Wendy Wilson, Author at Tennessee Star - Page 4 of 12

Mike Huckabee To Debut Nashville-Based Talk Show Oct. 7

September 27, 2017September 26, 2017 Wendy Wilson

Mike Huckabee will host a TV talk show from the Nashville area starting Oct. 7 on the Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN), and his premier episode will feature a taped interview with President Trump. The show will be filmed Friday evenings and air Saturday at 7 p.m. Central Time with a repeat broadcast Sunday at the same time. The former Republican governor of Arkansas and two-time presidential candidate previously had a show on Fox News from 2008 to 2015. His new show is essentially a continuation of his old one and will also simply be called “Huckabee.” The show will be filmed before a live studio audience at Trinity Music Center in Hendersonville. Huckabee had hoped to return to Fox News after his unsuccessful 2016 presidential run, but the channel had made other plans, according to Variety. However, he is still a Fox News contributor. Known for his folksy style, Huckabee is especially popular among conservative evangelicals. He was a Southern Baptist pastor before getting involved in politics. His daughter, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, is currently the White House press secretary. On the TBN website, Huckabee says his show will be “a place where we talk to newsmakers and celebrities in a civil and…

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Drag Queens Push to Hold Shows on Main Street in Portland, Tennessee

September 27, 2017September 26, 2017 Wendy Wilson

The small town of Portland is in a big conflict with drag queens protesting efforts to curtail where they can put on shows. At issue in Portland, located in Middle Tennessee near the Kentucky state line, is whether drag shows can be considered an adult-oriented business and banned from residential and commercial areas. A proposed amendment to a city ordinance would restrict drag shows to industrial zones. The conflict began this summer when Elite Drag Star Productions put on two shows at Envy Bar & Restaurant on Main Street. City officials received several complaints. The production company plans to hold a “Fall Ball” at the bar Saturday. Drag shows feature men flamboyantly dressed as women, often acting in provocative ways. At a heated city council meeting last week, city leaders said they would delay a final vote until getting an opinion from the state attorney general, according to WSMV Channel 4. They said a decision would come no later than Nov. 6. “The values of our community are reflected in the ordinance,” said Mayor Kenneth Wilber. “We do not want those types of things in our normal business district, so I support it 100 percent.” However, drag performers…

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U.S. Rep. Marsha Blackburn Files Resolution on National Anthem Manners

September 26, 2017September 26, 2017 Wendy Wilson

U.S. Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN-7) on Monday introduced a resolution in the House of Representatives that reiterates U.S. Code on the manners to be displayed during the playing of the national anthem. “Persons present who are not in uniform or are not members of the Armed Forces or veterans ‘should face the flag and stand at attention with their right hand over their heart’,” the resolution says. Federal law offers guidance only and does not authorize any punitive measures for noncompliance. Blackburn’s resolution came a day after NFL players on several teams took a knee Sunday, with a few teams, including the Tennessee Titans, not even going out onto the field during the national anthem. Taking a knee has become a form of protest among football players and others against perceived racism, with Sunday’s protests fueled by President Trump slamming the practice. “The national anthem is a source of American pride,” Blackburn said on Facebook. “Our flag is the ultimate symbol of unity – uniting all Americans under one banner as ‘Americans’ – and we should respect it and those who have and continue to defend it.” The U.S. Code can be read here: https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/36/301 Blackburn’s resolution can be read here: https://blackburn.house.gov/UploadedF…/Anthem_resolution.pdf Here…

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Rebecca Burke Working to Plan Next Tennessee Star Constitution Bee

September 26, 2017September 25, 2017 Wendy Wilson

Rebecca Burke has a passion for the U.S. Constitution and wants to help young people understand why it is so important. With others, she is already helping to plan the second Tennessee Star Constitution Bee. The inaugural bee was held Saturday, with sixteen students competing. Sponsored by the Polk Foundation, the event took place at Sycamore High School in Cheatham County. Students prepared for the bee by studying the The Tennessee Star Guide to the Constitution and the Bill of Rights for Secondary School Students. Organizers intend to hold the next Constitution Bee in Williamson County on Saturday, April 28th. “We’re still trying to secure a location,” Burke said. A well-known Middle Tennessee conservative activist and Tennessee Republican Party state executive committeewoman, Burke recently announced she is running for the state House of Representatives District 61 seat. The seat is currently occupied by Rep. Charles Sargent (R-Franklin). Burke said a good understanding of the Constitution is important today because freedom of speech is under attack and students are growing up to believe they shouldn’t have to be exposed to ideas they find distasteful. Young people need to understand that all sides deserve a fair hearing, whether the ideas are coming from the left,…

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917 Society Celebrates Constitution, Still Giving Out Free Pocket Copies to Eighth-Graders

September 26, 2017September 26, 2017 Wendy Wilson

Members of the 917 Society traveled around Tennessee last week giving away free pocket Constitutions to eighth-graders to mark Constitution Week. The Nashville area nonprofit has reached 10,000 students so far with the launch of its Constitution Project, which is for public, private and homeschooled students. In Tennessee, eighth-grade is an important year for civics education, including an emphasis on the Constitution. The group is continuing to fulfill requests for copies of the pocket Constitutions. The group also makes available other resources for teachers, including a short documentary on the Constitution narrated by Kentucky journalist Nick Clooney, father of actor George Clooney and brother of the late singer Rosemary Clooney. Other films and resources will be developed for future years. Joni Bryan, executive director of the 917 Society, told The Tennessee Star that one challenge her group faces is that recognition of Constitution Week in Tennessee schools is uneven from school to school. “The biggest problem is there is no consistent program or promotion at the state level,” Bryan said. School districts generally leave decisions on recognizing Constitution Week up to individual schools and teachers. Bryan said the teachers who gravitated toward the 917 Society’s resources for Constitution Week were grateful…

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Winners of Tennessee Star Constitution Bee Share Hopes for the Future

September 24, 2017September 23, 2017 Wendy Wilson

PLEASANT VIEW, Tennessee — In his spare time, Noah Farley likes to read Supreme Court opinions and listen to audio recordings of oral arguments before the high court. “I’m obsessed with the Constitution,” Noah said. “I’ll admit that. I’m a nerd.” Noah spoke with The Tennessee Star after winning first place in Saturday’s Constitution Bee held by The Star and sponsored by the Polk Foundation. The inaugural event took place at Sycamore High School in Cheatham County. Noah won a free trip to Washington, D.C., along with a parent. His parents, Matthew and Kimberly Farley, were at the bee to watch their son compete. Kimberly, an occupational therapist by training, homeschools Noah and his two younger siblings. Matthew works as a business analyst. The family lives in Spring Hill. One day, Noah hopes to become an attorney. “He reads all kinds of books about law, history and even constitutional theory,” said Kimberly, who described Noah as her go-to guy when she wants to know something related to those topics. His expertise is now well beyond hers, she said. Alexandria Anderson was the second place winner. Poised and confident, the Stewart County High School freshman comes across as older than her…

