(NASHVILLE, TN) Presidential candidate Tom Steyer has announced his plan to reform our immigration system in a humane and comprehensive way and undo the racist policies and unconscionable acts committed by the Trump administration. Steyer’s plan will create a pathway to citizenship for the 10.5-12 million undocumented Americans who are an integral part of our society today and represent our core values as a country. Steyer is committed to overhauling enforcement agencies, immediately eliminating the use of all private detention facilities, and updating asylum policies to reflect the best of our humanity.
According to The Tennessean, there are over 322,000 foreign-born residents in the state. Many of these immigrants are of Latino and African descent. Tennessee has a reported 130,000 undocumented immigrants, and the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency (ICE) has continued to perform raids in both rural and urban parts of the state.
“Our nation was built on the back of immigrants, whether they came via a slave ship or via Ellis Island,” said Tennessee State Director Tequila Johnson. “It is our responsibility as Americans to figure out what we want as a country, not how we want to keep people out. In Tennessee we pride ourselves in being welcoming and our hospitality. Tom’s immigration plan embodies the best of these values.”
Tennessee is home to 7,790 Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients as well as 3,108 foreign nationals who hold Temporary Protected Status (TPS). The majority of both of these groups are made up of people of color, and are immigrants who continue to be systematically attacked by the Trump administration.
“Our immigration system has been plagued by racism and has reflected values dramatically different from those on which our country was founded,” said Steyer. “As president, I will begin the healing process from Trump’s cruel and unjust approach. I will make it my duty to not only undo the policies that are systematically attacking immigrant communities of color, but create a system that allows immigrants of every background a chance to build a life in our country.”
Right now, Trump is using the specter of war to detain Iranians and Iranian-Americans at the U.S. border and stoke irrational fears about immigrants of color. Under his administration, Steyer would act directly to reverse these racist policies that only further divide our nation. He believes we must be vigilant about protecting our borders, but not discriminate against immigrants by treating them unfairly and inhumanely on the basis of race, religion, or national origin.
Steyer understands that the only way to move forward as a country is through an efficient and lawful immigration system. He knows that we must move forward, as a nation, from the past actions of an unjust and often violent approach to immigration. Tom understands that relief and leadership are needed immediately for families across our nation.
Steyer’s plan vows to:
Protect vulnerable immigrant communities and end the abuses within the immigration system. This includes using executive action to reinstate DACA, enact DAPA, revitalize TPS, and end the Muslim travel ban. It also means, among other measures, working with Congress to create a pathway to citizenship for undocumented Americans; reforming ICE, CBP, and USCIS to reflect our values and culture; and ending family separation and cruel detention policies.
Reform our legal immigration system to reflect our best values. This includes appropriately resourcing federal agencies that provide administrative immigration services. It also involves reforming the immigration courts; increasing transparency and fairness in the visa adjudication process; working with universities, research labs and the private sector to recruit and retain talented thinkers and builders from around the world; protecting farmworkers; and refocusing border enforcement on national security.
Reinvigorate the asylum and refugee system. To accomplish this, Steyer’s plan will extend compassion to those fleeing persecution and reform our asylum policies. It will also revitalize our refugee program; extend financial aid and technical resources to Central America; and recognize the devastating impacts of climate change and the need to prepare for increased global migration.
Build partnerships to foster integration and civic engagement. This means investing in civic engagement and a stronger democracy; ensuring that immigrants have the opportunities to help themselves and their communities thrive; protecting all American workers; recognizing the importance of the borderlands to our communities and economy; and partnering with state and local governments to support immigrant communities.
(CNN) — The upcoming “No Time To Die” needs a killer theme song, and who better than Beyoncé to sing it?
The film is premiering in just a few months but there’s no word on who will be singing the title song. Of course, the internet is going crazy with Queen Bey theories.
It may be a stretch, but eagle eyed fans noticed the singer may have dropped a rather large hint on Instagram while at the Golden Globes.
In the last in a series of photos from the night, Bey is seen sipping 007’s signature drink, a martini.
Followers also pointed out that before she released “Lemonade” in 2016, she mysteriously posted a selfie while holding a lemon.
Some on social media had some thoughts on her cocktail of choice.
“I think she’s going to be in [the] James Bond project. Martini is his signature drink,” wrote one.
Another wrote, “Beyoncé has been hinting at James Bond since her 2018 Coachella set when she sampled the theme tune during ‘Don’t Hurt Yourself.'”
“No Time to Die” is set to open in April. In the meantime, Beyoncé has been working on her highly-anticipated Ivy Park x Adidas collection ahead of its release later this month.
(CNN) — We’ve grown accustomed to asking virtual assistants like Siri and Alexa to do small tasks for us and provide basic information. But if the CEO of a Samsung-backed startup has his way, “artificial humans” will become your teachers, doctors, financial advisers and possibly your closest friends.
