Search Results for: the tennessee star

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

TC Weber

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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Tennessee Hospital Workers Charged with HIPAA Violation After Selling the Names and Information of Patients

Kaitlin Housler

Five former Methodist Hospital employees were indicted by a grand jury for conspiring with a man to unlawfully disclose patient information in violation of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996.

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Gary Chapman Remembers Inspiration for Tender Tennessee Christmas Song

Julie Carr

Friday morning on The Tennessee Star Report, host Leahy welcomed legendary Christian music country artist, Gary Chapman in studio to talk about how he writes songs and reminisce about how the song Tennessee Christmas came to be.

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All-Star Panelist Clint Brewer: Bad Messaging Allows the GOP to ‘Snatch Defeat from the Jaws of Victory’

Julie Carr

Thursday morning on The Tennessee Star Report, host Leahy welcomed recovering journalist Clint Brewer in the studio to discuss the Republicans’ failed messaging in midterms and whether or not Donald Trump should announce his run for 2024 presidency.

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Tennessee House Bill Would Hold Doctors Civilly Liable for Transgender Surgeries

Peter D'Abrosca

A bill introduced in the Tennessee House of Representatives would allow doctors to be held liable in civil court for completing transgender surgeries on minors.

“The legislature determines that medical procedures that alter a minor’s hormonal balance, remove a minor’s sex organs, or otherwise change a minor’s physical appearance are harmful to a minor when these medical procedures are performed for the purpose of enabling a minor to identify with, or live as, a purported identity inconsistent with the minor’s sex or treating purported discomfort or distress from a discordance between the minor’s sex and asserted identity,” says House Bill 1, introduced by Rep. William Lamberth (R-District 44).

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All Tennessee Incumbent Members of Congress Win Re-Election

Peter D'Abrosca

The federal Congressional delegation from Tennessee will look very similar to how it looks now when members of the 118th Congress are sworn in on January 20, 2023. 

But for a redrawn district – Tennessee’s 5th Congressional District – all of the incumbent members of Congress in Tennessee won their respective races Tuesday night. 

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University of Tennessee Board of Trustees Approves Construction of $227 Million Business School Building

Peter D'Abrosca

According to the University of Tennessee -Knoxville, the school’s Board of Trustees has approved the construction of a new building that will cost more than a quarter of a million dollars. 

“The board voted in favor of an amendment to the campus master plan to allow for construction of the building beginning as soon as fall 2023, as well as a $127,350,000 increase in funding for the project, bringing the total budget to $227,350,000,” according to the UT Daily Beacon. 

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Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury Names New Director of Local Government Finance

Kaitlin Housler

Sheila Reed was named the state’s new Director of Local Government Finance, Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury Jason Mumpower announced in a press release Tuesday. Reed replaces former director Betsy Knotts who left the role to serve as a public finance attorney, the press release notes.

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Several Tennessee School Districts Closed to Students on Election Day

Peter D'Abrosca

According to the school district’s calendar, Memphis-Shelby County schools will be closed on Election Day, Tuesday, November 8.

Thirteen of the schools in the district will be used as polling places for registered voters to cast their ballots. 

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Williamson County Parent Discusses Parents Choice of Tennessee’s Wit and Wisdom Curriculum Lawsuit

Julie Carr

Live from Music Row, Friday morning on The Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy – broadcast on Nashville’s Talk Radio 98.3 and 1510 WLAC weekdays from 5:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. – host Leahy welcomed Williamson County parent, Trisha Lucente with Parents Choice of Tennessee in studio to explain the basis of its 200-page lawsuit citing continued illegal teaching of Wit and Wisdom in K-12 public schools.

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Florida NAEP Results Offer a Potential Harbinger for Tennessee

TC Weber

The release of the “Nation’s Report Card” on October 24th has led to a variety of pronouncements from a variety of experts. Many have expressed grave concerns over the potential effects on students, due to lost instructional time during the recent COVID pandemic. The value of this national test, designed to measure fourth and eighth-grade student learning, is in of itself a hotly debated issue. While the interpretation of the results of the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), which supplies the data for the Report Card, may be open to debate, they do offer a large trove of valuable information that can be used in the consideration and evaluation of policy. In some cases, providing a warning of future outcomes. 

This year, Florida is publically celebrating its successful outcomes. In the wake of the positive results, Governor DeSantis sent out a press release using NEAP results to defend his response to COVID and his commitment to keeping schools open,

“We also knew that younger and at-risk students would be the most impacted if schools were closed, and the results speak for themselves. In Florida our 4thgrade students rank #3 in Reading and #4 in Math, achieving top 4 in both English and Math for the first time in state history, while lockdown California and New York aren’t even in the top 30.”.

While Florida’s fourth-grade results are exceptionally positive, they don’t tell the whole story. 

