thetennesseestar--2020-06-12--Carol Swain Has a Direct Message for the President of the United States

Live from Music Row Thursday morning on The Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy – broadcast on Nashville ’ s Talk Radio 98.3 and 1510 WLAC weekdays from 5:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. – host Leahy welcomed Dr. Carol Swain to the studio .
During the second hour , Swain called on President Trump to listen to his gut and that only he can demand law and order now .
She added that politically correct advisors in the White House have the president ’ s ear and that he needs better advisors in the next administration if he wants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are joined in studio by our very good friend , all-star panelist and former Vanderbilt professor and the Nashville Mayor should have had , Carol Swain .
Good morning Carol .
Swain : Good morning .
It ’ s a pleasure to be here .
Swain : God had bigger things for me than being mayor of Nashville .
Leahy : Well you know , we can ’ t even get to how awful John Cooper has turned out to be .
He ’ s such a partisan hack .
I don ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it now .
Swain : The thing that bothers me about John Cooper is he seems to have been a deceiver because he sucked in so many people including me .
Swain : I really had such high hopes for his administration .
I hope that I was wrong about him and it turns out that he just is not strong enough .
If he has values that lean towards Conservatism he ’ s not strong enough to stand up to the machine .
Leahy : My take is that he ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deceptive in how he presented himself .
Everything he does is utterly partisan .
But I don ’ t want to get off on that yet because we have so much more to talk about and what you are working on .
By the way , you mentioned to me that you have a lot of friends that listen on Thursday .
Leahy : Now I ’ m told those friends have said I need to let you talk more .
Leahy : Alright , so today for Carol ’ s friends listening @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gets to talk as much as she wants .
Of course , she always talks a lot and its always important stuff .
Swain : You ’ re always good at asking me the right questions .
So what is the right question for today ?
Leahy : What have you told President Trump lately ?
Swain : Well , last night I sent two tweets to the president and you may have noticed that I was not at the round table of black leaders .
I ’ ve never been to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the president about my ideas .
And so I try to reach him through social media .
Leahy : So I ’ m just going to say if there ’ s anybody in the country the president ought to be sitting down with right now and having a real honest conversation about what ’ s going on in the country , it ’ s Carol Swain .
Swain : Well you know I ’ m a member of Black Voices for Trump .
But in that role , I ’ ve not had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had before .
And so here ’ s tweet number one .
Leahy : Before you say that .
( Swain chuckles ) Mr. President , I know that you listen to this program .
Leahy : I ’ m sure he does .
Leahy : So , Mr. President , I would suggest you should sit down and have a face to face meeting with Carol Swain because I think what she has to say is very important and probably something you want to listen to .
So , having said that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the president tweeted that we need law and order .
And I tweeted back at him that our nation is teetering on the edge of a precipice .
We need you to follow your gut .
Only you can take action to restore law and order .
This is not the time to listen to politically correct advisors .
You won the presidency by following your instincts , so that was tweet number one .
Leahy : That was tweet number one .
Did the president respond ?
Swain : Oh no .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I don ’ t know if he even sees it .
Leahy : I know .
That was a rhetorical question .
Swain : OK.
Here ’ s another one .
We need your leadership now more than ever .
We ’ ve had enough of the lockdowns followed by the violence and protests .
Please free our nation and keep us safe .
We want a strong Constitution and a government that protects us from foreign and domestic threats .
We have planned chaos .
Leahy : That ’ s a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ You say we currently have planned chaos .
I wonder if you could elaborate on that Carol .
Swain : Well it ’ s so self-evident to me that we hold these truths to be self-evident that the political Left has done everything in its power to destroy the Trump presidency .
And with the coronavirus , you may recall that I was never on board with everyone else and was always suspicious because the numbers did not add up .
And they use that to force the destruction of our economy .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ To take away our liberties .
And now that we ’ ve had a few months out the deaths from the coronavirus are no more than the seasonal flu .
Yet we ’ re all walking around in those silly masks .
