April 25, 2024

Legislators pass state budget Democrats voice concern regarding unknown franchise tax, school voucher legislation

BY NICOLLE S. PRAINO

State legislators passed the approximately $52 billion budget in both the House and the Senate on Thursday.

The House and Senate adopted Gov. Bill Lee’s amended budget first and then adopted their own amendment before discussing the changes in full.

The House took up the budget first, with Democrats proposing amendments that would reallocate the funds for Lee’s franchise tax and the education scholarships (school vouchers) in several other ways. None of the amendments were considered timely filed. As such, sponsors had less time than otherwise to present the amendments. However, the outcome would likely not have been much different with all amendments voted down from consideration along party lines. After

Democrats further expressed their discontent with the budget, the House voted to pass the legislation 78-18.

Not long after the budget legislation passed, some citizens shouting from the gallery were ordered to be removed by House Speaker Cameron Sexton (R-Crossville). Some reports have said a woman was taken away by law enforcement and driven off the Capitol grounds in a patrol car.

The Senate took up the House bill and Democrats proposed many similar amendments as their representative counterparts. Majority Leader Jack Johnson (R-Franklin) said it is not unusual for the budget to be passed while other legislation that could impact funds is still being worked out. He added if the budget passes with

O’Connell

unveils

new details on $3.1B transit plan

Initial cost would fund future transit centers, bus service improvements, traffic signal upgrades

BY COLE VILLENA

Nashville voters have more details about the city’s much-anticipated transit referendum, which could bring new transit centers, 24/7 transit service, sidewalk improvements and modern traffic signals to the city. The plan, which — pending approval by the comptroller and the Metro Council — will cost $3.1 billion and be on ballots for the Nov. 5 election, would create a dedicated funding source for transit drawn from a 0.5 percent bump in Davidson County sales taxes.

more funds that end up not supported by legislation, those funds will rollover into future years to be appropriated.

Sen. Jeff Yarbro (D-Nashville) pointed out that the funds in the budget do not cover the projected growth of either piece of legislation for the education scholarship fund. If none of that legislation passes, he said leaving that money on the table seems irresponsible since legislators have stressed constrained spending because of a decrease in the overall budget.

Johnson highlighted that the budget takes on no new debt for the state. Sen. Bo Watson (R-Hixon), chair of the Senate Finance Committee, said the legislature has proposed spending 36 percent less in its amendment than fiscal year

Proposed improvements will have an initial cost of $3.1 billion, with $111 million in recurring costs, according to plan documents provided after the event.

Mayor Freddie O’Connell and representatives of Nashville State Community College, Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition and other community groups unveiled the plan at Antioch’s Southeast Community Center Friday morning. O’Connell, a longtime transit advocate, won the mayoral race in 2023 on a platform that included bringing a transit referendum to voters. The announcement follows several meetings by O’Connell’s Technical Advisory Committee and Community Advisory Committee.

“It’s not a new conversation, but it is a new opportunity,” O’Connell said. “It’s an opportunity to move after being

Gov. Bill Lee giving the 2024 State of the State address PHOTO BY HAMILTON MATTHEW MASTERS

Legislators pass

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

2024. The Senate passed the budget 26-4. The legislative amendment makes several funding changes that were not in the governor’s amendment:

Universities

• authorizes $10 million for the University of Tennessee for a new chemistry building

• appropriates $29.7 million of nonrecurring funds to the University of Tennessee for renovations to add a gross anatomy laboratory to the General Education Building at the Health Science Center

• appropriates $2.1 million to Middle Tennessee State University for scholarships for the joint partnership with Meharry Medical College for the Medical School Early Acceptance Program

Health Care

• earmarks $9.7 million and also moves $3.7 million in funds for SB2791/HB2940 TennCare Working Individuals with Disabilities Act

• funds $2.7 million in recurring dollars and moves $1.4 million to implement SB2159/HB2321 for increasing the personal allowance for those receiving nursing home care

• redirects $3 million in funding for maternal health services from the governor’s budget amendment to crisis pregnancy care centers

Courts

• allocates $4.8 million in recurring funds for SB624/HB430, which relates to blended sentencing for serious youthful offenders

• appropriates $1.5 million for SB2155/ HB 2323 relating to enhanced sentences for repeat misdemeanors

• allocates $2.4 million for SB2062/ HB1881, which enhances the penalty for assault against a law enforcement officer

• appropriates $8.6 million of recurring funds and $2 million in nonrecurring funds to the Administrative Office of the Courts for rate increases for court-appointed attorney representing indigent criminal and juvenile delinquent defendants

• allocates $4.5 million for a grant to Youth Villages to be used for gun violence prevention and intervention programs

Arts

• funds $50 million of a planned $250 million grant to TPAC for a new facility on Nashville’s East Bank

• funds a $12 million grant for the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art to construct a new museum building

Agriculture

• does not include $25 million for the governor’s proposed farmland conservation fund

O’Connell unveils

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

stuck for so long. It is an opportunity to invest in ourselves and be able to make our city go.”

The plan, dubbed Choose How You Move, focuses on pedestrian improvements, bus service upgrades and new traffic signal technology. Highlights include:

• 12 new transit centers in SoBro, East Bank, Antioch, West Nashville, Madison,

Nolensville, Donelson, TSU, Skyline, Vanderbilt Center, Bellevue and Nashville International Airport

• 86 miles of new sidewalks and safety improvements at intersections identified as high-injury intersections

• 54 miles of high-capacity transit corridors, dubbed “All Access Corridors.” Corridors, which could include bus-only

lanes for bus rapid transit lines, would be built along existing bus routes with high ridership, including Murfreesboro Pike, Gallatin Pike, Dickerson Pike/East Bank Corridor, Nolensville Pike Corridor, Charlotte Pike and various downtown routes.

• Bus route extensions, increased bus frequency and 24/7 service along certain routes

O’Connell said Friday that the local sales tax increase would generate more than $150 million per year and fund around 46 percent of transit improvements. The rest would come from state and federal funds and bonds.

The plan does not include funding for light rail, which was a key feature of the city’s 2018 $5.4 billion transit referendum. That plan, backed by embattled then-Mayor Megan Barry, failed by a nearly 2-to-1 margin.

“[This] has a lot more basis in direct community input,” O’Connell said when asked about how this plan compares to the 2018 referendum. “We are trying to put our major investments in things that would have near-term impact and immediate availability for people. It’s very practical.”

Public accounting firm KraftCPAs will now review the plan and must refer it to the state comptroller for approval by May 31. From there, the mayor’s office must submit the plan to Metro Council by June 7, where councilmembers will review and vote on the plan.

This story was first published in the Post’s sister publication the Scene.

Nashvillians looking at transit plan charts PHOTO BY HAMILTON MATTHEW MASTERS

City officials at the announcement of the city’s transit referendum

PHOTO BY HAMILTON MATTHEW MASTERS

Gov. Lee admits defeat on universal voucher legislation

Lee’s pitch created a divide among Republican legislators and faced widespread criticism from school leaders

BY KELSEY BEYELER

As the Tennessee General Assembly starts what is expected to be the final week of this year’s legislative session, Gov. Bill Lee is admitting defeat on his universal voucher program. Even so, we’ll likely see continued efforts to expand voucher availability moving forward.

“I am extremely disappointed for the families who will have to wait yet another year for the freedom to choose the right education for their child, especially when there is broad agreement that now is the time to bring universal school choice to Tennessee,” says Lee in a statement. “While we made tremendous progress, unfortunately it has become clear that there is not a pathway for the bill during this legislative session.”

