The Thrill is Gone

The state and federal governments are stealing your joy, and Freddie wants it back.

From Megan Podsiedlik

Earlier today, Mayor Freddie O’Connell delivered the 63rd annual State of Metro Address. He opened up by curtailing the ice storm conversation, highlighting a number of duty-driven men and women who put boots on the ground during the disaster instead. 

“And just like our friends and partners at Second Harvest, who fed us when the federal government wouldn't; United Way, who helped us recover after the winter storm; the Community Foundation, TIRRC, and Conexion—all of whom strengthened our sense of belonging throughout the year—your work makes the lives of others better,” said O’Connell, taking a jab at the current administration within the first few minutes of his speech. 

O'Connell Pushes Back The mayor continued to punch up when reflecting on DOGE cuts, immigration enforcement, and the state “taking over our airport, part of our downtown, and trying to interfere with our local elections.”

“Legendary Nashvillian Lucinda Williams once wrote a song about joy, and in it she sings, ‘You took my joy. I want it back.’ Well, I want it back too,” said O’Connell. “And here's the thing: they couldn't stop us from taking care of each other, and they can't and won't stop us from standing up and pushing back.”

Between noting the empty seats at Geodis Park during soccer games due to ICE activity and highlighting Metro’s six lawsuits against federal government overreach, O’Connell reflected on the last year and featured some new deliverables. 

Crowning Achievements The mayor took time to tout the city’s reduction in crime, Metro Nashville Public Schools’ “historic results," the expansion of the Nashville Strong Babies program despite federal cuts, Metro’s record creation/preservation of nearly 3,000 affordable homes, and over one million fare-free bus trips thanks to Choose How You Move.

O’Connell also borrowed some credit for the redevelopment plan that will transform East Bend’s scrapyard into a neighborhood (funded by a group of private investors), announced that the Tennessee Performing Arts Center will break ground on a new auditorium in East Bank next year, and highlighted how Nashville wages are growing faster than rent.

Grocery Tax Though he took your half-cent for transit, the mayor plans to give it back by lowering Nashville’s tax on groceries.

“Reducing our grocery tax doesn't just change a line on a receipt; it acknowledges that feeding your family shouldn't be treated like a luxury,” said O’Connell.

According to a press release distributed by the mayor’s office, “the tax reduction is expected to save the average Nashville family of four $72 per year on their groceries.” In comparison, planning documents estimated that the half-cent sales tax funding O’Connell’s Choose How You Move initiative costs the average Nashville family approximately $70 annually. 

Small Businesses As for Nashville businesses struggling to keep their doors open after last year’s reappraisal and O’Connell’s property tax hike, the mayor said he’s got your back. O'Connell plans to establish two new grant programs: a Legacy Business Fund pilot program to help “ease the burden of evolving costs” and a Workforce Advancement Grant to provide employees with opportunities to enhance their skills.

Will Freddie Run Again? Mayor Freddie O’Connell has one more year left in office. Though he hasn’t formally announced a 2027 reelection bid, the signs are all there—including today’s speech, which struck a clearly forward-looking tone:

Our political environment requires us to be as strategic as we are principled. We pick the fights we can win, build coalitions we need, and never let perfect be the enemy of real progress for real people. I wake up every day excited to lead Nashville for so many reasons, and I'm excited to continue serving the city in the years ahead.

So, are you ready for Freddie again?

What Horrors We Wrought In 1973, French writer Jean Raspail published one of the most controversial novels of the 20th century. His novel, The Camp of Saints, has been consistently censored throughout its history.

Vauban Books recently published a new translation of the French story, accompanied by a lucid introduction by writer Nathan Pinkoski. Join us as we discuss the legacy of this controversial novel and what it says about the West.

This event is for the benefit of The Pamphleteer, Nashville, and priced with that in mind. Bard-level subscribers receive free admittance.

HEADLINES

• 🏠 Sexton touts $20M pilot for expanded eligibility for affordable housing. Tennessee lawmakers have authorized $20 million for a new affordable workforce housing pilot program. The legislation seeks to make it easier for police officers, nurses, teachers, and other workers to afford housing. The move comes amid soaring rental and real estate prices across the state. (TNJ)
• 🚫 MNPS Board denies four new charter school applicants. The MNPS charter schools office found that the Gate School, Music City Academy, and Nashville School of Excellence partially met its standard for approval, and Empowerment Academy did not meet its standard. Based on that recommendation from the district, the board voted unanimously to deny all four new start applications for charter schools. (Banner)
• 🥃 Jack Daniel's Stays American. Talks between French liquor giant Pernod Ricard and Brown-Forman over a potential acquisition of Jack Daniel's parent company have collapsed, leaving the iconic Tennessee whiskey brand in American hands. (Star)
• 🪲 Tennessee Department of Health issues tick warning. Pathogens transmitted by ticks can cause mild, flu-like symptoms, which can progress to serious illness with major consequences if left untreated. “Fortunately antibiotics can treat tick-borne illnesses caused by bacteria, including Rocky Mountain spotted fever, ehrlichiosis, and Lyme disease, but the best approach is to take precautions to reduce tick bites altogether." said Tennessee State Epidemiologist Dr. Mary-Margaret Fill. (TNDoH)
• 🎵 BMG and Concord will merge to form a Nashville-headquartered music company. Bertelsmann, parent company to BMG, will own 67 percent of the combined global business entity. Bob Valentine, CEO of Concord, will serve as CEO of the merged company. (NBJ)

✹ 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)

DEVELOPMENT

• Movie theater, bowling alley, arcade Hooky open in downtown Nashville (Tennessean)
• Germantown mixed-use development listed for sale (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

🪕 40 Horse Mule @ Station Inn, 8p, Info

🎸 The Head And The Heart @ Brooklyn Bowl Nashville, 8p, Price not available, Info

🪕 Jake Worthington @ The Basement East, 8p, $33.49, Info

🪩 Vinyl Cocktail Vibe @ The Eighth Room, 5p, Info

💀 Tennessee Dead @ Tennessee Brew Works, 6p, Info

🪕 Bluegrass Night @ The American Legion Post 82, 7p, Free, Info

🎸 Kelley’s Heroes @ Robert’s Western World, 6:30p, Free, Info

📰 Check out the full newsletter archive here.

Today's newsletter is brought to you by Davis Hunt, Megan Podsiedlik, and Camelia Brennan.