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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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How a people-loving nerd became Nashville's mayor

Over two decades, Freddie O'Connell went from being a political footnote to a beacon of hope for Nashville progressives

Election

Map: When and where to see peak fall foliage

Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one of the best places in the country to admire fall foliage.

Things to Do

The celebrity guide to Nashville

Where Hollywood types like to go in Nashville.

Komodo dragons take center stage at Nashville Zoo

The giant lizards are the new featured attraction at the Nashville Zoo at Grassmere.

Tampa Bay Rays squash speculation they might relocate to Nashville

The Tampa Bay Rays reportedly have a deal to build a new stadium.

Sports

The Tampa Bay Rays <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="reportedly have a deal" data-vars-click-url="https://www.tampabay.com/sports/rays/2023/09/18/stadium-gas-plant-district-2028-tropicana-field-stuart-sternberg/" data-vars-content-id="93b1694a-857b-48ac-b6f9-3411bd32f97b" data-vars-headline="Tampa Bay Rays squash speculation they might relocate to Nashville" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.tampabay.com/sports/rays/2023/09/18/stadium-gas-plant-district-2028-tropicana-field-stuart-sternberg/" target="_blank">reportedly have a deal</a> in place to build a new stadium, slamming the door on speculation the team could relocate to Nashville.<ul><li>The news could, however, move Major League Baseball one step closer to expansion.</li></ul>

ST PETERSBURG, FLORIDA - MARCH 30: A general view during a game between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Detroit Tigers on Opening Day at Tropicana Field on March 30, 2023 in St Petersburg, Florida. 

Tennessee Titans are underdogs against Saints in opening game

The Titans kick off their season in New Orleans on Sunday.

The Titans kick off their season against the Saints on Sunday in New Orleans.Why it matters: After last year&#x27;s frustrating, injury-plagued season ended without a playoff berth, the Titans <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="enter the new campaign as underdogs" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2023/08/31/titans-roster-is-loaded-with-underdogs" data-vars-content-id="942e82a3-3d7a-411a-a0d2-f1bef4fff46b" data-vars-headline="Tennessee Titans are underdogs against Saints in opening game" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2023/08/31/titans-roster-is-loaded-with-underdogs" target="_self">enter the new campaign as underdogs</a>.<ul><li>They have the 26th-best odds (out of 32 teams) to win the Super Bowl.</li></ul>

Photo illustration of Tennessee Titans coach Mike Vrabel with blue and white stripes trailing behind him.

Tennessee Titans ticket demand charted

Since last season, the Titans' year over year ticket demand has decreased.

Titans tickets are cheaper on the resale market than most other NFL teams this year, according to SeatGeek data.<ul><li>The Titans&#x27; average resale ticket price for the 2023-24 season is $234.</li></ul>

A table showing the average ticket resale prices of NFL teams for the 2023-24 season. The Raiders top the list at $625 while the Colts are the cheapest at $168.

Titans roster is loaded with underdogs

The Titans begin the season at New Orleans in a noon game on Sept. 10.

Titans general manager Ran Carthon loaded his 53-player roster with rookies from unconventional football schools, rewarding a slate of underdogs for excellent training camp performances.State of play: Leading the way are edge rusher Caleb Murphy from Division II Ferris State and cornerback Anthony Kendall from Division III Baldwin Wallace.

Nashville SC hosts Inter Miami, led by Lionel Messi, at Geodis Park

Saturday's game will easily be the biggest in the young history of the Nashville SC franchise.

The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="hottest ticket" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2023/08/16/messi-nashville-ticket-prices-leagues-cup" data-vars-content-id="7615583d-e015-4ecc-bba4-f5473700e133" data-vars-headline="Nashville SC hosts Inter Miami, led by Lionel Messi, at Geodis Park" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2023/08/16/messi-nashville-ticket-prices-leagues-cup" target="_self">hottest ticket</a> in town. A global superstar in the spotlight. A meaningful soccer game of national interest.<ul><li>When John Ingram and his partners pursued a Major League Soccer franchise, they envisioned moments like this for Nashville soccer.</li></ul>

Nashville SC players celebrate after their semifinal victory in the Leagues Cup.