Through the universal voucher program (titled the Education Freedom Scholarship

Gov. Bill Lee delivers the 2024 State of the State address

Act), students across the state would have received public funds to put toward a private education. Lee launched the similar Education Savings Account pilot program through the legislature in 2019 — though it was held up in court for two years before becoming available to students in Memphis, Nashville and eventually Chattanooga. Lee announced his plan to usher in a universal voucher system in November during a press event at the Tennessee State Museum. He was joined by Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, who successfully shepherded a similar program in her state.

Getting lawmakers to agree on how to create such a program, however, proved to be an impossible task in this year’s legislative session. Three different versions of the bill were introduced — two from the Senate and one from the House. One Senate amendment ensured testing requirements for students receiving vouchers and provided the ability to use vouchers to attend public schools in other districts. The

House’s massive version included sweeping changes to the public education system, including decreased testing requirements for students, fewer evaluations for teachers and an increased share of teacher health insurance costs covered by the state. Each had drastically different costs attached to them — the House’s was the most expensive, with a price tag approaching $400 million.

Despite strong pushes from key lawmakers, school leaders from across Tennessee spoke out against the legislation, and it had critics from both parties within the legislature.

Lee signaled that, despite the failure of his pet project this year, he anticipates continued efforts aimed at expanding school vouchers in Tennessee.

“I also want to thank the speakers and leaders of both chambers for their commitment to pursuing education freedom next year,” reads Lee’s release.

This story was first published by our sister publication Nashville Scene.

PHOTO BY HAMILTON MATTHEW MASTERS

‘Diane Nash Plaza’ honors civil rights icon

BY HAMILTON MATTHEW MASTERS

Nashville community and government leaders gathered on Saturday to celebrate civil rights era icon Diane Nash with the dedication of Diane Nash Plaza.

As a Fisk University student, Nash took part in and led nonviolent protests in the 1960s, including actions that led to the sit-ins that desegregated Nashville lunch counters.

Nash was appointed by President John F. Kennedy to a national committee promoting civil rights legislation, and in 2022, President Joe Biden awarded Nash the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Nash spoke to hundreds of people in front of the Metro Nashville Courthouse, sharing her experiences and lessons learned throughout the civil rights era, telling the crowd that “people are never your enemy.”

“We in the South changed ourselves; we changed ourselves from people who could be segregated into people who could not be segregated,” Nash said.

“We are doing this for generations yet unborn,” Nash said, recalling fears of wider violence during the ‘60s. “And I want you to know that although we have not met you, we loved you.”

Viewers at the ribbon cutting ceremony PHOTO BY HAMILTON MATTHEW MASTERS

Diane Nash Plaza ribbon cutting PHOTO BY HAMILTON MATTHEW MASTERS Onlookers at the new Diane Nash Plaza PHOTO BY HAMILTON MATTHEW MASTERS

Local musician Ruby Amanfu performs PHOTO BY HAMILTON MATTHEW MASTERS

Diane Nash

PHOTO BY HAMILTON MATTHEW MASTERS

City officials join Nash at the plaza dedication

PHOTO BY HAMILTON MATTHEW MASTERS

Lee joins governors’ statement against unionization of autoworkers

BY NICOLLE S. PRAINO

Gov. Bill Lee announced on April 16 his opposition to unionization efforts in Tennessee in a release, joined by other Republican governors.

The statement targeted the United Auto Workers just one day before employees of Volkswagen in Chattanooga voted to join the UAW. It may come as no surprise to autoworkers since Lee opposed the UAW’s 2019 effort to unionize at the plant. The governor’s office was reportedly working with Volkswagen to defeat the organizing plans, according to The Intercept.

Now, the union’s efforts are more widespread than just Chattanooga with workers in Tuscaloosa and Montgomery launching their own campaigns to join the union. Along with Lee, governors from Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, South Carolina and Texas issued a joint statement against the unionization campaign.

“As Governors, we have a responsibility to our constituents to speak up when we see special interests looking to come into our state and threaten our jobs and the values we live by,” the statement said. “The reality is companies have choices when it comes to where to invest and bring jobs and opportunity. We have worked tirelessly on behalf of our constituents to bring goodpaying jobs to our states. These jobs have become part of the fabric of the automotive manufacturing industry.”

The statement claims that unionization would jeopardize jobs in the states and said that “all” UAW automakers have announced layoffs this year. There have been reports of buyout offers and layoffs at the companies for various reasons.

“The UAW has come in making big promises to our constituents that they can’t deliver on,” the governors’ statement said. “And we have serious reservations that the

UAW leadership can represent our values … A successful unionization drive will stop this growth in its tracks, to the detriment of American workers.”

Lee was largely silent in the fall of 2023 during the UAW’s Stand Up Strike efforts that resulted in pay raises among other changes to union workers’ contracts. General Motors employees in both Memphis and Spring Hill joined the picket lines during those efforts.

The Post reached out to the UAW for comment but did not hear back by publication time. John Rutherford, president of the Local 1853 in Spring Hill, told the Post the governor’s statement was no surprise.

“I think he’s a little nervous because we’re starting to organize and grow in the South,” Rutherford said.

He added that there has been “monstrous growth” in Spring Hill thanks to the General Motors plant that employs UAW workers. He also said talk about layoffs can often be misleading as the industry often goes through “good layoffs” which happen temporarily when a plant shuts down in order to prepare for new products and growth.

“We’re there just to check and balance the employer,” Rutherford said. “We just want to earn an honest day’s wage.”

In response to Lee’s statement, Sen. London Lamar (D-Memphis) issued a statement supporting Volkswagen workers attempting to unionize.

“Unlike Tennessee’s governor, we applaud Volkswagen workers for engaging in the democratic process and we would welcome the UAW’s expansion in Chattanooga,” she said. “We aren’t surprised to see Gov. Bill Lee join with other anti-union states trying to tip the scales against workers.”

SCHEDULE SCHEDULE

10:30 AM 10:30 AM

Storytime with Storytime with corook & Olivia Barton corook & Olivia Barton

11:30 AM - 12:30 pm 11:30 AM - 12:30 pm

Signing line with Signing line with Kate Lewis Kate Lewis

2:00 pm - 3:00 pm 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm

Signing line with Signing line with Andrew Maraniss Andrew Maraniss

3:00 PM - 4:00 pm 3:00 PM - 4:00 pm

Signing line with Signing line with Ariel Lawhon & Lindsay Lynch Ariel Lawhon & Lindsay Lynch

5:00 - 7:00 pm 5:00 - 7:00 pm

Romance signing line with Romance signing line with Sarah Adams, Lauren Kung Sarah Adams, Lauren Kung Jessen, & Jenna Levine Jessen, & Jenna Levine

UAW workers on strike in Spring Hill in October 2023

PHOTO BY HAMILTON MATTHEW MASTERS

Local TV/film students win 14 of 16 categories at regional student Emmys

The 2024 National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS)

Nashville/Midsouth Student Production

Awards took place at Belmont University on April 12, honoring the best high school TV and film students in the region.

Williamson County Schools dominated the competition, winning 14 out of the 16 categories, with the other two categories won by students from Germantown in Memphis and Middle Creek in North Carolina.

“I am extremely proud of these students and how hard they have worked this year despite the snow days and short deadlines,” Brentwood TV/film teacher Sloan Ashworth said in a WCS release. “They are extremely talented and competitive, and bringing home first-place trophies only sweetens the deal.”

