🚨 Who’s the mayor trying to fire?

🏙️ Music City — Tourist City

Nashville was recently ranked as one of the biggest tourist traps in the world, with a low authenticity score. But is that ranking deserved? We’re chatting about that, legislative updates, and more on today’s City Cast Nashville podcast. [🎧 City Cast Nashville]

🏛️ Immigration Bills Proposed

At the Tennessee General Assembly on Thursday, Republican lawmakers announced a package of immigration bills aimed at restricting undocumented immigrants’ access to public benefits. The bills include requiring driver’s license tests to be administered in English, tracking the immigration status of K-12 students, and requiring proof of legal status before receiving SNAP benefits. The bills must pass the state House and Senate before Gov. Lee can sign them into law. [🔐 The Tennessean]

🚨 Metro Begins Process of Firing 911 Director

Mayor Freddie O’Connell has begun the process of firing Metro’s 911 director Steve Martini in a letter charging Martini with violating several Civil Service Rules. Dispatcher Hannah McGuire, the first employee to publicly speak out about Martini’s behavior, says, “There's a sense of hope on the floor that we haven't had in a while.” [NewsChannel 5]

• This follows an independent investigation that found multiple systemic failures in the department. [📰 Hey Nashville]

🥫 The Store Opens Second Location

The Store has opened a second location on the ground level of TriStar Centennial’s B Garage. Founded by Brad Paisley and Kimberly Williams-Paisley, The Store’s Belmont location provides 2,200 families with free groceries. With its new location, they can serve even more. [WSMV]

• The Store needs an additional 275 volunteers a week. Consider lending a hand! [The Store]
• Listen to our chat with The Store’s chief executive officer amid the SNAP funding crisis. [🎧 City Cast Nashville]
• And shout out to Taylor Swift for her “generous gift” to The Store. [Instagram]

Dolly Parton celebrates her 80th birthday on Monday, Jan. 19. Happiest of birthdays to the Tennessee icon! Here’s a little Dolly trivia for her birthday.

What was Dolly Parton’s first song to hit number one on the country music charts?

Meet Kitty (top, six years old) and Otter (bottom, one year old)! Kitty is a very anxious cat, so while the two aren’t best buddies, they love to wrestle and hang out near each other (just not cuddle). Their humans love them very much 💕

Want to see your pets featured in the newsletter? Email me their pics!