iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Benton McDonough @bentonmcdesq.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

One aspect I really enjoy about the Office of Nightlife is discussing how Nashville has evolved over the years. A few months ago, I spoke to a group from the OKC Chamber, and last week (pictured) I spoke to a group from the Denver Chamber.

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John Nichols @nicholsuprising.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

Dolly Parton logged a combined total of 115 years of union membership. Throughout her working life, the “9 to 5” singer/songwriter carried the union cards of two major unions: The American Federation of Musicians Local 257 in Nashville — for 58 years. SAG-AFTRA — for 57 years. HAPPY LABOR DAY!

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Opinion | Celebrate Dolly Parton's working-class solidarity

John Nichols: She carried two union cards, sang Woody Guthrie songs and mocked the bosses in "9 to 5."

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Benton McDonough @bentonmcdesq.bsky.social · 09/08/2026

Some shots from around town this weekend. I was downtown, the Gulch, Midtown, Hillsboro Village, East Nashville.

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Miranda Yaver @mirandayaver.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

SNAP has an outstanding ROI: every dollar we invest in SNAP generates $1.54 in economic activity. With SNAP cuts, people can’t continue to support these local grocers, so local businesses suffer. Everyone loses.

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Benton McDonough @bentonmcdesq.bsky.social · 29/07/2026

Everyone get out and vote! We made it to the polls this morning!

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Mayor Freddie O’Connell @mayor.nashville.gov · 10/06/2026

Mayor O'Connell is standing up for Nashville and will keep fighting for local control of the assets Nashville built.

Graphic from the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County. A blue-toned photo background with large yellow text. Metro Nashville seal appears in the upper left corner. Text reads:

“MAYOR O'CONNELL'S ADMINISTRATION IS SUING TO PROTECT NASHVILLE'S CONTROL OVER BNA”

Three red arrows appear in the lower right corner.

Graphic with a dark blue background and white and yellow text. A vertical yellow line appears along the left side.

Text reads:

“The success of our airport under local control is unquestioned, and in their quest for absolute control, we believe state lawmakers have again violated federal law.

We’re asking the court for an injunction blocking the implementation of the state board to avoid chaos at this critical asset Nashvillians rely on.”

– Mayor Freddie O’Connell

Words highlighted in yellow are: “unquestioned,” “violated federal law,” “blocking,” and “implementation.”

Graphic titled “Airport Authority Timeline” in large white text over a blue-toned photo of the interior of Nashville International Airport. A vertical timeline with yellow circles runs down the left side.

Text reads:

SPRING 2023
• State passes legislation to take over the Metro Nashville Airport Authority
• Metro sues to stop takeover

OCTOBER 2023
• Metro wins summary judgement

2024
• Metro's win upheld by a unanimous opinion by a three judge panel of the Tennessee Court of Appeals

FEBRUARY 2026
• TN Supreme Court hears the case
• House Speaker introduces legislation that takes control of several local airports

MAY 2026
• Governor signs new legislation
• Metro Nashville Airport Authority passes a resolution opposing the second attempted takeover

June 2026
• O’Connell administration files lawsuit over second attempted state takeover

Alt text: Graphic with a blue tinted photo of an airplane on a runway. Large yellow text reads: “MAYOR O’CONNELL IS STANDING UP FOR NASHVILLE” Smaller white text below reads: “AND WILL KEEP FIGHTING FOR LOCAL CONTROL OF THE ASSETS NASHVILLE BUILT.” A runway sign with the number “3” and the letter “S” is visible in the foreground.

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Benton McDonough @bentonmcdesq.bsky.social · 05/06/2026

CMA Fest week!!! Great time on day 1!

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James Talarico @jamestalarico.bsky.social · 04/06/2026

There’s been a lot of talk in this race about what makes a "real man." A man does what’s right when no one is watching. He upholds his commitments to his family and neighbors. He doesn’t lie, cheat, & steal his way through life. Real men serve others. Weak men serve themselves.

