🏫 Are public schools manipulating grades?

😞 Can We Stop Closing Local Businesses Already?!

Four oneC1TY businesses — Sand Bar, Aloha Fish Company, Kokos Ice Cream, and Nosh Desserts — are being forced to close after a developer bought the property to build a luxury apartment complex. We’re talking about it on today’s Friday News Roundup, plus accusations that Nashville has gone “full woke,” Labor Day weekend events, and ways to honor Dolly and support the Imagination Library around town. [🎧 City Cast Nashville]

• A while back, we chatted with Aloha Fish Company owner Jennifer Cheung Cline about the fresh fish business and finding seafood in Nashville. [🎧 City Cast Nashville]

🥵 Tennessee’s Deadly Heat

Tennessee likely has significantly more heat-related deaths than official tallies indicate, according to a recent NPR and Boston University investigation. The report estimates 125 people died of heat exposure each year between 2018 and 2025, while the Centers for Disease Control’s official tally is 25.6 deaths per year during that time frame. [WPLN]

• Our scorching heat continues over the weekend. Air quality has also been iffy. If you have outdoor plans, make sure to bring some water and stay safe out there, folks. [WKRN]

🏫 Are Public Schools Manipulating Grades?

A third Metro Nashville Public Schools educator, a former counselor at Stratford High School, has come forward claiming the district intentionally manipulates student grades to improve graduation rates. In response, the Tennessee Department of Education’s civil rights division has launched an investigation into the high school. MNPS says they previously reviewed her allegations and found them to be without merit. [WSMV]

• Related: Less than a third of Nashville’s third through eighth graders pass the English Language Arts portion of the state’s end-of-year mandatory standardized testing. [WSMV]

🗳️ The Most Contested State House Seats

Several Middle Tennessee House district races are likely to become heated in November’s election as Democrats and Republicans attempt to flip seats. However, Democrats haven’t flipped a seat in the Tennessee state House since 2018. “The map is so gerrymandered, flipping any seat would be a win,” said State Rep. John Ray Clemmons (D-Nashville). [Tennessee Lookout]

• Election Day is Nov. 3, with early voting starting Oct. 14. If you qualify, you can now request an absentee ballot. And don’t forget to register to vote, if you haven’t yet! [Nashville.gov; Tennessee Secretary of State]

Meet 10-year-old Mae Mae! This sweetie is scared of everything, from butterflies to blowing leaves. She was found abandoned at a lake near Ole Miss and has been a wonderful companion to her human.

Awe, Mae Mae! I’m so glad you found a loving home. 🥹

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