State Sen. Heidi Campbell is preparing legislation that would guarantee local governments keep control over whether to approve or reject new data centers.

Why it matters: The push for local control comes as new data center proposals are popping up all over Tennessee, including a controversial plan for one next to the Nashville Zoo.

The big picture: Local governments are rapidly proposing moratoriums on new data centers while also creating their own regulations. It's gone from a back-bench concern to the most pressing land use issue in the state.

What she's saying: Campbell, a Nashville Democrat, wants to ensure local municipalities keep control over data centers. She tells Axios she's especially concerned about the impact on Tennessee waterways and energy usage.

• She calls her legislation the Power to the People Act. She is also considering a provision that would require the Tennessee Valley Authority to report energy usage statistics by data centers.
• "From water, to traffic, to sound, to the electrical grid, the impact of data centers is all local," she says.

The intrigue: Campbell's plan is similar to the Jackson Law, the landmark Tennessee law that gives local governments the power to approve new landfills and expansion of existing landfills.

Between the lines: It's not just an issue in liberal Nashville, which recently imposed a moratorium combined with strict new regulations. More conservative parts of the state are taking the issue on as well.

• Knox County started a one-year moratorium in June.
• Smaller local governments, such as McMinnville and Coffee County also have moratoriums while they pursue long-term regulations, according to the Tennessee Lookout.

Friction point: On one hand, Campbell views the issue as likely to get bipartisan support, since new data centers have been an issue in liberal and conservative parts of the state.

• On the other, she says, she's worried about a possible Republican push to do the opposite and strip local governments of the ability to regulate new data centers.

"How many times have we seen the state do that?" Campbell says, referring to state laws that preempt local government powers. "They're definitely going to try to do that."

• "My goal is to fortify and create protections around municipalities being able to regulate and refuse data centers."

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It's the first day of school in Nashville.

• But kids in other parts of Middle Tennessee started earlier: Rutherford and Williamson counties came back yesterday, while Wilson County launched its school year last week.

State of play: Nearly every Tennessee public school will be back in session by Aug. 16, and all will be open before September.

• Other states take the opposite approach.

The other side: In Oregon, for instance, nearly 6 in 10 public schools don't open until September.

Between the lines: Earlier starts can allow districts to build more breaks and days off into the school year. They can also squeeze in more instructional time before standardized testing.

• Some districts and lawmakers argue August classes increase school cooling costs.
• Others argue schools provide air-conditioned spaces that benefit children during periods of extreme heat.

💭 Adam's thought bubble: Tennessee's earlier school start times explain why he never understood this classic oldie.

🫏 Tennessee Democrats logged a series of surprising wins in local races last week, claiming new spots on county commissions and school boards. (WKRN)

💰 CoreCivic, the Tennessee-based company that is one of the nation's largest prison operators, has seen a surge in revenue from ICE due to the Trump administration's immigration crackdowns. (Tennessee Lookout)

⚾️ Nolensville is one win away from returning to the Little League World Series after a 4-0 win over Florida yesterday. (Williamson Herald)

📺 Neil Orne and Nikki Burdine, who hosted the WKRN morning show together for years, are launching a new online morning news show starting tomorrow. They'll produce the show themselves, giving them total creative freedom. (Tennessean, subscription)

Ryman Hospitality, the Nashville-based resort giant, announced yesterday it would spend $1.38 billion to acquire an Orlando complex from Trinity Investments.

Why it matters: Trade pubs described the deal as the most expensive non-gaming resort buy on record in the U.S. It represents a massive expansion of Ryman Hospitality's national footprint.

By the numbers: Grande Lakes Orlando Resort is a 409-acre property that includes a 1,010-room JW Marriott, a 582-room Ritz-Carlton and about 320,000 square feet of meeting and event space.

• Oh, and there's also an 18-hole championship golf course.

Between the lines: An announcement from Ryman Hospitality touted Orlando's strength as a top draw for corporate meetings and vacation travelers.