Davidson County Archives - Tennessee Star

Attorney Jim Roberts Takes Victory Lap as Metro Government Found in Violation of Tennessee’s Open Meeting Act

June 27, 2020June 26, 2020 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 Nashville attorney Jim Roberts to the newsmakers line.

At the top of the second hour, Roberts weighed in on his recent victory as the Metro government was found to be in violation of Tennessee’s Open Meeting Act statute. He contrasted his victory with the major league soccer franchise’s quest to take over Nashville Fairgrounds and described how with no contracts signed, taxpayers could get stuck with a large bill for the stadium should the MLS decided to leave.

Metro Councilman at-Large Steve Glover: ‘If Metro Government Doesn’t Understand the Damage They’ve Done Right Now to Nashvillians, They Never Will’

June 19, 2020June 18, 2020 Julie Carr

Live from Music Row Thursday 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 Metro Nashville’s City Council Member-at-Large Steve Glover to the newsmakers line.

During the third hour, Glover described the situation where the Metro Nashville City Council voted 32 to 8 in favor of a 34 percent tax increase which was designed by Council Chairman Bob Mendes. He was clearly sickened by the vote and stressed to all registered voters that they need to head to the polls in December as well as sign the 4goodgovernment.com petition.

Nashville City Council ‘Should be Ashamed,’ Beacon Center of Tennessee Says After Massive Tax Increase Passes

June 18, 2020June 17, 2020 Chris Butler

Officials with a Nashville-based right-of-center think tank on Wednesday harshly criticized members of the Metro Nashville Council for jacking up property taxes by 34 percent.

Members of that think tank, the Beacon Center of Tennessee, said this in a press release.

COVID-19 Relief Money to Pay Millions in New Laptops for Nashville Public School Students

June 9, 2020June 8, 2020 Chris Butler

Nashville Mayor John Cooper is directing $24 million in funding from the federal CARES Act to provide every public school student in Nashville-Davidson County with a laptop.

And students who need internet connectivity will get it.

Increased COVID-19 Testing in Nashville Results in More Confirmed Cases, but Percentage Positive Remains at Nine Percent

June 9, 2020June 8, 2020 Chris Butler

Davidson County has had an increase in COVID-19 cases as a result of increased testing.

This, according to Metro Public Health Department spokesman Brian Todd.

“I checked with our epidemiologist and was told we have seen a steady increase in testing in Davidson County since mid-April,” Todd told The Tennessee Star in an email Monday.

Judge: Tennessee Must Allow Vote by Mail for All Amid Virus

June 6, 2020June 5, 2020 The Associated Press

Tennessee must give all of its 4.1 million registered voters the option to cast ballots by mail during the coronavirus pandemic, a judge ruled Thursday.

Davidson County Chancellor Ellen Hobbs Lyle ruled that the state’s limits on absentee voting during the pandemic constitute “an unreasonable burden on the fundamental right to vote guaranteed by the Tennessee Constitution.” The judge wrote that any eligible voter can get an absentee ballot to avoid contracting or passing on COVID-19 in the “upcoming elections during the pendency of pandemic circumstances.”

Tennessee Judge: Virus By-Mail Voting Guidelines Ambiguous

June 4, 2020June 3, 2020 The Associated Press

A Tennessee judge on Wednesday said the state’s guidance about who can vote by mail due to the coronavirus is “very ambiguous,” and she cited “weighty proof” that other states have expanded to let all voters cast absentee ballots this year — something Tennessee officials say is not feasible.

In a hearing via video conference due to the pandemic, Davidson County Chancellor Ellen Hobbs Lyle cast doubts on some of the state’s key arguments against two lawsuits that seek a by-mail voting option for all voters this year to curb the virus’ spread at the polls. Lyle also cautioned that whatever she orders needs to be “a practical, workable solution, or it will throw the election into chaos.” She raised particular concerns about costs for local governments.

Inside the New Poll Showing Unpopularity of Mayor Cooper’s Proposed Property Tax Increase

May 27, 2020May 26, 2020 Julie Carr

Live from Nashville, Tennessee Monday 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.– Leahy was joined on the newsmakers line by Nashville Smart’s Lonnie Spivak.

