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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 is renaming an I-40 bridge for President Trump

It's a local example of a broader effort by Republicans to honor Trump while he's still in office.

Politics

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and a slate of elected officials will attend a ceremony in East Tennessee on Thursday to rename a bridge on Interstate 40 in honor of President Trump.Why it matters: The newly named bridge is a local example of a broader effort <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="by Republicans to honor Trump" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/18/trump-name-kennedy-center-photos" data-vars-content-id="dceec33e-a76e-4889-a885-edcb9e95c8be" data-vars-headline="Tennessee is renaming an I-40 bridge for President Trump" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/18/trump-name-kennedy-center-photos" target="_self">by Republicans to honor Trump</a> while he&#x27;s still in office.<ul><li>The bridge on I-40 near Douglas Lake in Dandridge was renamed by the legislature last year.</li></ul>State of play: In addition to Bessent, members of the Trump family, Sens. Marsha Blackburn and Bill Hagerty and state Rep. Jeremy Faison are expected to attend.Flashback: Lawmakers kicked the tires last year on <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="renaming the Nashville airport for Trump" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/01/17/nashville-airport-renamed-donald-trump" data-vars-content-id="dceec33e-a76e-4889-a885-edcb9e95c8be" data-vars-headline="Tennessee is renaming an I-40 bridge for President Trump" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/01/17/nashville-airport-renamed-donald-trump" target="_self">renaming the Nashville airport for Trump</a>.

Data center electricity use has skyrocketed in Tennessee and beyond

Policymakers are scrambling to set rules around how data centers can operate in Tennessee.

News

Data centers are already reshaping the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="power grid" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/02/09/tva-pledges-to-tackle-electric-rate-fairness-as-data-center-demand-surges" data-vars-content-id="328487cf-0524-4c82-913e-e39d1c659930" data-vars-headline="Data center electricity use has skyrocketed in Tennessee and beyond" 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/tva-pledges-to-tackle-electric-rate-fairness-as-data-center-demand-surges" target="_self">power grid</a>, a new report finds, with the demand for those facilities in the Tennessee Valley region pulling enough electricity to power more than 661,000 homes.Why it matters: Policymakers at every level are <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="scrambling to set rules" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/07/01/what-to-know-about-nashvilles-data-center-debate" data-vars-content-id="328487cf-0524-4c82-913e-e39d1c659930" data-vars-headline="Data center electricity use has skyrocketed in Tennessee and beyond" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/07/01/what-to-know-about-nashvilles-data-center-debate" target="_self">scrambling to set rules</a> around how data centers can operate in Tennessee, and the new report, from nonprofit ThinkTennessee, shows the stakes. <ul><li>If growth isn&#x27;t managed properly, the report warns, the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="data center boom" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/04/15/axios-live-data-center-boom-forces-us-policymakers-to-rethink-power-costs" data-vars-content-id="328487cf-0524-4c82-913e-e39d1c659930" data-vars-headline="Data center electricity use has skyrocketed in Tennessee and beyond" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/04/15/axios-live-data-center-boom-forces-us-policymakers-to-rethink-power-costs" target="_self">data center boom</a> may strain grid reliability and push more costs onto residential households.</li></ul>

Chris Johnson brings back the ALS ice bucket challenge

Johnson announced his ALS diagnosis in an interview last month.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Former Titans star Chris Johnson" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/06/29/former-titans-star-chris-johnson-reveals-als-diagnosis" data-vars-content-id="dac6b824-0ccc-49a0-b00c-796fa7b424b3" data-vars-headline="Chris Johnson brings back the ALS ice bucket challenge" 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/former-titans-star-chris-johnson-reveals-als-diagnosis" target="_self">Former Titans star Chris Johnson</a> wants to use the revelation of being diagnosed with ALS to revive the ice bucket challenge.Why it matters: The ice bucket challenge was a viral fundraising drive a decade ago that raised an estimated $135 million for ALS research.

Nashville's video game music boom continues with EA Sports College Football 27

Nashville has quietly become a hub for video game soundtracks.

Video game lovers across the nation will get a taste of Music City on Thursday when the latest edition of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="EA Sports" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/09/29/ea-games-release-saudi-arabia-stock-buyout" data-vars-content-id="5b57ad77-5102-47ed-96a5-fad048bd1a33" data-vars-headline="Nashville&#x27;s video game music boom continues with EA Sports College Football 27" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/09/29/ea-games-release-saudi-arabia-stock-buyout" target="_self">EA Sports</a> College Football drops.Why it matters: More than 100 Nashville musicians came together to create the soundtrack for EA Sports College Football 27, which includes college fight songs and marching band-style arrangements of pop hits.<ul><li>The project is one of several <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="video game projects" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2022/07/21/vanderbilt-composing-music-video-games" data-vars-content-id="5b57ad77-5102-47ed-96a5-fad048bd1a33" data-vars-headline="Nashville&#x27;s video game music boom continues with EA Sports College Football 27" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2022/07/21/vanderbilt-composing-music-video-games" target="_self">video game projects</a> expanding the definition of Music City.</li></ul>

How Nashville is embracing another round of World Cup mania

Several events are planned Wednesday as Team USA enters the knockout round.

