Michael Patrick Leahy, CEO and editor-in-chief of The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network, announced the launch of the Star News Electoral College Map for the 2024 presidential election.
Read the full storyAuthor: Kaitlin Housler
Bipartisan Opposition: Governors from 48 States, 5 Territories Reject Biden’s Plan to Take Over National Guard
The governors of 48 U.S. states and five territories have sent a letter to Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin expressing a “strong opposition” to the Department of Defense’s (DOD) proposed legislation to the Senate Armed Services Committee that would permanently federalize portions of the state Air National Guard troops into the U.S. Space Force.
Read the full storyTennessee National Guard Troops Install Razor Wire Fencing on U.S.-Mexico Border
Members of the Tennessee National Guard were among the personnel installing razor wire fencing along the U.S.-Mexico border on Sunday as part of their work assisting Texas authorities in carrying out Operation Lone Star.
Read the full storyOhio House of Representatives Passes the Saving Ohio Communities Act
The Ohio House of Representatives recently passed the Saving Ohio Communities Act which would work to combat the drug and human trafficking crises in the Buckeye State through a number of measures.
Read the full storyMichael Patrick Leahy: The Left’s Lawfare Against Donald Trump ‘Accelerates’ as His Lead Grows in the Polls
Michael Patrick Leahy, CEO and editor-in-chief of The Tennessee Star, explained how the lawfare against former President Donald Trump “accelerates” as his lead grows in 2024 presidential general election polls.
Read the full storyProtecting Freedoms: State Rep. Chris Todd Highlights Achievements of Tennessee General Assembly
Tennessee State Representative Chris Todd (R-Madison County) reflected back on this year’s session of the Tennessee General Assembly, calling it “productive” in terms of lawmakers passing a “balanced budget” and “protecting the liberties and freedoms” of Tennesseans.
Read the full storyOhio State University Stands by Decision to Arrest Pro-Palestine Protesters on Campus
Ohio State University is standing by its decision to have police arrest and charge pro-Palestine protesters who refused to disperse at the instruction of the university with criminal trespassing.
Read the full storyCo-Chair of Organization Judge4Yourself Resigns Hours after Ohio Republican Party Condemns Her ‘Radical Behavior’
C. Ellen Connally, co-chair of the Cleveland-based organization Judge4Yourself, resigned on Wednesday hours after the Ohio Republican Party called out her “hyper-partisan and inappropriate behavior towards Republican elected officials.”
Read the full storyFormer HP Exec and Romney Protege Meg Whitman, Now Ambassador to Kenya, Came up with the Idea of the Kenya Security Force to Haiti
Former U.S. Special Envoy for Haiti Dan Foote said in an exclusive interview on The Michael Patrick Leahy Show that former HP CEO Meg Whitman, who now serves as the U.S. Ambassador to Kenya, is the official behind the security deal between Kenya and Haiti.
Read the full storyVice President Kamala Harris Condemns Tennessee State Lawmakers for Passing Bill to Arm Trained Teachers
Vice President Kamala Harris called lawmakers in the Tennessee General Assembly “extremists” for voting to pass a bill that would arm teachers who are licensed, receive annual training, and are approved by police and school officials.
“Arming teachers is not the solution,” Harris said in an X post on Wednesday. “We know what actually works: universal background checks, red flag laws, safe storage, and an assault weapons ban.”
Read the full storyTennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti Leads Coalition in Lawsuit Challenging the EEOC’s Abortion Rule
Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti pursued legal action against the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) on Thursday over its new rule regarding workplace abortion accommodations.
In 2022, President Joe Biden signed the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) into law, which protects pregnant workers and their babies by directing that women receive workplace accommodations for “pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions.”
Read the full storyRachel Alexander Calls Arizona Indictments of Trump Alternate Electors a ‘Deliberate’ Attempt to Influence 2024 Elections
Rachel Alexander, lead reporter at The Arizona Sun Times, said Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes’ announcement that the State Grand Jury returned indictments to those who agreed to serve as a slate of alternate electors for Donald Trump had he won the 2020 election is “deliberate.”
Read the full storyNewsChannel 5’s Phil Williams Responds with Deceptive Distractions When Confronted Over His Journalistic Failures to Get Justin Jones on the Record Over 2020 Claim
NewsChannel 5’s chief investigative reporter Phil Williams continues to be criticized for his “journalistic failures” as he dodged an opportunity to confront State Representative Justin Jones (D-Nashville) on his alleged coverup of a 2020 assault of two protesters by a homeless man.
