City Cast Nashville
🗳️ Your guide to the 2026 midterm primaries
July 13, 2026 · – Elissa Castles
Be honest. How many photos of your pet are on your camera roll? If you're anything like me, you probably have an embarrassing amount. But all those glamour shots might actually come in handy! Nashville Humane Association and TailGate Brewery are looking for the next furry face to grace the cans of Adoption Ale. Pet lovers can submit photos of their trusty sidekicks from now until July 23 for a chance to have their pet become the next local star. A "Top Dog" and "Top Cat" will be announced on Aug. 18.
What's CITY Talking About
🗳️ What to Know for the 2026 Midterm Primaries
Early voting in this year's midterm primary election kicks off on Friday. Holly McCall, editor in chief of the Tennessee Lookout, joins the City Cast Nashville team to answer the questions surrounding this year's election. From redistricting to what's on your ballot, today's podcast will break down everything you need to know before heading to the polls. [🎧City Cast Nashville]
- The sample ballot for Davidson County voters is available here. [Nashville.gov]
☹️ TN Ranks Last in Quality of Life, 9th for Business
Tennessee claimed the ninth spot in CNBC's annual ranking of America's Top States for Business, earning top-ten spots in categories such as infrastructure, workforce, and cost of doing business. However the state took a hit in the quality of life category, which placed Tennessee last among all 50 states. [🔐Nashville Business Journal]
- A separate WalletHub study found that several cities in Tennessee, including Nashville, ranked among the least renter-friendly cities in the nation. While Nashville scored somewhat well in areas such as rental market conditions and affordability, its lower quality-of-life score contributed to its lower ranking. [🔐 The Tennessean]
🎆 Nashville's Fourth of July Show Breaks Records
Nashville surpassed New York City to claim the No. 1 spot for the most-watched televised Fourth of July fireworks celebration, ending New York's 16-year streak. "Nashville's Star-Spangled Bash" drew 5.4 million total viewers, beating out the "Macy's 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular," which attracted 4.9 million viewers. City officials called this year's event the largest fireworks and drone show in Nashville history, with an estimated 400,000 people attending in person, which is more than half of Davidson County's total population. [🔐The Tennessean]
🏠 Supportive Housing Complex Opens In Inglewood
Metro officials celebrated the opening of a new 26-unit supportive housing complex developed by nonprofit Park Center and funded through a grant from the Barnes Housing Trust Fund. These units are designated for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness and supports the goals of Nashville Unified Housing Strategy, which aims to create 900 permanent supportive housing units over the next decade. [🔐The Tennessean]
- Listen to Metro Council budget chair Kyonzté Toombs discuss why funding the Barnes Fund is crucial to solving our affordable housing crisis. [🎧City Cast Nashville]
What To Do
Monday, July 13
- 🧑🌾 Seasonal Garden Prep Volunteer | BELL Garden | 8-11 a.m.
- 🎶 Summer Sessions | The Franklin Theatre | 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
- 🥼 STEM Storytime | Adventure Science Center | 9:30 a.m.
- 🧑🎨 Anila Quayyum Agha: Interwoven (through Aug. 30) | Frist Art Museum | 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
- 🦕 Dino Craft Day! | Southeast Library Branch | 3-4 p.m.
- 🀄 Open Play Mahjong | Fork of the South | 5-7 p.m.
- 🎤 Sober Open Mic | DRKMTTR Collective | 5:30 p.m.
- 🎷 Open Jazz Jam | Poindexter | 6-9 p.m.
- 🎵 Vinyl Bingo | Vinyl Tap | 6-10 p.m.
- 😆 New Material Monday | Zanies | 7 p.m.
- 🧑🏼🎤 Sundresses & Sunglasses: An 80s & 90s Summer Sing-Along | City Winery | 7:30 p.m.
- 🕺 Motown Mondays | The 5 Spot | 9 p.m.-2 a.m.
Tuesday, July 14
- 🚂 America the Beautiful: National Parks & Landmarks by Rail (through Sept. 6) | Cheekwood | 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
- 🦫 Eager Beavers | Shelby Bottoms Nature Center | 9:30-10:30 a.m.
- 🩱 FIFA Semifinals Open Swim | White Limozeen | Noon
- 🎵 Moving Music Forward | Main Library Branch | 2-5 p.m.
- 🧑🌾 East Nashville Farmers Market | 511 Woodland St. | 3:30-6:30 p.m.
- 🍽️ Free Community Dinner | Trinity Community Commons | 4:30-6:30 p.m.
- 🧑🏫 Tutor K-5 Students Volunteer | Plaza Mariachi | 5:15-6:30 p.m.
- 🎙️ Meet and Three | Harken Hall | 6:30 p.m.
- 😆 Oddity Improv | The Franklin Theatre | 7 p.m.
- 🤠 Honky Tonk Tuesdays | Eastside Bowl | 7 p.m.
- 🪕 The Infamous Stringdusters | Ryman Auditorium | 7:30 p.m.
- ⛽ The French Family Band | Station Inn | 8 p.m.
Did you know over 7,000 households in Davidson County don't have air conditioning?! To help, the Metro Action Commission's Summer Cooling Program is providing free fans and AC units to income-eligible Davidson County residents. The program runs through Aug. 31, so if you or someone you know could use some relief from the summer heat, be sure to check it out before it ends.
Free · Daily