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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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Tennessee Lt. Gov. Randy McNally won't seek reelection

Republicans and Democrats alike praised McNally.

News

Lt. Gov. Randy McNally surprisingly announced Thursday he won&#x27;t seek reelection in November, which will bring his 48-year legislative career to a close.Why it matters: McNally, a pharmacist by trade, helped usher in a fiscally conservative approach to the state budget and served as a steadying voice for Tennessee politics.<ul><li>Republicans and Democrats alike complimented McNally for being courteous and professional.</li></ul>

CMA Fest announces 2026 headliners: Tim McGraw, Keith Urban, Ella Langley

Other headliners include Zach Top, Carly Pearce and Luke Bryan.

Music

Country music mainstays Tim McGraw and Blake Shelton will join forces with new hitmakers Ella Langley and Shaboozey to anchor this year&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="CMA Fest" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/06/10/global-fans-flock-to-nashville-for-cma-fest" data-vars-content-id="435c5d6c-e484-423e-9663-176aa24509dc" data-vars-headline="CMA Fest announces 2026 headliners: Tim McGraw, Keith Urban, Ella Langley" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/06/10/global-fans-flock-to-nashville-for-cma-fest" target="_self">CMA Fest</a> at Nissan Stadium, organizers announced Wednesday.Why it matters: CMA Fest is Nashville&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="biggest and longest running" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2023/06/08/cma-fest-through-the-years" data-vars-content-id="435c5d6c-e484-423e-9663-176aa24509dc" data-vars-headline="CMA Fest announces 2026 headliners: Tim McGraw, Keith Urban, Ella Langley" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2023/06/08/cma-fest-through-the-years" target="_self">biggest and longest running</a> music festival, and the nightly shows at Nissan Stadium are the centerpiece of the four-day event.

Nashville's Fort Negley Park finally comes to fruition

At long last, a sacred Civil War site in Nashville is being converted to a park.

Nearly a decade after developers sought to turn the former Greer Stadium property into condos, retail and creative space, work is finally underway to preserve the area as a public park.Why it matters: The revitalized <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Fort Negley" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2024/06/18/nashville-to-commemorate-juneteenth-at-fort-negley" data-vars-content-id="57aa11aa-8bd7-4324-9c10-d628ae25837a" data-vars-headline="Nashville&#x27;s Fort Negley Park finally comes to fruition" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2024/06/18/nashville-to-commemorate-juneteenth-at-fort-negley" target="_self">Fort Negley</a> serves as one of the most prominent recent victories for historic preservationists, who view the property as sacred land because of its Civil War history.

Banks still investing billions in branches despite years of closures

Brick-and-mortar branches are still a critical link between customers and banks.

Business

New bank branches opening in Nashville and around the country reflect a sea change that is reshaping the look and feel of modern banking.Why it matters: Cashing checks and other tasks that used to dominate branch business have become digital errands, but brick-and-mortar branches are still a critical link between customers and banks.

GOP pitches new state authority to oversee Music City Loop project

State Sen. Jack Johnson proposed creating a state agency to oversee underground projects.

State Sen. Jack Johnson introduced legislation this week to create a state authority that would oversee subterranean transportation projects like the Boring Company&#x27;s controversial <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Music City Loop" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/07/28/musk-boring-company-unveils-music-city-loop-tunnel-project-nashville" data-vars-content-id="b14a907a-1631-4c63-a8a9-78911707420e" data-vars-headline="GOP pitches new state authority to oversee Music City Loop project" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/07/28/musk-boring-company-unveils-music-city-loop-tunnel-project-nashville" target="_self">Music City Loop</a>.Why it matters: The proposal, which already cleared a key Senate committee, could usurp the limited local approval power that Metro currently holds over the Music City Loop project.

TN legislation would create license to sell tobacco, vaping products

Tennessee lawmakers are pitching a plan to crack down on youth vaping.

State lawmakers introduced a plan this week to crack down on illegal vape sales to kids.Why it matters: Tennessee is chock full of vape shops, but the industry is loosely regulated.<ul><li>Anti-addiction groups and health advocacy organizations say <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="vaping" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/06/23/how-to-stop-vaping" data-vars-content-id="f2ad4562-417b-4963-beee-c161b0e893d7" data-vars-headline="TN legislation would create license to sell tobacco, vaping products" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/06/23/how-to-stop-vaping" target="_self">vaping</a> is a gateway to harder drug use and substance abuse.</li></ul>

Blackburn presses Live Nation about ticket bots at Senate hearing

The Tennessee senator and Kid Rock pressured Live Nation to fight online ticket scalpers.

Politics

U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn led a panel of federal lawmakers Wednesday in pressuring <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="corporate concert giant Live Nation" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/09/18/ftc-ticketmaster-live-nation-ticket-brokers" data-vars-content-id="d4eeda11-9ed0-4765-9e0c-897191974aeb" data-vars-headline="Blackburn presses Live Nation about ticket bots at Senate hearing" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/09/18/ftc-ticketmaster-live-nation-ticket-brokers" target="_self">corporate concert giant Live Nation</a> to do more to address online ticket scalping.Why it matters: Advocates who spoke during a Senate hearing argued the secondhand ticket market makes concerts too expensive for fans and hampers an artist&#x27;s ability to make a living.

