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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

Kim Helper, the respected longtime Williamson County district attorney, died Monday following a stroke, according to a family social media post.

Helper was appointed as 21st Judicial District's top prosecutor in 2008. She was elected to the post three times, most recently last year.

She was also the past president of the Tennessee District Attorneys General Conference, a coalition of prosecutors from across the state.

"General Helper's service and devotion to justice and the people of Tennessee was unmatched," conference executive director Guy Jones said in a statement.

"She dedicated her life to this work and for that we owe her our deepest gratitude."

Helper had worked for the state for 25 years this month, her office told WSMV. Prior to her time as DA, she worked in the state attorney general's office.

She had deep ties to the community, including her church St. Paul's Episcopal, the Keep Tennessee Beautiful Advisory Board, Williamson County Republican Career Women and the Tennessee Bar Association Leadership Law Alumni.

Helper's family includes her daughters Abby and Renee and her husband, the longtime Predators executive Gerry Helper.

Williamson County DA Kim Helper dies

Helper was Williamson County's top prosecutor since 2008.

Kim Helper. Photo: courtesy of the Tennessee District Attorneys General Conference

Tennessee

Kim Helper, the respected longtime Williamson County district attorney, died Monday following a stroke, according to a family social media post.Helper was appointed as 21st Judicial District&#x27;s top prosecutor in 2008. She was elected to the post three times, most recently last year.<ul><li>She was also the past president of the Tennessee District Attorneys General Conference, a coalition of prosecutors from across the state.</li></ul>

News

Metro Council will hold a special meeting on Wednesday to determine how to respond to the new state law that slashes it in half.

Why it matters: The city is in uncharted waters as it fights an effort targeting its legislative body while also preparing for the possibility that it will have to implement the law regardless of the objections.

Driving the news: Metro Councilmember Courtney Johnston filed legislation directing the Metro Planning Department staff to take the necessary steps to comply with the law.

Details: Johnston's proposal calls on staffers to draw a map with 17 district council members and three at-large members. District members represent smaller areas of town, and at-large members represent all of Davidson County.

Competing amendments request maps with 15 districts and five at-large members, 16 districts and four at-large members and 20 districts with zero at-large members.

Metro Councilmember Kyonztè Toombs' amendment asks for the Planning Department to submit maps with all the options so that council members can choose among them.

State of play: The city sued the state to block the law from taking effect. City lawyers argued the 2023 election is well underway and there isn't enough time to pull off a redistricting process, which normally takes many months.

What she's saying: Johnston tells Axios she doesn't support being forced to implement the law before May. She doesn't think the reduced council should take effect before 2027.

But, the law says that if the council does not pass new maps on or before May 1, then the incumbent members' terms are extended one year.

"This is the position we were put in," she says. "We have to act as if the lawsuit will fail because if it does, no one wants their terms extended one year."

Metro Council faces new state law cutting it in half

The council will hold a special meeting on Wednesday.

Photo illustration: Allie Carl/Axios. Photo: Raymond Boyd/Getty Images

Metro Council will hold a special meeting on Wednesday to determine how to respond to the new state law that <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="slashes it in half" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2023/03/10/gov-bill-lee-quickly-signs-bill-cutting-metro-council" data-vars-content-id="4df72044-ef23-4a19-a125-137070a61f29" data-vars-headline="Metro Council faces new state law cutting it in half" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2023/03/10/gov-bill-lee-quickly-signs-bill-cutting-metro-council" target="_self">slashes it in half</a>.Why it matters: The city is in uncharted waters as it fights an effort targeting its legislative body while also preparing for the possibility that it will have to implement the law regardless of the objections.

Politics

Spring is staging a comeback. Warmer weather this winter might have given us some preseason practice, but there's nothing like the real thing.

There's plenty to look forward to in Nashville as the season comes into bloom.

✍️ Tin Pan South, a massive songwriter festival, will put our city's unparalleled talent on display across several venues from March 28-April 1.