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Young Sisters Won’t Take No For An Answer, Persuade Tennessee Star Constitution Bee Organizers to Let Them in Competition

September 24, 2017September 24, 2017 Wendy Wilson

PLEASANT VIEW, Tennessee — Abagail and Madalyn Falletti were determined to compete Saturday in the Tennessee Star Constitution Bee, and they weren’t going to let their ages stand in the way. Sponsored by the Polk Foundation, the inaugural bee was formally open to students in grades 8-12, with students in grade 7 to be allowed in with special permission. But 10-year-old Abagail and 11-year-old Madalyn are only in fifth and sixth grade, respectively. They wore down organizers with their enthusiasm. “They wouldn’t let me not allow them in,” said Michael Patrick Leahy, CEO and editor-and-chief of The Tennessee Star. Their mother, Jennie Falletti, said the girls became interested in politics last year when they cheered on Ted Cruz in his race for the Republican nomination for president. Jennie homeschools her daughters in Thompson’s Station and helped them get ready for Saturday’s bee. The girls read The Tennessee Star Guide to the Constitution and the Bill of Rights and made flashcards. “I like challenges,” Abagail said. Madalyn said she wanted to participate so she could learn more about the U.S. Constitution. For the Preamble part of the contest, the girls stood side by side on the stage at Sycamore High School and recited…

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Recognition of Constitution Week Spotty in Middle Tennessee Public Schools Outside of Nashville

September 22, 2017September 22, 2017 Wendy Wilson

Signing the Constitution painting

Constitution Week will soon be over and Tennesseans who want to see the annual tradition promoted are worried it has gone by unnoticed by too many public schools. While some educators and outside groups have thrown themselves into promoting the week, there has been a lack of coordination at a higher level for school programs. However, The Tennessee Star is committed to promoting the U.S. Constitution and is holding a Constitution Bee on Saturday. Several Middle Tennessee school districts contacted by The Star reported they do not have district-led initiatives to celebrate Constitution Week, but rather leave it up to individual schools and teachers. Rutherford County Schools spokesman James Evans said, “Those types of events are typically handled by social studies teachers at the school level as it relates to the curriculum and academic standards.” A spokeswoman for Wilson County Schools said she was not aware of any activities. At the district level, Williamson County Schools seems to be doing more than some. “We’ve provided a number of resources and information to teachers to support their own ideas of how to incorporate Constitution Day into their lessons,” said spokeswoman Carol Birdsong. “At the elementary level, the Daughters of the American Revolution…

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Franklin Graham Speaks in Nashville at Fundraiser for The Bridge Ministry

September 22, 2017September 22, 2017 Wendy Wilson

NASHVILLE, Tennessee — Franklin Graham spoke Thursday evening at a fundraiser for The Bridge Ministry held at Lipscomb University. More than 700 people attended the event at Allen Arena, which included dinner and entertainment by Hillary Scott of Lady Antebellum. The Bridge is a Nashville area Christian nonprofit that serves the poor and homeless and partners with agencies to help the needy with everyday necessities. The group works to educate people and help them get back to work, and to encourage others to help those who are hungry and homeless. “It’s an honor to be here to support a ministry like this,” Graham told the crowd. The son of famed evangelist Billy Graham, who turns 99 on Nov. 7, Franklin Graham is president and CEO of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and the international Christian relief organization Samaritan’s Purse. In May, Franklin Graham spoke in Clarksville as part of his Decision America Tennessee Tour. At Thursday’s event, he encouraged people to give generously to The Bridge, which was founded in 2004. “At The Bridge, people are fed, people are clothed and people are given an opportunity for a better life, for education and training, and to hear the gospel of the…

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RTA: Mt. Juliet Not Paying for Music City Star Commuter Rail Service

September 22, 2017September 21, 2017 Wendy Wilson

The Regional Transit Authority (RTA) and Mt. Juliet city officials are sparring over costs of operating the Music City Star commuter rail service. The RTA claims that Mt. Juliet has not paid its operating contribution since 2014. The Lebanon Democrat reports that RTA staff members plan to meet with Mt. Juliet officials to discuss how the shortfall could affect Music City Star service in the city. “We really don’t want to do anything punitive to Mt. Juliet, but it’s become an issue because this is an ongoing problem,” Sumner County executive Anthony Holt told the local paper. “We’re not asking them to pay more. We’re asking them to really contribute their fair share.” The problems in Mt. Juliet come as Nashville Mayor Megan Barry is pushing plans for a proposed $6 billion regional transit project to be phased in over 25 years. Plans call for adding commuter trains in Middle Tennessee. Currently, the Music City Star is the only commuter rail service in the area. Music City Star service runs from Lebanon to downtown Nashville and has stations in Mt. Juliet, Lebanon, Martha, Hermitage, Donelson and Riverfront Station. Holt said Mt. Juliet has the largest ridership but pays the least. Mt. Juliet…

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Tennessee to Reinstate Work Requirement for Food Stamps

September 21, 2017September 20, 2017 Wendy Wilson

Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam announced this week that the state will bring back the federal work requirement for able-bodied adults receiving food stamps that was waived in 2008 because of the recession. The requirement, to be reinstated across most of the state starting Feb. 1, will affect adults without dependents in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), according to a news release issued Monday. The waiver will remain in place in 16 counties considered economically distressed and that have a labor surplus. More than one million Tennesseans currently receive food stamps. The reinstated work requirement will likely impact 58,000 adults currently not meeting the requirement. The state has a total population of 6.65 million. As the economy has recovered nationwide, many other states have fully or partially restored their work requirements. “This waiver was necessary at a time when people were hurting from the recession,” said Haslam, a Republican. “But nearly a decade later, Tennessee is one of the top locations in the Southeast for high quality jobs, and it’s now difficult to justify waiving the work requirement for adults without dependents who are able to work. We have experienced record low unemployment rates and substantial job growth in Tennessee, and if…

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Nearly Half of Tennesseans Affected by Equifax Data Breach, Attorney General Says

September 21, 2017September 20, 2017 Wendy Wilson

Tennessee Star

Nearly half of Tennessee residents were affected by the Equifax data breach, according to state Attorney General Herbert Slatery. Slatery has written a letter to the Atlanta-based credit reporting firm to express concern about personal information being stolen, making consumers vulnerable to identity theft and financial loss. His said in his letter Tuesday he was adding his voice to that of 44 other attorneys general. A news release from Slatery’s office said the personal information of more than 3 million Tennesseans has been stolen. The state has a population of 6.65 million. “It is distressing that this massive breach leaves consumers exposed to financial and other harm,” Slatery said. “Consumers need to be vigilant about regularly monitoring their financial accounts and credit reports, and Equifax must actively assist consumers in those efforts.” In his letter, Slatery advised the company of the frustration that many consumers are experiencing when they contact Equifax and face long wait times and interactions with uninformed employees. He also advised Equifax not to create confusion for consumers who might think they have to pay for credit monitoring when it is now being offered for free. He said the cutoff date for people to sign up for the free…

