Thursday morning on The Tennessee Star Report, host Leahy welcomed all-star panelist and The Epoch Times Editor-at-Large Roger Simon in-studio to discuss the status of the Tennessee state three-year residency bill and the AP’s false interpretation of where it stands.
Read the full storyTag: Governor Bill Lee
Public Affairs Specialist Clint Brewer: Tennessee Secretary of State Is Limiting Communication on Still-Unclear Issue of Who Controls Final Deadline for U.S. House Primary
Thursday morning on The Tennessee Star Report, host Leahy welcomed all-star panelist Clint Brewer in-studio in further comment upon who in the state decides the filing deadline to be on the GOP primary ballot.
Read the full storySpeaker Cam Sexton Tells WTN Radio’s Dan Mandis Titans Will Contribute $700 Million Towards $2 Billion Cost of Proposed New Stadium
On Nashville’s Morning News, host Mandis spoke with Tennessee House Speaker Cameron Sexton regarding the proposed $500 million bond for a retractable roof on Titans Stadium and its benefits for Nashville and the state.
Read the full storyGovernor Bill Lee’s Financial Proposal for a New Titans Stadium Includes Very Few Details
Governor Bill Lee’s office made a presentation to the Tennessee House Finance, Ways, and Means Committee on his $500 billion bond proposal for a new Titans stadium that included several generalizations with very few details.
Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Finance and Administration Butch Eley, who functions as Lee’s chief financial officer, made the presentation on Tuesday.
Read the full storyReport: Governor Bill Lee to Ask General Assembly for $500 Million in Bonds for New Titans Stadium
Governor Bill Lee is said to be asking the Tennessee General Assembly to issue $500 million in bonds to help fund a new Tennessee Titans stadium.
First reported by Axios, Governor Lee wants the General Assembly to approve $500 million in bonds, which would be issued by the state and likely repaid by revenue from the new stadium.
Read the full storyGovernor Bill Lee Signs Joint Resolution Recognizing Mission America Foundation for Work Combating Human and Child Trafficking
Governor Bill Lee has placed his signature on House Joint Resolution 0856, a resolution recognizing the Mission America Foundation for the work they do to combat child and human trafficking.
The Mission America Foundation “is dedicated to eradicating Child and Human Trafficking. We utilize prior military personnel to investigate trafficking leads and providing intelligence to law enforcement agencies. We provide ‘Situationally Aware Fundamentally Empowered’ (S.A.F.E), self defense training to young boys and girls. Our focus is increasing trafficking awareness, through speaking engagements to bring awareness to the domestic trafficking problems that plague this great nation.”
Read the full storyRetired Brig. General and TN-5 GOP Primary Candidate Kurt Winstead Announces Key Campaign Personnel
Retired Brig. General Kurt Winstead announced key personnel additions to his campaign for the Republican primary for Tennessee’s 5th congressional district.
The Winstead campaign announced that Chris Devaney, campaign manager for Governor Bill Lee’s 2018 campaign, will serve as senior advisor to the campaign. Kim Kaegi, a veteran of numerous successful campaigns across Tennessee, will serve as the campaign finance consultant. Jimmy Granbery will serve as the campaign finance chairman. Granbery is currently the chairman of the H.G. Hill Company and CEO of H.G. Hill Realty Company.
Read the full storyTennessee Democrats File Lawsuit Challenging New State House and State Senate Districts
A lawsuit has been filed on behalf of Tennessee Democrats challenging the new state House and state Senate districts. A challenge to the new Congressional district lines has not yet been filed.
The lawsuit was filed in the Chancery Court of Tennessee for the 20th Judicial district. Akilah Moore, Telise Turner, and Gary Wygant are listed as the filing parties in the case. Governor Lee, Secretary of State Tre Hargett, and Tennessee Coordinator of Elections Mark Goins are being sued in their official capacities only.
