Freddie O’Connell was sworn in as Nashville’s 10th mayor on Monday at a private ceremony, officially succeeding John Cooper.
Read the full storyTag: John Cooper
Outgoing Nashville Mayor John Cooper Issues Farewell Message
Outgoing Nashville Mayor John Cooper posted a farewell message to his constituents Friday on social media to wrap up the last few hours of his term.
Read the full storyNashville Fairgrounds Speedway Deal Withdrawn Until New Mayor Arrives
A deal estimated to cost taxpayers at least $120 million to revamp Nashville’s Fairgrounds Speedway will have to wait for a new Nashville mayor.
The proposal was officially withdrawn from the council’s Tuesday night meeting and will not have enough time to pass before current Mayor John Cooper’s term ends. It would have needed to have three readings before being approved as Nashville’s Thursday mayoral election and a potential runoff that follows.
Read the full storyNashville Mayor Files Legislation to Install New LED Streetlights Throughout Davidson County
Nashville Mayor John Cooper has filed legislation with the Metro Nashville Council to make Nashville Electric Services responsible for furnishing, installing, erecting, and maintaining new LED streetlights throughout Davidson County.
Read the full storyCrom’s Crommentary: Democrats Don’t Listen to Dissenting Opinions
Friday morning on The Tennessee Star Report, host Leahy welcomed original all-star panelist Crom Carmichael to the studio for another edition of Crom’s Crommentary.
Read the full storyFirst Lady Jill Biden Travels to Nashville to Attend Candlelight Vigil to Mourn the Six Victims of The Covenant School Shooting
First Lady Jill Biden traveled to Nashville on Wednesday to attend the citywide candlelight vigil at One Public Square Park to mourn the six victims gunned down on Monday at The Covenant School.
Read the full storyTennessee Titans Stadium Proposal Submitted to Metro Council for Approval
A final budget proposal for how the new Tennessee Titans football stadium will be funded has been submitted to the Nashville Metro Council by Nashville Mayor John Cooper and the football team.
The legislation will be subject to three readings, beginning at the council’s next meeting on March 7th. April 4th is the earliest possible date for the agreement to be finalized.
Read the full storyState Senator Jeff Yarbro Launches Campaign for Nashville Mayor
Tennessee State Senator Jeff Yarbro (D-Nashville) announced Friday that he is running for Nashville Mayor.
Read the full storyNashville Mayor John Cooper Announces He Will Not Seek Re-Election
Democrat Nashville Mayor John Cooper announced he would not seek re-election for a second term. Cooper was first elected mayor in 2019.
Read the full storyNashville Metro and Fisk University Announce ‘Incubation and Innovation Center’
A new space designated to help local entrepreneurs and startup companies has been announced by the Nashville Mayor and Fisk University.
Read the full storyMeharry Medical College and City of Nashville Agree to Settle Lease Dispute Through 2027
The city of Nashville and Meharry Medical College have reached a lease agreement through 2027 for the buildings on Meharry’s campus that house Nashville General Hospital.
In the agreement, all outstanding issues are resolved, and a new rent structure is established for the buildings Meharry leases to the city’s safety net hospital, Nashville General Hospital, Nashville Mayor John Cooper, announced in a press release.
Read the full storyCouncil Member-at-Large Sharon Hurt Announces Mayoral Bid for Nashville
Metro Nashville At-Large Council Member Sharon Hurt announced her candidacy for Nashville Mayor this week. Hurt is looking to unseat Mayor John Cooper, who has not yet formally announced if he is running for re-election in 2023.
Read the full storyNashville Mayor John Cooper Announces Formation of the Youth Career Exploration and Alignment Opportunities Task Force
On Wednesday, Nashville Mayor John Cooper announced the formation of the Youth Career Exploration and Alignment Opportunities Task Force, according to a press release from Cooper’s office.
Read the full storyDavidson County Election Commission Chair Sues Metro Nashville Government
Davidson County Election Commission Chair Jim DeLanis filed suit against Metro Nashville Government in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee on Wednesday.
DeLanis has also filed suit against his former employer, the law firm Baker Donelson Bearman Caldwell & Berkowitz.
