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State and Local News That Matters

The Tennessee Star
Robby Starbuck's Write-In Campaign Finishes with Less Than 5 Percent of the TN-5 GOP Primary Vote
August 8, 2022
 Robby Starbuck has achieved a maximum of 2,595 write-in votes, or roughly 4 percent of the total, putting him in fifth place for the August 4 Republican primary for Tennessee's 5th Congressional District seat. Maury County Mayor Andy Ogles handily won the primary with nearly 37 percent of the vote and 57,275 votes were cast in the primary for nine candidates who qualified for the ballot.

Court Rules Tennessee Education Savings Account Program Can Advance

A Tennessee trial court ruled Friday that Tennessee’s Education Scholarship Program can move forward. A three-judge panel heard arguments earlier in the day from the American Civil Liberties Union and Southern Poverty Law Center. The two groups had asked the court to deliver an injunction against the pilot program.


Tennessee Department of Education Invites School Districts to Apply for 'Innovative School Models' Grants

School districts in Tennessee can now apply for Innovative School Model Grants that focus on job training for students.  “Through reimagining the middle or high school experience, students will have a variety of opportunities to gain real-world experience, explore various industries and available jobs, and choose a pathway best suited to their skillset,” said Tennessee Department of Education (TDOE) Commissioner Penny Schwinn. “I thank Governor Lee and the Tennessee General Assembly who passed this historic opportunity, all districts interested in applying for this funding, and those who helped us celebrate throughout the month.” 


School Choice Foes Want Injunction Against Tennessee's Education Savings Account Program

A Tennessee trial court heard arguments on Friday in an attempt to place another injunction on the Education Savings Account program for Davidson and Shelby counties. The new ESA program, set to begin with this school year, is now being contested based upon its swift implementation. Lawyers from the American Civil Liberties Union and Southern Poverty Law Center argued that, since schools did not have time to budget for the potential loss of student funds due to the late implementation of the new program, that an injunction would be required.


Knoxville Police Department Announces It Will No Longer Respond to Certain 911 Calls

On Monday, Knoxville Chief of Police Paul Noel announced that the Knoxville Police Department (KPD) will no longer respond to certain non-injury crashes beginning September 1st.


Far-Left Group Suing Tennessee Again over Trans Bathroom Law

A far-left group is once again suing the state of Tennessee over its policy of children using bathrooms based on their assigned sex at birth.  "This lawsuit challenges a recently enacted Tennessee law, the “Tennessee Accommodations for All Children Act,” Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-2-801, et seq. (the “School Facilities Law” or “Law”), which bans transgender public school students from accessing multioccupancy restrooms and other facilities consistent with their gender identity," says a lawsuit filed by the Human Rights Campaign (HRC). "By singling out transgender students for disfavored treatment and explicitly writing discrimination against transgender people into State law, the School Facilities Law violates the most basic guarantees of equal protection under the U.S. Constitution and Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972."


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The Arizona Sun Times
The Phoenix Aviation Department Launches Airport Worker Child Care Scholarship Program
August 8, 2022
 The Phoenix Aviation Department launched its City of Phoenix Airport Worker Child Care Scholarship Program Aug. 2. The program supports workers in the aviation industry who have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic over the past two years, according to a press release. A $4 million investment with funds from the city's American Rescue Plan Act strategic plan will fund the child care program for workers at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.

Analysis: American Express, George Soros Back Nonprofits Pushing Illegal Immigration Across Texas Border

More than one million illegal aliens crossing the border have been caught and released into the United States by Biden Administration officials since Jan. 2021, including an estimated 8,000 per day in Texas. These illegal aliens are financially supported here both by U.S. taxpayers and a group of pro-"open borders" non-profits backed by political activists like Hungarian billionaire George Soros and blue chip American companies like American Express, according to an analysis of Internal Revenue Service filings by the Austin Journal.


Trump-Endorsed Candidates Sweep Arizona; Lake Declares Victory as Final Vote Count Trickles In

After a large increase Tuesday's primary election voters cast their ballots in person – which are tabulated last – Kari Lake and every other Trump-endorsed candidate in Arizona all appear to have won their primary races. Approximately 97 percent of all precincts have submitted their results. According to ABC-15’s “Data Guru” Garrett Archer, there are 186,067 ballots outstanding, including 112,000 from Maricopa County and 41,968 from Pima County. Maricopa County’s results usually mirror the state’s results. Arizona Republican Party Chair Kelli Ward, who has been very concerned about the possibility of voter fraud, expressed her frustration that all the votes had not been counted yet. She tweeted Wednesday night at the Maricopa County Elections Department, which is run by County Recorder Stephen Richer, “We all know that @MaricopaVote is ridiculous. Get the results, you fools.”


