Latest news with #TheDailyNewsJournal
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Death of 6-month-old baby ties to immigration, emergency service concerns in La Vergne
La Vergne Police Chief Christopher Moews suspects deportation fears might have contributed to a delay in emergency calls related to the death of a 6-month-old baby around Easter. Moews learned about the death of the child April 12 and planned a town hall meeting for May 21 at Community Church in La Vergne to communicate with the city's Hispanic population about emergency services. "Nobody wants another dead 6-month-old baby," said Moews, a second-year chief. "We're here to help people." The child's death and planning for the town hall happened about three weeks prior to reports that U.S. Immigration and Customs agents had arrived in Rutherford County to apprehend people for possible deportation, Moews said. The baby's death remains under investigation and involved a male caretaker who noticed the child was not breathing and didn't call 911 for help. The caretaker's girlfriend arrived and did call 911, Moews said. The male caretaker "was in the country illegally," Moews said. Immigration issues: ICE says nearly 200 immigrants arrested in Nashville during recent operations Moews urged residents during the recent town hall to not be fearful to call 911 if faced with an emergency no matter their immigration status. "We are trying to encourage people to call the police and not be afraid," Moews told The Daily News Journal May 27. About 30 people attended the town hall at Community Church on Old Nashville Highway in La Vergne, Moews said. The church sign touts worship services in English, Creole, Spanish, Nigerian and Arabic. The chief said the turnout might have been stronger had there not been recent reports about ICE agents being in Rutherford County. New law enforcement leadership: La Vergne offers police chief job to Milwaukee police Capt. Christopher Moews Among those who attended the town hall for people concerned with ICE operations is Rutherford County Commissioner Hope Oliver, D-La Vergne. "It's sad," Oliver told The Daily News Journal May 27. "That's what's going on under the current administration. I think it's just domestic terrorism." Oliver represents District 1 in north La Vergne and is one of two elected Democrats on the 21-member county commission that also includes 16 Republicans and three independents. 2022 election results: 21-member Rutherford County Commission will see new faces with 9 elected officials Tennessee Department of Correction spokeswoman Sarah Gallagher confirmed to The Daily News Journal May 8 that ICE agents apprehended people in Rutherford. "In a coordinated effort to increase public safety, 14 individuals were detained by ICE agents at TDOC's Probation/Parole Office in Murfreesboro this week," Gallagher said. "TDOC will continue to uphold the law, and partner with state and federal agencies to support ICE operations as needed." The town hall event in La Vergne also followed ICE operations conducted May 2-10 in Nashville that resulted in nearly 200 arrests during a joint operation between the Tennessee Highway Patrol and ICE. ICE officials have not confirmed if any of those arrested during the May THP stops come from cities outside of Nashville. May 7 report on raids: Nashville ICE agency says 84 arrested since May 3 in operation with THP In a May 9 social media post, the La Vergne Police Department said it did not participate with law enforcement on immigration enforcement. "While we did become aware today that other agencies have been conducting enforcement operations within city limits, we have not been contacted or included in those efforts," the department said in a statement on Facebook. "We remain committed to transparency, community trust, and serving all residents of La Vergne with fairness and professionalism. If you have questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to reach out." ICE operation in Nashville: Traffic stops with THP lead to arrests. Here's what to know Moews told the town hall audience that the city's police force is not partnering with ICE on apprehending people unlawfully present. The La Vergne police force, however, will follow Tennessee law and notify ICE if officers learn about any immigrants in the city without legal status to be in the country, Moews said. "We're stuck in the middle," Moews said. "We have to provide service to the whole community, but we have to abide in the law." Officers making traffic stops for speeding do not typically ask for immigration status, said Moews, who has served in law enforcement since 1994 in Wisconsin for most of his career before accepting his chief position in La Vergne in August 2023. "I have personally done thousands of traffic stops, and I can't recall a single one where I asked about someone's immigration status," Moews said. UPDATE: Detectives seek witness of shooting death of man in car on I-24 near Waldron Road La Vergne Mayor Jason Cole also attended the town hall. "You