Messi's Nashville visit drives up ticket prices for Leagues Cup final

Step aside, Taylor Swift. A new box office draw is breaking Nashville ticket records.

Step aside, Taylor Swift. A new box office draw is breaking Nashville ticket records.By the numbers: Tickets to Saturday&#x27;s Nashville SC Leagues Cup final against Inter Miami CF and their star player Lionel Messi are skyrocketing <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="on secondhand markets" data-vars-click-url="https://seatgeek.com/leagues-cup-final-inter-miami-cf-at-nashville-sc-tickets/mls/2023-08-19-8-pm/6117814" data-vars-content-id="6a59e3c0-ce14-40ff-8a82-c821ed361051" data-vars-headline="Messi&#x27;s Nashville visit drives up ticket prices for Leagues Cup final" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://seatgeek.com/leagues-cup-final-inter-miami-cf-at-nashville-sc-tickets/mls/2023-08-19-8-pm/6117814" target="_blank">on secondhand markets</a>.

Lionel Messi #10 of Inter Miami CF celebrates after scoring a goal

First preseason game shines spotlight on Titans QBs

Preseason games are an opportunity to see young players.

The Titans&#x27; first preseason game, against the Chicago Bears on Saturday, will be all about the quarterbacks.Why it matters: Preseason games don&#x27;t count for anything, but they&#x27;re a good opportunity to watch young players who normally don&#x27;t see the field.

Malik Willis #7 of the Tennessee Titans warms up before a game

Titans open training camp

Tennessee looks to rebound after a disappointing 7-10 season last year.

Harold Landry returned from injury, DeAndre Hopkins made his debut and Ryan Tannehill looked like his old self when the Titans opened training camp Wednesday.<ul><li>The Titans embarked on what they hope is a bounce-back year following their first losing season since 2015.</li></ul>State of play: The Titans had been a model of consistency, tallying six consecutive winning seasons and three straight playoff appearances.<ul><li>It all fell apart in 2022, as they stumbled to a 7-10 record and fired their general manager during the season.</li></ul>

MLB zeroes in on Tennessee for prospects

There were 12 players from Tennessee picked during the first two days of the MLB draft.

Tennessee is once again proving itself as a top amateur baseball state.<ul><li>There were <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="17 players from Tennessee" data-vars-click-url="https://www.mlb.com/draft/tracker/2023/all/state/tennessee" data-vars-content-id="01386613-2dd0-4d73-8327-c2fd8d2d36f6" data-vars-headline="MLB zeroes in on Tennessee for prospects" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.mlb.com/draft/tracker/2023/all/state/tennessee" target="_blank">17 players from Tennessee</a> high schools and colleges picked during the first two days of the MLB draft.</li></ul>

Josef Newgarden to make Music City Grand Prix homecoming

Newgarden is coming back fresh off a dramatic win at the Indy 500.

The third annual Big Machine Music City Grand Prix will bring an IndyCar race course to downtown Nashville in about a month.<ul><li>This year, hometown racer Josef Newgarden is coming back fresh off <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a dramatic win at the Indianapolis 500" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/indianapolis/2023/05/30/indianapolis-500-roger-penske" data-vars-content-id="d89067b0-9e8e-4fb9-be5b-19e63023f384" data-vars-headline="Josef Newgarden to make Music City Grand Prix homecoming" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/indianapolis/2023/05/30/indianapolis-500-roger-penske" target="_self">a dramatic win at the Indianapolis 500</a>.</li></ul>Newgarden tells Axios that finally winning the Indy 500 on his 12th attempt brought him to the top of &quot;this mythical mountain that everybody is trying to climb.&quot;<ul><li>But there&#x27;s no place like home.</li></ul>

Josef Newgarden after winning the Indianapolis 500 in May.

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