The Covenant School in Nashville and a group of its parents will join with the local government in arguing that records related to the <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/nashville-police-deny-daily-wires-request-for-trans-shooters-manifesto" target="_blank" rel="noopener">March shooting</a> in which a woman who claimed to be transgender killed six at the school should not be released.
Judge I&#8217;Ashea Myles permitted the groups to &#8220;intervene&#8221; in a public records lawsuit, according to The Associated Press. That pits them against journalists and a Republican state senator who want the records, including a &#8220;manifesto,&#8221; to be released as the state considers legislative remedies to prevent further tragedies.
An attorney for the parents, Eric Osborne, argued that the parents are victims who have a constitutional right to be free from harassment. But attorney Nicholas Barry, who represents the Tennessee Star newspaper, said state laws around how victims are treated in the criminal system have no bearing on the Tennessee Public Records Act, according to <a href="https://apnews.com/article/nashville-school-shooting-covenant-eb94f7bbc7bdebb149b3c4ebaead8d0f" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the AP</a>.
Attorney Robb Harvey, who represents two other plaintiffs, said the parents are not crime victims under the law and that their concerns are only speculative since they don&#8217;t know what&#8217;s contained in the records.
Metro Nashville Police Department Chief John Drake told Lee last month that he would release the records shortly before <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/nashville-police-refuse-to-release-school-shooters-manifesto-citing-pending-lawsuit" target="_blank" rel="noopener">backtracking</a> by citing the lawsuit over not releasing the records.
The school and Covenant Presbyterian Church said they fear that releasing some materials could put them at risk of another shooting, according to <a href="https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/2023/05/24/covenant-parents-intervene-lawsuit-records-judge-rules/70247784007/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the Tennessean newspaper</a>, which is also a party in the lawsuit seeking the records&#8217; release.
The parents, who entered the lawsuit using pseudonyms, also feared the release of the records would &#8220;further traumatize&#8221; their children, the Tennessean reported.
On Wednesday, Nashville&#8217;s legal department said in legal filings that it is invoking five different exemptions to public records laws, including that &#8220;there is an ongoing criminal investigation into the case.&#8221;
The police department denied The Daily Wire&#8217;s public records request on similar grounds, even though the perpetrator is dead after she was killed by police at the scene.
Republican state Sen. Todd Gardenhire is a party to the lawsuit, arguing that the materials need to be released because the public must understand the facts of the shooting before the legislature can craft legislative remedies. Governor Bill Lee has called the body to reconvene for a <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/conservatives-slam-tennessee-gov-lee-for-calling-special-session-after-lawmakers-reject-gun-bill" target="_blank" rel="noopener">special session in August</a> that is expected to focus on gun laws.
The plaintiffs did not oppose the church and school&#8217;s limited motions, but opposed the group of parents&#8217; motion, which went further, arguing that it will have a &#8220;chilling effect upon the exercise of fundamental First Amendment rights,&#8221; the Tennessean reported. The judge will consider arguments from the parties on June 8.
A spokesman for the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation told the AP that under state law, legislators <a href="https://apnews.com/article/nashville-school-shooting-covenant-eb94f7bbc7bdebb149b3c4ebaead8d0f" target="_blank" rel="noopener">could access</a> the records if a committee passes a resolution, but they have not done so. A spokeswoman for Lee told AP that the governor can also review the records under state law, but he has declined from doing so until police &#8220;provide clarity&#8221; on them for the public.

