Ohio U.S. Senator JD Vance (R-OH) is demanding that Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin resign after he was admitted to the ICU at Walter Reed Medical Center and failed to notify the White House about his hospitalization.
Read the full storyAuthor: Kaitlin Housler
Three Judicial Candidates to be Considered by Governor Lee to Fill Tennessee Supreme Court Vacancy
The Governor’s Council for Judicial Appointments has forwarded the names of three applicants to Governor Lee for consideration in order to fill the Tennessee Supreme Court vacancy created by the upcoming retirement of the Honorable Roger A. Page.
Read the full storyPackage Containing Over 13 Pounds of Fentanyl-Mixed Pills Intercepted in Nashville, Three Arrested
Three individuals have been arrested for conspiring to distribute over 13 pounds of fentanyl-mixed pills in Nashville, according to the Middle District of Tennessee U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Read the full storyACLU Calls Ohio Governor’s Ban of Trans Surgeries for Minors ‘Dangerous’
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Ohio has condemned Governor Mike DeWine’s recent signing of Executive Order-01D, which bans gender transition surgeries for minors at any hospital or ambulatory surgical facility in the Buckeye State.
Read the full storySix Members of a South Columbus Violent Crime Ring Indicted on 124 Felony Charges
An investigation conducted by the Central Ohio Human Trafficking Task Force has resulted in six alleged members of a violent crime ring in south Columbus being indicted on a combined 124 felony charges, according to Attorney General Dave Yost’s office.
Read the full storyTax Filing Deadline Extended for Tennesseans Affected by the December 9 Severe Storms
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and Tennessee Department of Revenue have extended the tax filing and payment deadlines for Tennesseans affected by the December 9 severe storms and tornadoes.
Read the full storyTennessee Attorney General Leads Efforts in Pushing Back on Proposal to Increase DEI Initiatives in the Private Sector
Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti led a group of 18 other state attorneys general in filing a public comment letter in opposition to the Department of Commerce’s “Business Diversity Principles” proposal.
Read the full storySocial Media Companies Sue to Block Ohio’s Social Media Parental Notification Act From Taking Effect
The State of Ohio has been sued by a company representing multiple social media platforms in order to block the Social Media Parental Notification Act from taking effect.
Read the full storyJim Renacci Calls Out Lt. Governor Husted’s Stance on House Bill 68
Former Ohio gubernatorial candidate and U.S. Representative Jim Renacci has called out Lieutenant Governor Jon Husted’s stance on House Bill 68 amid the controversy surrounding the legislation.
Read the full storyFamily of Tyre Nichols to Hold Candlelight Vigils to Commemorate First Anniversary of His Death
The family of Tyre Nichols, who five black Memphis police officers beat following a traffic stop and foot chase last year, will hold two candlelight vigils on Sunday to mark the first anniversary of his death.
Nichols’ family, who is being represented by civil rights attorneys Ben Crump and Antonio Romanucci, will hold a vigil in Memphis at the intersection of Castlegate Lane and Ross Road at 7 p.m. CT and in Nichols’ hometown of Sacramento, California, at the Tyre Nichols Skate Park at 5 p.m. PST.
Read the full storyCritics Slam Ohio Governor for Signing Executive Order Banning Trans Surgeries for Minors Following Veto of House Bill 68
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine signed an Executive Order on Friday banning gender transition surgeries for minors at any hospital or ambulatory surgical facility in Ohio.
Read the full story10 Metro Nashville Police Officers Reassigned Duties Following Investigation into the Covenant Killer Manifesto Leak
Ten officers with the Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD) have been reassigned duties following an investigation into the November 6 leak of the manifesto written by Covenant School killer Audrey Elizabeth Hale, according to reports.
Read the full storyMore than 1,200 Guns Were Taken from Vehicles in Nashville Last Year, MNPD Says
A total of 1,203 guns were stolen from vehicles in Nashville last year, according to the Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD).
Read the full storyKnoxville Utilities Board Collecting Donations for Project Help
Knoxville Utilities Board (KUB) announced its program that provides emergency heating assistance to those in need will run through February 6.
Read the full storyOhio Republican Party Urges Voters to Bank Their Vote Ahead of Primary Election
The Ohio Republican Party is urging GOP voters in the Buckeye State to participate in the Republican National Committee’s (RNC) new nationwide campaign focused on maximizing pre-Election Day voting.
The RNC’s Bank Your Vote campaign was created last year to “encourage, educate, and activate Republican voters on when, where, and how to lock in their votes as early as possible, through in-person early voting, absentee voting, and ballot harvesting where legal.”
Read the full storyCo-Founder of the Jewish Republican Alliance Mitch Silberman Says People are ‘Sick and Tired of Watching our Country Being Flushed Down the Toilet’
Co-founder of the Jewish Republican Alliance Mitch Silberman recently joined The Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy to discuss his work with the group as well as the changes he’s seen among Jewish voters amid the terrorist group Hamas’ attack on Israel last year.