It’s a polarizing concept that became the most talked about topic at the CES tech show in Las Vegas this week. When pulling back the curtain on the existing technology, we found it’s mostly hype, but it still raises questions around how such tech would actually play out in real life and whether it’s a future we should want.
Star Labs, an innovation lab backed by Samsung, displayed its AI-powered lifeforms called Neons at CES in videos on giant TVs. At human scale, one is a yoga instructor who can help you perfect your downward-facing dog; another is a local news anchor who can deliver the news based on interests in your preferred language while a financial adviser Neon can help get your retirement plan in order.
These videos tried to depict how someone might interact or even form a relationship with such realistic avatars in the future. But in a demo with only one working Neon, the technology today was wonky and plagued with delays. Her emotions and expressions were far less believable in real time and were controlled by the company’s CEO, Pranav Mistry, via an app nearby. Onlookers were able to ask questions, but most often, answers missed the mark. For example, when asked what her favorite gadget at CES was, she responded: “Las Vegas.”
Its CES debut came on the heels of a mysterious social media push leading up to the conference, sparking rumors and generating buzz that the next big thing in AI may be coming. But soon after its debut, it was clear the speculation was overblown.
Mistry admits the technology still needs work (“It’s just a baby right now”), but his vision is for “the digital species” to one day be everywhere — in your favorite chat applications, home or stores. Instead of ordering from kiosk buttons in a fast food restaurant, you could have a natural conversation with a realistic-looking AI human.
If properly executed, the creations, which are addressed by names like Frank and Hanna (rather than something like “Hey Google”), could present an intriguing yet uncomfortable glimpse into what human-like AI lifeforms could mean for our future.
“The marketing rhetoric around the Neons is quite extreme at a time when AI generates lots of confusion and anxiety [with topics such as] humans replacing machines, AI ethics issues and deep fakes,” said Thomas Husson, a principal analyst at Forrester Research. “But if they’re able to successfully express emotions, they would help enhance interactions between consumers and brands, and more broadly humanize technology.”
It’s tall order for a company that Mistry says has only been working on Neon for four months. Its core technology, a blend of behavioral neural networks and algorithms, has clear limitations, but Mistry said it will soon be able to support original content, expressions, emotions, movements and eventually memory on its own.
“Right now, Neon doesn’t have any intelligence per se,” he said. “They are behaving intelligently, but they don’t have the concept of learning or memory. [Eventually], she will remember that you like pizza or something you’re reading.”
Despite Samsung’s backing, Neon is not related to any Samsung products or its Bixby voice systems. A Star Labs spokesperson told CNN Business that Samsung knew few details about the concept ahead of its CES debut.
Neon plans to launch later this year but has not yet landed on a business model. Mistry said a subscription service is a possibility and it’s also working to secure business partnerships.
The idea of a “digital species” is undoubtedly controversial. Big names in tech, including Elon Musk and Bill Gates, have warned about the development of powerful artificial intelligence. Gates called AI both “promising and dangerous.” These concerns typically revolve around what’s known as artificial general intelligence, or AI that can, for the most part, do the things a human can do.
“As demonstrated by Neon, we are still very far from a commercially ready AGI solution,” principal analyst Lian Jye Su of ABI Research said. “The best AI nowadays are narrow [ones] that performs singular tasks very well, such as the camera AI in our smartphones, the defect inspection camera AI on an assembly line, and the facial recognition AI in payment terminals.”
According to Su, we should “always question the intention and financial rationale behind attempts to make artificial general intelligence a reality.”
Other companies are developing AI that can better converse with us but without a human-like interface. Two years ago, Google showed off Duplex, which allows AI to make human-like phone calls, while Microsoft is growing its Cortana platform to be increasingly responsive.
Mistry said Neon is aware of the concerns about developing human-like AI.
“There’s always good and bad [sides] of any technology and how we use it,” he said. “That applies to not only AI, but any technology. We believe that it’s our human responsibility, and this generation’s responsibility, that … if we [build something] today, we want to ensure that from the ground up from the architecture level, from the design level, that it’s not misused in a wrong place.”
Neon’s concept also comes at a time when companies including Facebook, Google and Amazon are working to gain back consumer trust after a series of data sharing scandals. In 2019, both Amazon and Apple were under fire for using third-party contractors to listen in and transcribe user requests made through their personal assistants. Putting a human-like AI in your home, one that learns your preferences for pizza, behaviors or finances, raises concerns about where intimate information could land.
“Our future can come without compromising our privacy,” Mistry said. “And that is what we are designing — an architecture [that makes sure] any interaction between you and your Neon or you and any Neon, no one has, including me, as a CEO of this company, access to that information.”
