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Metro Councilmember Courtney Johnston introduced legislation this week that would require the Nashville Electric Service to share its contracts on a searchable online database.

Why it matters: NES has been under scrutiny for the political consultants it hired following the ice storm.

Driving the news: The resolution, sponsored Johnston and other council members, requires NES to provide its existing and future contracts and agreements to the Metro Clerk's office, which would in turn post them in an existing database that lists other city contracts.

Between the lines: After the ice storm, stakeholders wanted details about how NES had ratcheted up its political influence by hiring lobbying and public relations consultants.

The contracts weren't posted online. Media outlets, including Axios, had to request details about the agreements — so did council members.

Zoom out: NES also hired six technical and operations-focused consultants to assist with its storm response.

The contracts have a capped value of $500,000 apiece, according to NES.

What she's saying: "Transparency is one of the best ways to provide clarity and increase public trust," Johnston tells Axios. "After Winter Storm Fern, there's understandably a lot of public interest in how this public utility operates."

What's next: The legislation will be considered at next week's council meeting.

Nashville Electric Service to submit its contracts

Nashville councilmember wants increased transparency from NES

Nashville Councilmember Courtney Johnston wants NES to post its contracts online like other city agencies do.

Illustration of Nashville City Hall with lines radiating from it.

Metro Councilmember Courtney Johnston introduced legislation this week that would require the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Nashville Electric Service to share its contracts" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/02/18/nes-hires-consultants-after-ice-storm" data-vars-content-id="131a5f95-72e3-432e-9a86-67c723e51aee" data-vars-headline="Nashville councilmember wants increased transparency from NES" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/02/18/nes-hires-consultants-after-ice-storm" target="_self">Nashville Electric Service to share its contracts</a> on a searchable online database.Why it matters: NES has been under scrutiny for the political consultants it hired following the ice storm.

Politics

A creative spin on the classic tale of "Goldilocks" is available to stream online starting Thursday through the Nashville Public Library and the Nashville Education, Community and Arts Television (NECAT).

Why it matters: "Goldilocks" is wholesome and free content for kids and puppet enthusiasts of all ages.

Flashback: The musical adaptation, which was performed by the Wishing Chair Puppet Troupe, originally debuted at the main library to critical acclaim last year.

Zoom in: NECAT's new video release features the entire Tichenor marionette puppet show, plus new scenes and musical interludes.

The intrigue: A second video called "GoldieDoc: A Wishing Chair Stringtacular" is a behind-the-scenes documentary about the making of the show.

Don't be a dummy: Watch the original "Goldilocks" puppet show.

Watch the documentary about how the production came together.

Nashville Public Library releases new video production of "Goldilocks" puppet show

You can stream a video of the Nashville Public Library's award-winning take on "Goldilocks."

Stage puppet scene of Goldilocks and the Bears: a tall brown bear in a teal shirt speaks to a blonde girl in a pink dress with braids; two smaller bears stand nearby by a patchwork quilted bed under a wooden backdrop with vines.

Three bears confront Goldilocks. Photo: courtesy of the Nashville Public Library

A creative spin on the classic tale of &quot;Goldilocks&quot; is available to stream online starting Thursday through the Nashville Public Library and the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Nashville Education, Community and Arts Television" data-vars-click-url="https://necatnetwork.org/series/1136_goldilocks/" data-vars-content-id="c48118e2-d228-4008-96bc-551a28f2c602" data-vars-headline="Nashville Public Library releases new video production of &quot;Goldilocks&quot; puppet show" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://necatnetwork.org/series/1136_goldilocks/" target="_blank">Nashville Education, Community and Arts Television</a> (NECAT).Why it matters: &quot;Goldilocks&quot; is wholesome and free content for kids and puppet enthusiasts of all ages.

Things to Do

State Sen. Charlane Oliver and state Rep. Aftyn Behn revived their long-shot push to eliminate the state tax on groceries.

Why it matters: Eliminating the 4% state grocery tax would save the average Tennessee family at least $400 annually, according to a 2024 estimate.

The big picture: There are several proposals in the General Assembly this year to at least partially reduce the taxes Tennesseans pay on groceries.

The two Nashville Democrats said their plan wouldn't impact the state budget because it would also close corporate tax loopholes to offset the lost grocery tax revenue.