“These kids took the story of how I became a teacher and turned it into an award-winning documentary,” Fairview teacher Rob Gregory said. “They can pretty much do anything.”

“FHS made a Lip Dub last spring as a 10-year anniversary tribute to our amazing lip dub back in 2013,” Franklin teacher Keri Thompson said. “Brayden Fox creatively told the story of the lip dub. He is so talented behind the camera and in editing. Anna Raye Jones’ victory in the sports video category is a testament to her incredible talent and drive in capturing the heart and spirit of our football team’s journey for the past three years. This is such a talented group

of writers and filmmakers. I’m so happy for them that their work was recognized in this competition.”

“I’m so proud of Ryan and the work that he has done during his entire time at Independence,” Independence teacher Matt Balzer said. “He has spent countless hours in the editing room creating videos for many different events. His attention to detail and his creativity have been second to none during his time here.”

“It can sometimes be difficult for talented people to work together,” Nolensville teacher Brian Bass said. “I knew all of these kids had so much talent and to watch them take the next step and collaborate as a team to make this film come together was one of my proudest moments as a teacher.”

“It was such an honor to be able to participate,” Page student Kaelyn Hemingway, winner of Best Photographer, said. “It was a fantastic opportunity to see all the talented people, and it was a spectacular event. I’m so lucky to have won and couldn’t do it without my amazing partner Hayley.”

“Mia and Katelyn are a talented duo who have consistently exceeded expectations,” Ravenwood teacher Lily Keen said. “I’m so proud of them for making such and important and creative PSA. They’ve set the standard for excellence among their peers and will raise the bar for other film students next year.”

The following WCS students and outlets were named winners.

BEST ARTS, ENTERTAINMENT AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS

FHS Lip Dub

FHS Media

BEST EDITOR

Ryan Cantabene

Independence High

BEST DIRECTOR

Now That I’ve Found You

Hayley Zehnder, Page High

BEST NEWS STORY

Behind the Scenes of FHS Lip Dub

Brayden Fox, Franklin High

BEST TALENT

Hayley Zehnder, Page High

BEST WRITING

Franklin Mayoral Campaign

Nick Lazarus, Kyle Dyra, Canon Paisley, Liam Phillips and Brayden Fox

Franklin High

BEST SPORTS

22 Games

Anna Raye Jones

Franklin High

BEST FICTION

Karma Opus - Eric Youngkins, Mason Davis, Cash Street and Cameron Olenick

Nolensville High

BEST NON-FICTION

Robumentary

Jacob Halford and Christian Halford

Fairview High

BEST PHOTOGRAPHER

Now That I’ve Found You

Kaelyn Hemingway

Page High

BEST MUSIC VIDEO

Jay-Z Unplugged

Eli Price

Brentwood High

BEST COMMERCIAL

Stickers!

David Ward

Brentwood High

BEST PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT

ADHD

Mia Johnston and Katelyn Brothers

Ravenwood High

BEST NEWSCAST

WBHS 9

Brentwood High

NATAS regional winners PHOTO COURTESY OF WCS

On the Hill: April 15-19 legislative roundup

Some bills passed, others delayed as end of session looms

The focus of the week was on passing the state’s more than $52 billion budget through both chambers.

However, the House and Senate still couldn’t agree on the specifics of what Republicans are billing as the largest tax cut to businesses in Tennessee history — which of course is the removal of the property tax provision of the franchise tax.

In addition, there was still no conclusion on school voucher legislation — called education freedom scholarships in the budget. But while those discussions have yet to wrap with the end of session looming, several other pieces of legislation saw movement.

GUNS

The week began with a student protest of a bill that would allow public school teachers and staff to be armed with guns. The Senate passed the legislation on April 9, with the House expected to take up the bill next week. Covenant School parent and activist Sarah Shoop Neumann also penned an open letter this week opposing the bill. That letter has gained signatures from more than 4,000 Tennesseans.

JILLIAN’S LAW

On Monday, “Jillian’s Law” was passed by the House and Senate and is expected to soon be signed by Gov. Bill Lee. The bill passed the House with 92 “yes” votes and four votes of “present.” In the Senate there was one “present” vote with 28 “yes” votes. The bill was named for the late Jillian Ludwig, an 18-year-old Belmont University

student who was killed by a stray bullet in November 2023. Police arrested 29-year-old Shaquille Taylor, who had previously been found mentally incompetent and couldn’t stand trial following a 2021 shooting.

The legislation would require someone who has been found mentally incompetent by a criminal court to be committed to a mental institution and lose the right to possess or purchase a firearm.

“This bill will absolutely save lives in the great state of Tennessee,” bill sponsor and House Majority Leader William Lamberth (R-Portland) said.

“If this bill had been on the books a year ago, many of you would probably have never heard the name Jillian Ludwig, because she would still be in school at Belmont. And her parents wouldn’t have come all the way to Tennessee to see that justice be done on a man who should have been in jail instead of killing their baby girl.”

GROCERY TAX

The Senate passed a bill (SB2520/ HB2641) that would authorize cities to reduce a tax on food to a lesser rate than the municipality’s tax on other goods. If every city in the state decided to reduce the tax, Tennesseans could see $500 million in tax reduction. The bill received 28 affirmative votes with Sens. Charlane Oliver (D-Nashville) and London Lamar (D-Memphis) voting “present.” Democrats, including Oliver, have been proponents of a statewide cut to the grocery tax. The House already passed the bill in March, and it awaits the signature of the House speaker

before moving on to the governor.

CONSUMER PROTECTION

HB1832/SB1894, which would require a business that automatically bills for services to receive approval from the consumer, passed the House. If a consumer agrees to a discounted initial rate, the business would have to send an email to get consent for the regularly recurring higher rate at least 60 days before the charge. The bill previously passed the Senate and now awaits action from Lee.

EAST BANK

The bill that would create an authority to oversee development on the East Bank has been pushed back yet again. After switching sponsors in the Senate, Sen. Heidi Campbell (D-Nashville), who now sponsors the legislation, rolled it to Monday’s calendar after the long week of budget talks across the chambers.

HEALTH CARE

Part of a pattern of vaccine freedomrelated bills this session, HB2452/SB2641 passed the House floor on Monday and awaits action in the Senate. It removes a

declaration that parents have a responsibility to vaccinate their children based on guidelines from either the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or the American Academy of Pediatrics. Instead, it encourages parents to look to their “trusted health care provider.”

On Thursday, a bill that would create a maternal mortality advisory board passed the House after having passed the Senate in March. The four new board positions would focus on community-based maternal health experts.

A bill that would change the state’s certificate of need program passed the House on Tuesday and awaits action in the Senate. It would eliminate permitting requirements for some medical facilities and lighten restrictions for others. Nashvillebased hospital giant HCA Healthcare supports the bill, while the Tennessee Hospital Association issued a joint statement opposing the bill with 16 Tennessee hospitals including Ascension Saint Thomas and Vanderbilt University Medical Center. This story was first published by our sister publication Nashville Post.

