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A daily look at the most significant and interesting stories affecting Nashville. Written by Nate Rau and Adam Tamburin.

Axios Nashville Thought Bubble

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Nashville Electric Service hires fleet of consultants following ice storm

NES hired political and PR help following the devastating storm.

News

<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.

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.

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'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.

Nashville SC enters 2026 season with championship expectations

Team leaders have projected confidence that this could be a breakthrough year.

Sports

Nashville SC is starting the 2026 season with great expectations.Why it matters: Heading into the home opener Saturday, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="team leaders" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2024/07/05/the-setlist-nashville-sc-hires-new-coach" data-vars-content-id="36f3f36b-2c13-400b-9f5f-3f309fdd94bf" data-vars-headline="Nashville SC enters 2026 season with championship expectations" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2024/07/05/the-setlist-nashville-sc-hires-new-coach" target="_self">team leaders</a> have projected confidence that this could be a breakthrough year.

Vanderbilt launches $50 million fundraiser for women's athletics

Fundraising will go toward scholarships for female athletes and endowed coaching positions.

Vanderbilt University launched a $50 million &quot;Anchored for Her&quot; fundraising campaign this month dedicated to bolstering <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="women&#x27;s sports" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/08/14/nashville-joins-the-women-s-sports-boom" data-vars-content-id="c18333f4-91f4-449d-ba78-41964090fba6" data-vars-headline="Vanderbilt launches $50 million fundraiser for women&#x27;s athletics" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/08/14/nashville-joins-the-women-s-sports-boom" target="_self">women&#x27;s sports</a> on campus.Why it matters: Fundraising will go toward scholarships for female athletes, endowed coaching positions, facility upgrades and the &quot;financial realities of the new revenue-sharing model in college athletics.&quot;

Nashville to host Olympic soccer in 2028

It's too soon to know what teams will head to Geodis Park.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The Olympics" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/27/team-usa-2026-winter-olympics-milano-cortina" data-vars-content-id="7eb560bf-d0e5-411c-9ff4-7d66277e4179" data-vars-headline="Nashville to host Olympic soccer in 2028" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/27/team-usa-2026-winter-olympics-milano-cortina" target="_self">The Olympics</a> are coming to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Nashville" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville" data-vars-content-id="7eb560bf-d0e5-411c-9ff4-7d66277e4179" data-vars-headline="Nashville to host Olympic soccer in 2028" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville" target="_self">Nashville</a> in 2028.<ul><li><a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Geodis Park" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2022/03/11/nashville-sc-names-new-stadium-mls" data-vars-content-id="7eb560bf-d0e5-411c-9ff4-7d66277e4179" data-vars-headline="Nashville to host Olympic soccer in 2028" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2022/03/11/nashville-sc-names-new-stadium-mls" target="_self">Geodis Park</a> was one of six stadiums announced on Tuesday to host soccer matches for the 2028 Olympics.</li></ul>Why it matters: Hosting the Olympics is another gold medal for Nashville&#x27;s status as a soccer city.<ul><li><a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Since Geodis opened in 2022" data-vars-click-url="https://www.sixonefivesoccer.com/10-biggest-games-nashville-sc-2025/" data-vars-content-id="7eb560bf-d0e5-411c-9ff4-7d66277e4179" data-vars-headline="Nashville to host Olympic soccer in 2028" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.sixonefivesoccer.com/10-biggest-games-nashville-sc-2025/" target="_blank">Since Geodis opened in 2022</a>, the fairgrounds stadium has hosted MLS playoff games, the FIFA World Club Cup and the Leagues Cup Final.</li></ul>

Report: Titans tap Brian Daboll to lead offense

Titans to hire Brian Daboll as offensive coordinator, reports say.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="New Titans coach Robert Saleh" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/01/26/titans-hire-saleh-to-rebuild-team-identity" data-vars-content-id="81630920-4250-4f8e-ab37-970096d9609d" data-vars-headline="Report: Titans tap Brian Daboll to lead offense" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/01/26/titans-hire-saleh-to-rebuild-team-identity" target="_self">New Titans coach Robert Saleh</a> picked Brian Daboll to lead the team&#x27;s offense.Why it matters: Daboll, the former New York Giants coach, has the challenging task of fixing one of the NFL&#x27;s worst offenses.<ul><li>Selecting an offensive coordinator was one of the most crucial early decisions for Saleh, whose background is on the defensive side of the ball.</li></ul>

Tennessee Titans move to hire Robert Saleh as head coach

The Titans cast a wide net in their coaching search.

