Star News Network Chief Meteorologist Daphne DeLoren shares her Fresh Forecast for Wednesday.
Read the full storyYour Middle Tennessee Fresh Forecast with Chief Meteorologist Daphne DeLoren for Wednesday
Day: June 15, 2022
Tennessee Professional Fire Fighters Association Endorses House District 63 Candidate Jake McCalmon
Jake McCalmon, a candidate running in the GOP primary to represent Tennessee’s 63rd House District, received the endorsement of the Tennessee Professional Fire Fighters Association (TPFFA).
In a statement announcing the support, TPFFA President Matthew Tomek pointed to the businessman’s integrity and previous support of the organization.
Read the full storyTennessee Sheriff to Potential School Shooters: ‘We Will Eliminate You’
After a school shooting in Uvalde, Texas sparked a conversation about school safety, a Tennessee sheriff sent a strong message to those who might consider perpetrating violence in his county’s schools.
“Due to the recent school shootings, the latest occurring in Texas, as your Sheriff, who provides the Student Resource Deputies in each of the public schools in Putnam County, I want to provide a message to anyone thinking about committing an act of violence that would harm our children or faculty at our schools,” Putnam County Sheriff Eddie Farris said in a statement.
Read the full storyAmerican Medical Association Students Seek to End Endorsement of Policy Asserting ‘Primary Responsibility’ for Sex Education Is the Family
The nation’s future doctors who are currently members of the Medical Student Section (MSS) of the American Medical Association (AMA) have called for the organization to remove language from its current policy that states “family life education” should primarily be taught “in the home,” and replace it with language that states comprehensive sex education should be taught in schools.
According to a report at MedPage Today, during the AMA’s House of Delegates meeting in Chicago, some MSS delegates were in agreement with a representative from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and an alternate delegate physician from the California Medical Association, to promote shifting of funding away from curricula that emphasize delaying sexual activity and toward comprehensive sex education in schools at all levels.
Read the full storyTennessee Politicians Celebrate 247 Years of the U.S. Army and Flag Day
June 14 marked the 247th birthday of the United States Army and Flag Day, and Tennessee’s politicians posted messages on social media marking both observances.
U.S. Senator Bill Hagerty (R-TN) shared the following message on Tuesday, “Our Nation has remained free, secure, and prosperous because of 247 years of great bravery, service, and sacrifice by our U.S. Army and its generations of selfless troops. Happy Birthday, @USArmy!”
Read the full storyCommentary: Kavanaugh Assassination Plot Draws Muted White House Response
The would-be assassin had a knife and a gun and, in the end, cold feet: When Nicholas Roske saw the U.S. marshals standing outside the home of Brett Kavanaugh, the 26-year-old Californian called off his plan to kill the Supreme Court justice and phoned the police to turn himself in instead.
Read the full storyCourt Rules in Favor of Pro-Life Advocates Opposing Planned Parenthood’s Plan to Erect Abortion Clinic Next Door to Public Charter School
The DC Court of Appeals has unanimously ruled in favor of pro-life advocates in the nation’s capital in a lawsuit brought by a public charter school that objected to the group’s efforts to stop a Planned Parenthood “abortion mega-facility” from opening next door to the school.
Two Rivers Public Charter School and its board of trustees brought a lawsuit in December 2015 that alleged longtime pro-life activist Ruby Nicdao engaged in harassment and intimidation of students in her campaign to educate parents and the greater community about the consequences of Planned Parenthood’s plans to erect an “abortion mega-facility” next door to the children’s school, a press release from Thomas More Society explained.
Read the full storyMarsha Blackburn Responds to MSNBC Criticism of Her Take on Higher Gas Prices
U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) responded to MSNBC’s criticism of her June 10 comments where she noted that Democrats have pushed higher gas prices in pursuit of the Green New Deal and transition away from fossil fuels.
Blackburn tweeted on Tuesday in response to their article, “Joe Biden’s policies have caused gas to reach over $5 a gallon. Now Biden is using his energy crisis as an excuse to implement his radical Green New Deal. This is not a coincidence. It’s intentional.”
Read the full storyAl Lawson Files to Run for Florida’s 2nd Congressional District After Redistricting Fight
Congressman Al Lawson (D-FL-5) has filed to run in Florida’s second congressional district against incumbent Rep. Neal Dunn (R-FL-2). Lawson currently holds the seat for district five, but the months-long congressional redistricting fight to preserve the boundaries of district five was secured in favor of the new maps earlier this month. Therefore, Lawson is seeking to unseat Dunn.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) has backed the redistricting process including proposing the boundary changes for district five, claiming that it was an unconstitutional, racial-based gerrymander. District five, as of right now, snakes from Tallahassee across North Florida to Jacksonville’s northside. It comprises a majority minority district.
Read the full storyMichigan Paying Two Private Companies $298,000 for Business Expansion
The state of Michigan will spend nearly $300,000 subsidizing two private companies in Cadillac and Fenton, claiming the subsidies will create a $7.3 million investment and create 68 jobs.
“Today’s investments by American Recreational Products and Rexair will create a combined 68 good-paying jobs for Michiganders as we continue growing Michigan’s economy and investing in every region of the state,” Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said in a statement.
Read the full storyReduced Training to Arm Ohio Teachers Becomes Law
Ohio school boards can put armed teachers in classrooms with one day of training, rather than the previously required month, after Gov. Mike DeWine signed a bill in response to an Ohio Supreme Court decision.
The court’s ruling mandated teachers complete the state’s 700 hours of basic peace officer education before legally being required to carry a fireman in a school. House Bill 99 dictates a maximum of 24 hours of training, but local boards can require more.
Read the full storyMinnesota Gov. Walz Appointee Reduces Bail from $5 Million to $100,000 for Man Who Shot at Police
A man who shot at police because he was “frustrated” after driving drunk with his pregnant wife in the passenger seat had his bail reduced from $5 million to $100,000.
Pablo Nava Jaimes, 30, allegedly fired at least 10 rounds at police during a pursuit while leaving a barbecue after “8 or 9 beers” on June 5, according to a criminal complaint. The report also states he “took full responsibility” for the shooting after he was apprehended.
Read the full storyNew Home Buying Program Is Now Open in Connecticut
A new Connecticut program that aids residents with down payment assistance for home purchases is now open, Gov. Ned Lamont said.
The governor announced the Time to Own program offering down payment assistance to low- and moderate-income homebuyers is now accepting applications. The program is funded with $20 million the State Bond Commissioner allocated in December 2021 to help families purchase homes.
Read the full storyGeorgia U.S. Senate Candidate Herschel Walker Calls on Biden to Fire Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen amid Historic Inflation
Georgia U.S. Senate candidate Herschel Walker blasted President Joe Biden, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, and Democratic Senator Raphael Warnock for historic levels of inflation that are crushing individuals.
Walker, who received the GOP nomination last month, called on Biden to fire Yellen for previously claiming that inflation would be temporary and not pose a severe risk to the economy.
Read the full storyJudge Dismisses Request for Protective Order Against Virginia State Sen. Morrissey After Altercation with Radio Producers
RICHMOND, Virginia – A Richmond District Court judge dismissed two requests for two-year protective orders against State Senator Joe Morrissey (D-Richmond), who was alleged to have threatened staff on his radio show. But hours of testimony from several witnesses were contradictory and incomplete, leaving a he-said-she-said story of an intense altercation partially supported by incomplete recordings. Delegate Tim Anderson (R-Virginia Beach) represented the plaintiffs, who presented the most significant piece of evidence: a new audio recording captured by a reporter who was nearby in the building during the altercation, but the recording didn’t capture the whole exchange, and the speech in the recording was often unintelligible. Still, the judge was able to understand at least one phrase from the recording. The judge said, “First of all, there’s no question in the court’s mind that Mr. Morrissey said, ‘I’ll knock you out.’” But the judge said that wasn’t enough to support the legal standard for a protective order — the context of the statement needs to be taken into account. Designed to Generate Controversy Morrissey’s legislative office and his legal office operate out of a small building in Southside Richmond, which also is the base for WJFN, the radio station that…
Read the full storyUniversal Basic Income Program Begins for Black Women in Atlanta
A program announced earlier this year that will provide universal basic income (UBI) for black women in Atlanta has begun, according to a Tuesday report.
The program, which is being piloted by a nonprofit called the Georgia Resilience and Opportunity Fund (GRO), is called “In Her Hands.”
Read the full storyMastriano Proposes Allowing Permitted Teachers to Be Armed at Pennsylvania Schools
State Senator Doug Mastriano (R-Gettysburg) asked colleagues Tuesday to co-sponsor a bill he plans to introduce to let teachers carry guns in Pennsylvania schools.
Under the proposal, teachers who hold concealed carry permits may be armed on school property provided they complete “a rigorous firearms course from a certified instructor.” Similar measures are now in effect in 28 states.
Read the full storyWisconsin NFIB Head Says Worker Shortage, Inflation Have Caused ‘Mess on Main Street’
The ongoing difficulty of finding workers in Wisconsin is just part of the problem for small businesses in the state.
A new report from Help Advisor said Wisconsin is ranked third in the nation when it comes to the trouble of finding workers. Only Missouri and Vermont are ranked worse.
Read the full storySenate Majority Leader Jack Johnson Explains School Choice Decision and Governor Lee’s School Safety Executive Order
Leahy was joined on the newsmaker line by Tennessee State Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson, to discuss school choice and Governor Bill Lee’s executive order on school safety.
Read the full storyCongressman John Rose on Red Flag Laws and the Nancy Pelosi, Democrat-Wizard of Oz Approach to Legislation
Tuesday morning on The Tennessee Star Report, host Leahy welcomed Congressman John Rose (R-TN-06) to the newsmaker line to update listeners on where Congress is at in addressing the anti-Second Amendment Democrat gun-grabbing attempts and Nancy Pelosi’s one-way style of legislation.
Read the full storyU.S. Senate Candidate Blake Masters Begins to Break Away from GOP Primary Field, Latest Independent Poll Finds
Arizona U.S. Senate candidate Blake Masters is starting to break free from the crowded field and establish himself as the frontrunner, according to an independent poll from The Trafalgar Group.
The businessman secured roughly 29 percent of the support of respondents. Meanwhile, his closest competition, Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich took in almost 24 percent of the vote.
Read the full storyDiesel, Regular Gas Hit New Record Highs
Diesel and regular gasoline prices hit a new all-time high Tuesday as they continue their rapid climb in recent weeks.
Diesel, up to $5.78 per gallon, has hit a new record almost every day this month.
Read the full storyPennsylvania Tackling 30,000-Case Backlog of Unemployment Fraud
Since the pandemic hit and government relief attempted to ease the pain of economic shutdowns, concerns of taxpayer money being wasted or fraudulently obtained has been a pressing issue.
In Pennsylvania, the state may see a special prosecutor appointed to focus on cases related to unemployment fraud.
Read the full storyKentucky U.S. Representative Thomas Massie Blasts Red Flag Laws
U.S. Representative Thomas Massie (R-KY-04) blasted red flag laws last week during floor debate on legislation pending in the U.S. House of Representatives.
In a tweet sharing his floor speech, Massie said, “A federal red flag law would create millions of second-class citizens. It won’t stop mass shooters but will deprive millions of Americans of due process and their Second Amendment rights.”
Read the full storyLargest Pork Packer Leaving California
Another company is leaving California, this time the largest pork packer in the U.S.
Smithfield Foods, Inc., announced it is closing its Vernon, California, facility and reducing its hog production in the western U.S. region, citing as its reason the “escalating cost of doing business in California.”
Read the full storyHouse Passes Expanded Security for Supreme Court Justices, Family Members
The Democrat-led House on Tuesday passed a measure to expand security for Supreme Court justices and their family members.
The bill passed by a 396-27, with only Democrats voting no.
Read the full storyDrug-Plagued State Sees Record Overdoses Thanks to Fentanyl Epidemic
Kentucky has seen a record year of overdose deaths as it continues to deal with fentanyl being trafficked into the state, multiple outlets reported based on state data released Monday.
Kentucky saw 2,250 overdose deaths in 2021, a 14.5% increase from 2020, according to the Kentucky Office of Drug Control Policy’s report. The state ranked third in the country for the number of overdose deaths due to the high number that occurred in Kentucky during the pandemic, according to WLKY.
Read the full storyCommentary: When It Comes to Water and Power, Numbers Don’t Lie
Scope insensitivity happens whenever a statistic has huge emotional impact but in reality has little relevance to the issues and challenges it purports to illuminate.
It is scope insensitivity that makes conscientious Californians willing to put a bucket in their showers. They believe that by faithfully capturing some of that shower water that otherwise goes down the drain, and painstakingly reusing that water to fill their toilet tank, or water some houseplants, they will help manage water scarcity in California.
Read the full storyCommentary: The Washington Post Is a Model for Media Malfeasance
The Washington Post has had a rough week.
On Monday, the Post suspended one of its reporters, Dave Weigel, for a month without pay after he retweeted a joke last week that some of his colleagues thought was sexist.
Read the full story