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Union-Backed Antoinette Lee Wins Nashville Metro Council Runoff Election

September 20, 2017 Wendy Wilson

Antoinette Lee defeated Tim Herndon in a runoff election Tuesday to fill a vacated seat on Nashville’s Metro Council. Lee won 655 votes (55 percent) to Herndon’s 540 (45 percent), according to unofficial results released by the Election Commission Tuesday evening. The seat is in District 33, which covers part of Antioch. Lee works as a field organizer for the Tennessee Education Association (TEA) teachers union, which backed her campaign. The TEA is the state affiliate of the National Education Association. She also was endorsed by the AFL-CIO’s Central Labor Council of Nashville and Middle Tennessee. In addition, she was helped by several Democratic state lawmakers. Lee and Herndon were forced into a runoff when neither received more than 50 percent of votes cast in the Aug. 15 special election. The nonpartisan race was held to replace former Councilman Sam Coleman, who was sworn in as a Nashville judge to replace former Judge Casey Moreland, who stepped down because of a corruption scandal. Herndon runs a small company with his wife called Financial BluePrint that designs and builds group insurance programs and provides HR services to companies and individuals. He was endorsed by the Davidson County Fraternal Order of Police (FOP).

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Christian Hymn Singing Fills Grand Ole Opry

September 20, 2017September 19, 2017 Wendy Wilson

NASHVILLE, Tennessee — The Grand Ole Opry House was filled Monday evening with the sound of Christians singing hymns old and new. Hymn-writers Keith and Kristyn Getty led a spirit-filled event related to a conference they are leading this week at Brentwood Baptist to promote congregational singing. The husband and wife duo from Northern Ireland divide their time between Northern Ireland and a home in Nashville. Monday’s event at the Grand Ole Opry featured several surprise guests, including Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam, who offered welcoming remarks and read from the Old Testament book of Zephaniah, where the Bible talks about how God “will take great delight” in his followers and “rejoice over you with singing.” Surprise musical guests included country and bluegrass singer Ricky Skaggs and singer-songwriter Buddy Greene, also known as a harmonica stylist. In addition, Gary Haugen, the CEO and founder of the International Justice Mission, was introduced on stage so he could briefly talk about his group’s mission. A faith-based ministry supported and promoted by the Gettys, the IJM works to stop human trafficking. Alistair Begg, a native of Scotland who pastors a nondenominational church in Ohio and hosts a Christian radio show, also spoke briefly. The Gettys…

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Judd Matheny Prepared for Special Election if U.S. Rep. Diane Black Leaves Seat to Ramp Up Gubernatorial Campaign

September 20, 2017September 20, 2017 Wendy Wilson

BRENTWOOD, Tennessee — State Rep. Judd Matheny (R-Tullahoma) said Tuesday he wouldn’t be surprised if U.S. Rep. Diane Black (R-TN-6) decided to resign her seat in Congress to focus on her campaign for governor. “If not, the governor’s race is going to leave her behind,” said Matheny, speaking at a fundraiser at the home of political supporters in Brentwood. Matheny said the race for governor is shaping up to be competitive, with five leading candidates vying for the Republican nomination. If Black were to resign her 6th congressional district seat early, there would be a special election to replace her. Matheny is already campaigning hard to win her seat in 2018. Former state Sen. Mae Beavers (R-Mt. Juliet) recently resigned from the state legislature to focus on her gubernatorial campaign, fueling speculation that Black and state House Speaker Beth Harwell (R-Nashville) might consider resigning their seats to more effectively campaign for governor. Matheny spoke Tuesday evening at the home of Lee and Elizabeth Douglas. Lee Douglas is a dentist and conservative activist. He told his guests he doesn’t know Matheny well personally, but has followed his political career and is impressed with his conservative credentials. Douglas said Matheny could be…

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Pastors’ Spouses Happy But Experience Stress, Especially Younger Ones, LifeWay Research Study Shows

September 20, 2017September 19, 2017 Wendy Wilson

Pastors’ spouses say their roles are meaningful and fulfilling, but they also experience pressure and stress, younger spouses especially, according to the results of a new LifeWay Research study. The survey of 720 spouses focused primarily on spouses of senior or solo pastors within a variety of Protestant denominations. The vast majority of spouses surveyed are women. Just over half have children at home, and just over half have been married to a pastor for at least 20 years. Most have responsibilities at their church and some – 19 percent – are on the staff. More than half – 55 percent – work outside the church, a quarter of them for another church, ministry or nonprofit. “Despite their challenges, most pastors’ spouses say they are happy,” said Scott McConnell, executive director of LifeWay Resarch, in an article in Facts & Trends, a LifeWay publication. But pastors’ spouses also report experiencing feelings of isolation and frustration with not knowing who to confide in and trust. They say their families are continually evaluated and that their spouses have met resistance at church. Money is also a big worry. Those in younger age groups have more challenges in building relationships than those in older…

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Hymn-writing Gettys Lead Sold-Out Conference at Brentwood Baptist

September 19, 2017September 18, 2017 Wendy Wilson

Tennessee Star

BRENTWOOD, Tennessee – Keith and Kristyn Getty are headlining a sold-out conference at Brentwood Baptist this week designed to bring back the appeal of congregational hymn singing. A husband and wife hymn-writing team from Northern Ireland, the Gettys have become sensations among evangelical Protestants looking for something different from the contemporary worship style that has become commonplace. Once widely popular, hymns fell out of use as churches became “seeker-friendly” and began devising ways to draw in people unaccustomed to, or turned off by, the rhythms of traditional church life. Churches began relying on praise bands and contemporary worship songs. But now many of those songs are panned as both shallow and difficult for average churchgoers to sing, as they were penned as performance pieces. “We need to build deep believers,” Keith Getty told the crowd of 4,500 during the opening worship service Monday afternoon. “It’s time to grow up.” Getty said he believes congregational singing has an important role to play in maturing and strengthening the church at time when secularism is growing and nominal Christianity is destined to become a thing of the past in Western culture. The Gettys and their fellow conference presenters are encouraging pastors, church musicians and others in…

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Lipscomb University President Apologizes for Centerpieces After Accusations of Racial Insensitivity

