March 28, 2024

Gov. Lee signs ELVIS Act into law

Tennessee becomes first state

to

codify voice, image and likeness protections against AI

BY NICOLLE S. PRAINO

Gov. Bill Lee signed the ELVIS Act into law on Thursday, making Tennessee the first state to ensure likeness, voice and image protections for individuals as artificial intelligence technology continues to advance.

In addition to adding “voice” to already existing protections for Tennesseans, the act is the first in the nation to include languagegranting protections from “an algorithm, software, tool or other technology, service or device.” With the state being known for its music industry, the governor and other state legislators emphasized the importance of the law giving further legal protections for artists and songwriters.

The bill passed both the Tennessee House and Senate unanimously at the beginning of March.

Technology experts have said when states begin to enact laws piecemeal like this it can affect the work of AI-focused tech companies, and legal experts agree it will be

important to have federal guardrails guiding the technology as it continues to progress. But both acknowledge that tech often moves faster than legislators can act.

A draft bill called the No Fakes Act has been circulated in the U.S. Senate, supported by Tennessee Sen. Marsha Blackburn, but has not yet been filed. The No AI Fraud Act has been filed by Florida Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar in the U.S. House, but it has yet to move through a committee meeting.

The Human Artistry Campaign, an initiative for keeping human creativity as part of responsible AI advancement, issued a release celebrating the signing of Tennessee’s law on Thursday.

“The Nashville Songwriters Association International was proud to play a role in its adoption and we hope this becomes a template for similar federal legislation and a starting point for other important protections for creators when it comes to

Body of missing tourist Riley Strain recovered from Cumberland River

BY HAMILTON MATTHEW MASTERS

The body of missing tourist Riley Strain was found in the Cumberland River on Friday morning, two weeks after he disappeared.

Metro Nashville Police Department Chief John Drake told reporters on Friday that MNPD received a call at 7:28 a.m. from an unidentified worker on the Cumberland River near 61st Ave.

Drake said that the worker routinely works on the river and discovered Strain’s body as part of their normal duties.

“As they were removing an object from the river, they noticed what appeared to be Riley Strain pop up,” Drake said. “The fire department was called in [and] retrieved the body from the river.”

Strain, a 22-year-old University of Missouri student, was still wearing the blackand-white shirt that he was last seen wearing when he went missing on March 8 while on a fraternity trip to Nashville.

AI,” Bart Herbison, NSAI executive director and a member of the Human Artistry Campaign, said in the release.

Music industry titans such as Luke Bryan, Natalie Grant and Chris Janson were also at the signing alongside House Majority Leader William Lamberth (R-Portland) and Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson (R-Franklin).

Recording Industry Association of America Chairman and CEO Mitch Glazier said in the release: “This incredible result once again shows that when the music community stands together, there’s nothing we can’t do. We applaud Tennessee’s swift and thoughtful bipartisan leadership against unconsented AI deepfakes and voice clones and look forward to additional states and the U.S. Congress moving quickly to protect the unique humanity and individuality of all Americans.”

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

No foul play is suspected in

Gov. Bill Lee signs ELVIS Act into law. PHOTO COURTESY OF OFFICE OF THE GOV. BILL LEE

Riley Strain PHOTO BY MNPD

CPA cancels Monday classes due to threat

BY HAMILTON MATTHEW MASTERS

Christ Presbyterian Academy canceled classes on Monday due to what school officials said was a “message from an individual who used disconcerting language towards the safety of our campus.”

CPA issued the following statement to The News

“Yesterday, Sunday, March 24, we received a message from an individual who used disconcerting language towards the

safety of our campus. We immediately filed a report with the Metro Nashville Police Department, and we are continuing to work with law enforcement with respect to the matter. In order to afford more time for investigation, and out of an abundance of caution, we canceled school on Monday. The safety of our students, faculty, and families remains our top priority.”

Neither the school nor MNPD confirmed

any additional information, including the nature of the threat, if the school campus has been or is being searched by law enforcement, or when the school is expected to reopen.

The threat came days before the oneyear anniversary of the Covenant School shooting, which saw the deaths of three children and four adults, including the shooter, at the private school in Green Hills.

The threat prompted Brentwood’s Currey Ingram Academy, which is less than four miles from CPA’s campus, to also cancel classes on Monday. A Currey Ingram Academy spokesperson told The News that, while they have not received any threats, the school decided to cancel classes “out of an abundance of caution.”

Metro adds $3 million to cover all grants promised by Metro Arts

BY CONNOR DARYANI, NASHVILLE BANNER

This story is a partnership between the Nashville Banner and The News. The Nashville Banner is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization focused on civic news. Visit nashvillebanner.com for more information.

Surplus funding of $3 million from Metro’s FY23 budget, on top of $2 million that was already promised, will be directed to Metro Arts to pay off a “mounting deficit” and fully fund grant commitments made to independent artists and arts organizations this year.

“This should ensure that all artists and arts organizations publicly notified of awards for fiscal year 2024 have the opportunity to be funded according to the greater of either the July or August funding recommendations approved by the Metro Arts Commission,” Mayor Freddie O’Connell said during a Friday press conference.

After months of questions over when and if promised funding for Nashville artists and arts organizations ever would be fulfilled, O’Connell released a letter and a subsequent memo from Metro Finance director Kevin Crumbo to Metro councilmembers and Metro Arts commissioners and confirmed that funding will be distributed.

The memo also included a direct criticism of Director Daniel Singh’s leadership.

”The Administration has been assisting staff with its day-to-day operations on an ad hoc basis as its Executive Director has become absent in the last few weeks,” writes Crumbo. “This is not sustainable for the obvious reasons, and the staff needs present and capable leadership.”

Metro Arts commissioners delayed discussing Singh’s employment at a March 12 meeting, but the board has been concerned about the agency’s management. One commissioner tells the Nashville Banner that they expect a motion to terminate Singh at the next meeting.

Meanwhile, Singh has been looking for another job. He is scheduled to appear at a “meet the candidates” event on April 8 in Everett, Wash., where he applied for the role of chief DEI officer in the Snohomish County Office of Social Justice.

Metro Arts’ grant cycle during the past year has been chaotic. Part of that process included promising independent artists historic levels of funding in July, before reversing that decision in August, cutting that funding in half, and restoring funding for arts organizations to traditional levels. But even that funding for arts organizations, which range from nonprofits as big as the Frist Art Museum to those with annual revenue of less than $25,000, has only been

half-fulfilled to date.

Not only has the chaos resulted in artists and arts organizations missing out on funding, but Crumbo’s memo outlines how it has additionally resulted in a deficit in the Metro Arts department and multiple costly interdepartmental investigations.

“Adding these commitments to Metro Arts’ existing operating deficit outlook ensures a potential total deficit of a million dollars or more for this fiscal year, and considering the broader view of administrative costs connected to Metro Arts, it could cost the taxpayers millions more to pay the bills that are piling up,” Crumbo says in the memo.

He writes that Metro Finance would take direct control of Metro Arts’ “books, records, procurements, and other financial affairs and assist its Commissioners and staff to establish financial operations that are in good order.” He explains that due to the “prevailing conditions,” Internal Audit has been unable to complete its review of Metro Arts, but that the information gathered so far has indicated a deficit of at least a “few hundred thousand dollars by the end of this fiscal year.”

Not only will all financial commitments made in both the July and the August funding formulas be fulfilled, Crumbo writes that the Metro Law Department has determined that Singh may have bound Metro Arts to additional commitments outside of those made in July and August, and that a process would be established to determine how artists and organizations with proof of those commitments could receive funding.

WPLN reported on March 6 that Singh had not reported to work since Feb. 23, with Singh saying, “The racist behavior of the Metro Government has affected my health.” At a subsequent meeting of the Metro Arts Commission on March 12, commissioners heard the results of an investigation conducted by outside counsel into allegations of workplace misconduct in Metro Arts. That investigation found the Metro Arts workplace in complete disarray, with Singh and his employees at constant odds with one another. It also found at least one instance of Singh breaking Metro workplace conduct policies

by directing his staff not to communicate with other Metro departments.

During that meeting, commissioners delayed discussing Singh’s employment so that he could work out leave-related issues with HR first. A meeting of the commission’s oversight committee was scheduled for March 18 to continue the discussion but was canceled due to its chair, Heather Lefkowitz, stepping down. A specially called Arts Commission meeting is scheduled for March 28.

Aside from the financial and staffing issues, a report from the Metro Human Relations Commission found probable cause that there had been discriminatory action in the Arts Commission’s decision to reverse the July funding decision and instead go with the formula voted on in August. It plans to hold a public hearing on the matter, but a date has not yet been set.

“A formal request will be made to the Metro Human Relations Commission to work closely with the Administration to address its concerns in a collaborative manner,” writes Crumbo. “Specifically, working towards solutions that do not escalate threats of costly litigation, but rather, constructive consideration and solutions to its concerns.”

All of these issues come at a time when Metro Arts would typically be midway through its FY25 grant process, selecting applicants to receive grant funding. Crumbo requested that all funding commitments be put on pause until this situation is resolved. O’Connell says it is unclear what the future of arts funding will look like.

“I know that as we have had preliminary department-by-department budget discussions, there are a couple of complicating factors,” O’Connell says. “One is that right now, there is an absence of leadership at Metro Arts with no clear date where we get back to that. So I would say I expect a delay in the funding cycle. But it is too soon to say what the funding amounts will be.”

Disclosure: Kevin Crumbo has donated to the Nashville Banner. Financial supporters play no role in the Banner’s journalism.

Metro building PHOTO BY ERIC ENGLAND

Missing tourist

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

his death, and an autopsy is expected to be performed.