Read the full storyGovernor Bill Lee Joins The Dan Mandis Show to Talk About Re-Working the Basic Education Program and Holding Schools Accountable
Live from Nashville, Tennessee, Friday morning on The Dan Mandis Show – weekdays on Supertalk 99.7 WTN – weekdays 5 a.m. to 9 a.m.– host Mandis welcomed Tennessee Governor Bill Lee to discuss how he will reformulate the Basic Education Program from the ground up and hold underperforming schools accountable. Mandis: Governor Bill Lee joining us. And always appreciate having you on the radio program, sir. There’s been a lot of discussions going on Capitol Hill over the last few weeks about how we’re going to fund the schools. Now, Governor, you have said that you want the funding to follow the kids no matter where they go. During your State of the State speech, you said this: (Bill Lee clip plays) I am proposing an innovative approach that sets aside dollars for each student based on their individual needs. And these dollars will be used in whatever public school they attend. This is not just hundreds of millions of dollars on the line. This is our kids and their lives. So, Governor, a lot of folks said hallelujah. And for the last many weeks, we have been waiting, including folks in the state legislature, eagerly awaiting your proposal.…
Read the full storyState Representative Scott Cepicky: ‘There’s So Much Intimidation Right Now on Our Teachers that They Can’t Do Their Job’
Monday morning on The Tennessee Star Report, host Leahy welcomed State Representative Scott Cepicky to the newsmakers line to talk about improving Tennessee teachers’ ability to teach the fundamentals and putting Tennessee students back on track.
Read the full storyGovernor Lee Approves State’s Redistricting Plans
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee on Monday signed redistricting maps that will change the boundaries for the state’s House and Senate seats, in addition to the lines of the districts for the U.S. House of Representatives.
The congressional map, approved by the Tennessee General Assembly earlier this month, will divide Davidson County into three separate districts, potentially allowing Republicans to flip the seat from Democratic control.
Read the full storyManufacturer Monogram Foods to Invest $53 Million, Create 400 Jobs
Monogram Foods, a manufacturer of packaged and value-added foods, will expand its operations in Tennessee, according to Governor Bill Lee and Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bob Rolfe.
The new space will infuse a $53.5 million investment into the economy in Dickson and create approximately 400 new jobs for the region.
Read the full storyMayor Andy Ogles Talks About Attending the Tennessee State of the State Address
Tuesday morning on The Tennessee Star Report, host Leahy welcomed Mayor Andy Ogles in studio to comment on the State of the State Address and what impact the $52 billion budget will ahve on Maury County.
Read the full storyTennessee Democratic Lawmakers Send Letter to Governor Lee, Urge Him to Reject Redistricting Maps
Multiple Democratic lawmakers in the Tennessee Legislature sent a letter on Friday to Governor Bill Lee, asking him to veto proposed changes to state and federal district lines.
The General Assembly has approved three maps that will alter the representation carried out by state senators, state representatives, and U.S. Representatives.
Read the full storyCalifornia-Based Financial Company Opening Franklin Location, Will Create More Than 300 Jobs
California-based financial company PennyMac will open a new location in Franklin, according to a release from the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development (TNECD).
The company will invest approximately $3.9 million in the new area and create roughly 325 new jobs in Williamson County.
Read the full story3M Set to Expand Manufacturing Operations in East Tennessee, Invest $470 Million
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee, the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development (TNECD), and 3M Company announced this week the investment of approximately $470 million to expand manufacturing operations in East Tennessee. 3M’s expansion is expected to add around 600 new jobs by 2025.
Governor Lee said, “3M’s decision to expand in Tennessee is a testament to our state’s pro-business climate and skilled workforce. The creation of nearly 600 new jobs in Anderson County will positively impact this community for years to come, and we thank 3M for their investment in our state.”
Read the full storyTwelve Tennessee Counties Qualify for Federal Recovery Assistance from December Tornadoes
Governor Bill Lee’s office announced Friday that the Biden administration has qualified twelve counties to receive Major Disaster Declaration relief after a tornado-producing storm front tore through the state in early December.
“I appreciate the hard recovery work we’ve already accomplished with our local, state, and federal partners,” Governor Lee said. “We will continue working to make sure Tennesseans have every resource necessary for a full, swift recovery.”
Read the full storyTennessee Secures $38 Million Grant for Veteran-Focused Nursing Home
The State of Tennessee will receive a $38 million grant from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to build a nursing home for veterans, according to a release from U.S. Representative David Kustoff (R-TN-08).
The award will help cover construction costs of the new facility in the western part of the state.
Read the full storyState Department of Education and Metro Nashville School District to Hold Town Hall
The Metro Nashville School District and the State Department of Education is set to hold a town hall meeting Wednesday night at 6:30pm. Parents, students, teachers, and community members are encouraged to share their thoughts on state education funding. The meeting is scheduled to last an hour.
Read the full storyParkway Products to Bring New Jobs to Tennessee
Governor Bill Lee, the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development (TNECD), and Parkway Products, LLC, announced this week the company would be investing $5.7 million to expand existing operations in Greenville, Tennessee. The company estimated an additional 160 jobs will be created over the next five years at the injection molding site.
