Axios Nashville

October 09, 2025
It's Thursday, and the Predators begin their season tonight.
- Today's weather: Sunny with a high of 75.
🎂 Happy birthday to our Axios Nashville member Dana Coleman!
This newsletter is 1,007 words — a 4-minute read.
1 big thing: Nashville returns to network TV lineup
Music City is returning to primetime tonight with the series premiere of "9-1-1: Nashville," a drama featuring first responders contending with soapy drama and over-the-top emergencies.
Why it matters: Nashville's previous turn in a network drama (the country-tinged "Nashville") supercharged city tourism. State and local officials hope the new show will be similarly successful.
Between the lines: "This kind of national and international exposure is invaluable," Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp head Deana Ivey said in a statement.
- "It's a powerful way to introduce Music City to new audiences and reinforces Nashville's reputation as a must-visit destination."
What we're watching: Like "Nashville," this drama filmed on-location, using real-life backdrops for larger-than-life scenarios.
- Filming is ongoing in the Nashville area and should continue into 2026, according to the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development.
By the numbers: The state projects the production will create more than 600 jobs, with a broader economic impact of more than $50 million.
State of play: "9-1-1: Nashville" is the second spinoff in producer Ryan Murphy's "9-1-1" universe, in which beautiful police officers, firefighters and paramedics respond to outlandish disasters.
- The main "9-1-1" series, which is set in Los Angeles, featured characters battling a "bee-nado."
What they're saying: Producers and stars are promising more of the same in Nashville.
- The first episode features tornadoes and a runaway pedal tavern full of bachelorettes.
- "We've got firenados, we've got lightning, we've got all sorts of stuff," star Chris O'Donnell said, per TV Line. "There have been a couple of times where I've read a script and been like, 'They can't be serious here.'"
Fun fact: The show hoisted an Airstream trailer on top of the Korean Veterans Bridge this summer for a stunt showing the fall-out of a fictional tornado.
- The real Nashville police department issued a bulletin assuring residents it was not an actual emergency.
Zoom in: The show features a Nashville-friendly supporting cast, including singer LeAnn Rimes playing a firefighter's mother and Kimberly Williams-Paisley as a 911 dispatcher.
- Thursday's episode will feature a cameo from country hitmaker Kane Brown.
How to watch: "9-1-1: Nashville" airs 8pm on ABC, with on-demand streaming starting tomorrow on Hulu.
2. Alan Jackson to play his final show at Nissan Stadium in 2026
Country music Hall of Famer Alan Jackson will make his final curtain call at Nissan Stadium, where he will headline a concert featuring a star-packed supporting cast.
Why it matters: Jackson's last concert will cap a career spanning four decades and 35 chart-topping songs.
Catch up quick: In 2021, Jackson revealed he had Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease, a neurological disorder that affects his ability to stand and maintain balance.
- At a Milwaukee concert earlier this year, he told the crowd he would retire.
Driving the news: The Nissan Stadium show on June 27, 2026, will be a capstone celebrating his entire career.
- Country stars Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Luke Combs, Riley Green, Cody Johnson, Miranda Lambert, Jon Pardi, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban and Lee Ann Womack will perform, and more artists will be added to the lineup.
- For every ticket sold, $1 will be donated to CMT research. An anonymous donor has promised to donate $2 for every ticket sold.
Ticket registration opened yesterday. The presale begins at 10am Wednesday, Oct. 15.
- Remaining tickets will go on sale to the general public at 10am Friday, Oct. 17.
3. The Setlist: Oracle unveils renderings of corporate campus in Nashville
Oracle released new renderings for its corporate campus on the East Bank. The project will include a new Nobu hotel. (Tennessean)
State Rep. Justin Pearson, who found a higher profile as a member of the Tennessee Three, is running for Congress in the Democratic primary against incumbent U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen. (Axios)
Immigration sweeps in Nashville are deterring crime victims from coming forward. (Tennessee Lookout)
Nashville and other Tennessee cities are not doing enough to address the root cause of gun violence, according to a new report. (WPLN)
4. ✈️ Charted: Flight delays at BNA
Staffing shortages in Nashville's air traffic control tower delayed hundreds of flights on Tuesday, according to a statement from the airport.
What they're saying: The FAA attributed the shortages to "unexpected call outs."
By the numbers: The airport reported 263 delayed flights Tuesday affecting about 39,450 passengers.
State of play: Officials said staffing was back to normal on Wednesday, with "no immediate staffing concerns."
Yes, but: Air traffic control staffing problems have been widespread during the federal government shutdown. Delays in major hubs could still still effect flights at BNA.
The intrigue: Shortages could put more pressure on Congress to end the government shutdown, which has controllers working without pay while fueling delays and safety concerns, Axios' Alex Fitzpatrick reports.
Flashback: Controller and TSA "sick-outs" played an under-appreciated role in ending the 2018-19 shutdown, as lawmakers faced the prospect of a snarled air traffic network.
5. Dolly Parton reassures fans: "I ain't dead yet!"
Dolly Parton wants you to know she is OK.
State of play: Parton's sister sparked concerns Tuesday when she asked fans to pray for the country megastar's health. The post came days after Parton postponed Las Vegas shows for medical reasons.
Reality check: Parton, 79, posted a video yesterday downplaying the situation, saying her health issues were "nothing major."
- "I know lately everybody thinks that I'm sicker than I am," she said.
- "I wanted to put everybody's mind at ease."
Between the lines: Parton said she's staying closer to home temporarily for treatment at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville.
- But the singer is still working — she recorded her message in full glam (obviously) while preparing to film promotions for the Grand Ole Opry.
The bottom line: "I'm not ready to die yet," she said. "I don't think God is through with me, and I ain't done working."
Our picks:
⚾️ Nate celebrated the Cubs win last night with class and dignity.
🔦 Adam is wading into his next book club pick, "Flashlight" by Susan Choi.
This newsletter was edited by Mike Szvetitz.
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