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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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For NFL fans, training camp is supposed to be a time for hope, but Titans fans have seen this movie before.

Since Steve McNair left the franchise in 2005, the team has had 16 starting quarterbacks.

After 17 years of stability provided by Jeff Fisher, the Titans have employed seven head coaches in the last 16 years.

Why it matters: This year's training camp boils down to the same old questions: can new coach Robert Saleh and second-year quarterback Cam Ward stabilize the franchise.

Driving the news: The Titans hold their first training camp practice Wednesday at 10:15am at the Vanderbilt Health Football Center.

Tennessee finished in last place and won just three games last season.

What we're watching: It all starts with Ward, who showed durability and glimpses of playmaking ability as a rookie, but struggled overall.

He threw for just 15 touchdowns and 3,189 passing yards.

Yes, but: Ward's defenders point out he lacked offensive weapons and played behind a poor offensive line.

To address this, Titans general manager Mike Borgonzi invested heavily in the wide receiver position. He signed Wan'Dale Robinson to a four-year, $70 million contract.

Borgonzi also made Ohio State's Carnell Tate the team's top draft pick, bypassing highly regarded prospects on the defensive side of the ball.

A key training camp storyline will be how Ward meshes with his new receivers.

By the numbers: Ward played his rookie season under siege of constant pass rush.

The intrigue: That means, the offensive line will once again be a focus this training camp. Two starting positions are spoken for: Dan Moore at left tackle, Peter Skoronski at left guard. Austin Schlottmann has the inside track to start at center.

Former first-round pick JC Latham is penciled in to start at right tackle, but due to injury he was placed on the physically unable to perform list to start training camp.

That leaves a camp battle between a group of young players to figure out the starting right guard.

The other side: On defense, the focus will be on Saleh, the defensive guru who's installing a brand new scheme.

Titans fans will have a close eye on pass rusher Keldric Faulk, the team's other first-round pick in the NFL Draft. Saleh has a track record of developing pass rushers.

Go deeper: Follow live Titans training camp updates at the Tennessean.

Titans training camp draws attention to Saleh and Ward

Titans begin training camp looking for stability.

Titans coach Robert Saleh. Photo: Camden Hall/Getty Images

For NFL fans, training camp is supposed to be a time for hope, but Titans fans have <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="seen this movie before" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/07/11/tennessee-titans-training-camp-test-cam-ward" data-vars-content-id="1f692f12-04db-4661-a336-675d55c9dde0" data-vars-headline="Titans training camp draws attention to Saleh and Ward" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/07/11/tennessee-titans-training-camp-test-cam-ward" target="_self">seen this movie before</a>.<ul><li>Since Steve McNair left the franchise in 2005, the team has had 16 starting quarterbacks.</li><li>After 17 years of stability provided by Jeff Fisher, the Titans have <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="employed seven head coaches" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/10/14/tennessee-titans-callahan-fired-mike-mccoy-interim" data-vars-content-id="1f692f12-04db-4661-a336-675d55c9dde0" data-vars-headline="Titans training camp draws attention to Saleh and Ward" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/10/14/tennessee-titans-callahan-fired-mike-mccoy-interim" target="_self">employed seven head coaches</a> in the last 16 years.</li></ul>Why it matters: This year&#x27;s training camp boils down to the same old questions: can <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new coach Robert Saleh" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/01/20/tennessee-titans-robert-saleh-head-coach" data-vars-content-id="1f692f12-04db-4661-a336-675d55c9dde0" data-vars-headline="Titans training camp draws attention to Saleh and Ward" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/01/20/tennessee-titans-robert-saleh-head-coach" target="_self">new coach Robert Saleh</a> and second-year quarterback <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Cam Ward" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/09/05/craving-a-winner-titans-fans-look-to-cam-wards-debut" data-vars-content-id="1f692f12-04db-4661-a336-675d55c9dde0" data-vars-headline="Titans training camp draws attention to Saleh and Ward" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/09/05/craving-a-winner-titans-fans-look-to-cam-wards-debut" target="_self">Cam Ward</a> stabilize the franchise.

Sports

Metro's top finance official detailed Tuesday how the city plans to spend $300 million in funds previously earmarked for Music City Center on East Bank projects.

Why it matters: Metro Finance director Jenneen Reed says the old convention hall funds will free up city dollars to spend on other capital projects, including schools, fire halls and sidewalks.

Catch up quick: Tourism-related funds for Music City Center have come in way higher than expected, creating a surplus of hundreds of millions of dollars.

