J.C. Bowman Commentary: What Is Next in Tennessee Education

To the outside world, our industrial model public education system has changed very little in the last fifty years. However, those who have worked within the system would challenge that view. Everyone can agree we must have an education system that serves all students, preserves democratic ideals and civic participation, and allows students to succeed in the future economy.

Educators have constantly battled against the false premises that our public schools are failing, that educators are the problem, and that outsiders (usually non-educators) should take control of running our schools. Too many policymakers, including state leaders, have simply bought into the jargon fostered by disruptive education that pushes that agenda. The 113th Tennessee General Assembly has work to do this legislative session.

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Spotlight on Miss Tennessee Lauren Dickson

NASHVILLE, Tennessee-Miss Tennessee 2022 is Lauren Dickson. The Parsons native and Miss Lexington 2021 was selected from a class of 36 candidates to become Miss Tennessee on June 25. Dickson is the 69th Miss Tennessee.

This year, Lauren Dickson represented Lexington, Tennessee (population 7915), right next to her hometown of Parsons, Tennessee (population 2,082). They are located midway between Nashville and Memphis, right off I-40.

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Journalist Jon Styf on Brittney Griner Trade, Tennessee Titans Stadium Deal’s Downfalls

Thursday morning on The Tennessee Star Report, host Leahy welcomed journalist for The Center Square Jon Styf on the newsmaker line to comment on Brittney Griner release and dimensions of the $2.1 billion-dollar Tennessee Titans stadium deal.

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Tennessee AG Skrmetti Takes Aim at Big Tech’s Section 230 Protections

Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti announced Tuesday that he has led a coalition of 25 States and the District of Columbia in filing an amicus brief at the United States Supreme Court in Gonzalez v. Google.

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New Third Quarter Business Filings in Tennessee Set Record

A new Quarterly Business and Economic Indicators report issued by the Tennessee Secretary of State’s Office revealed that new business filings in the third quarter of 2022 were the highest for a third quarter in the 24-year history of the data being collected.

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Activists in Cleveland, Tennessee Oppose Government Owned Network for Broadband Project

Leaders of three citizen groups representing “thousands of conservatives in Cleveland and Bradley County” have sent a letter to the city of Cleveland and its utility department, Cleveland Utilities, announcing their opposition to the city’s proposed multi-million dollar broadband internet service plan.

Currently under review by the Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury, Cleveland and Cleveland Utilities have proposed a government-owned broadband network (GON), costing an estimated $72 million.

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Attorney Cam Norris Talks Clerking for Justice Thomas and the Tennessee Supreme Court Selection Process

Monday morning on The Tennessee Star Report, host Leahy welcomed Senior Attorney Cam Norris of Consovoy McCarthy Park Cam Norris and East Tennessean to the newsmaker line to discuss clerking for Justice Clarence Thomas and the Tennessee Supreme Court candidate process.

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Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development Approves $27.3 Million in Grants for 64 Communities

Governor Bill Lee and Department of Economic and Community Development (TNECD) Commissioner Stuart McWhorter recently approved $27.3 million in grants that will be distributed across 64 Tennessee counties.

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All Star Panelist Clint Brewer Discusses Election Fraud and Republican Messaging

Thursday morning on The Tennessee Star Report, host Leahy welcomed all-star panelist Clint Brewer in the studio to discuss election fraud and how Republicans need to develop the right message to win in future elections.

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Host Leahy and New All-Star Panelist Gary Chapman on Governor Lee’s Letter to Remove COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate on US Armed Forces

Thursday morning on The Tennessee Star Report, host Leahy welcomed new all-star panelist Gary Chapman in studio to discuss Governor Bill Lee’s position as lead governor on the letter to Congress requesting removal and prohibition of COVID-19 vaccine mandates for all US Armed Forces.

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Majority Whip Johnny Garrett Explains Tennessee House Roles and 2024 Legislative Agenda

Wednesday morning on The Tennessee Star Report, host Leahy welcomed Tennessee House of Representatives Majority Whip Johnny Garrett to the newsmaker line to describe the roles of legislators and the 2024 legislative agenda.

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New Tennessee Titans Stadium Tax Fund Projected to Collect $2.9 Billion over 34 Years

A sales tax fund set to pay for Nashville revenue bonds on a proposed new $2.1 billion Tennessee Titans stadium is expected to collect $2.9 billion through 2056, according to projections from Metro Nashville.

