Latest news with #Nashvillians
Axios
2 days ago
- Politics
- Axios
Pressure mounts in Nashville over immigration crackdown
Nashville is facing mounting pressure from the Trump administration and congressional Republicans as part of the continuing fallout from an immigration crackdown that resulted in nearly 200 arrests. Two House committees launched investigations into Mayor Freddie O'Connell's office following the May operation. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security included Nashville on a new list of "sanctuary jurisdictions" that it accused of "deliberately and shamefully obstructing the enforcement of federal immigration laws endangering American communities." Why it matters: The White House has said the pushback in Nashville could make the city a target for larger immigration operations. "We'll flood the zone," Trump border czar Tom Homan said repeatedly while discussing the matter on Fox News. Catch up quick: ICE and DHS officers worked with Tennessee Highway Patrol to conduct scores of traffic stops in south Nashville, which is home to many Hispanic residents, earlier this month. MNPD was not involved. In response to the operations, O'Connell updated a preexisting executive order to require Metro agencies to report communications with federal immigration officials, so that Metro would know in advance of future ICE activity. U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles then sent a letter to the House Judiciary and Homeland Security committees urging them to investigate O'Connell over the executive order. What he's saying: O'Connell told reporters on Friday that his focus is on "getting violent criminals off the streets and protecting innocent Nashvillians." O'Connell reiterated that Nashville is not a sanctuary city. (Tennessee outlawed sanctuary cities years ago and state lawmakers made it illegal for elected officials to support so-called sanctuary policies earlier this year.) "I'm puzzled by what criteria they used to include Nashville" on the list of "sanctuary jurisdictions," he said. O'Connell also denied allegations that the city was working in any way to obstruct federal immigration enforcement. He said the city was focused instead on "transparency."
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Mayor O'Connell has a plan for Nashville. Why isn't feeding everyone included?
Editor's note: Letters to the editor reflect the views of individual readers. Scroll to see how you can add your voice, whether you agree or disagree, or click on this link to fill out the form. We welcome diverse viewpoints. Re: Mayor outlines 'challenging' budget recommendations in State of Metro, May 1. There is one thing noticeably absent in the Mayor's agenda for Nashville. This city has struggled with food apartheid, measured and mapped by Dr. Padgett decades ago. It still has not been resolved in 2025, and so the 'It City' continues to strive for access to healthful, culturally-appropriate foods. More: Two decades after a landmark study, food insecurity in North Nashville persists Food insecurity rates will continue to increase as the federal government cuts SNAP and USDA grants. Food insecurity will further increase as the state government cuts school meals and summer meals and fails to pass grocery tax relief. And so, it is left to this metropolitan government to address the systemic inequities of our food system to feed Nashvillians. Metro funded FeedBack Nashville, a year-long study of Nashville's food system, from agriculture, to access, to disposal. But the city has not shared the study's results. Nor has Metro taken any action to address the problems or implement the solutions found in the study. Opinion: As a nurse in rural Tennessee, I know how food deserts harm residents I urge the Mayor and the Council to consider and address the many implications of Nashville's broken food system each time they talk about the state of our city. I urge them to follow up on the investment made in FeedBack Nashville. And I urge them to set aside funding for further food systems work in the new budget. People cannot work without food. Children cannot learn without food. Nashville cannot thrive without a just food system. Jeannie Hunter, Madison 37115 Agree or disagree? Or have a view on another topic entirely? Send a letter of 250 words or fewer to letters@ Include your full name, city/town, ZIP and contact information for verification. Thanks for adding to the public conversation. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Mayor O'Connell should fix Nashville's broken food system | Letters
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Metro Nashville appears to quietly remove names from immigration report following GOP criticism
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Metro Nashville has apparently revised its public immigration report following pressure from Republican lawmakers who said the city endangered federal law enforcement officers. A city document released earlier this month detailed 35 immigration-related interactions between Metro Police and federal agencies. The report initially named individuals, including a Metro Council member, an Immigration and Customs Enforcement analyst, and Homeland Security officers. However, as of Thursday, May 29, all those names have been removed from the public version of the report. The revision follows criticism from state and federal Republican leaders who argued the publication of those names jeopardized agent safety. Nashville criticized for sharing ICE interactions State Rep. Johnny Garrett (R-Goodlettsville) was one of the most vocal critics, calling out Mayor Freddie O'Connell's executive order that requires Metro to document and publish ICE interactions. 'Freddie O'Connell is using taxpayer resources to endanger DHS and HSI officials,' Garrett wrote on social media platform X. 