At the top of the second hour, Spivak reviewed recent Triton Polling data which showed that almost a third of Davidson County registered voters disapproved of Mayor John Cooper’s 32% property tax increase. He was certain that with such unfavorable polling results that Mayor John Cooper should definitely rethink his direction.

Nearly 13,000 Tennessee Residents Have Recovered from COVID-19 as of Sunday

May 25, 2020May 24, 2020 Chris Butler

As of press time Sunday, exactly 20,145 Tennesseans tested positive for COVID-19.

The virus had hospitalized 1,583 state residents and claimed the lives of 336 Tennesseans.

Boutique Venues of Nashville Owner Dan Cook Can’t Get Response From Mayor Cooper’s Office Regarding His Declining Business

May 23, 2020May 22, 2020 Julie Carr

On Friday’s 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 Michael Patrick Leahy and all-star panelist Crom Carmichael welcomed the owner of Nashville Boutique Venues Dan Cook to the newsmakers line.

During the third hour, Cook described his attempts to contact Mayor John Cooper’s office to discuss the phase openings and how it’s negatively impacted his business. He expressed his disappointment that he has not received any type of return communication from the mayor’s office after several attempts but appeared hopeful with the local media attention he’s been able to attain.

Mayor Cooper Signs Order Requiring Face Masks in All Government Buildings

May 20, 2020May 19, 2020 Anthony Gockowski

Nashville Mayor John Cooper signed an executive order Monday that requires anyone who enters a government building to wear a face mask.

Under the order, any employee or visitor must wear a face covering while inside any building or “indoor space” that is owned, managed, or leased by the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County.

Court Rules Tennessee Can’t Process School-Voucher Applications During Appeal

May 11, 2020May 10, 2020 Admin

A judge has blocked Tennessee from processing applications for a school-voucher program while the state appeals a ruling that said the program is unconstitutional.

Davidson County Chancellor Anne Martin ruled the state cannot remit funds for the program or engage with parents or schools about the program. The court also ordered the Tennessee Department of Education to post the current status of the lawsuit and encourage parents to have a backup plan in a statement on the program’s website in case the appeal fails.

“Whatever happens on appeal will happen, but the current status is the program is not going forward and parents need to be told and to have a Plan B,” Martin said Thursday in her ruling from the bench. “The court is going to deny the relief requested.”

Nearly 15,000 Tennesseans Test Positive for COVID-19

May 11, 2020May 10, 2020 Chris Butler

As of Sunday Tennessee had 14,985 confirmed COVID-19 cases, while the virus had claimed the lives of 243 state residents.

This, according to The Covid Tracking Project, which also reported the virus had hospitalized 1,325 Tennesseans.

John Cooper Wears Mask with Image of Kurdistan Flag…but He Won’t Say Why

May 7, 2020May 6, 2020 Chris Butler

Staff for Nashville Mayor John Cooper would not say why he wore a COVID-19 face mask Tuesday that had an image of the Kurdistan flag on it.

Clint Brewer on School Voucher Program: ‘The Status Quo Is Not Working in Our Largest Cities’

May 7, 2020May 6, 2020 Julie Carr

Public affairs strategist and all-star panelist Clint Brewer joined 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. – Wednesday morning on the newsmakers line.

Beacon Center Disagrees With Court Ruling That Decreed Education Savings Accounts are Unconstitutional

May 6, 2020May 5, 2020 Jason M. Reynolds

A judge ruled that the Tennessee Education Savings Account (ESA) Pilot Program is unconstitutional, and a nonpartisan think tank says that could harm children.

Davidson County Officials Still Can’t Back up Claim that Surrounding Counties Had More Confirmed COVID-19 Cases

May 5, 2020May 4, 2020 Chris Butler

As of press time Monday, Davidson County officials still would not demonstrate precisely how “surrounding counties” had more confirmed COVID-19 cases than Davidson itself did, as they attested last Friday.

