State
NICOLLE S. PRAINO
The state has refunded $938 million to almost 47,000 businesses based upon a change to the franchise tax law passed during the 113th General Assembly.
The Tennessee Department of Revenue provided an update on the franchise tax property measure refunds during the department’s budget hearing with Gov. Bill Lee Tuesday.
The 2024 fiscal year budget had provided
$1.6 billion for about 120,000 taxpayers to receive refunds due to the legislature’s change to its tax on businesses, a modification that removed the provision for the tax based on the amount of property a business owned.
That means almost 59 percent of the money in the budget for the refunds has been given to approximately 39 percent of businesses that are eligible.
“We’ve approached this project with three
main goals,” David Gerregano, commissioner of the Department of Revenue, said during the hearing. He stressed accuracy, efficiency and customer service.
“To be transparent, we proactively contacted each taxpayer our records indicate was eligible for a refund to let them know directly from us,” he said.
When asked by Lee about unprocessed claims, Gerregano responded by
Bill Freeman — the co-founder of Nashville-based real estate company Freeman Webb, a Democratic Party powerbroker, a former mayoral candidate and the owner of The News parent company FW Publishing — has died by suicide at his Forest Hills home.
According to his son Bob Freeman, Freeman died Sunday night. He was 73. Freeman — a longtime supporter of local journalism and a candidate for mayor in 2015 — teamed with friend and business partner Jimmy Webb to purchase the Nashville Scene and sister publications the Nashville Post and Nfocus in 2018 via FW Publishing. Webb died in 2019.
Freeman attended the Peabody Demonstration School (now the University School of Nashville) and the
Tennessee State Capitol PHOTO: ANGELINA CASTILLO
State returns
saying the department is processing claims as quickly as 11 days on average for filings that fall into certain criteria (and that do not have to be reviewed by a person). If an auditor must review a filing, those claims are processed in an average of 25 days.
The department is accepting refund claims until Dec. 2 for most taxpayers, but those in eight counties impacted by Hurricane Helene have until May 1, 2025. Gerregano said that about 1,700 potential businesses in those counties have not yet filed.
The commissioner noted that the accounting sector is deadline-driven and the department does not have an estimate for how many filings to anticipate over the next two weeks.
“Tennessee public schools are underfunded, our highways are too congested, and our grocery tax is too high,” says Senate Democratic Caucus press secretary Brandon Puttbrese. “Gov. Bill Lee’s corporate tax handouts are probably popular among his CEO buddies, but this trickle-down scheme isn’t solving a single problem for Tennessee’s working families.”
This article was first published via our sister publication the Willamson Scene.
NowOPENingreenhills
Sen. Jack Johnson reelected by Senate to serve as majority leader
Franklin legislator to continue senior leadership role during 114th General Assembly
HAMILTON MATTHEW MASTERS
Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson, Nov. 5, 2024
PHOTO: HAMILTON MATTHEW MASTERS
Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson has been reelected to a third term in his leadership position on Tennessee’s Capitol Hill.
In addition, the 27-member supermajority caucus voted on Thursday to nominate Lt. Gov. Randy McNally (R-Oak Ridge) to a fifth term along with the third-term renomination of Sen. Ken
Yager (R-Kingston) to his role as Republican caucus chairman.
“I am grateful for the continued support of this incredible group of dedicated senators who work hard to serve their districts and make Tennessee the very best place to live, work and raise a family,” Johnson said in a news release. “Together, we have protected children – including the unborn, improved public safety, created more educational opportunities for families, promoted a business-friendly environment, and maintained conservative fiscal principles. This election season shows that Tennesseans are clearly aligned with Tennessee’s conservative governance, and I look forward to continuing to advance our shared values in the 114th General Assembly.”
Johnson’s election to his continued leadership role comes after he and House Majority Leader William Lamberth filed the first bill of the session, the Education Freedom Scholarship Act of 2025, a new version of Gov. Bill Lee’s universal voucher plan. Though legislation was not passed for the changes in
the previous session, money was included in the 2024 fiscal year budget and was set aside for potential legislation in 2025.
“I’m very confident we have the votes,” Johnson previously told The News sister publication the Williamson Scene. “We have the votes in the Senate. We have the votes in the House. Like with many complicated pieces of legislation, we have to work out some differences.”
In 2023, Johnson and Lamberth filed that session’s first bill which banned genderaffirming care for minors and was later signed into law. On Dec. 4, the United States Supreme Court will hear arguments about the state’s law.
“I could not be more honored and proud as your Senator, to be the sponsor of the legislation that’s going to decide this issue for the entire United States of America,” Johnson told a crowd of GOP voters at his Oct. 20 Boots and Jeans, BBQ and Beans fundraiser in Franklin.
This article was first published via our sister publication the Willamson Scene.
Bill Freeman
University of Tennessee. He was appointed by President Joe Biden to the J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board and also served as a treasurer of the Tennessee Democratic Party. An avid pilot, he was a member of the Metro Nashville Airport Authority Board of Commissioners and the White House Historical Association. A onetime employee of the Metro Development and Housing Authority, he also served on the boards of the Nashville Area YMCA and Tennessee State University, among many other civic roles. He was a grandfather, a sports fan and a dedicated community booster, donating to countless causes and media outlets in addition to his support of the The News and its sister publications.
