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Axios Nashville
Nashville SC's Walker Zimmerman makes Olympic soccer team
Nashville SC defender Walker Zimmerman was named to the U.S. men's Olympic soccer team Monday.Why it matters: Earning an Olympic roster spot is another career-defining accomplishment for one of Nashville SC's most popular players.The intrigue: Players generally must be under age 23 to qualify for the Olympic team, but Zimmerman, who is 31, earned one of three roster exceptions for older players.Zoom out: Zimmerman had a memorable run in the 2022 World Cup, but this will be his first appearance at the Olympics.What he's saying: At a press conference Monday, Zimmerman said he thought his opportunity to play in the Olympics had passed."It's something I've always watched growing up, something I've always wanted to participate in," he said, according to ESPN. "And again, I thought that was over and so I'm just excited and can't wait to get going in France."What's next: The men's soccer team will be the first to represent Team USA in a 2024 Olympics event when they compete against host country France on July 24, two days before the opening ceremony.
Nashville heat waves have gotten longer, more frequent
Data: EPA; Note: Includes 50 most populated metros; New York City, Houston, Minneapolis-St. Paul and Denver were excluded for incomplete data in this period; Chart: Axios VisualsNew data shows heat waves are happening more often and lasting longer in Nashville and nationwide.Why it matters: Intense heat is dangerous and poses serious health risks.State of play: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency data included in a wider new report on climate metrics tracked heat trends in the 50 largest U.S. metro areas.How it works: The EPA tracked events of two or more consecutive days when daily, humidity-adjusted temps topped the 85th percentile of historical July-August temps in 1981-2010.Zoom in: In Nashville, heat waves got nearly one day longer. On average, the number of heat waves in Nashville increased by three per year compared to the 1960s.Full EPA analysis
Nashville home sales dip in June
Nashville-area home sales took a dive in June compared to last year but remained steady for the first half of 2024, according to new data.The median price for a single-family home rose to $505,000 compared to $474,900 a year ago.Why it matters: Nashville home sales remain below their pre-pandemic levels as potential buyers wait for interest rates to come down.By the numbers: Overall sales fell by 13% in June compared to 2023, according to new data from the Greater Nashville Realtors.Despite the poor month, overall sales are only slightly down, with 16,518 closings this year compared to 16,773 in 2023.There were 11,255 active listings in June compared to 9,594 the same month last year.What he's saying: "This decrease is attributed to robust property values in the region combined with the Fed's current monetary policy," Greater Nashville Realtors president Kevin Wilson said in a press release. "Notably, sales prices have risen by 6% year over year, which is a positive indicator of a healthy real estate market."
Scoop: Courtney Johnston builds fundraising war chest
Metro Councilmember Courtney Johnston raked in $715,000 in the last three months to fuel her Republican primary challenge of U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles, her campaign tells Axios.Why it matters: The race is a political rarity for a Republican primary: an incumbent backed by former President Trump facing a legitimate, well-financed challenger.The big picture: Johnston's fundraising haul this quarter shows there's an appetite to get rid of Ogles, the freshman House member who's been embroiled in controversy.By the numbers: Johnston now has over $500,000 cash on hand to bankroll her campaign for the stretch run. In addition to her own fundraising...
City House is one of the top pizza places in the U.S.
City House, the Germantown neighborhood mainstay that helped put Nashville on the culinary map a decade ago, was named one of the nation's 22 best pizza places last month by the New York Times. Why it matters: Since City House opened in 2007, Nashville's pizza offerings and its overall culinary...
Judge orders Covenant school shooter writings can't be released to the public
The writings of The Covenant School shooter Audrey Hale will not be released to the public, after a Nashville judge ruled early Friday they are protected by federal copyright laws.The latest: Chancellor I'Ashea Myles' order, issued at midnight Friday morning, says that the majority of police records from last year's school shooting must be released, but not until the investigation is complete. She ruled that elements of the investigation file related to school security will not be released.Why it matters: The Tennessean newspaper and other plaintiffs sued for access to the records, including Hale's journal entry and other writings, arguing...
Music City Hot Chicken Festival celebrates 18th year
If you want to chase the extreme heat with extreme heat, the Music City Hot Chicken Festival goes down tomorrow at East Park.Why it matters: The festival, which is in its 18th year, is a celebration of Nashville's trademark dish.If you go: The Music City Hot Chicken Festival features local vendors selling their spins on hot chicken, Yazoo beer, live music and an amateur cooking competition.This year's vendors are Prince's, Smack Ya Momma Chicken Shack Express, Party Fowl, Hurt's, Eugene's, Nashville Chicken & Waffles, Momma Joy's, Hattie B's and Slow Burn.All proceeds from the festival benefit Metro parks.Go deeper: Read about how former Mayor Bill Purcell came up with the idea for the festival.Visit the festival's website for more details on this year's event.