Sports

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="World Cup mania" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2025/08/01/bay-area-2026-world-cup-plans" data-vars-content-id="0cb84e7e-7103-46de-b0a0-e33b1ca0d20c" data-vars-headline="How Nashville is embracing another round of World Cup mania" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2025/08/01/bay-area-2026-world-cup-plans" target="_self">World Cup mania</a> remains at a fever pitch, and Nashville is not immune.The latest: Several events are planned Wednesday as Team USA enters the knockout round.

Former Titans star Chris Johnson reveals ALS diagnosis

The 40-year-old football star made the announcement on "Good Morning America"

Former Titans star Chris Johnson revealed in an emotional interview with &quot;Good Morning America&quot; today that he was diagnosed with ALS.The big picture: Johnson, 40, told interviewer Michael Strahan, who is also a former NFL standout, he intends to fight the devastating disease with no known cure.<ul><li>&quot;Honestly, I don&#x27;t know if you ever fully process it,&quot; Johnson said, speaking with the help of a computerized device. &quot;At first you&#x27;re in shock, then you realize you have two choices. You can give up, or you can fight. I chose to fight.&quot;</li></ul>

Team Japan calls Nashville home during World Cup

Japan's national soccer team will reside and train in Nashville for the World Cup tournament.

Things to Do

Japan will provide Nashville soccer fans with a second hometown team, of sorts, during the upcoming FIFA World Cup tournament.The big picture: Japan selected Nashville SC&#x27;s training center in Antioch to be its base camp and practice facility.<ul><li>Hosting Japan is a good fit for Nashville, because state and city leaders have worked to develop tourism and economic development ties with the country.</li></ul>

Nashville Predators want new GM Chris MacFarland to "build a winner"

After years of middling results in pro sports, Nashville wants to win.

The Nashville Predators&#x27; <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="quest for Stanley Cup glory" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2024/04/19/nashville-predators-stanley-cup-playoffs" data-vars-content-id="c9277254-8bee-47de-86f6-df97d36b37cd" data-vars-headline="Nashville Predators want new GM Chris MacFarland to &quot;build a winner&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2024/04/19/nashville-predators-stanley-cup-playoffs" target="_self">quest for Stanley Cup glory</a> led them to their new general manager and president of hockey operations Chris MacFarland, a battle-tested veteran plucked straight from a division rival.Why it matters: After years of middling results in pro sports, Nashville wants a winner. MacFarland has <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a track record of building playoff-ready powerhouses" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/02/25/colorado-avalanche-olympics-nhl" data-vars-content-id="c9277254-8bee-47de-86f6-df97d36b37cd" data-vars-headline="Nashville Predators want new GM Chris MacFarland to &quot;build a winner&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/02/25/colorado-avalanche-olympics-nhl" target="_self">a track record of building playoff-ready powerhouses</a>.

Nashville Public Library launches limited-edition Nashville SC card

The special card comes with a commemorative poster.

The Nashville Public Library is teaming up with the city&#x27;s soccer club to launch a limited-edition library card celebrating <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Nashville SC" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/05/12/nashville-sc-player-compensation-2026" data-vars-content-id="e688042e-9182-46f2-af9f-6f008a581bc4" data-vars-headline="Nashville Public Library launches limited-edition Nashville SC card" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/05/12/nashville-sc-player-compensation-2026" target="_self">Nashville SC</a>.Why it matters: It&#x27;s the ultimate piece of team memorabilia for fans who want to check out <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="books, board games and even kitchen supplies for free" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/09/02/nashville-library-card-free-streaming-audio-books" data-vars-content-id="e688042e-9182-46f2-af9f-6f008a581bc4" data-vars-headline="Nashville Public Library launches limited-edition Nashville SC card" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/09/02/nashville-library-card-free-streaming-audio-books" target="_self">books, board games and even kitchen supplies for free</a>.

Inside Nashville's new pro basketball franchise with Nancy VanReece

She talks about her journey to becoming president and CEO of Nashville's new UpShot basketball franchise.

Business

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Nancy VanReece" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2023/03/07/funding-pitched-for-womens-pro-sports-efforts-nashville" data-vars-content-id="e0c8e46c-752d-4002-a253-6ed36788dee0" data-vars-headline="Inside Nashville&#x27;s new pro basketball franchise with Nancy VanReece" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2023/03/07/funding-pitched-for-womens-pro-sports-efforts-nashville" target="_self">Nancy VanReece</a>&#x27;s journey to her dream job as president and CEO of Nashville&#x27;s new minor league women&#x27;s hoops franchise began on a basketball court in Oklahoma.<ul><li>When she played six-on-six high school basketball in Oklahoma in the early 1980s, girls teams had wonky rules that limited them to playing on half the court.</li></ul>Why it matters: Times have changed. From the college level to the WNBA, women&#x27;s basketball is exploding in popularity.<ul><li><a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Nashville missed out on" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/06/30/nashvilles-wnba-effort-suffers-a-setback" data-vars-content-id="e0c8e46c-752d-4002-a253-6ed36788dee0" data-vars-headline="Inside Nashville&#x27;s new pro basketball franchise with Nancy VanReece" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/06/30/nashvilles-wnba-effort-suffers-a-setback" target="_self">Nashville missed out on</a> a WNBA expansion franchise in 2025, but this year, the city was awarded a new franchise in the fledgling UpShot League.</li></ul>

Nashville picked to host Super Bowl in 2030

Nashville is finally awarded the Super Bowl after years of effort.