Read the full storySenator Marsha Blackburn Says Unsealing of Epstein Documents Is a ‘Step in the Right Direction’
Tennessee U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) released a statement on Wednesday after a batch of 40 documents from a defamation case relating to the late billionaire Jeffrey Epstein were unsealed.
Read the full storyBeacon Poll: Tennesseans Looking Forward to School Choice, Property Tax Discussions this Upcoming Legislative Session
The Nashville-based Beacon Center of Tennessee published results Thursday of its poll revealing which topics registered Tennessee voters are looking forward to being discussed this upcoming legislative session.
Read the full storyU.S. Rep. Mark Green Announces First Hearing as Part of Impeachment Proceedings Against DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas
Chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security Mark Green (R-TN-07) traveled to the U.S.-Mexico border on Wednesday where he announced a full Committee hearing to initiate impeachment proceedings against Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.
Read the full storyOhio’s Concealed Carry Law Resulted in Less Gun Crime Last Year, Study Shows
A study published this week by Center for Justice Research, a partnership between the office of Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost and Bowling Green State University, revealed gun crime decreased in six of Ohio’s eight largest cities following the implementation of the Constitutional Carry law.
Read the full storyOhio U.S. Representative Jim Jordan: ‘Men Shouldn’t Play Women’s Sports in Ohio’
U.S. Representative Jim Jordan (R-OH-04) took to social media on Tuesday to offer a comment pertaining to the ongoing debate among state officials and lawmakers regarding House Bill 68.
“Men shouldn’t play women’s sports in Ohio or anywhere,” Jordan wrote on X.
Read the full storyFederal Court in Georgia Hands Down Major Win for Election Integrity Group
True the Vote, a nonpartisan voters’ rights and election integrity organization, declared a “decisive triumph” in its legal battle against Fair Fight Action, a voting rights group founded by Democrat Stacy Abrams.
Read the full storyTennessee Law Increasing the Penalties for Distracted Drivers Now in Effect
A law increasing the number of points charged to a person’s driving record for violations of driving while using a cell phone went into effect on Monday.
Read the full storyMore Than $63 Million in Illegal Drugs Seized in Ohio Last Year
Drug task forces organized under the Ohio Organized Crime Investigations Commission (OOCIC) across the state confiscated more than $63 million in illegal drugs in 2023, according to Attorney General Dave Yost’s office.
Read the full storyTexas U.S. Senator Ted Cruz to Headline the Williamson County GOP’s Reagan Day Gala as Keynote Speaker
Texas U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) will headline the Williamson County Republican Party’s Reagan Day Gala by delivering the keynote speech at the event.
Read the full storyHandgun Safety Course Voucher Program Set to Take Effect in Tennessee
A bill authorizing the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security to create a voucher program for the purpose of offsetting the cost of individuals taking a handgun safety course for the first time will take effect on January 1, 2024.
Read the full storyOhio Officials Among Those Targeted in Nationwide Swatting Campaign
Four Ohio officials were targeted over the past week in a nationwide swatting operation, according to reports.
Read the full storyFormer President Trump Says He’s ‘Finished’ with Ohio Governor DeWine Following Veto of Bill That Would Have Prohibited Genital Mutilation of Children
Former President Donald Trump has denounced Ohio Governor Mike DeWine’s veto of House Bill 68, saying the governor has “fallen to the radical left.”
Read the full storyFormer Ohio Gubernatorial Candidate Renacci Says Governor DeWine is ‘Not a Republican’ Following Veto of House Bill 68
Former Ohio gubernatorial candidate and U.S. Representative Jim Renacci has denounced Governor Mike DeWine’s decision to veto House Bill 68, saying such legislation is “the easiest bill for a Republican Governor to sign.”
Read the full storyDisaster Unemployment Assistance Available in Seven Tennessee Counties Affected by the December 9 Severe Storms
The Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development (TDLWD) announced the availability of Disaster Unemployment Assistance for seven Tennessee counties affected by the severe storms and tornadoes.
On December 9, severe thunderstorms and a recorded eight tornadoes ripped through Middle Tennessee, causing six fatalities, dozens of injuries, significant damage to nearly 1,900 homes, and the destruction of over 500 homes.
Read the full storyActivists and Lawmakers Slam Ohio Governor Mike DeWine’s Veto of House Bill 68
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine vetoed a bill that would have protected women in sports and banned gender-affirming procedures from being performed on minors on Friday.
Read the full storyOhio Attorney General Rejects Proposed Petition to Rewrite State’s Election Rules
Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost announced Thursday his rejection of a proposed constitutional amendment that would amend Ohio’s constitution by rewriting election rules.
Read the full storyBike Share Service Halts in Cincinnati
Red Bike, Cincinnati’s non-profit station-based bike share system, is pausing operations next month until early spring to roll out a new pricing model amid unsustainable system revenue.
Read the full storyEast Palestine Businesses Approved for Forgivable Loans to Help with Recovery from Train Derailment
Eighteen businesses in East Palestine, Ohio have been approved for more than $3.3 million in forgivable loans to assist with recovery efforts lingering from February’s train derailment.