Metro Coronavirus Task Force Chair Alex Jahangir said at a press conference Friday that Davidson County had 2,832 confirmed COVID-19 cases. Jahangir also said there were an additional 3,227 cases in the surrounding counties — an increase of 955 in one day. Now, for the first time – Jahangir went on to say – the surrounding counties had more cases than Davidson County.

Metro Council Member at-Large Steve Glover Weighs in on Mayor Cooper’s Plan to Raise Davidson County Property Taxes By 32 Percent

April 30, 2020April 29, 2020 Julie Carr

Live from Music Row Wednesday 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 guest Metro Councilman-at-Large Steve Glover to the newsmakers line.

Public Affairs Strategist Clint Brewer Reacts to Mayor Cooper’s Reopen Plan

April 25, 2020April 24, 2020 Julie Carr

Dr. Carol Swain: ‘It’s Morally Wrong to Raise Taxes During a Time When the Government is Preventing People From Earning Money’

April 24, 2020April 23, 2020 Julie Carr

Live from Nashville, Tennessee, Thursday 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.– Leahy was joined on the newsmakers line by former Vanderbilt and Princeton Professor Dr. Carol Swain.

Senator Kerry Roberts Weighs in on What Tennessee’s April Revenues Will Look Like While Davidson County Remains Closed Under Mayor Cooper Rule

April 22, 2020April 23, 2020 Julie Carr

Live from Music Row Tuesday 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. – Leahy was joined on the line during the program’s second hour by Tennessee state Senator Kerry Roberts.

Knox vs. Davidson County: Two Mayoral Responses to the Financial Impact of COVID-19

April 19, 2020April 18, 2020 Laura Baigert

As the economic shutdowns related to the COVID-19 pandemic continue on and the start of the upcoming fiscal year on July 1 draws near, Tennessee’s government leaders are laying out their response to the financial impact.

Metro Councilman At-Large Steve Glover Weighs in on Mayor Cooper’s Sharp Tax Increase Proposal

April 7, 2020April 6, 2020 Julie Carr

During the third hour of Monday’s, Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy, Metro Councilman at Large Steve Glover expressed his disagreement with the significant property tax increase proposed by Mayor Cooper last week. He stated that he didn’t believe that this was a solution to the problem and vowed to stand up to his promise of protecting the people of Davidson County’s wallets.

Number of Confirmed Coronavirus Cases in Tennessee Surpasses 200

March 21, 2020March 20, 2020 Chris Butler

Tennessee had 228 confirmed cases of the coronavirus as of Friday evening, according to the Tennessee Department of Health’s website, although Friday’s news brought cause for some optimism, at least in Davidson County.

Davidson County continued to have the highest number of confirmed coronavirus cases, 101, according to the TDH website. This, even though Alex Jahangir, who chairs that county’s Metro Coronavirus Task Force, said the number was higher at a press conference Friday morning.

Metro Councilman Steve Glover Discusses Budget Priorities and Public vs Charter Schools

January 14, 2020January 14, 2020 Julie Carr

Monday 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 am to 8:00 am – host Leahy was joined in studio with metro councilman, with Steve Glover and all-star panelist Crom Carmichael.

Tennessee Officials Charge Women From Davidson County and Brownsville with TennCare Fraud

December 26, 2019December 25, 2019 Chris Butler

Tennessee officials have charged people from Davidson County and Brownsville with TennCare fraud, according to press releases they distributed this week.

Carol Swain Answers Speculation Of a Run for Congress on The Tennessee Star Report

November 8, 2019November 7, 2019 Julie Carr

Live from music row Thursday 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 am to 8:00 am – Leahy was joined in studio by all-star panelist Dr. Carol Swain to discuss the speculation that she may run for Congress in the district of Mayor John Cooper’s brother, Jim Cooper.

More Politics and Less Proficiency Plagues the Metro Nashville School Board with Upcoming Election

November 5, 2019November 4, 2019 Julie Carr

Live from music row Monday 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 am to 8:00 am – Leahy was joined in studio by all-star panelists, Nashville Metro Councilman, Steve Glover, and Crom Carmicheal.

