🚌 Are we finally getting dedicated bus lanes?

🚌 Are We Finally Getting Dedicated Bus Lanes?

Dedicated bus lanes were one of the key components of 2024’s Choose How You Move public transit plan, which Nashville voters overwhelmingly supported. However, because the state controls most of our key pikes, the legislature and the Tennessee Department of Transportation must sign off on the implementation of dedicated bus lanes. Both the Senate and House have passed bills supporting proposed dedicated bus lanes on Nolensville and Gallatin pikes and downtown. But because the House added an amendment excluding bike lanes, the bill goes back to the Senate for approval. [📰 City Cast Nashville; Nashville Banner]

• Context: Listen to our conversation with Chief Program Officer Sabrina Sussman about the improvements that have been made so far, and what’s next for public transit in Nashville. [🎧 City Cast Nashville]
• More transportation news: The Nashville Department of Transportation has selected 25 traffic-calming projects based on community applications. NDOT will now hold public meetings, and residents will have a chance to vote on the proposals. [Nashville.gov]

🛍️ What To Do This April in Nashville

Get ready for great thrift shopping and outdoor festivals this month in Nashville! On today’s podcast, we're celebrating all the wonderful things our city has to offer in April, from farmers markets to concerts at great indie venues. Keep an eye on your inboxes — a full April Guide newsletter is headed your way later today. [🎧 City Cast Nashville]

🥳 Michelin Guide Wants To Party in Nashville

The 2026 American South ceremony for the esteemed Michelin Guide will take place in Nashville. Locust, Bastion, and The Catbird Seat earned our first three Michelin stars last year, and in a press release, a Michelin rep called our culinary scene “one of the most exciting in the country.” The ceremony will take place Oct. 21 at The Pinnacle. [Nashville Scene]

• What Michelin’s arrival in Nashville means for locals [🎧 City Cast Nashville]

📚 Rutherford County Library Director Fired

The Rutherford County Library Board voted to fire library director Dr. Luanne James on Monday, after James refused to comply with a board order to relocate 132 books from the children’s to the adult section. James argued that the move violated the First Amendment, and has retained an attorney. [NewsChannel 5]

• Here are some of the books Dr. James refused to move. [🔐 The Tennessean]
• Could book bans come to Nashville? [🎧 City Cast Nashville]

🏛️ More ‘Immigration 2026’ Bills Pass

Two Republican bills developed with White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller have passed the Tennessee Senate on a party-line vote. The measures would require local and state governments to verify a person’s immigration status before offering them benefits or employment, and the state attorney general could withhold funding from local governments that don’t comply. Democratic opponents say the bills are unclear as to what constitutes a “benefit.” [Tennessee Lookout]

• A federal judge has denied a petition brought by Lutheran churches to temporarily block a 2025 state law making it a crime to harbor immigrants without legal status. [Tennessee Lookout]