Lines & Deadlines
The Daily · · 6 min read
Good afternoon, everyone. Today:
- Sexton puts Metro on notice: redistricting must be done before 2027 elections…
- State Sen. Jack Johnson to be next lieutenant governor of TN…
- Burchett says Senate Majority Leader Thune is working to keep him out of Blackburn’s Senate seat; Thune denies it…
And much more!
Sexton Puts Metro on Notice: Redistricting Must Be Done Before 2027 Elections
On Friday, the Metro Council’s Charter Revision Committee will hold a special-called meeting to discuss next steps following the Tennessee Supreme Court’s ruling upholding a state law that will effectively cut Nashville's council in half. Although the law was passed in 2023, the council has delayed addressing the change while Metro’s lawsuit challenging the state worked its way through the courts.
Now, just a few months before candidates will begin pulling petitions for the 2027 Metro Council elections, redrawing the county’s council districts will be a significant undertaking. But whether Metro plans to respond in time for next year’s elections has been murky.
Last week, Mayor Freddie O’Connell said his administration is continuing to review its options while criticizing the state law.
“We’ve looked at areas where the state has interfered,” O’Connell said. “It just creates confusion.”
We reached out to state leaders to ask how they expect Metro to move forward under the new law. State Representative Cameron Sexton said Metro should have no trouble preparing new district maps before the filing deadline for the 2027 elections, arguing that the council’s expectation that it would prevail in court is no excuse for failing to prepare.
“If they ultimately still use the excuse ‘of not enough time,' we have staff that will draw it for them in a more timely matter,” said Sexton.
You can join Friday’s Charter Revision Committee meeting online or in person starting at 4 p.m.
HEADLINES
State Sen. Jack Johnson to be next lieutenant governor of Tennessee
State Senator Jack Johnson (R-Williamson County) will be Tennessee’s next lieutenant governor, succeeding Randy McNally, who announced in February he wouldn’t seek reelection. In Tennessee, voters don’t elect the lieutenant governor. State senators choose one of their own members, who also serves as Speaker of the Senate. Governor-elect Marsha Blackburn congratulated Johnson, and McNally called him a “rock solid member of the caucus.”
Fox 17Burchett says Senate Majority Leader Thune is working to keep him out of Blackburn’s Senate seat; Thune denies it
When Marsha Blackburn becomes governor in January, she’ll appoint someone to fill her U.S. Senate seat, and Representative Tim Burchett wants the job. Burchett says Senate Majority Leader John Thune is trying to keep him out in favor of someone friendlier to party leadership. Thune denies it, saying he hasn’t talked with Blackburn about the pick and that it’s “not my call.” Blackburn hasn’t started interviewing, former Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs is also reportedly in the mix, and Burchett plans to run for the seat in 2028 either way.
Washington ExaminerVanderbilt shuts down university devices during active cyberattack
Yesterday, Vanderbilt told everyone on campus to shut down university devices and disconnect from campus WiFi during an active hacking incident. As of this morning, students and staff can use their Vanderbilt devices again and can access personal accounts like Google, but most other campus systems, including CampusPrint, are still down. The university’s IT team is working with government agencies and plans to keep posting updates through the week.
Vanderbilt UniversityFederal trial opens over claims Diocese of Nashville kept assigning abusive priest Walter Emala
A federal jury in Nashville is hearing a lawsuit against the Diocese of Nashville over Father Walter Emala, a priest from the diocese who allegedly abused 9-year-old altar boy Greg Valancius in 1968 after moving to Maryland. Valancius’s lawyers say the diocese knew Emala was abusing boys by 1959 but kept assigning him to local parishes for years, then let him go to Baltimore without telling police or warning the church there. The diocese argues it shouldn’t be held responsible because the abuse happened in Maryland, and its lawyers have told the jury to weigh the statute of limitations and the fact that everyone involved except Valancius has died.
Banner
✓You're on the list. The rest of today's issue is below.
DEVELOPMENT
Via NBJ: Little Rock-based Bank OZK, Nashville's largest construction lender, plans its first local office at 5 City Blvd., the 360,000-square-foot office building underway off Charlotte Avenue.
More infoThe Predators picked JE Dunn Construction as construction manager for Smashville's Next Stage: Broadway 2030, the team-funded Bridgestone Arena renovation that's set to be mostly done by the 2029-30 season.
Predators
PAMPHLETEER TOOLS
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 Tue, Nov 10
| Show | Venue | Time | Price | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paul Forte, Faithless Town, Mezzo Fiasco | The Underdog | 9p | $10 | Info for Paul Forte, Faithless Town, Mezzo Fiasco |
| Goose | The Truth | 7p | $65 | Info for Goose |
| Yebba | Ryman Auditorium | 7:30p | $53 | Info for Yebba |
| Hooked+ lively open mic competition with rotating guest panel | The Eighth Room | 6:30p | $10 | Info for Hooked |
| Twang Tuesday | Acme Feed & Seed | 7p | Free | Info for Twang Tuesday |
| Honky Tonk Tuesday+ two-step lessons @ 7p, The Cowpokes @ 8p | Eastside Bowl | 8p | $10 | Info for Honky Tonk Tuesday |
Today's newsletter is brought to you by Davis Hunt, Megan Podsiedlik, and Camelia Brennan.
The rest of today's issue
Keep reading: free, just your email
Headlines, tools, development and tonight's shows are one step away. Tomorrow's Daily comes with it.
Like what we do? Forward us to a friend.
Comments
Bards join the discussion. Everyone can read it.