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Tennessee Will Receive $82.2 Million Towards Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program

Kaitlyn Osteen

Memphis-area Rep. Steve Cohen (R-TN-09) announced on Wednesday that Tennessee will receive $82.2 million towards the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, which is administered through the Administration for Children and Families at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

In a statement made to The Tennessee Star, Rep. Tim Burchett (R-TN-02) said, “It’s a shame the Democrats’ reckless spending and war on domestic energy production is causing our energy prices to skyrocket. More East Tennesseans will be dependent on these funds this year because the Biden administration’s policies caused a problem that was avoidable from the start.”

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Tennessee Senator Hagerty and Florida Senator Rubio Raise Alarm over Jet Fleet’s Removal from Japan

Bradley Vasoli

Tennessee Republican Senator Bill Hagerty announced on Thursday that he and his Florida Republican colleague Marco Rubio wrote to Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin this week expressing alarm at the removal of America’s F-15-jet fleet from Okinawa, Japan. 

The United States Air Force last week publicized its intention to phase out the fleet’s presence at Kadena Air Base on the southeastern Japanese island starting on November 1. The two squadrons now being withdrawn comprise half of the roughly 100 fighter aircraft the United States currently maintains in Japan. Instead of replacing the jets, the Biden administration anticipates periodically sending F-22 planes from Alaska to the base. 

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FBI Warns of Increase in ‘Sextortion’ of Tennessee College Students

Peter D'Abrosca

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is warning Tennessee college students about what it calls “sextortion,” which it says is on the rise. 

“Tennessee college and university campuses have seen a marked increase in sextortion attempts aimed at students,” said the FBI’s Knoxville branch. “The suspects, often posing as college-aged female students, target unsuspecting students through dating apps and online social media platforms.”

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Tennessee State Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson Talks About Life on the Campaign Trail

Julie Carr

Thursday morning on The Tennessee Star Report, host Leahy welcomed Tennessee Senate Majority Leader, Jack Johnson in studio to discuss the last few weeks on the campaign trail for re-election.

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Across the State, Senator Jack Johnson Sees Signs of a Red Tsunami in Tennessee Midterms

Julie Carr

Thursday morning on The Tennessee Star Report, host Leahy welcomed Tennessee Senate Majority Leader, Jack Johnson in studio talks about campaigning for other republican Tennessee House and Senate candidates and the sentiment of blue state refugees.

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State Senator Jack Johnson Describes the Job of Majority Leader in Tennessee Senate and Upcoming Agenda

Julie Carr

Thursday morning on The Tennessee Star Report, host Leahy welcomed State Senator Jack Johnson in studio to describe the senate majority duties, relationships and upcoming agenda in the Tennessee state senate.

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Addiction Recovery Center Expanding Headquarters in Tennessee

Peter D'Abrosca

A significant number of new jobs are coming to Williamson County after a large addiction recovery center, headquartered in Franklin, announced that it will be expanding its operations in the Volunteer State. 

Just a year after moving from Arizona, Landmark Recovery will invest $7.5 million to expand in Franklin, a move that will bring approximately 1300 new jobs to the area. 

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Tennessee House GOP Candidate Michelle Foreman Doubles Down on Implementing School Choice as Top Priority

Julie Carr

Wednesday morning on The Tennessee Star Report, host Leahy welcomed Tennessee House of Representatives D-59 GOP candidate Michelle Foreman in studio to reiterate her top priority of school choice in the state of Tennessee.

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Tennessee State Board of Education Approves List of Math Materials Eligible for Adoption by Local Districts

TC Weber

At its regularly scheduled meeting Friday, the Tennessee State Board of Education approved a list of eligible materials for K-12 instruction of mathematics by local districts. The list is compiled by the Tennessee Textbook Commission and presented to the state board by the Tennessee Department of Education (TNDOE).

The submission and subsequent approval are part of a legally mandated review process conducted by the state. Every six years, one core subject is slated for review, and districts must select materials they intend to purchase and implement to educate students in that core subject for the next six years. English language arts went through the process in 2019, and social studies in 2020. Math was slated for review in 2021 but was delayed for two years, so as not to conflict with a state review of math standards.

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Beacon Center Publishes Strategy to Cut Red Tape in Tennessee

Bradley Vasoli

The Nashville-based Beacon Center of Tennessee unveiled a strategy Tuesday to whittle down the mass of regulations that burden businesses in the Volunteer State. 

Beacon cites 2017 data from the National Small Business Association indicating that the total financial burden that regulations place on the average American business in its first year of operation surpasses $83,000. And while national regulations are famously onerous, even the generally free-market state government in Tennessee imposes a weighty regulatory regime. 

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Tennessee Grant Will Give $5 Million to Volunteer Fire Departments

Peter D'Abrosca

In keeping with a recent theme of proactive public safety measures, Tennessee Tuesday announced that it will provide $5 million in grants to volunteer firefighting brigades across the state. 

