Gas prices are surging as the war in Iran continues, with the average cost in the Nashville area tilting toward $4 per gallon.

Why it matters: The Iran war is driving one of the sharpest gas price jumps in recent history, reports Axios' Dave Lawler.

• The uptick means filling up a 15-gallon tank costs about $19 more than it did before the conflict, per AAA.

By the numbers: The Nashville metro area hit an average price of $3.88 on April 1, according to GasBuddy data. (We've seen stations in parts of the city already setting prices of more than $4.)

• The national average on Thursday sat even higher, at $4.08.

The big picture: Those numbers stand in bleak contrast to a low point of $2.58 per gallon in the Nashville area last December.

What we're watching: There's little hope of returning to those lows as the Strait of Hormuz remains closed to most ships, straining supplies worldwide.

Driving the news: Oil prices have ascended to over $100 a barrel since the war began, raising the prices that consumers pay at the pump.

• Oil prices could reach an unprecedented $200 a barrel if the strait remains closed, analysts warn.

What's next: Even if the strait reopens soon, prices tend to fall more slowly than they rise, Ryan Cummings, chief of staff at the Stanford Institute of Economic Policy Research, told Axios.

Flashback: Nashville hit its highest-ever gas prices in 2022, when prices in the metro area hit $4.68 per gallon, per AAA.

The silver lining: At least we aren't in San Diego, where gas prices right now are nearly $6 per gallon.

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Nashville residents support eliminating the fairgrounds racetrack over a possible improvement plan, according to last week's Vanderbilt University poll.

Why it matters: The track's future has been mired in political gridlock for 15 years.

• Mayor Freddie O'Connell's administration has engaged Speedway Motorsports about a racetrack investment plan, but there isn't a deal in place yet.

By the numbers: According to the Vanderbilt poll, 36% supported eliminating the track compared to 26% who favored a plan to improve the facility and bring NASCAR races back to Nashville.

• It was the second negative data point recently for a possible racetrack plan. The Power Poll, which surveys civic leaders and political influencers, also showed opposition to the plan.
• According to the Power Poll, 55% of insiders oppose a possible plan to fix up the track. That's compared to 29% who support a NASCAR plan.

Caveat: When voters weighed in on the future of the racetrack in 2011, they overwhelmingly supported a ballot measure to preserve the speedway.

• Pro-racing groups have shared polling results in recent years showing support for a possible racetrack investment plan.

Between the lines: A hypothetical racetrack plan is difficult to poll, because the financing details are not yet known.

State of play: A group seeking to demolish the racetrack and replace it with workforce or affordable housing at the fairgrounds is engaged in a lawsuit about whether its ballot measure can move forward.

• The case is set for a hearing in Chancery Court next week.
• If the anti-racing measure survives the legal challenge, then organizers would have less than three months to gather about 50,000 signatures from registered voters in order to put the plan on the November ballot.

A House panel voted to end standardized testing for voucher students. (Tennessean)

Attorney General Pam Bondi is being pushed out of her post in the Trump administration. (Axios)

Rutherford County's top librarian lost her job after refusing to remove books the library board said were inappropriate.

• Luanne James resisted an order to remove or relocate books about LGBTQ issues. (WPLN)

Gather 'round, team. It's time to go for gold.

• We've assembled a list of questions that will test your news know-how. Hit reply and share your answers — smarties will get a newsletter shoutout next week.

🏠 What percentage of Nashville residents said they could not afford to buy a home in Nashville, according to the latest Vanderbilt poll?

• 45%, 67% or 82%?

♻️ The Nashville Zoo recently stopped selling bottles of water at concession stands. What more recyclable item replaced them?

🍽️ Name the Nashville restaurant that is up for a national James Beard Award this year.

In Tennessee, Easter baskets are well stocked with the undisputed holiday candy champion: the Reese's Peanut Butter Bunnies.

Zoom in: DoorDash analyzed which Easter basket treats are over-index by state, and Reese's took the prize in the Volunteer State — and almost everywhere else.

Stunning stat: For some reason, our neighbors in Virginia are particularly fond of Haribo Sour Easter Grass.

🤔 Adam's thought bubble: I've never heard of Haribo Sour Easter Grass.

• But you better believe the Tamburin household is well acquainted with the Reester Bunny.