Read the full storyNashville Could Commission $200K Study on Titans’ Stadium Lease Obligations
Nashville will consider spending $200,000 on a “stadium study” to evaluate the Tennessee Titans’ claim that the city would owe $1.839 billion under the terms of the team’s current lease if Nissan Stadium in Nashville was renovated instead of having a new estimated $2.2 billion stadium built.
The line item called “study of Nissan Stadium obligations” appeared on a revised city budget from Metro Nashville Budget and Finance Chair Burkley Allen. The amendments will be discussed at Tuesday’s council meeting.
Read the full storyCulture Clash: Exec Chairman Of Pro-Trans Oracle Backs Ortagus as Tennessee Leaders Work to Support Birth Gender Distinctions, Parental Rights
The executive chairman, and chief technology officer, of software giant Oracle, was revealed as the sole contributor to Tennessee Conservatives PAC, the Super PAC backing GOP Tennessee-5 House hopeful Morgan Ortagus, presents a clash of Silicon Valley values, such as attacks on those defending birth-gender in the Volunteer State.
Lawrence J. “Larry” Ellison donated $1 million to the Super PAC, according to the committee’s Friday filing posted on the Federal Elections Commission website at 12:19 p.m.
Read the full storyNashville Mayor’s Chief of Staff ‘Thrilled’ T.J. ‘I Will Destroy You’ Ducklo Now Running Mayor’s Comms Shop
Nashville Mayor John Cooper’s chief of staff told The Tennessee Star she thinks it’s great that T.J. Ducklo, the Biden White House press secretary, fired for threatening a White House reporter with: “I will destroy you,” joined the mayor’s staff. “T.J’s experience and energy will be a valuable addition to our team, and we are thrilled to have him on board,” said Chief of Staff Jennifer Rasmussen-Sagen. The mayor’s office did not issue a press release, but in addition to the statement from Rasmussen-Sagen, Bradon Marshall, the mayor’s digital director, told The Star he was happy Ducklo was coming home. “T.J. made a mistake, for which he apologized and paid the consequences. He’s good at what he does, and we are excited to have him back in Nashville,” he said. Marshall also told The Star that Ducklo would have the full authority and discretion expected with his job. “T.J. will serve in the full role of chief communications officer, including working with reporters,” he said. Vanity Fair reported Feb. 12, 2021, that Ducklo had a direct and robust conversion with Politico reporter Tara Palmeri on Inauguration Day after she and another reporter reached out to him about his intimate relationship…
Read the full storyNashville Mayor John Cooper Says City Reached Record Highs of Positive COVID Rates
Nashville Mayor John Cooper tweeted this week that COVID cases were on the rise in the city. Cooper said the average positive test rate was at 34.4 percent, up higher from the previous week’s 20.6 percent. He added the 10,186 reported cases were double than the high week of January 2021.
Cooper continued that 62.2 percent of Nashville residents are vaccinated and “Vaccines continue to be highly effective against severe illness if you contract COVID. If you’ve been waiting, please protect your family’s health by getting vaccinated today.”
Read the full storyNashville Mayor Cooper Says Recycling Collector ‘Failed Us’
Nashville Mayor John Cooper tweeted this week his frustration towards the city’s recycling collector for not being able to collect the city’s trash and recyclables in a timely matter. The Nashville Metro Water services released a statement earlier last week that Red River Waste Solutions had not been able to collect all of Nashville’s trash, and would have to halt collections to allow trucks and staff to be reassigned.
“Our city’s private trash collector, Red River, has failed us.” Cooper tweeted. “As Mayor and a resident, I share your frustration over the problem of collecting the garbage, resulting in a temporary delay in curbside recycling as we put all our resources in collecting the trash.”
Read the full storyNashville Mayor John Cooper Moves to Make Juneteenth a Paid Metro Holiday
In a statement released from the Nashville Metro Government, it said Mayor John Cooper had submitted legislation to make Juneteenth a paid Metro holiday. Cooper said that Juneteenth is a holiday for Nashville and the nation to celebrate the freedom of all African Americans.
“I submitted this request to the Civil Service Commission for their consideration and with their approval, I will sign an executive order for Metro Government to celebrate Juneteenth as a paid holiday beginning in 2022,” said Mayor Cooper. “Adding Juneteenth as a Metro holiday is consistent with the Federal Government’s addition of Juneteenth to the list of Federal holidays this year.”