At this stage, a Neon remains a simulated human assistant that merely aims to give intelligent, human-like responses.
“But potential implications, such as if such an avatar was embodied into a humanoid robot or could have a true conversation with you, will generate more discussions about AI ethics and regulation,” Thomas said.
(CNN) — Impossible Foods, known for its meatless burgers, is launching plant-based pork.
Impossible Pork debuts at tech conference CES in Las Vegas this week, and attendees will be able to taste the new product. Like the Impossible Burger, the plant-based pork is made with soy protein and is designed to look, taste and cook like real meat.
Others will be able to try a sausage version of the product when it arrives at 139 Burger King restaurants later this month. Some locations in Georgia, Michigan, Illinois, New Mexico and Alabama will serve a croissant breakfast sandwich featuring the Impossible Sausage for a limited time.
Much of the hype surrounding plant-based meat has been focused on beef substitutes.
But pork could be the next big thing because of the industry’s ambitions in Asia, where African Swine Fever has devastated the pork supply. There’s also an increasing demand for meat alternatives in the United States.
Focus on Asia
Impossible and its main competitor, Beyond Meat, both see huge opportunities for growth in Asia.
“In the next year or two, we’re putting a lot of effort into expanding into international markets, particularly in Asia, where pork is the dominant meat product,” Impossible CEO Pat Brown told CNN Business.
During a call discussing Beyond Meat’s third-quarter earnings, the company’s CEO Ethan Brown said that “like many, we believe that Asia is a very attractive market for us,” adding “you’ll see us continue to be aggressive there.” The opportunity “to produce and sell pork dumplings, for example, in Asia is significant and not one that’s lost on us,” he said.
Impossible is showcasing its new plant-based pork product in a variety of Asian dishes, including dumplings, noodles, dim sum and bao sandwiches.
For now, plant-based meat is generally more expensive for consumers than animal meat. But that could change as companies like Beyond Meat and Impossible scale up, and major food companies like Kellogg and Nestlé make more plant-based options mainstream.
Although the crisis didn’t drive Impossible’s decision to start selling plant-based pork, it has “exacerbated the demand for a product like ours,” Brown said.
It also highlights the dangers of relying on animal meat for food, said Caroline Bushnell, associate director of corporate engagement at the Good Food Institute, a nonprofit that supports plant-based businesses.
“What it’s exposed is the inherent vulnerability of a supply chain that’s dependent on animals,” Bushnell said. “We’re absolutely seeing that this current pork shortage has created a gap that the next generation of plant-based pork is perfectly poised to fill.”
Domestic interest grows
As Americans think about ways to eat less meat, they’re increasingly checking out pork alternatives in addition to chicken and beef substitutes.
Sales of pork alternatives grew nearly 15% in the United States in the 12 months ending in April 2019, according to the Good Food Institute. During that period, demand for jackfruit, which is often used to make vegan pork substitutes, jumped about 20%.
“A lot of the innovation to date has … been in beef,” said GFI’s Bushnell. “But we’re already seeing a ton of exciting innovation across other product types within plant-based meat,” she added.
People who have turned to plant-based beef as a healthier alternative to meat may find meatless pork attractive for the same reason.
A raw, two-ounce serving of the Impossible Sausage has 130 calories, 7 grams of protein, 9 grams of fat and 4 grams of saturated fat. A comparable serving of real pork sausage is usually higher in fat and more caloric, and delivers about the same amount of protein. Both products are processed and may not appeal to consumers who are seeking whole foods with few ingredients.
“I expect we’ll see an explosion in the number of plant-based pork options available over the next couple of years,” Bushnell said.
Plant-based meat is still a small sector compared to the massive meat industry, but it’s growing. In May, Barclays predicted that the alternative meat sector could reach about $140 billion in sales over the next decade, capturing about 10% of the global meat industry.
Restaurant chains are also looking for more ways to participate in the plant-based meat craze — particularly in the highly-competitive breakfast segment. Plant-based sausages offer a new opportunity, and restaurants are starting to add the product to their menus.
Burger King’s decision to test out a plant-based sausage sandwich follows Dunkin’s nationwide launch of a breakfast sandwich featuring Beyond Sausage. In December, Hardee’s and Carl’s Jr. announced a new suite of breakfast items that were also made with Beyond Sausage.
For Dunkin’, the move appears to be paying off.
The chain first tested out a Beyond Sausage sandwich at its Manhattan locations this summer. The sandwich performed so well that the company decided to roll the product out nationally ahead of schedule.
“We were very pleased with how it performed in Manhattan,” said Dunkin’ CEO David Hoffman during an analyst call discussing third-quarter earnings, adding that the brand was especially happy to see customers buying the product more than once — a sign that they see the plant-based sandwich was more than just a novelty.