had people there who were concerned about themselves or their neighbors, and you had people there who were actually trying to find out what the actual letter of the law is," Cole told The Daily News Journal May 27. "Chief Moews put it simply. We enforce the law." Cole promised to attend the town hall provided that his flight home would arrive on time after promoting his city to businesses at the International Council of Shopping Centers event at the Las Vegas Convention Center May 18-20. "I'm supportive of listening to our residents and responding appropriately," Cole said. "The residents of La Vergne put me and the rest of the (La Vergne Board of Mayor and Aldermen in elected office) to listen to them. To not listen or respond accordingly, would be a betrayal of their trust." Mayor Cole also said he's never been asked about his status as a lawful citizen whenever he's been pulled over by police. Election 2018: La Vergne Alderman Jason Cole tops incumbent Dennis Waldron in mayor's race Reach reporter Scott Broden with news tips or questions by emailing him at sbroden@ To support his work with The Daily News Journal, sign up for a digital subscription. Reach reporter Craig Shoup by email at cshoup@ and on X @Craig_Shoup. To support his work, sign up for a digital subscription to This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: La Vergne community fears baby's death lead to immigration concerns
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Demonstrate for Democracy plans 'People's Filibuster' against Trump admin in Murfreesboro
Demonstrate for Democracy organizers will hold a 25-hour "People's Filibuster" to protest President Donald Trump's administration in Murfreesboro May 1. The event will start at 7 a.m. May 1 and end by 8 a.m. May 2 on the public sidewalk along Medical Center Parkway, organizer Lora Hortert of Murfreesboro said. The demonstrators will be near the Murfreesboro office of Republican U.S. Rep. Scott DesJarlais located in the Fountains at Gateway office, residential, restaurant and retail development, Hortert said. "We strongly feel this president is violating the U.S. Constitution," Hortert said. 'I think it's asinine': Federal job cuts concern VA Murfreesboro patient, park service visitor at Stones River National Battlefield and cemetery The demonstrators have concerns about the constitutionality of deportations of immigrants who are "entitled to due process," Hortert said. Courts should determine if immigrants can be lawfully removed or permitted to stay legally in the United States of America, suggested Hortert, who has worked as a 17-year paralegal and earned a bachelor's degree in political science at Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro. Previous demonstration: Protesters of Trump plan Murfreesboro 'Stop the Coup March for Democracy' April 5 The demonstrators also want DesJarlais, serving District 4 including Rutherford County, and other members of Congress to use their separation of powers authority to challenge the president. "They have the power to check him," Hortert said. The Daily News Journal reached out to DeJarlais office's spokesman Alex Swisher Monday for comment. DesJarlais offered a recent comment to The Daily News Journal pertaining to the Trump administration decision to revoke visas of six MTSU international students. 'President Trump is fulfilling his promise to fix our broken immigration system," DesJarlais said. "There are a myriad of reasons why a student visa may be canceled, and the American people hired President Trump to enforce the law − something the previous administration did not do.' Immigration issues: MTSU student body president, US Rep. DesJarlais speak out about 6 student visas being revoked Participants of the People's Filibuster will start with a couple of short speeches, Hortert said, before reading out loud the nation's founding documents. Readings will include the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, the Bill of Rights and other amendments to the Constitution, the oath of office of Congress members, and the Federalist Papers that are essays written by three of the leaders who joined others in crafting the Constitution: James Madison, Alexander Hamilton and John Jay. The idea for the People's Filibuster came from the recent 25-hour filibuster of U.S. Sen. Cory Booker, a Democrat from New Jersey, in protest of Trump's administration, Hortert said. MTSU Constitution Day: Former VP Mike Pence defends certifying Biden's victory in 2020 Hortert has about 30 participants committed to read in the People's Filibuster so far. "We're hoping to get up to 50," Hortert said. Those interested can email demonstratedemocracy@ or call Hortert at 615-995-9845. She and her 22-year-old daughter, Rachel Hortert, are the main organizers of the People's Filibuster. The organizers also have a Demonstrate for Democracy Facebook page for more information. This is a developing story. Free speech scholar Nadine Strossen: Rutherford County school board violates law by removing Pulitzer Prize winning novel, "Beloved,' and other books Reach reporter Scott Broden with news tips or questions by emailing him at sbroden@ To support his work with The Daily News Journal, sign up for a digital subscription. This article originally appeared on Murfreesboro Daily News Journal: Demonstrators plan 'People's Filibuster' against Trump in Murfreesboro
