🥶 Winter weather’s continued impact on Nashville

⚡ State Leads in Number of Power Outages

Tennessee led the nation in power outages after the weekend’s winter storm, with more than 300,000 outages statewide, most of them in Middle Tennessee. [🔐 The Tennessean]

• As of 6 p.m. Monday, there were more than 150,000 outages in Davidson County. [NES]
• At a press conference, Nashville Electric Service warned customers that outages could last the remainder of the week.
• Nearly 300 line workers were deployed yesterday, working with supplemental crews. [Nashville.gov]
• Metro Nashville Public Schools are closed today. Keep an eye on their inclement weather page for any additional closures or announcements. [MNPS]

🏘️ Warming Shelters

Metro Nashville has opened fire departments, police precincts, and select community centers to serve as warming locations. Pets are welcome. Many of these locations do not have beds, so check whether you need to bring your own bedding. To request a ride to a warming shelter, call 615-401-1712. At a press conference, local leaders stressed that these shelters would be safe spaces for everyone. [Nashville.gov]

• Here’s a list of more warming locations across Middle Tennessee. [WKRN]
• The Office of Homeless Services has opened an additional overflow shelter at the Salvation Army on 611 Stockell St. Here’s the list of all shelters for our unhoused neighbors. [Nashville.gov]
• If you need a ride to an OHS shelter, call Mobility Solutions at 615-844-3399.

✈️ Winter Weather Impacts Travel

At a press conference, the Nashville Department of Transportation said they’ve cleared primary roads and are currently working on secondary roads. Once those are complete, they’ll begin plowing post-secondary roads. Check to see their priority routes here, and try to be mindful of workers as they clear the roads of downed lines and trees. [Nashville.gov]

• BNA has reopened an air traffic control tower after a staffing shortage. However, travelers should still confirm their flight status directly with their airline before heading to the airport. [WKRN]

🤖 AI Infiltrates Songwriting

Are robots writing our music? On today’s City Cast Nashville podcast, we’re discussing how songwriters are grappling with AI, and what it means for creativity, jobs, and the future of Music City. The question isn’t if AI will change Nashville — but by how much, and who it helps or hurts. [🎧 City Cast Nashville]

🏗️ Vanderbilt Seeks To Rezone West End

Vanderbilt University is seeking to redevelop 40 acres off West End for a new “innovation neighborhood.” The university will bring a rezoning plan before the Metro Planning Commission next month. If approved in its current form, Vanderbilt could build up to 35 stories in some areas, and traffic could potentially double. [Nashville Scene]

♻️ Recycling Bills

Tennessee’s newly formed Solid Waste Task Force plans to draft a bill creating a waste diversion council to help counties find ways to keep recyclable waste out of our quickly-filling landfills. The filing deadline for new bills is the end of this month. [Tennessee Lookout]

• The Tennessee Waste to Jobs Act also returns to the legislature for consideration. Here’s our conversation with State Sen. Heidi Campbell about how this bill would help Nashville’s trash crisis. [🎧 City Cast Nashville]

🏫 State Overturns MNPS Charter School Decision

At a tense meeting, the Tennessee Charter School Commission overturned Metro Nashville Public Schools’ decision to deny the charter renewal of Knowledge Academy at the Crossings. Some commission members claimed MNPS intentionally denies all charter school requests, while MNPS board chair Freda Player pointed out that the system has over 50 charter schools. [Nashville Banner]