September 18, 2017 Wendy Wilson

Lipscomb University President Randy Lowry apologized Friday for cotton stalk centerpieces that offended some African-American students invited to his home Thursday for a dinner to promote diversity on campus. “The content of the centerpieces was offensive, and I could have handled the situation with more sensitivity,” Lowry said in an email to the Lipscomb community that the school shared on Facebook. “I sincerely apologize for the discomfort, anger or disappointment we caused and solicit your forgiveness.” Lipscomb is a private Christian liberal arts school in Nashville affiliated with the conservative Churches of Christ. One student who attended the dinner wrote on Facebook, “We were very offended, and also the meals that were provided resembled many ‘black meals’ they had mac n cheese, collard greens, corn bread etc.” The student’s post included a photo of one of the cotton stalk centerpieces, a type of trendy decor depicted in many varieties on Pinterest. Hobby Lobby is getting slammed by a woman on social media for selling similar decor because “there is nothing decorative about raw cotton” as it represents “a commodity which was gained at the expense of African-American slaves.” In his apology, Lowry said, “I have heard from a number of students who…

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Former Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey Now a Lobbyist

September 16, 2017September 15, 2017 Wendy Wilson

Former Tennessee Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey will return to the halls of the state legislature as a lobbyist. The former Republican lawmaker, who retired from the legislature in January, has accepted a position with the Nashville law firm Farrar and Bates, the firm announced this week in a news release. The firm, which specializes in the defense of real estate errors and omissions actions against real estate licensees, is expanding in the area of government relations. Ramsey will work for its new lobbying affiliate, Ramsey, Farrar and Bates. Ramsey revealed his plans in June at a Northeast Tennessee Association of Realtors (NETAR) legislative luncheon. “I’ll be working for you,” Ramsey told NETAR members, according to the Kingsport Times-News. He noted that his one-year ban from lobbying expires in November. In the law firm news release on his new post, Ramsey said,“For 30 years, Russ Farrar has been drafting legislation, managing the political landscape, and building close relationships with clients and elected officials. It is an honor to work alongside my good friend, who is a dynamic leader and has a proven record of success throughout the state. I look forward to seeing what we can accomplish together for the people of Tennessee.”…

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Nashville’s ‘Caregivers with Hope’ Radio Show Now Syndicated on Truth Network

September 16, 2017September 15, 2017 Wendy Wilson

A Nashville radio show on caregiving will be syndicated starting Sunday. Peter Rosenberger’s “Caregivers with Hope” will become the first syndicated radio show for America’s 65 million family caregivers, according to a news release. Rosenberger has hosted the show for more than four years on NewsRadio 1510 (iHeartMedia). Rosenberger speaks from personal experience as a caregiver. As a result of a car accident decades ago, his wife, Gracie, has had 78 operations and multiple amputations. The family has also had to deal with more than $10 million in medical bills. The show, which blends advice and humor to inspire people facing unique life challenges, will be syndicated via the Truth Network, a group of Christian radio stations, and presented by Medi-Share, a health care sharing ministry that offers an alternative to insurance. “Caregivers with Hope” will be carried live every Sunday at 3 p.m. Central Time on the network. It will air across 13 markets, including Charlotte, Salt Lake City, Des Moines and Richmond. In addition, more than 240 stations will air Rosenberger’s “Today’s Caregiver Minute” featuring daily tips Monday through Friday. “Peter uses his expertise to address the needs of caregivers as no one else can, with the tact of someone who has…

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Tennessee Gubernatorial Race in the Spotlight at T-Bones and Politics

September 15, 2017 Wendy Wilson

MURFREESBORO, Tennessee — Judge Jeanine Pirro of Fox News was the star of the evening Thursday at the ninth annual T-Bones and Politics fundraiser, but people were also drawn to the event to hear from and support Republican candidates for Tennessee governor. House Speaker Beth Harwell (R-Nashville), former State Senator Mae Beavers (R-Mt. Juliet), Williamson County businessman Bill Lee and East Tennessee real estate agent Kay White were at the event working the crowd and shaking hands. They also gave brief speeches before Pirro’s keynote address. Both Beavers and Lee were warmly received by the crowd, Beavers especially, with many applauding and some rising to their feet after their speeches. Harwell and White were not greeted with as much enthusiasm. Knoxville businessman Randy Boyd and U.S. Rep. Diane Black (R-TN-6) are also in the race for the Republican nomination but did not attend Thursday’s event. Mark Moore, a 24-year-old home builder who lives in Nashville, told The Tennessee Star he came to the event to support Beavers. He said he admires her conservative values and her consistency in promoting them. “She’s never wavered,” Moore said. Debbie Ballard said she was looking forward to hearing from all the candidates because she…

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Randy Boyd Tells Beacon Center: Business Tax Incentives Can Work If Done Right

September 15, 2017July 17, 2018 Wendy Wilson

Tennessee Star

Tax incentives to attract and retain businesses in Tennessee can be a good thing for the state, gubernatorial candidate Randy Boyd told the Beacon Center of Tennessee on Tuesday. “You’ve got to make smart decisions, but if you make the smart decision, you can get a good return on investment,” Boyd said. The Beacon Center has been conducting Facebook Live interviews of the candidates in the 2018 race for governor. Questions have centered around issues facing the state that are of particular interest to the Beacon Center, a Nashville-based think tank that promotes the free market. The Beacon Center is against so-called corporate welfare and has produced a short documentary on the topic called Rigged: The Injustice of Corporate Welfare. The center maintains that tax incentives offered to large companies hurt small businesses and put government in the position of picking winners and losers. In his comments about business tax credits, Boyd offered a contrast with state House Speaker Beth Harwell (R-Nashville), Williamson County businessman Bill Lee and former state Sen. Mae Beavers, who were interviewed earlier. Harwell and Beavers were resolute in their agreement with the Beacon Center about corporate welfare, while Lee said there needs to be more transparency in the…

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Judge Jeanine Wows Crowd at T-Bones and Politics

September 15, 2017September 15, 2017 Wendy Wilson

MURFREESBORO, Tennessee — Judge Jeanine Pirro railed against corruption in Washington, D.C., before an enthusiastic crowd Thursday at the ninth annual T-Bones and Politics fundraiser at the Mid-TN Expo. The fiery Fox News host, who is a former judge and district attorney, directed most of her outrage at liberal political figures who she said aren’t being held accountable by the deep state and feckless Republicans. Pirro slammed the State Department and Department of Justice for not pursuing a case against Hillary Clinton for her secret emails and pay-to-play schemes during her tenure as Secretary of State. “No one is above the law, not even Hillary Clinton,” said Pirro, describing the failed presidential candidate as someone who “needs a lobotomy.” Pirro also bemoaned former IRS official Lois Lerner getting a pass by the Department of Justice, which announced last week that prosecutors would not pursue a case against her for harassing conservative groups. In addition, Pirro mentioned the controversy four years ago surrounding former Attorney General Eric Holder, who was accused of lying under oath about the Obama administration’s surveillance of reporters. “The Democrats go for blood,” Pirro said, referring to their tactics to bring down political opponents. Republicans, by contrast,…

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Family Action Council of Tennessee Joins Amicus Brief Supporting Christian Baker in Same-Sex Wedding Case

