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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>.

Scoop: Trump endorses Rep. Matt Van Epps' reelection campaign

President Trump and more than 60 elected officials are backing Rep. Matt Van Epps for reelection.

President Trump headlines a list of more than 60 elected officials backing freshman <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="U.S. Rep. Matt Van Epps" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/12/03/tennessee-election-results-trump-van-epps-wins-house-seat" data-vars-content-id="4325df2e-7c2d-4c70-93da-bf59ed33db37" data-vars-headline="Scoop: Trump endorses Rep. Matt Van Epps&#x27; reelection campaign" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/12/03/tennessee-election-results-trump-van-epps-wins-house-seat" target="_self">U.S. Rep. Matt Van Epps</a> for reelection.Why it matters: The large swath of endorsements announced Thursday shows strong support for Van Epps amid a last-minute map shakeup.

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.

News

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.

Tennessee Dems bash GOP over gerrymandering plan

Democrats say Republicans will disenfranchise Black voters and create election chaos.

Tennessee Democrats lambasted Republicans in the run-up to the special session to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="redraw Tennessee&#x27;s U.S. House map" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/05/01/tennessee-special-session-memphis-house-seat" data-vars-content-id="872bcb4e-0e8a-43b3-a931-5684d911be63" data-vars-headline="Tennessee Dems bash GOP over gerrymandering plan" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/05/01/tennessee-special-session-memphis-house-seat" target="_self">redraw Tennessee&#x27;s U.S. House map</a>, saying the supermajority was bowing to President Trump, marginalizing Black voters and creating election chaos.Why it matters: Tennessee appears to be on the brink of shifting from a congressional map that features eight Republicans and one Democrat to one that favors the GOP in all nine districts.<ul><li>Republicans have directly acknowledged that they want to split up the blue district in Memphis in order to gain ground in the midterms and maintain GOP control of Congress.</li></ul>

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.

Tennessee GOP lawmakers meeting next week to carve up Memphis' blue House district

Gov. Bill Lee called for a special legislative session so lawmakers can draw new U.S. House map.

Gov. Bill Lee called for a special session Friday so that Republican lawmakers can redraw <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Tennessee&#x27;s U.S. House map" 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="af45a47f-c8c0-4c5b-8bac-c0401444f7e1" data-vars-headline="Tennessee GOP lawmakers meeting next week to carve up Memphis&#x27; blue House district" 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&#x27;s U.S. House map</a> to eliminate the state&#x27;s lone Black-majority congressional district in Memphis and secure another seat for the GOP.Why it matters: Tennessee joins the national partisan arms race to overhaul House maps as both parts scratch and claw for control of Congress.<ul><li>The special session, which begins Tuesday, could upend midterm primary races that are already <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="well underway" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/04/23/house-majority-pac-spend-unseating-ogles" data-vars-content-id="af45a47f-c8c0-4c5b-8bac-c0401444f7e1" data-vars-headline="Tennessee GOP lawmakers meeting next week to carve up Memphis&#x27; blue House district" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/04/23/house-majority-pac-spend-unseating-ogles" target="_self">well underway</a>.</li></ul>

Politics 🇺🇸

Scoop: Trump endorses Rep. Matt Van Epps' reelection campaign

Judge allows Tennessee map favoring Republicans to move ahead

Former Nashville Mayor Megan Barry pulls papers to run for Congress

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

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