On April 15, students protested a bill that would allow teachers to be armed

PHOTO BY HAMILTON MATTHEW MASTERS

Rep. Aftyn Behn (D-Nashville) and Rep. Scott Cepicky (R-Culleoka)

PHOTO BY HAMILTON MATTHEW MASTERS

On track and on board: Poll shows city on right track; Mayor O’Connell’s transit plan sees approval ratings across party lines

BY BILL FREEMAN

A recent poll conducted by Vanderbilt University has revealed something quite extraordinary in today’s often divided political landscape: widespread approval for Mayor Freddie O’Connell and for his transit plan, across party lines. The 2024 Vanderbilt Poll shows that our city is filled with optimism, with a significant 9-point increase in the percentage of Nashvillians who believe that their city is headed in the right direction. Mayor O’Connell’s approval rating stands at an impressive 71 percent, drawing support from Republicans (56 percent), independents (68 percent) and Democrats (85 percent) alike.

One of the poll’s main focuses is Nashville’s transit situation, where O’Connell’s practical approach has gained widespread support. With nearly half of commuters spending between 30 to 90

minutes in traffic each day, and many calling for better public transportation, O’Connell has become a champion for sensible transit solutions. The upcoming citywide transit referendum — further details of which O’Connell unveiled last week, and which is set for the November ballot — enjoys strong bipartisan backing, with 84 percent of respondents expressing support. That includes 70 percent of Republicans, 86 percent of independents and a remarkable 92 percent of Democrats.

Perhaps the widespread support can be attributed to the mayor having the good sense to include the community in his planning and his decision making.

As noted by the Nashville Banner: “The details have been hashed out in public meetings in the weeks since O’Connell launched the push in February. A half-cent

sales tax surcharge would be expected to raise more than $100 million annually if voters approve the referendum, with the funds going to service increases, modernizing traffic signals, an expansion of the city’s sidewalk network, safety improvements, the development of more than a dozen transit centers across the county and, city officials hope, several dedicated bus lanes on Nashville’s busiest corridors. ‘This is how we catch up on our transportation to-do list in a big way. This program is designed to make a year-one impact,’ O’Connell [said].”

Further, as I mentioned in my March 28 letter, O’Connell’s transit plan is on track to be much more affordable than Nashville’s failed 2018 transit plan, and makes a bit more sense for our city at this particular time.

Digging into other details of the Vanderbilt Poll, it’s clear that O’Connell’s bipartisan appeal isn’t just luck — it’s the result of his effective leadership in the face of Nashville’s rapid growth and evolving challenges. Residents are feeling good about Nashville’s economy, with 68 percent rating it as very or fairly good. Additionally, a whopping 78 percent express love for their city, highlighting a collective pride in Nashville’s identity.

The poll also reveals a strong consensus on the city’s priorities, with crime, education and affordable housing emerging as the top concerns. However, not everything is perfect. There is some apprehension that residents may be uninformed about significant future endeavors, such as future development of the East Bank and The Fairgrounds Nashville and racetrack revitalization. John Geer — co-director of the Vanderbilt Poll and professor of political science — expressed concern, stating, “If they aren’t keeping up with these projects, new unfavorable information about the project could quickly undermine support for it.” While optimism abounds regarding certain city priorities and the forthcoming transit referendum, it’s evident that challenges persist. Still, the poll makes clear that O’Connell has the city’s priorities in the right order — and that is no doubt leading to the number of Nashvillians who feel our city is back on the right track.

As Nashville gears up for the November 2024 election, anticipation is building around the transit referendum. With nearly half of commuters battling traffic congestion daily, the need for robust public transportation solutions is undeniable. The transit plan is one that resonates across party

lines. If passed, this referendum promises to alleviate traffic woes, enhance safety and modernize infrastructure, ultimately improving the quality of life for all Nashvillians. As the Vanderbilt Poll shows our collective love for Nashville, perhaps this affection will only deepen after November, should the referendum prevail. Beyond political divides, the transit plan embodies a tangible step toward a more efficient and livable city — something we can all look forward to.

Bill Freeman

Bill Freeman is the owner of FW Publishing, the publishing company that produces the Nashville Scene, Nfocus, the Nashville Post and The News.

Mayor Freddie O’Connell at the announcement of the city’s transit referendum

PHOTO BY HAMILTON MATTHEW MASTERS

I-840 bridge damaged, portion of interstate reduced to one lane for three months

The Interstate 840 eastbound bridge at mile marker 28 in Williamson County will be reduced to a single lane for an estimated three months after the bridge was damaged on April 16.

The bridge was damaged after a CSX excavator working on the railroad tracks

under the bridge struck the underside of the bridge.

Emergency crews shut down the interstate and diverted traffic, and hours later, the Tennessee Department of Transportation announced an “emergency bridge repair contract” with Bell and Associates Construction.

A diversion of traffic at Exit 23 for state Route 246/Carters Creek Pike remained in place until the single lane was opened.

“After a thorough inspection, they deemed the untouched portion of the bridge safe to cross, but the right lane of the road will remain closed until the necessary repairs can be made,” TDOT said in a news release.

“One lane of travel will remain open for most of the project, aside from some temporary, short-term full closures of the bridge during work.”

TDOT is asking drivers to slow down and exercise caution in the work area. Travelers can also call 511 for statewide travel information and see the latest construction activity traffic updates by using the TDOT SmartWay map.

Police seeking public’s help in Friday night Bellevue homicide

Nashville police are seeking the public’s help in identifying the person who shot and killed a man in Bellevue on Friday night.

According to a Metro Nashville Police Department news release, 37-year-old Dorsey Moorlet was shot at Forrest Park Apartments at 10:15 p.m. on April 19. After leaving for work, Moorlet returned to his apartment for an item he had forgotten. He was then shot

and killed.

Moorlet was found outside of his apartment and later died at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

MNPD is asking that anyone with information call Crime Stoppers at 615-7427463. Callers can remain anonymous and may qualify for a $5,000 reward.

Armed Nashville preschool teacher arrested after argument, threats against co-worker STAFF

REPORTS

A Nashville preschool teacher was arrested on Thursday after police said she threatened “mass violence” at The Academy of McCrory Lane on Newsome Station Road.

According to the Metro Nashville Police Department, Sheneca Cowart, 29, was charged with assault, threat of mass violence at a school, and two counts of carrying a weapon onto school property after she allegedly threatened another teacher.

“According to witnesses, Cowart threatened to retrieve a firearm and made threats against another teacher and the school after an argument,” MNPD said, adding that they recovered a handgun from Cowart’s purse and a second gun from the driver’s side door of her vehicle.

Cowart is being held on $37,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in court on Monday.

Local athletes named TSWA all-state for winter sports

Last week, the Tennessee Sports Writers Association announced all-state teams for the 2023-24 winter sports season.

Below you can see the honorees from the Nashville area.

BOYS BASKETBALL

CLASS 4A

Jett Montgomery, Independence, Sr.

Tylan Lewis, Independence, Jr.

Christian Brown, Franklin, Jr.

Daniel Cochran, Brentwood, Sr.

Carter Webb, Siegel, Jr.

Landon Bryant, LaVergne, Jr.

Cortez Graham-Howard, Hillsboro, Jr.

CLASS 3A

Mason Brown, Central Magnet, Sr.

Michael Nwoye, Hume-Fogg, Jr.

CLASS 2A

Avery Coles, White House-Heritage, So.

CLASS 1A

Elijah Groves, East Robertson, Sr.

DIVISION II-A

Jeremy Jackson, Columbia Academy, Jr.

Judson Bjornstad, Providence Christian, Sr.

Preston Wade, Providence Christian, Jr.

Kavien Jones, Battle Ground Academy, Sr.

Jayden Jones, Goodpasture Christian, Jr.

DIVISION II-AA

Tyler Tanner, Brentwood Academy, Sr.