Read the full storyMayor Cooper Announces $20 Million Plan for Second Avenue
Mayor Cooper announced this week his plans for restoring Second Avenue after last year’s Christmas Day Bombing. In both a statement from his office, and in a live announcement, Cooper said that his plan included a restored tree canopy, better sidewalks, and a nod to local artists.
In the statement that was shared with The Tennessee Star, Cooper said Nashville Citizens turned a tragedy into an opportunity. “Our community came together, to create a shared vision for the future of our historic downtown. Generations from now, we want our grandchildren and great-grandchildren to look at what we created and say, ‘they did well.’ And that’s a destination we can only reach, all of us, working together.”
Read the full storyNashville Mayor John Cooper to Discuss Future of Second Avenue in the Wake of Last Year’s Christmas Day Bombing
Nashville Mayor John Cooper is scheduled to discuss the future of Second Avenue, nearly one year after it and several businesses got bombed on Christmas Day. Cooper is scheduled to join members of his Second Avenue Task Force at 10 a.m. Wednesday, December 8, at The Wildhorse Saloon at 120 Second Avenue in Nashville.
Read the full storyNashville Releases Plan to Fight Homelessness Using Taxpayer Money
Metro Nashville officials this week released a plan that they said will tackle homelessness within the city. According to Nashville.gov, the city will serve up to 40 people at once at two new Mobile Housing Navigation sites.
Read the full storyDavidson County GOP Chair Jim Garrett Weighs in on Metro Nashville Public Schools Mask Mandate Pushback and 2022 Election Year
Tuesday morning on the Tennessee Star Report, guest host Ben Cunningham welcomed Davidson County GOP Chair Jim Garrett to the newsmakers line to discuss the 2022 election and his decision to push back on MNPS mask mandates.
Read the full storyAmericans for Prosperity – Tennessee Launches Grassroots Effort on Nashville Taxpayer Protection Act
Americans for Prosperity (AFP) – Tennessee members announced this week they want volunteers to help them fight for the Nashville Taxpayer Protection Act. The referendum, if voters approve it, would roll back Nashville Mayor John Cooper’s 34 to 37 percent tax increase.
Read the full storyNashville Mayor John Cooper Wants More Revenue Sources to Fund Affordable Housing
Nashville Mayor John Cooper released a report Wednesday that not only calls for more affordable housing within the city but also calls for new sources of revenue to fund it. The report specifically calls on Metro Nashville officials to pursue additional revenue streams. Metro planners also suggest generating more affordable housing by using land already publicly-owned and underutilized. The report said city officials could expand Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) to support Low Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC). This method, the report went on to say, would fund long-term housing by partnering with nonprofit and private developers. Metro planners also suggested creating “mixed use, mixed income communities.”
Read the full storyNashville Taxpayer Protection Act Supporters Prepare Media Counterpunch
The people who oppose the Nashville Taxpayer Protection Act this week began a paid media campaign to tarnish the Nashville Taxpayer Protection Act as the brainchild of “radical extremists.” But Nashville attorney Jim Roberts, one of the architects of the referendum, told The Tennessee Star this week that he and his supporters are currently crafting their own media counteroffensive.
Read the full storyMayor John Cooper Says Nashville Taxpayer Protection Act Will Mistreat Minorities and Create Anarchy
Nashville Mayor John Cooper this month delivered a speech that invoked race and even Donald Trump as a means to frighten voters out of supporting the Nashville Taxpayer Protection Act. The referendum, if voters approve it, would roll back Cooper’s 34 to 37 percent property tax increase.
Read the full storyLeft-Wing Business and Religious Interests Form Group to Fight July 27 Nashville Taxpayer Protection Act Referendum
A group of people involved with various civic and faith organizations oppose Nashville’s Taxpayer Protection Act and have formed their own group to fight the people who introduced the referendum — people whom they call “radical extremists.” Members of this group, Save Nashville Now, have a website where they urge Davidson County residents to vote no on July 27.
