Sump manager Julia Jackson developed it with feedback from her coworkers.

What they're saying: Jackson tells Axios the name informed the flavor. She decided on the rosemary garnish after thinking of the classic 1968 horror movie.

"It's fun to take the serious coffee and make it into something unique," Jackson says. "People who are coffee nerds should be able to have fun with beverages."

The story of Nashville's fall coffee drinks

These coffee shops go above and beyond the pumpkin spice latte.

Developing a new coffee drink can feel a lot like songwriting, barista Graciela Jean tells Axios.<ul><li>The journey from that first burst of inspiration to a final product requires hours of editing, creative energy, and trial and error. And then you await the audience&#x27;s response.</li></ul>

Food and Drink

State prison leaders faced withering bipartisan criticism at a legislative hearing this week, with lawmakers from both parties questioning the Department of Correction's handling of staffing shortages and record keeping.

Why it matters: Multiple lawmakers said they were underwhelmed by the agency's response to a 2020 audit that found widespread mismanagement across the state prison system, including the mishandling of inmate death data and sexual abuse claims.

The department, which takes in more than $1.2 billion in annual state funding, is poised to play a significant role in the upcoming legislative session. Leaders are expected to pursue more policies that could lengthen prison terms for many offenders.

The latest: Correction officials presented a high-level overview of their work Monday during a meeting with a panel of lawmakers.

Interim commissioner Lisa Helton said the department had addressed 17 of the audit's critical findings and was considering more improvements to the way the department compiles its statistics reports.

"I think it is a positive story — a lot of good things going on," Helton said of the department's work.

Yes, but: Lawmakers said the progress report was not specific enough to show if on-the-ground conditions really had improved since the audit.

What they're saying: "The whole idea here is you had a terrible audit and now you're trying to come back and correct that," said outgoing state Rep. Mike Stewart (D-Nashville).

"I don't have any sense as to whether all this multitude of problems has been solved or not."

Stewart questioned if a federal takeover might be necessary to improve matters.

"I have to admit that I am disappointed," said state Sen. Mark Pody (R-Lebanon), adding that there was "no documentation on our part" showing what work had been done.

Pody said he had reached out to the commissioner’s office to discuss that work in detail but hadn't gotten a response. 

"It certainly leaves me uncomfortable with the progress that we're making."

Meanwhile, Rep. John Ragan (R-Oak Ridge) said other lawmakers who were watching the hearing online had reached out to him with complaints. He poked holes in the department's positive framing of its staff vacancies.

Vacancies at state-run prisons stood at 47.5% in December but officials said they have dipped to 29.3% this year following legislative approval of staff raises.

"Bragging about it going to 29% is not a management victory," Ragan said.

What's next: State Sen. Kerry Roberts (R-Springfield) told his colleagues state auditors would return to the prison system next year for a review that would provide the kind of "deep dive" lawmakers wanted.

TDOC spokesperson Dorinda Carter tells Axios officials are "working to provide the additional information requested."

Tennessee lawmakers grill prison officials

Lawmakers said they were underwhelmed by the prison audit response.

Illustration of the Tennessee State Capitol building with lines radiating from it.

State prison leaders faced withering bipartisan criticism at a legislative hearing this week, with lawmakers from both parties questioning the Department of Correction&#x27;s handling of staffing shortages and record keeping.Why it matters: Multiple lawmakers said they were underwhelmed by the agency&#x27;s response to a 2020 audit that found widespread <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="mismanagement" data-vars-click-url="https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/2020/01/10/tennessee-prisons-mishandled-sexual-abuse-claims-must-improve-oversight/4432492002/" data-vars-content-id="88362552-b5d8-4c9d-aa62-6662cc4b3fa7" data-vars-headline="Tennessee lawmakers grill prison officials" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/2020/01/10/tennessee-prisons-mishandled-sexual-abuse-claims-must-improve-oversight/4432492002/" target="_blank">mismanagement</a> across the state prison system, including the mishandling of inmate death data and sexual abuse claims.

Fire ripped through McDougal's chicken joint Monday, ravaging the Hillsboro Village landmark during the lunch rush.

The restaurant famous for its chicken tenders, wings and sauces became a local favorite soon after it opened in 2004.

