🚗 Self-driving cars hit Nashville streets

🚗 Self-Driving Cars in Nashville

Waymo’s self-driving vehicles are already on the streets of Nashville, running tests as they prepare for launch later this year. Is that a good thing? On today’s podcast, Andrew Hawkins, transportation editor at The Verge, explains how the service works, the concerns in other cities, and everything else we need to know about the robots sharing our roads. [🎧 City Cast Nashville]

🚧 Community Center Gyms Close

The gyms at Shelby Park Community Center, Easley Community Center, and a portion of Centennial Performing Arts Center are closed following last month’s ice storm, which led to cracking in the buildings’ beams. [Nashville Banner]

• The gyms use the same beams as West Park Community Center, where the roof collapsed last May. [WSMV]
• In the wake of the closures, Metro Councilmember Quin Evans Segall is questioning the Metro Parks Department for failing to prioritize repairs of a known issue. Councilmember Terry Vo says she’s been advocating for repairs. [Nashville Banner]

🚨 Proposed Lebanon Detention ‘Mega Center’

Wilson County Mayor Randall Hutto says the Lebanon site that Immigration and Naturalization Services is considering buying for a detention center would hold between 14,000 and 16,000 immigrant detainees, and employ up to 4,000 people. According to Hutto, it would be “the largest of its kind in the United States,” and its size “raise[s] serious safety concerns.” [Tennessee Lookout]

• Here are some of the businesses profiting from contracts with ICE and Border Patrol. [Tennessee Lookout]
• ICE recently detained a Nashville father with a newborn despite legal work authorization and no criminal record. [NewsChannel 5]

🧑‍💼 NDOT Director Resigns

Nashville Department of Transportation and Multimodal Infrastructure Director Diana Alarcon has resigned. Alcaron has served in the role since 2021, and it’s unclear why she’s resigning. Mayor Freddie O’Connell has appointed NDOT Deputy Director Phillip Jones as acting director. Jones has worked for NDOT for more than 30 years. [Nashville Scene via Nashville Post]