During the show, the men discussed the upcoming school board vote with the resignation of Will Pinkston and the role of the director of schools in Nashville. Glover described the position as one that needs to be acting like they are running a business more than the running of a school system. He was bewildered in seeing how administrators have put politics before the children’s education.

Court Ruling Kills Briley’s Nashville Parking Privatization Plan, and New Mayor Cooper Shows No Inclination to Pursue New Deal

October 7, 2019October 7, 2019 Jason M. Reynolds

Outgoing Nashville Mayor David Briley’s scheme to privatize parking is dead, following a court ruling.

Nashville Metro Councilman At Large Steve Glover Plans to Work with Conservatives, Moderates and Liberals

September 24, 2019September 23, 2019 Julie Carr

On Monday’s Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy – broadcast on Nashville’s Talk Radio 98.3 and 1510 WLAC weekdays from 5:00 am to 8:00 am – hosts Leahy and Glover discussed what it’s like to be a metro council member as it pertains to answering your constituents. Glover also went on to describe the swearing-in process for himself and the offices where metro council members could work if they wanted to.

Lonnie Spivak Analyzes Early Voting Trends in Nashville Mayoral Runoff Election

September 10, 2019September 10, 2019 Julie Carr

In a specific discussion Monday 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 am to 8:00 am – Leahy welcomed on the VIP line and former Vice Chairman of the Davidson County Republican party, Lonnie Spivak to the…

Desperate David Briley Punches Down, Criticizes Nashville Tea Party’s Opposition to Property Tax Increase

August 31, 2019August 30, 2019 Julie Carr

On Friday’s Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy and special guest Ben Cunnigham – broadcast on Nashville’s Talk Radio 98.3 and 1510 WLAC weekdays from 5:00 am to 8:00 am – Leahy and Cunningham talked about Cunningham’s recent Tweets stating that he would hold John Cooper accountable to his implied commitments to the reallocation of Davidson County funds and not raising property taxes.

Teacher Calls into The Tennessee Star Report, Claims There’s a ‘Fundamental Problem’ in Public Education

August 23, 2019August 22, 2019 Julie Carr

On Thursday’s Tennessee Star Report with Steve Gill and Michael Patrick Leahy – broadcast on Nashville’s Talk Radio 98.3 and 1510 WLAC weekdays from 5:00 am to 8:00 am – Leahy took a call from a Davidson County school teacher named Mike and discussed his disappointing experience as a teacher within the…

Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition Demands Nashville Not Cooperate with ICE

August 5, 2019August 4, 2019 Chris Butler

Members of the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition have reportedly emphasized they want Metro Nashville Police not to assist U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers.

The Tennessee Star Report: Gill and Leahy Ponder, Why Is the Nashville Mayoral Race So Quiet?

July 4, 2019July 3, 2019 Julie Carr

On Wednesday’s Tennessee Star Report with Steve Gill and Michael Patrick Leahy – broadcast on Nashville’s Talk Radio 98.3 and 1510 WLAC weekdays from 5:00 am to 8:00 am – Gill and Leahy pondered why the Mayoral race in Nashville was so quiet and questioned why Swain and Cooper…

The Tennessee Star Report: Metro Council District Member Steven Glover Requests Opinion from Tennessee’s AG on Alleged Illegal Budget

July 2, 2019July 1, 2019 Julie Carr

During a specific interview discussion Monday morning on The Tennessee Star Report with Steve Gill and Michael Patrick Leahy – broadcast on Nashville’s Talk Radio 98.3 and 1510 WLAC weekdays from 5:00 am to 8:00 am – Gill spoke to Metro Council district member and At-Large candidate Steven Glover about his plans to request…

AFC’s Shaka Mitchell Talks to The Tennessee Star Report About the Education Savings Account Bill Passing and Potential Future Litigation

May 4, 2019May 5, 2019 Julie Carr

On Friday’s Tennessee Star Report with Steve Gill and Michael Patrick Leahy – broadcast on Nashville’s Talk Radio 98.3 and 1510 WLAC weekdays from 5:00 am to 8:00 am – hosts Gill and Leahy welcomed Shaka Mitchell, Tennessee Director the American Federation for Children to the show to talk about…