September 14, 2017September 13, 2017 Wendy Wilson

The Family Action Council of Tennessee (FACT) has joined 32 other family policy councils nationwide in filing a friend-of-the-court brief on behalf of a Colorado baker accused of discrimination for declining to bake a cake for a same-sex wedding. This fall, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear the major, closely-watched case involving Jack Phillips and his family business, Masterpiece Cakeshop. The Colorado Court of Appeals ruled that a state law could force Phillips to create a custom cake that conveys a message contrary to what he believes as a Christian. Phillips and his attorneys petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court to take up the case. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NMn3WycWJsg The amicus brief was drafted by David French, an attorney and senior writer for National Review who lives in Columbia, about 45 miles south of Nashville. In a letter to supporters, David Fowler, the president of FACT, said joining the amicus brief is in keeping with “our mission to defend free speech and religious liberty.” The Supreme Court has received at least 45 friend-of-the-court briefs in support of the baker. The support comes from 479 creative professionals, 20 states including Tennessee, and 86 members of Congress, all Republicans. A variety of legal experts, civil rights advocates and…

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Mass Transit Opponents Draft Open Letter to Mayor Megan Barry Asking Her to Reconsider Plan

September 14, 2017September 13, 2017 Wendy Wilson

Tennessee Star

Tea Party activist Ben Cunningham is leading an effort to collect signatures for an open letter to Nashville Mayor Megan Barry asking her to reconsider a proposed $6 billion regional mass transit plan. The letter asks Barry to move the Nashville area “forward toward 21st century transit technologies and away from obsolete, extremely costly commuter railroads which will burden Nashville taxpayers for decades. Riders nationwide are abandoning these out-dated commuter railroads because so many new transit technologies offer so much more.” The tentative mass transit plan for Middle Tennessee, designed to be phased in over 25 years, calls for light rail along Gallatin Pike, Charlotte Pike, Murfreesboro Pike and Nolensville Pike, and for light rail connecting Nashville and Clarksville, as well as for rapid buses. Barry is committed to putting a referendum on the ballot next year to raise taxes for mass transit, and pro-transit groups are stepping up efforts to win over the public. However, Cunningham is advocating for a referendum that would limit Metro Nashville’s debt level, which could impede the mass transit project. The open letter to Barry says: Transit technology is undergoing an amazing revolution. Riders are demanding solutions that deliver more privacy, more safety, and more convenience.…

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Art Laffer Endorses Diane Black for Governor, Joins Campaign as Economic Policy Adviser

September 13, 2017 Wendy Wilson

Tennessee Star

Conservative economist Arthur Laffer on Wednesday endorsed U.S. Rep. Diane Black (R-TN-6) for Tennessee governor and announced that he will serve as her economic adviser. Laffer, who was a close adviser to former President Ronald Reagan, lives in Nashville and earlier this year voiced criticism of the gas tax hike passed this spring by the state legislature. Laffer also was an economic adviser to former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. “Diane Black knows exactly how to keep Tennessee’s economy growing rapidly by ensuring that Tennessee keeps tax rates low while paying its bills and protecting its taxpayers,” Laffer said in a news release. “I moved from California to Tennessee eleven years ago for these very reasons, and I couldn’t be happier with my adopted home state. There’s no one more qualified and prepared to lead Tennessee into a new era of prosperity than Diane Black.” In the 1980s, Laffer became known as the father of supply-side economics because of his influence in a movement to cut taxes. That time period saw great economic expansion in the U.S. “Art Laffer has the greatest fiscal policy track record of the last 40 years,” said Black. “I am honored to have his endorsement and…

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House Speaker Beth Harwell Banks on Experience in Run for Tennessee Governor

September 13, 2017September 13, 2017 Wendy Wilson

House Speaker Beth Harwell (R-Nashville) told the Beacon Center of Tennessee last week that her “core conservative values” and experience in the state legislature make her a good candidate for governor. A Nashville-based nonprofit that promotes the free market, the Beacon Center is conducting Facebook Live interviews with gubernatorial candidates on issues facing the state. “I think I have core conservative values that I’ve taken to state government and put them into place, and because of that I think we do in fact have a good, well-run state government,” Harwell said. Harwell said that in her leadership role she has “led in some of our state’s boldest and most successful initiatives – everything from eliminating the inheritance tax and gift tax to making us the third lowest taxed state in the nation and the lowest debt state in the nation – but also reforming our unemployment and workers compensation laws, making this a very legally stable environment for businesses to flourish.” Harwell also touted sponsoring legislation allowing for charter schools and for making Tennessee friendly for homeschoolers. In addition, she mentioned a program launched last year that allows parents of children with special needs to access a variety of educational…

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Violins of Hope Coming to Nashville in March to Teach About the Holocaust

September 13, 2017September 12, 2017 Wendy Wilson

Amnon violins of hope

NASHVILLE, Tennessee — The Violins of Hope are coming to Music City. The instruments were played by Jewish musicians interned in concentration camps during the Holocaust in Europe during World War II. Today, the collection is traveling across the U.S. to educate people about the Holocaust and inspire discussions about music, art and justice. The collection came to the U.S. in 2012 and its stops have included the University of North Carolina-Charlotte, Cleveland and Sarasota, Florida. The Violins of Hope will arrive in Nashville next year in mid-March and stay through May. The Nashville Symphony hosted a press conference Tuesday at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center downtown to unveil plans for related musical performances, art exhibits, lectures and more. More than two dozen Nashville-area groups are involved in the project. They include the Jewish Federation of Nashville and Middle Tennessee, Nashville Public Library, Nashville Ballet, Frist Center for the Visual Arts and Vanderbilt University. “We are thrilled to be working with so many enthusiastic partners on this historic initiative,” said Alan Valentine, president and CEO of the Nashville Symphony. The instruments were restored and refurbished by Israeli luthiers Amnon and Avshi Weinstein. They are the subject a book by James…

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Latinos For Tennessee Defends Nashville Statement Endorsing Traditional Marriage

September 13, 2017September 12, 2017 Wendy Wilson

Tennessee Star

Latinos For Tennessee is defending the Nashville Statement, a declaration by Christian evangelicals that upholds traditional marriage and maintains that homosexuality and transgenderism are sinful. Tommy Vallejos, the group’s board chairman, says the swift backlash against the statement is “outrageous.” The statement was approved Aug. 25 at a meeting of evangelical leaders in Nashville and was named for the city in keeping with a historical Christian practice of naming doctrinal statements for the places where they were written. Nashville Mayor Megan Barry, a progressive Democrat, spoke out against the statement, tweeting that it “does not represent the inclusive values of the city & people of Nashville.” Three Nashville progressives started a counter statement that says, “God does not need you to change.” The Nashville Statement has also drawn criticism from some Christians who attend conservative churches who say it was too harsh and not helpful to the discussion of LGBT issues. A Sept. 9 news release from Latinos For Tennessee noted that the Nashville Statement reiterated “a set of beliefs and principles that are shared by millions of Americans and the majority of Tennesseans, according to some polls.” Vallejos, who is a pastor in Clarksville and a Montgomery County commissioner, said…