I ’ m glad you took yours off .
( Leahy laughs ) That ’ s one thing .
You look at Black America and race , the president had an economy that was booming and blacks and Hispanics , everyone , working-class whites , we were all benefiting from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus started waning and more people started waking up then this situation with George Floyd .
If you look at the facts of it .
Incidents like that happen all over the country .
I ’ m not saying every day but you can always find something to blow up in the media .
And the sad thing is that while racial and ethnic minorities are being distracted by the political Left , Antifa and Black Lives Matter use that as a weapon and they are being very effective now because they have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ If we don ’ t get a hold of this country soon we ’ re going to fall as a nation to either Russia or China .
And between the two nations , I choose Russia .
I think they ’ d be more humane to us .
Leahy : It ’ s interesting Carol that you talked about what ’ s happening here right now and how there is really no push back against the lawlessness of the Left in Democrat-controlled cities .
I mean let ’ s face it , where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Well there ’ s more push back in America from the leadership and not enough from the president .
And I ’ m a big fan of President Trump .
I believe God put him in office .
But he ’ s listening to the wrong people .
He ’ s always appointed the wrong people .
As a consequence , we ’ re bearing the results .
And I just hope that in his second administration , I do believe he ’ ll be re-elected especially if he follows his instincts .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to protect America .
Leahy : Well when you look at his advisors , his cabinet right now , Bill Barr I think is doing a great job as Attorney General .
What do you think ?
Swain : I ’ m not talking about Bill Barr .
I think Bill Barr is doing a great job .
But there are some others… Leahy : Within in the White House ?
Swain : That have his ear .
Leahy : People that have his ear .
Swain : Yes .
And when it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a lot of mistakes because some of the decisions , you shouldn ’ t ghettoize people anyway .
A lot of the coalitions are like being in the ghetto .
( Sighs ) You talk now .
Leahy : I understand .
( Swain chuckles ) I understand your point .
I want to go back to something else Carol that you said .
Corporate America , not all but much of Corporate America has embraced the lawless anarchy of the Left .
What ’ s happening with that ?
How did that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ’ s fascinating that at this point in American history it ’ s like white people have lost their voice .
So they are very intimidated .
Nobody wants to be called a racist and the political Left understands this .
So they have this concept of virtue signaling .
So the corporations are trying to signal that they care about black people and they care about poor people by giving money to organizations like Black Lives Matter or those related to Antifa .
And so that ’ s part of what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to buy peace .
They are not buying peace .
They are supporting anarchy .
You see these people ripping down monuments .
They need to be held accountable and be brought to justice .
We have them on film .
This has happened repeatedly in cities across the nation and the police stood idly by while mobs destroyed other people ’ s property .
Leahy : And in some cases orders from the mayors down to the police chiefs .
Swain : I think it ’ s a terrible period in American @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t benefit anyone .
Most importantly it ’ s not going end well .
Leahy : It ’ s clearly more like the French Revolution than the American Revolution if you look at the historic precedent on it .
And that did not end well .
Swain : Here ’ s another thing .
And there are a lot of the older people who have children and because they were prosperous they sent them to elite universities where their kids were indoctrinated with this critical race theory .
Critical feminist theory and all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the children are influencing the parents to the point where the parents are allowing them to make the decisions .
And they are making bad decisions .
They are destroying America .
Nobody is going to like the country we end up with .
I do believe that we run the risk of falling to another nation .
Again , either China or Russia .
And between the two I choose Russian .
Leahy : Well that ’ s a very interesting approach right now .
I choose neither .
Swain : I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I ’ m saying we are destroying America .
We can fall just like nations have fallen historically .
Swain : Not if the president does what he ’ s supposed to do .
He needs to be listening to the right people , not the wrong people .
Listen to the full second hour here : Tune in weekdays from 5:00 – 8:00 a.m. to the Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy on Talk Radio 98.3 FM WLAC 1510 .
Listen online at iHeart Radio .


