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📝 Can Boring’s Environmental Study Be Trusted?

As construction begins on the Music City Loop, local experts have concerns over its potential environmental impacts. The Boring Company’s study claims the project will have minimal to no impact on our environment, but it used dated materials, with only 10 pages directly addressing water, geology, and safety. [WPLN]

• The report’s consequences: The study consulted with multiple agencies that said the information they provided wasn’t part of an official review process. Yet the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation decided against requiring a permit for the tunnels after reading the report. [WPLN]
• Context: Similar Boring tunnels in Las Vegas have had numerous environmental violations, and Nashville’s sinkhole-prone geology makes construction here potentially more difficult. [🎧 City Cast Nashville]
• Conflict between state and local leaders: Councilmember Clay Capp dominated a recent meeting between Boring and the Metro Council, questioning the company’s lack of transparency. Meanwhile, Republican state lawmakers have proposed a bill to take over authority of Nashville’s underground, while Sen. Charlane Oliver (D-Nashville) is sponsoring a resolution opposing the tunnel. [🎧 City Cast Nashville; Nashville Scene via Nashville Post]
• The latest: At last night’s Metro Council meeting, councilmembers passed a non-binding resolution opposing the tunnel. [Nashville Banner]

❌ The Fight To Stop the Local ICE Detention Center

After weeks of confusion and public outcry, ICE is no longer planning to put a detention center that could house up to 16,000 immigrants in Lebanon. Many in that community are now breathing a sigh of relief, including Wilson County mayor Randall Hutto. On today’s podcast, he explains why he and other Republican local leaders were surprised by the project, and why they pushed back. [🎧 City Cast Nashville]

🧑‍🚀 The Local Astronaut Running for Governor

Middle Tennessee astronaut Barry E. “Butch” Wilmore is throwing his hat in the ring to become Tennessee’s next governor. As a Republican, he’ll be up against Sen. Marsha Blackburn and Rep. John Rose in the primary. [WSMV]

• Listen to our interview with Butch and his fellow astronaut Suni Williams while they were stuck aboard the International Space Station. [🎧 City Cast Nashville]
• Butch joins numerous other candidates in running, including local musician Adam “Ditch” Kurtz. [TN.gov; 🎧 City Cast Nashville]

💬 TDOT Seeks Feedback on Choice Lanes Proposal

The Tennessee Department of Transportation’s “Choice Lanes” proposal would demolish Nashville’s new Chinatown development and many Antioch homes. TDOT is seeking public input about the proposal today and tomorrow at the Coleman Park Community Center, from 5-7:30 p.m. [WKRN]

• We recently visited Chinatown’s first major store, the Pan-Asia Supermarket, and it was packed. [Instagram]

🏛️ Contentious Bill Abandoned

After a yearlong push, a contentious state bill that would allow public schools to ban or charge students without legal status tuition has been gutted. The amended bill would require schools to confirm a student’s status upon enrollment, and is up for subcommittee consideration today. [Nashville Banner]

• Proposed criminal justice bills would allow the criminal records of a person who has committed a misdemeanor to be sealed after they complete their sentence, cap the amount of bail an organization can pay in a year, and equip correctional officers in state prisons with body cameras. [Nashville Scene]