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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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Following layoffs, Oracle pursues zoning change for East Bank campus

Five years removed from its government incentive deal, Oracle laid off workers, creating questions about its plans for Nashville.

Business

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Oracle told Nashville leaders" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2024/04/23/oracle-ceo-announces-nashville-hq" data-vars-content-id="987fb316-a91e-4ef2-95fe-c8e11cef6e7a" data-vars-headline="Following layoffs, Oracle pursues zoning change for East Bank campus" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2024/04/23/oracle-ceo-announces-nashville-hq" target="_self">Oracle told Nashville leaders</a> that it is moving forward with a grandiose East Bank development project, despite creeping doubts on the heels of the company&#x27;s large-scale corporate layoffs.Why it matters: The multibillion-dollar Oracle headquarters and surrounding campus are seen as integral to revitalizing the East Bank of the Cumberland River.<ul><li>But the layoffs, the disruption from AI and the sheer amount of time since the project was announced have generated whispers in Nashville political circles about the status of the tech giant&#x27;s ambitious plans.</li></ul>

Songwriting titan Don Schlitz dies at 73

Schlitz was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2017.

News

Music Row titan Don Schlitz, the prolific songwriter responsible for a raft of modern classics including &quot;The Gambler&quot; and &quot;Forever and Ever, Amen,&quot; died this week in Nashville. He was 73.The big picture: Schlitz, who was inducted into the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Country Music Hall of Fame" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/03/20/tim-mcgraw-country-music-hall-of-fame-inductees" data-vars-content-id="9492c535-4e97-4020-8648-6560aa0e7bbe" data-vars-headline="Songwriting titan Don Schlitz dies at 73" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/03/20/tim-mcgraw-country-music-hall-of-fame-inductees" target="_self">Country Music Hall of Fame</a> in 2017, turned the daily lives of ordinary people into poetry.<ul><li>Many of his songs became massive commercial hits, but they were also deeply soulful, slyly funny and emotionally devastating.</li></ul>

TPAC unveils design for East Bank center

Backers envision the new facility as a cultural landmark for Nashville.

The new skyline-altering <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Tennessee Performing Arts Center" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/12/01/new-details-show-metros-infrastructure-bill-for-new-tpac-facility" data-vars-content-id="57453073-40a9-4842-8cc5-d9dd07330f51" data-vars-headline="TPAC unveils design for East Bank center" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/12/01/new-details-show-metros-infrastructure-bill-for-new-tpac-facility" target="_self">Tennessee Performing Arts Center</a> will be perfectly framed by Lower Broadway as you look east across the Cumberland River from downtown, according to new design renderings released Thursday.Why it matters: TPAC unveiled the new comprehensive design plans for its $600 million facility on the East Bank, marking an important update for the project that has been in the works for years.<ul><li>TPAC&#x27;s backers envision the new facility as a cultural landmark for Nashville.</li></ul>Zoom in: The renderings show how the new TPAC will fit into the East Bank. Located along the Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge, the facility will be the main structure people see from Broadway.<ul><li>The building was designed by world-renowned architect Bjarke Ingels and his firm, BIG-Bjarke Ingels Group.</li><li>The new renderings also show what the inside of the main performance hall will look like.</li></ul>By the numbers: The 307,000-square-foot facility features four performance venues, which range in size from the large Broadway Hall to a small cabaret theater.<ul><li>The new center will also include a dance and opera hall and a flexible black box theater.</li></ul><figure><img alt="Public plaza featuring a dramatic, wavy ribbed metal building; glass towers rise in the background as people walk among trees and planters at dusk." height="2812" id="19a57cc6-c63d-4283-93ca-bb2533100fa8" src="https://images.axios.com/B0YGHgjsOZ2BNPhnnYq10gABUwU=/2026/04/15/1776285796976.jpeg" width="5000"/><figcaption>A rendering of the exterior of the new TPAC facility. Image: courtesy of TPAC</figcaption></figure>State of play: TPAC received $500 million in state funding for the project and is in the midst of a fundraising campaign to raise the rest of the money.<ul><li>Metro contributed the land. After months of negotiation, TPAC and Mayor Freddie O&#x27;Connell finalized <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="an infrastructure agreement last year" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/12/01/new-details-show-metros-infrastructure-bill-for-new-tpac-facility" data-vars-content-id="57453073-40a9-4842-8cc5-d9dd07330f51" data-vars-headline="TPAC unveils design for East Bank center" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/12/01/new-details-show-metros-infrastructure-bill-for-new-tpac-facility" target="_self">an infrastructure agreement last year</a>.</li></ul>What she&#x27;s saying: &quot;This new center represents the future of the performing arts in Nashville and across our state,&quot; TPAC president and CEO Jennifer Turner said in a statement.

