Your Daily Guide

⭐ Will More Local Restaurants Win Michelin Stars?

On today’s Tuesday News Roundup, we’re talking about a renewed push for pedestrian safety on Jefferson Street. Plus, we give our predictions for the Michelin Guide American South Awards tomorrow night, discuss how locals feel about 12 South’s growth, and chat about the events we’re most excited for this week. [🎧 City Cast Nashville]

🏎️ Voters To Decide Racetrack’s Future

On Friday, the Davidson County Election Commission certified a petition to remove auto racing as a requirement on the Fairgrounds Nashville charter. Voters will have a chance to cast their ballot on the measure next summer. Of the 74,000 signatures submitted by Restore Our Fairgrounds petitioners, officials deemed 63% valid, well over the threshold required to place the referendum on the ballot. [Nashville Banner]

• The petition has been cause for much debate. Listen to our conversations with a pro-racetrack union leader and with Citizens Against Racetrack Expansion for Nashville for more info on why this has been such a contentious issue. [🎧 City Cast Nashville]

🏫 Will the Midterm Election Impact School Vouchers?

The future of universal private school vouchers in Tennessee will likely depend on who wins the governor race during the midterm elections. Currently, Tennessee awards 35,000 private school vouchers to families. Republican Sen. Marsha Blackburn would like to expand vouchers, while her Democratic opponent, Jerri Green, aims to defund the program. The leading independent candidates advocate for either pausing (David Hatley) or ending the program (Lauren Pinkston). [Nashville Banner]

• Candidates also disagree on immigration enforcement. [🔐 The Tennessean]
• Take this quiz to see which gubernatorial candidates most align with your beliefs. [Nashville Banner]
• Here’s our guide to the election, and everything you need to know about school vouchers in Nashville. [City Cast Nashville]

👮 MNPS Wants More School Resource Officers

Metro Nashville Public Schools is applying for a $4.2 million state grant to place school resource officers at every elementary school. Currently, seven of the district’s 73 elementary schools have SROs, while all middle and high schools do. Metro Council will vote on the application this week. Gov. Bill Lee launched the state grant following The Covenant School shooting in 2023. [WSMV]

• Meanwhile, state Rep. Scott Cepicky (R-Culleoka) says he’s been in talks with MNPS superintendent Dr. Adrienne Battle about a potential state takeover of the district due to underperforming schools. [WKRN]
• In other grant news, Nashville is one of the first cities to receive the Bloomberg Philanthropies' new affordable housing grant. [🔐 Nashville Business Journal]

This weekend, Oct 24-25, 3rd and Lindsley is hosting the 2nd Annual Nashville Jazz Festival presented by the Nashville Jazz Workshop, featuring local musicians alongside national acts. But if you can’t make it this weekend, Nashville has plenty of places where folks can listen to live jazz. Here are some of our favorites.

🎸 Rudy’s Jazz Room

Rudy’s is the place to go for nightly jazz. Its calendar includes a regular lineup of locals — like Regi Wooten and Giovanni Rodriguez — and touring musicians alike. Feast on New Orleans-style meals and cocktails (including nonalcoholic and vegan options). It’s closed on Tuesdays, but open nightly the rest of the week.

🎷 Nashville Jazz Workshop

This nonprofit is the community hub of jazz in Nashville. Check its concert calendar for live performances, and feel free to join one of its jam sessions if you’re a musician or attend one of its classes. There’s a monthly morning jazz series for kids, too.

☠️ Skull’s Rainbow Room

This speakeasy lounge has been around since 1948, and famous performers include Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash — though it might be best known for the grisly murder of its founder. It’s open every day of the week and hosts nightly live jazz performances and burlesque on the weekends. It has a full food and drink menu.

🎺 Kingdom Café and Grill

This family-owned meat-and-three hosts live jazz weekly every Monday night from 5-10 p.m., with local musician Fredrick Weathersby. Make sure to grab dessert while you’re there!

🎙️ Poindexter

Head to Poindexter in the Graduate lobby every Thursday from 6-9 p.m. for live jazz hosted by Sweet Megg. It’s an open jam, so feel free to bring your instruments! Martinis and drink specials will be available.

🤠 Urban Cowboy

Nashville Women in Jazz have weekly performances every Thursday from 7-10 p.m. at East Nashville’s Urban Cowboy. Each week features a different band leader and jazz style.