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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.

Nashville restaurants and music venues need help after ice storm

Business is always slow in the winter, and that's before the storm knocked out power.

Food and Drink

The ice storm that clobbered Nashville last week couldn&#x27;t have come at a worse time for the city&#x27;s independent restaurants, music venues and shops.Why it matters: Business is always slow in the winter, and that&#x27;s before the storm knocked out power and disrupted at least a week of revenue for most of the city.<ul><li>In the aftermath of the storm, there&#x27;s been a rallying cry to support neighborhood businesses.</li></ul>

In triumphant reversal, Dalts will reopen under Strategic Hospitality

The new team promises to revive "the 'Cheers' of West Nashville."

Never mind.<ul><li>A day after the old school West Nashville restaurant <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Dalts" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/12/23/restaurant-dalts-closed-white-bridge-road" data-vars-content-id="088accb7-5b49-406b-8532-1a331f178cc5" data-vars-headline="In triumphant reversal, Dalts will reopen under Strategic Hospitality" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/12/23/restaurant-dalts-closed-white-bridge-road" target="_self">Dalts</a> announced it was closing, a new announcement came saying some of the top restaurateurs in the city were stepping in to bring it back.</li></ul>

Longtime Nashville restaurant Dalts closes after 45 years

The White Bridge Road restaurant closed abruptly on Monday.

Editor&#x27;s note: A day after the old school West Nashville restaurant Dalts announced it was closing, a new announcement came saying some of the top restaurateurs in the city were stepping in to bring it back.<ul><li>The team at Strategic Hospitality said they would announce more details of the revival — which will remain in the original White Bridge Road location — in the coming months. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Read the latest" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/12/23/dalts-nashville-reopening-strategic-hospitality" data-vars-content-id="5137c27f-6aa7-4361-8001-a53e3ebc2c2a" data-vars-headline="Longtime Nashville restaurant Dalts closes after 45 years" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/12/23/dalts-nashville-reopening-strategic-hospitality" target="_self">Read the latest</a>.</li></ul>Original story:After 45 years in business, the White Bridge Road restaurant Dalts American Grill has served its last meal.<ul><li>The owners announced the abrupt closure in a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="brief goodbye message" data-vars-click-url="https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1ALmqGHoMW/" data-vars-content-id="5137c27f-6aa7-4361-8001-a53e3ebc2c2a" data-vars-headline="Longtime Nashville restaurant Dalts closes after 45 years" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1ALmqGHoMW/" target="_blank">brief goodbye message</a> Monday morning.</li></ul>

2025 in review: Jake Howell brings James Beard glory back to Nashville

Howell's James Beard Award is the equivalent of a culinary Oscar.

The day after chef Jake Howell came home from winning a coveted <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="James Beard Award" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/06/17/peninsula-jake-howell-best-chef-james-beard-nashville" data-vars-content-id="2197fe21-62a1-4a1b-b9bd-4c2b07903288" data-vars-headline="2025 in review: Jake Howell brings James Beard glory back to Nashville" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/06/17/peninsula-jake-howell-best-chef-james-beard-nashville" target="_self">James Beard Award</a> this year, he was back in East Nashville scrubbing the bathroom at his restaurant Peninsula.Why it matters: Howell&#x27;s prize is the equivalent of a culinary Oscar, but he didn&#x27;t spend much time at the after party.<ul><li>His rapid return to work reflects the mission statement of the tiny restaurant with a big reputation.</li></ul>

In-N-Out Burger opening four locations in Middle Tennessee soon

Get hyped, burger nerds. In-N-Out is close to opening shops in the Nashville area.

The trademark red and yellow signs are installed, crews are putting the finishing touches on the buildings and four In-N-Out Burger locations are on track to open in the Nashville area soon.Why it matters: In-N-Out is one of the most popular fast food chains in the country, and the new shops will be the company&#x27;s first in the eastern U.S.

Nashville burger chain Cledis coming to The Gulch

Cledis has emerged as a bona fide Nashville success story.

