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

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Mayor Freddie O'Connell's administration announced Wednesday it is suing to block the state's latest attempt to take control of the Airport Authority's board of directors.

Why it matters: The airport is thriving and expanding, making control of its board especially important.

The lawsuit is the latest example of Metro taking to the courts to fight what it calls state overreach.

Catch up quick: The state has pursued a takeover of the Airport Authority board for several years.

In 2023, Republicans passed several laws aimed at Nashville, including a takeover of the airport's board. The measure briefly took effect and a new board was appointed by state leaders.

Metro subsequently sued and regained local control. The city argued that law was illegal because it singled out Nashville.

State of play: In response, the legislature passed a new law this year granting state leaders the power to appoint board members for several airports in Tennessee.

Yes, but: The latest lawsuit claims the new state measure violates a federal law that requires the board of directors to agree to a change in control.

"Federal law was passed in 2024 to address precisely this situation," Metro legal director Wally Dietz said in a statement.

"We are asking the court for an injunction blocking the implementation of the state board to avoid chaos at this critical asset Nashvillians rely on."

The latest: The airport board voted unanimously on Wednesday to join the city's lawsuit against the state.

take control of the Airport Authority's board of directors

Metro sues to stop state takeover of Nashville's airport board

The city sued in federal court to block a state takeover.

Construction on an expansion project at BNA.

Construction on an expansion project at BNA. Photo: Kevin Carter/Getty Images

Mayor Freddie O&#x27;Connell&#x27;s administration announced Wednesday it is suing to block the state&#x27;s latest attempt to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="take control of the Airport Authority&#x27;s board of directors" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2023/04/17/tennessee-republicans-close-to-airport-board-overhaul" data-vars-content-id="09e12987-40df-4d50-bdbe-85da2f5ff338" data-vars-headline="Metro sues to stop state takeover of Nashville&#x27;s airport board" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2023/04/17/tennessee-republicans-close-to-airport-board-overhaul" target="_self">take control of the Airport Authority&#x27;s board of directors</a>.Why it matters: The airport is thriving and expanding, making control of its board especially important.<ul><li>The lawsuit is the latest example of Metro taking to the courts to fight what it calls state overreach.</li></ul>

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U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn joined the ranks of elected officials questioning a company's plans for a data center near the Nashville Zoo.

Why it matters: Blackburn's comments over the weekend demonstrate the bipartisan opposition to DC Blox's plans for a large data center complex.

Between the lines: Blackburn is a pro-Trump Republican and the leading candidate for governor.

The project has also received opposition from Councilmember Courtney Johnston, a Republican, who represents the area, and an array of Democrats on the council.

What she's saying: "Data centers are going to be a good and important part of Tennessee's economic growth," Blackburn said. "But we've got to be thoughtful about their placement. We've got to look at this placement of a data center up against the Nashville Zoo, which is a very important educational resource for our children, and it's also an important economic engine."

Blackburn said many communities want data centers, and said the placement near the zoo should be revisited.

Flashback: In a social media video, Blackburn points out she was a board member for the zoo when it was getting started.

Friction point: Since Blackburn has a good chance to be the state's next governor who will shape Tennessee's policy on data centers, her questioning of the project could give DC Blox pause.

State of play: Johnston and an attorney for the zoo filed separate zoning appeals seeking to stop the project.

Council is considering a moratorium on data centers, and Councilmember Rollin Horton proposed a policy that would ban the largest projects and implement guidelines for other proposals.

Sen. Blackburn takes issue with data center planned near Nashville Zoo

Blackburn questions "placement" for data center near the zoo.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/08/07/blackburn-reshapes-2026-race-for-tennessee-governor" data-vars-content-id="2744568d-0187-4f70-89f0-35256ab5a2b9" data-vars-headline="Sen. Blackburn takes issue with data center planned near Nashville Zoo" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/08/07/blackburn-reshapes-2026-race-for-tennessee-governor" target="_self">U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn</a> joined the ranks of elected officials questioning a company&#x27;s plans for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a data center near the Nashville Zoo" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/06/09/opposition-to-data-center-near-nashville-zoo-grows-as-city-plays-catch-up" data-vars-content-id="2744568d-0187-4f70-89f0-35256ab5a2b9" data-vars-headline="Sen. Blackburn takes issue with data center planned near Nashville Zoo" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/06/09/opposition-to-data-center-near-nashville-zoo-grows-as-city-plays-catch-up" target="_self">a data center near the Nashville Zoo</a>.Why it matters: Blackburn&#x27;s comments over the weekend demonstrate the bipartisan opposition to DC Blox&#x27;s plans for a large data center complex.