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Robert Reich @rbreich.bsky.social · 03/06/2026

Scott Pelley gave an impassioned speech a year ago that’s worth watching today. Kudos to him and other 60 Minutes correspondents and staff for defending the media and our democracy.

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Benton McDonough @bentonmcdesq.bsky.social · 03/06/2026

Great time in Austin learning about their Sobering Center!

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The Tennessee Holler @thetnholler.bsky.social · 15/02/2026

“I’ve never protested before - but I just watched 4th & 5th grade kids run away from our own government.” 😕🇺🇸💔 (From @crindivisible.bsky.social )

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Freddie O’Connell @freddieoconnell.bsky.social · 30/01/2026

OEM has worked with American Red Cross to open Bellevue Community Center as a warming location. Call 615-401-1712 for transportation assistance to any warming location. www.nashville.gov/departments/...

nashville.gov

New Warming Location Opens at Bellevue Community Center

The American Red Cross has opened a Warming Location at the Bellevue Community Center, located at 7638 A Highway 70 South, Nashville, TN 37721, to support...

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Benton McDonough @bentonmcdesq.bsky.social · 29/01/2026

Making progress- one day at a time! Thank you, Mayor!

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Mayor Freddie O’Connell @mayor.nashville.gov · 28/01/2026

Mayor O’Connell update: Power has been restored to more than half of affected Nashvillians, and NES crews are working around the clock. If you’re without power, warming centers and shelters are open with hot meals and support. Transportation help: 615-401-1712. Please stay safe and take care.

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Robert Reich @rbreich.bsky.social · 18/01/2026

Martin Luther King Jr. understood better than almost anyone that racial justice and economic justice are inextricably intertwined. Watch his powerful call to end poverty from his final Sunday Sermon.

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Benton McDonough @bentonmcdesq.bsky.social · 12/01/2026

Who believes this garbage. If you’re going to lie, try to make it somewhat believable.

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Jon Cooper @joncooper-us.bsky.social · 30/12/2025

Who agrees? ✋

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Benton McDonough @bentonmcdesq.bsky.social · 13/12/2025

Despite the cold, Music City is always busy! Even the Frogs were out last night.

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Benton McDonough @bentonmcdesq.bsky.social · 08/12/2025

From our family to yours - Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

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Benton McDonough @bentonmcdesq.bsky.social · 06/12/2025

Great night at the Nashville tree lighting and took in a holiday market as well!

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Benton McDonough @bentonmcdesq.bsky.social · 11/11/2025

Attended my first Music City Walk-of-Fame induction ceremony this afternoon! What an interesting event and great way to honor the musicians and industry figures who have contributed to Nashville’s music heritage!

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Benton McDonough @bentonmcdesq.bsky.social · 11/11/2025

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The Associated Press @apnews.com · 05/11/2025

BREAKING: Colorado voters approved a ballot measure that would raise state income taxes on higher-earning households to fund free meals for all public school students. Follow AP for live updates.

bit.ly

Live updates: US voters head to the polls in first general election since Trump's return to power

One year after Donald Trump retook the presidency, 2025 Election Day includes closely watched races for New York City mayor, New Jersey governor and California's Proposition 50.

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Benton McDonough @bentonmcdesq.bsky.social · 30/10/2025

Check out our new NITE (Nightlife Industry Training and Education) School programming, posted on our new YouTube channel! m.youtube.com/channel/UCoJ...

m.youtube.com

Nashville Nightlife

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Benton McDonough @bentonmcdesq.bsky.social · 25/10/2025

My week… speaking at the Nashville Rotary lunch, pitching a Narcan concept at the Civic Tech Jam, attending our Lunch & Learn on mental health, sitting on a panel at a forum for the OKC Chamber visiting Nashville.

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Benton McDonough @bentonmcdesq.bsky.social · 21/10/2025

Really enjoyed the opportunity to share our efforts in the Mayor’s Office of Nightlife with members of the Nashville Rotary!