Burger King’s chief marketing officer Fernando Machado said that the new breakfast product could help the fast food chain compete during breakfast, adding that “breakfast sets the intention for the whole day. If you can switch to a plant-based patty at breakfast, you can do it at other times too.”
That could help out restaurants like Burger King, which found that the Impossible Whopper helps boost sales and bring customers into stores.
(CNN) — House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Friday she’s preparing to send the impeachment articles to the Senate next week to start the impeachment trial of President Donald Trump.
“I have asked Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerry Nadler to be prepared to bring to the Floor next week a resolution to appoint managers and transmit articles of impeachment to the Senate,” Pelosi wrote in a letter to her caucus. “I will be consulting with you at our Tuesday House Democratic Caucus meeting on how we proceed further.”
Pelosi’s letter means the Senate impeachment trial could begin as soon as next week. The House needs to pass a resolution naming impeachment managers before the articles are formally sent to the Senate, and the Senate will also have to take procedural steps before the trial gets underway.
It’s not clear whether Pelosi’s gambit to withhold the articles will change the trajectory of the Senate trial. Democrats have pushed for the Senate to agree to hear from witnesses as part of the trial, accusing McConnell of a cover-up for coordinating with the White House.
“Leader McConnell’s tactics are a clear indication of the fear that he and President Trump have regarding the facts of the President’s violations for which he was impeached,” Pelosi wrote Friday.
But McConnell refused to change course on the trial as the impasse dragged on, saying he would pass a resolution to establish the rules of the trial with only Republican votes and then make a decision on witnesses later.
This week, Pelosi pushed for McConnell to publish the rules of the trial before she would send the articles, arguing she wanted to see the “arena” that the impeachment managers will operate in during the trial.
McConnell rejected her proposal. He’s argued that the Senate should agree to a rule to begin the trial and then later decide on witnesses, just as the Senate did during the 1999 impeachment trial of former President Bill Clinton. And he said this week he’s got the votes — all Republicans — to go that route.
Democrats argue that McConnell is not following the Clinton precedent, because the Senate witnesses in that trial had already testified before a grand jury, while the witnesses Senate Democrats are seeking — including former national security adviser John Bolton and acting White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney — refused to testify during the House’s impeachment inquiry.
Bolton’s statement earlier this week that he would testify in a Senate trial, if subpoenaed, prompted a new push from Democrats to agree to witnesses, but that has not moved McConnell or the Senate GOP conference. In order for witnesses to testify, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer would have to peel off four Republican senators to vote for approving them.
While Pelosi has continued to hold the impeachment articles this week, Democrats in both the House and Senate grew restless over the delay, with numerous Democrats saying publicly that Pelosi should transmit the impeachment articles and allow the trial to begin.
Pelosi dismissed the notion that she faced pressure as a result of any impatience among rank-and-file Democrats, saying the feedback she received was “absolutely total cooperation.” Pelosi added that talk about pressure on her over withholding the articles “cracks me up.”
This story has been updated with additional developments Friday.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TSU News Service) – A Tennessee State University (TSU) alum who was a prisoner of war in Vietnam recently returned to the Southeast Asian country and met the widow of the pilot who shot down his fighter jet nearly 50 years ago.
Lt. Col. James Williams sits in cell where he was interrogated and tortured while imprisoned. (Courtesy: Valor Administration)
Lt. Col. James W. Williams was flying his 228th combat mission when his F-4D Phantom was hit over North Vietnam on May 20, 1972. He was taken captive and spent 313 days in the infamous Hoa Lo Prison (aka Hanoi Hilton). He was released with other American POWs on March 28, 1973, about two months after the Vietnam War ended.
In November, the Memphis, Tennessee native was among several Vietnam veterans who returned to Hanoi, Vietnam, as part of a trip organized by the Dallas, Texas-based group Valor Administration, members of the Vietnam-USA Friendship, and North Vietnamese combat veterans.
Organizers said the trip was a way to help veterans struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder possibly gain closure.
“There are a lot of Vietnam veterans … that still have wounds from the war that haven’t been addressed,” said Adriane Baan, with Valor Administration.
Williams, who was imprisoned a period of time with late U.S. Sen. John McCain, acknowledged it was therapeutic revisiting the place where he was tortured and meeting veterans who were once his enemy. But he said the highlight of the trip was meeting Nguyen Thi Lam, the widow of Do Van Lanh, the North Vietnamese pilot who shot him down.
Williams said he did not know he was going to meet Lam until he got to Vietnam, and that the meeting was awkward at first, but that changed the more they talked.
“I found out her husband died in 1980,” recalled Williams, who lives in Atlanta. “She showed me pictures of him. I expressed my condolences for his passing. The trip definitely helped me. It gave me some closure.”
