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Dolly Parton has died at 80

Parton's family confirmed the news in a video message Tuesday.

News

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Dolly Parton" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/07/07/dolly-parton-broadway-musical-tickets" data-vars-content-id="a2960197-49b5-44e8-88c9-73627e569059" data-vars-headline="Dolly Parton has died at 80" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/07/07/dolly-parton-broadway-musical-tickets" target="_self">Dolly Parton</a>, the incomparable icon whose heavenly voice, stellar <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="songwriting" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/01/16/dolly-parton-s-new-song-supports-nashville-children-s-hospital" data-vars-content-id="a2960197-49b5-44e8-88c9-73627e569059" data-vars-headline="Dolly Parton has died at 80" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/01/16/dolly-parton-s-new-song-supports-nashville-children-s-hospital" target="_self">songwriting</a>, sparkling style and life-changing <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="philanthropy" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2024/11/14/dolly-parton-partners-with-the-nashville-library" data-vars-content-id="a2960197-49b5-44e8-88c9-73627e569059" data-vars-headline="Dolly Parton has died at 80" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2024/11/14/dolly-parton-partners-with-the-nashville-library" target="_self">philanthropy</a> lifted her out of the Great Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee and made her one of the most recognizable people in the world, has died at 80 years old.<ul><li>Her family confirmed the news in a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="video message Tuesday" data-vars-click-url="https://x.com/DollyParton/status/2092309743981228273?s=20" data-vars-content-id="a2960197-49b5-44e8-88c9-73627e569059" data-vars-headline="Dolly Parton has died at 80" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://x.com/DollyParton/status/2092309743981228273?s=20" target="_blank">video message Tuesday</a>.</li></ul>

Nashville rumored to be possible destination for Paramount relocation

Hollywood trade publications list Nashville as a possible destination if Paramount leaves California.

Business

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Paramount" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/17/paramount-skydance-states-wga-bond" data-vars-content-id="594ae8fe-8500-4cf5-b4de-2049ed9ac738" data-vars-headline="Nashville rumored to be possible destination for Paramount relocation" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/17/paramount-skydance-states-wga-bond" target="_self">Paramount</a> could pack up and move its legendary film and television business to Nashville, according to rumors that at first seemed absurd, but are actually plausible according to political insiders.Why it matters: The relocation of some or all of Paramount&#x27;s business offers a rare economic development opportunity for Nashville by leveling up the city&#x27;s already-booming entertainment industry and attracting thousands of jobs.

Fewer Tennessee kindergarteners got vaccines in 2025-26, per CDC

The share of Tennessee kindergartners with any vaccine exemption reached 4.8%.

Education

More kindergarten students in Tennessee skipped vaccines during the 2025–2026 school year, according to exemption figures Centers for Disease Control and Prevention <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="reported" data-vars-click-url="https://www.cdc.gov/schoolvaxview/data/index.html" data-vars-content-id="58b320b8-b3f2-4a47-8a57-52742d7c4b57" data-vars-headline="Fewer Tennessee kindergarteners got vaccines in 2025-26, per CDC" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.cdc.gov/schoolvaxview/data/index.html" target="_blank">reported</a> on Monday.Why it matters: Tennessee&#x27;s rate of vaccine exemptions saw its biggest annual increase in years as vaccine skepticism continues to grow.<ul><li>The change coincided with continued efforts by the Trump administration to make controversial <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="vaccine policy changes" data-vars-click-url="http://axios.com/2026/08/10/trump-order-split-up-mmr-vaccine" data-vars-content-id="58b320b8-b3f2-4a47-8a57-52742d7c4b57" data-vars-headline="Fewer Tennessee kindergarteners got vaccines in 2025-26, per CDC" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="http://axios.com/2026/08/10/trump-order-split-up-mmr-vaccine" target="_self">vaccine policy changes</a>.</li></ul>

Ticketing fees and resale upcharges cost fans $11.3 billion, Vanderbilt finds

The new research offers model legislation on ticket reselling.

