City Cast Nashville
💰 Why are TN schools getting millions?
July 29, 2025 · 💌 Margaret Kingsbury
Happy Tuesday! Dave Ramsey’s former Franklin castle — er, home — is for sale. Located on King Richards Court, it’s just aching for a Robin Hood-style makeover! Add a dungeon downstairs, some merry men in the forest, and you’ll be good to go. Hit reply for more interior design tips from yours truly 😜
What's CITY Talking About?
✈️ What Vegas Says About Our Boring Tunnel
Yesterday, state officials and Elon Musk’s The Boring Company officially announced plans for a tunnel connecting downtown and BNA. But how successful has the company been with similar plans in Las Vegas? We’re chatting with City Cast Las Vegas host Dayvid Figler about it on today’s City Cast Nashville podcast. [🎧 City Cast Nashville]
- Governor Bill Lee is calling the tunnel the ‘Music City Loop.’ The first segment could be operational as early as Fall 2026. [WKRN]
🧑⚖️ Local Media Organizations Sue the State
Tennessee Lookout, Nashville Banner, and other local media organizations are suing Tennessee, claiming a new state law violates the First and Fourteenth Amendments. The so-called “buffer” law makes it a crime to come within 25 feet of a law enforcement officer after being told to stay back. [Tennessee Lookout]
- The law expanded police powers with the aim of deterring antisemitism and other hate crimes. [🎧 City Cast Nashville]
👏 Outpouring of Public Support for Media Nonprofit
Local nonprofit Nashville Public Radio has surpassed its emergency fundraising goal after its federal funding was cut, raising enough to fill the gap for this fiscal year. Listeners made more than 2,000 donations, including at least 500 from first-time contributors. [WPLN]
- Donate here [WPLN]
🏫 TN Schools To Receive Millions in Delayed Funds
After missing a July 1 deadline, the Trump administration has unfrozen $6.9 billion in federal funding for public schools, including more than $118 million for Tennessee. The funds primarily go toward before- and after-care services and resources for English language learners. The administration cited the need to review the funds as the reason for the delay. [The Tennessean]
What To Do
Tuesday, July 29
- 🐦 Summer Bird Banding Research at Warner Park Nature Center, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. (Free)
- 🎵 North Nashville Musical Performance and Lunch Hosted by Trustee Erica S. Gilmore at Hartman Park Regional Community Center, Noon-1 p.m. (Free)
- 🫖 Summer Afternoon Iced Teas at Cheekwood, 3-4:30 p.m.
- 🔍 Find Waldo Celebration 2025 at Parnassus Books & other locations, 4-5 p.m. (Free)
- 🧑🌾 Volunteer Gardening Work — “Dirt Church” with GROW Enrichment, 5:30-8 p.m. (Volunteer)
- 🍷 French Wine Tasting at The Authentique, 6 p.m.
- 🧘 Gentle Yoga at Richland Park Library Branch, 6-7 p.m. (Free)
- 📕 Silent Book Club With Nashville Smut Lovers at Drift Hotel/Sunroom, 6-8 p.m. (Free)
- 🎥 Summer of Sound: “Woodstock” at Riverside Revival, 7 p.m. (Free)
Wednesday, July 30
- 🛶 Paddle on Percy Priest at Hamilton Creek Recreation Area, 9-11 a.m. (Free)
- 📦 ThriftSmart at the Rivergate Store, 9 a.m. & 1 p.m. (Volunteer)
- 🪕 Family Program: Musical Instrument Petting Zoo at Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, 10 a.m.-Noon
- ♠️ Friday Night Game Night at Pruitt Library Branch, 4-5:30 p.m. (Free)
- 😆 Kerwin Claiborne at Zanies, 7 p.m.
- 🧙 Library Trivia: “The Lord of the Rings” at Fait La Force Brewing, 7-9 p.m. (Free)
- 🐦 Purple Martin Watch Party at Warner Park Nature Center, 7-9 p.m. (Free)
- 🎶 Maui the Writer presents “The Unlearning Tour” at City Winery, 7:30 p.m.
- 🎵 Saycouth with Carson Beyer at Analog at Hutton Hotel, 8 p.m.
Heads up for travelers: BNA's Terminal Drive to Donelson Pike will be going down to one lane on weekdays through September for construction. No, not that construction. Yet.
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