> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://pamphleteer.co/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # The Murk - URL: https://pamphleteer.co/newsletter/the-murk/ - Published: 2026-10-29T21:16:55.000Z - Updated: 2026-10-29T21:16:55.000Z - Description: 📜 Mayor's Office files 32 pieces of new legislation · Fairgrounds racing referendum stays on track · Burchett pushes for Blackburn's senate seat · Much more! - Author: The Pamphleteer - Tags: Newsletter, #template ****Good afternoon, everyone.** Mayor’s office presents a plan for two East Bank projects that won’t use bonds or Metro’s capital spending plan, but leaves funding murky... Opinion: **ACLU Fires Warning Shot at Tennessee Schools*... U.S. Representative Tim Burchett is pushing to be appointed to Marsha Blackburn’s Senate seat if she wins the governor’s race... And much more! ****Voting & TN U.S. Congressional District lookup** Early voting is underway. Use your address to find your new congressional district [here](https://tn-cot.maps.arcgis.com/apps/instant/lookup/index.html?appid=2bd3c9b349634d2ba7153410c0930d27&ref=pamphleteer.co), find voting information and a sample ballot [here](https://www.nashville.gov/sites/default/files/2026-09/Sample%5FBallot%5FNovember%5F3%5F2026%5FState%5FFed%5FGen%5FMun%5FElections.pdf?ct=1790110765&ref=pamphleteer.co), and take a look at the Constitutional amendments [here](https://pamphleteer.co/newsletter/whats-on-your-ballot/). ****Early Voting Tracker** Check out our early voting tracker. ([Take a look](https://pamphleteer.co/early-voting-2026/)) ****Like what we do?** Forward us to a friend #### Mayor’s office presents a plan for two East Bank projects that won’t use bonds or Metro’s capital spending plan, but leaves funding murky. *From [Megan Podsiedlik](https://pamphleteer.co/author/megan/)* On Friday, Mayor Freddie O'Connell's office filed 32 pieces of legislation for consideration at the next Metro Council meeting. In a press release, the administration highlighted three of them: East Bank infrastructure [improvements](https://nashville.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=8302231&GUID=F88DB1E1-1F0E-4C95-92EB-1FA0BD681B34&ref=pamphleteer.co), a[ grant](https://nashville.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=8302198&GUID=2A970BFE-1162-463C-B268-DDA4C02DB2E1&ref=pamphleteer.co) to equip police officers with automated external defibrillators (AEDs), and a [$1.5 million grant](https://nashville.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?GUID=B53E2DC1-1A25-4FD3-AF95-64DCD4D4A8A8&ID=8302208&ref=pamphleteer.co) to Vanderbilt University Medical Center for a program supporting patients recovering from opioid addiction. The East Bank resolution has the biggest price tag. It covers two projects: a $208 million extension of Marine Drive from Dickerson Pike to Cowan Street under I-24 and a $185 million rebuild of James Robertson Parkway between the Victory Memorial Bridge and Interstate Drive. Metro's share of the two projects is roughly $204 million. "These agreements allow TDOT to complete critical infrastructure improvements along the East Bank and share costs in a way that relieves Metro from any funding such work through a capital spending plan or any use of general obligation bonds," the press release reads. The East Bank Development Authority, which controls a $300 million tourism-tax surplus, is a party to the agreements but has only given its "concurrence" to the projects and has no obligation to pay. The Authority's board has approved [$65 million](https://fox17.com/news/local/east-bank-development-authority-approves-65m-for-james-robertson-parkway-lowering?ref=pamphleteer.co) for James Robertson Parkway and conditionally approved [up to $80 