Procrastinators rejoice: Nashville has a tax deadline extension

The IRS announced the extension earlier this month.

Nashville-area residents get a special extension on their tax deadline this year due to disruptions caused by <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Winter Storm Fern" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/01/28/nashville-ice-storm-0-42-inches-recorded" data-vars-content-id="ea68c2ed-d700-4091-8a3c-0cc0e39c3563" data-vars-headline="Procrastinators rejoice: Nashville has a tax deadline extension" 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/nashville-ice-storm-0-42-inches-recorded" target="_self">Winter Storm Fern</a>.Why it matters: Individuals and businesses in Davidson County and the surrounding area will have until May 22 to file returns and pay taxes that would normally be due April 15.

MTSU launches new MFA for film and TV production

MTSU seeks to create a workforce pipeline to power film and TV productions.

Middle Tennessee State University is responding to an <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="influx of film and television productions" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/10/09/9-1-1-nashville-makes-music-city-the-backdrop-for-drama-outlandish-emergencies" data-vars-content-id="bd5dbf62-457f-4c4c-bbdc-bb5d826511f8" data-vars-headline="MTSU launches new MFA for film and TV production" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/10/09/9-1-1-nashville-makes-music-city-the-backdrop-for-drama-outlandish-emergencies" target="_self">influx of film and television productions</a> coming to the Nashville area with a new academic program set to launch this fall.Why it matters: Elected officials have <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="worked for years" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2022/06/10/metro-nashville-entertainment-industry-debate" data-vars-content-id="bd5dbf62-457f-4c4c-bbdc-bb5d826511f8" data-vars-headline="MTSU launches new MFA for film and TV production" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2022/06/10/metro-nashville-entertainment-industry-debate" target="_self">worked for years</a> to build the region&#x27;s film production bona fides. The MTSU program seeks to create a workforce pipeline that can power those productions.

Shrinking lottery revenue pinches HOPE scholarship

There are options to fill the funding gap. But at a point, cuts will be required.

Education

Lottery revenue that has funded college scholarships in Tennessee for decades is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="shrinking" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/05/01/lottery-sidelined-tennessee-scholarship-plan" data-vars-content-id="f36de4bf-d504-4804-9d56-7d2f3bdc68a9" data-vars-headline="Shrinking lottery revenue pinches HOPE scholarship" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/05/01/lottery-sidelined-tennessee-scholarship-plan" target="_self">shrinking</a>, and it could require painful cuts in the years ahead.Why it matters: Tennessee&#x27;s HOPE scholarship and other financial aid options backed by lottery revenue have made college more affordable for hundreds of thousands of students.<ul><li>A funding shortfall could mean students get less help.</li></ul>

Nashville's college-educated population surges

Nashville was one of the top 20 metros with the fastest-growing attainment rates.

The share of Nashville adults <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="with a bachelor&#x27;s degree" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/08/19/tennessee-college-enrollment-high-school-seniors" data-vars-content-id="bd55175e-1054-4ecf-93ea-3400b02651aa" data-vars-headline="Nashville&#x27;s college-educated population surges" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/08/19/tennessee-college-enrollment-high-school-seniors" target="_self">with a bachelor&#x27;s degree</a> or higher has surged in the last decade, according to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new census data" data-vars-click-url="https://www.census.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2026/acs-5-year-gains-educational-attainment.html" data-vars-content-id="bd55175e-1054-4ecf-93ea-3400b02651aa" data-vars-headline="Nashville&#x27;s college-educated population surges" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.census.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2026/acs-5-year-gains-educational-attainment.html" target="_blank">new census data</a>.Why it matters: A rising share of college-educated adults can reshape the area&#x27;s workforce and build economic muscle. A highly educated population can also be attractive to companies looking to relocate.