As a powerhouse Democratic fundraiser, Freeman threw his support behind President Barack Obama, President Biden and numerous other local, state and federal candidates over the course of his career. In his 2015 run for mayor, he was narrowly edged out to miss the runoff.
“Bill was many things — real estate visionary, mayoral candidate, pilot, media magnate, staunch Democrat — and friend,” shared Mayor Freddie O’Connell in a statement Sunday night. “Our city, state, and nation are better for his tenacity and commitment. We will miss him dearly, and my heart is with his family.”
“Bill Freeman was a giant in our city, known as much for his role in helping Nashville grow as he was for his commitment to ensuring that all of its residents could thrive,” former Vice President Al Gore shared on social media. “Bill always sought out new ideas and knowledge in his pursuit of a better future for his community — one of the traits that made him such an important leader in our local media landscape.”
“Bill Freeman was a friend to all of Nashville,” says District Attorney Glenn Funk in a statement. “He worked hard to give the working men and women of this community better living standards from housing to wages. We are a better city because of Bill Freeman.”
In October of last year, Bill Freeman transitioned ownership of Freeman Webb Company to Bob Freeman, who also serves as a representative in Nashville’s state House District 56. At the time, Bill Freeman said he wanted to spend time with his family, including his wife Babs Freeman. He had previously suffered two strokes.
In addition to his wife Babs and his son Bob, Bill Freeman is survived by his sons Harvey and Mike.
TennCare needs $118 Million more to cover drugs like Ozempic
State departments ask for funds for Alzheimer’s programming, provider pay, wait lists
HANNAH HERNER
Last week, the state’s many departments sat before Gov. Bill Lee and his staff to ask for millions of dollars to use in fiscal year 2026. Whether these departments get the money will be decided later, but the Scene listened in on requests from the Department of Health, the Department of Disability and Aging, the Division of TennCare and the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services. Below are some takeaways from the presentations.
TENNCARE NEEDS $118 MILLION MORE TO COVER GLP-1S
The highest requests came from the Division of TennCare. Just behind TennCare’s largest budget item — $165 million total for the cost of doing business — is $118 million to pay for GLP-1 drugs ($41.5 million from the state and $76.8 million from the federal government). The state’s Medicaid program is federally required to cover such drugs — commonly known by brand names
Ozempic and Mounjaro — for diabetes and heart disease, and expects to be covering more prescriptions in the coming fiscal year.
It’s been three years since the insurance program switched to the TennCare III waiver system. Tennessee is given more flexibility in Medicaid rules while promising to save the federal government money (claiming $1 billion in the past three years). It is also one of eight states that has not expanded Medicaid coverage.
While the first year of the waiver focused on adding children, pregnant women and parents to the roll and the second year focused on behavioral health and rural health, the third year thus far has focused on hurricane relief — giving $100 million.
Lee thanked TennCare deputy commissioner Stephen Smith for the “innovative idea.”
“There is no question that these funds will impact the health of the people we serve,” Smith says. “What is more basic to health than water and wastewater systems?”
PAYING SUPPORT PROFESSIONALS MORE
The newly minted Department of Disability and Aging, which combined the Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities with the Tennessee Commission on Aging and Disability in July, asked its highest amount (just over $20 million) to support its Tennessee Early Intervention System. The program is for young children with developmental delays or disabilities.
The money is broken down into $13.4 million for more applicants and $6.7 million for rate increases for its staff. An additional $17.9 million would increase wages for direct support professionals in the department’s various programs.
In addition, the Department of Mental
Health and Substance Abuse Services asked for $11.5 million to pay addiction treatment providers more and $4 million to assist in retaining staff for the behavioral health safety net program.
PROVIDING SUPPORT FOR KIDS
The Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services asked for $5.9 million in recurring funding to support school-based behavioral health liaisons, which would add 85 positions.
“We know through our work with [state program] Safe Schools that if kids are bullied, there’s a high likelihood of becoming that kid that turns around and wants to hurt someone else,” said commissioner Marie Williams.
The Department of Disability and Aging asked for a total of $11.6 million to support a joint program with the Department of Children’s Services that serves children with intellectual or developmental disabilities in the foster care program. The funding would add additional beds for medically fragile children under DCS care in an effort to keep them out of hospital settings as well as pay for positions supporting these children.
When the Department of Disability and Aging opened up applications for inclusive playgrounds in the state, they received 86, and were able to fund only seven of them with $2.5 million. A requested $6.3 million would fund 14 more.
The Department of Health also requested to use $2.6 million of its settlement with electronic cigarette manufacturer Juul to make a media campaign and offer vape cessation programs for teens.
ESTABLISHING THE TENNESSEE MEMORY ASSESSMENT NETWORK
Much of the Department of Health’s presentation focused on Alzheimer’s, one
of commissioner Ralph Alvarado’s passions as a physician. The department requests $7 million in recurring state funding to establish the Tennessee Memory Assessment Network to improve early diagnosis and treatment. An additional $3.7 million would offer grants for the network to stand up five assessment clinics in rural areas to connect to a research center in Nashville. He anticipates 300 participants in the first year and 2,000 to 3,000 in the second year.
