Dolly Parton's one-of-a-kind partnership with Belmont University is expanding, giving more students hands-on experience in the music industry through explorations of her various projects.

Why it matters: Students participating in the Dolly U program have already helped to develop Parton's autobiographical musical. Now, new courses coming this fall will offer opportunities to work on market research and a behind-the-scenes documentary about the production.

State of play: Four courses will offer a window into Parton's world.

• Students will learn about documentary writing and editing in courses where they will develop a feature on the making of "Dolly: An Original Musical" using footage from Parton's management firm, CTK Enterprises.
• Others will study market research tied to the musical, which is opening later this year at Belmont before transferring to Broadway.
• Another course will focus on Parton's songwriting techniques.

Zoom in: Nine Belmont students were selected for paid fellowships that will embed them directly in the musical's production team for a semester as the crew prepares for the Broadway run.

What they're saying: "Building on the foundation laid this spring, the new fall curriculum continues to reflect Belmont's commitment to transformative, real-world learning that bridges classroom experience with industry practice," said Belmont administrator Sarah Cates, who oversees strategic initiatives and partnerships.

• "We're creating unparalleled opportunities for students to develop professional skills alongside one of music's most iconic figures as her impact continues to unfold on the Broadway stage."

What's next: Parton's musical will premiere at Belmont's Fisher Center for the Performing Arts, which is near International Market and Bongo Java.

• Performances begin July 18 and run through Aug. 17. Tickets are on sale now.

The intrigue: The Nashville run is essentially a trial period for the musical. The production team, including the Dolly U fellows, will use audience feedback to make adjustments.

• "If you see it in the first week, it's going to be different than if you see it in the second week because we're going to be making changes every day," Tony-winning director Bartlett Sher said previously.

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President Trump nominated local attorney Whitney Hermandorfer to serve on the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Why it matters: This is Trump's first judicial appointment of his new term. Her appointment was celebrated by Tennessee's top Republican elected officials.

Zoom in: Hermandorfer serves as director of the strategic litigation unit for the Tennessee Attorney General's Office.

• She played basketball at Princeton, where she earned her undergrad, before earning her law degree at George Washington University. She earned prestigious clerkships for Supreme Court Justices Samuel Alito and Amy Coney Barrett.
• Before that, Hermandorfer graduated from Harpeth Hall.

If confirmed, Hermandorfer would replace veteran appeals court Judge Jane Branstetter Stranch, who was appointed to the bench by former President Obama.

What they're saying: Trump called Hermandorfer "a staunch defender of girl's and women's sports." Hermandorfer argued the lawsuit over federal sexual discrimination rules related to gender identity.

• "Whitney Hermandorfer's unwavering commitment to the rule of law, her exacting analytical rigor, and her unshakeable optimism will serve our country well," Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti said in a statement.
• U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn said Hermandorfer's career has been "nothing short of outstanding," and called her "a rising star in Tennessee."

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Nashville's new apartments are among the smallest in the South, according to a report by RentCafe.

Between the lines: New apartments have gotten smaller in most of the 100 U.S. cities researchers analyzed, squeezing many renters who already pay steep prices.

By the numbers: Apartments built in Nashville between 2015 and 2024 averaged 834 square feet, per the report.

• That's down slightly from the ones built the decade before.

Yes, but: While the long-term trends are down, new apartments grew slightly larger in more recent years.

• The national average was 908 square feet in 2024, up from 891 in 2022, according to the report.

Zoom out: Knoxville was Tennessee's city with the biggest new apartments, according to the report. There, residents can stretch out in an average of 1,014 square feet.

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🎧 Nashville's beloved Ernest Tubb Record Shop is reopening on Lower Broadway this fall. (Tennessean 🔒)

📉 Membership in the Southern Baptist Convention is declining, but new baptisms are on the rise. (WPLN)

🪪 President Trump's executive order barring passport gender marker changes has jeopardized transgender Tennesseans' IDs. (Tennessee Lookout)

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May arrived with an intense blast of news: Last week we talked about budget squeezes, tax hikes and housing woes.

• There was so much news we didn't even have room for our weekly quiz. (Don't worry — it will be back.)

What now: We're giving ourselves a palate cleanser.

• Our Music Monday playlist is designed to help you shake off the stress.

Zoom in: We kick things off with "Shake It Out" by Florence + the Machine.

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