thetennesseestar--2020-06-12--Commentary: Defunding and Abolishing the Police Are Attempts to Overthrow the Government and Instill

Commentary: Defunding and Abolishing the Police Are Attempts to Overthrow the Government and Instill a New Order

America is on the brink .
In the wake of the murder and manslaughter of George Floyd by former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin , and in the nationwide protests and sometime riots that have already claimed 21 lives , there is a growing movement to defund or even to abolish the police in municipalities across America in pursuit of “ alternatives ” to public safety .
The proposals come at a time when municipalities and big cities are already limited in resources due to significant drops in revenue from the COVID-19 pandemic economic lockdowns , and now strained by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and release programs in larger cities like New York , this is a recipe for a crime wave at a minimum , or worse , taken to its extreme with disbanding police , a breakdown of society and anarchy , followed by a new form of government .
What if you call 911 and there ’ s nobody there to pick up the phone ?
Exhibit A might be the Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone ( CHAZ ) in Seattle where Seattle mayor Jenny Durkan announced that police in the city ’ s East @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Antifa and other armed militants have taken control of this area of the city consisting of six city blocks and are manning barricades to hold their newly claimed territory .
Already , there are indications that Seattle might abandon other sections of the city as well by withdrawing police , including the West Precinct where 911 call centers are located , reports the Post Millennial ’ s Ari Hoffman .
According to two police officers quoted in the report : “ Antifa are extorting money and businesses in the Capital Hill Zone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Those running this Capital Hill Zone are employing stop and frisk to anyone who walks through , and shaking down businesses for $ 500 for protection.
” On Twitter , Andy Ngo reports that one member of Seattle Antifa called for reinforcements : “ We need more people with guns at the CHAZ.
” In a June 10 press conference , when confronted with Antifa taking control of sections of Seattle , Washington Democratic Governor Jay Inslee responded , “ That ’ s news to me , ” either feigning ignorance or completely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his own state .
On Medium.com , the group under the author name “ FreeCapitolHill ” set forth a lengthy manifesto of demands : abolish the police department ; banning armed force throughout the city ; abolition of juvenile detention centers ; a federal Justice Department investigation of police brutality in Seattle ; reparations for victims of police brutality ; doxing of police officers involved in police brutality ; retrials for any minorities convicted of violent crimes ; decriminalization of “ The George Floyd Rebellion ” including “ immediate release of all protestors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ replacement of the current criminal justice system the creation of restorative/transformative accountability programs ” and “ autonomy be given to the people to create localized anti-crime systems.
” The list goes on , including broader calls to de-gentrify the city , restoration of city arts funding , free college , an end to homeless “ sweeps , ” a new “ decentralized ” election system to and segregated health care for blacks .
That ’ s Seattle , and so with its large population of radical protesters and militants , that ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ordered to abandon sections of the city .
That ’ s their new world order that could take control there if left unimpeded .
In other big cities , say , New York and Los Angeles , if replicated , you might expect different outcomes to disbanding police depending on which local factions have the muscle to take control of areas , including surges in gang-related and drug-related violence , turf wars and the like .
It wouldn ’ t be the first time .
That is because power abhors a vacuum .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and we witness a brief , disorderly return to the state of nature , somebody else will quickly come in to fill the void .
The ones that intend to last will use armed force .
Period .
Call it “ police ” or “ revolutionary guards ” or whatever , it ’ s always the same : the monopoly on the use of force .
History is replete with examples of mob-based takeovers of government : the French Revolution , the Russian Revolution , Mussolini ’ s March on Rome , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by his rise to Chancellor years later , the Khmer Rouge , Mao ’ s China and so forth .
Sometimes totalitarians are able to take control via democratic means .
Other times , they take power by force .
The outcomes are similar , though .
In the end , to maintain power , these regimes always resort to deadly force against dissidents and other criminals .
Defunding or abolishing the police are not the end , they are the means to the end .
This is an attempt to overthrow the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , plain and simple .
And a free-thinking people should not wait around to find out what happens next .
On June 1 , President Donald Trump promised that “ If a city or state refuses to take the actions that are necessary to defend the life and property of their residents , then I will deploy the United States military and quickly solve the problem for them.
” Which is provided for under federal law .
Under 10 U.S. Code § 252 , “ Whenever the President considers that unlawful obstructions , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against the authority of the United States , make it impracticable to enforce the laws of the United States in any State by the ordinary course of judicial proceedings , he may call into Federal service such of the militia of any State , and use such of the armed forces , as he considers necessary to enforce those laws or to suppress the rebellion.
” This section of law , originally enacted by Congress and signed into law in 1792 by George Washington and updated in 1795 in response to the Whiskey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1807 ( when the Insurrection Act replaced it ) , 1861 and 1956 , should never be used lightly .
It ’ s breaking glass in case of an emergency , and sadly , this might be one of those times .
The most prominent examples of the law ’ s use include Abraham Lincoln to wage the Civil War and in 1957 when Arkansas tried to use the Arkansas National Guard to block school integration and President Eisenhower federalized the Guard to enforce Brown v. Board of Education .
Neither of those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ governors involved .
In 1794 , Pennsylvania Governor Thomas Mifflin was initially uncooperative in Washington ’ s request to call forth the state militia but relented when it was clear diplomacy was failing .
It might not be popular and perhaps it won ’ t help with the election , but it may very well be necessary to avert a larger national conflagration .
This calls for decisive action .
Put it down now , Mr. President , while there ’ s still time .
For now , President Trump is appealing to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rebellion , stating in a tweet : “ Radical Left Governor @ JayInslee and the Mayor of Seattle are being taunted and played at a level that our great Country has never seen before .
Take back your city NOW .
If you don ’ t do it , I will .
This is not a game .
These ugly Anarchists must be sto [ p ] ped IMMEDIATELY .
MOVE FAST !
” What we ’ re seeing in cities across America right now is a flash point for general rebellion .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Defunding or abolishing the police is the new secession , the new nullification .
And if it catches on , America will burn .
Robert Romano is the Vice President of Public Policy at Americans for Limited Government .
Photo “ George Floyd Miami Protest ” by Mike Shaheen .
CC BY 2.0 .