The deadline has passed for legal challenges to a proposal that would let voters decide whether to ban auto racing at the Nashville fairgrounds.

Why it matters: Anti-racing organizers will soon press forward with gathering voter signatures to put their proposal on the ballot.

Yes, but: There doesn't appear to be enough time for organizers to make that happen by the November election.

That means the earliest the proposal could be in front of voters is 2027.

Zoom out: The proposal would remove auto racing and add workforce or affordable housing to the list of required fairgrounds uses. Organizers previously made a few unsuccessful attempts at writing ballot language.

Opponents had until Monday to challenge the measure in court after the Charter Revision Commission approved the most recent ballot language.

No such challenge appears to have been filed.

What's next: Once the charter commission files the certified petition with the Metropolitan Clerk's Office, organizers will have 90 days to collect the approximately 50,000 voter signatures required for the measure to go on the ballot.

Between the lines: The anti-racing group argues that auto racing is a nuisance for the surrounding neighbors and has a negative environmental effect on nearby Browns Creek.

"Nashvillians overwhelmingly support the idea of restoring the fairgrounds speedway to its original use as community green space as well as cleaning up the adjacent Brown's Creek and utilizing a portion of the site to help address the city's affordable housing crisis," Restore Our Fairgrounds spokesperson Mike Kopp tells Axios.

The other side: Racing supporters say the track is historic and a source of affordable family entertainment.

They want Mayor Freddie O'Connell to finalize a deal with Speedway Motorsports Inc. to invest in the track and bring NASCAR back to Nashville.

Anti-racing measure may reach voters — but likely not until 2027

A key legal deadline passed this week, allowing an anti-racing ballot measure to advance.

Illustration of a racetrack shaped like a speech bubble. 

The deadline has passed for legal challenges to a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="proposal" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/12/08/proposal-ban-auto-racing-nashville-fairgrounds" data-vars-content-id="7d7270f9-d79e-42e1-aadd-86740f35e512" data-vars-headline="Anti-racing measure may reach voters — but likely not until 2027" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/12/08/proposal-ban-auto-racing-nashville-fairgrounds" target="_self">proposal</a> that would let voters decide whether to ban auto racing at the Nashville fairgrounds.Why it matters: Anti-racing organizers will soon press forward with gathering voter signatures to put their proposal on the ballot.

Metro's top finance official says Nashville is in great financial health, despite coming off a year in which tax collections and other revenue streams showed modest growth.

Why it matters: Metro Council is set to vote on the city's $3.8 billion operating budget that includes a proposed elimination of the city's grocery tax.

The tax break comes one year after Mayor Freddie O'Connell and Council raised the property tax rate by 26.64%.

Between the lines: Metro finance director Jenneen Reed tells Axios that Metro passed a new policy last year to maintain reserves for 17% of all operating funds and 50% for all debt service obligations.

The city received high-quality credit ratings from Moody's and S&P Global.

"I will say the city is in great financial health," Reed says. "We have a lot of fiscal stability that has been built into our finances."

By the numbers: The O'Connell administration navigated a budget in which the city's key revenue streams were about flat.

Factoring in ongoing appraisal appeals, property tax collections increased just by $ 14.7 million, which amounted to 0.68%, Reed says.

Sales tax collections increased by 3.89%, but implementing O'Connell's plan to slash the local grocery tax costs $9.2 million. That means sales tax collections increased by just $19.5 million — a far cry from the economic boom times of the post-pandemic years.

In response to the flat revenue collections, the O'Connell administration asked some departments to make modest budget reductions.

What she's saying: "There's so much uncertainty in the geopolitical world and the larger macroeconomic environment, that we are trying to monitor that and make sure we're ready for it," Reed says, describing the city's conservative reserve fund policy.

Friction point: Criticism about the city's tax policy increased as homeowners and businesses received their property tax bills. Lower Broadway businesses like Acme Feed & Seed were the loudest critics.

In response to those critiques, Reed points out the city's tax rate is the lowest it's been in the history of Metro and is "aligned if not lower than most of the counties that surround Nashville."

What we're watching: Council will make final changes to the spending plan before the final vote on the budget Tuesday evening.

Metro Councilmember Kyonzté Toombs, who chairs the budget committee, unveiled her proposed spending items Friday.