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Southern Baptist ERLC’s Russell Moore Collaborating with Christians Who Promote Wealth Redistribution, Amnesty for Illegal Immigrants

September 12, 2017September 12, 2017 Wendy Wilson

Russell Moore, head of the Southern Baptist Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC), will speak at a conference in North Carolina this weekend alongside two Christian activists who promote economic redistribution as well as progressive ideas about race and immigration. Moore’s own progressive views on race, immigration and social justice have been an ongoing source of controversy. While he has a loyal following among some Southern Baptists and other Christians, especially younger ones, he has been widely criticized by more conservative evangelicals. The ERLC is the public policy arm of the Southern Baptist Convention and has offices in Nashville and Washington, D.C. Critics of the ERLC under Moore’s leadership are concerned not only about the views he expresses but also about the left-leaning groups with which he associates. John Perkins and Noel Castellanos are the other two keynote speakers at the “Courageous Conversations Conference” Saturday in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, hosted by Word Tabernacle Church. The focus of the one-day conference is on race, but an emphasis on economic redistribution is interwoven with the activists’ teachings. Perkins is the founder of the Christian Community Development Association (CCDA) and Castellanos is its current president. Started in 1989, the CCDA grew and became more organized…

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Promoters of Mass Transit Step Up Efforts to Push Plan for Middle Tennessee

September 9, 2017September 9, 2017 Wendy Wilson

A new pro-transit coalition will launch a campaign this weekend to get people on board with a proposed mass transit plan for Middle Tennessee, reports Nashville Business Journal. Called Transit for Nashville, the coalition will go door to door in Germantown on Saturday to collect petition signatures. Leaders expected to appear at Saturday’s event include Nashville Mayor Megan Barry, Shelly Courington, advocacy director for AARP Tennessee; Clifton Harris, president and CEO of the Urban League of Middle Tennessee; and Ethan Link, program director for Southeast Laborers’ District Council. Barry, a progressive Democrat, is a big champion of the $6 billion regional transit plan and is committed to putting a referendum on the ballot next year to raise taxes for the project. The IMPROVE Act passed earlier this year by the state legislature allows local governments to raise taxes to fund mass transit. The tentative regional plan calls for light rail and rapid buses and would be phased in over 25 years. Mass transit critics say there are less costly and cumbersome ways to address traffic problems associated with growth. Tea Party activist Ben Cunningham is leading an effort to put a referendum on the ballot next year that would limit Metro Nashville’s debt…

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Gubernatorial Candidate Bill Lee To Speak At Nashville Event Monday

September 8, 2017 Wendy Wilson

Tennessee Star

Gubernatorial candidate Bill Lee will be the guest Monday at Tim Skow’s First Tuesday event. Yes, it will be on Monday. Lee, a successful Williamson County businessman vying for the GOP nomination, has been busy traveling around Tennessee on a tractor, after having traveled the state in his campaign RV. Through his travels, Lee, who has never held elected office, intends to get a better understanding of the concerns of Tennesseans. Topics likely to be discussed at Monday’s event include the gas tax passed earlier this year by the state legislature, medical marijuana, judicial reform and education topics such as vouchers and funding higher education. Lee serves on the Tennessee Higher Education Commission and the board of trustees for Belmont University. He has also has served on the board of various community and Christian ministry programs. At Monday’s event, there also will be a chance for guests to ask Lee questions on the topic of their choosing. Other Republican candidates in the 2018 gubernatorial race include Knoxville businessman Randy Boyd, state House Speaker Beth Harwell (R-Nashville), U.S. Rep. Diane Black (R-TN-6), and former state Sen. Mae Beavers (R-Mt. Juliet), who recently resigned from the legislature to focus on her…

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Nashville’s University Presidents Criticize Trump For DACA Decision

September 8, 2017October 5, 2017 Wendy Wilson

Tennessee Star

Nashville’s private liberal arts universities weighed in on President Trump’s DACA decision this week, saying ending the program is a mistake. In sentimental, emotional statements, the presidents of Vanderbilt, Belmont, Lipscomb and Trevecca described ending DACA as an offense to the values of their universities. They’re not the only ones reacting negatively. Several hundred protesters condemned Trump during a march Tuesday along West End Avenue organized by immigration activists. However, conservative Tennessee politicians and others are praising Trump or are offering more nuanced reactions. The Trump administration announced Tuesday morning that it would begin winding down the program in March unless Congress acts. The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program has allowed young people brought to the U.S. illegally as children to obtain temporary permission to live and work in the U.S. if they meet certain criteria. Many are now young adults. There are nearly 800,000 DACA recipients nationwide and more than 8,300 in Tennessee. DACA was started by former President Obama with an executive order, which critics said was an unconstitutional overreach of his authority. Trump made a campaign promise to end DACA but as president had sent mixed signals before his administration announced early Tuesday that it would effectively…

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Seven Republican State Lawmakers to Represent Tennessee at Balanced Budget Amendment Planning Convention

September 8, 2017September 7, 2017 Wendy Wilson

Seven Republican Tennessee state lawmakers will head to Phoenix next week for the Balanced Budget Amendment Planning Convention. The purpose of convention, which starts Tuesday and is expected to last through Thursday or Friday, is to lay the groundwork for an anticipated convention convened under Article V of the U.S. Constitution to propose a balanced budget amendment. The lawmakers include Sens. Mark Green (R-Clarksville), Mike Bell (R-Riceville), Frank Niceley (R-Strawberry Plains) and Bill Ketron (R-Murfreesboro), and Reps. Jay Reedy (R-Erin), Sheila Butt (R-Columbia) and Dennis Powers (R-Jacksboro). The national convention of the states next week is the first held since 1861, when states met to discuss an amendment they hoped would avert a civil war. A resolution submitted to the convention by the Tennessee delegation is the first draft of rules presented for consideration, according to a news release issued by the Tennessee Senate Republicans. “The resolution filed by our delegation will serve as a guide to the discussion to get the ball rolling on rules to govern an Article V convention to balance the federal budget,” said Sen. Bell. “Our nation’s founders, Mason and Madison, insisted there be a method to amend the Constitution, fearing that at some point in…

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Nashville to be Included in National Telethon to Benefit Hurricane Victims