Nashville, meet Robert Saleh.Why it matters: After an <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="exhaustive search" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/01/09/titans-high-stakes-coaching-search" data-vars-content-id="ce57fc1d-5d6e-4cf0-87da-4afd99f77a43" data-vars-headline="Tennessee Titans move to hire Robert Saleh as head coach" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/01/09/titans-high-stakes-coaching-search" target="_self">exhaustive search</a>, the Tennessee Titans have tapped Saleh, 46, to serve as head coach, according to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="multiple reports" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nfl.com/news/titans-expected-to-hire-49ers-defensive-coordinator-robert-saleh-as-head-coach" data-vars-content-id="ce57fc1d-5d6e-4cf0-87da-4afd99f77a43" data-vars-headline="Tennessee Titans move to hire Robert Saleh as head coach" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nfl.com/news/titans-expected-to-hire-49ers-defensive-coordinator-robert-saleh-as-head-coach" target="_blank">multiple reports</a>.

Vanderbilt basketball teams are off to a roaring start

The men's and women's hoops teams have been dominate so far.

Vanderbilt&#x27;s basketball teams are off to a dazzling start this season.Why it matters: We are in the midst of a whiz-bang year for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Vandy athletics" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/10/27/vandy-football-stays-on-a-roll" data-vars-content-id="65a5e35d-04ca-46cd-8580-2f6dce0829ad" data-vars-headline="Vanderbilt basketball teams are off to a roaring start" 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/vandy-football-stays-on-a-roll" target="_self">Vandy athletics</a>.

The Titans' high-stakes coaching search

Titans interview coaching candidates as they seek to rekindle success of Fisher and Vrabel.

Since the Titans relocated to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Nashville" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville" data-vars-content-id="54b5004a-2e8a-4d60-b5d0-c5d4b8bccc72" data-vars-headline="The Titans&#x27; high-stakes coaching search" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville" target="_self">Nashville</a> in the late &#x27;90s, the most successful iteration of the franchise featured a gritty defensive-minded head coach paired with a rampaging running back.<ul><li>The combination of coach Jeff Fisher and running back Eddie George carried the Titans to a Super Bowl and sustained success for several seasons.</li><li>Coach Mike Vrabel and running back Derrick Henry kept the team in constant playoff contention during their run in Tennessee.</li></ul>Why it matters: As Titans management hunts, once again, for a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new coach" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/10/14/tennessee-titans-callahan-fired-mike-mccoy-interim" data-vars-content-id="54b5004a-2e8a-4d60-b5d0-c5d4b8bccc72" data-vars-headline="The Titans&#x27; high-stakes coaching search" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/10/14/tennessee-titans-callahan-fired-mike-mccoy-interim" target="_self">new coach</a>, the team could consider returning to its roots and hiring a hard-nosed, tone-setting defensive mind to lead the team.

6 stories that will define 2026 in Nashville

There are countless reasons to be optimistic about Nashville, but 2026 is also shaping up to be a gritty year.

Contentious political races. Independent restaurants and music venues on the brink of closing. A pro football team stuck in a perpetual rebuild.<ul><li>There are countless reasons to be optimistic about Nashville, but 2026 is also shaping up to be a gritty year.</li></ul>Driving the news: As we stand at the starting line for a new year, here are the stories we think will define Nashville over the next 12 months.

Step into the front door of the new Nissan Stadium

Nashville's new Nissan Stadium hit a construction milestone as the final steel beam was placed.

Partners

Nashville hit a major milestone on the road to its next big stage as the final steel beam was placed at the Titans&#x27; new Nissan Stadium on Nov. 21.🏗️ Here&#x27;s the deal: The Topping Out ceremony felt like a true Music City milestone as crews, fans and local leaders gathered to celebrate the Titans&#x27; progress — and what&#x27;s coming next.

Vanderbilt's Pavia up for the Heisman

He's the first Vandy player to be named a Heisman finalist.

Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia, whose collegiate career was extended thanks to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a landmark legal challenge" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2024/12/20/vanderbilts-diego-pavia-wins-extra-year-of-eligibility" data-vars-content-id="4af08498-a837-4a43-bad3-8b9cee9d6302" data-vars-headline="Vanderbilt&#x27;s Pavia up for the Heisman" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2024/12/20/vanderbilts-diego-pavia-wins-extra-year-of-eligibility" target="_self">a landmark legal challenge</a>, was one of four players named as a finalist for the Heisman Trophy, given to college football&#x27;s best player.Why it matters: Pavia only played two seasons for the Commodores, but he&#x27;s cemented himself as one of the best players in program history. He&#x27;s the first Vandy player to be <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="named a Heisman finalist" data-vars-click-url="https://www.tennessean.com/story/sports/college/vanderbilt/2025/12/09/diego-pavia-heisman-vanderbilt-football-best-games/87684834007/" data-vars-content-id="4af08498-a837-4a43-bad3-8b9cee9d6302" data-vars-headline="Vanderbilt&#x27;s Pavia up for the Heisman" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.tennessean.com/story/sports/college/vanderbilt/2025/12/09/diego-pavia-heisman-vanderbilt-football-best-games/87684834007/" target="_blank">named a Heisman finalist</a>.

Sports 🏅

Nashville SC enters 2026 season with championship expectations

Titans bring live music to Nissan Stadium

Vanderbilt launches $50 million fundraiser for women's athletics

Nashville to host Olympic soccer in 2028

Barry Trotz announces retirement as Preds GM