The Zoo Bytes Back
💻 Data centers take center stage · TN Democratic Party drops redistricting lawsuit · Nonprofit pushing to rescind TN’s new immigrant verification rule in Mayor’s proposed budget · Much more!
Good afternoon, everyone. Data centers take center stage in the midst of Metro budget season, but will new regulations affect the proposal near the zoo?... TN Democratic Party drops redistricting lawsuit... Nonprofit pushing to rescind TN’s new immigrant benefits verification rule set to receive $60,000 in Mayor’s proposed budget... And much more!
The Rise of Spencer Pratt Join us June 18th for a conversation with filmmaker Gabriel Mann on his work with Spencer Pratt and what's gone into his wildly successful campaign. (Buy Ticket)
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Data center discussions dominated the special council meeting, but will new regulations actually affect the proposed center near the Nashville Zoo?
From Megan Podsiedlik
During yesterday’s special-called Metro Council meeting, members approved the city’s Capital Improvements Budget and tied up a few loose ends ahead of next week’s major operating budget session. However, data centers dominated the discussion and stole the spotlight.
Data centers The body passed a late-filed bill sponsored by Councilmember Courtney Johnston that would place a temporary freeze on new data center permits.
The legislation is now tracking alongside the bills that would ban hyperscale data centers and set guardrails around any new data center construction. Both will have public hearings during the July 7th council meeting.
Though the freeze won’t take effect until it has passed all three readings, the legislation could act as a safeguard if the council has to delay action on the new data center regulations while hammering out the details.
Resounding support The council is united in its agreement that Nashville needs to draw up some guardrails for data centers, though Councilmembers Delishia Porterfield and Rollin Horton—who is the lead sponsor on the actual zoning and construction regulation bills—raised concerns about some of the language in the late-filed legislation. In the end, only Porterfield voted against the temporary freeze.
The zoo bytes back Though the data center regulation conversation has sparked broad debate, the hundreds of thousands of people pushing back against a data center proposed near the Nashville Zoo have captured national attention.
“This is not a vote to permanently ban data centers,” said attorney and Nashville Zoo Board Member Lauren Curry while speaking in favor of the freeze during public comment. “It's simply a vote to allow the legislative process to begin on an issue that deserves careful review.”
Dr. Heather Schwartz, the head veterinarian for the Nashville Zoo, also spoke in support of the late-filed legislation:
“Nothing good comes from placing a disruptive data center next to animals living in carefully managed habitats.”
That said, the legislation might not be able to stop the construction of the data center near the zoo. During floor discussion, Councilmember Kyonzté Toombs made sure to clarify that the freeze will not take effect until it passes all three readings and that any new regulations may not apply to data center permitting processes already underway.
✹ THE RISE OF SPENCER PRATT
The Rise of Spencer Pratt Filmmaker Gabriel Mann, a California native who fled to Nashville in 2021 and made his name with the wildfire documentary Hotshots, has been behind the scenes for Spencer Pratt's improbable rise from reality-star-turned-aggrieved-homeowner after the Palisades fire destroyed his home to a competitive candidate in LA's mayoral race.
Mann witnessed Pratt's transformation firsthand, starting in the aftermath of the fires, and has produced every one of the groundbreaking campaign ads that've captured the nation. Join us Thursday, June 18, at Bungalow Studios for the inside story.
This event benefits The Pamphleteer, Nashville and is priced with that in mind. Bard-level subscribers receive free admittance.
✹ 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)
HEADLINES
- 🔵 TN Democratic Party drops redistricting lawsuit The Tennessee Democratic Party has dropped its lawsuit challenging the legality of the new congressional district maps drawn by the Republican supermajority in the General Assembly. After being denied expedited relief, the party filed a notice of voluntary dismissal without prejudice and will shift focus to elections while continuing to support related NAACP and ACLU challenges. (Post)
- ⭐ Nonprofit pushing to rescind TN’s new immigrant benefits verification rule set to receive $60,000 in Mayor’s proposed budget Under Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell’s proposed budget, the Tennessee Justice Center (TJC) would receive a $60,000 grant through the Metro Nashville Health Department. TJC recently urged the Tennessee Department of Health to drop a new directive implementing Tennessee legislation that requires verification of immigration status for public benefits. (TN Star)
- 🛩 O’Connell Administration to file lawsuit over state takeover of Metro Nashville Airport Authority Board Mayor Freddie O’Connell has directed the Metro Department of Law to file a new lawsuit against the State of Tennessee over a second attempt to take over control of the Metro Nashville Airport Authority Board (MNAA). Today, the MNAA Board voted to join the litigation. (Mayor’s Office)
- 🎙 Longtime voice of WSM and Opry announcer has passed Bill Cody, the longtime voice of WSM Radio and Grand Ole Opry announcer, has died. A Country Radio Hall of Famer with a 48-year career that included hosting Coffee, Country & Cody for over three decades, Cody received a star on the Music City Walk of Fame in 2024 and was known for his work in radio, television, film, and national platforms like SiriusXM. (NewsChannel 5)
DEVELOPMENT
- Firm with celebrity ties buys 175-acre Franklin site (NBJ)
- A decade in, an East Nashville shop is entering its next chapter (NBJ)
- Convention Center Authority buys former federal building parking garage (WKRN)
- Holladay Ventures plans mixed-use building, day care center near Dickerson Pike (Post)
THINGS TO DO
View our calendar for the week here.
📅 Visit our On The Radar list to find upcoming events around Nashville.
🎧 On Spotify: Pamphleteer's Picks, a playlist of our favorite bands in town this week.
👨🏻🌾 Check out our Nashville farmer's market guide.
TONIGHT
🎸 The Last Dinner Party @ The Pinnacle, 7p, $32.57, Info
🎸 Jared James Nichols @ The Basement East, 8p, $24.75, Info
🪕 Tim O'Brien @ Station Inn, 8p, $20, Info
💀 Tennessee Dead @ Tennessee Brew Works, 6p, Info
🪕 Bluegrass Night @ The American Legion Post 82, 7p, 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