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

Axios Nashville Thought Bubble

Thought Bubble

Majority of residents say Nashville is "on the wrong track" after ice storm

That's a stark reversal from last year's Vanderbilt Poll.

News

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Optimism in Nashville" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/04/04/optimism-right-direction-vanderbilt-poll" data-vars-content-id="284ea409-d087-4f99-803e-9e208b3ce827" data-vars-headline="Majority of residents say Nashville is &quot;on the wrong track&quot; after ice storm" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/04/04/optimism-right-direction-vanderbilt-poll" target="_self">Optimism in Nashville</a> cratered in a new Vanderbilt University poll released Thursday, with a majority of respondents saying the city is on the wrong track.Why it matters: Music City&#x27;s mood has soured in the aftermath of the devastating ice storm that left <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="nearly half the city" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/01/25/nashville-electricity-power-outages-ice-storm" data-vars-content-id="284ea409-d087-4f99-803e-9e208b3ce827" data-vars-headline="Majority of residents say Nashville is &quot;on the wrong track&quot; after ice storm" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/01/25/nashville-electricity-power-outages-ice-storm" target="_self">nearly half the city</a> without power at its peak.<ul><li>Approval for city leaders sank in the following weeks, according to the poll results.</li></ul>

Analysis: Nashville could be in for a competitive mayor's race

Contradicting polling data gives a mixed sense of where things stand for Mayor O'Connell.

Politics

Four years ago at this time, a slate of serious candidates surveyed the political lay of the land in Nashville and decided to challenge <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Mayor John Cooper" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2023/01/31/mayor-john-cooper-nashville-wont-seek-reelection" data-vars-content-id="0135be9f-d739-4d90-bf62-55618a3e7cb3" data-vars-headline="Analysis: Nashville could be in for a competitive mayor&#x27;s race" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2023/01/31/mayor-john-cooper-nashville-wont-seek-reelection" target="_self">Mayor John Cooper</a> for the city&#x27;s top job.Why it matters: There&#x27;s increasing chatter among Metro insiders that another hotly contested mayoral election could be coming in 2027.

82% of Nashvillians say they can't afford to buy a house in Nashville

A growing share of Nashvillians are pushing for progress on affordability.

Real Estate

The vast majority of people who live in Nashville say they can&#x27;t afford to buy a house in the city, according to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a new poll from Vanderbilt University" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/03/26/vanderbilt-poll-majority-nashville-wrong-track" data-vars-content-id="a165775d-23c4-467d-9764-bc192956e735" data-vars-headline="82% of Nashvillians say they can&#x27;t afford to buy a house in Nashville" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/03/26/vanderbilt-poll-majority-nashville-wrong-track" target="_self">a new poll from Vanderbilt University</a>.Why it matters: Affordability remains a deep concern across the city, the poll shows, and residents want to see leaders do more to ease the cost of housing.

Nashville Zoo stops plastic water bottle sales to avoid waste

The move is expected to reduce plastic waste by about 1 metric ton per year.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The Nashville Zoo" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/05/12/nashville-zoo-welcomes-southern-pudu-fawn" data-vars-content-id="4bdbc35f-c72c-4036-ba29-35ab2fe1c4ca" data-vars-headline="Nashville Zoo stops plastic water bottle sales to avoid waste" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/05/12/nashville-zoo-welcomes-southern-pudu-fawn" target="_self">The Nashville Zoo</a> announced this week it would no longer sell one-time use plastic water bottles at its concession stands, switching instead to aluminum cans of water.Why it matters: The zoo <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="reports" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nashvillezoo.org/our-blog/posts/nashville-zoo-eliminates-single-use-plastic-water-bottles" data-vars-content-id="4bdbc35f-c72c-4036-ba29-35ab2fe1c4ca" data-vars-headline="Nashville Zoo stops plastic water bottle sales to avoid waste" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nashvillezoo.org/our-blog/posts/nashville-zoo-eliminates-single-use-plastic-water-bottles" target="_blank">reports</a> the move is expected to reduce plastic waste by about 1 metric ton per year.

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.

Business

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>.

GOP pitches new state authority to oversee Music City Loop project

State Sen. Jack Johnson proposed creating a state agency to oversee underground projects.

State Sen. Jack Johnson introduced legislation this week to create a state authority that would oversee subterranean transportation projects like the Boring Company&#x27;s controversial <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Music City Loop" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/07/28/musk-boring-company-unveils-music-city-loop-tunnel-project-nashville" data-vars-content-id="b14a907a-1631-4c63-a8a9-78911707420e" data-vars-headline="GOP pitches new state authority to oversee Music City Loop project" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/07/28/musk-boring-company-unveils-music-city-loop-tunnel-project-nashville" target="_self">Music City Loop</a>.Why it matters: The proposal, which already cleared a key Senate committee, could usurp the limited local approval power that Metro currently holds over the Music City Loop project.

