A riot at the Tennessee State Capitol was stopped by state troopers Thursday as State Rep. Justin Jones (D-Nashville) and at least two other far-left Democrat state representatives encouraged a crowd of more than a thousand protesters to breach the Tennessee House of Representatives chamber floor during a gun control demonstration.
Tennessee State Troopers foiled the breach, as protesters attempted to enter the chamber from the gallery above and the ground floor.
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After body camera footage was released Tuesday showing Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD) officers charging into The Covenant School and killing Audrey Elizabeth Hale, the shooter responsible for killing three children and three adults at the school, social media is abuzz with praise for the officers.
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A security expert joined The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network’s Editor-In-Chief and CEO Michael Patrick Leahy on Tuesday’s episode of “The Tennessee Star Report” and discussed ways in which schools can fortify themselves against mass shooters.
The discussion occurred less than 24 hours after transgender female (biological male) Aiden “Audrey” Hale shot and killed six people at The Covenant School in Nashville.
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The Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD) Monday evening confirmed that the person who shot and killed six people on Monday morning at The Covenant Presbyterian School in Nashville is 28-year-old Audrey Elizabeth Hale, who “identified as transgender.” Hale was killed on scene by police that morning.
“Our investigations tell us she was a former student, at the school,” said MNPD Chief John Drake in a press conference, adding that he did not know how long Hale attended the school.
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A state senator from Tennessee has introduced a bill that would disallow changes to a recent bill filed by another state senator.
SB 005, as introduced, “enacts the ‘Youth Health Protection Act,'” otherwise known as SB 001.
Three Franklin-area family members pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice and making false entries regarding the disposition of firearms, according to the Department of Justice (DOJ).
“Alan Hassler, 49, Brian Hassler, 52, and Michael Hassler, 45, all of Franklin, Tennessee, and co- owners of Franklin Gun Shop, a Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL) in Williamson County, Tennessee, were charged in September following a federal regulatory inspection by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF),” said a DOJ release.
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Kid Rock joined Fox News’ “Tucker Carlson Tonight” to speak out against the possible demolition of a Civil War era home near Franklin.
Beechwood Hall is a historic property. It was owned by country music legends Hank Williams, Jr., and Tim McGraw and Faith Hill.
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Chattanooga’s Chamber of Commerce is searching for a replacement for its “woke” CEO and has hired a consulting firm to assist it.
“The executive committee of the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce board of directors has selected the consulting firm Waverly Partners to help in the search for a new chamber chief executive to succeed Christy Gillenwater, who announced last month she is leaving the Chattanooga chamber after five years to head the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce,” the Times Free Press reported.
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A cathode manufacturer is set to make the largest foreign investment in Tennessee in the Volunteer State’s history, according to the Department of Economic and Community Development (TDECD).
“LG Chem’s anticipated investment of approximately $3.2 billion represents the single largest announced foreign direct investment in Tennessee’s history. The project is expected to create 860 new jobs in Montgomery County,” according to a TDECD press release. “The Clarksville facility will be the largest of its kind in the U.S. and is expected to produce roughly 120,000 tons of cathode material annually by 2027, which is enough to power batteries in 1.2 million electric vehicles with a range of 310 miles per charge.”
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The Tennessee Department of Corrections (TDOC) said it trained last week at the University of Tennessee – Knoxville on how to engage with the public.
“TDOC’s Communications team is participating in an intensive, week-long training session at the The University of Tennessee Institute for Public Service Law Enforcement Innovation Center (LEIC), where we’re learning how to better inform, engage, and educate the public about the true mission of corrections.” TDOC said on Facebook. “We’re looking forward to being back in full force next week, bringing you industry best practices to better serve you!”
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The founder of now-defunct FTX, a cryptocurrency exchange that went bankrupt earlier this month, reportedly donated millions to a Political Action Committee (PAC) based in Phoenix.
FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried reportedly donated $27 million to the Protect Our Future PAC, according to Arizona Free News.
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Tennessee’s Supreme Court says that mandatory life sentences for minors convicted of murder is unconstitutional, according to a recently decided case.
In a case called State of Tennessee v. Tyshon Booker No. E2018-01439-SC-R11-CD the state’s highest court says sentencing juveniles to life in prison for murders committed as minors is cruel and unusual punishment.
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After a debacle earlier this week that led to Tennessee’s Attorney General announcing an investigation into event ticketing titan Ticketmaster, the company said it will not be selling tickets for Taylor Swift’s upcoming tour on Friday.
