City Cast Nashville

Goodbye summer, hello pumpkin spice latte season! As we head into fall, we have for you the ultimate guide of what to eat, hear, and do this September in Nashville. Host Rachel Iacovone joins creative producer Marie Cecile Anderson along with our newest City Cast Nashville staff member, Emma White, to shout out their favorite happenings around town. From square dancing at Bells Bend to Kacey Musgraves at Bridgestone and a witchy pop-up at East Nashville Beer Works, this month has something for everyone. And don't forget, our first-ever live podcast recording and show, City Cast Nashville Presents: The Roast of Music City on Sept. 15 at The Lab at Zanies. Get your tickets today! Learn more about the sponsors of this Tuesday, September 1st episode: Nashville Ballet Alabama Beaches Get more from City Cast Nashville when you become a City Cast Nashville Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events and more. Join now at membership.citycast.fm/nashville Want some more City Cast Nashville news? Then make sure to sign up for our City Cast Nashville newsletter.  Follow us @citycastnashville You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 615-200-6392 Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

Legislation regulating how law enforcement can use drones in Nashville is on its final reading at Metro Council tomorrow night. But are drones just a small piece of something bigger? Journalist Nick Pipitone joins host Rachel Iacovone to discuss his recent Nashville Scene article about how systems like Flock, Fusus, and Skydio are designed to work together in “real-time crime centers” and enhance what the Community Review Board recently called “MNPD’s steadily expanding surveillance apparatus.” Learn more about the sponsors of this August 31st episode: Alabama’s Beaches Nashville Ballet Get more from City Cast Nashville when you become a City Cast Nashville Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events and more. Join now at membership.citycast.fm/nashville Want some more City Cast Nashville news? Then make sure to sign up for our City Cast Nashville newsletter.  Follow us @citycastnashville You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 615-200-6392 Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

The Nashville airport definitely has a lot going for it, but what it doesn’t have is its own electrical grid, like Pittsburgh’s does. For the past few years, Pittsburgh International Airport has been generating on-site electricity, more than it needs even at peak operation, to fortify itself against the kind of power outages that hit airports (unsettlingly often) across the world. City Cast Pittsburgh host Megan Harris brings David into the little-known world of airport energy independence, showing how a one-time investment can bring the kind of peace of mind that both travelers and operators hope for every day. Is there something your city is doing that we should be talking about? Email David now!  We’re also on Instagram: @yourcitycouldbebetter Looking to advertise on Your City Could Be Better? Check out our options.

Following Dolly Parton’s passing, a petition to rename BNA in her honor has surpassed 130,000 signatures — but could it really happen? Host Rachel Iacovone is joined by creative producer Marie Cecile Anderson and executive producer Whitney Pastorek to discuss the proposed name change, a new Airport Authority lawsuit, the fight for accessible pedal taverns, and how Nashville is paying tribute to Dolly. Plus, don’t miss our members-only segment, Hell Naw, where this week’s rant takes on the many mischaracterizations of the Queen of Country. Learn more about the sponsors of this August 28th episode: Centennial Park Conservancy Hoffmann Brothers Get more from City Cast Nashville when you become a City Cast Nashville Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events and more. Join now at membership.citycast.fm/nashville Want some more City Cast Nashville news? Then make sure to sign up for our City Cast Nashville newsletter.  Follow us @citycastnashville You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 615-200-6392 Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

We’re learning more about the companies behind DriveTN, the consortium tapped to build controversial toll roads between here and Murfreesboro, and at least one state legislator wants to know why we can’t keep the profits here at home. Host Rachel Iacovone and executive producer Whitney Pastorek are digging into that on today’s Tuesday News Roundup. Plus, Cheekwood won the first battle in their big parking garage fight, and new corporations are eyeing a move to Nashville — just as 120 Starbucks employees said no to that move. And in good news: Could a beloved music festival be coming back? Learn more about the sponsors of this August 27th episode: Centennial Park Conservancy Hoffmann Brothers VOTE FOR US in the Nashville Scene’s Best of Nashville 2026 Awards! Get more from City Cast Nashville when you become a City Cast Nashville Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events and more. Join now at membership.citycast.fm/nashville Want some more City Cast Nashville news? Then make sure to sign up for our City Cast Nashville newsletter.  Follow us @citycastnashville You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 615-200-6392 Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

Yesterday, we all learned that Dolly Parton had passed away at age 80, right here in Nashville. Host Rachel Iacovone is joined by creative producer Marie Cecile Anderson and executive producer Whitney Pastorek to pay tribute to the queen herself and, above all else, remember her light, her magic, and her kindness toward ALL human beings. Learn more about the sponsors of this August 26th episode: Centennial Park Conservancy Hoffmann Brothers VOTE FOR US in the Nashville Scene’s Best of Nashville 2026 Awards! Get more from City Cast Nashville when you become a City Cast Nashville Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events and more. Join now at membership.citycast.fm/nashville Want some more City Cast Nashville news? Then make sure to sign up for our City Cast Nashville newsletter.  Follow us @citycastnashville You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 615-200-6392 Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

