Author: Tom Pappert

Crowder Claims to Have Covenant Killer Manifesto

Tom Pappert

Conservative comedian and commentator Steven Crowder claimed to have a copy of the manifesto written by Covenant School shooter Audrey Hale that he intends to release at 9 a.m. CT. Crowder’s claim comes as the parent company The Tennessee Star continues its two ongoing lawsuits seeking to obtain the document, and as public officials call for its release.

In a post to X, formerly Twitter, Crowder wrote that his investigative “team has obtained exclusive access to the Nashville Covenant shooter’s manifesto” and said he intends to release the document on Monday morning. Crowder is hosting a stream on Rumble to discuss the alleged manifesto.

Read the full story

Sen. Blackburn: Whistleblower Has ‘Irrefutable Evidence’ Facebook Serves Harmful Content to Kids, Hid Data from Congress

Tom Pappert

Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) said on Friday that a whistleblower formerly employed by Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and Threads, provided “irrefutable evidence” the social media giant knowingly serves harmful content to children on its platforms.

Blackburn released a bipartisan statement with Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) on Friday after speaking with whistleblower Arturo Bejar, a former employee and consultant for Meta, which was then Facebook. He alleged the company willfully ignored data proving children are regularly served to content that glorifies drug use and eating disorders, and are subjected to sexual harassment and bullying on the company’s platforms.

Read the full story

Phoenix Clears Final Blocks of ‘The Zone’ Homeless Camp as Maricopa County Posts Record Evictions

Tom Pappert

Phoenix cleared the final blocks of “The Zone” last Wednesday, marking the end of the largest homeless encampment in Arizona, after the majority of homeless were relocated. On the following day, city officials revealed more evictions were filed in October 2023 than in any other month since 2005.

The City of Phoenix cleared the final blocks of “The Zone” last week following a deadline set in court after the city lost a lawsuit from local businesses who successfully obtained a court ruling that determined the city was negligent and ordered the camp cleared. Photos posted to social media appear to confirm “The Zone” was completely cleared on November 2.

Read the full story

Rep. Andy Ogles Backs Bill Stripping Federal Funding from Youth Transgender Studies

Tom Pappert

Representative Andy Ogles (R-TN-05) is backing a Republican bill to prohibit taxpayer dollars from funding research that facilitates “gender-affirming care” for minor children. The bill was written after two transgender children took their own lives in one federally funded study.

The No Taxpayer Funding for Researchers Who Prey on Children Act would prohibit any individual or group that previously engaged in a study facilitating “gender-affirming care” for minors from receiving federal funding.  Representative Josh Breechen (R-OK-02) introduced this bill on Thursday.

Read the full story

Trump Co-Defendant Claims He Can Prove 2020 Election Fraud in Georgia at Trial Using Secretary of State Data

Tom Pappert

Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee ruled Friday the Georgia Secretary of State’s office must submit a new motion to quash a request from Harrison Floyd, who subpoenaed the government agency for information related to the 2020 election. Floyd’s attorney claims Georgia’s state agencies have information that will prove the 2020 elections in Fulton County and Georgia were fraudulent, which in turn will confirm his client’s innocence at trial.

Floyd is the former director of Black Voices for Trump, and Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis included him in her racketeering case against former President Donald Trump. She claims he tried to coerce a false confession from a Georgia election worker who former Trump campaign lawyer Rudy Giuliani accused of counting fraudulent ballots.

Read the full story

Tennessee Settles Lawsuit from Former Health Official Who Reportedly Bought Dog Muzzle to Protest Firing

Tom Pappert

A legal settlement reached by the State of Tennessee and a former health official that requires both parties to cease discussing the terms of her firing became public on Thursday, likely signaling the end to a legal drama that began when former Tennessee Department of Health (TDOH) official Michelle Fiscus was fired in 2021.

After Fiscus was terminated from her position directing the agency’s Vaccine-Preventable Diseases and Immunization program, she quickly gained national attention after claiming she was fired due to her advocacy for the mature minor doctrine, which accepts that minor children can make some health decisions without parental involvement.