Only 5,360 Votes Counted in Arizona Primary Wednesday, Kari Lake Still Leads

With more than 100,000 votes yet to be counted, Kari Lake still leads the Republican gubernatorial primary against opponent Karrin Taylor Robson. Only 5,000 votes were counted Wednesday, the day after the primary election. 


The America Rising PAC Shares What Arizonans Should Know About Mark Kelly Going into the November General Election

The America Rising PAC (ARPAC), a group dedicated to exposing the truth about Democrats, recently shared critical information regarding current Senator Mark Kelly (D) for Arizonans to know before the General Election in November. "Contrary to his rhetoric on the campaign trail, Mark Kelly has been nothing but a rubber stamp for Joe Biden and Chuck Schumer's devastating agenda," shared ARPAC Press Secretary Whitney Robertson with the Sun Times via email. "If Arizonans are looking for a Senator who will actually put the people over politics, it's time to send Kelly packing."


Democrat Gubernatorial Nominee Katie Hobbs Slammed for Poor Job as Secretary of State, Tuesday’s Primary Vote Count in Arizona Described as ‘Glacial’

As vote counting continues in Arizona's Republican gubernatorial election, Secretary of State Katie Hobbs, the Democrat nominee, is being slammed for the slow vote count.  "Arizona's glacial vote-counting isn't exactly a ringing endorsement for how Katie Hobbs would perform as governor," said John Gabriel, editor-in-chief of Ricochet. 


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The Georgia Star News
Governor Kemp Appoints Bill Hamrick to Statewide Business Court Bench
August 8, 2022
 Governor Brian P. Kemp (R) tapped Bill Hamrick to serve as the Georgia State Business Court Judge on Wednesday.  “Having served with Judge Hamrick in the State Senate when I first entered public life, I witnessed firsthand his dedication to the law, to its fair application, and to our state,” Governor Kemp said. 

Kemp Leads GOP Gubernatorial Group in Response Against Tax Proposals

Georgia Governor Brian P. Kemp and South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster led Republican governors in a response today in opposition to the $740 billion spending proposal to fix inflation. "The Democrats' solution to a 40-year high inflation is passing another reckless tax and spending spree to the tune of $74 billion, affecting Americans in every tax bracket," the Republican gubernatorial coalition said in a statement Thursday.


Chris Carr Calls Out George Soros for Installing Partisan District Attorneys

Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr (R) called out billionaire and Open Society founder George Soros for his financial support of progressive district attorneys, a move that has resulted in crime spikes across the nation. "George Soros has spent tens of millions to elect prosecutors who care more about coddling criminals than about protecting families. Now the Soros family is funding my Democrat opponent because they know I'll stand up for YOU, not criminals," Carr wrote on Twitter Tuesday.


Herschel Walker Challenges Raphael Warnock to October Debate in Savannah

Georgia Republican Senate nominee Herschel Walker publicly challenged incumbent Senator Raphael Warnock to a debate in Savannah on Tuesday. "Senator Warnock, I'm ready to debate. In fact, I just accepted a debate in your backyard, Savannah, where you've got home-field advantage, and it's going to be broadcast statewide. I'm not a politician, I don't look like a politician, I don't sound like a politician, and frankly, I'm tired of politicians," Walker said.


Governor Kemp Extends Gas Tax Suspension, Supply Chain State of Emergency

Governor Brian Kemp (R) signed two executive orders on Wednesday that extended the gas tax suspension and renewed the state of emergency for supply chain disruptions. These executive orders will be effective through September 12th. "I have extended the temporary suspension of the state's motor fuel tax to alleviate the financial burden placed on Georgians due to the federal government's gross mishandling of inflation," Gov. Kemp said. 


Georgia Residents Can Now Claim Unborn Babies as Dependents on State Income Taxes

Georgia residents are now able to claim unborn babies as dependents on their state income taxes, the state's department of revenue announced Monday.


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The Virginia Star
Governor Glenn Youngkin Signs Bills, Participates in Ceremony Supporting Education
August 8, 2022
 On Friday, Governor Glenn Youngkin participated in a ribbon cutting ceremony, signed new legislation, and participated in a roundtable discussion all based around supporting and improving education for the state of Virginia.