US-SHOOTING-SCHOOL-WEAPONS

Group Of Covenant School Parents Moves To Keep Records Secret

Gun Laws

Nashville

Red States

Tennessee

The Covenant School

Transgender

Conservative state lawmakers across the country on Wednesday slammed Tennessee Republican Gov. Bill Lee, saying he is pressuring the GOP-led state to adopt a &#8220;red flag&#8221; law by dragging lawmakers back to the Capitol for a &#8220;special session&#8221; after they ended their regular session without passing a gun bill.
The chairmen of all 11 chapters of the State Freedom Caucus Network, representing states such as Arizona, Idaho, Mississippi, and Montana, wrote that &#8220;Republicans in Tennessee already correctly rejected gun control legislation during their session and the Executive branch should respect those decisions made on behalf of their constituents.&#8221;
The out-of-state lawmakers were writing to support four Tennessee Republicans, led by Rep. Bryan Richey, who this week called on Lee to abandon the special session, which would start August 21.
&#8220;It is true that the Governor has the constitutional prerogative to call a special session. It is in our view wholly inappropriate to do so when the legislature, which has a supermajority of Members of the same political party as the Governor, has voted to adjourn,&#8221; they <a href="https://twitter.com/BryanRichey20/status/1661445804026994688/photo/1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">wrote</a>.
&#8220;Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson has flatly stated that &#8216;the Tennessee General Assembly will not pass any red flag law, period.&#8217; Accordingly, your proposed special session, apparently calculated to pressure legislators to pass such a law, strikes us as an expensive, disruptive, futile, and counter-productive publicity stunt,&#8221; the letter continued.
The lawmakers said the session would simply provide a forum for Left-wing activists to continue their disruption of the legislature. &#8220;Press reports indicate that left-wing activists are planning to use the proposed special session to state disruptive protests that will make the <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/white-house-will-host-tennessee-three-but-has-no-plans-to-invite-covenant-victims" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&#8216;Tennessee Three&#8217; circus</a> look like a dress rehearsal,&#8221; they said. &#8220;Why would you want to provide a platform for such political theatre?&#8221;
Some Republicans have said that something has to be done following the Covenant School shooting, where a gunwoman who identified as transgender killed three children and three adults.
But &#8220;the Covenant tragedy would not have been averted by a &#8216;red flag&#8217; law,&#8221; the letter said.
Conservatives said that the FBI and police&#8217;s concealment of the shooter&#8217;s manifesto has deprived lawmakers of knowing facts about the shooting necessary to craft a legislative solution.
Nashville Police Chief John Drake last month <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/nashville-police-refuse-to-release-school-shooters-manifesto-citing-pending-lawsuit" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reneged on a promise</a> he made to Lee to release the records &#8220;very soon,&#8221; with the police department claiming it could not release the documents because it was being sued for not releasing them.
John I. Harris III, the president of the Tennessee Firearms Association, previously told The Daily Wire that mental illness could be the cause of the shooting, but it could also be political terrorism committed by a sane person committed to an ideology.
“We’ve already seen three bills, a Democrat red flag bill that’s draconian, one the governor filed that we think is unconstitutional, and a third one that says if you’re taking a prescription for these ten medications, you can’t get the medications unless you sign a waiver saying you can’t purchase firearms,” Harris said.
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But the actual cause of the shooting could be more definitively known if police would simply release records, Harris said.
In a blog post, Harris <a href="https://tennesseefirearms.com/2023/05/bill-lees-insistence-on-a-red-flag-special-session-a-potential-benefit/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">wrote</a> that he had heard that Lee was &#8220;&#8216;inviting&#8217; legislators individually or in small groups to come meet with him&#8221; and that they could be told that they &#8220;might see their districts miss out on funding or improvements that the governor or the administration has the ability to control like grants, road projects, etc.&#8221; if they do not support his aims for the legislative session. But ultimately, any bills sponsored will have individual legislators&#8217; names on them, he said, noting that &#8220;next year, 2024, is an election year.&#8221;
Jade Byers, a spokeswoman for Lee, told The Daily Wire that &#8220;the Governor does not support red flag laws. His proposal is different from any law across the country and would strengthen Tennessee&#8217;s existing mental health order of protection law by supporting law enforcement, ensuring due process, requiring a high burden of proof, and strengthening mental health support.&#8221;
&#8220;We worked with the General Assembly to call a special session focused on ensuring public safety and preserving constitutional rights, and the Governor looks forward to discussing thoughtful proposals with lawmakers this August,&#8221; she said.
Lee said in a <a href="https://www.tn.gov/governor/news/2023/5/8/gov--lee-announces-special-session-on-public-safety-to-begin-august-21.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">statement</a> announcing the special session that “There is broad agreement that action is needed, and in the weeks ahead, we’ll continue to listen to Tennesseans and pursue thoughtful, practical measures that strengthen the safety of Tennesseans, preserve Second Amendment rights, prioritize due process protections, support law enforcement and address mental health.”
The State Freedom Caucus Network argues that states with Republican supermajorities have frequently had leaders that, unbeknownst to most voters, often <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/why-did-wyoming-kill-school-choice-deep-red-states-often-dont-act-like-it-data-shows" target="_blank" rel="noopener">capitulate to the Left</a>. A Daily Wire analysis found that the more Republicans a state had in its legislature, the more moderate those Republicans tended to act.
Andy Roth, the head of the Network, told The Daily Wire, &#8220;It’s unacceptable for any Republican to propose red flag laws, let alone in a conservative state like Tennessee.&#8221;
This story was updated to include a comment from Gov. Lee.

Three Tennessee Lawmakers Face Expulsion After Joining Gun Protest

Conservatives Slam Tennessee Gov. Lee For Calling Special Session After Lawmakers Reject Gun Bill

