A year ago today, we hit send on the first-ever Axios Nashville newsletter, beginning a roller coaster that took us from the inner workings of city hall to a curling bar in The Nations.

• As we approached this milestone, we realized our first 12 months of work might be best encapsulated in a tale of two burgers.

Flashback: Last October, we reported on music industry pros behind the smashburger pop-up Bad Luck Burger Club. Later the same month, the venerable all-night greasy spoon Hermitage Cafe flipped its last patty.

Zoom out: The juxtaposition of those two stories tells the tale of a city at a crossroads.

• On one hand, you have creative entrepreneurship powering an only-in-Nashville success story.
• But there are also institutions that feel tied to the city's soul getting left behind.

Why it matters: That tension between the old and the new rippled through many of our daily dispatches.

• Debates over the East Bank redevelopment, local political battles and criminal justice reform all reflect a city grappling with profound change.
• Every day, we've sought to harness more than 25 years of combined experience covering Nashville to explore and explain our home.

Yes, and: Every day, the Axios Nashville community (population 33,258 and growing) has helped us to reach that goal.

• You steered us toward fascinating stories, shared your favorite songs and suggested some seriously delicious desserts.
• Your feedback makes the early mornings worth it.

The bottom line: As our readership has grown, so has Axios' footprint. On the day Nashville's first newsletter was published, Axios Local was in nine cities. By the end of this year, we'll be in 30.

💙 If you've enjoyed spending your mornings with us over the last year, encourage your neighbors to subscribe for free.

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We're already busy working on our second year of newsletters.

What we're watching: Perhaps no projects define the promise and challenges facing Nashville like Mayor John Cooper's pursuit of a new domed Titans stadium and a redeveloped East Bank.

• How does Nashville add to its growth with projects like a new stadium without leaving behind the longtime residents and mom-and-pop shops that make this city great?
• The fate of those projects will also set the stage for the 2023 mayor's race. Although Cooper hasn't decided whether to seek re-election, two challengers are already officially in.

Yes, but: We want to hear your ideas, too.

📬 Reply to this email with the stories you'd like to see told in the newsletter.

• Is there a new neighborhood pizza joint we should check out or something going on at your child's school the rest of the city needs to be aware of? Let us know!

In a surprise move yesterday, prominent nonprofit executive Hal Cato announced in an email that he will not be running for mayor.

• He'd spent the last several months meeting with political and business leaders to discuss entering the race.

Why it matters: Cato presented a formidable challenge for Mayor Cooper, who has not yet officially announced his re-election intentions.

• Cato left his role at the helm of Thistle Farms earlier this year. He also held the top job at the nonprofit Oasis Center.

What he's saying: "Having grown up in and with Nashville, I believe we're at a critical moment that will define our city's priorities, as well as who can thrive here, for years to come," Cato said in his note. "After a lot of consideration, I have decided that I am not the right next leader for our metropolitan government."

State of play: Metro Councilmember Freddie O'Connell and Matt Wiltshire, who ran the city's economic development office and worked on affordable housing issues for the Metro Development and Housing Agency, are the only confirmed candidates.

• Councilmember Sharon Hurt confirmed to Axios earlier this month she's pondering a run as well.

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🟠 The University of Tennessee announced major changes to its academic structure, including a new standalone music college and a reorganization of liberal arts programs. (Tennessean, subscription)

⚠️ A Maury County site is emerging as a possible destination for Middle Tennessee's trash, drawing criticism and concern from local residents. (Tennessee Lookout)

🏈 The Buffalo Bills trampled the Titans yesterday 41-7 (CBS Sports).

🎾 The ball is in your court. Check out these opportunities.

1. Communications Manager (Unity Project) at Vanderbilt University - Communications and Marketing.
2. TBR Marketing/Product Manager at Hankook.
3. Environment Protection Manager at HDR.

Want more opportunities? Check out our Job Board.

Hiring? Post a job.

Metro Councilmember Jeff Syracuse's proposal to ban smoking in bars and music venues is up for a critical vote at tonight's council meeting.

Driving the news: Gov. Bill Lee and the legislature created a law allowing local governments to ban smoking in age-restricted venues. There are believed to be less than 20 businesses that still allow it in Nashville.

Yes, but: Several council members could push for amendments to Syracuse's proposal.

• One would grandfather in establishments that currently allow smoking.
• The state law has a carve-out for cigar bars, so separate amendments would allow similar exceptions for vaping and hookah.

The first Axios book, "Smart Brevity: The Power of Saying More with Less" is out today, showing you step by step how to communicate more crisply and efficiently so you can BE HEARD.

Why it matters to you: You get a crash course on Smart Brevity every time you open one of our emails, and the book will help you apply it to your daily life.

• We have chapters on Zooms, emails, speeches and social media — all helping you punch through the noise.

We'd love for you to buy a copy. You can pick one up online or order it from Parnassus Books.