Fred Bailey, Pope Prep, Sr.

Cam Blivens, Lipscomb Academy, So.

Trey Pearson, Pope Prep, So.

GIRLS BASKETBALL

CLASS 4A

Ella Ryan, Brentwood, Jr.

CLASS 3A

Addison Melton, Central Magnet, Sr.

CLASS 2A

Erianna Thomas, Pearl-Cohn, Sr.

CLASS 1A

Isabella Sawyer, Eagleville, Sr.

Allye Pennington, East Robertson, Fr.

DIVISION II-A

La’Zavonia Hawkins, Goodpasture Christian, Jr.

Natalie Kaye, Grace Christian Academy-Franklin, Sr.

Anna Clay Shirley, Middle Tennessee Christian, So.

Kinley Painter, Providence Academy, Jr.

Daisy Gale, Providence Christian, Sr.

DIVISION II-AA

Lily Morrow, Christ Presbyterian Academy, So.

Izzy Gavigan, Father Ryan, Sr.

Ava Krumwiede, Harpeth Hall, Jr.

Bella Shepherd, Lipscomb Academy, So.

WRESTLING BOYS

CLASS A

113

Nathaniel Graham, Station Camp, So.

126

Landon Turner, Harpeth, Sr.

138

Jacob Pennington, Eagleville, Sr. 150

Brody McLemore, Eagleville, Sr.

Sam Frank, Fairview, Sr. 157

Thomas Solomon, Eagleville, So. 165

Nikolas Taylor, White House Heritage, Sr. 175

Calvin Rickard, Station Camp, Sr. 190

Houston Rettig, Eagleville, So. 215

Landon Morris, Cheatham County, Sr. 285

Malik Bolling, East Nashville, Sr.

CLASS AA 106

Andrew Workman, Blackman, Fr.

Ryan Dietrick, Ravenwood, Fr.

Nolan Barton, Nolensville, So. 113

Sebron Colson, Blackman, Sr.

Blaise Masi, Summit, So. 120

Kyle Nielsen, Spring Hill, So. 126

Chase Creque, Siegel, Jr. 132

Jarvis Little, Summit, Sr.

Andrew Donelson, Brentwood, Sr.

Aslan Nadeau, Blackman, So.

Thomas Rubio, Blackman, So.

Arash Yazdani, Brentwood, Sr.

Landon Desselle, Summit, Sr.

Riddeck Romano, Independence, Jr.

Brayden Leach, Summitt, Jr.

Clark Vaughn, Brentwood, Sr. 157

Zachery Little, Summit, So.

Blaise Meeks, Blackman, Jr. 165

Chase Mayes, Nolensville, Jr.

Jayden McKinney, Summit, Jr.

Alex Osburn, Ravenwood, Jr. 175

Tre McTorry, Nolensville, Fr.

Jake Stacey, Green Hill, Sr. 190

Spencer Kon, Independence, Sr.

Brennen Neal, Nolensville, Sr. 215

Jake Sentell, Nolensville, Fr. 285

Peters Savarino, Summit, Jr.

Jackson Ard, Brentwood, Jr.

DIVISION II 106

Tanner Tran, Father Ryan, So.

Cash Waymire, Brentwood Academy, So. 113

Aidan Hare, Father Ryan, Fr. 120

Joseph Calvin, Father Ryan, Sr.

Bo Dominguez, Brentwood Academy, Fr.

Luke Johns, Montgomery Bell Academy, So. 126

Casen Roark, Father Ryan, Jr. 138

Ethan Lampert, Father Ryan, Jr. 150

Chancery Deane, Father Ryan, Jr. 165

Sawyer Rutherford, Father Ryan, Jr.

Taylor Wimsatt, Brentwood Academy, Sr. 175

Brody Belville, Brentwood Academy, So. 190

Elias Franks, Montgomery Bell Academy, Jr. 215

Jeremiah Rhames, Battle Ground Academy, Sr.

Beau Koogler, Franklin Road Academy, Sr. 285

Bobby Council, Franklin Road Academy, Sr.

GIRLS

100

Vivian Mariscal, Nashville Overton, Sr.

Evangeline Monge, Centennial, Fr.

107

Mikiah Souza, Springfield, Sr.

114

Abigail Page, White House Heritage, Sr. 120

Mya Bundy, Mt. Juliet, Fr.

126

Abigail Vanderheyden, Siegel, Sr.

132

Halai Cox, McGavock, Jr.

Emery Wilson, Ravenwood, Fr.

185

Brody Gobbell, Father Ryan, Jr. 132

Carter Grissom, Riverdale, Sr.

Diamond Young, Cleveland, Sr.

Lakeria Kelly, Pearl-Cohn, Fr. 235

Samantha O`Leary, Summit, So.

BOWLING BOYS

DIVISION I

William Davis, Columbia Central, Jr.

Matteo Quintero, Stewarts Creek, Fr.

Josh Morgan, Smyrna, Sr.

DIVISION II

Logan Winkler, Friendship Christian, Sr.

Zane Collins, Pope Prep, Sr.

John Brooks, Friendship Christian, Sr.

Finn Donnelly, Pope Prep, Sr.

GIRLS

DIVISION II

Olivia Rush, Friendship Christian, Sr.

Simone Guyton, Harding Academy, Jr

Landry West, Friendship Christian, Sr.

Mina Chen, Lipscomb Academy, 8th grade

CPA’s Lily Morrow PHOTO BY JOHN WILKINSON III

East Bank legislation lands final approval in Metro Council

The Fallon Company officially under contract to develop 30 acres of Metro land

BY NICOLLE S. PRAINO

At the Metro Council meeting on April 16, the body approved both key pieces of legislation to move forward on the initial development area of the East Bank: the master developer agreement with The Fallon Company and the memorandum of understanding with TPAC.

The Boston-based Fallon Company was selected by Metro procurement as the developer for the city’s 30 acres of land along the Cumberland River in September during the final days of former Mayor John Cooper’s administration.

After the mayoral transition, Mayor Freddie O’Connell’s office picked up negotiations, which were led by former councilmember and now chief development officer Bob Mendes. The mayor’s office presented the contract — which included affordable housing requirements, a transit hub, a hotel and office space as well as infrastructure improvements — to the Metro Council for approval in February.

“Nashvillians told us they wanted great neighborhoods on the city’s East Bank,” O’Connell said in a statement. “This agreement with The Fallon Company will help us deliver a neighborhood for all Nashvillians — with unprecedented commitments in affordable housing, childcare and complete streets.”

The mayor’s statement said that the agreement allows Metro to move forward on the Imagine East Bank Vision Plan developed by the city’s planning department with community engagement. As part of the contract, the company has committed to bring 1,550 residential units, including 695 that are affordable. Fallon’s commitment to bringing that vision to life is part of why Metro selected the company, the mayor’s statement said.

“Our team appreciates the many Nashvillians who shared their perspectives and feedback throughout the comprehensive

community engagement process,” The Fallon Company CEO Michael Fallon said in the release. “We look forward to continuing our partnership with Metro and all project stakeholders, working together as we create this dynamic neighborhood.”

During public comment, chairperson of the Indigenous People’s Coalition Albert Bender said he opposes the East Bank legislation because it does not include provision for an Indigenous park in its plans. He said on Tuesday night that meetings with

District 19 Councilmember Jacob Kupin (who carries the legislation for council) have been “positive and encouraging.” He said the coalition is requesting to rename Cumberland Park since it is named after the Duke of Cumberland, who “never set foot in the Americas.”

