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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.

Blackburn presses Live Nation about ticket bots at Senate hearing

The Tennessee senator and Kid Rock pressured Live Nation to fight online ticket scalpers.

Politics

U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn led a panel of federal lawmakers Wednesday in pressuring <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="corporate concert giant Live Nation" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/09/18/ftc-ticketmaster-live-nation-ticket-brokers" data-vars-content-id="d4eeda11-9ed0-4765-9e0c-897191974aeb" data-vars-headline="Blackburn presses Live Nation about ticket bots at Senate hearing" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/09/18/ftc-ticketmaster-live-nation-ticket-brokers" target="_self">corporate concert giant Live Nation</a> to do more to address online ticket scalping.Why it matters: Advocates who spoke during a Senate hearing argued the secondhand ticket market makes concerts too expensive for fans and hampers an artist&#x27;s ability to make a living.

CMA chief Sarah Trahern to retire

After 12 years on the job, Sarah Trahern will retire from leading the CMA.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Sarah Trahern" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2022/12/10/power-players-nashville-adrienne-battle-sean-brock" data-vars-content-id="da56744a-97e0-46a8-adb2-ed857b3416a6" data-vars-headline="CMA chief Sarah Trahern to retire" 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">Sarah Trahern</a>, the longtime CEO of the Country Music Association, will retire from influential post at the end of the year.Why it matters: Heading the CMA is one of the most vital jobs in country music.<ul><li>In 12 years on the job, Trahern oversaw explosive growth of the genre and the steady success of institutions such as the CMA Awards and CMA Fest.</li></ul>

Nashville rock club The End raises money to stay open

Venue raises $25,000 through a Go Fund Me campaign

The End lives to rock another day.<ul><li>The venerable rock club, which opened in 1999, launched a successful <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Go Fund Me campaign" data-vars-click-url="https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-the-end-prevent-closure-after-27-years?attribution_id=sl:658809cc-39b5-458d-84d0-61ed54ebdc9a&amp;lang=en_US&amp;ts=1767908432&amp;utm_campaign=fp_sharesheet&amp;utm_content=amp17_ta&amp;utm_medium=customer&amp;utm_source=copy_link" data-vars-content-id="084931c8-837f-44b4-8084-bfcd9e06c1e1" data-vars-headline="Nashville rock club The End raises money to stay open" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-the-end-prevent-closure-after-27-years?attribution_id=sl:658809cc-39b5-458d-84d0-61ed54ebdc9a&amp;lang=en_US&amp;ts=1767908432&amp;utm_campaign=fp_sharesheet&amp;utm_content=amp17_ta&amp;utm_medium=customer&amp;utm_source=copy_link" target="_blank">Go Fund Me campaign</a> to pay its back bills.</li></ul>Why it matters: The End is a gritty, claustrophobic space beloved by a swath of music fans in Nashville who like their music loud and their beer cheap.<ul><li>The club, located on the Rock Block across the street from Exit/In, booked <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Paramore&#x27;s first show" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/p/DJJxosixU1F/" data-vars-content-id="084931c8-837f-44b4-8084-bfcd9e06c1e1" data-vars-headline="Nashville rock club The End raises money to stay open" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DJJxosixU1F/" target="_blank">Paramore&#x27;s first show</a>, and hosted punk legends like Fugazi.</li></ul>

6 stories that will define 2026 in Nashville

There are countless reasons to be optimistic about Nashville, but 2026 is also shaping up to be a gritty year.

Contentious political races. Independent restaurants and music venues on the brink of closing. A pro football team stuck in a perpetual rebuild.<ul><li>There are countless reasons to be optimistic about Nashville, but 2026 is also shaping up to be a gritty year.</li></ul>Driving the news: As we stand at the starting line for a new year, here are the stories we think will define Nashville over the next 12 months.

Recapping Taylor Swift's epic year, and looking ahead to 2026

Taylor Swift has had another very big year.

At the risk of repeating ourselves, Taylor Swift has had a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="very big year" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/07/taylor-swift-life-showgirl-press-tour" data-vars-content-id="3f27dc4c-9497-4ed9-bb37-0aad7229a104" data-vars-headline="Recapping Taylor Swift&#x27;s epic year, and looking ahead to 2026" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/07/taylor-swift-life-showgirl-press-tour" target="_self">very big year</a>.Why it matters: Nashville is a city of stars, but Swift continues to shine the brightest. (Who else could make <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a bench in Centennial Park" data-vars-click-url="https://travellemming.com/perspectives/taylor-swift-bench-nashville/?srsltid=AfmBOooaGOtAQwj5P_TR_0Fs7mGRZYe5RECIT6THmqa_bJR7gbN8mHRb" data-vars-content-id="3f27dc4c-9497-4ed9-bb37-0aad7229a104" data-vars-headline="Recapping Taylor Swift&#x27;s epic year, and looking ahead to 2026" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://travellemming.com/perspectives/taylor-swift-bench-nashville/?srsltid=AfmBOooaGOtAQwj5P_TR_0Fs7mGRZYe5RECIT6THmqa_bJR7gbN8mHRb" target="_blank">a bench in Centennial Park</a> into a tourist destination?)

