👀 The best place in Nashville to get free stuff

🎵 Ryman Wins Ascend Amphitheater Bid

Ryman Hospitality Properties beat out Live Nation and AEG for a 10-year contract to run Metro-owned Ascend Amphitheater. Ryman will take over the outdoor venue on Jan. 2026, pending Metro Council’s approval. [The Tennessean]

• As part of the bid, Ryman has pledged to support indie venues and promoters. [🎧 City Cast Nashville]

🏫 Child Arrested for Reposting Screenshot

A local 12-year-old who was arrested for reposting a screenshot of a text exchange that threatened school shootings says he felt pressured to plead guilty in order to return home sooner. He claims to have reposted the screenshot to warn friends. His father wasn’t present during counsel with an attorney. In Tennessee, threatening mass violence against schools is a felony. [The Tennessean]

🌧️ Nonprofits Request Flooding Relief Donations

Last week’s flooding damaged over 120 Clarksville homes, with more than 4,500 residents displaced. Local nonprofit Yaipak is asking for donations to help with emergency relief efforts. [NewsChannel 5]

• A Mt. Juliet animal shelter was also flooded, and is asking for donations to cover repairs. [Fox 17]

🪪 Undocumented Immigrant Driver’s License Bill Passes

A bill invalidating out-of-state driver’s licenses issued to undocumented immigrants has passed the Tennessee House and Senate and awaits Gov. Bill Lee’s signature for approval. [Nashville Scene]

• Another bill requiring public schools to teach students to marry before having children has passed and awaits Lee’s signature. [WSMV]

Confession: I’m a Nashville Public Library power user. I go to an NPL branch at least once a week, check out copious amounts of books for my daughter and me, and attend regular library events. NPL offers so many services to cardholders beyond books. Here’s how to make the most of your library card.

📱On the Go

Through the Libby, Hoopla, and Kanopy apps, you can check out books, audiobooks, music, and movies and enjoy them right on your phone.

🖼️ Decorate With Local Art

Borrow art for up to three months with the Metro Art Lending Library Collection, which currently includes 106 unique framed pieces ready to hang.

🚲 Ride a Bike

After picking up a BCycle fob at the branch of your choice, check out a bicycle from one of the numerous Nashville BCycle stations, for up to two hours at a time.

🎲 Host Board Game Night

With more than 200 board games, you’re all set for board game night. You can check out up to two board games at a time.

🏸 Take the Games Outside

Or maybe you’d rather check out one of these more physical games, like tennis, pickleball, or croquet.

🏛️ Go to a Museum

NPL’s Community Passports give cardholders two free passes to local museums. Currently, their only Community Passport is to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. In the past, they’ve had passports to Cheekwood and the National Museum of African American Music, so check back now and then to see if more museums have been added.

🧑‍🌾 Plant a Garden

You can borrow vegetable, herb, or flower seeds to start your own garden! NPL also offers numerous gardening classes.

🛠️ Fix Things Around the House

NPL has all sorts of tools: Wrenches, radon detectors, stud finders, to name a few.

🎻 Try a New Instrument

Borrow one of the 24 instruments in NPL’s catalog, like a mandolin, handbell set, or violin.

🧶 Start a New Hobby

Want to start sewing? Bird watching? Knitting? Engraving? NPL can help.

🎂 It’s Dessert Time

Borrow cake pans or an ice cream maker for your dessert-making needs, and remember to share with the City Cast Nashville team 😉

🏋️ Get Healthy

Check out a kettlebell, pilates kit, or blood pressure monitor to meet your wellness goals.

🏫 Expand Your Classroom Curriculum

NPL’s numerous curriculum kits for educators and caregivers explore a variety of topics, from the human body to multicultural Cinderella tales to robotics. These kits are awesome, and include books, audio recordings, and videos.