General

Politics

Governor <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/bill-lee">Bill Lee</a> (R-TN)  authorized Thursday the deployment of 100 <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/tennessee">Tennessee</a> National Guard troops to help secure the southern border in the wake of record-level crossings and illegal entries into the United States.
Lee joins other Republican governors, like Mississippi Governor <a href="https://apnews.com/article/mississippi-governor-mexico-border-national-guard-aff6a8741893ff40a1697eaaadf6e55f">Tate Reeves</a> and Florida Governor<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/florida-sends-800-soldiers-300-law-enforcement-officers-to-help-secure-u-s-border-in-texas"> Ron DeSantis</a>, in sending help to Texas Governor Greg Abbott, who has called on the Biden administration to take stronger measures to stop the flood of people crossing into the U.S. from Mexico. 
“America continues to face an unprecedented border crisis that threatens our nation’s security and the safety of Tennesseans,” Lee said in a statement obtained by The Daily Wire. “The federal government owes Americans a plan to secure our country, and in the meantime, states continue to answer this important call to service. I am again authorizing the Tennessee National Guard to help secure the Southern border, and I commend these troops for providing critical support.”
According to the governor’s office, the Tennessee troops will help patrol along the border, help with barrier placement, clear roads, and assist with outpost operations as part of Abbott’s “Operation Lone Star.” This is not the first time that Tennesseans have been sent to the border, as Lee also sent about 50 troops to the border in December 2021. 
“The men and women of the Tennessee National Guard are always ready to serve their country anywhere, anytime,” said Brigadier General Warner Ross, Tennessee’s Adjutant General. “These troops are a capable contingent that will continue our long-standing tradition of responding to the call to aid our fellow Americans. The Tennessee National Guard is proud to serve and support our state partners in safeguarding the United States along the U.S. Southern border.”
Illegal crossings at the border have remained high under President Joe Biden, whose administration <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/biden-heads-to-beach-after-shattering-all-time-record-with-83000-illegal-aliens-storming-border-in-1-week">saw the record</a> for most crossings in the days surrounding the expiration of Title 42, a Trump-era policy that allowed Border Patrol to turn away migrants based on COVID concerns. According to Border Patrol, roughly 83,000 people crossed the border the week that Title 42 ended. 
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Lee’s actions follow a joint statement from 24 Republican governors who called out the Biden administration for its policies at the border and in support of Abbott. 
“All states have suffered from the effects of deadly illegal drugs coming across the border, and every state is a border state due to the devastating influx of drugs in our communities. Republican governors are leading the way to address the border crisis by increasing fentanyl sentencing and increasing support for law enforcement interdiction of drugs, among other measures,” the governors <a href="https://www.rga.org/republican-governors-support-governor-abbotts-border-efforts/">said</a>. 
Drug deaths have been a particular focus for lawmakers as dangerous drugs have continued to be smuggled across the border. In Tennessee, the state’s bureau of investigation has raised alarm bells over drugs linked to Mexican cartels that<a href="https://fox17.com/news/local/tbi-warns-about-active-drug-cartels-operating-in-tennessee-mexico-fentanyl-drug-cartel-dea"> it says</a> are “very engaged in operations in Tennessee.”

US-MEXICO-IMMIGRATION-MIGRANTS

Gov. Bill Lee To Send Tennessee National Guard Troops To Combat ‘Unprecedented Crisis’ At The Border

Bill Lee

Greg Abbott

Illegal Immigration

Southern Border

Law enforcement officials in <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/tennessee">Tennessee</a> arrested 40-year-old Victor Rodriguez last week after he told them that he opened fire at a group of men who were allegedly trying to steal his car from outside his home.
The Shelby County Sheriff&#8217;s Office charged Rodriguez with one count of felony reckless endangerment with a deadly weapon after the incident last weekend. If convicted, he could face up to 6 years in prison.
Video of the incident showed several individuals &#8220;lurking around cars&#8221; outside of the home, Fox 13 Memphis <a href="https://www.fox13memphis.com/news/man-arrested-after-he-returns-fire-at-car-thieves-outside-of-his-shelby-county-home/article_cb42209a-f354-11ed-a2c9-b7e1f051cd76.html">reported</a>, adding that the suspected car thieves &#8220;used burglary tools and key fob programmers to get inside of a van outside the house.&#8221;
Surveillance cameras inside the family&#8217;s home notified them that their vehicle was in the process of being stolen when Rodriguez went outside to confront the suspects. The suspects fired multiple rounds at him before he fired back several times, according to security video. At least 28 shots were fired during the exchange.
His wife was baffled by law enforcement&#8217;s decision to charge her husband over the ordeal.
“When they were talking to him, from what I saw, it was like they were trying to find ways to charge him,” she said. “That doesn’t sound right. Why would you put pressure on the victim when you should put pressure for the suspects to be found.”
“Right now I’m just thankful that no bullets hit him or my daughters or myself,” she added.
Police say Rodriguez told them that he could not see what he was shooting at and that he even allegedly admitted to closing his eyes while shooting because he was scared, the report.
Rodriguez&#8217;s wife was upset that the suspects were not caught and were &#8220;probably sleeping or partying&#8221; while her &#8220;husband was in jail, trying to get released for something where he was innocent.”
She said that she was trying to convince her children that the area was still a safe place to live after the incident.
“For my girls and mom, it was like a movie. It was like we were in a movie,&#8221; she said. &#8220;When I first told them we were going back to the house, they were like, ‘No mommy, don’t do that to us.&#8217; They said, ‘Mommy, we do not want to stay there. What if they come back and get us?’”

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Police In Tennessee Arrest Man After He Defended His Property From Car Thieves

Crime

Shooting

U.S.