September 8, 2017September 7, 2017 Wendy Wilson

Nashville will be featured in a nationally broadcast telethon Tuesday to raise money for victims of Hurricane Harvey. ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC and CMT will air the live telethon, which will be based in Los Angeles, with stages in New York and Nashville, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The Nashville stage will be at the Grand Ole Opry. The Universal Studios lot and Times Square will be the settings for the Los Angeles and New York portions. The hour-long telethon will start at 8 p.m. Eastern Time. The event will also be streamed internationally on Facebook and Twitter. Called “Hand in Hand: A Benefit for Hurricane Harvey Relief,” the telethon will feature appearances from Blake Shelton, Reese Witherspoon, George Clooney, Dennis Quaid and many others. There will be a live performance finale from Texas with George Strait and special guests. Harvey struck Texas on Aug. 25 as a Category 4 hurricane, the first major hurricane to make landfall in the U.S. in more than a decade. Though weakening to a tropical storm, Harvey caused massive flooding in Houston and other areas and is blamed for at least 60 deaths. According to the event website, the telethon is prepared to expand its beneficiaries to…

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Nashville Symphony To Hold Rescheduled Tchaikovsky Spectacular Sunday

September 7, 2017 Wendy Wilson

Tennessee Star

The Nashville Symphony will hold its rescheduled Tchaikovsky Spectacular on Sunday at the Ascend Amphitheater downtown. It was originally scheduled for Memorial Day weekend but got rained out. The weather forecast shows Sunday will be mostly sunny and nice, with a high temperature of 78. Giancarlo Guerrero will conduct the performance, which will feature renowned pianist Joyce Yang as a soloist for Piano Concerto No. 1. The show will also include the Romeo and Juliet Fantasy Overture and 1812 Overture. A fireworks display will accompany the 1812 Overture. The show starts at 7:30 p.m. and will last about an hour and 45 minutes. The Ascend Amphitheater is located at 310 First Ave. S. General admission lawn seats are $20. Reserved seats are $30 and premium box seats are $45, which includes full wait service. For more information and to order tickets, click here. Click here for options about what to do with tickets purchased for the canceled May 27 performance.

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Georgia School Officials Say Teacher Was Wrong To Reprimand Students Wearing ‘Make America Great Again’ T-Shirts

September 7, 2017September 6, 2017 Wendy Wilson

School district officials in Georgia are saying a teacher was wrong to tell students they couldn’t wear “Make America Great Again” t-shirts in class. A math teacher at River Ridge High School in Woodstock, a north Atlanta suburb, told two students Aug. 31 their shirts featuring President Trump’s campaign slogan were not permitted. “Her actions were wrong, as the ‘Make America Great Again’ shirts worn by the students are not a violation of our school district dress code,” said Cherokee County Schools spokeswoman Barbara Jacoby in a statement. “The teacher additionally — and inappropriately — shared her personal opinion about the campaign slogan during class.” Other students captured the incident on video, which is now circulating on social media. The video shows the teacher comparing the slogan to a swastika and support for neo-Nazis. Republican state Rep. John Carson, whose district includes River Ridge High School, called the incident despicable. “It’s ironic to me that the political left claims to promote free speech, but then attempts to silence conservative free speech,” Carson told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. The school’s principal apologized to the students and their families, and the superintendent is advising schools that teachers should not share political opinions…

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Former Democratic Tennessee State Legislator Sentenced For Leading Ponzi Scheme

September 6, 2017 Wendy Wilson

A former Democratic Tennessee state lawmaker from Martin was sentenced this week to more than 21 years in federal prison for leading an elaborate Ponzi scheme that defrauded more than 400 people, reports the Associated Press. Larry Bates was sentenced Tuesday in Memphis, where he was also ordered to repay more than $21 million to victims. Bates ran the multimillion-dollar Ponzi scheme from 2002 through 2013, during which time he pitched gold and silver coins to listeners of Christian radio and TV programs. He said the coins would offer financial protection during a religious and economic collapse he said was coming. Bates, 73, served in the state House from 1971 to 1976, representing northwest Tennessee counties. His two sons and his daughter-in-law were also convicted in May for their part in the scheme. One of his sons, Chuck Bates, was sentenced Tuesday in a separate hearing. Chuck Bates was sentenced to 12 years and seven months in prison and ordered to pay $19.6 million in restitution, reports the Memphis Daily News. Working through the First American Monetary Consultants, with offices in Memphis and Boulder, Colorado, the Bates family recruited customers from across the country. Many were elderly Americans. By 2009, the company…

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Memphis Fast Food Workers Rally For $15 Per Hour Minimum Wage

September 6, 2017September 5, 2017 Wendy Wilson

Some fast food restaurant workers in Memphis walked out Monday to call for raising the minimum wage to $15 per hour, reports WREG News Channel 3. Similar Labor Day protests were held across the country. The current federal minimum wage is $7.25. In Tennessee, the state minimum wage is the same as the current federal minimum wage. In Memphis, a group in front of the McDonald’s on Poplar Avenue waved signs at 6 a.m. reading, “Show me $15 & a union” and “#Fightfor15.” There group included workers from McDonald’s, KFC, Wendy’s and Church’s Chicken. The Memphis workers were joined by local Black Lives Matter activists, representatives with Workers Interfaith Network, IBEW and the Copper Coalition, and state Rep. G.A. Hardaway (D-Memphis). The group later moved to the Taco Bell at Poplar and Belvedere, and then up Evergreen to Trinity United Methodist Church, which was hosting a picnic. #WeShutItDown #FightFor15 #UnionStrong pic.twitter.com/Ewp9YXabv6 — Show Me $15 (@Show_Me15) September 5, 2017 “Memphis workers in the Fight for $15 stressed their demand not just for $15 an hour, but for union rights in order to fix the economic and political systems in the U.S. that are rigged to benefit big corporations over working…

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Hundreds in Nashville Protest President Trump’s Constitutional Decision to End DACA

September 6, 2017September 6, 2017 Wendy Wilson

NASHVILLE, Tennessee — Several hundred protesters marched along West End Avenue in Nashville late Tuesday afternoon to denounce President’s Trump decision to end DACA. “Up, up with liberation. Down, down with deportation,” chanted the marchers, as similar protests took place across the country. Meanwhile, Trump supporters who want tougher immigration enforcement and adherence to the Constitution praised the president for following through on a campaign promise. The Trump administration announced early Tuesday that it would phase out DACA, which offers young people who were brought to the U.S. illegally as children and meet certain criteria the opportunity to obtain temporary permission to live and work in the U.S. Many recipients are now young adults. Former President Obama started the program in 2012 through an executive order, which critics called an unconstitutional exercise of power by the executive branch. Now it will be left up to Congress to decide what to do with the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. DACA recipients, known as Dreamers, will begin losing their permits in March unless Congress acts. Immigration activists are already lobbying Congress to save the program. Should Congress pass legislation to restore the DACA program before it ends six months from now,…

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President Trump’s Decision to End DACA Pleases Supporters, Outrages the Left

