Fisk University has lurched from one financial crisis to another for decades, but university president Agenia Walker Clark tells Axios a newly announced overhaul, which calls for an on-campus data center, may be the beginning of a new era.

Why it matters: In an interview, Clark says the $1 billion "Quantum Leap" plan, which has board approval and buy-in from city leaders, is intended to shift the historically Black university from survival mode into a period of growth.

What she's saying: "You can't continue doing the same things over and over again, and getting the same results," Clark says.

• "We have got to learn how to thrive."

Driving the news: The centerpiece of Clark's new plan, which would take 10 years or longer to complete, is a 100,000-square-foot innovation center that would lend space for an outside partner to maintain data infrastructure needed to support the explosion of AI. It would also include an academic hub.

• Clark says Fisk would bring on a partner to oversee the data center "power shell." Details about the partnership will be released later.
• Fisk would maintain ownership of the land and control over the academic portion of the building.

Clark says "it would be wonderful" if the data center partnership became a long-term financial support system for the university.

• The $1 billion project would cover the innovation center plus a new arena, a student center, more academic space and housing.

The big picture: Fisk has been pushed to the brink for years, with several waves of leaders fighting to keep the doors open.

• In 2024, the Metro Council shifted $8.5 million in pandemic relief funds to give Fisk a lifeline to stay solvent.

Zoom out: Fisk's struggles are not unique. The Hechinger Report cited a recent estimate that 442 of the nation's 1,700 private colleges are at risk of closing or merging.

The intrigue: Clark says she gets "no credit" for the idea to build an innovation center. It was a Fisk alum who called her to discuss the possibility more than two years ago.

Between the lines: Clark is adamant that Fisk's approach would not resemble the hulking "data farms" elsewhere that have been criticized for noise and environmental problems.

• "We have no intentions of recreating the noise that has come out of all of these other projects in our state and in other parts of the country."
• The university said it worked with the Nashville Electric Service to ensure the center wouldn't be a burden.

The bottom line: Clark says she draws inspiration from the Fisk Jubilee Singers, who toured to raise money to keep the university afloat in the 1870s.

• "This is our time to approach the world differently to make sure Fisk is here another 160 years."

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There's a growing scam at gas stations that could leave Memorial Day weekend travelers paying hundreds of dollars for fuel they never pumped.

Why it matters: Sharply higher gas prices appear to be inspiring thieves to invent new schemes to manipulate pumps and drain victims' wallets.

How it works: A scammer quietly places a small screw or bolt in the nozzle cradle so the pump doesn't properly shut off after use.

• That keeps the transaction open, allowing charges to pile up on the victim's card long after they've driven away.

A variation of the scam involves a stranger offering to help an elderly customer by pumping their gas for them.

• After the customer leaves, the scammer improperly hangs up the nozzle so the transaction remains active and they can fill up other cars.

Police have issued warnings in a number of states, including Maryland, Pennsylvania, California, Arizona and Texas, and it's believed to be spreading nationally.

How to protect yourself: Beware of helpful strangers, make sure the nozzle latches fully and get a receipt of the transaction.

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The state of Tennessee is poised to execute death row inmate Tony Von Carruthers this morning, barring a last-minute intervention from the courts. Gov. Bill Lee denied a request for clemency. (Nashville Banner)

Cage the Elephant and other rock bands will perform concerts at Jon Bon Jovi's Lower Broad bar during CMA Fest. (Tennessean)

Nashville leaders asked for a moratorium on NES's stricter new tree trimming policy. (WPLN)

Nashville was just awarded its first Super Bowl this week, but business and civic leaders are already talking about hosting the big game on a regular basis.

Why it matters: Local boosters want Nashville in the regular rotation of Super Bowl hosts along with cities like Los Angeles and New Orleans.

What they're saying: Titans president CEO Burke Nihill predicted Nashville will show off just like it did when it hosted an especially festive NFL Draft in 2019.

• Nashville earned high marks for the week-long party it threw downtown, mixing football with the local music industry.
• "Looking ahead to 2030, there is no doubt that Nashville is going to reinvent the game for the Super Bowl and redefine what a great Super Bowl means," Nihill said at yesterday's celebration press conference. "We are going to have hundreds of millions of people across hundreds of countries get a glimpse of what makes this city and state remarkable."

Jim Nantz, the legendary sportscaster who now lives in Nashville and is co-chair of the host committee, said he believes the city will host "multiple" Super Bowls.