“Now if a patient would come in to a doctor, they could get referred to a specialist and it might be a year or 15 months before they get seen,” Alvarado says. “In that time the disease has progressed so far that there’s no point. They’ve missed that magic window.”
Both the Department of Health and the Department of Disability and Aging asked for money to support the state’s dementia navigator program, requesting $3.1 million and $1.6 million, respectively.
CLEARING WAIT LISTS
The Division of TennCare claimed challenges to getting people off the state’s Employment and Community First CHOICES wait list, which offers at-home care for people with disabilities. The current wait list is 1,500 people long. A requested total of $74.7 million ($26.2 in state funding and $48.5 in federal funding) would clear that wait list.
In addition, there are 3,500 on the Department of Disability and Aging’s senior nutrition program wait list. They’re asking for $8.4 million to fix that. In addition, there are 4,500 people on the wait list for its OPTIONS home care program — $8.2 million would address half of it.
This article was first published via our sister publication the Nashville Post.
Cummins to lay off 46 locally Indiana-based engine manufacturer continues to face challenges
The Nashville office of American multinational corporation Cummins Inc. will permanently lay off 46 employees starting Jan. 31, 2025, and continuing through Aug. 15. A Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development document notes the employees do not have union representation. Based in Columbus, Ind., and with
operations in China and India, Cummins specializes in the manufacturing of diesel and alternative fuel engines and generators. In addition, the company also services air handling, filtration, emission control and electrical power generation systems.
The local Cummins office is located at 706 Spence Lane. The News sister publication the Nashhville Post was unable to determine
the number of employees who would remain with the company.
Cummins has instituted at least two layoffs since late 2023. The Indy Star reports the company has faced challenges because of a $2 billion settlement with government officials related to allegedly failing to meet emission regulations in late 2023.
Cummins stock trades on the New York
Stock Exchange. The shares began Thursday trading priced at $366.44, up $11.26 (an increase of 3.17 percent).
This article was first published via our sister publication the Nashville Post.
WILLIAM WILLIAMS
Gov.Bill Lee
PHOTO: HAMILTON MATTHEW MASTERS
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Chamber CEO Ralph Schulz to retire Veteran leader joined entity in 2006 STAFF REPORTS
The Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce announced on Nov. 14 that Chief Executive Officer Ralph Schulz will retire.
According to a release, Schulz has served in the role since 2006. The release notes Schulz will remain with the organization until a replacement has been hired.
Eighteen years ago, Schulz replaced Mike Neal, who left for Tulsa after negotiating a buyout settlement with the chamber (read here). Sources told the Post then that Schulz was runner-up for the job to Neal when the latter was hired in 2002.
Previously, Schulz assisted in splitting the Nashville Convention & Visitors Bureau from the chamber and later was named chairman of the CVB. Before joining the chamber, he worked as CEO at what was then called the Cumberland Science Museum, driving a name change to Adventure Science Center.
Over the years, Schulz has faced criticism in some quarters for placing what critics felt has been excessive emphasis on Middle Tennessee business at the expense of businesses in Nashville-Davidson County.
“Ralph has played a critically important
role in the life of our region, and of this organization, for the better part of two decades as Chamber CEO, and for many more years than that as a community leader,“ Wright Pinson, Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors chairman, said in the release. “He will leave behind a legacy of tireless service and significant success.”
This article was first published via our sister publication the Nashville Post.
Ralph Schulz PHOTO: SUBMITTED
Vanderbilt pays $66.9M for West End properties
WILLIAM WILLIAMS
Vanderbilt University has paid $66.9 million for four campus-area properties, including the West End Avenue retail and office building housing a Ted’s Montana Grill and a Chipotle, among other businesses.
According to a Davidson County Register of Deeds document, the sellers were multiple LLCs that were part of Park Place Retail Partners.
The properties offer addresses of 108 29th Ave. S., 110 29th Ave. S., 2817 West End Ave. and 2825 West End Ave. They are anchored by Park Place, a 1980s-constructed building oriented in a suburban manner (with parking positioned between the sidewalk and the bulk of the structure).
A separate document notes Vanderbilt will lease back the properties to the sellers.
Metro records show a partnership including the late Ted Welch, a developer and Republican Party powerbroker, paid about $1.59 million for 2817 West End Ave. in 1983. The partnership paid $400,000 for the 2825 parcel in 1985. The partnership then seemingly developed the site with Park Place. Welch died in 2014.
The 108 and 110 29th Ave.S. parcels serve as surface parking lots, with the Welch partnership having paid $245,000 for the
two collectively in 1984.
Previous ownership also involved Nashville’s Warfield family and David Crabtree, with Crabtree and Charlie Warfield affiliated with Green Hills-based Brookside Properties.
The LLCs associated with the selling Park Place Retail Partners include veteran local real estate investor Jim Crossman.
