Latest news with #Biggs
Yahoo
18 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Knox County lessons about a trustworthy trustee
Several Knox County trustees have run into ethical difficulties over the last 25 years. (Photo of Old Knox County Courthouse: John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout) At a recent Knoxville Smokies baseball game, I had a brief but nice chat with Ed Shouse, former Knoxville City Council member, former Knox County Commissioner, and former Knox County Trustee. I congratulated him on being one of the few recent trustees not facing scandal. He chuckled, shook his head, and said, 'You've just got to remember it's not your money.' It is sage advice for anyone doing public service, especially in the trustee office, established in Knox County's charter for collecting property taxes, disbursing and accounting for county funds and investing money quickly and wisely to earn interest and profits for the county. We in Knox County like electing all sorts of administrative offices — register of deeds, county clerk, property assessor, even court clerks — but have experienced angst regarding a lot of recent trustees. A Knox News article noted that when current trustee Justin Biggs was elected in 2022, he hired several friends and gave them raises ranging from 30% to 71% — effectively expanding the office payroll from Shouse's time, 2014 to 2022, by nearly $400,000. Knox News also recently revealed how Biggs and his staff ride and travel in style, racking up travel expenses that well exceeded the county rate. In 2023 Biggs leased six new Ford Silverado 1500 pickup trucks equipped with four-wheel drive for which the county paid $397,968, about $200,000 more than what taxpayers pay for vehicles used by other county offices. GPS data, according to Knox News, shows trustee staff using county vehicles for personal use. Biggs says he has reimbursed the county $3,500 for excess expenses, though it is not clear if that is the total owed for all involved. The Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasurer is investigating. Any follow up to that investigation will be handled by Blount County's District Attorney. Biggs, anticipating tough questions from Knox County commissioners, skipped an appearance before the finance committee, instead sending an office legal assistant. He nevertheless is seeking re-election to his $164,904 a year job. Most of the Republican establishment has been keeping some distance from his campaign; many likely prefer his primary opponent, Register of Deeds Nick McBride. Former Knoxville Mayor Victor Ashe has called on Biggs to resign. Trustee shenanigans also likely affected our congressional delegation. From 2010 to 2013 our trustee was John Duncan, III, son and grandson of longtime congressmen John and Jimmy Duncan from Knox County. Most political wags thought the trustee gig was a stepping-stone to a third-generation run for Congress. Duncan, III, however, got in trouble by awarding bonuses for certification and training programs for himself and others on his staff; many of the courses had not actually been taken. Duncan, III resigned the day he pleaded guilty to felony misconduct in 2013; he received probation with an option for diversion. In 2014, a judge dismissed his case after he completed the diversion terms. The biggest trustee scandal was that surrounding Mike Lowe, serving as trustee from 1994 to 2007. Lowe pleaded guilty to two counts of felony theft related to 'ghost employees' — associates on the payroll who didn't work. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation said the scheme robbed county taxpayers of more than $750,000; the TBI also said these associates kicked back some of the money to Lowe. The former trustee, years after leaving office, also admitted to funneling title work to an associate who would overcharge the county, and give Lowe a cut of that, too. Lowe was sentenced to ten years in prison, but was behind bars for roughly seven months before the rest of his sentence was changed to supervised probation. Shouse ended 34 years of public service on Aug. 31, 2022. His eight years of integrity as trustee mirrored similar upstanding behavior in other public offices. When selecting a trustee or other position of trust, one good guide is to look for trustworthy behavior and proven integrity, someone who knows it's not his money, to use Shouse's words. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Newsweek
5 days ago
- Politics
- Newsweek
Democrats' Chances of Winning Arizona Governor Race