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Demonstrate for Democracy plans 'People's Filibuster' against Trump admin in Murfreesboro
Demonstrate for Democracy organizers will hold a 25-hour "People's Filibuster" to protest President Donald Trump's administration in Murfreesboro May 1. The event will start at 7 a.m. May 1 and end by 8 a.m. May 2 on the public sidewalk along Medical Center Parkway, organizer Lora Hortert of Murfreesboro said. The demonstrators will be near the Murfreesboro office of Republican U.S. Rep. Scott DesJarlais located in the Fountains at Gateway office, residential, restaurant and retail development, Hortert said. "We strongly feel this president is violating the U.S. Constitution," Hortert said. 'I think it's asinine': Federal job cuts concern VA Murfreesboro patient, park service visitor at Stones River National Battlefield and cemetery The demonstrators have concerns about the constitutionality of deportations of immigrants who are "entitled to due process," Hortert said. Courts should determine if immigrants can be lawfully removed or permitted to stay legally in the United States of America, suggested Hortert, who has worked as a 17-year paralegal and earned a bachelor's degree in political science at Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro. Previous demonstration: Protesters of Trump plan Murfreesboro 'Stop the Coup March for Democracy' April 5 The demonstrators also want DesJarlais, serving District 4 including Rutherford County, and other members of Congress to use their separation of powers authority to challenge the president. "They have the power to check him," Hortert said. The Daily News Journal reached out to DeJarlais office's spokesman Alex Swisher Monday for comment. DesJarlais offered a recent comment to The Daily News Journal pertaining to the Trump administration decision to revoke visas of six MTSU international students. 'President Trump is fulfilling his promise to fix our broken immigration system," DesJarlais said. "There are a myriad of reasons why a student visa may be canceled, and the American people hired President Trump to enforce the law − something the previous administration did not do.' Immigration issues: MTSU student body president, US Rep. DesJarlais speak out about 6 student visas being revoked Participants of the People's Filibuster will start with a couple of short speeches, Hortert said, before reading out loud the nation's founding documents. Readings will include the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, the Bill of Rights and other amendments to the Constitution, the oath of office of Congress members, and the Federalist Papers that are essays written by three of the leaders who joined others in crafting the Constitution: James Madison, Alexander Hamilton and John Jay. The idea for the People's Filibuster came from the recent 25-hour filibuster of U.S. Sen. Cory Booker, a Democrat from New Jersey, in protest of Trump's administration, Hortert said. MTSU Constitution Day: Former VP Mike Pence defends certifying Biden's victory in 2020 Hortert has about 30 participants committed to read in the People's Filibuster so far. "We're hoping to get up to 50," Hortert said. Those interested can email demonstratedemocracy@ or call Hortert at 615-995-9845. She and her 22-year-old daughter, Rachel Hortert, are the main organizers of the People's Filibuster. The organizers also have a Demonstrate for Democracy Facebook page for more information. This is a developing story. Free speech scholar Nadine Strossen: Rutherford County school board violates law by removing Pulitzer Prize winning novel, "Beloved,' and other books Reach reporter Scott Broden with news tips or questions by emailing him at sbroden@ To support his work with The Daily News Journal, sign up for a digital subscription. This article originally appeared on Murfreesboro Daily News Journal: Demonstrators plan 'People's Filibuster' against Trump in Murfreesboro
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
New TN law to help growing governments save money on special census
