The Star News Network

State and Local News That Matters

The Tennessee Star
Department of Justice, Local Leaders Announce Agreement to Combat Violent Crime in West Tennessee
May 9, 2022
 The Department of Justice (DOJ) and local leaders in West Tennessee are working together in order to reduce violent crime, according to a release from the DOJ. United States Attorney Joseph C. Murphy Jr., joined by non-profit organizations, clergy leaders, and other community leaders, announced a new “Better Community Summit” effort to tackle the crimes.

Tri-City Extrusion, Inc. Announces Expansion in Bristol

Tri-City Extrusion, Inc. (TCE) officials recently announced that the company will invest $30.8 million to expand its manufacturing operations in Northeast Tennessee.


New 'Truth in Sentencing' Legislation Becomes Law Without Governor Lee's Signature

Governor Bill Lee declined to sign new legislation passed by the General Assembly that impacts the amount of prison time served by convicted criminals, allowing the measure to go into law without his signature. The bill, known as "truth in sentencing" legislation, mandates that individuals convicted of certain violent crimes serve their entire sentence behind bars.


Poll Memo Shows Nashville Mayor John Cooper May Be Vulnerable in 2023 Re-Elect

An Impact Research poll released on May 2, commissioned by Thistle Farms executive director Hal Cato, shows that Nashville Mayor John Cooper may be vulnerable in his 2023 quest for re-election. Cato is expected to run for mayor in 2023.


Washington Examiner Fails to Note Key Facts in TN-5 Disqualification Process

In an article titled, "Candidate booted from ballot sues Tennessee GOP", the Washington Examiner failed to note key facts about the TN-5 candidate disqualification process. The piece instead irresponsibly used comments by disqualified candidate Robby Starbuck and his lawsuit against the Tennessee Republican Party and the Tennessee Secretary of State's office as its main source material.


Republicans Dominate Turnout in Williamson County May 3 Primary Voting

Republicans dominated the voter turnout totals in the Williamson County May 3 primary elections. According to the Williamson County government elections website, 20,550 total votes were cast countywide. 18,240 of those votes were cast in Republican primaries. 2,310 were cast in Democrat primaries.


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The Arizona Sun Times
Arizona GOP Gubernatorial Primary Leader Kari Lake Denounces Georgia RINOs, Lauds Dinesh D'Souza's 2020 Election Ballot-Trafficking Film 2000 Mules
May 9, 2022
 Former Phoenix news anchor and mother of two, Kari Lake, gave high praise to filmmaker Dinesh D'Souza's documentary film, "2000 Mules", which highlights the ballot-stuffing operations that occurred across multiples states during the 2020 presidential election. "We just saw Dinesh D'Souza's movie. It's outrageous. It's called 2000 Mules. I think every man and woman in this country should see it," Lake declared Friday at a campaign stop to support David Perdue’s run against Georgia Governor Brian Kemp at the Appalachian Gun & Range.

Arizona Gubernatorial Frontrunner Kari Lake Says She Has Confidence in Senate President Karen Fann to Complete Election Audit

Arizona Republican gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake told The Georgia Star News Friday she maintains confidence in Arizona Senate President Karen Fann, despite some doubts in her ability to adequately complete the 2020 election audit. "I do have confidence in Karen," Lake told The Star News. "I've seen a few things that have made me pause a bit, but don't forget, she's the one who got things going."


Gubernatorial Candidate Kari Lake Vows to Shoot Mexican Drug Cartel Drones, Blow Up Drug Tunnels with 'Defend Arizona' Plan

Arizona gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake told The Georgia Star News she plans to secure the southern border of the United States with her "Defend Arizona" policy, which includes the destruction of drug tunnels and surveillance drones used by Mexican drug cartels. The Republican frontrunner traveled to Georgia on Thursday to support David Perdue in his bid to upset incumbent governor Brian Kemp. "When we discover drug tunnels, we're going to blow them up. We're not just going to pour a little bit of cement in where they can easily jackhammer that out and start running drugs again," Lake said.


Arizona Attorney General Brnovich Could Pull Out of Leftward-Drifting National Association of Attorneys General

The attorneys general of Texas, Missouri, and Montana are withdrawing from the National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG) over its “leftward shift over the last decade,” and so many expect Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich will be the next to exit. Since NAAG’s activities fall along partisan Democrat lines, and Brnovich has sued the Biden administration numerous times over its policies, he may find there are too many conflicts to remain a member. Brnovich told The Arizona Sun Times he had no comment at this time, but would be looking into it next week. 