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A new poll indicates that Arizona's gubernatorial race is set to be close, with Democratic incumbent Governor Katie Hobbs holding slim leads over both of her potential Republican challengers, Karrin Taylor Robson and Representative Andy Biggs. According to a survey conducted by Noble Predictive from May 12-16 among 1,026 registered voters, Hobbs garners 41 percent support against Robson's 39 percent, with 17 percent still undecided. Against Biggs, Hobbs leads 40 percent to 38 percent, with the same proportion of undecided voters. The high percentage of undecided voters—17 percent in both matchups—indicates that the race remains anyone's to win. The survey had a margin of error of about ± 3 percentage points. Arizona Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs delivers her inaugural address at the state Capitol in Phoenix, Thursday, Jan. 5, 2023. Arizona Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs delivers her inaugural address at the state Capitol in Phoenix, Thursday, Jan. 5, 2023. Ross D. Franklin/AP Why It Matters Arizona's gubernatorial race will be one of the most closely watched elections of the 2026 midterms when Republicans are hoping to unseat incumbent Democratic Governor Katie Hobbs, who narrowly defeated Republican Kari Lake in the 2022 election. Arizona is a crucial swing state that backed President Donald Trump by nearly 6 points in the 2024 presidential race—his strongest showing of any swing state. What To Know The Republican primary has Karrin Taylor Robson leading the early field in the poll with 24 percent, followed by Biggs and conservative activist Charlie Kirk tied at 17 percent. However, Kirk has now withdrawn from the race and endorsed Biggs—a move likely to shift significant support to Biggs given Kirk's strong favorability among young voters, and Hispanic/Latino voters. "The moment Kirk stepped out and backed Biggs, the math changed. Biggs now has the opportunity to inherit a young, digital-savvy base that Kirk built, which could be decisive," David Byler, chief of research at NPI, said, noting that he could be getting an "army" of support from Kirk's organization, Turning Point USA. However, Trump endorsed both Biggs and Robson, which could complicate dynamics. "When Andy Biggs decided to run for Governor, quite unexpectedly, I had a problem — Two fantastic candidates, two terrific people, two wonderful champions, and it is therefore my Great Honor TO GIVE MY COMPLETE AND TOTAL ENDORSEMENT TO BOTH," Trump wrote on Truth Social. Nonetheless, Hobbs maintains the edge—at least for now. Hobbs, elected in 2022, enjoys a favorability rating of 49 percent, with 37 percent viewing her unfavorably, giving her a net positive rating of +12, a solid foundation for her reelection bid in a state that has trended increasingly competitive in recent years. Robson, who narrowly lost the 2022 GOP primary, is viewed slightly unfavorably (31-32, net -1), while Biggs, a member of Congress, has a net favorability of +4 (28-24). The NPI report also noted that Arizona's electorate is trending younger, more diverse, and more suburban—shifts that could favor Democrats if Hobbs successfully mobilizes these voters. Arizona continues to be a politically competitive state, with a Republican registration advantage. As of April 2025, Arizona's voter registration data indicates a Republican advantage of approximately 7.3 percentage points over Democrats. Specifically, 35.9 percent of registered voters are Republicans, while 28.6 percent are Democrats. Historical midterm trends often favor the party not currently holding the presidency, adding another layer of complexity to the race. Republican candidates have emphasized issues such as border security, tax policy, and loyalty to President Donald Trump—topics that polls show resonate with many Republican voters. What People Are Saying David Byler, chief of research at NPI, said: "The moment Kirk stepped out and backed Biggs, the math changed. Biggs now has the opportunity to inherit a young, digital-savvy base that Kirk built, which could be decisive. "TPUSA is a young person thing. Biggs could be getting more than an endorsement. He could be getting an army. "There's a lot of overlap between what Biggs supporters and Taylor-Robson supporters see in their preferred candidate. To me, that suggests that we are still extremely early in this race. Voters don't have well-formed opinions of either. Things are still fluid." Mike Noble, NPI Founder and CEO, said: "Katie Hobbs has a foundation, but not a fortress. With Republicans energized and the Trump factor still strong, this is shaping up to be a close and unpredictable race this early on." What Happens Next Arizona's gubernatorial primary will be held August 4, 2026, and the general election is slated for November 3, 2026. The Cook Political Report currently classifies the race as a pure tossup.
