Wednesday morning on the Tennessee Star Report, host Michael Patrick Leahy welcomed Managing Director of Music City Baseball John Loar to the newsmakers line to discuss bringing Major League Baseball to Nashville.
Read the full storyMonth: February 2021
Conservative Comedian Chad Prather Talks About His Unapologetic Comedy Tour Coming This Friday February 12 at the Franklin Marriott
Wednesday morning on the Tennessee Star Report, host Michael Patrick Leahy welcomed conservative comedian Chad Prather to talk about his comedy and upcoming Unapologetic Comedy Tour this Friday at the Franklin Marriot in Tennessee.
Read the full storyWashington D.C. National Correspondent Neil W. McCabe Weighs in on Opening Day of the Impeachment of Donald Trump
Wednesday morning on the Tennessee Star Report, host Michael Patrick Leahy welcomed Tennessee Star Washington Correspondent Neil W. McCabe to the newsmakers line to discuss the dynamics of the ongoing impeachment trial.
Read the full storyTractor Supply Headquarters: Will Pay Workers to Get COVID-19 Vaccine, Provide Time Off
Tractor Supply is incentivizing its workers with $50 additional pay and any necessary time off to get the COVID-19 vaccine. The company, headquartered in Brentwood, clarified that they wouldn’t be mandating the vaccine. Instead, Tractor Supply stated that the decision to be vaccinated should remain between the employee and their primary care physician. This arrangement would also extend to its workers in Petsense, another retailer owned and operated by the company.
Additionally, Tractor Supply announced that it had partnered with an undisclosed third-party provider to host vaccination clinics at their eight distribution centers and their store support center.
Read the full storyCotton, Rubio Blast Biden over Decision on China’s Confucius Institutes
Two Republican senators on Tuesday blasted President Joe Biden for withdrawing a proposed rule that would require U.S. schools to disclose their partnerships with Confucius Institutes, which some U.S. officials and lawmakers have alleged serve as front groups for the Chinese Communist Party.
Arkansas Sen. Tom Cotton and Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, both known as China hawks, criticized Biden on Tuesday following reports that the administration had withdrawn the rule, which the Trump administration proposed to the Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on Dec. 31.
Read the full storyAuthor and Journalist Andy Ngo Discusses His New Book Unmasked and Being the Target of Antifa Violence
Wednesday morning on the Tennessee Star Report, host Michael Patrick Leahy welcomed journalist and author Andy Ngo to the newsmakers line to discuss his new book Unmasked and being a target of violence by Antifa.
Read the full storyJason Knight Commentary: Now Is Not the Time for a Pay Raise for the School Board Director
With the Covid-19 Pandemic causing many to be out of work, and without financial means to take care of their families. With individuals who are still contacting me asking for assistance on how they can go about collecting unemployment benefits provided by the state. With Teachers who work hard juggling between virtual and classroom environments while maintaining menial pay. There is no reason why any individual should be receiving an increase in pay in Montgomery County that is almost more than both city and county mayor combined.
Read the full storyMusic Spotlight: Andrew Beam
Andrew Beam is from Cashiers, (pronounced Cash-ers) North Carolina in the Blue Ridge Mountain area. The son of a bluegrass picking preacher, Beam watched his dad at bluegrass festivals, church socials, and front porch get-togethers.
Although he picked up a guitar when he was five, he didn’t get serious about it until age 11.
Read the full storySenator Chase Sues the Republican Party of Virginia
Senator Amanda Chase (R-Chesterfield), who is running for the GOP gubernatorial nomination, announced Tuesday that she is suing the Republican Party of Virginia (RPV). Chase has been critical of the RPV decision to hold a nominating convention since the decision was first announced in December. Now, after months of fractious debate in the RPV over that decision, Chase is suing, arguing that she is harmed by the RPV choosing a nominating method currently illegal under Executive Order 72, which bans large gatherings like an in-person convention.
