⬇️ Nashville crime keeps dropping

🏊 The Best Watering Holes in Nashville

Our steamy summer shows no signs of letting up any time soon! And sometimes the best way to cool down is to take a dip into a scenic watering hole – a swimming hole that is. On today's podcast, the City Cast Nashville team chats up their favorite creek stomping spots, lakeside hangs, floatable rivers, and nearby waterfalls. [🎧 City Cast Nashville]

• For even more ideas, check out our lists of waterfalls and public pools, or listen to our episode on enjoying the Cumberland. [🎧 City Cast Nashville]

⬇️ Nashville Crime Falls From 2025

The first half of this year has seen less crime in Nashville than it did during the same period in 2025, an already historically-low year for crime. The data is aligned with an overall national trend and keeps up a downward trajectory since a peak in 2020. Mayor Freddie O'Connell attributes much of the decline to "precision policing" and community engagement, with most crime categories showing double-digit percentage drops. [🔐 The Tennessean]

📣 Mayor O'Connell Kicks Off Reelection Campaign

This week, Nashville Mayor Freddie O'Connell announced his bid for a second term at a campaign event in North Nashville. He pointed to his successes from the Choose How You Move initiative, the city's increased focus on affordability and housing, and promised a renewed emphasis on city parks for his next term. As of now, the mayor will face challenges from Metro Councilmember Joy Styles and activist Lou Wilbanks, with the mayoral election slated for 2027. [Nashville Banner]

• In a new campaign ad, O'Connell takes aim at Sen. Marsha Blackburn and roasts her recent fortune-cookie-crushing messaging. [Freddie for Nashville]

🪧 Charlie Kirk Honorary Road Marker To Be Relocated

Local veterans who worked to rename Vietnam Veterans Boulevard, a stretch of highway between Goodlettsville and Hendersonville honoring the millions who served in the Vietnam War, have objected to a road marker dedicating a portion of the highway to the late right-wing influencer Charlie Kirk. The veterans claim the sign went up without their consultation. Now, State Rep. Johnny Garrett (R-Goodlettsville), who initially introduced the bill to honor Kirk, says it will be relocated. No details of when it would happen or where it would be moved are available. [Nashville Scene]