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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.

New Nashville documentary profiles struggles of independent music venues

"The Day the Music Stopped" details the challenges facing locally owned, independently operated music venues.

A new documentary chronicling the historic rock club Exit/In <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="struggling to survive" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2021/11/29/music-venues-struggle-to-survive" data-vars-content-id="320f2991-e044-43cf-a106-74bea4ee21a5" data-vars-headline="New Nashville documentary profiles struggles of independent music venues" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2021/11/29/music-venues-struggle-to-survive" target="_self">struggling to survive</a> after the pandemic debuts on Friday during the Nashville Film Fest.Why it matters: &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The Day the Music Stopped" data-vars-click-url="https://thedaythemusicstopped.com/" data-vars-content-id="320f2991-e044-43cf-a106-74bea4ee21a5" data-vars-headline="New Nashville documentary profiles struggles of independent music venues" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://thedaythemusicstopped.com/" target="_blank">The Day the Music Stopped</a>&quot; details the challenges facing locally owned, independently operated music venues.

Swan Ball tied up in court

The Swan Ball is in limbo after a bitter battle over its finances wound up in federal court.

The Swan Ball is in limbo after a bitter battle over its finances wound up in federal court.Why it matters: The white-tie gala that benefits Cheekwood Estate and Gardens has been a premier event among Nashville&#x27;s wealthiest residents since 1963.

TPAC announces 2024-25 Broadway calendar

Eight national touring productions are set to bring the razzle-dazzle of New York to Music City.

Things to Do

&quot;Shucked,&quot; &quot;Moulin Rouge!&quot; and &quot;Mamma Mia!&quot; are all heading to Nashville.<ul><li>The Tennessee Performing Arts Center&#x27;s newly announced <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="2024-25 Broadway season" data-vars-click-url="https://www.tpac.org/events-tickets/season-tickets/" data-vars-content-id="c8e4190f-5bf5-419d-96ba-a6144a2e36d9" data-vars-headline="TPAC announces 2024-25 Broadway calendar" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.tpac.org/events-tickets/season-tickets/" target="_blank">2024-25 Broadway season</a> features eight national touring productions set to bring the razzle-dazzle of New York to Music City.</li></ul>

Interactive map: UFO sightings in Tennessee

Discussion and reports of UFOs have been going more mainstream.

Area 51 isn&#x27;t the only place in the country where people experience close encounters of the odd kind.<ul><li>People in the Nashville metro area have reported 657 UFO sightings since the dawn of the millennium, per National UFO Reporting Center data. That&#x27;s a rate of 32.1 per 100,000 people.</li></ul>

Tennessee Republican blocks attempt to honor Allison Russell

A similar resolution honoring the band Paramore passed.

A Tennessee House Republican leader blocked state <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Rep. Justin Jones" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/10/03/justin-jones-lawsuit-cameron-sexton-free-speech" data-vars-content-id="12047477-e00a-4955-ad48-2baf75fe1ce2" data-vars-headline="Tennessee Republican blocks attempt to honor Allison Russell" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/10/03/justin-jones-lawsuit-cameron-sexton-free-speech" target="_self">Rep. Justin Jones</a>&#x27; resolution honoring <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Allison Russell" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2022/12/10/power-players-nashville-adrienne-battle-sean-brock" data-vars-content-id="12047477-e00a-4955-ad48-2baf75fe1ce2" data-vars-headline="Tennessee Republican blocks attempt to honor Allison Russell" 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">Allison Russell</a>, a singer-songwriter who won her first Grammy for her performance of the song &quot;Eve Was Black.&quot;<ul><li>Jones&#x27; similar <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="resolution" data-vars-click-url="https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/BillInfo/Default.aspx?BillNumber=HJR0916" data-vars-content-id="12047477-e00a-4955-ad48-2baf75fe1ce2" data-vars-headline="Tennessee Republican blocks attempt to honor Allison Russell" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/BillInfo/Default.aspx?BillNumber=HJR0916" target="_blank">resolution</a> honoring the band Paramore for its win in the best rock album category was approved without objection.</li></ul>