We’re learning more about the companies behind DriveTN, the consortium tapped to build controversial toll roads between here and Murfreesboro, and at least one state legislator wants to know why we can’t keep the profits here at home. Host Rachel Iacovone and executive producer Whitney Pastorek are digging into that on today’s Tuesday News Roundup. Plus, Cheekwood won the first battle in their big parking garage fight, and new corporations are eyeing a move to Nashville — just as 120 Starbucks employees said no to that move. And in good news: Could a beloved music festival be coming back? Learn more about the sponsors of this August 25th episode: Centennial Park Conservancy Hoffmann Brothers VOTE FOR US in the Nashville Scene’s Best of Nashville 2026 Awards! Get more from City Cast Nashville when you become a City Cast Nashville Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events and more. Join now at membership.citycast.fm/nashville Want some more City Cast Nashville news? Then make sure to sign up for our City Cast Nashville newsletter.  Follow us @citycastnashville You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 615-200-6392 Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

The future of Nashville’s Fairgrounds Speedway might be up to voters this November, as petitioners work to collect signatures for a ballot amendment that would drop auto racing as a required use at the Fairgrounds and replace it with “affordable and/or workforce housing.” One group opposing the petition and fighting to preserve the racetrack is LiUNA Local 386. But why is the laborers’ union so invested? LiUNA business manager Ethan Link sits down with host Rachel Iacovone to explain why the speedway means more than just racing to his members. Learn more about the sponsors of this August 24th episode: Centennial Park Conservancy Hoffmann Brothers VOTE FOR US in the Nashville Scene’s Best of Nashville 2026 Awards! Get more from City Cast Nashville when you become a City Cast Nashville Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events and more. Join now at membership.citycast.fm/nashville Want some more City Cast Nashville news? Then make sure to sign up for our City Cast Nashville newsletter.  Follow us @citycastnashville You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 615-200-6392 Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

How often are you out in nature in Nashville? It’s not always easy to know which natural resources are clean and safe to use in an urban setting, and city rivers get a particularly bad rap. It’s true that cities have had eras of sewage mishandling and high boat traffic — but many have also cleaned up their act, through the tireless work of local advocates and politicians. Portland, OR, is one of those cities, and City Cast Portland host Claudia Meza joins this episode of Your City Could Be Better to debunk the assumptions and fears about her city’s river, the Willamette. Learn all about how a journalist-turned-governor led the charge to clean up Portland's waterfront, and how a quirky organizer — and lots of enthusiastic swimmers — have carried the torch. Mentioned on the show: Portland’s riverfront park, named after former Governor Tom McCall Swiss residents using river to swim home from work RFK Jr. swimming (in jeans) in Rock Creek in Washington, D.C. Is there something your city is doing that we should be talking about? Email David now!  We’re also on Instagram: @yourcitycouldbebetter Looking to advertise on Your City Could Be Better? Check out our options.

ICE has moved their planned location of a 24/7 call center from Adams, Tennessee, to Donelson. Host Rachel Iacovone is joined by creative producer Marie Cecile Anderson and executive producer Whitney Pastorek to discuss what that actually means for Nashville. Plus, the Nashville Banner reports that Waymo’s driverless cars are always recording us, controversial Choice Lanes appear to be coming to I-24, and our members-only segment, Hell Naw, takes on the out-of-state takeover of our finest food establishments. Learn more about the sponsors of this August 21st episode: Nashville Shakespeare Fest Alabama Beaches VOTE FOR US in the Nashville Scene’s Best of Nashville 2026 Awards! Get more from City Cast Nashville when you become a City Cast Nashville Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events and more. Join now at membership.citycast.fm/nashville Want some more City Cast Nashville news? Then make sure to sign up for our City Cast Nashville newsletter.  Follow us @citycastnashville You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 615-200-6392 Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

With their recent album, “Redefining the Standards,” Nashville Women in Jazz set a new standard themselves, releasing the first all-women project ever recorded at the legendary RCA Studio B. Founder Alayna Renae joins host Rachel Iacovone to delve into our city’s modern jazz scene by taking a look back, from Jefferson Street in the ‘40s to Rudy’s and Urban Cowboy today. Learn more about the sponsors of this August 20th episode: Nashville Shakespeare Fest Alabama Beaches VOTE FOR US in the Nashville Scene’s Best of Nashville 2026 Awards! Get more from City Cast Nashville when you become a City Cast Nashville Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events and more. Join now at membership.citycast.fm/nashville Want some more City Cast Nashville news? Then make sure to sign up for our City Cast Nashville newsletter.  Follow us @citycastnashville You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 615-200-6392 Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

August is officially Nashville History Month — according to local historian Betsy Phillips! Today, she joins host Rachel Iacovone to explain why Nashville needs a history month and expands on her recent article for the Nashville Scene, sharing 10 weird and wonderful ways to explore our city’s history. Learn more about the sponsors of this August 19th episode: Nashville Shakespeare Fest Alabama Beaches VOTE FOR US in the Nashville Scene’s Best of Nashville 2026 Awards! Get more from City Cast Nashville when you become a City Cast Nashville Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events and more. Join now at membership.citycast.fm/nashville Want some more City Cast Nashville news? Then make sure to sign up for our City Cast Nashville newsletter.  Follow us @citycastnashville You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 615-200-6392 Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

What’s the latest on tech giant Oracle’s move to Nashville? After receiving sizable government incentives, the company is reportedly lagging behind the pace necessary to meet its job obligations. Host Rachel Iacovone checks in with executive producer Whitney Pastorek and newsletter editor Margaret Kingsbury to discuss Oracle’s layoffs and the Nashville jobs it promised but has yet to deliver. Plus, Starbucks workers in Goodlettsville stage a one-day strike, two candidates enter the race for vice mayor, and the Winter Storm Commission’s report is finally out. And your neighborhood may finally be getting sidewalks! Learn more about the sponsors of this August 18th episode: Nashville Shakespeare Fest Alabama Beaches VOTE FOR US in the Nashville Scene’s Best of Nashville 2026 Awards! Get more from City Cast Nashville when you become a City Cast Nashville Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events and more. Join now at membership.citycast.fm/nashville Want some more City Cast Nashville news? Then make sure to sign up for our City Cast Nashville newsletter.  Follow us @citycastnashville You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 615-200-6392 Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

