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Tennessee Congressional Delegation Members Call on President Biden to Resign from Office Following Reelection Announcement
Eight members of the Tennessee congressional delegation have called on President Joe Biden to resign from the presidency after announcing the end to his 2024 reelection bid.
Read the full storyTennessee Democratic Delegates Pledge Support for Kamala Harris as 2024 Presidential Nominee
The Tennessee Democratic Party announced Sunday that its delegation to the 2024 Democratic National Convention has agreed to support Vice President Kamala Harris as the presidential nominee amid incumbent President Joe Biden’s decision to not seek reelection.
Read the full storyAuthorities Rescue Three Children in Tennessee, Arrest Foreign National Wanted for ‘Child Stealing’ in Bahamas
The International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) of Washington announced on Friday the rescue of three children and the arrest of a foreign national in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.
INTERPOL Washington confirmed in a press release that the agency participated in a joint operation with the U.S. Marshals Service and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on July 5 to arrest Angelo McQueen, a citizen of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas who the intergovernmental agency explained was wanted “for sexual offenses against a minor.”
Read the full storyDr. Ben Carson Endorses Tennessee U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles for Reelection
Dr. Ben Carson, retired neurosurgeon and former U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, endorsed U.S. Representative Andy Ogles (R-TN-05) for reelection to Tennessee’s 5th Congressional District.
“I am proud to support my friend Andy Ogles for re-election to the House of Representatives,” Carson wrote in a post on X, formerly Twitter.
Read the full storyFederal Court Strikes Down Lawsuit Challenging Tennessee Law Banning Public Drag Shows
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit ruled 2-1 on Thursday to dismiss a challenge to Tennessee’s Adult Entertainment Act in the case Friends of George’s, Inc. v. Mulroy.
Read the full storyTennessee Returns $68 Million in Unclaimed Property to Residents
The Tennessee Department of Treasury (TDOT) said Wednesday that it returned more than $68 million in unclaimed property to Tennesseans in Fiscal Year 2023, a record for the state department.
“Unclaimed property is money that has been turned over to the State by businesses and organizations unable to locate the rightful owners, such as utility refunds, uncashed paychecks, credit balances for overpayments, rental deposit refunds, gift certificates, securities, and abandoned bank accounts,” the department explained. “The Unclaimed Property program is a consumer protection program of the Department of Treasury that works to reunite this missing money with its rightful owner.”
Read the full storyTennessee Lottery Raises More than $519 Million for Education in Fiscal Year 2024
The Tennessee Education Lottery Corporation announced Tuesday that it raised $519,322,000 for education in the Volunteer State during Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24), setting a new Fiscal Year record for the amount generated for education.
FY23, which spanned from July 1, 2023, through June 30, 2024, surpassed Fiscal Year 2023’s proceeds – the previous fiscal year record – by more than $4 million.
Read the full storyTennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti Joins Push for Congress to Pass the SAVE Act
Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti joined a coalition of 21 other state attorneys general in “strongly” urging congressional leaders to pass the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act.
Read the full storyTennessee Election Official Confirms Voters Who Ignored Citizen Verification Letter Will Not Be Removed from Rolls
Tennessee Coordinator of Elections Mark Goins confirmed on Wednesday that none of the 14,375 voters who received letters from his office seeking to confirm their citizenship status will be removed from the state’s voter rolls.
Goins confirmed in a Tuesday statement to The Associated Press that his office’s June 13 letter to voters, which requested information about their citizenship, “did not threaten to remove a person from the voter list if a person does not respond” and then confirmed to the outlet, “[n]o one will be removed from a voting list for not responding to the June 13 letter.”
Read the full storyTennessee Congressional Delegation Members Seek Answers on DOJ’s Plan to Prevent Illegal Aliens from Voting in Federal Elections
Eight members of the Tennessee congressional delegation were among a group of congressional Republicans who sent a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland seeking information on how the Department of Justice (DOJ) will work to prevent illegal aliens from voting in federal elections.
