Author: Tom Pappert

Proposed Virginia Budget Would Eliminate Audit of 2024 Presidential Election Results

Tom Pappert
People Voting

The biennial budget proposed by Virginia lawmakers contains a provision that would forbid the commonwealth from conducting an audit of the 2024 presidential results in November.

While Virginia law mandates a “risk-limiting audit” be administered after every presidential election, an amendment proposed by the General Assembly seeks to declare, “a risk-limiting audit of a presidential election or an election for the nomination of candidates for the office of President shall not be conducted.”

Read the full story

Jim Jordan to Hold Fani Willis in Contempt of Congress Unless She Complies with Subpoena by March 28

Tom Pappert
Jim Jordan Fani Willis

Representative Jim Jordan (R-OH-04) revealed on Thursday he sent a letter expressing his intention to hold Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis in contempt of Congress if she does not comply with a subpoena from the House Judiciary Committee by the end of March.

A press release detailed Thursday the U.S. House Judiciary Committee has threatened to hold Willis in contempt over her alleged refusal to comply with a subpoena issued more than a month ago.

Read the full story

Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs Asks Congress for over $750 Million for Illegal Immigration After Vetoing Border Invasion Act

Tom Pappert
Gov. Katie Hobbs

Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs asked Congress on Wednesday to support a request by Senators Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ) and Mark Kelly (D-AZ) to provide more than $750 million in funding to support the southern border.

While Hobbs urged the U.S. Congress to take action on the border, her letter came after she vetoed a Republican-backed bill that would have made it a state crime to enter Arizona outside official ports of entry.

Read the full story

Tennessee Senate Kills Bill That Would Have Seen Driver’s Licenses Issued to Illegal Immigrants

Tom Pappert
Illegal Immigration TN Driver License

A Tennessee Senate committee on Wednesday voted down a bill that would have required the state to provide a form of driver’s license to illegal immigrants which would have conferred the same rights and privileges as official licenses issued to United States citizens.

State Senator Heidi Campbell (D-Nashville) called the identification documents “driver privilege cards” during Wednesday’s Senate Transportation and Safety Committee meeting, arguing her bill would have made roads safer in Tennessee.

Read the full story

Democrat Claims Youngkin Unwilling to Compromise on Legal Marijuana, Minimum Wage to Secure Potomac Yards Arena

Tom Pappert
Virginia Democrats, Youngkin

A Democrat in the Virginia General Assembly claims Governor Glenn Youngkin has refused efforts to bargain his Potomac Yards arena for the Washington Wizards and Washington Capitals.

Youngkin’s office reportedly told State Senator Creigh Deeds (D-Charlottesville) that the governor has no interest in signing legislation that would create a legal market for marijuana in the commonwealth, even though Virginia legalized the drug in 2021.

Read the full story

Pinal County Left to Address Reportedly ‘Toxic’ Garbage Created by Homeless Campers After Feds Restrict 1,000 Acres in Arizona

Tom Pappert
Homeless Camp

Officials in Pinal County are reportedly working to address toxic garbage caused by illegal camping by the homeless after the Bureau of Land Management displaced them by closing 1,000 acres of public land in Apache Junction and the Tonto National Forest to create a new recreation area.

Pinal County Supervisor Jeff Serdy confirmed local authorities are left to confront the numbers of “boondockers,” “nomads” and “truly homeless” who were displaced after BLM closed the acreage to build a recreation area in remarks to ABC 15.

Read the full story

Gov. Brian Kemp Acknowledges ‘Disappointing’ Pause to Rivian Electric Vehicles Plant After $1.5 Billion in Subsidies

Tom Pappert
Brian Kemp

Governor Brian Kemp made public remarks about electric vehicle manufacturer Rivian Automotive announcing plans to pause work on its $5 billion plant in Georgia in a Tuesday press event.

Kemp, whose support for the Rivian deal helped generate $1.5 billion in tax incentives for the company, called the situation “no doubt disappointing” in a press conference.

Read the full story

Bureau of Prisons Tells Rep. Andy Ogles It Refuses to Transfer Unjustly Imprisoned J6 Defendant Stewart Parks to Minimum Security Satellite Camp

Tom Pappert
Stewart Parks FBI

A Federal Bureau of Prison (BOP) official on Wednesday formally refused the written request by Representative Andy Ogles (R-TN-05) to move unjustly imprisoned January 6 defendant Stewart Parks to the minimum security satellite camp located at the Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) in Memphis.

