✅ Data center regulation bills move forward

🍦 Where the Ice Cream Queen Goes for Cold Treats

Lokelani Alabanza is an expert in all things cold, creamy, and sweet. To celebrate the release of her first book, “Ice Cream Queen: Flavors from Black America’s Past, Present, and Future,” the Queen herself joins City Cast Nashville to dish on her favorite spots around town for cold desserts. Plus, she delves into some fascinating ice cream history, and shares her nostalgia for the sound of the ice cream truck song. [🎧 City Cast Nashville]

🙅 Nashville Wants Data Center Regulation

Nearly 180 Nashvillians spoke at the Metro Council data center public hearing on Tuesday evening to voice opposition to data center development and raise concerns about the drain the facilities pose on local resources. The meeting stretched into the early hours of Wednesday morning, when council advanced three bills that are now scheduled for a final vote on July 21. [Nashville Banner]

• Here's what the bills would do: Two would set new zoning rules and include a ban on the largest data centers. The facilities would also be barred from being built near sensitive sites like schools, hospitals, and major travel areas. The third bill would temporarily pause new data center permits until the other two bills take effect. [Nashville Scene]
• One important note: The proposed DC BLOX data center at the Nashville Zoo may not be affected, because the company submitted its permit applications before these bills were created. However, council did move forward with the mayor's late-filed legislation seeking to use eminent domain to acquire the spot. It still needs to survive two more rounds of votes before it can pass. [🔐 The Tennessean]

🛒 Youth-Run Corner Store To Open in North Nashville

BlackOut North, a convenience store created by anti-violence nonprofit Gideon's Army, is putting local youth in charge with the goal of creating a modern gathering spot for North Nashville. The store will be fully staffed and managed by teenagers as part of Gideon's Army mission to develop young leaders. BlackOut North's grand opening is slated for Saturday. [Nashville Scene]

📍 What Tennessee's New 9th District Looks Like

After Republicans in Tennessee's legislature voted to redraw the state's U.S. House map in May, Congressional District 9 now looks dramatically different. Once a Democratic stronghold centered around Memphis, the district now stretches 250 miles between Middle and West Tennessee, linking urban and rural communities. Although the redesigned district is expected to favor Republicans, analysts say it is the most competitive of the newly drawn districts and offers Democrats their best opportunity to flip a seat. [Tennessee Lookout]

• Get caught up on what changed and why Republicans redrew Tennessee's congressional map this spring. [🎧 City Cast Nashville]