Day: November 8, 2017

Republican Women of Wilson County to Hold Gubernatorial Candidate Forum Thursday

Wendy Wilson

The Republican Women of Wilson County will hold a gubernatorial candidate forum Thursday in Lebanon. All candidates for the Republican nomination in the 2018 race have been invited to participate. They include former Mt. Juliet state Sen. Mae Beavers, U.S. Rep. Diane Black (R-TN-6), businessman Randy Boyd, businessman Bill Lee, state House Speaker Beth Harwell and real estate agent Kay White. The forum will be moderated by WTN 99.7 radio anchor Pamela Furr. The event will start at 6:30 p.m. at the Cherokee Steak House and Marina at 450 Cherokee Dock Road. Tickets are $35. Dinner is included. Tickets are available by calling 615-444-7417 or by clicking here for Eventbrite.

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Eight Arrested After Fight at Music City Central Bus Station in Downtown Nashville

Wendy Wilson

Eight young people were arrested Tuesday afternoon outside the Music City Central bus station in downtown Nashville as a result of a physical altercation. Some resisted arrest when police arrived. Patricia Hill, 18, allegedly struck an officer in the face and continued to struggle with him until taken into custody, according to a Metro Nashville Police Department news release. The officer was taken to a hospital, where he was treated and released for eye and knee injuries. Hill was charged with assault, resisting arrest and disorderly conduct, and was jailed on a $4,500 bond. Also arrested, and charged with disorderly conduct, were Kevin Haynes, 18, and James Scales Jr., 24. In addition, three males and two females ages 15-17, were arrested for disorderly conduct, resisting arrest and criminal trespassing. Some critics of Nashville Mayor Megan Barry’s $5.2 billion mass transit plan have raised concerns about the potential for greater criminal activity if the project goes forward. They point to past problems at the Music City Central bus station and worry they could surface elsewhere on public transportation and at transit stations. Barry’s plan calls for expanded bus service and light rail. Last year, four teens were injured in a shooting at…

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Commentary: How Donald Trump’s Epic 2016 Win Made America Great Again

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by Jeffery Rendall   November 8, a day that will live in infamy. Not to everyone, mind you, but particularly to Democrats, liberals and GOP establishment #NeverTrumpers that still can’t understand or accept what happened a year ago today. Donald Trump’s triumphant victory in the Electoral College would make him president. TV news anchors and pundits working election night acted as though they’d just been kicked in the mid-section after a gluttonous meal. Some looked like they had tears in their eyes; their lips trembled; others pinched themselves in a vain attempt to awaken from a horrible nightmare. The rest of us just hooted, hollered and celebrated. It was like the 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team defeated the Soviets all over again. Or Apollo 13 gently floated back to earth. The relief and excitement was tangible. Some found Trump’s triumph was sweet; others thought Hillary Clinton’s downfall was sweeter. It didn’t matter – the day had come. For those who supported Trump and earnestly hoped some kind of “miracle” would transpire to keep the Clintons permanently out of the Oval Office it was a day and night to never forget. It was like Christmas morning had arrived early, though this particular…

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Remembering Roy Halladay

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Former major league pitcher Roy Halladay died Tuesday after his ICON A5 plane crashed in the Gulf of Mexico, 10 miles west of St. Petersburg, Florida, the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office confirmed in a press conference. He was 40 years old. The man often called “Doc” retired in 2013 after spending 16 years in the major…

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The CMA Awards Kick Off Tonight’s Festivities Online with ‘All Access’ LiveStream Coverage with Kellie Pickler and Ben Aaron

