• PSA: Today is the final day to register to vote in Tennessee for the March presidential preference primaries. If you’re already registered, double check it online. ?
• Since late last week, Nashville SC owner John Ingram and mayor John Cooper have been exchanging letters like it’s the 1800s about the latter’s refusal to sign off on the demolition permit at Fairgrounds Nashville to make way for the new MLS stadium. The owner says his offer to pay more of the costs has been refused, while the mayor contends the deal on the table is not workable for taxpayers or auto racing at the property.
• Speaking of the mayor, it still isn’t clear whether the proposed budget will include a property tax increase that some on Metro Council say is inevitable. They mayor voted against two such increases while on the council, but is not closing the door on it this time.
• The fallout from Belmont University’s absorption of Watkins College of Art & Design continues this week, with art installation protests and with the provost now saying that Watkins faculty would not be required to affirm Christian beliefs to be considered for employment. The story is now covered nationally in the New York Times.
• A separate protest was held at Lipscomb Academy for their treatment (and purported firing, depending on who you ask) of its Dean of Intercultural Development Brittany Paschall after demonstrators say the school gave in to demands from country singer John Rich. The uproar began because of disagreements about how she presented racism and white supremacy in school materials.
• Nashville is on pace to nearly double the number of pedestrian deaths this year, with five in the month of January and 32 in 2019. Be safe out there, y’all.
• If you’re curious what fried not-chicken tastes like, Nashville has been added to KFC’s test markets. ?
• Former mayor and recent gubernatorial candidate Karl Dean endorsed Michael Bloomberg for president as folks in Iowa head to their caucuses tonight. Did you see our note above about registering to vote?
• Two East Nashville businesses were badly damaged when a thief used a stolen car to smash into the storefronts. Surveillance video suggests the suspect stole mostly handbags.
• The Nashville Predators (24-20-7) picked up a 6-5 win in the shootout over the host New Jersey Devils (18-24-9) Thursday before dropping a disappointing 3-0 loss to the visiting Vegas Golden Knights (27-20-7). The team is back on the road against the Winnipeg Jets (26-23-4) tomorrow night, with about 22 days to go before the trade deadline.
• The Nashville International Airport previewed some of it’s coming changes, with a new parking garage and dozens of new restaurant expected to open by the summer. ✈️
• The Super Bowl was last night, but the wild rumors about where Tom Brady winds up has a Nashville angle, with a Boston news station saying that his wife was allegedly spotted touring Montgomery Bell Academy.
• Popular website Zillow says Nashville finished last place on a list where folks are looking for local homes, meaning the people who live here are more likely to be trying to move out of the city than somewhere else in it. ?
• Wildlife officials are warning pet owners to avoid coyotes this time of year, saying you are more likely to encounter one and they may be more aggressive thanks to raging hormones.

Photo by Adinda Uneputty. Want to see your photo featured here?