Read the full storyMetro Nashville Law Director Bob Cooper Announces He Will Resign
Nashville Mayor John Cooper announced that Bob Cooper will resign as Metro Director of Law to return to private practice with a planned departure date in early June. Mayor Cooper has appointed Nashville attorney Wallace W. Dietz as Metro’s next legal director.
Read the full storyGOP Candidate for Tennessee’s Fifth Congressional District Robby Starbuck on Rand Paul Endorsement and Why He’s Running
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 GOP candidate for Nashville’s Fifth District, Robby Starbuck, to the newsmakers line to discuss his motivation for running, an endorsement by Senator Rand Paul, and his upcoming Critical Race Theory event in Franklin on May 19.
Read the full storyMan with Ties to Conexión Américas and Nashville Community Oversight Board Will Help Investigate Christmas Day Bombing
Nashville Mayor John Cooper this week appointed seven Nashvillians to Metro’s Christmas Day Special Review Committee, one of whom is affiliated with Nashville’s Community Oversight Board and the left-of-center Conexión Américas. This, according a press release that Cooper published Friday.
Read the full storySteve Glover Says State Officials Might Have to Reopen Nashville If Metro Officials Will Not
Metro Nashville At-Large Council Member Steve Glover said he believes Metro Nashville officials will continue to restrain business owners because of COVID-19. This, as opposed to allowing businesses to open up, which Glover said would help soothe the city’s economy.
Read the full storyNashville Taxpayer Protection Act Could Kill Current Capital Spending Plan, Steve Glover Says
If voters have a chance to approve the proposed Nashville Taxpayer Protection Act referendum and roll back Mayor John Cooper’s 34 to 37 percent tax increases then that might extinguish the city’s current Capital Spending Plan. Metro Nashville At-Large Council Member Steve Glover said as much to The Tennessee Star this week.
Read the full storySteve Glover Says ‘Nashville Better Wake Up’ After Metro Council Passes Costly Spending Plan
By a vote of 30 to seven, Metro Nashville Council members passed a nearly half a billion dollar Capital Spending Plan, although At-Large Council Member Steve Glover warned that his colleagues acted without caution. This, after Metro officials already imposed a 34 percent to 37 percent tax increase on residents.
Read the full storySteve Glover Suggests Alternatives Before Burying Nashville Further in Debt
Metro Nashville At-Large Council Member Steve Glover warned Sunday that his colleagues on the Metro Council are about to turn Nashville into “a debt-ridden city” that will burden current and even future residents. Glover urged Metro Council members to first have “a meaningful, logical discussion” before they pass a nearly half a billion dollar Capital Spending Plan. This, after Metro officials imposed a 34 percent to 37 percent tax increase on residents, which Glover described as “the highest one I have ever seen.”
Read the full storySteve Glover Announces Special Facebook Live Session for Nashville Sunday Evening
Metro Nashville At-Large Council Member Steve Glover has scheduled a special Facebook Live session for Sunday evening to talk about Mayor John Cooper’s nearly half a billion dollar Capital Spending Plan. Glover announced the news Saturday.
Read the full storyBackers Attempt Again to Get Nashville Taxpayer Protection Act Before Voters
Organizers are pushing again for Davidson County voters to have the chance to vote for the proposed Nashville Taxpayer Protection Act referendum. If voters approve it, the Nashville Taxpayer Protection Act would roll back Nashville Mayor John Cooper’s 34 to 37 percent tax increase.
Read the full storyNashville Mayor John Cooper Proposes Nearly Half a Billion Dollar City Budget
Nashville Mayor John Cooper has proposed a $474.6 million budget for the next fiscal year, and he said that two-thirds of it will address education and transportation needs. Cooper, in a press release, said this budget “brings overdue investment in the needs of a growing city.”
Read the full storyNashville Officials Unveil New Strategies They Say Will Reduce Crime
Nashville Mayor John Cooper and Metro Nashville Police Chief John Drake announced Monday that they are restructuring law enforcement resources to reduce the city’s violent crime rates. And as a part of that restructuring, officials will intervene in young people’s lives before they repeat any violent behaviors, the two men said.