Read the full storyACLU Files Lawsuit Challenging Enforcement of Tennessee Law Preventing Transgender Individuals from Changing Sex on Government-Issued ID
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Tennessee filed a lawsuit this week on behalf of a transgender woman – a male that identifies as a female – challenging the enforcement of a Tennessee law that defines “sex” as “biological sex.”
Read the full storyBill to Limit Vehicle Booting, Lower Fee to Remove Boots Passes Tennessee General Assembly
The Tennessee General Assembly passed a bill sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson (R-Franklin) on Tuesday that addresses the state’s towing, parking, and vehicle booting laws.
Read the full storyTennessee Receives Annual Settlement Payment of $146 Million from Major Tobacco Companies
Tennessee received a payment totaling $146.1 million on Tuesday from the major tobacco companies that joined the Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement (MSA), bringing the state’s total payout amount from the settlement to $3.9 billion.
Read the full storyCPAC Endorses Tennessee U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles for Reelection
The Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) endorsed U.S. Representative Andy Ogles (R-TN-05) for reelection to Tennessee’s Fifth Congressional District on Wednesday.
Read the full storyShelby County Sheriff Makes Plea to Parents as Youth Justice and Education Center Nears Capacity
Shelby County Sheriff Floyd Bonner Jr. is pleading with parents to provide their children with guidance and involvement as the Youth Justice and Education Center nears capacity.
The Youth Justice and Education Center is a 146-bed, single-occupancy secure detention center designed for youth “identified to be a danger to themselves, a danger to the community, or a flight risk.”
Read the full storyRoger Simon on Pro-Hamas, Anti-Israel Protests on College Campuses: ‘What Happened in Germany in 1937’ Is ‘What We’re Undergoing Now’
Roger Simon, the co-founder of PJMedia and current columnist for The Epoch Times, said the pro-Hamas protests unfolding on Ivy League college campuses across the nation are comparable to the scene in Germany in 1937.
Simon made the comments on Tuesday’s episode of The Michael Patrick Leahy Show after listening to audio of a clip taken from Columbia University where pro-Palestine protesters formed a human chain to keep Jewish students out of an encampment on the university’s campus.
Read the full storyTennessee Governor Bill Lee Joins Coalition of Governors in Demanding the Biden Administration Lift Pause on Liquified Natural Gas Exports
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee joined a coalition of 24 other governors in issuing a joint statement demanding that the Biden administration lift its pause on new liquified natural gas (LNG) export approvals.
In January, the Biden administration temporarily paused pending decisions on LNG exports to “non-FTA countries until the Department of Energy can update the underlying analyses for authorizations” in the name of “climate change.”
Read the full storyOracle to Establish New World Headquarters in Nashville
Larry Ellison, founder of the tech company Oracle, announced Tuesday that the company’s world headquarters will be moved to Nashville.
Read the full storyOhio State University President on Pro-Palestine Campus Protests: ‘I Will Not Compromise’ on Enforcing the Law and University Policy
The president of Ohio State University has issued a statement saying he “will not compromise” when it comes to enforcing the law and university policy amid pro-Palestine, anti-Israel protests on campus.
Read the full storyNewsChannel 5’s Phil Williams Refuses to Explain His Failure to Get Justin Jones on the Record about Allegations He Covered Up Report of 2020 Sexual Assault, Tries to Distract with False Claims About Tennessee Star Reporter
Tom Pappert, lead reporter at The Tennessee Star, addressed personal attacks from NewsChannel 5’s chief investigative reporter Phil Williams over the weekend, saying such attacks are “absolute silliness” and a common tactic used by Williams when pressed on his “journalistic failings.”
On Sunday, Pappert reported on an interview between Williams and Dan Mandis, host of Nashville’s Morning News with Dan Mandis on SuperTalk 99.7 WTN, where Williams said that he once asked Tennessee State Representative Justin Jones (D-Nashville) to respond to claims made by his former close colleague Jeneisha Harris on June 18, 2020 that the state lawmaker had covered up the sexual assault of two protesters by a homeless man.
Read the full storyBen Cunningham Calls Nashville Mayor’s $3.1 Billion Transit Referendum ‘Absurd’
Ben Cunningham, founder of the Nashville Tea Party, said not only does Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell’s transit referendum appear to be illegal under the IMPROVE Act, but the transit plan’s overall vision of commuters suddenly switching over to public transport is “absurd.”
O’Connell unveiled his $3.1 billion transit plan, called “Choose How You Move: An All-Access Pass to Sidewalks, Signals, Service, and Safety,” last week, which would be funded through a half-cent increase in the city’s sales tax.