The new state law sets aside the city's existing tourism taxes to expand the convention hall while also redirecting $300 million toward the city's ambitious overhaul of the East Bank.

By the numbers: Reed provided the Metro Council East Bank committee with an estimated price range for five projects that will be funded with the convention hall money.

Metro will allocate up to $75 million to bring James Robertson Parkway down to grade so it is level with the new East Bank street grid.

The city will commit between up to $80 million for an east-west road connecting Cowan Street and Marine Drive.

Metro's portion of an extension of the Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge will cost between $40 million and $50 million, Reed said.

The city is also earmarking up to $150 million for utility work and new parks, she said. The funds would mostly be spent for 2030, she added.

What she's saying: Reed told council the funding plan allows the city to expand Music City Center, fund the East Bank work and increase its bonding capacity to spend tax dollars on other projects.

Earlier this year, she told Axios affordable housing is one possible investment the city could pursue more aggressively after the convention hall debt obligation is off Metro's books.

Metro Council must sign off on the funding plan.

State of play: The new Titans stadium, the new Tennessee Performing Arts Center headquarters, the Fallon Company's surrounding mixed-use development and an Oracle corporate campus are among the major developments in the pipeline on the East Bank.

Inside how former Nashville convention hall funds will be spent on the East Bank

Metro plans to spend old convention hall funds on East Bank roads, utilities and parks.

Illustration of Nashville City Hall with lines radiating from it.

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

Metro&#x27;s top finance official detailed Tuesday how the city plans to spend $300 million in funds previously <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="earmarked for Music City Center" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/03/24/state-plan-would-send-convention-hall-money-to-east-bank-super-bowl-recruitment" data-vars-content-id="4ad7c7b6-50d6-4ddb-b2d0-d2521c638917" data-vars-headline="Inside how former Nashville convention hall funds will be spent on the East Bank" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/03/24/state-plan-would-send-convention-hall-money-to-east-bank-super-bowl-recruitment" target="_self">earmarked for Music City Center</a> on East Bank projects.Why it matters: Metro Finance director Jenneen Reed says the old convention hall funds will <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="free up city dollars" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/12/22/tourism-taxes-could-help-defray-east-bank-infrastructure-costs" data-vars-content-id="4ad7c7b6-50d6-4ddb-b2d0-d2521c638917" data-vars-headline="Inside how former Nashville convention hall funds will be spent on the East Bank" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/12/22/tourism-taxes-could-help-defray-east-bank-infrastructure-costs" target="_self">free up city dollars</a> to spend on other capital projects, including schools, fire halls and sidewalks.

News

Politics

U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn is fighting back against an attack ad, which used an AI-generated deepfake depiction of her.

Why it matters: A new state law bans such use of deepfakes, making this an early test case of policing AI in political ads.

The big picture: Blackburn's attorney threatened legal action earlier this week against the opaque political action committee that paid for the ad.

Comcast and Viamedia have already removed the ad, according to Blackburn's campaign.

State law requires ads to disclose the use of deepfakes if they depict a political candidate. Blackburn is the leading Republican candidate for governor.

Driving the news: The ad was funded by a Virginia-based American Exceptional Institute. In the ad, an obviously AI-generated image of Blackburn appears against the backdrop of a jingle that says, "Our pain-killing pills wouldn't sell, so we paid Senator Marsha Blackburn to pass our bill."

The group, which could not be reached for comment, spent nearly $500,000 on a Nashville-area media buy to broadcast the ad.

What he's saying: A lawyer for Blackburn sent a cease and desist letter to the PAC and accused the group of making "knowingly false and defamatory accusations of bribery and criminal corruption."

"The advertisement is not merely misleading; it is a calculated attempt to deceive viewers by accusing Senator Blackburn of quid pro quo corruption without a shred of factual support," Blackburn attorney Brandon Smith wrote in his letter.

Between the lines: In the Senate, Blackburn has supported legislation to protect creators from having their image and voice used without permission.

Go deeper: The largely unregulated use of AI deepfakes nationally is redefining U.S. elections.

Blackburn is the leading Republican candidate

Sen. Blackburn fights AI-generated attack ad

A new Tennessee state law bans such use of deepfakes.

Photo: Eric Lee/Bloomberg via Getty Images

U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn is fighting back against an attack ad, which used an <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="AI-generated deepfake" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/07/01/new-tennessee-laws-taking-effect-july-1" data-vars-content-id="dc5d1424-0294-4b8b-ab62-8c73e8f03060" data-vars-headline="Sen. Blackburn fights AI-generated attack ad" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/07/01/new-tennessee-laws-taking-effect-july-1" target="_self">AI-generated deepfake</a> depiction of her.Why it matters: A new state law bans such use of deepfakes, making this an early test case of policing AI in political ads.