In the wake of yet another pedestrian death on our roads, we've called in an expert with suggestions for how to fix our dangerous infrastructure. Joining host Rachel Iacovone to play Sim City with ideas from around the world is journalist Sarah Goodyear, co-host of the podcast The War on Cars. PS: She and Doug Gordon will bring their new book, “Life After Cars,” to the Southern Festival of Books this year, Oct. 17-18. Shall we give them the grand tour? Stay tuned … Learn more about the sponsors of this August 17th episode: Nashville Shakespeare Fest Alabama Beaches VOTE FOR US in the Nashville Scene’s Best of Nashville 2026 Awards! Get more from City Cast Nashville when you become a City Cast Nashville Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events and more. Join now at membership.citycast.fm/nashville Want some more City Cast Nashville news? Then make sure to sign up for our City Cast Nashville newsletter.  Follow us @citycastnashville You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 615-200-6392 Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

What will Nashville do when it runs out of space for trash? Madison, WI, has a plan, and it’s one that other cities could follow. What could’ve just been another county landfill, slated to open in 2027, will instead be a “sustainability campus”, where local businesses will unite to more intentionally sort incoming waste, increase recycling intake, and generally aim to slow the flow of trash. And Dane County has historically handled waste disposal in a savvy way, making big bucks off of trash collection that they then use to fund future projects like this forthcoming campus. City Cast Madison host Bianca Martin breaks this all down for David, and together they uncover the quirks — and opportunities — that come with talking trash.  Mentioned on the show: Conversion of Dane County landfills into pollinator fields Is there something your city is doing that we should be talking about? Email David now!  We’re also on Instagram: @yourcitycouldbebetter Looking to advertise on Your City Could Be Better? Check out our options.

This week, the Community Review Board raised concerns about MNPD’s use-of-force policies, racial disparities, and transparency. Executive producer Whitney Pastorek and creative producer Marie Cecile Anderson join host Rachel Iacovone to break it down, plus back-to-school drama, the push to ban right turns on red, and whether or not Nashville is romantic. And in our members-only segment, Hell Naw, we rant about the thing blocking the few sidewalks we have… Learn more about the sponsors of this August 14th episode: Hoffmann Brothers VOTE FOR US in the Nashville Scene’s Best of Nashville 2026 Awards! Get more from City Cast Nashville when you become a City Cast Nashville Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events and more. Join now at membership.citycast.fm/nashville Want some more City Cast Nashville news? Then make sure to sign up for our City Cast Nashville newsletter.  Follow us @citycastnashville You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 615-200-6392 Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

Did you know more people are born in August than in any other month? Whether you’re planning your child’s birthday party this month or in the months to come, we’ve got you covered. City Cast Nashville contributor and local parent Amelia Edelman joins newsletter editor Margaret Kingsbury to chat about the best places to host children’s birthday parties in Nashville, from trampoline parks to arcade fun and playground bashes. Plus: Magicians-for-hire and at-home spa parties. Learn more about the sponsors of this Aug. 13th episode: Hoffmann Brothers VOTE FOR US in the Nashville Scene’s Best of Nashville 2026 Awards! Get more from City Cast Nashville when you become a City Cast Nashville Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events and more. Join now at membership.citycast.fm/nashville Want some more City Cast Nashville news? Then make sure to sign up for our City Cast Nashville newsletter.  Follow us @citycastnashville You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 615-200-6392 Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

Back to school calls for something sweet, so we’re revisiting our episode with Milk Bar founder, “MasterChef” judge, Bake Club proprietor, and James Beard Award-winning chef Christina Tosi, who sat down with creative producer Marie Cecile Anderson to share her list of the best bakeries in Nashville, from great sourdough to the perfect neighborhood fritter pop-up. Check out our Overlook Map of all the bakeries mentioned in this episode here. Learn more about the sponsors of this Aug. 12th episode: Hoffmann Brothers VOTE FOR US in the Nashville Scene’s Best of Nashville 2026 Awards! Get more from City Cast Nashville when you become a City Cast Nashville Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events and more. Join now at membership.citycast.fm/nashville Want some more City Cast Nashville news? Then make sure to sign up for our City Cast Nashville newsletter.  Follow us @citycastnashville You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 615-200-6392 Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

It’s the triumphant return of the Tuesday News Roundup! Nashville Banner statehouse reporter joins host Rachel Iacovone and executive producer Whitney Pastorek to break down the results from Thursday’s federal and state primary election, and what the landscape looks like as we head towards November. Plus, we’re getting into some good news for foodies and lounge lizards, and discussing the new Titans mascot: Hot or Not? Learn more about the sponsors of this Aug. 11th episode: Hoffmann Brothers VOTE FOR US in the Nashville Scene’s Best of Nashville 2026 Awards! Get more from City Cast Nashville when you become a City Cast Nashville Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events and more. Join now at membership.citycast.fm/nashville Want some more City Cast Nashville news? Then make sure to sign up for our City Cast Nashville newsletter.  Follow us @citycastnashville You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 615-200-6392 Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