Lt. Col. Williams in 1973 photo on display in the Vietnam museum. (Courtesy: Valor Administration)
During his visit to the prison, which is now a museum, Williams noticed a photo on display that showed two lines of air men being released. He was leading one of the lines.
“It was really amazing,” said Baan of the photo.
Lt. Col. Nick Callaway is the commander of Tennessee State University’s Air Force ROTC Detachment 790, which Williams was part of when he was enrolled at TSU. He recognized Williams at the university’s Veterans Day program last month.
“If there’s anything I learned from Lt. Col. Williams, it’s that we as human beings are capable of so much,” said Callaway. “Lt. Col. Williams’ patriotism and devotion to this great nation is truly an inspiration.”
Williams’ son, Brandon, said his father’s courage and perseverance while in captivity have motivated him when he faced adversity.
“Through any situation or circumstance, don’t give up,” said Brandon, a former TSU football player who is now a financial advisor for numerous professional athletes. “He’s my hero.”
After he retired in 1995 from 28 years of military service, Lt. Col. Williams started an Air Force Junior ROTC program in the DeKalb County, Georgia School System and taught for 20 years before retiring.
The 75-year-old currently serves on the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs POW Advisory Committee.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Today, on the 100th day of his tenure as Mayor of Metropolitan Nashville and Davidson County, Mayor John Cooper released a report detailing significant progress made toward his administration’s goal of creating a city that works for everyone.
Nashville Mayor John Cooper
The First 100 Day Report contains several Cooper administration agenda priorities that have already been fulfilled, including addressing the city’s urgent budget gap to prevent state supervision of Metro’s finances, increased investments in neighborhood infrastructure, and advancements in creating a people-first transportation plan. Later this week, the Mayor’s Office will publish a comprehensive Commitment Tracker that enables Nashville residents to track the progress of other current and upcoming projects.
“Together, we have made significant progress on many priorities in the past 100 days,” said Mayor Cooper. “The task of overcoming our financial hurdles has been challenging, and there is still work to be done. But I’m proud to say that my administration has kept its focus on my earlier promises. From body-worn cameras to bus route scheduling, we will continue to work hard to meet the goal of making Nashville a vibrant, prosperous city for everyone.”
FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY & OUR LOCAL ECONOMY
Balancing the budget and preventing state supervision
In response to a presentation made by the state comptroller, who expressed serious concerns with the state of Metro’s $42 million budget shortfall, the Mayor’s Office recently submitted a balanced budget as part of a corrective action plan that was approved by the state comptroller’s office. The balanced budget required the expeditious and proactive securing of additional recurring revenue by the Cooper administration. While more work is required to bring Metro Government’s fiscal house in order, substantial progress has been made in addressing the city’s financial challenges.
Securing additional revenue from tourism and downtown development
In October 2019, Mayor Cooper secured a $12.1 million PILOT from the Convention Center Authority and an additional $3.6 million payment from the Nashville Convention and Visitors Center for FY2019-20. “This is a great moment for our city,” Cooper said of the PILOT agreement. “During the campaign, I talked about the need for tourist dollars to serve residents…we are receiving a welcome dividend on our biggest investment in downtown.”
Enacting Capital Spending Plan reform
Mayor John Cooper announced early in his tenure that his administration was partnering with Metro Council Budget and Finance Chair Bob Mendes to write legislation that reforms future Capital Spending Plans. In the interest of improved clarity and government transparency, the legislation would require Metro Council and the Mayor’s Office to fully itemize and appropriate funds for public projects before construction begins.
INVESTING IN OUR NEIGHBORHOODS
Investing in stormwater infrastructure
In October 2019, Mayor Cooper re-directed $17.5 million from a stalled SoBro-Gulch pedestrian bridge project. Funds were immediately diverted to shovel-ready infrastructure projects, including $13.63 million for 52 separate culvert and bridge projects in 24 council districts throughout Davidson County.
Refocusing the MDHA’s mission toward housing
Mayor Cooper appointed Paulette Coleman, founding chair of Nashville Organized for Action and Hope’s affordable housing task force, to the MDHA Board of Commissioners. Her appointment, along with former Nashville Mayor Bill Purcell, a passionate advocate for affordable housing, represents a determined effort to reshape the board and focus its efforts on housing.
Commissioning an Immigration Task Force
Inclusion is a cornerstone of strong and welcoming neighborhoods. Within the Mayor’s first few weeks in office, he rescinded Mayor Briley’s Executive Order No. 11 and convened a task force of leaders from across the community and Metro Government to ensure his administration is aware of requests made by federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents and knows how to respond appropriately. The task force delivered its final report in December 2019, which the Mayor’s Office is carefully reviewing as it considers future policy decisions around federal immigration enforcement actions in Nashville and Davidson County.