Read the full storyOhio Among the States with Best Elder Abuse Protections in Place, Study Finds
New research by WalletHub has revealed that Ohio is among the top three states with the best elder abuse protections in place.
Read the full storySafe Bar Program to Be Held During Nashville’s Live New Year’s Eve Event
The Safe Bar program, an initiative by the Sexual Assault Center (SAC), will be held for the first time in Tennessee during next week’s New Year’s Eve event in Nashville.
Read the full storyOhio Secretary of State Denounces New ‘Assault on the Integrity of Our Voting Process’
Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose has denounced a proposed constitutional amendment recently filed with the state’s Attorney General’s Office that would amend Ohio’s constitution by rewriting election rules.
Read the full storyThree Ohio Teens Arrested, Charged with Murder Following Altercation Outside Kroger That Left One Dead
Three men have been arrested and charged with murder following an altercation at a south Columbus Kroger earlier this month, according to the Columbus Police Department (CPD).
Read the full storyAtlanta Ranks One of the Most Unsafe Cities During the Holidays, Study Finds
A recent study conducted by Vivint, a smart-home security company, shows Atlanta, Georgia as one of the top ten most “unsafe” U.S. cities during the holidays.
Read the full storyTennessee Department of Economic and Community Development Approves $36.6 Million in Grants for 78 Communities
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee and Department of Economic and Community Development (TNECD) Commissioner Stuart McWhorter recently approved $36.6 million in grants that will be distributed across 78 communities in the Volunteer State.
Read the full storyGallatin Man Convicted on Charges Stemming from Three-Week Crime Spree in 2019
A Gallatin man has been convicted of multiple armed robbery and firearms offenses stemming from a three-week crime spree in 2019, according to the Middle District of Tennessee U.S. Attorney’s Office.
In December 2019, Lazavion Kern, 22, robbed four convenience stores in Gallatin and Portland, where he took thousands of dollars from the clerks, according to information cited by the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Read the full storySocial Media Parental Notification Act Set to Take Effect in Ohio
The Social Media Parental Notification Act, signed into law by Ohio Governor Mike DeWine earlier this year, is set to take effect next month in the Buckeye State.
The bill was passed as part of DeWine’s 2023-24 executive budget presented to the Ohio General Assembly.
Read the full storyCincinnati Fraternal Order of Police Elects New President
The Cincinnati Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Lodge No. 69 elected Ken Kober as its new president this week.
Kober succeeds Dan Hils, who has served as president of the Cincinnati FOP since 2016.
Read the full storyTennessee State Lawmakers File Bill that Would Provide Educators with Technology to Alert Law Enforcement of Threats Inside Schools
Tennessee State Senator Mark Pody (R-Lebanon) and State Representative Susan Lynn (R-Mount Juliet) filed legislation this week that would make new school-specific security technology eligible for the school safety grants approved by the General Assembly earlier this year.
Read the full storyFormer President Donald Trump Mourns Dr. Clarence Sexton
Former President Trump released a statement on Thursday in remembrance of Dr. Clarence Sexton, who passed away on December 12.
Read the full storyU.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn Leads Colleagues in Condemning the United Nations’ Response to Hamas’ Sexual Violence Against Israeli Women
U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) led a bipartisan group of colleagues in sending a letter to United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urging he open an independent investigation into the UN’s lack of action in response to the sexual violence against Israeli committed by the terrorist group Hamas on October 7.
The UN Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women), which, according to its website, is “dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women,” failed to immediately condemn the rape and mutilation of Israeli women committed by Hamas.
Read the full storyFormer President Donald Trump Endorses Bernie Moreno for U.S. Senate
Former President Donald Trump endorsed Ohio businessman Bernie Moreno for U.S. Senate on Tuesday.
Read the full storyNashville Electric Service Releases Update on Progress Made in Restoring Power Due to Last Weekend’s Severe Storms
Nashville Electric Service (NES) released a statement on Monday updating the public about its work in restoring power for approximately 48,000 customers affected by severe storms.
Severe thunderstorms and tornadoes ripped through Middle Tennessee on December 9, causing six fatalities – three in Montgomery County and three in Davidson County – and dozens of injuries. The storms produced significant damage to nearly 1,900 homes and destroyed over 500 homes, according to initial reports.
Read the full storyNuclear Power Plant Approved for Construction in Tennessee
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) issued a construction permit to Kairos Power for its Hermes low-power demonstration reactor to be built at the Heritage Center Industrial Park site in Oak Ridge.
Kairos Power, according to its website, is a “nuclear technology, engineering and manufacturing company whose mission is to enable the world’s transition to clean energy with the ultimate goal of dramatically improving people’s quality of life while protecting the environment.”
Read the full storyOhio U.S. Senator JD Vance Slams Sale of U.S. Steel Corporation to Japan-Based Corporation
Ohio U.S. Senator JD Vance (R-OH) slammed the recent sale of U.S. Steel Corporation to Japan’s largest steelmaker, Nippon Steel Corporation (NSC), in a statement Monday.
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