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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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Following layoffs, Oracle pursues zoning change for East Bank campus

Five years removed from its government incentive deal, Oracle laid off workers, creating questions about its plans for Nashville.

Business

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Oracle told Nashville leaders" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2024/04/23/oracle-ceo-announces-nashville-hq" data-vars-content-id="987fb316-a91e-4ef2-95fe-c8e11cef6e7a" data-vars-headline="Following layoffs, Oracle pursues zoning change for East Bank campus" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2024/04/23/oracle-ceo-announces-nashville-hq" target="_self">Oracle told Nashville leaders</a> that it is moving forward with a grandiose East Bank development project, despite creeping doubts on the heels of the company&#x27;s large-scale corporate layoffs.Why it matters: The multibillion-dollar Oracle headquarters and surrounding campus are seen as integral to revitalizing the East Bank of the Cumberland River.<ul><li>But the layoffs, the disruption from AI and the sheer amount of time since the project was announced have generated whispers in Nashville political circles about the status of the tech giant&#x27;s ambitious plans.</li></ul>

Adding 1,700 steps per day could reduce your disease risk, study finds

Even modest bursts of activity can boost your long-term health.

News

Research powered by Vanderbilt Health has found that adding as little as 1,700 to your <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="daily step count" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/16/walking-americans-declines-map" data-vars-content-id="987ae350-9993-428d-96ea-98475817718c" data-vars-headline="Adding 1,700 steps per day could reduce your disease risk, study finds" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/16/walking-americans-declines-map" target="_self">daily step count</a> could reduce your risk of developing chronic diseases.Why it matters: The research, published this month, shows encouraging signs that even modest bursts of activity can boost your long-term health.

Procrastinators rejoice: Nashville has a tax deadline extension

The IRS announced the extension earlier this month.

Nashville-area residents get a special extension on their tax deadline this year due to disruptions caused by <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Winter Storm Fern" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/01/28/nashville-ice-storm-0-42-inches-recorded" data-vars-content-id="ea68c2ed-d700-4091-8a3c-0cc0e39c3563" data-vars-headline="Procrastinators rejoice: Nashville has a tax deadline extension" 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/nashville-ice-storm-0-42-inches-recorded" target="_self">Winter Storm Fern</a>.Why it matters: Individuals and businesses in Davidson County and the surrounding area will have until May 22 to file returns and pay taxes that would normally be due April 15.

MTSU launches new MFA for film and TV production

MTSU seeks to create a workforce pipeline to power film and TV productions.

Middle Tennessee State University is responding to an <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="influx of film and television productions" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/10/09/9-1-1-nashville-makes-music-city-the-backdrop-for-drama-outlandish-emergencies" data-vars-content-id="bd5dbf62-457f-4c4c-bbdc-bb5d826511f8" data-vars-headline="MTSU launches new MFA for film and TV production" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/10/09/9-1-1-nashville-makes-music-city-the-backdrop-for-drama-outlandish-emergencies" target="_self">influx of film and television productions</a> coming to the Nashville area with a new academic program set to launch this fall.Why it matters: Elected officials have <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="worked for years" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2022/06/10/metro-nashville-entertainment-industry-debate" data-vars-content-id="bd5dbf62-457f-4c4c-bbdc-bb5d826511f8" data-vars-headline="MTSU launches new MFA for film and TV production" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2022/06/10/metro-nashville-entertainment-industry-debate" target="_self">worked for years</a> to build the region&#x27;s film production bona fides. The MTSU program seeks to create a workforce pipeline that can power those productions.

TPAC unveils design for East Bank center

Backers envision the new facility as a cultural landmark for Nashville.

The new skyline-altering <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Tennessee Performing Arts Center" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/12/01/new-details-show-metros-infrastructure-bill-for-new-tpac-facility" data-vars-content-id="57453073-40a9-4842-8cc5-d9dd07330f51" data-vars-headline="TPAC unveils design for East Bank center" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/12/01/new-details-show-metros-infrastructure-bill-for-new-tpac-facility" target="_self">Tennessee Performing Arts Center</a> will be perfectly framed by Lower Broadway as you look east across the Cumberland River from downtown, according to new design renderings released Thursday.Why it matters: TPAC unveiled the new comprehensive design plans for its $600 million facility on the East Bank, marking an important update for the project that has been in the works for years.<ul><li>TPAC&#x27;s backers envision the new facility as a cultural landmark for Nashville.</li></ul>Zoom in: The renderings show how the new TPAC will fit into the East Bank. Located along the Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge, the facility will be the main structure people see from Broadway.<ul><li>The building was designed by world-renowned architect Bjarke Ingels and his firm, BIG-Bjarke Ingels Group.</li><li>The new renderings also show what the inside of the main performance hall will look like.</li></ul>By the numbers: The 307,000-square-foot facility features four performance venues, which range in size from the large Broadway Hall to a small cabaret theater.<ul><li>The new center will also include a dance and opera hall and a flexible black box theater.</li></ul><figure><img alt="Public plaza featuring a dramatic, wavy ribbed metal building; glass towers rise in the background as people walk among trees and planters at dusk." height="2812" id="19a57cc6-c63d-4283-93ca-bb2533100fa8" src="https://images.axios.com/B0YGHgjsOZ2BNPhnnYq10gABUwU=/2026/04/15/1776285796976.jpeg" width="5000"/><figcaption>A rendering of the exterior of the new TPAC facility. Image: courtesy of TPAC</figcaption></figure>State of play: TPAC received $500 million in state funding for the project and is in the midst of a fundraising campaign to raise the rest of the money.<ul><li>Metro contributed the land. After months of negotiation, TPAC and Mayor Freddie O&#x27;Connell finalized <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="an infrastructure agreement last year" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/12/01/new-details-show-metros-infrastructure-bill-for-new-tpac-facility" data-vars-content-id="57453073-40a9-4842-8cc5-d9dd07330f51" data-vars-headline="TPAC unveils design for East Bank center" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/12/01/new-details-show-metros-infrastructure-bill-for-new-tpac-facility" target="_self">an infrastructure agreement last year</a>.</li></ul>What she&#x27;s saying: &quot;This new center represents the future of the performing arts in Nashville and across our state,&quot; TPAC president and CEO Jennifer Turner said in a statement.

