Author: Peter D'Abrosca

Candidate for Williamson County Commissioner Derides Parent Protestors as ‘Helicopter Moms’

Peter D'Abrosca
Courtenay Rogers

In an advertisement for a political event, a candidate for Williamson County Commissioner expressed her displeasure with parents who want a say in what is being taught to their children.

“Hey Williamson County! Are you sick of being embarrassed by our elected officials? Are you over the helicopter moms banning books? Are you sick of the slate of hate? Are you ready to TAKE BACK TENNESSEE? Meet YOUR Candidates on Monday from 5:30-7,” Vice Chair of the Williamson County Democrat Party Courtenay Rogers said.

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Big Capital’s Social Justice ESG Bills Soar Through State Legislatures

Peter D'Abrosca
exterior of BlackRock

Just months after The Star News Network reported on Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) scores taking over corporate America, bills are pouring into state legislatures around the country, some with the intent on implementing the practice and others with the intent of banning the practice. 

Justin Haskins at The Heartland Institute, which has closely tracked ESG scores, defines them as the following:

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DeWine Follows Biden White House, Touts ‘Second Chance Awareness Month’ for Felons

Peter D'Abrosca
Governor Mike DeWine

After President Joe Biden declared April “Second Chance Awareness Month” for felons, Ohio’s Gov. Mike DeWine (R) bragged Thursday about his initiative to expedite the pardon process for convicted felons.

“April is Second Chance Awareness Month in Ohio. I believe that those who’ve lived upstanding post-conviction lives deserve a second chance for better opportunities, which is why I created the Ohio Governor’s Expedited Pardon Project,” DeWine said on Twitter. 

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No Charges for SWAT Team Member Who Killed Amir Locke

Peter D'Abrosca
Keith Ellison

A member of a SWAT Team who shot and killed Amir Locke during a raid on a residence will not face charges, according to Attorney General Keith Ellison (D) and Hennepin County Attorney Michael Freeman. 

“Amir Locke’s life mattered,” Ellison and Freeman said Wednesday in a joint statement. “He was a young man with plans to move to Dallas, where he would be closer to his mom and – he hoped – build a career as a hip-hop artist, following in the musical steps of his father.”

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Renacci Alleges DeWine Ignored Warnings of Corruption, Asks What Else Did He Know About the FirstEnergy Scandal

Peter D'Abrosca
FirstEnergy building

In a Wednesday press release, a former U.S. Congressman and current gubernatorial candidate slammed incumbent Gov. Mike DeWine (R) for allegedly turning a blind eye to warning signs regarding the former chairman of the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) who was part of the FirstEnergy corruption scandal.

“Why did Mike DeWine ignore a 200-page warning about Sam Randazzo’s unethical behavior and appoint him to lead the Public Utilities Commission anyway?” said Jim Renacci in the release. “What else did DeWine know about FirstEnergy’s scandalous corruption? There are still several unanswered questions about this scheme that frauded Ohio taxpayers. With every new court filing, news report, or resignation, the FirstEnergy noose keeps tightening around Mike DeWine. Enough is enough: conservatives have a chance next month to vote for real accountable conservative leadership and put an end to Mike DeWine’s 40-year corrupt establishment career.”

The comments came on the heels of a news story published in The Ohio Capital Journal claiming that DeWine was in possession of a 198-page dossier “alleging Sam Randazzo – a lawyer and lobbyist who represented gas companies and industrial scale electricity buyers – used businesses registered in his name to ‘funnel’ money from FirstEnergy to buy real estate.”

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Never Trump Lt. Gov. Duncan Says GOP Moving Past Trump in May Primaries

Peter D'Abrosca

A known critic of former President Donald Trump thinks that those who are allied to the forty-fifth president will lose their upcoming May primaries, and that the party will move away from the America First movement. 

“The quicker we get through the May primaries, the quicker we’re going to move past Donald Trump and close that chapter,” Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan (R) said of the former president. 

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Ohio Congressman Retires amid Redistricting

Peter D'Abrosca
Bob Gibbs

A U.S. Congressman from Ohio unexpectedly retired from his post Wednesday amid the state’s long and dramatic congressional redistricting saga. 

“These long, drawn-out processes, in which the Ohio Supreme Court can take weeks and months to deliberate while demanding responses and filings from litigants within days, is detrimental to the state and does not serve the people of Ohio,” Rep. Bob Gibbs (R-OH-07) said. “It is irresponsible to effectively confirm the congressional map for this election cycle seven days before voting begins, especially in the Seventh Congressional District where almost 90 percent of the electorate is new and nearly two thirds is an area primarily from another district, foreign to any expectations or connection to the current Seventh District.”

