Dang, it's hot out there
⚡️ TVA in transition · Metro lobbying your dime · ICE blocked from detaining Garcia · The week in culture · Much more!
Good afternoon, everyone. Wow, can you believe how hot it is out there? We consider... TVA is getting things in order, but a local country star throws a wrench in things... Metro spends your money to lobby the state government (which is a stone's throw away)... And we throw you a bunch of suggestions for movies to stream, watch, books to read, and some music to listen to this weekend.
Big Goal 2,000 new newsletter subscribers by September 30. Could you help us get there by forwarding this email to a friend (or five) who cares about independent journalism? Tell them to sign up here.
Like what we do? Forward us to a friend.
News flash: it's hot outside. Have you heard about how hot it is enough, or should we say it one more time? I'm sweating and I'm sitting inside. That's how hot it is out there. Wow. DAVIS HUNT
⧖⧗⧖ GETTING BITCOIN FOMO? ⧗⧖⧗
|
The Bitcoin Adviser offers the safest and easiest way to purchase and store bitcoin. Experts like Scott Porter will talk you through the process from purchase to storage. Curious what owning bitcoin looks like? Sign up for a free consultation below. |
🖋️ Edited by Megan Podsiedlik.
⚡️ Pushback On TVA & John Rick Goes NIMBY? Earlier this week, KnoxNews published a piece by the president of Athens Media, Hannah Cox, criticizing the failures of the Tennessee Valley Authority. Cox pointed out how seven states, including Tennessee, have been “forced into a client relationship with this government-backed monopoly” and are subject to rolling blackouts and rate increases.
Senators Marsha Blackburn and Bill Hagerty have also scrutinized the TVA while pursuing a nuclear energy renaissance—a goal supported by President Donald Trump and Governor Bill Lee. “The presidentially appointed, Senate-confirmed, TVA Board of Directors lacks the talent, experience, and gravitas to meet a challenge that clearly requires visionary industrial leaders,” the Senators stated in an article published by Power Magazine in March. “The group looks more like a collection of political operatives than visionary industrial leaders.”
Cox also highlighted the inefficiencies resulting, in part, from TVA’s insupportable investment in green energy. “The unreliability of TVA’s energy has led some businesses to look outside Tennessee because TVA cannot guarantee that they can meet the required power load,” she wrote.
While Trump has pushed out lingering clean energy champions, like Biden-appointed TVA board member Michelle Moore, it seems signals are getting crossed on the ground when it comes to establishing reliable energy sources.
The TVA is seeking alternative sites in Middle Tennessee for a 900 MW simple-cycle combustion plant after locals rejected the plan to establish it in Cheatham County. The gas-powered plant is intended to add to the grid and help replace electricity that’s set to go offline in 2028.
The kicker: country star John Rich called upon President Trump to help prevent the new gas turbine from being built in the area. Meanwhile, conservative groups are simultaneously pushing back against the sunset of the coal-powered Cumberland Fossil Plant in Tennessee, which the TVA is trying to replace with the new gas turbine.
🏛️ Metro Lobbying On Your Dime According to the Beacon Center of Tennessee, Metro Nashville spent $219,000 on lobbyists last year. “They take your taxpayer money and hire lobbyists to go represent them three blocks away at the state Capitol,” Justin Owen, president of the Beacon Center, told Fox17’s Dennis Ferrier.
When Ferrier asked the mayor about the spending during a media roundtable two weeks ago, O’Connell wrote it off as “not something new to the city of Nashville.” The mayor explained that lobbyists engage with Congress and the White House in Washington, DC, as well as the Metro Council and the General Assembly. On the heels of yet another substantial percent property tax increase, O’Connell went on to defend the expenditures by pointing out how two smaller Tennessee cities spend more: “I would say we're offering Nashvillians good value for their dollars.”
🧊 ICE Blocked From Detaining Abrego Garcia Yesterday, U.S. District Judge Waverly Crenshaw Jr. in Tennessee upheld Magistrate Judge Barbara Holmes’ decision to release Kilmar Abrego Garcia on bail. The same day, U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis in Maryland issued an order blocking the Trump administration from taking Abrego Garcia into custody if he's released from jail while awaiting trial on human smuggling charges in Tennessee.
