Mere moments after Mayor John Cooper announced he would not seek re-election, former Mayor Megan Barry's phone started blowing up.

• Backers called and texted Barry, encouraging her to run for her old job.

Yes, but: Before she embarked on the comeback trail, Barry wanted to seek counsel from a small group of advisers, and especially her husband, Bruce Barry.

In the end, Barry said, her marriage is in a good spot and she did not want to jeopardize that by relitigating the affair and resignation that marred her final weeks in office. She also didn't want to distract from the issues facing Nashville.

• In an email to friends on Monday, Barry described her decision-making process.

What she's saying: "[Bruce] so wishes I could have a second chance. I love him for that — and I am so grateful the team was able to help us see through their eyes, the people we love and trust, that this isn't a good idea," Barry explained to her friends and supporters.

• "Not running is good for the city — we don't need to pick that scab — I would become a distraction with all the past issues and the candidates wouldn't spend time on talking about the s--t that really matters!"

Catch up quick: Barry battled through a crowded field of candidates in 2015 to become Nashville's first woman mayor and its brightest political star.

• In early 2018, Nashville politics was shaken by the revelation that Barry had an affair with the head of her police security detail. She resigned several weeks later.

Barry has spent the last several years as an evangelist on the issue of treating addiction. She's given frank talks about her son's battle with addiction and eventual death from an overdose.

• And Barry also stayed connected to Nashville politics, maintaining close ties with some of the city's most influential elected officials and business people.

Flash forward: Cooper's exit from the August election seemed to pave the way for a crowded field of candidates. Barry's backers thought she could tap into her fiercely loyal network and emerge victorious.

What's next: State Rep. Bob Freeman also tells Axios he won't run for mayor this year. Freeman was perceived by political insiders as a major contender, yet he says the timing isn't right for him to run.

• Although Barry and Freeman opted out, it could still be a lengthy ballot.
• Sen. Jeff Yarbro, Councilmember Bob Mendes, property assessor Vivian Wilhoite and attorney Charles Robert Bone are among the potential candidates who could still enter the race before May's deadline.

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Eighty-two percent of domestic flights from Nashville International Airport departed on time in November 2022, per the latest Bureau of Transportation Statistics data.

• That's about even with the national rate of 81%, Axios' Alex Fitzpatrick reports.

Zoom out: Across the 28 cities with Axios Local newsrooms, Washington, D.C.-area's Dulles International Airport had the best on-time performance in November 2022, at 88%.

• Denver — where brutal storms tend to snarl wintertime operations — had the lowest, at 76%.

Yes, but: This dataset doesn't include last December's meltdown at Southwest Airlines, which waylaid thousands of travelers in Nashville and nationwide.

🎓 Two Vanderbilt students will compete in the "Jeopardy!" high school reunion tournament. (Tennessean)

😷 Tennessee Republicans are moving to permanently shield hospitals and other businesses from COVID-related litigation. (WPLN)

🗣 State Rep. Justin Jones, a Nashville Democrat, pressed the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security's top official during a hearing this week about a dossier of Tennessee activists. (NewsChannel5)

We have to say, we're pretty proud.

• You all showed up big time, and Nashville handily advanced to the next round in Axios Local's pizza bracket.
• Sorry, not sorry, Miami.

What's next: Things are getting serious. We're heading into the "Elite Ate," where we face off against Atlanta.

• Voting closes at 2pm today.

State of play: Even as the bracket gets tighter, we remain confident in our robust field of pizzerias.

• Don't take our word for it: The group behind Slim & Husky's Pizza Beeria are semifinalists for the James Beard Award for outstanding restaurateur.

Of note: When our pals at Axios Atlanta touted their pizza scene earlier this week, one of the establishments they singled out was Nashville's own Slim & Husky's. It seems they don't have enough actual local shops to celebrate.

Flashback: Tennessee State University graduates joined together to open the flagship store in North Nashville.

• Their success here snowballed until Slim & Husky's became a chain with locations across the region — including some spots in Atlanta.

Did you know?: Having a pizza delivered in Atlanta is pointless. Due to the hellscape of an interstate system, the pizza is always cold by the time it arrives.

• Atlanta should stick to sugary carbonated beverages and leave pizza art to Nashville.

Be smart: Don't let Atlanta claim our homegrown pizza powerhouse.

• Cast your vote for Nashville now.

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The Chicks are returning to Nashville on July 27 as part of their latest world tour.

• Presales begin today, with tickets available to the general public at 10am tomorrow.

If you're looking for a way to pass the time, check out our Axios Nashville playlist, which includes The Chicks and our other country music favorites.

• Let us know which other classics you think we should add.