The burger joint <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Cledis" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2023/01/13/cledis-burger-restaurant-nashville" data-vars-content-id="f3fe5550-f044-4eb9-9cb5-e15a48390b7e" data-vars-headline="Nashville burger chain Cledis coming to The Gulch" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2023/01/13/cledis-burger-restaurant-nashville" target="_self">Cledis</a> announced it would start slinging patties at a third location in 2026.Why it matters: Cledis traces its roots to a humble food truck. But it has emerged as a bona fide Nashville success story.

East Nashville staple Margot Cafe & Bar to close in June, 2026

East Nashville's Margot to close in June, 2026.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Margot Café &amp; Bar," data-vars-click-url="https://www.margotcafe.com/" data-vars-content-id="fe733886-7d21-47c8-b197-eb6c93a97e94" data-vars-headline="East Nashville staple Margot Cafe &amp; Bar to close in June, 2026" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.margotcafe.com/" target="_blank">Margot Café &amp; Bar,</a> which played a starring role in East Nashville&#x27;s culinary and creativity renaissance, will close next summer.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Margot" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nashvillescene.com/food_drink/features/margot-cafe-and-bar-to-close/article_289318fe-3c92-4eb9-8ee4-9cb959cc60c0.html" data-vars-content-id="fe733886-7d21-47c8-b197-eb6c93a97e94" data-vars-headline="East Nashville staple Margot Cafe &amp; Bar to close in June, 2026" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nashvillescene.com/food_drink/features/margot-cafe-and-bar-to-close/article_289318fe-3c92-4eb9-8ee4-9cb959cc60c0.html" target="_blank">Margot</a> set up shop at a time when unique, high-minded independent restaurants were rare in Nashville. The Five Points neighborhood hadn&#x27;t yet achieved its status as a cultural mecca of bars, music venues and creatives.<ul><li>The final service will be on June 5, 2026, which is the 25th anniversary of the restaurant&#x27;s opening.</li></ul>

Three Nashville restaurants earn prestigious Michelin star

Bastion, Catbird Seat and Locust earn Michelin honors for Nashville.

Three Nashville restaurants earned the city&#x27;s first ever prestigious <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Michelin star recommendations" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2025/10/31/michelin-guide-american-south-how-to-watch" data-vars-content-id="0c57dc8a-c794-407b-943d-ba59462bef03" data-vars-headline="Three Nashville restaurants earn prestigious Michelin star" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2025/10/31/michelin-guide-american-south-how-to-watch" target="_self">Michelin star recommendations</a>: Bastion, The Catbird Seat and Locust.<ul><li>The Hermitage Hotel also earned two Michelin keys, one of the highest global hospitality honors available.</li></ul>Why it matters: For decades, a Michelin star has been one of the most coveted awards a restaurant can earn. Nashville&#x27;s performance in Michelin&#x27;s first dining and travel guide for Tennessee cements the city&#x27;s status as a stellar foodie destination.

How Fancypants survived Nashville's restaurant gauntlet

"Every reservation is harder and harder and harder to come by."

Nashville&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="restaurant industry" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/food-and-drink" data-vars-content-id="34553110-c49b-4570-95c4-ce054db8dea3" data-vars-headline="How Fancypants survived Nashville&#x27;s restaurant gauntlet" 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">restaurant industry</a> is a bit like an obstacle course: To survive, businesses need to navigate a rough and unpredictable landscape.<ul><li>Success is not guaranteed.</li></ul>At Fancypants in East Nashville, making it to the one-year mark this summer required a lot of trial-and-error. Customers helped guide a number of pivots before the funky spin on fine dining settled into a groove.

Ernest Tubb Record Shop returns to Nashville's Lower Broadway

The new space will feature a four-story bar with rooftop views.

The iconic Ernest Tubb Record Shop is back open on Lower Broadway, albeit in a reimagined format.Why it matters: The Nashville landmark was one of the jewels of Lower Broadway for decades before it closed in 2022.<ul><li>The new space will feature a four-story bar with rooftop views alongside a recreation of the classic record shop.</li></ul>

Food and Drink 🍽

Nashville's Noble's wings rank among Southern Living's best

Nashville restaurants and music venues need help after ice storm

Three Nashville spots vie for James Beard awards

Vince Gill honors Nashville's Brown's Diner

In triumphant reversal, Dalts will reopen under Strategic Hospitality