Bethany Bowman

Walmart will bring together a special group of Country Music fans at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville to enjoy a special rendition of “Get Together” performed by Vocal Duo of the Year nominee Dan+Shay, in collaboration with New Artist of The Year nominee Lauren Alaina. The song is featured in one of Walmart’s recent advertising spots, which promotes the importance of people from all walks of life coming together in the spirit of inclusiveness and kindness. Viewers are encouraged to share their reaction to the song and their thoughts on how music brings people together using #GetTogether. “The 51st Annual CMA Awards” broadcasts live Wednesday, Nov. 8 (8-11 PM ET) from Bridgestone Arena in Nashville on the ABC Television Network. https://youtu.be/gCVnxY3nBoA Walmart is also sponsoring “The CMA Awards: All Access,” which offers viewers exclusive access to the evening’s entertainment. Country Music artist and previous two-time CMA Awards nominee Kellie Pickler and television personality Ben Aaron (“Pickler & Ben”), “Today In Nashville’s” Kelly Sutton and Country Music artist Clayton Anderson are hosting this year’s show, which will stream globally, exclusively on live.twitter.com/CMAawards beginning with the red carpet stream at 6 PM ET (5 PM CT) Wednesday,…

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Trump Administration to End Quasi-Amnesty for Nicaraguans After 20 Years

Tennessee Star Staff

The Department of Homeland Security indicated Monday that it would end a quasi-amnesty program for 5,300 people in the U.S. from Nicaragua, but extend it for 86,000 people from Honduras. The U.S. had originally granted Temporary Protected Status to people from both countries after they were ravaged by Hurricane Mitch in 1998. Administration officials, speaking on…

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Fort Negley Park Supporters File Lawsuit Alleging Metro Nashville Violated Laws in Choosing Developer

Wendy Wilson

NASHVILLE, Tennessee — Metro Council member Steve Glover and a handful of other supporters of Fort Negley Park announced Tuesday they were filing a lawsuit alleging Metro government did not follow its own laws and procedures in selecting the Cloud Hill Partnership to redevelop the historic park. The group, which included an Abe Lincoln impersonator, stood on the steps of the Metro Courthouse downtown for a press conference before filing the suit in Davidson County Chancery Court. “This process needs to start over,” said Attorney Jim Roberts. Roberts said secret meetings led to the selection of Cloud Hill and that the process needs to be redone in a more transparent and public way. Bert Mathews, whose real estate firm founded the Cloud Hill team, held a fundraiser for Nashville Mayor Megan Barry when she was running for mayor. Barry spearheaded the efforts to select Cloud Hill. The proposal to redevelop Fort Negley Park has been controversial across the Nashville area among various communities and has draw national attention. The main concern is historic preservation. Cloud Hill’s plans call for building affordable and workforce housing, shops and restaurants and creative spaces for artists. The fort would remain intact, but critics say the…

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Stanford University Hiring Microaggression and Implicit Bias Staffer for Medicine School

Tennessee Star Staff

Stanford University is hiring an employee to teach its medical school faculty about microaggressions and implicit bias, according to a Monday report. The university is hiring a “Manager of Inclusion and Culture Strategy” to host social justice trainings for its medical school faculty, as well as investigate and emphasize diversity and inclusion, reported Campus Reform. “Design…

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Maine Upholds Governor’s Veto Blocking Retail Marijuana Sales

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A bill establishing a legal framework for selling recreational marijuana in the state of Maine has met its demise after lawmakers sustained Gov. Paul LePage’s veto of legislation regulating retail weed sales. Maine’s House of Representatives voted 74-62 on Monday in support of the Republican governor’s veto, slashing the odds of recreational marijuana sales starting in…

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Nashville Metro Council Approves Plan for Soccer Stadium and Development at Nashville Fairgrounds

Wendy Wilson

Nashville’s Metro Council on Tuesday voted 31-6 to approve $225 million in revenue bonds for a soccer stadium at the Nashville Fairgrounds despite concerns about the fairgrounds’ existing uses as well as the growing list of costly city projects. Mayor Megan Barry pushed the deal to attract a Major League Soccer (MLS) expansion team to Nashville. Cities need to have a plan in place to be in serious contention. MLS is expected to choose two cities for expansion teams next month. The deal includes allowing the ownership team to lease 10 acres for a mixed-used development including housing, a hotel and retail. There also will be several recreational soccer fields, a dog park and a greenway. The 10-acre development was a major sticking point for critics, who consider it a land giveaway designed to sweeten the deal for investors. Other concerns involved the revenue bonds and how much Metro could be at risk if the stadium doesn’t generate the expected revenue. The group Save Our Fairgrounds fought the plan approved Tuesday just as the group previously opposed a plan by former Mayor Karl Dean to redevelop the fairgrounds. The group led a petition drive for a May 2011 referendum, resulting…