'His Trump Derangement Syndrome knows no bounds, and he ought to be ashamed of endangering those working to keep our communities safe.' Garrett, along with U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles (R-Tenn.), contended that the mayor's executive order could expose federal agents to threats. Both lawmakers support a state investigation, in addition to the federal probe that Ogles confirmed earlier this week. According to Ogles, the Homeland Security and Judiciary committees will look into the mayor, his conduct and whether or not the city used federal dollars 'in criminal enterprise' related to immigration. O'Connell has previously disputed claims that he and Metro leaders obstructed ICE agents. Congressman Andy Ogles confirms federal investigation into Nashville mayor's office over illegal immigration Other Tennessee Republicans have joined the call for action. 'It's also just impeding in other ways,' said state Rep. Lee Reeves (R-Franklin). 'We've got sanctuary city laws on the books here in Tennessee, and whether [O'Connell] has violated any of those laws, I think, deserves some looking into.' Garrett doubled down, saying, 'Nashvillians should be irate. I think folks in Nashville should be calling for the mayor's resignation.' He went further, suggesting the order itself may be illegal: 'Under his new revised executive order, in my opinion, is probably an illegal executive order because they're not reporting criminal activity to the courts. He is basically harboring…violating the law, he's still creating and wants Nashville to be a sanctuary city, and that's illegal in the state of Tennessee.' Meanwhile, Homeland Security issued 'a comprehensive list of sanctuary jurisdictions that are deliberately obstructing the enforcement of federal immigration laws and endangering American citizens' Thursday, saying that the department is 'exposing these sanctuary politicians who harbor criminal illegal aliens and defy federal law.' Homeland Security demands the jurisdictions on the list — which included Nashville — revise their policies to align with federal immigration laws, as well as 'renew their obligation to protect American citizens, not dangerous illegal aliens.' TN congressman criticized for social media post about Nashville Community Review Board Reeves echoed Garrett's concern, warning that the policies could affect more than just Nashville: 'What happens in Nashville doesn't stay in Nashville. It bleeds over into other communities, and certainly I'm concerned about Brentwood and Franklin and Fairview and Thompson's Station.' Reeves also said he agrees with other lawmakers who believe O'Connell should consider stepping down, describing the mayor's actions as 'putting criminals above the citizens of his city and his county.' Garrett emphasized that public safety should transcend political lines: 'It should be easy. It shouldn't be a partisan issue, whether you're Republican or Democrat or don't identify with any party, that the public safety should be paramount and second to nothing, and this mayor is doing just that.' News 2 reached out to O'Connell's office for comment on the document changes and the growing controversy. We have yet to hear back. News 2 has also reached out to Metro Legal and the Tennessee Attorney General for comment on Nashville's appearance in Homeland Security's list, but there has been no response yet. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Residents in Glencliff Estates say noise from BNA has become excessive
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Every year, millions of people visit Nashville, which means a lot of planes and a lot of noise. However, some native Nashvillians have said it's just become too loud. Jeff LeGore has lived in Music City since 2017. Within the past eight years, he said the noise from the Nashville International Airport has become unbearable—especially at night. LeGore measured decibels as planes were taking off one day, finding that noise levels reached more than 98 decibels and peaked at about 101 decibels. That's about the same noise level as a running lawnmower. LeGore told News 2 he and his neighbors in Glencliff Estates are southeast of the airport, and the noise of the planes is so loud and clear that he is awoken in the night. He's gone as far as talking with his Metro Councilmember about it as well as attending neighborhood meetings about the noise problem, but he told News 2 that he's losing hope that anything could be done. Neighborhood News: Stories impacting your community | Read More LeGore has gone as far as talking with his district's council member about it, and has attended neighborhood meetings about the problem, but he says he's losing hope anything can be done. 'It's just getting louder and louder and it's going to affect my property value significantly,' LeGore said. 'We're doing pretty good up here. It's a nice little neighborhood, but it's definitely going to be affected if it keeps getting louder and louder.' News 2 reached out to the Federal Aviation Administration about air traffic and flight paths. As of publication, there has been no response. Do you have news happening in your neighborhood? Let us know by sending an email to neighborhoodnews@ Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Axios
21-05-2025
- General
- Axios
New Nashville Downtown Arboretum showcases urban trees
The Nashville Downtown Arboretum, a green initiative that shines a light on the city's downtown tree canopy, officially launched Tuesday. Why it matters: The arboretum includes more than 3,000 trees planted along sidewalks, boulevards and in other public spaces. How it works: The arboretum will be managed by the nonprofit group the Nashville Downtown Partnership in collaboration with the Nashville Department of Transportation. QR codes near more than 110 trees will offer passersby the chance to learn about more than 50 tree species represented in the downtown area. Details on the project are also available on the arboretum's website. Zoom out: The project was years in the making and reflects the city's broader efforts to grow and sustain the tree canopy. "Our urban tree canopy provides visual proof that we can grow responsibly, sustainably, and preserve this critical form of infrastructure," Nashville Mayor Freddie O'Connell said. "I can't wait for Nashvillians to experience it."
