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Axios Nashville
Nashville celebrates opening of its first permanent housing facility for homeless
The city celebrated the grand opening last week of the highly anticipated Strobel House, a $35 million facility to provide housing for people experiencing homelessness.Why it matters: Strobel House features 90 units, half of which will be dedicated to people experiencing chronic homelessness.The other half will be for unhoused military veterans, young adults and LGBTQ+ individuals.Flashback: The new facility is named in honor of the Rev. Charles Strobel, the Catholic priest and tireless advocate for the homeless, who died last year.What he's saying: "Opening our first permanent supportive housing facility is a significant milestone for Nashville and our unhoused community," Mayor Freddie O'Connell said in a press release."Permanent supportive housing supports residents' overall well-being. Strobel House is more than just a place to stay — it's a place to heal and rebuild."
Tennessee officials react after Biden drops out, endorses Harris
President Biden announced Sunday that he is stepping aside as the presumptive Democratic nominee for the 2024 presidential contest and endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris to be the party's nominee.Why it matters: The eleventh-hour change introduces a seismic and historic shift in the 2024 presidential race less than a month before the Democratic National Convention, set to start Aug. 19."It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President," Biden wrote in the letter posted on his X account announcing his decision."And while it has been my intention to seek re-election, I believe it is in...
Flights at BNA canceled, delayed amid nationwide FAA ground stop
Flights at Nashville's airport and around the globe were canceled or delayed on Friday, July 19, due to a major technology outage affecting Microsoft systems.The big picture: There were reports of massive online outages disrupting travel, banking and news outlets worldwide on Friday, as CrowdStrike, a cybersecurity company that services multiple industries, went down worldwide.CrowdStrike said a faulty software update — not a malicious cyberattack or a nation-state attack — was behind the outages, Axios' Sam Sabin reports.State of play: American, Delta, United and Allegiant Airlines grounded flights early Friday morning due to communications issues, per an FAA alert.By the...
Marsha Blackburn, Bill Hagerty floated as possible Trump cabinet picks
Three members of Tennessee's congressional delegation are possibilities for cabinet posts should former President Trump win in November, according to a new report.State of play: Sen. Marsha Blackburn, Sen. Bill Hagerty and U.S. Rep. Mark Green were mentioned by Punchbowl News as potential appointees.Why it matters: The trio are unabashedly pro-Trump and two were appointed to administration positions during his first term.Flashback: Trump appointed Hagerty as ambassador to Japan. Green was appointed secretary of the Army, although he subsequently withdrew from the nomination after controversy emerged over his previous statements about the LGBTQ+ community and Muslims.What they're saying: Gathering fodder...
Appeals court tosses lawsuit challenging Tennessee drag restrictions law
A federal appeals court on Thursday threw out a lawsuit challenging the 2023 Tennessee law designed to restrict drag performances.Why it matters: The ruling overturns a lower court opinion that had blocked the law on First Amendment grounds.State of play: The appeals court said the Memphis theater company that filed the suit did not have standing to sue.Zoom in: The law makes it a crime to perform "adult cabaret" in public or anywhere minors could see it.It defined such a performance as "adult-oriented performances that are harmful to minors" under the state's obscenity code. The law said those performances might...
Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee touts "school choice" as a "civil rights issue" in RNC speech
Gov. Bill Lee used his speech this week at the Republican National Convention to double down on his signature issue: school vouchers.Why it matters: Lee remains dedicated to expanding vouchers in Tennessee despite a bruising defeat in the legislature this year. Top Republican lawmakers have pledged to revisit the matter in 2025.What he's saying: "Republican governors fought back for a parent's right to choose their own child's education," Lee said during his brief remarks Tuesday. "President Trump was right when he said school choice is the civil rights issue of our time."State of play: Families in Davidson, Shelby and Hamilton...
Tennessee works to boost the monarch butterfly population
Tennessee's popular seasonal effort to save monarch butterflies by preserving their habitat is underway.Why it matters: The Project Milkweed program, led by the Tennessee Department of Transportation, is distributing free milkweed seeds while supplies last.Experts say boosting milkweed's presence is essential for the survival of the imperiled monarch butterflies, which use the plant for food and shelter.The big picture: The population of migratory monarch butterflies has plummeted as development has "paved and plowed over millions of acres of milkweed," according to the World Wildlife Fund, which lists monarchs as endangered.Threat level: Last year, TDOT estimated that monarchs and milkweed habitats...
Tennessee's number of honeybee colonies is growing
Data: USDA Census of Agriculture; Note: Farms include places that produce/sell at least $1,000 of agricultural products; Map: Axios VisualsHoneybees have made a big comeback since the colony collapse crisis of the early 2000s. Now, these tiny creatures are the fastest-growing type of livestock in the country.By the numbers: In Tennessee, the number of farms with honeybee colonies grew 7% in five years, from 2,674 in 2017 to 2,862 in 2022, per the USDA Census of Agriculture.Growth was even faster nationwide, growing by more than 21%.Zoom in: The number of Tennessee farm colonies themselves grew from 18,663 in 2017 to 24,212 in 2022.Yes, but: Research also suggests that despite recent increases in honeybee populations, honey yields in the U.S. have been decreasing since the 1990s because of changing climates and decreased soil productivity.Go deeper: U.S. bee farms are buzzing
Ingrid Andress heads to rehab after botched national anthem
Country singer-songwriter Ingrid Andress says she is going to rehab for drinking following a disastrous rendition of the national anthem before the MLB Home Run Derby on Monday.Driving the news: Andress, a four-time Grammy nominee, had the honor of performing the anthem during the nationally televised event in Arlington, Texas.Her singing slowed to a whisper during parts of the anthem and seemed out of pitch for most of the performance. The television broadcast showed baseball players snickering as Andress sang.Catch up quick: The rendition went viral on social media, and led to Andress announcing Tuesday she was drunk when she sang.Andress is an accomplished country artist with hits like "More Hearts Than Mine" and "Wishful Drinking," which featured Sam Hunt.What she's saying: "I'm checking myself into a facility today to get the help I need," she wrote on X. "That was not me last night. I apologize to MLB, all the fans, and this country I love so much for that rendition."