Phoenix City Councilman Sounds Alarm on Lack of Police

A Phoenix City Councilman is sounding the alarm on the lack of police presence in the city.  "Our Phoenix Patrol Officer count is below 1,000 and crime continues to rise," Councilman Sal DiCiccio (R-District 6) said on Twitter. "We are way below the amount of patrol officers a city our size should have and morale is at an all time low."


Arizona Attorney General Brnovich Responds to Maricopa County's 'Flames of Division' in Their Reaction to His Interim Report on Election Fraud

Maricopa County officials held a press conference and issued a response Wednesday to Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich’s first Interim Report on the 2020 Maricopa County independent ballot audit, prompting a sharp reaction from Brnovich. He said in a letter to supporters, “[T]he Maricopa County Board of Supervisors and County Recorder continue to throw stones at Attorney General Brnovich instead of working to address the serious issues identified in the interim report.” Jen Wright, head of his Elections Integrity Unit, who has lengthy experience investigating voter fraud for the Arizona Republican Party, sent a response back to their attorney with “serious concerns.”


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The Georgia Star News
Mike Lindell Calls Kemp, Raffensperger, and Carr the 'Triple Crown of Crime'
May 9, 2022
 Minnesotan entrepreneur, conservative politico, and CEO of My Pillow, Mike Lindell, spoke to The Georgia Star News on Saturday at the Atlanta Motor Speedway, where he criticized the three most infamous election integrity antagonists in the Peach State when he declared, "you guys have the Triple Crown of Crime down here with Kemp, Raffensperger and Carr and all of them need to go." Lindell continued, "I mean, this is our country. Of all the stuff I've been out there fighting for with the election crimes. And then you have Republicans, the Republicans have turned on, not just Georgia, but on our country. I mean, you've got to get new people and we got to get people that have the people's back."

Commentary: It's Time for Sanford Bishop to Go

As we approach November, we will be seeing many names on the ballot: some old and some new. Yet no name on the ballot will be older than Sanford Bishop.


Georgia Democrat Labor Groups Express Opposition to Biden Energy Policies

Several Georgia-based labor groups, which are traditionally Democrat in both endorsements and membership, have sent letters to the Biden administration urging them to change course on policies that have resulted in rising inflation and higher gas prices. The Atlanta North Georgia Labor Council, Coalition of Black Trade Unionists - Atlanta Chamber, and UFCW-Retail Wholesale and Department Store Unions have all sent letters to the Biden administration expressing their displeasure with current energy policies, expressing the plight of their membership in relation to inflation and fuel prices, and demanding a change of course.


Arizona Gubernatorial Frontrunner Kari Lake Says She Has Confidence in Senate President Karen Fann to Complete Election Audit

Arizona Republican gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake told The Georgia Star News Friday she maintains confidence in Arizona Senate President Karen Fann, despite some doubts in her ability to adequately complete the 2020 election audit. "I do have confidence in Karen," Lake told The Star News. "I've seen a few things that have made me pause a bit, but don't forget, she's the one who got things going."


Gubernatorial Candidate Kari Lake Vows to Shoot Mexican Drug Cartel Drones, Blow Up Drug Tunnels with 'Defend Arizona' Plan

Arizona gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake told The Georgia Star News she plans to secure the southern border of the United States with her "Defend Arizona" policy, which includes the destruction of drug tunnels and surveillance drones used by Mexican drug cartels. The Republican frontrunner traveled to Georgia on Thursday to support David Perdue in his bid to upset incumbent governor Brian Kemp. "When we discover drug tunnels, we're going to blow them up. We're not just going to pour a little bit of cement in where they can easily jackhammer that out and start running drugs again," Lake said.


Food Trucks Will Be Able to Operate in Multiple Counties Under New Georgia Law

Gov. Brian Kemp signed a trio of bills he says will help small businesses in the state, including a measure that allows food trucks to operate in more than one county without needing multiple permits. "As a small business owner for more than 35 years, I have always applied a pro-business approach to governing, helping to cut red tape and ensure we have an environment that allows good Georgia companies to thrive and serve their customers," Kemp said in an announcement.


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The Virginia Star
In Regent University Commencement, Youngkin Criticizes Higher-Ed Conformity; Earle-Sears Named Alumna of the Year
May 9, 2022
 In a commencement speech at Regent University, Governor Glenn Youngkin told graduates to follow two guides: mentors and a "compass that points us in the direction of core values that define us." He told them that they were not called to comfort, and criticized conformity in academia. "Sometimes we are called to speak up, to say unpopular things, to invite ridicule and scorn. If I could offer one critique of higher education today, and I mean this in the most global sense, it's that there's too much group-think, too much conformity to modern doctrine, too much intolerance that rears itself in the form of a canceled culture," Youngkin said.

