Your Daily Guide

🏛️ State Republicans Pass Gerrymandered Map

Yesterday, state Republicans approved a new congressional map redrawing Tennessee to eliminate District 9 in Memphis. The district, where 60% of voters are Black, was the state’s last remaining Democratically-controlled district. The bill is expected to be quickly signed into law by Gov. Bill Lee. On today’s podcast, we’ll help make sense of it all and what it means for Nashville. [🎧 City Cast Nashville]

• The redistricting comes after the U.S. Supreme Court issued a ruling that gutted the Voting Rights Act. [Tennessee Lookout]
• Here’s a map of Tennessee’s new congressional districts. District 5 no longer includes Nashville. Instead, Nashville is divided between districts 4, 6, and 7. [WSMV]
• ACLU Tennessee plans to challenge the redistricting in court. [Instagram]

🗳️ Inside the Special Session’s Chaos

In protest of the new bill redistricting Tennessee, Sen. Charlane Oliver (D-Nashville) stood on her desk and unfurled a banner that read “No Jim Crow 2.0, stop the TN steal,” while Rep. Justin Jones (D-Nashville) burned a Confederate flag. Many protestors were also arrested. Redistricting will cost the state at least $3 million. [Nashville Scene; Nashville Banner]

• Candidates now have until May 15 to qualify for the new congressional seats. [Tennessee Lookout]

👋 New Community Center Opens

Mount Zion Baptist Church has officially opened the doors of its new community center, which was once home to Mary’s Old Fashioned Pit BBQ. The Jefferson Street restaurant had been in business for more than 60 years before closing in 2025. The church wanted to make sure the building remained vital to the North Nashville community, and plans to use the center as a food distribution hub, for disaster relief, a getaway for college students, and more. [WKRN]

🐦 This One’s for the Birds

Saturday, May 9, is World Migratory Bird Day. About 1,000 birds crossed Davidson County Wednesday night during the spring migration, including a variety of warblers, the eastern wood peewee, and the American redstart. To help migrating birds, turn exterior lights off at night, limit indoor lighting, and keep those bird feeders full. [World Migratory Bird Day; BirdCast; 📰 City Cast Nashville]

• The Warner Parks are celebrating with birding events until May 15. [Instagram]
• I recently attended the inaugural Feminist Bird Club Nashville outing. Learn more to see if you’d like to sign up for the next event! [Instagram]

Robert adopted 8-year-old Tigger four years ago from his friend whose baby had croup, and Tigger has been his best friend ever since. She has a beautiful temperament, and makes for a very good companion.

I believe it, Tigger! And it looks like you’re an excellent bag inspector as well. 😻

Do you have a pet you’d like featured in the newsletter? Email me a picture! Or forward this newsletter to your pet parent friends to email me pics.