Toombs proposed $2.1 million to a program helping tenants avoid evictions, $1.2 million to the homeless services office and an additional $1 million to the Barnes housing fund.

Metro finance director touts Nashville's financial health

Tax collections were mostly flat, but Metro's finance chief says the city is in good financial health.

Illustration of Nashville City Hall with lines radiating from it.

Metro&#x27;s top finance official says Nashville is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="in great financial health" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/04/29/freddie-oconnell-state-of-metro-speech" data-vars-content-id="c62aa734-4c5d-4c36-985d-289bfb0116f9" data-vars-headline="Metro finance director touts Nashville&#x27;s financial health" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/04/29/freddie-oconnell-state-of-metro-speech" target="_self">in great financial health</a>, despite coming off a year in which tax collections and other revenue streams showed modest growth.Why it matters: Metro Council is set to vote on the city&#x27;s $3.8 billion operating budget that includes a proposed elimination of the city&#x27;s grocery tax.<ul><li>The tax break comes one year after Mayor Freddie O&#x27;Connell and Council <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="raised the property tax rate by 26.64%" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/05/20/a-closer-look-at-nashvilles-proposed-property-tax-increase" data-vars-content-id="c62aa734-4c5d-4c36-985d-289bfb0116f9" data-vars-headline="Metro finance director touts Nashville&#x27;s financial health" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/05/20/a-closer-look-at-nashvilles-proposed-property-tax-increase" target="_self">raised the property tax rate by 26.64%</a>.</li></ul>

Nashville Mayor Freddie O'Connell signed an executive order on Monday directing city departments to study the impact of large data centers and provide support for a plan to temporarily pause new centers.

Why it matters: O'Connell's order comes during public outcry against a plan for a data center complex near the Nashville Zoo.

Driving the news: O'Connell points out that he can't unilaterally impose a moratorium on new data centers because of state law. Instead, he told city departments to support moratorium legislation currently working its way through the Metro Council.

He also directed Metro Codes, Health, Planning, Transportation Water, Nashville Electric Service to study the impacts of large data centers.

O'Connell asked the agencies to investigate the environmental, infrastructure, neighborhood and economic impacts of data centers.

What he's saying: "We don't want the potential negative impacts of large-scale data centers in our neighborhoods, so in partnership with the Metro Council, we're taking action to ensure we put proper regulations in place before any more of these things are proposed," O'Connell said.

"With this Executive Order, we'll work with Metro departments and the Metro Council to ensure Nashville remains a place where our residents' health and safety always come first."

What's next: O'Connell asked city officials to present policy recommendations for how to handle large data centers.

Council is already considering legislation from Councilmember Rollin Horton, which would ban large-scale centers and implement guidelines for smaller new proposals.

Mayor O'Connell signs executive order about data centers in Nashville

The order comes during public outcry against a plan for a data center complex near the Nashville Zoo.

Photo illustration of Freddie O'Connell with lines radiating from him.

Photo illustration: Axios Visuals. Photo: Terry Wyatt/Getty Images

Nashville Mayor Freddie O&#x27;Connell signed an executive order on Monday directing city departments to study the impact of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="large data centers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/06/09/opposition-to-data-center-near-nashville-zoo-grows-as-city-plays-catch-up" data-vars-content-id="f16d9d0b-8a7c-48ef-bda6-ce638309e4c5" data-vars-headline="Mayor O&#x27;Connell signs executive order about data centers 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/2026/06/09/opposition-to-data-center-near-nashville-zoo-grows-as-city-plays-catch-up" target="_self">large data centers</a> and provide support for a plan to temporarily pause new centers.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="O&#x27;Connell&#x27;s order" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nashville.gov/sites/default/files/2026-06/061526-EO-59-Large-Scale_Data_Centers.pdf" data-vars-content-id="f16d9d0b-8a7c-48ef-bda6-ce638309e4c5" data-vars-headline="Mayor O&#x27;Connell signs executive order about data centers in Nashville" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nashville.gov/sites/default/files/2026-06/061526-EO-59-Large-Scale_Data_Centers.pdf" target="_blank">O&#x27;Connell&#x27;s order</a> comes during public outcry against a plan for a data center complex near the Nashville Zoo.

Nate Rau

Featured stories

Anti-racing measure may reach voters — but likely not until 2027

Mayor O'Connell signs executive order about data centers in Nashville

Metro finance director touts Nashville's financial health

Sen. Blackburn takes issue with data center planned near Nashville Zoo

Metro sues to stop state takeover of Nashville's airport board