Raul Malo, one-of-a-kind frontman of The Mavericks, dead at age 60

Raul Malo of The Mavericks dead at age 60 following a battle with cancer.

Raul Malo, the one-of-a-kind frontman for the Latin-country-rock band The Mavericks, died on Monday following a battle with cancer, his family announced. Malo was 60.Ralo&#x27;s wife Betty Malo shared the news of his death on Instagram.<ul><li>&quot;No one embodied life and love, joy and passion, family, friends, music, and adventure the way our beloved Raul did,&quot; <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="she wrote" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/p/DSC5fI8EUHd/" data-vars-content-id="d70dcfbf-7b67-4ed0-b928-082cb22ba7f9" data-vars-headline="Raul Malo, one-of-a-kind frontman of The Mavericks, dead at age 60" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DSC5fI8EUHd/" target="_blank">she wrote</a>. &quot;Now he will look down on us with all that heaven will allow, lighting the way and reminding us to savor every moment.&quot;</li></ul>

Bonnaroo taps Skrillex, The Strokes and Noah Kahan for 2026 return

Other bold-faced names in the lineup include Kesha and Teddy Swims.

A genre-spanning lineup including The Strokes, the dance maestro Skrillex and folk hero Noah Kahan will help <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Bonnaroo Music and Arts Fest" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/01/08/bonnaroo-music-festival-2025-headliners-luke-combs-olivia-rodrigo" data-vars-content-id="5f40d75f-129f-4a2b-b22f-f7e7383fe253" data-vars-headline="Bonnaroo taps Skrillex, The Strokes and Noah Kahan for 2026 return" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/01/08/bonnaroo-music-festival-2025-headliners-luke-combs-olivia-rodrigo" target="_self">Bonnaroo Music and Arts Fest</a> get back on its feet in 2026.Why it matters: The massive live music festival, which is an <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="important economic engine" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2024/01/09/study-bonnaroo-economic-impact" data-vars-content-id="5f40d75f-129f-4a2b-b22f-f7e7383fe253" data-vars-headline="Bonnaroo taps Skrillex, The Strokes and Noah Kahan for 2026 return" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2024/01/09/study-bonnaroo-economic-impact" target="_self">important economic engine</a> for the region, is on the ropes after heavy rain forced last year&#x27;s event to stop halfway through.<ul><li>Disappointed fans will likely be eyeing this year&#x27;s return to The Farm with increased scrutiny.</li></ul>

Ryman's Colin Reed talks Grand Ole Opry memories as the institution celebrates 100 years

The Opry marked its 100th anniversary on Nov. 28,

Colin Reed spent the last a quarter of a century at the helm of Ryman Hospitality, the parent company for country music&#x27;s most sacred institution, the Grand Ole Opry.<ul><li>Since the Opry marked <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="its 100th anniversary on Nov. 28" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/03/18/grand-ole-opry-100th-anniversary-nbc-special" data-vars-content-id="1ff3507e-39f2-4465-b79d-a0a9af7b6067" data-vars-headline="Ryman&#x27;s Colin Reed talks Grand Ole Opry memories as the institution celebrates 100 years" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/03/18/grand-ole-opry-100th-anniversary-nbc-special" target="_self">its 100th anniversary on Nov. 28</a>, that means Reed oversaw its success for 25% of its existence.</li></ul>Why it matters: What began as a regional live radio variety show expanded over the last century into a global phenomenon and a cornerstone of Nashville&#x27;s multi-billion-dollar entertainment industry.<ul><li>Reed talked with Axios Nashville about his most treasured Opry memories.</li></ul>

615 Indie Live announces 2026 festival lineup

Things to Do

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The 615 Indie Live festival" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/01/31/an-inside-look-at-nashvilles-615-indie-live-festival" data-vars-content-id="ea15d443-fcfc-4b4a-9598-6f74c366857e" data-vars-headline="615 Indie Live announces 2026 festival lineup" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/01/31/an-inside-look-at-nashvilles-615-indie-live-festival" target="_self">The 615 Indie Live festival</a>, celebrating Nashville&#x27;s independent music venues, will stage its second event on Feb. 7.Driving the news: The festival announced its initial lineup, which features artists ranging from Bluegrass to R&amp;B and everything in between.<ul><li>Nashville rock veteran Lily Hiatt, R&amp;B artist Charles &quot;Wigg&quot; Walker and the bombastic Bluegrass group Hogslop String Band are among the artists who will perform at this year&#x27;s 615 Indie Live.</li><li>Festival organizers partnered with local music scene insiders, including Bluegrass Nashville, LOVENOISE, DeeOhGee and Polychrome Ranch, to help curate next year&#x27;s event.</li></ul>

Music

CMA Fest announces 2026 headliners: Tim McGraw, Keith Urban, Ella Langley

Titans bring live music to Nissan Stadium

Ella Langley takes Nashville to No. 1 on the Hot 100

Nashville's former maestro joins Bad Bunny's halftime show

Shaboozey dedicates Grammy win to "children of immigrants"