🚗 Do we need Choice Lanes?

🚗 Does Anybody Actually Want Choice Lanes?

On today’s City Cast Nashville podcast, we’re talking about this week’s news, from how Music City can retain its identity amid a tech takeover, to our opinions on Choice Lanes (does anyone actually want these?!) and a local reporter’s visit to the Las Vegas Tesla tunnels. [🎧 City Cast Nashville]

• Got Choice Lane opinions? Let me know.

📚 Main Library Branch Still Closed

The downtown library branch still has no reopening date after its parking garage was destroyed in a June fire, causing damage inside the library. The library is waiting on a plan from an architectural firm. [WKRN]

• Nashville Banner reported earlier this year how unhoused folk were struggling in the summer heat without the downtown library’s air conditioning. With colder temperatures coming, now the worry is where these folks will go to stay warm. [Nashville Banner]

🚌 Free Bus Pass Program Barriers

WeGo launched a free bus pass program for low-income residents in September, but its slow rollout is frustrating many. Choose How You Move advocate Manaen Hall argues that bus passes should be mailed to eligible recipients, rather than the more cumbersome process of signing people up in person or relying on other organizations. [Nashville Banner]

🥫 State Won't Cover SNAP Aid

SNAP recipients will no longer receive food aid starting Nov. 1 if the federal government shutdown continues. Governor Bill Lee says he won’t use the state’s $2 billion in emergency reserve funds to cover the loss for the 10% of Tennesseans on SNAP. [🔐 The Tennessean]

• Listen to our chat with Second Harvest Food Bank about what federal cuts to SNAP benefits mean for Nashville. [🎧 City Cast Nashville]

This week on the podcast, we had an epic face-off to decide whether East or West Nashville is best. But really, Nashville has lots of wonderful neighborhoods on both sides of the river. How well do you know them? Test yourself to find out!

First, what’s Nashville’s oldest neighborhood?

Last weekend, my daughter and I went to a PetSmart to look at all the pets, as one does, and they had so many adorable cats and kittens up for adoption! I was particularly moved by eight-year-old Pepper’s story on her adoption sheet: “I’m just an old soul looking for someone to be lazy with. I’m very happy just to be near someone. I don’t mind other cats. I just want to feel safe. I was in my other home my whole life so far. Now I’m sad and confused. I just want to matter.” 🥹 Oh Pepper! Somebody come out to the One Bellevue Place PetSmart and adopt this sweetie, or one of the other kitties!