<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/tennessee" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Tennessee</a> Republican Governor <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/bill-lee" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bill Lee</a> signed a new bill into law Thursday that allows teachers in the Volunteer State to be free from mandatory union dues and increases pay for teachers. 
The law, known as the Teacher Paycheck Protection Act, stipulates that minimum teacher pay will be $50,000 a year by 2026 and that teachers unions cannot automatically deduct money from those paychecks. Teachers unions across the state have been criticized over political activism and lawmakers in the state have tried for years to remove the mandatory union fees. 
“We’re also making sure that teachers actually receive their well-deserved raises and that union membership dues are never automatically deducted from teacher paychecks. Teachers should have control over their hard-earned paycheck and taxpayer dollars should be used to educate students and not fund politics,” Lee said in a video first obtained by The Daily Wire. 
According to supporters of the legislation, the Tennessee Education Association (TEA), the state’s largest teacher union, <a href="https://www.thecentersquare.com/tennessee/article_a963767e-deda-11ed-8c7f-5752f74a3f78.html">gave over</a> half a million dollars to political candidates in 2018 and had over $9 million in revenue that same year. 
In recent years, TEA has waded into highly contested political issues, taking a <a href="https://www.influencewatch.org/labor-union/tennessee-education-association/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Left-leaning approach</a> on things from COVID policies to charter schools. The TEA opposed a 2021 law banning the teaching of Critical Race Theory in the classroom and has come out against legislation for charter schools.
During its passage through the General Assembly, the bill was backed by Americans for Prosperity Tennessee, a conservative group. It was sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson (R-Franklin) and House Majority Leader William Lamberth (R-Portland). 
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“Teachers are tasked with the incredibly important job of educating the next generation,” Johnson said in a statement. “This legislation recognizes the importance of teachers’ work by raising their pay and protecting their paychecks. It will also enhance the quality of our education system by helping attract and retain talented teachers.&#8221;
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The salary increases would be implemented gradually until teachers would get a base salary of $50,000 for the 2026-2027 school year. Lee described the increase in pay as “the largest pay raise in Tennessee history” for teachers, adding that it made Tennessee “a top ten state for teacher pay.”
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Sen. Bill Powers (R-Clarksville), another sponsor of the legislation, said that it would help &#8220;mitigate teacher shortages.&#8221;
Tennessee Republicans have also passed legislation this year that cracks down on the availability of obscene books available at schools across the state.

US-POLITICS-TRUMP-SENIORS-VIRUS-HEALTH

Tennessee Governor Bill Lee Signs Bill To Free Teachers From Union Dues, Raise Teacher Salaries

Education

Teachers Unions

<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/tennessee" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Tennessee</a> House Republicans have sent a letter to the <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/nashville" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Nashville</a> chief of police asking for the release of the writings and toxicology reports for the trans-identifying shooter who killed six people at a Christian school in March. 
Republicans at the state House, led by House Speaker Cameron Sexton and House Republican Caucus Chair Jeremy Faison, sent the letter on Monday saying the information is vital to understanding the killer&#8217;s motives before a special session called by Republican Governor <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/bill-lee" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bill Lee</a>. 
&#8220;In order for this special session to be successful, it is paramount we understand the behavior and motives of the Covenant School perpetrator,” the letter says. “We respectfully request the release of the perpetrator’s writings as well as relevant medical records and toxicology reports.”
The letter, addressed to Chief John Drake, began by thanking Metro Nashville Police Department for its response to the mass shooting, which killed three 9-year-old students and three staff members. 
“We are united in our shared common goal and duty to protect the safety and well-being of Tennesseans. The release of these records is critical to the General Assembly’s ability to construct effective solutions that can prevent future acts of violence. The citizens of this state and their elected representatives must have adequate time to review them,” the letter, signed by 66 Republican representatives, says. 
Lee, who signed a $230 million bill that increases funding for school safety measures last week, has called a special session for August 21 to review potential gun legislation. The <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/gov-bill-lee-calls-on-legislature-to-pass-red-flag-law-signs-exec-order-intensifying-gun-background-checks" target="_blank" rel="noopener">governor has asked</a> for a type of “red flag” law that he has referred to as “an order of protection law.” 
Republicans in the state assembly have so far resisted calls for red flag-style legislation, arguing that those policies infringe on <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/second-amendment" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Second Amendment</a> rights. GOP lawmakers have also said they would like more details on the shooter’s motive before considering any legislation. 
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“The perpetrator of these horrific acts murdered six Christians and Tennesseans have demanded we take action,” Faison said Monday. “If we hope to pass meaningful legislation that effectively deters this kind of targeted attack, we must have all the facts to make informed decisions.”
Nashville police have refrained from releasing the killer&#8217;s manifesto, citing pending legal action. A Davidson County judge <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/us/nashville-covenant-school-shooters-unredacted-manifesto-given-judge-ahead-public-hearing-report" target="_blank" rel="noopener">was given</a> an unredacted copy on Friday to review.

