Chris Butler, Author at The Star News Network

Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr Joins Lawsuit Challenging Biden Administration Concealing Federal Intimidation Tactics Against Parents

by Chris Butler | Mar 7, 2022

Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr said late last week that he has joined a lawsuit to force the Biden administration to release records that might reveal Biden’s attempts to intimidate parents. In a statement, Carr said these parents tried to speak out on issues concerning their children’s education. The lawsuit follows Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests filed last fall.

Tennessee Congressman Mark Green Introduces Bill Requiring Hollywood to Disclose Ties to the Chinese Communist Party

by Chris Butler | Mar 7, 2022

Representative Mark Green (R-TN-07) has introduced a bill that would stop federal agencies from assisting Hollywood studios that co-produce films with a Chinese company that are subject to the Chinese Communist Party’s content restrictions. Green, in a statement, called his bill The Stopping Communist Regimes from Engaging in Edits Now Act (SCREEN Act).

Georgia Representative Barry Loudermilk Grills Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell About Inflation

by Chris Butler | Mar 6, 2022

Representative Barry Loudermilk (R-GA-11) this week reminded Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell about Loudermilk’s warnings from one year ago about inflation — a prediction that proved correct. Loudermilk discussed the matter at a U.S. House Committee on Financial Services hearing.

Athens’ Homeless Problem Could Lower University of Georgia’s Enrollment Numbers, One Resident Says

by Chris Butler | Mar 5, 2022

Athens-Clarke County officials use taxpayer money to lure in greater and greater numbers of homeless people from around Georgia, but the consequences to the county and to the University of Georgia (UGA) are too great to ignore. This, according to two Athens residents who said they have observed the city’s homeless epidemic up close.

Tennessee State Senator Brian Kelsey — Indicted Back in October — Announces He Won’t Seek Re-Election

by Chris Butler | Mar 5, 2022

State Senator Brian Kelsey (R-Germantown) told his constituents on Friday that he will not run for reelection, and he intends to spend more time with his family. “It has been a true honor to serve you for 18 years and to work with you to pass more constitutional amendments than any other Tennessee legislator in history — including one to forever ban the income tax,” Kelsey wrote on his Facebook page.

Athens, Georgia Pastor Says County Officials Turn Deaf Ear to Complaints of Homeless Harassing His Church Members

by Chris Butler | Mar 4, 2022

Members of one Athens church fear for their safety after they said homeless people — many of whom they suspect aren’t even from that city — have harassed and threatened them on church grounds. Luis Ortiz, senior pastor of the Athens’ Young Harris Memorial United Methodist Church, said his complaints to Athens-Clarke County officials go mostly ignored. He and other city residents told The Georgia Star News they believe Athens’ officials are using a $60 million federal grant to bestow upon homeless people. Consequently, homeless people from other areas of the state are relocating to Athens.

Nashville Starts Gun Retrieval Program to Address High Crime Rate

by Chris Butler | Mar 4, 2022

Citing the city’s high crime rate, members of the Metro Nashville Office of Alternative Policing Strategies this week announced a new gun retrieval program. The Tennessee Star on Thursday contacted Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD) spokesman Steven Bowers. We asked what measures Metro officials enacted to ensure criminals don’t use this program to get rid of guns that could link them to various crimes?

AJ Bahou Announces Run for Glen Casada’s Tennessee State House District 63 Seat

by Chris Butler | Mar 3, 2022

AJ Bahou, a self-described conservative, on Wednesday announced he is running as a Republican for Tennessee State Representative in House District 63. The 63rd District comprises eastern Williamson County.

New Georgia Electric Car Manufacturer Connected to George Soros

by Chris Butler | Mar 3, 2022

Georgia gubernatorial candidate David Perdue said this week that incumbent Governor Brian Kemp provided state-backed financial incentives to an electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer tied to George Soros. Bloomberg reported this week that Soros does invest in the EV company Rivian.

Metro Nashville Health HR Department Strikes Back Against Controversial Equity Director Stephanie Kang

by Chris Butler | Mar 3, 2022

Members of the Metro Nashville Public Health Department’s (MPHD’s) Human Resources (HR) Office are fighting back against scathing criticism from their Racial and Health Equity Director Stephanie Kang. Kang last month distributed a memo to MPHD board members to complain about the department’s alleged instances of bullying, sexism, racism, and homophobia.