Data shows a college education is tied to income growth in Nashville

Nashvillians with bachelor's or advanced degrees earn substantially more than those without

College remains a gateway to higher pay in Nashville and beyond, an analysis of federal data shows.Why it matters: The earnings data stands in stark contrast with <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new national polling" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/09/14/college-jobs-gallup-ai" data-vars-content-id="05074c6c-8e9c-4e94-bfa4-c29dbb689453" data-vars-headline="Data shows a college education is tied to income growth in Nashville" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/09/14/college-jobs-gallup-ai" target="_self">new national polling</a> that shows Americans of all political stripes are much less likely to think of higher education is &quot;very important.&quot;

Vanderbilt among nine universities asked to agree to Trump "compact"

Requirements include a five-year tuition freeze and caps on international student enrollment.

The White House is asking Vanderbilt University to embrace President Trump&#x27;s views on <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="gender" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/01/29/trump-funding-schools-transgender-children" data-vars-content-id="e3f6be8e-c5ae-4efd-b51a-ef7f3a3247c3" data-vars-headline="Vanderbilt among nine universities asked to agree to Trump &quot;compact&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/01/29/trump-funding-schools-transgender-children" target="_self">gender</a>, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="admissions" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/08/07/trump-expands-race-probe-college-admissions" data-vars-content-id="e3f6be8e-c5ae-4efd-b51a-ef7f3a3247c3" data-vars-headline="Vanderbilt among nine universities asked to agree to Trump &quot;compact&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/08/07/trump-expands-race-probe-college-admissions" target="_self">admissions</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="free speech" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/02/04/trump-campus-free-speech-gaza" data-vars-content-id="e3f6be8e-c5ae-4efd-b51a-ef7f3a3247c3" data-vars-headline="Vanderbilt among nine universities asked to agree to Trump &quot;compact&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/02/04/trump-campus-free-speech-gaza" target="_self">free speech</a> in exchange for federal funding benefits.Why it matters: Vanderbilt is one of nine institutions to get the request, which was reported by the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Wall Street Journal" data-vars-click-url="https://www.wsj.com/us-news/education/trump-universities-compact-federal-funds-agreement-df158493?st=XYXgWn&amp;reflink=desktopwebshare_permalink" data-vars-content-id="e3f6be8e-c5ae-4efd-b51a-ef7f3a3247c3" data-vars-headline="Vanderbilt among nine universities asked to agree to Trump &quot;compact&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.wsj.com/us-news/education/trump-universities-compact-federal-funds-agreement-df158493?st=XYXgWn&amp;reflink=desktopwebshare_permalink" target="_blank">Wall Street Journal</a> and other outlets. Ten-page letters sent to those colleges lay out a &quot;compact&quot; of policies institutions can adopt to get priority access to funding and officials.<ul><li>The requirements include a five-year tuition freeze, caps on international student enrollment, and strict definitions of gender for bathrooms and sports, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="per the AP" data-vars-click-url="https://apnews.com/article/trump-political-agenda-colleges-federal-money-756407729a3b16c7bb51564d5056084c" data-vars-content-id="e3f6be8e-c5ae-4efd-b51a-ef7f3a3247c3" data-vars-headline="Vanderbilt among nine universities asked to agree to Trump &quot;compact&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-political-agenda-colleges-federal-money-756407729a3b16c7bb51564d5056084c" target="_blank">per the AP</a>.</li></ul>

Tennessee technical colleges getting $1.5 billion facelift

Construction projects are reshaping Tennessee's technical colleges.

A new building taking shape on White Bridge Road is part of a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="massive effort" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2023/02/13/tennessee-technical-colleges-upgrade-billion" data-vars-content-id="6c01c1ce-c611-4914-8af5-1722f0b12efd" data-vars-headline="Tennessee technical colleges getting $1.5 billion facelift" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2023/02/13/tennessee-technical-colleges-upgrade-billion" target="_self">massive effort</a> to revitalize Tennessee&#x27;s technical colleges.Why it matters: Technical colleges educate nurses, mechanics and electricians. But classes often take place in outdated buildings that were built in the 1960s and 1970s.<ul><li>Administrators say upgrades underway now will boost capacity and weave in technology that better prepares students for the workplace.</li></ul>

Tennessee college-going rate dips, but enrollment numbers vary widely

A closer look shows different realities in different parts of the state.

In Tennessee, the share of public high school seniors <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="heading to college" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2024/07/10/tennessee-college-enrollment-improves" data-vars-content-id="e184b5ae-70d4-4f01-bfc1-5ef58acaaa41" data-vars-headline="Tennessee college-going rate dips, but enrollment numbers vary widely" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2024/07/10/tennessee-college-enrollment-improves" target="_self">heading to college</a> last year varied widely depending on where they lived.Why it matters: The discrepancy in college enrollment across the state points to significant factors driving students&#x27; decisions, particularly family income.