Read the full storyMinnesota Health Coalition Wants Minority Groups to Get Vaccinated First
A coalition of Minnesota doctors wants the governor to prioritize minority groups for the COVID-19 vaccine.
Minnesota Doctors for Health Equity sent a letter Monday to Gov. Tim Walz and Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan asking for “ethical, evidence-based, and equitable action” surrounding the state’s COVID-19 vaccine distribution, particularly regarding Phase 1b of the vaccine rollout.
Read the full storyGeorgia GOP Wants State to Get Rid of Voting Machines
Republicans in Georgia are asking the state to do away with voting machines in the interest of election security, according to a Wednesday report.
“Georgia’s Republican party is recommending that the state get rid of its new voting machines and replace them with hand-marked paper ballots,” WXIA reported.
Read the full storyGubernatorial Candidate Cox Rolls Out Big Tech Accountability Plan
Gubernatorial candidate Delegate Kirk Cox (R-Colonial Heights) announced a plan Wednesday to hold Big Tech accountable for protecting free speech. The plan expands regulation and enforcement with transparency requirements, bans on de-platforming elected officials, and $100,000-per-day fines for violating tech companies.
Read the full storyHalf of Rep. Omar’s Campaign Donations Funneled to Husband’s Company
Federal Election Commission (FEC) records show that more than half of all donations made to Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN-05) in her 2020 re-election bid were paid to her husband’s business in the form of consulting fees.
Omar’s 2020 FEC report shows a total of 146 payments made to the E Street Group, her husband Tim Mynett’s firm. Those payments total $2.9 million. As reported by The Washington Free Beacon, that $2.9 million Mynett made from his wife’s re-election campaign accounted for about 80 percent of his firm’s revenue during the last election cycle.
Read the full storyNew Bill in Georgia Legislature Imposes Restrictions on Ballot Counting
Fifteen members of the Georgia General Assembly have filed a bill that, if enacted into law, would require that election officials immediately count and tabulate ballots when the polls close. “After the close of the polls on the day of a primary, election, or runoff, the board of registrars shall notify the election superintendent of the total number of absentee ballots received by the close of the polls that were certified by the board of registrars, and the election superintendent shall post such information publicly,” according to the language of the bill.
Read the full storyAnother Guilty Plea Entered in Ohio House Bill 6 Corruption Scandal
A nonprofit organization has become the latest to enter a guilty plea in a $60 million bribery and racketeering scheme involving Ohio’s taxpayer-funded energy company bailout and the former speaker of the House.
Generation Now pleaded guilty in federal court, admitting it was used to funnel millions of dollars in bribes from a utility company to former Speaker Larry Householder, R-Glenford, in relation to the passage of House Bill 6. In the plea agreement, Generation Now allowed the government to take nearly $1.5 million from two bank accounts and received five years of probation.
Read the full storyJosh Mandel Announces Another Ohio Senate Run: ‘Sham Impeachment Has Made My Blood Boil’
The Ohio Star reported last week on the strong possibility of a Josh Mandel run for the U.S. Senate Seat vacated by Republican Rob Portman.
Wednesday morning Mandel confirmed – he’s in.
Read the full storyMichigan Teacher’s Union Survey Shows Half Have Received First Vaccination
An online survey of 22,500 Michigan Education Association (MEA) members, the largest teachers union in the state, showed that half had received their first shot.
Of the responding group, approximately 90% responded they want the vaccine.
Read the full storyGeorgia Legislators Want to Grant Broad Powers to Law Enforcement Review Council
Georgia legislators have put forward a bill to create a nine-member citizen-review panel to investigate law enforcement after officer-involved shootings and also after someone complains about an officer’s alleged inappropriate use of force. State Sen. Nikki Merritt (D-Grayson), the lead sponsor, refers to this as the Georgia Law Enforcement Citizen Review Council.
Read the full storyMichigan State Senator Demands Apologies So She Can Forgive Republican Colleagues, Suggests They’re All Racists and Sexists
In a bizarre speech on the floor of the Michigan legislature, a Democrat state Senator fought back tears while demanding apologies from unspecified Republican colleagues, while insinuating that they were racists and sexists.