Georgia Speaker David Ralston Proposes Major Tax Reform Legislation

by Chris Butler | Mar 2, 2022

Georgia Speaker of the House David Ralston (R-Blue Ridge) and House Ways and Means Chair Shaw Blackmon (R-Bonaire) on Tuesday announced legislation that would, if enacted into law, lower Georgia’s maximum income tax rate. Ralston and Blackmon want to reduce Georgia’s maximum income tax rate from 5.75 percent to a single and flat rate of 5.25 percent. They said at a press conference that state residents would save an estimated $1 billion per year if and when the proposed cut goes into effect for calendar year 2024.

Conservative Celebrities, Including John Rich, to Highlight Williamson County Election Kickoff Event Next Week

by Chris Butler | Mar 2, 2022

Members of the Williamson Families PAC are scheduled to host a County Election Kickoff event next week that features country music star John Rich, actress Leigh-Allyn Baker, and former professional baseball player Jeremy Slayden. The kickoff will reveal 19 candidates endorsed by Williamson Families PAC for the 2022 Williamson County election. The primary is scheduled for May 3, while the general election is scheduled for August 4.

Tennessee Board of Medical Examiners Say They Won’t Investigate Doctors Who Prescribe Ivermectin or Hydroxychloroquine for COVID-19

by Chris Butler | Mar 1, 2022

Members of the Tennessee Board of Medical Examiners said last week they won’t object if or when a primary care physician in the state prescribes ivermectin or hydroxychloroquine to treat COVID-19. Board members said this last Wednesday at a Senate Government Operations Committee meeting.

Buckhead Site of Yet Another Violent Crime, Brian Kemp and Other GOP Leaders Still Not Endorsing Movement to Separate City from Atlanta

by Chris Butler | Mar 1, 2022

News of yet another violent crime in Buckhead apparently won’t nudge Georgia Governor Brian Kemp and other high-ranking GOP legislators to push for legislation to allow Buckhead residents to vote on separating from crime-plagued Atlanta. Members of the Atlanta Police Department (APD) reported a violent carjacking in Buckhead on Sunday.

New Bill Would Stop Tennessee Medical Licensing Board from Punishing Doctors over COVID-19 Treatment

by Chris Butler | Feb 28, 2022

A new bill would, if enacted into law, prohibit a Tennessee licensing board or disciplinary subcommittee from acting against a physician’s license based solely on the physician’s recommendations to a patient regarding treatment for COVID-19. The bill would also prohibit a pharmacy from blocking or attempting to block a patient’s access to COVID-19 treatments in certain circumstances.

More Headlines…

Georgia Church Members Could Carry Guns Into Church Under New Bill

Feb 28, 2022

A new bill in the Georgia General Assembly would, if enacted into law, remove places of worship from a list of unauthorized locations where people in the state may carry weapons or long guns. Representative Rick Jasperse (R-Jasper) is the primary sponsor of the bill, HB 1378, according to the Georgia General Assembly’s website.

Georgia Legislators to Consider New Gun Rights Bill This Week

Feb 27, 2022

Members of the Georgia General Assembly this week will consider a bill that would, if enacted into law, allow all lawful weapons carriers to carry a firearm without needing a government permit. Senator Jason Anavitarte (R-Dallas) is the primary sponsor of the bill, SB 319, according to the Georgia General Assembly’s website.

Former Memphis Attorney Took Advantage of Information Restricted Only to Law Enforcement

Feb 27, 2022

Glenda Adams, a member of the Shelby County District Attorney’s Office in Memphis accepted money from a local attorney to provide him with information restricted only to law enforcement. That information concerned traffic accident reports.

Tennessee Legislator Wants to Create Office of Election Integrity

Feb 27, 2022

Members of the Tennessee Senate State and Local Government Committee are scheduled to discuss a bill this week that would require comptrollers to establish an Office of Election Integrity to perform and supervise election audits. Senator Janice Bowling (R-Tullahoma) is sponsoring the bill, SB 1939.

Donald Trump Schedules Mar-A-Lago Fundraiser for Vernon Jones

Feb 26, 2022

Former President Donald Trump is scheduled to attend and host a fundraiser for Vernon Jones, who is running for Georgia’s 10th Congressional District. Organizers said in a statement that they have scheduled Jones’ fundraiser for 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. ET, Thursday, March 17, at The Mar-A-Lago Club in Palm Beach, Florida.

