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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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Blackburn pitches 9-0 GOP map for Tennessee after Supreme Court decision

Sen. Marsha Blackburn wants Tennessee to redraw its U.S. House map to help President Trump.

Politics & Policy

U.S. Sen. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Marsha Blackburn" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/08/06/marsha-blackburn-announces-run-for-tennessee-governor" data-vars-content-id="f4196d53-3e59-4b8e-8d36-cd696ce50f66" data-vars-headline="Blackburn pitches 9-0 GOP map for Tennessee after Supreme Court decision" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/08/06/marsha-blackburn-announces-run-for-tennessee-governor" target="_self">Marsha Blackburn</a> wants to redraw Tennessee&#x27;s congressional map to eliminate the state&#x27;s only remaining Democratic district.Why it matters: A <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="U.S. Supreme Court ruling" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/04/29/supreme-court-redistricting-race-gerrymander" data-vars-content-id="f4196d53-3e59-4b8e-8d36-cd696ce50f66" data-vars-headline="Blackburn pitches 9-0 GOP map for Tennessee after Supreme Court decision" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/04/29/supreme-court-redistricting-race-gerrymander" target="_self">U.S. Supreme Court ruling</a> on Wednesday said legislatures no longer have to consider race when drawing district boundaries. The decision opens the door to splitting up majority-Black districts across the country.

Nashville's top living songwriters: Our response to the NYT list

The NYT list skipped over some of Nashville's top talent.

Music

Everybody knows Dolly Parton and Taylor Swift are extraordinary songwriters. Their inclusion on the New York Times&#x27; list of the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="30 best living American songwriters" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/04/29/nashville-stars-land-on-new-york-times-list" data-vars-content-id="86549809-7ea8-424b-8152-7762c2eeaf36" data-vars-headline="Nashville&#x27;s top living songwriters: Our response to the NYT list" 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/nashville-stars-land-on-new-york-times-list" target="_self">30 best living American songwriters</a> was a no-brainer.Yes, but: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="That list" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2026/magazine/greatest-american-songwriters-alive.html?unlocked_article_code=1.e1A.veUr.r80ROKAig1yZ&amp;smid=url-share" data-vars-content-id="86549809-7ea8-424b-8152-7762c2eeaf36" data-vars-headline="Nashville&#x27;s top living songwriters: Our response to the NYT list" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2026/magazine/greatest-american-songwriters-alive.html?unlocked_article_code=1.e1A.veUr.r80ROKAig1yZ&amp;smid=url-share" target="_blank">That list</a> still skipped over some of Nashville&#x27;s top talent. So we constructed a list of our own to spread the love. Why it matters: Songwriters are the soul of Music City and the lifeblood of the country music industry. It&#x27;s important to recognize the greats who built Nashville into what it is, one line at a time.

Bredesen's 1993 speech set the stage for Nashville's future

Bredesen used his State of Metro address to invite Nashvillians on a futuristic helicopter tour of the city.

Politics

In 1993, then-Nashville Mayor Phil Bredesen believed he was at the helm of a city ready for its next chapter.<ul><li>He wanted residents to start dreaming big about Nashville&#x27;s potential.</li></ul>Flashback: To make his case, Bredesen used his State of Metro address to invite Nashvillians on a futuristic helicopter tour of the city.<ul><li>Bredesen foresaw 21st century <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Nashville" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville" data-vars-content-id="161b63e3-ef65-4b79-9beb-86c5841af59f" data-vars-headline="Bredesen&#x27;s 1993 speech set the stage for Nashville&#x27;s future" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville" target="_self">Nashville</a> bustling with <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="international flights" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/08/18/nashville-international-airport-bna-passengers" data-vars-content-id="161b63e3-ef65-4b79-9beb-86c5841af59f" data-vars-headline="Bredesen&#x27;s 1993 speech set the stage for Nashville&#x27;s future" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/08/18/nashville-international-airport-bna-passengers" target="_self">international flights</a>, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="professional sports" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/04/21/nashville-super-bowl-announcement-could-be-on-the-horizon" data-vars-content-id="161b63e3-ef65-4b79-9beb-86c5841af59f" data-vars-headline="Bredesen&#x27;s 1993 speech set the stage for Nashville&#x27;s future" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/04/21/nashville-super-bowl-announcement-could-be-on-the-horizon" target="_self">professional sports</a> and, as he puts it, new &quot;civic furniture&quot; such as a vibrant <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="downtown library" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/03/03/nashville-downtown-library-reopening-date" data-vars-content-id="161b63e3-ef65-4b79-9beb-86c5841af59f" data-vars-headline="Bredesen&#x27;s 1993 speech set the stage for Nashville&#x27;s future" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/03/03/nashville-downtown-library-reopening-date" target="_self">downtown library</a>.</li></ul>Why it matters: Bredesen&#x27;s ambitious speech stood the test of time and foreshadowed the evolution of Nashville over the next three decades.

Chef Julio Hernandez debuts Fonda Fina

Maiz De La Vida tortilla shop converts to cozy Fonda Fina dine-in concept.

Food and Drink

Critically acclaimed chef <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Julio Hernandez" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2023/02/03/julio-hernandezs-james-beard-semifinalist" data-vars-content-id="01d3ae9b-69f8-48a5-ab7f-afbb41983cbb" data-vars-headline="Chef Julio Hernandez debuts Fonda Fina" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2023/02/03/julio-hernandezs-james-beard-semifinalist" target="_self">Julio Hernandez</a> has converted his North Nashville tortilla shop into a 12-seat dine-in restaurant called Fonda Fina.Why it matters: The new concept debuting Wednesday features a redesigned space and overhauled menu.

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.

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.

News

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