Through what is called the Volunteer Firefighter Equipment and Training Grant Program, the Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance (TDCI) and the Tennessee State Fire Marshal’s Office (SFMO) are inviting local volunteer firefighting organizations to apply for the grants, according to a release. 

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Tennessee Voter Guide Creator Craig Huey Talks Williamson County Commissioner Race and the Danger of ‘Community Organizer’ Charlane Oliver

Julie Carr

Tuesday morning on The Tennessee Star Report, host Leahy welcomed Tennessee Voter Guide creator, Craig Huey in studio to inform voters of Williamson County’s commissioner race and the consequential race for senate in Davidson County.

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Political Consultant Ward Baker of Baker Group Strategies Predicts Andy Ogles Will Take Tennessee’s 5th District Race

Julie Carr

Tuesday morning on The Tennessee Star Report, host Leahy welcomed renowned Republican political consultant, Ward Baker of Baker Group Strategies in studio to weigh in on Tennessee’s Fifth Congressional District race.

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Tennessee Congressman Green, Fellow Committee Members Push for Answers on Mexico Aid

Bradley Vasoli

U.S. Representative Mark Green (R-TN-7) is joining other GOP members of the House Foreign Affairs Committee in requesting Secretary of State Antony Blinken provide an accounting of the amount, goals and uses of American aid to Mexico during the Biden administration so far.

Last Thursday, committee Ranking Member Michael McCaul (R-TX-10) authored a letter with Green and other Republicans on the panel expressing particular concern to the secretary about the extent to which U.S. taxpayer money has been used to facilitate illegal immigration. Committee members are concerned about the administration having abandoned the previous White House’s policy requiring many asylum seekers at the southern border to remain in Mexico. The Republicans want to know how much the government is spending to bring these migrants into America. 

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Rose: Tennessee Remained Steady While America Declined the Last Two Years

Julie Carr

Monday morning on The Tennessee Star Report, host Leahy welcomed (R-TN-06) Congressman John Rose in studio to discuss his district and how the economy has been on a rapid decline in the past two years while Tennessee remained steady.

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The Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury Published an Audit Revealing that Tennessee State University Mishandled Five Years of Funding

Kaitlyn Osteen

The Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury published an audit on Thursday revealing that Tennessee State University (TSU) management mishandled over five years of funding.

According to the audit, “Management’s failure to adequately implement a system of internal control increases the risk of TSU not achieving key objectives related to financial reporting. When management and staff do not take adequate care when preparing financial statements and the accompanying notes to the financial statements, the risk of errors in the financial statements increases. Providing inaccurate financial information can negatively impact the decision-making ability of users of the financial statements.”

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Tennessee’s ‘Favorite Mayor,’ Glenn Jacobs Urges Republicans to Get out to Vote November 8th

Julie Carr

Friday morning on The Tennessee Star Report, guest host Gulbransen welcomed Knox County, Tennessee, Mayor Glenn Jacobs to the newsmaker line to express the importance for Republicans to get out the vote on election day November 8th.

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Tennessee Representatives Join Letter Demanding Answers from Pentagon over Veterans’ Lack of Access to TRICARE Pharmacies

Kaitlin Housler

Tennessee Representatives Mark Green (R-TN-07), David Kustoff (R-TN-08), and Diana Harshbarger (R-TN-01) joined 25 of their colleagues on Wednesday in sending a letter to Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin “regarding the impact of the Department of Defense Health Agency’s (DHA) decision to proceed with Cigna/Express Script’s reduced reimbursement plan.”

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Tennessee’s Blackburn and Green Take Biden to Task for 20-Year Mortgage-Rate High

Bradley Vasoli

Republican federal legislators from Tennessee blasted the Biden administration yesterday in light of the news that mortgage-interest rates have reached a two-decade high. 

Government-sponsored mortgage corporation Freddie Mac reported this week that the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage — the option most homebuyers choose — hit 7.08 percent, exceeding seven percent for the first time since Spring 2002. The rate was 6.94 percent last week.

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All-Star Panelist Clint Brewer: Titans Stadium Timing Means It Will Dominate 2023 Mayor, Council Races

Julie Carr

Thursday morning on The Tennessee Star Report, host Leahy welcomed all-star panelist Clint Brewer in the studio to comment upon the taxpayer-funded Titan stadium deal.

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AP Reporter Takes Sides Against Tennessee Right-to-Work Campaign

Bradley Vasoli

The campaign for the constitutional “right-to-work” amendment appearing on this year’s Tennessee election ballot has garnered vocal opposition from labor unions and other left-wing thought leaders. Supporters could have expected that. Less predictably, a Nashville-based Associated Press reporter railed against the effort this week.

In a Twitter post, AP writer Kimberlee Kruesi opined strongly against Governor Bill Lee’s pronouncements on the issue, characterizing them as “false” and “outrageous spin.” 

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