Read the full story

University of Tennessee Admits Professor Made Antisemitic Comments in Class

Tom Pappert

The University of Tennessee (UT) admitted in a statement on Wednesday night that one of its professors made antisemitic comments during a classroom lecture, but said it could not go into details out of respect for the students’ privacy.

In a statement, UT Director of News and Information Tyra Hagg distributed to the media late Wednesday, the university claimed it “has addressed concerns about a class lecture that included several comments” which fall under the “working definition of antisemitism developed by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance” in 2016.

Read the full story

Poll Reportedly Shows Sen. Sinema Losing Re-Election Despite ‘Pulling Votes from Lake’ in 3-Way Contest

Tom Pappert

A new survey reportedly conducted last month was revealed Monday, and suggests Senator Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ) is polling in third place against Representative Ruben Gallego (D-AZ-03) and former gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake, despite apparently pulling a significant number of Republican voters.

The poll was commissioned by the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) and obtained by Puck News. The poll allegedly shows Gallego in first place with the support of 41 percent of Arizona voters and Lake in second place with 37 percent. Sinema finished in a distant third place, with the support of just 17 percent of Arizonans.

Read the full story

Fulton County Sheriff Admits Inmate Welfare Fund Spent on Gift Cards, Giveaways amid ‘Slush Fund’ Accusation

Tom Pappert

Fulton County Sheriff Pat Labat admitted in a Wednesday meeting of the Fulton County Commission that his office incorrectly spent money from Fulton County Jail’s Inmate Welfare Fund on items that have nothing to do with detainees, including on turkey giveaways, gift cards, party materials, and new vehicles.

Labat confirmed the report by WSB-TV that revealed his office spent more than $1 million earmarked for Fulton County Jail inmates on seemingly frivolous items, including bounce houses, disc jockeys, jugglers, florists, gift cards, and a $500 Thanksgiving giveaway. Labat said he fired two employees and launched an internal audit over the expenditures.

Read the full story

Tennessee Has 30 Days to Appeal After Court Restores Previous Metro Nashville Airport Authority Board

Tom Pappert

Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti (R) has 30 days to appeal the Tuesday decision from a three-judge panel that ruled the legislature violated the state constitution with its new law governing the Metro Nashville Airport Authority.

Metro Nashville filed the lawsuit after the Tennessee Legislature passed a law changing how the board’s members are selected, with the new law allowing the mayor, governor, and House and Senate speakers to each select two appointees. Tuesday’s ruling invalidated this law, and restored the board’s previous members who were all appointed by Nashville’s mayor and approved by the Metro Nashville council, effective immediately.

Read the full story

Jeff Clark Asks Georgia Judge to Toss Case, End Fani Willis’ ‘Grotesque Abuse’ of Power

Tom Pappert

Attorneys for Jeffrey Clark are asking Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee to dismiss the charges against their client in a filing on Wednesday. District Attorney Fani Willis charged Clark in her sweeping racketeering case against former President Donald Trump.

At the time of the 2020 election, Clark was the acting assistant attorney general for the Civil Division of the Department of Justice. After the election, Clark twice attempted to send a document expressing concerns about possible election malfeasance in battleground states. Willis claims Clark’s unsuccessful attempts to send this document were illegal, and even though Clark had no contact with Georgians during the 2020 election contest, his efforts constitute a violation of the Georgia RICO Act and a criminal attempt to commit false statements and writings.

Read the full story

Attorney for Jenna Ellis Warns Rudy Giuliani ‘Should Be’ Worried About Her Testimony

Tom Pappert

The attorney who secured a plea deal with Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis for Jenna Ellis said former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani “should be” worried about his client’s testimony at trial during an interview published Wednesday.

Ellis, who was a member of Trump’s legal team during the 2020 election contest, accepted her plea deal because it seemed as though “timing was of the essence” following the deals secured by attorneys Sidney Powell and Kenneth Chesebro, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported.

