• There are now four declared candidates for mayor in this August’s election, with council member at-large John Cooper jumping into the ring to challenge incumbent David Briley. Carol Swain and John Ray Clemmons are also running.
• The state legislature reached a compromise on restrictions for police oversight boards, requiring that the board receive approval from the city’s government before seeking a subpoena. This measure was mostly aimed at Nashville’s newly created COB.
• The Metro Nashville Police Department is making substantially fewer traffic stops in the wake of two reports that indicated the practice was doing little to reduce crime. ?
• The severance package for former director Dr. Shawn Joseph approved by the Metro Nashville Public Schools Board on Wednesday includes a non-disparagement clause, which likely isn’t enforceable in court. The package is valued at $364,000.
• Joseph’s replacement, Adrienne Battle, has begun work as the interim director of schools.
• Presidential candidate Amy Klobuchar visited Fisk University yesterday to tout her infrastructure plan and made mention of Nashville’s failed transit referendum.
• Local officials briefed the public on what measures they would be taking during the NFL Draft to keep attendees safe. The event is expected to bring more than 100,000 people to the downtown area.
• Goes without saying, but the cost to stay in Nashville during the marathon and NFL Draft is super expensive, whether you choose a hotel or a short-term rental.
• Did you know that Hatch Show Print has been around for 140 years?
• We’re not sure what The Guardian means by “second-tier city,” but the rest of the article is interesting about Nashville’s growth and growing pains.
• A developer has refunded the deposits of would-be condo buyers in a Wedgewood Houston area project, citing a change in the “opportunity zone” designation as the reason for the change in plans.
• Nashville Public Radio has hired Steve Swenson to be its next president and CEO, a  30-year veteran of CBS Radio. He replaces Rob Gordon who is retiring after 24 years on the job.
• Three researchers at Vanderbilt joined the “Strava art” craze by completing an image of Elvis superimposed on the city’s downtown area by tracing their GPS signals while exercising.
• The Department of Justice announced Wednesday the arrest of 60 individuals accused of improperly selling opioids, including nine practioners in Middle Tennessee.
• Curb Records announced that it has matched singer/songwriter Taylor Swift’s $113,000 donation to the Tennessee Equality Project. The advocacy group represents the interests of the LGBTQ community.
• The Nashville Predators lost a rather lopsided Game 4 by a score of 5-1 to let the Dallas Stars even the series at two games a piece. Game 5 will be at 2 p.m. Saturday in Nashville and broadcast on NBC.
• Predators goaltender Pekka Rinne has purchased a six-bedroom, $2.2 million home in the West Meade neighborhood. ?
• The NFL released its 2019 schedule for the Tennessee Titans, which will features one Thursday night game in September. The season begins on September 8 in Cleveland against the Browns.
• The former site of the Bill Martin’s grocery store in East Nashville has been sold to a developer for $3.54 million. No plans for the property have been released.
• Also in property news, Vui’s Kitchen, Hugh Baby and others will be heading to the Hunter’s Station development along Main Street. The property is the former site of Hunter’s Customs.
• Vanderbilt University police are investigating antisemitic graffiti found written on a study cubicle at the central library on campus.

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