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☆ Oprah Winfrey almost turned down her first TV job—how a college professor changed her mind
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-06 | by ( Ashton Jackson | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Oprah Winfrey has a highly decorated media career, winning 20 Emmy awards, a Tony award and a Peabody award, amongst many others. These feats may not have happened, however, if it wasn't for a reality check from a college professor. Winfrey, 69, started her sophomore year with a career in education in mind, she told 2023 graduates at Tennessee State University, her alma mater, during her commencement speech on Saturday. When Winfrey told her professor, he looked at her "as if I didn't have a brain that God gave lettuce," she said. "At no time did I ever feel out of place or not enough or inadequate or an imposter," she said.

☆ Nashville-area board may return lawmaker expelled from Republican-controlled statehouse
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-10 | by ( Daniel Trotta | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

April 10 (Reuters) - A Nashville-area county council meeting on Monday may vote to return to the statehouse one of two Democratic Tennessee lawmakers who were expelled from the chamber last week after participating in a gun control protest. Returning Jones would send a pointed message to the Republicans who expelled him. A Memphis-area board of commissioners plans on Wednesday to consider reappointing Pearson on an interim basis to the seat from which he was removed. U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris flew to Nashville on Friday to support the three Tennessee lawmakers targeted for expulsion. Jones, 27, was elected to Tennessee's House of Representatives last year.

☆ Nashville-area board may return Democratic lawmaker who was expelled from Republican-controlled statehouse
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-10 | by ( Daniel Trotta | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

REUTERS/Cheney OrrApril 10 (Reuters) - A Nashville-area county council may return to the statehouse one of two Democratic Tennessee lawmakers who were expelled from the chamber last week over a gun control protest when it meets on Monday to fill the vacant seat. On Wednesday, a Memphis-area board of commissioners will consider reappointing Pearson to the seat from which he was removed. Jones and Pearson both said on Sunday they hoped to be reappointed and that they would run again in special elections. Republicans also targeted Johnson but came up one vote short of the two-thirds majority needed to oust her. U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris flew to Nashville on Friday to support the three Tennessee lawmakers targeted for expulsion.

☆ Tennessee state legislature has 'always been a toxic work environment,' according to ousted Black lawmakers who say they've had a' target' on them from the start
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-10 | by ( Natalie Musumeci | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Two ousted Tennessee lawmakers said that the state legislature has always been "toxic." Former Reps. Justin Jones and Justin Pearson told NBC News they've always had a "target" on them. Jones and Pearson were expelled last week by their GOP colleagues over their gun control protest. "It has always been a toxic work environment to work in the Tennessee State Capitol," Pearson said during an interview Sunday on NBC News' "Meet the Press" alongside Jones. Jones also accused the GOP-led Tennessee House of Representatives of being "more beholden to the NRA than their own people and their own districts" and specifically called out Tennessee House Speaker Cameron Sexton.

☆ A white Tennessee lawmaker survived expulsion while 2 young Black lawmakers lost their seats for protesting gun violence. She says the result 'might have to do with the color of our skin.'
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-07 | by ( Cheryl Teh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

A white lawmaker in Tennessee survived a vote to expel her but two Black lawmakers lost their seats. But the motion to expel Rep. Gloria Johnson failed 65-30, falling short of the two-thirds majority required to remove her. Meanwhile, two Black lawmakers — Rep. Justin Pearson and Rep. Justin Jones — were expelled with 69-26 and 72-25 votes respectively. Johnson, Pearson, and Jones have been known to protesters in Tennessee as the "Tennessee Three," per NBC News. "Two young Black lawmakers get expelled and the one white woman does not?

☆ Rep. Gloria Johnson, who survived GOP's push to punish her, says it's 'pretty clear' why she was spared but 2 Black Democratic lawmakers were thrown out
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-07 | by ( Rebecca Cohen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Rep. Gloria Johnson said it's "pretty clear" why two Black lawmakers were expelled from Tennessee's House of Representatives. Republicans kicked out Reps. Justin Pearson and Justin Jones on Thursday night. Last Thursday, Johnson, along with Reps. Justin Pearson and Justin Jones, interrupted a House session to protest gun violence in the state. The Tennessee House voted 72-25 to expel Jones, with Pearson also expelled after a 69-26 vote, according to CNN. Johnson said both Jones and Pearson were spoken to "in a demeaning way" during Thursday's vote.

☆ The 10 best US cities for job opportunities and earning potential in 2023
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-05 | by ( Aaron Mok | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

HR firm Checkr ranked the best US cities for job opportunities and earning potential. A new report from Checkr, a background check firm, looked at which cities job seekers should consider. Checkr analyzed BLS and other government labor data on the 100 largest US cities to determine which cities have the most job opportunities with the highest earning potential. The 10 best US cities for job opportunities and earning potential according to Checkr, are:1. The shift to remote work may encourage workers to move to cheaper, mid-sized cities, Korolevich said.

☆ After school shooting, some trans Tennesseans face backlash
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-31 | by ( Jonathan Allen | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

[1/2] Mykul Coscia, who performs drag as Eazy Love at Play, a night club, poses for a portrait after a deadly shooting at the Covenant School in Nashville, Tennessee, U.S. March 29, 2023. Even before the shooting, many transgender Tennesseans felt villainized by their state's efforts to regulate the lives of gay and trans people, and were increasingly fearful for their safety. Police identified the Nashville shooter as Audrey Elizabeth Hale, and initially referred to Hale as female. Every time there is a school shooting, Story VanNess said she has sleepless nights: she was a special education teacher in a Knoxville school for several years before becoming the director of trans and non-binary programs at Knox Pride. "We've had another school shooting but, because this shooter was trans, that's taken a back seat so politicians can demonize trans people.

NASHVILLE, Tennessee, March 30 (Reuters) - Protesters flooded Tennessee's statehouse on Thursday to demand lawmakers stiffen gun laws following a school shooting in Nashville that left six people dead, three of them 9-year-old children. Demonstrators held aloft placards reading "No More Silence" and "We have to do better" while chanting "Do you even care?" In the latest incident, the shooter killed three pupils and three staff members at Nashville's Covenant School. Republican lawmakers in Tennessee this week delayed hearings on gun legislation that would expand access to firearms. [1/5] Counter protesters hold anti-trans signs outside the Tennessee State Capitol to call for an end to gun violence and support stronger gun laws after a deadly shooting at the Covenant School in Nashville, Tennessee, U.S. March 30, 2023.

☆ Rep. Andy Ogles defends his gun-filled family Christmas message after Nashville shooting
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-29 | by ( Nicole Gaudiano | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Rep. Andy Ogles defended his gun-filled Christmas message after Nashville's school shooting. A reporter for Sky News asked Ogles if he regretted "parading" his family "wielding weapons " on the Christmas message. "Why would I regret taking a family photo with my family and exercising my Constitutional rights?" After the shooting, Ogles posted a statement on Twitter, saying he and his family were "devastated by the tragedy." Asked about the message on NBC's Today show, Nashville Mayor John Cooper said the Ogles' Christmas message isn't "appropriate."

☆ The average bachelorette party now costs $10,800
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-16 | by ( Madeline Berg | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

The price of bachelorette parties is on the rise, with the average one costing $10,800, per Bach. Bachelorette parties have become extravagant multi-day trips — complete with goat yoga and pontoon saloons — and the average one now costs a total of $10,800, according to Bach, an app made to help people plan bachelorette parties and group travel. With an average party size of nine, the typical bachelorette attendee is now spending $1,200 per party. According to data from Bach, the average bachelorette party now spans 2.8 days, up from 2.6 days one year ago. The average bachelorette party attendee is spending $400 on experiences, per Bach, and about $300 on their flight and $300 on accommodations.

☆ Freshman Rep. Andy Ogles admits he didn't know what he majored in
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-27 | by ( Madison Hall | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Freshman Rep. Andy Ogles claimed he had a degree in "policy and economics" while campaiging. Ogles, a freshman representative from Tennessee, originally claimed on the campaign trail that he had a degree in international policy and economics, according to Nashville's NewsChannel5. But while it's true Ogles studied at Middle Tennessee State University, he did not major in international policy nor economics. An Insider interview with Laffer, however, revealed that Ogles' role working with Laffer primarily didn't involve economics — instead, Laffer claimed Ogles mainly worked in fundraising, though he didn't question Ogles' claim of being an economist. "An economist is a person who works in economics," Laffer told Insider.

