City Cast Nashville
NDOT removes guerrilla benches
March 16, 2026 · 💌 Margaret Kingsbury
Happy Monday! I’m not feeling this cold. I hope the Nashville Zoo’s first capybara is keeping warm. This rodent of unusual size is rather adorable. You can even watch her on livestream!
What's CITY Talking About
👩🏼💼 ‘One Tough Mother for Tennessee’
Meet Jerri Green — a Memphis City Councilwoman and the current public defender for Shelby County who’s running as a Democratic candidate for Tennessee’s open gubernatorial seat. On today’s podcast, she talks about what she learned as a “baby attorney” in Nashville, and how being a mom fuels her campaign. [🎧 City Cast Nashville]
- Check out our conversation with a local musician also running for governor. [🎧 City Cast Nashville]
🪑 Advocates Betrayed by Bench Removal
The Nashville Department of Transportation has removed dozens of wooden benches built by To Nashville With Love volunteers. The volunteers placed them near bus stops without seating, and NDOT had assured them the benches wouldn’t be removed. NDOT claims the benches were in the right-of-way. [Nashville Banner]
- The guerrilla bench movement gained momentum after the city removed metal benches along Korean Veterans Boulevard. [🎧 City Cast Nashville]
🧑⚖️ ICE Responds To Court Order
The government has filed a response to a judge’s show-cause order requesting justification of Nashville Noticias journalist Estefany Rodríguez’s ongoing detention. Immigration and Customs Enforcement continues to claim that it had a valid warrant, and her arrest didn’t violate any constitutional rights. Rodríguez has a bond hearing today. [Nashville Banner]
- Nashville Noticias was one of the news organizations that collaborated on an investigation of last May’s joint operation between ICE and the Tennessee Highway Patrol. [Nashville Banner]
🗑️ Will This Bill Help Our Trash Problem?
A bill that would help connect recycling programs to private companies has advanced in the state legislature. Tennessee’s landfills are close to capacity, and the state ranks 48th out of 50 in recycling. [Tennessee Lookout]
- However, lawmakers have shelved the Tennessee Waste to Jobs Act for a second summer study. Listen to our conversation with Sen. Heidi Campbell about why this bill would help Nashville. [🎧 City Cast Nashville]
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What To Do
Monday, March 16
- 🎸 Bluebird On 3rd | 3rd and Lindsley | 12:30 p.m.
- 🧷 Diaper Bank Sorting and Packaging Volunteer | Nashville Diaper Connection | 4-6 p.m.
- 😌 Tai Chi | Hermitage Library Branch | 6-6:45 p.m.
- 🍣 Sake and Sushi | Present Tense | 6-8:30 p.m.
- 😆 New Material Monday | Zanies | 7 p.m.
- 🎵 Unpublished | Eastside Bowl | 7:30 p.m.
- 🎺 Motown Mondays | The 5 Spot | 9 p.m.-2 a.m.
Tuesday, March 17
- 🌹 Cheekwood in Bloom: Red, White, & Blooms (through April 12) | Cheekwood | 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
- 💚 All Things Green Scavenger Hunt | Beaman Park Nature Center | Noon-4 p.m.
- 🧑🌾 Dirt Church Volunteer | GROW Enrichment | 5:30-8 p.m.
- 🍻 St Patrick's Day Celebration with Cheese and Beers | Greys Fine Cheeses | 6-8 p.m.
- 🎷 Merj Live - Jazz & Blues Fusion | Tennessee Brew Works | 6-8 p.m.
- 🎤 Buddy's Place Writer's Round | Chief's on Broadway | 7 p.m.
- ☘️ St. Patrick’s Day Sea Shanty Singalong | Primitive Coffee | 7-9 p.m.
- 🎭 Back to the Future: The Musical (through March 22) | TPAC | 7:30 p.m.
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