“Keeping in mind that the buried city that Nashville sits on top of is also beneath the East Bank, and in fact this Metro Courthouse is sitting on top of the buried city, we’re asking for very little. We’re asking for support for the renaming of the park,” Bender said.

Bender and others brought their concerns up during the second reading of the legislation as well. During that meeting, several amendments to the contract were passed including one that ensures an archeological review will be done before development begins. Mendes pointed out that is something that has not been done before and that it’s the administration’s intent to give appropriate recognition.

Another key piece of East Bank legislation also passed during Tuesday’s Metro Council meeting. The council approved the memorandum of understanding with the Tennessee

Performing Arts Center, which plans to move to a future facility on the East Bank.

TPAC board chair Melvin Malone spoke during public comment in support of Metro’s resolution to approve the MOU. He said he has worked on the board for so long because he has seen how TPAC helps underserved children, adding that the organization serves about 45,000 children annually across the state.

“I’m delighted to be here tonight in this first step, what I hope is a journey towards completion,” Malone said.

Kupin said while there has been a lot of discussion about the rest of the East Bank, moving forward on the MOU with TPAC holds its own importance in establishing a cultural center as a part of that development.

As part of the MOU, TPAC will share infrastructure costs with Fallon and Metro. The total infrastructure cost is estimated to be $147 million with Metro taking on $6.8 million while the rest will be split between Fallon ($72.6 million) and TPAC ($67.6 million).

This story was first published by our sister publication Nashville Post.

East Bank rendering PHOTO BY THE FALLON COMPANY

East Bank PHOTO BY ANGELINA CASTILLO

Grievances set stage for annual party vehicle hearings

New state protections and public complaints change terrain for downtown transpotainment

BY ELI MOTYCKA

Public complaints, industry criticism and a new state law are shifting the landscape for party vehicles as the industry heads into a third year under Metro’s watch.

An industry-backed push to override city regulations at the state level failed with a caveat. Rather than remake Nashville’s entire entertainment transportation vehicle regulatory structure, lawmakers — lobbied by statehouse veterans McMahan Winstead & Richardson and led by House Majority Leader William Lamberth (R-Portland) — enshrined ETV operators’ permits with additional protections.

Lamberth Stands Down On Party Buses

These will be tested at permit renewal hearings on May 16. Renewals can cost $2,500 to $5,000, and many operators face specific, detailed complaints submitted to the city via Metro’s non-emergency services portal hubNashville. Nashville Party Wagon alone earned 70 alleged violations since last year’s permit hearings.

Several legal categories of entertainment transportation companies — from pedal taverns to sightseeing trolleys to party barges — sit under the eye of Metro’s Transportation Licensing Commission. The body has become the focal point of tension between and among industry operators (who often point fingers at each other) and city regulators, specifically Nashville Department of Transportation director Diana Alarcon, who frequently sits in on TLC meetings.

“There’s an ongoing topic I’d like to bring to the commission’s forefront,” Michael Winters, owner of the Nashville Tractor, told the TLC at a March 23 meeting. “No offense to the NDOT director, but that seat seems to be self-appointed. Since 2022-ish, a table has been pulled up, a live mic has been provided, all interjections from the NDOT director have been allowed, not objected to, and that sways the opinion of the TLC.”

Winters’ accusations that Alarcon violated city and commission charters reflect a frustration among operators who suspect the city wants to see their business die. The same day, Honky Tonk Party Bar owner Grant Rosenblatt followed Winters’ public comment with his own accusations leveled at Alarcon and NDOT. After a few minutes of mincing words, he went after industry operators’ favorite double standard: Old Town Trolley Tours. Drivers would likely recognize the green-and-orange buses cruising along Music Row and through Midtown.

“It’s the crux in my concern that lies in the preferential treatment afforded to this particular company for the last at least two years,” Rosenblatt told commissioners. “I also propose the board suspend any discussions related to permitting or permit renewal until a transparent explanation is provided regarding why this specific company is exempt while all other companies are restricted.”

Muttering broke out between commissioners. One commissioner said Old Town had, to his knowledge, received no citations from Metro. Another suggested that the body subpoena Old Town’s payroll records to confirm its hours of operation, the key point of concern for Rosenblatt and other entertainment-vehicle owners who are barred from running vehicles between 4 and 6 p.m. Old Town Trolleys ignored these restrictions, Rosenblatt said. Stepping in, Alarcon said the previous director had given the trolley verbal permission to run by its own rules.

When Alarcon’s predecessor Billy Fields showed up to receive an award at the TLC’s April 18 meeting, Winters showed up again, asking the body to explain the special route. The commission deferred discussion.

Attorneys in the room squirmed.

Written complaints submitted via

hubNashville back up the apparent double standard.

“The Sightseeing Bus is operating during the 4pm-6pm peak hours curfew,” reads a complaint signed by Lisa Haller. “This is the 4th incident that I’ve reported of Old Town Trolley in a week. Is the curfew still in effect or just not being enforced?”

These complaints form the legal basis for commissioners to potentially revoke next year’s permits. The News sister publication the Nashville Scene reviewed all 208 submitted to Metro since permits were issued last year. About half were submitted anonymously, while the other half came from four individuals: Haller, Jim Schmitz, Michael Hayes (a TLC commissioner) and an individual responsible for 95 complaints who left only a Gmail address. This ETV snitch, whose complaints cited specific lines of Metro code and included time-stamped photo evidence, did not return a request for comment.

“Nobody, whether a downtown resident or downtown worker in an office, bargained for the craziness of Lower Broadway moving up and down the streets,” Schmitz tells the Scene. “But it just kept spreading. Metro throughout just didn’t put a … priority on enforcing existing laws.”

Schmitz has since moved near Brentwood.

Like many other complainants, he zeroed in on the sound level of music (by law, it can’t be audible 50 feet away). Commissioner Hayes submitted four complaints in the final week of March, knocking Old Town twice as well as Cruzzin’ Nashville and Grey Lion Tours.

“Where I’d be curious is, when it’s time for relicensing in a month, it’s one of the things that is supposed to be reported to us as licensing commissioners,” Hayes tells the Scene. “I didn’t file it anonymously. I took a picture of what I saw and sent it through the vehicle it was supposed to be sent through, not as a commissioner but as a guy from Nashville who works downtown and is invested in downtown.”

All 27 operators, who hold more than 80 vehicle permits collectively, will come up for renewal in May. New applicants can vie for permits as well.

“We’ll evaluate who wants to renew, who has insurance to renew, and who’s had violations,” Hayes says. “I don’t know what the TLC is going to do, but if you were to look at the tone of the meetings and the regulations, I think if you don’t already have a license, it will be hard to get a license.”

This story was first published by our sister publication Nashville Scene.

Parnassus to celebrate Independent Bookstore Day with full slate of events

BY LOGAN BUTTS

Parnassus Books will be celebrating Independent Bookstore Day 2024 on Saturday with a full slate of events.

The all-day lineup of author appearances kicks off at 10:30 a.m. with a Storytime featuring local musician corook and singer Olivia Barton. The pair will be reading If I Were a Fish, a book based on their viral hit of the same name.