Tennessee launches automatic college admission in 230 high schools

Tennessee is launching a first-of-its-kind college program this year that will send thousands of high school seniors automatic college admission letters along with personalized financial aid estimates.Why it matters: The &quot;direct admissions&quot; effort is meant to slash through the &quot;forest of red tape&quot; students face when navigating <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="college searches" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/06/10/tennessee-college-enrollment-rebounds-post-pandemic" data-vars-content-id="a4e4e4bd-2b85-4bc1-bf01-a730f2ba69d6" data-vars-headline="Tennessee launches automatic college admission in 230 high schools" 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/tennessee-college-enrollment-rebounds-post-pandemic" target="_self">college searches</a>, officials said. Participating students won&#x27;t even have to apply to understand their options at dozens of participating in-state colleges.<ul><li>&quot;No applications, no essays, no fees,&quot; said researcher <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Taylor Odle" data-vars-click-url="https://eps.education.wisc.edu/fac-staff/odle-taylor/" data-vars-content-id="a4e4e4bd-2b85-4bc1-bf01-a730f2ba69d6" data-vars-headline="Tennessee launches automatic college admission in 230 high schools" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://eps.education.wisc.edu/fac-staff/odle-taylor/" target="_blank">Taylor Odle</a>, who is evaluating the experimental program to see how it improves college enrollment.</li></ul>

Nashville school system shows growth on year-end tests

Metro Nashville Public Schools showed across-the-board improvement on this year's standardized tests..

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Metro Nashville Public Schools" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2024/06/26/metro-nashville-public-schools-testing-growth" data-vars-content-id="7792700e-d0c4-448c-ad4c-aa5ab11e8c65" data-vars-headline="Nashville school system shows growth on year-end tests" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2024/06/26/metro-nashville-public-schools-testing-growth" target="_self">Metro Nashville Public Schools</a> showed across-the-board improvement on its year-end standardized test scores.Driving the news: The district touted results released this week as its best under the new TCAP testing standards.

Vanderbilt hosts U.S. education secretary amid battle over funding cuts

The chancellor said he was honored to share a "firsthand look at the incredible work happening at Vanderbilt."

Vanderbilt University hosted U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon on campus earlier this month, as the institution faces <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="harrowing cuts" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/01/29/federal-funding-freeze-tennessee" data-vars-content-id="2f2a37f3-8d81-4947-86fd-8c7cc954107d" data-vars-headline="Vanderbilt hosts U.S. education secretary amid battle over funding cuts" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/01/29/federal-funding-freeze-tennessee" target="_self">harrowing cuts</a> to its scientific research.Why it matters: The Trump administration has been <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="at odds with Vanderbilt" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/03/17/trump-admin-targets-vanderbilt-diversity-efforts" data-vars-content-id="2f2a37f3-8d81-4947-86fd-8c7cc954107d" data-vars-headline="Vanderbilt hosts U.S. education secretary amid battle over funding cuts" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/03/17/trump-admin-targets-vanderbilt-diversity-efforts" target="_self">at odds with Vanderbilt</a> and other prominent private universities for months. But McMahon and Vanderbilt cast a positive light on this visit.

A chart showing the change in the share of population over 25 that has attained a bachelor's degree or higher by metro area from 2015-2019 to 2020-2024. Overall, there's been a 3.6% increase in degree holders. The largest increases have been in Durham, N.C. (8.1%), New Haven, Conn. (7%) and Austin (6.1%). In the Nashville metro area, there's been an increase from 36.2% to 40.9%.

Change in share of population with a bachelor's degree or higher

Data: U.S. Census Bureau; Chart: Jacque Schrag/Axios

 Vanderbilt plans San Francisco campus

Vanderbilt plans to open San Francisco campus in 2027

A line chart showing median earnings by educational attainment for residents of the Nashville metro area. In 2024, residents aged 25 and older with a college degree earned about $29k more than those with just a high school diploma. The median income was $37k in 2015 and $56k in 2024.

Education 📚

MTSU launches new MFA for film and TV production

Shrinking lottery revenue pinches HOPE scholarship

Nashville's college-educated population surges

Vanderbilt plans to open San Francisco campus in 2027

Data shows a college education is tied to income growth in Nashville