• Hospitalizations because of COVID-19 have increased 31 percent in the last two weeks, continuing to strain the hospitals and support staff while delaying scheduled surgeries and reducing ER availability for other injuries and illnesses. Davidson County is at about 52 percent of residents fully vaccinated.
• Middle Tennessee’s community organizers have embraced a new cause: getting folks vaccinated against COVID-19.
• The Metro Health Department Board did not take action on a indoor mask mandate as requested by Metro Council after discussing it at their Thursday meeting. The council has a separate bill enforcing the move itself that has been filed.
• A proposal to build 170 houses in one of the few remaining rural areas of Davidson County was struck down by the planning commission. Whites Creek neighbors had voiced opposition to the plan for years through court cases.
• Nashville marked the 20th anniversary of the September 11th terrorist attacks with speeches from the mayor, police chief, and fire chief.
• CBS will feature Nashville in its five-hour New Year’s Eve broadcast, featuring nearly 50 performers and running head-to-head with the New York City broadcast on ABC.
• A man was arrested for allegedly using a fraudulent driver’s license to rent a car at Nashville International Airport and police found more than $15,000 worth of iPads in his luggage.
• A month after a 22 year old man died following an altercation with security at a downtown bar, the victim’s mother is still waiting for answers.
• A bill filed in Metro Council would regulate the larger “transpotainment” vehicles that cruise the downtown streets, aiming to require proper alcohol service licensing and restrictions on open containers on those vehicles. The new regulations may be at odds with the state’s jurisdiction and will likely face opposition from operators.
• The Germantown Kroger has had more than 500 public safety calls for service so far this year, including 17 shots fired calls. Residents are pressing the company to improve security at the store.
• Police say that a man attacked a homeless person in the early morning hours of August 3 with a scooter while the victim was asleep on the steps of Ryman Auditorium. The victim was briefly hospitalized and released, while police are asking for leads in the case.
• The Tennessee Titans (0-1) lost their home opener 38-13 to the Arizona Cardinals (1-0) in a lopsided contest. The team travels to face the Seattle Seahawks (1-0) next Sunday.
• Nashville SC (10-2-11) picked up a 1-0 win on the road against CF Montreal (8-8-7). The team will continue its road swing against Toronto FC (3-14-6) this Saturday.
• An interfaith group hosted by the Islamic Center of Nashville is running a donation drive to help Afghans refugees resettle in the area, as well as work with them to secure housing and employment.
• The 2020 Census means redistricting in Tennessee to account for population shifts, though submitting public input on the process will be difficult.
• A new report from Stanford University shows that Tennessee ranks just behind Texas as the most popular place for California companies to relocate their headquarters away from the state.
• The downtown historic Hermitage Hotel unveiled its new look for two restaurants and major updates to the ladies’ room (the men’s room has an award-winning set of toilets). No seriously.

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