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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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Sources: Sphere Entertainment considers venue in Nashville

Multiple sources tell Axios that Sphere reps have held talks with local executives.

News

Representatives of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the Sphere" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/07/08/sphere-las-vegas-venue-shows" data-vars-content-id="bfc72032-c326-4d87-a619-45e3b1e43236" data-vars-headline="Sources: Sphere Entertainment considers venue in Nashville" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/07/08/sphere-las-vegas-venue-shows" target="_self">the Sphere</a> music venue in Las Vegas and local business people have discussed the possibility of bringing a smaller version of the venue to Nashville.Why it matters: Nashville would gain a unique concert hall that is known for hosting the world&#x27;s most popular artists for extended residencies — something the local live music ecosystem currently lacks.

Starbucks to establish corporate office in Nashville this year

Starbucks said the Nashville office would anchor its expansion plans.

Business

Starbucks announced Tuesday that it would open a new corporate hub this year in Nashville.Why it matters: The coffee giant said the corporate operations office in Nashville would anchor <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="upcoming expansion plans" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/09/starbucks-menu-update-2026-new-drinks-food" data-vars-content-id="29774c6e-47bf-456d-a821-2fa596eaa814" data-vars-headline="Starbucks to establish corporate office in Nashville this year" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/09/starbucks-menu-update-2026-new-drinks-food" target="_self">upcoming expansion plans</a>.

Tennessee Republicans target same-sex marriage, LGBTQ+ job protections

Some measures have already cleared significant hurdles.

Politics

Tennessee Republicans have worked for years to advance policies <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="targeting the LGBTQ+ community" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2023/03/03/tennessee-bills-targeting-lgbtq-advance" data-vars-content-id="3cdfb8f4-77a9-4ecf-8464-79a6e94172de" data-vars-headline="Tennessee Republicans target same-sex marriage, LGBTQ+ job protections" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2023/03/03/tennessee-bills-targeting-lgbtq-advance" target="_self">targeting the LGBTQ+ community</a>, and 2026 is no exception.Why it matters: Conservative lawmakers are pushing bills this year that would undermine same-sex marriages, scale back LGBTQ+ employment protections and further restrict Pride celebrations.<ul><li>Some of those measures have already cleared significant hurdles in the legislature.</li></ul>

Metro Council to vote on opposing Music City Loop

Metro Council is likely to vote Tuesday on whether to oppose Elon Musk's Nashville tunnel project.

Metro Council will vote at its meeting Tuesday night on whether to officially oppose the Boring Company&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Music City Loop project" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/07/20/nashville-boring-company-elon-musk-tunnel-airport-downtown-connection" data-vars-content-id="68df59f6-5887-453b-a730-da6e1eca2f67" data-vars-headline="Metro Council to vote on opposing Music City Loop" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/07/20/nashville-boring-company-elon-musk-tunnel-airport-downtown-connection" target="_self">Music City Loop project</a>.Why it matters: The Boring Company has ambitious plans for Nashville. Embarking on its underground tunnel system against the wishes of the city council calls into question the project&#x27;s long-term viability.

Nashville shifted slightly to the right in the presidential election

All Tennessee counties voted more conservatively compared to 2020.

Davidson County inched slightly to the right this presidential election compared to 2020.Why it matters: All 95 Tennessee counties voted more conservatively this election compared to 2020.<ul><li>It wasn&#x27;t just Tennessee. Big cities across the country, including Los Angeles and New York, lurched to the right this year.</li></ul>

U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles wins reelection in Tennessee's 5th Congressional District

Two other Nashville-area Republicans also won reelection.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2024/08/02/andy-ogles-house-republican-primary-tennessee" data-vars-content-id="f68668fe-7976-4f94-9973-fc020b5f5e13" data-vars-headline="U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles wins reelection in Tennessee&#x27;s 5th Congressional District" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2024/08/02/andy-ogles-house-republican-primary-tennessee" target="_self">U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles</a> defeated Democratic challenger Maryam Abolfazli to retain his seat in Tennessee&#x27;s 5th Congressional District. <ul><li>Ogles is a member of the conservative House Freedom Caucus and has the backing of former President Trump.</li></ul>The big picture: This is the second election cycle since state lawmakers redrew Tennessee&#x27;s congressional map to convert Nashville from a safe Democratic district into three majority-Republican districts.<ul><li>Ogles and the two other Republican House members representing the Nashville area entered the election as apparent favorites. Their advantages proved decisive, as they all sailed to comfortable victories.</li></ul>

Marsha Blackburn defeats Gloria Johnson in Tennessee's U.S. Senate race

Incumbent U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn, a Republican, was heavily favored to win.

Election

Incumbent <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2024/07/15/marsha-blackburn-speech-rnc" data-vars-content-id="39ddbaf6-495c-46d8-acad-6fd01fcb11a1" data-vars-headline="Marsha Blackburn defeats Gloria Johnson in Tennessee&#x27;s U.S. Senate race" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2024/07/15/marsha-blackburn-speech-rnc" target="_self">U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn</a> defeated Tennessee state Rep. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Gloria Johnson" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2023/09/05/tennessee-three-gloria-johnson-marsha-blackburn" data-vars-content-id="39ddbaf6-495c-46d8-acad-6fd01fcb11a1" data-vars-headline="Marsha Blackburn defeats Gloria Johnson in Tennessee&#x27;s U.S. Senate race" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2023/09/05/tennessee-three-gloria-johnson-marsha-blackburn" target="_self">Gloria Johnson</a> in Tennessee&#x27;s Senate election.<ul><li>Blackburn, a Republican, was heavily favored to win against Johnson, her Democratic challenger.</li><li>The race was called <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="just as polls closed" data-vars-click-url="https://apnews.com/article/tennessee-us-senate-election-blackburn-johnson-d5d339eabfd3822e870e80a9a347ac82" data-vars-content-id="39ddbaf6-495c-46d8-acad-6fd01fcb11a1" data-vars-headline="Marsha Blackburn defeats Gloria Johnson in Tennessee&#x27;s U.S. Senate race" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://apnews.com/article/tennessee-us-senate-election-blackburn-johnson-d5d339eabfd3822e870e80a9a347ac82" target="_blank">just as polls closed</a>.</li></ul>