VA-02 Primary: Trump Invites Jarome Bell Onstage; Sen. Kiggans Launches First TV Ad

Former President Donald Trump brought VA-02 congressional candidate Jarome Bell on stage at a rally on Monday. "So Jarome, what are you running for? What and where," Trump asked, according to a video of the event, where attendees vied to draw Trump's attention to their candidacies.


Youngkin Signs Legislation Aimed at Identifying Laws, Regulations, Policies to Change to Address CDL Driver Shortage

Governor Glenn Youngkin signed Delegate Israel O'Quinn's (R-Washington) HB 553 to help address a CDL driver shortage in a ceremony Wednesday. In February, O'Quinn said that shortage is contributing to broader supply chain problems. "While we can't control what goes on in 49 other states, we can control what goes on in Virginia," O'Quinn said in a subcommittee meeting.


Virginian TurboTax Customers to Get $3.5 Million in Settlement of Lawsuit over Claims That the Product Was Free

Virginia TurboTax customers are set to get about $3.5 million in a settlement of the lawsuit, which said that the tax service provider deceived some consumers into paying for services despite ads saying tax services were free. "TurboTax took advantage of and deceived Virginians. I'm proud of the role my office played to secure substantial relief for the Virginia consumers that TurboTax misled. My office will continue to aggressively go after bad actors that hurt Virginia consumers, because they must be held accountable," Attorney General Jason Miyares said in a Wednesday announcement.


Virginia's Office of the Children's Ombudsman Opens to Oversee Social Services

Virginia's Office of the Children's Ombudsman (OCO) officially launched Tuesday, Governor Glenn Youngkin announced. The office provides oversight of Virginia's child welfare system and can receive complaints about the Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS). "I am excited that, after several months of preparation and with the support of the Administration and our partner agencies, information about the Office of the Children's Ombudsman and the services we provide will finally be made publicly available to Virginians across the Commonwealth. My staff and I are looking forward to helping families navigate the child welfare system and ensuring that child safety and family preservation remain top priorities for our local and state agencies that serve Virginia's children and families," OCO Director Eric Reynolds said in an administration press release.


GOP VA-07 Candidate Crystal Vanuch Wants to Focus on Economy, Border, and Supporting Law Enforcement

Crystal Vanuch is running for the GOP nomination in Virginia’s seventh congressional district, and wants to bring a focus on six issues: the economy and energy independence; border security; constitutional protections in the wake of COVID-19 mandates; public safety; transportation; and veterans issues. “As soon as I get to Congress, I’m going to be pushing forward specific things to address the economy,” Vanuch told The Virginia Star. “So from a budget perspective, and an American policy perspective, the number one thing I want to do is deregulate. The Biden administration signed executive orders to increase regulation and undid a lot of the Trump-era regulations that loosened up the economy.”


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The Florida Capital Star
DeSantis: Florida Prepared If U.S. Heads into Recession
May 9, 2022
 Gov. Ron DeSantis, when suggesting President Joe Biden’s economic policies will “plunge the United States into a recession,” says Florida will be prepared. At a news conference this week announcing funding for flood control and water management projects in Lee County, he said that while inflation continues to worsen, Florida’s economy is strong, with revenue exceeding expectations.

Florida State Rep. Jason Shoaf Calls for Removal of Middle School Principal

Florida state Representative Jason Shoaf is calling for the removal of a Leon County middle school principal after the principal posted on Facebook that parents are "getting in our way." Shoaf's call for action is in response to a media report about comments in a Facebook post by Sarah Hembree, the principal of Elizabeth Cobb middle school, is located in Leon County. On Tuesday, Tallahassee Reports published a story about the Facebook post by Hembree which stated in part, “Today I say – Parents, Quit pushing for stupid bills and getting in our way…schools are going to do what’s best for your students in spite of you..” The "Quit pushing for stupid bills" statement appears to be a reference to the Parental Rights in Education bill that was recently signed into law by Governor DeSantis. Hembree added that teachers “want to decide what they teach in their classroom based on the needs of the students in front of them....I am SO TIRED of being told we don’t know what we are doing or that we are messing with parents’ rights.”


