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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.

GOP pitches new state authority to oversee Music City Loop project

State Sen. Jack Johnson proposed creating a state agency to oversee underground projects.

State Sen. Jack Johnson introduced legislation this week to create a state authority that would oversee subterranean transportation projects like the Boring Company&#x27;s controversial <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Music City Loop" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/07/28/musk-boring-company-unveils-music-city-loop-tunnel-project-nashville" data-vars-content-id="b14a907a-1631-4c63-a8a9-78911707420e" data-vars-headline="GOP pitches new state authority to oversee Music City Loop project" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/07/28/musk-boring-company-unveils-music-city-loop-tunnel-project-nashville" target="_self">Music City Loop</a>.Why it matters: The proposal, which already cleared a key Senate committee, could usurp the limited local approval power that Metro currently holds over the Music City Loop project.

National Democrats name Columbia Mayor Chaz Molder a priority candidate

DCCC makes Molder's campaign a top priority in race to unseat Rep. Andy Ogles.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/06/11/national-democrats-rep-andy-ogles-election" data-vars-content-id="db0209e1-12d0-491d-af55-a10327383053" data-vars-headline="National Democrats name Columbia Mayor Chaz Molder a priority candidate" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/06/11/national-democrats-rep-andy-ogles-election" target="_self">The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee</a> announced Monday it is backing Columbia Mayor Chaz Molder in its national &quot;red to blue&quot; program.Why it matters: The designation gives Molder a boost in his bid to unseat incumbent <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/10/27/president-trump-endorses-rep-andy-ogles" data-vars-content-id="db0209e1-12d0-491d-af55-a10327383053" data-vars-headline="National Democrats name Columbia Mayor Chaz Molder a priority candidate" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/10/27/president-trump-endorses-rep-andy-ogles" target="_self">U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles</a>.<ul><li>The DCCC&#x27;s red to blue campaign gives candidates organizing and fundraising help. National Democrats identified Ogles&#x27; seat as a priority last year.</li></ul>

Nashville lawsuit filed to challenge proposed racing ban at fairgrounds

A former race car driver filed a lawsuit challenging a plan to ban auto racing at the Nashville fairgrounds.

A former race car driver sued Friday to challenge <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the proposed Metro charter amendment to ban auto racing" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/01/21/nashville-racetrack-debate-latest-developments" data-vars-content-id="89c54d09-48d3-4021-8332-3bb28b0d6c03" data-vars-headline="Nashville lawsuit filed to challenge proposed racing ban at fairgrounds" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/01/21/nashville-racetrack-debate-latest-developments" target="_self">the proposed Metro charter amendment to ban auto racing</a> at the Nashville fairgrounds.Why it matters: The push to ban auto racing comes at the same time that Speedway Motorsports Inc. is pursuing a plan to revamp the speedway in hopes of bringing NASCAR races back to Nashville.<ul><li>A coalition of neighborhood groups and environmental groups wants to put the racing-ban measure on the November ballot. The lawsuit calls into question whether they will be able to do so.</li></ul>

Nashville incomes grew 6.6% from 2023 to 2024

Wages rose across Tennessee from 2023 to 2024.

Wages rose across Tennessee from 2023 to 2024, according to new federal data.

GOP wants Nashville leaders to act quickly on NES

Lt. Gov. Randy McNally wants Metro to make changes to NES before the end of the legislative session.

Lt. Gov. Randy McNally said Thursday that &quot;the Three Stooges could have done a better job&quot; preparing for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="last month&#x27;s ice storm" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/01/25/nashville-electricity-power-outages-ice-storm" data-vars-content-id="6bf1c60e-5894-4966-82ee-e659addaa742" data-vars-headline="GOP wants Nashville leaders to act quickly on NES" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/01/25/nashville-electricity-power-outages-ice-storm" target="_self">last month&#x27;s ice storm</a> than the Nashville Electric Service leadership.Why it matters: McNally&#x27;s criticism shouldn&#x27;t be dismissed as a pithy burn. Republican lawmakers <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="want Mayor Freddie O&#x27;Connell and Metro to act quickly" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/01/28/frustration-builds-ice-storm-response-power-outages" data-vars-content-id="6bf1c60e-5894-4966-82ee-e659addaa742" data-vars-headline="GOP wants Nashville leaders to act quickly on NES" 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/frustration-builds-ice-storm-response-power-outages" target="_self">want Mayor Freddie O&#x27;Connell and Metro to act quickly</a> on NES reforms, or else they are primed to make changes themselves.

Nashville Electric Service hires fleet of consultants following ice storm

NES hired political and PR help following the devastating storm.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The embattled Nashville Electric Service" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/02/09/nes-board-review-winter-storm-response" data-vars-content-id="d7afb735-7bb7-420b-b61e-0edf12c962bb" data-vars-headline="Nashville Electric Service hires fleet of consultants following ice storm" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/02/09/nes-board-review-winter-storm-response" target="_self">The embattled Nashville Electric Service</a> bulked up its lobbying and crisis communications roster in the aftermath of last month&#x27;s ice storm.Why it matters: NES sought to increase its political clout following a surge of criticism over the power utility&#x27;s storm response.

Bredesen, Harwell to serve on panel studying Metro's storm response

Mayor O'Connell announced members of the winter storm response commission.

Nashville Mayor Freddie O&#x27;Connell announced the members of the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new commission" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/02/02/nashville-inquiries-ice-storm-response" data-vars-content-id="f6a8c5cf-f06a-4c95-b942-2edb96b62104" data-vars-headline="Bredesen, Harwell to serve on panel studying Metro&#x27;s storm response" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/02/02/nashville-inquiries-ice-storm-response" target="_self">new commission</a> formed to review the city&#x27;s response to last month&#x27;s ice storm.<ul><li>Phil Bredesen, the former Democratic governor and Nashville mayor, will chair the winter storm response commission, which also includes former House Speaker Beth Harwell, a Republican.</li></ul>Why it matters: O&#x27;Connell formed the commission in the aftermath of the storm amid loud criticism over how Metro, and especially the Nashville Electric Service, responded.

TN legislation would create license to sell tobacco, vaping products

Tennessee lawmakers are pitching a plan to crack down on youth vaping.

State lawmakers introduced a plan this week to crack down on illegal vape sales to kids.Why it matters: Tennessee is chock full of vape shops, but the industry is loosely regulated.<ul><li>Anti-addiction groups and health advocacy organizations say <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="vaping" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/06/23/how-to-stop-vaping" data-vars-content-id="f2ad4562-417b-4963-beee-c161b0e893d7" data-vars-headline="TN legislation would create license to sell tobacco, vaping products" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/06/23/how-to-stop-vaping" target="_self">vaping</a> is a gateway to harder drug use and substance abuse.</li></ul>

Bob Mendes makes a move

Mendes moves from Metro to law firm

A honky-tonk's tax bill stirs political debate

Nashville honky-tonk's tax fight stirs debate

A bar chart showing the change in select Nashville honky-tonk real estate appraisals from 2021 to 2025. Eric Church's Chief's appraised value has increased by 741%, while Broadway Brewhouse and Mojo Grill increased 627%. All honky-tonks shown have increased in value by over 200%.

News 🗞

Mendes moves from Metro to law firm

Tennessee Lt. Gov. Randy McNally won't seek reelection

GOP pitches new state authority to oversee Music City Loop project

Nashville honky-tonk's tax fight stirs debate

Nashville's Fort Negley Park finally comes to fruition