- Mayor David Briley says that he continues to back embattled director of Metro Nashville Public Schools Dr. Shawn Joseph as the feud between him and members of the school board reached a boiling point in recent weeks. The mayor does not directly hire or fire the schools director, as that is the responsibility of the elected board.
- The state legislature is beginning to take notice of the controversy, with a thinly veiled threat of intervening.
- About 200 people went to a hiring event for the Transportation Safety Administration in spite of many current employees working without a pay check because of the prolonged partial federal government shutdown. That’s optimism for you.
- Speaking of the shutdown, it has started to have an escalating effect on local travelers, businesses and home buyers. It became the longest federal funding gap in history over the weekend.
- A gathering of activists commemorated the 23 pedestrians killed in Nashville last year and called on the state and local government to do more to protect them. They advocate for safer crosswalks and more driver awareness.
- The Nashville Scene has a list of local stories to keep your eye on in the new year, which is helpful when the news comes at us like a fire hose.
- Folks regularly commuting up I-24 from Robertson County will get a bit more traffic information as part of a two-year pilot project to improve overhead signage and incident broadcasts directly to vehicles. The goal is to shorten commute times for drivers.
- The No. 576 steam locomotive that has spent the better part of six decades at Centennial Park was on the move yesterday to a facility where it will undergo restoration. That project is expected to take three to four years and cost as much as $2 million.
- Fresh off almost-ruining-Christmas-parade, the association of downtown bars and restaurants are aiming to flex their political muscle in local elections later this year. The group plans to take aim at council members and the mayor’s office they feel have not supported their endeavors.
- We see you, Dierks Bentley. ⛸
- The Nashville Predators (27-16-4) went 3-2-1 to close out their season-long road trip with a 4-3 overtime loss against the Columbus Blue Jackets (26-15-3) and a forgettable 6-3 loss against the Carolina Hurricanes (22-18-5). The Predators return home tomorrow to face the Washington Capitals (27-12-5) at Bridgestone Arena.
- The Nashville Roller Derby organization announced last week that they have changed their name from the Nashville Rollergirls (founded in 2006) to reflect the diversity in their membership. The team plays sanctioned bouts under the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association.
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