Florida Officials React to SCOTUS Leak

In the wake of the national news that an initial draft of a United States Supreme Court decision had been leaked to the public indicating the high court’s intentions to overturn the landmark Roe v. Wade case, Florida officials have both been chanting and jeering the news. Florida’s anti-abortion politicians have said this could be a good indicator, while pro-abortionists are worried this will lead to more restrictive abortion laws.


Democrat Officials Think DeSantis Might Be ‘Unstoppable’

Democrat operatives are continually showing signs that they feel they cannot win in Florida in the 2022 gubernatorial election observing that Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis seems “unstoppable.” A recent report from Politico showed that Democrats in Florida and Washington, D.C. are not feeling confident, the latter determining how many resources will be sent to the Sunshine State to attempt to unseat Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R).


DeSantis Hints at Special Session for Constitutional Carry

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R), once again, made a plea for the Florida Legislature to get a constitutional carry bill to his desk. He made the promise to get the policy push done by the time he is no longer governor and even floated the idea of a special session to get it done.


Florida Democrat Gubernatorial Candidate Charlie Crist Says Biden Will Go Down as 'One of the Best'

In a question-and-answer article with the Tallahassee Democrat, Florida Congressman Charlie Crist (D-FL-13) said President Joe Biden (D) will go down as “one of the best [presidents] we've ever had.” His comments come as he has become the Democrat frontrunner for the 2022 Florida Democrat gubernatorial primary.


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The Ohio Star
Ohio Sending Approximately 2,000 Pieces of Personal Protective Gear to Ukraine
May 9, 2022
 Various Ohio law enforcement agencies are donating roughly 2,000 pieces of personal protective equipment to forces in Ukraine. According to a release from Governor Mike DeWine, more than two dozen state and local law enforcement agencies supplied donations to the effort.

Ohio Drunk-Driving Bill Could Give Support for Victims' Minor Children

An Ohio lawmaker believes drivers convicted in a DUI crash should have to pay child support to minor children who have a parent killed in the accident. Rep. Diane Grendell, R-Chesterland, said she plans to introduce a bill that requires DUI drivers convicted of either vehicular homicide or aggravated vehicular homicide to pay support to any minor children who lose a parent until the child turns 18 or graduates from high school.


Ohio Bill Would Be Impacted If Roe v. Wade Overturned

An Ohio bill that would penalize doctors who perform abortions and came under fire after its sponsor’s comments regarding rape drew more attention Tuesday following the leak of a draft of a pending U.S. Supreme Court decision. House Bill 598 would ban doctors from performing medication or surgical abortions in Ohio, making it a fourth-degree felony. There is no exception for rape or incest. Doctors could, however, defend charges if an abortion was performed to save the life of the mother and specific steps were followed.


Ohio Right to Life Reacts to Supreme Court Abortion Case Leak

Ohio Right to Life Tuesday reacted after a leaked draft of an opinion that could overturn Roe v. Wade, the infamous Supreme Court decision that made abortion legal at the federal level, was published in German-owned Politico.  Mary Parker, the Director of Legislative Affairs at Ohio Right to Life, emphasized that if the leaked opinion holds, abortion will not be made illegal, but decisions about whether abortion should be legal will be left up to individual states.


JD Vance Wins GOP Senate Primary, Mike DeWine Wins GOP Gubernatorial Primary

In what was called the first big test of former President Donald Trump’s political influence, J.D. Vance rode his late endorsement to a U.S. Senate primary win in Ohio on Tuesday. Vance, author of Hillbilly Elegy, received the former president’s endorsement in late April and was the projected winner by The Associated Press over a large field that included businessman Mike Gibbons, State Sen. Matt Dolan, former State Treasurer Josh Mandel and former head of the state GOP Jane Timken.


Ohio Proposes $500 Million Investment Plan for Appalachia

Communities throughout Ohio’s Appalachian region could receive millions of dollars earmarked to revitalize downtowns and help rebuild economies if funding comes through for a $500 million plan from Gov. Mike DeWine. The three-part proposal is expected to focus on revitalizing historic downtown districts, improving community health and rebuilding the local work force, according to a news release from the governor.


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The Minnesota Sun
Mike Lindell Calls Kemp, Raffensperger, and Carr the 'Triple Crown of Crime'
May 9, 2022
 Minnesotan entrepreneur, conservative politico, and CEO of My Pillow, Mike Lindell, spoke to The Georgia Star News on Saturday at the Atlanta Motor Speedway, where he criticized the three most infamous election integrity antagonists in the Peach State when he declared, "you guys have the Triple Crown of Crime down here with Kemp, Raffensperger and Carr and all of them need to go." Lindell continued, "I mean, this is our country. Of all the stuff I've been out there fighting for with the election crimes. And then you have Republicans, the Republicans have turned on, not just Georgia, but on our country. I mean, you've got to get new people and we got to get people that have the people's back."