Despite Parks being a nonviolent, first-time offender convicted after he merely entered the U.S. Capitol on January 6, the letter by BOP Legislative Affairs Chief David Mapp claims the medium security prison is an “appropriate facility” for the Tennessee entrepreneur and former congressional candidate.

Read the full story

U.S. House Passes Bill to Require Tennessee Valley Authority Disclose Salaries for Top Executives

Tom Pappert

The U.S. House of Representatives on recently legislation filed by Representatives Steve Cohen (D-TN-09) and Tim Burchett (R-TN-02) that would require the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) to publish the salaries of its top executives, Cohen announced in a Monday press release.

Titled the TVA Salary Transparency Act, text of the two-page bill reveals new requirements would be posed for the TVA to provide annually “a report of the total number of employees at the management level or above, to include all executives and board members, that shall include the names, salaries, and duties” of employees “that are receiving compensation” higher than that allotted to the highest paid government employees.

Read the full story

Knoxville to Consider Resolution Demanding Biden Admin End Support for Israel, Seek Ceasefire in Gaza

Tom Pappert
Amelia Parker

The City of Knoxville will consider on March 19 a resolution that would call for Tennessee’s U.S. Congressional delegation to join the city in demanding the Biden administration cease providing military support to Israel until the country agrees to a ceasefire with Hamas terrorists in Gaza.

Filed by Knoxville City Council At-Large Seat C Representative Amelia Parker, the resolution urges the United States act to force Israel to comply with an International Court of Justice (IJC) ruling that raised concerns about Israel’s practices in its defensive war against Hamas.

Read the full story

Records Showing Nathan Wade Paid with Fulton County Confiscated Property Fund Are ‘Data Entry Error,’ Officials Claim

Tom Pappert
Nathan Wade Money

Fulton County officials on Monday claimed records that reportedly show special prosecutor Nathan Wade was paid using funds from confiscated property are a “clerical error” on behalf of the county government.

Multiple Fulton County spokesmen, including a member of Willis’ office, offered explanations to Newsweek when the publication asked about records it obtained that showed Wade was paid using the county’s confiscated property funds.

Read the full story

Chilean Nationals Allegedly Behind String of Arizona Burglaries Came to America Using Tourist Visa Waiver

Tom Pappert
Scottsdale Police Department

Three Chilean nationals arrested by the Scottsdale Police Department (SPD) over a string of burglaries in Arizona and California were originally allowed to enter the United States as tourists.

Scottsdale Police Chief Jeff Walther confirmed in a Tuesday press conference that three Chileans the department arrested Sunday entered the country using the U.S. State Department’s visa waiver program, which allows citizens of other countries to remain in the United States for 90 days if the purpose for their travel is business or tourism.

Read the full story

Gov. Youngkin Calls Virginia Budget ‘Completely Backward,’ Hints at Showdown with Democrats in General Assembly

Tom Pappert
Glenn Youngkin

Governor Glenn Youngkin twice referred to the budget proposed by the Virginia General Assembly as “backward” in remarks made Monday, setting the stage for a showdown with Democratic lawmakers in April.

Youngkin first said the commonwealth’s lawmakers created a “backward budget” in a post to X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.

Read the full story

Tennessee Considers Bill Legalizing Non-Lethal Weapons on College Campuses Following Murder of Laken Riley

Tom Pappert
State Rep Gino Bulso and Laken Riley

The Tennessee General Assembly is considering legislation that would enshrine the legal right of members of the public to carry a variety of non lethal weapons on college campuses.

Already passed in the Tennessee House of Representatives on last Monday, HB 1909 by Representative Gino Bulso (R-Brentwood) would specify “that it is not a criminal offense for an adult person to carry or possess pepper spray, a taser, or another similar device for purposes of self-defense” when on any college or university.

Read the full story

Virginia Police Academy Signs Graduation Documents in Chinese Despite Law Designating English as Official Language

Tom Pappert
Herndon Police Chief Maggie DeBoard and Major Wilson Lee

Police in Fairfax County are reportedly refusing a request by Herndon Police Chief Maggie DeBoard to reissue ceremonial police academy graduation documents after they were signed in Chinese. English was declared the “official language of the Commonwealth” in 1996.