Read the full story

Arizona Police Arrest Man for Alleged Terrorist Threats Against School Buses, Hospitals

Tom Pappert

Local and federal police announced the arrest of Amir Safavi Farokhi in Tucson on Monday, and revealed Farokhi allegedly made violent threats against two Tucson hospitals, school buses in Arizona and Indiana, and a female employee of the Bloomington, Indiana Police Department.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) claimed Farokhi made phone calls from Tucson threatening to place pipe bombs on school buses in Indiana, and apparently while speaking to the Bloomington Police Department, threatened to “rape and murder a female employee,” specifically claiming he planned to “wait outside for her at the end of her shift.”

Read the full story

Disgraced Former Nashville Mayor Megan Barry ‘Exploring’ U.S. House Campaign Against Rep. Mark Green

Tom Pappert

Former Metro Nashville Mayor Megan Barry confirmed on Wednesday night that she is “exploring” a campaign to secure the Democratic Party’s nomination for U.S. House, which could see her challenge Representative Mark Green (R-TN-07) in 2024.

Barry said she is considering launching a campaign in a statement to News Channel 5, in which she revealed she will “decide in the coming weeks.” Justifying a potential run, Barry claimed Green “deserves to be challenged” because of his pro-life positions on healthcare and support for the Second Amendment.

Read the full story

Georgia Judge Denies Sheriff’s Bid to Move Fulton County Jail Inmates to Mississippi

Tom Pappert

A Fulton County Judge ruled on Monday that Sheriff Pat Labat (D) cannot transfer jail detainees from Atlanta to a private prison in Mississippi. Labat previously indicated he would move up to 1,000 inmates to facilities in south Georgia and Mississippi to ease overcrowding.

In a mixed ruling, Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee determined Labat does not have the legal authority to transfer inmates to other states, but also dismissed allegations that he was violating his official duties by considering the transfer.

Read the full story

Senator Sinema Calls Herself Arizona’s ‘Most Liberal Legislator’ in Newly Resurfaced Audio

Tom Pappert

Senator Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ) declared herself to be “the most liberal legislator in the State of Arizona” in a 2006 radio interview that was shared by Kari Lake’s campaign for Senate on Tuesday.

The newly resurfaced video was recording during Sinema’s appearance on “The Ed Schultz Show” in February, 2006. Sinema, who was a state legislator at the time, declared herself to be the “most liberal” of her colleagues after Schultz asked about her political identity.

Read the full story

Gov. Kemp Asks Georgia’s Congressional Delegation to Back Savannah Port Expansion

Tom Pappert

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp (R) asked the state’s congressional delegation to back his plans for another expansion to the Port of Savannah in letters he sent Monday.

Kemp’s letter to Representative Buddy Carter (R-GA-01) was posted to X, formerly Twitter. In the letter, Kemp revealed he is pushing for a bipartisan movement to deepen and widen the Port of Savannah for the second time, and indicated he sent matching letters to the state’s other congressional representatives.

Read the full story

Georgia Power Needs More Fossil Fuels as Electric Vehicle Plants Generate ‘Extraordinary Economic Growth’

Tom Pappert

Georgia Power is asking the state’s Public Service Commission (PSC) for permission to generate more electricity from fossil fuels on Friday, citing demand for energy that is 17 times higher than they expected in 2022.

The company cited Georgia’s “extraordinary economic growth” as “one of the fastest growing states in the country” in an update to its 2023 Integrated Resource Plan (IRP), which explained the company will need extra funding due to the “significantly increased” energy needs of businesses “bringing electrical loads at a scale” that demands additional capacity.

Read the full story

‘Block Cop City’ Activists Plan Three Day Protest in Atlanta

Tom Pappert

Activists have announced a three-day protest against the Atlanta Public Safety Training Center will occur in November in what the organizers claim is a final bid to stop its construction.

The activists claim protest will occur from November 10-14, and are organizing it because their petition calling for a public referendum on the future of a facility that will train law enforcement and firefighters remains stalled with the City of Atlanta even though the public safety training center is nearly halfway complete.