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Georgia Democrats Cry Foul After Republicans Add Trans Athlete Ban to ‘Divisive Concept’ Bill

Peter D'Abrosca

Georgia’s Democrats are crying foul after Republicans added language to a bill that will ban biological males from competing in female sports. 

“In the final minutes of Sine Die, Georgia Republicans just squeezed in language that discriminates against trans kids to an already terrible bill, HB 1084. To target kids, to ban kids from playing sports, and to attack teachers at the same time. Appalling,” the Georgia House Democrats said. 

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Ohio General Assembly Introduces ‘Divisive Concepts’ Bill

Peter D'Abrosca

A bill targeting “divisive concepts” that specifically names Critical Race Theory (CRT) and other far-left agendas in schools has been introduced in the Ohio General Assembly. 

“The school district board shall not select any textbook, instructional material, or academic curriculum that promotes any divisive or inherently racist concept…” the text of HB 616 says. 

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Elon Musk Named to Twitter Board of Directors

Peter D'Abrosca

In a move that has sent shockwaves through Silicon Valley, Tesla founder and CEO Elon Musk, who became Twitter’s largest shareholder Monday, will now be a member of the company’s board of directors.

“I’m excited to share that we’re appointing [Musk] to our board! Through conversations with Elon in recent weeks, it became clear to us that he would bring great value to our Board,” Twitter CEO Parag Agrawal said Tuesday. 

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‘Solidarity Fund’ Created for Ohio Starbucks Employees as They Attempt to Unionize in Columbus

Peter D'Abrosca

A “solidarity fund” has been created for Starbucks employees at a Columbus store as they attempt to join coworkers nationwide in unionizing, a process they say is being opposed by the coffee giant. 

“In Columbus, OH, a courageous and amazing group of Starbucks workers have come together at the 88 E. Broad St. store to form their Union with Starbucks Workers United! They are fighting for better wages, safe working conditions, and a voice at their worksite,” says a GoFundMe page organized by former Columbus mayoral candidate Liliana Baiman. 

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Arizona, Others Sue Biden Admin for Rescinding Title 42

Peter D'Abrosca

Arizona is leading the charge in suing the President Joe Biden’s administration over its plan to rescind Title 42, one of the few remaining protections that allows for the deportation of illegal aliens.

“This suit challenges an imminent, man-made, self-inflicted calamity: the abrupt elimination of the only safety valve preventing this Administration’s disastrous border policies from devolving into an unmitigated chaos and catastrophe. Specifically, this action challenges the Biden Administration’s revocation of Title 42 border control measures, which will, absent judicial relief, become effective May 23, 2022,” says a lawsuit filed by Attorney General Mark Brnovich (R) and his counterparts in Missouri and Louisiana. 

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Georgia State Senator Says Goodbye as Run for Attorney General Heats Up

Peter D'Abrosca

A Georgia State Senator officially left her post Monday on the last day of this year’s legislative session, as she continues her bid to be the Peach State’s top attorney. 

“I leave the Senate perhaps most proud of the gains we’ve made in representation, with women now making up a supermajority of the Democratic Caucus. I know they’ll continue to fight the good fight,” State Sen. Jen Jordan (D-District 6) said on Twitter. “From the bottom of my heart, thank you for all of your support. We’ve made a difference in the State Senate together, and I cannot wait to continue my service to this great state as Georgia’s next Attorney General.”

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Virginia Department of Transportation: Results of Independent Review of Days-Long Snow Storm Traffic Jam Being Analyzed

Peter D'Abrosca

The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) says it is in possession of an independent review of what caused a days-long traffic jam on I-95 in January. 

“VDOT’s top priority is and always will be the safety of the traveling public, and as we learn from each event, this report highlighted key areas for us to refine in our winter-weather operations,” said Virginia Commissioner of Highways Stephen Brich according to a press release. “Our on-road messaging, snow-clearing resource staging and partner engagement are all areas in which we are exploring new approaches to improve our response. Above all, we remain committed to better executing our mission of keeping Virginia’s transportation system safe every day and in the face of future extreme weather events.”

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Bill to Withhold Funds from Schools That Allow Transgender Athletes Passes Tennessee House

Peter D'Abrosca

A bill that would strip some funding from schools who break Tennessee’s new law on transgender athletes Thursday passed the Tennessee State House of Representatives. 

