STATE TARGETS NASHVILLE
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ENSWORTH HIRES HASSELBECK
DECEMBER 21, 2023 | VOLUME 35 | NUMBER 50
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Nashville set for full slate of New Year’s events BY LOGAN BUTTS
Sen. Marsha Blackburn and Sen. Bill Hagerty joined local leaders in a tour of tornado damage in Hendersonville on Dec. 15, 2023. PHOTO BY MATT MASTERS
Federal Disaster Declaration granted for Davidson, Dickson, Montgomery and Sumner Counties BY MATT MASTERS
A Federal Disaster Declaration has been granted for Davidson, Dickson, Montgomery and Sumner Counties following last weekend’s storm that killed six people and caused widespread damage to homes, businesses and infrastructure, including to a Nashville Electric Service substation. “State and local officials, first responders and volunteers continue to provide critical support to impacted Tennessee communities following significant storm damage,” Gov. Lee said in a news release, following the action by President Joe Biden. “As Tennessee rebuilds, I thank our
federal partners for granting resources to further our severe weather response and recovery across the state.” The Federal Management Agency (FEMA) will coordinate the recovery operations, and citizens impacted by the storm can apply for assistance online here. Residents and business owners who sustained losses in those designated areas can also apply by calling 800-621-FEMA (3362) between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m., Central Standard Time, where multilingual operators are available, or by using the FEMA App. “With the approval of this declaration, we
are able to meet survivors’ immediate needs in those most widely impacted communities,” Tennessee Emergency Management Agency director Patrick C. Sheehan said. “We will continue working to make sure Tennesseans have the resources needed for a swift recovery.” The Nashville Post, a sister publication of The News, reports that as Nashville faces another disaster, the city is reconsidering how to raise recovery funds. Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell called on Nashvillians to join the volunteer effort to clean up storm damage >> PAGE 2
Music City will once again be one of the country’s main epicenters of New Year’s Eve celebrations as the third annual New Year’s Eve Live: Nashville’s Big Bash is set to take place downtown. The gates will open at Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park at 4:30 p.m. The festivities will kick off at 5:15 with a special Music City Hip-Hop 50 celebration. The celebration will be curated by Belmont music business professor and The Lovenoise Group managing partner Eric Holt and local musician Jason Eskridge, emceed by radio personality Kenny Smoov, and will feature guest appearances by local artists Tim Gent and Daisha McBride. The event will conclude with remarks and a 10-minute DJ set from Mayor Freddie O’Connell. The television special, which will air on CBS and stream on Paramount+, will start at 6:30 with a lineup featuring reigning CMA Entertainer of the Year Lainey Wilson, Thomas Rhett, Elle King, and a special 50th anniversary performance by legendary band Lynyrd Skynyrd. At 11:55 p.m., the countdown to the music note drop will begin and the festivities will then conclude with a 90-second fireworks show at beginning at midnight. A number of food vendors and food trucks will be on site, including Collin’s Lemonade, Daddy’s Dogs, J&R Concessions, J’s Concessional, Logan’s Snack Shack, Mason’s Hot Dogs, NiQ’s Exquisite Eatz, Cousin’s Main Lobster, Driving You Donuts, Fat Cat BBQ, Hoss’ Loaded Burgers, Kettle Pop Shoppe, Loveless Events, MGC BBQ Pizzeria, Rollin’ Ribeye Guys, The Slice Pizzeria, Tasty and Delicious, and Travelin’ Toms Coffee. Phone charging stations and bag lockers will be available for rental, and there will be more than 250 portable toilets on the premises. Parking will be available at >> PAGE 2
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