Scoop
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scoop
Art For Aotearoa: Oceania Retirement Village Residents Create Breathtaking Art For Charity Auction
In the lead-up to World Environment Day on Thursday, 5 June 2025, Oceania is proud to announce The Art of Conservation - an online charity auction featuring original artworks created by its residents, with all proceeds going to the New Zealand Nature Fund. Oceania residents across the country have been challenged to create art in line with the theme of environmental conservation - an issue that is deeply meaningful to residents. Julia Biggs, Oceania's Resident Experience Manager has been blown away by the art entered, saying, 'the sheer talent of our residents is absolutely incredible'. Now Oceania has selected the top original works which will be auctioned online, with funds supporting either the NZ Nature Fund's general conservation efforts or one of 23 targeted projects around Aotearoa, as chosen by each artist. 'Not only does this auction give us a chance to share this talent with the wider public, it gives us a chance to support a deeply important cause,' Biggs says. The initiative also reflects Oceania's commitment to the Five Ways to Wellbeing - a framework designed to support mental and emotional health through five evidence-based actions: Connect, Be Active, Take Notice, Keep Learning and Give. These principles are embedded into daily life across Oceania's villages and care centres, supporting residents to stay involved, active, and socially connected — all of which contribute to better mental health and overall wellbeing. 'We're proud to be part of the Art of Conservation auction, which beautifully bridges creativity and conservation,' says Sarah Lyttle, Chief Executive of The New Zealand Nature Fund. 'The funds raised will directly support our work to protect some of Aotearoa New Zealand's most at-risk native species and habitats. It's a visceral reminder that art has the power to both reflect the natural world, and help preserve it,' Lyttle adds. NZ Nature Fund is an independent charitable trust dedicated to halting biodiversity loss and restoring ecosystems across Aotearoa New Zealand. It has supported conservation efforts for over 20 years. The Art of Conservation auction will go live at 12pm on Thursday, 5 June. Anyone can take part, bid online, and support both local artists and the future of Aotearoa's natural environment. ABOUT OCEANIA: Oceania is a leading provider of aged care living and retirement living in New Zealand with over 35 sites and 3,900 residents across the country. Our purpose is to reimagine the retirement and aged care living experience through a human-centred approach, and we constantly challenge ourselves to deliver better for our residents and teams. Striving for better is in our DNA, but it is also something shared by our incredible residents. ABOUT NZ NATURE FUND: The NZ Nature Fund (formally NZ National Parks & Conservation Foundation) has been supporting conservation projects for the last 20 years. The NZ Nature Fund raises funds for projects that halt the decline, protect and fully restore Aotearoa New Zealand's wild places, strategically and at scale – establishing wilderness full of diverse and thriving eco-systems for generations to come. An independent charitable trust, our goal is to bring together conservation donors and investors who understand the urgency and are committed to achieving this turn around.
Newsweek
5 days ago
- Politics
- Newsweek
How Charlie Kirk Reshaped Arizona's Gubernatorial Race: Pollster
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Conservative commentator Charlie Kirk's recent endorsement of Representative Andy Biggs' campaign for governor in Arizona could have major implications for the GOP primary of the critical election, according to one pollster. Why It Matters Arizona's gubernatorial race will be one of the most closely watched elections of the 2026 midterms when Republicans are hoping to unseat incumbent Democratic Governor Katie Hobbs, who narrowly defeated Republican Kari Lake in the 2022 election. Arizona is a crucial swing state that backed President Donald Trump by nearly six points in the 2024 presidential race—his strongest showing of any swing state. A new poll from Noble Predictive Insights (NPI) points to a close race in the general election next November and suggests Kirk could have sway with some Republican primary voters. What to Know Kirk, who had been floated as a potential gubernatorial candidate for Republicans, endorsed Biggs earlier in May rather than running for the office himself. David Byler, Chief of Research at NPI, wrote in a poll report that his decision could boost the conservative congressman's campaign in a tight race. "The moment Kirk stepped out and backed Biggs, the math changed. Biggs now has the opportunity to inherit a young, digital-savvy base that Kirk built, which could be decisive," he said, noting that he could be getting an "army" of support from Kirk's organization, Turning Point USA. Charlie Kirk, a conservative commentator, speaks during a Turning