Drake gave his condolences to Strain’s family and thanked the Nashville community for their volunteer efforts over the past two weeks, which included nearly 200 tips.

The story became national news with MNPD deploying its Urban Search and Rescue team to comb the Cumberland embankment and help in the search coming from the United Cajun Navy nonprofit and civilian volunteers.

Riley Strain’s father Ryan Gilbert (left) and mother and stepfather Michelle and Chris Whiteid (right) are joined by United Cajun Navy national director of operations David Flagg (center) PHOTO BY HAMILTON MATTHEW MASTERS

2024 Ag Day on the Hill celebrates, advocates for farmers Right-to-repair legislation for farmers also filed

BY HAMILTON MATTHEW MASTERS

Tennessee celebrated Ag Day on the Hill on Tuesday, which saw dozens of Tennessee farmers, farming students and their animals take to the Hill to celebrate and advocate for the state’s agriculture industry.

Gov. Bill Lee issued a proclamation recognizing Agriculture Day in Tennessee, while also acknowledging the dozens of young farmers and agricultural students, including members of 4-H and Future Farmers of America chapters from across the state, who he called the “future of agriculture.”

“We do important work up here at the Capitol, but I say all the time, it’s fine what happens up there, but it’s what happens out in the communities that changes Tennessean’s lives,” Lee said.

“We have one of the fastest growing economies in America, of all 50 states, and it’s driven by the agriculture industry.”

$1,000 was donated to the Shooting Hunger backpack program, and three award-winning farmers - Matthew McClanahan, Justin Hargrove, and

University of Tennessee senior Ella McLerran - were also recognized for their agricultural and professional achievements.

The annual event included a straw bale tossing competition between members of the House, Senate, and executive branch including participation by Lee, Speaker of the House Cameron Sexton, Rep. Tandy Darby (R-Greenfield), state Sens. Page Walley (R-Savannah) and Adam Lowe (R-Calhoun), state Department of Agriculture Commissioner Charlie Hatcher, and Tenn. Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti and his chief of staff Brandon Smith.

Although the AG’s office is a part of the executive branch, Skrmetti and Smith made up the “judicial branch” team. The duo in fourth in the contest with a combined distance of 41 feet.

The executive branch team came in third with a combined distance of 48.1 feet, the House in second with a combined 53.9 feet, and the Senate clinched first place with a combined distance of 57.8 feet, earning a bronzed bale hook.

“We’re gonna test the Senate for performance-enhancing drugs,” Lee joked.

While not officially in the competition, Rep. Justin Jones (D-Nashville) attended the event and was encouraged to throw a bale.

Jones and Sen. Sara Kyle (D-Memphis) introduced a consumer protection bill (HB2029/SB2035) aimed at allowing farmers to repair their own agricultural equipment.

The bill has been deferred to the Summer Study in Banking and Consumer Affairs Subcommittee in the House and has been assigned to the General Subcommittee of the

Senate Commerce and Labor Committee.

The bill is part of the greater “rightto-repair” movement, which seeks government regulations to require agriculture manufacturers and dealerships to give consumers, in this case farmers and independent repair shops, access to the tools, parts and software required to repair modern agriculture equipment which relies heavily on digital technology.

Agriculture manufacturers have expressed concerns over the protection of intellectual property, while some farmers say that current rules raise the cost of repairs amidst a shortage of technicians.

Similar legislation has been introduced in states across the country, as well as in Congress.

In 2023, Colorado became the first state to enact a right-to-repair law for farmers, legislation that Jones and Kyle said inspired their bill.

Jones said in a Tuesday news conference that the bill is in part about “challenging corporate greed.”

“This agriculture right-to-repair legislation is about the ability of farmers to fix their own equipment and empowering community economies,” Jones said in a news release. “It’s about standing up to corporate monopolies that have exploited local family farms to satisfy their limitless greed, costing our farmers tens of thousands of dollars in excessive repair fees for their farm equipment.”

“I know farmers are smart and capable of fixing their equipment — all they need is the tools,” Kyle added.

Tenn. Speaker of the House Cameron Sexton throws a straw bale during the 2024 AG Day on the Hill. PHOTO BY HAMILTON MATTHEW MASTERS

Rep. Justin Jones interacts with Reba, a cow from Lebanon, during the 2024 AG Day on the Hill. PHOTO BY HAMILTON MATTHEW MASTERS

Students attend the 2024 AG Day on the Hill. PHOTO BY HAMILTON MATTHEW MASTERS

State opioid abatement fund awards $81M in grants

Belmont, Meharry, Metro, VUMC

among those to

receive millions after lawsuits with drug distributors

BY HANNAH HERNER

The Tennessee Opioid Abatement Council has announced its first round of community grant recipients with $81 million set to be distributed throughout the state.

In Nashville, Belmont University landed the most funding: $2.9 million for a harm reduction program called BU Trains.

Applications for the grants opened in September. Organizations proposed projects that fit into a set of remediation strategies determined by the council. Treatment programs received the highest subset of money statewide, at $32.8 million. The next highest was recovery support, at $19 million. The remaining categories were primary prevention ($12.2 million), and around $8 million each for education and training and harm reduction, with the smallest number awarded for research and evaluation, $752,508.

Out of 396 proposals, the council approved 116 grants. The council is set to receive more than $600 million in the next 18 years from various lawsuits against companies that made, distributed or sold opioid painkillers, including Purdue Pharma, Johnson & Johnson and Walmart.

The list of Nashville recipients is as follows, from the highest to lowest dollar amount awarded:

• Vanderbilt University Medical Center is set to receive a combined $2.8 million.

• $1.7 million for its Firefly recovery support program for moms and babies.

• $778,300 will support infants with neonatal exposures

• $237,305 wlll be used for management of opioid use disorder for medically acute patients

• Meharry Medical College was awarded a combined nearly $2.6 million.

• $853,088 for treatment of indigent, uninsured opiate users

• $619,726 to expand a mobile harm reduction program, Helping Our People Effectively (HOPE)

• $697,019 for an additional HOPE mobile clinic

• $429,513 for research under the name Tennessee Harm Reduction Efforts for Advanced Data

• Mental Health Cooperative will receive $2.3 million for its treatment continuum.

• Metro Nashville is set to receive $2.1 million for its opioid care system project, part of the prevention category.

• Neighborhood Health will implement a program called “preventing overdoses and restoring souls,” a treatment program for $1.4 million.

• The Next Door, a Midtown-based addiction treatment facility for women, was granted $1.2 millio to expand treatment services.

• Interfaith Dental Clinic of Nashville will use $94,500 for education on screening and addressing opioid use disorder at the dental office, which it described as a “key access point.”

• Centerstone was granted $771,992 to use in its medication-assisted treatment program.

• Nashville CARES is set to receive $495,000 for a harm reduction program called Drug Awareness Response Team.

• Samaritan Recovery Community, a Nashville treatment organization that recently opened a new location, received $350,000 to expand treatment beds and hours.

• Mending Hearts, an advocacy organization focused on incarcerated women, was awarded two grants: one for outpatient medically assisted treatment ($500,000) and psychodrama therapy ($175,000).

• Welcome Home Ministries, an abstinence-based recovery program, was awarded $250,000 for its programming.

“When the history of the opioid crisis in our state is written, people will look back at this date as a landmark on the road to healing the unbelievable harm done to so many families and communities,” said Stephen Loyd, Opioid Abatement Council chairman. “At every meeting, we pause to ‘remember our why,’ and I can say that the level of thought and care put into this process truly honors the ‘why’ for all of our members and the countless families that have been touched by opioid addiction in Tennessee.”

The Metro Public Health Department will also award at least $23 million in opioid abatement funds locally, with a plan to implement a 15-month pilot program focused on recovery in incarcerated and recently hospitalized populations. The organization closed its request for proposals on Jan. 23 and awardees have not yet been announced.

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

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85 300ZX, 02 Nissan Frontier, 18 ft aluminum boat w 35hp Johnson, 81 GMC 1 ton wrecker, 1971 Bus no run (w/ hundreds of Nissan parts), 18 ft duel axel trailer, antique Ford truck (parts & motor to be sold with it), antique Ford sedan w/ motor & parts, Haul Master trailer dolly, and 1951 Orange TN Dealer Plates(2).

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Majority of WillCo legislators support school vouchers despite WCS, FSSD resolutions

BY HAMILTON MATTHEW MASTERS

The Williamson County Schools board approved a resolution opposing the statewide push for school vouchers, following suit with the Franklin Special School District’s own resolution in January, but those resolutions appear to have little impact on Williamson County’s majority pro-voucher senators and representatives.

The WCS board approved the resolution in a 7-5 vote on March 18, with board members Angela Durham, Dan Cash, Josh Brown, Jay Galbreath and Donna Clements voting against the resolution. The board received more than 100 citizen comments urging the passage of the resolution.

FSSD unanimously approved their own resolution opposing vouchers on Jan. 8, meaning that both school districts have joined dozens of districts across the state in standing against state-wide voucher bills that are working their way through the state House and Senate after the state-wide initiative was introduced by Gov. Bill Lee in November 2023.

On Friday, the entire Williamson County delegation — Sen. Jack Johnson (R-Franklin), Rep. Sam Whitson (R-Franklin), Rep. Gino Bulso (R-Brentwood), Rep. Todd Warner (R-Chapel Hill), Rep. Jake McCalmon (R-Franklin) and Sen. Joey Hensley (R-Hohenwald) — attended Williamson Inc.’s monthly Policy Talks event in Franklin, which included a discussion on vouchers.

Whitson and Warner are the only two members of the delegation who are against the voucher push.