“Thank you to Parkway Products for creating 160 new high-quality manufacturing jobs in Greeneville,” Governor Bill Lee said about the expansion. “Tennessee’s advanced manufacturing job creation far exceeds national growth with employment concentration more than 30% higher than the national average. We look forward to seeing how the residents of Greene County will benefit from this new investment.”
Read the full storyFW Publishing and Nashville Scene Reporter File Public Records Lawsuit Against Gov. Lee to Release Documents from $3 Million McKinsey Contract
FW Publishing, the parent company of the Nashville Scene, and reporter Stephen Elliot filed a public records lawsuit against Governor Bill Lee after the state failed to provide reports for the state compiled by consulting group McKinsey and Company.
The suit, which names both Lee and Tennessee Department of Human Resources Commissioner Juan Williams as respondents, argues the journalist is entitled to the documents under the Tennessee Public Records Act.
Read the full storyTennessee Congressional Delegation Urges Biden to Approve Emergency Declaration
All members of Tennessee’s congressional delegation signed on to a letter urging President Joe Biden to approve an emergency declaration submitted by Governor Bill Lee.
The declaration, which was presented in early December, follows destruction from severe weather that impacted residents in Tennessee and Kentucky.
Read the full storyMultiple Tennessee Laws Passed by Legislature Become Active
More than 20 new laws, passed by the Tennessee General Assembly earlier last year, officially took effect on January 1, impacting many residents throughout the state.
The new laws range in scope from criminal justice reform to protections for college athletes.
Read the full storyFederal Appeals Panel Denies Temporary Pause for Knox County Schools Mask Mandates
A federal appeals panel for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit ruled a mask mandate for Knox County Schools, implemented by a federal judge earlier this year, must remain in place.
The three judges denied an attempt by the Knox County Board of Education to pause the mandate while the case works its way through the federal judiciary.
Read the full storyGovernor Bill Lee Announces $15 Million ‘Bill Dance Signature Lakes’ Program to Boost Tourism in Tennessee
Governor Lee announced a new program dubbed the “Bill Dance Signature Lakes” Initiative Thursday. The program – which will cost taxpayers $15 million – is a collaboration between Tennessee Department of Tourism Development (TDTD), the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA), Tennessee State Parks (TSP). The announcement said the effort “seeks to solidify Tennessee as the heart of fishing in the southeast and drive economic activity across the state;” and will improve “both above and below the water at 18 lakes which bear fishing legend Dance’s stamp of approval.”
“I’m unbelievably humbled and excited to be involved in such a helpful project that will benefit so many people and our natural resources in my great home state of Tennessee,” Dance said in a statement. “You can bet your favorite lure this project will definitely have a ripple effect for a mighty long time, not only giving the weekend fisherman, but tournament anglers a wonderful fishery as well, thanks to the great state of Tennessee and my friends at TWRA.”
Read the full storyGovernor Lee Announces Pay Raise for State’s Correctional Officers
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee on Wednesday announced a pay raise for new Tennessee Department of Correction (TDOC) officers across the state.
Specifically, new correctional officers will receive a 37 percent salary increase, bringing the position’s starting salary to $44,500 per year. Current security staff members will also see a bump in salary, gaining a minimum 15 percent pay increase.
Read the full storyGovernor Bill Lee Holds Press Conference After Surveying Tornado Damage: Sees ‘A Great Deal of Hope in the Midst of Real Devastation’
Governor Bill Lee held a press conference Sunday following the devastating tornadoes that ripped across Tennessee. Damage spanned the state, and left a trail of destruction through parts of 19 counties, according to preliminary reports from the National Weather Service.
Lee’s remarks followed an aerial surveillance of the damage from the storms. He called it, “A very heartbreaking and difficult day for the state of Tennessee.”
The governor continued that there was extensive devastation in the areas that he toured. He said it’s been a difficult day for Tennessee, and neighboring states.
Read the full storyGovernor Bill Lee Hires Contender for Supreme Court Vacancy as his Legal Counsel
Governor Bill Lee announced on Wednesday that he will hire former federal prosecutor Jonathan Skrmetti as his chief legal counsel.
Skrmetti, who serves as the Chief Deputy Attorney General, was under consideration for an open state Supreme Court vacancy.
Read the full storyGovernor Lee Will Send Tennessee National Guard Troops to Texas Border
Governor Bill Lee announced Tuesday that in early 2022, he will send approximately 50 additional members of the Tennessee National Guard troops to the Texas border to help with the growing drug crisis.
“An open border has far-reaching consequences that are fueling a drug crisis impacting both our national security and the safety of our state,” Governor Lee said. “I have authorized additional Tennessee Guard support at our Southern border as we look to address drug trafficking at the source.”
