Welcome to Wednesday, y'all!

⛅ Today's weather: A little more fall-like. Partly sunny, with a high of 86 and a low of 63.

🎂 Happy birthday to our member Connie Harvey!

Today’s newsletter is 848 words — a 3-minute read.

A vital East Bank hotel project won't be finished in time for the Super Bowl in Nashville in 2030, creating consternation among city leaders.

Why it matters: The situation illustrates a frayed relationship between Metro and the Fallon Company, which is the city's chosen master developer for the land around the new Titans stadium.

• City officials are worried about the optics and logistics of having a major construction site next to Nissan Stadium when the Super Bowl is in town.

Driving the news: Top Fallon executives informed the East Bank Development Authority board yesterday about its shifting timeline.

State of play: Fallon told the authority in May 2025 it expected to finish in early 2029. That would have left plenty of time for the 2030 Super Bowl.

• But in its latest update, Fallon said it does not have final financing for the hotel.
• The company also has not selected a flagship hotel brand for the 600-room hotel project or finished design work.

What he's saying: "Unfortunately, it wasn't a surprise to us. It was a surprise to many, so we'll need to do a better job making sure everyone's aware of that," Fallon Company CEO Michael Fallon said.

• In a slide show for the board, he walked through critical updates that have taken place behind the scenes, including Metro work like site appraisals and infrastructure approvals. He stopped short of blaming Metro for delays.

Between the lines: The Super Bowl is obviously a big deal for Nashville, but there's a broader financial concern about the mixed-use development coming together as soon as possible.

• The new Nissan Stadium will open next year. Sales tax collections generated from the development around it are supposed to help pay for the debt on the project.

Friction point: Board members expressed concerns and pressed the Fallon Company for why the hotel project has been slower to come together than expected.

• One board member suggested delaying hotel construction until after the Super Bowl to avoid a partially built tower and construction site in the middle of the city's preeminent showcase.

What we're watching: The board voted to appoint Metro Planning Department director Lucy Kempf to convene a meeting with Fallon to determine next steps.

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Starting this week, Nashville became the second city in the country where teenagers can ride solo in Waymo's fleet of robotaxis.

Why it matters: Waymo markets the teen rider program as an alternative for kids traveling to school, the movies or extracurricular activities.

How it works: Once parents link their kids ages 13-17 to their Waymo account, the teens can independently hail a ride within the 50-square-mile Nashville service area.

• Waymo includes rider support agents who can assist teens and contact parents if needed, and young riders can provide real-time status updates on their trips with parents.

Flashback: Waymo launched its first teen rider market last year in Phoenix.

• The company partnered with the Boys & Girls Club to test how it could help teens who were participating in summer internships.
• Waymo said that participating Phoenix-area teens reported a significant drop in stress around getting to work.

What they're saying: "I'm excited for the launch of Waymo teen accounts because it will provide another option for safe transportation in Nashville," Metro Councilmember Jacob Kupin said in a statement provided by Waymo.

• "I look forward to utilizing this new option to keep our kids safe, give them a sense of independence, and help manage the family calendar."

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An autopsy found that "Nashville" star Hayden Panettiere died from a lethal combination of fentanyl and other drugs. (New York Times)

💉 COVID vaccines for uninsured Tennessee kids are in limbo — the Trump administration hasn't said yet if it will continue a federal program that traditionally offers the vaccines. (Tennessee Lookout)

💰 State Sen. Charlane Oliver, a Nashville Democrat, announced a long-shot push to limit corporate spending in Tennessee elections. (Tennessean)

Famous Nashvillian Nicole Kidman gave the Nashville Film Festival a boost yesterday in a recorded statement urging people to "come celebrate with us, see some movies ... and keep the creative heart of Nashville alive."

What she's saying: "There is something so special about independent filmmaking, and I'm so proud that the Nashville Film Festival is not only here to bring these stories to life, but it also creates a platform for the worldwide cinema right here in Tennessee."

Between the lines: Kidman has taken several concrete steps to supercharge Nashville's film scene, particularly by pushing for more productions in the area.

If you go: The film festival will feature nearly 150 films during events from Sept. 24-30.

Our picks:

🛞 Nate likes this social media account featuring a good Samaritan changing people's tires.

0️⃣ Adam is very intrigued by Taylor Swift's forthcoming single "Patient Zero."

This newsletter was edited by Jen Burkett.