“I just have some concerns about the long-term impact on the state,” Whitson

told The News

“I don’t call them vouchers, I don’t call them scholarships, I call them public money, and that’s the way we need to look at it,” Whitson continued. “If you take public money, there should be accountability involved. I worry about fraud; I worry about cost in the outer years.”

“If you go to a football game on a Friday night at Page High School, you see the importance of public schools to a community, and that’s why I want to make sure that we don’t get into our little individual cells and silos, especially in a community like Williamson County, if we don’t do what’s right, we could destroy what these schools bring to our communities.”

Warner has taken a more direct approach, calling the vouchers a “scam” and grilling Tennessee Education Commissioner Lizzette Reynolds on Capitol hill.

Warner has now become the target of dark-money attack ads in the form of mailers, texts and billboards. He faced a question from a citizen on whether his stance makes him a “RINO (Republican In Name Only”) during the Policy Talks event.

“I am asking YOU to stand strong with me - when these attacks and lies come to your phones and your mailboxes, let your voice be heard,” Warner said in a March 13 social media post. “Tell them that the people of the 92nd District say HELL NO to vouchers and the weak excuse of leadership we have in Tennessee today!!!”

“There’s a lot more rural Republicans who are going to vote against this thing than people think,” Warner Told The News. “I think when we get to the House floor it’s

failing schools. We don’t have failing schools in Williamson County, so I’m going to continue to support the legislation.”

Critics of the voucher program in Williamson County argue that a state-wide program could negatively impact schools and students across Tennessee, including in Williamson County.

In 2019, Johnson told the WCS Board that while he supported a voucher program that, at the time, was “limited in scope and applies only to those failing schools [outside of Williamson County,]” he pledged to “fight tooth and nail” against “anything that would impact Williamson County Schools or Franklin Special School District.”

WCS Board Member Eric Welch is critical of the state-wide push. He attempted to testify on the bill during the March 6 meeting of the House Education Administration Committee.

Welch, who was first elected to the board in 2010, was not allowed to testify. Instead the committee heard from, among others, rightwing activist, media personality, and shortlived political candidate Robby Starbuck.

going to be a little different. I think they’ve probably got the votes to pass it, but we’re gonna make them fight.”

Following Friday’s Policy Talks event, McCalmon told The News that while he supports the House voucher bill, if it passes, he intends to keep his children enrolled in Williamson County Schools where he said they are “thriving.”

“I understand that’s not the case for everybody, but anytime that we can give taxpayer dollars back to taxpayers, I’m all for it,” McCalmon said.

Johnson, who is sponsoring one of the bills in the senate, told The News that despite the WCS and FSSD resolutions, his position on vouchers hasn’t changed.

Johnson argued that the WCS resolution was not unanimous, but also said that even if it had been unanimous, he would still support a state-wide voucher program as championed by Lee.

“I certainly respect both of our local school boards; they do an amazing job. We have a difference of opinion,” Johnson said. “We’ll continue to have a conversation and a great working relationship with our school boards, even if we disagree on this issue.”

Johnson said that he has “always believed in school choice,” and “campaigned and ran on school choice,” adding that he believes that critics of the voucher bills are being influenced by “misinformation.”

“This legislation is going to have zero impact on Williamson County [Schools] or [the] Franklin Special [School District], I’m convinced of that,” Johnson said. “It is going to help thousands of families in other parts of the state whose children are trapped in

Starbuck, who lives in Williamson County but does not have his children enrolled in a public school, used his time to speak about what he called “sexualized curriculum” and “Satanist after-school programs,” references to both Pride flags in schools and a Memphis-based after-school club that drew widespread criticism.

Welch called Starbuck the “county carpetbagger,” while also not holding back on his thoughts on Johnson’s evolving stance on vouchers.

“I think Jack Johnson prioritizes the people who donate PAC money to him and help his get-out-the-vote campaigns higher than he does the students of Williamson County Schools,” Welch told The News.

Johnson told The News on Friday that he votes based on what he thinks is best for Tennesseans and not on what will get him elected.

“If it’s not something that they’re [the Williamson County delegation] willing to take into account, I think it says more about them than it does us,” Welch said. “If it’s dismissed and doesn’t weigh into their consideration, then it sort of indicates their feelings on public education.”

Welch argues that the state-wide voucher push would create “two publicly-funded education systems that are separate but unequal,” something that he said would be “an entitlement program” that would result in schools taking public funds with no public input or oversight, specifically voicing concerns over a lack of discrimination protections for students.

WCS Superintendent Jason Golden voiced WCS staff support for the resolution during the March 18 WCS meeting and

WillCo delegation PHOTO BY HAMILTON MATTHEW MASTERS

has since publicly addressed the issue during the Town of Nolensville annual address on March 21 as well as during Friday’s Policy Talks where FSSD Director of Schools David Snowden also spoke on vouchers.

“I don’t know that it’s going to have an immediate direct impact on us, but this whole thing tells me, and I mentioned this to the [school] board on Monday night, that the state has the capacity to do more than they’re doing,” Golden said on March 21.

“That’s that’s really the key to me; they’re talking about spending nine figures on a totally new funding program, when they’re funding us a third of what was actually spent.”

Snowden told The News that it is “disappointing” that the resolutions appear to have no impact on the perspective or potential votes of the Williamson County delegates who remain in favor of vouchers.

“We believe it’s important and our board believed it was important to take a stand

and at least pass a resolution to at least let people know what they believe, and whether or not they take it and strongly consider it or consider it at all, we can’t do anything about that, that’s up to the individual legislator,” Snowden said. “We respect that.We don’t agree with it. We’d like for them to strongly consider it when you’ve got a board that represents a huge area, but it is what it is.”

In addition to the current elected officials who are speaking out against the push,

On the Hill: March 18-22 legislative update

STAFF REPORTS

The legislation to create an East Bank Development Authority was kicked to the Senate Finance Committee on Monday.

While it does not have a fiscal note, Sen. Bo Watson (R-Hixson), who chairs the committee, made the motion on the floor to send the legislation to Finance “given the fiscal circumstances.” Two future major components of the East Bank — the Tennessee Performing Arts Center and Titans Stadium — both receive state funding.

The bill would create a seven-member board to develop, manage and promote the East Bank. Five members of the authority would be appointed by the mayor and two by the Metro Council. The state would have a presence on the board as well but with nonvoting members. The board would include the comptroller of the treasury, state treasurer and secretary of state or their designees.

The Post asked the office of Mayor Freddie O’Connell if he had any concerns about the legislation’s push-back to committees.

“Conversation in the General Assembly among members of both chambers continues to sometimes have independent moments of tension,” O’Connell said. “We’re continuing to engage with leadership, including committee chairs in both chambers. Chief Development Officer Bob Mendes and I would probably both like to be a little further ahead than where we are right now.”

Last session, Republicans made attempts to take control of the city’s sports and airport authority, which the courts have since ruled against.

In the House, the companion bill was sent back to the local government committee last week. The Tennessee Journal reports that move came from state legislators who supported former Mayor John Cooper’s stalled effort to bring NASCAR back to the Fairgrounds Nashville site. Last year, state Republicans also passed a law aimed at lowering the threshold for Metro Council votes to approve major fairgrounds improvements. The city won a lawsuit overturning that law.

The mayor’s office said it is still discussing with stakeholders — including councilmember Terry Vo, neighbors and other interested parties — about improvements at the fairgrounds. But, the mayor did not say if he will take up Cooper’s efforts.

FRANCHISE TAX CHANGE

SB2103/HB1893 passed the Senate on Thursday. The bill removes a provision in the franchise tax law that references payment of taxes based on property in the state. Instead, businesses would pay taxes based upon their net worth going forward.

The legislation also established a $1.5 billion fund for reimbursements for taxpayers who overpaid based on property rather than net worth over the last three years.

Senators Jeff Yarbro and Heidi Campbell (both D-Nashville) attempted to place amendments on the bill. Yarbro’s was already voted against in the revenue subcommittee (read here) and so was tabled during the Senate session. Campbell’s was heard for the first time and would have required any refund disbursements to be considered public record. Ultimately, the amendment was also tabled.

TSU CONTROL

The future of the board of trustees at historically Black Tennessee State University remains unclear as the House and Senate advance two different versions of a bill.

On Thursday, the Senate passed a bill that would vacate the 10-member board, leaving Gov. Bill Lee to appoint eight new members by June 30 (the other two spots would be filled by a student and faculty representatives). The House, however, passed a different version of the bill in its Government Operations Committee that would vacate just three board members and extend the term of the board to June 2026.

The bill is scheduled to be heard on the House floor on March 28. How the two chambers will reconcile differences in the legislation has yet to be seen.

The legislation comes amid years of scrutiny aimed at TSU, which has faced financial and housing-related issues. A scathing 2023 report from the Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury outlined these issues and suggested leadership changes. Supporters of TSU point to decades of underfunding that surpasses $2.1 billion as the reason for some of the problems the university has faced.

The House version seeks to make some kind of compromise, as TSU supporters

all four Democratic WCS School Board candidates issued statements opposing vouchers, with District 1 candidate Elmer Mobley saying, “We are united in opposing vouchers because we’re listening to our neighbors, members of our communities, and parents of students in Williamson County who are overwhelmingly against using taxpayer dollars to fund private schools.”

do not want to see the board vacated. They say it would result in a loss of institutional knowledge and complicate the board’s search for a new president, as TSU President Glenda Glover will retire at the end of the academic year.

DOCTOR’S ORDERS

A bill (SB2151/HB2861) passed the Senate this week under which doctors and other health care providers could lose their medical licenses if they are found to be forcing patients to get vaccinated or lying about if a vaccine is required by state law. Tennessee’s rates of child vaccination have plummeted over the last decade.