Trump wins Tennessee's 11 electoral votes

Live results for the presidential race in Tennessee.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Former President Trump" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/politics-policy/donald-trump" data-vars-content-id="bfa242a3-c5c8-4b8e-8ce3-870421f9cb38" data-vars-headline="Trump wins Tennessee&#x27;s 11 electoral votes" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/politics-policy/donald-trump" target="_self">Former President Trump</a> easily won Tennessee and its 11 electoral votes Tuesday night as he vied to return to the White House.The Associated Press called the race in Tennessee soon after polls closed at 7pm CST.

Election Day 2024 arrives in Tennessee

Today marks a pivotal moment for Nashville and the nation.

After months of eye-popping news stories, dueling polls and relentless TV commercials, a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="monumental Election Day" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2024/10/16/2024-election-guide-nashville" data-vars-content-id="893b1a01-6b5c-48ef-80dd-dda675f0c0f2" data-vars-headline="Election Day 2024 arrives in Tennessee" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2024/10/16/2024-election-guide-nashville" target="_self">monumental Election Day</a> is finally upon us.Why it matters: Tuesday marks a pivotal moment for Nashville and the nation.

How long it took to call Tennessee during the 2020 election

Swing states could take days to sort out.

If 2020 was any indication, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="it won&#x27;t take long" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/10/25/how-long-states-called-election" data-vars-content-id="98f2805c-0518-488e-b639-44bcc2bd9e20" data-vars-headline="How long it took to call Tennessee during the 2020 election" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/10/25/how-long-states-called-election" target="_self">it won&#x27;t take long</a> to find out how Tennessee voted.<ul><li>The rest of the country might be another story.</li></ul>

It's the last day to vote early in Tennessee

Nearly 1.9 million Tennesseans have already cast their ballots.

Early voting ends Thursday in Tennessee. Nashville residents who still want to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="cast their ballots" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2024/10/16/2024-election-guide-nashville" data-vars-content-id="d17ca80d-b3f1-4989-bf03-b2305f56708b" data-vars-headline="It&#x27;s the last day to vote early in Tennessee" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2024/10/16/2024-election-guide-nashville" target="_self">cast their ballots</a> at an early voting location have until 7pm to do so.Why it matters: This election will have far-reaching repercussions at the federal, state and local level. The outcomes of different races will affect how we move through our communities, what education policies pass through the General Assembly and who sits in the Oval Office.

Your 2024 Nashville election guide

In addition to the presidential race, voters will decide on a sweeping overhaul of the city's transportation system.

Nashville voters can now cast their ballots for the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Nov. 5 election" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/politics-policy/us-presidential-house-senate-elections" data-vars-content-id="2fccce6f-447f-4b18-905f-fe95df65ef14" data-vars-headline="Your 2024 Nashville election guide" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/politics-policy/us-presidential-house-senate-elections" target="_self">Nov. 5 election</a>, which includes races that touch every level of government.Why it matters: In addition to the presidential race, which is sure to draw crowds, voters will decide on a sweeping overhaul of the city&#x27;s transportation system. Other races will determine Middle Tennessee&#x27;s representatives in Congress and at the state Capitol.

2024 election: Early voting guide for Nashville residents

Early voting in Davidson County starts Oct. 16.

If Tuesday night&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="presidential debate" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/09/07/harris-trump-debate-president-what-know" data-vars-content-id="12e90f4f-dede-428b-bb45-7fda08ca246e" data-vars-headline="2024 election: Early voting guide for Nashville residents" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/09/07/harris-trump-debate-president-what-know" target="_self">presidential debate</a> helped you decide how to cast your vote, you won&#x27;t have to wait very long to do so.<ul><li>Early voting in Davidson County starts Oct. 16.</li></ul>

Andy Ogles defeats Courtney Johnston in District 5 primary

Ogles, who is endorsed by Trump, is a member of the Freedom Caucus.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2022/08/05/andy-ogles-gop-primary-tennessee-5th-district" data-vars-content-id="4feb2581-ac8e-42d3-89af-d47b5c35788c" data-vars-headline="Andy Ogles defeats Courtney Johnston in District 5 primary" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2022/08/05/andy-ogles-gop-primary-tennessee-5th-district" target="_self">U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles</a> fended off a well-funded challenge from one of Nashville&#x27;s most prominent Republicans to win the House District 5 primary Thursday night.Why it matters: Ogles, who has the endorsement of former President Trump, could be in a position to hold the seat for a long time.

Election 🗳️

Nashville shifted slightly to the right in the presidential election

U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles wins reelection in Tennessee's 5th Congressional District

Marsha Blackburn defeats Gloria Johnson in Tennessee's U.S. Senate race

Trump wins Tennessee's 11 electoral votes

Election Day 2024 arrives in Tennessee