The bill features more than 400 performers, including Grammy winners Lori McKenna and Liz Rose.

🍇 Music in the Vines: Arrington Vineyards in Williamson County is a beautiful place to relax and take in a stunning, pastoral view.

Free weekend performances from jazz and bluegrass bands will return to the vineyard in April.

🎤 Concerts: We've already shared concerts taking place this month. More exciting acts, such as Janet Jackson, Nickel Creek, Morgan Wade and Wilco are scheduled to visit in April and May.

Up-and-comers Taylor Swift, Billy Joel and Stevie Nicks are also coming our way.

📌 Don't forget: Record Store Day on April 22 will come with plenty of special events at Grimey's, Vinyl Tap and the city's other awesome record stores.

There are plenty of other ways to pass the time.

🌱 Go on a nature walk: The Warner Park Nature Center is a gateway to a 3,100-acre oasis that includes the Percy Warner and Edwin Warner parks. You can explore the trails on your own or check out the center's events calendar for guided activities.

The center will host a free Spring Nature Fest on April 29 that will include family crafts, bird banding, face painting and food trucks.

🦕 The Nashville Zoo brought back its DinoTrek exhibit this month, complete with more than 20 life-size animatronic dinosaurs.

The expanded exhibit, which includes a new 23-foot-tall Brachiosaurus, is open through July 30.

⚾ College baseball — care of Vanderbilt, Lipscomb or Belmont — is an affordable option for families who want to enjoy America's pastime without breaking the bank.

The Nashville Sounds also offer a good deal, with midweek tickets available for less than $20.

🍽 Eating al fresco is another wonderful way to welcome spring with a beer and a burger in hand. At Blue Moon Waterfront Grille, you can eat along the Cumberland River.

The West Nashville restaurant at the Rock Harbor Marina is opening for the season Friday.

No guide to spring would be complete without a mention of Cheekwood, Nashville's vibrant, 55-acre botanical garden and art museum.

Cheekwood In Bloom, which features more than 250,000 tulips, daffodils and spring bulbs, runs through April 9.

If you want to time your trip for peak beauty, Cheekwood is tracking blooming progress on Instagram.

🐶 Later in the season, your pups can get in on the fun at the Dogs and Dogwoods event on April 22-23.

How to celebrate spring 2023 in Nashville

There's plenty to look forward to in Nashville.

Photo: Grannis Nashville courtesy of Friends of Warner Parks

Spring is staging a comeback. Warmer weather <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="this winter" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2023/03/09/winter-one-of-the-warmest-ever-nashville" data-vars-content-id="7998f6a6-8bf0-428d-bdb1-aa118cae2766" data-vars-headline="How to celebrate spring 2023 in Nashville" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2023/03/09/winter-one-of-the-warmest-ever-nashville" target="_self">this winter</a> might have given us some preseason practice, but there&#x27;s nothing like the real thing.<ul><li>There&#x27;s plenty to look forward to in Nashville as the season comes into bloom.</li></ul>

Things to Do

After Lt. Gov. Randy McNally spent much of the month at the center of a national controversy, his Republican colleagues in the Tennessee Senate confirmed in a vote that they still have confidence in his leadership.

McNally has been under scrutiny because of comments he left on a gay man's racy Instagram photos.

State of play: The Republican caucus voted 19-7 on Monday in favor of McNally retaining his position, according to an announcement.

Why it matters: Some figures on the fringes of the Republican party have called for McNally to step down. The vote represents a significant temperature check for one of the General Assembly's most respected leaders.

What he's saying: "I have always been honored, humbled and grateful for the support of my caucus," McNally said in a statement. "We have a lot of important work left to do as we complete the legislative session, including the budget. I look forward to getting to it."

Flashback: McNally's social media behavior came under fire after it was revealed that he left supportive comments on photos of a scantily clad 20-year-old's Instagram account.

Critics said the comments were hypocritical since McNally presides over a Senate that LGBTQ+ advocates say regularly votes against their interests. In this session, the Senate voted to restrict public drag shows and ban gender-affirming care for minors.