“I’m very pleased that the House passed this legislation and I’m confident the Senate chamber will pass it as well. It’s illogical to think sporting competitions involving speed, strength and endurance with males competing against females is a fair contest,” State Rep. John Ragan (R-District 33), the primary sponsor of the bill, told The Tennessee Star Friday.

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Oberlin Loses Appeal After Defaming Local Bakery

Peter D'Abrosca

An appellate court this week upheld a lower court’s ruling that a local bakery was defamed by Oberlin College, a private liberal arts schools in Ohio.

In 2019, Oberlin was ordered to pay the maximum of $11 million in compensatory damages, $33 million in punitive damages, plus more than $6 million in attorneys fees to Gibson’s Bakery, a town staple that had served students at the school for generations, and even had a contract to sell some of its products to the school. 

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Ohio Senate Dems Push ‘Fairness’ Act on ‘Trans Day of Visibility’

Peter D'Abrosca

The Ohio Senate Democrats Thursday marked their party’s holiday – the “Transgender Day of Visibility” – by peddling what is called the “Ohio Fairness Act.”

“Today is #TransDayOfVisibility and Ohio Senate Democrats are committed to creating policies that protect the safety and wellbeing of all Ohioans,” the group said. “Passing the #OhioFairnessAct, introduced by [State Sen. Nickie Antonio (D-District 23)], will ban discrimination on the basis of gender identity or sexual orientation, creating a more safe and inclusive Ohio.”

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Blumenthal Falsely Claims Oil Companies to Blame for High Gas Prices

Peter D'Abrosca

A U.S. Senator from Connecticut is falsely scapegoating oil companies for skyrocketing gas prices nationwide. 

“Oil companies are exploiting Russia’s war in Ukraine to drive up gas prices to obscene levels. It’s time to end this corporate profiteering,” Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) said Thursday. “We need a Big Oil Windfall Profits tax to take excess profits & deliver them to Americans getting stuck with the bill.”

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Florida Teacher Says He’s Upset He Can’t Talk to Students About LGBT Relationship Because of Anti-Grooming Law

Peter D'Abrosca

In an MSNBC interview that went viral on the internet, a gay Florida kindergarten teacher says he is hurt after Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) signed into law an anti-grooming bill.

“Personally, my kids do have questions,” said Cory Bernaert, a teacher of five-year-olds. “They want to know who my partner is in pictures outside my classroom, and I should be able to speak to that.”

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Bill to Legalize Marijuana Introduced in Tennessee General Assembly

Peter D'Abrosca

A bill to legalize marijuana this week was introduced by Democrats in the Tennessee General Assembly.

HB 1968 “[a]uthorizes the possession and transport of marijuana or marijuana concentrate, in permitted amounts, for adults who are at least 21 years of age (adults). Authorizes transfer of marijuana or marijuana concentrate between adults, in permitted amounts, without remuneration. Authorizes cultivation of up to 12 marijuana plants for adults. Authorizes the possession, storage, and processing of marijuana on an adult’s residence, in permitted amounts. Authorizes a parent, guardian, or conservator to administer a marijuana product, excluding any combustible product, to a minor, over whom the parent, guardian, or conservator has legal authority.”

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Ohio Gov. DeWine Says He’s Not Afraid of ‘Tough Fights’ in Campaign Ad, Renacci Responds

Peter D'Abrosca

Ohio’s governor Tuesday released a campaign ad bragging about his toughness. 

“He’s not afraid of the tough fights – Governor Mike DeWine,” the ad says. “When big city unions refused to open our schools, he took them head on and got our kids back in the classroom. As China cheats with unfair trade tactics, DeWine fought bring manufacturing jobs back to Ohio. While radicals pushed to defund our police, DeWine increased funding for law enforcement to keep us safe.” 

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Progressives Building ‘Nonpartisan’ Social Media Outlets, Send Out Ads for Democrats

Peter D'Abrosca

A Monday report details the story of a seemingly nonpartisan social media network that is actually building an audience to push ads for Democrat candidates in the 2022 elections via a left-wing news outlet. 

“The network, operating under the name Real Voices Media, uses apolitical, nonideological content to build up audiences,” the report said. “It then leverages the crowd on behalf of clients in what experts say is a potent persuasion strategy.”

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Trump-Endorsed Candidate for Lieutenant Governor Takes Shots at Weak Georgia Republicans

Peter D'Abrosca

A Trump-endorsed candidate vying to become Georgia’s next Lieutenant Governor Saturday blasted weak Republicans during a rally held by the former president in the Peach State.

