ANAHEIM, Calif. — Pontus Aberg’s first career playoff goal was the decisive score as the Nashville Predators defeated the Anaheim Ducks 3-1 in Game 5 of the Western Conference finals on Saturday. The Predators lead the series 3-2, with Game 6 scheduled for Monday night in Nashville. The Predators will have an opportunity to clinch their…
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You don’t have to be very big to get a shot at glory at the Franklin Rodeo. In fact, participants in the famed mutton bustin’ competition can’t weigh more than 50 pounds. The sheep-riding contest is a big draw for tiny tots, who register near the entrance before the start of the rodeo and hope their names are drawn to compete later in the evening. The goal is to see who can stay on a sheep the longest. On Friday, rodeo fans cheered as the evening’s chosen competitors strode bravely into the arena at the Williamson County Ag Expo wearing protective vests and helmets. Many didn’t last long after bursting out of the chute gate one at a time. Before the youngsters could possibly know what was happening, they were in the dirt. Four-year-old Lacy Kincaid of Spring Hill held on long enough to be declared the winner. After her victory, she smiled and posed for photos. Asked if she was scared out in the arena, she shook her head no. Kenny Stephens was proud of his three-and-a-half-year-old son, Kaleb, for hanging on as long as he could. “He made it as far or farther than most of them,”…
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Decked out in cowboy hats and cowboy boots, rodeo enthusiasts sauntered into the Williamson County Ag Expo on Friday evening for the second night of the 68th annual Franklin Rodeo. The arena was full of entertainment, from steer wrestling and roping to barrel racing and bull riding. There also was bareback and saddle bronc riding. And there were rodeo clowns and two events for children – a calf scramble and mutton bustin’, a sheep-riding contest for pint-sized kids. One bull rider had to be swiftly bandaged by an EMS crew after getting thrown from the bull and then chased down and injured by the beast. He was greeted with applause once back on his feet. The Franklin Rodeo is one of the largest rodeos east of the Mississippi. This year’s rodeo concludes tonight. Among those who came out Friday was Celia Dodd, Tennessee Miss United States Agriculture. Wearing a tiara, a sash over a short sleeve blue polka dot dress and cowboy boots, the 18-year-old was there to promote her pageant and enjoy the show. Her favorite event is mutton bustin’. “It’s fun to watch the kids,” said Dodd, who also knows a lot about sheep. She grew up…
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Tennesseeans brought the whole family to The Decision America Tennessee Tour with Franklin Graham Thursday evening. “A lot of people think we’re just kids. That we don’t listen,” said one youngster. “But we do!” “My favorite part was seeing how many other people showed up,” he said. “Seeing everyone there; how many kids – it was great. It was amazing!” The Tour wraps up Sunday in Memphis. Check here for tickets and details.
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A group of graduating students at the University of Notre Dame are planning to silently walk out of Vice President Mike Pence’s commencement address this Sunday. The demonstration, organized by the student activist group We Stand For, is meant to protest Mr. Pence’s policies as Indiana governor, including his signature of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act…
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Journalist Bob Woodward of Watergate fame has some advice for his younger peers – stop “binge drinking the anti-Trump Kool-Aid.” MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” invited Mr. Woodward on set Friday morning to discuss President Donald Trump’s administration. The veteran reporter warned that too many journalists are allowing confirmation bias cloud their judgment. “I think it’s time to…
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Saudi Arabia is an unprecedented destination for an initial overseas trip by any U.S. president. But Donald Trump is making it his first stop on his first presidential foreign journey. It is all the more surprising in wake of his “America First” rhetoric and campaign statements calling for a “Muslim ban” backed by subsequent orders attempting…
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Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein said he had no evidence to support some recent news reports that FBI Director James B. Comey requested additional resources for the bureau’s investigation involving Russian influence in the 2016 election right before he was fired, according to House members exiting an all-member briefing with Mr. Rosenstein Friday. “There was a…
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The Austin City Council voted Thursday to countersue the state of Texas over a recently enacted ban of sanctuary cities, setting up a legal fight that could expand to include other cities. By a 10 to 1 vote, the council approved legal action against Senate Bill 4 (SB 4), reports Austin’s NBC affiliate KXAN. The controversial…
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Local school boards reflect the needs and aspirations of the communities as well as the interests and concerns of professional and nonprofessional employees. We believe non-partisan control is what is best for our communities.
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An official inside the Environmental Protection Agency invited an activist group currently locked in a lawsuit with the Trump administration to the agency’s office for a discussion about scientific integrity, according to documents obtained by the Washington Examiner. Francesca Grifo, the EPA’s scientific integrity official, sent an invitation earlier this month to the Natural Resources Defense…
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Thursday in Clarksville, Tennessee, as the hot and humid day turned into a breezy, clear night, an estimated 4,600 people answered the invitation to join Franklin Graham at the Amphitheatre in Liberty Park for an evening of fellowship and praise, part of the Decision America Tennessee Tour. As the park filled, attendees set up ‘camp’ festival-style, with blankets and beach chairs. People came from all walks of life, from gubernatorial candidates, to youth pastors, to casual onlookers. Some of them left forever changed as they were moved by the prayerful Alter Call to accept Jesus Christ into their hearts for the first time in their lives. The Decision America Tennessee Tour’s next stop is Jackson Friday, May 19; and with wrap up in Memphis Sunday, May 21. Watch as Franklin Graham take the stage: I'm in Clarksville to preach the Gospel and pray for our nation at the #DecisionAmerica Tennessee Tour. Share this… https://t.co/HMWVFoG7CW — Franklin Graham (@Franklin_Graham) May 19, 2017
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Bill Lee, a Republican businessman running for governor of Tennessee, met briefly with Franklin Graham in Clarksville on Thursday to thank him for being an inspiration in his life. Lee and his wife, Maria, met with Graham on a tour bus for about 10 minutes to talk and pray. The Christian evangelist was in Clarksville as part of his Decision America Tennessee Tour. Lee told The Tennessee Star that he was moved last year when he heard Graham speak in Nashville. Graham encouraged Christians to become involved in politics and for Lee, already contemplating a run for governor, it was just what he needed to hear. It is Lee’s first run for political office. Lee said he is impressed with the whole Graham family and twice heard Billy Graham, Franklin Graham’s father, speak in Nashville. The family has a powerful message, Lee said. “It’s a legacy that impacts lives,” he said. Lee is chairman of Lee Company, a facilities and home services company. He also has a background in agriculture and continues to be involved in a cattle farm run by his family. He lives in Franklin and attends Grace Chapel, a nondenominational church in Leiper’s Fork. Faith is a…
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VERSE OF THE DAY Be blessed and be a blessing May 20, Saturday John 10:10 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. 2 Thessalonians 2:10 10 and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved.
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