September 5, 2017September 5, 2017 Wendy Wilson

Tennessee Star

The Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition (TIRRC) is calling President Trump’s decision to phase out DACA “cruel and reckless,” but supporters are praising the move. The Trump Administration announced Tuesday morning that DACA recipients will lose their protected status starting in March unless Congress acts. “Attorney General Jeff Sessions sent a letter to the Department of Homeland Security explaining that DACA was not statutorily authorized and was therefore an unconstitutional exercise of discretion by the executive branch,” said a White House news release. The decision is being cheered by Americans who want tougher immigration enforcement, but activist groups like TIRRC are outraged. DACA, or Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, is a program that was started by former President Obama through an executive order. It offers young people who were brought to the U.S. illegally as children a chance to obtain temporary permission to live and work in the U.S. “Over the past five years, the DACA program has been a lifeline for more than 8,300 Tennesseans, providing a sense of security and a chance to dream and invest in their future here,” said TIRRC in an online letter to supporters. “Caving to the demands of extremist attorneys general and white supremacists in…

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Southern Baptist ERLC’s Russell Moore Urges Trump Not To Deport DACA Recipients Who Entered U.S. Illegally As Children

September 3, 2017September 2, 2017 Wendy Wilson

Tennessee Star

Russell Moore, head of the Southern Baptist Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC), is among a group of evangelical leaders calling on President Trump not to deport immigrants brought to the U.S. illegally as children and offered a reprieve by former President Obama. President Trump will announce Tuesday what he intends to do with the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. With a 2012 executive order, Obama offered young illegal immigrants who met certain criteria permission to temporarily live and work in the U.S. Those eligible for the benefits became known as “Dreamers.” Moore, who serves on the Evangelical Immigration Table, said in a statement Wednesday: It is long past time for Congress to work together to find a workable solution for our broken immigration system — especially for the hundreds of thousands of young, undocumented immigrants who were brought to our country by their parents. Many of these Dreamers have stepped forward in good faith. Congress should respond with a legislative solution that delivers on the promises made to these men and women and protects them from perpetual uncertainty. Let’s pray for a fair solution that highlights both justice and compassion. Other evangelical leaders involved with the Evangelical Immigration…

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Students at Ole Miss Traumatized by Banana Peel Thrown in Tree by Student Who Couldn’t Find Trash Can, Incident Deemed Racially Insensitive

September 2, 2017September 2, 2017 Wendy Wilson

A Greek life retreat for students at the University of Mississippi was cut short last weekend after three black students found a banana peel in a tree by a cabin, reports The Daily Mississippian, the student newspaper. The placement of the banana peel was considered an offense against African Americans even though a student said he threw the peel in the tree because he couldn’t find a garbage can. Breakfast options Saturday morning included a fruit cart with bananas. “Many members of our community were hurt, frightened, and upset by what occurred,” Alexa Lee Arndt, interim director of Fraternity and Sorority Life, wrote in a letter to campus chapter leaders that was obtained by the student newspaper. The discovery of the banana peel led to an emotional discussion at Camp Hopewell about race relations. “The massive discussion session wrapped up as more and more students stood and left the room – some in tears, some in frustration,” according to The Daily Mississippian. Students texted friends to come pick them up from the camp and the remainder of the retreat was canceled. “At that point, we didn’t feel welcome, we didn’t feel safe,” Makala McNeil, one of the students who found the peel, told…

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Tropical Storm Harvey Hits Tennessee

September 2, 2017September 1, 2017 Wendy Wilson

Hurricane Harvey barreled into Tennessee Thursday night as a tropical depression, causing road closures, power outages, flash flooding and tornado warnings, reports WSMV Channel 4. According to the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA), 18,000 people statewide are still without power. Initially, about 40,000 customers were without power. Twenty school systems closed across the state Friday, including Metro Nashville Public Schools. Although there were 20 tornado warnings across West and Middle Tennessee, there have not been any confirmed touchdowns. Some areas around Nashville received as much as 8.88 inches of rain with 24 hours, according to Nashville’s Office of Emergency Management. People living near a part of Whites Creek were asked to voluntarily evacuate. At least 15 homes near Dry Creek in Goodlettsville were also evacuated. There have been no reports of injuries, deaths or missing people, according to the Nashville Fire Department. Some additional bad weather was expected Friday. The Associated Press reported Thursday that a gas pipeline that fuels Tennessee would shut down because of Harvey. Georgia-based Colonial Pipeline said the closure was needed because of storm-related refinery shutdowns and Harvey’s effect on its facilities west of Lake Charles, Louisiana. The pipeline supplies nearly 40 percent of the South’s gasoline. Colonial…

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Christian Ministry Sues Southern Poverty Law Center Over ‘Hate Group’ Label

September 2, 2017September 1, 2017 Wendy Wilson

A Christian ministry in Florida is suing the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) over the SPLC’s designation of the ministry as a “hate group.” The Fort Lauderdale-based D. James Kennedy Ministries filed its suit Aug. 23 in an Alabama federal court, alleging the SPLC “trafficked in false and misleading descriptions” of the ministry, reports WORLD Magazine, The suit also names other entities alleged to have spread the libel. According to WORLD: Christian ministries that affirm the biblical view of marriage and human sexuality have earned the SPLC’s “hate group” designation, a designation repeated by many media outlets without question. Groups like D. James Kennedy Ministries, Alliance Defending Freedom, and the Family Research Council have demanded retractions and apologies to no avail. It would have cost the SPLC and three other entities named in the lawsuit nothing to apologize. But with no apology forthcoming and the ministry’s reputation sullied, D. James Kennedy Ministries now seeks restitution. However, Brad Dacus, president of the Christian legal group Pacific Justice Institute, is not optimistic about the suit. Dacus, whose organization is also on the hate group list, told WORLD that it’s hard to prove libel and that the SPLC’s “well-paid attorneys make sure what they say will hold up in…

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National Review Writer David French Criticizes Nashville Mayor Megan Barry for Rebuking Evangelical Statement on Traditional Marriage

August 31, 2017 Wendy Wilson

National Review senior writer David French has sharply criticized Nashville Mayor Megan Barry for her comments denigrating the Nashville Statement, a declaration by Christian evangelical leaders supporting traditional marriage and calling homosexuality and transgenderism sinful. In a tweet Tuesday, Barry said the statement is “poorly named and does not represent the inclusive values of the city & people of Nashville.” The statement was approved Friday at a meeting of evangelical leaders in Nashville who named the declaration for the city in keeping with a historical Christian practice of naming doctrinal statements for the places where they were written. French, who lives in Columbia, Tennessee, 45 miles south of Nashville, was one of more than 150 conservative evangelicals who signed the Nashville Statement. French wrote in a column Wednesday that it is unreasonable for Barry to claim that orthodox Christian beliefs are “incompatible with the ‘inclusive values’ of a city that’s located in the heart of the Bible Belt.” “The Southern Baptist Convention has a headquarter building right in downtown Nashville,” French said. “You can’t drive five minutes in Nashville without seeing a church that’s teaching exactly the values and beliefs contained in the Nashville Statement. Is Barry’s position that they should change their ways, shut up, or…

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