Read the full story

Arizona’s Kari Lake Endorsed by Texas Republicans Ken Paxton, Chad Prather

Tom Pappert

Kari Lake secured endorsements from Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) and former Texas gubernatorial candidate Chat Prather for her 2024 bid to represent Arizona in the U.S. Senate, with both men endorsing Lake by Monday.

Prather, who railed against establishment Republicans when he unsuccessfully challenged Texas Governor Greg Abbott in the 2022 Republican Primary, endorsed Lake on Sunday according to Lake’s social media, with Prather reportedly saying she “will make a phenomenal senator.”

Read the full story

Police Seize 50,000 Fentanyl Pills, Charge Two Arizona Men with Trafficking Drugs to Pennsylvania

Tom Pappert

Police in Pennsylvania seized 50,000 fentanyl pills disguised as prescription opioids and arrested two Arizona men who they said were trafficking the narcotics in a cross-country trek on Friday.

The arrests of Arizona men Leroy Williams and Ryan Hofer were confirmed by Pennsylvania Attorney General Michelle Henry (D) in a statement that confirmed a joint effort from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), her office, and Pennsylvania State Police.

Read the full story

Georgia DA Backed by Soros Group Sanctioned in Federal Sexual Discrimination Lawsuit

Tom Pappert

Chatham County District Attorney Shalena Cook Jones (D) was sanctioned by a federal judge on Thursday after she dodged a deposition in a sexual discrimination lawsuit launched by a former assistant district attorney.

During her successful 2020 campaign against Republican incumbent Meg Heap, a PAC connected to billionaire financier George Soros “invested nearly $80,000 into advertising materials” supporting Cook Jones, though Savannah Morning News reported she claimed to have no communication with the group.

Read the full story

Former Election Auditor Bob Cheeley Refused Plea Deal in Georgia Trump Case, Lawyer Confirms

Tom Pappert

Atlanta-based attorney Bob Cheeley refused a plea deal offered by Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis in her racketeering case against former President Donald Trump, his lawyer confirmed in a Thursday statement to CNN.

“To say that we are currently in discussions with the DA’s office would be an inaccurate representation of what is going on,” Cheeley’s attorney, Richard Rice, told the outlet. “They made us an offer some time ago and we declined it.”

Read the full story

Fulton County Judge Schedules First Hearing for Georgia Trump Trial

Tom Pappert

A Fulton County Judge set the first hearing date for the Georgia election trial of former President Donald Trump on Thursday. The former president’s counsel, Steve Sadow, will make his first appearance representing Trump at a Fulton County court on December 1.

Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee will hear arguments from Trump’s attorney and District Attorney Fani Willis on eight motions, each written submitted by another defendant and adopted by Trump.

Read the full story

Georgia Law Means Fani Willis’ Plea Deal Recipient ‘Completely Exonerated’ After Probation

Tom Pappert

A Georgia law means defendants who reached plea deals with Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis in the Georgia election case against former President Donald Trump will likely be “completely exonerated” after the terms of their sentencing are complete.

Georgia’s First Offender Act allows some guilty defendants, who were not previously convicted of a felony, to have the criminal charge against them removed from their criminal record after serving the terms of the sentence issued against them. At least two of the lawyers who entered into a plea agreement with Willis appear likely to receive first-offender status.

Read the full story

Blake Masters Joins Race to Replace Arizona U.S. Rep. Debbie Lesko

Tom Pappert

Former Arizona Senate candidate Blake Masters became the latest Republican to enter the race to replace Representative Debbie Lesko (R-AZ-08) in the U.S. House on Thursday, with the candidate joining a growing field that also includes former Arizona Secretary of State candidate Abe Hamadeh.

Masters revealed his intention to run on X, formerly Twitter, where he wrote that “Biden has failed” and suggested he will work with congressional Republicans to stop inflation, finish the southern border wall, and avoid foreign conflicts that could escalate into a world war. Lesko, the Republican who holds the seat, is not seeking re-election in 2024.

