☕ Nashville’s best coffee shops

💰 Partnership Submits Budget Amid Criticism

The Nashville Downtown Partnership, which manages additional services for our Central Business Improvement District, has submitted its budget to the Metro Council for approval. In previous years, the budget went to Metro Finance without councilmember discussion or approval. But after criticism of NDP’s management and commitments, councilmembers pushed for additional oversight. [Nashville Banner]

• The basics: The Central Business Improvement District includes portions of downtown and The Gulch. NDP is a nonprofit that cleans streets, assists with crime and safety concerns, and helps visitors find resources. The nonprofit is currently in the process of planning public restrooms downtown. [Nashville Downtown Partnership; Nashville Banner]
• The criticism: In 2025, NDP removed benches downtown, sparking a guerrilla bench-building movement. Its partnership with controversial security company Solaren has also come under fire, after Tennessee Highway Patrol Officers working off-duty for Solaren arrested almost a dozen unhoused folk. The company also allowed civilians to pose as police officers. [🎧 City Cast Nashville; Nashville Banner]
• A change: NDP says it’s ending its partnership with Solaren and instead contracting with a new company called Civicity. However, Civicity will also use THP officers and is a division of Block By Block, the company that stored fuel in the downtown library’s garage, which some speculate caused the fire that shut the library down for months. [Nashville Banner]

☕ The Best Coffee Shops in Nashville

Looking for the best coffee shops in Nashville? On today’s podcast, local coffee expert LaKeithea Nicole shares her go-to spots across the city — from top roasters and cozy work cafés to perfect date spots and people-watching patios. [🎧 City Cast Nashville]

🛣️ Who Gets a Say in Pedestrian Safety?

The Nashville Department of Transportation recently removed traffic-calming features in an Old Hickory community after homeowners objected — despite the fact that the community initially requested them. It’s raising questions about pedestrian safety and who gets to decide how roads are designed. So far this year, 12 pedestrians have died on Nashville streets. [Nashville Scene]

🌊 Protections for the Duck River

The Tennessee legislature passed a bill prohibiting landfills within two miles of the Duck and Buffalo rivers, excluding landfills with valid permits issued before the bill passed. The bill also protects the rivers and their tributaries from mining and commercial timber harvest. It now goes to Gov. Bill Lee’s desk. [Tennessee Lookout]

• The Duck River is one of the most biodiverse rivers in North America. [🎧 City Cast Nashville]

🌿 No Medical Marijuana for Us

State lawmakers have also passed a bill preventing the legalization of medical marijuana, even if the federal government okays its use for medical purposes. Tennessee is one of 10 states where medical marijuana remains illegal, despite 81% of Tennesseans supporting its legalization. [🔐 The Tennessean]

• The state has also imposed regulations on our hemp industry. [🎧 City Cast Nashville]