Tennessee’s new hemp ban has been in effect since July 1, bringing big changes to the industry and forcing farmers and other businesses to adapt. WPLN power and equity reporter Marianna Bacallao sits down with host Rachel Iacovone to talk about how the ban is changing what you’ll see on the shelves of smoke shops, liquor stores, and bars, and the impact it could have on our economy.  Learn more about the sponsors of this Aug. 10th episode: Hoffmann Brothers VOTE FOR US in the Nashville Scene’s Best of Nashville 2026 Awards! Election Day is Thursday, Aug. 6! Here’s everything you need to know to go vote. Get more from City Cast Nashville when you become a City Cast Nashville Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events and more. Join now at membership.citycast.fm/nashville Want some more City Cast Nashville news? Then make sure to sign up for our City Cast Nashville newsletter.  Follow us @citycastnashville You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 615-200-6392 Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

We’ve got your election results in yesterday’s state and federal primary and municipal general election. Plus: As much as you love Nashville, city living inherently means sharing space and resources with your neighbors, and y’all certainly have complaints, questions, and quandaries. On today’s very first call-in episode, City Cast CEO David Plotz is joined by Bridget Todd, host of City Cast DC, and Jane C. Hu, host of City Cast Seattle, to respond to your dilemmas, from when it’s acceptable to intervene on a bike path to what to do about that neighbor that really lets it all hang out. Have more city dilemmas? Send them in for our next call-in show. Is there something your city is doing that we should be talking about? Email David now! We’re also on Instagram: @yourcitycouldbebetter Looking to advertise on Your City Could Be Better? Check out our options. Learn more about the sponsors of this Aug. 7th episode: Brooklyn Bowl VOTE FOR US in the Nashville Scene’s Best of Nashville 2026 Awards! Election Day is Thursday, Aug. 6! Here’s everything you need to know to go vote. Get more from City Cast Nashville when you become a City Cast Nashville Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events and more. Join now at membership.citycast.fm/nashville Want some more City Cast Nashville news? Then make sure to sign up for our City Cast Nashville newsletter.  Follow us @citycastnashville You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 615-200-6392 Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

Forget the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. Tennessee has its own Whiskey Trail, and Nashville’s got a booming distillery scene right in our own backyard. Nashville Scene food and drink writer Chris Chamberlain joins creative producer Marie Cecile Anderson to share the best distillery tours, tasting rooms, and hidden gems within driving distance of Nashville. Learn more about the sponsors of this Aug. 6th episode: Brooklyn Bowl VOTE FOR US in the Nashville Scene’s Best of Nashville 2026 Awards! Election Day is Thursday, Aug. 6! Here’s everything you need to know to go vote. Get more from City Cast Nashville when you become a City Cast Nashville Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events and more. Join now at membership.citycast.fm/nashville Want some more City Cast Nashville news? Then make sure to sign up for our City Cast Nashville newsletter.  Follow us @citycastnashville You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 615-200-6392 Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

Vanderbilt is no longer just the Harvard of the South — now it’s gaining on the actual Harvard. Host Rachel Iacovone sits down with journalist Claire Suddath to talk about her viral New York Magazine article that explores how Vandy went from a good Southern school to competing with the Ivies, how the city of Nashville fueled its transformation, and why the university is expanding to New York and beyond. Learn more about the sponsors of this Aug. 5th episode: Brooklyn Bowl VOTE FOR US in the Nashville Scene’s Best of Nashville 2026 Awards! Election Day is Thursday, Aug. 6! Here’s everything you need to know to go vote. Get more from City Cast Nashville when you become a City Cast Nashville Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events and more. Join now at membership.citycast.fm/nashville Want some more City Cast Nashville news? Then make sure to sign up for our City Cast Nashville newsletter.  Follow us @citycastnashville You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 615-200-6392 Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

If you’re sick of normal summer road trips, this episode is for you. City Cast Nashville contributor and travel writer Margaret Littman joins creative producer Marie Cecile Anderson to give us her guide to the best nearby roadside oddities, including not one but two Stonehenge replicas, a chicken wire Minnie Pearl, and the world’s largest cedar bucket. Learn more about the sponsors of this Aug. 4th episode: Brooklyn Bowl VOTE FOR US in the Nashville Scene’s Best of Nashville 2026 Awards! Election Day is Thursday, Aug. 6! Here’s everything you need to know to go vote. Get more from City Cast Nashville when you become a City Cast Nashville Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events and more. Join now at membership.citycast.fm/nashville Want some more City Cast Nashville news? Then make sure to sign up for our City Cast Nashville newsletter.  Follow us @citycastnashville You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 615-200-6392 Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

Election Day is Thursday … but over 400K of our Tennessee neighbors don’t have the right to vote, thanks to a felony conviction. Nashville native and community organizer Larry Turnley joins us to share his own journey from a life sentence to having his record expunged, talk about the barriers others face, and the investments he says our city needs to make to give our younger generation a chance at success. Learn more about the sponsors of this Aug. 3rd episode: Brooklyn Bowl VOTE FOR US in the Nashville Scene’s Best of Nashville 2026 Awards! Election Day is Thursday, Aug. 6! Here’s everything you need to know to go vote. Get more from City Cast Nashville when you become a City Cast Nashville Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events and more. Join now at membership.citycast.fm/nashville Want some more City Cast Nashville news? Then make sure to sign up for our City Cast Nashville newsletter.  Follow us @citycastnashville You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 615-200-6392 Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

Do you know how zoning laws affect Nashville’s housing costs? New Haven, CT, has been governed for years by restrictive zoning that made it physically impossible to build tall buildings downtown, even for housing — that is, until the local government finally aligned to overturn it. City Cast CEO David Plotz sits down with Eli Sabin, a New Haven native and one of the alders (aka city council members) responsible for passing this change in recent months. Eli spent years working toward this goal, and he talks with David about what now needs to happen to fully realize its potential and increase affordability for locals. Is there something your city is doing that we should be talking about? Email David now!  We’re also on Instagram: @yourcitycouldbebetter Looking to advertise on Your City Could Be Better? Check out our options.

