Good morning, folks. Let's tiptoe into Tuesday.

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Today’s newsletter is 980 words — a 3.5-minute read.

For three months now, the hottest website for Metro Council members, city officials, lobbyists, lawyers and lowly journalists has been the Tennessee Supreme Court's opinions page.

• Metro insiders visit the site daily — often multiple times each day — in hopes of finding out the Supreme Court's final ruling on the long-running lawsuit over the size of the Metro Council.

Why it matters: Nashville is in a state of political anxiety. Less than one year before Metro elections, voters have no idea how many council seats will comprise Nashville's legislative body.

• Will it be 40 council members, as it's always been since the Metro government formed; or will it be reduced to no more than 20, as Republican lawmakers mandated with a law they passed in 2023?

State of play: The Supreme Court is taking its time. The most recent update came in June when the justices asked both sides of the lawsuit to file briefs answering a rather wonky legal question.

• In the midst of the ongoing legal dispute, the legislature passed a technical correction to the 2023 law, which effectively kneecapped a major portion of Metro's argument.

Catch up quick: The battle over Metro Council's size started in 2023, when, amid a political divide between Nashville and Tennessee lawmakers, GOP politicians pushed for the city to submit an application to host the Republican National Convention in 2024.

• Metro Council balked and the RNC bid fizzled out, leaving Republican leaders incensed.
• In the next legislative session, Republican lawmakers passed a slate of laws targeting Metro. State Rep. William Lamberth led the charge to limit the size of Metro and city councils. Lamberth said in 2023 he was interested in the policy before the RNC issue arose.
• Metro sued to block the law, and won a lower court ruling, before the state won on appeal. Metro argues an existing provision in the state constitution prevents the law from taking effect.

Friction point: That triggered an appeal by Metro to the state Supreme Court. The two sides argued the matter in February.

• Conventional wisdom at the time was that a ruling would come in the spring. Instead, the issue went quiet until the court requested those updated briefings in June.
• The ruling could come at any moment, but the Supreme Court is not on a deadline to decide the case.

The intrigue: In the meantime, would-be council candidates are in a state of limbo. They don't know whether to run for a district office representing a neighborhood on the council or an at-large seat representing the entire county.

• If Metro loses and the council size is capped at 20, the city will have to decide how many at-large seats there will be and draw new district boundaries.
• At the very least, will create unprecedented political upheaval.

The bottom line: Either the Supreme Court will side with Metro and the council will stay at 40, or it will side with the Republican-led state government and Nashville will be in for a significant political overhaul.

• All we can do in the meantime is hit refresh.

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Anyone looking for a free flu shot can get one this afternoon at the Historic Metro Courthouse, also known as City Hall.

Why it matters: Flu season is off to an early start, and experts say now could be the ideal time to get vaccinated.

State of play: Flu shots will be available on the second floor of the courthouse, outside of the Metro Council chambers, from 3-6:30pm ahead of the Council meeting.

• Anyone who is at least 6 months old is eligible. No appointments are necessary and insurance isn't required.

What's next: Tennessee will hold a statewide Fight Flu Day on Oct. 20, with free vaccinations available at several locations.

• Meanwhile, Metro says flu shots will remain free at its East Nashville, Lentz and Woodbine clinics for the rest of the season.
  

✨ Ella Langley, Carrie Underwood and Reba McEntire are part of the lineup for the star-stacked tribute to Dolly Parton that will air live from Belmont University on Oct. 21. (Tennessean)

🔺 Immigration arrests and detentions in Tennessee have increased significantly under President Trump. ICE has partnered with about 120 local law enforcement agencies across the state. (Tennessee Lookout)

🫏 Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear came to Nashville to campaign and raise money for Chaz Molder, the Democrat running in Tennessee's 5th congressional district. (Nashville Scene)

• Elsewhere, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee added Democrat Justin J. Pearson's District 9 race against Republican Brent Taylor to its "Red to Blue" program, potentially opening the door for advertising money and other resources. (Politico)

The Tennessee Titans are off to an abysmal start to their season, but new coach Robert Saleh says quarterback Cam Ward is making critical progress.

What they're saying: "We have the utmost confidence in Cam," Saleh told reporters after the 18-24 loss to the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday.

• "The kid's gonna be a damn good quarterback. Everyone just needs to take a deep breath and let him grow.

"If you can't objectively sit down watch tape and look at him from Week 1 of last year, even, to Week 1 this year, to Week 4 [Sunday] and not see improvement ... then you're just being biased to your own opinion."

Our picks:

Nate's song of the day is "Kickin It In Nashville" by Ian Noe. This should be the new Music Row theme song.

👇 Adam is listening to "All Downhill from Ashland" by Wynonna Judd.

This newsletter was edited by Jen Burkett.