Federal Judge Will Sentence Chauvin to 20 to 25 Years in Prison

U.S. District Judge Paul Magnuson has accepted Derek Chauvin’s plea agreement and will sentence him to 20 to 25 years in prison, according to a one-page order issued Wednesday. “At the change-of-plea hearing, the Court deferred accepting Defendant’s plea pending issuance of the preliminary presentence investigation report,” Magnuson said. “That report has now issued, and acceptance of the plea is appropriate.”


Minnesota Business Owner Can Fly Trump Flag Without City Interference

The Minnesota Court of Appeals has ruled that a Buffalo construction company owner is not violating city ordinances by flying a large Trump flag from a crane. The Monday ruling reverses the city of Buffalo’s determination that Jay Johnson’s 30-by-50 foot flag reading “TRUMP 2020 Keep America Great” violated its ordinances on size restrictions and the attaching of signs to equipment.


Department of Justice Launches New Program to Combat Violent Crime Spike in Minnesota

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) is launching a new effort to combat a spike in violent crime, specifically targeting the Twin Cities area. The new changes will allow all federal prosecutors in the office to take on and try violent crime cases. Additionally, the law enforcement agency is hiring more persecutors to assist with the workload.


Minnesota Democrats Renew Calls to Pack the Court, Codify Roe

Rep. Ilhan Omar and her communications director both made radical calls to upend the Supreme Court after a leaked decision indicated that the court plans to overturn Roe v. Wade. The leak, obtained by Politico, is the initial draft of the majority opinion of the court which holds “that Roe and Casey must be overruled.” This decision would end federal protection of abortion, although states like Minnesota, which have legally guaranteed it locally, can continue the practice.


Far-Left Minnesota Group Calls for Terror After Supreme Court Leak

A far-left group is calling for terror after Tuesday night's leak of the Supreme Court of the United States' (SCOTUS) draft opinions showing that the Court could overturn Roe v. Wade.  After cursing SCOTUS, and particularly Supreme Court Associate Justice Samuel Alito, a group called MNUprising instructed its followers to "terrorize [their] oppressor." 


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The Michigan Star
Michigan Police Seize Voting Machine
May 9, 2022
 Michigan State Police seized a voting machine as part of an investigation into possible unauthorized access to election equipment. Law enforcement and officials at Democratic Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel's office had a warrant and took a voting machine from Irving Township into custody, officials told CNN and The Epoch Times.

Voter Reference Foundation Director: 'Gov. Whitmer Is in Effect Suborning Voter Fraud'

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has a history of vetoing Republican-led legislation which strives to strengthen the security of the state's elections. Her most recent veto concerns information being added to voter ballots, which she claims to be restrictive. Gina Swoboda, executive director of the Voter Reference Foundation, criticized the veto.


Michigan Gov. Whitmer Will 'Fight Like Hell' to Protect Abortion Access

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said she’ll “fight like hell” to protect abortion access in Michigan. She responded Monday night to a leaked U.S. Supreme Court draft majority opinion from Politico claiming that the nation’s top court would overturn Roe v. Wade, which established abortion as a constitutional right.


Striking Similarities Between Two Michigan FBI Undercover Plots

The Federal Bureau of Investigation's two covert plans to convict Michigan militia accused of plotting to overthrow the government have failed so far but share striking similarities. In 2010, officers arrested nine Hutaree militia members for allegedly planning to kill a police officer and then bomb the funeral. But just two men pleaded guilty to weapons charges, and a judge acquitted the remaining seven defendants in 2012.


Whitmer Directs Michigan State Agencies to Spread Voting Information

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed an executive directive on Sunday ordering state agencies to spread information about how to register to vote. On Friday, Whitmer vetoed a bill that aimed to notify potential voters on on an absentee ballot application that it is a felony to vote more than once in the same election.


Lawyers Challenge Petition Signatures for Three Michigan GOP Governor Candidates

The Michigan Democratic Party and another group are challenging the petition signatures of three Michigan GOP gubernatorial challengers. Lawyers filed challenges against former Detroit police Chief James Craig, conservative commentator Tudor Dixon, and businessman Perry Johnson.


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