Read the full storyTennessee Employers Sound the Alarm on Big Pharma Push to Drive Up Drug Costs
Tennessee employers are raising concerns with policies being considered in Washington they say would undermine business’ ability to sponsor high-quality and cost-effective prescription drug benefits for their employees.
Read the full storyMiddle Tennessee State University Earns ‘Green Light’ FIRE Rating for Respecting Free Speech
Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) last week earned a “green light” rating from the Foundation for Individual Rights and Freedom (FIRE), a nonprofit organization that gained fame by defending freedom of speech on college campuses.
A FIRE press release confirms MTSU became the latest university to receive the rating, with the organization noting just 68 other institutions throughout the country have qualified for the “green light” rating it explains” is reserved for institutions with no written policies that seriously imperil student free speech rights.”
Read the full storyTennessee Governor Bill Lee to Speak at Republican National Convention on Tuesday
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee will speak at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on Tuesday.
Lee posted a photo of him and his wife, First Lady Maria Lee, at the convention on social media, saying, “Great to be in Milwaukee for the 2024 [Republican National Convention].”
Read the full storyTennessee U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn Presents Party Platform at the Republican National Convention
Tennessee U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) presented the 2024 Republican Party Platform at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee on Monday.
Read the full story34 Percent of Tennessee Voters More Likely to Vote for Trump After Guilty Verdict in New York Case
According to a poll from the Tennessee-based Beacon Center shows that support for former President Donald Trump has risen for his 2024 reelection bid after he was convicted of 34 felonies for falsifying documents in New York.
Trump was convicted on May 30.
Read the full storyEntire Tennessee Delegation Supports Former President Donald Trump after Assassination Attempt
All 11 members of the Tennessee congressional delegation have publicly issued statements following Saturday’s assassination attempt of former President Donald Trump during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.
Read the full storyTennessee Democrats Mock Former President Trump, Wonder if Apparent Assassination Attempt was ‘Staged’
Multiple Democratic candidates and elected officials in Tennessee are being denounced on social media for their reactions to former President Donald Trump surviving what appeared to be an attempted assassination at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Saturday.
Read the full storyFederal Court Upholds Tennessee Policy Preventing Transgender Individuals from Changing Sex on Birth Certificate
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit ruled 2-1 to uphold a decades-long Tennessee policy that prohibits changes to a person’s sex on their birth certificate to reflect their gender identity instead of their biological sex at birth.
The policy treats the sex listed on a birth certificate as a historical fact unchangeable by an individual’s transition to a different gender identity.
Read the full storyTennessee Taxpayers Don’t Want to Pay for New MLB Stadium, Poll Shows
According to a Beacon Center poll received by The Tennessee Star, Tennesseans are not keen on the state spending their tax dollars on a Major League Baseball (MLB) stadium in Nashville.
According to the poll, 58 percent oppose using state tax dollars for a new MLB stadium, while only 27 support it.
Read the full storyTennessee Wildlife Resources Agency Won’t Appeal Court Loss in ‘Open Fields’ Doctrine Case
After losing an appeal in May, the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) has decided it will not take its case on the “open fields” doctrine to the Tennessee Supreme Court.
The case began when Terry Rainwaters and Hunter Hollingsworth found hidden cameras on their property, placed there by TWRA, according to the Institute of Justice, which took on the case.
Read the full storyTennessee U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles Interested in Leading House Freedom Caucus: Report
U.S. Representative Andy Ogles (R-TN-05) is reportedly interested in becoming chair of the House Freedom Caucus if the group’s current chair, Congressman Bob Good (R-VA-05), steps down from his post.
Good lost his primary race last month to Virginia State Senator John McGuire (R-District 10), who was endorsed by former President Donald Trump.