MEDICAL QUALIFICATIONS

International medical school graduates do not have the same rights to moonlight, or pick up extra hours at the hospital during their residency, as medical students trained in the United States. A bill that passed the House Health committee this week (HB2366/SB1936) makes the moonlighting qualifications equal for both types of students

REPORTS ON DEATHS

A bill that would require the Tennessee Department of Health to produce an annual report on suicide rates (HB2327/ SB1787) passed the Senate this week. Another bill requiring a report on firearm injuries and deaths (HB1846/SB1657) also passed in the Senate.

CHILD CARE BILLS

Sen. Charlane Oliver’s bill (SB1907/ HB2517) that would use a transportainment tax to fund projects to expand the number of early childhood care slots statewide failed in the Senate Health and Welfare Committee. It’s part of a slate of child care bills that Oliver introduced this session, and those centered on the Smart Steps payment assistance program were shot down earlier this session.

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

Tennessee Legislature

PHOTO BY HAMILTON MATTHEW MASTERS

Navigating Nashville’s traffic troubles: Mayor O’Connell’s vision for innovative solutions

BY BILL FREEMAN

Nashville, renowned for its vibrant culture and dynamic entertainment scene, is dealing with an increasingly pressing issue: traffic congestion. As the city continues to attract new residents and businesses, its roads are becoming increasingly clogged, leading to longer commute times and mounting frustration for Nashvillians. Mayor Freddie O’Connell recognizes the urgency of the situation and is taking proactive steps to address it. With plans for a transit referendum in November, Mayor O’Connell aims to garner support for a transportation and mobility project — which Metro has aptly named “Choose How You Move.”

Mayor O’Connell’s commitment and approach to reducing transportation costs and enhancing mobility is admirable. The mayor’s transition committees, commissioned when O’Connell took office, highlighted the need for dedicated funding for transportation systems. That is an excellent observation. Additionally, to ensure a comprehensive and inclusive approach, Mayor O’Connell has sought public input, engaged with Metro councilmembers and collaborated with advisory committees to craft a plan that meets Nashville’s unique needs.

In February, a report from WPLN noted the top three reasons why former Mayor Megan Barry’s 2018 transit plan failed: not seeking input from the community, an inconsistent approach regarding priorities, and hasty timing. Further, the cost was a

sticker-shock-inducing $5.4 billion. To avoid repeating rejection, O’Connell is working to differentiate his approach. “We didn’t want to produce an expensive program,” the mayor told WPLN. “We wanted to look at a more right-sized approach for the city, given our growth, growth potential, cost-of-living and quality-of-life concerns.” The latter two are things that weigh on each of us, and that makes a straightforward no-frills approach a sensible choice.

Want more good news?

According to the results of Nashville’s March 22 Power Poll, 69 percent of those polled say they “like O’Connell’s more modest proposal than the massive $5.4 billion plan proposed by former Mayor Megan Barry.” Also, 57 percent “think a county-wide referendum put before voters will likely pass.” Perhaps the main reason for these higher percentages is that, as the Power Poll notes, the new plan “does not call for any light rail or tunnels beneath downtown as was proposed in the Barry plan. Emphasis instead is being placed on more sidewalks, traffic signals, bus service, and safety.”

The issue of transportation, infrastructure and traffic has only been worsening over time. And as much as we are grateful for all the beautiful things Nashville has to offer — from entertainment and the health care industry to diverse cultures, incredible shopping and fine dining — it comes with its price. The more people move here (the

Nashville area is estimated to have grown at a rate of roughly 86 people per day in 2023), the more transportation issues we will find ourselves facing.

Our city has been working on this for years, making strides toward a better tomorrow. It’s certainly not that we haven’t been proactive — according to Nashville.gov, “there are over 70 neighborhood, community, citywide, and regional plans created over the last 15 years that support expanded and enhanced transportation and mobility infrastructure.” From NashvilleNext’s vision for future growth to nMotion’s blueprint for a robust public transit system, these plans have laid a strong foundation for Mayor O’Connell’s initiatives. The WalknBike Plan prioritizes pedestrian and cyclist safety, while the Vision Zero Action Plan aims to eliminate fatalities on Nashville’s streets. Additionally, initiatives like Connect Downtown and Middle Tennessee Connected have been committed to improving mobility and reducing congestion.

“Choose How You Move” builds upon this history of planning as well as recommendations from Mayor O’Connell’s transition committee. The goal is to create a transit plan that is practical and affordable yet comprehensive. O’Connell’s plan is hovering around the $1 billion mark. It’s much more affordable than the previous plan, and makes a bit more sense for our city at this particular time. The plan’s focus

is on safety, infrastructure, bus service and optimizing that which we already have.

As Nashville prepares for a November referendum, it’s vital that we recognize the significance of investing in transportation and mobility infrastructure — especially as the city experiences rapid growth, and infrastructure struggles to keep pace. Mayor O’Connell’s initiative offers hope for progress. Passing this referendum would mean less traffic and frustration for all Nashvillians. And who doesn’t want that?

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.

Freddie on the bus on the way to a Nashville SC game. PHOTO COURTESY OF NASHVILLE.GOV

TICKED OFF!

NASHVILLE NEIGHBORHOODS

Why do Nashville Neighborhoods have to struggle so hard to survive?

Candidates run for office on the theme of “protecting Nashville Neighborhoods “ and in no time those same people they begged for their vote are ignored and blown off.

Again, why do Nashville Neighborhoods have to struggle so hard to survive? The focus of great cities is protecting them.

Hmmmmm.

TINY TENNESSEANS

A year has passed since the Covenant mass shooting and nothing has really changed. Shame on us! This song I penned,[Tiny Tennesseans (3/27/23)] expresses my point of view:

Tiny Tennesseans today were found

Shot and dying on their school grounds

Tiny bodies riddled thru, Leaders say “there’s nothing we can do.”

Chorus

We say No,No, No!

This insanity must end!

We say Now,(do it) Now, (do it) Now! Children shouldn”t die this way! (No one should die this way!)

( Don’t let these children die in vain!)

Melt them Down, Down,(all) Down!

These guns only maim and kill, (Leave them for the battlefield)

Keep them out of my neighborhood.

Do it now!

Oh Tiny Tennesseans shot dead today, While leaders preach more guns and “Don’t say Gay!”

On a Christmas Card, who puts a gun?

At the Savior’s Birth, there wasn”t one.

Chorus

Three tiny children gone for good, Three others murdered too.

Slaughtered by a shooter who entered their school,

Bought assault rifles because they could.

Chorus

But our Governor says “it’s not the time for rage.”

Considers legislation to lower the age.

Have a fortress for a school.

It won’t solve the problem and we’re not fooled!

Chorus

Three tiny Tennesseans forever gone, But the guns are safe, so nothing’s really wrong.

This the politicians would have us believe, Time to rise up and disagree!

Time to assert our humanity!

2nd Chorus

So do it now,Now Now!

Ban assault guns today!

Melt them Down, (melt them) Down, (melt them) Down!

Protect our children who have no say!

These guns only maim and kill, Belong only on a battlefield.

So banish them from our neighborhoods!

Do it Now!

Yes, pray for those who lost loved ones. But thoughts and prayers alone won’t get it done!

Act to clear our cities and streets!

Vote out those who just won’t see....

3rd Chorus

That it’s Wrong,Wrong,Wrong!

Ban assault guns today!

Melt them Down, (melt them) Down, (melt them) Down!

No child should have to pay!

As they only maim and kill, We’re not soldiers on a battlefield!

So get them all out of our neighborhoods!

Act Now!

Vote Now!

Do it Now!

The comments in the Ticked Off column do not reflect the views of FW Publishing.

Vandy, MTSU women’s basketball fall in opening weekend of NCAA Tourney

Blue Raiders lose to defending champs LSU after first-round upset of Louisville

BY LOGAN BUTTS

The postseason runs for Vanderbilt and Middle Tennessee State women’s basketball, the only Nashville-area programs to qualify for the 2024 NCAA Tournament, came to an end over the weekend.

The Commodores made their first trip

to the Big Dance in a decade and promptly earned their first NCAA Tournament win since 2012 with a 72-68 play-in game victory over fellow 12-seed Columbia on March 20 in Blacksburg, Va.

Vanderbilt then took on 5-seed Baylor

in the first round of the bracket. Despite the 80-63 loss to the Bears on March 22, the ‘Dores tied for the program’s best record (23-10) since the 2011-12 season.

Ensworth alum Jordyn Cambridge, an SEC all-defensive team selection, compiled

14 points, team-highs in rebounds (seven), assists (six), and steals (three), plus a block in her final game in the Black and Gold.

Iyana Moore, a Blackman product, led the ‘Dores with 15 points and added five rebounds, four assists, and two steals.

11-seed MTSU provided the women’s tournament with its only proper first-round upset on March 22 with a 71-69 win over 6-seed Louisville in Baton Rouge, La.

The victory, which was the Blue Raiders’ first March Madness win since 2007, was capped off by an 18-point comeback, which is tied for the third-largest comeback in the history of the women’s tournament.

For all its efforts, MTSU then had to face the defending national champions, 3-seed LSU. The Blue Raiders (31-4) hung tight with the Tigers for three quarters, but cold shooting and foul trouble led to an eventual 83-56 loss.

Legendary head coach Rick Insell was not shy about his frustrations with the free throw disparity (37 free throw attempts for LSU, 9 for MTSU) and with favoritism shown toward Power conference schools in general in the postgame press conference.

