Tennessee House Passes Bill to Lower Age for Carrying Handgun from 21 to 18

A bill that would lower the age to carry a handgun in Tennessee from 21 to 18 passed the House on Thursday.

Bill sponsor Rep. Chris Todd, R-Madison County, said that House Bill 1735 is about protecting the constitutional rights of 18-year-olds who can vote and enlist in the military. The bill passed by a 64-28 vote.

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Commentary: Economically Free States Are Recovering from the COVID-19 Pandemic More Rapidly Than High Control States

The fact that our nation’s unemployment rate is approaching the low rate of 3.5% that was reached just prior to the pandemic should be a cause for celebration. But for a variety of reasons, the official unemployment number is misleading.

The employment situation is not as rosy as it may seem. There is a wide disparity among the states that can be explained by how much economic freedom they allow, including how severely each state shut down its economy due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Wisconsin Gubernatorial Candidate Rebecca Kleefisch Promises to Fight for ‘A Good Living’ in New Ad

Wisconsin gubernatorial candidate Rebecca Kleefisch, who is running in the GOP primary, released a new ad with a promise to fight for “a good living” for residents of the state.

Kleefisch, whose campaign has been boosted by state and national Republicans, contended she would help individuals more than incumbent Governor Tony Evers.

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Minnesota Senate Passes Bill to Reduce Environmental Regulatory Restrictions

The Minnesota Senate on Thursday passed a bill to reduce certain environmental restrictions and grow Minnesota’s tourism industry.

The legislation, S.F. 4062, blocks the state Department of Natural Resources from implementing new rules without being adopted under Minnesota law.

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Newly Released Drop Box Videos in Detroit Reveal Multiple Issues During November 2020 Election

Three video clips from drop box locations in Detroit released this week reveal multiple issues that occurred with absentee ballots during the November 2020 election.

The absentee ballot drop box video evidence was shared Thursday in a series of three tweets by 45th President Donald Trump’s spokeswoman, Liz Harrington.

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Sources: Internal Polling Shows Oz 10 Points Ahead of McCormick in Pennsylvania

Internal polling shows Pennsylvania Senate candidate Mehmet Oz surging past rival David McCormick by 10 points, according to sources close to the candidate’s campaign not authorized to talk to the press.

McCormick, a former hedge-fund executive and former undersecretary of the Treasury under George W. Bush, spent several weeks as the frontrunner in the Republican primary that will be decided on May 17, but recent public polls showed Oz quickly closing that gap.

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Arizona Leaders Disappointed at Ducey’s Plan with 25 Governors to Secure the Border

Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey and 25 other governors launched the American Governors’ Border Strike Force on Tuesday to combat the expected surge in migrants and crime on the border when the Biden administration lifts the Title 42 restrictions in May. A statement from Ducey describes it as “a partnership to do what the federal government won’t: secure the southern border,” but some Arizona leaders are disappointed, believing it doesn’t go far enough.

Leading gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake expressed her skepticism of Ducey’s plan during an interview on The Clay Travis & Buck Sexton Show, saying he’s only taken “little pieces” from her border security plan. “We already have an invasion at our border … It’s going to get worse … the floodgates are open,” she said. “The question is, do we have the elected officials who are willing to do the tough work. And that means finishing that wall on the border. The materials are right there. The federal government abandoned them at the border and we need to take those materials back and finish the wall and get troops on the border.” 

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Ohio Attorney: Ohio Elections Commission ‘Hamstrung Voters’ by Delaying Investigation into Blystone’s Campaign Finances

The attorney representing the Ohio woman who filed a campaign finance complaint against businessman Joe Blystone’s gubernatorial campaign blasted the Ohio Elections Commission (OEC), saying the government organization has done a disservice to voters by failing to take action against Blystone’s campaign for alleged financial mismanagement. 

“They hamstrung the voters,” Curt Hartman, attorney for complainant Mary Cappellan, told The Star Friday. “The heart of campaign finance is full disclosure and information available to the voting public. It’s disappointing in the Elections Commission’s initial delay that they didn’t appreciate that that’s why they exist.” 

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Emory University, Claiming Racism, Drops Honorific Names of Two Alumni

Emery University, Georgia’s largest private college, has decided to drop the honorofic names of two of its alumni, citing racism. 

“Emory University President Gregory L. Fenves will rename campus spaces and professorships honoring Robert Yerkes, a psychologist who vigorously supported eugenics, and L.Q.C. Lamar, who was a staunch defender of slavery,” a statement from the school said. “The Yerkes National Primate Research Center will be known as the Emory National Primate Research Center, effective June 1. Professorships in the Emory School of Law named after Lamar will become the Emory School of Law Distinguished Professors.”