Six Killed In Mass Shooting At A Private School In Nashville

TN House Republicans Ask For Release Of Nashville Shooter’s Toxicology Report, Writings

TN House Republicans Ask For Release Of Nashville Shooter's Toxicology Report, Writings

Mass Shooting

Republicans

School Shooting

Recording artist <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/taylor-swift">Taylor Swift</a> didn’t let a torrential downpour stop her from performing in <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/nashville">Nashville</a>.
The “Midnight Rain” singer had to delay her <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/music">concert</a> at Nissan Stadium on Sunday night due to lightning strikes in the downtown area, which meant the show didn’t begin until after 10 p.m. and concluded after 1:30 a.m., per a Variety <a href="https://variety.com/2023/music/news/taylor-swift-nashville-rain-lightning-concert-delay-1235605928/">report</a>. Swift kept playing even as the rain fell.
One hour ahead of the scheduled concert time, announcements appeared on big screens and social media warning attendees to shelter in place or stay in their cars if they had not gone inside yet. That warning remained from around 5:30 until around 9:45.
Most of the 70,000 concertgoers stayed for the late show even though they all got soaked. The outlet described the general mood of the crowd as “delirious.” 
“It’s officially a rain show,” the “Shake It Off” composer told the crowd when the skies opened up during her performance. But rather than ending the concert early, Swift kept playing and making jokes.
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taylor alison swift. god of thunder and lightning. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NashvilleTSTheErasTour?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NashvilleTSTheErasTour</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TSThe?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TSThe</a> <a href="https://t.co/XT7Hhb7S7u">pic.twitter.com/XT7Hhb7S7u</a>
&mdash; Alexandra || {Taylor’s Version} (@alltooswiftly13) <a href="https://twitter.com/alltooswiftly13/status/1655450354983510016?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 8, 2023</a></blockquote>
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“This is something we’re all doing together. It’s like such a bonding experience,” she said during the “Red” portion of her “Eras”-themed show. “We’re all gonna leave here tonight looking like we just went through five car washes… People will be like, ‘Where were you? Several wars?’ And you’re like, ‘No, I just went to the Eras Tour. It’s fine.&#8217;”
At almost 1 a.m. Swift began her “surprise songs” portion of the performance, Variety noted. The National singer Aaron Dessner joined Swift onstage to perform the “Midnights” bonus track “Would’ve, Could’ve, Should’ve.” He was soaking wet as well.
“You guys have been through a lot tonight,” Swift told the crowd. “We all look like we were sprayed by a garden hose. We all look like river otters.” 
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The “Love Story” composer said of Dessner, “He was warned about the rain and he did accept the challenge anyway. Don’t worry about us, we’ve talked about this. We knew this was a possibility. Your hair is gonna look just as good as mine pretty soon.”
Dessner replied, “I was lucky to see other shows on this tour, but in the rain it’s even better.” 
At the end of the show, Swift instructed fans to “make some noise for my phenomenal dancers who danced in the rain for you all night. … The fact that you stayed for us, that you gave us everything you had — we love you so much, Nashville. We will never forget this night.”

Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift Performs Nashville Concert In Pouring Rain After Storm Delay: ‘We All Look Like River Otters’

Taylor Swift Performs Nashville Concert In Pouring Rain After Storm Delay

Entertainment

Music

This article is adapted from today’s Morning Wire Afternoon Update. To listen to the podcast version, click <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/podcasts/morning-wire" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>.
Debt Ceiling Bill Passes House
Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/gop-led-house-passes-mccarthys-plan-to-raise-debt-limit" target="_blank" rel="noopener">mustered</a> enough support for the GOP-led House to pass a debt ceiling plan late on Wednesday. The move cranks up pressure on the White House to negotiate a deal before a potential unprecedented default in June. The legislation would suspend the debt limit until it rises by $1.5 trillion or until March 31, 2024 — whichever comes first — in exchange for a host of government spending cuts. Four Republicans opposed the bill, while three other members abstained. During a press conference after the vote, McCarthy dared Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) to put an alternative debt ceiling plan to a vote and the speaker challenged President Joe Biden to agree to talks.
DOJ Sues Tennessee
The Department of Justice sued Tennessee on Wednesday <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/doj-sues-tennessee-to-reverse-ban-on-trans-treatment-for-minors" target="_blank" rel="noopener">over a state law</a> prohibiting transgender hormone treatments and surgeries for minors. 
The DOJ claims Tennessee’s ban on sex-change treatments for minors violates the Equal Protection Clause. In a <a href="https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-challenges-tennessee-law-bans-critical-medically-necessary-care">statement</a> Wednesday, the Department argued that the law discriminates against “transgender youth” diagnosed with gender dysphoria by blocking sex-change treatments for them “while allowing non-transgender minors access to the same or similar procedures.” Tennessee Republican Governor Bill Lee called the move “federal overreach at its worst.” 
In a statement to The Daily Wire, Governor Lee said: “Tennessee is committed to protecting children from permanent, life-altering decisions.” Lee <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/tennessee-ban-gender-affirming-care-trans-youth-drag-shows/">signed</a> the bill into law in March, but it is not scheduled to take effect until July.
State Department Says It Can&#8217;t Evacuate Americans In Sudan
The U.S. State Department says that it is simply too dangerous to attempt to evacuate the 16,000 Americans left behind in Sudan, as fighting and conflict in the African nation continues. While U.S. diplomatic staff have been rescued from the country, thousands more have been advised to shelter in place or leave on their own accord.
The notice comes as other countries such as France, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom, Spain, Holland, and more have been able to facilitate travel for their nationals. At least two U.S. citizens have been killed in Sudan over the past couple of weeks.
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Oil Tanker Seized By Iran
The U.S. Navy confirmed Thursday that Iran has seized a foreign oil tanker flying under the Marshall Islands flag in the Gulf of Oman, Fox News <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/world/iran-seizes-ship-gulf-of-oman-us-navy-says" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reported</a>. The oil tanker Advantage Sweet issued a distress call during the seizure, and the U.S. Navy&#8217;s 5th Fleet also reports that &#8220;Iran&#8217;s actions are contrary to international law and disruptive to regional security and stability.&#8221; The vessel was taken by Iranian forces after leaving Kuwait for its journey to Houston, Texas. Now, the U.S. is demanding that Iran release the tanker immediately.
Southern Border Rally
A Texas rally planned for this weekend seeks to put pressure on officials to take action on the crisis at the southern border. According to organizers of the “How Many More” rally, people will gather at the Texas State Capitol in Austin on Saturday to demand that elected officials declare an invasion at our southern border and define Mexican cartels as terrorist organizations.
Bacterial Outbreak Kills 4 In Seattle
Four patients at a downtown Seattle hospital are dead <a href="https://www.ajmc.com/view/what-we-re-reading-diabetes-drug-for-weight-loss-8-year-drug-shortage-bacterial-outbreak-claims-4-lives" target="_blank" rel="noopener">in connection</a> to an outbreak of a bacteria often found in health care settings. According to a hospital statement Wednesday, there have so far been 31 infections associated with Klebsiella. Hospital officials say the source of transmission remained under investigation.
Jerry Springer Dead
The “King of daytime TV” Jerry Springer is <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/iconic-talk-show-host-jerry-springer-dead-at-79" target="_blank" rel="noopener">dead at the age of 79</a>. The controversial TV personality is best known for hosting the syndicated talk show “The Jerry Springer Show” for 27 years. On it, guests often appeared to discuss wild topics and frequently got into fights onstage. A family spokesperson told TMZ that Springer was fighting a “brief illness” and died at his home in the Chicago area. An unnamed source told the outlet that Springer was diagnosed with cancer a few months ago.
To listen to the audio version of this podcast, <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/morning-wire/id1576594336" target="_blank" rel="noopener">click here</a>. And for more in-depth discussion of the biggest stories of the day, listen to the latest full episode of Morning Wire every morning.