The Super Bowl, the football-fueled pop culture phenomenon without equals, is coming to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Nashville" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/05/18/reports-nashville-will-be-named-super-bowl-host-tuesday" data-vars-content-id="768ba5ef-ffa3-46b3-b173-fa4dbe1e5767" data-vars-headline="Nashville picked to host Super Bowl in 2030" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/05/18/reports-nashville-will-be-named-super-bowl-host-tuesday" target="_self">Nashville</a> in 2030.<ul><li>NFL owners <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="voted to award the game" data-vars-click-url="https://media.nfl.com/news-and-releases/corporate-communications/nashville-to-host-super-bowl-lxiv-in-2030" data-vars-content-id="768ba5ef-ffa3-46b3-b173-fa4dbe1e5767" data-vars-headline="Nashville picked to host Super Bowl in 2030" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://media.nfl.com/news-and-releases/corporate-communications/nashville-to-host-super-bowl-lxiv-in-2030" target="_blank">voted to award the game</a> to Nashville at their meeting in Orlando on Tuesday.</li></ul>Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Nashville has gradually climbed" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2022/10/17/scoop-cooper-titans-reach-nashville-stadium-deal" data-vars-content-id="768ba5ef-ffa3-46b3-b173-fa4dbe1e5767" data-vars-headline="Nashville picked to host Super Bowl in 2030" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2022/10/17/scoop-cooper-titans-reach-nashville-stadium-deal" target="_self">Nashville has gradually climbed</a> the tourism ladder over the last decade-plus, expanding from a country music town to an international tourist destination.<ul><li>Hosting the Super Bowl will be a crowning achievement for the city&#x27;s hospitality industry. </li></ul>

Reports: Nashville will be named Super Bowl host Tuesday

Analysts expect the NFL to award Nashville the 2030 Super Bowl.

The NFL owners are expected to vote Tuesday to award Nashville <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the Super Bowl" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/04/21/nashville-super-bowl-announcement-could-be-on-the-horizon" data-vars-content-id="5a60e8a6-ffa5-4b18-a065-b6a6a7af4c60" data-vars-headline="Reports: Nashville will be named Super Bowl host Tuesday" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/04/21/nashville-super-bowl-announcement-could-be-on-the-horizon" target="_self">the Super Bowl</a> in 2030, according to multiple <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="national media reports" data-vars-click-url="https://x.com/AdamSchefter/status/2056332443167183119?s=20" data-vars-content-id="5a60e8a6-ffa5-4b18-a065-b6a6a7af4c60" data-vars-headline="Reports: Nashville will be named Super Bowl host Tuesday" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://x.com/AdamSchefter/status/2056332443167183119?s=20" target="_blank">national media reports</a>.Why it matters: The Super Bowl would be the biggest tourism and media event ever held in Nashville.

Titans begin Nissan Stadium's final season against Jets

Titans open the 2026 season at home against the Jets.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The Titans" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/01/20/tennessee-titans-robert-saleh-head-coach" data-vars-content-id="61be5d10-bc17-4030-bb9e-23b84c077def" data-vars-headline="Titans begin Nissan Stadium&#x27;s final season against Jets" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/01/20/tennessee-titans-robert-saleh-head-coach" target="_self">The Titans</a> will begin their first season under coach Robert Saleh with a home game against the New York Jets.Why it matters: It&#x27;s the final home opener at the old Nissan Stadium. The new stadium is expected to open in time for the 2027 season.

Nashville SC spends $23 million on player payroll

Nashville SC spends nearly $23 million on player compensation.

Nashville SC spends nearly $23 million on compensation for its players, according to the Major League Soccer Players Association&#x27;s latest <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="salary guide" data-vars-click-url="https://mlsplayers.org/resources/salary-guide" data-vars-content-id="40876c31-41ed-4a28-b43f-266cb174fa8c" data-vars-headline="Nashville SC spends $23 million on player payroll" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://mlsplayers.org/resources/salary-guide" target="_blank">salary guide</a>. But that total still pales in comparison to the league&#x27;s top-paid player.Stunning stat: Inter Miami&#x27;s Lionel Messi is getting a whopping $28.3 million in guaranteed compensation during the 2026 season, per the new guide released Tuesday.<ul><li>That tops the total payroll for all but two of the league&#x27;s 30 teams.</li></ul>

Sports 🏅

How Nashville is embracing another round of World Cup mania

Former Titans star Chris Johnson reveals ALS diagnosis

Nashville icon Pekka Rinne reaches Hall of Fame

Team Japan calls Nashville home during World Cup

Nashville SC lands three All-Stars