Nashville

blue

Get smarter, faster on what matters in Nashville with Nate Rau and Adam Tamburin.

Axios Nashville

Standard

Axios Nashville Partners

Nashville Alerts

Alert

Nashville Members

Membership

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

Axios Nashville Thought Bubble

Thought Bubble

Nashville Electric Service hires fleet of consultants following ice storm

NES hired political and PR help following the devastating storm.

News

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The embattled Nashville Electric Service" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/02/09/nes-board-review-winter-storm-response" data-vars-content-id="d7afb735-7bb7-420b-b61e-0edf12c962bb" data-vars-headline="Nashville Electric Service hires fleet of consultants following 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/2026/02/09/nes-board-review-winter-storm-response" target="_self">The embattled Nashville Electric Service</a> bulked up its lobbying and crisis communications roster in the aftermath of last month&#x27;s ice storm.Why it matters: NES sought to increase its political clout following a surge of criticism over the power utility&#x27;s storm response.

Nashville incomes grew 6.6% from 2023 to 2024

Wages rose across Tennessee from 2023 to 2024.

Wages rose across Tennessee from 2023 to 2024, according to new federal data.

Nashville lawsuit filed to challenge proposed racing ban at fairgrounds

A former race car driver filed a lawsuit challenging a plan to ban auto racing at the Nashville fairgrounds.

A former race car driver sued Friday to challenge <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the proposed Metro charter amendment to ban auto racing" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/01/21/nashville-racetrack-debate-latest-developments" data-vars-content-id="89c54d09-48d3-4021-8332-3bb28b0d6c03" data-vars-headline="Nashville lawsuit filed to challenge proposed racing ban at fairgrounds" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/01/21/nashville-racetrack-debate-latest-developments" target="_self">the proposed Metro charter amendment to ban auto racing</a> at the Nashville fairgrounds.Why it matters: The push to ban auto racing comes at the same time that Speedway Motorsports Inc. is pursuing a plan to revamp the speedway in hopes of bringing NASCAR races back to Nashville.<ul><li>A coalition of neighborhood groups and environmental groups wants to put the racing-ban measure on the November ballot. The lawsuit calls into question whether they will be able to do so.</li></ul>

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.

Helene's floodwaters devastate East Tennessee

Towns were evacuated and whole homes were carried away by record-breaking floodwaters

Climate

The remnants of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Hurricane Helene" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/09/27/hurricane-helene-floods-florida-georgia-north-carolina" data-vars-content-id="bc2f28d8-eac1-463a-9778-bc11ae4546ad" data-vars-headline="Helene&#x27;s floodwaters devastate East Tennessee" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/09/27/hurricane-helene-floods-florida-georgia-north-carolina" target="_self">Hurricane Helene</a> thrashed East Tennessee on Friday, causing catastrophic flooding in several communities near the North Carolina border.The big picture: Towns were evacuated and whole homes were carried away by <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="record-breaking" data-vars-click-url="https://x.com/JeremyFaison4TN/status/1839779437694595346" data-vars-content-id="bc2f28d8-eac1-463a-9778-bc11ae4546ad" data-vars-headline="Helene&#x27;s floodwaters devastate East Tennessee" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://x.com/JeremyFaison4TN/status/1839779437694595346" target="_blank">record-breaking</a> floodwaters. A portion of Interstate 40 along the state border was closed at the Pigeon River.<ul><li>Nearby, in Unicoi County, more than 50 people fled onto the rooftop of a local hospital to escape muddy water that surged beyond the banks of the Nolichucky River.</li><li>Emergency crews deployed from Nashville and around the state to help with dangerous water rescue missions.</li></ul>

Searing heat returns to Nashville

Scorching conditions are returning to Nashville.

After a brief break from <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="extreme heat" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/07/11/mapped-the-deadly-heat-wave-marches-on" data-vars-content-id="9173f425-2650-4368-b108-b565003cf450" data-vars-headline="Searing heat returns to Nashville" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/07/11/mapped-the-deadly-heat-wave-marches-on" target="_self">extreme heat</a>, scorching conditions are returning to Nashville.State of play: A <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="heat advisory" data-vars-click-url="https://forecast.weather.gov/showsigwx.php?warnzone=TNZ027&amp;warncounty=TNC037&amp;firewxzone=TNZ027&amp;local_place1=2%20Miles%20NE%20Nashville%20TN&amp;product1=Heat+Advisory&amp;lat=36.1979&amp;lon=-86.7597" data-vars-content-id="9173f425-2650-4368-b108-b565003cf450" data-vars-headline="Searing heat returns to Nashville" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://forecast.weather.gov/showsigwx.php?warnzone=TNZ027&amp;warncounty=TNC037&amp;firewxzone=TNZ027&amp;local_place1=2%20Miles%20NE%20Nashville%20TN&amp;product1=Heat+Advisory&amp;lat=36.1979&amp;lon=-86.7597" target="_blank">heat advisory</a> is in effect for Middle Tennessee from 12-7pm Tuesday. Heat index values up to 109 are expected, according to the National Weather Service.<ul><li>The forecast is unrelenting, with highs expected to remain in the high 90s through Friday.</li></ul>

Nashville heat waves have gotten longer, more frequent

New data shows heat waves are happening more often and lasting longer in Nashville.

