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A daily look at the most significant and interesting stories affecting Nashville. Written by Nate Rau and Adam Tamburin.

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Judge allows Tennessee map favoring Republicans to move ahead

Judge allows Tennessee map favoring GOP to move ahead

Tennessee Democrats suffered a key setback in their lawsuit challenging the new map.

Politics & Policy

U.S. Chief District Judge Chip Campbell on Thursday rejected Tennessee Democrats&#x27; <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="request for a temporary restraining order" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/05/08/lawsuits-challenge-tennessee-gop-house-map" data-vars-content-id="eb3d5632-933f-466d-8df6-78b7cf216546" data-vars-headline="Judge allows Tennessee map favoring Republicans to move ahead" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/05/08/lawsuits-challenge-tennessee-gop-house-map" target="_self">request for a temporary restraining order</a> to stop the state from implementing a new U.S. House map that favors Republicans.Why it matters: The legal challenges to the new map will press on, but Campbell&#x27;s ruling is a critical setback for opponents.

Starbucks set to get $30 million in state incentives for Nashville move

The incentives come in exchange for the coffee giant creating a corporate hub in Nashville.

Business

Tennessee is preparing to give Starbucks $30 million in state government incentives in exchange for the coffee giant <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="creating a corporate hub" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/03/03/starbucks-to-establish-corporate-office-in-nashville-this-year" data-vars-content-id="76067453-5867-4440-a54c-c71a4986fbe2" data-vars-headline="Starbucks set to get $30 million in state incentives for Nashville move" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/03/03/starbucks-to-establish-corporate-office-in-nashville-this-year" target="_self">creating a corporate hub</a> in downtown Nashville.Why it matters: New information in a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="State Funding Board agenda" data-vars-click-url="https://comptroller.tn.gov/content/dam/cot/tsfb/documents/agendas/2026/SFBAgenda2026.05.20.pdf" data-vars-content-id="76067453-5867-4440-a54c-c71a4986fbe2" data-vars-headline="Starbucks set to get $30 million in state incentives for Nashville move" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://comptroller.tn.gov/content/dam/cot/tsfb/documents/agendas/2026/SFBAgenda2026.05.20.pdf" target="_blank">State Funding Board agenda</a> is the first indication of the cost of bringing Starbucks&#x27; corporate offices to town.

New Nashville foundation connects music community to philanthropy

A new foundation seeks to be a hub for music-driven philanthrophy.

Music Community Foundation, a Nashville-based initiative connecting music artists to philanthropic resources, announced its launch today.Why it matters: The new foundation will be a hub for music-driven philanthropy.<ul><li>The intersection of nonprofit work and the music industry is uniquely Nashville, but organizers hope to expand the Music Community Foundation&#x27;s reach across the country.</li></ul>

Former Nashville Mayor Megan Barry pulls papers to run for Congress

Former Mayor Megan Barry pulls papers to possibly run for U.S. House again.

Politics

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Former Nashville Mayor Megan Barry" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2024/10/28/megan-barry-congressional-race-tennessee" data-vars-content-id="ee47cd30-68aa-4e06-8330-72097284b1db" data-vars-headline="Former Nashville Mayor Megan Barry pulls papers to run for Congress" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2024/10/28/megan-barry-congressional-race-tennessee" target="_self">Former Nashville Mayor Megan Barry</a> pulled a petition this week to run for Tennessee&#x27;s newly redrawn District 6 U.S. House seat as candidates in both parties scramble to respond to the new congressional map.Why it matters: Potential candidates only have a few days to decide to run following the last-minute <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="shakeup from Tennessee Republicans" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/05/07/tennessee-lawmakers-pass-new-us-house-map-to-give-gop-a-9-0-advantage" data-vars-content-id="ee47cd30-68aa-4e06-8330-72097284b1db" data-vars-headline="Former Nashville Mayor Megan Barry pulls papers to run for Congress" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/05/07/tennessee-lawmakers-pass-new-us-house-map-to-give-gop-a-9-0-advantage" target="_self">shakeup from Tennessee Republicans</a>.

Nashville Super Bowl announcement could be on the horizon

Nashville's Super Bowl odds seem to be increasing after a report by Dan Patrick.

Sports

It&#x27;s time for Nashville to be on alert for an announcement that <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the Super Bowl" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/11/24/nashville-edges-closer-to-hosting-super-bowl" data-vars-content-id="511dad0e-02a6-483f-ad69-1289dbbdd36e" data-vars-headline="Nashville Super Bowl announcement could be on the horizon" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/11/24/nashville-edges-closer-to-hosting-super-bowl" target="_self">the Super Bowl</a> is coming to town, likely in 2030.Why it matters: Hosting marquee events like the Super Bowl was a major selling point for state and city officials to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="approve funding for the new Nissan Stadium" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2022/10/17/scoop-cooper-titans-reach-nashville-stadium-deal" data-vars-content-id="511dad0e-02a6-483f-ad69-1289dbbdd36e" data-vars-headline="Nashville Super Bowl announcement could be on the horizon" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2022/10/17/scoop-cooper-titans-reach-nashville-stadium-deal" target="_self">approve funding for the new Nissan Stadium</a>, which opens next year.

Metro Council takes up rezoning plan for East Nashville scrapyard

The plan would convert the old PSC scrap metal site into a massive mixed-use development.

News

The Metro Council will decide on a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="rezoning plan" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/04/06/east-bank-scrapyard-rezoning-metro-council-vote" data-vars-content-id="f926796c-6e3e-4c7b-9053-77daf8066c1c" data-vars-headline="Metro Council takes up rezoning plan for East Nashville scrapyard" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/04/06/east-bank-scrapyard-rezoning-metro-council-vote" target="_self">rezoning plan</a> for the old East Bank scrapyard on Tuesday after delaying a vote at their last meeting.Why it matters: The plan would convert the old PSC scrap metal site into a massive mixed-use development with downtown-style skyscrapers.

