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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>.

Advocates say death-row inmate facing execution may be innocent

Tony Von Carruthers will be executed Thursday if Gov. Bill Lee does not intervene.

News

A coalition of faith leaders, legal experts and exonerated death-row inmates is urging Gov. Bill Lee to stop the execution of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Tony Von Carruthers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/10/01/execution-date-christa-pike-tennessee-death-row" data-vars-content-id="3a74e254-fe6b-42e4-9fc7-c48f410bcb3b" data-vars-headline="Advocates say death-row inmate facing execution may be innocent" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/10/01/execution-date-christa-pike-tennessee-death-row" target="_self">Tony Von Carruthers</a>.<ul><li>They say untested DNA evidence from the 1994 crime scene could prove Carruthers is innocent.</li></ul>The latest: Carruthers will be executed Thursday if Lee does not intervene.

Fisk University announces $1B plan to transform campus, build data center

The plan would radically change the look and feel of Nashville's oldest university.

Fisk University leaders on Thursday announced a $1 billion plan to transform the campus, anchored by the construction of a 100,000-square-foot data center and academic facility.Why it matters: The plan, dubbed &quot;Quantum Leap,&quot; would radically change the look and feel of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Nashville&#x27;s oldest university" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2023/09/13/fisk-university-new-president-nashville" data-vars-content-id="1015312c-36d4-4c1e-8888-1614cb3c5ae9" data-vars-headline="Fisk University announces $1B plan to transform campus, build data center" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2023/09/13/fisk-university-new-president-nashville" target="_self">Nashville&#x27;s oldest university</a> over the next decade. It also calls for a new arena, student center and art annex.<ul><li><a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Fisk president Agenia Walker Clark" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2023/11/20/fisk-university-new-president-nashville-agenia-clark" data-vars-content-id="1015312c-36d4-4c1e-8888-1614cb3c5ae9" data-vars-headline="Fisk University announces $1B plan to transform campus, build data center" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2023/11/20/fisk-university-new-president-nashville-agenia-clark" target="_self">Fisk president Agenia Walker Clark</a> said the project would be a beacon of economic opportunity for the historically Black university and the surrounding neighborhood in the 37208 ZIP code.</li></ul>

Nashville Electric Service launches smartphone app for customers

NES releases a new mobile app to help improve customer service.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The Nashville Electric Service" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/03/10/nes-failed-to-follow-its-own-communication-plan-after-ice-storm" data-vars-content-id="062d5857-2d82-41a6-94e4-ef361806c89f" data-vars-headline="Nashville Electric Service launches smartphone app for customers" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/03/10/nes-failed-to-follow-its-own-communication-plan-after-ice-storm" target="_self">The Nashville Electric Service</a> launched a new mobile app as the power utility continues its efforts to improve customer service following the January ice storm.Why it matters: Customers can pay their bills, track outages and change their service through the new app, NES says.

Two lawsuits challenge Tennessee's new U.S. House map

The lawsuits seek to block Tennessee's new U.S. House map from taking effect.

Two lawsuits challenging Tennessee&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new congressional map" 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="b6ff50ad-8df5-4598-b8a9-cb25066bfc54" data-vars-headline="Two lawsuits challenge Tennessee&#x27;s new U.S. House map" 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">new congressional map</a> were filed hours after it was signed into law.Why it matters: The new map, which Republicans created to give themselves a clean sweep of the state&#x27;s nine U.S. House seats, must survive the immediate legal challenges to take effect for the midterm election.

Tennessee lawmakers pass new U.S. House map to give GOP a 9-0 advantage

Tennessee Republicans already had a stranglehold on all districts but one: the Black-majority ninth district representing Memphis.

Tennessee joined the partisan redistricting battle that&#x27;s sweeping the nation on Thursday, as Republicans passed a gerrymandered U.S. House map that they hope helps keep their party in control of Congress.Why it matters: From <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Texas" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2026/04/27/texas-redistricting-map-ruling-supreme-court" data-vars-content-id="57aa69e8-af30-41d1-bf16-18cac171bc02" data-vars-headline="Tennessee lawmakers pass new U.S. House map to give GOP a 9-0 advantage" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2026/04/27/texas-redistricting-map-ruling-supreme-court" target="_self">Texas</a> to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="California" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2025/11/05/california-prop-50-passes-election-results-redistricting" data-vars-content-id="57aa69e8-af30-41d1-bf16-18cac171bc02" data-vars-headline="Tennessee lawmakers pass new U.S. House map to give GOP a 9-0 advantage" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2025/11/05/california-prop-50-passes-election-results-redistricting" target="_self">California</a> to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Florida" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/05/07/tampa-bay-new-congressional-districts" data-vars-content-id="57aa69e8-af30-41d1-bf16-18cac171bc02" data-vars-headline="Tennessee lawmakers pass new U.S. House map to give GOP a 9-0 advantage" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/05/07/tampa-bay-new-congressional-districts" target="_self">Florida</a>, state legislatures and voters are approving new House maps in advance of the bitterly fought midterm elections.