Read the full storyFeds at Nashville Bomb Site Announce Plans to Finish Crime Scene Work
Federal officials said they may soon complete the crime scene where a massive Christmas Day explosion damaged at least 41 businesses on Second Avenue and collapsed one building. “FBI Evidence Response Teams and the ATF National Response Team members continue to recover evidence at the blast scene in downtown Nashville,” sad FBI Special Agent Jason Pack in a press release that Metro Nashville officials published Wednesday.
Read the full storyAT&T Updates Public on Progress of Restoring Phone and Internet Service After Christmas Day Blast in Nashville
AT&T officials announced Saturday that they were working “around the clock on recovery efforts” after an RV exploded Friday in Nashville, outside an AT&T transmission building. The blast caused extensive damage and knocked out phone and internet communications throughout Middle Tennessee.
Read the full storyChristmas Day Bombing in Nashville Prompts Curfew as Surrounding Buildings Still in Possible Danger
Metro Nashville authorities have imposed a curfew on parts of downtown Nashville after a massive Christmas Day explosion damaged at least 41 businesses on Second Avenue and collapsed one building. Nashville Mayor John Cooper, Nashville Fire Chief William Swann, and Metro Nashville Police Chief John Drake updated the public at a Friday evening press conference.
Read the full storyTennessee Titans and Nashville Mayor John Cooper Reportedly Discuss Nissan Stadium Upgrades
Tennessee Titans officials and members of the Metro Nashville Government reportedly want to upgrade Nissan Stadium. This, according to Thursday’s Tennessean, which reported that Titans’ officials will soon announce formal discussions with Nashville Mayor John Cooper and members of his administration. As the paper reported, they will discuss extending the city’s lease with its NFL franchise. This, “while launching a gigantic project that will – in the words of the team and Cooper himself – ‘secure the Titans’ future’ in Nashville.”
Read the full storyNashville’s 34 Percent Property Tax Increase Earns Tennessee Pork of the Year Award
Nashville’s 34 percent property tax increase is the “Pork of the Year,” according to the Beacon Center of Tennessee’s annual Pork Report, which the organization released Tuesday. Staff at the Beacon Center of Tennessee say that their annual Tennessee Pork Report reveals millions of dollars in government waste, fraud, and abuse.
Read the full storyNashville Unveils New Policing Policy Commission Report
Nashville Mayor John Cooper this week released a Policing Policy Commission report to review use-of-force policies within the Metro Nashville Police Department.
This, according to a press release that members of Cooper’s staff emailed this week.
Read the full storyNashville Mayor John Cooper Tells Residents How Many People They Are Allowed to Have Over for Thanksgiving
If you live in Nashville and you plan to celebrate Thanksgiving with nine or more friends or loved ones then think again.
Nashville Mayor John Cooper told Davidson County residents Thursday, via his Facebook page, that they may not have that many guests.
Read the full storyMore Evidence That Nashville Mayor John Cooper Misled Public About COVID-19 Data Is Forthcoming, Metro Council Member Says
Even more emails are coming that reveal how Nashville Mayor John Cooper and members of his staff mishandled the COVID-19 emergency, Metro Council Member At-Large Steve Glover told The Tennessee Star Wednesday.
This, on the same week that the Nashville-based FOX 17 published emails showing that Cooper’s staff downplayed the number of COVID-19 cases coming from the city’s bars and restaurants. Cooper later ordered those bars and restaurants closed.
Read the full storyNew Tennessee Law Goes After Local Officials Who Hinder Police During Violent Protests
A new Tennessee law holds local government officials legally liable if they prohibit law enforcement or fire and rescue services from doing their jobs, enforcing Tennessee’s laws, or protecting citizens during public demonstrations.
Republicans in the Tennessee General Assembly passed the bill into law in August with Gov. Bill Lee’s signature. They said in an emailed press release that Tennessee needs the law, especially after violence erupted during protests in downtown Nashville in May.
Read the full storyJohn Rich to Host Election Night Watch Party in Downtown Nashville
Big and Rich country singer John Rich will host an election night watch party at his downtown bar, Redneck Riviera. The Tennessee Republican Party emailed invitations to the event on Monday.
Currently, President Donald Trump is favored to win Tennessee. The same holds true for Republican Bill Hagerty in his senate race against Democrat Marquita Bradshaw.
Read the full story