Read the full story

Atlanta Firefighters Union Warns City Has Worst Department Fleet in America with 17 Vehicles Down

Tom Pappert

The Atlanta Professional Firefighters addressed city leaders in a strongly worded letter on Tuesday, warning the city’s fleet of emergency response vehicles is in dire condition. Its letter came after Atlanta Fire and Rescue informed the city of its decision to formally close three fire stations due to vehicle and staffing issues.

In a letter obtained by Atlanta First News, firefighters claimed that many of Atlanta’s fire stations lack an actual fire engine with water capable of extinguishing a fire. They stated that this implies the actual number of non-operational fire stations is higher than the three identified by the city on Monday.

Read the full story

VoterGA’s Garland Favorito Warns ‘Blatant Lies’ in Federal Trump Case Will ‘Influence, Manipulate’ 2024 Election Results

Tom Pappert

Garland Favorito of the Georgia election integrity group VoterGA warned in a press conference on Tuesday that special prosecutor Jack Smith’s case against former President Donald Trump is an attempt to smear Republicans with “blatant lies” before voters head to the polls in 2024.

Favorito highlighted Smith’s claims that Trump “spread lies that there had been outcome determinative fraud in the election,” ordered a false set of Electoral College certifications that purported to be from legitimate electors, and urged former Vice President Mike Pence to fraudulently alter the Electoral College votes on January 6 as easily disprovable lies designed to taint Republicans in to potential voters, then offered counterarguments to Smith’s accusations.

Read the full story

Ukrainian Pilots Begin Training on F-16s in Arizona

Tom Pappert

A small number of Ukrainian pilots have reportedly started training on American-made F-16 fighter jets with the 162nd Wing of the Arizona Air National Guard in Tucson.

Around 10 Ukrainian pilots are learning “F-16 fundamentals” this week at Morris Air National Guard Base, according to the Air & Space Forces Magazine, which reported the pilots are likely to undergo an expedited training program and return to combat duties in early 2024.

Read the full story

Arizona Rep. Gallego Quietly Deletes 2021 Statement Demanding Israel-Hamas Ceasefire over ‘Human Rights Implications’

Tom Pappert

Some time after Hamas launched its devastating surprise attack against Israel on October 7, Representative Ruben Gallego (D-AZ-03) quietly deleted a 2021 press release from his official House website that expressed human rights concerns about Israel’s tactics during the conflict with Hamas.

The press release from Gallego, who is now running for U.S. Senate in Arizona, came in response to violence a period of violence in Israel and Palestine in May of 2021. Protesters were initially upset by an Israeli court’s intention to evict six Palestinian families from contested territory, and some ultimately threw stones at Israeli police. This provoked an Israeli police response that included the use of tear gas, rubber bullets, and stun grenades during a raid at the Al-Aqsa mosque.

Read the full story

Former Trump Lawyer Jenna Ellis Accepts Plea Deal in Georgia Election Case

Tom Pappert

Jenna Ellis became the fourth defendant indicted in the Georgia racketeering case against former President Donald Trump to accept a plea deal on Tuesday. Her plea was abruptly announced in a live-streamed court appearance, during which Ellis expressed contrition for her actions to contest the 2020 election results.

Ellis pleaded guilty to an updated indictment from Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, admitting to one count of aiding and abetting false statements and writings. She is specifically charged with making false statements to the Georgia Senate at a Senate Judiciary Subcommittee meeting. Willis claimed she “aided and abetted” former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani.

Read the full story

Arizona Democrats Silent After Rep. Gallego Refuses Questions over Israel and Palestine Record

Tom Pappert

The Arizona Democratic Party (AZDP) did not respond to a comment request from The Arizona Sun Times on Monday after news of its $10,000 donation to the Senate campaign of Representative Ruben Gallego (D-AZ-03) broke the same day the Senate candidate refused to answer questions about his voting record on Palestine and Israel.

Gallego was captured refusing to answer five questions about his votes that would either provide aid to the Hamas terrorist group or deny aid to Israel on Thursday in a video uploaded to social media by the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC).

