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A daily look at the most significant and interesting stories affecting Nashville. Written by Nate Rau and Adam Tamburin.

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Lawyers: Pike getting "life-saving care" after failed execution

State and federal elected officials are pressing for public accountability.

News

Tennessee death row inmate Christa Pike&#x27;s attorneys said she was &quot;in critical condition&quot; and &quot;receiving life-saving care&quot; Thursday, a day after <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="she survived an execution attempt" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/10/01/chaos-questions-christa-pike-execution-attempt" data-vars-content-id="5846c647-a88b-4072-aeb2-def79cf89669" data-vars-headline="Lawyers: Pike getting &quot;life-saving care&quot; after failed execution" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/10/01/chaos-questions-christa-pike-execution-attempt" target="_self">she survived an execution attempt</a> during which the state administered two doses of the lethal injection drug.<ul><li>A death penalty expert <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="told the Associated Press" data-vars-click-url="https://apnews.com/article/christa-pike-failed-botched-execution-5638e4f7d25d5490b402ae53cfa2626d" data-vars-content-id="5846c647-a88b-4072-aeb2-def79cf89669" data-vars-headline="Lawyers: Pike getting &quot;life-saving care&quot; after failed execution" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://apnews.com/article/christa-pike-failed-botched-execution-5638e4f7d25d5490b402ae53cfa2626d" target="_blank">told the Associated Press</a> that Pike&#x27;s survival after receiving the execution drug was unprecedented.</li></ul>The latest: State and federal elected officials are pressing for public accountability after the second failed execution this year. Gov. Bill Lee halted further executions for the rest of the year and ordered a independent review of the Pike execution attempt.<ul><li>On Thursday morning, he told reporters there were &quot;very few answers&quot; about what had gone wrong.</li></ul>

Predators offer gravy boats, bobbleheads and romance for theme nights this season

Nashville Predators' promotions for 2026 season include bobbleheads of Billy Strings and Ryan O'Reilly.

Sports

If your Thanksgiving arrangement fell short in terms of expressing your hockey fandom, well, the Nashville Predators have you covered.<ul><li>The Preds partnered with Cracker Barrel on a catfish gravy boat giveaway for the team&#x27;s Nov. 7 home game against the St. Louis Blues.</li></ul>The big picture: Predators fans really want a playoff hockey team this season. <ul><li>That remains to be seen, but attending games is sure to be fun either way, as the team&#x27;s marketing department once again packed their home schedule full of creative promotions and theme nights.</li></ul>Here are some of our favorites:

Tennessee contributes to national uptick in executions

Forty-seven people were executed last year, according to the Death Penalty Information Center. Three of them were in Tennessee.

Tennessee is contributing to a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="national surge in executions" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/09/02/death-penalty-executions-surging-florida" data-vars-content-id="9fe7d76c-9b59-462f-9ac2-1d1737260f86" data-vars-headline="Tennessee contributes to national uptick in executions" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/09/02/death-penalty-executions-surging-florida" target="_self">national surge in executions</a>, and the Republican candidate for governor wants the state to go further in the coming years.The big picture: Forty-seven people were executed in the United States last year, according to the Death Penalty Information Center.<ul><li>Three of them were in Tennessee.</li></ul>

Christa Pike hospitalized after failed execution attempt

Christa Pike hospitalized after failed TN execution attempt

"We have a lot of questions about what we saw and what we did not see."

Death row inmate <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Christa Pike" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/09/30/christa-pike-execution-stayed-appeals-court" data-vars-content-id="061853ae-993b-49c7-96fb-c56817325e58" data-vars-headline="Christa Pike hospitalized after failed execution attempt" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/09/30/christa-pike-execution-stayed-appeals-court" target="_self">Christa Pike</a> was still alive after getting two rounds of lethal injection drugs at a Nashville prison Wednesday night, her attorneys said in court filings.<ul><li>Media witnesses who watched the lethal injection process said Pike was still breathing when the warden told them to leave at 8:53pm.</li><li>An ambulance left the prison grounds while they were describing their experience at a press conference outside. Sirens wailed while they talked.</li></ul>

Axios Social Club brings mystery dinners to Nashville

Meet fellow locals over dinner at a restaurant we hand-picked.

Things to Do

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Axios Social Club" data-vars-click-url="https://axiossocialclub.dnnr.io/" data-vars-content-id="65d22488-cde5-4bef-8de9-f490f85fc81d" data-vars-headline="Axios Social Club brings mystery dinners to Nashville" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://axiossocialclub.dnnr.io/" target="_blank">Axios Social Club</a> is bringing readers together for dinner in Nashville&#x27;s Germantown neighborhood on Tuesday, Oct. 6.Why it matters: Your city is full of interesting people you haven&#x27;t met yet. We&#x27;re making it easier to change that.

312 Pizza thought it was going to close, but the community rallied

312 Pizza stays open after fearing it had to close.

Business

312 Pizza Co., a Germantown neighborhood staple specializing in Chicago-style deep dish, planned to close its doors on Monday.<ul><li>Yes, but: An outpouring of community support, including from Mayor Freddie O&#x27;Connell, provided 312 at least a temporary reprieve.</li></ul>Why it matters: Instead of another locally owned small business shuttering, 312 is a beacon of hope during a gritty time for Nashville&#x27;s independent restaurant community.

Bon Appétit names Nashville's Junior one of America's best new restaurants

"Junior exudes a lived-in bravado that shines through the Nashville neon."