Conference USA Player of the Year Savannah Wheeler paced the Blue Raiders with 21 points, seven rebounds, and five assists in what was potentially her final collegiate game, while Clarksville native Ta’Mia Scott added 15 points, five rebounds, and two blocks.

Titans acquire L’Jarius Sneed, one of NFL’s best cornerbacks, per report

BY JOHN GLENNON

A Titans secondary that’s been burned far too often in recent years will look much more formidable in 2024.

The Titans made sure of that Friday, reportedly agreeing to a trade with Kansas City that will bring talented cornerback L’Jarius Sneed to Tennessee. In exchange for Sneed, the Titans sent the Chiefs a 2025 third-round pick and will also flip seventh-round picks with Kansas City in the 2024 draft, per ESPN.

Tennessee signed Sneed to a four-year, $76 million contract, with $55 million of that guaranteed, per Bleacher Report. The team needed to give him a new deal as part of the trade, since the Chiefs had earlier placed a non-exclusive franchise tag on Sneed.

It’s the second major acquisition at corner for the Titans, who last week signed free

agent Chidobe Awuzie to a three-year, $36 million contract.

Sneed, Awuzie and returning nickel corner Roger McCreary should represent a huge upgrade over last season’s top three corners of Kristian Fulton, Sean Murphy-Bunting and McCreary. Murphy-Bunting has signed with Arizona and Fulton has signed with the Los Angeles Chargers.

The Titans finished 18th overall in defense last year and 18th against the pass, allowing 227.4 yards per contest. They recorded just six interceptions — the lowest total in the NFL.

A fourth-round pick out of Louisiana Tech in 2020, the 27-year-old Sneed has emerged as one of the league’s best cornerbacks, though he has yet to earn Pro Bowl or All-Pro honors.

Over the last three years, Sneed has posted

a combined seven interceptions and 33 passes defended, averaging 87 tackles per season.

In 2023, the 6-1, 192-pound Sneed allowed just 53 completions on 102 targets, per Pro Football Focus, a 52 percent completion rate that was eighth-best among corners with more than 500 snaps.

Sneed also held opposing quarterbacks to an NFL rating of 66.0 when targeting him, the sixth-best figure in the league among corners with more than 500 snaps.

The Minden, La., native made one of the biggest plays of the 2023 postseason, when he knocked the football away from diving Baltimore receiver Zay Flowers just as Flowers was about to cross the goalline during the AFC Championship. That play helped the Chiefs advance to the Super Bowl, where they

won their second straight championship by beating San Francisco 25-22.

The only downside to Sneed’s 2023 season was penalties, as he was flagged 18 times, at least six more than any other cornerback in the league.

But his overall impact was far more positive than negative.

In the Chiefs’ two games against Miami last season, for instance, Sneed held Tyreek Hill to one catch (for nine yards) on three targets when he covered the Dolphins’ speedster.

It was immediately clear the deal pleased Titans defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons, who took to social media and posted this message: “That secondary!!! Yes lawd! Help me help you!”

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

MTSU women’s basketball PHOTO COURTESY OF MT ATHLETICS

Brentwood Academy’s Tanner named Tennessee Gatorade Player of the Year Vandy commit wins honor for second straight year

BY LOGAN BUTTS

For the second consecutive year, Brentwood Academy star Tyler Tanner has been named the Gatorade Tennessee Boys Basketball Player of the Year.

The senior led the Eagles to a 25-8 overall record and back-to-back Division IIAA state championship game appearances. BA lost to Briarcrest 80-71 in a rematch of the 2023 title game.

Tanner, a Vanderbilt commit, averaged 26.2 points, 4.4 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and

3.5 steals en route to winning the 2024 DIIAA Mr. Basketball award.

Tanner becomes the second straight Tennessee student-athlete to win two Gatorade Player of the Year awards in a row after former Cane Ridge and Alabama star Brandon Miller, currently on the NBA’s Charlotte Hornets, won in 2021 and 2022.

Tanner also joins former Vanderbilt Commodore and current Cleveland Cavaliers all-star Darius Garland (2018) and former Indiana Pacer David Harrison (2001) as winners from Brentwood Academy.

The 6-foot guard is currently ranked as the fourth-best player in the state and the number 29 point guard in the county for his graduating class by 247Sports.

Tanner will be joining a Vanderbilt squad that has already lost several players to the transfer portal after a disappointing 2023-24 campaign.

NTSB releases preliminary report on March 4 Nashville plane crash Crash killed

all five members of

a

Canadian family

BY HAMILTON MATTHEW MASTERS

The National Transportation Safety Board released its preliminary report on the March 4 plane crash that killed all five members of a Canadian family, but the report offers few details of the exact cause of the crash.

As previously reported, the Piper PA-2832-300-T turbocharged aircraft departed Ontario on March 4, stopping in Erie, Pa. and Mount Sterling, Ky., before heading to its next scheduled destination, Nashville’s John C. Tune Airport, which it overshot as it prepared to land.

The plane continued to descend as the pilot, later identified as 43-year-old pilot Victor Dotsenko, radioed that his engine had “turned off.”

Dotsenko was flying back toward John. C. Tune when the plane crashed roughly three miles from the airport around 7:45 p.m.

Dotsenko was killed along with his wife, Rimma Dotsenko, 39; and their three children: David, 12; Adam, 10; and Emma, 7; all of King Township, Ontario.

“The cockpit and cabin were destroyed

by impact forces and fire, and most flight instrumentation and gauges were destroyed by impact and fire,” the preliminary report reads in part.

Witnesses also reported hearing the plane’s engine “sputtering and making popping sounds,” prior to the crash.

The plane’s wreckage continues to be examined by the NTSB as well as representatives from the Federal Aviation Administration, Lycoming Engines and Piper Aircraft, Inc. The final report is expected to be released in the next 12 months.

The Ultimate Chef Throwdown!

Thursday April 4 Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum

Our 15th Annual Iron Fork returns with top chefs from Music City’s best restaurants battling it out to vie for the coveted Iron Fork Champions trophy. This year’s catch? All of our competitors have already won Iron Fork before... and now they’ll compete as the best of the best to be crowned the Ultimate Iron Fork Champion!

Tyler Tanner PHOTO BY CARL EDMONDSON, JR

An NTSB investigator photographs the plane on March 5.

PHOTO BY HAMILTON MATTHEW MASTERS

Local students honored at THSPA awards

The Tennessee High School Press Association 2023-24 student media awards took place at Lipscomb University on March 4, and several local students were honored at the ceremony.

In addition, Page High School’s Dr. Katie Hill was named the Administrator of the Year.

The following Nashville-area students were honored at the student media awards:

H.L. HALL OUTSTANDING STUDENT JOURNALIST

First Place

Margot Ross, University School of Nashville

Second Place

Amelia Alexopoulos, Harpeth Hall

NEWSPAPER

Best News Story Second Place

Harpeth Hall

Nashville mayoral race heads to a runoff

Lucy Farringer

Best Feature Story Second Place

Harpeth Hall

A novel idea: Ann Patchett celebrates new release at Harpeth Hall

Josey Beavers

Best Feature Story Third Place

University School of Nashville

The Peabody Press Independent studies transform passions into credit

Annie Cox

Best Sports Story Second Place

University School of Nashville

The Peabody Press Wellons vies for U20 USA frisbee spot

Margot Ross

Best Sports Story Third Place

Harpeth Hall

Marathon mania sweeps Harpeth Hall student body

Lily Bowen

Best Column First Place

Harpeth Hall

Sleepy students fight HH’s prohibition of energy drinks

Mabry Neuman

Best Review Second Place

University School of Nashville

The Peabody Press “Five Nights at Freddy’s” is one night of mediocrity

Bronson Schmidt

Best Review Third Place (Tie)

Harpeth Hall

Best believe she’s still bejeweled: Student review of Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour

Sophie Landry

Best Illustration/Cartoon First Place

University School of Nashville

The Peabody Press On Magnolia Lawn

Margot Ross

Best Illustration/Cartoon Second Place

Harpeth Hall

Winter Wonderland

Lilly Cashen

Best Front Page Design Second Place

Montgomery Bell Academy

The Bell Ringer Front Page Commencement Issue Staff

Best Front Page Design Third Place

Harpeth Hall

March 2023 Staff

Best Inside Page Design First Place

Montgomery Bell Academy

The Bell Ringer MBA Travels the World on Exchange Staff

Best Overall Newspaper/Newsmagazine

Honorable Mention

Montgomery Bell Academy

The Bell Ringer

YEARBOOK

Best Academics Copy First Place

Christ Presbyterian Academy

Lions Roar Fierce Competition

Leighton Baird

Best Academics Copy Second Place

Christ Presbyterian Academy

Lions Roar The Narwhal Brawl

Debby Oluwole

Best Academics Copy Third Place

Christ Presbyterian Academy

Lions Roar One in a Minion

Maddie Wagley

Best Clubs/Organizations Copy First Place

Christ Presbyterian Academy

Lions Roar Sculpting a Friendship

Olivia Stritikus

Best Clubs/Organizations Copy Second Place

Christ Presbyterian Academy

Lions Roar Discovering the Data

Todd Harrison

Best Clubs/Organizations Copy Third Place

Brentwood Academy

Aerie Robotics

Elize Cazayoux

Best Sports Copy First Place

Christ Presbyterian Academy

Lions Roar Every Moment Matters

Piper Magargee

Best Sports Copy Second Place

Brentwood Academy

Aerie Boys’ Basketball Cameron Green

Mimi Husband

Best Sports Copy Third Place

Brentwood Academy

Aerie Homecoming Football Game

Averi Hodge

Best Student Life Copy First Place

Christ Presbyterian Academy

Lions Roar Vector Forever

Debby Oluwole

Best Student Life Copy Second Place

Christ Presbyterian Academy

Lions Roar Slaying Dragons

Mary Ely Lodge

Best Student Life Copy Third Place

Christ Presbyterian Academy

Lions Roar Release the Reindeer

Hannah Ulm

Best Academics Design First Place

Christ Presbyterian Academy

Lions Roar A-Z

Meghan Milligan

Best Academics Design Third Place

Christ Presbyterian Academy

Lions Roar Lattes and Literature Blair Duckworth

Best Organizations/Clubs Design First Place

Christ Presbyterian Academy

Lions Roar Pasta La Vista Maria Giovanetti

Best Sports Design First Place

Christ Presbyterian Academy

Lions Roar Tackle the Unknown Ford Bunton

Best Sports Design Second Place Brentwood Academy Aerie US Swim

Avery Harr, William McCoy

Best Sports Design Third Place

Christ Presbyterian Academy

Lions Roar Every Moment Matters Emercyn Randolph

Best Student Life Design First Place

Christ Presbyterian Academy

Lions Roar Barclay’s Back Emercyn Randolph

Best Student Life Design Second Place (Tie)

