Nashville mayoral candidate Freddie O’Connell has tested positive for COVID-19 along with at least 8 other members of the Metro Council, according to reports.
Read the full storyAuthor: Kaitlin Housler
Tennessee Democrats Criticize Rules for Special Session
The Tennessee House of Representatives passed a set of rules put forth by the Select Committee on Rules for the special session by a 73-23 vote on Monday.
Read the full storyVivek Ramaswamy Picks Up Endorsement from First Statewide Iowa Official
GOP presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy picked up the endorsement of Iowa Treasurer Roby Smith this week, his campaign announced. Smith is the first statewide official to endorse any candidate in the 2024 presidential election.
Read the full storySecond Quarter 2023 Business Filings in Tennessee Recorded as Highest in the State’s History
Data from the Tennessee Secretary of State’s Office shows that new business filings in Tennessee for the second quarter of 2023 were the highest in the state’s history.
Read the full storyNashville Mayoral Candidate Alice Rolli ‘Disappointed’ in General Assembly for Not Considering Extreme Risk Order of Protection Laws During Special Session
Nashville Mayoral candidate Alice Rolli says she is “disappointed” in state lawmakers for “not yet considering an extreme risk option” when it comes to gun safety ahead of the General Assembly’s special session.
Read the full storyFederal Court Upholds Ballot Harvesting Ban, Line Warming Ban, and Drop Box Security Provisions in Georgia
A federal court in the Northern District of Georgia issued rulings on Friday upholding portions of Georgia’s Election Integrity Act while also banning countries from rejecting absentee ballots that contain improper date of births.
Read the full storyTennessee Faith and Freedom Coalition Applauds Bill Focused on Eradicating Human Trafficking Filed for Special Session
The Tennessee Faith and Freedom Coalition (TNFFC) Board of Directors released a statement applauding a bill filed by Tennessee House Minority Leader William Lamberth (R-Portland) which addresses child and human trafficking.
Read the full storyIndependent Women’s Voice Urges Congress to Pass Tennessee Rep. Mark Green’s Protecting Hunting Heritage and Education Act
Independent Women’s Voice (IWV), an advocacy organization that “fights for women and families,” has sent a letter to U.S. Congressional lawmakers urging the passage of Representative Mark Green’s (R-TN-07) Protecting Hunting Heritage and Education Act.
Read the full storyMemphis-Based HVAC Company Announces $2.75 Million Expansion Project
HVAC company American Residential Services (ARS)/Rescue Rooter recently announced that it will invest $2.75 million to expand its headquarters operations in Memphis.
Read the full storyTennessee’s July Unemployment Rate Makes History
New data released by the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development (TDLWD) revealed unemployment across the state reached a historic low in July of 3.1 percent.
Read the full storyVivek Ramaswamy’s 10 Truths for America in 2024
GOP presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy released a list of the 10 “truths” he said he believes to be “pure” and “cold hard facts.”
Read the full storyVivek Ramaswamy Ties for Second Place with Ron DeSantis in New GOP Primary Poll
A new poll of U.S. voters from Emerson College Polling this week showed Vivek Ramaswamy and Ron DeSantis tied for second place with 10 percent of the national vote in the 2024 GOP presidential primary race.
Read the full storyKnoxville Mayor Urges General Assembly to Pass Red Flag Laws During Special Session
Knoxville Mayor Indya Kincannon released a statement on Thursday in support of Governor Bill Lee’s call for a special session in the General Assembly, set to convene on Monday.
“As Mayor of Knoxville, public safety is my top priority. I support the Governor’s call for a Special Session to consider legislative measures to make our communities safer,” Kincannon’s statement said. “While there are many perspectives on how to accomplish these goals, the conversation must continue to include all parts of our state and all communities.”
Read the full storyTennessee Builders Alliance Selected to Construct $2.1 Billion Titans Stadium
The Metro Sports Authority Board of Directors approved the selection of the Tennessee Builders Alliance (TBA) to construct the Tennessee Titans’ new $2.1 billion stadium at its meeting on Thursday.