The graduation certificates were signed by Major Wilson Lee of the Fairfax County Police Criminal Justice Academy, who according to NBC 4 Washington is Chinese-American. Lee has reportedly held the position for more than a year, but the outlet explained the Herndon Police Department only recently received its first batch of new graduates from the academy since Lee began his tenure.

Read the full story

Georgia Tax Collections Decrease 4 Percent amid Calls for Income Tax Cut Acceleration

Tom Pappert
Gov Brian Kemp

Tax collections in Georgia decreased by about 4 percent in February. The change was driven by sharp decreases in the state’s income tax revenues following Republican-led tax cuts, though Georgia simultaneously saw increased revenue from sales taxes and taxes on corporations.

A press release from the office of Governor Brian Kemp notes the state’s tax revenues fell 4.3 percent in February while the year’s tax collections are down 3.1 percent to date.

Read the full story

Arizona U.S. Rep. Andy Biggs Sat Out State of the Union Address: ‘I Do Not Respect Joe Biden’

Tom Pappert
Rep Andy Biggs

U.S. Representative Andy Biggs (R-AZ-05) confirmed in a Monday appearance on C-SPAN that he was not in attendance for the joint session of Congress to hear the State of the Union address delivered by President Joe Biden last week, citing his lack of respect for the 81-year-old president.

Asked about the State of the Union address Monday on The Washington Journal, Biggs characterized Biden’s remarks as “a campaign speech” before revealing he watched from his office and did not attend in person.

Read the full story

Towing Company Behind Racism Lawsuit Against Memphis Now Accused of Racketeering

Tom Pappert

A towing company that sued the City of Memphis last year over racism allegations is now a defendant in a lawsuit which asserts it is engaged in a racketeering scheme to squeeze owners 18-wheelers with excessive, duplicative and illegal fees for parking. The plaintiffs also claim the company engages in illegal towing, booting or impounding of vehicles.

The lawsuit claims the owner of A1’s Towing and Hauling of Memphis, Colton Ahmad Cathey, is the co-creator of an illegal network of towing and booting companies that lure unsuspecting drivers to their lots then charge excessive fees to remediate illegal booting and towing of their vehicles.

Read the full story

Youngkin Signs 64 Bills, Vetoes Eight as Path for Potomac Yards Arena Approval Narrows

Tom Pappert
Gov. Glenn Youngkin

Governor Glenn Youngkin on Friday acted on more than 80 bills approved by the Virginia General Assembly. In total, the governor signed 64 new bills into law, amended 12 and vetoed eight.

Youngkin called the 64 bills he signed into law “bipartisan” and “a clear demonstration of what can be achieved when we set politics aside and work together for Virginians” in a statement.

Read the full story

Leader of Human Smuggling Organization that Held Illegal Immigrants in Phoenix Sentenced to Four Years Prison

Tom Pappert

The Department of Justice (DOJ) announced on Friday the sentencing of a Phoenix man who led a human smuggling ring which moved illegal immigrants from Central America and held them in Arizona before driving them to destinations across the United States.

Tony Cardenas, a 36-year-old man from Phoenix, was sentenced to four years in prison and three years of supervised release earlier this month for his role as “the leader of a Phoenix-based human-smuggling operation” involving a total of at least 19 criminals, the DOJ announced. Cardenas is of no known relation to U.S. Representative Tony Cardenas (D-CA-29).

Read the full story

Tennessee Lawmaker Drops Bid to Ban Cold Beer Sales After Lukewarm Response

Tom Pappert
Ron Gant

The Tennessee State Senate advanced a new version of a bill aimed at addressing drunk driving laws, but the version advanced by lawmakers on Thursday was amended to omit any plans to ban the sale of cold beer.

After lawmakers greeted “The Tennessee Prevention of Drunk Driving Act” with a lukewarm reception over language that banned stores from selling cold beer to the public in a bid to lower the number of drunk drivers throughout the state, its sponsor announced plans to change the contents of the legislation through an amendment.

Read the full story

Nashville Mayor Reportedly Committed to Funding Transportation Plans with Sales Tax Increase

Tom Pappert
Freddie O'Connell

A report released on Wednesday claims Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell is committed to funding his proposed transportation initiative with an increase to the city’s sales tax.