In the past few years, Vanderbilt has acquired multiple properties located on the south side of West End Avenue and between Natchez Trace and the just acquired site. The university in 2019 paid about $103 million for the parcels on which sit J. Alexander’s and Holiday Inn.
In 2022, VU paid $3.8 million for the building home to retail business Cumberland Transit, located at 2807 West End Ave.
The university also owns 2603 West End Ave. (home to a Wendy’s), 2609 West End Ave. and 2611 West End Ave.
The News sister publication the Nashville Post was unable to determine if brokers were involved in the most recent transaction.
This article was first published via our sister publication the Nashville Post.
OPINION
WHAT GOV. BILL LEE AND LEGISLATORS DON’T WANT YOU TO KNOW ABOUT VOUCHERS
As expected, Governor Bill Lee and his Republican supermajority in the legislature have filed their latest version of a statewide voucher proposal. Once again, this new version is jam-packed with all kinds of seemingly nice things tacked on to try and distract people from the fact that this is all a scam designed to defund public education. Lee and his voucher scammers want you to pay attention to the long overdue teacher raises and the newly dedicated funding source for school construction projects
Area
promised in the bill. But let’s face it—if they were really serious about the proposals, they would have already done them. They wouldn’t have to tie them to a bait-andswitch scheme to designed to undermine public education and make out-of-state billionaire voucher backers happy. Here’s what’s underneath all the pretty packaging— here’s what Governor Lee is not telling you about his voucher scam:
First of all, Lee wants you to believe that he wants to expand vouchers statewide because of the success of the pilot program. However, the pilot program is not a proven success. In fact, Lee’s own handpicked
Education Commissioner had to admit before the Senate Education Committee this past January that the academic scores of the students in the voucher program--well, in her own words: “aren’t anything to write home about.” In fact, according to the DoE’s annual report on the pilot program, the “exceeded expectations” scores for the state’s participating ESA schools only grew by an average of .4 percent in math and 1.2 percent in ELA—and far less than the margins of public schools.
So since the test scores aren’t dramatically improving, the Governor wants to direct your attention to how the parents currently enrolled in the program are satisfied with it. But again, let’s look at who those parents really are.
The average price of a private school in Nashville is estimated to cost around $12,000. In Memphis, it’s a little under $10,500. So, if you wanted to send your child to a private school, you’re still going to have to be able to pay thousands of additional dollars a year just for tuition. That doesn’t include transportation or any other needs. So, the people Lee claims he really wants to help—the working people who are struggling to put food on the table—are still priced out. For example, according to a recent Time magazine article, in Arizona more than 75 percent of new voucher applicants had never actually attended public school before and not to mention the uncontrolled $1.4B hole vouchers caused in Arizona’s budget.
home sales see uptick in October GNR reports median price for condo slumps
WILLIAM WILLIAMS
The Nashville area saw 2,841 home closings in October — a 5 percent increase from the mark of October 2023, when 2,697 residences changed ownership hands, and barely up from the 2,810 home closings in September.
The area registered 3,086 home closings in August — a 6 percent decrease from the 3,305 mark of August 2023.
Relatedly, and according to a Greater Nashville Realtors release, the median price for a single-family home for October was $490,000, up from the $472,370 mark of the corresponding month of the previous year. The single-family home median price figure was $467,000 in September and $485,000 for August. Before that, the area had eclipsed the $500,000 mark for three straight months.
The median price for a condominium in October was $335,988, down compared to the $347,000 figure of the same month of last year and a decrease compared to the
$356,000 mark of September.
For a recent comparison, in February, the median prices for a residential single-family home and a condo were $478,870 and $339,990, respectively.
There were 2,300 sales pending at the end of October, compared to 1,993 pending sales at the conclusion of the same month in 2023.
Inventory at October’s end was 11,974, a 17 percent increase from the 10,235 active listings reported for the same period in 2023. The area continues to see an approximately four-month inventory supply, GNR statistics show.
The GNR release notes the average number of days on the market for a residence in October was 48. The mark was 46 days for both September and August, and 42 days for July. For context, February registered 59 days and January recorded 57. In 2023, homes often sold in no more than 40 days. Conventional 30-year fixed-rate
Finally, as the Governor gives out these “entitlement” payments to families that can already afford them, our public schools get further left behind. Private schools get to pick their students, meaning that many students are excluded, including the most vulnerable who need the most help. Vouchers end up excluding most disadvantaged students because they simply aren’t desirable for many private schools. That includes students with disabilities who use Individualized Education Plans, which this bill expressively says private schools don’t have to continue. Vouchers are the school’s choice, not school choice. Vouchers allow discrimination against special needs kids and any family who doesn’t fit the school’s “values.”
I would urge people to not be fooled by all of the shiny bells and whistles attached to this new voucher scam bill. Don’t be fooled by the words the Governor is saying—take a good, hard look at what he’s not telling you. Vouchers aren’t good education policy or conservative, it’s just a scam to defund your local school to align to a misguided political ideology.