Read the full storySenator Bill Hagerty and Governor Bill Lee Speak at Tractor Supply’s 2,000th Store Opening in White House
WHITE HOUSE, Tennessee — Both Senator Bill Hagerty (R-TN) and Governor Bill Lee spoke at the Tractor Supply Co.’s 2,000 store opening. Hundreds gathered at the new store to watch the company’s CEO Hal Lawton “cut the ribbon” at the grand opening. Customers were already making purchases ahead of the comments, while they waited for Hagerty to arrive.
Lawton began the event, saying that he was honored to lead the comments, and thanked everyone for going to the event. He said the new Tractor Supply location was the 84th store in the state of Tennessee, and “it’s a momentous occasion because we’re celebrating our 2,000th Tractor Supply store in the United States, isn’t that incredible?”
Read the full storyEleven Individuals Apply for Tennessee Supreme Court Vacancy
The application deadline has passed, and eleven individuals submitted an application to the Governor’s Council for Judicial Appointments to fill a vacancy on the Tennessee Supreme Court.
During the next round of the selection process, the Council will hold a public hearing to consider the candidates on Wednesday, December 8, where the public is invited to attend.
Read the full storyGovernor Bill Lee Will Not Renew Tennessee State of Emergency
Governor Bill Lee on Friday announced that he will not renew Tennessee’s state of emergency order that has remained in place over the last 20 months.
The order, which will expire on Friday night, awarded the governor a continuation of his emergency powers in an effort to fight the coronavirus.
Read the full storyGovernor Lee Encourages Law Enforcement Officers to Relocate to Tennessee
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee on Wednesday made a nationwide pitch to law enforcement officers to relocate to Tennessee and join the state’s law enforcement agency.
In the video, Lee detailed the benefits of moving to the state for officers who live in Democrat-controlled states like New York and California.
Read the full storyCommentary: Tennessee Legislature Must Pass Big COVID Test in ‘Special Session’
The red state/blue state dichotomy is not simple.
Nowhere is that more apparent than Tennessee where—despite having one of the most conservative electorates in the country—the leadership has been passive at best in responding to the wishes of their supporters during these days of great crisis.
Read the full storyTennessee Lawmakers Set to Return to Nashville for Upcoming Special Session
Lawmakers from across the state are set to return to Nashville for the upcoming special session, aimed to pass incentives for a new Ford development.
Governor Bill Lee called the special session, which will begin on October 18, last month and is urging the legislators to approve nearly $500 million in incentives.
Read the full storyFormer Vice President Mike Pence Travels to Tennessee to Meet with Governor Bill Lee and House Speaker Cameron Sexton
On Wednesday, former Vice President of the United States, Mike Pence, traveled to Tennessee to meet with Governor Bill Lee and Speaker of the House Cameron Sexton. During the former Vice President’s visit, he complimented the state for having a “fiscally conservative approach” and its commitment to automotive manufacturing, according to House Speaker Sexton.
Read the full storyGovernor Lee Announces Two Judicial Appointments for the 24th and 3rd District Courts
On Friday, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee announced two judicial appointments. Governor Lee appointed Brent Bradberry to the 24th Judicial District Circuit Court and William E. Phillips, II to the 3rd Judicial District Circuit Court.
Read the full storyGovernor and First Lady Lee Announce Recipients of the 2021 Governor’s Arts Awards
On Monday, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee and First Lady Maria Lee announced the recipients of the Tennessee Governor’s Arts Award. The award is Tennessee’s highest honor in the arts. Since 1971, the Governor’s Arts Awards have celebrated those who have made outstanding contributions to the state’s cultural life.
Read the full storyGovernor Lee Joins Blackburn and Hagerty, Questions Biden Administration over Afghan Refugee Resettlement
Governor Bill Lee (R) on Wednesday joined Senators Marsha Blackburn(R-TN) and Bill Hagerty (R-TN) and demanded answers from the Biden Administration over Afghan refugee resettlement.
Over the past several months, thousands of refugees from Afghanistan have been relocated across the United States after President Joe Biden’s chaotic withdrawal.
Read the full storyGov Lee Not Scheduled to Attend GOP Governors’ Press Conference on Border Crisis
A group of Republican governors announced on Sunday that they will travel to Mission, Texas on Wednesday to hold a press conference on the ongoing border crisis.
However, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee will not attend the press conference at the U.S. Southern border, which will seemingly highlight the large increase in illegal immigration.
