Your Daily Guide

🗳️ AI Impacts Election Ads

AI advances are changing the landscape of political ads in the 2026 Federal and State Primary Election. Last week, I reported on District 6 Republican congressional candidates using AI in ads to depict their opponents supporting LGBTQ+ issues. Now gubernatorial candidate U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn is suing a dark-money group for using AI in an ad against her without disclosing its use, and for claiming she accepted bribes from Big Pharma. [Tennessee Lookout; Nashville Banner]

• Congressional candidates have filed their final campaign disclosures. In District 5, which is no longer part of Davidson County after redistricting, Democratic candidate and Columbia Mayor Chaz Molder has out-raised Republican incumbent U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles by millions. [Tennessee Lookout]
• This Saturday is the last day of early voting, and Aug. 6 is Election Day. Here’s a list of early voting locations, and you can preview your exact ballot by address here. [Tennessee Comptroller; TurboVote]
• As of Tuesday, about 407,000 Tennesseans had voted, including just over 30,000 in Davidson County, an increase compared to previous primary elections. [Tennessee Secretary of State; WKRN]
• We have election guides on both the podcast and website. [City Cast Nashville]

😎 The Best August Events & Activities

August is right around the corner, and on today’s podcast, we’re discussing all the best things to do this month, from a wonderful (and affordable!) Turkish breakfast to one of our favorite local festivals and the concerts we’re most excited about. Plus, we’ve got a new team member to introduce! [🎧 City Cast Nashville]

• Your August newsletter guide will hit your inbox tomorrow afternoon with even more recs.

⚡ Leadership Changes at NES

At a recent Nashville Electric Service board meeting, Brent Baker, former executive vice president and chief operating officer, was moved to an advisory position. NES says leadership changes will help support improvements the utility is making in the wake of criticism over how it handled Winter Storm Fern. Councilmember Joy Styles claims Baker is taking the fall for the utility’s poor storm response. [🔐 The Tennessean]

🏠 Property Assessor’s Audit Results Are in

A recently completed audit of the Davidson County Assessor of Property’s office found some room for improvement, but no serious concerns. Councilmember Emily Benedict requested the audit following soaring property values in the city’s 2025 reappraisal. A previous audit requested by House Speaker Cameron Sexton also found the assessor “used typical and acceptable” techniques when determining 2025 property values. [Nashville Banner]

• Listen to our interview with Assessor of Property Vivian Wilhoite about how the reappraisal process works. [🎧 City Cast Nashville]

👮 Board Questions MNPD Drone Program

At this week’s meeting, the Metro Community Review Board discussed MNPD’s “Drone as a First Responder” pilot program, which uses drones in Madison to respond to certain emergency calls ahead of police officers. Thus far, drones have completed 281 flights over the past 21 days. Board members questioned how long MNPD kept video footage, and what safeguards were in place to protect the public. The pilot will likely last another month. [Fox 17]