Read the full storyRobby Starbuck Exposes John Deere’s Corporate DEI Policies: ‘You Need a Massive Overhaul There’
Tennessee political commentator and documentary filmmaker Robby Starbuck shared an update into his work exposing John Deere, the American manufacturing company of agricultural machinery and other heavy equipment, for its woke policies, saying how “hundreds” of upset employees have come forward about the drastic changes under the company’s new leadership.
Starbuck said John Deere essentially turned into a “trojan horse for leftism” once its CEO, John May, was named head of the company in 2019 and implemented “drastic” changes to the company’s policies.
Read the full storyTennessee U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles Introduces the Preventing Forced Abortions Act of 2024
U.S. Representative Andy Ogles (R-TN-05) introduced a bill this week to protect surrogate mothers from being forced to have abortions as part of terms set in surrogacy contracts.
Ogles’ Preventing Forced Abortions Act of 2024 would prohibit federal courts from enforcing any part of a surrogacy contract that requires a surrogate mother to get an abortion.
Read the full storyFar-Left Nonprofit That Inspired Shooting at Family Research Council Claims ‘Hate Groups’ are Growing in Number in Tennessee
A far-left Alabama nonprofit best known for inspiring a shooting at the conservative Family Research Council in Washington, D.C., claims that “Hate Groups” are on the rise in Tennessee.
The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), which inspires violence itself by labeling conservative nonprofits as “Hate Groups,” claimed in its 2023 annual report that the number of “Hate Groups” in Tennessee increased from 33 in 2022 to 37 in 2023.
Read the full storyTennessee U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles Proposes Amendment to Prevent D.C. Statehood
U.S. Representative Andy Ogles (R-TN-05) reportedly proposed an amendment to the Fiscal Year 2025 Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act on Tuesday that would squash efforts to grant Washington, D.C., statehood.
Ogles’ proposal, according to a report by The Hill, “called for the prohibition of funds for the New Columbia Statehood Commission — which coordinates the district’s efforts to become the 51st state — and to prohibit funds being used to conduct an election for a senator for the District of Columbia.”
Read the full storyTreasurer for Group Behind Attacks on Rep. Andy Ogles Is Former Tennessee Republican Party Director Who Endorsed Democrat in 2022
Federal Election Commission (FEC) documents confirm Randy Stamps is the treasurer for the Conservatives with Character super PAC, which so far has reportedly spent at least $140,000 on ads targeting Representative Andy Ogles (R-TN-05).
Stamps’ involvement in an effort which could benefit the only Republican to challenge Ogles, Metro Nashville Councilwoman Courtney Johnston, comes after he backed Ogles’ previous political opponent, former Tennessee House Representative Beth Harwell, in 2022.
Read the full storyEarly Voting for the August 1 Elections Begins Friday in Tennessee
Friday is the first day of early voting for Tennessee’s primary and general elections. The Volunteer State will hold these elections on August 1.
The primary elections being held are for the U.S. Senate, U.S. House of Representatives, even-numbered districts for the Tennessee Senate, and Tennessee House of Representatives.
Read the full storyIllegal Alien Who Killed Tennessee Man While Drunk Driving Sentenced to Only Two Years in Prison
An illegal alien from Guatemala who killed a Tennessee man while drunk driving has been sentenced to prison for causing the man’s death.
Israel Martin-Alonzo who was 18 at the time and was driving drunk, struck and killed Hixson man Donald Rackley on July 30, 2018. He was sentenced Tuesday to only two years in prison after pleading guilty to leaving the scene of an accident, failure to maintain lane, and DUI.
Read the full storyUser Says ZenSports, Conditionally Approved in Tennessee, Yields Uncertainty
Tennessee has some of the biggest names in online sportsbooks, from FanDuel to DraftKings to ESPN BET and Caesars.
But the state’s stable of sportsbooks also includes outliers, like ZenSports, whose only license exists in Tennessee.
Read the full storyTennessee U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn Applauds Passing of 2024 Republican Party Platform
Republican Party Platform Committee Chair Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) applauded the Republican National Committee (RNC) passing of former President Donald Trump’s 2024 Republican Party Platform on Monday.
