SUMMARY: The Boring Company plans to build a tunnel connecting downtown Nashville to the airport, but the city’s limestone geology poses challenges. Nashville sits on porous limestone formed during the Ordovician period, making it prone to sinkholes and underground instability. Experts warn tunneling in this karst terrain is hazardous, risking sinkhole formation and disrupting water flow. Studies urge disaster planning due to unpredictable fractured rock and water movement. Local geological data is outdated, complicating risk assessment. Nashville’s climate extremes, including heavy rainfall, could exacerbate these issues. Elon Musk’s company favors fewer pre-project reviews, raising safety concerns amid uncertain environmental impacts.

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SUMMARY: Mason, Tennessee, a small town of about 1,300, is deciding whether to approve a contract with ICE and CoreCivic to reopen the West Tennessee Detention Facility, closed since 2021. CoreCivic aims to house immigrant detainees, promising nearly 240 jobs and significant tax revenue for Mason. However, lifelong resident Eloise Thompson and immigrant rights groups oppose the plan, citing community harm and the negative impact of a for-profit private prison. CoreCivic insists it will provide humane care under government oversight and does not enforce immigration laws. A special town meeting Tuesday will finalize the decision amid expected protests.

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SUMMARY: Dollywood announced a new Great Smoky Mountain-themed attraction set to open in 2026, described as the park’s largest and most ambitious project. During the 2025 season preview, Dolly Parton and Dollywood president Eugene Naughton revealed guests will be able to “take flight.” Visitors have spotted posters seeking “adventurers” linked to “Hidden Hollow Aviation,” hinting at the new attraction’s theme. Construction near Big Bear Mountain features banners for Hidden Hollow Aviation, which shares a name with a Wildwood Grove play area. The attraction’s story involves a family’s quest and “The Legend of the Secret Lake.” More details will be shared on Dollywood’s social media soon.

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