🎶 The best Nashville albums of the year

🏆 The Best Nashville Album of the Year Goes To …

NPR Music critic Ann Powers joins City Cast Nashville to run down her favorite albums released by Nashville artists this year, including Brittany Howard, Madi Diaz, Billy Strings, and more. Don't worry, Swifties — she talks about Taylor, too. [🎧 City Cast Nashville]

📚 Williamson County Schools Ban 3 Books

On Monday, the Williamson County school board voted to remove three books: “Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close” by Jonathan Safran Foer, “Perks of Being a Wallflower” by Stephen Chbosky, and “Where the Crawdads Sing” by Delia Owens. “Speak” by Laurie Halse Anderson and “Field Guide to the American Teenager” by Ben Philippe will be restricted. [WKRN]

• This is part of a growing trend among counties surrounding Nashville. [🎧 City Cast Nashville]

👨🏿‍💼 State Rep. Harold M. Love, Jr.’s New Role

Nashville State Rep. Harold M. Love, Jr. has been sworn in as the 16th president of the National Black Caucus of State Legislators. “Together, we will get the work done, championing the voices of our communities and passing resolutions that pave the way for meaningful change,” said Love. [The Tennessee Tribune]

🎉 TN Syrians Celebrate Fall of Assad Regime

Middle Tennessee Syrians, many of whom are refugees, are celebrating this week after Syrian rebel forces ousted the Assad regime and retook Damascus. MTSU professor of engineering Saleh Sbenaty said, “I did not think I would live to see that day.” [WPLN]