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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.

Tennessee has the highest rate of opioid use disorder in the nation

The diagnosis rate has skyrocketed since 2021.

Tennessee had the highest rate of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="opioid" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2022/08/01/opioid-fight-new-laws-tennessee" data-vars-content-id="2c23f17f-b78c-486a-9e3f-3a1afc8addce" data-vars-headline="Tennessee has the highest rate of opioid use disorder in the nation" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2022/08/01/opioid-fight-new-laws-tennessee" target="_self">opioid</a> use disorder diagnoses last year, according to data from FAIR Health&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Opioid Tracker" data-vars-click-url="https://www.fairhealth.org/fh-trackers/opioid-abuse-map" data-vars-content-id="2c23f17f-b78c-486a-9e3f-3a1afc8addce" data-vars-headline="Tennessee has the highest rate of opioid use disorder in the nation" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.fairhealth.org/fh-trackers/opioid-abuse-map" target="_blank">Opioid Tracker</a>.Why it matters: The ongoing opioid epidemic has ravaged Tennessee for years, and the new data shows that the challenge has continued to snowball.

Williamson County tops Tennessee health rankings again

That gels with Williamson's status as the wealthiest county in the state.

Williamson County retained its crown as the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="healthiest" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/health" data-vars-content-id="8504fc94-14b1-4c52-bafd-a53b0f57548e" data-vars-headline="Williamson County tops Tennessee health rankings again" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/health" target="_self">healthiest</a> place in Tennessee in an annual data review.Why it matters: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="County Health Rankings" data-vars-click-url="https://www.countyhealthrankings.org/health-data/tennessee?year=2025&amp;measure=Community+Conditions" data-vars-content-id="8504fc94-14b1-4c52-bafd-a53b0f57548e" data-vars-headline="Williamson County tops Tennessee health rankings again" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.countyhealthrankings.org/health-data/tennessee?year=2025&amp;measure=Community+Conditions" target="_blank">County Health Rankings</a> analysis offers a broad check-up on key quality-of-life metrics like housing affordability, air quality, income inequality and child care cost burden — essential drivers of long-term health.

Mental health crisis in music industry inspires new initiative

It's the "furiously fastest growing need" in the music industry.

Health

There is a mental health crisis in the music industry, many insiders agree. A Nashville nonprofit is teaming up with Universal Music Group to deal with it.Why it matters: The crisis touches everyone from aspiring young musicians in the tumultuous early stages of their careers to top Music Row executives navigating high-stress jobs.

Tennessee sees big drop in flu shots for kids

Flu shots can help prevent kids from getting sick.

Childhood flu <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="vaccination" data-vars-click-url="https://link.axios.com/click/37859372.2191/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYXhpb3MuY29tLzIwMjQvMTIvMTIvdHJ1bXAtcmZrLWNoaWxkaG9vZC12YWNjaW5hdGlvbi1wcm9ncmFtcy1hdXRpc20_dXRtX3NvdXJjZT1uZXdzbGV0dGVyJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPW5ld3NsZXR0ZXJfYXhpb3Nsb2NhbF9ib3N0b24mc3RyZWFtPXRvcA/610c4e3224241d4f337f4dd3Bab31397c" data-vars-content-id="5287b88d-9f31-49c9-9843-b46fa0dfbc7e" data-vars-headline="Tennessee sees big drop in flu shots for kids" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://link.axios.com/click/37859372.2191/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYXhpb3MuY29tLzIwMjQvMTIvMTIvdHJ1bXAtcmZrLWNoaWxkaG9vZC12YWNjaW5hdGlvbi1wcm9ncmFtcy1hdXRpc20_dXRtX3NvdXJjZT1uZXdzbGV0dGVyJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPW5ld3NsZXR0ZXJfYXhpb3Nsb2NhbF9ib3N0b24mc3RyZWFtPXRvcA/610c4e3224241d4f337f4dd3Bab31397c" target="_self">vaccination</a> is down so far this season in every state but Iowa, per new CDC data.<ul><li>Tennessee ranks near the bottom of the pack, with a 15-point drop this season.</li></ul>

VUMC logs record year for transplants

VUMC completed 809 organ transplants during its fiscal year.

It takes about 150 people to work on a single <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="organ transplant" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2022/09/14/million-organ-transplant-milestone-tennessee-impact" data-vars-content-id="41a94180-5653-4350-8d89-88de8411540d" data-vars-headline="VUMC logs record year for transplants" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2022/09/14/million-organ-transplant-milestone-tennessee-impact" target="_self">organ transplant</a>, and the Vanderbilt Transplant Center performed a record number in fiscal year 2024.