Virginia Localities Receive Their Allocations from Opioid Settlement Payments

Virginia localities have begun receiving payments from an opioid-related settlement with three distributors, which are separate from the state funding and total more than $4 million in the first installment. McKesson, AmerisourceBergen and Cardinal Health agreed to pay the commonwealth and its localities about $530 million for allegedly being involved in higher overdose rates. Virginia will receive about $15 million and the Opioid Abatement Authority will receive more than $9.9 million in the first installment, in addition to the $4 million heading to localities.


Kiggans Criticizes Luria for CHIPS and Science Act Vote While Holding NVIDIA Stock

State Senator Jen Kiggans (R-Virginia Beach) is criticizing her opponent for Congress Representative Elaine Luria (D-VA-02) for voting in favor of the CHIPS and Science Act while holding NVIDIA stock. "Elaine Luria's vote to provide billions of dollars in subsidies for an industry in which she owns up to $25 million in stocks would be unethical, self-serving, and the latest example of how she will put her bottom line ahead of her constituents' well-being," Kiggans said the day of the vote.


Youngkin Announces About $27 Million in Loans for Low-Income Housing

Governor Glenn Youngkin announced about $27 million in loans for the 2022 Spring Affordable and Special Needs Housing (ASNH) awardees on Friday. The funds are aimed at 34 projects for both existing and new units for low-income households. "These projects will provide critical support to our most vulnerable populations, strengthening our economy, and improving the quality of life for countless Virginians," Youngkin said in a release. "Stable and affordable housing is foundational to building a thriving economy. These projects were carefully selected to ensure they make the most impact on their future residents and the surrounding communities."


Opioid Settlement Payments to Virginians Begin

Most Virginia localities were expected Friday to start receiving their share of the first payment in an opioid settlement, about $4.1 million split across the 133 localities. Additionally, Virginia's Opioid Abatement Authority (OAA) will receive about $9.9 million, Attorney General Jason Miyares announced. "I'm thrilled to announce that after a long period of waiting, the payments to Virginia's Opioid Abatement Authority and to Virginia's localities under this landmark settlement are on the way. Now, Virginia communities will be able to take actionable steps to fight back against the opioid epidemic, knowing that more help is on the way," Miyares said in a press release.


Dominion Energy Opens 12-Megawatt Battery System, Piloting Energy Storage to Accompany Wind, Solar

Dominion Energy is now operating a 12 megawatt bank of three battery systems at its Scott Solar facility in Powhatan County. That's the largest battery storage project the utility operates, according to a Thursday announcement, and is part of a pilot program aimed at developing energy storage alongside wind and solar power generation. "Battery storage is an integral component to the clean energy transition in Virginia, supporting grid reliability for our customers during periods of high demand and by helping to fill gaps due to the inherent intermittency of solar and wind power," Dominion Energy Virginia President Ed Baine said in a press release.


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The Florida Capital Star
'They’re Not Gatekeepers Anymore': DeSantis Spokeswoman Pushaw Puts Media on the Defense
August 8, 2022
 Christina Pushaw, press secretary for Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, has been putting Democrats and the corporate press on defense by refusing to play along with what she says are partisan narratives. Pushaw has garnered national attention for her active and sometimes aggressive interactions with journalists. Her strategy may serve as a playbook for conservatives who are ready to reject the media’s framing and communicate with the public on their own terms.

Kamala Harris Campaigns with Val Demings

Vice President Kamala Harris (D) campaigned with Congresswoman Val Demings (D-FL-13) in South Florida earlier this week in an attempt to bolster Demings’ chances of unseating Sen. Marco Rubio (R) in this November’s election. Both Demings and Harris were one-time finalists for the vice president pick after then-candidate Joe Biden achieved the Democrat presidential nomination in 2020. The job eventually went to Harris, but Demings made a name for herself among Florida Democrats.


Florida Department of Education Website Highlights Parental Rights, COVID Guidance

Recent website updates by the Florida Department of Education (FDOE), under the recently appointed Commissioner of Education - Senator Manny Diaz, puts a focus on parental rights and COVID guidance. Diaz's appointment was announced by the State Board of Education on April 29, 2022. The website update provides a link at the top of the FDOE home page called “Featured Topics.” The top featured topics listed under the link are "Parental Rights" and COVID-19. Under the “Parental Rights” tab is a message that states, “Florida is taking bold steps to protect parental rights and ensure the lawfulness of instructional materials. If you believe you have found unlawful materials in your school or you are just unsure how to voice your concerns, please see the helpful information below.” The “Parental Rights” page lists contact information to share concerns directly with FDOE or with a school’s principal. A link on the page lists contacts for all public school principals in the 67 school districts.