“Due to extraordinarily high demands on ticketing systems and insufficient remaining ticket inventory to meet that demand, tomorrow’s public on-sale for Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour has been cancelled,” Tickemaster said Thursday afternoon on Twitter.
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According to a Wednesday report, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) says dangerous Mexican Cartels are actively operating in Tennessee.
“There are two primary cartels that we have found very connected to almost everything we do,” TBI Director David Rausch reportedly said. “That is the Sinaloa Cartel out of Mexico and the new Jalisco Cartel. Both of them are actively, very engaged in operations in Tennessee and we are working closely with our friends at the DEA on addressing that head on.”
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A Tennessee Supreme Court Justice will retire next year, according to a press release.
“Today I notified Governor Lee I will retire on Aug. 31, 2023. It’s been the greatest honor of my professional life to serve in the TN judiciary. I am filled with gratitude,” said Tennessee Supreme Court Justice Sharon Lee, attaching an official statement.
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According to the city of Memphis, a prolific United States Football League (USFL) team will be returning to action in city.
“Officials reached an agreement for the Memphis Showboats to play the USFL 2023 season at historic Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium, home of the 1980s team that featured Pro Football Hall of Famer Reggie White,” according to a release from the city. “The USFL announced the inaugural game will kickoff on Sunday, April 16, 2023.”
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Novemer 14 to 18 is National Apprenticeship Week, and the Tennessee Department of Education (TDOE) is celebrating by touting its one-of-a-kind teacher apprenticeship program.
“This week, the Tennessee Department of Education is celebrating the important role apprenticeships play in postsecondary preparation during the 8th Annual National Apprenticeship Week, happening November 14-18. Specifically, the department is highlighting the Tennessee Teacher Apprenticeship, the first registered apprenticeship program for teaching in the country, paving the way for the future of the teaching profession,” according to a release.
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A man who is accused of abusing the Tennessee Medicaid system is now in custody, according to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI).
“An investigation by special agents with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation’s Medicaid Fraud Control Division into fraudulent TennCare time sheets has resulted in the arrest of a TennCare recipient in Bethel Springs,” TBI said.
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After Tuesday’s debacle in which attempted presale ticket purchases for Taylor Swift’s latest tour crashed the Ticketmaster website, Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti addressed the issue in a Wednesday press conference.
Ticketmaster’s website crashed upon the release of Swift’s presale tickets, enraging customers.
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Following the news that a large Pentecostal church organization held a ribbon cutting ceremony on 20 new affordable housing units in Memphis, the city of Chattanooga has struck a similar deal with a network of churches.
“Kingdom Partners housing development group was selected by the city of Chattanooga for a grant of more than a million dollars to develop affordable housing units in Chattanooga,” according to reports. “The goal is push out 30 units over a two-year span with the help of churches and nonprofits in the area.”
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The Knoxville Police Department (KPD) is warning residents that scammers pretending to be police officers are attempting to swindle cash out of the city’s residents.
“The KPD recently received another report of a scam call where an unknown suspect claimed to be a Knoxville Police Department officer and successfully swindled money and financial information from unsuspecting victims,” KPD said in a Twitter announcement. “The scammer claimed to need financial information and/or money to assist in the resolution of a pending criminal case.”
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A Memphis news crew was robbed at gunpoint late last week, according to the reporter who was on the scene.
“HOW IN THE HOLY HELL YOU ROB THE NEWS CREW: Robbed at Poplar and Highland. You know I’ve had my fair share of stories but DAMN! Took the camera, tripod, and LIVEU,” said Fox13 reporter Jeremy Pierre. “One of the dudes even showed me the gun in his waist band.”
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A church organization Monday held a ribbon cutting ceremony on new affordable housing units in Memphis.
The Church of God in Christ (COGIC), a Pentecostal church with more than six million members, said its new affordable housing units, 20 apartments called 280 Vance, will help lower income Memphians live downtown.
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The Mt. Juliet Police Department (MJPD) are warning the city’s residents of fake social media posts that could sow division within the community.
“These posts are false and similar posts are occurring nationwide, targeting different city names, using multiple fake accounts. However, when posted to Facebook groups, many local residents share the fake post because they believe it to be true,” said the police department.
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A Tennessee National Guard unit has returned from a nearly year-long deployment to Africa, according to the Tennessee Department of Military (TDM).
The soldiers are from Tennessee National Guard’s 268th Military Police Company, based in Millington.
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In his weekly update, Memphis’ mayor lamented the city’s “revolving door” of crime, and said he supports new tough-on-crime legislature recently enacted by the Tennessee legislature.