Read the full storyMayor Andy Ogles Discusses the Incremental Marginalization of State Governors by the Federal Government
Tuesday morning on the Tennessee Star Report, host Michael Patrick Leahy welcomed Maury County Mayor Andy Ogles studio to weigh in on the incremental stripping of state powers, bias against Southern states, and the withholding of COVID therapeutics.
Read the full storyGuest Hosts Grant Henry and Ben Cunningham Discuss the Need for Tennessee General Assembly Special Session
Friday morning on the Tennessee Star Report, guest hosts Grant Henry and Ben Cunningham talk in studio about the need for Tennessee’s General Assembly to have a special session and Lt. McNally’s hesitancy.
Read the full story43 Members of Tennessee General Assembly Request the Governor and Attorney General to Oppose New ATF Rules
The letters, spearheaded by Second Amendment advocate and Chair of the House Criminal Justice Committee Representative Clay Doggett (R-Pulaski), state that the ATF rule changes would “violate state and federal Second Amendment rights and arbitrarily transform thousands of law-abiding Tennesseans into felons.”
Read the full storyEric Trump to be Featured Speaker at The 911 Event Nashville
The 911 Event Nashville announced Saturday that Eric Trump will join the already star-studded commemoration of the 20th anniversary of the deadliest terror attack in the history of the United States which took the lives of 2,977 men, women and children in New York City, Arlington, Virginia and near Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
The announcement about Trump joining the event lineup was made to attendees of the annual fundraiser for the Tennessee Firearms Association held Saturday at the Wilson County Fairgrounds in Lebanon and on the 911 event’s website.
Read the full storySumner County Schools Announce Closure Next Week to ‘Help Mitigate Spread’ of COVID-19
Sumner County Schools announced on Wednesday that all district schools will be closed next week “to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19 among students and staff.” The announcement, which was made on Facebook, noted that the schools “will utilize inclement weather days.” In addition, “There will be no instruction via GoogleClassroom during this time period.” The school further noted that “extracurricular activities, including athletic games and practices, will continue but must occur after normal school dismissal time.” The schools will resume normal operations on September 13.
Read the full storySmokies Stadium Price Tag in Knoxville Increases
The estimated cost of a minor-league baseball stadium in Knoxville that primarily will be taxpayer-funded has gone up $15 million to $90 million, according to estimates released this week.
The stadium will be the home to the Tennessee Smokies baseball team and a professional soccer team. The Smokies are owned by Randy Boyd, president of the University of Tennessee System.
Read the full storyCrom Carmichael: ‘Masks Are Just the Latest Way of Trying to Force Governors and Individuals to Bend a Knee’
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 the original all-star panelist Crom Carmichael to the studio to weigh in on the recent federal civil rights lawsuit charging governors who block mask mandates in their state. Leahy: In-studio, the original all-star panelist, Crom Carmichael. Crom, the federal government is suffering from mask madness or perhaps mask hysteria. Carmichael: It’s really more command and control. Masks are just the latest way of trying to force governors and individuals to bend a knee. Leahy: Exactly. Now we have a story up at WKRN that just broke late last night. The Biden administration is taking aim at states that are blocking mask mandates for school districts. U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona wrote a letter to Governor Bill Lee and Education Commissioner Penny Schwinn regarding Tennessee’s decision or the executive order from Bill Lee to allow parents to opt-out of local mass mandates. Of course, Williamson County Schools had a mask mandate. They appear to be complying with the governor’s executive order. But Metro Nashville Public…
Read the full storyPatriot Group Members Grill Lt. Governor Randy McNally over Governor’s Executive Orders and Call for Special Session
Lt. Gov. Randy McNally (R-Oak Ridge) was grilled at a Tuesday evening meeting by a large conservative grassroots group in his district that wants the state senate speaker to call a special session to deal with Governor Bill Lee’s executive orders.
McNally said that “a special session is one of the options on the table” and that he wouldn’t rule it out.
Read the full storyDr. Carol Swain: ‘The National Agenda Is to Keep Everyone in Masks to Strike Fear in the Hearts of People and Manipulate the Population’
host Leahy welcomed all-star panelist, Dr. Carol Swain, in studio to advise of her upcoming in-store appearance at Puffy Muffin where she will be signing her new book Black Eye for America this Saturday, and governor Lee’s lack of Republican leadership.
Read the full storyMayor Andy Ogles Questions Governor Lee’s Emergency and Statutory Powers
Tuesday morning on the Tennessee Star Report, host Michael Patrick Leahy welcomed Maury County Mayor Andy Ogles in studio to examine the Tennessee state constitution relating to whether or not Governor Bill Lee has the authority to extend emergency powers.
Read the full story