After the arrest of two unhoused neighbors in South Inglewood Park, MDNP is reissuing their guidance on felony camping laws; they’re also off the hook in a tragic misconduct case. On today’s Friday News Roundup, host Rachel Iacovone is joined by creative producer Marie Cecile Anderson and executive producer Whitney Pastorek to dig into those stories and more from this week, including the threat of “Love Is Blind” auditions in town. Also: Sorry, not sorry, we’re still obsessed with the deepfake political ads, which segues so nicely into this week’s members-only segment, “Hell Naw,” where we take on the scourge of AI slop graphics. Learn more about the sponsors of this July 31th episode: Adventure Science Center Brooklyn Bowl VOTE FOR US in the Nashville Scene’s Best of Nashville 2026 Awards! Early voting in the midterm state and federal primary election and the municipal general election is NOW OPEN through Aug. 1! Here’s everything you need to know to go vote. Get more from City Cast Nashville when you become a City Cast Nashville Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events and more. Join now at membership.citycast.fm/nashville Want some more City Cast Nashville news? Then make sure to sign up for our City Cast Nashville newsletter.  Follow us @citycastnashville You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 615-200-6392 Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

August is right around the corner, and that means it’s time for you monthly guide! Our NEW HOST Rachel Iacovone sits down with creative producers Marie Cecile Anderson and Margaret Kingsbury to discuss 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.  Learn more about the sponsors of this July 30th episode: Adventure Science Center Early voting in the midterm state and federal primary election and the municipal general election is NOW OPEN through Aug. 1! Here’s everything you need to know to go vote. Get more from City Cast Nashville when you become a City Cast Nashville Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events and more. Join now at membership.citycast.fm/nashville Want some more City Cast Nashville news? Then make sure to sign up for our City Cast Nashville newsletter.  Follow us @citycastnashville You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 615-200-6392 Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

Nashville’s farmers markets are in full swing, and with so much dodgy produce floating around, that’s probably a good thing. We’re revisiting our conversation with the Nashville Food Project's Rebecah Boynton, who joins Marie Cecile Anderson to talk about the city's best farmers markets and how to navigate them like a pro. ** Today’s episode originally aired on July 24, 2025 Learn more about the sponsors of this July 29th episode: Adventure Science Center Early voting in the midterm state and federal primary election and the municipal general election is NOW OPEN through Aug. 1! Here’s everything you need to know to go vote. Get more from City Cast Nashville when you become a City Cast Nashville Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events and more. Join now at membership.citycast.fm/nashville Want some more City Cast Nashville news? Then make sure to sign up for our City Cast Nashville newsletter.  Follow us @citycastnashville You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 615-200-6392 Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

Today, we’re doing something different on the show and taking you inside The Contributor’s Unseen Nashville tour. Guide Shawn Lesley shares his experience of homelessness after getting out of prison, while Contributor columnist Judith Tackett explains how housing, healthcare, and public policy intersect. As we walk through downtown Nashville, we uncover the people, places, and stories hiding in plain sight and learn what it truly takes to help someone find and keep housing. Learn more about the sponsors of this Tuesday, July 28th episode: Adventure Science Center Early voting in the midterm state and federal primary election and the municipal general election is NOW OPEN through Aug. 1! Here’s everything you need to know to go vote. Get more from City Cast Nashville when you become a City Cast Nashville Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events and more. Join now at membership.citycast.fm/nashville Want some more City Cast Nashville news? Then make sure to sign up for our City Cast Nashville newsletter.  Follow us @citycastnashville You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 615-200-6392 Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

What the heck is going on at BNA? Nashville now has two competing airport boards, billions of dollars in construction projects, and plans for new concourses, parking garages, lounges, roads, and maybe even a runway long enough to support nonstop flights to Asia. Nashville Business Journal senior reporter Adam Sichko joins Marie Cecile Anderson to explain the airport drama and what all these changes mean for travelers. Learn more about the sponsors of this Monday, July 27th episode: Adventure Science Center Early voting in the midterm state and federal primary election and the municipal general election is NOW OPEN through Aug. 1! Here’s everything you need to know to go vote. Get more from City Cast Nashville when you become a City Cast Nashville Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events and more. Join now at membership.citycast.fm/nashville Want some more City Cast Nashville news? Then make sure to sign up for our City Cast Nashville newsletter.  Follow us @citycastnashville You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 615-200-6392 Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

It’s not a given that every Nashvillian will chip in to help their community. In this episode, City Cast CEO David Plotz talks with writer Taylor Lahey about how functional incentives could be the missing link in traditional systems of donations and volunteering. Inspired by a waste exchange program in Curitiba, Brazil, Lahey is working to create circular systems that effectively incentivize donations and just as effectively get them into the hands of those who need them. When investment and morale are low, sometimes an unconventional approach is the right way to go. Want to hear your question on an upcoming episode of Your City Could Be Better? Submit your city dilemmas for our upcoming call-in show by using our Google Form: https://forms.gle/45X33jhGHf8BYDM5A  Is there something your city is doing that we should be talking about? Email David now!  We’re also on Instagram: @yourcitycouldbebetter Looking to advertise on Your City Could Be Better? Check out our options.