Details: Firefighters deployed to the building at around 12:15pm. First responders saw smoke coming from the roof.

What they're saying: Owner Tommy McDougal told the Tennessean the building was a total loss. Plans for moving forward weren't immediately clear.

"I'll process through this, grieve and try and figure out what happened and what's next," McDougal said. "Life will go on and we will figure this out."

McDougal told the newspaper that he credited employees for their fast thinking during the blaze. He said a gas line burst during maintenance work on the line that controls one of the restaurant's fryers.

Zoom out: Employees will be relocated to the restaurant's 12th Avenue South location or to an upcoming Brentwood location, per WSMV.

Fire damages McDougal's in Hillsboro Village

The owner said the building was a total loss.

Exterior of McDougal's showing fire damage including boarded up windows

McDougal's Chicken Fingers & Wings after a gas line burst and caused a fire. Photo: Adam Tamburin/Axios  

Restaurants

Fire ripped through <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="McDougal&#x27;s chicken joint" data-vars-click-url="http://www.mcdougalschicken.com/" data-vars-content-id="c8c8d526-13ea-47c5-9550-dd8511707e83" data-vars-headline="Fire damages McDougal&#x27;s in Hillsboro Village" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="http://www.mcdougalschicken.com/" target="_blank">McDougal&#x27;s chicken joint</a> Monday, ravaging the Hillsboro Village landmark during the lunch rush.<ul><li>The restaurant famous for its chicken tenders, wings and sauces <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="became a local favorite" data-vars-click-url="https://www.newschannel5.com/news/hillsboro-village-residents-mourn-the-loss-of-mcdougals-chicken-after-a-major-fire" data-vars-content-id="c8c8d526-13ea-47c5-9550-dd8511707e83" data-vars-headline="Fire damages McDougal&#x27;s in Hillsboro Village" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.newschannel5.com/news/hillsboro-village-residents-mourn-the-loss-of-mcdougals-chicken-after-a-major-fire" target="_blank">became a local favorite</a> soon after it opened in 2004.</li></ul>Details: Firefighters deployed to the building at around 12:15pm. First responders saw smoke coming from the roof.<ul><li>No one reported injuries.</li></ul>What they&#x27;re saying: Owner Tommy McDougal <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="told the Tennessean" data-vars-click-url="https://www.tennessean.com/story/money/2022/09/26/mcdougals-chicken-fingers-and-wings-nashville-fire-tn-belcourt-ave/69520203007/" data-vars-content-id="c8c8d526-13ea-47c5-9550-dd8511707e83" data-vars-headline="Fire damages McDougal&#x27;s in Hillsboro Village" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.tennessean.com/story/money/2022/09/26/mcdougals-chicken-fingers-and-wings-nashville-fire-tn-belcourt-ave/69520203007/" target="_blank">told the Tennessean</a> the building was a total loss. Plans for moving forward weren&#x27;t immediately clear.<ul><li>&quot;I&#x27;ll process through this, grieve and try and figure out what happened and what&#x27;s next,&quot; McDougal said. &quot;Life will go on and we will figure this out.&quot;</li><li>McDougal told the newspaper that he credited employees for their fast thinking during the blaze. He said a gas line burst during maintenance work on the line that controls one of the restaurant&#x27;s fryers.</li></ul>Zoom out: Employees will be relocated to the restaurant&#x27;s 12th Avenue South location or to an upcoming Brentwood location, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="per WSMV" data-vars-click-url="https://www.wsmv.com/2022/09/26/mcdougals-chicken-fingers-wings-believed-be-total-loss-after-fire/" data-vars-content-id="c8c8d526-13ea-47c5-9550-dd8511707e83" data-vars-headline="Fire damages McDougal&#x27;s in Hillsboro Village" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.wsmv.com/2022/09/26/mcdougals-chicken-fingers-wings-believed-be-total-loss-after-fire/" target="_blank">per WSMV</a>.

Adam Tamburin

Featured stories

Lee, legislative leaders fast-track TBI lab positions

The story of Nashville's fall coffee drinks

Tennessee lawmakers grill prison officials

Fire damages McDougal's in Hillsboro Village

The rise of remote work in Tennessee