Will license plate readers be pushed on Nashville?

🍻 Behind the Scenes at Nashville’s Bars

On today’s City Cast Nashville podcast, we’re chatting with a 25-year bartender veteran about her daily grind, from serving bachelorette parties to staying safe on the job, and what bartending has taught her about our city. [🎧 City Cast Nashville]

🚗 License Plate Readers Could Be Coming Our Way

The Tennessee Highway Patrol has identified 21 locations in Davidson County where they could install license plate readers. A TDOT spokesperson said installation doesn’t require approval from the local government. [Nashville Banner]

• Despite initially approving LPRs, Metro Council’s interest in implementing the technology waned after reports of data leakage and its use in immigration surveillance. [🎧 City Cast Nashville]

💉 Local Researchers Prepare for Measles Outbreak

Vanderbilt University Medical Center researchers have been working on antibody treatments for measles amid nationwide outbreaks and vaccine hesitancy. Only six measles cases have been reported in Tennessee this year, while 91.3% of Davidson County students are fully vaccinated. The vaccine threshold for community protection is 95%. [Nashville Scene]

• What to know about the measles vaccine [📰 Hey Nashville]

🌊 ‘Columbia Dam Now’ Group Teams Up With Ogles

Proponents of building a dam on the Duck River to source drinking water for Middle Tennessee are working with Representative Andy Ogles to fast-track a feasibility study. Opponents argue a dam would devastate the already at-risk river. [Tennessee Lookout]

• The Duck is the most biodiverse freshwater river in North America. [🎧 City Cast Nashville]

It’s almost impossible to make it through the summer without finding a tick or three on you in Tennessee, unless you stay indoors all day. Here’s everything you need to know about ticks in Nashville, from how to remove them to tick-borne illnesses.

When Is Tick Season in Nashville?

Ticks can be found all year round, but they’re most prevalent from April through October. In my experience, June through August are particularly rough.

How To Remove a Tick

You don’t need to go to the doctor to remove a tick; you can do it at home. Your medicine cabinet should always include tweezers, rubbing alcohol, and cotton balls. Try to remove the tick as soon as you can.

• Pour rubbing alcohol in the bottle’s lid, to put the tick in when you’re done.
• Take your tweezers and grasp the tick as close to its head as possible.
• Pull up gently. Don’t pull too hard or yank; you don’t want the head to break off inside the bite. It may take several tries.
• Place the tick in the lid with the rubbing alcohol to kill it. The CDC also recommends tape.
• Clean the bite with rubbing alcohol on a cotton ball.
• My doctor recommends placing the tick in a sealed plastic bag, labeling it with the date, and then putting it in the freezer, in case of a tick-borne illness.
• Do a full-body check for more ticks, including your hair.

Don’t worry too much if the head doesn’t come out with the tick. Your body will eventually push it out.

Tick-Borne Diseases in Tennessee

Here are the most common tick-borne diseases in Tennessee, and how many cases there were in 2023:

• Ehrlichiosis, 98 cases
• Spotted Fever Rickettsioses, 75 cases
• Lyme disease, 39 cases
• There are several other less-common types of tick-borne diseases in Tennessee.
• Call your doctor if you develop a rash, fever, muscle pain, joint swelling, or fatigue within 30 days after a tick bite.
• Most tick-borne diseases can be treated with antibiotics, though some are more serious and may require hospitalization.