Nikki Fried Launches First TV Ad

Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried (D) launched her first television ad as she seeks the nomination for Florida’s Democrat primary. She launched the ad with the moniker “Something New,” harkening back to a phrase she has commonly used on the campaign trail and when she launched her campaign over a year ago.


Florida Democrats Sound Alarm over Monkeypox

Earlier this week, Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried (D) held a press conference addressing the budding monkeypox outbreak across Florida. Fried criticized Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) saying he is not doing enough on the matter, so she decided to take the issue into her own hands.


Florida Gay Rights Group Seeks to Avoid Supreme Court Review of 'Conversion Therapy' Ordinance

After losing court battles over the legality of local ordinances that ban “conversion therapy”, a gay-rights group – the Palm Beach County Human Rights Council - is asking Palm Beach County and Boca Raton to repeal their bans on so-called “conversion therapy” for youths struggling with their sexuality. The group is seeking the repeal not because they have had a change in policy preference, but rather the group do not want the Palm County ordinances to be the vehicle by which the U.S. Supreme can rule on the issue. The issue comes as the Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo recently recommended that social, medical and surgical transitioning treatment for gender dysphoria not be provided to children and adolescents. Rand Hoch, the founder the Palm Beach County Human Rights Council, said in a statement last week that he was asking for the county and the city to drop their litigation, because the plaintiffs’ attorneys “clearly want to have this issue heard by the U.S. Supreme Court as soon as possible.”


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The Ohio Star
Ohio Police to Get $5 Million for Body Cameras
August 8, 2022
 Ohio police agencies will soon be eligible to receive $5 million in new funding for body cameras and related equipment, according to Gov. Mike DeWine (R). Many law-enforcement organizations in the Buckeye State have wanted to equip their officers with video recorders but costs have reportedly proved prohibitive for many localities. This led DeWine to launch the Ohio Body-Worn Camera Grant Program which awarded its first $4.7 million in January. 

AEP Ohio Does Not Want Independent Audit; Prefers State Commission Probe

Ohio’s largest utility company does not want the Public Utility Commission of Ohio to conduct an independent, outside investigation into summer power outages, despite calls from consumer groups. AEP Ohio, which serves about 1.5 million residential and commercial customers in central, southeast and northwest Ohio, said in a response filed to a recent motion that an independent investigation would be an expensive, time-consuming litigious process while the PUCO is conducting its investigation.


Johnson Keeps Ohio Republican State Central Committee Seat; Reformers Win Victories Elsewhere

Ohio Republican Party (ORP) Treasurer Dave Johnson won his race for re-election on Tuesday to represent the Youngstown-area 33rd District in the GOP’s State Central Committee. However, conservatives and reformers won several ORP victories elsewhere.  Johnson defeated challenger Rick Barron, who ran on implementing rigorous and regular audits of committee finances, something many in the party believe Johnson has neglected. Alleged financial irregularities, including $3 million said to have “gone missing” from party financial records, have led several ORP members to sue Johnson and state-party Chair Bob Paduchik.


Ohio Lawmakers Look Deeper into Sentencing Reform

Nonviolent offenders could find it easier to get out of prison and work their way back into society if bipartisan legislation introduced in the Ohio House becomes law. At the same the Sentencing Fairness and Justice Act was introduced in the House, Democratic Gov. Mike DeWine released recommendations for control supervision based on recommendations from a group he commissioned in 2019.


Whaley Energy Plan for Ohio Excludes Fossil Fuels

Ohio Democratic gubernatorial candidate Nan Whaley this weekend took to Twitter to promote an energy plan for the Buckeye State that excludes fossil-fuel production in favor of renewables. “Check out mine and [running mate Cheryl Stephens’s] energy plan…,” she wrote. “1. Reform the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) so consumer interests are at its core; 2. Spur innovation & create good-paying, union jobs in clean energy; 3. Build climate resilient communities.”


Ohio Announces Seven New Economic Development Projects

Seven new industry projects are expected to create nearly 700 new jobs and retain more than 3,000 across Ohio, according to Gov. Mike DeWine. The projects, which the state says are expected to result in more than $39 million in new payroll out of $51.8 million in new investments, all received approval from the Ohio Tax Credit Authority for incentives.


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The Minnesota Sun
Minnesota's GOP Primary Races to Watch on Tuesday
August 8, 2022
 Minnesotans will head to the polls Tuesday to pick their preferred candidates for the general election. Every seat (201) in the Minnesota Legislature is up for grabs this November because of redistricting. The Minnesota GOP maintains control of the Minnesota Senate and could take back the House from Democrats.