Davidson and Gibson County Residents Busted for Allegedly Stealing from TennCare

May 1, 2019April 30, 2019 Chris Butler

State officials have arrested three more people for alleged TennCare fraud, according to new press releases from the Tennessee Department of Finance and Administration. The people arrested are from Davidson and Gibson counties, the press releases said. Authorities charged the Davidson County resident, Robert Lee Nesbitt, Jr. 54, with…

Davidson County Residents Charged with TennCare Fraud

April 28, 2019April 28, 2019 Chris Butler

Authorities have charged two Davidson County residents in separate TennCare fraud cases involving prescription drugs. The Office of Inspector General, with the assistance of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency, this week announced the arrest of Omar Adbirizak Hassan, 21 and Shannon Lynne Cannon, also known as Shannon L. Hammock, 36. Both are…

Davidson County Woman Must Repay TennCare in Fraud Plea Deal

April 14, 2019April 14, 2019 Chris Butler

A Davidson County woman is ordered to repay the state after she entered a plea agreement on charges involving TennCare fraud. This, according to a press release from the Tennessee Department of Finance and Administration. The Office of Inspector General this week announced that 38-year old Heather Ann Pitts of…

Nashville Journalist Phil Williams Displeased with The Tennessean

January 22, 2019January 21, 2019 Chris Butler

Things are so out-of-kilter at The Tennessean that even investigative reporter Phil Williams of News Channel 5 said he dropped his subscription. That’s because, going by Williams’ Twitter feed, the newspaper’s staff gypped him out of a lot of money. Williams, in his tweets, said nothing about the content of…

Video Allegedly Shows State Rep. Bo Mitchell Stealing Yard Signs For His Opponent Judd Cowan, Marsha Blackburn

October 31, 2018October 30, 2018 Jason M. Reynolds

New video footage allegedly shows State Rep. Bo Mitchell (D-TN-50) stealing yard signs for Republican U.S. Senate candidate Marsha Blackburn and Mitchell’s opponent, Judd Cowan, in Davidson County. The video is available to watch here. U.S. Rep. Blackburn (R-TN-07) is in a hotly contested race with Democratic former Gov. Phil…

All Talk and No Action: Democrats Dream of Statewide Seats with Nothing to Show For It

September 7, 2018September 7, 2018 Julie Carr

On Thursday’s Gill Report – broadcast on Nashville’s Talk Radio 1510 WLAC weekdays at 7:30 am – Tennessee Star Political Editor Steve Gill talked about Florida’s governor’s race and the trending phenomenon of Democrat leaders and the denial of their failing cities. He was curious as to why voters would…

Diane Black Wins Davidson County GOP Straw Poll For Governor

July 16, 2018July 25, 2018 Jason M. Reynolds

Gubernatorial candidate Diane Black won a straw poll at the Davidson County Republican Party picnic Saturday, a blog reported. U.S. Rep. Black (R-TN) received 116 votes in the governor’s primary straw poll, according to a blog called “A Disgruntled Republican in Nashville.” Rod Williams is the author. Second place went…

‘Resign Now! Megan Barry’ Rally Set for Tomorrow at Metro Nashville Courthouse

February 19, 2018February 19, 2018 Admin

A rally calling on embattled Mayor Megan Barry to resign “effective immediately” will take place tomorrow, Tuesday, February 20, at 5 p.m., on the south side steps of the Metro Nashville Davidson Courthouse, organizer Rick Williams told FOX 17. Late last month Mayor Barry admitted to having a two-year-long extramarital…

Vanderbilt Poll: Nashville a Blue City in a Red State; Majority of City’s Residents Disapprove of President Trump

April 1, 2017April 10, 2017 Tennessee Star Staff

A new Vanderbilt Poll confirms what most Tennesseans have known for years: Nashville is a far left island of Democratic blue surrounded by a sea of conservative Republican red. The majority of those surveyed in Davidson County (Nashville) disapprove of President Trump, including 51 percent of white voters. Disapproval among black…

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