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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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What to know about Nashville's data center debate

What to do about data centers has become the great land-use debate in Nashville.

News

Without much fanfare, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="nine data centers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/06/29/mayor-occonnell-eminent-domain-nashville-zoo-data-center" data-vars-content-id="329f627b-b3f8-41aa-ab79-df760f9cb7d4" data-vars-headline="What to know about Nashville&#x27;s data center debate" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/06/29/mayor-occonnell-eminent-domain-nashville-zoo-data-center" target="_self">nine data centers</a> were already up and running in Nashville and a 10th was <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="under construction" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nashville.gov/sites/default/files/2026-06/062526Staffreport.pdf?ct=1782826131" data-vars-content-id="329f627b-b3f8-41aa-ab79-df760f9cb7d4" data-vars-headline="What to know about Nashville&#x27;s data center debate" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nashville.gov/sites/default/files/2026-06/062526Staffreport.pdf?ct=1782826131" target="_blank">under construction</a> as the issue flew under the radar.<ul><li>Then came <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="plans" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/06/09/opposition-to-data-center-near-nashville-zoo-grows-as-city-plays-catch-up" data-vars-content-id="329f627b-b3f8-41aa-ab79-df760f9cb7d4" data-vars-headline="What to know about Nashville&#x27;s data center debate" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/06/09/opposition-to-data-center-near-nashville-zoo-grows-as-city-plays-catch-up" target="_self">plans</a> for a 69,000-square-foot data center next to the Nashville Zoo and a 100,000-square-foot data center and academic complex on the Fisk University campus.</li></ul>Why it matters: What to do about data centers has become the great land-use debate in Nashville, as Metro Council pursues new guardrails and organizers rally to oppose the new projects.

Unpacking the clues about Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's wedding

Clues have coalesced around a possible event during the July 4 holiday weekend at Madison Square Garden.

Music

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce haven&#x27;t said much about their <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="wedding plans" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/08/26/taylor-swift-travis-kelce-engagement-ring-photos" data-vars-content-id="3be6c79c-c25e-45bb-8a3b-82314b445b90" data-vars-headline="Unpacking the clues about Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce&#x27;s wedding" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/08/26/taylor-swift-travis-kelce-engagement-ring-photos" target="_self">wedding plans</a>, but that hasn&#x27;t stopped fans — or reporters — from speculating about the mysterious event.The latest: Hopes that she would stick closer to home for a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Nashville wedding" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/08/26/these-nashville-wedding-venues-would-be-a-good-fit-for-taylor-swift-and-travis-kelce" data-vars-content-id="3be6c79c-c25e-45bb-8a3b-82314b445b90" data-vars-headline="Unpacking the clues about Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce&#x27;s wedding" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/08/26/these-nashville-wedding-venues-would-be-a-good-fit-for-taylor-swift-and-travis-kelce" target="_self">Nashville wedding</a> are crumbling. Instead, clues have coalesced around a possible event during the July Fourth holiday weekend at Madison Square Garden.

New lawsuit filed against Nashville targets Cheekwood construction

Neighbors sued the city to stop construction at Cheekwood.

Cheekwood Estate &amp; Gardens is once again at the center of legal drama, with a group of neighbors suing the city this week to stop construction of a new parking structure.Why it matters: The lawsuit is an escalation in the yearslong fight over traffic around the historic botanical garden, which has become one of Nashville&#x27;s most popular attractions.<ul><li>Cheekwood officials have framed the fight in existential terms, saying efforts to stop the new parking structure could ultimately force Cheekwood to close.</li><li>The neighborhood group, on the other hand, wants Metro to rein in Cheekwood&#x27;s activity, claiming the attraction&#x27;s growth has been unchecked and at the neighborhood&#x27;s expense.</li></ul>

Nashville labor leader Vonda McDaniel dies at 60

The labor organizer and political leader's influence touched virtually every major civic issue in Nashville.

Vonda McDaniel, the labor organizer and political leader whose influence touched virtually every major civic issue in Nashville for a generation, died unexpectedly on Tuesday. She was 60.

Scoop: O'Connell seeks eminent domain to block Nashville Zoo data center

Mayor wants Metro to acquire the site before a planned DC Blox land sale closes.