Creating safer residential streets
Addressing speeding in residential neighborhoods is one of the top safety issues that Metro police is asked to address by Nashvillians. Mayor John Cooper announced in October the rollout of The Neighborhood Speed Limit Reduction Initiative, which will reduce the posted speed limit in neighborhood streets currently signed at 30 MPH to 25 MPH. Metro Public Works will work to implement the change over a one-year period, upon completion of a comprehensive signage inventory.
Raising and studying MNPS teacher pay
Our schools and educators are cornerstones of our community. Mayor Cooper’s office worked hard to deliver on a promised 3 percent COLA to MNPS educators and support staff for January 2020. In partnership with the Nashville Public Education Foundation and Metro Nashville Public Schools (MNPS), the Mayor’s Office has commissioned an expert compensation study of teacher compensation in Nashville-Davidson County. “I am committed to finding mechanisms to not simply provide one-time raises for teachers but also finding a longer-term, sustainable vision for teacher salaries that provide the opportunity for more growth over time,” said Mayor Cooper. “This study will help us understand how we can better attract and retain teachers through the creation and implementation of a strategic compensation plan.”
A TRANSPORTATION PLAN THAT WORKS FOR EVERYONE
Creating a people-first transportation plan
In December 2019, Mayor Cooper announced a transportation plan timeline that will conclude with the announcement of a plan by the end of September 2020. The Mayor’s transportation plan will first address the everyday transportation and transit concerns impacting Nashvillians, including problem intersections, traffic congestion, and bus route issues.
Engaging residents during transportation planning
The Cooper administration has created a series of public listening sessions scheduled throughout Nashville and Davidson County to gather community input on Metro’s transportation planning priorities. The Mayor’s Office will host 11 public listening sessions in January and February of 2020. The listening sessions will provide opportunities to residents throughout Davidson County to voice their ideas, priorities, and concerns regarding transit and transportation in Nashville.
Calming traffic in pedestrian-heavy areas
In October 2019, Mayor Cooper re-directed $17.5 million from a stalled SoBro-Gulch pedestrian bridge project. $1.5 million in funds were immediately directed to traffic calming projects conducted by Metro Public Works to help identify, prioritize, and mitigate speeding and the undesirable effects of traffic in residential neighborhoods.
RESTORING TRUST IN METRO GOVERNMENT
Meeting monthly with Nashville residents
In keeping with his campaign promise to pursue a transparent administration, Mayor Cooper has hosted monthly meetings through his office’s “Coffee with Cooper” and “Mayor’s Night Out” community event series, held in cafes and public schools throughout Davidson County. At each event, Nashville residents are invited to come and voice their questions and concerns directly with the Mayor and other Metro department officials.
Creating a Public Integrity Task Force
Having committed to an accountable and transparent government, Mayor Cooper created a Public Integrity Task Force to review current practices related to ethics and government transparency. The Public Integrity Task Force has been given the responsibility of reviewing current Metro practices relating to ethics, conflicts of interest, contracting and procurement practices, political contributions, and permitted political activities by Metro employees, vendors, contractors, and members of boards and commissions.
The group will also review Metro Government’s current open meeting and public records policies. Mayor Cooper has further directed the task force to examine the need for an independent Inspector General to work with Metro as well as the Office of Internal Audit in identifying and preventing potential fraud and waste in Metro government.
Facilitating an MOU between the Community Oversight Board and MNPD
In January 2020, the Mayor’s Office released a final draft of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the COB and Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD), facilitated by the Mayor’s Office. The eight-page document describes how the COB and MNPD will cooperate in fulfilling the COB’s oversight function.
“I am grateful to both Dr. Hildreth and Deputy Chief Hagar for their dedication to this important MOU, and I want to convey the full support of my administration to both the letter and spirit of this agreement moving forward,” said Mayor Cooper. “Cities fail when they don’t have support from the whole community. By reaching this final draft MOU, we’ve demonstrated what can be achieved when we come together to consider the priorities of all Nashvillians – from vulnerable citizens and passionate advocates for change to those who diligently and honorably serve as our public safety professionals. This MOU represents another important milestone in our city’s enduring pursuit for a higher standard of accountability in government.”
Deploying and testing body-worn cameras
Mayor Cooper’s administration developed a roadmap to begin deploying body-worn cameras (BWCs) by Metro Nashville police officers by March 2020. The announcement of the plan followed months of intense discussions between the Mayor’s Office, the Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD), the District Attorney’s Office, and Metro Information Technology Services (ITS), as well as the Public Defender’s Office, other criminal justice agencies, and community stakeholders.