McNally later announced he would suspend his social media activity, but he also argued that the suggestion he is "anti-gay" is "inaccurate." McNally voted in favor of the drag bill and missed the vote on the gender-affirming care bill.

Yes, but: The fact a confidence vote took place at all calls into question the 79-year-old lawmaker's staying power. He was re-elected to the Senate last November. The Senate chose McNally as lieutenant governor, which has a two-year term, in January.

The Tennessee Lookout reports that some Senate Republicans backed McNally staying on as lieutenant governor for now but prefer a replacement be selected after the session concludes later this spring.

Between the lines: Sens. Jack Johnson, Bo Watson and Shane Reeves are perceived as the top contenders should McNally decide to step aside. Sen. Paul Bailey has support from the state firearms association.

Senate Republicans back Lt. Gov. McNally

McNally's social media behavior came under fire this month.

Lt. Gov. Randy McNally. Photo: courtesy of McNally's office

After Lt. Gov. Randy McNally spent much of the month at the center of a national controversy, his Republican colleagues in the Tennessee Senate confirmed in a vote that they still have confidence in his leadership.<ul><li>McNally has been under scrutiny because of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="comments he left" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2023/03/10/tennessee-lt-gov-mcnally-instagram-comments" data-vars-content-id="c95300a5-18df-4abf-8512-c545e09217ed" data-vars-headline="Senate Republicans back Lt. Gov. McNally" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2023/03/10/tennessee-lt-gov-mcnally-instagram-comments" target="_self">comments he left</a> on a gay man&#x27;s racy Instagram photos.</li></ul>

The firm behind the ambitious Belle Meade Plaza mixed-use project is promising shorter buildings, more retail space and more parking spots in its final development plan.

State of play: AJ Capital Partners will present its amended rezoning proposal to the Planning Commission on Thursday.

Why it matters: The Belle Meade Plaza project, located on the busy corner of White Bridge Road and Harding Pike, is one of the most discussed Nashville redevelopment plans in recent years. The firm says it changed its plan after considering feedback from neighbors.

Details: AJ Capital is proposing to reduce the height of four buildings in the development, including cutting the height of the tallest tower by over 100 feet.

As a result, it would reduce the number of residential units from 500 to 388 and the number of hotel rooms from 120 to 78.

Yes, but: The amount of retail space planned for the project would increase from 60,000 square feet to 80,000 square feet.

They would also add more parking spots, going from 664 to 920.

What he's saying: AJ Capital Partners vice president of government affairs and community relations Pablo David said in a press release their proposed changes also are meant to address the city's traffic congestion concerns.

Metro Councilmember Kathleen Murphy, who represents the area, says she is remaining neutral at this time because she believes there's still room for improvement in response to community concerns.

Developer tweaks Belle Meade Plaza plan

It's promising shorter buildings, more retail space and more parking spots in its final development plan.

A rendering of the proposed Belle Meade Plaza. Image: courtesy of AJ Capital Partners

The firm behind the ambitious <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Belle Meade Plaza mixed-use project" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2023/01/04/plan-pitched-to-redevelop-belle-meade-kroger-site-nashville" data-vars-content-id="ca35f022-e136-4228-b2dd-fe68014b610f" data-vars-headline="Developer tweaks Belle Meade Plaza plan" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2023/01/04/plan-pitched-to-redevelop-belle-meade-kroger-site-nashville" target="_self">Belle Meade Plaza mixed-use project</a> is promising shorter buildings, more retail space and more parking spots in its final development plan.State of play: AJ Capital Partners will present its amended rezoning proposal to the Planning Commission on Thursday.

Nate Rau

Featured stories

Williamson County DA Kim Helper dies

Developer tweaks Belle Meade Plaza plan

Senate Republicans back Lt. Gov. McNally

Metro Council faces new state law cutting it in half

How to celebrate spring 2023 in Nashville