December 2, 2024

Today’s weather: Partly cloudy, cold. HIGH 38, LOW 23

Hi Banner readers! 

It’s Demetria Kalodimos, executive producer here at the Nashville Banner. I’m popping in to today’s newsletter with a brief message and request. In case you didn’t know, tomorrow is Giving Tuesday: a celebration that brings together nonprofits and mission-driven organizations all over the United States and a reminder to make space in your holiday season to support organizations and causes that you value. 

I’m sure you will have many messages in your inbox asking for your support, and I know there are countless good causes out there that deserve funding. I also know that the Nashville Banner is one such worthy cause. Our mission to inform Nashville is essential for strengthening our community, and we will cease to exist without support from people like you.

In the past year, if you have read even one story that gave you information you needed, answered a question you had, gave you context on an important issue, or had some other positive impact on your life, please: give today what that was worth to you. We need you!

We are 50 new donors away from unlocking $4,000 in bonus giving from the Knight Foundation. Will you help get us there today?

THE LEDE

Mayor’s Office, MNPD Make Their Case for Surveillance System Use

Metro Council is set to vote on whether to allow the Metro Nashville Police Department to resume use of Fusus, a real-time crime center technology platform that allows law enforcement to access private surveillance footage from camera owners who volunteer for the program.

Consideration has been delayed in recent weeks as councilmembers probed the necessity and safety of the program. At the council’s most recent meeting, about two dozen residents spoke out about the contract during a public hearing, the vast majority of whom were opposed to Fusus. 

The mayor’s office and MNPD have been making a final push to secure support for the system, and an amendment has been proposed to address concerns about the necessity and safety of the program.

FROM THE BANNER

BANNER & COMPANY: As the end of the year approaches, we revisit some of the best episodes of our weekly podcast hosted by Demetria Kalodimos. For our premiere episode, we broke from our one-on-one format to bring you an abbreviated — but nonetheless colorful and complicated — history of the Nashville Banner: a look at the days of a two-newspaper city, from people who lived it, day in and day out, in the storied newsroom at 1100 Broadway. This episode was released in April and features Kay West, Mary Hance, Bruce Dobie and more.

TRANSIT CHALLENGE: The group that unsuccessfully opposed Mayor Freddie O’Connell’s transit referendum ahead of the November election is taking a new approach, filing suit in Davidson County Chancery Court on Wednesday seeking to declare the vote void. The plaintiffs are the Committee to Stop an Unfair Tax and Emily Evans, the group’s chair. They contend that the proposal violates state law by offering to pay for things that go beyond the scope of public transit, like sidewalks and signals. READ THE STORY

ON THE RECORD

EYES ON THE HILL: Metro Council leaders, including committee chairs and the vice mayor, met last week with the council’s lobbyist at the state legislature. The council last year decided to hire its own lobbyist, separate from Metro’s lobbying team hired by the mayor. The lobbyist, Theo Morrison, gave council leaders a general overview of what to expect when state lawmakers return to session in January, including the possibility of a special session focused on private school vouchers. Morrison also told the councilmembers about the latest discussions around Tennessee State University and an antisemitism task force. Vice Mayor Angie Henderson urged councilmembers to alert her if they talk with state lawmakers about policy affecting Metro. — Stephen Elliott

TNDP CHAIR: Rep. Gloria Johnson (D-Knoxville) announced on social media last week that she will seek to replace Hendrell Remus as Tennessee Democratic Party chair when Remus steps down in January. Johnson, fresh off a relatively well-funded but losing campaign against Sen. Marsha Blackburn, says she can use her experience from the campaign to help the party’s fundraising. Johnson, a member of the so-called Tennessee Three, is up against Rep. Vincent Dixie (D-Nashville) and current TNDP Vice Chair Rachel Campbell. — Sarah Grace Taylor

MORE OF THE SAME: Tennessee House Republicans made no changes to their leadership at a closed meeting last week, giving Speaker Cameron Sexton a fourth term by a unanimous vote. The majority party also gave Rep. William Lamberth (R-Portland) a fourth term as leader and stayed with Rep. Jeremy Faison (R-Cosby) as caucus chairman, and Rep. Johnny Garrett (R-Goodlettsville) as majority whip. — Sarah Grace Taylor

FOLLOW-UP FAIL: It now has been more than two years since the Tennessee Titans won two games in a row. Their latest attempt at even the most modest of win streaks, Sunday at Washington, was a 42-19 defeat, a game in which they trailed by 21 points after one quarter, committed 12 penalties, lost two fumbles and were outgained by 218 yards. That after a 32-27 victory at Houston a week earlier. “I thought we were making some strides, and we’d come play really good against a good football team on the road again, and we didn’t do that,” coach Brian Callahan said. “… “It’s crushing, to be honest.” Tennessee has now lost nine straight after a win, including their Week 1 defeat at Chicago that followed a victory in their 2023 finale. Washington’s point total was the most allowed by the Titans in those nine games, and the margin of defeat was second only to a 27-3 loss at Cleveland after last season’s first triumph. Wins over Denver (17-10) and Green Bay (27-17) on Nov. 13 and 17, 2022, respectively, marked the last time the Titans won two straight. With the loss to Washington, the current team is 3-9. — David Boclair

BEST OF THE REST ($ indicates subscription required)

• FIRST-PERSON ACCOUNT: A vivid picture of what it is to be homeless in America as told by someone who lives it every day. (Esquire)

• TIMING TO SPARE: The percentage of flights that arrive on time is on the rise even though it is taking longer for them to get to their destination. (The New York Times)

• TIMING IS EVERYTHING: The first bill to end federal funding for Planned Parenthood was introduced two decades ago. Republicans are hopeful that they can get the next one passed. (NOTUS)

• OVEREATERS A’PLENTY: Obesity rates in the U.S. have more than doubled since 1990, and those numbers figure to go even higher over the next quarter century. (The Conversation)

• TRUE BLUE: More than a century ago, George Washington Carver patented a production method to produce the color Prussian Blue, but only now is that process being put to good use. (CNN)

• HOME BODY: Documentary filmmaker Ken Burns has lived in the same home for 45 years, and it is that place that fuels his creativity. (The New York Times)

• WEEKEND GETAWAY: Once a month, hundreds in the Los Angeles area gather for a live-action role playing game that is larger and more elaborate than most. (The Washington Post)

Quote of Note

“The reason why these paper formats are so effective is that our human brains haven’t evolved as fast as technology and computers over the past 10 to 20 years. We retain more information when we read something on paper. That’s why paper books remain relevant. The psychology shows that three-dimensional, tactile experiences are more memorable.”

— Jonathan Zhang, a professor of marketing at Colorado State University, on why companies still produce and distribute catalogs (smaller versions of them, in some cases), particularly at this time of year.