Conducting performance audits of Metro Government agencies
Mayor Cooper has tasked Kristin Wilson, Chief of Operations and Performance, with the job of conducting performance audits of Metro departments and agencies. The Mayor’s Office has also hired Diego Eguiarte as Director of Performance Management to help identify how Nashvillians’ tax dollars are being spent and to identify areas of performance improvement within Metro Government.
CREATING A MORE SUSTAINABLE FUTURE FOR NASHVILLE
Making a significant commitment to address climate change
Mayor Cooper announced that his administration signed the Global Covenant of Mayors as a precursor to participating in the C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group, a coalition of 94 leading cities around the world focused on tackling climate change and driving urban action that reduces greenhouse gas emissions. Nashville’s participation in the Global Covenant of Mayors requires ambitious local climate and energy action and a transition to a low-emission and resilient urban environment to benefit public and environmental health and to lay the foundation for a prosperous economy.
Mayor Cooper’s administration will also work toward reducing Nashville’s community-scale emissions 30 percent by 2030 and 70 percent by 2050. To lead by example, CO2-reduction targets for Metro Government will be 40 percent by 2030 and 80 percent by 2050.
Increasing Metro Government’s renewable energy portfolio
Mayor Cooper’s proposed the implementation of a full solar panel array atop the Historic Metropolitan Courthouse. Initial steps will include conducting a solar feasibility assessment to determine the ideal location and the total number of solar panels that can be installed. It is estimated that the courthouse rooftop could accommodate over 200 individual solar panels capable of generating 72 kilowatts of renewable carbon-free energy.
Once installed, the Historic Metropolitan Courthouse will join other Metro locations where solar power arrays are being installed, including the Sheriff’s Office Downtown Campus, the Metro Police Department Headquarters and Family Safety Center, and the Bellevue Community Center. At the Music City Center, an 845-panel solar array currently produces approximately 271,000 kilowatt-hours per year − enough electricity to power the building’s lighting and electric vehicle charging stations.
Improving Metro Government’s energy efficiency performance
Mayor Cooper has commissioned the Department of General Services with establishing an “Energy Savings Program” to support energy efficiency efforts in Metro’s general government facilities with a goal of substantial reductions in energy consumption and costs. To implement reductions, the Department of General Services will manage an “Energy Savings Revolving Fund” deploying ongoing measurement and tracking of energy savings projects for most Metro department facilities.
Pursuing green buildings to promote efficiency and sustainability
In December 2019, Mayor Cooper announced the pursuit of green building certification by two Metro-owned facilities. With the assistance of the Department of General Services, the Sheriff’s Office Downtown Campus was awarded LEED Silver certification. And the Metro Police Department Headquarters and Family Safety Center is successfully tracking toward LEED Gold certification.
Establishing a sustainability advisory board
Mayor Cooper established a sustainability advisory board that will review actual sustainability initiatives advanced by the Mayor’s Office and by the Metro Council. Previous administrations have convened environmental groups whose members ably gathered, discussed, and prepared reports filled with ambitious proposals and recommendations. But today, Metro’s problem is not a lack of proposals − it is the implementation of those proposals into actual practice. That is why the advisory board will be charged – to review active proposals as they are being implemented through legislation and policy changes.
Saving and strengthening Nashville’s tree canopy
Nashville’s tree canopy coverage shrank from 28 percent in 2008 to just 24 percent in 2016, well below the coverage of many of our peer cities. Austin, Texas, has an urban tree canopy coverage of 30.8 percent, and Charlotte, North Carolina, is at 47 percent. Mayor Cooper introduced legislation with Metro Council Member Angie Henderson to further strengthen tree protections under the Metro Code. Specifically, the legislation will propose the elimination of an exemption to tree density requirements that unintentionally reduces tree volume by nearly 70 percent based solely upon lot dimensions. (See, Metropolitan Code of Laws, sec. 17.24.100.B.2).
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (January 3, 2020) – The Nashville Fire Department is excited to announce the department has a new free smartphone app available in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store for free.
This app will serve as a new way for the fire department to connect with Nashville residents and visitors, providing information quickly and efficiently to anyone with a smartphone.
The Nashville Fire Department app was developed by TheFireDepartmentApp.com, a division of OCV, LLC. The app offers quick access to items of public interest and is easy to use. In just a few clicks, users can:
Find station locations
View current weather conditions and weather forecast
Connect to the organization’s social media platforms
Read the latest news
Request Fire Reports
Pay EMS Bills
TheFireDepartmentApp.com specializes in smartphone app development for fire departments and public safety organizations across the country. Developing more than 500 apps, OCV designs and creates custom apps for state, county and local government agencies.
“It is important to us to make communicating with the various divisions of this department convenient for the public,” Director Chief William Swann said. “We are excited to make this app available to the public at no cost to Davidson County taxpayers.”
