Stretching the Tank
🏎 Anti-racing petition back on track · D-9 Congressman Steve Cohen retires · 'Chud the Builder' charged with attempted murder · Much more!
Good afternoon, everyone. Metro Charter Revision Commission green lights revised petition to ban racing at The Fairgrounds Nashville... Democratic Congressman Steve Cohen of District 9 drops out of race... 'Chud the Builder' charged with attempted murder... And much more!
New TN U.S. Congressional District lookup Use your address to find your new district here.
The Undoing of the West Join us May 21st for a discussion with Vauban Books and writer Nathan Pinkoski for a discussion about French writer Jean Raspail's novel The Camp of Saints. (Buy Ticket)
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Metro Charter Revision Commission certifies revised petition filed by anti-racing coalition.
From Megan Podsiedlik
Apparently this race has at least three arguments left in the tank. Today, the Charter Revision Commission approved a revised petition submitted by Restore Our Fairgrounds to ban racing and prioritize affordable housing at The Fairgrounds Nashville. Unless disrupted by litigation, the coalition will have 90 days to collect roughly 50,000 signatures from Davidson County voters.
If achieved, the decision to ban racing would be voted on by Nashvillians. That said, the Election Commission has up to 30 days to verify the signatures before adding the amendment to November’s ballot. Keep in mind, Nashville and Tennessee election officials would likely need charter amendments and other ballot questions finalized by mid-September at the latest so military/overseas ballots can go out on time.
When speaking on the behalf of the group, Heidi Basgall Favorite listed a roster of neighborhood associations and community groups aligned with the anti-racing coalition.
“We are pro-fair, we are pro-flea market, and we are pro-expo events at the fairgrounds, which I attend regularly,” said Favorite. “We also are pro-open space, pro-affordable housing, pro-cleaning up Browns Creek.”
Darden Copeland, who formed Save My Fairgrounds to save the track and fairgrounds from demolition 16 years ago, spoke against the petition.
“I don’t think there’s anyone living there who’s 122-years-old and moved in before the track was built,” joked Copeland, noting that anti-racing residents moved into the neighborhood fully aware that racing was already part of the package.
“Mr. Ingram and the Gulch developers are seeking to bypass Metro Council to eliminate an activity and replace it with a land use that is beneficial for his real estate holders,” continued Copeland, who worked for John Ingram to bring Major League Soccer to Nashville. “This is a real estate deal; Ingram has said as much."
In a final plea, Copeland reminded the commission that their only job is to clean up the charter and protect it from frivolous revisions.
“This is a very specific land-use decision,” he argued. “These guys are asking you to pick winners and losers in a power struggle over a sandbox.”
Despite pushback, the Charter Revision Commission certified the petition: six in favor with one abstention from Thomas H. Lee.
What Horrors We Wrought In 1973, French writer Jean Raspail published one of the most controversial novels of the 20th century. His novel, The Camp of Saints, has been consistently censored throughout its history.
Vauban Books recently published a new translation of the French story, accompanied by a lucid introduction by writer Nathan Pinkoski. Join us as we discuss the legacy of this controversial novel and what it says about the West.
This event is for the benefit of The Pamphleteer, Nashville, and priced with that in mind. Bard-level subscribers receive free admittance.
BLURBS
🚫 Congressional Dropouts This morning, District 9’s current Democratic representative, Steve Cohen, officially dropped out of the race and announced his retirement from Congress. “I don’t want to quit. I’m not a quitter. But these districts were drawn to beat me,” said Cohen. The congressman is still part of a lawsuit challenging Tennessee’s new congressional map.
Though she pulled a petition, former Nashville mayor Megan Barry decided against a run in District 6. Councilmember Jacob Kupin, who was eyeing the new 7th District, also won't be running. Councilmember Mike Cortese, previously slated in District 5, will now campaign in District 4.
You can take a look at the updated list of potential candidates here.
✹ 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
- 🔗 'Chud the Builder’ charged with attempted murder after Clarksville courthouse shooting. Dalton Eatherly, a controversial online streamer known as “Chud the Builder,” is facing attempted murder and other felony charges after authorities said a confrontation outside the Montgomery County Courthouse escalated into a shooting. (Fox 17)
- 🪚 Neighbors negotiate tree trimming after sweeping outages. Tensions are high between Nashville residents and utility officials as expanded power-line buffer zones have led to aggressive tree trimming and removals following the recent ice storm. Some homeowners say the cutting is excessive and harms neighborhood privacy and tree canopy, while others argue stronger trimming is necessary to prevent future widespread power failures. (Scene)
- 🖋 Ogles introduces ASSIMILATION Act to dramatically cut immigration, mandate E-Verify, and strangle the H-1B program. U.S. Representative Andy Ogles' and Senator Tommy Tuberville’s bill would also tighten family-based immigration, impose stricter English and residency requirements for citizenship, and significantly reshape asylum and birthright citizenship policies. (TN Star)
- 🗺 Fourth lawsuit filed against TN redistricting map. Civil rights groups including the NAACP and the League of Women Voters filed a fourth lawsuit challenging Tennessee’s newly redrawn congressional maps. The suit argues the GOP-backed plan intentionally weakens Black voting power in Memphis by splitting the city into multiple districts and seeks to block the maps before the 2026 elections. (Tennessean)
- 🏨 Can tourism boom sustain 14,700 new Nashville hotel rooms? Nashville’s tourism surge has fueled a massive hotel construction boom, with roughly 14,700 new hotel rooms planned or under construction across the city. Tourism officials say developers remain confident in Music City’s continued growth, though the expansion raises questions about whether demand can keep pace with the rapidly increasing supply. (NewsChannel 5)
DEVELOPMENT
- Third Coast Comedy Club will relocate to 1307 Dickerson Pike (NBJ)
- Sheryl Crow selling 2.2-acre Forest Hills home (NBJ)
- High-end auto showroom building acquired for $4.95M (Post)
- Seattle-area day spa business slated for Nashville (Post)
- Fisk announces $1B campus master plan (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
🎻 Beethoven's Eroica Symphony @ Schermerhorn Symphony Center, 7:30p, $29+, Info
🎸 Drew & Ellie Holcomb @ Ryman Auditorium, 8p, $37+, Info
🎸 Musicians Corner @ Centennial Park, 5p, Free, Info
🎸 Bush @ FirstBank Amphitheater, 7p, $37+, Info
🪕 The Cowpokes @ Acme Feed & Seed, 12p, Free, Info
🎸 Kelley’s Heroes @ Robert’s Western World, 6:30p, Free, Info
SATURDAY
🪕 Vickie Vaughn @ Station Inn, 9p, $25, Info
🎻 Beethoven's Eroica Symphony @ Schermerhorn Symphony Center, 7:30p, $29+, Info
🎸 Musicians Corner @ Centennial Park, 12p, Free, Info
🎸 Bella White w/ Erin Rae @ The Basement East, 8p, $19.88, Info
🎸 Kelley’s Heroes @ Robert’s Western World, 6:30p, Free, Info
SUNDAY
🪕 Bluegrass Jam @ Station Inn, 7p, Free, Info
+ a night for musicians and singers from all over the world to gather and enjoy making music together
🪕 Sundays Between with Easy Green @ Tennessee Brew Works, 1p, Info
+ a bluegrass celebration of the music of the Grateful Dead
📰 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.