Fast-growing Rutherford County and its cities should gain state shared revenues thanks to new law to update populations. State Rep. Robert Stevens, R-Smyrna, and Sen. Shane Reeves, R-Murfreesboro, sponsored the legislation that won Tennessee General Assembly approval Monday. Stevens said the new state law will mean local cities such as Murfreesboro, Smyrna and La Vergne would be able to skip pursuit of any costly special census. This is because the state would be able to obtain data from the University of Tennessee Boyd Center of Business and Economic Research. Local governments have sought new population estimates to prove growth from the U.S. Census Bureau official counts in 2020 to increase state shared revenues expected by the 2026-27 fiscal year. "This legislation is a major win for Rutherford County and our municipalities," Stevens said in an email to The Daily News Journal. "With the rapid growth in our community, we will begin to receive an increased amount of state shared revenue annually instead of waiting for the federal census every 10 years or incurring the expense of a special census in the interim.' Stevens said the UT Boyd Center has the software and expertise to provide the Tennessee Department of Revenue with updated population estimates for all the state's local governments, Stevens said. Crafting legislation: See how your TN House lawmakers' bills could impact budget and schools in Rutherford County Murfreesboro Mayor Shane McFarland told The Daily News Journal that the city recently cancelled a special census because of the expected passage of the law from House Bill 780 and Senate Bill 875. "Every time you do a special census, it gets tougher and tougher to get people to respond," McFarland said. The Murfreesboro in-house special census efforts included using on-duty firefighters during non-emergency situations to gather information from residents, McFarland said. "It's a very time consuming and an expensive process," said McFarland, who praised the work of Rep. Stevens to get the law passed. Stevens said the idea for the bill came from Smyrna Town Manager David Santucci, a former city manager with Deerfield Beach, Florida. Santucci's former state used a similar process to update local government populations for Florida shared revenues. The email from Stevens to The Daily News Journal provided the following additional comments: 'The significant additional funds received by our local governments will help them offset the cost of growth while continuing to provide necessary services to our residents," Stevens said. 'Simply put, over time the legislation we passed will bring in millions of additional dollars to our county and municipalities while also saving them the costs and efforts required to do a special census. This truly is a substantial reform that will benefit our residents." Rutherford County Mayor Joe Carr said he's pleased with the legislation from the sponsoring lawmakers. "We are grateful for their efforts," said Carr, who's a former state representative for District 48. 'The Revenue Sharing Bill, HB780, has the great potential of being a game changer for the county getting its fair share of state revenue apportioned by population. A huge thanks to Rep. Robert Stevens, Sen. Shane Reeves and our county lobbyist Will Denami for their work in getting this bill passed into law. It is this kind of cooperative work between state and local governments that will continue to allow Rutherford County to meet the growing demands of growth. The county is grateful for their leadership.' The email to The Daily News Journal from Stevens included comments from Sen. Reeves. "The bill passed overwhelmingly in the House and the Senate," Reeves said. "Cities and counties are having to pay unnecessarily for special census efforts when the data is already available, which seems wasteful. This will save cities and counties that currently do special census projects millions of dollars." Reeves said the reapportionment of state shared revenues will be more equitable each year based on where people reside throughout the state. "No one's taxes go up," Reeves said. "No new taxes are imposed. It just reapportions the pool of shared funds based on current population data." The Smyrna government provided the following comment from Mayor Mary Esther Reed about the legislation: "This legislation is a significant advancement for Tennessee's municipalities,' Reed said. 'I want to thank our Town Manager David Santucci for bringing this idea to Representative Stevens, and I appreciate Representative Stevens for getting this bill passed in just one session. "By allowing the use of existing data to estimate population growth, we can allocate resources more effectively and continue to provide essential services to our residents. The benefits of the bill extend beyond individual cities; by streamlining the process of updating population figures, the legislation promotes an equitable distribution of state funds across Tennessee, ensuring that all communities have the resources they need to thrive.' Reach reporter Scott Broden with news tips or questions by emailing him at sbroden@ To support his work with The Daily News Journal, sign up for a digital subscription. This article originally appeared on Murfreesboro Daily News Journal: New TN law to help growing governments save money on special census
Yahoo
16-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Removing transgender books affects Rutherford library director search: 'Deeply concerned'
