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

Axios Nashville Thought Bubble

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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.

News

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>

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.

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.

GOP wants Nashville leaders to act quickly on NES

Lt. Gov. Randy McNally wants Metro to make changes to NES before the end of the legislative session.

Lt. Gov. Randy McNally said Thursday that &quot;the Three Stooges could have done a better job&quot; preparing for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="last month&#x27;s ice storm" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/01/25/nashville-electricity-power-outages-ice-storm" data-vars-content-id="6bf1c60e-5894-4966-82ee-e659addaa742" data-vars-headline="GOP wants Nashville leaders to act quickly on NES" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/01/25/nashville-electricity-power-outages-ice-storm" target="_self">last month&#x27;s ice storm</a> than the Nashville Electric Service leadership.Why it matters: McNally&#x27;s criticism shouldn&#x27;t be dismissed as a pithy burn. Republican lawmakers <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="want Mayor Freddie O&#x27;Connell and Metro to act quickly" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/01/28/frustration-builds-ice-storm-response-power-outages" data-vars-content-id="6bf1c60e-5894-4966-82ee-e659addaa742" data-vars-headline="GOP wants Nashville leaders to act quickly on NES" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/01/28/frustration-builds-ice-storm-response-power-outages" target="_self">want Mayor Freddie O&#x27;Connell and Metro to act quickly</a> on NES reforms, or else they are primed to make changes themselves.

Nashville outlines plans for a portable pod shelter village

Metro Nashville looks to partner with nonprofits on a portable pod village.

Local Brief

After debating their safety for years, Metro is looking for nonprofits to create and operate a village of up to 25 Pallet shelters to use as temporary housing.Why it matters: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="pre-built pods" data-vars-click-url="https://palletshelter.com/" data-vars-content-id="2986436e-9630-48c0-9542-2d6af69cb587" data-vars-headline="Nashville outlines plans for a portable pod shelter village" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://palletshelter.com/" target="_blank">pre-built pods</a> will be used for people experiencing homelessness who cannot access group shelters. That might include people with pets or couples that want to stay together.<ul><li>They could also serve as isolation areas for people with COVID-19.</li></ul>

Cooper pitches plan to fight homelessness

It involves spending $50 million in federal pandemic relief money.

Politics

Mayor John Cooper pushed Metro Council in a speech Wednesday to approve his plan to spend $50 million in federal pandemic relief funds to combat homelessness.Details: Cooper unveiled the proposal during his <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="State of Metro address earlier this year" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2022/04/28/cooper-prioritizes-education-housing-in-state-of-metro-address" data-vars-content-id="5be6ac50-ea2d-423d-8a11-f742fa110f54" data-vars-headline="Cooper pitches plan to fight homelessness" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2022/04/28/cooper-prioritizes-education-housing-in-state-of-metro-address" target="_self">State of Metro address earlier this year</a>. After being deferred, four linked pieces of legislation are up for a vote soon. He proposes to spend:

Our COVID checkup

New COVID-19 cases in Middle Tennessee are increasing, but hospitalizations are staying low.

COVID

New COVID-19 cases in Middle Tennessee are on the rise, according to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="state data" data-vars-click-url="https://www.tn.gov/health/cedep/ncov/data/epi-curves.html" data-vars-content-id="ab04dbb5-88b2-4032-b2db-a6966711f35b" data-vars-headline="Our COVID checkup" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.tn.gov/health/cedep/ncov/data/epi-curves.html" target="_blank">state data</a>.<ul><li>While hospitalizations have also ticked up in recent weeks, they remain well below the peak levels seen earlier this year.</li></ul>

COVID study's surprising finding regarding food allergies

The study points to a line of research scientists can continue to explore.

People with food allergies are less likely to get the virus that causes COVID-19, according to a new study co-led by a researcher at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.<ul><li>The unexpected finding emerged from a broader analysis of other factors that might influence infections.</li></ul>

Good luck driving in downtown Nashville

Somehow, traffic got worse despite the fact that many people are still working from home.

Trips to downtown Nashville are exceeding pre-pandemic levels, according to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a new analysis" data-vars-click-url="https://inrix.com/learn/back-to-office-traffic-and-activity-report/" data-vars-content-id="60621a52-c069-4263-a587-a475b97cb577" data-vars-headline="Good luck driving in downtown Nashville" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://inrix.com/learn/back-to-office-traffic-and-activity-report/" target="_blank">a new analysis</a> of traffic patterns.Why it matters: Somehow, traffic got worse despite the fact that many people are still working from home.<ul><li>A report from traffic analytics firm Inrix identified Nashville as &quot;a great example of bringing people back&quot; to downtown areas in a &quot;new normal&quot; environment.</li></ul>Zoom out: Researchers analyzed traffic patterns in 10 cities and found most downtown areas were still lagging behind pre-pandemic levels. Nashville was one of the few exceptions.State of play: In 2021, trips downtown were at 60% of pre-COVID levels. By this year, traffic had exceeded those levels by 25%<ul><li>Morning commute volume is up 3.8% in 2022. But traffic during off-hours appeared to be driving much of the surge.</li></ul>What they&#x27;re saying: &quot;Downtown Nashville, which has seen increasing traffic volumes during evenings and weekends, has shown that work-related trips may not be the main driver of traffic and economic activity downtown,&quot; the report stated.Between the lines: Transportation analyst Bob Pishue, who wrote the report, tells Axios the findings suggest the entertainment and tourism activity layered alongside the business district downtown are key factors behind the numbers.<ul><li>&quot;That kind of environment seems to be bringing people in,&quot; he says.</li></ul>

Tennessee college enrollment sinks

The percentage of TN high school seniors who go straight into college was 52.8% in 2021.

