City Cast Nashville
💸 Where are downtown’s tax dollars going?
October 6, 2026 · 💌 Margaret Kingsbury
Happy Tuesday, y’all! The Green Ray indie bookstore and Earl Espresso have officially opened in Hillsboro Village, in the same spot once home to Pangaea. I’ll always miss Pangaea, but it’s hard to imagine better businesses there.
Thanks to Kim U. and Jan K. for becoming members and investing in this local newsletter! We still need more folks to step up and become City Cast Neighbors! New member Nelson C. said this when he joined:
I read [the newsletter] every day; you all do a great job with it, and I want to support journalism, especially the entrepreneurial kind. Nashville also doesn't have enough journalism for a city of its size.
If Nelson’s words resonate with you, you’re just the kind of Neighbor we’re looking for! For $100 a year, your investment directly supports this local team. Thank you.
What's CITY Talking About
🎻 Nashville Symphony Violinist Speaks Out
Over the weekend, we learned that tech giant Oracle donated $10 million to save the Nashville Symphony. On today’s Tuesday News Roundup, we talk with a symphony violinist about what this gift means for the orchestra. Plus, we discuss the protest at the grand opening of Nashville’s newest music venue and more recent news and events. [🎧 City Cast Nashville]
🏙️ How Will Downtown’s Tax Revenue Be Divided?
The state board charged with handling revenue generated by downtown Nashville’s Tourism Development Zone recently met for the first time. State lawmakers and Metro Council approved $300 million of the Music City Center’s surplus revenue for the East Bank earlier this year. The Joint Capital Tourism Board will decide how to spend the remainder, with a mandatory $30 million annually allocated to pursuing “mega events.” One board member, who owns Lower Broadway honky-tonks, encouraged the board to approve downtown business grants in light of property tax increases. Another called for more policing. [Nashville Scene]
🚨 How Many People Have Been Detained in Nashville?
In Davidson County, Immigration and Customs Enforcement has arrested and detained 2,239 people since Pres. Trump took office in Jan. 2025. Arrests have increased nearly fourfold in Tennessee as a whole, with Nashville experiencing the second-highest number of arrests, behind Shelby County. Two-thirds of those arrested have no criminal record. [Tennessee Lookout]
- Yesterday we spoke with a local business owner whose chefs were recently detained. [🎧 City Cast Nashville]
💉 Independent Review of Failed Execution
Gov. Bill Lee has asked former U.S. Attorney Ed Stanton to lead an investigation into last week’s failed execution of Christa Pike. In 2022, Stanton investigated Tennessee’s lethal injection protocol after state officials learned the drugs used weren’t being properly tested. Following his findings, the state altered its protocol. [WKRN]
What To Do
Tuesday, Oct. 6
- 🐦 Fall Migration Bird Banding | Warner Park Nature Center | 8 a.m.-Noon
- 🎵 Courtyard Concert: Jess Nolan | Main Library Branch | 11:45 a.m.-1 p.m.
- 🧑🏫 Elementary After School Volunteer | Dream Streets | 3-6 p.m.
- 🍽️ Free Community Dinner | Trinity Community Commons | 4:30-6:30 p.m.
- 🎃 Jack-O’-Lantern Painting | White Limozeen | 6 p.m.
- 🖤 The Roots of Her Rhythm: Jackie Shane Archives Opening Reception | Vanderbilt Special Collections and University Archives | 6-8 p.m.
- 📕 Author event with Harry Connick, Jr. | Langford Auditorium | 6:30 p.m.
- 🎶 Haley Reinhart | Chief's on Broadway | 7:30 p.m.
- 🎤 Paris Paloma | Marathon Music Works | 8 p.m.
Wednesday, Oct. 7
- 🎒 Walk to School Day | Morning
- 🧑🌾 Garden Helper Volunteer | Edgehill Community Gardens | 8:30-10:30 a.m.
- 🚶 Guided Walking Tour | Fort Negley Park | 10-11:30 a.m.
- 🎉 Nissan Free Wednesdays | National Museum of African American Music | 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
- 🧶 Mindful Stitches: A Guide Through Crochet | Edmondson Pike Library Branch | 10:30 a.m.-Noon
- 🌮 The Remix Way Mercadito | Coleman Park | 4-7 p.m.
- 🧑🌾 Wedgewood-Houston Farmers Market | The Outfield | 4-7 p.m.
- 🎥 “Top Gun: Maverick” in Concert | Schermerhorn Symphony Center | 7:30 p.m.
- 🪕 CAAMP | Ryman Auditorium | 7:30 p.m.
- 🎵 Switchfoot | The Truth | 8 p.m.
🏀 Our newest historical marker celebrates a groundbreaking women’s basketball team!
And hey, have you heard of our Neighborhood Shoutouts? It’s one of the benefits of becoming a City Cast Neighbor — you get to share a local business, person, or nonprofit that you think deserves some shine. Then we spread the word in this newsletter! It’s one of the sweetest, most wholesome parts of being a Neighbor. 🤗 Join today, and shout out your local faves!
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