O’Connell and his administration are reportedly “leaning toward a half cent sales tax” as the primary funding source of the transit referendum he plans to take before voters in November, a News Channel 5 report claims.

Read the full story

Arizona Prosecutors Reportedly Sought Answers About Trump, Presidential Involvement in 2020 Election Contest

Tom Pappert
Mayes Trump

Following the Wednesday news that an Arizona grand jury issued subpoenas regarding the 2020 election contest, reports now claim prosecutors working under Attorney General Kris Mayes reportedly asked witnesses about former President Donald Trump and his direct involvement in the effort to challenge the election results in Arizona.

Subpoenas were sent on Wednesday by the grand jury investigating the challenge to the 2020 election results in Arizona. Multiple reports now confirm the grand jury targeted those involved with the effort to create an alternative slate of Electoral College electors in a bid to preserve the former president’s legal standing in various court cases.

Read the full story

Democrat Challenging Judge in Georgia Trump Trial Labels Fani Willis Disqualification Proceedings ‘Clown Show’ He Wouldn’t Allow

Tom Pappert
Robert Patillo

The Democrat challenging the judge overseeing the Georgia election racketeering case against former President Donald Trump described the proceedings to potentially disqualify Fulton County Attorney Fani Willis as a “clown show” and “circus” that he would not allow if he were in the courtroom.

Robert Patillo, an Atlanta attorney and Democratic candidate seeking the judgeship currently held by Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee, made the remarks during a Wednesday appearance on 95.5 WSB’s The Shelley Wynter Show.

Read the full story

Virginia Lt. Gov. Winsome Sears Reportedly Declines to Endorse Trump Despite Endorsement by Youngkin

Tom Pappert
Sears Trump

Virginia Lt. Governor Winsome Sears on Thursday reportedly declined to endorse former President Donald Trump when asked by reporters in a move just hours after Governor Glenn Youngkin formally announced his endorsement for the former president.

Sears was apparently asked about a potential Trump endorsement while walking to the Virginia Senate, and reporter Graham Moomaw reported she replied, “Everyone has to make their own decision.”

Read the full story

Tennessee Jury Convicts Ex-FBI Technician Who ‘Abused His Position of Trust’ to Prey on 14-Year-Old Girl

Tom Pappert
Justin Carroll

The Department of Justice (DOJ) announced on Wednesday the conviction of a former electronics technician for the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in Tennessee who federal officials said abused his position to “prey” on a 14-year-old girl.

A press release from the DOJ reveals a jury in Middle Tennessee former FBI employee Justin Carroll “guilty of sexual exploitation of a minor, coercion and enticement of a minor to engage in unlawful sexual activity, receipt of child pornography, and transfer of obscene material to an individual under the age of sixteen.”

Read the full story

Virginia Republicans Could Abandon Youngkin Unless Governor Vetoes Bill Providing Funds for Illegal Immigrant Healthcare

Tom Pappert
Glenn Youngkin

A poll of Virginia Republicans released Tuesday shows the majority would be less likely to support Governor Glenn Youngkin in the future if he does not veto a bill expanding a federal drug program which makes funding available for hospitals to provide care for illegal immigrants.

The Tyson Group poll asked Virginia Republicans if they would be more or less likely to support Youngkin in the future “if he strengthened a program that subsidizes healthcare for illegal immigrants?”

Read the full story

Lawyer Who Unearthed Fani Willis Allegations Reveals Prosecutor Met With Kamala Harris in Georgia Senate Hearing

Tom Pappert
Fani Willis and Kamala Harris

The defense attorney who originally unearthed the revelation that Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis was romantically linked with special prosecutor Nathan Wade appeared before the Georgia State Senate on Wednesday to share her knowledge with a committee created to investigate Willis’ actions.

Merchant detailed how she learned of the relationship between Willis and Wade, who the district attorney appointed to prosecute the Georgia election case against former President Donald Trump, and explained she learned of a meeting between Willis and Vice President Kamala Harris during her investigation.

Read the full story

Navajo County Confirms Five Men Behind Alleged Arizona Train Robbery Are Illegal Immigrants

Tom Pappert

The Navajo County Sheriff’s Department (NCSO) confirmed on Monday that five men who allegedly robbed a train in Joseph City are illegal immigrants and are being held on a federal immigration hold.