From 11:30-12:30 p.m., there will be an artist singing line with Kate Lewis 11:30-12:30 PM- Artist signing line with Kate Lewis for The Secret Garden: An Illustrated Edition

From 2-3 p.m., Nashville author Andrew Maraniss will be signing several of his sportsfocused books, including Beyond the Game: Lebron James, Beyond the Game: Maya Moore, Inaugural Ballers, and Strong Inside

There will be a historical fiction signing from 3-4 p.m. featuring Ariel Lawhon (The Frozen River) and Parnassus’ own Lindsay Lynch (Do Tell).

The author signings with close out with a trio of romance writers: Sarah Adams (The Rule Book), Lauren Kung Jessen (Red String Theory), and Jenna Levine (My Roommate is a Vampire).

It is not required to RSVP for the author signing lines, but Parnassus asks to please note that some limits on number of signed copies or personalizations per customer may be applied for time, depending on turnout.

The store will also have exclusive Independent Bookstore Day merch available for purchase both online and in-store starting at 10 a.m. on Saturday.

The overall items and quantities of each item offered online will be limited. Online orders are restricted to one item each. In-store purchases will bot be limited.

To purchase books for signing or other Independent Bookstore Day items, visit parnassusbooks.net/event/independentbookstore-day-2024.

Tourists boarding a sightseeing trolley PHOTO BY ANGELINA CASTILLO

Nashville to bid for Special Olympics 2030 host city Local, state government officials expressed support for national event

BY HANNAH HERNER

Special Olympics Tennessee will submit a bid to host the national games in Nashville in 2030, a spokesperson for the organization confirmed to The News sister publication the Nashville Post.

If chosen, Music City would host an estimated 4,500 athletes with intellectual and developmental disabilities from around the country and require 10,000 volunteers for the week-long event presented every four years. The Special Olympics USA Games were held at Disney World in Orlando in 2022, during which it hosted more than

5,500 athletes representing all 50 states, as well as 125,000 spectators, according to the event website. The University of Minnesota is set to host the 2026 games.

Justin Bradford, director of marketing and communications for Special Olympics Tennessee, said the organization must submit its final bid by Oct. 1, and expects to find out if Nashville was chosen during the first quarter of 2025. If Nashville should win the bid, the Special Olympics will hire a local staff on a contract basis to prepare for the games and their first task will be to raise $1

million in startup funds, Bradford said.

“Nashville is proven to be an inclusive city, wanting to bring in people from all walks of life,” Bradford told the Post. “It is centrally located. ... Being such a short distance driving and flying with direct flights, makes it easy to access for athletes. Nashville has proven it can host big events but to have it mean something that’s even greater to the community by serving Special Olympics athletes — it’s something that I know the city would love to see.”

Twenty-year Special Olympics athlete James Clark echoed the sentiment during the public comment period at the Tuesday Metro Council meeting.

“It’s an important part of my life,” Clark said. “I love competition and meeting new people. Nashville is known for its hospitality. We’ve hosted the NFL draft and NASCAR and even several thousand bachelorette parties. I think it’s time for us to open our arms to the athletes with disabilities and their coaches and teammates.”

The local and state government is seemingly on board. District 19 Metro Councilmember Jacob Kupin brought a resolution in support of the bid, which saw widespread support including from District

34 Councilmember Sandy Ewing, whose son has participated in the games, and District 23 Councilmember Thom Druffel, who has served as a tennis coach for Special Olympics Tennessee. In the state legislature, a joint resolution in support of the bid sponsored by Rep. Tandy Darby (R-Greenfield) passed unanimously and was signed by Gov. Bill Lee earlier this month.

Bradford said a goal of the organization is to leave an impact on the host city.

“There’s legacy pieces that come along with the bid as well — how we want to have a long standing effect not just on the city but on the state,” Bradford said. “That can be anything from physical legacy pieces to accessibility access pieces to health and wellness.”

Special Olympics Tennessee is set to host its yearly summer games at Lipscomb University and Centennial Sportsplex on May 17 and 18.

The Special Olympics were founded in 1968, formed out of Camp Shriver founded by Eunice Kennedy Shriver. The Special Olympics World Games are held every two years, with the 2023 games held in Berlin.

This story was first published by our sister publication Nashville Post.

Tres Leches Cake

BY EDIBLE NASHVILLE

Although Cinco de Mayo is more of an American holiday, it’s the perfect excuse to make this traditional Mexican dessert. Simple vanilla cake is drenched in three milks for a luscious, moist, dairy rich cake, perfect for warmer days. Wet cake? We’re in.

INGREDIENTS

3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) butter, softened

1 1/2 cups sugar, divided

1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla, divided

5 eggs

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon cream of tartar

1 cup whole milk

1 (12-ounce) can evaporated milk

1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk

2 cups heavy cream

1 tablespoon rum

1. Preheat oven to 350F. Grease and flour a 13x9-inch baking dish.

2. Combine butter and 1 cup sugar in a large bowl. Beat with mixer at medium speed until fluffy. Add 1 teaspoon vanilla. Beat in eggs one at a time, mixing well.

3. Combine flour, baking powder, and cream of tartar. Slowly add to butter mixture and beat well. Spread batter in pan. Bake 25-30 minutes, until a wooden pick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool.

4. Stir together milk, evaporated milk, and condensed milk. Pour 3 cups over cake. Reserve remaining milk mixture to serve with cake. Refrigerate cake.

5. Combine heavy cream, remaining ½ cup sugar, remaining ½ teaspoon vanilla, and rum. Beat until thick and spread over cake. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

6. Pour leftover milk mixture onto dessert plates. Slice chilled cake into squares and place on top. Garnish with fresh berries, if using.

Follow Edible Nashville on instagram @ediblenashtn and their website ediblenashville.com.

To subscribe to the magazine that comes out 6x/year, go to ediblenashville.com.

1 Twitch, e.g.

6 “Highway to Hell” band

10 “Go ___” (game cr y)

14 Marx brother with a

35 Like Kia and Samsung

37 Folklore monster

38 Look

40 English version of 61-Down

45 Copy command on a PC

48 Steep banks 49 Unimpressive, attendance-wise 50 Put up with 51 Skin care product 53 Smith or Jones, on

59 Future doc’s exam

60 Brand of shoes and handbags

61 Irish version of 40-Down

63 Option words

65 Played first after the deal

Niña

22 Full stop

25 Kind of cake with a swir l

27 Norwegian name that gained global prominence in 2010

28 ___ Fett, “Star Wars” bounty hunter

29 Sighed aside

30 Overstepped

32 Site of a Herculean feat

33 Diamondbacks’ div.

ANSWER TO PUZZLE

Online subscriptions: Today’s puzzle and more than 9,000 past puzzles, nytimes.com/ crosswords ($39.95 a year).

Read about and comment on each puzzle: nytimes.com/wordplay.

Crosswords for young solvers: nytimes.com/ studentcrosswords.

TN Waltz Committee Kickoff

BY BRENDA BATEY

PHOTOS BY BRENDA BATEY

The Tennessee Waltz Committee Kickoff was held at Valentino’s, hosted by Bill Freeman and Kevin Beitter, where TN Waltz Co-chairs Secretary of State Tre Hargett and Dawn Hargett were on hand to greet the volunteers.

The 31st TN Waltz will be held September 28 at the State Capitol and is always sold out to support the TN State Museum.

The patron party, chaired by Spencer Bowers and Liz Sillay, will be August 10 at the Hermitage Hotel.

At Valentino’s, the chefs cooked up all kinds of treats in the kitchen and served delicious mini chicken croquets, risotto balls, melons with prosciutto, a variety of flat breads and so much more.