State Rep. Caleb Hemmer, House District 59
LOGAN BUTTS EDITOR HAMILTON MATTHEW MASTERS NEWS REPORTER AND PHOTOJOURNALIST
NICOLLE S. PRAINO STAFF REPORTER
LISA BOLD PRODUCTION MANAGER
CHELON HASTY SALES OPERATIONS MANAGER
ELIZABETH JONES CORPORATE CREATIVE DIRECTOR
mortgages offer an average interest rate of about 7.13, according to online source mortgagenewsdaily.com. The figure had been 6.6 percent in September, 6.4 in August, 6.7 percent in July and 7.2 percent in May, Forbes reports.
“With the election behind us and the Fed positioned to continue to reduce rates in the coming months, expect to see both buyers and sellers re-engage in the market,” Kevin Wilson, Greater Nashville Realtors president, said in the release.
“The increase in inventory continues to provide buyers with leverage, while sellers can be confident in their investment as equity and median home sale prices continue to grow.”
The GNR data was collected from Cheatham, Davidson, Dickson, Maury, Robertson, Rutherford, Sumner, Williamson and Wilson counties.
This article was first published via our sister publication the Nashville Scene.
TODD PATTON CFO
MIKE SMITH PRESIDENT AND CEO
BILL FREEMAN OWNER
State Rep. Caleb Hemmer poses for a portrait on the roof of the Cordell Hull State Office Building in Nashville on Jan. 3, 2024 PHOTO: HAMILTON MATTHEW MASTERS
Five free and cheap family things to do in Middle Tennessee
AMANDA HAGGARD
Just in time for all those birds in the days of Christmas, this week kicks off with a family-friendly birding event at Big East Fork in Franklin. There are several chances to check on lights this winter, but some might say the event at Cheekwood is one of the best of the holiday season. This week there’s a chance for discounted tickets if you can hang late with the family. You can also take the family to see It’s A Wonderful Life in Franklin, see a family show at the Shiners or paint your own Appalachian watercolor for a gift at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.
As part of our series on free cheap things to do with the family, here is our weekly roundup of places to spend time together over the next week:
FAMILY-FRIENDLY BIRDING ADVENTURE
At Big East Fork, the whole family is invited to learn more about the world of birds. On Nov. 23, The Center for Sustainable Stewardship will host several education workshops and fun activities revolving around birds. Attendees will learn bird identification tips, feather design, the roles of local conservation efforts and more. Kids will be invited to “eat like a bird” with a snack tailored to show how birds eat. There’ll be a chance to journal in nature as well as the chance to dissect an owl pellet. Nathan Collie, bird photographer and author of Moments with Birds will share his wealth of knowledge and passion for birds; Mario Forgione, stormwater quality coordinator for the City of Franklin, will talk about local efforts to preserve bird habitats. Breanna Bailey and Zena Wileman of Bowie Nature Park will facilitate journaling and owl pellet experience.
10TH ANNUAL HOLIDAY LIGHTS
At Cheekwood’s 10th Annual Holiday LIGHTS, you have a chance to save by going later in the evening. Late night LIGHTS
are available on select Monday through Thursday nights for 8:30 p.m. Gardens Only entry. The cost is $20 per person (adult or youth). The garden includes a one-mile walk through Cheekwood’s holiday illumination experience. The night includes s’mores, drinks for sale and a holiday marketplace.
‘IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE’
As part of an event in collaboration with The Wonderful Life Foundation, tickets for It’s a Wonderful Life are available with a Wonderful Life Movie Pass. The pass gives 100% of the proceeds directly to The Wonderful Life Foundation, and gives you both a ticket to see the film at the Franklin Theater on Nov. 23 and 30 percent off the Franklin Hester & Cook store location along with other retailers on Nov. 23 and Nov. 24. Doors will open at 12:15 p.m. with the moving beginning at 1 p.m.
FAMILY PROGRAM: APPALACHIAN WATERCOLOR
The Country Music Hall of Fame is hosting an Appalachian Watercolor event on Nov. 24 from 10 a.m. to noon for families in honor of member Patty Loveless’ Kentucky roots. Visitors can create their own artistic interpretation of the Appalachian Mountains using watercolors and crayons, and participants will also learn about wax resist techniques in art. The session is recommended for folks over 5 years old. Tennessee students can enter the museum for free.
SHINERS: FAMILY FRIENDLY HOLIDAY EDITION
This year, the Shiners Are hosting a family-friendly holiday set of showings on Nov. 23 and Dec. 8. These all-ages performances of Shiners will be complete with an afternoon of assorted holiday treats, cirque performances, and pre-show photo opportunities with Santa.
Medicare doesn’t pay for dental care.1
As good as Medicare is, it was never meant to cover everything. If you want protection, you need to purchase individual insurance.
Early detection can prevent small problems from becoming expensive ones.
The best way to avoid large dental bills is preventive care. Experts recommend checkups twice a year.
Previous dental work can wear out.
Your odds of having a dental problem only go up as you age.2
Treatment is expensive — especially the services people over 50 often need.
Unexpected bills, like $190 for a filling, or $1,213 for a crown3 can be a real burden, especially if you’re on a fixed income.
When you’re comparing plans ...
