🛍️ Is 12 South turning into a fancy mall?

🛍️ Is 12 South Turning Into a Fancy Mall?

The friendly 12 South neighborhood is now bustling with stores catering to tourists, resembling something like an upscale outdoor mall. What’s happening to our neighborhoods with all this development? We’re talking about it and more news from the week on today’s podcast. [🎧 City Cast Nashville]

🏠 Demolished Historic Building Must Be Rebuilt

In a unanimous vote, the Metro Historic Zoning Commission ordered the owner of the illegally demolished property once home to The Groove record store to rebuild the structure as close to the original as possible. The building was built around 1921 and was part of a historic overlay in Lockeland Springs. [Nashville Banner]

🗳️ How Will New Laws Impact Local Elections?

Both federal and state governments are considering legislation that could impact local elections this year. Tennessee’s Director of Elections Mark Goins says that if the SAVE Act is passed, the citizen verification during registration will look similar to the Real ID application process, but guidance is unclear for people who have changed their last name. [Nashville Banner]

• When are elections in Nashville? Here’s your guide. [📰 City Cast Nashville]
• Register to vote by April 6 to cast your ballot in the Davidson County Primary Election. [Tennessee Secretary of State]

😞 Nashville’s Forgotten History of Enslavement

While it’s well known that historic homes like Belle Meade Plantation and the Hermitage profited from slavery, the Nashville government also enslaved at least 33 people with taxpayer money, a history the city has failed to acknowledge. Here are their stories. [Nashville Scene]

• Belle Meade Plantation has been accused of whitewashing its tour about the property’s history of enslavement. [🎧 City Cast Nashville]

🚨 Journalist Released From ICE Custody

After more than two weeks in Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody, Nashville Noticias journalist Estefany Rodríguez has been released on bond. Her attorney said, “We are grateful that Estefany is able to walk away with her freedom to be with her family as she continues to fight for her right to remain in her community and in the U.S.” [Nashville Banner]

Spring is finally here, which means new beginnings, and new babies! The Nashville Zoo recently welcomed a new baby animal. Do you know what it is? Hint: I mentioned it in a previous newsletter.

What’s the Nashville Zoo’s newest baby animal?

Meet Maverick and Gunnar! These two Chicago transplants have the good fortune of being the fur children of a chef. They enjoy snacks of all kinds: Apples, cantaloupe, watermelon, dehydrated sweet potato, bananas, hard-boiled eggs, blueberries, poached chicken, and green beans. They also love visiting a Gallatin dock pool twice a week for a little clean-water exercise.

Want to share your fur children with readers? Email me pictures!