Some of Beyoncé's country collaborators have Nashville ties

Beyoncé enlisted some familiar names to craft her new <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="exploration of country music" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2024/02/09/country-music-cross-over-beyonce-post-malone-lana-del-rey" data-vars-content-id="804f3e3d-ea77-419f-8b35-5f60af3037dd" data-vars-headline="Some of Beyoncé&#x27;s country collaborators have Nashville ties" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2024/02/09/country-music-cross-over-beyonce-post-malone-lana-del-rey" target="_self">exploration of country music</a>.Zoom in: &quot;Texas Hold &#x27;Em&quot; opens with a charging banjo riff care of the celebrated folk musician Rhiannon Giddens, who has made her mark in Nashville.

After 48 years, Army wife reunited with wedding ring

Volunteers teamed up to find the precious ring.

Culture

Forty-eight years after Nashville resident Skyla Carmona lost her wedding ring in a wooded area outside a small trailer at Fort Devens Army base in Massachusetts, it has been found.Why it matters: The discovery of Skyla&#x27;s wedding ring is an example of the internet doing something good instead of bitterly dividing us.

Garage Sale Vintage now open in Highland Yards with cocktail bar

A thrift store and cocktail bar just opened its second Nashville location.

Sift through racks of vintage T-shirts with a hard lemonade in hand at Garage Sale Vintage, a new shop and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="bar" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2023/06/02/best-bars-nashville" data-vars-content-id="9ed78a3e-f6ce-41b8-a3f9-b6db9a8b983c" data-vars-headline="Garage Sale Vintage now open in Highland Yards with cocktail bar" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2023/06/02/best-bars-nashville" target="_self">bar</a> in the Highland Yards development in East Nashville.The big picture: The trendy new shopping center continues to add <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="restaurants" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/food-and-drink" data-vars-content-id="9ed78a3e-f6ce-41b8-a3f9-b6db9a8b983c" data-vars-headline="Garage Sale Vintage now open in Highland Yards with cocktail bar" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/food-and-drink" target="_self">restaurants</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="retailers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/business" data-vars-content-id="9ed78a3e-f6ce-41b8-a3f9-b6db9a8b983c" data-vars-headline="Garage Sale Vintage now open in Highland Yards with cocktail bar" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/business" target="_self">retailers</a> like Garage Sale, which celebrated its grand opening Aug. 11.

Mysterious "Oprah" graffiti appears in East Nashville

Oprah Winfrey attended nearby East High School.

I was on an assignment last week in East Nashville, where I found the name &quot;Oprah&quot; was mysteriously spray-painted on several walls.What happened next: During my drive home, I was surprised to see more Oprah graffiti.

Dolly Parton's Christmas special gets an Emmy nomination

Her NBC Christmas special is one of five up for the outstanding TV movie award.

Here she comes again. Dolly Parton can&#x27;t stay out of the headlines, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="or Axios Nashville" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2023/01/19/dolly-parton-77-birthday-rock-album-duncan-hines" data-vars-content-id="55fdfed6-5b37-4c33-af58-d2d509f8624c" data-vars-headline="Dolly Parton&#x27;s Christmas special gets an Emmy nomination" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2023/01/19/dolly-parton-77-birthday-rock-album-duncan-hines" target="_self">or Axios Nashville</a>, for long.Driving the news: On Wednesday, Parton notched an Emmy nomination for her NBC special &quot;Dolly Parton&#x27;s Mountain Magic Christmas.&quot; The project is one of five up for outstanding TV movie.

Culture

The Michelin Guide arrives in the American South

Our bureau chief says goodbye

New Nashville documentary profiles struggles of independent music venues

Swan Ball tied up in court

Hundreds line up in North Carolina and Tennessee for used books road trip