Read the full story

Georgia Politician Loses Title in Official Sanction After She Allegedly Fabricated Date Rape Drug Story

Tom Pappert

A member of the Clayton County Commission was stripped of her title on Monday as part of an official sanction after her claims of being slipped the date rape drug at a Morrow bar were contradicted by a police investigation and video that appeared to show her consume at least five alcoholic drinks before losing consciousness.

The Clayton County Commission unanimously voted to sanction Commissioner Felicia Franklin and strip her from the vice chairman position, The Atlanta Journal Constitution reported. Franklin did not attend the meeting or participate in the vote.

Read the full story

Atlanta Public Safety Training Center Nearly Halfway Complete, Mayor Claims

Tom Pappert

Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens said on Thursday that the city’s new Public Safety Training Center is about 40 percent complete, and he expects construction on the site’s buildings will begin in January.

Dickens told the Buckhead Young Republicans that the Atlanta Public Safety Training Center is nearly halfway complete, according to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. The training center is located in Buckhead, the uptown commercial and residential district of Atlanta that has sought to become its own city, and the outlet noted that 61 percent of residents supported its construction in a March poll. 

Read the full story

Semiconductor Company Claims Arizona Factory Will Start Production in 2025 as It Sees Biggest Profit Drop Since 2019

Tom Pappert

The Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) said it is on schedule to begin production at its first Phoenix facility in the first half of 2025 during a Thursday earnings call. During the call, TSMC also revealed its greatest drop in profit since 2019.

TSMC reported a third-quarter profit of about $6.69 billion during Thursday’s earnings call, according to CNBC, which explained the company saw its “largest profit decline” since early 2019, but still “bested” expectations of stock analysts who predicted worse numbers amid weakened demand for consumer electronics following the end of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Read the full story

Attorney Ben Crump Claims Leonard Cure Was ‘Triggered’ by Georgia Deputy Before Fatal Shooting

Tom Pappert

The attorney representing the family of Leonard Cure, who a Georgia deputy fatally shot during a traffic stop, claimed on Friday that Cure was “triggered” by law enforcement before the struggle that preceded his death on October 16.

Cure was fatally shot by a Camden County Sheriff’s deputy last week when he refused to cooperate with the deputy after being pulled over for allegedly driving more than 100 miles per hour. Video released by the Camden County Sheriff’s office reveals that, after being tased, a struggle ensued between the deputy and Cure. It continued despite the deputy deploying his baton and striking Cure, and only ended when the deputy removed his pistol and appeared to fire once into Cure’s abdomen.

Read the full story

Ken Chesebro Becomes Third Defendant to Accept Plea Deal in Georgia Election Case

Tom Pappert

Attorney Kenneth Chesebro entered a plea agreement with Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis on Friday. Chesebro is the third defendant to accept a plea deal, following attorney Sidney Powell and bail bondsman Scott Hall.

Chesebro pleaded to just one felony count of conspiracy to commit filing false documents, according to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, which reported that Willis dropped the other six felony counts against him in exchange for a guilty plea and the promise to truthfully testify in upcoming trials.

Read the full story

Arizona to Enlist Off-Duty Police to Guard Schools amid ‘Pervasive Officer Shortage’

Tom Pappert

State Superintendent of Public Schools Tom Horne announced on Wednesday that he contracted with a private company to fill law enforcement vacancies at schools in 11 Arizona counties. Horne said the new contract would ensure safety of students, teachers, and staff despite a “pervasive officer shortage” throughout the state.

The Arizona Department of Education (ADE) revealed a new contract with Off Duty Management (ODM), a private company, to schedule off-duty law enforcement to serve as School Safety Officers (SSOs).

Read the full story

Sidney Powell’s Georgia Plea Deal Will Help President Trump, His Lawyer Claims

Tom Pappert

Former President Donald Trump will benefit from the plea deal Sidney Powell accepted from Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, according to Georgia lawyer Steve Sadow, who said Powell’s requirement to truthfully testify in upcoming trials related to the 2020 election in Georgia will help Trump.