Country Music Hall of Fame celebrates 20 million visitors

The milestone cements the hall's status as one of Nashville's great landmarks and tourist destinations.

As of Wednesday, 20 million visitors have come to the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2025/06/27/country-music-hall-of-fame-dolly-parton" data-vars-content-id="9c92d43c-ca54-4338-a042-38822fa6d523" data-vars-headline="Country Music Hall of Fame celebrates 20 million visitors" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2025/06/27/country-music-hall-of-fame-dolly-parton" target="_self">Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum</a> since it moved downtown in 2001.Why it matters: The milestone cements the Hall&#x27;s status as one of Nashville&#x27;s great landmarks and tourist destinations.

Overdose deaths continue to decline in Nashville

The shift comes as funding from opioid settlements powers new treatment and prevention efforts.

Overdose deaths <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="continued a steady decline" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/02/25/tennessee-slowdown-overdose-deaths" data-vars-content-id="552f4333-bd76-4eb3-a886-3cfbeec19ec5" data-vars-headline="Overdose deaths continue to decline 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/2025/02/25/tennessee-slowdown-overdose-deaths" target="_self">continued a steady decline</a> in Nashville in 2025, reaching the lowest point in a decade at the end of the year.Why it matters: The numbers are an encouraging sign of progress in the ongoing battle against the opioid crisis. But they also show there is a long way to go.

O'Connell criticizes council after water relief plan fails

Metro Council rejected Mayor O'Connell's plan to provide relief on future water bills.

Mayor Freddie O&#x27;Connell rebuked the Metro Council on Wednesday morning for not passing his plan to give Nashvillians <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="credits on their water bills" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/03/19/metro-council-scrutinizes-oconnell-plan-for-water-bill-relief" data-vars-content-id="3a85ae23-e10a-4483-9b01-255033fc001a" data-vars-headline="O&#x27;Connell criticizes council after water relief plan fails" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/03/19/metro-council-scrutinizes-oconnell-plan-for-water-bill-relief" target="_self">credits on their water bills</a>.Why it matters: Rate payers won&#x27;t see the nearly $26 credit, which O&#x27;Connell proposed as financial relief following the January <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="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="3a85ae23-e10a-4483-9b01-255033fc001a" data-vars-headline="O&#x27;Connell criticizes council after water relief plan fails" 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">ice storm</a>.<ul><li>The narrow vote was a notable defeat in the council for O&#x27;Connell&#x27;s administration.</li></ul>

Waymo launches autonomous car rides in Nashville

Nashville joined a growing list of cities Tuesday where autonomous rides are available.

It&#x27;s written on the first pages of countless sci-fi novels: driverless vehicles transporting people around a futuristic city.<ul><li>Well, welcome to the future Nashville, because <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="autonomous taxis from Waymo" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/09/17/waymo-self-driving-robotaxis-lyft-nashville" data-vars-content-id="f2c4ee02-b8dd-4320-89de-ea45df6f6672" data-vars-headline="Waymo launches autonomous car rides 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/2025/09/17/waymo-self-driving-robotaxis-lyft-nashville" target="_self">autonomous taxis from Waymo</a> began providing rides Tuesday.</li></ul>Why it matters: Nashville joined a growing list of cities where autonomous vehicles are operating.

Nashville gas prices climb toward $4 per gallon as Iran war continues

The Nashville metro area hit an average price of $3.88 on April 1.

Gas prices are surging as the war in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Iran" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/world/iran" data-vars-content-id="7d89dbaa-8d77-445b-bf57-181c430aeada" data-vars-headline="Nashville gas prices climb toward $4 per gallon as Iran war continues" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/world/iran" target="_self">Iran</a> continues, with the average cost in the Nashville area tilting toward $4 per gallon.Why it matters: The Iran war is driving one of the sharpest gas price jumps in recent history, reports <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Axios&#x27; Dave Lawler." data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/19/gas-prices-iran-war-4-dollars-gallon" data-vars-content-id="7d89dbaa-8d77-445b-bf57-181c430aeada" data-vars-headline="Nashville gas prices climb toward $4 per gallon as Iran war continues" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/19/gas-prices-iran-war-4-dollars-gallon" target="_self">Axios&#x27; Dave Lawler.</a><ul><li>The uptick means filling up a 15-gallon tank costs about $19 more than it did before the conflict, per AAA.</li></ul>

News 🗞

TPAC unveils design for East Bank center

Nashville sets Sunday curbside debris deadline

Country Music Hall of Fame celebrates 20 million visitors

Procrastinators rejoice: Nashville has a tax deadline extension

Nashville hits 10,000 free bus passes