Who Wins Summer in the USA? Nashville Makes Its Case

How Metro Council Nearly Came To Blows This Week. Plus, Happy Pride!

The annual public budget hearing at Metro Council this week was another marathon session, with over 100 residents lining up to speak [https://www.nashvillescene.com/news/pithinthewind/metro-council-public-hearing-housing-june-2026/article_9f4af2d8-74fe-526a-b8ac-7cf85ae55ee4.html] for nearly four hours about what they’d like to see in our city’s budget this year. Marie Cecile Anderson, Margaret Kingsbury, and Whitney Pastorek are discussing what they heard from their neighbors on today’s Friday News Roundup. Plus: Why did the council meeting almost come to blows [https://nashvillebanner.com/2026/06/03/metro-council-central-business-budget-rejection/]? How’s the zoo feeling about the proposed data center next door [https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/local/davidson/2026/06/04/nashville-zoo-data-center-opposition/90386553007/]? And what’s it gonna take to make Nashville an affordable place to live? In our special bonus segment, Hell Naw, we’re taking on the local middle school that’s named for a segregationist [https://wpln.org/post/why-is-a-nashville-middle-school-named-after-a-racist-segregationist-curious-nashville/], and hey y’all — Happy Pride Month [https://nashville.citycast.fm/nashville-history/celebrate-pride-month-nashville]! Learn more about the sponsors of this June 5th episode: Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum [https://www.countrymusichalloffame.org/local-kids] Visit Tupelo [https://www.tupelo.net/] Centennial Park Conservancy [https://musicianscorner.com/] Ancient Lore Village [https://www.ancientlorevillage.com/] Get more from City Cast Nashville when you become a City Cast Nashville Neighbor [http://membership.citycast.fm/nashville]. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events and more. Join now at membership.citycast.fm/nashville [http://membership.citycast.fm/nashville] Want some more City Cast Nashville news? Then make sure to sign up for our City Cast Nashville newsletter.  [https://nashville.citycast.fm/subscribe-hey-nashville-newsletter-tennessee] Follow us @citycastnashville [https://www.instagram.com/citycastnashville/] You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 615-200-6392 Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE [https://citycast.fm/advertise/].

Why Country Comedy Music Is Making a Comeback in Nashville

Country music has always had a funny side, but lately, comedy is taking center stage! Inspired by her recent WPLN report, "Country Music Comedy Is Back," [https://wpln.org/post/country-music-comedy-key-changes/] Nashville Public Radio senior music writer Jewly Hight [https://nashvillepublicradio.org/staff-members/jewly-hight/] joins Marie Cecile Anderson to explore the history of humor in country music, why it's making a comeback, and which local comics are leading the charge. Plus, Marie shares what she learned from 15 years performing in the country comedy duo Reformed Whores [https://www.reformedwhores.com/music]. Learn more about the sponsors of this June 4th episode: Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum [https://www.countrymusichalloffame.org/local-kids] Visit Tupelo [https://www.tupelo.net/] Centennial Park Conservancy [https://musicianscorner.com/] Get more from City Cast Nashville when you become a City Cast Nashville Neighbor [http://membership.citycast.fm/nashville]. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events and more. Join now at membership.citycast.fm/nashville [http://membership.citycast.fm/nashville] Want some more City Cast Nashville news? Then make sure to sign up for our City Cast Nashville newsletter.  [https://nashville.citycast.fm/subscribe-hey-nashville-newsletter-tennessee] Follow us @citycastnashville [https://www.instagram.com/citycastnashville/] You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 615-200-6392 Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE [https://citycast.fm/advertise/].