Healthcare Workers Across Minnesota Revolt Against Unions

Hundreds of health care workers throughout Minnesota have recently voted to cut ties with unions. Since mid-July at least four groups of health care workers across the state have either filed union decertification petitions or successfully voted in favor of decertification.


Non-Woke Liberals Describe 'Living Hell' Caused by Minneapolis Homeless Encampments

Charred rubble and shells of burned homes are what’s left of three properties on 14th Avenue South in the Phillips neighborhood of Minneapolis. Neighbors suspect the July 20 fires were connected to a nearby homeless encampment, but that is unconfirmed and the case remains under investigation.


Video Shows Minnesota State Representative Candidate Using Insurance Course to Solicit Campaign Contributions

Video obtained by Alpha News appears to show Republican state House candidate Bob Loonan soliciting campaign donations through one of the continuing education courses he teaches. Loonan, a former member of the Minnesota House of Representatives looking to recapture his old seat, offers insurance and real estate courses through Loonan & Loonan’s Consulting. The courses fulfill credit requirements for continuing-education students.


Another Minnesota Crisis Pregnancy Center Broken Into, Vandalized

A Northfield crisis pregnancy center was attacked last Monday night between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m., according to the executive director at Northfield Women’s Center. Executive Director Teresa Edwards told Alpha News the front of the building was tagged with “Fake Clinic ACAB Not Safe.” ACAB is an acronym for “all cops are bastards.” “The front of the center was bashed in,” Edwards said. “Although it appears it was hit with something and nothing was actually thrown through the window.”


Republican Gubernatorial Hopeful Jensen Calls for Family Leave Program, Lowering Adoption Costs in New Proposal

As the issue of abortion remains a hot topic throughout the midterm campaign season, Republican gubernatorial candidate Dr. Scott Jensen has released a comprehensive plan on how he would support Minnesota women and children. “You and I are both pro-life, but I think there’s some misconceptions out there about what that actually means. It means a lot more than just not liking abortion and it’s not about jamming legislation down people’s throats,” Matt Birk, Jensen’s running mate, said in a video discussing the plan.


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The Michigan Star
Detroit Asks to Push Legacy Pension Payment Schedule by 10 Years
August 7, 2022
 Facing a $131 million annual pension bill due in July 2023, Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan's administration filed a lawsuit to request city pension funds extend by 10 years its repayment schedule from 20 to 30 years. The lawsuit filed in U.S. Bankruptcy Court says a more extended payment plan would cost the city less over an additional decade as it approaches the "pension cliff" when it must resume payments.

11th District GOP Chairman: ‘Promote the Vote' Should Be Called 'Rigging the Vote'

A Democrat leaning organization recently filed signatures that calls for a new constitutional amendment in the upcoming 2022 election. Promote the Vote, which successfully ran a ballot proposal that created no-excuse absentee voting and same-day registration in 2018, turned in nearly 670,000 voter signatures, significantly more than the roughly 425,000 required.


After Record Funding, Michigan Schools Seek More Money

Despite boasts of record state school spending amid declining school populations, many of Michigan’s local ballots next week will feature school sinking funds, millage renewals, or millage increases. Michigan’s more than 850 school districts received about $6 billion of federal COVID funds, but in many cases, it’s unclear how the districts spent or plan to spend the money.


Michigan Congressional Challenger John Gibbs: I Have Never Trailed Against Anti-Trump House Republican Meijer

Neil W. McCabe, the national political editor of The Star News Network, interviewed former senior White House senior staffer for President Donald J. Trump John Gibbs about his primary fight against Rep. Peter Meijer in the Aug. 3 primary for the GOP nomination for Michigan's 3rd Congressional District.


Students Support Pro-Life Michigan Football Coach

University of Michigan-Ann Arbor coach Jim Harbaugh made several pro-life statements as a guest speaker at a pro-life event on July 17. Harbaugh told those in attendance: “I believe in having the courage to let the unborn be born. I love life. I believe in having a loving care and respect for life and death. My faith and my science are what drives these beliefs in me.” Harbaugh then quoted the Book of Jeremiah, stating, “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you. Before you were born, I set you apart. I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”


Michigan Taxpayers Funding $16.6 Million for Private Manufacturer

Michigan taxpayers will give more than $16 million to a private manufacturing company, Gentex. The company is spending $300 million to expand operations over three years, which it claims will create 500 jobs. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer joined the Michigan Economic Development Corporation to announce the subsidies to Gentex, a high-tech electronics manufacturer for the auto, aerospace, and fire safety industries.


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