Committee members are seeking donations for the auction, including memorabilia, event tickets, jewelry, books, travel and other items. To donate, call Nancy Russell at 615-253-0105 or email nancy.russell@tn.gov.

Rae Thomas, Kirin Proctor, Anne Goetze, and Sherry Dennis

Charlotte Goldston and Sandra Reidy

Dana Blickwedel, Ashley Howell, Jim Hoobler, and Kem Hinton

Dawn and Tre Harget, Teresa White, and Shealia Hearn

Ted Clayton, Evan Millard, and Jake Tudor

Geary Leathers, Ron Davis, and Morel Enoch Harvey

Jenny Jackson and Charlie Clark

Are you in the know about what’s going on down the street or on the corner?

Anyone ever call you nosy? Have good writing skills?

Yes, you need to have some writing chops; extra credit if you’ve contributed to a newspaper at some point! Interested?

Tim Strobl, Deborah Danker, Kem Hinton, and Stephen Kohl

Richard White and Andrew Potts

Jeff Jones, Dan Pomeroy, and Nancy Russell

Eric England, Janet Kurtz, and Spencer Bowers

TPAC Gala

PHOTOS BY DANIEL MEIGS

Tennessee Performing Arts Center invited supporters to “Be Bold” for the 2024 TPAC Gala. Held again at the Four Seasons Hotel Nashville, guests entered the cocktail hour and were greeted with colorful “bold” vignettes featuring living statues outfitted in dramatic costumes from Matt Logan. The floor-to-ceiling windows of Four Seasons Hotel Nashville’s foyer provided the perfect vantage point to envision the new TPAC on the east bank of the Cumberland River, and guests lined up to view the proposed site of the arts organization’s next home. In the ballroom, guests were treated to a fantastic performance of Broadway hits

from an all-star lineup of Broadway talent, including Quentin Earl Darrington, Morgan James, Nicholas Rodriguez, and Elizabeth Stanley, as well as remarks from TPAC Teaching Artist Ginger Newman and an eighth grade student from Wright Middle School named Derreck who is playing Genie in the school’s dual-language production of Aladdin Jr. Emcee Christopher Hanke kept the evening fun and lively, especially during a competitive live auction that raised $160,000 to advance TPAC’s educational and community programming.

Kristin Vanzant, Jackie Crabtree, and Jennifer Turner

Diana and Zach Pelham

Ace Young

Tre’von Etter, Derreck Johnson, and Don Hardin

Sheila Gibson, Christian Lyhus, and Jade Parente

Tamiko Robinson Steele

Max and Alice Goldberg

SOCIAL

Matt Logan, Justin McIntosh, Kyle Boen, Cameron Hinkle, and Nathan McIntosh

Grace Heinrichs, Casey Miley, Sarah Beth Gerlecz, Heather Vassar, and Mary Joyce

Adam Sansiveri and Kendall Brown

Nicholas Rodriguez, Elizabeth Stanley, Morgan James, and Quentin Earl Darrington

Tiffany Degrafinreid and Chelsea Peterson

Sara Pruneski and Ross Johnson Arie and Michael Nettles

Suzanne Iler

Dawn Stark and Michael Davis

Missy Garcia-Smith and Brad Smith

Melvin Malone Carolyn and Del Bryant

Five free and cheap family things to do in Middle Tennessee

BY AMANDA HAGGARD

This week’s list of family friendly events gets the whole dang family outside. You can bring everyone down by the river for a beer garden in the park at Shelby Park. Also on the East Side, there’s a plant swap at the library. There’s a craft fair down near

education in Metro Parks.

As part of our series on free cheap things to do with the family, here is our weekly roundup of places to spend time together over the next week:

will be a relaxed beer garden in the park in collaboration with East Nashville Beer Works. There’ll be yard games, food trucks, music and neighbors. Friends of Shelby members get $1 off beer, and the event is a fundraiser for the Park and Bottoms.

TRIPLE A FARMS CRAFT FAIR

Triple A Farms in Rockvale is kicking off its season on April 27. Just outside of Murfreesboro, the event includes small businesses, a kid zone, free admission and parking, and lots of local produce.

PIONEER DAYS AT CANNONSBURGH VILLAGE

Pioneer Days at Cannonsburgh Village will bring handmade crafts, hayrides, music by the Jake Leg Stompers and Stones River Bluegrass Band, and clogging by the MidState Cloggers of Shelbyville to downtown Murfreesboro. The Murfreesboro Art League will also have art on display at the annual event, which takes place from 10

SPRING PLANT SWAP

In Inglewood on April 27 from 12-1:30 p.m., you can bring all those extra plants you started and swap them for something new. There will also be a place to swap seeds and chat with your neighbors about their lawn plans. All attendees can register for a prize and folks are welcome even if they don’t have a plant or seeds to share.

STARRY NIGHT

The third annual Starry Night fundraiser to support music, theater, and art education in Metro Parks is slated for the evening of April 27 at the Centennial Art Center from 6-9 p.m. The event will feature live entertaining as well as a collaborative exhibit from the Tennessee Art League to welcome the return of the Central South Art Exhibition. The exhibit will show a collection of more than 40 individual artists and a variety of artforms including painting, mixed media and sculpture. Hundreds will gather for this festive evening to celebrate

Featuring 30+ bake-at-home recipes from local Nashville restaurants and bakeries

AVAILABLE NOW MUSICCITYBAKED.COM

THE GREEN HILLS APARTMENTS

is no longer just for retired teachers. All seniors 62 and older may apply with no fee. Efficiencies start at $500 which includes utilities.

One bedroom & studio apartments available starting at $625 per month. Must be 62 and older and live independently.

One bedroom & studio apartments available starting at per month. Must be and older and live independently.

615-297-7536

greenhillsapts@comcast.net

ELdErLY carE

Are you looking for a dependable caregiver or sitter. Honest, hardworking, trustworthy, reliable. Light housekeeping, running errands, doctors appointment a.m. or p.m References upon request. Ms. Batey (615) 578-8664

sos, serving our seniors is committed to providing consistent quality care. Licenced, Insured and background checked. Give us a call to discuss your future care needs.

SOS Serving Our Seniors www.sos-seniors.com (615) 767-2273

Are you looking for Ultimate Care for your Loved One? 31 years of experience. Outstanding references. Serving Middle Tn. Call Laverne (615) 569-2829

TICKETS ON SALE NOW

SPONSORED BY

TEQUILA TIME!

Grab your tickets and enjoy 12 margarita samples from the city’s best marg makers! Sip and shake the night away while DJs rock the park and you enjoy food trucks, salsa dancing, photo booth fun and more!

VIP TICKETS AVAILABLE

Upgrade to VIP tickets to receive all the benefits of general admission tickets PLUS:

VIP prices increase

April 29!

• Expedited entry with dedicated VIP check-in line

• Access to the VIP lounge with additional seating, fans and free water

• Complimentary light bites from Pancho & Lefty’s Cantina

• Additional premium tastings from Don Julio Tequila

SPONSORED BY

PARTICIPATING RESTAURANTS

Calle Taco | Las Palmas | Chuy’s Barrel Proof | Holston House

Hotel Fraye | Mojo’s Tacos

Flamingo Cocktail Club | Condado

Laura’s Cocina | Makeshift

Taco Bamba | Ruby Sunshine

Pancho & Lefty’s Cantina | & MORE

NEVER DRINK ON AN EMPTY STOMACH!

ENJOY FOOD TRUCK FARE FROM: