Thursday morning on The Tennessee Star Report, host Leahy welcomed public affairs specialist Clint Brewer in studio to discuss the candidacy of GOP presidential candidate Nikki Haley.
Read the full storyDay: February 16, 2023
Gary Chapman: Social Media Has Ruined Childhood for the Kids
Thursday morning on The Tennessee Star Report, host Leahy welcomed all-star panelist Gary Chapman in studio to comment upon the social media plague inflicted on kids and teenagers.
Read the full storyClint Brewer: Ohio Officials Are Doing a Poor Job of Crisis Management and Are Mishandling the East Palestine Train Derailment
Thursday morning on The Tennessee Star Report, host Leahy welcomed public affairs specialist Clint Brewer in studio to comment on the failed handling of the East Palestine, Ohio train derailment.
Read the full storyRealClearInvestigations Contributor Thomas Hackett Describes the Diversity Industrial Complex
Thursday morning on The Tennessee Star Report, host Leahy welcomed RealClearInvestigations contributor Thomas Hackett to the newsmaker line to discuss the emergence of the diversity industrial complex and the struggle to understand the role of diversity officers.
Read the full storyParts of Georgia Grand Jury Report on Trump Election Probe Released
A Georgia judge on Thursday released parts of the Fulton County special grand jury report into efforts from former President Donald Trump and his allies to alter the results of Georgia’s 2020 presidential election.
Five pages of the report, including its introduction and conclusion, were released following county Superior Court Judge Robert McBurney’s order earlier this week.
Read the full storyPennsylvania Governor Shapiro Was for the Controlled Burn of the Derailed Train Before He Was Against It
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro’s opposition to Norfolk Southern Corp.’s handling of its East Palestine, Ohio train derailment contrasts strongly with his initial satisfaction with the controlled vent and burn of the rail vehicle’s toxic cargo.
The 53-car train with some cars carrying vinyl chloride derailed on February 3 in the village of about 5,000 residents one-quarter mile west of Beaver County in Pennsylvania. According to the National Transportation Safety Board, the train went off the rail as a result of a defective axle.
Read the full storyWoke ESG Management Fund BlackRock Owns 6 Percent of Norfolk Southern, Whose Train Derailed in Ohio
Black Rock owns more than 6 percent of Norfolk Southern Railway, the huge railway company whose train derailed in East Palestine, Ohio on February 3, causing what many are describing as an ecological and health disaster for residents of Ohio and nearby Pennsylvania.
Fintel.io reports that as of February 16, 2023, Black Rock owns 6.8 percent of Norfolk Southern Railway.
Read the full storyTennessee Local Governments Give Amazon $166 Million in Tax Breaks
Amazon received $166 million in subsidies, tax breaks, and grants from Tennessee communities for 20 projects.
Advocacy group Good Jobs First, which opposes such subsidies, found Tennessee provided the eighth-highest amount of grants and breaks among U.S. states to the nearly $1-trillion company.
Read the full storyCalifornia Christian Teacher Allegedly Fired for Refusal to Comply with District Gender Policies: ‘The District Cannot Accommodate Your Religious Beliefs’
A California Christian physical education teacher was allegedly fired for refusing to lie to parents about their children’s gender identities at school and reject having males in female locker rooms – both policies that violate her faith beliefs, Fox News Digital reported Wednesday.
Jessica Tapias apparently shared with Fox News Digital the notice she received from the office of Jurupa Unified School District Superintendent Trenton Hansen.
Read the full storyBorder Patrol: Record Number of Chinese Nationals Entering U.S. Illegally
The number of Chinese nationals illegally entering the U.S. has significantly increased under the Biden administration, beginning around the 2020 election, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection data.
Nationwide, 18,395 Chinese nationals were apprehended in fiscal 2020; 23,471 in fiscal 2021; 27,756 in fiscal 2022; and 10,587 in the fiscal year to date.
Read the full storyOnly 12 Percent of Democrats Think Biden Should Be the Party Leader: Poll
A poll released Tuesday shows that only 12% of Democrats want President Joe Biden to be the leader of their party.
Members of the Democratic Party were asked who they thought the leader of their party was, as well as who they would like the party leader to be, according to the AP/NORC poll. Only 12% of Democrats want Biden to be the face of the party, and even though he is the president, just 41% considered him the current leader of the Democratic Party.
Read the full storyQuestions Remain Unanswered About Who Authorized East Palestine Controlled Burn
Twelve days following the catastrophic train derailment on February 3rd and the controlled release and burn of noxious gasses in East Palestine, Ohio questions still linger about the decisions that were made and who authorized the controlled burn.
A U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) spokesperson did not directly comment early Monday to The Ohio Star if an On-Scene Coordinator (OSC) was at the East Palestine derailment, or if such an officer may have recommended or authorized the controlled burn.
Read the full storySoros-Backed Virginia Prosecutor Allegedly Targeted Her Political Foes with Taxpayer Funds
A George Soros-backed commonwealth attorney allegedly used taxpayer funds to investigate her political rivals, submitting Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests to view correspondences between county officials and local reporters, according to Fox News.
Loudoun County, Virginia, Democratic Commonwealth Attorney Buta Biberaj, who received funding from a Soros-backed PAC in 2019, allegedly targeted political opponents and reporters by submitting FOIA requests with her government email, claiming that she was investigating numerous information leaks over the years, according to Fox News. After the FOIA requests were discovered, Democratic Loudoun County Supervisor Kristen Umstattd called on Biberaj to return the funds, as “the requests, at least, appear to be personal or political, and are not clearly related to your official duties as Commonwealth’s Attorney.”
Read the full storyBooted from GoFundMe, Legal Defense Funds for Rancher Who Fatally Shot Illegal Immigrant Raise over $350,000 on GiveSendGo
George Alan Kelly, a southern Arizona rancher, received over $350,000 in legal defense fund aid on GiveSendGo after being kicked off of GoFundMe for trying to raise money for his case.
Kelly is being charged with first-degree, premeditated murder for allegedly shooting an illegal immigrant on his property on January 30. GoFundMe took off multiple legal defense funds for Kelly because the company said these funds violated its terms of service about raising money “to cover the legal defense of anyone formally charged with an alleged violent crime.”
Read the full storyFormer Ambassador to China Terry Branstad Says Biden’s Handling of Spy Balloon a ‘Disaster’
A former U.S. ambassador to China says President Joe Biden’s handling of the recent spy balloon affair has been a “disaster.”
Ambassador Terry Branstad, former longtime Iowa governor and President Trump’s top diplomat in China, tells The Iowa Star the Chinese Communist Party “respects strength” and the only thing Biden has shown them is weakness. He said it’s the latest in a long line of foreign policy blunders by the administration.
Read the full storyDavidson County Republican Party Announces New Leadership
The Davidson County Republican Party recently announced new leadership to its executive committee.
Read the full storyPennsylvania Governor Blasts Norfolk Southern for ‘Vent and Burn’ Plan In Aftermath of Train Derailment
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro is blasting Norfolk Southern Corp. for its handling of a Feb. 3 train derailment that spewed Hazardous chemicals in in East Palestine, Ohio, near the Pennsylvania state line.
In a letter to Norfolk Southern President and CEO Alan Shaw, Shapiro excoriates the railway for acting unilaterally, failing to establish a Unified Command, and creating confusion that resulted in a general lack of awareness for first responders and emergency management of Norfolk Southern’s response.
Read the full storyMinnesota, North Dakota Border Patrol Agents Continue to Thwart Human Smugglers
Border Patrol agents in Minnesota and North Dakota continue to apprehend foreign nationals brought in by human smugglers in the dead of winter and illegally crossing the northern border from Canada.
Instead of flying from Mexico and other countries to Canada to enter legally through ports of entry, border agents say foreign nationals are flying to Canada to enter the U.S. illegally between ports of entry while intentionally seeking to evade capture by law enforcement. But they do so at their own peril as temperatures reach double digits below zero and heavy snow is prohibitive for travel on foot and by car.
Read the full storyGeorgia State Senator Introduces Bill to Repeal State’s Certificate of Need Law
A Georgia state senator has introduced legislation to repeal Georgia’s certificate of need law.
State Sen. Ben Watson, R-Savannah, introduced Senate Bill 162. It would repeal the CON requirement for all health care facilities except certain long-term care facilities and services.
Read the full storyFlorida’s DeSantis, Legislative Leaders Push for Reforms Against Frivolous Lawsuits
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and legislative leaders want reforms to take on frivolous lawsuits and put a stop to what the governor calls “predatory” practices by trial lawyers.
DeSantis held a news conference in Jacksonville Tuesday with House Speaker Paul Renner, R-Palm Coast, and Senate President Kathleen Passidomo, R-Naples about the proposals which would eliminate one-way attorney fees and fee multipliers for all lines of insurance, modernize Florida’s “bad faith” law, and put caps on damage claims to protect small businesses.
Read the full storyGreen Bay Doubles Down on Bugging Citizens, Faces Lawsuit
The city of Green Bay is doubling down on its legally dubious policy on bugging City Hall, and it appears a lawsuit is in the offing.
In response to a warning letter from the Wisconsin State Senate, Green Bay’s Chief of Operations Joseph Faulds has issued a statement asserting the city will continue its audio surveillance, but it will provide notice about the recording devices.
Read the full storyCommentary: A Tactic House Republicans Can Use to De-Weaponize Government
The House “weaponization of government” hearings kicked off an excellent start for public awareness. But without a legislative agenda, the short-staffed subcommittee will show little enduring accomplishment.
House reformers don’t believe they can force some of the necessary changes because the Senate and Joe Biden oppose them. So they haven’t prepared a strategic legislative agenda.
Yet, there is reason for hope and change.
Read the full storyAfter Michigan State University Shooting, Michigan Lawmakers Push Safety, Gun Bills
After a shooter killed three Michigan State students and wounded five others, the Democrat-dominated Michigan Legislature is pushing gun restriction bills while Republicans want a broader package.
Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks, D-Grand Rapids, said in a virtual news conference that Democrats “will be taking action soon” on gun legislation although they don’t have specifics yet.
Brinks said the bills will focus on safe storage, universal background checks, and extreme risk protection orders.
Read the full storySenators JD Vance, Marco Rubio Send Letter to U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg Demanding Answers on East Palestine Train Derailment
Ohio Senator JD Vance (R-OH) and Florida Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) sent a letter to U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg on Wednesday amid the ongoing situation surrounding the recent train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio.
Read the full storyArizona Attorney General Tells Rep. David Cook County Board Can Provide Water to Rio Verde Area
Arizona State Rep. David Cook (R-Globe) announced Tuesday that his letter asking Attorney General Kris Mayes (D) for her legal opinion on the Rio Verde Foothills (RVF) area water situation.
“I’m grateful to the Attorney General for this informative response clarifying a county board’s legal authority in this matter,” said Cook in an update emailed to the press. “I believe this could be immensely helpful in the effort to provide relief for Rio Verde residents who continue to struggle without a reliable point of access to water for their homes and families. I will continue working with the residents and other parties until a comprehensive solution is in place.”
Read the full storyMichael Patrick Leahy on WarRoom: PA Gov Shapiro Agrees with Steve Bannon, Says Norfolk Southern Failed to Explore Alternatives to Controlled Burn in Ohio Train Derailment
Host Stephen K. Bannon welcomed The Star News Network’s CEO and Editor-in-Chief of The Ohio Star, Michael Patrick Leahy, on Wednesday evening’s War Room: Battleground to talk about the confusion over who is in control of the train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio.
Read the full storyPennsylvania Legislator Proposes Ending Compulsion for Diversity Courses at State-Funded Universities
Pennsylvania state Representative Stephenie Scialabba (R-Cranberry Township) this week proposed legislation banning compulsory diversity courses at state-funded universities.
The Bulter County-based lawmaker mentioned in a memorandum describing her emerging bill that she was impelled to draft it after learning that undergraduates at the University of Pittsburgh are required to “complete one course that is designated as a Diversity course.”
Read the full storyAttorney General Dave Yost Drops Charges Against Reporter Arrested in East Palestine
Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost announced on Wednesday that his office is dropping the charges against a NewsNation reporter, who law enforcement arrested, while covering the railway crash in East Palestine.
Evan Lambert, a Washington DC-based correspondent with NewsNation, was thrown to the ground, handcuffed, and arrested for trespassing last week while covering Governor Mike DeWine‘s public press conference regarding the derailing of a train transporting hazardous materials. Local prosecutors filed misdemeanor criminal trespassing and resisting arrest charges against Lambert, but they requested that Yost’s office take over the case from there due to the complex nature of the parties involved.
Read the full storyNorthern Ohio Sees 145 Fugitives Arrested in U.S. Marshal Service Operation
A total of 145 fugitives have been apprehended in northeast Ohio as part of a U.S. Marshals effort to reduce violent crime.
The U.S. Marshals Service said the arrests were part of the second phase of Operation North Star, which focused on the apprehension of the country’s most violent offenders. It brought a total of 830 total arrests nationally. They also seized 181 firearms and hundreds of pounds of drugs.
Read the full storyCatholic Leader Demands Probe into FBI Memo, ‘Pattern of Anti-Catholic Bigotry’ That Represents ‘The New Inquisition’
Brian Burch, the president of Catholic Vote, is demanding that Congress investigate the recent FBI memo urging agents to probe the alleged nexus between racially-motivated violent extremists and “radical-traditional Catholics,” citing the Southern Poverty Law Center.
Burch warned against a “pattern of anti-Catholic bigotry” at the Department of Justice that represents “the new Inquisition” against Roman Catholics. He told The Daily Signal in a phone interview Tuesday that he is in contact with multiple members of Congress, urging an investigation.
Read the full storyOfficials Say Biden Manipulating Border Stats, Blinding Agents to Fleeing Aliens
Current and former U.S. officials are warning that the Biden administration has begun manipulating border statistics, incentivizing illegal aliens to shift from illegally crossing the southern border to seeking parole and asylum at ports of entry while blinding border agents by restricting their use of surveillance balloons.
Former acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf told the “Just the News, No Noise” television show Tuesday that the net effect of the policy changes will be to create a false portrait to the American people that the border crisis has eased when in fact it has simply shifted tactics.
Read the full storyUnchastened by Russiagate, The New York Times Doubles Down in Its Special Counsel Coverage
Special Counsel John Durham, leading a multi-year probe of how U.S. intelligence officials conducted the Russia investigation, has yet to issue his final report. But according to the New York Times, Durham has already come up empty.
Durham’s team, the Times declared in a widely circulated Jan. 26 article, has gone “unsuccessfully down one path after another” and ultimately “failed to find wrongdoing in the origins of the Russia inquiry.” The three bylined reporters, Charlie Savage, Adam Goldman, and Katie Benner, base their conclusion on a “monthslong review,” including interviews “with more than a dozen current and former officials.”
Read the full story