I haven’t seen @connordaryani.bsky.social in weeks.

Tennessee Death Row Inmates File Suit to Stop New Lethal Injection Protocols, citing “risk of tortuous death” as executions resume nashvillebanner.com/2025/03/14/t... @connordaryani.bsky.social @nashvillebanner.bsky.social

From the Banner's morning newsletter: nashvillebanner.com/newsletter/m... @connordaryani.bsky.social @nashvillebanner.bsky.social

The Metro Nashville Public Schools board voted unanimously Tuesday to expand use of the Evolv weapons detection system to every high school in the district. MNPS Director Dr. Adrienne Battle said the implementation is not a “perfect solution,” but “another layer in our multi-layered approach.”

After the January shooting at Antioch High School, MNPS installed Evolv scanners at the front doors. But questions remain about its effectiveness. Depending on how the system's sensitivity is set, it can miss items like handguns and knives or set off alarms for nearly any object containing metal.

Since Monday, Antioch High School students have been walking through a new security system designed to detect concealed weapons like the one used in the Jan. 22 shooting. The company that makes the system recently settled with the FTC over allegations that it had misrepresented its effectiveness.

Good piece from @connordaryani.bsky.social ...

The Metro Arts Commission has a new interim director. A deputy from another Metro department who has been intimately involved in Metro Arts reforms will leave her position temporarily to direct the commission as the search continues for a new full-time director. Story: @stelliott.bsky.social

On Tuesday, judges in the U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals heard arguments over a Tennessee policy that makes it unnecessarily difficult for people convicted of a felony to register to vote, according to the NAACP. Here is a breakdown of those arguments, and what the judges are saying:

After hearing arguments from The Committee to Stop an Unfair Tax last week, Davidson County Chancellor Anne Martin ruled Monday that Mayor Freddie O’Connell’s transit referendum is “valid and legal” and can move toward implementation. Story: @connordaryani.bsky.social

Chancellor Anne Martin today shot down the effort to overturn the results of the transit vote. Tax can be collected starting Feb. 1. More to come shortly but here's our story on the hearing last week:

Paulette Coleman, the interim executive director of Metro Arts Commission, has resigned after less than a year in the role. Coleman was tasked with overseeing the department through a rebuilding phase following a botched fiscal year 2024 grants cycle, but allegedly was failing to do so.

welp

After a troubled 2024 grant cycle, Metro Arts Commission, local artists, and other Metro departments reached a conciliation agreement to improve the process. But emails obtained by the Banner reveal new Metro Arts leadership is falling short of that agreement, jeopardizing the next funding cycle.

Legal challenge of Nashville transit referendum was in court today. Decision expected quickly. @connordaryani.bsky.social @nashvillebanner.bsky.social

After hearing arguments on Wednesday, Davidson County Chancellor Anne Martin predicted she would make a quick ruling in the legal challenge brought by the Committee to Stop an Unfair Tax, a group seeking to reverse the results of the November transit funding referendum. @connordaryani.bsky.social

Chancellor Anne Martin held a scheduling hearing this morning on the Committee to Stop an Unfair Tax's suit to overturn the Transit referendum, which passed 2-1. They argue the referendum went beyond the scope of what is allowed by state law. (1/x)

The Banner's @connordaryani.bsky.social was in the hearing this morning on the transit referendum. Here's what he saw:

ICYMI: As the Supreme Court heard arguments about Tennessee's ban on gender-affirming care for minors, conservative justices appeared to open the door for more state legislation against trans citizens nashvillebanner.com/2024/12/04/s...

As the Supreme Court heard arguments about Tennessee's ban on gender-affirming care for minors, conservative justices appeared to open the door for more state legislation against trans citizens.

New from @connordaryani.bsky.social on the SCOTUS hearing

TSU fired former Metro Councilmember Tanaka Vercher for refusing to bypass procedures in the federal financial aid process. Vercher alleges she was pressured to request funding early and was terminated after refusing. Story: @connordaryani.bsky.social nashvillebanner.com/2024/12/03/t...

Textile Fabrics, a Nashville institution, set to close soon after more than 50 Years nashvillebanner.com/2024/11/29/t...

I love this feature from @connordaryani.bsky.social. The Martin Cherry photos are outstanding.

Earlier this year, when the Banner tried to unseal documents related to our reporting on Davidson County Criminal Court Judge Cheryl Blackburn’s competency, we were denied. Now, our appeal is headed to the Tennessee Supreme Court. ✏️: @connordaryani.bsky.social nashvillebanner.com/2024/11/22/t...

“ 'These artists have real insecurities,' said Elisheba Mrozik, an artist based in North Nashville. 'And you took $20k from them. That money is life-changing for poor people.' " @connordaryani.bsky.social and @scavendish.bsky.social report on the mess at Metro Arts for @nashvillebanner.bsky.social