Ticket market middlemen added a cumulative $11.3 billion in unnecessary costs for fans going to live events last year, according to new research from the Vanderbilt Policy AcceleratorWhy it matters: Federal and state lawmakers have struggled to regulate <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the ticketing market" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/01/28/blackburn-live-nation-ticket-bots-hearing" data-vars-content-id="74f1de4f-1047-4993-9931-891e1f567f51" data-vars-headline="Ticketing fees and resale upcharges cost fans $11.3 billion, Vanderbilt finds" 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/blackburn-live-nation-ticket-bots-hearing" target="_self">the ticketing market</a> — and save fans money. The new research includes model legislation that could provide a roadmap.

Nashville house prices continued to climb in the first half of 2026

Nashville house prices continued to climb in the first half of 2026.

Real Estate

Home prices in the Nashville area continued to climb during the first half of 2026, and experts expect costs will stay on an upward trajectory for the foreseeable future.Why it matters: Nashville&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="resilient housing market" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/01/15/nashville-real-estate-trends-2026" data-vars-content-id="d4abd143-b161-44f7-9675-55431734d3fe" data-vars-headline="Nashville house prices continued to climb in the first half of 2026" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/01/15/nashville-real-estate-trends-2026" target="_self">resilient housing market</a> is a double-edged sword that touches nearly every other aspect of city life, from business recruitment to traffic and development.<ul><li>Rising home values point toward a sturdy local economy and sustained demand.</li><li>But the same dynamic creates a punishing market for first-time buyers and residents whose wages haven&#x27;t kept up with the city&#x27;s growth.</li></ul>

Nashville home sales rebounded in May

Data from last month shows the biggest year-over-year increase in closings so far in 2026.

Nashville&#x27;s housing market was on an upswing in May, marking a bit of a rebound after <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="several months of softer numbers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/03/12/nashville-housing-market-tilts-toward-buyers" data-vars-content-id="82612325-dbcb-4a08-b81b-0d8bb9a977ec" data-vars-headline="Nashville home sales rebounded in May" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/03/12/nashville-housing-market-tilts-toward-buyers" target="_self">several months of softer numbers</a>.Why it matters: Data from last month shows the biggest year-over-year increase in closings so far in 2026.

82% of Nashvillians say they can't afford to buy a house in Nashville

A growing share of Nashvillians are pushing for progress on affordability.

The vast majority of people who live in Nashville say they can&#x27;t afford to buy a house in the city, according to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a new poll from Vanderbilt University" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/03/26/vanderbilt-poll-majority-nashville-wrong-track" data-vars-content-id="a165775d-23c4-467d-9764-bc192956e735" data-vars-headline="82% of Nashvillians say they can&#x27;t afford to buy a house 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/2026/03/26/vanderbilt-poll-majority-nashville-wrong-track" target="_self">a new poll from Vanderbilt University</a>.Why it matters: Affordability remains a deep concern across the city, the poll shows, and residents want to see leaders do more to ease the cost of housing.

Nashville housing market tilts toward buyers as inventory surges

Lower interest rates and more choices have helped create a much more welcoming environment for buyers.

Buyers are gaining the edge in Nashville&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="housing market" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/real-estate" data-vars-content-id="b4ae2118-cb0c-4392-89c4-f872e68dc70b" data-vars-headline="Nashville housing market tilts toward buyers as inventory surges" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/real-estate" target="_self">housing market</a> as a surge of inventory gives them leverage to negotiate price cuts and other concessions.Why it matters: Lower interest rates and and more choices are combining to create a much more welcoming environment for buyers who have spent <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="years on the sidelines" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2023/07/19/housing-supply-tennessee-mortgage-rates" data-vars-content-id="b4ae2118-cb0c-4392-89c4-f872e68dc70b" data-vars-headline="Nashville housing market tilts toward buyers as inventory surges" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2023/07/19/housing-supply-tennessee-mortgage-rates" target="_self">years on the sidelines</a>.

Nashville real estate trends we're watching in 2026

Nashville realtor Jack Gaughan expects a year of stability.

Nashville&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="real estate market" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/real-estate" data-vars-content-id="b72fac67-26ae-4581-bee9-56fa5b18afc4" data-vars-headline="Nashville real estate trends we&#x27;re watching in 2026" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/real-estate" target="_self">real estate market</a> cooled down in 2025, and the data suggests that trend will continue, making for a slow-but-steady 2026.Greater Nashville Realtors president Jack Gaughan tells Axios he expects a year of stability, with more options for buyers looking to negotiate.