Food and Drink

One of the godfathers of Nashville&#x27;s fine dining scene is getting new plaudits.Zoom in: Chef Philip Krajeck, the mastermind behind the Germantown stalwart Rolf &amp; Daughters, tried something new with his restaurant Junior, which opened two years ago on Dickerson Pike.<ul><li>According to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the folks at Bon Appétit" data-vars-click-url="https://www.bonappetit.com/story/best-new-restaurants-2026?srsltid=AfmBOoqDk5qkB0GC8XbDTbyOtxZYE747cCAORb_lzyAMsUHO48paYNie" data-vars-content-id="ac40b060-bdb4-41d0-9999-093fa001c01e" data-vars-headline="Bon Appétit names Nashville&#x27;s Junior one of America&#x27;s best new restaurants" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.bonappetit.com/story/best-new-restaurants-2026?srsltid=AfmBOoqDk5qkB0GC8XbDTbyOtxZYE747cCAORb_lzyAMsUHO48paYNie" target="_blank">the folks at Bon Appétit</a>, it worked. The culinary magazine recently named Junior one of the nation&#x27;s 19 best new restaurants.</li></ul>

Axios' guide to dining alone in Nashville 

We asked readers to share their favorite Nashville spots for dining solo.

We asked readers to share their favorite Nashville spots for dining solo. The answers ranged from a 17-year classic to a super-sized sip behind the wheel.

100 Pizza in Brentwood started as a basement experiment

The shop uses "New York water" as a key dough ingredient.

A veteran of marketing, Michael Wilde spent his entire career helping other people build up their brands.<ul><li>Several years ago, Wilde was worn down by the grind of constant travel for his consulting business. One day, he said to himself, &quot;Why don&#x27;t you try to build your own brand and do something with that?&quot;</li></ul>Driving the news: Wilde chose his family&#x27;s culinary passion, pizza, as his entrepreneurial choice. There was only one problem: He&#x27;d never even worked in a restaurant before, not to mention run a pizza shop.<ul><li>So Wilde and his son Parker turned their basement into a test kitchen and got to work experimenting with pizza recipes.</li></ul>

SATCO sold to local investors

The plan is to keep SATCO running the way we know and love it, but also make improvements.

SATCO, the beloved Vanderbilt-area taco shop and survivor of Nashville&#x27;s gritty independent restaurant scene, is being sold to a group of local investors.Why it matters: The plan is to keep SATCO running the way we know and love it, but also make improvements.

Centennial Park to get a restaurant next month

Croquet Cafe is set to open in late August.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Centennial Park" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/08/01/nashville-tennessee-parks-guide" data-vars-content-id="c9f32831-e4e1-4d2c-8a66-cee10d307704" data-vars-headline="Centennial Park to get a restaurant next month" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/08/01/nashville-tennessee-parks-guide" target="_self">Centennial Park</a> will soon open a restaurant for visitors who want to sip coffee or grab a sandwich after strolling around The Parthenon. State of plate: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Croquet Cafe" data-vars-click-url="http://conservancyonline.com/croquet-cafe" data-vars-content-id="c9f32831-e4e1-4d2c-8a66-cee10d307704" data-vars-headline="Centennial Park to get a restaurant next month" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="http://conservancyonline.com/croquet-cafe" target="_blank">Croquet Cafe</a> is set to open next month in the park&#x27;s historic 1963 Croquet Clubhouse.<ul><li>The Centennial Park Conservancy will run the nonprofit cafe and proceeds will go toward park projects and Parthenon preservation.</li></ul>

Joyland closes Nashville burger joints

Joyland closes Nashville shops following its investor's financial turmoil.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Joyland" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2022/01/28/a-new-era-at-sean-brocks-joyland" data-vars-content-id="35c4d825-fc1b-4c95-bbf0-3259169cb0eb" data-vars-headline="Joyland closes Nashville burger joints" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2022/01/28/a-new-era-at-sean-brocks-joyland" target="_self">Joyland</a>, the fast food burger concept from acclaimed chef Sean Brock, abruptly closed both of its Nashville locations over the weekend.Why it matters: A reliably good burger option is off the menu for Nashvillians.

Hattie B's rapid expansion continues with new shop in East Nashville

Hattie B's is opening its newest location in Nashville.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Hattie B&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2023/09/28/hattie-bs-most-photographed-restaurants-in-the-us" data-vars-content-id="f88193f3-7db3-43a9-8303-c1038cfbd671" data-vars-headline="Hattie B&#x27;s rapid expansion continues with new shop in East Nashville" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2023/09/28/hattie-bs-most-photographed-restaurants-in-the-us" target="_self">Hattie B&#x27;s</a> continues its hot chicken domination with Wednesday&#x27;s opening of its newest location in East Nashville.Why it matters: Hattie B&#x27;s is a soaring local hospitality success story. The growing chain has spread love of Nashville&#x27;s most famous dish across the country.

Chef Julio Hernandez debuts Fonda Fina

Maiz De La Vida tortilla shop converts to cozy Fonda Fina dine-in concept.

Critically acclaimed chef <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Julio Hernandez" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2023/02/03/julio-hernandezs-james-beard-semifinalist" data-vars-content-id="01d3ae9b-69f8-48a5-ab7f-afbb41983cbb" data-vars-headline="Chef Julio Hernandez debuts Fonda Fina" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2023/02/03/julio-hernandezs-james-beard-semifinalist" target="_self">Julio Hernandez</a> has converted his North Nashville tortilla shop into a 12-seat dine-in restaurant called Fonda Fina.Why it matters: The new concept debuting Wednesday features a redesigned space and overhauled menu.

Food and Drink 🍽

Axios Social Club brings mystery dinners to Nashville

312 Pizza thought it was going to close, but the community rallied

Bon Appétit names Nashville's Junior one of America's best new restaurants

Axios' guide to dining alone in Nashville

100 Pizza in Brentwood started as a basement experiment