MLB in Nashville, Carrie Underwood, church dropouts and more: The Dose

Hello from The Dose, a place to share the news we’re all talking about — and actually experiencing. Each week, you’ll find: a stat worth digging into, a dose of news from our Tennessee community, something you *should* pay attention to on social media and a burst of happiness.

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I’m Jessica Bliss, a human interest columnist here at The Tennessean. I’m a mom, a triathlete, a writer. And, the curator of this newsletter. Definitely send me your feedback and what you’d like to see.

My promise? This will be a positive space for all perspectives.

This week’s dose of news

Nashville’s new police oversight board includes activists, lawyers and 3 former cops

Voting stretched until nearly midnight Tuesday, but when the final ballots were cast, a diverse group of individuals became part of Nashville’s new citizen-led board created to review the actions of city police.

From 155 applicants, the Metro Council selected nine people to serve. Two others appointed by Mayor David Briley won council approval last week. 

The new 11-member board has the power to issue reports assessing allegations of misconduct by Metro police and to recommend disciplinary action. It was created in part as response to recent shootings of two black men by white police officers in Nashville.

The panel must begin operating by March 29.

Is Nashville ready for an MLB team?

Well, a 59-year-old Nashville businessman has a vision for a Major League Baseball franchise playing in a 42,000-seat stadium located on the East Bank. And, he also has a plan to make it happen.

A little baseball background: MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred last summer named Nashville as one of six cities the league is considering for future expansion. 

Of course, not everyone thinks it’s a steal: Some civic leaders are skeptical. Nashville already has two pro sports teams with the Titans and the Predators. Not to mention a Major League Soccer franchise on the way.

There are questions whether Nashville could support more. It would mean building another new stadium. And filling seats for 81 games a year. And, finding sponsors.

But: John Loar — the businessman with the plan — has assembled an advisory board and wants to conduct a feasibility study. With the Music City popularity boom, he believes it could be a home run.

Inauguration of Tennessee’s 50th governor had applause, tears, protests and heavy rain

Bill Lee officially assumed the state’s highest office on Saturday. Thousands joined in the celebration, which began in worship at the Grand Ole Opry House, featured a 19-gun salute, and concluded with country star Luke Bryan headlining the Inaugural Ball.

The day also marked the end of an photographic era: Jed DeKalb spent 38 years photographing the most important moments in the lives of five Tennessee governors. His final assignment before retirement was to document the departure of Bill Haslam.

DeKalb jokes that photographing the cover art for ZZ Top’s 1975 album “Fandango!” is what got him the job. And over the decades, his stories were many: capturing strawberry festival appearances and dove hunts, and also important interactions with dignitaries.

With every assignment, DeKalb followed a motto set by one of his predecessors. That he’s neither a Democrat nor a Republican. He’s a photographer. 

“They can put that on my gravestone,” DeKalb said. “I’m here to do a job.” 

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Numbers worth knowing

Young adults are dropping out of church? Here’s what we know.

Last week, a survey examining the church-going habits of young adults caught a lot of people’s attention. Nashville-based LifeWay Research talked to thousands of 23 to 30 years olds who had attended Protestant services on a regular basis when they were in high school. Then researches asked those folks if they still go to church.

Here’s what they found out:

Two-thirds: Of young people say they stopped regularly going to church for at least a year between the ages of 18 and 22, the new LifeWay Research survey shows.

96 percent: Of those who said they had stopped going cited life changes as part of the reason why. That included moving to college and work responsibilities.

32 percent: Of church dropouts said church members seemed judgmental or hypocritical.

10 percent: Said they dropped out because they stopped believing in God. 

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All the good feels

Country music superstar Carrie Underwood is officially a mom of two.

Underwood and her husband, retired Nashville Predators hockey player Mike Fisher, welcomed their second son, Jacob Bryan Fisher, in the wee hours of Monday morning. Already, there are the sweetest pics of the baby boy being held by his big brother, Isaiah. *I’m gushing*

“Our hearts are full, our eyes are tired and our lives are forever changed,” Underwood posted on her Twitter feed. “Life is good.”

Quote of the week

“It wasn’t funny, or clever, and it certainly wasn’t worthy of the party of Lincoln.”

— Williamson County School Board member Eric Welch, a Republican, speaking out against what some are calling a racist meme sent out in an email by the Williamson County Republican Party.

Oh, the things you should do!

Check out Pelican & Pig: The restaurant from husband and wife duo Nick and Audra Guidry is set to open at 4 p.m. Thursday at 1010 Gallatin Ave., and the flavors at the wood-fire hot spot sound smoldering.

Attend Nashville Storytellers: The next Nashville Storytellers asks the question: What have you done to live when you thought you were going to die? It will feature four incredible stories of survival.

► One touching story: Tennessee man survived 6 days trapped in Utah slot canyon after his brother fell to his death

Learn more about the Jan. 28 event at TPAC, and get your tickets at storytellerstickets.tennessean.com.

Buy tix to the most anticipated concerts of 2019: As Tennessean’s super hip music reporter Dave Paulson tells us, it’s going to be a loud and lively year in Nashville: “From Elton John’s final bow to Kacey Musgraves’ Ryman residency, the ear-splitting return of Metallica and even a collaboration between our symphony orchestra and Weird Al.” 

And. So. Much. More.

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TELL JESSICA WHAT’S UP: Reach out to offer your thoughts for The Dose or on life in general.

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