Right turns on red lights would be banned downtown, in school zones and on busy transit corridors under an amended plan from Metro Councilmember Sandra Sepulveda.

Why it matters: Sepulveda plans to tweak her legislation, which initially proposed a wider-reaching ban on right turns. An amendment she's drafting will take a more targeted approach.

State of play: Her proposal, unveiled last month, generated significant discussion within Metro about how ambitious the city should be when it comes to pedestrian safety measures.

• The original legislation would have banned right turns at all red lights in the urban services district, which covers most of Davidson County.
• The retooled version would focus on the downtown neighborhood and the city's busiest roads. It would also ban right turns at red lights in school zones.

Between the lines: Sepulveda tells Axios over text she always planned to file a broader right-turn ban in order to "get the ball rolling." Her underlying goal is to improve pedestrian safety.

• The Connect Downtown mobility study recommended banning right turns at red lights in the downtown area.

What she's saying: The areas singled out in her amendment "have unique factors that make them priorities," she says. "Many already have pedestrian signals and sidewalks or are slated for improvements through Choose How You Move, while also experiencing high pedestrian accident rates."

• "Focusing on these areas first makes the most sense and allows us to put resources where they are needed the most."

Zoom out: Mayor Freddie O'Connell prefers the more targeted approach to banning right turns on red lights, his spokesperson says.

• Rather than a broad geographic area, O'Connell's administration wanted a data-driven approach that focused on the busiest pedestrian areas and roads where serious crashes have occurred.
• NDOT is also coordinating with the Tennessee Department of Transportation, since many of the busiest areas are state roads.

What's next: The right-turn ban legislation is scheduled to be considered at next week's council meeting.

Share this story

Nashville is home to the fastest-growing private company in the country, according to a new ranking out from Inc. Magazine.

Why it matters: Main Street Health's staggering success in a short period of time underscores Nashville's status as a health care and entrepreneurship hub.

Driving the news: Main Street Health has a simple approach: The company partners with small-town health clinics to provide "health navigators" to senior patients, Inc. reports.

• The firm, launched by health care executive Brad Smith, makes money on the savings it achieves for insurance companies.

The big picture: Main Street Health's creative model addresses a critical need to improve health care outcomes in the nation's rural areas.

• Smith is the only entrepreneur to have two different companies founded in the last 25 years rank No. 1 on the illustrious Inc. 5000 list. Smith's company CareBridge, launched with former U.S. Sen. Bill Frist, topped the list in 2023.

By the numbers: Main Street Health's growth is hard to fathom. Launched in 2021, the company achieved 543% growth in the last three years.

• Main Street Health is now partnered with 3,800 providers and serves nearly 4 million people.
• The company has achieved a 53% reduction in hospital readmissions and an 11% reduction in medical costs.

Go deeper: Read Inc.'s profile of Main Street Health.

Share this story

🐍 A timber rattlesnake was caught on camera at Percy Warner Park. Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency says it is the largest and most dangerous of the four venomous snakes found in the state.

• Rattlesnakes aren't aggressive to humans unless they feel threatened. If you see one, the best thing to do is back away — do not wave things at it or poke it with a stick. (WSMV)

😬 The Titans held a joint practice yesterday with the 49ers, coach Robert Saleh's former team. (Tennessean)

☎️ The Department of Homeland Security is planning a 24-7 ICE call center in rural Adams, Tennessee, per a federal contract database. (Tennessee Lookout)

It was only a matter of time.

• Taylor Swift, one of the most acclaimed artists to emerge from Music Row, will be inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame this year.

The latest: The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame announced its latest class yesterday at Belmont University.

• Other 2026 inductees include Lyle Lovett and Music Row pros Bruce Channel, Shawn Camp (who co-wrote "Two Piña Coladas") and Lee Thomas Miller (who co-wrote "I Just Wanna Be Mad").

The big picture: Swift's induction represents a warm embrace by the Nashville establishment, which has been known to hold other pop crossovers at arm's length.

Between the lines: Swift has taken pains to maintain her ties to Music Row during her climb into superstardom.

• She is a major donor to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum and made a surprise appearance at the Ryman Auditorium in 2022 to accept the Nashville Songwriters Association's Songwriter-Artist of the Decade award.

The intrigue: She'll join one of her most famous collaborators, Liz Rose, in the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. Rose was inducted in 2024.

• Swift and Rose teamed up to write many of the star's early country hits, including "You Belong With Me," "Teardrops on My Guitar" and "White Horse."

What we're watching: Swift is also joining the national Songwriters Hall of Fame this year. Many more halls are sure to add her to their ranks eventually.

• The only question we have: Which will be the next?

Share this story