Read the full storyHouse Majority Leader Lamberth Files Bill That Would Shield Autopsies of Minors from Public Review
Tennessee House Minority Leader William Lamberth (R-Portland) filed a bill for the upcoming special session of the General Assembly which would make the autopsies of “victims of violent crime who are minors” confidential.
Read the full story‘Your Luck Will Run Out’: Tennessee Sheriff Sends Message to Criminals Coming to His County
Tipton County Sheriff Shannon Beasley warned individuals crossing county lines to commit crimes, saying such actions will not be tolerated.
“I will say this again, if you bring it to us we are going to bring it back at you! If you think we are going to let you run back to Memphis, or anywhere else, without any consequences…you’ve got us confused,” Beasley said in a Facebook post last week.
Read the full storyGeorgia State Senator Asks for Emergency Session to Investigate Fulton County DA Fani Willis
Georgia State Senator Colton Moore (R-Trenton) sent a letter to Governor Brian Kemp calling on him to convene an emergency session to investigate Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis.
“We, the undersigned, being duly elected members of the Georgia House of Representatives and Georgia Senate, and comprising 3/5 of each respective house, pursuant to Article IV, Section II, Paragraph VII(b), hereby certify to you, in writing, with a copy to the Secretary of State, that in our opinion an emergency exists in the affairs of the state, requiring a special session to be convened under that section, for all purposes, to include, without limitation, the review and response to the actions of Fani Willis,” Moore wrote in his letter on Thursday.
Read the full storyFormer President Donald Trump Holds Fundraiser Event in Nashville
Former President Donald Trump was in Nashville on Thursday for a private campaign fundraiser event with Tennessee U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and Bill Hagerty (R-TN), according to reports.
Read the full story‘He’s Worth Listening To’: Tucker Carlson Sits Down with Vivek Ramaswamy in Episode 17 of ‘Tucker on Twitter’
In episode 17 of his newest production, “Tucker on Twitter,” former Fox News primetime host Tucker Carlson sat down with GOP presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy.
Read the full storyVivek Ramaswamy Slams Delayed Water Request for Maui Residents
GOP presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy responded to revelations this week detailing that the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources (DNLR) delayed its response to a major Maui water company’s request to divert water amid the wildfires.
Read the full storyMetro Nashville Council Passes License Plate Readers, Mayoral Candidate Freddie O’Connell Votes No
The Metro Nashville City Council voted to pass a resolution this week that would allow a full implementation of license plate readers (LPRs) to be installed in the Nashville metro area—the resolution (RS2023-2342) passed by a 24-14-1 vote.
Councilman Jeff Syracuse proposed an amendment to the resolution, which clarifies that two or more votes will need to be taken by the next council before the LPR program is started. In addition, Syracuse’s amendment says if there is any data breach of the technology, the contract with the LPR vendor will be terminated and police must consult with community advisory groups in each precinct to decide where the technology will be placed.
Read the full storyMan Convicted for 2020 Violent Crime Spree in Murfreesboro
A 27-year old man was convicted this week by a grand jury on charges stemming from a string of violent crimes he committed in Murfreesboro and Franklin in 2020, according to the Middle District of Tennessee U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Read the full storyGeorgia GOP Chairman Calls Fulton County DA ‘Power-Mad’ over Trump Indictment
Chairman of the Georgia Republican Party (GAGOP) Josh McKoon slammed Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis as a “power-mad prosecutor” this week after former President Donald Trump and 18 of his allies were indicted for their alleged roles in attempting to “overturn” the results of the 2020 election.
Read the full storySouthwest Airlines Announces New Crew Base at Nashville International Airport
Southwest Airlines announced the addition of a Crew Base at Nashville International Airport (BNA) in the second quarter of 2024 this week, marking the airline company’s 12th Crew Base in its system.
