Last Day to Vote
Good afternoon, everyone. Today is the last day to vote in the special primary elections for Mark Green's old Congressional seat. More details below... Councilmember Ginny Welsch does what she does best... And much more!
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🫵 D7 Primary Election Day Today’s special primary election day, and it’s the 7th Congressional District’s last chance to weigh in on a partisan candidate. Over the course of this whirlwind campaign season triggered by Mark Green’s resignation, millions were spent by outside donors trying to influence the outcome of Tennessee's election. A large chunk of that money went towards negative campaign ads aimed at state Representative Jody Barrett (R-Dickson).
Though Barrett has criticized candidates who’ve benefited from the “big, fat checks” cut by these types of billionaires in the past, he’s received over $450,000 in support from the House Freedom Action super PAC for his own congressional bid. According to the Tennessee Star, the PAC hired Neighborhood Research and Media, run by anti-Trump consultant Rick Shaftan, to create ads supporting Barrett and opposing Trump-endorsed candidate Matt Van Epps.
As for the Democratic side of the ticket, it’s going to come down to whether its more moderate voter base is committed to turning out. Though one of the most outspoken and progressive candidates, state Representative Aftyn Behn (D-Nashville), seems to have made the biggest impression, strategists are focused on electability since the D7 General Election on December 2 favors Republicans—though low voter turnout could make it anyone’s race.
Live in D7 and unsure where to vote? Click here for information about polling locations.
🇮🇱 Ginny Stirs The Pot Councilmember Ginny Welsch is scheduled to bring forward a resolution during this Thursday’s council meeting that “denounces all acts of the U.S. Government and the State of Israel that contribute to a continuation of the genocide of the Palestinian people.”
According to Axios, the proposal has drawn criticism for its timing because today marks the two-year anniversary of the October 7 massacre carried out by Hamas in Gaza.
The resolution, which is symbolic given that Metro Council has no way to influence international affairs, demands that America cease “all sales and transfers of military arms and financial support to the State of Israel.” It also asks for the protection of “the rights of Palestinian people to live in their homeland free from violence” and “rejects any efforts of U.S. federal and state governments to limit free speech by declaring that criticism of the policies of the government of the State of Israel is inherently anti-Semitic.”
🐄 No More Dining On Whiskey Slop Jack Daniels is ending its longstanding Cow Feeder Program next spring and will redirect all spent distillery grain to Three Rivers Energy instead of dispensing it as cheap feed for Tennessee cattle farmers. Last week, the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture held a meeting hoping to help find solutions for farmers who have relied on the program, which provided low-cost, nutrient-rich slop.
According to the Lookout, the change will force farmers to seek alternatives such as commercial feed, hay, or custom blends. In many cases, it will likely lead some to reduce herd sizes or exit cattle farming altogether. Nationally, this occurs amid historically high beef prices driven by inflation, low cattle inventories, and drought.
HEADLINES
- 🚧 Metro’s Bob Mendes pushed back against criticism of the city’s 99-year development contract with the Fallon Company, arguing it secures unprecedented public benefits—including hundreds of affordable units and a long-term revenue stream for Metro. He said opponents are overlooking the deal’s safeguards, which ensure Nashville retains ownership and collects revenue from future property sales.
- 🚨 A multi-agency crackdown in Memphis seized 73 illegal guns and arrested more than 270 people in less than a week, part of an intensified nationwide push to target violent offenders. The effort, coordinated by the Memphis Safe Task Force with support from 20 local, state, and federal partners, is expected to continue as authorities work to curb gang and gun crime in the city.
DEVELOPMENT
- Fido says goodbye to Hillsboro Village 30+ years in (NBJ)
- Hotel building planned for East Bank sees height reduced (Post)
- Restaurant planned for vacant Tin Angel space on West End (Scene)
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
🎸 Born Ruffians @ The Blue Room, 7p, $28.50, Info
🎸 This Will Destroy You @ Exit/In, 7p, $33.34, Info
🪕 50 Shades of Hay @ Station Inn, 8p, $20, Info
🥁 Jazz Night w/ Adam Wakefield & Friends @ Dee's Lounge, 9p, $5, Info
🎸 Honky Tonk Tuesday @ Eastside Bowl, 8p, $10, Info
+ two-step lessons @ 7p, The Cowpokes @ 8p
📰 Check out the full newsletter archive here.
Today's newsletter is brought to you by Davis Hunt, Megan Podsiedlik and Camelia Brennan.