Sadow said in a statement to The Messenger that Powell’s testimony, which is required as part of her plea deal, “will be favorable” to his defense strategy, “[a]ssuming truthful testimony in the Fulton County case.”

Read the full story

Video Shows Wrongfully Convicted Man Struggled with Deputy Before Fatal Shooting, Family Blames ‘Psychological Trauma’

Tom Pappert

The family of Leonard Cure, a man fatally shot by Georgia law enforcement, seemed to blame mental illness after Camden County Sheriff Jim Proctor released videos of the incident. Cure was once wrongfully convicted and imprisoned for over 16 years before he was released in 2020.

Cure was allegedly driving in excess of 100 miles per hour when he passed a Camden County deputy. Video released by the sheriff’s office shows Cure did not immediately pull over his vehicle after the deputy activated his vehicle’s lights, but instead continued driving to pass other traffic before pulling over to the highway’s shoulder.

Read the full story

Mark Meadows’ Effort to Remove Georgia Election Case from Fulton County Granted 11th Circuit Court Date

Tom Pappert

The 11th Circuit Court of Appeals has ordered oral arguments on Monday for White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows’ bid to remove the racketeering case against him from Fulton County to a federal court. On Tuesday, the court requested additional arguments from District Attorney Fani Willis and Meadows’ lawyers, to be submitted early next month.

Meadows argues that he should not be tried in Fulton County because he a federal official working for former President Donald Trump at the time Willis alleges he engaged in criminal activities. A lower court agreed with Willis, who argued that Meadows’ efforts to contest the 2020 election results in Georgia went outside his job duties as Trump’s Chief of Staff.

Read the full story

Georgia Politician Refuses Calls to Resign After Video, Police Contradict Her Date Rape Drug Story

Tom Pappert

The Clayton County Commissioner who claimed she was slipped the date rape drug while at a live music event refused calls for her to resign on Tuesday, even after local police, a urinalysis test, and video recorded by the venue all seemed to contradict her story.

Clayton County Commissioner Felicia Franklin, who is running to become the board’s chairman, said during a commission meeting on Tuesday that she would only “resign as the District 3 commissioner” when she is “elected as Chairwoman of the Board of Commission,” according to WSB-TV.

Read the full story

Abe Hamadeh Launches Arizona House Campaign After Rep. Debbie Lesko Announces Retirement

Tom Pappert

Abe Hamadeh, the former Republican candidate for Arizona Attorney General, announced on Tuesday that he intends to run for U.S. House to represent Arizona’s 8th District following the news that Representative Debbie Lesko (R-AZ-08) will not seek re-election in 2024.

“Our country is in desperate need of courageous fighters, and that’s why I’m proud to announce I’m running for Congress in Arizona’s 8th District,” wrote Hamadeh in a post on X, formerly Twitter. The candidate added that former President Donald Trump “is under attack” and “needs backup.” Hamadeh concluded, “I’m ready to help [Trump] Make America Great Again.”

Read the full story

Turning Point Action Executive Received Extra Maricopa County Ballots for Former Residents

Tom Pappert

Tyler Bowyer, an executive for conservative activist group Turning Point Action, revealed on Monday that he received two Maricopa County ballots for former residents of his home. He told The Arizona Sun Times the episode represented “horrible public policy” and “administration of our elections.”

Bowyer posted an image of four ballots to X, formerly Twitter, on Monday night, revealing that only two registered voters live at his address. Voters in Maricopa County, and much of Arizona, are required to use mail-in ballots for the November 7, 2023 elections.

Read the full story

Georgia Flush with Nearly $11 Billion in Cash Reserves, $5.4 Billion in Rainy Day Fund: State Report

Tom Pappert

Georgia has accrued nearly $11 billion in cash reserves, invested the maximum legal amount into its rainy day fund, and tucked more than $2 billion into its lottery reserve fund, according to a government report published Monday.