Mayor Freddie O&#x27;Connell&#x27;s administration intends to file eminent domain legislation today, which would allow Metro to take ownership of the property near the Nashville Zoo where a data center is planned.Why it matters: It&#x27;s a bold move by O&#x27;Connell, who is seeking to thwart the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="controversial data center" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/06/26/dc-blox-presses-forward-with-nashville-data-center-plans-despite-pushback" data-vars-content-id="587f9be4-7209-4817-9877-656082fb56d3" data-vars-headline="Scoop: O&#x27;Connell seeks eminent domain to block Nashville Zoo data center" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/06/26/dc-blox-presses-forward-with-nashville-data-center-plans-despite-pushback" target="_self">controversial data center</a> development before it gets off the ground.

DC Blox presses forward with Nashville data center plans despite pushback

Despite mounting pressure, DC Blox says it is moving forward with a data center near the zoo.

DC Blox is moving forward with plans for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a data center near the Nashville Zoo" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/06/09/opposition-to-data-center-near-nashville-zoo-grows-as-city-plays-catch-up" data-vars-content-id="bb47264e-83d5-43fa-b549-561e81dd5ee0" data-vars-headline="DC Blox presses forward with Nashville data center plans despite pushback" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/06/09/opposition-to-data-center-near-nashville-zoo-grows-as-city-plays-catch-up" target="_self">a data center near the Nashville Zoo</a> despite gargantuan public pushback — and new criticism from environmental groups that say the project could harm endangered animals in the zoo and beyond.Why it matters: The proposed data center is Nashville&#x27;s most controversial development in recent years. More than half a million people have signed a petition opposing the effort.

Bill Haslam, Colin Reed headline appointments to new Nashville tourism board

The board will be in charge of deciding how to spend millions of dollars sales tax dollars from the downtown tourism development zone.

Politics

Former Gov. Bill Haslam and hospitality executive Colin Reed headline the influential civic leaders who will serve on the state&#x27;s powerful <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new Nashville tourism board" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/03/24/state-plan-would-send-convention-hall-money-to-east-bank-super-bowl-recruitment" data-vars-content-id="81a2af9f-86ec-4252-badb-d3ffde3558a0" data-vars-headline="Bill Haslam, Colin Reed headline appointments to new Nashville tourism board" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/03/24/state-plan-would-send-convention-hall-money-to-east-bank-super-bowl-recruitment" target="_self">new Nashville tourism board</a>.Why it matters: The board will be in charge of deciding how to spend millions of dollars sales tax dollars from the downtown tourism development zone (TDZ), which was created to help finance the Music City Center.<ul><li>The Joint Capital Tourism Board will spend the money on recruiting new tourism events and public safety initiatives.</li></ul>

Anti-racing measure may reach voters — but likely not until 2027

A key legal deadline passed this week, allowing an anti-racing ballot measure to advance.

The deadline has passed for legal challenges to a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="proposal" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/12/08/proposal-ban-auto-racing-nashville-fairgrounds" data-vars-content-id="7d7270f9-d79e-42e1-aadd-86740f35e512" data-vars-headline="Anti-racing measure may reach voters — but likely not until 2027" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/12/08/proposal-ban-auto-racing-nashville-fairgrounds" target="_self">proposal</a> that would let voters decide whether to ban auto racing at the Nashville fairgrounds.Why it matters: Anti-racing organizers will soon press forward with gathering voter signatures to put their proposal on the ballot.

Mayor O'Connell signs executive order about data centers in Nashville

The order comes during public outcry against a plan for a data center complex near the Nashville Zoo.

Nashville Mayor Freddie O&#x27;Connell signed an executive order on Monday directing city departments to study the impact of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="large data centers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/06/09/opposition-to-data-center-near-nashville-zoo-grows-as-city-plays-catch-up" data-vars-content-id="f16d9d0b-8a7c-48ef-bda6-ce638309e4c5" data-vars-headline="Mayor O&#x27;Connell signs executive order about data centers 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/2026/06/09/opposition-to-data-center-near-nashville-zoo-grows-as-city-plays-catch-up" target="_self">large data centers</a> and provide support for a plan to temporarily pause new centers.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="O&#x27;Connell&#x27;s order" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nashville.gov/sites/default/files/2026-06/061526-EO-59-Large-Scale_Data_Centers.pdf" data-vars-content-id="f16d9d0b-8a7c-48ef-bda6-ce638309e4c5" data-vars-headline="Mayor O&#x27;Connell signs executive order about data centers in Nashville" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nashville.gov/sites/default/files/2026-06/061526-EO-59-Large-Scale_Data_Centers.pdf" target="_blank">O&#x27;Connell&#x27;s order</a> comes during public outcry against a plan for a data center complex near the Nashville Zoo.