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Vanderbilt University Files Amicus Brief on Behalf of DACA Recipients

Wendy Wilson
DACA

Vanderbilt University has joined with 18 other elite universities in filing an amicus brief in lawsuits seeking an injunction against President Trump’s decision to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, reports the Vanderbilt Hustler, the student newspaper. Trump announced his decision to end DACA in early September but has given Congress a chance to act. Started by former President Obama with an executive order, the program has granted temporary permission to live and work in the U.S. to young people who immigrated here illegally as children and who meet certain criteria. They can get driver’s licenses and enroll in college. Numerous groups filed suits challenging Trump’s repeal of the program, including 15 states, the University of California system and a number of DACA students. Filed Nov. 1, Vanderbilt’s friend of the court brief is in support of the suits brought by the University of California Board of Regents, six DACA recipients, the state of California and the city of San Jose. “It is incredibly important that these talented young people be able to continue to aspire to be scholars and leaders, and contribute greatly to our nation’s communities,” Vanderbilt Chancellor Nicholas Zeppos said in a statement. “We stand…

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Shane Reeves Announces Candidacy to Replace State Senator Jim Tracy

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Businessman Shane Reeves announced his bid Tuesday to replace state Senator Jim Tracy (SD 14) in the upcoming special election to be held within the next six months. Tracy resigned Monday to accepted an appointment by the Trump administration to the USDA. “I want to personally thank Senator Jim Tracy for his years of service to the middle Tennessee community,” Reeves told WGNS radio. “His legacy of growing business and supporting rural Tennessee will continue through his well-chosen appointment as State Director for Rural Development.” Hailing from Murfreesboro, Reeves is well-known as the former owner of the Reeves-Sain Family of Medical Services. Reeves sold his majority interest in the the company to Fred’s in 2015, and currently owns TwelveStone Health Partners where he employs 125 people in Rutherford County. “As a 7th generation Tennessean, I’ve spent my whole life here raising a family, opening businesses, and creating jobs,” Reeves said in a statement. “I genuinely love the people of Tennessee, and I believe that conservative values, strengthening families, and rethinking healthcare will make for an unstoppable Tennessee.” Reeves said he will use his years of experience as a business owner to “cut through the red-tape that often hinders growth.” “My desire…

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Christian Student Group Called ‘Hate Group’ by LGBT Students, Forced to Defend Itself in Hearing

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A traditional marriage student group defended its right to exist at a Catholic university Thursday after LGBT students claimed it was a hate group. The student members of Love Saxa, a Georgetown University group that promotes healthy relationships through traditional marriage and premarital abstinence, defended themselves in a mandatory hearing against the complaints of two students,…

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Air Force Error Allowed Texas Shooter to Pass Firearm Background Check

Tennessee Star Staff

The U.S. Air Force failed to report Texas church shooter Devin Kelley’s misdemeanor domestic violence charge to the FBI, allowing him to legally purchase firearms. The U.S. armed forces are required to report dishonorable discharges and misdemeanor assault charges to the FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System, that in turn would alert a firearms seller…

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FBI Originally Deemed Hillary Clinton ‘Grossly Negligent’ in Handling of Emails

Tennessee Star Staff

The FBI originally planned to say that Hillary Clinton was “grossly negligent” in her handling of her secret emails, a top senator said Monday, revealing early drafts of the statement former FBI Director James Comey drew up. Sen. Charles E. Grassley, chairman of the Judiciary Committee, demanded the FBI detail why Mr. Comey nixed that phrase…

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Faith: Verse of the Day for Wednesday, November 8

Dana Hunsinger Gill
Tennessee Star - Verse of the Day

  VERSE OF THE DAY Be blessed and be a blessing November 8, Wednesday Deuteronomy 28:7 “The Lord will cause your enemies who rise against you to be defeated before you. They shall come out against you one way and flee before you seven ways.” 2 Chronicles 20:15 “This is what the Lord says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s.”

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