Latest news with #tennessean.com
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
JD Vance is in Nashville. I can't afford the $100,000 ticket — can you?
Editor's note: Letters to the editor reflect the views of individual readers. Scroll to see how you can add your voice, whether you agree or disagree, or click on this link to fill out the form. We welcome diverse viewpoints. Re: Vice President JD Vance coming to Nashville for Republican fundraiser: What to know I just read about the fundraising event Vice President JD Vance will be attending in Nashville today, and I was struck by the $100,000 minimum donation, that grants attendees dinner for two and a photo opportunity, with unspecified added perks for contributing $250,000 (perhaps an extended cocktail hour). I wonder if it will occur to anyone attending that the minimum entry fee is more than the yearly income of 62% of Tennessee families, and the higher level donation is more than three times the median income of 95% of Tennessee families, which is about $67,000 based on 2023 data. More: Advocates for kids, seniors, people with disabilities protest Trump's plan to cut Medicaid I also wonder whether anyone will question why the One Big Beautiful Bill will decimate safety net services for low income families across the country, and cause upwards of half a million Tennesseans to lose health care coverage, when perhaps scaling back the tax deductions could prevent that and maybe even lower the deficit? Maybe they will care that the families of their maids and gardeners and handymen are being torn asunder by unnecessarily brutal ICE raids, and could express those concerns. More: ICE says nearly 200 immigrants arrested in Nashville during recent operations I can't afford to be there to raise these issues, but I trust my freedom to speak out through a free press will remain intact. Clare Sullivan, Nashville 37212 Agree or disagree? Or have a view on another topic entirely? Send a letter of 250 words or fewer to letters@ Include your full name, city/town, ZIP and contact information for verification. Thanks for adding to the public conversation. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Who can afford to attend JD Vance's Nashville fundraiser? | Letters
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Man found guilty of second-degree murder of teenager outside East Nashville church in 2022
Joe De Leon, 24, was convicted of second-degree premeditated murder for an East Nashville shooting in 2022, according to the Davidson County District Attorney's Office. De Leon was also convicted of first-degree felony murder and possession of a firearm by a felon, the DA's office said. His trial began May 19 and lasted two days, according to online court records. Police said De Leon got into an altercation with 19-year-old Antonio Rudolfo in the parking lot of a church in the 200 block of Gatewood Avenue on Nov. 25, 2022. After they spoke for several minutes, De Leon shot and killed Rudolfo, police said. Police on Dec. 9 identified De Leon and put out a plea to the public for assistance finding him. When he was apprehended in May 2023, he was found in a stolen Lexus that had drugs and a loaded pistol inside, police said. He was charged with seven more offenses that he has not been tried for yet, according to online court records. For the group of offenses related to the killing of Rudolfo, De Leon was charged with first-degree premeditated murder but was convicted at the trial this month on the lesser charge of second-degree premeditated murder. He was also charged with carjacking in the Rudolfo-related offenses, but that charge was dropped, according to the DA's office. More: Jury convicts 72-year-old Ronnie Phillips of killing girlfriend's aunt in Donelson in 2022 Have questions about the justice system? Evan Mealins is the justice reporter for The Tennessean. Contact him with questions, tips or story ideas at emealins@ This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Joe De Leon guilty of killing teen near East Nashville church in 2022
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Readers question motivations, actions of Tennessee's elected officials
Editor's note: Letters to the editor reflect the views of individual readers. Scroll to see how you can add your voice, whether you agree or disagree, or click on this link to fill out the form. We welcome diverse viewpoints. Re: U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles, others call for probe into Nashville mayor over ICE operation Well, here is the pot calling the kettle black — the man who should not be walking the streets today with all the baggage he is carrying around from his campaign finance issues. How is it that a man like U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles even gets elected to public office and does so little for the people? Letters: Rep. Andy Ogles' telephone town hall meeting stifled dialogue with constituents Now he is shooting off his mouth only because he is a Trump lackey and still not doing anything for the people. Kick him out next election! Richard Smith, Spring Hill 37174 I guess Rep. Lee Reeves, R-Franklin, wants his 15 minutes of fame. Why do all the police and sheriff's offices need to be signed up to a 287(g)? Does Reeves think that he is going to get brownie points from Governor Bill Lee or President Trump? Opinion: TN Republicans may lose political control and respect by supporting Trump So, Williamson County how many more brown-nosers are you going to elect? And what is going to happen to all the maids, yard workers, and nannies that work in Williamson County if all