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Thursday Afternoon Update: Americans Abandoned In Sudan, Jerry Springer Dead, DOJ Sues Tennessee

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<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/tennessee" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Tennessee</a> officials responded to the <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/doj-sues-tennessee-to-reverse-ban-on-trans-treatment-for-minors" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Biden administration&#8217;s lawsuit against</a> the state over its law banning transgender hormone treatments and surgeries for minors, promising to fight to uphold the law and stand up for children. 
Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti said that the state would “vigorously” fight to keep the law in place. “The federal government has joined the ACLU and an elite New York law firm in attacking a bipartisan law that protects children from irreversible harm. I welcome the opportunity to litigate these issues and vigorously defend Tennessee’s laws,” Skrmetti said in a statement.
Republican Governor Bill Lee said that the suit was an example of the overreach of the federal government.
“Tennessee is committed to protecting children from permanent, life-altering decisions. This is federal overreach at its worst, and we will work with Attorney General Skrmetti to push back in court and stand up for children,” he said.
Majority Leader William Lamberth (R-Portland), the representative who introduced the bill in the House, said that the suit did not come as a surprise, but that the state would continue to fight back against transgender ideology.
“This attack from President Biden&#8217;s radical left administration is not unexpected. Under no circumstance will Tennessee allow a child to undergo a procedure that destroys their normal, healthy development into adulthood. We will continue to fight back against this cruel ideology that irreversibly harms children. Gender dysphoria is a mental health disorder that should be treated with love and understanding, therapy, and other appropriate interventions,” Lamberth said in a statement obtained by The Daily Wire.
According to the DOJ, Tennessee’s ban on transgender treatments for minors violates the Equal Protection Clause. The law discriminates against “transgender youth” diagnosed with gender dysphoria, blocking transgender treatments for them “while allowing non-transgender minors access to the same or similar procedures,” the DOJ claims.
Lee <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/tennessee-ban-gender-affirming-care-trans-youth-drag-shows/">signed</a> the bill into law in March, but it is not scheduled to take effect until July. After July 1, it will bar doctors from giving patients puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, and transgender surgery if they are under the age of 18. The bill received bipartisan support in the state legislature.
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Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) also condemned the lawsuit. “We are trying to protect children from a radical left agenda that has permanent &amp; irreversible consequences for our children’s health and well-being,” she said. “It is a gross federal overreach for Biden’s DOJ to try to override the state’s judgment about how best to protect kids.”