The following is a transcript from the speech, given by Sen. Stephanie Chang (D-1st District:
Read the full storyBill Proposes Protections for Private Businesses Against Repercussions for Violating Executive Orders
A new bill would prohibit governors or mayors from using law enforcement to force closure of private businesses under executive orders. Additionally, the bill would bar these government officials from using law enforcement to restrict the right to peaceably assemble or freely travel.
The legislation noted that curfews issued by executive order would still be enforceable, as well as the ability for state and local agencies and departments to maintain their health inspection standards.
Read the full storyLegislation Proposes Mandating Price Transparency for Tennessee Healthcare Services
Legislators are proposing to make the prices for healthcare services and treatments available to patients up front. The legislation would require certain healthcare facilities and providers to post a list of all services provided with their cost. It would also mandate that any payments made in full within 30 days of services rendered be accepted if they match the listing price at the time of care.
The bill would regulate healthcare providers under title 63, except for veterinarians and occupational and physical therapists. State Representative Jason Hodges (D-Clarksville) first filed this bill last week. Freshman State Senator Sara Kyle (D-Memphis) filed the companion bill on Monday.
Read the full storyCommentary: The Republican Ship of Fools Sails On
In what CNN’s Chris Cillizza accurately described as a “gut punch” to the GOP’s Trumpian faction, the House Republican Conference decided against removing Representative Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) for her vote to impeach former President Donald Trump. Republicans voted 145-61 on a secret ballot in Cheney’s favor.
Cillizza zeroed in on Florida Republican Matt Gaetz, an ardent defender of the former president. “Make no mistake,” he wrote, “Gaetz, Trump, and the rest of that crowd wanted to make an example of Cheney. They, rightly, viewed her impeachment vote—and the ensuing controversy—as the first major battle for control of the post-Trump Republican Party.” He also notes that “Trump had released a poll last month purporting to show Cheney in trouble in Wyoming for her impeachment vote.” And according to The Dispatch’s Stephen Hayes, Trump was “calling R House members to encourage them to sack Cheney.”
Read the full storyCommentary: Teachers Unions’ Selfish, Unscientific COVID Response
Clarity and consensus among medical professionals has been hard to find on many issues related to COVID-19 policy, so it’s much appreciated when something appears to be clear-cut and universally agreed upon. In today’s sound-bite world, it can be dizzying trying to keep up. Thankfully, a consensus has emerged around one topic that is tremendously important to all Americans: school reopening. The verdict is coming in: time to get the kids back in the classroom.
CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky, MD, MPH, has been clear as a bell on this issue. During a recent briefing, she said, “There is increasing data to suggest that schools can safely reopen and that safe reopening does not suggest that teachers need to be vaccinated in order to reopen safely.” She went on to definitively state that “Vaccination of teachers is not a prerequisite for the safe reopening of schools.” These comments are completely in line with those from her colleague at the CDC, Dr. Margaret Honein, Ph.D., who was recently first author on an elegant viewpoint for the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA). Honein wrote that data has shown “there has been little evidence that schools have contributed meaningfully to increased community transmission.”
Read the full storyMaury County Mayor Andy Ogles on State of the State Address and His Role Helping to Recruit Businesses to Growing Tennessee
Tuesday morning on the Tennessee Star Report, host Michael Patrick Leahy welcomed Maury County Mayor Andy Ogles to the studio to weigh in on Governor Bill Lee’s State of the State address and the rapid development of Tennessee.
Read the full storyCongressman, Former NFL-er Owens Says He’s Done with League until ‘America Divider’ Goodell Is Fired
Former NFL star and freshman Utah GOP Rep. Burgess Owens says the NFL has gotten too political and he will continue to boycott the National Football League until Commissioner Roger Goodell is fired.
Owens played for the New York Jets in the 1970’s and helped bring the Los Angeles Raiders to their championship Super Bowl win in 1984. Owens, who now represents Utah’s fourth Congressional district, has since become a sharp critic of the modern-day NFL.