Oliver and Behn's plan forces multinational corporations to pay state business taxes to fill the $800 million revenue gap from the the grocery tax.

What they're saying: Behn said at a press conference on Monday that corporations frequently shift profits to offshore tax shelters, allowing them to avoid paying business taxes in Tennessee.

"Right now in Tennessee, working families pay taxes every time they buy groceries, but many billion-dollar corporations operating in our state pay little to no corporate taxes," Behn said.

Yes, but: Since Oliver and Behn are Democrats working in a legislature where business-friendly Republicans have a supermajority, their legislation faces an uphill battle.

Flashback: Behn and Oliver pushed the grocery tax cut in previous legislative sessions, but the legislation never advanced.

In 2024, state Rep. William Lamberth, a Republican, passed legislation allowing local governments to lower their portion of the sales tax on groceries.

The city of Hendersonville took advantage of the law and reduced its grocery tax for local shoppers.

Zoom in: Mayor Freddie O'Connell expressed an interest in Nashville lowering its grocery tax. However, his administration said the existing law might not apply to metropolitan governments like Nashville.

The latest: In response, Lamberth filed legislation this session to make the technical fix so Metro could participate.

Sen. Mark Pody and Rep. Mike Sparks, both Republicans, are pushing separate legislation that eliminates the tax on fresh fruit and vegetables, while maintaining the state tax on other kinds of groceries.

Behn criticized the Republicans for not including offsetting revenues in their tax cut plan, which she said could mean reduction in state services in the future.

What's next: The produce tax bill is scheduled for a House subcommittee hearing on Wednesday.

Oliver and Behn's legislation is up for debate in a Senate subcommittee next week.

Mayor Freddie O'Connell expressed an interest

eliminates the tax on fresh fruit and vegetables

Nashville Democrats pitch plan to slash state grocery tax

State lawmakers Aftyn Behn and Charlane Oliver want to cut grocery taxes and close corporate tax loopholes.

Illustration of a grocery basket full of cash.

State Sen. Charlane Oliver and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="state Rep. Aftyn Behn" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2024/03/26/grocery-tax-cut-tennessee-legislature" data-vars-content-id="d3cd76a8-09a8-4ebc-8525-86a833379713" data-vars-headline="Nashville Democrats pitch plan to slash state grocery tax" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2024/03/26/grocery-tax-cut-tennessee-legislature" target="_self">state Rep. Aftyn Behn</a> revived their long-shot push to eliminate the state tax on groceries.Why it matters: Eliminating the 4% state grocery tax would save the average Tennessee family at least $400 annually, according to a 2024 estimate.

The Titans agreed to contracts with the top free agent defensive linemen, two starting cornerbacks and two new weapons for quarterback Cam Ward on the first day of NFL free agency.

Why it matters: Titans general manager Mike Borgonzi is spending big to bulk up a lackluster roster.

Driving the news: Borgonzi reached terms with defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers, cornerbacks Alontae Taylor and Cor'Dale Flott, wide receiver Wan'Dale Robinson, tight end Daniel Bellinger and backup quarterback Mitchell Trubisky.

Franklin-Myers was ranked as the top free agent on the defensive line by NFL.com

Robinson and Bellinger previously played for new Titans offensive coordinator Brian Daboll when they were with the Giants.

By the numbers: Not counting Trubisky's deal because the terms weren't available, the other six contracts have a maximum combined value of $270 million.

Titans spend big on first day of free agency

The Titans added three defensive starters on a busy first day of free agency.

New TitanJohn Franklin-Myers. Photo: Kara Durrette/Getty Images

The Titans agreed to contracts with the top free agent defensive linemen, two starting cornerbacks and two new weapons for quarterback Cam Ward on the first day of NFL free agency.Why it matters: Titans general manager <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Mike Borgonzi" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/01/21/the-setlist-titans-pick-a-new-gm" data-vars-content-id="ec840d0d-987f-4f5a-9d0c-30878435f264" data-vars-headline="Titans spend big on first day of free agency" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/01/21/the-setlist-titans-pick-a-new-gm" target="_self">Mike Borgonzi</a> is spending big to bulk up a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="lackluster roster" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/12/01/titans-tumble-again" data-vars-content-id="ec840d0d-987f-4f5a-9d0c-30878435f264" data-vars-headline="Titans spend big on first day of free agency" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/12/01/titans-tumble-again" target="_self">lackluster roster</a>.