The Best Amusement Parks Near Nashville

We all know Dollywood is the best theme park in Tennessee, but do we have any other options? Local rollercoaster enthusiast and friend of the pod Charlie Weingartner joins Marie Cecile Anderson to give us the best destinations for a thrill-seeking day trip or weekend visit to the best amusement parks near Nashville. Plus: What does he really think about Nate Bargatze’s theme park plans? If you enjoyed today's interview with Tess Rowser, the Marketing Manager of the Water Lantern Festival, learn more here [https://www.waterlanternfestival.com/events/nashville]. Learn more about the sponsors of this June 3rd episode: Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum [https://www.countrymusichalloffame.org/local-kids] Visit Tupelo [https://www.tupelo.net/] Centennial Park Conservancy [https://musicianscorner.com/] Get more from City Cast Nashville when you become a City Cast Nashville Neighbor [http://membership.citycast.fm/nashville]. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events and more. Join now at membership.citycast.fm/nashville [http://membership.citycast.fm/nashville] Want some more City Cast Nashville news? Then make sure to sign up for our City Cast Nashville newsletter.  [https://nashville.citycast.fm/subscribe-hey-nashville-newsletter-tennessee] Follow us @citycastnashville [https://www.instagram.com/citycastnashville/] You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 615-200-6392 Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE [https://citycast.fm/advertise/].

Sen. Lamar Alexander Talks New Book, New Nashville

In his New York Times bestselling autobiography, “The Education of a Senator: From JFK to Trump [https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Education-of-a-Senator/Lamar-Alexander/9798895656488],” former Tennessee governor and U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander digs into his nearly 60 years of public service. He joins Marie Cecile Anderson for a conversation about civil rights — did you know he helped desegregate Vanderbilt? — our recent redistricting, and how Nashville can hang onto its soul amidst all this growth. Learn more about the sponsors of this June 2nd episode: Country Music Hall of Fame [https://www.countrymusichalloffame.org/local-kids] Visit Tupelo [https://www.tupelo.net/] Centennial Park Conservancy [https://musicianscorner.com/] Window Nation [https://info.windownation.com/get-new-windows/?utm_code=CMP-12449-D6B0R&utm_campaign=All_Markets_Branded_Prospecting&utm_content=Primary&utm_term=window%20nation&utm_source=Google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_geo=9033313&CLID=Cj0KCQjw7IjOBhDyARIsAFzrWQzuBCy6E2lIi_t6wWQEbfzvI984wMzbm9TAebcPUFrAms4Q-qF68KEaAmcGEALw_wcB&campaignid=23433255096&adgroupid=196942590688&adid=791587620661&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23433255096&gbraid=0AAAAADex7axtFPlhQ7J_xpV-SOhQ43avT&gclid=Cj0KCQjw7IjOBhDyARIsAFzrWQzuBCy6E2lIi_t6wWQEbfzvI984wMzbm9TAebcPUFrAms4Q-qF68KEaAmcGEALw_wcB] Get more from City Cast Nashville when you become a City Cast Nashville Neighbor [http://membership.citycast.fm/nashville]. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events and more. Join now at membership.citycast.fm/nashville [http://membership.citycast.fm/nashville] Want some more City Cast Nashville news? Then make sure to sign up for our City Cast Nashville newsletter.  [https://nashville.citycast.fm/subscribe-hey-nashville-newsletter-tennessee] Follow us @citycastnashville [https://www.instagram.com/citycastnashville/] You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 615-200-6392 Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE [https://citycast.fm/advertise/].

Your Guide to June 2026 in Nashville

Pride! Juneteenth! CMA Fest! Bonnaroo! June in Nashville is jam-packed every year, and Marie Cecile Anderson, Margaret Kingsbury, and Whitney Pastorek are here to help you make the most of it. From laser shows to waterfront dining, we’ve got the best things to eat, hear, and do this month in Music City. Learn more about the sponsors of this June 1st episode: Country Music Hall of Fame [https://www.countrymusichalloffame.org/local-kids] Visit Tupelo [https://www.tupelo.net/] Centennial Park Conservancy [https://musicianscorner.com/] Get more from City Cast Nashville when you become a City Cast Nashville Neighbor [http://membership.citycast.fm/nashville]. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events and more. Join now at membership.citycast.fm/nashville [http://membership.citycast.fm/nashville] Want some more City Cast Nashville news? Then make sure to sign up for our City Cast Nashville newsletter.  [https://nashville.citycast.fm/subscribe-hey-nashville-newsletter-tennessee] Follow us @citycastnashville [https://www.instagram.com/citycastnashville/] You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 615-200-6392 Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE [https://citycast.fm/advertise/].