Read the full storyCBO: $15 Minimum Wage Would Lead to 1.4 Million Lost Jobs, Impacting Young, Less Educated the Most
A $15 minimum wage would result in 1.4 million jobs lost and disproportionately hurt younger workers and those with less education, a new Congressional Budget Office report says.
President Joe Biden, U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders and other Democrats have proposed raising the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2025, more than double the current federal minimum of $7.25 an hour.
Read the full storyBiden to Further Cut Down on ICE Arrests and Deportations
Joe Biden has directed various federal agencies to significantly roll back criteria for making arrests and ordering deportations of illegal aliens, according to Fox News.
The overhaul comes after a memo that was issued on January 20th, Biden’s first day in office, which directs the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to rescind several Trump-era immigration policies that made it easier to arrest and deport illegals. Biden similarly signed several executive orders that strengthened protections for illegal aliens who qualify for DACA amnesty, and ordered a stop to all construction on the border wall.
Read the full storyBackers Attempt Again to Get Nashville Taxpayer Protection Act Before Voters
Organizers are pushing again for Davidson County voters to have the chance to vote for the proposed Nashville Taxpayer Protection Act referendum. If voters approve it, the Nashville Taxpayer Protection Act would roll back Nashville Mayor John Cooper’s 34 to 37 percent tax increase.
Read the full storyTampa Mayor Says Maskless Super Bowl Revellers ‘Will Be Identified’; ‘Handled’ by Police
Tampa Mayor Jane Castor on Monday referred to maskless Super Bowl revellers as “bad actors,” and vowed that they will be identified by law enforcement and dealt with.
In late January, the Democrat mayor extended the city’s mask mandate, requiring face coverings outdoors until Feb. 13. The ordinance was designed to show that Tampa “takes this pandemic seriously.”
Read the full storyUniversity of Tennessee Chattanooga ‘Race Discussion Guide’ Singles Out White People
A “Race Discussion Guide” issued by the University of Tennessee Chattanooga (UTC) emphasizes its focus on the role and reality of White people. The Office of Equity and Inclusion created the guide with the purpose of helping UTC students, faculty, and staff navigate conversations on race.
In the 7 pages of information offered, the guide exclusively referenced White people no less than 17 times. Many of those references were linked to assumptions about White people or relationships with White people. Nowhere in the guide does it mention any other group of people by their skin color, such as Black individuals.
Read the full storyFifteen Secretaries of State Endorse Keep Nine Amendment
A group of 15 secretaries of state this week issued their support for the “Keep Nine Amendment” recently introduced in Congress, marking the latest victory for the organization seeking to preserve the independence of the U.S. Supreme Court.
The Keep Nine Amendment said in a statement that the 15 sent the letter to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, and House Minority Leader of the House Kevin McCarthy.
Read the full storyChinese Tech CEO ‘Would Welcome’ Discussion with Biden, Hopes U.S. Takes Softer Approach Toward China
The CEO of Chinese tech company Huawei said he would welcome a phone call with president Joe Biden after years of being targeted as a national security threat.
Ren Zhengfei, the founder and CEO of Huawei, said he hoped President Joe Biden’s administration would take a softer approach toward his company than President Donald Trump did, NBC News reported. The Trump administration labeled Huawei a national security threat in June, cutting off the company’s ability to receive federal funds.
Read the full storyBudget Deficit Spiked in January, CBO Report Finds
The federal budget deficit grew a whopping 400% in one year as the pandemic caused spending to skyrocket, the Congressional Budget Office said in a report Tuesday.
The estimated January federal budget deficit was $165 billion, $132 billion more than the deficit in January 2020, according to a Congressional Budget Office (CBO) report released Tuesday. The federal budget in the first four months of fiscal year 2021, which started in October, was $738 billion, an 89% jump compared to the same period last year.