the immigrants are gone? Yes, l said immigrants not illegals. All these elected officials are just sprouting nonsense over and over again. Immigrants are getting the blame for all the crime everywhere. Is this what the GOP has become, to push blame everywhere but where it needs to be? Ruth Kindrat, White House 37188 Christianity is in real trouble. It has to be. Look at the wonderful message from Jesus the Christ as relayed in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Look at the actions that Jesus took in the book of Acts and more. Now look around at what we, as people of the United States, are doing. Look at what our 'representatives' U.S. Reps. Mark Green and Andy Ogles, Senators Marsha Blackburn and Bill Hagerty, and President Donald Trump are doing. Opinion: Leaders like Trump have always existed. Here's what Scripture says about them. Would Jesus round people up for deportation? Would Jesus take needed health care away from people? Would Jesus take food away from the poor and needy? Would Jesus support a huge military, that is the greatest purveyor of violence in the world, at the expense of the poor? Would Jesus support a genocide? Would Jesus, who was not white, favor white people above all others? The religion that so many in this state grab on to has been manipulated to ignore the real teaching of its namesake. How long can such a religion survive? Maybe you should ask yourself: Are you a 'Christian' or a follower of the teachings of Jesus? Jim Wohlgemuth, Nashville 37221 Agree or disagree? Or have a view on another topic entirely? Send a letter of 250 words or fewer to letters@ Include your full name, city/town, ZIP and contact information for verification. Thanks for adding to the public conversation. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessean readers push back on actions of elected officials | Opinion
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
My neighbors and I served Nashville for years. Now we can't afford to live here
Editor's note: Letters to the editor reflect the views of individual readers. Scroll to see how you can add your voice, whether you agree or disagree, or click on this link to fill out the form. We welcome diverse viewpoints. I've lived in Nashville since 1997 and in the same Hillsboro Village apartment since 2005. I'm a former public school teacher, a single parent, a cancer survivor, and the founder of an English language school for Japanese expats. Over the years, I've watched my rent rise from $700 to $1275, and a new hike is coming this summer that I'm bracing for. Each hike has been hard, but this latest one may finally push me out. Opinion: If Nashville is a welcoming city, why are so many of its residents struggling? I've paid on time, year after year — likely covering the full mortgage by now — but as a renter, I have no housing security. My landlord is fair and is simply passing along the rising cost of property taxes due to the recent reassessment. But for long-time residents like me, that cost could mean losing our homes. I'm not alone. My neighbors include teachers, city employees, and other long-time Nashvillians, all struggling to stay rooted. Opinion: TN desperately needs more housing. Why would lawmakers sabotage a good solution? We voted for leaders who promised action on affordable housing. We're still waiting for proof that there's a place for us in this new Nashville. What kind of Nashville are we building if the people who serve, teach, and care for our community can no longer afford to live here? Leo Katz, Nashville 37212 Agree or disagree? Or have a view on another topic entirely? Send a letter of 250 words or fewer to letters@ Include your full name, city/town, ZIP and contact information for verification. Thanks for adding to the public conversation. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Who wants a New Nashville that pushes old Nashvillians out? | Opinion
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Trump to pardon reality TV stars Todd and Julie Chrisley: 'Free and clean'
President Donald Trump is set to pardon reality TV stars Todd and Julie Chrisley, who were convicted of bank fraud and tax evasion. A White House communications advisor posted a video to social media on May 27 showing Trump calling the couple's daughter, Savannah Chrisley, with the news. The post states Trump "will be granting full pardons" to Todd and Julie Chrisley. "It's a terrible thing, but it's a great thing because your parents are going to be free and clean, and I hope we can do it by tomorrow," Trump says in the video. The married former reality stars were found guilty in 2022 of tax evasion and defrauding community banks out of more than $30 million in fraudulent loans to fund their luxurious lifestyle. Julie was also convicted of wire fraud and obstruction of justice. The couple is known for USA Network's reality show "Chrisley Knows Best," which followed the Chrisley family's over-the-top lifestyles. The family moved from Atlanta to Belle Meade in 2015. Todd Chrisley was sentenced to 12 years in prison, while Julie Chrisley was sentenced to 7 years. In the video posted May 27, one of the couple's sons is heard on the phone call telling the president, "Thank you for bringing my parents back." "Well they were given a pretty harsh treatment based on what I'm hearing," Trump said. Have questions about the justice system? Evan Mealins is the justice reporter for The Tennessean. Contact him with questions, tips or story ideas at emealins@ This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Trump to pardon reality stars Todd and Julie Chrisley who lived in TN