Read the full storyTennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett Announces Staff Shakeup Including New Chief of Staff, Policy Assistant
Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett recently announced a shakeup to his staff, including a new Chief of Staff and Policy Assistant.
Read the full storyTwo More Fulton County Inmates Die amid Federal Investigation into Jail Conditions
Two inmates at the Fulton County Jail have died this month, according to press releases by the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office (FCSO).
Read the full storyGeorgia Governor Brian Kemp Breaks Silence on Trump Indictment
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp responded to former President Donald Trump’s indictment in the Peach State for his alleged role in attempting to “overturn” the results of the 2020 election.
Read the full storyTennessee Democrats to Host California Governor Gavin Newsom at Annual Fundraiser Five Days After Gov. Bill Lee’s Red Flag Law Special Session Convenes
The Tennessee Democratic Party (TNDP) announced Tuesday that California Governor Gavin Newsom will be its keynote speaker at its annual fundraiser.
Newsom will headline the party’s Three Star Dinner set at the Music City Center in Nashville on August 26.
Read the full storyRFK Jr. Discusses His Uncle’s Assassination, Ukraine in Latest Episode of ‘Tucker on Twitter’
In episode 16 of his newest production, “Tucker on Twitter,” former Fox News primetime host Tucker Carlson sat down with Democrat presidential candidate Robert Francis Kennedy Jr.
Read the full storyTennessee U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles Introduces Bill to Prohibit Prosecutor Jack Smith from Receiving a Federal Salary
Tennessee U.S. Representative Andy Ogles (R-TN-05) recently introduced a bill that would prohibit Special Counsel Jack Smith from receiving a federal salary funded by taxpayers.
Read the full storyTennessee Rep. Demands Answers from Clarksville-Montgomery County School System Over Controversial Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Staff Training
Tennessee U.S. Representative Mark Green (R-TN-07) has sent a letter to the Clarksville-Montgomery County School System (CMCSS) concerning a recent presentation promoted to staff about using Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion to connect with students.
Read the full storyVivek Ramaswamy Says Fulton County GA Publication then Removal of Charges Against Trump ‘Downright Pathetic’ and a Violation of Due Process
GOP presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy reacted to an apparent mistake made by the Fulton County District Attorney’s office on Monday as it published and quickly deleted the charges against former President Donald Trump on its website before the grand jury had finished convening.
Read the full storyMetro Public Health Department Warns of ‘Widespread’ Mosquitoes Infected with West Nile Virus in Davidson Country
The Metro Nashville Public Health Department recently announced that multiple batches of mosquitoes infected with West Nile virus have been collected across Davidson County.
The widespread virus was detected through the Public Health Department’s Pest Management Division. The division routinely traps mosquitoes at 40 surveillance sites across Nashville and sends them for testing at the Tennessee Department of Health’s lab.
Read the full storyVideo Shows the Moment Shots Were Fired, Injuring Eight People in Downtown Memphis on Sunday
A video circulating on social media shows the moment gunshots rang out in a popular tourist area in downtown Memphis early Sunday morning.
Read the full storyGeorgia Reporter George Chidi Subpoenaed to Appear Before Grand Jury in Willis’ Case Against Former President Trump
Atlanta journalist George Chidi announced Saturday he was asked by Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis’ office to testify before a grand jury this Tuesday in the 2020 election interference case against former President Donald Trump.
Read the full storyKUB Fiber Internet Expands in Knoxville
Knoxville’s utility company, Knoxville Utilities Board (KUB), announced this week that its fiber internet has expanded to more than 4,100 South Knoxville homes and businesses.
KUB Fiber, a municipally-run broadband network, is the largest municipal fiber network in the nation, approved unanimously by the Knoxville City Council in 2021. The project, worth over $700 million, is expected to expand over the next seven years and install approximately 5,000 miles of fiber.