Christ Presbyterian Academy

Lions Roar Slaying Dragons

Meghan Milligan

Best Student Life Design Third Place

Christ Presbyterian Academy

Lions Roar Unlikely Union Gray Seibert

Best Index Design First Place Brentwood Academy

Aerie Index Design

Sophie Jacobson

Best Index Design Second Place

Christ Presbyterian Academy

Lions Roar This Only Happens Once Index

Maria Giovanetti

Best Academics Photograph First Place

Christ Presbyterian Academy

Lions Roar Chemically Bound

Logan Reid

Best Academics Photograph Second Place

Christ Presbyterian Academy

Lions Roar Behind the Weights

Sally West

Best Academics Photograph Third Place

Christ Presbyterian Academy

Lions Roar Future Memories

Rachel Klich

THSPA winners PHOTO COURTESY OF WCS

Best Organizations/Clubs Photograph

First Place

Christ Presbyterian Academy

Lions Roar Surpassing Standards

Logan Reid

Best Organizations/Clubs Photograph Second Place

Christ Presbyterian Academy Lions Roar Tedious Tasks

Rachel Klich

Best Organizations/Clubs Photograph Third Place

Christ Presbyterian Academy Lions Roar Colorful Cats

Lyla Kelley

Best Sports Photograph Second Place (Tie)

Christ Presbyterian Academy Lions Roar Spirited Nostalgia

Lyla Kelley

Best Sports Photograph Third Place

Independence High School

The Talon Autumn Brick Garner

Best Student Life Photograph

Second Place

Christ Presbyterian Academy

Lions Roar Tug Together

Lyla Kelley

Best Student Life Photograph Third Place (Tie)

Christ Presbyterian Academy

Lions Roar Clutch Shot for Second Rachel Klich

Best Student Life Photograph Third Place (Tie)

Independence High School

The Talon November Brick Garner

Best Advertisement First Place

Christ Presbyterian Academy Lions Roar Senior Ads

Hattie Funk

Best Advertisement Second Place

Christ Presbyterian Academy Lions Roar Senior Ads

Hattie Funk

Best Advertisement Third Place

Christ Presbyterian Academy

Lions Roar Senior Ads

Hattie Funk

Best Headline First Place

Christ Presbyterian Academy

Lions Roar One in a Minion

Maddie Wagley

Best Headline Second Place

Christ Presbyterian Academy

Lions Roar The Narwhal Brawl

Debby Oluwole

Best Theme First Place

Christ Presbyterian Academy

“this only happens once”

Best Theme Second Place

Brentwood Academy

“Well, How Was It?”

Best Overall Yearbook First Place

Christ Presbyterian Academy Lion’s Roar

Best Overall Yearbook Second Place

Brentwood Academy Aerie

LITERARY MAGAZINE

Best Poem First Place Harpeth Hall

Hallmarks Traditional Beef Noodles Allyson Mao

Best Poem Second Place

Christ Presbyterian Academy Illumine Hamlet Emulation

EmmyLayne Myers

Best Poem Third Place

Christ Presbyterian Academy Illumine All Alone, All the Time

Elysa Matula

Best Short Story First Place

Harpeth Hall

Hallmarks A Cause for Celebration

Josey Beavers

Best Short Story Second Place

Christ Presbyterian Academy

Illumine All That Flies Maddie Wagley

Best Short Story Third Place

Christ Presbyterian Academy Illumine Eternal

Ellen Shipman

Best Illustration/Art First Place

Christ Presbyterian Academy Illumine Show

Ava Massey

Best Illustration/Art Second Place Harpeth Hall

Hallmarks Sky, Land Artist Lilly Kapanka

Best Illustration/Art Third Place

Christ Presbyterian Academy

Illumine Peacock

Laurel Adkins

Best Photograph First Place

Harpeth Hall

Hallmarks Abandoned Light Conner Folk

Best Photograph Second Place

Christ Presbyterian Academy — Illumine Bahamas

Stella Green

Best Photograph Third Place

Christ Presbyterian Academy — Illumine Venice

Gianna Bascomb

Best Layout/Design First Place Harpeth Hall Hallmarks Hallmarks

Best Layout/Design Second Place

Christ Presbyterian Academy — Illumine Illumine

Best Overall Literary Magazine First Place Harpeth Hall

Hallmarks Hallmarks

Best Overall Literary Magazine

Second Place

Christ Presbyterian Academy — Illumine Illumine

MULTIMEDIA

Best Photo Essay First Place

Page High School — PHS Studios Ruby Rouse Football State Championship Photos

Ruby Rouse

Best Photo Essay Third Place (Tie)

Christ Presbyterian Academy — CPA Media Studio Media Arts Travel Studies Logan Reid, Ella Bobbitt

Best Audio for Video Project

First Place Christ Presbyterian Academy — CPA Media Studio

“Better Hands” Music Video Staff

Best Audio for Video Project Second Place

Christ Presbyterian Academy — CPA Media Studio O Come, O Come, Emmanuel Music Video Staff

Best Audio for Video Project Third Place

Christ Presbyterian Academy — CPA Media Studio Go Tell It On The Mountain Music Video Staff

Best Video or Documentary First Place [Tie]

Christ Presbyterian Academy — CPA Media Studio Music City Short Film Staff

Best Video or Documentary First Place [Tie]

Brentwood High School — WBHS 9 747

David Ward, Caden Belville, Hudson Lambourne

Best Video or Documentary Third Place

Brentwood High School — WBHS 9 In N Out Burger Mockumentary

Gunner Ross, Griffin Goodman

Best Video or Documentary Fourth Place (Tie)

Hillsboro High School -- AV Burro TV

Stanley’s Big Day

Tommy Fox, Joshua Miller

Best Video or Documentary Fourth Place (Tie)

Franklin High School — FHS Media 22 Games

Anna Raye Jones

Best Video or Documentary Fourth Place (Tie)

Fairview High School — Television Robumentary

Christian Halford, Jacob Halford

Best Sports Video First Place Page High School — PHS Studios Run This Town 2.0

Lincoln Campbell

Best Sports Video Second Place

Independence High School — IHS Media Indy Football Hype

Ryan Cantabene, Ella Carlisle

Best Sports Video Third Place

Christ Presbyterian Academy — CPA Media Studio

Game of the Century: 2023 TSSAA DIIAA State Semifinal

Silas Bryant

THSPA winners PHOTO COURTESY OF LIPSCOMB UNIVERSITY

Local students honored

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13

Best Music Video First Place

Christ Presbyterian Academy — CPA Media Studio

What Child Is This? Staff

Best Music Video Second Place

Christ Presbyterian Academy — CPA Media Studio

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel Staff

Best Music Video Third Place

Christ Presbyterian Academy — CPA Media Studio

God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen / We Three Kings Mashup Staff

Best Music Video Fourth Place (Tie)

Franklin High School — FHS Media 2023

FHS Lip Dub Staff

Best Music Video Fourth Place (Tie)

Brentwood High School — WBHS 9

Color Is Life

Lyla Husband

Best Music Video Fourth Place (Tie)

Christ Presbyterian Academy — CPA Media Studio

My Hometown Staff

Best Overall Website Second Place (Tie) Harpeth Hall Now Staff

BROADCAST

Best Television Reporter First Place

Page High School — PHS Studios

Hayley Zehnder

Hayley Zehnder

Best Television Reporter Third Place

Brentwood High School — WBHS 9

Eva Candelaria News Reel

Eva Candelaria

Best Videographer First Place (Tie)

Franklin High School — FHS Media

Anna Raye Jones (Homecoming 2023)

Anna Raye Jones

Best Videographer First Place (Tie)

Christ Presbyterian Academy — CPA Media Studio

Claire Wallace

Claire Wallace

Best Videographer Second Place (Tie)

Franklin High School — FHS Media Brayden Fox Videography Brayden Fox

Best Videographer Second Place (Tie)

Christ Presbyterian Academy — CPA Media Studio

Silas Bryant

Silas Bryant

Best Videographer Third Place

Christ Presbyterian Academy — CPA Media Studio

Logan Reid Logan Reid

Best Public Service Announcement

First Place

Page High School -- PHS Studios

“Fentanyl: It Takes A Little To Lose A Lot”

Shepard White, Hannah Johnson

Best Public Service Announcement

Second Place

Brentwood High School — WBHS 9 Drowning

Maddie Stabile, Katie Stabile

Best Public Service Announcement

Third Place (Tie)