Georgia Republican Candidate Rich McCormick’s Name No Longer Appears on List of RINO-Endorsed Candidates

Feb 26, 2022

An organization tagged as catering to Republicans-In-Name-Only (RINOS) has apparently endorsed Republican Rich McCormick, who is running for Georgia’s 6th Congressional District — but reports say that they are keeping that endorsement under the radar. Members of McCormick’s campaign staff did not return The Georgia Star News’ repeated requests for comment this week.

COVID-19 Whistleblowers Warn Alpharetta Audience About Corruption Within Medical and Pharmaceutical Industries

Feb 25, 2022

ALPHARETTA — Whistleblowers, some of whom have testified on Capitol Hill, told an audience in Alpharetta Thursday that the medical and pharmaceutical industries that treat COVID-19 have been corrupted. Organizers held this conference, COVID-19 Pharma Corruption: Your Life, Health, and Job, at Alpharetta’s Phase Family Learning Center.

Tennessee House Passes Brian Kelsey Bill to Hire Police and Fire Outside County Lines

Feb 25, 2022

Members of the Tennessee State House of Representatives on Thursday voted to approve Senate Bill 29, which would allow first responders to live where they choose. State Senator Brian Kelsey (R-Germantown) sponsored the legislation. The bill would ban residency requirements for police officers, firefighters, and emergency medical services workers.

Tennessee Congressman Jim Cooper Wants Democrats to Seek Out More Rural Voters

Feb 24, 2022

Tennessee Congressman Jim Cooper (D-TN-05) told CBS News this week that it’s in Democrats’ best interests to befriend rural voters.“There are other things we could do for rural voters, but primarily it is a values question, Senator [Daniel Patrick] Moynahan said ‘The central conservative truth is that culture trumps politics. The central liberal truth is that politics eventually can change culture,’” Cooper told the network.

Georgia Gubernatorial Candidate David Perdue Releases New Ad Featuring Donald Trump

Feb 24, 2022

Georgia gubernatorial candidate David Perdue on Wednesday released a new campaign ad that highlights former U.S. President Donald Trump’s endorsement. According to a statement, Perdue’s advertisement will run across the state with a $600,000 buy.

Georgia Representative Jody Hice Launches Statewide Tour in Athens About Georgia’s Election Integrity Issues

Feb 23, 2022

ATHENS, Georgia – Representative Jody Hice (R-GA-10), currently running to replace Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, launched a statewide tour in Athens on Tuesday to address Georgia’s election integrity issues. And, during the stop, Jessica Fore, a Democrat running for Hice’s 10th Congressional seat, challenged Hice on Georgia’s 2020 presidential election.

David Perdue Announces Vision for Statewide Term Limits in Georgia

Feb 23, 2022

Georgia gubernatorial candidate David Perdue on Tuesday called for term limits for all statewide elected officials. Perdue, in a statement, proposed a total of two four-year terms for all statewide elected officials, including the governor.

Tennessee Lawmaker Files Bill to Protect Unborn Children from Drug Exposure

Feb 23, 2022

Tennessee Representative Bruce Griffey (R-Paris) has filed legislation that he said would, if enacted into law, repair a legal loophole with how the state treats unborn versus born babies who are exposed to drugs. Griffey said in a statement that this loophole in Tennessee law fails to protect unborn children from drug exposure in utero.

New Tennessee Bill to Secure Religious Exemptions Does the Reverse, Conservative Group Warns

Feb 22, 2022

Members of the Williamson County-based Tennessee Stands are warning the public that a new bill making its way through the Tennessee General Assembly that purports to protect religious liberty does the opposite. Legislators say that the bill, HB 1867, and its companion legislation, SB 1823, will secure religious exemptions for healthcare workers. The Tennessee General Assembly’s website lists Representative Jason Zachary (R-Knoxville) as the house sponsor. The website also lists Senator and Tennessee Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson (R-Franklin) as the senate sponsor.

Gov. Brian Kemp Announces Position on Buckhead Cityhood Movement

Feb 22, 2022

Governor Brian Kemp said Saturday he’s not taking sides on whether Buckhead and Atlanta should formally separate. Buckhead City Committee CEO Bill White responded to Kemp’s comments and said now is the time for Republican legislators to act.

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