Look for coverage that helps pay for major services.
Look for coverage with no deductibles.
Shop for coverage with no annual maximum on cash benefits.
Simply put — without dental insurance, there may be an important gap in your healthcare coverage.
2020, American Dental Association.
DENTAL Insurance
City of Forest Hills Board of Commissioners
SPECIAL MEETING
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
December 12, 2024 5:00 p.m. at the City Hall
The Board of Commissioners for the City of Forest Hills will hold a Public Hearing on December 12 at 5:00 p.m. at the City Hall, 6300 Hillsboro Road, Nashville, Tennessee 37215.
The purpose of the Public Hearing will be to consider amendments and additions to the city’s Zoning Ordinance for the first reading. Changes to the Zoning Ordinance are being considered to update and improve what is currently in place. Copies of Zoning Ordinance are available for review at the City Hall during regular business hours. Copies are also available from the city’s website at www.cityofforesthills.com.
For further information, contact Mark Hill, City Manager, at (615) 372-8677 or mark.hill@cityofforesthills.com
Turnip and Sweet Potato Gratin with Gruyere
BY EDIBLE NASHVILLE
Earthy turnips and sweet potatoes are layered with cream and gruyere cheese for a classic gratin perfect for Thanksgiving tables.
INGREDIENTS
3 turnips, peeled
3 sweet potatoes, peeled garlic powder salt and pepper
2 cups grated (8 ounces) Gruyere cheese
1 cup cream or half-and-half
1. Preheat oven to 425F. Butter a 6 cup shallow gratin dish.
2. Peel turnips and sweet potatoes. Slice thin (with a chef knife or on a mandolin). Layer half of turnip and sweet potatoe slices in dish. Top with garlic powder, salt , pepper and half of cheese. Top with remaining turnips and sweet potatoes, and cheese. Pour cream
carefully over mixture, getting it down into the crevices.
3. Cover and bake 45 minutes. Uncover and bake 15-20 minutes longer or until mixture is bubbly and potatoes are tender and browned.
Follow Edible Nashville on instagram @ediblenashtn and their website ediblenashville.com.
To subscribe to the magazine that comes out 6x/year, go to ediblenashville.com.
ACROSS
1 Friend on “Friends”
5 Besmirch
10 U.S. immigration policy, familiarly
14 From which Christmas lights might hang
15 Dystopian horror film of 2013, with “The”
16 Birds with wings about one-tenth the length of their bodies
17 Three tickets
19 Cheeky
20 “Is that OK with you?”
21 “Despite all that ...”
23 L’il ___
26 With money
29 Makes apprehensive
31 Put for th, as a question
32 Well-worn
33 Onetime Houston athlete whose helmet featured a derrick
35 Frodo Baggins’s pursuers
39 Introductor y foreign language class suggested by this puzzle’s theme
43 F irst British P.M. appointed by Queen Elizabeth II
44 Sung tribute
45 Tax prep pro
46 “Tangible” balance sheet item
49 Host
51 More revered
55 Comedian Youngman
56 Goddess associated with the owl
57 Outback hoppers
59 Suffix with Jumbo
60 Crazy reason
66 Bits of advice
DOWN
1 Li of mar tial arts fame
2 Item on a boathouse wall
3 T ime of anticipation
4 Sycophants
5 Neuter
6 “Thou sing’st sweet ___”: Shak.
7 Hosp. areas usually on the ground floor
8 Get wiser, supposedly
9 Computer troubleshooting options
10 Look to for suppor t
11 Revise
12 Drop an F-bomb, say
13 Founder of the Pacific Fur Company, 1810
18 Singer with the 2008 album “Backwoods Barbie”
22 V.I.P. section?
23 InDesign developer
24 Bundled, as hay
67 Object of fingerpointing on “Fantasy Island”
68 Instr uments heard at luaus, for short
69 Subside
70 Number of blessings at a Jewish wedding
71 See 64-Down
25 Nonverbal attentiongetter
27 Run
28 Like Loki and Thor 30 Transgress 34 One miraculously healed by Jesus
36 Poison found naturally in castor beans
37 Airer of hearings
38 Suspect
40 Somewhat
41 “The Office” role
42 “Alrighty, then. As I was saying …”
47 ___ Juan
48 Resells at hiked-up prices
50 What to do before a marathon, perhaps
51 Lacking gloss
52 Open cour tyards
53 Looks to sell
54 It might go way over your head
58 The appearance of a butterfly in a home, for some
61 Fútbol cheer
62 Basketball’s King James, from 2003-10 and 2014-18
63 Prez #34
64 Doc treating 71-Across
65 Symbol on the collar of Kr ypto the Superdog
ANSWER TO PUZZLE
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SERVICE & MAINTENANCE
WOODMONT BAPTIST CHURCH
Authors in the Round
PHOTOS: JASON BIHLER
On the eve of the Southern Festival of Books, more than 300 guests came together at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum for Authors in the Round, fondly dubbed “the best book club in town.” The fundraiser, presented by Humanities Tennessee and chaired this year by Allison Stansberry, allows guests to dine alongside published authors from across the country and across multiple genres for an evening of lively discussion. Upon arrival, guests enjoyed cocktails and passed hors d’oeuvres
before the three-course dinner. WSMV investigative reporter and co-host of “A Word on Words” Jeremy Finley welcomed guests and introduced the participating authors, an impressive list that included Pulitzer Prize winner Jayne Anne Phillips, award-winning novelist Andre Dubus III, and bestselling author Lisa Unger. The evening was a huge success in bringing together readers and writers and, more importantly, raising funds to make the Southern Festival of Books free of charge to thousands each year.
