Sept. 8: Ascend Amphitheater; Special Election Voter Registration; Another Candidate for Governor
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MAKING MUSIC: Metro has reached a 10-year deal with Grand Ole Opry and Ryman owner Opry Entertainment Group to manage Ascend Amphitheater, following its selection over incumbent Live Nation and AEG earlier this year. As part of the agreement, announced by Mayor Freddie O’Connell on Friday, Opry will spend at least $11 million on facility improvements and up to $1.1 million to relocate and upgrade the greenway that runs through the amphitheater. Opry had proposed a bid of $41.17 million over 10 years to take over the facility, the largest of the three contenders. The public greenway has been frequently closed under Live Nation management. — Stephen Elliott

LAST DAY: Today is the last day to register to vote in the primary election for Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District. To vote in the Oct. 7 special primary election to replace retired Rep. Mark Green, qualified voters need to register by the end of the day Monday. The October vote will determine which of four Democrats and 11 Republicans represent each party in the Dec. 2 general election. The winner of that election will serve about a year in Congress before Green’s term ends. Voters can visit https://ovr.govote.tn.gov/ to register and check their congressional district at https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative. If you miss the primary registration cutoff, you can still register by Nov. 3 to vote in the general election. — Sarah Grace Taylor

FRITTS IN THE FRAY: State Rep. Monty Fritts (R-Kingston) entered the 2026 race for governor this week, condemning Gov. Bill Lee and the “elitist political class,” despite his own two terms in the State House.  On Tuesday, Fritts apparently previewed his campaign in a Facebook post in which he denounced “the gutless, drunken, and dimwitted politicians” in the “Nashville establishment,” which he says needs to focus more on liberty. “I think we can correct this. I think a LIBERTY & LESS GOV’T approach can reduce the yoke of burden that the Nashville establishment has placed on our backs,” Fritts wrote. “I think recalibrating government in Nashville to realize it is bound by the Constitution and accountable to the people is possible.” On his campaign website, Fritts repeats the idea that he is a political outsider able to offset those beholden to special interests. Fritts is running against heavyweight Republican candidates Sen. Marsha Blackburn and Congressman John Rose to replace outgoing Gov. Bill Lee, whose second term ends late next year. — Sarah Grace Taylor

SHIFTING STAT: For the second time in their last five games, the Tennessee Titans failed to win despite four takeaways. The defense notched two interceptions and one fumble recovery, and the special teams recovered a muffed punt, but the Titans lost 20-12 to the Denver Broncos in their season opener on Sunday. The last time Tennessee had four or more takeaways and lost was Dec. 15, 2024, a 37-27 loss to Cincinnati. Between 1999 and 2023, before current coach Brian Callahan took over, the Titans were 32-2 when they had four-plus takeaways (source: Stathead), and their last defeat was Sept. 25, 2005 at the St. Louis Rams (31-27). Between the Cincinnati and St. Louis losses, they had won 20 straight with four or more takeaways. — David Boclair