City Cast Nashville
🗳️ The bill that would change Nashville elections
April 3, 2026 · 💌 Margaret Kingsbury
TGIF! I’ve got the results from last week’s poll:
- 70% of readers think Nashville is on the wrong track and are unhappy with how Mayor O’Connell is leading the city.
- 90% of you think Nashville Electric Service failed its customers in the aftermath of Winter Storm Fern.
- Votes were pretty even for what Nashville’s priorities should be, with slightly more people placing affordable housing as their highest priority.
It sounds like almost all of y’all think Nashville needs to make some changes, even more so than in Vanderbilt’s poll.
What's CITY Talking About
📚 What’s Happening With School Vouchers?
On today’s Friday news roundup, we’re digging into the recent Oracle mass layoffs, disagreements in the legislature about school vouchers, what books were banned from the Rutherford County Library children’s section, and good news from the week. [🎧 City Cast Nashville]
👮 THP Considers Using AI Software
The Tennessee Highway Patrol is considering a contract with Clearview AI. This facial recognition software uses billions of publicly available photos from social media and other online outlets. Tennessee Attorney General Johnathen Skrmetti argues the technology violates people’s privacy. The Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority’s police department already uses the software. [WPLN]
⚡ Should NES Have More Board Members?
State lawmakers have revived a bill that seeks to overhaul Nashville Electric Service’s board of directors after criticism of the utility’s Winter Storm Fern response. The measure would require city-owned electric utilities to add board members from each county they operate in with 3,500 or more customers. [🔐 The Tennessean]
🗳️ Proposed Bill Could Change Nashville Elections
State Republicans have also proposed a bill that would require Nashville and other local governments to hold city elections in even-numbered years, at the same time as presidential or gubernatorial elections. Currently, Nashville holds mayoral and council elections in odd years. The bill’s sponsors argue moving elections would increase voter turnout, but other lawmakers point out that voting drops off with long ballots. If passed, it would also extend the terms of our current councilmembers and mayor. [Axios Nashville]
- What do you think? Should city elections be held at the same time as state and national elections? Take the poll!
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Furball Friday
Join me in wishing the happiest of birthdays to Rascal! This handsome April Fools kitty turned 13 yesterday. Give him some extra scritches for me, Kelli!
Do you have a pet you’d like to share with readers? Email me pictures!
What To Do
Friday, April 3
- 🍞 Volunteer to Distribute Groceries | Dream Streets | 9-10:30 a.m.
- 🥚 Great Spring Art Hop | Cheekwood | 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
- 🩸 Blood Drive | Inglewood Library Branch | 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
- 🍻 Fridays by the River | Shelby Park | 3-8 p.m.
- 🗣️ On the Deck with Nina Adel | The Loading Dock | 6:30-8:30 p.m.
- ⚾ Nashville Sounds vs. Charlotte Knights | First Horizon Park | 6:35 p.m.
- 🎶 Chris Tomlin: Good Friday Nashville | Bridgestone Arena | 7 p.m.
- 😆 Ian Bagg | Zanies | 7 & 9:15 p.m.
- 🪕 Bluebird at the Symphony | Schermerhorn Symphony Center | 7:30 p.m.
- 🎵 Broadway Sings Queen | Marathon Music Works | 8 p.m.
Saturday, April 4
- 🌲 2026 Centennial Park Green Sweep Squad Volunteer | Centennial Park | 9 a.m.-Noon
- 🐣 Eggstravaganzoo | Nashville Zoo | 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
- 🌼 Wildflower Hike | Owl's Hill Nature Sanctuary | 9:30-11:30 a.m.
- 🚃 Easter Bunny Excursion Train | Tennessee Central Railway Museum | 10 a.m.
- 🛍️ Statem!nt Pop-Up Consignment | Nashville Fairgrounds | 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
- 🐼 Panda Fest | Fair Park | 10 a.m.-10 p.m.
- 🎭 Boeing Boeing ends | Studio Tenn Theatre Company | 2 p.m. & 7 p.m.
- 💃 Riverdance 30 — The New Generation | TPAC | 2 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.
- 🍴 The Rambling | Southall Farm and Inn | 6 p.m.
- 🎤 Karaoke | Vinyl Tap | 8 p.m.-Midnight
Sunday, April 5
- 🍽️ Easter Brunch | Blue Aster | 7 a.m.-3 p.m.
- 🌹 Cheekwood in Bloom: Red, White, & Blooms (through April 12) | Cheekwood | 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
- 🍴 Easter Brunch | Fat Bottom Brewing Co. | Various times
- 😋 Primavera Brunch: Easter | Maiz de la Vida | Various times
- 😱 Nashville Full Moon Tattoo and Horror Festival | Sonesta Nashville Airport Hotel | 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
- 🛍️ Vintage Market | Skinny Dennis | Noon-5 p.m.
- 🖼️ In Her Place (through April 26) | Frist Art Museum | 1-5:30 p.m.
- ⚾ Nashville Sounds vs. Charlotte Knights | First Horizon Park | 1:05 p.m.
- 🤗 Teen Volunteer Day | Southeast Library Branch | 2-4 p.m.
- 😺 Easter Egg Hunt with the Kitties | The Catio Cat Lounge | 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
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