Fairview High School — Television

The New Reality

Peyton Garrett, Christionna Seagraves, Dakota Shouse

Best Public Service Announcement

Third Place (Tie)

Fairview High School — Television

Wildfires

Hannah Escalante, Izzy Maige, Aiden Lillie

Best Commercial First Place (Tie)

Fairview High School —Television

Doritos

Hutson Hargrove, Jonathan Lester, Parker Billingsley

Best Commercial First Place (Tie)

Brentwood High School — WBHS 9 Stickers

David Ward, Hudson Guy, Michael Gorokhovsky

Best Commercial Second Place

Page High School — PHS Studios

“9 to 5” Musical Hayley Zehnder

Best Commercial Third Place (Tie)

Fairview High School — Television

Nike Just Do It

Lyla Brooke May

Best Commercial Third Place (Tie)

Fairview High School — Television

Jarritos

Travon Murry, Brody Miller

Best Commercial Third Place (Tie)

Page High School — PHS Studios

McLaran GT Showcase

Bronson Claflin

Best Sports Show Second Place

Christ Presbyterian Academy — CPA Media Studio

Fishing for Answers Episode One

Sam Godfrey, Grant Thomas, Silas Bryant

Best Sports Show Third Place

Christ Presbyterian Academy — CPA Media Studio

The Press Conference Episode One: Athletic Commitments Staff

Best Short Feature Story First Place

Christ Presbyterian Academy — CPA Media Studio

Special Olympics Tennessee Feature Story Staff

Best News Package First Place

Christ Presbyterian Academy — CPA Media Studio

HEAL Ministries Feature Story Staff

Best Sports Package First Place

Christ Presbyterian Academy — CPA Media Studio

TN Special Olympics

Flag Football Feature Story Staff

Best Sports Package Second Place (Tie)

Christ Presbyterian Academy — CPA Media Studio

Dallas Cowboys Feature Story

Sassy Schottenheimer, Madelyn Maners, Ansley McEvoy, McHaney Phillips

Best Sports Package Second Place (Tie)

Christ Presbyterian Academy — CPA Media Studio

CBS Sports Feature Story

Tyler Neilsen, Silas Bryant, Cade Whitaker, Boland Turner

Best Sports Package Third Place

Franklin High School — FHS Media

The Prodigy Noah Sherman

Best Coverage of a Live Sports Event First Place

Brentwood High School — WBHS 9

Brentwood High School Football vs. Cane Ridge High Staff

Best Coverage of a Live Sports Event Third Place

Brentwood High School — WBHS 9

Brentwood High School Football vs. Houston High Staff

Best Newscast/News Magazine

Second Place

Christ Presbyterian Academy — CPA Media Studio

The Press Conference: Homecoming Edition Staff

Best Newscast/News Magazine Third Place

Christ Presbyterian Academy — CPA Media Studio

Sound Check: Our Town Edition Staff

Best Broadcast: Mark Madison

Best Television Station First Place

Christ Presbyterian Academy — CPA Media Studio

Best Broadcast: Mark Madison

Best Television Station Third Place

Brentwood High School — WBHS 9

THSPA winners PHOTO COURTESY OF WCS

Commercial building near 70-100 split listed for $2.25M

BY WILLIAM WILLIAMS

A West Davidson County commercial building located near the Highway 70-100 split and home to a dog care services business has been offered for sale for $2.25 million.

With an address of 6514 Highway 100 and constructed in 1954, the modernist onestory building sits on 0.72 acres and houses Urban Pet (which provides veterinarian and dog boarding services). The structure offers about 5,400 square feet.

Metro records show wife and husband Dr. Victoria Crisp and Timothy Yeager own the property, having paid $230,000 for one segment in 1983 and $184,000 for a second component in 1994. Crisp operated Cheekwood Animal Hospital from the building for 35 years before leasing the space to Urban Pet.

The offering is the equivalent of $416 per foot based on the building’s size. For comparison, an adjacent 0.23-acre property

— located at 6518 Highway 100 and with an office building — sold in late 2023 for $1.55 million.

Yeager has enlisted Ben Burnett and Hutt Cooke — an associate and market leader, respectively, with Nashville-based Matthews Real Estate Investment Services — to handle the marketing and sale of the property.

“We are excited to present this property to the market as it is a generational property in a part of town where commercially zoned assets rarely come available,” Burnett emailed the Post. “There’s a wide range of possibilities that can be done here, and the opportunity is being looked at from several different angles. We look forward to getting this across the finish line and seeing what the end result will be.”

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

Sylvan Park commercial buildings listed for $6.25M

BY WILLIAM WILLIAMS

The Sylvan Park commercial buildings housing Café Nonna, Neighbors Bar and Grill and Pancho and Lefty’s Cantina have been listed for sale for a collective $6.25 million.

The buildings sit at 4425 and 4501 Murphy Road near the Sylvan Park roundabout.

An LLC owns the property, having paid $1.5 million for it in 2007, Metro records note. The seller at the time was Norma Crow, a local real estate investor who has bought and sold properties in various parts of the city (including Germantown and SoBro).

The LLC shares an address with Brentwood-based Market Street Retail Advisors, which is handling the marketing of the property. Market Street officials could

not be reached for comment.

The three-space building home to Café Nonna and Neighbors also houses women’s fashion boutique retailer Elle Gray.

According to marketing materials, the two structures — called Sylvan Park Centre — were constructed in 1950 and sit on a collective 0.60 acres. They offer a combined 5,455 square feet.

The Pancho and Lefty’s Cantina building previously accommodated Local Taco, which closed in 2018. Pancho and Lefty’s opened in 2019.

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

Jack Brown’s coming to Green Hills

STAFF REPORTS

Jack Brown’s Burger and Beer Joint will open a location in Green Hills, according to the Nashville Business Journal.

The burger spot will be moving into 2201 Bandywood Drive, which is the former location of Cole’s Kitchen and previously

Arnold’s property remains for sale as business to continue

BY WILLIAM WILLIAMS

The Gulch property home to Arnold’s Country Kitchen remains listed for sale as the restaurant’s owners have decided to continue full operating hours indefinitely and plan a Saturday brunch.

Post sister publication Nashville Scene reports Khalil Arnold decided to stay open for business for the foreseeable future after reopening early this year for what was originally planned as a temporary move.

Rose Arnold owns the 0.47-acre piece of and building via Arnold Real Properties LLC. The LLC (which included the late Jack Arnold) paid $921,780 for the property in October 2012, according to Metro records.

As the Post reported in November 2023, an effort to sell to local development company SomeraRoad was scrapped (read here) — with the property placed back on the market for sale.

The three-parcel site offers a main address of 605 Eighth Ave. S.

Avison Young’s Lisa Maki, Henry Trost and Mike Jacobs have the listing.

A source told the Post the property remains for sale.

A mainstay for about 40 years within the city’s meat-and-three community, Arnold’s closed in January 2023 and reopened for lunch service beginning on Jan. 8 of this year.

The Scene reports the Saturday brunch could start in May.

SomeraRoad is the development company behind Paseo South Gulch, unfolding on the east side of Eighth Avenue across from Arnold’s. Construction of mixed-use building Prima is now completed.

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

Green Hills dentist passes practice on to local

BY NICOLLE S. PRAINO

At the beginning of 2024, Alex Miller officially took over Ronald Swang’s dental office.

Firefly Grille. Cole’s closed in August 2023. With three locations (Murfreesboro, Edgehill and Germantown) in Middle Tennessee already, the restaurant is also eyeing another location in Clarksville.

Miller said it was his own dentistry experience with Dr. Swang that made him consider going to dental school. He had teeth knocked out as a high school baseball player, and Swang was the one who fixed them. Originally, Miller wanted to go to medical school, but that ended up peaking his interest enough to want to study dentistry.

“As a dentist you get to meet patients and then you’re their dentist for decades,” Miller

said, explaining that building relationships is an important part of the business. “Having that freedom of owning your own practice is something that I wanted.”

Now called Miller Family Dentistry, Miller thanked Swang for keeping the practice locally owned, knowing it could have been easy to sell to a corporation. Miller said he didn’t think it was going to be possible to own his own practice so soon, but the timing worked out for both he and Swang since Swang had plans to retire.

Arnold’s PHOTO BY ERIC ENGLAND

Spring Carrot & Beet Salad with Goat Cheese

BY EDIBLE NASHVILLE

Here is a bright spring side dish, perfect with baked ham, lamb, pork or chicken. Shave beets and carrots paper thin on a

mandolin or with a vegetable peeler and toss with fresh mint, pistachios, lemon and olive oil.

INGREDIENTS

3/4 cup golden raisins

1 pound carrots, peeled and shaved thin on a mandolin

2 medium beets, peeled and shaved paper thin on a mandolin 1/2 cup mint, chopped 1/2 cup roasted, salted pistachios, chopped 1 clove garlic, minced

1. Combine raisins, carrots, beets, mint, and pistachios in a bowl. Toss together.

3. To serve, top with feta cheese and chopped mint. 6 SERVINGS

2. In a separate bowl add garlic, white wine vinegar, lemon juice, lemon zest, red pepper, honey, and olive oil. Whisk well.

1/4 cup white wine vinegar Juice and zest of 1 lemon

1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, minced 2 tablespoons local honey

1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil sea salt & sracked pepper to taste 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese (such as Noble Springs)

Pour over salad. Season with salt and pepper. Mix well.