million](https://www.nashvillepost.com/business/east-bank-authority-advances-80m-in-funding-for-marine-drive-extension/article%5F95eff317-fe7b-470a-82e7-24a6af7c0389.html?ref=pamphleteer.co) for Marine Drive, about $145 million in total, well short of Metro's roughly $204 million share. The legislation's tracking form lists four Metro capital budget accounts totaling $293.7 million in its funding section. Two are Water Services accounts funded by utility revenue bonds. The other two, "East Bank Infrastructure – Design and Development" and "Internal East Bank Street Grid," list a combined $132.3 million in proposed general obligation bonds as their main funding source in the mayor's draft capital improvements budget. That's the kind of borrowing the press release says the agreements avoid. That said, the capital budget is a planning document and the accounts could ultimately be paid for or reimbursed with other money, including Authority funds. The Metro Council is scheduled to take up the resolution at its November 5 meeting. If approved, Metro's first payments to TDOT, $34 million for Marine Drive and $25 million for James Robertson Parkway, are due by December 1. ✰ ✰ ✰ #### ✹ EARLY VOTING TRACKER [![Early voting through Day 13: 129,194 votes in Davidson County](https://pamphleteer.co/content/images/2026/10/early-vote-day13-davidson.png)](https://pamphleteer.co/early-voting-2026/) **🗳️ Who's Voting Where** Through Day 13 of 14: 1,130,292 early votes statewide, 129,194 in Davidson County.Our early voting tracker updates every morning with counts for all 95 counties, compared with the 2022 and 2018 midterms. Pick your county or look at the whole state to see where turnout stands([See the tracker](https://pamphleteer.co/early-voting-2026/)) ✰ ✰ ✰ #### ✹ OPINION: THOU SHALT EXPLAIN YOURSELVES: ACLU FIRES WARNING SHOT AT TENNESSEE SCHOOLS [![](https://pamphleteer.co/content/images/2026/10/his.jpg)](https://pamphleteer.co/post/aclu-ten-commandments-tennessee-schools/) *Tennessee left Ten Commandments displays up to school boards. The ACLU’s records requests mean what board members say and write now could decide whether the displays survive in court.* *From [Kevin Kreutz](https://pamphleteer.co/author/kevin/)* When it comes to putting the Ten Commandments in Tennessee schools, a records request from the [American Civil Liberties Union](https://www.aclu-tn.org/press-releases/civil-rights-organizations-seek-records-from-5-school-districts-regarding-plans-to-post-ten-commandments/?ref=pamphleteer.co) has made one thing clear: local school officials, not Tennessee lawmakers, will decide whether those displays stay or go. Earlier this year, the Tennessee General Assembly passed [House Bill 47](https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/BillInfo/Default?BillNumber=HB0047&ga=114&ref=pamphleteer.co), authorizing Tennessee public schools to post the Ten Commandments alongside the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution. Other states, including Texas and Arkansas, require the displays. Tennessee took a different route by making them voluntary. Five districts—Blount, Rutherford, Washington, White and Wilson—voted this summer to move forward. Soon after, the ACLU and other similar groups sent public records requests to each district. Maury County just last week became the sixth district to vote in favor of the display, and whether the ACLU makes a similar request of that county will be telling. Districts that did receive records request letters have been asked to produce board minutes, emails, plans, proposed displays and messages with people outside the district. These requests are often the first step before a lawsuit. They also show why school boards must be careful. A message written today could be a court record later, with uncertain consequences. [Continue reading...](https://pamphleteer.co/post/aclu-ten-commandments-tennessee-schools/) ✰ ✰ ✰ #### HEADLINES - 🏛️ **Burchett wants Blackburn’s Senate seat** U.S. Representative Tim Burchett is pushing to be appointed to Marsha Blackburn’s Senate seat if she wins the governor’s race. He says he’ll “absolutely” campaign against whoever gets the appointment in the open 2028 race if it isn’t him. Glenn Jacobs, Damon Hininger, and Representative Chuck Fleischmann also want the seat, and Pete Hegseth’s name keeps circulating as well. ([Punchbowl](https://punchbowl.news/article/campaigns/tim-burchett-eyeing-senate-run/?ref=pamphleteer.co)) - ⚖️ **Ex-Franklin baseball coach caught in Dominican Republic** Fernando Gonzalez Ramirez, 32, a former Franklin youth baseball coach, is accused of sexually assaulting multiple boys in 2023 and 2024\. He fled after two of them came forward, and U.S. Marshals arrested him in the Dominican Republic on Monday. He’s being held in New Jersey until he’s extradited to Tennessee, and police think there may be more victims. ([FOX 17](https://fox17.com/news/local/man-wanted-in-franklin-for-alleged-child-sexual-assault-arrested-in-dominican-republic?ref=pamphleteer.co),[ @TnTroll2727](https://x.com/tntroll2727/status/2115452603312091532?ref=pamphleteer.co)) - 🏇 **Fairgrounds racing referendum stays on track** Chancellor Anne Martin dismissed the Decline to Sign lawsuit, which was backed by racing supporters and challenged disputed Fairgrounds petition signatures. Her ruling keeps the racing referendum on track for next year. Opponents say they’ll file a new challenge to the Election Commission’s certification. ([Banner](https://nashvillebanner.com/2026/10/29/fairgrounds-nashville-lawsuit-update/?ref=pamphleteer.co)) - 📂 **TIRRC files a new FOIA suit against ICE** TIRRC, the American Immigration Council and professor Meghan Conley sued ICE and DHS in federal court in Middle Tennessee under the Freedom of Information Act. They say ICE is telling local police and sheriffs not to release 287(g) and jail records that people request under state open-records laws. They want the court to make ICE hand over that guidance, since ICE closed their August request without producing anything. ([Complaint](https://www.americanimmigrationcouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/DE1-Complaint-mc-1.pdf?ref=pamphleteer.co)) ✰ ✰ ✰ #### DEVELOPMENT - The East Bank Development Authority approved $65M to lower James Robertson Parkway and remove the elevated “barrier” road. TDOT expects construction to start in Q2 2027 and wrap around Q3 2029\. ([FOX 17](https://fox17.com/news/local/east-bank-development-authority-approves-65m-for-james-robertson-parkway-lowering?ref=pamphleteer.co)) - Second Harvest broke ground on its $89M, 200,000-square-foot food bank on 23.5 acres at[ 1301 Donelson Pike](https://www.google.com/maps/search/1301+Donelson+Pike?entry=gmail&source=g) near BNA, doubling the capacity of its MetroCenter warehouse. Construction wraps in fall 2027 with a move-in in early 2028, and CBRE will list the Great Circle Road property in the next couple of weeks. ([Post](https://www.nashvillepost.com/business/development/ground-breaks-on-89m-second-harvest-facility/article%5Fb1b474ea-74ea-4ed1-ac79-19b64547a203.html?ref=pamphleteer.co)) - The Melting Pot is coming back downtown at [315 Deaderick St](https://www.google.com/maps/search/315+Deaderick+St?entry=gmail&source=g). in the old UBS Bank building, with 35-foot windows facing the Capitol, targeting late 2026 or early 2027\. Its Second Avenue location was destroyed in the 2020 Christmas Day bombing, and the landlord later terminated the lease. ([WSMV](https://www.wsmv.com/2026/10/27/popular-restaurant-plans-downtown-nashville-return-years-after-christmas-day-bombing/?ref=pamphleteer.co)) ✰ ✰ ✰ #### ✹ PAMPHLETEER TOOLS ![](https://pamphleteer.co/content/images/2026/09/Metro-in-english.png) **Pamphleteer Tools** [Council Watch](https://councilwatch.pamphleteer.co/?ref=pamphleteer.co) tells you who funds your councilmember and how they vote. The [Property Tax Calculator](https://tax.pamphleteer.co/?ref=pamphleteer.co) tells you what that cost you. ![Entertainment](https://pamphleteer.co/content/images/2022/01/Group-27.png) #### THINGS TO DO *View our calendar for the week* [*here*](https://pamphleteer.co/calendar/events-for-the-week-of-october-26th/)*.