Good morning, this is Nashville Local Pulse for Saturday, December 7, 2024. We're starting off the weekend with a look at the latest developments in our city.

First off, breaking news from Montgomery County where a man barricaded inside a church was taken into custody yesterday. This incident highlights the ongoing efforts of local law enforcement to ensure public safety.

In local news, the Metro Council has voted to deny the controversial FUSUS surveillance program, a decision that impacts how our city approaches public safety and privacy. This comes as Nashville continues to confront hate with initiatives like "Humans Over Hate."

On the job market front, Nashville remains a thriving hub for various industries. As of January 2024, our city's unemployment rate dipped to 4.2%, indicating a tight labor market. Major employers like HCA Healthcare, Vanderbilt University, and Amazon are hiring for various roles. The healthcare sector is particularly robust, contributing $67 billion and 362,560 jobs to the local economy annually. The music and entertainment industry also plays a crucial role, with over 80,000 direct and indirect jobs and an annual contribution of $9.9 billion to the local economy.

In real estate, while there are no major commercial or residential property sales to report today, Nashville's growing population and economic diversification are expected to fuel new development projects. Weekly median home prices and inventory levels remain stable, but we'll keep an eye on any significant zoning changes or property developments.

From city hall, the focus is on fostering a competitive labor market, including programs to increase veteran and military-spouse workforce participation and partnerships with educational institutions to upskill workers.

Weather-wise, after a milder and breezy day yesterday, we're expecting more Arctic air to move in today. This could impact outdoor activities and events, so be sure to check the latest forecasts before heading out.

In new business activity, while there are no major openings or closings to report today, the city's thriving tourism industry continues to expand, with jobs in hotels, restaurants, event planning, and entertainment venues in high demand.

Looking ahead to community events, the Smashville Snow Day is a great way to embrace the holiday season. Plus, Middle Tennessee nurses are collecting donations for Hurricane Helene victims, showing the community's spirit of giving.

In local school achievements, we're proud to see our schools rallying around important causes, like the self-defense class at Fleet Feet Nashville that's keeping Alyssa Lokits's memory alive by empowering women.

On a feel-good note, the Santa Train has been making its annual run in part of Appalachia for over 80 years, bringing joy to many families, especially those affected by the floods from Hurricane Helene.

In today's crime report, the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department has announced the arrest of a teen suspected of shooting and killing a man outside 4:13 Strong. Additionally, police are looking for suspects connected to violent robberies and have released information on a pedestrian struck on Interstate 40.

This has been Nashville Local Pulse. We'll see you tomorrow with more local updates.