Read the full storyChristian Actor Kirk Cameron Ditches Home State of California for Tennessee
Christian actor, writer, and producer Kirk Cameron announced last week that he and his family have moved from California to Tennessee.
Read the full storyTennessee Courts Will Look to Put Filings Online
Tennessee’s Advisory Commission on Rules of Practice and Procedure decided to start a committee looking into rules to make court briefs available online moving forward.
Tennessee Supreme Court Justice Dwight Tarwater will chair the committee, which will include commission Chairman Gino Bulso, Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals Judge Tom Greenholtz, former Solicitor General Andree Blumstein and attorney Tim Mickel.
Read the full storyTennessee Judge Rules Not One Page of Covenant Killer Writings Shall be Released, Cites Dubious Copyright Claims of Intervenors
Tennessee Chancery Court Judge I’Ashea L. Myles ruled in a decision released at 11:58 pm on Thursday that none of the writings left by Covenant School killer Audrey Elizabeth Hale shall be released to the multiple parties who sued Metro Nashville to secure their release, citing the copyright claims of the parents she earlier allowed to intervene in the lawsuit.
Read the full storyU.S. District Court Hands Down Victory in Tennessee-Led Case Challenging HHS Rule on Gender Identity Under the Affordable Care Act
The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi has halted the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) from implementing its final rule which redefines the Affordable Care Act’s prohibition against discrimination based on “sex” to include “gender identity” at the request of Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti.
Read the full storyExclusive: U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles Receives Endorsements from Eight Tennessee State Legislators
Five Tennessee state representatives and three Tennessee state senators endorsed U.S. Representative Andy Ogles (R-TN-05) for reelection to Tennessee’s 5th Congressional District.
Read the full storyGadfly GOP Primary Challenger to Tennessee U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn Says He Wants Pathway to Citizenship for Illegal Aliens
According to a candidate survey in The Tennessean, the only Republican primary challenger to Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) says he wants a pathway to citizenship for illegal aliens.
Tres Wittum, 37, an aide to Tennessee Senate leadership, says he wants to “update the [immigration] system.”
Read the full storyTennessee Woman Awarded Settlement from Blue Cross Blue Shield After Refusal to Take COVID-19 Vaccine
A Tennessee woman who was fired from her job at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee (BCBST) for refusing the COVID-19 vaccine was awarded nearly $700,000 by a jury.
“The jury found that Plaintiff, TANJA BENTON, proved by a preponderance of the evidence that her refusal to receive the Covid vaccination was based upon a sincerely held religious belief,” said a Judgement Order written by Judge Charles Atchley of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee.
Read the full storyTennessee State Representative Celebrates New Law Enhancing Penalties for Assaulting Police Officers
A Tennessee State Representative is celebrating this week as a bill that he sponsored enacting harsher penalties for violence against police officers took effect Monday.
The law, called The Back the Blue Act, which was sponsored by State Representative Kip Capley (R-Summertown) makes assault on a police officer a Class E felony. Previously, it was a Class A misdemeanor.
Read the full storyTennessee Congressional Delegation Members React to Supreme Court’s Ruling on Presidential Immunity: ‘Huge Blow to Lawfare’
Members of the Tennessee congressional delegation reacted to the U.S. Supreme Court’s 6-3 ruling on Monday in Trump v. United States that former President Donald Trump is immune from federal prosecution for official acts he took while in office.
Read the full storyTennessee GOP Chairman Scott Golden: Biden’s Disastrous Debate Performance ‘Puts Pressure’ on NY Judge Merchan to Jail Trump
Tennessee Republican Party Chairman Scott Golden said President Joe Biden’s performance during Thursday’s CNN debate against former President Donald Trump “puts pressure” on New York Judge Juan Merchan to sentence Trump to prison on July 11.