Read the full storyUniversity of Florida Professor Indicted over Undisclosed China Ties
A professor at the University of Florida has been indicted on charges of wire fraud and failure to disclose his ties to China. The professor obtained a $1.75 million federal grant from the National Institutes of Health.
According to the Department of Justice, the professor, Lin Yang had not only received support from the Chinese government but also promoted his own company in China to conduct research “supported by millions of dollars of U.S. government funding.”
Read the full storyAll Star Panelist Roger Simon and Mayor Andy Ogles Talk Democratic Hypocrisy and Impeachment
Tuesday morning on the Tennessee Star Report, host Michael Patrick Leahy welcomed all-star panelist Roger Simon and Mayor Andy Ogles to the studio to discuss threats of violence and the unconstitutionality of the impeachment.
Read the full storyNashville Based New English Review Publisher and Editor Rebecca Bynum Talks Business and Conservative Media
Tuesday morning on the Tennessee Star Report, host Michael Patrick Leahy welcomed publisher and editor of the New English Review Rebecca Bynum to the studio to discuss her company and publishing in a woke world.
Read the full storyNashville Attorney Jim Roberts Talks About the Launch of the New Taxpayer Protection Act Petition for Davidson County Voters
Tuesday morning on the Tennessee Star Report, host Michael Patrick Leahy welcomed Nashville Attorney Jim Roberts to the newsmakers line to talk about the adjustments made to the Taxpayer Protection Act petition to get it on the ballot.
Read the full storyRep. Good Asks Virginia Gov. Northam to Loosen COVID Restrictions in Letter
Rep. Bob Good (R-VA-05) is leading Virginia’s Republican congressional delegation in asking Gov. Ralph Northam (D) to loosen COVID-19 restrictions.
In a letter co-signed by Rep. Robert J. Wittman (R-VA-01), Rep. H. Morgan Griffith (R-VA-09), and Rep. Ben Cline (R-VA-06), Good asked Northam Monday on behalf of his constituents to give them a reprieve from COVID-19 restrictions, and allow them to get back to work.
Read the full storyVirginia General Assembly Considering Protections for Domestic Workers
The Virginia General Assembly is considering three bills that would add legal protections for domestic workers in jobs like cleaning, landscaping, and childcare. The bills are focused on banning discriminatory practices, implementing safety standards, and requiring worker’s compensation insurance. Advocates say the current exemption for domestic workers dates back to racist Jim Crow legislation and should be removed, but opponents say the bills put more burdens on domestic workers and the people who hire them.
HB 2032, introduced by Delegate Wendy Gooditis (D-Clarke) adds “Domestic Service” as a category that would be included under current workplace safety and workers’ compensation law. Gooditis said that the bill makes domestic service subject to workplace safety standards, and that inspectors can require access.
Read the full storyDelegate McNamara Sponsors Bill Allowing Schools to Replace Snow Days with Remote Learning Days
Delegate Joseph McNamara’s (R-Roanoke) HB 1790 will allow public schools to declare unscheduled remote learning days instead of snow days — but he’s not trying to eradicate snow days.
“I want kids to have snow days, and I want them to go out and build snowmen, and throw snow balls and have grilled cheese sandwiches,” he said. “I’ll use Roanoke County as an example. Several years back, they missed about 13 days of school in about a month and a half period. And when you have situations where you have ice in the mountains areas and kids can’t get back in to school for days sometimes, it’s not really a snow day. It’s a nasty, ugly day, and so this would give schools another opportunity.”
Read the full story$210M Broadband Internet Partnership to Connect 80K Georgians
Tens of thousands of rural Georgians are expected to gain access to high-speed internet under a private-sector partnership announced Monday by Gov. Brian Kemp and other state leaders.
The partnership between the Central Georgia Electric Membership Corporation (CGEMC), Southern Rivers Energy (SRE) and Conexon will serve 18 counties and provide broadband internet access to 80,000 homes and businesses, Kemp said.
Read the full storyNext Vaccine Eligibility Phase to Include Drop in Age, Ohio Gov. DeWine Says
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine said on Tuesday that the next group of Ohioans to be eligible for the coronavirus vaccine will under the age of 65, although he did not say exactly who will be included in the next phase.