Abrego Garcia made national headlines after being deported to El Salvador’s CECOT prison in March, only to be sent back to America to face criminal charges. As one of the Trump administration’s highest-profile targets, Abrego Garcia originally asked to remain in criminal detention to avoid a second deportation after Judge Holmes decided to release him on bail in June. Abrego Garcia has pleaded not guilty to the smuggling charges for transporting nine undocumented immigrants back in 2022.
DEVELOPMENT
- New 200-acre, 14-building industrial park coming to Clarksville (WSMV)
- Hill Realty announces details for downtown Franklin project (Post)
- Whitney's Cookies plans Arcade location (Post)
- Design firms tapped for East Bank work (Post)
- Party Fowl plans east side location (NBJ)
✹ THIS WEEK IN CULTURE
MOVIES
Hot Ticket: The Fantastic Four: First Steps By all accounts, Marvel has finally regained its mojo with this 60s-set reboot that finds its most famous family doing battle with Galactus and the Silver Surfer. The summer’s last blockbuster thrill ride. Opens today in theaters.
Pamphleteers’s Pick: Shoshana Set against the backdrop of 1930s Tel Aviv, Michael Winterbottom’s epic political thriller navigates the shifting dynamics of the Holy Land through the torrid romance between a British police officer and a young Jewish woman. Though based on true events, it’s got a lot more in common with 70s greats like The Parallax View than stodgy Oscar Bait. Opens today at Regal Hollywood 27.
For a complete list of upcoming titles, check out the 2025 Film Guide.
STREAMING
Dexter: Resurrection (Paramount+) The now-classic Miami-set drama about a bloodspatter expert moonlighting as a serial killer went south with the exit of John Lithgow. But, the sequel series has managed to somehow right the ship where its two previous spinoffs failed. Thanks to Michael C. Hall’s commanding screen presence and stints by Uma Thurman and Peter Dinklage, Dexter’s jaunt to New York City takes the mantle of the season’s best series.
Gator (Prime) Burt Reynolds made his directorial debut in 1976 with this rollicking morality tale about a moonshiner facing off against a corrupt smalltown politician. Come for the Southern machismo, stay for the Jimmy Carter sendups.
BOOKS
2024: How Trump Retook The White House and The Democrats Lost America Seasoned political reporters Josh Dawsey, Isaac Arnsdorf, and Tyler Pager cut to the heart of the most off-the-wall election in our lifetimes and provide clear-eyed warnings that the minority party has already begun ignoring. From Biden’s cognitive decline cover-up to Vance’s backroom coronation, it’s political theater at its most engaging.
MUSIC
moisturizer Wet Leg The British alt-pop band that shook us out of the pandemic with 2021’s gleeful single “Chaise Lounge” returns with a snarkily sincere record that recalls Veruca Salt’s spunk and Paramore’s less whiny days. From opening track “CPR” to the peppy “don’t speak,” it’s the perfect album for a late summer drive that also proves Gen Z will be just fine.
THINGS TO DO
View our calendar for the week here and our weekly film rundown 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
🎸 Dinosaur Jr. w/ Snail Mail @ The Pinnacle, 7p, $52+, Info
🎸 American Aquarium @ The Blue Room, 7p, $32.51, Info
🎸 The Vegabonds @ Brooklyn Bowl Nashville, 7p, $24+, Info
🍀 Live Irish Music @ McNamara’s Irish Pub, 6p, Free, Info
🎸 Kelly’s Heroes @ Robert’s Western World, 6:30p, Free, Info
🎸 Open Mic @ Fox & Locke, 6:30p, Free, Info
+ vet community here
📰 Check out the full newsletter archive here.
The Pamphleteer
The Pamphleteer
The Pamphleteer
The Pamphleteer
Today's newsletter is brought to you by Megan Podsiedlik (Nashville), Jerod Hollyfield (Crowd Corner), Camelia Brennan (Local Noise), and Davis Hunt (everything else).