🔥 Governor's race heats up ahead of primaries

🤔 What's Next for Nashville Data Centers

After Tuesday evening's public hearing on data centers, Metro Council advanced several bills that could shape the future of data center development in Nashville. So what happens next? The City Cast Nashville team breaks it all down on today's podcast. Plus, they get into the two BNA airport boards fighting for control, and why Greek frozen yogurt is having a moment. [🎧 City Cast Nashville]

🔥 TN Governor's Race Heads Towards Primaries

Tennessee voters will choose the Republican and Democratic nominees for governor in the Aug. 6 primaries, setting up the race to succeed term-limited Gov. Bill Lee. Republican frontrunner U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn is leaning on her statewide name recognition and long political resume, while U.S. Rep. John Rose is pitching himself as the candidate most closely aligned with President Donald Trump. On the Democratic side, leading contender Memphis City Councilmember Jerri Green is running on an affordability message. Early voting begins next week. [Nashville Scene]

• Sen. Blackburn's campaign is taking some heat for releasing what some are calling a racist ad. In it, Blackburn crushes fortune cookies and vows to "protect Tennessee land from China." [Nashville Scene]
• Jerri Green sat down with City Cast Nashville back in March to talk about her campaign and what she's learned being a public defense attorney. Neither Rep. Rose nor Sen. Blackburn responded to our requests for an interview. [🎧 City Cast Nashville]

🚶 New Pedestrian-Oriented Street Breaks Ground

After a spike in pedestrian deaths this year, Nashville broke ground on its first Choose How You Move-funded "Complete Street," a roadway designed to improve safety for people walking, biking, and driving. These streets are said to reduce crashes by more than 70% and bike accidents by more than 50%. While advocates of safer streets have welcomed the investment, they've been disappointed by the slow rollout of projects promised under the initiative. [Nashville Banner]

🎨 Community-Launched Mural to Cover Hateful Graffiti

Neighbors in East Nashville are coming together to transform a historic silo that was vandalized by a hate group last month. The property owner said Metro Property Standards gave him a deadline to remove the graffiti and threatened fines if he did not clean it up in time, but did not offer assistance with the cleanup. Now, the owner has partnered with Hate Free Tennessee and local residents to fundraise for a new mural that will showcase local artists and better reflect the spirit of the community. [NewsChannel5]

Meet this six-year-old cutie, Finn! A true "COVID dog," Finn was adopted from the Nashville Humane Association in March of 2021. His mama says he loves walks, tennis balls, and hanging outside. He's not the biggest fan of cats, bikes, or the vet (understandable). Squirrels, though? He's still deciding what to make of those little guys.

Maybe you'll get a chance to meet Finn in person at East Nashville Beer Works for some City Cast Nashville office hours today. I, for one, am really hoping he makes an appearance. 🤞

Do you have a pet you’d like to share with readers? Email me a pet pic!