City Cast Nashville
🦓 Our fave local animal on the run stories
June 17, 2025 · 💌 Margaret Kingsbury
Good mornin’! Nashville Public Library’s Main Branch will remain closed until July 7, following the library garage fire. They’re working on moving library holds over to the Looby Library Branch.
What's CITY Talking About?
🦓 Animals on the Run in Nashville
Ed the Zebra made national news when he escaped from his Nashville-area owners earlier this month, but he’s far from alone: Our town has a long and proud history of weird animal sightings. We’re chatting about them on today’s City Cast Nashville podcast. [🎧 City Cast Nashville]
- Related: There’s a raccoon running for Mark Green’s congressional seat. [Liberty Whiskers for Congress]
💸 Anti-DEI Efforts Lead to Fewer Sponsors
Amid diversity, equity, and inclusion rollbacks, organizers of Nashville’s Juneteenth and Pride celebrations are seeing fewer financial sponsors. In a letter posted to their website, the Nashville Pride board stated, “In a year marked by retreat, your support isn’t just meaningful — it’s vital.” [Nashville Banner]
💉 Local Health Expert on Vaccine Board Changes
Meharry Medical College President and CEO Dr. James Hildreth says he’s “baffled” by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s decision to replace all 17 members of the committee that advises the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on vaccine recommendations. Hildreth believes this could result in more hospitalizations and health threats. [The Tennessean]
- A local doctor on what you need to know about measles in Nashville [📰 Hey Nashville]
🏫 TSU Tuition Increase
Starting this fall, Tennessee State University will increase tuition by 6%, in line with other universities in the state. The TSU board also approved Interim President Dwayne Tucker’s 2025-26 budget, which includes a $39 million projected deficit. Tucker told the board he has a five-year plan to address the deficit. [The Tennessean]
- Inside TSU’s financial plight [🎧 City Cast Nashville]
Sponsored Content
Leopard Forest Opens Friday at Nashville Zoo
The Zoo’s newest adventure, Leopard Forest, opens this week and introduces Nashville to four new animals! Come see critically endangered Amur leopards, playful Colobus monkeys, inquisitive DeBrazza’s monkeys, and agile Klipspringer, all along a forested boardwalk. In addition, the Zoo’s popular giraffe habitat will reopen! Ribbon cutting on Friday at 9:30.
What To Do
Tuesday, June 17
- ♻️ Centennial Park Community Cleanup | 8:30-11:30 a.m. | Volunteer | Centennial Park
- 🍅 McGruder Community Garden Workday | 9-11 a.m. | Volunteer | McGruder Center
- 📖 Bilingual Song and Story Time | 10:30-11:30 a.m. | Free | Edmondson Pike Library
- 🌽 12 South Farmers Market | 4-7 p.m. | Free | 12 South
- ⚾ Nashville Sounds vs. Iowa Cubs | 6:35 p.m. | $15+ | First Horizon Park
- 🎙️ Grand Ole Opry: Opry 100 | 7 p.m. | $48+ | Opry House
- 🎼 Dan Tyminski Band | 7:30 p.m. | $37+ | Ryman
- 🎷 Boney James | 8:30 p.m. | $85+ | City Winery
Wednesday, June 18
- 🧺 Proctor Barn Picnic | 10 a.m-2 p.m. | Free | Beaman Park Nature Center
- 🪕 Family Program: Musical Instrument Petting Zoo | 10 a.m.-Noon | $29.95 | Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
- 👟 Fort Negley Park Guided Walking Tour | 10-11:30 p.m. | Free | Fort Negley
- 🕺 Library Dance Party | 10:30-11:30 a.m. | Free | Main Library
- 👕 Sort Baby and Children’s Clothes | 3-5 p.m. | Volunteer | 37209
- 📚 Novelette Pop Up Book Club | 5-7 p.m. | Free | Poindexter Coffee
- 🎙️ Opry 100 Honors: Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash | 7 p.m. | $66+ | Opry House
- 🎵 Blackstar Symphony: The Music of David Bowie | 7:30 p.m. | $39+ | Schermerhorn Symphony Center
- 🎸 444 Show feat. The Other LA / Chelsea Motel / Neon Exodus / WEEPING | 8 p.m. | $13.36 | The East Room
Due to a development boom, thousands of apartments remain empty in downtown Nashville. This two-bedroom apartment costs $17k a month to rent. Can’t imagine why it’s still empty.
Free · Daily