The total does not include $500 million that the state of Tennessee has committed to the project and will bond separately.

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Tennessee Textbook Commission Member Laurie Cardoza-Moore Describes Publishing Monopoly Supplying Inappropriate Material Through Public School Libraries

Tuesday morning on The Tennessee Star Report, host Leahy welcomed Tennessee State Textbook Commission member Laurie Cardoza-Moore to the newsmaker line to describe the textbook publishing monopoly pushing age-inappropriate books in public school libraries.

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All-Star Panelist Aaron Gulbransen on Freedom of Speech and the Fight for the Public Square

Tuesday morning on The Tennessee Star Report, host Leahy welcomed all-star panelist Aaron Gulbransen in studio to discuss freedom of speech, the press, and the battle for the public square.

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Tennessee Approves $500 ‘Christmas Bonus’ for TANF Participants

Participants of Tennessee’s Families First Program will receive ‘extra support’ this holiday season, according to the Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS). On Monday, TDHS announced that all households enrolled in the state’s assistance program as of December 1st will receive a one-time additional payment of $500 on their existing Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards beginning on that same day.

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Tennessee State Representative Scott Cepicky Talks Retention and Statewide Listening Tour

Monday morning on The Tennessee Star Report, host Leahy welcomed (R-TN-64) Scott Cepicky to the newsmaker line to discuss third-grade retention and what he’s hearing during his statewide listening tour from educators.

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Kid Rock Defends Antebellum Tennessee Home from Possible Demolition

Kid Rock joined Fox News’ “Tucker Carlson Tonight” to speak out against the possible demolition of a Civil War era home near Franklin. 

Beechwood Hall is a historic property. It was owned by country music legends Hank Williams, Jr., and Tim McGraw and Faith Hill. 

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LG Chem Announces $3.2 Billion Investment in Tennessee

A cathode manufacturer is set to make the largest foreign investment in Tennessee in the Volunteer State’s history, according to the Department of Economic and Community Development (TDECD).

“LG Chem’s anticipated investment of approximately $3.2 billion represents the single largest announced foreign direct investment in Tennessee’s history. The project is expected to create 860 new jobs in Montgomery County,” according to a TDECD press release. “The Clarksville facility will be the largest of its kind in the U.S. and is expected to produce roughly 120,000 tons of cathode material annually by 2027, which is enough to power batteries in 1.2 million electric vehicles with a range of 310 miles per charge.”

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Tennessee Attorney General Joins Eight States in Sending Letter Demanding Solar Lending Companies to Suspend Loan Payments for Pink Energy Customers

Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti recently announced that he joined a coalition of eight attorneys general in sending a letter to five solar lending companies demanding they suspend loan payments and interest accrual for some customers.

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Southern Middle Tennessee Realtor of the Year Jimmy Campbell Talks About the Real Estate Market and Growing Up in Maury County

Tuesday morning on The Tennessee Star Report, host Leahy welcomed newly crowned Realtor of the Year, Jimmy Campbell of Crye-Leike Realty-Columbia, Tennessee to the newsmaker line to talk about the Maury County real estate market, his father, and growing up in Columbia.

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State Department of Corrections Holds Training on Public Engagement at University of Tennessee

The Tennessee Department of Corrections (TDOC) said it trained last week at the University of Tennessee – Knoxville on how to engage with the public.

“TDOC’s Communications team is participating in an intensive, week-long training session at the The University of Tennessee Institute for Public Service Law Enforcement Innovation Center (LEIC), where we’re learning how to better inform, engage, and educate the public about the true mission of corrections.” TDOC said on Facebook. “We’re looking forward to being back in full force next week, bringing you industry best practices to better serve you!”

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Metro Nashville Paid $120K for Consulting Services on Tennessee Titans’ $2.1 Billion Stadium Deal

The Nashville Mayor’s Office paid Inner Circle Sports $120,000 over a six-month period for consulting services related to negotiating the $2.1 billion stadium deal between the office and the Tennessee Titans.

The report was released on Friday in a records request from Justin Hayes, an interested Nashville resident.

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Tennessee Supreme Court Strikes Down Mandatory Life Sentences for Juvenile Murderers

Tennessee’s Supreme Court says that mandatory life sentences for minors convicted of murder is unconstitutional, according to a recently decided case. 