New data shows heat waves are happening more often and lasting longer in Nashville and nationwide.Why it matters: Intense heat is dangerous and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="poses serious health risks" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/06/21/extreme-heat-health-consequences?utm_source=newsletter&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=newsletter_axioslocal_nashville&amp;stream=top" data-vars-content-id="83435501-b43a-4c5a-973c-53444c295e3f" data-vars-headline="Nashville heat waves have gotten longer, more frequent" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/06/21/extreme-heat-health-consequences?utm_source=newsletter&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=newsletter_axioslocal_nashville&amp;stream=top" target="_self">poses serious health risks</a>.

Average spring temperature in Nashville is increasing

The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="average spring temperature in Nashville" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/03/15/spring-2024-warmer-temperatures-climate-change" data-vars-content-id="ff6ded07-ca02-4d90-9364-468e186eab3d" data-vars-headline="Average spring temperature in Nashville is increasing" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/03/15/spring-2024-warmer-temperatures-climate-change" target="_self">average spring temperature in Nashville</a> has increased 2.2 degrees since 1970, per a recent Climate Central analysis.Why it matters: Warmer springtime temperatures can lead to longer allergy seasons and changes in agricultural growing times.

How Nashville is fighting to reduce food waste

Tennessee produced 1.7 million tons of surplus food in 2022.

Residents and businesses in Tennessee produced 1.77 million tons of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="surplus food" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/12/04/america-food-waste-problem-climate-change" data-vars-content-id="8d44469b-51f9-491c-871a-3921185f3234" data-vars-headline="How Nashville is fighting to reduce food waste" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/12/04/america-food-waste-problem-climate-change" target="_self">surplus food</a> in 2022, a 17% increase from 2016, per data from the nonprofit <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="ReFED" data-vars-click-url="https://insights.refed.org/" data-vars-content-id="8d44469b-51f9-491c-871a-3921185f3234" data-vars-headline="How Nashville is fighting to reduce food waste" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://insights.refed.org/" target="_blank">ReFED</a>.Why it matters: Wasting food has wide-ranging consequences that negatively affect communities.

Nashville had warmest year on record in 2023

The average temperature in 2023 was 62.9°F.

Last year was the warmest on record in Nashville, according to the National Weather Service.By the numbers: The average temperature in 2023 was 62.9°F. Second place was 2016, with an average of 62.7°F.

Mapped: Power poles show deadly Tennessee tornado's path

Officials with Nashville Electric Service confirmed that a tornado hit two substations.

A map of damaged power poles provided by the Nashville Electric Service paints a pretty clear picture of a deadly tornado&#x27;s path through Nashville and Sumner County over the weekend.<ul><li>Officials with the utility <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="confirmed Monday" data-vars-click-url="https://www.facebook.com/100064833486809/videos/3409851035827416" data-vars-content-id="2c40caf0-0155-4dcd-8f28-0b60ee72905d" data-vars-headline="Mapped: Power poles show deadly Tennessee tornado&#x27;s path" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.facebook.com/100064833486809/videos/3409851035827416" target="_blank">confirmed Monday</a> that a Saturday tornado hit two of their substations, which explains <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the orange glow" data-vars-click-url="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/1734317130215039445?s=20" data-vars-content-id="2c40caf0-0155-4dcd-8f28-0b60ee72905d" data-vars-headline="Mapped: Power poles show deadly Tennessee tornado&#x27;s path" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/1734317130215039445?s=20" target="_blank">the orange glow</a> in some videos of the funnel cloud. </li></ul>Zoom out: Before Saturday, an NES substation hadn&#x27;t sustained a direct hit since the 1970s.

How to help after the Middle Tennessee tornadoes

Middle Tennessee is rallying to help neighbors.

Middle Tennessee is rallying to help neighbors facing damage and despair following the tornadoes.If you need help finding shelter or addressing other urgent needs, contact the American Red Cross at 1-800-RED CROSS.

Nashville has grown more mosquito-friendly

Mosquitoes are more than just a nuisance — they're a public health threat.

The number of &quot;mosquito days&quot; — that is, those with the hot and humid weather the flying insects crave — has trended upward in Nashville over the past several decades.<ul><li>A <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new analysis" data-vars-click-url="https://www.climatecentral.org/climate-matters/mosquito-days-2023" data-vars-content-id="e93d16ac-6ff1-46fa-a583-a13a6572cc70" data-vars-headline="Nashville has grown more mosquito-friendly" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.climatecentral.org/climate-matters/mosquito-days-2023" target="_blank">new analysis</a> from nonprofit climate news organization Climate Central defines a &quot;mosquito day&quot; as one with an average relative humidity of 42% or higher, plus daily low and high temperatures of 50-95° F.</li></ul>

"First freeze" is coming later as fall warms

Nashville's first freeze delayed by climate change

A symbol map of the U.S. showing the change in the first freeze calendar date from 1970 to 2024 in 205 select cities. The first freeze now comes later in almost all cities, with the biggest change in Reno, Nev. (41 days later). Some cities now have an earlier first freeze, including Dothan, Ala. (16 days sooner). 

Climate 🌿

Nashville's first freeze delayed by climate change

View from space shows path of power outages from Hurricane Helene

Helene's floodwaters devastate East Tennessee

Hurricane Helene could rewrite storm history in the South

Searing heat returns to Nashville