Metro Council passed three data center bills, but how will that impact the controversial proposed data center by the zoo? On today’s Friday News Roundup, contributor Nicole Williams joins creative producer Marie Cecile Anderson and newsletter editor Margaret Kingsbury to talk about the new legislation, Davidson County’s high early voter turnout, two Republican congressional candidates’ weird deepfake ads, and what we know so far about a federal search warrant at Metro Water Services. Plus, in our bonus segment for City Cast Nashville Neighbors, we say a very sad goodbye. Early voting in the midterm state and federal primary election and the municipal general election is NOW OPEN through Aug. 1! Here’s everything you need to know to go vote. We’re doing our annual survey to learn more about our listeners. We’d be grateful if you took the survey at citycast.fm/survey — it’s only 7 minutes long. Plus, anyone who takes the survey will be eligible to win a $250 Visa gift card and City Cast City swag. Get more from City Cast Nashville when you become a City Cast Nashville Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events and more. Join now at membership.citycast.fm/nashville Want some more City Cast Nashville news? Then make sure to sign up for our City Cast Nashville newsletter.  Follow us @citycastnashville You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 615-200-6392 Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

It’s wine time! Contributor Amelia Edelman joins executive producer Whitney Pastorek to share Nashville’s best wine bars, restaurants with great wine lists, bottle shops, and nearby wineries. Plus, they explore where to learn about what you’re drinking, find an exciting bottle, and whether Nashville has finally become a great wine town. Learn more about the sponsors of this Thursday, July 23rd episode: Hoffmann Brothers Greater Birmingham CVB Early voting in the midterm state and federal primary election and the municipal general election is NOW OPEN through Aug. 1! Here’s everything you need to know to go vote. We’re doing our annual survey to learn more about our listeners. We’d be grateful if you took the survey at citycast.fm/survey — it’s only 7 minutes long. Plus, anyone who takes the survey will be eligible to win a $250 Visa gift card and City Cast City swag. Get more from City Cast Nashville when you become a City Cast Nashville Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events and more. Join now at membership.citycast.fm/nashville Want some more City Cast Nashville news? Then make sure to sign up for our City Cast Nashville newsletter.  Follow us @citycastnashville You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 615-200-6392 Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

Did you know Nashville has a thriving experimental theater scene? With the Kindling Arts Festival kicking off tomorrow, co-artistic director Daniel Jones and Emma Supica, creator and director of East Nashville Facebook Page: The Musical, joins Marie Cecile Anderson to talk about the city's independent artists, the challenges of finding affordable performance spaces, and why audiences are embracing bold, unconventional shows. Plus, they share their favorite local theater companies and give us a preview of this year's Kindling Arts Festival! Learn more about the sponsors of this Wednesday, July 22nd episode: Hoffmann Brothers Greater Birmingham CVB Early voting in the midterm state and federal primary election and the municipal general election is NOW OPEN through Aug. 1! Here’s everything you need to know to go vote. We’re doing our annual survey to learn more about our listeners. We’d be grateful if you took the survey at citycast.fm/survey — it’s only 7 minutes long. Plus, anyone who takes the survey will be eligible to win a $250 Visa gift card and City Cast City swag. Get more from City Cast Nashville when you become a City Cast Nashville Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events and more. Join now at membership.citycast.fm/nashville Want some more City Cast Nashville news? Then make sure to sign up for our City Cast Nashville newsletter.  Follow us @citycastnashville You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 615-200-6392 Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

Trading card games are having a moment in Nashville. From Magic: The Gathering to Pokémon, people are gathering at bars, coffee shops, and game stores to play, collect, and make new friends. But if you've never picked up a deck, where do you even start? Matthew Myers, store manager at The Game Cave in Donelson, joins executive producer Whitney Pastorek to explain the basics, why these games are suddenly everywhere, and how they can help you find community.  Learn more about the sponsors of this Tuesday, July 21st episode: Hoffmann Brothers Greater Birmingham CVB Early voting in the midterm state and federal primary election and the municipal general election is NOW OPEN through Aug. 1! Here’s everything you need to know to go vote. We’re doing our annual survey to learn more about our listeners. We’d be grateful if you took the survey at citycast.fm/survey — it’s only 7 minutes long. Plus, anyone who takes the survey will be eligible to win a $250 Visa gift card and City Cast City swag. Get more from City Cast Nashville when you become a City Cast Nashville Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events and more. Join now at membership.citycast.fm/nashville Want some more City Cast Nashville news? Then make sure to sign up for our City Cast Nashville newsletter.  Follow us @citycastnashville You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 615-200-6392 Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

From increased flooding to ice storms, Nashville is already seeing the impacts of climate change. But who’s being impacted first? Stephanie Roach, director of collective action at Urban Green Lab, joins Marie Cecile Anderson to talk about Voices of Resilience, an oral history archive using storytelling to answer that question — and help us find solutions. PS: VOR’s touring exhibit is on display at Vanderbilt’s Curb Center through Aug. 4. Learn more about the sponsors of this July 20th episode: Hoffmann Brothers Greater Birmingham CVB Early voting in the midterm state and federal primary election and the municipal general election is NOW OPEN through Aug. 1! Here’s everything you need to know to go vote. We’re doing our annual survey to learn more about our listeners. We’d be grateful if you took the survey at citycast.fm/survey — it’s only 7 minutes long. Plus, anyone who takes the survey will be eligible to win a $250 Visa gift card and City Cast City swag. Get more from City Cast Nashville when you become a City Cast Nashville Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events and more. Join now at membership.citycast.fm/nashville Want some more City Cast Nashville news? Then make sure to sign up for our City Cast Nashville newsletter.  Follow us @citycastnashville You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 615-200-6392

