Metro Nashville is once again suing Tennessee. A lawsuit filed yesterday targets a new law that would give state officials heightened power over the Metro Sports Authority.

Why it matters: The law would insert state influence into the group that acts as the landlord for Nashville's pro sports venues starting Jan. 1.

The big picture: Metro lawyers have repeatedly accused the state of overreach this year. This is the fourth time the city has gone to court to challenge a state law passed in 2023.

• Nashville also challenged a law slashing the size of the Metro Council, a measure asserting state control over the airport authority and legislation lowering the threshold to renovate the fairgrounds racetrack.

The latest: The sports authority law would give the governor and top Republican lawmakers the power to appoint six of the authority's 13 board members starting in January. The Nashville mayor previously appointed every member of the board with council approval.

• City lawyers have asked the court to stop the law from taking effect while their challenge is underway.

State of play: Metro legal argues the sports authority law violates the home rule amendment of the Tennessee Constitution because it specifically targets Nashville business rather than applying statewide.

What they're saying: "We do not enjoy filing lawsuits against the State and in fact hope for an improved relationship," Metro legal director Wally Dietz said in a statement. "But this statute affects only Nashville, not any other sports authority in Tennessee."

• "We cannot sit idly by and let the State deprive the Metropolitan Government and the people who live here of their rights under our Tennessee Constitution."

What's next: The lawsuit, which was filed in Davidson County Chancery Court, will be heard by a three-judge panel drawn from different regions of Tennessee.

Share this story

💼 Check out who's hiring on our Job Board.

1. Guest Relations Coordinator at Country Music Hall of Fame.
2. General Services Director at City of Nashville.
3. Senior Manager, Marketing Analytics at Asurion.

Want more opportunities? Check out our Job Board.

Hiring? Use code FIRST50 for $50 off your first job post.

The panel considering if Tennessee can afford to walk away from federal education funding for K-12 schools has set a flurry of meetings for November.

The latest: The Federal Education Funding Working Group will meet five times next month: Nov. 6, 7, 8, 14 and 15.

• "There is no predetermined outcome for this working group, or for what the information we gather is going to show," panel co-chair Sen. Jon Lundberg (R-Bristol) told Chalkbeat.
• "We want to look at what federal education money we get, where it goes, what we're required to do to get those funds, and ultimately what's the return on the investment."

Flashback: House Speaker Cameron Sexton (R-Crossville) floated the idea of rejecting $1.8 billion in federal education funds earlier this year.

• He and Lt. Gov. Randy McNally (R-Oak Ridge) announced last month that a 10-person panel would delve into the possibility.
• The group includes eight Republicans and two Democrats.

The big picture: The federal funds primarily support low-income students, English language learners and students with disabilities, Chalkbeat reported.

• Rural school districts rely on this funding the most, as they have less local revenue, according to a Sycamore Institute report.

Between the lines: Sexton says accepting the money opens the state up to too many regulations and restrictions, while Democrats say turning the money down would strip away essential programming for vulnerable students.

🩺 Belmont University's new medical school earned its preliminary accreditation and can start recruiting students. (Tennessean)

🦇 A new wildlife refuge in Franklin County will protect habitats for threatened and endangered species of bats, salamanders and shrimp. (The Associated Press)

🎧 The omnipresent Dolly Parton is launching a four-part radio series "What Would Dolly Do? Radio," where she tells stories about her life and career, starting Oct. 25. (American Songwriter)

Attention sports fans and "potassium enthusiasts": The wackiest baseball team in America is headed back to Nashville in the spring.

Why it matters: The Savannah Bananas' unique blend of humor, dance and athleticism has made the team a touring sensation. You'll need to act quickly for a chance at tickets, Axios' Tyler Buchanan writes.

How it works: The Georgia-based team is baseball's answer to the Harlem Globetrotters, with the yellow-clad Bananas typically facing their pink-wearing rival, the Savannah Party Animals.

• They play under Banana Ball rules, which dictate a two-hour time limit, outlaw bunting and cause a batter to be out if a fan catches a foul ball on the fly.

The intrigue: You never know what you'll see at a Bananas game.

• There might be ping pong in the outfield, a backflip catch, a batter on stilts or a twerking umpire.

Details: Fans must join a lottery list by Dec. 1 for the opportunity to buy tickets.

• Three games are scheduled for June 13-15, 2024, at First Horizon Park.

Share this story