Read the full storyNolensville Baseball Team Heads to the Little League World Series Again, Making History
The Nolensville Little League baseball team advanced to the Little League World Series for the third season in a row.
The final tournament, held in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, is double elimination and will begin on Friday, August 18th, where Nolensville will face off with the Metro or Mountain Region team winner.
Read the full storyAG Skrmetti Leads Multi-State Coalition in Urging Congress to Pass Tennessee Rep. Mark Green’s Protecting Hunting Heritage and Education Act
Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti has led a coalition of 24 states in urging Congress to pass Representative Mark Green’s (R-TN-07) Protecting Hunting Heritage and Education Act.
Read the full storyTwo Vanderbilt Assistant Professors Receive Research Funding from the U.S. Department of Energy
Two assistant professors in the department of physics and astronomy at Vanderbilt University have been selected to receive funding for research as part of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Early Career Research Program.
Read the full storyNashville’s Final Two Mayoral Candidates Pick Up Endorsements from Former Competitors Ahead of Runoff
Nashville mayoral candidates Freddie O’Connell and Alice Rolli have both picked up endorsements in the past week from former candidates in the race that failed to make it to the runoff election, scheduled for Thursday, September 14.
Read the full storyFormer Capitol Police Chief During January 6 Sits Down with Tucker Carlson in Episode 15 of ‘Tucker on Twitter’
In episode 15 of his newest production, “Tucker on Twitter,” former Fox News primetime host Tucker Carlson sat down with former U.S. Capitol Police Chief Steven Sund, who was the acting chief during the Capitol riot on January 6, 2021.
Read the full storyTennessee Titans Tout New $2.1 Billion Stadium with Video, Season Ticket Waitlist
The Tennessee Titans released a new video giving fans a look into its new $2.1 billion stadium expected to be operational in 2027. The team also unveiled a new website with information on how fans can invest in season tickets for the new stadium.
Read the full storyOver 25 Million Pounds of Invasive Carp Removed from Tennessee Reservoirs Through Commercial Harvest
Over 25 million pounds of invasive carp have been removed by commercial harvest since 2018 in five Tennessee reservoirs, according to the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA).
Read the full storyEconomic Development in Georgia Breaks Records for Third Year in a Row
The State of Georgia broke records for the third year in a row in regards to economic development as total investments in facility expansions and new locations totaled more than $24 billion during fiscal year 2023 (FY23).
Read the full storyAtlanta Ranked Second Best for Spacious Living Compared to the 50 Largest Cities in the Nation
The City of Atlanta has the second most generous indoor and outdoor living spaces out of the 50 largest U.S. cities, according to recent research analyzed by online nationwide self-storage search website StorageCafe.
Read the full storyVivek Ramaswamy Responds After Mike Pence Criticizes Him for Questioning 9/11 Commission Report
GOP presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy has responded to former Vice President Mike Pence’s criticism of him for questioning the 9/11 Commission Report.
Read the full storyRedDOT Corporation Announces $18 Million Expansion Project in Memphis
RedDOT Corporation officials announced Tuesday that the company will invest $18 million to expand its manufacturing and distribution operations in Memphis.
Read the full storyTennessee House GOP Responds to Governor Lee’s Official Special Session Call
The Tennessee House Republican Caucus responded to Governor Bill Lee’s official special session proclamation for the Tennessee General Assembly to convene at 4 p.m. on Monday, August 21.
Read the full storyNashville Boasts Largest Yard Sizes Out of the 50 Largest Cities in the Nation, Study Finds
The City of Nashville has the most generous yard sizes of any of the 50 largest U.S. cities, according to recent research analyzed by online nationwide self-storage search website StorageCafe.
Read the full storyGeorgia Lottery Raises More than $1.5 Billion for Education in Fiscal Year 2023
The Georgia Lottery Corp. recently announced that it raised $1,516,383,000 for education in the Peach State during fiscal year 2023 (FY23), which spanned from July 1, 2022, through June 30, 2023.
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