Tennessee Republicans propose gerrymandered U.S. House map

Tennessee GOP floats gerrymandered House map

TN Republicans released a proposed new U.S. House map that would give them a 9-0 advantage.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Tennessee Republicans" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/04/29/blackburn-pitches-9-0-gop-map-for-tennessee-after-supreme-court-decision" data-vars-content-id="a6f6f38b-5a2c-493d-bfdb-81c17549e81e" data-vars-headline="Tennessee Republicans propose gerrymandered U.S. House map" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/04/29/blackburn-pitches-9-0-gop-map-for-tennessee-after-supreme-court-decision" target="_self">Tennessee Republicans</a> released a gerrymandered U.S. House map on Wednesday that would carve up the Black-majority Democratic district in Memphis.Why it matters: The GOP wants to eliminate the state&#x27;s only blue congressional district to secure a 9-0 sweep of all of the state&#x27;s U.S. House seats.

Former Nashville Councilmember Sharon Hurt wins County Clerk race

Sharon Hurt wins the County Clerk race in Nashville's Democratic primary election.

Sharon Hurt, the former city council member and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="mayoral candidate" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2023/07/25/mayoral-candidate-sharon-hurt-nashville" data-vars-content-id="98c2c0f1-d265-4940-8da1-c3e952211dd3" data-vars-headline="Former Nashville Councilmember Sharon Hurt wins County Clerk race" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2023/07/25/mayoral-candidate-sharon-hurt-nashville" target="_self">mayoral candidate</a>, won a spirited Democratic <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="primary race" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/04/16/may-5-primary-election-candidates" data-vars-content-id="98c2c0f1-d265-4940-8da1-c3e952211dd3" data-vars-headline="Former Nashville Councilmember Sharon Hurt wins County Clerk race" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/04/16/may-5-primary-election-candidates" target="_self">primary race</a> for the Davidson County Clerk.<ul><li>Hurt defeated Nashville school board chair Freda Player to win the seat.</li></ul>Why it matters: The Davidson County Clerk Clerk is an unheralded but important position that oversees marriage licenses and vehicle registration. It is one of the government offices that Nashvillians visit most often.

Exclusive: Nashville Mayor Freddie O'Connell commits to running for reelection

Mayor O'Connell is trying to become the first Nashville mayor elected to a second term since 2011.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Mayor Freddie O&#x27;Connell" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2023/09/15/how-a-people-loving-nerd-became-nashvilles-mayor" data-vars-content-id="efd43f4b-14ab-47ab-ac3d-0ca6d768f796" data-vars-headline="Exclusive: Nashville Mayor Freddie O&#x27;Connell commits to running for reelection" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2023/09/15/how-a-people-loving-nerd-became-nashvilles-mayor" target="_self">Mayor Freddie O&#x27;Connell</a> wants you to vote for him to stay.Why it matters: O&#x27;Connell, whose 2023 campaign slogan was, &quot;I want you to stay,&quot; confirmed in an exclusive interview with Axios that he is running for reelection.

Nashville mayor focuses on affordability in State of Metro speech

Mayor O'Connell proposes cutting the city's grocery tax and new grant programs for small businesses.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Nashville Mayor Freddie O&#x27;Connell" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/10/14/nashville-mayor-freddie-oconnell-two-years" data-vars-content-id="e6a10478-d5de-4303-aa28-c670aa774f1e" data-vars-headline="Nashville mayor focuses on affordability in State of Metro speech" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/10/14/nashville-mayor-freddie-oconnell-two-years" target="_self">Nashville Mayor Freddie O&#x27;Connell</a> rolled out an affordability agenda during his State of Metro address that includes small business initiatives, new investments in affordable housing, and cutting the grocery tax.Why it matters: Affordability is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="consistently listed" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/03/30/nashville-housing-affordability-poll" data-vars-content-id="e6a10478-d5de-4303-aa28-c670aa774f1e" data-vars-headline="Nashville mayor focuses on affordability in State of Metro speech" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/03/30/nashville-housing-affordability-poll" target="_self">consistently listed</a> as the top challenge facing the city in recent polls. O&#x27;Connell proposes leveraging Metro government to confront the problem.

News 🗞

Advocates say death-row inmate facing execution may be innocent

Fisk University announces $1B plan to transform campus, build data center

Judge allows Tennessee map favoring Republicans to move ahead

Tennessee has reopened every Helene-damaged state road

Nashville Electric Service launches smartphone app for customers