The State Accounting Office published its report for the budget year ending in June 2023 this week, revealing the state has just over $10.7 billion cash on hand. Georgia also boasts almost $5.4 billion in its rainy day fund, which is at its constitutional limit, and $2.1 billion in its lottery reserve fund.

Read the full story

First Georgia Election Trial Unlikely to Finish Before State’s Republican Primary

Tom Pappert

The first trial of those indicted in Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis’ racketeering case against former President Donald Trump and his allies will begin on October 23, and Fulton County Superior Judge Scott McAfee said Monday he will instruct jurors to expect a five month trial.

If McAfee’s estimate is accurate, the case against pro-Trump attorneys Kenneth Chesebro and Sidney Powell is likely to be ongoing when Georgia Republicans cast primary votes for their preferred Republican candidates on March 12, 2024. This means the trial could conclude as late as March 25.

Read the full story

Senate Republican Conference Chair Endorses Kari Lake, Predicts She ‘Will Shine Brightly for Arizona’

Tom Pappert

Arizona Senate candidate Kari Lake received a key endorsement on Monday from Senator John Barrasso (R-WY), the chair of the Senate Republican Conference, after officially announcing her candidacy for the U.S. Senate last week. In a statement to The Arizona Sun Times, Lake said she looks forward to working with Barrasso and other Senate Republicans with whom she shares priorities.

Barrasso said “Kari Lake will shine brightly for Arizona,” according to a statement obtained by German-owned Politico. Barrasso called lake “a generational communicator who is giving voice to Arizona citizens,” and said she “is in this race to make Arizona and America stronger.”

Read the full story

Two Grand Jurors Behind Georgia Trump Indictment Agree to Interviews with Defense Attorneys

Tom Pappert

Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee confirmed on Monday that two of the Georgians who served on the special grand jury which recommended charges against former President Donald Trump and those who helped him contest the 2020 election in Georgia will be interviewed by the defense teams of pro-Trump attorneys Kenneth Chesebro and Sidney Powell.

McAfee said attorneys for Chesebro and Powell will interview two grand jurors who “expressed interest” in being interviewed, and clarified they “would be on the record,” for the interview. However, he added that it will not be a public proceeding. The interviews will be held on October 20, the same day jury selection will begin for the case.

Read the full story

Georgia State Senator Caught in Israel During Hamas Attack Praises Israelis for ‘Protecting Americans’

Tom Pappert

Georgia State Senator Russ Goodman (R-Cogdell) was in Israel with his mother on October 7, when Hamas fighters launched a horrific surprise attack on the country, and told The Georgia Star News he was thankful for Israelis for “protecting Americans” caught in the conflict.

In a statement released Thursday, Goodman relayed his first hand experiences “being in Israel while Hamas terrorists launched a sickening attack that killed hundreds of innocent Israelis,” and described “hearing the rockets fired from the Iron Dome to automatic weapon fire heard near our hotel,” as his  “ex-military Israeli guide” refused to leave his family “even as rockets landed within 200 yards of his home with his wife and children there.” The senator said he witnessed “the very best of the Israeli people,” and the experience left him convinced of “the bond that our freedom-loving countries share.”

Read the full story

Phoenix Teens Arrested After High Speed Chase as Police Warn Juveniles Increasingly Recruited for Human Smuggling

Tom Pappert

Two Phoenix teenagers were arrested in Cochise County last Thursday after police say they attempted to evade law enforcement at high speeds while smuggling illegal immigrants into the United States. Their arrests came just days after Cochise County Sheriff Mark Dannels warned more than 100 juveniles have been arrested after being recruited to participate in illegal human smuggling since April 2022.

The Cochise County Sheriff’s Office wrote on Facebook that the two minors arrested “were 14 and 15 years of age.” The teens allegedly refused to pull over for a routine traffic stop, and instead fled until “being stopped after tire deflation devices were employed.” Before they were forced to stop, the sheriff’s office claims the minors “reached speeds in excess of 124 miles per hour,” requiring a multi-agency response that included the Douglas Police Department and United States Border Patrol.

Read the full story