“I’m running [for Lieutenant Governor] for a lot of the same reasons that Herschel Walker is running for United States Senate,” State Sen. Burt Jones (R-District 25) told the crowd of about 5,000. “Because I’m sick and tired of weak-kneed Republicans. I serve in the State Senate [and] I’ve seen them fold on tax issues, I’ve seen them fold on educational issues, I’ve seen them fold on law enforcement issues and I didn’t just see them fold on election issues in 2020, but I saw them run and hide under their desk in 2020.”

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Ohio’s Gas Prices Remain Higher Than $4 Per Gallon

Peter D'Abrosca

Nearly a month after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, for which Democrats blame skyrocketing gas prices nationwide, gas in Ohio remains at more than $4.00 per gallon on average. 

According to the American Automobile Association (AAA), the average price for a gallon of gas in Ohio has climbed three cents in the past week, from $4.01 per gallon to $4.04 per gallon. That’s only about 10 cents less than the state’s record high of $4.15 per gallon, recording in May of 2015. 

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New Haven Public Health Director Announces Bid for Connecticut Secretary of State

Peter D'Abrosca

New Haven’s Director of Public Health has decided to run for Secretary of State, according to Sunday reports. 

“Maritza currently serves as the Director of Health for the City of New Haven,” Bond’s campaign website says. “In this role, Maritza has been on the front lines of the fight against Covid, educating City residents on the importance of wearing masks, being socially distanced, and getting vaccinated.”

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Hot Mic at Metro Nashville Board of Education Meeting Catches Board Member Saying She Wants to Set Sen. Marsha Blackburn on Fire

Peter D'Abrosca

A woman at a Metro Nashville Board of Public Education meeting was caught on a hot microphone saying she wants to set a U.S. Senator from Tennessee on fire. 

Amid cross talk, one person in the recorded conversation brings up Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) in the context of Blackburn’s line of questioning during U.S. Supreme Court nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson’s confirmation hearings last week. 

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Ohio House Passes Bill to Standardize Ballot Contract, Security Processes

Peter D'Abrosca

A bill Thursday passed through the Ohio State House of Representatives that will change the way the state selects which company that makes voter ballots is chosen, and establishes guidelines for that process. 

“The contract shall be awarded to the most qualified, responsible proposer that meets the minimum standards established by the Secretary of State under division (D) of this section,” the text of HB 487 says.

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Watchdog Group Helps Uncover Potential Conflicts of Interest in Veterans Affairs Administration

Peter D'Abrosca

After a watchdog group and Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) pushed the Veterans Affairs Officer of the Inspector General (VA-OIG) to look into a possible conflict of interest, that OIG this week released a report saying that one VA official may have broken rules regarding conflicts of interest. 

The potential conflict of interest centers around executive director of the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) Charmain Bogue and her husband’s business dealings. 

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Tennessee Bill Would Excuse Teachers from Using Students’ Gender Pronouns

Peter D'Abrosca

A bill making its way through the Tennessee General Assembly would protect teachers who do not use specific gender pronouns preferred by their students. 

SB 2777 “specifies that a teacher or other employee of a public school or [Local Education Association] is not required to refer to a student using the student’s preferred pronoun if the pronoun does not align with the student’s biological sex” and “insulates a teacher or other employee of a public school or LEA from civil liability and adverse employment action for referring to a student using the pronoun aligned with the student’s biological sex instead of the student’s preferred pronoun.”

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NewsGuard Still Gives Perfect Credibility Ratings to News Orgs That Spread Misinformation About Biden Laptop

Peter D'Abrosca

Self-appointed news media truth arbiter NewsGuard has not downgraded any mainstream press organization’s trust rating, despite several of those outlets labeling the now-infamous Hunter Biden laptop story “disinformation” just before the 2020 election. 

The Washington Post, USA Today and Politico were among the outlets to dismiss the story as possible disinformation, according to the Media Research Center. 

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Ohio Utility Lobbying Congress to Keep Russian Uranium Flowing for Nuclear Energy

Peter D'Abrosca

After years of corrupt dealings between the Clinton family, the Biden family, and the administration of former President Barack Obama, all of which contributed to Russia’s near-total monopoly on uranium, one Ohio utility company needs to keep that Uranium flowing for its nuclear energy production. 

The National Energy Institute (NEI), a trade group of U.S. nuclear power generation companies including Duke Energy Corp … and Exelon Corp … is lobbying the White House to keep the exemption on uranium imports from Russia, the sources said, according to a report in Reuters.