“Over 80 percent of people in the United States own and use smartphones as their primary means of communication,” OCV Vice President Kevin Cummings said. “Mobile apps offer agencies a better way to alert, inform and prepare the public. Apps allow public safety agencies the ability to reach and serve their citizens where they are: their smartphones.”
The Nashville Fire Department app is available for download for free in the App Store and Google Play. Search “Nashville Fire” or click here to download the app.
Please note turn around times for certain reports and requests will remain the same even when using the Nashville Fire Department App.
2020 is here! Whether or not you subscribe to “new year, new you,” the New Year denotes a fresh start. According to The Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, nearly 55 percent of New Year’s resolutions are health-related, such as exercising more and eating healthier. Unfortunately, the statistics of those who actually keep their resolutions are a lot lower.
THE FACTS
Chronic diseases include conditions such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and respiratory conditions. Almost one in two Americans has at least one chronic condition. In the United States, more than 87% deaths are due to chronic diseases, (World Health Organization [WHO]). Healthy lifestyles and awareness are key to preventing chronic disease.
On Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2020, Nashville General Hospital will host a Healthcare Town Hall Meeting to discuss integrated care delivery and in maximizing health outcomes for our patients, especially those dealing with chronic diseases.
Diabetes
The rate of diabetes in Davidson County is 11.2%, which is higher than the nationwide rate of 9.4%.
Prediabetics can help prevent diabetes by learning about your risk, making lifestyle changes and getting help to manage your diet and exercise.
Disease management for diabetics includes learning how to eat healthy, be active, monitor blood sugar levels, take medication, problem solve, reduce the risk for other health conditions. It is evidence-based and improves clinical outcomes, health status and quality of life.
High blood pressure
Having high blood pressure puts you at risk for heart disease and stroke, which are leading causes of death in the United States. More than 40% of African-American men and women have high blood pressure. At 40%, African-Americans have one of the highest rates of high blood pressure in the world.
Most risk factors for heart disease and stroke — specifically, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, and obesity — are preventable and controllable.
Hypertension
Tennessee ranks 7th out of 51 states for having the highest rates of hypertension.
Nashville General Hospital (NGH)
Access to healthcare is the most important priority for people with chronic conditions. NGH offers safe, effective, patient-centered, health care and disease management programs to help treat chronic illnesses.
Nashville General Hospital is a NCQA recognized Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH). Research shows that healthcare providers implementing patient-centered medical homes across the country have resulted in better chronic care management for patients. PCMH practices saw 1 to 5 percent more patients meeting care metrics for diabetes, blood pressure, and cholesterol control.
WHAT: Nashville General Hospital Healthcare Town Hall WHEN: Tuesday, January 14 at 6:00 PM (CST) WHERE: Cathedral of Praise Church, 4300 Clarksville Pike, Nashville, TN 37218
Nashville — Mayor John Cooper today announced the appointment of Bill R. Phillips as Deputy Mayor, Chief of Staff effective Thursday, January 2, 2020. As a seasoned political operative with more than 40 years of public service and executive leadership experience, Phillips will manage the Mayor’s Office staff and serve as a senior adviser to Mayor Cooper.
“I look forward to once again serving the city I love so dearly,” said Phillips. “While I’m fond of the many experiences I’ve had in state and federal government, it’s the time I spent at City Hall that has been the most meaningful. Nashville is fortunate to have experienced such tremendous growth since my previous tenure as Deputy Mayor. We’re going to make sure that everyone in our city shares in its continued growth through hard work and the efficient use of our talent and resources.”
As founder of Bill Phillips Company, Phillips was a principal in Windrow Phillips Group before retiring in June 2019. He served for more than seven years as Deputy Mayor of Nashville and Davidson County under Mayor Bill Purcell. In 1994, Phillips became Associate Vice Chancellor for University Relations at Vanderbilt University after concluding a yearlong fellowship at Vanderbilt’s First Amendment Center.
Previously, Phillips served as a Presidential appointee in various capacities during the executive administrations of President Ronald Reagan and President George H.W. Bush, and as Deputy Governor to Nevada Governor Robert List. He served as Chief of Staff of the Republican National Committee and Manager of the 1988 Republican Convention, as well as Chief of Staff of the U.S. Department of Education. Phillips has worked in three Presidential campaigns for Republican candidates, and in 1992, he was Assistant Campaign Manager for Operations of the Bush-Quayle Committee.
Phillips also worked as a newspaper journalist and editor for Gannett in California and Nevada. He is a Vietnam combat veteran.
The Nashville Voice is left wondering what does this mean for the status of current Deputy Mayor Brenda Haywood. Deputy Mayor Haywood was recently selected as one of the Nashville Voice’s Nashville Top 10 Most Powerful African Americans.