Law enforcement confirmed in a news release that five men were arrested in Joseph City for robbing a BNSF Railway train as it was parked, explaining police received a call reporting suspicious activity and found the suspects in a vehicle containing tools that could be used to break into a train car.

Read the full story

Tennessee House Education Committee Advances Bill for School Choice Expansion

Tom Pappert
School Work

Lawmakers in the Tennessee House of Representatives voted on Wednesday to advance legislation to expand school choice, moving forward the proposal announced by Governor Bill Lee in November.

Designed to create 20,000 new Education Savings Accounts (ESAs) for Tennessee students next school year, HB 1183 passed the House Education Administration Committee with 12 votes in favor and seven votes against.

Read the full story

Second Witness Offers to Testify Fani Willis Started Dating Nathan Wade in 2019 in Georgia Trump Trial

Tom Pappert
Manny Arora

A court filing submitted in the Georgia election case against former President Donald Trump offers the testimony of a second witness who will testify that Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis started dating Nathan Wade in 2019 or 2020, placing the start of their relationship years before she decided to appoint him as a special prosecutor.

The two-page filing by attorneys representing Trump’s co-defendant, Cathy Latham, offers the testimony of attorney Manny Arora, a former adjunct professor at the Georgia State School of Law, who expressed her willingness to testify during a phone conversation last Thursday.

Read the full story

Past Support by Ruben Gallego for Illegal Immigrants in Military Highlighted by Kari Lake as Bill Would Trade Service for Citizenship

Tom Pappert
Ruben Gallego

Arizona U.S. Senate candidate Kari Lake highlighted the previous support by Representative Ruben Gallego (D-AZ-03) for legislation that would have allowed illegal immigrants who entered the United States as children to serve in the U.S. Armed Forces.

Lake noted Gallego’s previous support for the legislation after Tucker Carlson posted a discussion of a bill currently in the U.S. House that would allow illegal immigrants to serve in the military in exchange for an expedited path to citizenship.

Read the full story

Virginia Democrat Wants Youngkin’s Support for Marijuana Bill in Exchange for Potomac Yards Arena

Tom Pappert
Surovell Youngkin

Another Virginia Democrat suggested Governor Glenn Youngkin will need to approve a partisan bill that would allow the commercial sale of marijuana in order to secure key support for a bill to fund the construction of an arena for the Washington Wizards and Washington Commanders in Potomac Yards.

Virginia Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell (D-Mount Vernon) told Axios on Tuesday that he has “been very clear” with Youngkin, and explained, “if the governor would like the arena, that cannabis has to be part of the discussion.”

Read the full story

Memphis Prison Refuses Reply to Rep. Ogles over Unjustly Imprisoned J6 Defendant Stewart Parks Until Congressman Uses ‘Proper Channels’

Tom Pappert
Andy Ogles

An executive assistant at the Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) in Memphis told The Tennessee Star on Sunday that Warden F.J. Bowers will not respond to a letter from Representative Andy Ogles (R-TN-05) requesting action for a J6 defendant until the congressman follows the “proper channels” for communication.

Ogles sent a letter to the facility on February 13 after The Star reported the conditions inside FCI Memphis as relayed by Stewart Parks, a former Tennessee candidate for U.S. House and unjustly convicted January 6 defendant who began serving an eight-month sentence at FCI Memphis in February.

Read the full story

Fani Willis Called Nathan Wade’s Ex-Law Partner to Discuss Georgia Star News, Washington Examiner Articles About Special Prosecutor’s Huge Legal Fees: Court Filing

Tom Pappert

A new court filing submitted Monday by former Georgia Republican Party Chair David Shafer in the Georgia election case against former President Donald Trump reveals Cobb County Co-Chief Deputy District Attorney Cindi Yeager (pictured above) is now willing to testify that she overheard a phone call made by Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis to Terrence Bradley, the former law partner of special prosecutor Nathan Wade.

Read the full story

Former Richmond Postal Carrier Pleads Guilty to Stealing Mail After Virginia USPS Prompt Bipartisan Response

Tom Pappert
USPS VAns

A former postal carrier for the United States Postal Service (USPS) pleaded guilty on Friday to stealing hundreds of pieces of mail in an episode that may explain part of the delivery issues that prompted a bipartisan response from Virginia’s federal representatives.