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Georgia Lt. Gov. Duncan’s Advocacy Group Launches Anti-Trump Ad Ahead of Former President’s Saturday Rally

Peter D'Abrosca

Just days before former President Donald Trump is slated to hold a rally in Georgia, Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan (R) launched a statewide ad bashing the Trump and the direction of the GOP.

“Inflation at a 40-year high, open borders, national security threats – but some politicians would rather talk about conspiracy theories and past losses, letting liberal extremists take us in the wrong direction, a mistake our country simply can’t afford,” the ad begins. 

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Columbus Giving Naloxone to Residents to Prevent Opioid Overdoses

Peter D'Abrosca
Narcan nasal spray

In conjunction with Franklin County, the city of Columbus is inviting opioid-addicted residents to order free naloxone, also known as Narcan, to help them reverse overdoses.

“Narcan distribution is part of our comprehensive programming to address the addiction crisis – and it is highly effective,” Columbus’ Director of Communications Kelli Newman told The Ohio Star. “Last year, through the Columbus & Franklin County Addiction Plan, we provided 24,144 Narcan kits (48,244 doses) and conducted 624 community trainings. As a result of Narcan being dispensed by bystanders, friends and family members, there were 3,699 overdose reversals in our community last year. Simply put, Narcan saves lives.”

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Scammers Targeting Pennsylvanians After State Troopers Killed in the Line of Duty

Peter D'Abrosca
person talking on a phone

According to several Wednesday reports, scammers are targeting Pennsylvanians in an attempt to profit off the tragic deaths of two state troopers. 

“It’s disgusting to even have to issue this statement, but our members and others are reporting to us that they’re receiving phone calls from people alleging to represent law enforcement organizations that are raising money to benefit the families of our fallen brothers,” Pennsylvania State Troopers Association (PTSA) President David Kennedy reportedly said. 

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Giffords Releases Endorsements of Anti-Second Amendment Incumbents in Swing Districts

Peter D'Abrosca
Gabby Giffords

A prominent gun rights group Wednesday endorsed 13 incumbent members of Congress who reside in districts that could flip towards Republicans in November. 

“Below are our latest U.S. House endorsements, and they represent candidates in some of the most competitive districts in the country,” Giffords said in a press release. “In order to continue making progress on this issue — investing in community violence intervention programs, funding gun violence research, closing domestic violence loopholes, passing universal background checks, and so much more — we must send these incumbent representatives back to Capitol Hill next January.”

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DeSantis Signs Bill Requiring High School Students to Pass Financial Literacy Course

Peter D'Abrosca
Ron DeSantis of Florida

Florida’s Governor Tuesday signed into law a bill that will require students to learn about finances and money in order to graduate from high school.

“Today, I think, is good, because what the bill’s doing with financial literacy is really providing a foundation for students that’s gonna be applicable in their lives regardless of what path they take, “DeSantis continued. “I mean, if they go the university route, post-graduate, any of that, they’re still gonna need these skills. If they go right into the workforce, they’re still gonna need these skills. And so any different endeavor that you do to be able to be well-versed in financial literacy, that is gonna help you.”

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Youngkin Says Virginia Will ‘Work Hard’ to Suspend Gas Tax

Peter D'Abrosca

Virginia’s governor is once again proposing a suspension of the state’s gas tax as prices at the pump remain near record highs. 

“It’s time for us to give Virginians a break, and we’re going to work hard to suspend the gas tax,” Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) said in a Tuesday interview with Fox News Radio. “I’ve got to send a bill down to our legislature, which I’ll call back into special session, and we’re going to get them working on this.” 

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Pennsylvania Women’s Groups Silent After UPenn’s Lia Thomas Wins National Championship

Peter D'Abrosca

Women’s groups in Pennsylvania are quiet after the University of Pennsylvania’s (UPenn) biologically male transgender swimmer Lia Thomas won the women’s National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) 500-yard freestyle swimming championship at the end of last week.

The Pennsylvania National Organization for Women (PNOW), Women’s Way and the Women’s Law Project did not return The Pennsylvania Daily Star’s Tuesday comment requests regarding whether they felt Thomas’ win was a victory for women.

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Cherokee County School Board Shuts Down Mom for Asserting That Explicit Book from School Library Is Inappropriate

Peter D'Abrosca

A concerned parent was cut off and subsequently disallowed from speaking at a Cherokee County School Board (CCSB) meeting last week after she read a graphic passage from book that is required for some students to read. 

Michelle Brown recounted for the board the process by which a book can be removed from Cherokee County School District’s libraries or classrooms, which she said includes significant wait times, and the required purchase of 20 copies of the book at taxpayer expense for an independent committee to review. 

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