• Metro Nashville Public Schools will still require masks for staff and students despite an executive order signed by Tennessee Governor Bill Lee that would allow parents to “opt out” of the requirement. Other area districts have indicated they will comply with the order.
• A late-filed resolution at Metro Council to implement a citywide mask mandate was defeated after two council members objected, effectively ending its prospects until the next meeting.
• The Tennessee Health Commissioner has a blunt message for residents: if there is anyway to avoid it, do not go to a hospital emergency room right now. Every Level 1 hospital in the state is either at or over capacity, with staffing shortages and staff-intensive ventilator equipment contributing to the situation.
• Tennessee has the fifth-worst nursing shortage in the county, with hospitals offering as much as $4,700 a week to travel nurses.
• A 22-year old man from Smyrna died Monday after allegedly fighting with security at a downtown rooftop bar. Police say the incident is under investigation.
• City officials will be on hand tomorrow to break ground on a new 800-acre Ravenwood Regional Park in Donelson near the Stones River. The first phase calls for access roads and demolition before adding playgrounds and picnic pavilions among other planned amenities.
• Nashville’s District Attorney Glenn Funk has said that his office would not prosecute any teacher or administrator enforcing the mask requirement.
• Metro Police have ramped up patrols on Music Row following three shootings in the last four months.
• While rain and lightning postponed the Garth Brooks concert earlier this month, it is COVID-19 that is keeping the artist from scheduling it and four other tour dates right now.
• Two “unruly” passengers were arrested at Nashville International Airport in separate incidents for refusing to wear a mask. One was also accused of shoplifting from an airport market.
• Challenger, one of the country’s most recognizable bald eagles, was recently spotted on a flight from Houston to BNA. He resides in Pigeon Forge.
• License plate readers are again on the Metro Council agenda, this time with one proposal to place them around the city on poles and another that would allow them only in police cars. MNPD is actively lobbying for the technology, while opponents say it is wrong to implement a mass surveillance tool.
• Nashville SC (7-2-11) settled for a 1-1 draw against Orlando City (8-4-7) Wednesday night in a very soggy game at Nissan Stadium. The team faces Atlanta United (5-6-9)  Saturday, August 28.
• The Metro Council is studying rules around e-bikes on the city’s greenways after BCycle returned to the city with an all-electric fleet. New regulations are expected no earlier than next year.

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