Former USPS postal carrier Wendy Lawrence of Richmond, according to the Department of Justice (DOJ), stole hundreds of pieces of mail from “over 180 victims.” She then removed “gift cards, checks, and other items of value” and used the information to engage in other criminal activity.

Read the full story

Arizona Legislature and Runbeck Election Services Reach Election Integrity Agreement, Including 2022 Election Footage

Tom Pappert
Runbeck Ballot Production

A memorandum of understanding (MAU) between the Arizona Legislature and Runbeck Election Services on Monday, with Representative Alex Kolodin (R-Scottsdale) and Senator Wendy Rogers (R-Flagstaff) declaring it will significantly strengthen election integrity.

The legislature and Runbeck, which processes the mail-in ballots for Maricopa County, reached four key areas of agreement that include the release of some 2022 election video, and the lawmakers explained in a press release that the MAU marks “the culmination of an extensive examination of the company’s election processes.”

Read the full story

UGA Refuses to Release Audio, Provide Details of Attempted 911 Call by Laken Riley

Tom Pappert
Laken Riley 911

The University of Georgia (UGA) declined to provide details to The Georgia Star News on Monday about the attempted call to emergency services by Laken Riley, the nursing student who police say was killed at the UGA campus by Jose Ibarra, who illegally immigrated to the United States from Venezuela.

An arrest affidavit filed against Ibarra on February 23 offered new details about her death, including the revelation his alleged attack disfigured Riley’s skull, and claims the nursing student attempted to dial 911 for help during the attack but was stopped by Ibarra.

Read the full story

Left Wing Group Doxxes Conservative TN GOP State Senator Who Wants to Clean up Crime Ridden Memphis

Tom Pappert
Memphis Sen Brent Taylor

A left wing group posted the personal business information of Tennessee State Senator Brent Taylor (R-Memphis) to social media on Sunday, prompting the lawmaker to reply that he does not “intimidate easily.”

In a Sunday post to X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, the account Decarcerate Memphis posted a real estate listing for Taylor’s Memphis home, and gave information about the lawmaker’s private sector job as the owner of a funeral home.

Read the full story

DHS Secretary Mayorkas Denies Illegal Immigration Led to Murder of Laken Riley: ‘One Individual Is Responsible’

Tom Pappert
Alejandro Mayorkas With Immigrants

In a Sunday interview, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Alejandro Mayorkas denied a link between the murder of nursing student Laken Riley on the University of Georgia (UGA) campus and illegal immigration despite police charging a man who immigrated illegally from Venezuela with the killing.

Asked if there was a breakdown in the federal immigration system that allowed Venezuelan illegal immigrant Jose Ibarra to allegedly murder Riley, Mayorkas on Face the Nation cited his experience as a prosecutor and declared, “one individual is responsible for the murder and that is the murderer.”

Read the full story

Mayor Paul Young Met with Gang Leaders in Bid to Broker Seven-Day Ceasefire, Lower Memphis Crime

Tom Pappert
Memphis Mayor Paul Young

Memphis Mayor Paul Young revealed on Wednesday that met with a number of gang leaders with the goal of brokering a ceasefire between them to lower crime in the city in early February.

The meeting occurred months after Young promised to unveil a sophisticated crime plan within 100 days after taking office that would address the surge in criminality the Tennessee city experienced last year.

Read the full story

Greater Phoenix Area Receives $46.5 Million in Federal Funds for Homeless as Arizona Spending Reportedly Nears $1 Billion

Tom Pappert
homelessness in Arizona

The Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG) announced last week the federal government awarded over $40 million to supplement programs supporting the homeless. The federal money was announced as state spending on homelessness reportedly nears $1 billion per year.

MAG announced in a press release that “more than $46.5 million in federal funding” will be provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to “help fund dozens of local homelessness programs.” The figure is also $10 million higher than the previous year’s federal commitment, MAG explained.

Read the full story

Youngkin to Receive Bill Legalizing Controversial ‘Skill Games’ in Virginia amid Call for Veto

Tom Pappert
Video Poker skill games

The Virginia General Assembly approved a unified bill that would legalize controversial skill games throughout the commonwealth on Friday. Critics, who argue the devices would institutionalize gambling throughout Virginia, have called for Governor Glenn Youngkin to veto the bill.