“Last week, I told you about a man who, while driving a car, struck a Memphis police officer on foot, causing him to roll over the hood and be thrown to the ground. He led officers on a high-speed vehicle pursuit and crashed into a citizen’s car. He fled on foot. Officers apprehended him and found him in possession of a handgun. He was given a $15,000 bond,” said Mayor Jim Strickland. “Guess what has happened? He has posted his bond, was released, and is out and about in the Memphis community.”
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Tennessee’s Department of Education (TDOE) and its Department of Agriculture (TDA) are teaming up to promote a nearly 100-year-old student organization.
Membership numbers are on the rise for Future Farmers of America (FFA) in the state, according to a joint release from the TDOE and TDOA.
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Moms for Liberty in Williamson County Wednesday announced that it will host The Daily Wire’s Matt Walsh at an event next week.
“Grassroots organization Moms for Liberty – Williamson County (M4L-WC) will host Matt Walsh of the Daily Wire in a special screening of ‘What is a Woman?’ this Monday, November 14th, at 6:00 PM, at Generations Church, 408 Church Street, in downtown Franklin,” according to a press release from the group.
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Tennessee lawmakers have introduced a bill that would ban lewd drag shows from places where children might see them.
The premise of SB 3 relies on defining drag shows as “adult cabaret” performances.
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WeGo Public Transit, which offers public transportation in Nashville and the surrounding areas, broke ground Thursday on its latest Transit Center.
“Today, we celebrate the groundbreaking of the Dr. Ernest Rip Patton, Jr. North Nashville Transit Center,” WeGo Public Transit said on Twitter. “Thanks to everyone who attended and all who have made this possible.”
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A bill introduced in the Tennessee House of Representatives would allow doctors to be held liable in civil court for completing transgender surgeries on minors.
“The legislature determines that medical procedures that alter a minor’s hormonal balance, remove a minor’s sex organs, or otherwise change a minor’s physical appearance are harmful to a minor when these medical procedures are performed for the purpose of enabling a minor to identify with, or live as, a purported identity inconsistent with the minor’s sex or treating purported discomfort or distress from a discordance between the minor’s sex and asserted identity,” says House Bill 1, introduced by Rep. William Lamberth (R-District 44).
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Tennessee’s Department of Education (TDOE) is celebrating a first-of-it’s kind initiative that allows future teachers to qualify for that position by completing an apprenticeship program.
Announced in January, 2022, the “Grow Your Own” initiative has “set a new path for the educator profession as the top state to become and remain a teacher and leader for all” by “support[ing] partnerships between Educator Preparation Providers (EPPs) and Local Education Agencies (LEAs) to provide innovative, no-cost pathways to the teaching profession and will continue to build pipelines of qualified teachers and school district professionals.”
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Hours after defeating State Sen. Heidi Campbell (D-Nashville), Maury County Mayor and Congressman-Elect Andy Ogles (R-TN-05) was welcomed by lawmakers to his new role.
“Thrilled to welcome [Andy Ogles] to Washington! He will fight hard to defend Tennesseans’ conservative values and help keep our state and nation on the right track,” said Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN).
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The federal Congressional delegation from Tennessee will look very similar to how it looks now when members of the 118th Congress are sworn in on January 20, 2023.
But for a redrawn district – Tennessee’s 5th Congressional District – all of the incumbent members of Congress in Tennessee won their respective races Tuesday night.
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The mayor of Maury County won his bid for U.S. Congress by a wide margin Tuesday night, defeating State Senator Heidi Campbell (D-District 20) in Tennessee’s newly-drawn 5th District.
Ogles’s race, which was called just after midnight on Wednesday morning, showed the first-time congressional candidate winning 55.9 percent of the vote, to Campbell’s 42.3 percent of the vote.
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Tennessee’s Secretary of State issued a last minute guide for election day in the Volunteer State.
“Tennesseans can access voter-specific Election Day information, including polling times, locations, sample ballots, election results and more, on GoVoteTN.gov or the Secretary of State’s free GoVoteTN app. The GoVoteTN app is free in the App Store or Google Play,” said a the guide from Tre Hargett’s office. “On Election Day, polls in all 95 counties open at various times. A list of when polling locations open is available on GoVoteTN.gov. All polls close at 8 p.m. EST/7 p.m. CST.”
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A U.S. Senator from Tennessee has spent the past few days campaigning nationwide for fellow Republicans who are vying for critical seats in Tuesday’s midterm elections.