Metro Council preview: Final transportation vote
Metro Council's busy agenda Tuesday includes the final vote on whether to put Mayor Freddie O'Connell's $3.1 billion transportation plan on the November ballot.Why it matters: If O'Connell's Choose How You Move plan clears the council, as expected, it would only need approval from the Davidson County Election Commission before heading to voters.What's inside: O'Connell seeks to impose a half-cent sales tax increase to fund his plan for increased bus service, new transit hubs, more sidewalks and modernized traffic signals.What we're watching: In addition to the final transportation plan vote, council will consider legislation related to the East Bank Development...
Marsha Blackburn criticizes Biden's economy, inflation in primetime speech at RNC
U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn used her speech Monday night at the Republican National Convention to hammer President Biden's economic record on inflation, taxes and business regulations.Why it matters: Blackburn has emerged as a leading conservative voice. Her role in shaping the latest Republican platform — which she presented to the convention crowd earlier in the day — as well as her prime speaking slot could position her as a key ally if former President Trump is re-elected.Zoom in: Her speech in Milwaukee did not reference the assassination attempt against Trump. Instead, she criticized Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris and focused on the economic theme of night one of the convention.The six-minute speech was packed with conservative red meat. Blackburn blasted diversity and inclusion requirements and said Trump would reverse Biden's energy policies, fire scores of new IRS employees and chop regulations for small businesses.What she's saying: Blackburn said the Republican platform was "dedicated to the forgotten men and women of America.""You know who will return us to an era of prosperity: Donald Trump."What's next: RNC programming will continue throughout the week. Trump is scheduled to speak Thursday.
Marsha Blackburn has starring role at RNC this week
U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn will have a leading role at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee this week with a primetime speaking slot.Blackburn is scheduled to speak Monday evening. A spokesperson for Blackburn confirmed to Axios on Sunday that those plans haven't changed in light of the attempted assassination of former President Trump.Why it matters: Blackburn's clout within the Republican Party is on full display. She is fresh off serving as chairperson for the Republican National Committee's official party platform, which was released last week.Prior to her evening appearance, Blackburn will present the national platform in a Monday afternoon speech.Blackburn...
Early voting starts Friday for the Aug. 1 election
It's that time again. Early voting for the Aug. 1 election begins at 8am Friday.The big picture: The ballot includes state and federal primaries and local general election races.Twelve early voting locations are open in Davidson County. Voters can cast early ballots through July 27.Zoom in: Several high-profile races will determine our area's leaders.House District 60Nashville's most interesting legislative race is the District 60 Democratic primary to replace outgoing state Rep. Darren Jernigan.The race between first-time candidates Tyler Brasher and Shaundelle Brooks divides the local Democrats. Brasher and Brooks each boast endorsements from elected officials as they seek to win...
Swan Ball tied up in court
The Swan Ball is in limbo after a bitter battle over its finances wound up in federal court.Why it matters: The white-tie gala that benefits Cheekwood Estate and Gardens has been a premier event among Nashville's wealthiest residents since 1963.Lawyers for Cheekwood and a group of volunteer organizers are now fighting over who is in charge of the event and how its finances should be handled.State of play: A new lawsuit filed this week claims that Cheekwood "nefariously and covertly took complete control over accounting and bookkeeping services relating to the Swan Ball account" last year in the run-up to...
Study offers ideas to help Nashville music venues
Nashville's independent music venues are an endangered species, a new study says, and government and industry leaders must take an all-hands approach to ensure their survival.Why it matters: Corporatization, soaring real estate costs and financial losses during the pandemic combined to push independent music venues to the brink.In the last year, studies and surveys of music industry stakeholders have been conducted to get a handle on what can be done to save independently owned concert venues.Between the lines: The high-profile sale of Exit/In rock club in 2021 prompted then-Metro Councilmember Jeff Syracuse to sponsor legislation to fund the study. It...
Tennessee college enrollment improves for high school seniors
Data: Tennessee Higher Education Commission; Note: Includes public high school graduates who enroll at a post-secondary institution the summer or fall after graduation; Chart: Axios VisualsA growing share of Tennessee high school graduates went to college last year, although enrollment numbers still lag behind pre-pandemic levels.Why it matters: The state has worked for years to boost college-going through programs like Tennessee Promise, but there was a sharp drop in enrollment during the pandemic. Tennessee Higher Education Commission officials touted the latest data, released this month, as evidence that they are reversing the trend.The big picture: Higher education is an important...
Joe Bonsall of Oak Ridge Boys dead at 76
Joe Bonsall of the legendary country group the Oak Ridge Boys died Tuesday at the age of 76, the band announced. The cause was complications from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS. Bonsall announced his retirement from the group earlier this year. Known for their soaring and complicated vocal harmonies, the...
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