Antioch once again reigns supreme in Nashville real estate

Affordability and access fuel Antioch's real estate rise in Nashville.

Home sales ticked down slightly across the region <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="in 2025" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/06/24/nashville-homes-linger-as-market-cools" data-vars-content-id="6411edd9-5332-4e90-a672-8745c07e18c3" data-vars-headline="Antioch once again reigns supreme in Nashville real estate" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/06/24/nashville-homes-linger-as-market-cools" target="_self">in 2025</a>, but some of Nashville&#x27;s fastest-growing neighborhoods bucked the trend with a steady surge of buyers.Why it matters: A deeper dive into the real estate data reveals the powerhouse ZIP codes that are continuing to reshape the city.

Nashville faces record number of property appraisal appeals

The Metro Board of Equalization is scheduling hearings late into 2026, well after property tax bills are due.

Inside a nondescript Metro government conference room, a group of volunteers sits around a table, searching through files and making multimillion-dollar decisions in a matter of minutes.<ul><li>Their complicated work is considering appeals from property owners, ranging from a diner in Hermitage to a high-end retail center in the Nations, who think their <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="appraisals came in too high" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/04/18/nashville-property-values-increased-assessment" data-vars-content-id="1a138bf0-4a76-4ec8-881f-f322a0e20b94" data-vars-headline="Nashville faces record number of property appraisal appeals" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/04/18/nashville-property-values-increased-assessment" target="_self">appraisals came in too high</a> earlier this year.</li></ul>Why it matters: There are so many appeals that the Metro Board of Equalization is scheduling hearings late into 2026, well after property tax bills are due.

Younger homebuyers face barriers in Nashville, nationwide

The median age of first-time  buyers in the U.S. is now 40.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Homeownership" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/20/fixer-upper-home-sale" data-vars-content-id="9107d932-7050-4fe9-b60c-ce870578f052" data-vars-headline="Younger homebuyers face barriers in Nashville, nationwide" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/20/fixer-upper-home-sale" target="_self">Homeownership</a> is slipping further out of reach for many 30-somethings as high prices and mortgage rates lengthen the obstacle course for first-time buyers.Why it matters: Younger buyers in Nashville and nationwide are staying on the sidelines at record levels.

Condos in the new complex coming to Belle Meade Plaza will start at $2.5 million

Nashville's luxury housing market has exploded since the pandemic.

Ultra-luxe condos <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="coming to the Belle Meade Plaza site" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/04/17/aj-capital-renderings-belle-meade-plaza" data-vars-content-id="b41f5cbb-f92e-4dc6-be97-652d1c49836c" data-vars-headline="Condos in the new complex coming to Belle Meade Plaza will start at $2.5 million" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/04/17/aj-capital-renderings-belle-meade-plaza" target="_self">coming to the Belle Meade Plaza site</a> will start at $2.5 million and will include access to ritzy amenities like private mahjong rooms, a Pilates studio and an on-site salon.Why it matters: The condos, which will be split across two residential towers known as 1 Iris Lane, represent the new standard for high-end living in Nashville.

Nashville's housing market remains steady despite changes elsewhere

Home values in the Nashville metro area were just about even year over year.

Home values are falling throughout the Southeast, but the Nashville area&#x27;s market remains relatively steady, according to data collected this summer.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Nashville&#x27;s market" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/06/24/nashville-homes-linger-as-market-cools" data-vars-content-id="2c81ec2d-e87a-4e2d-a77d-57606b3a7654" data-vars-headline="Nashville&#x27;s housing market remains steady despite changes elsewhere" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/06/24/nashville-homes-linger-as-market-cools" target="_self">Nashville&#x27;s market</a> has certainly softened over the last couple of years, but buyers holding out for a free fall in values are still waiting.<ul><li>In fact, local realtors see signs that the market could be picking up some steam.</li></ul>

Real Estate 🏠

Nashville house prices continued to climb in the first half of 2026

Nashville home sales rebounded in May

82% of Nashvillians say they can't afford to buy a house in Nashville

Nashville housing market tilts toward buyers as inventory surges

Nashville real estate trends we're watching in 2026