After the Virginia House of Delegates and State Senate passed wildly differing versions of legislation to legalize skill games, the General Assembly agreed on combined legislation that limits bars and other places that sell liquor to four machines and truck stops to 10 machines. Lawmakers also seek to impose a 25 percent tax rate on proceeds generated by the machines.

Read the full story

Wife of Tennessee J6 Prisoner Ronald McAbee Declares Justice System ‘Failed’ After Nearly Six-Year Sentence

Tom Pappert
Ronald McAbee

January 6 defendant Ronald McAbee was sentenced on Thursday to 70 months in federal prison for the actions prosecutors said he took on January 6.

Ronald McAbee previously argued in court that video showed him attempting to help a member of Capitol police, with the Tennessee man telling a fallen officer that he was helping and wanted to separate him from the crowd. He was convicted in October 2023. 

Read the full story

Poll Claiming Nashville Wants Public Transit Admits Oversampling Black, Hispanic Citizens for ‘Greater Insight’

Tom Pappert
Nashville Buses

A poll touted by Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell on Wednesday, which claims the majority of the city’s residents want greater investments into public transits, admittedly over sampled black and Hispanic citizens in a bid to achieve “greater insight” into city’s mood.

The Imagine Nashville survey claimed that 74 percent of Nashville residents strongly agree with the city spending additional money on public transportation. The pollsters further claimed that 33 percent of respondents cited a lack of public transportation as an issue where the city needs to improve.

Read the full story

Youngkin Reportedly Offers Democrats $322 Million in Toll Relief to Secure Potomac Yards Arena

Tom Pappert
Glenn Youngkin Toll Road

Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin reportedly offered Senator L. Louise Lucas (D-Portsmouth) more than $300 million in toll relief for Hampton Roads in exchange for her approval for the Potomac Yards Arena to be built for the Washington Commanders and Wizards to move to the commonwealth, according to a Tuesday report.

The governor and his office “have privately pitched a $322 million plan for toll relief in Hampton Roads,” according to The Richmond Times-Dispatch, which reported the offer the Youngkin administration privately outlined the offer to lawmakers, and noted the total is more than three times the $92 million plan requested by Lucas.

Read the full story

Green Bay School Superintendent Resigns After Calling Colleague ‘Witch,’ Wisconsin ‘Lily’ White on Hot Mic in Atlanta Radio Interview

Tom Pappert
Radio Interview

A Green Bay, Wisconsin school superintendent resigned on Tuesday after he was captured on a hot mic describing the district as “lily” white and expressing his displeasure at working in a “white district” during an appearance on WAOK-AM as he visited Atlanta to recruit educators.

Former Green Bay Area Public School District (GBAPS) Superintendent Claude Tiller Jr.’s hot mic comments were broadcast on YouTube while the radio station broadcast was on a commercial break.

Read the full story

Texts Reveal Ex-Law Partner of Nathan Wade Sent Tips About Fani Willis Affair to Defense Attorney: ‘You Are My Friend and I Trust You’

Tom Pappert
Nathan Wade Fani Willis

Text messages were published Wednesday by talk show host Megyn Kelly and reporter Phil Holloway, revealing the former law partner of special prosecutor Nathan Wade sent tips to a defense attorney about when he began an intimate relationship with District Attorney Fani Willis.

Though Bradley would later dismiss the information he provided in the text messages while testifying this week as speculation, the claims he made in writing support those made by attorneys representing Michael Roman, the former White House opposition researcher who was charged in the election case directed at former President Donald Trump.

Read the full story

Lee Spokesman Rebukes Claims Tennessee Education Commissioner Lacks Qualifications as Democrats Demand Resignation

Tom Pappert
TDOE Commissioner

The office of Tennessee Governor Bill Lee on Tuesday pushed back on claims by Democrats in the Tennessee House of Representatives who claim that Lizzette Reynolds, the Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Education (TDOE), lacks the constitutional qualifications required for the position.

Reynolds has faced calls for her resignation by Democrats since late January, when Democrats claimed in a press conference that Reynolds is not eligible to lead TDOE citing the Tennessee Constitution.

Read the full story