Surgeon picking up surgical tool from tray

Tennessee Officials Sued By Biden Hit Back With Promise To Fight Child Sex-Change Push

Tennessee Officials Respond To DOJ Lawsuit, Promise To Fight Back Against 'Cruel Ideology' Targeting Children

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The <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/department-of-justice" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Department of Justice</a> sued <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/tennessee" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Tennessee</a> on Wednesday over a state law prohibiting transgender hormone treatments and surgeries for minors.
Tennessee’s ban on sex-change treatments for minors violates the Equal Protection Clause, the DOJ said in a <a href="https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-challenges-tennessee-law-bans-critical-medically-necessary-care" target="_blank" rel="noopener">statement</a>. The law discriminates against “transgender youth” diagnosed with gender dysphoria, blocking sex-change treatments for them “while allowing non-transgender minors access to the same or similar procedures.”
“No person should be denied access to necessary medical care just because of their transgender status,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke, who leads the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division. “The right to consider your health and medically-approved treatment options with your family and doctors is a right that everyone should have, including transgender children, who are especially vulnerable to serious risks of depression, anxiety and suicide. The Civil Rights Division of the Justice Department will continue to aggressively challenge all forms of discrimination and unlawful barriers faced by the LGBTQI+ community.”
Tennessee Republican Governor Bill Lee hit back at President Joe Biden&#8217;s DOJ in a statement to The Daily Wire: “Tennessee is committed to protecting children from permanent, life altering decisions. This is federal overreach at its worst, and we will work with Attorney General Skrmetti to push back in court and stand up for children.”
Lee <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/tennessee-ban-gender-affirming-care-trans-youth-drag-shows/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">signed</a> the bill into law in March, but it is not scheduled to take effect until July. After July 1, it will bar doctors from giving patients puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, and transgender surgery if they are under the age of 18. The bill received bipartisan support in the state legislature.
&#8220;These children do not need these medical procedures to be able to flourish as adults,&#8221; said House Majority Leader William Lamberth (R) at the time. &#8220;They need mental health treatment. They need love and support, and many of them need to be able to grow up to become the individuals that they were intended to be.&#8221;
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In conjunction with the law banning sex-change treatment and procedures, Lee also <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/tennessee-gov-signs-bills-protecting-children-from-sex-change-procedures-drag-shows">signed</a> the first state ban on holding sexually explicit drag shows in public or in an area where children could see them. Violators would be hit with a misdemeanor, while repeat violators may be charged with a felony.
“The bill defines an ‘adult cabaret performance’ to mean a performance in a location other than an adult cabaret that features topless dancers, go-go dancers, exotic dancers, strippers, male or female impersonators who provide entertainment that appeals to prurient interest, or similar entertainers, regardless of whether or not performed for consideration,” according to the bill’s <a href="https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/BillInfo/Default.aspx?BillNumber=SB0003&amp;ga=113">summary</a>.

DOJ Sues Tennessee To Reverse Ban On Trans Treatments For Minors

DOJ Sues Tennessee To Reverse Ban On Trans Treatment For Minors

This article is adapted from today’s Morning Wire Afternoon Update. To listen to the podcast version, click <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/podcasts/morning-wire" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>.
Tucker Carlson Out At Fox
Primetime host <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/breaking-tucker-carlson-out-at-fox-news-channel" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Tucker Carlson</a> is out effective immediately at Fox News. The network announced his departure Monday morning in a press release, stating that his last show was last Friday. This comes on the heels of the network also parting ways with another popular personality, Dan Bongino. Carlson was by far the top cable news host, drawing nearly 3.5 million viewers per night. His exit follows Fox News settling a $787 million lawsuit with Dominion over 2020 election claims. 
Don Lemon Out At CNN
In other media news, <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/cnn-finally-fact-checks-don-lemon-but-only-after-hes-been-fired" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Don Lemon</a> is also now out at CNN.  In a tweet Monday, the morning show anchor said, “After 17 years at CNN I would have thought that someone in management would have had the decency to tell me directly.” Lemon went on to say “It is clear that there are some larger issues at play.” Lemon says he was informed of his termination by his agent. In response, the <a href="https://twitter.com/CNNPR/status/1650545115897769985?s=20">network released a statement saying</a> that his comments were “inaccurate” and that Lemon was “offered an opportunity to meet with management but instead released a statement on Twitter.” 
U.S. Evacuating Americans From Sudan
The United States has begun <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/biden-admin-says-total-number-of-americans-left-in-sudan-unknown" target="_blank" rel="noopener">facilitating</a> the departure of private U.S. citizens in Sudan who want to leave. According to White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan, the U.S. has placed intelligence assets over the land evacuation route to help facilitate safe travel by land from Khartoum to the Port of Sudan. Here’s Sullivan in today’s White House Press briefing:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
&quot;This happens from time to time&quot;: National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan says evacuations of U.S. embassies — which has happened three times under Biden — aren&#39;t unusual <a href="https://t.co/PezPkLC48n">pic.twitter.com/PezPkLC48n</a>
&mdash; RNC Research (@RNCResearch) <a href="https://twitter.com/RNCResearch/status/1650555373735284737?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 24, 2023</a></blockquote>
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Chicago Teens Who Killed Baby With Stolen Car Get Misdemeanor Charges
Charges were announced yesterday in the case of two Chicago teens who allegedly crashed a stolen vehicle into another car, killing a six-month-old baby. The alleged car thieves, who were 14 and 17 years old, slammed into the vehicle after blowing through an intersection. In addition to the death of the child, three passengers, aged 34, 17, and seven years old, were treated at a nearby hospital, <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/us/chicago-teens-charged-misdemeanor-stealing-car-causing-crash-killed-bady-hurt-others" target="_blank" rel="noopener">according</a> to Fox News. The teens responsible received only misdemeanor charges.
Biden Welcomes &#8216;Tennesee Three&#8217; To 
President Joe Biden <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2023/04/24/politics/biden-tennessee-lawmakers-white-house/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">welcomed</a> to the White House today the three Tennessee lawmakers who faced expulsion for their role in gun-control protests on the statehouse floor. The statehouse protest took place days after the shooting at a private Christian school in Nashville where three children and three adults were killed. The three lawmakers — Representatives Justin Pearson, Justin Jones, and Gloria Johnson — approached the front of the House chamber with a bullhorn as protesters filled the galleries.
Bud Light Shake-Up Continues
Additionally, Anheuser-Busch has <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/anheuser-busch-places-another-top-marketing-executive-on-leave-after-bud-light-transgender-controversy" target="_blank" rel="noopener">placed</a> another top marketing executive on leave after Bud Light ignited controversy over its decision to partner with transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney for a paid marketing engagement. 
Daniel Blake, who is in charge of marketing for the company’s mainstream brands, has been placed on leave following the Mulvaney incident. Blake is the boss of Bud Light Vice President of Marketing Alissa Heinerscheid, who was also placed on leave last week. After the controversy erupted with Mulvaney, a video surfaced of <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/bud-light-marketing-vp-talks-about-updating-fratty-image-with-inclusivity-before-mulvaney-partnership">remarks</a> that Heinerscheid made during a recent podcast in which she said she had a mandate to move the brand toward more “inclusivity.”
To listen to the audio version of this podcast, <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/morning-wire/id1576594336" target="_blank" rel="noopener">click here</a>. And for more in-depth discussion of the biggest stories of the day, listen to the latest full episode of Morning Wire every morning.

