Good morning, this is Nashville Local Pulse for Thursday, May 22, 2025.
We begin with breaking news: Tennessee is set for its first execution in five years this morning at Riverbend Maximum Security Institution. Oscar Smith, now 75, was convicted in a 1989 triple homicide in Nashville. The case has drawn attention not just for its history but also for ongoing legal battles over the state’s new execution protocols, after a series of missteps halted executions since 2020. Smith maintains his innocence, and his attorneys are still pushing back against the state’s methods. This story will be developing throughout the day, and we’ll keep you updated on any last-minute changes.
It’s been a turbulent week weather-wise. Earlier storms brought three confirmed tornadoes to Middle Tennessee, knocking down trees and power lines, especially in the Franklin and Nolensville areas. Today, we’re waking up to mostly clear skies, but there’s a chance of scattered showers this afternoon. Expect highs around seventy-eight, with humidity lingering. If you’re heading out, keep an umbrella handy just in case, but outdoor events should go on as scheduled.
From City Hall, the big headline is a victory for our nonprofit community. Nashville has just won a court order restoring about fourteen million dollars in grant funding that had been frozen. That money supports everything from music education to youth programs, so expect to see renewed activity in organizations along Charlotte Pike, Gallatin Road, and throughout Davidson County.
On the crime front, Nashville police have stayed busy. Overnight, a teenager was injured in a shooting in East Nashville, marking the second such incident in as many days near Main Street. Police have also made arrests in a Tuesday night murder near Sixteenth Avenue South and Wedgewood as well as in a string of auto thefts involving juveniles. And in school safety news, a sixteen-year-old Glencliff High student was arrested for having a loaded gun in their car on campus yesterday. Officers say no threats were made and nobody was hurt, but it’s a sharp reminder for all of us to stay vigilant.
Looking ahead, a few new businesses are opening. Arcade Arts downtown is offering rent-free studios to help artists as commercial rents keep rising. Over on Franklin Road, local favorite Southall Farm and Inn is under new ownership, promising fresh dining experiences and community events in the coming weeks.
Music City lives up to its name this week. The Country Music Hall of Fame is rolling out a brand new Dolly Parton exhibit, drawing visitors from across the country. And if you missed the AC/DC concert earlier in the week due to weather, good news: it’s rescheduled for next month at Nissan Stadium. Meanwhile, local musician Zoë Dominguez is debuting her new album at Exit/In Saturday night—expect a packed house for this one.
In sports, our area schools are wrapping up the year with some big wins. Local students at the Mama Lere Hearing School at Vanderbilt celebrated their preschool graduation yesterday, a highlight for Nashville’s youngest learners.
For a community feel-good story: the YMCA of Middle Tennessee just marked its 150th birthday, celebrating with neighborhood events and sharing stories of those helped through the decades.
That’s our snapshot for today. This has been Nashville Local Pulse. We'll see you tomorrow with more local updates.
This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI
