April 29, 2019

'Humbled' by encouragement, Amy McGrath doesn't rule out challenging McConnell

WASHINGTON -- Former Marine fighter pilot Amy McGrath, whom Democratic groups are hoping will challenge Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, didn’t rule out a run against the Kentucky Republican at a veterans’ event here Thursday.

“I’m going to take a look at everything and make a judgment on where I can best serve the country,” said McGrath, who narrowly lost a Kentucky congressional race in 2018 and has emerged as a top pick for national Democrats eager to take on McConnell.

McGrath said she was “humbled by the encouragement to run again” — which has come from Democratic Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, and several progressive and veterans’ groups.

McConnell doesn’t yet have a Democratic opponent and seems unlikely to face a repeat primary challenger as he did in 2014. But he remains a top target for national Democrats, who still fault him for blocking consideration of Merrick Garland, then-President Barack Obama’s choice for a Supreme Court vacancy.

Read more: https://www.kentucky.com/latest-news/article229681639.html

April 29, 2019

ACLU sues Indiana over near-ban on most common second-trimester abortion procedure

The American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana has filed a lawsuit against the state two days after Gov. Eric Holcomb signed two abortion measures into law.

Specifically, the ACLU is challenging House Enrolled Act 1211, which bans dilation-and-evacuation abortions except when the mother is at risk of "substantial and irreversible physical impairment of a major bodily function" or when the fetus is no longer viable.

Dilation and evacuation is the most common type of second-trimester abortion in Indiana, according to Indiana State Department of Health data. However, second-trimester abortions overall are rare in the state. Indiana providers used this method 27 times in 2017 — or for 0.35 percent of all abortions that year — department data showed.

Nevertheless, opponents of the measure emphasize that dilation and evacuation can oftentimes be the safest way to abort a fetus during the second trimester. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists says it has fewer complications than other types of abortions in the second trimester.

Read more: https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/2019/04/26/abortion-laws-aclu-sues-indiana-over-banning-dilation-and-evacuations/3585147002/

April 29, 2019

Kentucky governor's race fundraising: Edelen leads with $2.3 million

Democrat Adam Edelen is leading the fundraising pack with $2.3 million raked in since he joined the 2019 Kentucky race for governor three months ago, according to state records.

The Lexington Democrat also has another advantage that his primary opponents lack — a deep-pocketed running mate, Louisville developer Gill Holland, who lent $1.4 million to their ticket and a super PAC that is adding another $641,100 from a handful of donors, namely Holland's mother-in-law.

Among Edelen's Democratic rivals, Attorney General Andy Beshear is the second top fundraiser overall, with a reported $1.8 million since entering the contest last summer, according to the Kentucky Registry of Election Finance.

The Beshear campaign has hauled in around $750,000 since the start of the year.

But the surprise may be that Beshear, who is the presumed front-runner, was outpaced by Edelen, who is a former state auditor, and House Minority Leader Rocky Adkins, during the same time period.

Read more: https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/politics/2019/04/26/adam-edelen-gov-matt-bevin-post-campaign-finance-reports/3586713002/

April 29, 2019

For 110,000 Kentucky Derby guests, taking a seat isn't an option

For years, swelling numbers of visitors have ventured to Churchill Downs for the Kentucky Derby to experience the thrill of a huge race without the prospect of getting to take a seat.

Churchill Downs executives estimate that 110,000 people, of about the 160,000 who flood the complex on Derby Day, have no designated seat. So recognizing there's a real need — and an opportunity to make even more money off the signature event — the company reported last week it's working on ways to handle the unseated masses.

"I’m really excited about further developing the facility. I think unlocking the Derby, in part, depends on building more and more hospitality for the folks that don’t have seats, the 110,000 people that attend the Derby every year that do not have a seat," Churchill CEO William Carstanjen told analysts last week.

Stay tuned for more revelations about the plans in three months. In the meantime, Churchill officials offered no more color on Carstanjen's comments.

Read more: https://www.courier-journal.com/story/entertainment/events/kentucky-derby/2019/04/29/kentucky-derby-2019-churchill-downs-has-big-seat-shortage/3586478002/

April 29, 2019

Titans issue statement against anti-LGBT legislation during NFL Draft Day 3

The Tennessee Titans have a released a statement opposing a bundle of anti-LGBTQ bills in the Tennessee legislature, claiming that the measures could impact the state's ability to secure hosting the NFL Draft again.

Legislation is being considered in the Tennessee General Assembly that would allow child placement agencies to deny same-sex couples on religious grounds and another that requires the state's attorney general to defend school districts determining bathroom use for transgender students.

The Titans statement, released through the Nashville LGBT Chamber, unexpectedly came as day three of the 2019 NFL Draft is being broadcast from downtown Nashville:

"The Tennessee Titans oppose discrimination in any form. We are long-standing supporters of Tennessee Thrives. Discriminatory legislation hurts all of us. It also impacts our ability to secure events like the 2019 NFL Draft, major conventions, major athletic contests and other events that benefit our local and state economy. It also weakens our ability to recruit new business and industry to Nashville and to Tennessee. We would encourage our elected officials to keep us on a path that protects all our citizens, our growth and our economy.”

Read more: https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/2019/04/27/titans-release-statement-opposing-states-anti-lgbt-bills/3600474002/

April 29, 2019

Fundraisers and neo-Confederate threats mark five months to Memphis election day

Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland continued a series of re-election fundraisers in Midtown Sunday with a mix of the city’s accomplishments and growth during his first term and a call for a “fair and equitable Memphis.”

The backyard gathering hosted by Dr. Shawn Hayden and Connor Parris drew 50 supporters including former Shelby County mayor Bill Morris.

“We’ve worked really hard improving city services. … We’re trying to be fair and equitable,” Strickland said as he reviewed a reorganization of the Memphis Animal Services, increasing the ranks of the Memphis Police Department and increased funding for road paving across the city as well as efforts to increase City Hall’s spending with minority-owned businesses.

“We haven’t finished. I love this job. … but I want another four years because we have some real challenges,” he said. “I can’t guarantee you much, but I will outwork every other opponent.”

Read more: https://dailymemphian.com/section/metro/article/4736/Fundraisers-and-neo-Confederate-threats-mark-five-months-to-Memphis-election-day

April 29, 2019

State Senate to cut taxes instead of fully funding Medicaid waiver for disabled children

NASHVILLE — After speculation over whether the state Senate would agree to fund a Medicaid waiver program to provide medical treatment for disabled children, the upper chamber has announced its plan: Pay for part of it, while using additional funds to reduce the state's professional privilege tax.

Speaking to reporters Thursday, Lt. Gov. Randy McNally described it as "'a budget that does what conservatives do."

The House has committed in this year's budget to fully funding the $27 million Katie Beckett waiver program, which covers medical treatment for children with disabilities and severe illnesses whose families wouldn't otherwise qualify for TennCare, the state's Medicaid program.

But the Senate has raised an issue over the House's plan to use revenue from a newly implemented online sales tax in order to fund the Katie Beckett waiver.

Read more: https://www.commercialappeal.com/story/news/politics/2019/04/26/medicaid-tenncare-children-disabilities-tennessee-senate-budget/3581658002/

April 29, 2019

Tennessee slayings: Death toll 7; suspect in custody

WESTMORELAND — Police on Sunday raised the death toll at two homes in rural Tennessee to seven and said they are investigating whether a suspect captured after an hourslong manhunt knew the victims.

Michael Cummins, 25, was taken into custody Saturday night after being shot about a mile away from one of the Sumner County crime scenes, said Tennessee Bureau of Investigation spokesman Josh DeVine.

Police said officers responding to a 911 call from a family member led to the original discovery of four bodies and an injured person at the first home. The injured victim was transported to the hospital with unspecified injuries. On Sunday, the TBI said in a statement the bodies of two more victims had been found at the home.

Another body was found Saturday at another home in the area. The TBI believes the two scenes are related. The slayings were near the town of Westmoreland.

Read more: https://www.columbiadailyherald.com/news/20190428/tennessee-slayings-death-toll-7-suspect-in-custody

April 29, 2019

Feds intend to sue Tennessee lawmaker over pain clinics

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Federal prosecutors said this week they intend to file a lawsuit against a Tennessee state senator and other co-owners of a now-shuttered pain clinic company.

Court filings said Comprehensive Pain Specialists, which was based in Tennessee and once operated in 12 states, defrauded the government of millions of dollars by submitting claims for unnecessary procedures and falsifying documents.

On Wednesday, U.S. District Judge Aleta Trauger granted federal and state prosecutors' notices of intention to intervene in whistleblower complaints against the company. They have 90 days to file their own complaints.

U.S. attorneys also notified the court that they are adding Tennessee Sen. Steve Dickerson, among other defendants. The Nashville Republican and anesthesiologist declined to comment on Thursday.

Read more: https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/breakingnews/story/2019/apr/25/feds-sue-tennessee-lawmaker/493380/

Apparently this GOP state senator doesn't have any issues with Medicare...or Medicare fraud.

April 29, 2019

Tennessee House, Senate leaders meet over weekend in effort to resolve budget differences

Working overtime: Hoping to wrap up annual session, Tennessee House, Senate leaders meet over weekend in effort to resolve budget differences


NASHVILLE — Tennessee lawmakers head this week into what they hope is the final stretch of their 2019 legislative session, but remaining differences over the state's proposed $38.55 billion budget and several controversial bills could still snarl efforts to wrap up business.

In effort to prevent that, or at the very least minimize any delay of the state's annual spending plan, top Republican House and Senate leaders met Sunday to outline their respective stances and sketch out possible compromises in several key areas.

"There are just a couple of items we can't get to agreement on," Senate Finance Committee Chairman Bo Watson, R-Hixson, said following the meeting. "Right now, we need to think more about it."

He noted both chambers have laid out their respective "markers" on the budget with the full House approving their version of the budget last week while Watson's subcommittee approved the Senate's approach.

Read more: https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/politics/state/story/2019/apr/29/working-overtime-hoping-wrap-annual-session-t/493614/