Humanities Tennessee Executive Director Tim Henderson, and Chair
Allison Stansberry
Katie Crumbo and Elizabeth Papel
Nancy Floyd, Abby Trotter, Sandy Obodzinski, and Grace Burkard
Grace Awh, Dr. Rhonda Switzer-Nadasdi, Mary Raymond, and Dr Marina Lien
Jeff Lynch, LoLita and Montrell Toney, and Joyce McDaniel
Henry Herr, Joelle Herr, and Judy Herr
Elizabeth Herbert, Trisha Ping, Savanna Walker, Jena Groshek, and Rebecca Bonifacio
Denise and Stephen Henley
Courtney Gregg and Kashif Andrew Graham
HILLS APARTMENTS
is no longer just for retired teachers. All seniors 62 and older may apply with no fee. Efficiencies start at $500 which includes utilities.
One bedroom & studio apartments available starting at $625 per month. Must be 62 and older and live independently.
One bedroom & studio apartments available starting at $650 per month. Must and older and live independently.
615-297-7536
greenhillsapts@comcast.net
(615) 292-7615
Medicare Advantage
to know that plans in your area may include a Part B Giveback benefit* so you can get up to:
Medicare Advantage
Make the wise choice.
Medicare Advantage
Get up to $2,096 back in your Social Security check annually.**
If you pay your own Part B premium, it’s important to know that plans in your area may include a Part B Giveback benefit* so you can get up to:
$174.70 off your monthly Part B premium.
If you pay your own Part B premium, it’s important to know that plans in your area may include a Part B Giveback benefit* so you can get up to:
If you pay your own Part B premium, it’s important to know that plans in your area may include a Part B Giveback benefit* so you can get up to: $174.70 off your monthly Part B premium.
$174.70 off your monthly Part B premium.
If you pay your own Part B premium, it’s important to know that plans in your area may include a Part B Giveback benefit* so you can get up to: $174.70 off your monthly Part B premium.
$174.70 off your monthly Part B premium.
Talk to a Licensed Independent Insurance Agent to learn more.
If you have Medicare Part B, you typically pay $174.70 each month from your Social Security check for the Part B premium. But with a Medicare Advantage plan from Cigna Healthcare, you could get all that back in 2025. That’s a total of up to $2,096 for the whole year.**
If you have Medicare Part B, you typically pay $174.70 each month from your Social Security check for the Part B premium. But with a Medicare Advantage plan from Cigna Healthcare, you could get all that back in 2025. That’s a total of up to $2,096 for the whole year.**
If you have Medicare Part B, you typically pay $174.70 each month from your Social Security check for the Part B premium. But with a Medicare Advantage plan from Cigna Healthcare, you could get all that back in 2025. That’s a total of up to $2,096 for the whole year.**
Act Now: the Annual Enrollment Period ends December 7.
Insurance Management Services
615.831.3800
If you have Medicare Part B, you typically pay $174.70 each month from your Social Security check for the Part B premium. But with a Medicare Advantage plan from Cigna Healthcare, you could get all that back in 2025. That’s a total of up to $2,096 for the whole year.**
If you have Medicare Part B, you typically pay $174.70 each month from your Social Security check for the Part B premium. But with a Medicare Advantage plan from Cigna Healthcare, you could get all that back in 2025. That’s a total of up to $2,096 for the whole year.**
5 days a week, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. www.imsbenefits.com
Act Now: the Annual Enrollment Period ends December 7.
Act Now: the Annual Enrollment Period ends December 7.
Act Now: the Annual Enrollment Period ends December 7.
Act Now: the Annual Enrollment Period ends December 7.