Metro Councilmember Sandra Sepulveda filed legislation that would ban drivers from making right turns at red lights in the vast majority of Nashville.

Why it matters: The proposal, which requires council approval, would be a massive change for Nashville drivers. Sepulveda says it would improve road safety, particularly for pedestrians.

Driving the news: Under current rules, drivers can turn at a red light at most intersections after first coming to a stop.

Sepulveda has introduced legislation that would institute bans in the urban services district, which spans downtown and other busy parts of the city.

Her plan would direct the Nashville Department of Transportation (NDOT) to install signs indicating "No turns on red."

Reality check: The proposal is brand new, and NDOT and the police department haven't weighed in yet.

State of play: Sepulveda filed the legislation this week. As of Thursday evening, the legislation had nine sponsors, including Sepulveda.

The measure will be up for the first of three votes at the Aug. 4 council meeting.

What she's saying: "For the past couple of years NDOT has been evaluating ways to reduce pedestrian fatalities," Sepulveda tells Axios over text. "No turn on red has been included in several plans including Connect Downtown.

"Nashvillians are dying everyday. I'm done waiting. It's time to act."

The big picture: Although the numbers have been ticking down, Nashville has a problem with pedestrian and cyclist safety.

There were 27 pedestrian or cyclist deaths last year.

Nashville ranks 24th nationally in traffic fatalities per 100,000 people.

The city has rolled out safety projects on busy corridors as part of Vision Zero, a strategic plan to eliminate roadway deaths.

Zoom out: Atlanta and San Francisco are among cities that ban right turns at red lights in high-traffic areas. Washington D.C. implemented a city-wide ban last year, but has been phasing in enforcement.

Council proposal would ban right turns at red lights in most of Nashville

The proposal would require Metro Council approval.

Illustration of a traffic light with the red light lit up and surrounded by letters spelling out NOPE.

Metro Councilmember Sandra Sepulveda filed legislation that would ban drivers from making right turns at red lights in the vast majority of Nashville.Why it matters: The proposal, which requires council approval, would be a massive change for Nashville drivers. Sepulveda says it would improve road safety, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="particularly for pedestrians" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/03/13/tennessee-pedestrian-safety-improvements" data-vars-content-id="df9052b0-8a00-4a22-92e5-a289896666ea" data-vars-headline="Council proposal would ban right turns at red lights in most of Nashville" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/03/13/tennessee-pedestrian-safety-improvements" target="_self">particularly for pedestrians</a>.

Mayor Freddie O'Connell wants to extend the city's lease for Nashville's first community solar energy project.

Why it matters: Music City Solar converted a former landfill, located near Briley Parkway and I-65, into a clean energy production facility.

Driving the news: The original project launched in 2018 and has been a success, according to city officials.

O'Connell proposes extending the lease agreement by 10 years and adding a battery storage system, which will capture and store the clean energy created by the solar panels.

By the numbers: Music City Solar has generated over 2 million kilowatt-hours of solar energy since it launched in 2018.

Go deeper: Read about the launch of the Music City Solar project in 2018.

What's next: The Metro Council will consider the updated lease agreement at its meeting on Aug. 4.

Mayor O'Connell proposes extending city's community solar project

Mayor O'Connell pitches extending and expanding Music City Solar project.

illustration of a solar panel surrounded by circles overlaid with legal text and columns

Mayor Freddie O&#x27;Connell wants to extend the city&#x27;s lease for Nashville&#x27;s first community solar energy project.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Music City Solar" data-vars-click-url="https://gosolarmusiccity.com/faq/" data-vars-content-id="f3f3f111-082e-41c0-a711-cda876e4ba32" data-vars-headline="Mayor O&#x27;Connell proposes extending city&#x27;s community solar project" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://gosolarmusiccity.com/faq/" target="_blank">Music City Solar</a> converted a former landfill, located near Briley Parkway and I-65, into a clean energy production facility.

Nate Rau

Featured stories

Council proposal would ban right turns at red lights in most of Nashville

Scoop: GOP Rep. Ogles faces 11th-hour cash barrage in primary

Sen. Blackburn fights AI-generated attack ad

Inside how former Nashville convention hall funds will be spent on the East Bank

Titans training camp draws attention to Saleh and Ward