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Grammy-winning singer Lizzo protested a new Tennessee law intended to protect children from sexually explicit “adult cabaret” performances, otherwise known as drag shows, by featuring a group of drag queens on stage at her all-ages Knoxville concert on Friday.
During her performance at the Knoxville at Thompson-Boling Arena, which kicked off the second leg of The Special 2our last weekend, Lizzo featured several performers who were alumni of Ru Paul’s Drag Race, including Aquaria, Vanessa Vanjie, Asia O’Hara, Kandy Muse.
“In light of recent and tragic events and current events, I was told by people on the internet, ‘Cancel your shows in Tennessee,’ ‘Don’t go to Tennessee,’” Lizzo <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CrU0CndvWV1/">said</a> during her performance, which kicked off her second leg of The Special 2our tour on Friday in Knoxville at Thompson-Boling Arena. “Their reason was valid, but why would I not come to the people who need to hear this message the most?”
Lizzo’s beef with the law comes after the Tennessee General Assembly voted this year to protect children from sexually explicit performances, which bans adults from impersonating the opposite sex in public or near where children could see it while appealing to prurient interests — that is, engaging in a sexually suggestive performance.
“Why would I not create a safe space in Tennessee where we can celebrate drag entertainers and celebrate our differences?” Lizzo <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CrWHQziuqMc/">said</a>.
“What people in Tennessee are doing is giving hope, so thank you so much for standing up for your rights, protecting each other, and holding the people accountable who should be protecting us.”
In the last year, footage has emerged from around the country, including in Texas, that has appeared to show children present at sexually explicit drag shows, prompting some lawmakers to introduce legislation.
Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson (R-Franklin) told The Daily Wire that he would introduce a law to protect children from “sexually explicit” performances last year. 
“I think we would all agree that some of the video we have seen recently of some of these drag shows that were quote-unquote family-friendly were anything but that,” Johnson said. “And if I had attended one of those with my kids, I would have been mortified, and I would have wanted someone to be prosecuted for engaging in that kind of entertainment in front of my kids.” 
The law came before Parker after Friends of George’s, a self-described “LGBTQ theatre company” based in Memphis, filed a suit challenging the law. Several upcoming shows by the company include “Drag Rocks” and “The Dragnificent Variety Show: The Gay Ole Opry.”
Following the state’s Republican Gov. Bill Lee signing the legislation into law, a federal judge in Tennessee issued a temporary injunction against the law, saying it was too vague and a potential violation of the First Amendment.
Democrat Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy told The Associated Press that he does not mind that the judge placed an injunction on the law. 
“There has been much concern and confusion about the law from the community,” he <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/judge-blocks-tennessee-law-protecting-children-from-viewing-sexually-explicit-performances">said</a>. “This will allow the court to clarify the scope, application, and constitutionality of the statute. It’s important to understand the scope of this law so that it doesn’t have a harmful effect on constitutionally protected expression.” 

 Leif Le Mahieu contributed to this report.

Concert musician Lizzo

Lizzo Showcases Several Drag Queens During All-Ages Tennessee Concert, Protesting New State Law Restricting ‘Adult Cabaret’ Performances In Front Of Children

Lizzo Showcases Several Drag Queens During All-Ages Tennessee Concert, Protesting New State Law Restricting 'Adult Cabaret' Performances From Children

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