“I look forward to working alongside [Ted Budd] in the U.S. Senate, but we need your help to make sure that can happen,” said U.S. Sen. Bill Hagerty late last week, attaching a video of he and Budd on the campaign trail.
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According to the University of Tennessee -Knoxville, the school’s Board of Trustees has approved the construction of a new building that will cost more than a quarter of a million dollars.
“The board voted in favor of an amendment to the campus master plan to allow for construction of the building beginning as soon as fall 2023, as well as a $127,350,000 increase in funding for the project, bringing the total budget to $227,350,000,” according to the UT Daily Beacon.
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A U.S. senator from Tennessee is hammering President Joe Biden and the Democrat Party on the economy – particularly skyrocketing inflation – ahead of Tuesday’s midterm elections.
Sen. Marsha Blackburn has been focused on the topic all week.
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According to the school district’s calendar, Memphis-Shelby County schools will be closed on Election Day, Tuesday, November 8.
Thirteen of the schools in the district will be used as polling places for registered voters to cast their ballots.
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After the city of Memphis announced that part of its One Beale project in September – a plan that would have brought a Grand Hyatt Hotel to Memphis – it was announced this week that the plans for the hotel have fallen through.
Developer Chance Carlisle blamed the city, saying that it did not hold up its end of the bargain to provide $46 million in municipal bonds for the project. Instead, those bonds only amounted to $41 million.
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The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is warning Tennessee college students about what it calls “sextortion,” which it says is on the rise.
“Tennessee college and university campuses have seen a marked increase in sextortion attempts aimed at students,” said the FBI’s Knoxville branch. “The suspects, often posing as college-aged female students, target unsuspecting students through dating apps and online social media platforms.”
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After a lengthy redistricting battle this year, more than 200 voters cast ballots in the wrong districts at the state or federal level, according to several reports.
“Nothing can be done,” said Davidson County Election Administrator Jeff Roberts. “If you think about it, we voted 45,000+ people early voting. I don’t know which ballots they are. They all go into that scanner, and there’s nothing that identifies who, where, or anything on that ballot.”
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Chattanooga’a main post office was closed down for a day earlier this week after an argument between employees turned violent.
“Effective immediately, all operations at the Chattanooga, TN, Main Post Office, Chattanooga Finance Station and Chattanooga P&DC are temporarily suspended until further notice,” said a United States Postal Service (USPS) press release from Monday.
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A significant number of new jobs are coming to Williamson County after a large addiction recovery center, headquartered in Franklin, announced that it will be expanding its operations in the Volunteer State.
Just a year after moving from Arizona, Landmark Recovery will invest $7.5 million to expand in Franklin, a move that will bring approximately 1300 new jobs to the area.
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Assistant U.S. Attorneys General (AUSAs), along with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) will be monitoring Tennessee’s election day activities, and handling any complaints that may arise.
AUSAs Robert Levine and Steve Jordan will “lead the efforts of his Office in connection with the Justice Department’s nationwide Election Day Program for the upcoming November 8, 2022, general election,” according to a press release.
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In keeping with a recent theme of proactive public safety measures, Tennessee Tuesday announced that it will provide $5 million in grants to volunteer firefighting brigades across the state.
Through what is called the Volunteer Firefighter Equipment and Training Grant Program, the Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance (TDCI) and the Tennessee State Fire Marshal’s Office (SFMO) are inviting local volunteer firefighting organizations to apply for the grants, according to a release.
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Moms for Liberty of Williamson County, a grassroots group of conservative mothers who battle against Critical Race Theory (CRT) and other left-wing ideology in schools will be hosting a seminar on gender ideology.
“GENDER101 is part of the chapter’s ‘2022-2023 School Year for Parents’ initiative, focusing on one critical issue in Williamson County Schools per month,” the group said in a release. “The November focus is Gender Ideology, and GENDER101 offers parents a ‘crash course’ on this topic.”
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A Humphreys County parent is angry after she said her child was given a bible from school.
“[My daughter] said they put the Bibles on a table and the principal himself said, ‘You can take them,’ and she felt very uncomfortable not doing it because she was afraid to catch hell from kids,” according to the parent, who asked to remain anonymous.
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As Memphis crime skyrockets, the city’s mayor Friday took to his weekly email update to justify spending nearly $700 million to upgrade its sports stadiums and build a new professional soccer stadium.
“I would like to clarify a few things on that potential financial support,” said Mayor Jim Strickland (D), noting that residents of the city had asked about the planned spend.
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