ACROSS

1 Something a student may cut

6 Doesn’t bother

12 Team V.I.P.s

15 Author of “The Eagle and the Fox” and “The Fox and the Lion”

16 Where to watch the Lightning and Hurricanes

17 Porridge grain

18 Region that spans about 8% of the earth’s land area [Arabic]

20 Attempt

21 Rodin sculpture featuring a couple whose lips don’t quite touch

22 “My Gal ___”

23 Fencing option

24 Addams family cousin

25 Body of water bordering Nevada and California [Washoe]

27 Actor McGregor

30 Biological molecule

32 Days past

33 Shakespearean fair y queen

34 Playground retor t

37 Electricity bill datum

40 Landmar k on which most U.S. radio stations base the starts of their call signs, with “W” on the east and “K” on the west [Algonquin]

43 Together (with)

44 Clay targets, informally

45 Official language of Ghana: Abbr

46 Cer tain mattress material

48 Commonly torn band, for short

49 Excited about

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.

50 Nation that shares an island with par t of Indonesia [Indonesian]

54 Fall behind

56 Takes home

57 Governor DeSantis

58 Commercial spaces in an app

62 “Mud”

EDITED

63 Like the names of 18-, 25-, 40- and 50Across vis-à-vis the bracketed languages

65 Undivided

66 Look away from

67 Wombs

68 Big fashion inits.

69 Some downtown street liners

70 Star t over

DOWN

1 Dramatis personae portrayers

2 Actress and documentarian Remini

3 Ar thur of the court

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5 Pole that extends a sail

6 Fellows

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8 ___ V irtue, threetime world ice dancing champion

9 Sly sor t

10 Grain in some hear ty soup

11 Is French?

12 What all good children do, in a nursery rhyme

13 Penguins great Lemieux

14 Do, as hair

19 F irst M.L.B. team to use artificial turf in its stadium

23 Persian language

25 Eye-opening experience?

26 They might be guided

27 ___ Raducanu, 2021 U.S. Open women’s tennis champion

28 Cr y out

29 What some wor kout videos promise

31 Loch ___

34 Investigate persistently

35 Ape’s weapon in “Planet of the Apes”

36 International oil grp.

38 Fellow

39 Therefore

41 Little brats

42 “That’s sufficient, I guess”

47 It’s just an illusion

49 Take a lighter to

50 “Have fun!”

51 Long , long times

52 Get on

53 How ballerinas often perform

55 Fortune tell

58 Some pub brews

59 Freezes (over)

60 Scale button

61 Thin cut

63 Cook with a long histor y at Apple

64 Bobby of Br uins lore

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Dave Matthews Band, Noah Kahan top Pilgrimage 2024 lineup

Hozier, Allison Russell, Lukas Nelson,

Needtobreathe,

many more set to play the fest’s 10th anniversary event

BY STEPHEN TRAGESER

Barring interruptions from COVID in 2020 and a tremendous downpour that cut proceedings short in 2018, the Pilgrimage Music and Cultural Festival has been marking the change from summer to autumn at Franklin’s Park at Harlinsdale Farm since 2015. The fest returns to celebrate its 10th anniversary on Sept. 28 and 29 — thankfully, this year it’s scheduled for the weekend after AmericanaFest wraps up — and is bringing some heavy hitters along for the ride.

At the top of the bill for Saturday is Dave Matthews Band, returning after co-headlining Pilgrimage’s post-lockdown

return in 2021. The day features heaps more highlights that include Hozier, Trombone Shorty, Lukas Nelson, Grammywinning Nashville hometown hero Allison Russell, Willi Carlisle and Celisse. Your Sunday headliner is folkstar Noah Kahan, with a packed undercard including Needtobreathe, COIN, Sierra Hull, Better Than Ezra, rising guitar wizard Grace Bowers and established guitar ace and country songsmith Charlie Worsham. This story was first published by our sister publication Nashville Scene.

Five free and cheap family things to do in Middle Tennessee

BY AMANDA HAGGARD

It’s the last weekend for egg hunting and Easter bunny visits. Your house may soon be full of chocolate and small trinkets. Here we offer some chances to get outside before all of that begins: Head out to Cheekwood for the Great Spring Art Hop. Check out the Nashville Zoo’s big spring bash and scavenger hunt. Or choose from three more low-key options: A smaller celebration down in Rutherford County, a chance to make some art and learn about reusing items, and a festival all about pie.

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:

GREAT SPRING ART HOP

At Cheekwood Estate & Gardens, the Great Spring Art Hop on March 29-30 is possibly one of the pricier events to appear

on this list. But you get a lot for price: The event features nine oversized bunnies painted by local artists, eight of them hidden throughout the gardens. There will also be a large egg hunt on the grounds separated by age and during several time slots. Musical performances will also happen on the lawn and there will be art activities, a scavenger hunt and food trucks on site. The event takes place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and you can reserve tickets online at cheekwood. org/calendar-events/great-spring-arthop/#tickets.

EGGSTRAVAGANZOO AT THE NASHVILLE ZOO

Nashville Zoo’s annual Eggstravaganza, taking place on March 30 is sold out for regular admission, but the pricier “early riser” option includes several activities and goodies like a grab-and-go breakfast, souvenir craft

Consulate General of Ireland appoints country’s first honorary consul in Nashville

STAFF REPORTS

activities and more, for an added price. The day begins at 8 a.m. and includes an egg hunt, face painting, talks with the keepers and themed animal enrichment. Reservations are required ahead of time.

PIE FEST

If you’re one to host an Easter feast, Pie Fest at Lane Agri Park in Murfreesboro on March 30 is a good place to stop. Admission to the festival is free, and the first 200 shoppers will receive a free mini pie. There will be more than 70 local vendors on site.

TURNIP GREEN CREATIVE REUSE

Also on March 30, Turnip Green Creative Reuse will host its Kids Class, where they give kiddos the chance to use their imagination while crafting one-of-a-kind items. Instructors from TGCR will guide students through hands-on activities while encouraging the use of repurposed materials to make art. The class is an hour long and begins at 10 a.m.

EASTER EGG HUNT AT CCRC MURFREESBORO

Community Care of Rutherford County is hosting a meet-and-greet with the Easter Bunny on March 30 at 1 p.m. with an egg hunt to follow. The event will also include games, prizes and more.

The Consulate General of Ireland has appointed Amy Seigenthaler Pierce the country’s first honorary consul in Nashville. Based in Atlanta, the Consulate general of Ireland represents the country in the Southeastern United States. As honorary consul in Nashville, Seigenthaler Pierce will work with the Consulate General in Atlanta to support Irish citizens by growing ties in Tennessee and building Ireland’s profile as a place to visit, work, invest and study, according to a release.

A long-time Nashvilian, Seigenthaler Pierce is an Irish-American who serves on the board of the U.S.-Ireland Alliance and was previously chief aide to U.S. Ambassador Jean Kennedy Smith at the U.S. Embassy in Dublin from 1994 to 1999. She is also a managing partner at marketing and communications agency FINN partners.

“This is a huge step forward in Ireland’s relations with Tennessee,” Caoimhe Ní Chonchúir, Ireland’s consul general in Atlanta, said in the release. “Having Amy on the ground will help to support our wonderful Irish communities in the state and strengthen our flourishing economic ties. It is a statement of our commitment to the Ireland-Tennessee partnership.”

About 10 percent of Tennessee’s residents claim Irish heritage, the release notes. Ireland is the sixth biggest source of foreign direct investment in Tennessee and the country’s investment supports about 8,000 jobs.

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

Dave Matthews Band at Pilgrimage 2021

Photo by Hamilton Matthew Masters

Amy Seigenthaler Pierce

PHOTO COURTESY OF HATCHER & FELL

Nashville Zoo’s Claws, Paws and Jaws Society Reception

BY JAYME FOLTZ

The Nashville Zoo appreciated its dedicated supporters at the annual Claws, Paws and Jaws cocktail reception.

Special guests from the Zoo family attended the celebration: Fern the two-toed sloth, Willow the Palawan binturong, Jerry the double yellow-headed parrot, and Pepite the fanaloka.

The event was catered by Corner Market Catering Company with special chocolate party favors from the father-daughter-owned micro-chocolate factory Poppy & Peep. This year, around 70 attendees gathered at the stunning home of Angie and Chris Howard for the thank you soiree.

The Howards have supported the Zoo as members of CPJ since their children were old enough to attend its youth program, Zoo Tots.

“It’s so exciting to see how the Zoo has grown,” Angie Howard said. “The first time we went was in 1997, and it‘s evolved immensely. It makes me proud to be from Nashville.”

CPJ Board Chair Ed Goodrich and Zoo President and CEO Rick Schwartz made

remarks and expressed gratitude toward the donors.

“We simply wouldn’t be where we are, and what we are, without you. So it’s only proper we get together every year to celebrate you,” Goodrich explained to the crowd of donors.

The Claws, Paws and Jaws Society has played an invaluable role in the growth and expansion of the Zoo for over 20 years.

Schwartz revealed the parking lot renovations are “on time and on budget.”

The expanded lot and brand-new parking garage are expected to open on May 24 and will increase the Zoo’s parking capacity by 62%. With the renovations, the Zoo anticipates seeing around 2.2 million visitors in the next year. In 2023, the facility averaged over 1.4 million visitors.

In continued development is a Leopard Forest exhibit, a multi-species exhibit that will feature Amur leopards, one of the rarest cats in the world. The exhibit will also feature colobus monkeys, De Brazza’s monkeys, klipspringers, and rock hyraxes.

Willow the Palawan binturong

Linda Cochran

Lou Larratta and Ellen Clark

Kim Rosdeutscher, Anne Roos, and Heather Rosdeutscher

CPJ Board Chair Ed Goodrich and Zoo President and CEO Rick Schwartz

Jane and Robert Cousins, and Susan and Bill Joy

Trey, Gardener and Camden Lee and Trayte Peters

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