* 📅 Visit our [On The Radar](https://pamphleteer.co/post/on-the-radar/) list to find upcoming events around Nashville. 🎧 On Spotify: [Pamphleteer's Picks](https://open.spotify.com/playlist/46Yds4VbS47NzRa4blrWUY?si=2040311a7d7f403f&ref=pamphleteer.co), a playlist of our favorite bands in town this week. 👨🏻‍🌾 Check out our Nashville [farmer's market guide](https://pamphleteer.co/post/nashville-farmers-market-guide/). #### TONIGHT 🎸 Pup @ Eastside Bowl, 7p, $47, [Info](https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/Z7r9jZ1A7Pfo3?ref=pamphleteer.co) 🎸 Dom Ellis, Haley Bundy, and Nick Brown (MONA) @ The Eighth Room, 6:30p, [Info](https://www.eighthroom.com/shows?ref=pamphleteer.co) 🎸 Colin Miller + Styrofoam Winos @ The Basement, 7p, $27.22, [Info](https://www.ticketweb.com/event/colin-miller-stryrofoam-winos-the-basement-tickets/14995653?pl=basement&ref=pamphleteer.co) 🪕 Skip Ewing & Appalachian Road Show @ Station Inn, 9p, $25, [Info](https://stationinn.com/event/appalachian-roadshow-20/?ref=pamphleteer.co) 🎙️ Open Mic @ Fox and Locke, 6:30p, Free, [Info](https://www.foxandlocke.com/open-mic?ref=pamphleteer.co) 🎸 Kelley's Heroes @ Robert's Western World, 6:30p, Free, [Info](https://www.robertswesternworld.com/band-schedule?ref=pamphleteer.co) ![In case you missed it...](https://pamphleteer.co/content/images/2023/01/Group-20.png) 📰 *Check out the full newsletter archive [here](https://pamphleteer.co/tag/newsletter/)*. [Rallying the Troops🗳️ Midterm rally: the whip, the Walz, and the wisecracks · TN not accepting work permits for driver’s licenses · TN bids for the U.S. Space Academy · Much more!![](https://pamphleteer.co/content/images/icon/square-ico-968457ae-1db9-4af8-bb72-237d01539b22.png)The PamphleteerThe Pamphleteer![](https://pamphleteer.co/content/images/2026/10/troops.jpg)](https://pamphleteer.co/newsletter/rallying-the-troops/) [Welcome to the Thunderdome🏟 The new Nissan Stadium has a roof over its head · TN loses new Audi plant to GA · Bluebird Cafe sues neighbor over 2025 flood · Much more!![](https://pamphleteer.co/content/images/icon/square-ico-968457ae-1db9-4af8-bb72-237d01539b22.png)The PamphleteerThe Pamphleteer![](https://pamphleteer.co/content/images/2026/10/titan-1.jpg)](https://pamphleteer.co/newsletter/welcome-to-the-thunderdome/) [Council CliffsNotes🏛 What you may have missed at Metro Council · NDOT bans right on red at 7 intersections · Nashville fairgrounds rooftops go solar farming · Much more!![](https://pamphleteer.co/content/images/icon/square-ico-968457ae-1db9-4af8-bb72-237d01539b22.png)The PamphleteerThe Pamphleteer![](https://pamphleteer.co/content/images/2026/10/john-macdonald-k8037LJCGQw-unsplash.jpg)](https://pamphleteer.co/newsletter/council-cliffsnotes/) [Abandoned Hallways🎒 Are Nashville’s elementary schools left exposed? · Tales from the Westside: The Can Man Can · Distracted driver rear-ends pedal tavern · Much more!![](https://pamphleteer.co/content/images/icon/square-ico-968457ae-1db9-4af8-bb72-237d01539b22.png)The PamphleteerThe Pamphleteer![](https://pamphleteer.co/content/images/2026/10/5010-3FFecF6N9TQ-unsplash.jpg)](https://pamphleteer.co/newsletter/abandoned-hallways/) *Today's newsletter is brought to you by* [*Davis Hunt*](https://pamphleteer.co/author/davis/)*,* [*Megan Podsiedlik*](https://pamphleteer.co/author/megan/)*, and* [*Camelia Brennan*](https://pamphleteer.co/author/camelia/)*.*