Nashville Morning Briefing: Staying Warm and Moving Forward After the Freeze

The Morning Mood: Frigid but Resilient

Nashville wakes up this Saturday, January 31, 2026, wrapped in a deep chill as the city continues to navigate the aftermath of Winter Storm Fern. With temperatures hovering near the teens, the mood across Music City is a mixture of exhaustion and remarkable neighborly spirit. While tens of thousands are still waiting for their lights to come back on, the frustration is being met with a wave of community support that has become the hallmark of our city during tough times.

The Big Talking Point: The Long Road to Restoration

The primary focus for Nashvillians today is the ongoing effort to restore electricity. As of late Friday, more than 57,000 homes and businesses remained without power. Nashville Electric Service (NES) has approximately 900 linemen working around the clock to repair downed utility poles and clear trees. Mayor Freddie O’Connell’s State of Emergency remains in effect, which has helped coordinate the massive cleanup. For those tracking city services, Nashville Waste Services has announced that residential trash collection is resuming where conditions allow; specifically, today, crews will focus on servicing regular Monday and Tuesday routes that were missed earlier in the week.

A Feel-Good Assist: Tickets and Treats

In a heartwarming display of community outreach, the Harlem Globetrotters and Bridgestone Arena have teamed up to provide a much-needed distraction for families impacted by the storm. For today’s two performances at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., the Globetrotters have allocated 500 complimentary tickets per game for families affected by power outages, including a $10 food voucher per ticket. Additionally, local businesses are stepping up in a big way:

• Edley’s Bar-B-Que: Offering free pork sandwiches at all Middle Tennessee locations until power is fully restored.
• Mercy Chefs: Providing free hot meals at Christ Church Nashville in South Nashville throughout the weekend.
• Loveless Cafe: Serving free meals to the linemen working out in the cold to fix our lines.
• The Chloe and Turnip Truck: Offering free coffee, Wi-Fi, and hot soup to those seeking warmth.

Quick Hits for Your Saturday

If you are able to safely travel, several city traditions are still providing a glow in the dark. The Zoolumination Festival of Lights at the Nashville Zoo remains open, featuring over 1,000 silk lanterns and a new ice rink. At the Ryman Auditorium, historical backstage tours are running as scheduled, offering a warm indoor activity for history buffs. Meanwhile, construction on the New Nissan Stadium remains a beacon of the city's future; project managers confirmed this week that steel framework is now complete, with roof installation set to begin this coming March.

Stay safe, check on your neighbors, and keep those pipes dripping as we move toward a slow thaw.