Will the Metro Council shrink?
Good afternoon, everyone. The TN Supreme Court will take up the council halving case... Casada receives his sentencing today... Oracle in line to run TikTok... And much more!
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🔄 The Incredible Shrinking Council The Tennessee Supreme Court has agreed to hear an appeal in the ongoing litigation over state law to cut Nashville's Metro Council in half. Back in July, the Metro Legal Department made it clear that they planned to challenge the Court of Appeals decision to uphold the legislation that would reduce the council body from 40 members to 20. The case could set a precedent regarding state sovereignty in relation to Tennessee’s Home Rule.
Vice Mayor Angie Henderson expressed gratitude to the Tennessee Supreme Court for accepting Metro’s application for appeal. “This matter has garnered significant public attention, and the outcome will be closely watched by the Metro Council and the Nashvillians we are privileged to represent, as briefs are filed and arguments are scheduled before the Tennessee Supreme Court in the coming weeks,” said Henderson in a press release.
“I remain grateful for the work of the Department of Law advocating to uphold the will of the voters and the Charter of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County.”
⚖️ Casada To Be Sentenced Today Former Tennessee Speaker of the House Glen Casada faces sentencing today after being found guilty of conspiracy, bribery, fraud, and money laundering in May. His former chief of staff, Cade Cothren, was sentenced to two and a half years in prison last week for his involvement in the shell company scheme affiliated with the political consulting firm Phoenix Solutions. Though Casada was convicted on fewer counts, his sentencing range is higher than Cothren’s, and he could receive over 12 years in prison.
As for Cothren, ever since his sentencing last week, he seems to be vying for a presidential pardon. The former aide has changed his X profile picture to a portrait of him posing in front of paintings depicting President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance. His online profile reads: “Targeted by Biden’s DOJ for standing with Trump. Convicted for refusing to break.”
🤳 Oracle To Help Run TikTok U.S.? A proposed deal would allow Oracle to get involved with restructuring TikTok’s U.S. operations. The agreement hands the oversight of data protection and system retraining to the computer technology company, but it’s unclear if Trump's plan will fulfill the terms previously agreed upon by Biden's White House and China. Critics argue it doesn’t meet the legal requirements for a full divestiture and still gives ByteDance, the Chinese internet technology company that developed TikTok, too much influence.
During a briefing yesterday, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the change won't affect user experience. In addition to concerns over national security and free speech, experts are uncertain whether Oracle is equipped to manage the platform.
DEVELOPMENT
- M Street closes Tavern after 14 years to make way for new concept (NBJ)
- Former Bro’s Cajun Cuisine property listed for $2.9M (Post)
- M.L.Rose owner seeks to sell east side building (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
🎸 Rilo Kiley @ The Pinnacle, 8p, $19+, Info
🎸 Wet Leg @ Marathon Music Works, 7p, $47.10, Info
🎸 Jack Schneider @ Station Inn, 8p, $20, Info
🎸 Luke Callen @ Dee's Lounge, 6p, $5, Info
🎸 Waylon Wyatt @ The Basement East, 8p, $33.44, 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.