Rutherford County library officials lost a consultant for a director-search after deciding "to protect children" by removing books on transgender topics. The Rutherford County Library System Board had been working with Deiters & Todd Library Consulting in Chicago to pursue director applicants to replace Rita Shacklett, who retired early in 2024. First Amendment issue: Divided Rutherford County Library System Board bans transgender books 'to protect children' The consulting firm's services remained prior to the March 17 majority decision in a 5-3 vote to "remove material that promotes, encourages, advocates for or normalizes transgenderism or 'gender confusion' in minors." The same five in the majority of the board also voted to remove the picture book, "Me & My Dysphoria Monster" from the library system. The book is by author Laura Kate Dale and Illustrated by Ang Hui Qing. "Deiters & Todd stepped away from the search because of recent actions taken by the board," consulting firm partner Jim Deiters told The Daily News Journal. "As working librarians, we were deeply concerned by those decisions," said Deiters, adding that his firm returned the initial payment for the search to the library board. "Not an easy thing to do, but the right thing." Library board chairman Phil King said a search committee soon will move ahead to examine applicants for the system's director job. 2023 book banning decisions: Library supporters upset by board pulling 4 books say they're 'fighting against censorship' The board on Monday met in private executive session in Murfreesboro with Nashville attorney Robert "Bob" Burns "to discuss and seek input from counsel" pertaining to decisions to remove the books in question, he confirmed. While the meeting took place within a conference room of the library system's administrative offices, two protesters upset by the decisions to remove books stood outside by the edge of the parking lot holding signs. The sign Jessica Robertson of Murfreesboro offered the following message: "EVERBODY BELONGS AT THE LIBRARY." "I don't know why they are taking books off the shelf that represent people who exist in this world," Robertson said. Robertson recently told the board during the public comment part of the March 17 meeting that she's the mother of a transgender child. Complaint upsets officials: Speaker complaint on book on transgender topic disrupts Murfreesboro school board meeting Fellow book-freedom advocate Heather Ahmie of Rutherford County held a sign saying, "No room for BIGOTRY on our Shelves." "Where does it end?" Ahmie told The Daily News Journal. "You can't start erasing people from the public library, which is there for everyone." The board member's private executive session for legal counsel took place about a week before they meet next at 5 p.m. April 21 at Smyrna Public Library. The meeting agenda is yet to be announced on the library system's webpage. 'It was a hard decision': Murfreesboro school board bans book on transgender topic after December meeting disruption The library board officials also have also faced complaints about the book removal decisions in letters from three national free speech advocacy organizations: Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression in Philadelphia. National Coalition Against Censorship in New York; The Freedom to Read Foundation in Chicago. Free speech challenges: Rutherford library officials draw national opposition for removing books on transgender issues Burns, the library board's attorney, told The Daily News Journal that he thought the letters were reasonably well-written. "I reviewed and considered some, but not all, of the information and points contained in the letters," Burns said. 'We are banished': Rutherford County Board of Education book banning upsets free speech advocates The letter from the Freedom to Read Foundation came from Deborah Caldwell Stone, the organization's executive director. Stone questioned why the board would remove books based on "moral and religious beliefs" of individuals and organizations, "even though other parents believe these books are important and valued reading materials for their children." "Such viewpoint discrimination is both unconstitutional and problematic for public institutions, ascourts have consistently held that restricting intended readers' access to materials based on viewsexpressed in the books violates the First Amendment rights of library users of all ages," Stone said in her letter. "The First Amendment protects each person's right to access and read any book in a public librarythat a reasonable person would view as having literary, artistic, political, or scientific value,whether for an adult or for a minor." More book banning decisions: Rutherford schools removal of 160 more books draws opposition from 1st Amendment advocates Reach reporter Scott Broden with news tips or questions by emailing him at sbroden@ To support his work with The Daily News Journal, sign up for a digital subscription. This article originally appeared on Murfreesboro Daily News Journal: Banning transgender books affects Rutherford library director search
