🌱 Touch some grass with these March events

🌷 Hooray for March & Spring’s Return!

As we emerge from our winter cocoons, it’s time to celebrate the arrival of spring with a whole city’s worth of activities. On today’s podcast, we’re talking about everything we’re excited to eat, hear, and do this month, from St. Patrick’s Day to March Madness. [🎧 City Cast Nashville]

🖤 Nashville 16 Day

The Black Mental Health Village honored 11 local Black elders at a Nashville 16 Day celebration, remembering the day when students integrated Nashville’s public schools in 1957. [Nashville Banner]

• Read more about the first day of school desegregation in Nashville. [📰 City Cast Nashville]

🌱 Grassroots Organizers Address Gun Violence

As Metro establishes new anti-gun violence prevention programs, grassroots organizations like Gideon’s Army and Nashville Peacemakers continue their work to make Nashville safer, even when they’re left out of official government programs. [Nashville Scene]

• One such initiative is the Office of Youth Safety. [🎧 City Cast Nashville]

🏛️ Updates From the Tennessee General Assembly

Last week, the Tennessee House passed legislation to create the “Capitol Hill Protection Zone,” which would increase police presence around certain state buildings. It now moves to the Senate for consideration. [Nashville Scene]

• A controversial bill pushing for abortion to be classified as homicide lacks Senate support. [Nashville Scene]
• The state Senate approved a bill that would establish a statewide disaster recovery fund, and Gov. Bill Lee’s proposed budget seeks to increase the Governor’s Response and Recovery Fund. [Tennessee Lookout]
• After nearly 50 years in office, Tennessee Lt. Gov. Randy McNally will not seek reelection in November. [Tennessee Lookout]