Read the full storyTennessee AG Sends Letter to Major Credit Card Companies Warning of Legal Action Upon Noncompliance with New State Law
Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti sent a letter to the CEOs of American Express, Visa, and Mastercard inquiring about the companies’ plans to comply with a state law set to take effect in the Volunteer State on Monday, July 1 concerning financial transaction data associated with firearm and ammunition purchases.
Read the full storyTennessee Democratic Party Silent on Whether to Stick With Biden as Nominee
The Tennessee Democratic Party (TNDP) remained silent when The Tennessee Star questioned on Saturday whether it would stand behind Joe Biden despite Biden’s Thursday night debate performance, which reportedly has top Democrats in a panic.
At press time, the party hasn’t made any public statement about the debate on either Facebook or X.
Read the full storyEast Tennessee Tea Party Organizer Kay Carr White Passes Away
Kay Carr White, an early organizer of the 2009 Tea Party Movement in east Tennessee, passed away earlier this week at the age of 75 in Johnson City, Tennessee.
Read the full story10 New Laws Aimed at Improving School Safety in Tennessee Set to Take Effect July 1
Ten bills passed during the most recent legislative session of the Tennessee General Assembly and signed by Governor Bill Lee concerning school safety will take effect on Monday, July 1.
Read the full storyTennessee’s Elected Officials React to Thursday’s Presidential Debate
Tennessee’s elected officials reacted positively to former President Donald Trump’s debate performance against President Joe Biden on Thursday night.
“There is no debate about it: President Trump was the clear winner tonight and the person we need to save our country,” said a statement from Sen. Marsha Blackburn. “Under President Biden, hardworking families can’t afford basic necessities, illegal immigrants are treated better than our nation’s veterans and criminals get off scot-free while the Justice Department unfairly targets conservatives.”
Read the full storyTractor Supply Issues Statement Pledging to ‘Eliminate DEI’ and Return to Conservative Tennessee Roots
The Tractor Supply company on Thursday issued a statement announcing it will “eliminate DEI roles” and take a series of other actions in response to the backlash which followed recent reporting about the company’s commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI).
The Tractor Supply statement, posted to social media, explained, “We work hard to live up to our Mission and Values every day and represent the values of the communities and customers we serve.”
Read the full storyTennessee U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn ‘Disappointed’ in Supreme Court’s Ruling in Government Speech Suppression Case
U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) joined many elected officials and conservative leaders who expressed disappointment with the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in Murthy v. Missouri on Wednesday.
The Republican attorneys general of Missouri and Louisiana and five individual plaintiffs brought this court case.
Read the full storyTennessee Department of Children’s Services Sued for Alleged Abuse of Disabled Children
The Tennessee Department of Children’s Services (DCS) has been sued by an activism group that supports disabled people, claiming that DCS has neglected and mistreated vulnerable disabled children.
“When Youth enter Defendants’ facilities, they struggle to find the basic support that every child needs and deserves, such as education, mental healthcare, medical care, and physical safety,” a lawsuit filed by Disability Rights Tennessee says. “Defendants fail to provide evidence-based services designed to treat or rehabilitate Youth. Indeed, Defendants lack any coherent strategy for rehabilitating young people in their care or addressing behavioral issues, instead defaulting to incarceration. Youth therefore have no meaningful way to progress in their treatment and rehabilitation.”
Read the full storyTennessee Attorney General and Secretary of State’s Offices Warn of Scammers Using Celebrities Names and Likeness to Solicit Money
Tennessee’s secretary of state and attorney general’s offices warn Tennesseans of a “significant rise” of scammers attempting to use celebrities’ names and likenesses to solicit consumer money.
“Sadly, we’ve seen a significant rise in scammers attempting to utilize the name or likeness of celebrities to take advantage of consumers,” Secretary of State Tre Hargett said in a statement. “We encourage all to remain vigilant and report any questionable communications to us or the Tennessee Attorney General’s Office so we can prevent Tennesseans from being victimized.”
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