☆ People who moved to Tennessee for cheaper homes and a laid-back life say they're happy — for the most part
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-26 | by ( Jordan Pandy | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +10 min

The 50-year Florida resident decided to pack up and move to Memphis, Tennessee, for a more manageable mortgage payment while on a fixed income. Foster said clients have recently moved to Tennessee from New York, New Jersey, and California. He traded snowy Buffalo for the ease of southern livingMichael and Danielle Ekstrum moved to Tennessee after becoming empty nesters in 2018. A retiree fed up with California's overcrowding bought a home in Tennessee without thinking twiceMichael and Bonnie Tyler moved from Sacramento, California, to Jonesborough, a historic town in eastern Tennessee. "There's too much traffic, too many people, it's way too expensive, and there's no water," Tyler told Insider.

☆ GOP Rep. Andy Ogles claimed to fight international sex crimes and be an economic expert. Like George Santos, his real resume tells another story.
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-17 | by ( Katherine Long | Bryan Metzger | Jack Newsham | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +14 min

Rep. Andy Ogles (R-TN) claims he's a real estate magnate, policy expert, and sex crime investigator. Ogles' business experience seems to be limited to owning two restaurants, a short-lived travel agency, and becoming licensed as an insurance agent. Ogles' supposed experience rescuing sex trafficking victims helped propel him into national headlines in his first week in Congress. During one debate during his campaign, Ogles described himself as "a former member of law enforcement" who worked "in international sex crimes, specifically child trafficking." Fighting international sex crimes and traffickingWhen discussing his support for a more militarized border with Mexico, Ogles has repeatedly referenced his involvement in combating human trafficking and working to fight international sex crimes.

☆ NHL roundup: Pens' Kris Letang plays hero in return vs. Panthers
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +8 min

Letang, who was activated from long-term injured reserve earlier in the day, finished with two goals and two assists. Aaron Ekblad had a goal and two assists, Sam Reinhart and Matthew Tkachuk a goal and an assist apiece and Colin White one goal. Fiala also had an assist, while Anze Kopitar scored two goals and Samuel Fagemo contributed one goal for the Kings. Avalanche 3, Capitals 2Artturi Lehkonen, Alex Newhook and Andrew Cogliano scored goals, Alexandar Georgiev had 37 saves and Colorado beat Washington in Denver. Logan O'Connor had two assists for Colorado, which has won six straight despite Cale Makar missing his fourth straight game with an upper-body injury.

☆ Taxpayers are paying billions for the renovations and construction of NFL stadiums. Here's how
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-22 | by ( Darren Geeter | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

These tax exemptions help lower the burden of high debt through low-interest municipal bonds used by cities and teams to pay for stadiums. Since 1913, municipal bonds have been a popular financing option for airports, roads, hospitals and schools. The loophole works by creating an artificial financing structure through tax-exempt municipal bonds. To gain access to those bonds, private companies must fail one of two tests stipulated by the Tax Reform Bill of 1986. The Las Vegas Stadium Authority financed nearly 40% of the stadium through $750 million in bonds backed by its hotel taxes.

☆ New U.S. cancer drug prices rise 53% in five years -report
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-02 | by ( Deena Beasley | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

"I do think there is a possibility we see launch prices go up," she said. Reuters GraphicsPorter, who championed inflation-based caps on drug prices, is calling for additional national legislation to link launch prices to how well a drug works. The report found that the average launch price of a self-administered cancer drug, after adjusting for inflation, rose by nearly 26% to $238,000 between 2017 and 2021. By 2022, six out of the eight newly-launched oral cancer drugs had prices over $200,000 per year. Based on current trends, the report calculated that by 2026, when Medicare will first be able to negotiate drug prices, the average self-administered cancer drug launch price will be nearly $325,000 per year and over $525,000 for pills and biologics.

☆ The founder of a real-estate investing platform highlights the 3 most attractive cities in the southeast right now, explains what's so appealing about them, and offers predictions for the coming month
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-29 | by ( Morgan Chittum | Kathleen Elkins | Aj Latrace | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Real estate investment platform Cadre identified the most valuable places for investing right now. Institutional money has made big waves in residential real estate over the last year, with each quarter seemingly setting a new record for the number of homes purchased by investors versus regular individuals. A year ago, some of the most popular places for investors included southern cities such as Atlanta, Charlotte, and Jacksonville. Raleigh, Charlotte, and NashvilleRaleigh, Charlotte, and Nashville are some of the top growing cities for industrial, commercial, and multi-family real estate, Williams says. These fundamentals are what make these three metros strong candidates for continued investment in various asset classes — particularly residential real estate — in the coming years, he suggests.

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