😻 The best of Nashville, according to locals

🐢 Efforts to Protect Nashville’s Endangered Species

For the 51st anniversary of the Endangered Species Act, City Cast Nashville is chatting with Nashville Zoo director of marketing Jim Bartoo on the species that need protecting in Nashville, the Zoo’s larger conservation work, and why Zoolumination is a must-see winter activity. [City Cast Nashville 🎧]

🚨 Metro Nashville to Pay $220K Settlement

Metro Council this week approved a settlement of $110,000 each to two women who were wrongfully pulled over by the Metro Nashville Police Department on Aug. 20. While searching for a Black man in an allegedly stolen car, officers conducted a “tactical vehicle jam” and mistakenly identified the car the two Black women were in as stolen. [The Tennessean]

• 💰 Plus: Here’s what else was discussed at the final 2024 Metro Council meeting. [Nashville Banner]

🚧 Legislation Introduced to Reduce Construction Noise

Tennessee lawmakers have announced a legislative campaign to fine building contractors who violate regulations prioritizing community well-being, such as noise levels and time of day. Dubbed the “Ban Bad Builders” Campaign, here’s how Nashville residents could hold “bad builders” accountable. [WKRN]

🛣️ Metro Nashville Receives Transportation Grants

The city has received two Strengthening Mobility and Revolutionizing Transportation grants, totaling $11.9 million. A grant of $10 million is allocated for work on Nolensville Pike, and $1.9 million will go toward better bus service on Murfreesboro Pike. [Tennessee Tribune]

What are Nashville’s best spots, according to Nashvillians? We’ve got their takes! We asked some of our favorite City Cast Nashville podcast guests from this year to share what spots, eateries, and places are the best of Nashville. Here are a few of their answers:

🏕️ Best Escapes

Percy Priest Lake Campsite: “If you ever want to get away, go to Recreation.gov and rent you a campsite. The little waves of Percy Priest will come right to your feet. I do camp sometimes, but I'll also rent the site and just stay for a few hours.” — Nicole Valentine, executive producer of Napier Kitchen Table

McCabe Park and the Richland Creek Greenway: “I go there every single day, pretty much. It's a very peaceful feeling to me. They have a little creek. If you've never been there, it's around 3 miles of a walk, but it's just within the city.” — Fitness coach April Moore

Shelby Bottoms: “My wife and I live in East Nashville. It’s the closest place we can go to get away from traffic, to get into nature. It’s beautiful for picnics and walks.” — Zach Lykins, executive director of Trinity Community Commons

🏈 Best Sports Bar

No Quarter: “A fun place to go and watch sports. They've got amazing pinball games, and they have this rotating tap situation where they're always getting new fun beers in.” — Soccer Moses, Nashville SC's unofficial mascot

😋 Best Restaurants for Kids

El Fuego Restaurante, Rosepepper Cantina, and East Nashville Beer Works: “I am married and have a 3-year-old. He loves to ask to go to a restaurant. A Mexican restaurant is always going to be his favorite because he loves chips. He loves East Nashville Beer Works because of the playground, which I love because that means I can continue to sit and sip on my beer while he is playing on the playground.” — Allie Wallace, Open Table Nashville

🌱 Best Nursery

Bates Nursery & Garden Center: “I think Bates has a really good selection at a fair price. I think there's other nurseries that are maybe a little bit more differentiated. But I think Bates has a really good selection.” — Julie Gardner, manager of Cheekwood Greenhouse