Sometimes it can feel like the Nashville government is two (or more) steps behind the needs of its neighborhoods. Enter the residents of Chattanooga, Tennessee. What Chattanoogans don’t have, they make up for in advocacy, whether by showing up to city council and organizing for change or just doing things themselves. City Cast CEO David Plotz sits down with creator and city lover Hope Henchey about how she and her neighbors are sneakily and secretly fixing up their city. You’ve heard of the Nashville bench builders — now get ready for the Chattanooga pothole fillers, sidewalk layers, and (literal) trail blazers. Mentioned on the show: Atlas Obscura feature on the community-built benches in Chattanooga Efforts by Strong Chattanooga to make a path through the woods in a sidewalk-less neighborhood Review of Hoboken's streak of zero traffic fatalities  Is there something your city is doing that we should be talking about? Email David now!  We’re also on Instagram: @yourcitycouldbebetter Looking to advertise on Your City Could Be Better? Check out our options.

The Nashville Scene’s YASNI winners were revealed yesterday, and here’s our belated submission: You are so Nashville if… you recognized Elliston Place Soda Shop as the place where Mayor Freddie O’Connell kicked off his reelection campaign by throwing more than a little shade at Sen. Marsha Blackburn’s recent fortune cookie debacle. On today’s Friday News Roundup, contributor Nicole Williams joins creative producer Marie Cecile Anderson and executive producer Whitney Pastorek to talk through Freddie’s reelection chances, Marsha’s just-revealed ethics investigation, and CNBC ranking Tennessee dead last in quality of life. Plus in our bonus segment for City Cast Nashville Neighbors, should daylight saving time be permanent? Early voting in the midterm state and federal primary election and the municipal general election is NOW OPEN through Aug. 1! Here’s everything you need to know to go vote. We’re doing our annual survey to learn more about our listeners. We’d be grateful if you took the survey at citycast.fm/survey — it’s only 7 minutes long. Plus, anyone who takes the survey will be eligible to win a $250 Visa gift card and City Cast City swag. Get more from City Cast Nashville when you become a City Cast Nashville Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events and more. Join now at membership.citycast.fm/nashville Want some more City Cast Nashville news? Then make sure to sign up for our City Cast Nashville newsletter.  Follow us @citycastnashville You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 615-200-6392 Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

If you’re in the market for a new patio hang this weekend, we’ve got you covered. Will Mondros, chef and co-owner of Turkey & the Wolf Ice House, is here to share his favorite al fresco spots with creative producer Marie Cecile Anderson, plus a peek inside his current menu. An heirloom tomato sandwich with a passionfruit French 75, enjoyed under the shade of a big tree? We’ll be right over. We’re doing our annual survey to learn more about our listeners. We’d be grateful if you took the survey at citycast.fm/survey — it’s only 7 minutes long. Plus, anyone who takes the survey will be eligible to win a $250 Visa gift card and City Cast City swag. Get more from City Cast Nashville when you become a City Cast Nashville Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events and more. Join now at membership.citycast.fm/nashville Want some more City Cast Nashville news? Then make sure to sign up for our City Cast Nashville newsletter.  Follow us @citycastnashville You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 615-200-6392 Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

Everybody needs a good watering hole to make it through the heat of Nashville in summer — and we don’t mean a bar. Creative producer Marie Cecile Anderson, newsletter editor Margaret Kingsbury, and executive producer Whitney Pastorek are chatting about their favorite creek stomping spots, lakeside hangs, floatable rivers, and nearby waterfalls.  We’re doing our annual survey to learn more about our listeners. We’d be grateful if you took the survey at citycast.fm/survey — it’s only 7 minutes long. Plus, anyone who takes the survey will be eligible to win a $250 Visa gift card and City Cast City swag. Get more from City Cast Nashville when you become a City Cast Nashville Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events and more. Join now at membership.citycast.fm/nashville Want some more City Cast Nashville news? Then make sure to sign up for our City Cast Nashville newsletter.  Follow us @citycastnashville You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 615-200-6392 Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

Looking for the best things to do in Germantown? Local coffee enthusiast LaKeithea Nicole shares her favorite restaurants, coffee shops, boutiques, parks, greenways, patios, bars, and hidden gems. From breakfast tacos and shopping to sunset views and late-night wine, here's how to spend the perfect day in one of Nashville's most walkable neighborhoods. If you enjoyed this interview with Supriya Sundaram, the director of growth marketing for TaskRabbit, learn more here.  Get more from City Cast Nashville when you become a City Cast Nashville Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events and more. Join now at membership.citycast.fm/nashville Want some more City Cast Nashville news? Then make sure to sign up for our City Cast Nashville newsletter.  Follow us @citycastnashville You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 615-200-6392 Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

The 2026 midterm primaries are upon us, and with early voting kicking off this Friday, we’ve got your guide to the candidates, the redistricting, and the big questions surrounding this election. Holly McCall, editor in chief of the Tennessee Lookout, joins creative producer Marie Cecile Anderson and executive producer Whitney Pastorek to break down everything you need to know before heading to the polls. Here is the sample ballot with early voting times and locations for Davidson County residents. Get more from City Cast Nashville when you become a City Cast Nashville Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events and more. Join now at membership.citycast.fm/nashville Want some more City Cast Nashville news? Then make sure to sign up for our City Cast Nashville newsletter.  Follow us @citycastnashville You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 615-200-6392 Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

There’s lots to love about Nashville, but being able to get in and out of it easily and cheaply can be an underrated metric of its livability. Accommodating, accessible, and affordable local airports are a specific resource that many cities need. To find out which cities are leading the charge and the kinds of amenities that elevate an airport to gold status, City Cast CEO David Plotz chats with Scott Keyes, founder and Chief Flight Expert of Going (formerly Scott’s Cheap Flights) about everything he’s seen in his work and travels. How does your airport stack up? Is there something your city is doing that we should be talking about? Email David now!  We’re also on Instagram: @yourcitycouldbebetter Looking to advertise on Your City Could Be Better? Check out our options.

