🌱 Targeted Shooting Near Downtown + Total Abortion Ban Lifted

Hello, everybody! It's me, Nicole Fallon-Peek, your host of the Nashville Patch newsletter — back in your inbox with all the most important things happening in town.

But first, your local weather:

• Saturday: Mostly cloudy. High: 75 Low: 53.
• Sunday: Breezy. High: 65 Low: 44.

Business owners and marketers in Nashville: Do you want to build awareness with local customers? I have a limited number of sponsorships available to introduce our readers to local businesses they need to know. Click here to learn more.

Here are the top three stories today in Nashville:

1. The Metro Nashville Police Department is currently investigating an apparent targeted shooting after a man was killed south of downtown Nashville. Police say the shooting took place in the early hours of Friday, Apr. 28 on the 100 block of Charles E. Davis Boulevard shortly after 12:15 a.m. According to sources, 33-year-old Dequan Howse was walking through a courtyard at Napier Place when a man started firing multiple gunshots at him and killed him on the scene. (WKRN)
2. On Friday, Apr. 28, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee said that a special lawmaking session dedicated to changing the state's gun laws would likely take place after Tuesday, Jul 4. The need for a lawmaking session came after the deadly school shooting last month that tragically killed three 9-year-old students and three adults at The Covenant School in Nashville. The governor's spokesperson Jade Byers says Lee's office offered lawmakers a list of potential meeting dates throughout the summer and determined that July would give them an opportunity to gain initial feedback from legislative leaders. (KTAR News)
3. A Tennessee official signed a bill that would no longer require women to have to seek out-of-state abortion health care in the event they were dying. On Friday, Apr. 28, Governor Bill Lee quietly signed this bill into law and it only applies if a woman's physical health is being compromised. Any reasons relating to mental health are insufficient and not included under this bill. (News Channel 5)

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 and tomorrow in Nashville:

Saturday, April 29

• Nashville Food & Wine Festival at the Omni Hotel (5:30 PM)

Sunday, April 30

• Splash into Summer: Wet Deck Opening Party at the W Hotel (11:00 AM)

In partnership with T-Mobile:

Do you know a Nashville student who’s making a difference in the community? We want to hear about them! Click here to nominate a student to be featured on Patch.

From my notebook:

• A new study by Bumper.com found that electric vehicle ‘charging deserts’ – places where charging stations and ports are in short supply – stretch across states, largely divided by economic and racial lines. On average in Tennessee, there are 1.27 charge ports per 10,000 people. Learn more about EV charging rates in Tennessee and nationwide at the link. (Bumper.com)
• The beloved fast food chain, Raising Canes, is officially set to open a brand new location in West Nashville. The restaurant is scheduled to open on Wednesday, May 31; guests who arrive on opening day can enjoy a variety of Raising Canes'p most popular meals, as well as its signature dipping sauce. (WZTV)
• In honor of the 50th Anniversary of Hip Hop, Nashville Children's Theatre presents Hip Hop Cinderella playing now through Sunday, May 21. Nashville Children's Theatre is the oldest children's theatre in the country and has focused on providing young audiences with an opportunity to participate in professional theatre for nearly a century. If you're interested in learning more or purchasing tickets, click here. (pridepublishinggroup.com)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured events:

• T-Mobile Tuesdays: Get Free Stuff And Great Perks Every Week (May 2)
• Legendary Swimmer and EverWalk Founder Diana Nyad to Lead Free Music City Walk (May 4)
• Breast Ultrasound Screening Coming Direct to You! (May 6)
• Add your event

Thanks for following along and staying informed! See you soon for your next 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.