The new Tennessee laws going into effect on July 1
Dozens of new laws took effect in Tennessee this week. Here are some of the measures with the highest profiles.Jillian's Law: Criminal defendants who are deemed incompetent to stand trial because of their mental state will now be involuntarily committed for treatment. Those defendants are also blocked from buying or owning a gun.The law is named after Belmont University student Jillian Ludwig, who died in Nashville last year after a stray bullet hit her while she was walking in a park near campus.The suspect in the shooting was previously deemed incompetent to stand trial on other charges. But he was...
Tennessee could see record-setting July 4th travel
Nearly 1.6 million Tennessee residents are expected to hit the road for the July 4th holiday.Why it matters: This should be a record-setting year for Independence Day travel in Tennessee and nationwide, according to AAA estimates.Nashville's downtown fireworks display is sure to be a draw for out-of-state travelers.Zoom in: More than 1.4 million of the Tennesseans traveling more than 50 miles away from home this week will be driving, per AAA. That exceeds last year's record-setting driving total by 63,500.Meanwhile, more than 71,800 Tennesseans are expected to fly.State of play: Tennessee's average gas price stands at about $3.16 per gallon.The big picture: AAA expects more than 70.9 million people across the U.S. to travel this week.📣 Tell us: We're looking for vacation inspiration. Reply to this email to let us know if you're traveling for the holiday.
Nashville Predators spend big in free agency
Nashville Predators general manager Barry Trotz stormed into free agency Monday, signing three accomplished veteran players to high-priced contracts.Why it matters: Trotz signaled to fans the Predators are committed to vying for a Stanley Cup this season.The Predators also announced a $61.92 million contract extension for goalie Juuse Saros.The busy day in free agency turned the Predators into an "instant contender," according to FullPressHockey.com.Zoom in: In the early hours of free agency, the Predators struck free-agent deals with forwards Steven Stamkos and Jonathan Marchessault and defenseman Brady Skjei. The three contracts total $108.5 million, according to multiple media reports.Stamkos signed...
Metro Council meeting preview: transportation plan on the agenda
Nashville Mayor Freddie O'Connell's transportation improvement program will be up for a critical vote at Tuesday's Metro Council meeting.State of play: Council will vote on sending O'Connell's transportation plan and a half-cent sales tax increase to the Davidson County Election Commission, bringing it one step closer to the November ballot.The sales tax increase requires voter approval.Why it matters: The council has boisterously supported the $3.1 billion plan so far. It's expected to pass the second reading at Tuesday's meeting. A final vote would take place later this month.The intrigue: The transportation program isn't the only ballot measure the council is...
TPAC's deal with Metro needs "additional time"
The Tennessee Performing Arts Center's negotiations with Mayor Freddie O'Connell's administration for a new venue on the East Bank have hit an apparent hiccup.A sticking point is how to divide millions of dollars in infrastructure costs.State of play: O'Connell's administration is already offering to give TPAC the property adjacent to the new Titans stadium for free and charge the arts nonprofit virtually nothing in annual rent.O'Connell's top development aide Bob Mendes told the Metro Council earlier this year the infrastructure costs would be divided among Metro, TPAC and chief developer The Fallon Company.Zoom in: The estimated long-term infrastructure costs for...
Def Leppard, New Kids on the Block, Alabama coming to Nashville
Lean into nostalgia as you're planning out your month of live music. Several acts coming through Nashville in July have been making music for decades.🎤 July 2: Natalie Merchant at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center👕 July 6-7: Ben Platt at the Ryman Auditorium (with opener Brandy Clark)🎹 July 7-8: John Legend at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center🎸 July 12: Styx & Foreigner with John Waite at Ascend Amphitheater🕺 July 16-17: New Kids on the Block at FirstBank Amphitheater❤️ July 19: Alabama at Bridgestone Arena🏟️ July 20: Def Leppard & Journey at Nissan Stadium🤘 July 25: Sleater-Kinney at Brooklyn Bowl🐟 July 27: Hootie & The Blowfish at Bridgestone Arena🪩 July 29: Donny Osmond at the Ryman Auditorium🎻 July 31: AJR at Bridgestone Arena
Trash pickups shift earlier
Extreme heat is pushing Metro trash pickups an hour earlier.State of play: Starting Monday, the city's curbside trash and recycling pickups will begin at 6am rather than 7am to allow crews to shift more of their work outside of the hottest times of the day.Metro Waste Services is urging residents to make sure their bins are in place the night before.The big picture: Dangerous heat has pummeled the nation for weeks now, and hot conditions aren't going anywhere. July, which is typically the hottest month of the year, could be even hotter than usual, according to an outlook from the National Weather Service.