Point USA event n West Palm Beach, Florida on July 26, 2024. Charlie Kirk, a conservative commentator, speaks during a Turning Point USA event n West Palm Beach, Florida on July 26, poll, conducted earlier in May but just released this week, showed Republican Karrin Taylor Robson leading the primary field with 24 percent. Biggs and Kirk followed, each receiving 17 percent support, while Treasurer Kimberly Yee received six percent of the vote. An additional 37 percent were still not sure how they would vote. Kirk and Yee have both passed on running since the poll was conducted. It surveyed 1,026 registered voters from May 12 to May 16, 2025, and had a margin of error of plus or minus 4.76 percentage points. Although it was rumored that Kirk could run, and he was included in early polls of the race, Kirk never made public comments indicating he planned to do so. The report noted that Biggs and Kirk shared an "ideological profile" and had "overlapping favorability," so many of Kirk's supporters may rally behind Biggs after the endorsement. Robson ran for governor in 2022 against Lake, positioning herself as a more mainstream conservative, but ultimately lost the primary after Trump backed Lake. The poll noted that she has advantages as well, including a fundraising lead and the highest net favorability among Republicans. In the general election, Hobbs held a slight lead over both Robson and Biggs, leading each by a 2-point margin. In a matchup against Robson, 41 percent said they'd back Hobbs and 39 percent Robson. When asked about the scenario where Biggs becomes the nominee, 38 percent said they'd vote for him compared to 40 percent who would back Hobbs. Newsweek reached out to each of the campaigns and Turning Point USA for comment via email and press contact form. What People Are Saying Mike Noble, NPI Founder & CEO, said in the poll report: "Katie Hobbs has a foundation, but not a fortress. With Republicans energized and the Trump factor still strong, this is shaping up to be a close and unpredictable race this early on." Trump wrote on social media after Biggs announced his run, endorsing both him and Robson in the primary: "When Andy Biggs decided to run for Governor, quite unexpectedly, I had a problem — Two fantastic candidates, two terrific people, two wonderful champions, and it is therefore my Great Honor TO GIVE MY COMPLETE AND TOTAL ENDORSEMENT TO BOTH." What Happens Next Arizona's gubernatorial primary will be held August 4, 2026, and the general election is slated for November 3, 2026. The Cook Political Report currently classifies the race as a pure tossup.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Oconee Co. deputy awarded prestigious honor, overcomes life threatening injury
OCONEE COUNTY, S.C. (WSPA) – A deputy who survived a life-threatening injury received an award from the National Association of Police Organizations on Wednesday. Family, local leaders, and law enforcement honored an Corporal Lucas Watts, who was shot in the line of duty. Watts was shot in November 2023 when trying to make a traffic stop. 'The night of the shooting, we were not 100% sure how else things were going to turn out, and we knew it didn't look good,' Watts said. 'It shows you that God has a way of deciding things that man does not decide.' Watts spent several months in the hospital, fighting for his life. On Wednesday, he stood in front of the crowd to receive a 'Top Cops' award, a prestigious honor from the National Association of Police Organizations. 'We've seen his little boy, Eli, running around today and that gives us hope,' said Congresswoman Sheri Biggs, Third Congressional District South Carolina. 'I know he was fighting hard to rehabilitate from his injuries to be here with his wife and his son. That speaks volumes about his love for his family.' Biggs presented Watts with a letter from Governor Henry McMaster, recognizing Watts' bravery. Biggs gave Watts a challenge coin. 'As a US congresswoman, I have my own challenge coins,' said Biggs. 'I try to save those for special occasions. Today is absolutely a special occasion as we celebrate his resiliency and ability to come through on this event.' Watts was also given a flag that was flown over the United States Capital. 'I hope that will signify why he did the work that he did and put himself out there in the line of duty to protect us,' said Biggs. 'I think if you take a look at Lucas as he's progressed from that day, every day, it just seems to me he's getting better and better,' Watts said. 'We're grateful for that. He's not only a brother who wears a blue uniform, as you saw today, but he's also a friend to all of us, actually more like family.' The Oconee County Sheriff's Office said Watts is still recovering. His family appreciates the love and support the community has shown for the past year and a half. 'The bottom line is that we just continue to support him, lift his family and his friends up in prayer and support,' said Watt. Last year, Watts was awarded the 'Governor's Law Enforcement Officer of the Year' award. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
