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City Cast Nashville

🎵 How our music industry is grappling with AI

December 23, 2025 · 💌 Margaret Kingsbury

Good mornin’! It looks like the weather on Christmas is going to be gorgeous. We’re taking the next few days off, but will be back in your inbox on Monday. Until then, might I suggest enjoying the beautiful weather with some holiday hiking? 🥾

And here’s a shocker: Dalts American Grill has closed with no warning after 45 years! On a Facebook post, the owners explain the restaurant never really recovered from the pandemic.

What's CITY Talking About

On the left, a silhouette of Nashville in yellow and white. On the right, a pod player that says: Our Favorite Nashville Meals From 2025

🍽️ The Greatest Thing We Ate This Year

On today’s City Cast Nashville podcast, we’re gathering round the mic to discuss our favorite bite of 2025, the meal that surprised us the most, and our most controversial food hot takes as we close out a great year of dining in Nashville’s incredible culinary melting pot. [🎧 City Cast Nashville]

👮 Report Clears MNPD of Alleged Misconduct

A much-anticipated independent investigation into a Metro Nashville Police Department whistleblower report from April of 2024 clears the department of alleged improper conduct. The investigation found either no evidence of misconduct, or that the allegations didn’t violate MNPD policies. [Nashville Banner]

  • In his 61-page complaint, former MNPD Lt. Garet Davidson claimed top MNPD officials worked with Republican state legislators on a 2023 state law eliminating civilian oversight boards, among other allegations. [🎧 City Cast Nashville]

🎵 Nashville’s Music Industry Grapples With AI

According to Humanable, a company that certifies human-made music, musicians will lose at least $5 billion a year to AI and streaming fraud, a financial catastrophe for Nashville’s music industry. The music industry is already seeing a loss of post-production roles in the wake of AI, while local and national politicians debate whether regulating AI is possible. [Nashville Banner]

🛍️ So Long, RiverGate Mall

RiverGate Mall permanently closes on Dec. 31, to be demolished to make way for a new mixed-use development featuring retail, restaurants, townhomes, multi-family housing, and independent senior housing. It’s the end of an era for many locals. [🔐 The Tennessean]

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Festive Furballs

To celebrate the holidays, I asked you to share festive pictures of your furballs, and y’all delivered! I hope these pictures bring you joy this holiday season.

Two white cats snuggled together in a basket atop a cat tree, beside a Christmas tree.
These Persian kitties are inseparable. (Courtesy of Susan G.)

Kacper and Szymon await their presents in their own tree by the Christmas tree.

A silver and white cat looks up at a tilted Christmas tree in front of a window.
Oh Merlin. (Courtesy of Jan Kingsbury)

My mom’s cat Merlin is not so well behaved. Mom has tied their Christmas tree to the window to keep him from toppling it.

A white person with short dark hair holds a black cat up to a Christmas tree on the left, and on the right a chocolate cat sits beneath a Christmas tree.
Two more Christmas kitties! (Courtesy of Rebecca D.)

Otter (left) and Kitty (right) love the Christmas lights.

A black curly haired dog wears reindeer antlers and a red scarf on a white rug with a Christmas lights chew toy, with lights behind him.
Haggie is ready for the holidays! (Courtesy of Jacob T.)

Haggie’s apartment complex set up a holiday pet photobooth, perfect for this handsome reindeer!

A white, black, and brown border collie with superimposed reindeer antlers and a red nose outside.
Lottie the red-nosed reindeer! (Marie Cecile Anderson / City Cast Nashville)

Lottie wants to join the reindeer gang, too!

A goldendoodle sits on Santa's lap, a Christmas scene behind them with trees, a candy cane, North Poll mailbox, and a gingerbread man.
Chip is indubitably on Santa’s nice list. (Courtesy of Sarah F.)

Chip asked Santa for more lamb chops!

A silver, white, and brown Australian Shepherd sits on a pillow on a leather couch, next to an embroidered pillow showing a red truck carrying Christmas trees, with two Australian Shepherds beside it.
Nugget is ready for the holiday! (Courtesy of Lisa I.)

A Christmas pillow for a Christmas pup.

What To Do

Tuesday, Dec. 23

Wednesday, Dec. 24

Thursday, Dec. 25

More DC Events

Merry Christmas and happy holidays, friends! If this time of year is hard for you, sending you lots of love 💕

Before I go, longtime East Nashville record store The Groove is moving. The last day in its current location will be Dec. 31. They’ve got some sweet sales until then. Keep an eye on their profile page for reopening details.

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