American Airlines is supersizing its lounge at the Nashville airport

The new lounge will be nearly triple the size of the current space.

American Airlines announced Monday it would build a new extra-large premium lounge at Nashville International Airport to accommodate the surge of new passengers.Why it matters: The announcement is a reflection of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="BNA&#x27;s runaway growth" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/08/18/nashville-international-airport-bna-passengers" data-vars-content-id="465beeb0-ae93-46b8-b4d0-f34371325422" data-vars-headline="American Airlines is supersizing its lounge at the Nashville airport" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/08/18/nashville-international-airport-bna-passengers" target="_self">BNA&#x27;s runaway growth</a> as well as the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="increasing emphasis on premium options" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/08/05/lights-economy-plus-spirit-southwest" data-vars-content-id="465beeb0-ae93-46b8-b4d0-f34371325422" data-vars-headline="American Airlines is supersizing its lounge at the Nashville airport" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/08/05/lights-economy-plus-spirit-southwest" target="_self">increasing emphasis on premium options</a> across the airline industry.

Following layoffs, Oracle pursues zoning change for East Bank campus

Five years removed from its government incentive deal, Oracle laid off workers, creating questions about its plans for Nashville.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Oracle told Nashville leaders" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2024/04/23/oracle-ceo-announces-nashville-hq" data-vars-content-id="987fb316-a91e-4ef2-95fe-c8e11cef6e7a" data-vars-headline="Following layoffs, Oracle pursues zoning change for East Bank campus" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2024/04/23/oracle-ceo-announces-nashville-hq" target="_self">Oracle told Nashville leaders</a> that it is moving forward with a grandiose East Bank development project, despite creeping doubts on the heels of the company&#x27;s large-scale corporate layoffs.Why it matters: The multibillion-dollar Oracle headquarters and surrounding campus are seen as integral to revitalizing the East Bank of the Cumberland River.<ul><li>But the layoffs, the disruption from AI and the sheer amount of time since the project was announced have generated whispers in Nashville political circles about the status of the tech giant&#x27;s ambitious plans.</li></ul>

More Nashvillians are riding electric bikes and scooters

Spin has introduced a new fleet of rental vehicles in recent weeks, including seated scooters and more e-bikes.

When electric scooters first arrived in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Nashville" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville" data-vars-content-id="cbf34b2b-24db-4aa3-a02c-5b5d121a3e28" data-vars-headline="More Nashvillians are riding electric bikes and scooters" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville" target="_self">Nashville</a> nearly a decade ago, they were neck-and-neck with pedal taverns and bachelorette party houses as the most annoying tourism feature in the city.<ul><li>As Metro scrambled to regulate scooters, the issue helped define the 2019 mayor&#x27;s race.</li></ul>Catch up quick: Metro now has a positive working relationship with the scooter rental companies, which have expanded their strategy in recent years to include more electric bike rentals.

DOJ settles Live Nation suit, but Tennessee presses forward

"Our resolve has not wavered," the Tennessee AG said.

The U.S. government settled its <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="antitrust lawsuit" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/05/23/ticketmaster-live-nation-doj-lawsuit?utm_source=newsletter&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=sendto_newslettertest_business&amp;stream=top#_ga=2.48209762.475651668.1772985909-1654547271.1754425924" data-vars-content-id="5283bf26-1b40-4745-83d0-081c7e06a883" data-vars-headline="DOJ settles Live Nation suit, but Tennessee presses forward" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/05/23/ticketmaster-live-nation-doj-lawsuit?utm_source=newsletter&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=sendto_newslettertest_business&amp;stream=top#_ga=2.48209762.475651668.1772985909-1654547271.1754425924" target="_self">antitrust lawsuit</a> against Live Nation, but Tennessee is one of the states pushing forward with the legal fight against the ticketing giant.

Sources: Sphere Entertainment considers venue in Nashville

Multiple sources tell Axios that Sphere reps have held talks with local executives.

Representatives of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the Sphere" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/07/08/sphere-las-vegas-venue-shows" data-vars-content-id="bfc72032-c326-4d87-a619-45e3b1e43236" data-vars-headline="Sources: Sphere Entertainment considers venue in Nashville" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/07/08/sphere-las-vegas-venue-shows" target="_self">the Sphere</a> music venue in Las Vegas and local business people have discussed the possibility of bringing a smaller version of the venue to Nashville.Why it matters: Nashville would gain a unique concert hall that is known for hosting the world&#x27;s most popular artists for extended residencies — something the local live music ecosystem currently lacks.

Starbucks to establish corporate office in Nashville this year

Starbucks said the Nashville office would anchor its expansion plans.

Starbucks announced Tuesday that it would open a new corporate hub this year in Nashville.Why it matters: The coffee giant said the corporate operations office in Nashville would anchor <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="upcoming expansion plans" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/09/starbucks-menu-update-2026-new-drinks-food" data-vars-content-id="29774c6e-47bf-456d-a821-2fa596eaa814" data-vars-headline="Starbucks to establish corporate office in Nashville this year" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/09/starbucks-menu-update-2026-new-drinks-food" target="_self">upcoming expansion plans</a>.

Business 🏦

Starbucks set to get $30 million in state incentives for Nashville move

New Nashville foundation connects music community to philanthropy

Nashville Super Bowl announcement could be on the horizon

Why landing an MLB team is an "uphill battle" for North Carolina

Metro Council takes up rezoning plan for East Nashville scrapyard