Big Data, Big Drama
🎪 Get your tickets to tonight's data center show · New Nashville airport board drops out of lawsuit challenging state takeover · Nashville's 2025-26 TCAP results · Much more!
Good afternoon, everyone. Get your tickets to tonight's data center showdown at the Metro Council meeting... New Nashville airport board drops out of lawsuit challenging state takeover... Nashville's 2025-26 TCAP results... And much more!
New American Frontiers Join us July 16th for a conversation with Kevin Dolan, founder of the EXIT fraternity, on institutional decline, parallel power, and where political opportunities are. (Buy Ticket)
New TN U.S. Congressional District lookup Use your address to find your new district here.
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Everybody wants a ticket to the data center fight.
From Megan Podsiedlik
They’re using a ticketing system during tonight’s council meeting to organize the public hearings on three bills related to data centers—a reflection of the draw the discussion will attract.
On second reading, the body is considering proposals to ban hyperscale data centers and set guardrails for new data center construction alongside legislation that would place a temporary freeze on data center permitting.
Also looming over the meeting is Mayor Freddie O'Connell's late-filed eminent domain legislation, which would allow Metro to acquire the property near the Nashville Zoo slated for a proposed data center. Although the measure is not scheduled for a public hearing, it is likely to be on many attendees' minds.
The mayor's legislation is sponsored by Councilmember Rollin Horton, who also sponsors the permanent data center regulations. While Horton has expressed concerns about the temporary moratorium bill, O'Connell has voiced support for both the permanent regulations and the temporary freeze.
Also on the docket A bill to expand requirements for burying utility lines in certain new developments is also on public hearing for its second reading. The legislation has been revised multiple times with substitutes. Post ice storm, burying power lines has been a winning solution, but developers have raised concerns about increased construction costs.
There are also several bills related to the development of the East Bank, including legislation to create a permanent East Bank Design Review Committee to oversee the area's architecture and urban design.
There are also two redevelopment bills that affect areas around Seymour Avenue, Richmond Bend, and West Eastland. The zoning legislation would include a mixed-use project, adding eight residential units and commercial space within the Greenwood Neighborhood Conservation Overlay.
Lastly, Councilmember Sean Parker has a late-filed bill that updates Nashville's regulations for pedal taverns by giving the Metro Transportation Licensing Commission more authority over how many vehicles are allowed to operate and eliminating automatic annual permit renewals. It also allows the commission to reduce the number of permitted pedicabs based on public need and traffic impacts, using operator compliance and other criteria to determine which permits are renewed.
You can follow along with the Pamphleteer’s user-friendly Council Watch Agenda starting at 6:30 p.m. tonight.
✹ NEW AMERICAN FRONTIERS
New American Frontiers Kevin Dolan, founder of the EXIT fraternity, argues the institutions most people still rely on have turned hostile to competence and entered a slow decline that can't be reversed from within. After being doxxed and fired in 2021, he set out to build the alternative: parallel institutions and the high-trust networks that hold up when formal ones don't.
Join us Thursday, July 16th for a conversation on institutional decline, parallel power, and where the political openings actually are.
✹ METRO COUNCIL WATCH
New Council Watch Features We've added additional features to Council Watch. In addition to who's funding your council member, you can now see how they vote and who they vote with most frequently. (Take a Look)
HEADLINES
- 🔨 New Nashville airport board seeks to drop out of lawsuit challenging state takeover. The newly appointed Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority board voted unanimously to withdraw from the federal lawsuit filed by the previous board challenging Tennessee's takeover of the airport authority. During its first meeting, the new board elected officers and directed attorneys to dismiss the authority as a plaintiff, though Metro Nashville's separate legal challenge against the state remains active. (TNJ)
- 🎓 The Results Are In Nashville's 2025-26 TCAP results: just 31.5% of Davidson County students met or exceeded expectations in ELA, 32.9% in math — trailing the state's already-modest 39.0% and 42.7%. Barely one in three MNPS students can read at grade level. MNPS Director Dr. Adrienne Battle called it a win regardless: "Our success is undeniable, and it belongs to our students and the educators who believe in them. Building on last year's record results, these gains reflect the determination of our students and their families, the dedication of our teachers, and a community committed to excellence." (SCORE)
- 🌙 Son of legendary moonshiner dies after motorcycle crash in Cocke County. Solomon Sutton, the 31-year-old son of legendary moonshiner Popcorn Sutton, died after a motorcycle crash in Cocke County on Friday evening. According to the Tennessee Highway Patrol, Sutton's motorcycle collided with a Dodge Caravan that was turning left. Charges against the driver are pending the outcome of the investigation. (WSMV)
DEVELOPMENT
- 12South pioneer Imogene + Willie plans expansion with new tenant spaces (NBJ)
- Florida investment firm pays $4.3M for Nashville data center by fairgrounds (Post)
- Five Points building last home to Margot listed for $3M (Post)
THINGS TO DO
View our calendar for the week here.
📅 Visit our On The Radar list to find upcoming events around Nashville.
🎧 On Spotify: Pamphleteer's Picks, a playlist of our favorite bands in town this week.
👨🏻🌾 Check out our Nashville farmer's market guide.
TONIGHT
🪕 Sierra Hull @ Ryman Auditorium, 7:30p, Info
+ mandolinist virtuoso & songwriter
🎻 Dolly Parton's Threads: My Songs in Symphony @ Schermerhorn Symphony Center, 6p, $49, Info
🪕 Troubadour Blue @ Station Inn, 8p, Info
🎸 Twang Tuesday @ Acme Feed and Seed, 7p, Free, Info
🎸 Honky Tonk Tuesday @ Eastside Bowl, 8p, $10, Info
+ two-step lessons @ 7p, The Cowpokes @ 8p
📰 Check out the full newsletter archive here.
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Today's newsletter is brought to you by Davis Hunt, Megan Podsiedlik, and Camelia Brennan.