Sports

In the thick of January's ice storm, when hundreds of thousands of residents wanted to know when their power would be restored, the Nashville Electric Service failed to follow its own storm response communication plan that called for speedier answers.

Why it matters: NES has been hammered by public officials and residents who have accused the utility of slow-walking information after over 230,000 customers lost power.

The utility has acknowledged its shortcomings. But newly acquired public records show the scale of the communication breakdown.

Friction point: A 19-page planning document called the "NES Storm Response Comms Process," acquired by Axios in a public records request, directs agency officials to tell customers very quickly about when it expected to achieve total restoration.

"Within 24 hours of sustained, mass outages, NES to provide an indication of predicted timing for total restoration," the document says.

The storm left half the city without power on Jan. 25, but NES didn't provide a predicted timing for total restoration by ZIP code until Jan. 31

Between the lines: During the six-day gap, displaced residents were staying in hotels, with loved ones and in city-run shelters wondering when they would be able to go home.

Zoom in: The document details how NES plans to communicate during a mass outage, including suggested social media posts and even how its top officials would agree to media interviews.

Zoom out: NES failed to follow another key part of its response plan by pivoting to less frequent media updates in the days after the storm. The plan called for hourly updates.

Flashback: As the restoration dragged on, Mayor Freddie O'Connell led a chorus of critics who said NES failed to communicate well.

O'Connell created a commission, led by former Mayor and Gov. Phil Bredesen, to investigate the city's and NES's storm response.

What she's saying: Metro Councilmember Emily Benedict, one of the loudest critics of NES's storm response, said she wants the city investigation to review "the communications thoroughly to ensure improvements are made."

Benedict, who called for NES CEO Teresa Broyles-Aplin to be fired, said the information NES did share in real time was of little use to residents who were waiting to return home.

"The public wanted clear, specific answers about when power would be restored to their homes and businesses, not just evidence of process," she said.

The other side: Through a spokesperson, NES described its storm response  document as "best-case scenario planning for how to provide updates during a power outage." The rare nature of the ice storm exceeded the scope of that plan.

"As the impacts of Winter Storm Fern became apparent and more in line with a system rebuild, our teams began activating a crisis communication response in coordination with NES leadership to provide accurate and timely updates to customers," the NES statement reads.

The big picture: Since the storm, NES has admitted its communications were lacking.

In a Feb. 28 email to the Metro Council, NES said it is "reviewing communication protocols to improve frequency, clarity, and transparency, including how uncertainty and evolving conditions are communicated during large-scale outages."

"NES will conduct a comprehensive review of its storm-related communications and outage information tools," NES said in its message to council. "This involves internal coordination, external messaging, and outage map performance to ensure accurate and timely information is provided during storm events."

hundreds of thousands of residents wanted to know when their power would be restored

NES failed to follow its own communication plan after ice storm

Plans obtained by Axios directed agency officials to tell customers quickly about when they could expect total restoration.

A linemen makes a repair in Nashville following the Jan. 25 ice storm.

A linemen makes a repair in Nashville following the Jan. 25 ice storm. Photo: Matt Masters/Anadolu via Getty Images

In the thick of January&#x27;s ice storm, when <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="hundreds of thousands of residents wanted to know when their power would be restored" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/02/02/nashville-mayor-ratchets-up-criticism-of-nes-following-power-outages" data-vars-content-id="fb6d6ba0-5bf8-4b74-908d-742c7e855ae3" data-vars-headline="NES failed to follow its own communication plan after ice storm" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/02/02/nashville-mayor-ratchets-up-criticism-of-nes-following-power-outages" target="_self">hundreds of thousands of residents wanted to know when their power would be restored</a>, the Nashville Electric Service failed to follow its own storm response communication plan that called for speedier answers.Why it matters: NES has been hammered by public officials and residents who have accused the utility of slow-walking information after over 230,000 customers lost power.<ul><li>The utility has acknowledged its shortcomings. But newly acquired public records show the scale of the communication breakdown.</li></ul>

Nate Rau

Featured stories

Nashville Public Library releases new video production of "Goldilocks" puppet show

Nashville councilmember wants increased transparency from NES

NES failed to follow its own communication plan after ice storm

Titans spend big on first day of free agency

Nashville Democrats pitch plan to slash state grocery tax