🌱 Rep. Jones Files HB 1580 + Nashville Cherry Blossom Festival

Hey, everybody. Nicole Fallon-Peek here with your fresh copy of the Nashville Patch newsletter, full of everything you need to know about what's going on locally.

But first, today's weather:

Some sun, then turning cloudy. High: 82 Low: 59.

Are you a business owner or marketer in Nashville who wants to build awareness, connect with customers and increase sales? If that's you, then I invite you to see how our newsletter sponsorships combine our local audience reach with your expertise to attract new customers. Click here to learn more.

Here are the top three stories in Nashville today:

1. State Representative Justin Jones filed a new gun bill (HB 1580) after being sworn back into the House. The “Protect Kids Not Guns Act," which was filed Apr. 13, would make changes to current gun laws, such as changes to magazine size requirements and appropriate gun storage. The bill would also enact gun policies to reduce gun deaths and make it more challenging for everyday people to possess military-grade assault weapons, according to Jones. HB 1580 is co-sponsored by Rep. Johnson, Rep. Camper, and Rep. Harris and has been referred to the Delayed Bills Committee for consideration. (WSMV 4)
2. The Nashville Cherry Blossom Festival is returning to Nashville today, Apr. 15 from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. A day meant to celebrate springtime and learn more about Japanese culture, the festival will kick off with the Cherry Blossom walk at Public Square Park outside the Historic Metro Courthouse. Organizers say the free festival is family-friendly and includes food, live music, dancing, and a cosplay contest. There will also be martial arts demonstrations and J-pop dancers scheduled to perform. (WKRN)
3. In its second annual installment, The Maymester Music Accelerator Program is expanding to include Tennessee State University (TSU) and Fisk University. Powered by Amazon Music, the program offers Black college students in Tennessee access to music industry leadership, mentorship, and career resources. Over the course of three weeks, students will learn about a range of entertainment business aspects from touring and marketing to publishing and public relations. Confirmed guest artists and speakers include Waka Flocka Flame, Madeline Edwards, Tim Gent, Bryant Taylorr, and executives from AEG/Goldenvoice, Live Nation, National Museum of African American Music, Rolling Loud, Tri Star, Warner Music Nashville, Wasserman Music, WNXP, and more. (musicrow.com)

From our sponsor:

Today’s Nashville Patch newsletter is brought to you in part by T-Mobile. T-Mobile has invested billions to light up their best network ever, covering 99% of people in America with LTE, which helps to keep communities like ours informed and connected. We thank T-Mobile for their support and for making today’s Nashville Patch newsletter possible.

Today in Nashville:

• April Community Day: Food Waste Awareness At The Land Trust For Tennessee's Glen Leven Farm (9:00 AM)
• Bar East Rooftop Opening At Bar East Nashville (12:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week is dedicated to life-saving 911 dispatchers of Middle Tennessee and across the country. Following the Covenant School shooting on Mar. 27, Metro Nashville Emergency Communications Director Stephen Martini said one of the Nashville department's main focuses is to address the mental health of their dispatchers. (WKRN)
• In light of the unexpected closure of the parking garage adjacent to the Main Library, the Nashville Public Library and its partners are providing discounted parking at four alternate locations. For more information, visit the link. (Nashville Public Library via Facebook)
• The Pet Community Center is seeking to raise $55,000 for its Big Spayback on Wednesday, May 3. Donations will help new initiatives to increase spay/neuter capacity and provide relief for overcrowded shelters, including additional community cat surgery days and prioritizing Metro Animal Care and Control dogs. (Pet Community Center via Facebook)

That's it for today! See you all soon for another update.

— Nicole Fallon-Peek

About me: Nicole Fallon-Peek is a journalist and copywriter with a degree in Media, Culture and Communication from New York University. She has served as a freelance reporter, managing editor, copy editor, and editorial director for a variety of B2B news outlets. She currently co-owns and operates content creation agency Lightning Media Partners.