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The Tennessee Holler @thetnholler.bsky.social · 12/10/2025

Reese Witherspoon on Diane Keaton hiring her as a fresh-faced girl from Nashville. #RIP

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Benton McDonough @bentonmcdesq.bsky.social · 09/10/2025

We had a nice turnout for our first Lunch & Learn - NITE School program! We heard from Rachael Smith who serves as an in-house counselor for Biscuit Love. We need better access to mental health in general, but especially in our hospitality related industries.

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Benton McDonough @bentonmcdesq.bsky.social · 09/10/2025

Had a great time being part of the ribbon cutting ceremony for Post Malone’s new bar, Posty’s!

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Benton McDonough @bentonmcdesq.bsky.social · 03/10/2025

So sad… the system failed this little girl and then failed her again as an adult. He was in a position of trust when he took advantage of her, which should give him a tougher sentence. www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news...

nbcnews.com

Robert Morris, Texas megachurch pastor, pleads guilty to sexually abusing a child

Under a plea agreement, Morris was given a 10-year sentence, but he will serve only six months in an Oklahoma jail.

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NPR @npr.org · 01/10/2025

Today marks the first day in public media’s history without federal funding. And we’re not going anywhere. Listeners like you keep our mission alive. Protect one of the last places where America comes together to hear itself. Stand with us today. Donate at this link: n.pr/46wamAj

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Benton McDonough @bentonmcdesq.bsky.social · 30/09/2025

I really enjoyed serving on a panel during the IATR conference held In Nashville! I enjoyed sharing our work on musician parking discounts, our work with MVAN - Music Venue Alliance of Nashville, and our collaborative efforts with numerous agencies within the city when planning for major events.

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Benton McDonough @bentonmcdesq.bsky.social · 12/09/2025

Really proud of this recognition for “Project of the Year” and for the efforts of the Office of Nightlife and our partners like @erinfor12.bsky.social MNPD (Sgt. Mike Hotz), the SMART Initiative (Trevor), West Virginia Drug Intervention Institute with ONEbox!

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Benton McDonough @bentonmcdesq.bsky.social · 12/08/2025

Really proud of this program that the Mayor’s Office of Nightlife helped create! www.wkrn.com/video/provid...

wkrn.com

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Benton McDonough @bentonmcdesq.bsky.social · 06/08/2025

Really enjoyed being a part of MNPD’s Night Out Against Crime!

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Benton McDonough @bentonmcdesq.bsky.social · 16/07/2025

Be sure to check out our new Nashville Mayor’s Office of Nightlife website that went live today! We have a lot of work yet to do, but check back often for updates! Great job to our own Kennetha Price who helped design it! Www.Nashville.gov/departments/...

nashville.gov

Mayor's Office of Nightlife

The Office of Nightlife was created to act as a liaison between residents, business owners, employees, visitors, and Metro-Nashville government. We...

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Benton McDonough @bentonmcdesq.bsky.social · 09/07/2025

I get to do some really cool stuff in this position! Walking around Nissan Stadium with Sgt. Hotz and installing ONEboxes at another major venue is right up there. This means every professional sports team in Nashville has installed opioid reversal ONEboxes in their venue! Very exciting!

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Benton McDonough @bentonmcdesq.bsky.social · 30/06/2025

I don’t have a problem with billionaires. However, if the choice is between billionaires or making sure someone has basics to survive, that’s a no-brainer

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Benton McDonough @bentonmcdesq.bsky.social · 29/06/2025

I recall that Al Gore, Sr., once voted to end the Vietnam War despite knowing it could very well end his political career, which came to fruition. I’m disgusted by the Murkowskis of the world who sell out the other 49 states to protect their own political career.

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Benton McDonough @bentonmcdesq.bsky.social · 27/06/2025

The Office of Nightlife had an incredible day touring venues with Jim Peters (President of the Responsible Hospitality Institute - RHI) in anticipation of the 2026 Sociable City Conference in Nashville!

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