Read the full storyAttorney General Dave Yost Files Emergency Motion with Ohio Supreme Court after Judge Blocks Law Protecting Girls Sports from Taking Effect
Attorney General Dave Yost filed an emergency motion with the Ohio Supreme Court on Monday, arguing that Franklin County Court of Common Pleas Judge Michael J. Holbrook “overstepped his judicial authority by placing on hold the entirety of House Bill 68.”
Read the full storyNeil W. McCabe: Trump Has Opportunity to Capitalize in New York, Produce ‘Amazing Turnout’ for Republicans in November
National political reporter Neil W. McCabe said the scene of former President Donald Trump visiting a bodega in West Harlem last week “absolutely” resonates with Hispanic and Black voters, which ultimately makes the left “very concerned.”
Read the full storyState Director of Marsy’s Law for Tennessee Bonnie Brezina on Constitutional Amendment: ‘If Not Now, When?’
Bonnie Brezina, who serves as the state director of Marsy’s Law for Tennessee, said the state is in a positive position to vote on Marsy’s Law as a constitutional amendment on the statewide ballot in 2026.
Read the full storyFBI Delivers Covenant Killer Writings to Federal Judge for In Camera Review
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has officially turned over all documents related to Covenant School killer Audrey Elizabeth Hale, including the killer’s manifesto, for an in camera review of materials.
Read the full storyExclusive: Texas DPS Spokesperson Joins Senator Marsha Blackburn’s Podcast, Reveals How President Biden’s Refusal to Enforce Existing Immigration Laws Deprives Americans of Much-Needed Resources
Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Spokesperson Lt. Chris Olivarez said the Biden Administration’s refusal to enforce existing immigration laws directly impacts small communities along the southern border as local resources are constantly diverted to assist with cases involving illegal aliens.
Read the full storyGovernor Bill Lee Confirms ‘No Pathway’ for School Choice Bill, Hints at Reviving Plan Next Legislative Session
Governor Bill Lee released a statement Monday announcing there is “not a pathway” for his universal school choice voucher bill this legislative session of the Tennessee General Assembly.
Read the full storyShooting at Illegal Block Party in Memphis Leaves 2 Dead, 6 Injured
A shooting that unfolded at Orange Mound Park in Memphis Saturday evening has left two dead and six others wounded, according to the Memphis Police Department (MPD).
Read the full storyTennessee Delegation Split on Votes for Israel, Ukraine Aid Packages
Two Republican members of the Tennessee Congressional Delegation both voted ‘No’ on foreign aid packages for Ukraine and Israel on Saturday.
Read the full storyDaily Wire Reporter Brent Scher on NewsGuard: ‘The Censoring of Disfavored News Should Not Be Something That is Acceptable in the U.S.’
Brent Scher, lead investigative reporter and editor at the Daily Wire, said NewsGuard’s censorship of “disfavored” news through its rating tool for media sites “should not be something that is acceptable in the U.S.”
Read the full storyShelby County District Attorney’s Office Adds Additional Charges to 17-Year-Old Involved in Shootout That Killed Officer Joseph McKinney
Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy announced his office is pursuing new charges against the 17-year old involved in last week’s shootout that killed Memphis Police Officer Joseph McKinney.
Read the full storyOhio Secretary of State’s Office Launches Initiative to Prepare Election Officials for the November Election
Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose announced a new statewide initiative his office will facilitate to ensure election officials are “trained and prepared” for the November general election.
The Ready for November initiative will “offer a series of collaborative training opportunities between Ohio’s 88 county boards of elections and the Secretary of State’s elections, public integrity and communications staff,” according to LaRose’s office.
Read the full storyReporter Tom Pappert on Maryland Transgender Teen Arrested for Planning Mass Shooting: Police Were ‘Proactive,’ Took Threat Seriously
Tom Pappert, lead reporter at The Tennessee Star, discussed the latest developments surrounding a story out of Maryland where police arrested a transgender high school student for a 129-page manifesto that included plans for at least two school shootings.
On Friday, Pappert reported that the student, Andrea Ye, was arrested this week as police say she wrote the 129-page manifesto and shared it with a friend, who then notified police of the document.
Read the full storyCheryl Fritze Discusses Michigan Elementary School Lesson Designed to Teach Students About Pronouns
Cheryl Fritze, director of News Operations for Michigan News Source, explained how an elementary school in Michigan is teaching students about pronouns through a book called They She He Me: Free to Be!, a picture book about “busting gender stereotypes and assumptions one pronoun at a time.”
Read the full storyNashville Electric Service Installs More than 6,000 LED Streetlights in Davidson County
Nashville Electric Service (NES) has installed more than 6,000 LED streetlights throughout Music City this year as a result of a contract between the utility company and the city.