Banks still investing billions in branches despite years of closures

Brick-and-mortar branches are still a critical link between customers and banks.

New bank branches opening in Nashville and around the country reflect a sea change that is reshaping the look and feel of modern banking.Why it matters: Cashing checks and other tasks that used to dominate branch business have become digital errands, but brick-and-mortar branches are still a critical link between customers and banks.

TN legislation would create license to sell tobacco, vaping products

Tennessee lawmakers are pitching a plan to crack down on youth vaping.

State lawmakers introduced a plan this week to crack down on illegal vape sales to kids.Why it matters: Tennessee is chock full of vape shops, but the industry is loosely regulated.<ul><li>Anti-addiction groups and health advocacy organizations say <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="vaping" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/06/23/how-to-stop-vaping" data-vars-content-id="f2ad4562-417b-4963-beee-c161b0e893d7" data-vars-headline="TN legislation would create license to sell tobacco, vaping products" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/06/23/how-to-stop-vaping" target="_self">vaping</a> is a gateway to harder drug use and substance abuse.</li></ul>

Blackburn presses Live Nation about ticket bots at Senate hearing

The Tennessee senator and Kid Rock pressured Live Nation to fight online ticket scalpers.

U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn led a panel of federal lawmakers Wednesday in pressuring <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="corporate concert giant Live Nation" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/09/18/ftc-ticketmaster-live-nation-ticket-brokers" data-vars-content-id="d4eeda11-9ed0-4765-9e0c-897191974aeb" data-vars-headline="Blackburn presses Live Nation about ticket bots at Senate hearing" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/09/18/ftc-ticketmaster-live-nation-ticket-brokers" target="_self">corporate concert giant Live Nation</a> to do more to address online ticket scalping.Why it matters: Advocates who spoke during a Senate hearing argued the secondhand ticket market makes concerts too expensive for fans and hampers an artist&#x27;s ability to make a living.

CMA chief Sarah Trahern to retire

After 12 years on the job, Sarah Trahern will retire from leading the CMA.

Music

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Sarah Trahern" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2022/12/10/power-players-nashville-adrienne-battle-sean-brock" data-vars-content-id="da56744a-97e0-46a8-adb2-ed857b3416a6" data-vars-headline="CMA chief Sarah Trahern to retire" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2022/12/10/power-players-nashville-adrienne-battle-sean-brock" target="_self">Sarah Trahern</a>, the longtime CEO of the Country Music Association, will retire from influential post at the end of the year.Why it matters: Heading the CMA is one of the most vital jobs in country music.<ul><li>In 12 years on the job, Trahern oversaw explosive growth of the genre and the steady success of institutions such as the CMA Awards and CMA Fest.</li></ul>

Nashville rock club The End raises money to stay open

Venue raises $25,000 through a Go Fund Me campaign

The End lives to rock another day.<ul><li>The venerable rock club, which opened in 1999, launched a successful <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Go Fund Me campaign" data-vars-click-url="https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-the-end-prevent-closure-after-27-years?attribution_id=sl:658809cc-39b5-458d-84d0-61ed54ebdc9a&amp;lang=en_US&amp;ts=1767908432&amp;utm_campaign=fp_sharesheet&amp;utm_content=amp17_ta&amp;utm_medium=customer&amp;utm_source=copy_link" data-vars-content-id="084931c8-837f-44b4-8084-bfcd9e06c1e1" data-vars-headline="Nashville rock club The End raises money to stay open" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-the-end-prevent-closure-after-27-years?attribution_id=sl:658809cc-39b5-458d-84d0-61ed54ebdc9a&amp;lang=en_US&amp;ts=1767908432&amp;utm_campaign=fp_sharesheet&amp;utm_content=amp17_ta&amp;utm_medium=customer&amp;utm_source=copy_link" target="_blank">Go Fund Me campaign</a> to pay its back bills.</li></ul>Why it matters: The End is a gritty, claustrophobic space beloved by a swath of music fans in Nashville who like their music loud and their beer cheap.<ul><li>The club, located on the Rock Block across the street from Exit/In, booked <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Paramore&#x27;s first show" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/p/DJJxosixU1F/" data-vars-content-id="084931c8-837f-44b4-8084-bfcd9e06c1e1" data-vars-headline="Nashville rock club The End raises money to stay open" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DJJxosixU1F/" target="_blank">Paramore&#x27;s first show</a>, and hosted punk legends like Fugazi.</li></ul>

Business 🏦

More Nashvillians are riding electric bikes and scooters

DOJ settles Live Nation suit, but Tennessee presses forward

Sources: Sphere Entertainment considers venue in Nashville

Starbucks to establish corporate office in Nashville this year

Mendes moves from Metro to law firm