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Youngkins and Kindergarteners Plant Trees for Earth Day

POCAHONTAS STATE PARK, Virginia — Governor Glenn Youngkin and First Lady of Virginia Suzanne Youngkin planted two Eastern Redbud trees with the help of Patrick Copeland Elementary School kindergarteners in a Friday Earth Day celebration. Glenn Youngkin told the students the trees would help filter water, impacting the James River.

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Connecticut to Use New Math Curricula to Benefit Students

Classroom of students.

Middle and high school students in Connecticut will benefit from a new curriculum, Gov. Ned Lamont said.

The governor, along with Education Commissioner Charlene M. Russell-Tucker, announced a new statewide curriculum for math students around the state. The first phase features math instruction for students in grades 6 to 8 and financial literacy courses for students in grades 6 to 12.

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Trump Jr. Shares Video Shredding Mandel for Establishment Ties

With the Trump family squarely in the camp of J.D. Vance, running for U.S. Senate in Ohio, Donald Trump Jr. shared a video of Vance’s main opponent lying about his involvement with “establishment Republicans.”

“Ohio friends – Meet the real @JoshMandelOhio. The Club for Chinese Growth backed establishment candidate in the #OHSen race,” Trump Jr. said in a Tweet, sharing the video. 

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Metro Nashville Public School District 8 Candidate Amy Pate Wants to Bring Back the ABCs of Learning

Friday morning on The Tennessee Star Report, host Michael Patrick Leahy welcomed Metro Nashville Public School District Four candidate Amy Pate in studio to discuss growing up as a Nashville native and her mission to reinstate the ABCs of learning.

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International Relations Expert and Fulbright Recipient Dominick Sansone Describes Landscape of Donbas Region as Battles Ensue

Friday morning on The Tennessee Star Report, host Leahy welcomed international relations expert and contributor for The Epoch Times, Dominick Sansone, in studio to describe the topography of the Donbas region of Ukraine where heavy fighting is taking place with Russia.

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Epoch Times Contributor Dominick Sansone Describes Current Military Situation in Ukraine

Friday morning on The Tennessee Star Report, host Leahy welcomed international relations expert and contributor for The Epoch Times, Dominick Sansone, in studio to describe the current military situation in Ukraine.

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Gov. DeSantis Recommends New Florida Education Commissioner

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) recommended Florida State Sen. Manny Diaz Jr. (R – Hialeah Gardens) to succeed current Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran. Corcoran himself was a former Florida House Speaker who is seeking to spend time with family and announced his resignation effective at the end of April.

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International Relations Expert Dominick Sansone on NATO, Ukraine, and Putin’s Geopolitics

Friday morning on The Tennessee Star Report, host Leahy welcomed international relations expert and contributor for The Epoch Times, Dominick Sansone, in studio to describe the characteristics of Vladimir Putin that make him an expert in geopolitics and the relationship between NATO and Ukraine.

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Metro Nashville School Board Member Fran Bush Agenda, Transmitting Common Sense into the Board

Fran Bush

Friday morning on The Tennessee Star Report, host Michael Patrick Leahy welcomed Metro Nashville Public School District 6 School Board member Fran Bush in studio to explain her goal of implementing common senses into the school board and holding people accountable.

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Renacci Blasts Paduchik for ‘Fake News’ About Campaign Loan

Ohio gubernatorial candidate and former U.S. Congressman Jim. Renacci (R) blasted Ohio Republican Party (ORP) Chairman Bob Paduchik, who falsely accused him of repaying a $4 million loan given to his own campaign. 

“The Ohio Republican Party Chairman needs an accounting lesson. Four minus four plus four equals four. No wonder the ORP’s books are a mess,” Renacci said. “The establishment knows we are going to win this election and are resorting to low fake news attacks in the final days to try to distract from all of DeWine’s failures.” 

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Governor Ducey Declares State of Emergency as Arizona Fire Spreads

Arizona Governor Doug Ducey declared a State of Emergency on Thursday, as a wildfire spears throughout the northern portion of the state.

According to Ducey’s office, the flames have ignited more than 19,000 acres and forced 750 households in the area to evacuate. More than 260 firefighters and emergency response personnel have responded to the incident. 

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Consumers Set to Get Crushed as Energy Utilities Switch to Solar, Wind

American energy providers are planning to invest hundreds of billions of dollars in green energy, even as such projects lead to skyrocketing costs for consumers.

Energy companies are projected to spend $140 billion in both 2022 and 2023, upgrading grid infrastructure, building renewable energy projects and preparing for electric-vehicle-fueled demand, the Edison Electric Institute told The Wall Street Journal, marking the largest yearly totals since the industry group began tracking the figure more than two decades ago.

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Gov. DeSantis Signs Legislation to Strip Walt Disney Company of Self-Governing Status

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed legislation on Friday to strip Walt Disney World’s special status that granted the amusement park broad powers to self-govern.

The old agreement, which took place in 1967, has permitted the venue to work as a quasi-governmental agency and maintain the same authority as a county government.

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Big Tech Giant That Lobbied Against Slave Labor Ban Commits to a ‘Racial Equity’ Audit

Apple confirmed Wednesday that it will conduct a racial equity audit of its policies, The Washington Post reported, after the tech giant lobbied against legislation intended to combat the use of forced labor in the supply chains.

Apple investors initially approved a shareholder proposal mandating the company undertake a “racial equity focused” audit of its policies on March 4, The Washington Post reported. Apple initially opposed the proposal but said Wednesday it will accept the audit.

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Poll Most Americans Agree on Who to Blame for Inflation

A majority of Americans now blame President Joe Biden for surging inflation after he attributed the crisis to Russia’s Ukraine invasion and the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a poll conducted by Public Opinion Strategies, which was commissioned by Americans for Prosperity.

The poll, which was conducted between April 12-18, found that 61% of Americans blame Biden for the widespread price increases, while 75% of respondents reported that inflation impacted their purchasing decisions over the last 12 months.

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DHS Extends COVID Vax Mandate for Noncitizens Entering Legally, as Illegal Entrants Remain Exempt

The Department of Homeland Security is extending the requirement for all “noncitizen non-LPRs” (those who are neither U.S. citizens nor lawful permanent residents) arriving at legal points of entry, including ferry terminals, to show proof of full vaccination against COVID-19, according to a rule issued by the agency on Thursday.

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Report: Biden Admin Mulls Environmental Regulations That Farmers Say Could Crush Agriculture Industry

The Biden administration is reportedly considering clamping down on a widely-used herbicide that farmers and industry groups have argued is key for maintaining low prices.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is considering tighter restrictions on the use of atrazine, a key herbicide often applied to corn, soybeans and sorghum, according to a March letter from the Triazine Network obtained by the Daily Caller News Foundation. The Triazine Network is a coalition of more than 20 industry groups including members of the National Corn Growers Association, the National Grain Sorghum Producers Association and the Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association.

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Commentary: Defund the Capitol Police

U.S. Capitol police uniform

The new intelligence chief of the U.S. Capitol Police is off to a rough start.

Ravi Satkalmi, a former high-ranking NYPD official, took over the Capitol Police’s expanding intelligence unit this month. But his agency suffered a major humiliation Wednesday night after it forced the evacuation of the Capitol and surrounding buildings after spotting “an aircraft that poses a probable threat.” Staff scrambled to exit the buildings in a panic, and news outlets interrupted coverage with “breaking news” bulletins about the suspicious aircraft.

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In Audio Recording, McCarthy Seems to Say He Planned to Urge Trump to Resign, After Denying Claim

In an audio recording made public Thursday night, House Republican leader Kevin McCarthy seems to say he planned to urge former President Trump to resign following the Jan. 6 Capitol riot, after denying he said such just hours earlier.

The recording is reportedly of a House Republican conference call after the riot, which Trump critics say he incited, and before House and Senate impeachment votes that could have removed him from office.

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Truth Social Migrates to Rumble Cloud, Trump Platform Ready to Onboard Millions

person holding a smart phone up

Truth Social has completed a migration to a massive cloud computing infrastructure run by the video giant Rumble, clearing the way for the social platform started by former President Donald Trump to onboard millions of users quickly, officials told Just the News.

The partnership between two of the nation’s emerging free speech platforms — completed this week — means Truth Social will be ending its beta testing and controlled account creation and moving quickly to erase a backlog of consumers who have been waiting a few weeks to join the platform.

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Voter Reference Foundation Launches Absentee Ballot Tracker in Key States: ‘Our Mission Is to Make Voter Information More Accessible to the Public’

The Voter Reference Foundation (VRF) revealed on Wednesday that they will add the ability to track absentee ballots in primary and general elections in 2022. The VRF is breaking ground by “providing transparency and accountability to voter rolls by allowing the public to see them,” according to a press release from the organization.

Gina Swoboda, VRF’s executive director, said this comes as part of efforts to make “elections more transparent, piece-by-piece,” the press release said.

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TN-5 GOP Primary Candidate Tres Wittum Blasts Lindsey Graham’s Response to Removal of Ortagus and Starbuck from Ballot

In a statement, state Senate aide and TN-5 GOP primary candidate Tres Wittum blasted U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham’s response to the removal of carpetbaggers Morgan Ortagus and Robby Starbuck from the ballot.

The statement said, “On Thursday morning Tres Wittum took to Twitter to address the ongoing controversy with the Tennessee GOP Executive Committee’s decision over GOP ‘bonafide’ credentials to run as a Republican candidate on the 2022 ballot. On Wednesday, South Carolina U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham had tweeted what Wittum calls ‘overreaching and offensive speech’ towards the Volunteer state.

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