In a case called State of Tennessee v. Tyshon Booker No. E2018-01439-SC-R11-CD the state’s highest court says sentencing juveniles to life in prison for murders committed as minors is cruel and unusual punishment. 

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TBI Says Mexican Cartels Working in Tennessee

According to a Wednesday report, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) says dangerous Mexican Cartels are actively operating in Tennessee. 

“There are two primary cartels that we have found very connected to almost everything we do,” TBI Director David Rausch reportedly said. “That is the Sinaloa Cartel out of Mexico and the new Jalisco Cartel. Both of them are actively, very engaged in operations in Tennessee and we are working closely with our friends at the DEA on addressing that head on.”

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Tennessee AG Skrmetti Comments on Taylor Swift Debacle, Walmart and Google Settlements

Thursday morning on The Tennessee Star Report, host Leahy welcomed Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti to the newsmaker line to discuss the Taylor Swift, Ticketmaster debacle and big settlement for the state from Walmart and Google.

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Tennessee Supreme Court Justice Lee to Retire

A Tennessee Supreme Court Justice will retire next year, according to a press release.

“Today I notified Governor Lee I will retire on Aug. 31, 2023. It’s been the greatest honor of my professional life to serve in the TN judiciary. I am filled with gratitude,” said Tennessee Supreme Court Justice Sharon Lee, attaching an official statement. 

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Tennessee Officials Celebrate Teacher Apprenticeship Program During National Apprenticeship Week

Novemer 14 to 18 is National Apprenticeship Week, and the Tennessee Department of Education (TDOE) is celebrating by touting its one-of-a-kind teacher apprenticeship program. 

“This week, the Tennessee Department of Education is celebrating the important role apprenticeships play in postsecondary preparation during the 8th Annual National Apprenticeship Week, happening November 14-18. Specifically, the department is highlighting the Tennessee Teacher Apprenticeship, the first registered apprenticeship program for teaching in the country, paving the way for the future of the teaching profession,” according to a release.

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Host Leahy and All-Star Panelist Carmichael Talk About Trump’s Presidential Announcement

Wednesday morning on the Tennessee Star Report, host Leahy welcomed the original all-star panelist Crom Carmichael in studio to comment upon Donald Trump’s run for 2024 presidency, the possibility of candidates, and the prodding of Joe Biden’s failures. 

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Tennessee Attorney General Skrmetti Addresses Ticketmaster Complaints After Taylor Swift Debacle

After Tuesday’s debacle in which attempted presale ticket purchases for Taylor Swift’s latest tour crashed the Ticketmaster website, Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti addressed the issue in a Wednesday press conference. 

Ticketmaster’s website crashed upon the release of Swift’s presale tickets, enraging customers. 

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New Fiscal Year Starts with Record Number of Migrant Encounters at Southern Border

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) encountered more than 230,000 migrants at the southern border in October, beginning fiscal year 2023 with a record surge, according to agency statistics released late Monday night.

Federal border authorities encountered 230,678 migrants at the U.S.-Mexico border in October, a 1.3% increase from the previous month, according to CBP. There was also a record number of migrants crossing the border in fiscal year 2022, with roughly 2.3 million migrants encounter

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State Representative Chris Todd Weighs In on Tennessee Red Wave, ‘Super-Super-Majority’ in General Assembly

Monday morning on The Tennessee Star Report, host Leahy welcomed (TN-R-73) State Representative Chris Todd to the newsmaker line to weigh in on the red wave Tennessee’s midterms produced as House reaches super super majority.

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The Tennessee Comptroller’s Office Issues Report Providing Optimism, While Raising Questions Around K-3 Student Reading

A recently released report from the Tennessee Comptroller’s office shows that Tennessee K-3 students are making positive, albeit slight, growth in acquiring reading skills. Those conclusions were drawn from state-mandated K-3 universal reading screeners (URS), which all school districts are required to administer as part of legislation passed in 2021 during a Special Session of the General Assembly on education.

Legislators passed the Tennessee Literacy Success Act (TLSA), with the intent to ensure that students were on track to become proficient readers by the end of grade 3. The URS requirement was embedded in the bill as a means to safeguard taxpayer investment while delivering on promises made to Tennessee students.

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