Metro Council didn’t gavel out until 1:48 a.m. this week, so long was the list of residents who signed up to speak in favor of restricting data centers in Nashville. On today’s Friday News Roundup, creative producer Marie Cecile Anderson and executive producer Whitney Pastorek salute the civic energy and get into what happens next. Plus, BNA now has two boards! We’re getting a new Complete Street! Greek fro-yo is having a moment! They’re fundraising to cover up some awful graffiti in East Nashville! And in our bonus segment only for City Cast Nashville Neighbors, Hell Naw, we’re calling out Marsha Blackburn’s stupid racist campaign ad.  Learn more about the sponsors of this July 10th episode: Adventure Science Center Hoffmann Brothers Get more from City Cast Nashville when you become a City Cast Nashville Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events and more. Join now at membership.citycast.fm/nashville Want some more City Cast Nashville news? Then make sure to sign up for our City Cast Nashville newsletter.  Follow us @citycastnashville You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 615-200-6392 Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

From frozen yogurt to ice cream sandwiches, Lokelani Alabanza knows Nashville’s best sweet treats. To celebrate the release of her first book, “Ice Cream Queen: Flavors from Black America’s Past, Present, and Future,” she joins Marie Cecile Anderson to share her favorite cold desserts, delve into some fascinating history, and celebrate the nostalgia that comes with the sound of the ice cream truck song. Learn more about the sponsors of this July 9th episode: Adventure Science Center Hoffmann Brothers Get more from City Cast Nashville when you become a City Cast Nashville Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events and more. Join now at membership.citycast.fm/nashville Want some more City Cast Nashville news? Then make sure to sign up for our City Cast Nashville newsletter.  Follow us @citycastnashville You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 615-200-6392 Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

Going on vacation? In this economy? If you’re keeping things close to home this year, City Cast Nashville contributor and travel journalist Amelia Edelman joins Marie Cecile Anderson to share her favorite locals-friendly hotel pools and spas in town, where you’re just a day pass away from the perfect staycation. Whether you want a trendy party-style hang or a secret zen spot, we’ve got you covered. ** This episode originally aired July 15, 2025. Learn more about the sponsors of this July 8th episode: Adventure Science Center Hoffmann Brothers Get more from City Cast Nashville when you become a City Cast Nashville Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events and more. Join now at membership.citycast.fm/nashville Want some more City Cast Nashville news? Then make sure to sign up for our City Cast Nashville newsletter.  Follow us @citycastnashville You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 615-200-6392 Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

There’s one American classic that will never go out of style: The drive-in movie theater. Film critic Jason Shawhan joins Marie Cecile Anderson to talk vibes, etiquette, concessions, and why sitting in your car to watch a cheesy blockbuster is still a great summer night out. Learn more about the sponsors of this July 7th episode: Adventure Science Center Hoffmann Brothers Get more from City Cast Nashville when you become a City Cast Nashville Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events and more. Join now at membership.citycast.fm/nashville Want some more City Cast Nashville news? Then make sure to sign up for our City Cast Nashville newsletter.  Follow us @citycastnashville You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 615-200-6392 Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

Nashville residents have a litany of complaints about Metro Parks, from broken amenities to stalled projects. With the recent release of the 2026 Plan to Play update, Parks has once again outlined an ambitious 10-year plan — but do we have the resources to implement it? Veronica Foster and Kaitlin Dastugue from the Civic Design Center join executive producer Whitney Pastorek to talk about possible solutions. Plus: We ask a local teen to describe their dream park! Learn more about the sponsors of this July 6th episode: Adventure Science Center Hoffmann Brothers Get more from City Cast Nashville when you become a City Cast Nashville Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events and more. Join now at membership.citycast.fm/nashville Want some more City Cast Nashville news? Then make sure to sign up for our City Cast Nashville newsletter.  Follow us @citycastnashville You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 615-200-6392 Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

See if your Nashville knowledge serves you well! In the first-ever Your City Could Be Better trivia episode, City Cast CEO David Plotz goes head to head with journalist and historian Alexandra Petri to see who knows more about U.S. history, geography, and celebrities ahead of the country’s semiquincentennial. Sean McPherson, trivia wiz and City Cast Twin Cities host, leads four riveting rounds of questions covering everything from The Declaration of Independence to the hottest college rivalries, and all 13 City Cast cities make an appearance. See how you stack up! Mentioned on the show: Trivia Mafia website and locations Alexandra Petri's US History: Important American Documents (I Made Up) Milwaukee's block of Frank Lloyd Wright - Atlas Obscura Is there something your city is doing that we should be talking about? Email David now!  We’re also on Instagram: @yourcitycouldbebetter Looking to advertise on Your City Could Be Better? Check out our options.