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This newsletter is 761 words — a 3-minute read.

Nashville joined a coalition of cities and counties suing the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for threatening to withhold federal funding for anti-terrorism and emergency responses.

• The cities and counties, including Columbus, Ohio, and Harris County, where Houston is located, say the Trump administration is withholding the money unless they implement certain election policies locally.

Why it matters: It's the latest battlefront in President Trump's bid to advance his proposed election reforms.

The big picture: The cities' federal lawsuit says tens of millions of dollars are at stake.

• DHS placed new eligibility requirements on the Homeland Security anti-terrorism grant funding in June.

Friction point: According to a news release, the new conditions require states to use the "Systematic Alien Verification" system to check the citizenship of every poll worker and registered voter. The program also requires a 5% manual audit of paper ballots.

• States that don't comply are forced to forfeit their anti-terrorism grant funding, according to the release.

What she's saying: “This lawsuit seeks to secure necessary funding that would provide equipment and training to Nashville’s first responders in handling emergency or terrorist events in our city," Metro legal director Tyler Yarbro said in a statement.

• "The Trump administration wants to withhold those funds unless we implement wholly unnecessary and costly changes to our election procedures."

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The Bluebird Cafe remembered actress Hayden Panettiere as "a spark; funny, incredibly talented, beautiful" one day after the actress's shocking death at age 36.

• Panettiere starred in the drama "Nashville," and attracted throngs of fans to Music City.
• The Bluebird exploded in popularity alongside the show and Panettiere was a driving force.

What they're saying: "'Nashville' brought her to us at The Bluebird, and she became part of our family through that," the legendary songwriter venue posted on Instagram. "We are heartbroken hearing the news of her passing and we join with her family, friends and colleagues in mourning her loss."

🏈 Tennessee football is ranked No. 20 in the first AP poll. Vanderbilt received votes, but is not in the top 25. (ESPN)

🎶 The new Nissan Stadium puts live music at the center of its entertainment plan. (Tennessean)

❗️ A quarry operator on Whites Creek wants to turn 300 acres into an amphitheater, walking trails, a skate park and pavilions. (Nashville Business Journal, subscription)

The Winter Storm Commission said Nashville's Office of Emergency Management made mistakes during the January ice storm that should trigger an immediate reevaluation of the agency.

Why it matters: While most public scrutiny has been directed at Nashville Electric Service, the commission's initial findings indicate OEM made missteps as well.

The big picture: Mayor Freddie O'Connell formed the Winter Storm Commission earlier this year, with former Gov. Phil Bredesen and former House Speaker Beth Harwell at the helm.

The intrigue: The commission said it plans to hold back on revealing most of its recommendations until its final report, with one key exception.

• "An external professional review of OEM's structure, emergency management plans, staffing and resources is urgent and warrants a recommendation in this interim report that Metro begin this process immediately," the storm commission said in its report.

Between the lines: The report lauds OEM for performing "well under great pressure," but also found the department "bears much of the responsibility for over-reliance on personal relationships and the evident weakness in formal standards and procedures."

• The report was especially critical of OEM's "mass care capabilities," finding its management of the safety shelters during the early days of the ice storm was "confused at first."
• "OEM needs further evaluation of sheltering doctrine, staffing models, surge capability, shelter infrastructure support, and organizational responsibilities," according to the report.

Friction point: The commission singled out OEM for not being an accredited emergency management organization under the Emergency Management Accreditation Program.

Zoom out: The commission complimented NES for hiring an outside consultant to review its storm response.

• NES vowed to upgrade its communications, technology and power restoration estimates in response to its own review of its ice storm response.

What's next: The full report and recommendations will be released later this year.

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Our picks:

Nate's song of the day is "Haunted" by Phoebe Bridgers.

Adam recommends 100 Pizza, and its perfectly crispy pepperoni, after trying it over the weekend.

This newsletter was edited by Jen Burkett.