🧑‍🍳 Why Nashville’s restaurants are struggling

☂️ Our Nashville Guide to April

April is packed with excellent events, from Easter eggstravaganzas to an abundance of spring festivals, concerts, and performances. Here’s our guide to enjoying April in Nashville! [🎧 City Cast Nashville]

🧑‍🍳 Restaurants Still Struggle After the Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic forced many Nashville restaurants to close, like Cafe Coco, Antonio’s of Nashville, and most recently Sambuca. The industry is still feeling the strain five years later due to staffing shortages and rising costs. [The Tennessean]

• Now restaurants must deal with the impact of anti-immigrant legislation. [Nashville Scene]

♒ Bill Endangers State’s Wetlands

Lawmakers are considering a bill to roll back protections for up to 80% of the state’s isolated wetlands, supported by a representative of the legal firm that fought for the deregulation of wetlands at the Supreme Court. The House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee will consider the bill today. [Tennessee Lookout]

• Related: Can the Duck River survive our population boom? [🎧 City Cast Nashville]

🏫 Sponsor Claims Undocumented Student Bill Will Save Money

Sen. Bo Watson, the sponsor of the bill that would allow schools to deny enrollment or charge tuition to undocumented students, claims it costs too much to educate these children. However, evidence suggests the opposite, and it puts federal funding at risk. [Nashville Banner]