😬 Should we be worried about data centers?

❓ What Nashville Should Know About Data Centers

The Nashville area is already home to about a third of the AI data centers in the state, and more are headed our way — including a new facility in East Nashville. With other cities around the country rejecting data centers in their communities, what should Nashville be watching for? Mark Williams, founding co-director of the Vanderbilt AI Law Lab, joins today’s podcast to walk us through the pros and cons. [🎧 City Cast Nashville]

🚨 Is Vision Zero Working?

In 2021, Metro Nashville implemented Vision Zero, a five-year plan to improve road and pedestrian safety. This year marks the plan’s final phase, yet many of our city’s most dangerous intersections remain unchanged. Vision Zero Advisory Committee members criticize the city’s lack of action, while Mayor Freddie O’Connell says that he and NDOT are working to smooth bureaucracy and get projects up and running. Pedestrian deaths in 2026 are on track to match their highest level in a decade. [Nashville.gov; Nashville Scene]

• A Vision Zero Advisory Committee member weighs in on walk/bike safety downtown [🎧 City Cast Nashville]

🏛️ Immigrant Student Bills Remain On Hold

The TN House and Senate are still struggling to reconcile their dueling immigration bills. With Sen. Bo Watson (R-Hixson) unwilling to back down from his version — which could ban non-citizen children from public schools, cost the state more than $1 billion in federal education funding, and spark a Supreme Court challenge — and about four weeks remaining in this year’s session, the clock is ticking. [Nashville Banner]

• Two other pieces of immigration legislation are heading to Gov. Bill Lee’s desk: A bill that would shield the personal information of law enforcement officers participating in detentions, and a bill to establish a separate office of homeland security within the TN Department of Safety and Homeland Security that would be exempt from public records requests. [Nashville Scene]
• A bill that would require health care providers to track and report transgender patients passed the House, and is heading to the Senate floor. [Nashville Scene]

🏁 Debate Over Fairgrounds NASCAR Continues

An agreement between the city and Speedway Motorsports Inc. to bring NASCAR racing to the Fairgrounds Nashville is no closer to fruition, as a myriad of forces are colliding around the storied track. [Nashville Scene]

• NASCAR supporters are accusing Nashville SC owner John Ingram of backtracking on a promise to be a good partner to the racetrack ahead of building Geodis Park. [NewsChannel 5]
• According to last week’s Vanderbilt poll, only 26% of Nashvillians are in favor of bringing NASCAR to the site. [Vanderbilt]
• Why some neighbors continue to oppose track expansion. [🎧 City Cast Nashville]