Meta-maxxing
🤳 TN puts Meta on trial · Primary countdown: new polls, big money, everyone wants the last word · Two arrests put repeat offenders back in the spotlight · Much more!
Good afternoon, everyone. Tennessee takes Meta to trial over Instagram’s impact on teen mental health... Primary countdown: new polls, big money, & everyone wants the last word... Repeat offender picked up on new charges in Nashville while Nashville criminal who evaded police for 5 years gets picked up in Mt. Juliet... And much more!
Augustapalooza Two chances for you to schmooze next month. The special guest for our monthly event is writer Scott Greer here to talk about his new book, and we're partnering with children's book publisher Chapter House for a mom's night out (with open bar) the Saturday before. (Greer Info, Mom Info)
Voting & TN U.S. Congressional District lookup Use your address to find your new congressional district here. Check out The Pamphleteer's quick voting guide.
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Tennessee takes Meta to court over the fine art of keeping teens glued to the screen.
From Megan Podsiedlik
It’s been three years since Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti sued Meta, alleging the company violated the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act by designing addictive Instagram features and downplaying risks to teens. The case finally reached trial this month, and opening arguments began in Davidson County Chancery Court on Monday, July 27.
Tennessee’s lead attorney in the case, Tom Cartmell, delivered the state’s opening remarks highlighting how Meta ignored its own internal research about Instagram’s impact on teens and continued to use features like notifications, autoplay, and infinite scroll despite concerns about potential harm and impact on addictive behavior. The state’s central argument has remained unchanged since the lawsuit was filed: Meta knowingly prioritized user engagement and profits over the safety and well-being of teenagers.
Meta-maxxing The trial is expected to unfold over the next seven weeks, but the drama has been going on for years.
When Skrmetti initially announced the state’s lawsuit against Meta in October 2023, documents from the bipartisan, nationwide investigation were released with heavy redactions on the behest of the social media giant. It wasn’t until January 2024 that the Tennessee AG’s office was able to release the fully un-redacted version of the suit. When the mask finally fell, it revealed Meta’s keen interest in “penetrating” Tennessee’s teen market.
“Every single piece of the product was built as a result of deliberate design and deliberate testing to make it as irresistible as possible, and kids are particularly vulnerable to that sort of manipulation,” Skrmetti stated during a press conference at the time.
The defense On Monday, Meta’s defense rebutted the state’s challenge and argued that Instagram was designed to engage users, not intentionally addict them. The company’s attorney, Kevin Huff, said teen mental health issues have many causes beyond social media, arguing Tennessee is unfairly blaming Meta for broader societal challenges while ignoring the company’s efforts to protect users.
✹ AUGUST PAMPHLETEER EVENTS
Two Opportunities to Mix and Mingle. In addition to our regular, third Thursday get-together with special guest Scott Greer who is here to talk about his new book Whitepill, we're partnering with children's book publisher Chapter House to host a Mom's Night Out in support of their new line of high-quality children's classics.
For the Whitepilled event with Scott Greer, the first 50 guests to RSVP with code PILLED will receive free admittance. RSVP here.
HEADLINES
- 🗳 Elections: Gubernatorial Race A new poll by OnMessage shows Senator Marsha Blackburn only leading the Republican gubernatorial primary with 39 percent support, while Representative John Rose has surged to 35 percent, cutting Blackburn's lead to just four points as the race enters its final stretch. The poll also shows state Representative Monty Fritts trailing Rose by less than six points but found most undecided voters now lean toward Rose, suggesting the final days of early voting and Election Day could determine the nominee.
D-5 Race The Invest in Tomorrow Coalition has launched another $700,000 ad buy, backing Charlie Hatcher in the District 5 Congressional race, bringing its total spending in the Republican primary against Representative Andy Ogles to roughly $2 million. The latest investment is underscored by a poll commissioned by the super PAC that shows Ogles holding only a narrow advantage over Hatcher.
D-6 Race The Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) has endorsed state Representative Johnny Garrett in the Republican primary for Tennessee's 6th Congressional District, calling him a "proven conservative" who has delivered results in Nashville. The endorsement adds to Garrett's list of conservative backers as he faces former U.S. Representative Van Hilleary—who was recently endorsed by state House Speaker Cameron Sexton—in the August primary to replace retiring Representative John Rose.
D-7 Race State Representative Vincent Dixie, a Democratic candidate for Tennessee's 7th Congressional District, has owed the IRS more than $318,000 in unpaid federal taxes for eight years, according to federal tax lien records. Dixie acknowledged the debt, saying it stems from financial hardships following the 2008 recession and that he has been working with the IRS on a repayment plan. - 🚨 Crime: Repeat Offender Strikes Again in Nashville Former Chattanooga school bus driver Johnthony Walker, who was previously convicted in the 2016 Chattanooga school bus crash that killed six children, was recently taken into custody in Nashville after allegedly assaulting his ex-girlfriend. Walker has also been brought up on charges of aggravated burglary, aggravated assault, child abuse, and violating the sex offender registry.
Mt. Juliet police arrest Nashville man wanted since 2021 After being on the run for five years, a Nashville man with multiple violent felony warrants has been taken into custody by Mt. Juliet police. Charges include aggravated kidnapping, aggravated burglary, aggravated assault, and domestic assault. Almost 90 percent of the 342 wanted criminals Mt. Juliet police officers arrested this year were not Mt. Juliet residents.
✹ PROPERTY TAX CALCULATOR
What Moved Your Bill? Use our handy new tool to see what contributed to your property tax bill increase: the reappraisal or the rate hike. (Try It Out)
DEVELOPMENT
- Popular Nashville spot 51st Deli eyes long-vacant Gulch building (NBJ)
- Atlanta company takes full ownership of Broadway property (Post)
- Audrey to cease operations in East Nashville (Post)
- Germantown parcels listed for sale (Post)
✹ METRO COUNCIL WATCH
New Council Watch Features We've added additional features to Council Watch. In addition to who's funding your council member, you can now see how they vote and who they vote with most frequently. (Take a Look)
THINGS TO DO
View our calendar for the week here.
📅 Visit our On The Radar list to find upcoming events around Nashville.
🎧 On Spotify: Pamphleteer's Picks, a playlist of our favorite bands in town this week.
👨🏻🌾 Check out our Nashville farmer's market guide.
TONIGHT
🎸 RYMAN @ The Blue Room, 7p, $20.90, Info
🪕 Vince Gill @ Ryman Auditorium, 7p, $189, Info
🎸 Dolly Parton's Threads: My Songs in Symphony @ Schermerhorn Symphony Center, 6p, $69+, Info
🪕 Sad Daddy @ Station Inn, 9p, $20, Info
🎙️ Open Mic @ Fox and Locke, 6:30p, Free, Info
🎸 Kelley's Heroes @ Robert's Western World, 6:30p, Free, Info
📰 Check out the full newsletter archive here.
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Today's newsletter is brought to you by Davis Hunt, Megan Podsiedlik, and Camelia Brennan.