CMA chief Sarah Trahern to retire

After 12 years on the job, Sarah Trahern will retire from leading the CMA.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Sarah Trahern" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2022/12/10/power-players-nashville-adrienne-battle-sean-brock" data-vars-content-id="da56744a-97e0-46a8-adb2-ed857b3416a6" data-vars-headline="CMA chief Sarah Trahern to retire" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2022/12/10/power-players-nashville-adrienne-battle-sean-brock" target="_self">Sarah Trahern</a>, the longtime CEO of the Country Music Association, will retire from influential post at the end of the year.Why it matters: Heading the CMA is one of the most vital jobs in country music.<ul><li>In 12 years on the job, Trahern oversaw explosive growth of the genre and the steady success of institutions such as the CMA Awards and CMA Fest.</li></ul>

Nashville rock club The End raises money to stay open

Venue raises $25,000 through a Go Fund Me campaign

The End lives to rock another day.<ul><li>The venerable rock club, which opened in 1999, launched a successful <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Go Fund Me campaign" data-vars-click-url="https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-the-end-prevent-closure-after-27-years?attribution_id=sl:658809cc-39b5-458d-84d0-61ed54ebdc9a&amp;lang=en_US&amp;ts=1767908432&amp;utm_campaign=fp_sharesheet&amp;utm_content=amp17_ta&amp;utm_medium=customer&amp;utm_source=copy_link" data-vars-content-id="084931c8-837f-44b4-8084-bfcd9e06c1e1" data-vars-headline="Nashville rock club The End raises money to stay open" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-the-end-prevent-closure-after-27-years?attribution_id=sl:658809cc-39b5-458d-84d0-61ed54ebdc9a&amp;lang=en_US&amp;ts=1767908432&amp;utm_campaign=fp_sharesheet&amp;utm_content=amp17_ta&amp;utm_medium=customer&amp;utm_source=copy_link" target="_blank">Go Fund Me campaign</a> to pay its back bills.</li></ul>Why it matters: The End is a gritty, claustrophobic space beloved by a swath of music fans in Nashville who like their music loud and their beer cheap.<ul><li>The club, located on the Rock Block across the street from Exit/In, booked <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Paramore&#x27;s first show" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/p/DJJxosixU1F/" data-vars-content-id="084931c8-837f-44b4-8084-bfcd9e06c1e1" data-vars-headline="Nashville rock club The End raises money to stay open" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DJJxosixU1F/" target="_blank">Paramore&#x27;s first show</a>, and hosted punk legends like Fugazi.</li></ul>

Metro in negotiations to purchase land for East Bank Boulevard

The new boulevard is the most ambitious new road project undertaken by the city in decades.

Negotiations are underway between Metro officials and private property owners to purchase land needed to build the important East Bank Boulevard.Why it matters: It&#x27;s rare for a major city to build an entirely new major roadway. The boulevard, which would run north and south along the river, is the most ambitious new road project undertaken by the city in decades.<ul><li>It&#x27;s also the lynchpin of transportation for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the revitalized East Bank neighborhood" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/12/22/east-bank-redevelopment-had-a-breakthrough-year-in-2025" data-vars-content-id="81daaaf9-0114-4d03-8788-266540d60dc3" data-vars-headline="Metro in negotiations to purchase land for East Bank Boulevard" 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/east-bank-redevelopment-had-a-breakthrough-year-in-2025" target="_self">the revitalized East Bank neighborhood</a>, which includes a new Titans stadium, a performing arts venue for TPAC and the surrounding mixed-use development by The Fallon Company.</li></ul>

6 stories that will define 2026 in Nashville

There are countless reasons to be optimistic about Nashville, but 2026 is also shaping up to be a gritty year.

Contentious political races. Independent restaurants and music venues on the brink of closing. A pro football team stuck in a perpetual rebuild.<ul><li>There are countless reasons to be optimistic about Nashville, but 2026 is also shaping up to be a gritty year.</li></ul>Driving the news: As we stand at the starting line for a new year, here are the stories we think will define Nashville over the next 12 months.

East Bank redevelopment had a breakthrough year in 2025

Led by progress on the Titans' new stadium, the East Bank took a step forward this year.

The $2.2 billion Titans stadium passed a critical construction milestone, and Nashville city leaders finally struck a deal for a Tennessee Performing Arts Center building on the riverfront.Why it matters: 2025 was the year the revitalized East Bank began to really take shape.

Starwood rezoning and TPAC deal lead busy Metro Council agenda

The Starwood rezoning is just one notable item on one of the term's busiest council agendas.

The former Starwood Amphitheatre property in Antioch would be converted into a mixed-use development, with residential, retail and office space, under a rezoning plan up for final consideration at Tuesday night&#x27;s Metro Council meeting.Why it matters: Antioch is in the midst of a revitalization, with several ambitious development projects underway or in the pipeline.

Bob Mendes makes a move

Mendes moves from Metro to law firm

Merus purchases Rivergate Mall

Merus unveils $450M Rivergate Mall revamp

Latest news on Wall Street, Corporate America and financial regulation.

Business 🏦

Mendes moves from Metro to law firm

GOP pitches new state authority to oversee Music City Loop project

Banks still investing billions in branches despite years of closures

Merus unveils $450M Rivergate Mall revamp

TN legislation would create license to sell tobacco, vaping products