Read the full storyAfter COVID-19, New Bill Pushes for Georgia to Produce Medical Devices
One year into COVID-19, Georgia State Rep. Jodi Lott (R-Evans) has introduced a bill that she says will incentivize people to manufacture medical devices within state lines. Sponsors say that this legislation, if enacted into law, would limit Georgia’s need to compete with other states or foreign nations for critical supplies.
Read the full storyPoll: Michiganders Skeptical of COVID Vaccine
According to a January U.S. Census Bureau poll, on average, Michiganders say they are less likely to take the COVID-19 vaccine than residents of other states.
“An estimated 24% of Michigan adults age 18 and older say they are unlikely to get fully vaccinated against COVID-19, according to a new U.S. Census survey,” Michigan Live reported. “That includes 14% who say they ‘probably’ won’t get the vaccine; 9% who say they ‘definitely’ will not, and 1% who have received one dose but say they are not planning to get the second dose.”
Read the full storyFormer Ohio GOP Chairwoman Hires Campaign Personnel Ahead of Possible Announcement for U.S. Senate Bid
Both hires worked together on Portman’s 2016 campaign and Chabot’s 2020 re-election.
Read the full storyGeorgia GOP Chair Seat up for Grabs, Outcome Could Influence Whether State Goes Blue or Red
Georgia Republican Party Chair David Shafer has not yet declared he will seek a second term for that position, but Cobb County GOP Chair Jason Shepherd wants Shafer’s seat. Shafer has told allies that he plans to seek a second term and will announce shortly.
Read the full storyMinneapolis Police Scrambling for Staff After Riots, ‘Defund Police’ Campaign
The Minneapolis Police Department is in dire straights as it prepares for possible violence during the trial of one of its former officers.
“Minneapolis has about 200 fewer police officers available to work as the city tries to rebound from a violent year and prepare for more potential unrest,” The Star-Tribune reported. “In the short term, the city is seeking aid from other law enforcement agencies as it plans for the March trial for former Officer Derek Chauvin, who is charged with killing George Floyd.”
Read the full storyOhio Lawmakers Form Business First Caucus Aimed to Help Small Business
A group of Ohio lawmakers want to focus on the state’s below average ranking for economic performance by creating a bipartisan Business First Caucus.
The group, headed by state Sens. Mark Romanchuk, R-Ontario, and George Lang, R-West Chester, said it’s aimed at small businesses, staying at the center of major tax and regulatory reform while promoting ideas and legislation that positively impact small business in the state.
Read the full storyPro-Life ‘Rule of Law Life Act’ Banning Abortion Moves Through Tennessee General Assembly
A new pro-life bill claims that constitutionally-protected life begins at conception, banning all abortions except in life-threatening emergencies. Dubbed the “Rule of Law Life Act,” the bill stated that the Fourteenth Amendment extends the right to life to the unborn, the legal precedents in existence allowing abortion derogate the Constitution,
The bill expands upon the previous heartbeat bill, signed into law last year and is currently being debated in the courts. It asserts that established and accepted science supports the notion of human life beginning at conception. Additionally, the bill explicitly prohibits punishing mothers for abortions committed. Only physicians who violate the proposed laws would be subject to punishments awarded for Class C felonies or Class A misdemeanors, as well as the suspension or revocation of their healthcare license.
Read the full storyDemocratic-Led Senate Votes 56-44 to Continue Impeachment Trial of Trump as Day One Concludes
The Democratic-led Senate formally voted on Tuesday to proceed with former President Trump’s second impeachment trial in the Senate following the first day of arguments.
The vote on the constitutionality of the trial of Trump was 56-44 in favor of moving forward with the trial. The second day of the trial begins at noon on Wednesday. There were six Republican senators voting yes with all Senate Democrats including Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Mitt Romney of Utah, Ben Sasse of Nebraska, and Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania.
Read the full story