Fewer Tennessee high schoolers are going to college after graduation, according to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="data released Monday" data-vars-click-url="https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/thec/bureau/research/college-going-reports/CGR-HSSO%20Report%20Draft_Final.pdf" data-vars-content-id="c6ea8da8-857b-4ff9-867b-969d1f5c05bb" data-vars-headline="Tennessee college enrollment sinks" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/thec/bureau/research/college-going-reports/CGR-HSSO%20Report%20Draft_Final.pdf" target="_blank">data released Monday</a>.Why it matters: Tennessee officials at every level of government have spent years trying to encourage more residents to pursue higher education. Enrollment rates dropping substantially during the pandemic is the latest sign of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="lagging interest" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2022/04/04/community-college-enrollment-drop-leads-to-layoffs" data-vars-content-id="c6ea8da8-857b-4ff9-867b-969d1f5c05bb" data-vars-headline="Tennessee college enrollment sinks" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2022/04/04/community-college-enrollment-drop-leads-to-layoffs" target="_self">lagging interest</a>.

COVID testing site to close

The last day for testing and vaccinations at 350 28th Avenue North is April 29.

City officials announced Wednesday that one free COVID testing center is closing next week despite a recent &quot;moderate rise in infections.&quot;Why it matters: The move reflects the pandemic&#x27;s changing landscape, as rapid home tests have become widely available while hospitalizations <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="remain low" data-vars-click-url="https://nashville.maps.arcgis.com/apps/MapSeries/index.html?appid=30dd8aa876164e05ad6c0a1726fc77a4" data-vars-content-id="6811aaeb-3f39-40ac-aa5d-923dd01d50c8" data-vars-headline="COVID testing site to close" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://nashville.maps.arcgis.com/apps/MapSeries/index.html?appid=30dd8aa876164e05ad6c0a1726fc77a4" target="_blank">remain low</a>.

Vanderbilt to study long COVID

VUMC received a $1 million grant from the American Heart Association for the study.

Vanderbilt University Medical Center received a $1 million grant to study COVID-19&#x27;s long-term effect on the heart and cardiovascular system.<ul><li>It was one of 11 pandemic-related grants <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="announced last week" data-vars-click-url="https://newsroom.heart.org/news/more-than-10m-in-research-grants-awarded-to-study-long-covid-impact-on-cvd-health" data-vars-content-id="e597eb27-0a2c-42a3-a93c-4179b29a41d3" data-vars-headline="Vanderbilt to study long COVID" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://newsroom.heart.org/news/more-than-10m-in-research-grants-awarded-to-study-long-covid-impact-on-cvd-health" target="_blank">announced last week</a> by the American Heart Association.</li></ul>

COVID hospitalizations continue sliding

There were 29 active COVID hospitalizations on Wednesday, down from 500 in February.

COVID-19 hospitalizations continue to decline in Nashville.By the numbers: There were 29 active COVID hospitalizations on Wednesday, according to the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Metro Public Health Department" data-vars-click-url="https://nashville.maps.arcgis.com/apps/MapSeries/index.html?appid=30dd8aa876164e05ad6c0a1726fc77a4" data-vars-content-id="928743db-84ec-4203-9e7e-59581f8a7771" data-vars-headline="COVID hospitalizations continue sliding" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://nashville.maps.arcgis.com/apps/MapSeries/index.html?appid=30dd8aa876164e05ad6c0a1726fc77a4" target="_blank">Metro Public Health Department</a>, down from more than 500 in early February.

DA investigation: Fired Tennessee vaccine chief didn't buy muzzle

It criticized a 2021 state investigation that stated the muzzle was purchased with her credit card.

A new investigation found Tennessee&#x27;s former vaccine chief, Michelle Fiscus, did not send a dog muzzle to herself, according to a report from Nashville prosecutors <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="first obtained by WSMV" data-vars-click-url="https://www.wsmv.com/2022/03/11/news-4-investigates-da-confirms-former-top-state-vaccine-official-did-not-send-muzzle-herself/" data-vars-content-id="54de68c6-5d44-484c-917e-d799f8201dc0" data-vars-headline="DA investigation: Fired Tennessee vaccine chief didn&#x27;t buy muzzle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.wsmv.com/2022/03/11/news-4-investigates-da-confirms-former-top-state-vaccine-official-did-not-send-muzzle-herself/" target="_blank">first obtained by WSMV</a>.Driving the news: The memo criticized <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a 2021 state investigation" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/tennesee-covid-vaccine-fired-dog-muzzle-michelle-fiscus-b2419534-7e4a-4048-89b5-35300e8da333.html" data-vars-content-id="54de68c6-5d44-484c-917e-d799f8201dc0" data-vars-headline="DA investigation: Fired Tennessee vaccine chief didn&#x27;t buy muzzle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/tennesee-covid-vaccine-fired-dog-muzzle-michelle-fiscus-b2419534-7e4a-4048-89b5-35300e8da333.html" target="_self">a 2021 state investigation</a> that stated the muzzle was purchased with Fiscus&#x27; credit card.

COVID 🦠

Nashville outlines plans for a portable pod shelter village

Cooper pitches plan to fight homelessness

Our COVID checkup

COVID study's surprising finding regarding food allergies

Good luck driving in downtown Nashville