Metro finance director touts Nashville's financial health

Tax collections were mostly flat, but Metro's finance chief says the city is in good financial health.

Metro&#x27;s top finance official says Nashville is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="in great financial health" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/04/29/freddie-oconnell-state-of-metro-speech" data-vars-content-id="c62aa734-4c5d-4c36-985d-289bfb0116f9" data-vars-headline="Metro finance director touts Nashville&#x27;s financial health" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/04/29/freddie-oconnell-state-of-metro-speech" target="_self">in great financial health</a>, despite coming off a year in which tax collections and other revenue streams showed modest growth.Why it matters: Metro Council is set to vote on the city&#x27;s $3.8 billion operating budget that includes a proposed elimination of the city&#x27;s grocery tax.<ul><li>The tax break comes one year after Mayor Freddie O&#x27;Connell and Council <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="raised the property tax rate by 26.64%" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/05/20/a-closer-look-at-nashvilles-proposed-property-tax-increase" data-vars-content-id="c62aa734-4c5d-4c36-985d-289bfb0116f9" data-vars-headline="Metro finance director touts Nashville&#x27;s financial health" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/05/20/a-closer-look-at-nashvilles-proposed-property-tax-increase" target="_self">raised the property tax rate by 26.64%</a>.</li></ul>

Sen. Blackburn takes issue with data center planned near Nashville Zoo

Blackburn questions "placement" for data center near the zoo.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/08/07/blackburn-reshapes-2026-race-for-tennessee-governor" data-vars-content-id="2744568d-0187-4f70-89f0-35256ab5a2b9" data-vars-headline="Sen. Blackburn takes issue with data center planned near Nashville Zoo" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/08/07/blackburn-reshapes-2026-race-for-tennessee-governor" target="_self">U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn</a> joined the ranks of elected officials questioning a company&#x27;s plans for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a data center near the Nashville Zoo" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/06/09/opposition-to-data-center-near-nashville-zoo-grows-as-city-plays-catch-up" data-vars-content-id="2744568d-0187-4f70-89f0-35256ab5a2b9" data-vars-headline="Sen. Blackburn takes issue with data center planned near Nashville Zoo" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/06/09/opposition-to-data-center-near-nashville-zoo-grows-as-city-plays-catch-up" target="_self">a data center near the Nashville Zoo</a>.Why it matters: Blackburn&#x27;s comments over the weekend demonstrate the bipartisan opposition to DC Blox&#x27;s plans for a large data center complex.

Metro sues to stop state takeover of Nashville's airport board

The city sued in federal court to block a state takeover.

Mayor Freddie O&#x27;Connell&#x27;s administration announced Wednesday it is suing to block the state&#x27;s latest attempt to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="take control of the Airport Authority&#x27;s board of directors" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2023/04/17/tennessee-republicans-close-to-airport-board-overhaul" data-vars-content-id="09e12987-40df-4d50-bdbe-85da2f5ff338" data-vars-headline="Metro sues to stop state takeover of Nashville&#x27;s airport board" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2023/04/17/tennessee-republicans-close-to-airport-board-overhaul" target="_self">take control of the Airport Authority&#x27;s board of directors</a>.Why it matters: The airport is thriving and expanding, making control of its board especially important.<ul><li>The lawsuit is the latest example of Metro taking to the courts to fight what it calls state overreach.</li></ul>

Politics 🇺🇸

Nashville labor leader Vonda McDaniel dies at 60

What to know about Nashville's data center debate

Scoop: O'Connell seeks eminent domain to block Nashville Zoo data center

DC Blox presses forward with Nashville data center plans despite pushback

Bill Haslam, Colin Reed headline appointments to new Nashville tourism board