Read the full storyLeadership Institute Set to Host 2024 Learn Right National Education Summit in Nashville
The Leadership Institute will hold its 2024 Learn Right National Education Summit in Nashville on Friday and Saturday at the JW Marriott.
Read the full storyOhio BLM Activist Convicted for Stealing Donated Money to Facebook Page
A Toledo man was found guilty of wire fraud and three counts of money laundering by a jury after a six-day trial this week for stealing donated money to his Black Lives Matter (BLM) organization and using it for personal gain, according to the Northern District of Ohio U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Read the full storyAaron Gulbransen: Tennessee House Should Have Introduced a ‘Clean School Choice Bill’
Aaron Gulbransen, executive director of the Tennessee Faith and Freedom Coalition, said the Tennessee House of Representatives should have introduced a “clean” universal school choice bill instead of attaching additional incentives not particularly related to school choice to the bill.
While the governor’s school choice bill in the House includes additional incentives, the Senate’s version solely focuses on the governor’s proposal.
Read the full storyFallen Memphis Police Officer Joseph McKinney Killed in Line of Duty by Friendly Fire, District Attorney’s Office Says
Memphis Police Officer Joseph McKinney, who was fatally shot last week while responding to a suspicious vehicle call, is reported to have died by friendly fire, according to the Shelby County District Attorney’s Office.
On April 12, at approximately 2:00 a.m., the Memphis Police Department (MPD) responded to a suspicious vehicle call at Horn Lake Road and Charter Avenue.
Read the full storyPenske Truck Rental Employees in Nashville Seek Vote to Decertify Labor Union
Penske Truck Rental employees in Nashville have filed a petition with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) to hold a decertification vote to remove International Association of Machinists (IAM) union officials from power, the National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation announced Wednesday.
Read the full storyMichael Patrick Leahy: As a Plaintiff in Covenant Manifesto Case, I Want All Documents Released, Not Just the Killer’s Writings Recovered from Vehicle
Michael Patrick Leahy, editor-in-chief and CEO of The Tennessee Star, said as a plaintiff in the case seeking to compel the Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD) to release the manifesto left behind by the Covenant School shooter, he believes the the full manifesto should be released – not just the “documents in the car” found on the day of the shooting which Metro Legal suggests would satisfy the plaintiffs in the case.
Read the full storyTennessee U.S. Rep. Chuck Fleischmann Appointed to the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee
U.S. Representative Chuck Fleischmann (R-TN-03) was appointed to serve as a member of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee this week.
The Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, a subdivision of the House Appropriations Committee, funds America’s military and national defense.
Read the full storyTennessee Lottery Raises over $113 Million for Education in Third Quarter of Fiscal Year 2024
The Tennessee Education Lottery Corporation announced Tuesday it raised $113,820,000 for education in the Volunteer State during the third quarter of Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24), which spanned from January 1 through March 31.
“The Lottery is proud to announce this quarter’s results, which reinforce our commitment to funding vital education programs for Tennesseans,” Tennessee Education Lottery President and CEO Rebecca Paul said in a statement.
Read the full storyU.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn Considers Introducing Legislation to Defund NPR: Report
Tennessee U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) is considering introducing legislation that would ban National Public Radio (NPR) from receiving federal funding, according to Fox News.
Read the full storyFounder of Tea Party Nation Judson Phillips: 15 Years Later, the Tea Party Movement Was an ‘Abject Failure’
Judson Phillips, founder of Tea Party Nation, said 15 years after the Tax Day Tea Party, the movement’s effect on fiscal responsibility, limited government, and free markets in federal politics has been “an abject failure.”
“The Tea Party movement was an abject failure. There’s just no other way to put it. Look at where we are today. When the Tea Party movement started, it was triggered by Obama’s $787 billion stimulus package. Today, that’s a rounding error. The deficit was $10 billion when Obama took over in January 2009. Today, it’s $34 trillion. It’s going up by a trillion dollars every hundred days, and that rate is accelerating,” Phillips explained on Monday’s edition of The Michael Patrick Leahy Show.
Read the full storyTennessee U.S. Rep. Mark Green Introduces the Combating Houthi Threats and Aggression Act
Tennessee U.S. Representative Mark Green (R-TN-07) introduced the Combating Houthi Threats and Aggression Act on Monday.
Read the full storyOhio Court Blocks House Bill 68 from Taking Effect Next Week
The Franklin County Court of Common Pleas issued a temporary restraining order on Tuesday to prevent House Bill 68 from taking immediate effect.
House Bill 68, which includes the SAFE Act and the Save Women’s Sports Act, was set to take effect next week on April 24.
Read the full story