Guide to July 4th fireworks in downtown Nashville
America's birthday is next week, and there are several ways to celebrate with fireworks, food and live music.🎇 The main event: The centerpiece of Middle Tennessee's Fourth of July festivities will once again be Nashville's dazzling fireworks show over the Cumberland River, billed as one of the biggest in the nation.Hundreds of thousands of spectators typically come downtown for the annual all-day event, which includes hours of free music.By the numbers: A team of 20 technicians is already preparing for the show, using about 40,000 pounds of explosives, according to organizers.For the first time, the city is including 400 drones...
McKay's bookstore offers big rewards for big road trip
McKay's, the used bookstore and music shop, is celebrating its 50th anniversary by offering fans up to $800 in store credit, plus other swag.Yes, but: To collect all of the possible gifties, McKay's enthusiasts must embark on a road trip that spans each of its five stores during a single day of business on July 9. The promotion is called the Ultimate McKay's Road Trip.The intrigue: McKay's has shops in Nashville, Chattanooga and Knoxville plus two North Carolina locations in Winston-Salem and Mebane.We did the math. Beginning at the Nashville location and depending on traffic, the journey would take approximately...
Bonne chance, Walsh sisters
Harpeth Hall grads and sisters Alex and Gretchen Walsh swam their way to this summer's Paris Olympics, thanks to outstanding performances at the U.S. trials earlier this month.Driving the news: This will be the second Olympics for Alex Walsh, who also swam for team USA in Tokyo, where she earned a silver medal in the 200-meter individual medley.She qualified in the same event for Paris, which will be a family affair for the Walshes.Her sister Gretchen Walsh qualified for three events: the 50-meter freestyle, the 100-meter butterfly and the 4x100-meter freestyle relay.Gretchen heads to Paris on a hot streak. She set a new world record in the 100-butterfly during the trials in Indianapolis.
Black Opry signs first artist to new label
Black Opry, the advocacy group leading the push to increase representation in country music, signed the first artist to its newly formed record label earlier this month.Why it matters: Since its inception in 2021, Black Opry has successfully advocated for more Black artists to receive opportunities in Nashville's music ecosystem.Black Opry curates concerts, promotes artists and leads industry discussions about the need to improve diversity within country music.Between the lines: Black Opry partnered with the Nashville-based company Thirty Tigers to launch the new label venture. Thirty Tigers, which has worked with artists like Jason Isbell, handles the administrative work for record labels.The first artist on the Black Opry label is Jett Holden, who debuted the new single "Backwood Proclamation."Holden's new album is due out in October.What they're saying: "With the help of an amazing team behind the scenes, i pulled it off. I have now *officially* launched a label. We are off to the races. So proud i could cry," Black Opry founder Holly G wrote on X.
Scoop: Sen. Blackburn launches first campaign ad
U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn will debut the first ad of her re-election campaign during Thursday night's presidential debate.State of play: Blackburn's ad touts her efforts to protect children on social media.Blackburn sponsored the bipartisan REPORT Act, which President Biden signed into law earlier this year, requiring tech companies to report child sex trafficking and enticement.She is also the sponsor of the Kids Online Safety Act, a bipartisan bill that seeks to shield minors from inappropriate content and give parents tools to report abuse.Driving the news: In the animated ad, a narrator says, "Big Tech is spending billions to keep kids addicted to phones, but Marsha Blackburn is holding their feet to the fire."Zoom out: Blackburn has built a fundraising advantage in her re-election campaign.A Democratic primary in August will determine her opponent, with state Rep. Gloria Johnson as the leading candidate.
The Covenant School shares renovations following 2023 mass shooting
The Covenant School opened its doors Tuesday and thanked the community for 15 months of support following the March 2023 shooting that killed three students and three employees. The big picture: Kindness has come in many forms at Covenant over the last 15 months, from yard signs and vigils to...
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Axios Nashville, anchored by Nate Rau and Adam Tamburin, is here to help readers get smarter, faster on the most consequential news and developments unfolding in their own backyard.
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