Report: Illinois top abortion destination for Tennesseans

Illinois was the top state where Tennesseans traveled for abortions in 2023, according to a new estimate by an abortion rights group.

<figure><img alt="A bar chart illustrating the estimated number of Tennessee patients traveling for abortions in 2023. Illinois received the most patients at 7,120, followed by North Carolina with 1,280. Georgia and Virginia had 950 and 880 respectively, while California and South Carolina had the fewest, at 220 and " height="900" id="9c0ad396-cde3-4dd7-81f4-efd70aff1d8c" src="https://images.axios.com/0KQn5pw-d8_mWVKTI7jT9fYdx-Q=/2024/06/18/1718739198852.png" width="1600"/><figcaption>Data: Guttmacher Institute; Note: Includes procedural and medication abortions provided at brick-and-mortar health facilities as well as medication abortions via telehealth and virtual providers in 2023. Counts less than 100 not shown.; Chart: Axios Visuals</figcaption></figure>Illinois was the top state where Tennesseans traveled for abortions in 2023, according to a new estimate by an abortion rights group.By the numbers: Tennessee residents obtained 10,570 out-of-state abortions, according to estimates from the Guttmacher Institute.<ul><li>Illinois led the way with 7,120 followed by North Carolina with 1,280.</li></ul>

CDC director promotes mental health support in Nashville visit

She met with Tennessee health officials and toured a mental health clinic during her stop.

CDC director Mandy Cohen visited Nashville Monday to see how Tennessee organizations work to bolster mental health and prevent suicides.Why it matters: More than 1,200 people died by suicide in Tennessee in 2021, according to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="CDC data" data-vars-click-url="https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/pressroom/sosmap/suicide-mortality/suicide.htm" data-vars-content-id="315c0408-11ca-420a-8f7a-b8c966b09d44" data-vars-headline="CDC director promotes mental health support in Nashville visit" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/pressroom/sosmap/suicide-mortality/suicide.htm" target="_blank">CDC data</a>.

Your guide to Pilates studios in Nashville

Axios Nashville readers are Pilates enthusiasts.

It appears Axios Nashville readers are a bunch of rabid Pilates enthusiasts.The intrigue: A few weeks ago, we <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="reported on how Pilates" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2024/03/14/pilates-popularity-nashville-studio-bodyrok" data-vars-content-id="ee8eed9e-57ad-4f2a-80aa-f1b6cdea7bbe" data-vars-headline="Your guide to Pilates studios in Nashville" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2024/03/14/pilates-popularity-nashville-studio-bodyrok" target="_self">reported on how Pilates</a> is surpassing high-impact workouts like CrossFit as the most popular exercise trend.<ul><li>We asked readers to explain why they like Pilates, as well as their favorite Nashville-area studios.</li><li>Readers responded in droves. We haven&#x27;t gotten this many comments since Nate asked readers to help convince Axios Nashville coauthor Adam Tamburin to watch &quot;The Office.&quot;</li></ul>

Tennessee organizations get nearly $81 million to fight opioid crisis

The funds support addiction treatment, recovery work and prevention efforts.

Tennessee is distributing nearly $81 million in grant funding to fight the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="opioid epidemic" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2022/08/01/opioid-fight-new-laws-tennessee" data-vars-content-id="479730e1-e976-41c4-ab62-2d8b3cbaba00" data-vars-headline="Tennessee organizations get nearly $81 million to fight opioid crisis" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2022/08/01/opioid-fight-new-laws-tennessee" target="_self">opioid epidemic</a>.Why it matters: The funds will go to organizations that support addiction treatment, recovery work and prevention efforts.

Nashvillians living with hearing loss

More than 9% of Davidson County residents experience at least mild hearing loss.

More than 9% of Davidson County residents experience at least mild <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="hearing loss" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/03/07/americans-hearing-cdc-rural-urban-areas" data-vars-content-id="10761f85-251e-498d-9b7f-81de7a8f294a" data-vars-headline="Nashvillians living with hearing loss" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/03/07/americans-hearing-cdc-rural-urban-areas" target="_self">hearing loss</a>.<ul><li>That&#x27;s an estimated 63,118 people, based on a recent study seeking to estimate the condition&#x27;s prevalence down to the county level.</li></ul>Why it matters: The findings have important implications for public health officials, policymakers and more.

Health 🩺

Tennessee has the highest rate of opioid use disorder in the nation

Williamson County tops Tennessee health rankings again

Mental health crisis in music industry inspires new initiative

Tennessee sees big drop in flu shots for kids

VUMC logs record year for transplants