Get up to $2,096 back in your Social Security check annually.**
Get up to $2,096 back in your Social Security check annually.**
Get up to $2,096 back in your Social Security check annually.**
Get up to $2,096 back in your Social Security check annually.**
www.imsbenefits.com
5 days a week, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. www.imsbenefits.com
- 8 p.m., or call 1-800-MEDICARE (24 hours a day/7 days a week). Please include the agent/broker name if possible. Subsidiaries of The Cigna Group contract with Medicare to offer Medicare Advantage HMO and PPO plans and Part D Prescription Drug Plans (PDP) in select states, and with select State Medicaid programs. Enrollment in a Cigna Healthcare product depends on contract renewal. Some content provided under license. © 2024 Cigna Healthcare. 983879 09/24 A_PA_2109 Y0036_25_1292109_M
Talk to a Licensed Independent Insurance Agent to learn more. Insurance Management Services 615.831.3800 5 days a week, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. www.imsbenefits.com
Currently we represent 15 organizations which offer 112 products in your area. You can always contact Medicare.gov, 1–800–MEDICARE, or your local State Health Insurance Program for help with plan choices. *Cigna Healthcare will reduce your monthly Part B premium based on the plan’s specific benefit amount. **Annual amount based on possible monthly or quarterly amounts. Cigna Healthcare products and services are provided exclusively by or through operating subsidiaries of The Cigna Group. The Cigna names, logos, and marks, including THE CIGNA GROUP and CIGNA HEALTHCARE are owned by Cigna Intellectual Property, Inc. To file a marketing complaint, contact Cigna Healthcare at 1-800-668-3813 (TTY 711), Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 8 p.m., or call 1-800-MEDICARE (24 hours a day/7 days a week). Please include the agent/broker name if possible. Subsidiaries of The Cigna Group contract with Medicare to offer Medicare Advantage HMO and PPO plans and Part D Prescription Drug Plans (PDP) in select states, and with select State Medicaid programs. Enrollment in a Cigna Healthcare product depends on contract renewal. Some content provided under license. © 2024 Cigna Healthcare. 983879 09/24 A_PA_2109 Y0036_25_1292109_M
Currently we represent 15 organizations which offer 112 products in your area. You can always contact Medicare.gov, 1–800–MEDICARE, or your local State Health Insurance Program for help with plan choices. *Cigna Healthcare will reduce your monthly Part B premium based on the plan’s specific benefit amount. **Annual amount based on possible monthly or quarterly amounts. Cigna Healthcare products and services are provided exclusively by or through operating subsidiaries of The Cigna Group. The Cigna names, logos, and marks, including THE CIGNA GROUP and CIGNA HEALTHCARE are owned by Cigna Intellectual Property, Inc. To file a marketing complaint, contact Cigna Healthcare at 1-800-668-3813 (TTY 711), Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 8 p.m., or call 1-800-MEDICARE (24 hours a day/7 days a week). Please include the agent/broker name if possible. Subsidiaries of The Cigna Group contract with Medicare to offer Medicare Advantage HMO and PPO plans and Part D Prescription Drug Plans (PDP) in select states, and with select State Medicaid programs. Enrollment in a Cigna Healthcare product depends on contract renewal. Some content provided under license. © 2024 Cigna Healthcare. 983879 09/24 A_PA_2109 Y0036_25_1292109_M
Currently we represent 15 organizations which offer 112 products in your area. You can always contact Medicare.gov, 1–800–MEDICARE, or your
Currently we represent 15 organizations which offer 112 products in your area. You can always contact Medicare.gov, 1–800–MEDICARE, or your local State Health Insurance Program for help with plan choices. *Cigna Healthcare will reduce your monthly Part B premium based on the plan’s specific benefit amount. **Annual amount based on possible monthly or quarterly amounts. Cigna Healthcare products and services are provided exclusively by or through operating subsidiaries of The Cigna Group. The Cigna names, logos, and marks, including THE CIGNA GROUP and CIGNA HEALTHCARE are owned by Cigna Intellectual Property, Inc. To file a marketing complaint, contact Cigna Healthcare at 1-800-668-3813 (TTY 711), Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 8 p.m., or call 1-800-MEDICARE (24 hours a day/7 days a week). Please include the agent/broker name if possible. Subsidiaries of The Cigna Group contract with Medicare to offer Medicare Advantage HMO and PPO plans and Part D Prescription Drug Plans (PDP) in select states, and with select State Medicaid programs. Enrollment in a Cigna Healthcare product depends on contract renewal. Some content provided under license. © 2024 Cigna Healthcare. 983879 09/24 A_PA_2109 Y0036_25_1292109_M
with Medicare to offer Medicare Advantage HMO and PPO plans and Part D Prescription Drug Plans (PDP) in select states, and with select State Medicaid programs. Enrollment in a Cigna Healthcare product depends on contract renewal. Some content provided under license. © 2024 Cigna Healthcare. 983879
Currently we represent 15 organizations which offer 112 products in your area. You can always contact Medicare.gov, 1–800–MEDICARE, or your local State Health Insurance Program for help with plan choices. *Cigna Healthcare will reduce your monthly Part B premium based on the plan’s specific benefit amount. **Annual amount based on possible monthly or quarterly amounts. Cigna Healthcare products and services are provided exclusively by or through operating subsidiaries of The Cigna Group. The Cigna names, logos, and marks, including THE CIGNA GROUP and CIGNA HEALTHCARE are owned by Cigna Intellectual Property, Inc. To file a marketing complaint, contact Cigna Healthcare at 1-800-668-3813 (TTY 711), Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 8 p.m., or call 1-800-MEDICARE (24 hours a day/7 days a week). Please include the agent/broker name if possible. Subsidiaries of The Cigna Group contract with Medicare to offer Medicare Advantage HMO and PPO plans and Part D Prescription Drug Plans (PDP) in select states, and with select State Medicaid programs. Enrollment in a Cigna Healthcare product depends on contract renewal. Some content provided under license. © 2024 Cigna Healthcare. 983879 09/24