A dozen individuals have been charged in a gun-running conspiracy that funneled firearms from Tennessee and Kentucky to Chicago, according to a release from the Department of Justice (DOJ).
In total, the 12 individuals are facing a 21-count indictment with charges for dealing in firearms without a license, transporting and receiving firearms into another state, making false statements to a federally licensed firearm dealer, and multiple other offenses.
Three of the alleged members of the gun pipeline were enlisted members of the U.S. Army and were stationed at Fort Campbell in Clarksville.
Demarcus Adams, Brandon Miller, and Jarius Brunson, along with other individuals charged in the indictment, allegedly purchased legal firearms from dealers in the area. After securing the guns, the DOJ contends the group would deliver the firearms to individuals in Chicago.
Law enforcement officials also claim the scheme was connected to gang violence in Chicago, saying that “the defendants conspired to purchase and deliver over 90 illegally obtained firearms to the Chicago area to facilitate the ongoing violent disputes between the Pocket Town Gangster Disciples and their rival gangs.”
Authorities detailed that at least two deaths were connected to firearms distributed in the movement from Tennessee to the Chicago area.
In addition to Clarksville, the organized crime circle operated in Oak Grove, Kentucky:
“The indictment further alleges the methods used by co-conspirators to purchase firearms from federally licensed firearms dealers in the Clarksville, Tenn. and Oak Grove, Kentucky areas, which included communicating via text messages to coordinate the purchase and delivery of firearms to the Chicago area; providing false information on firearms purchase application forms; and using apps such as Zelle and CashApp to facilitate payment for the illegal transfer of firearms. On one occasion, the indictment alleges that in addition to several firearms available for sale, Brandon Miller had 1,000 rounds of 9mm ammunition available for purchase,” the release from the DOJ details.
— — —
Cooper Moran is a reporter for The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Email tips to [email protected]
Photo “Justice Department Announces Superseding Indictment Charging 12 in Gun-Running Conspiracy to Supply” by The Justice Department.


thetennesseestar--2020-06-12--Cutting Police Funding Will Lead to Understaffing, Reduced Training, Union Official Says

A top official at a major police union said calls to defund the police will cause serious constraints on everything from department personnel to how officers are trained .
Vice President Emeritus of the International Union of Police Associations ( IUPA ) Dennis Slocumb said he ’ s concerned about additional burdens levied on departments that are already grossly understaffed in an interview with the Daily Caller News Foundation on Tuesday .
The 32-year law enforcement veteran said more training is the answer to some police blunders , but adequate instruction is wishful thinking if departments don ’ t have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ If they ’ re going to reduce money , that money is going to have to come from equipment and training and personnel .
If that ’ s the case , our detractors and certainly our supporters think we should have more training — not less , ” he told the DCNF .
“ Almost every ” police department he knows of is understaffed and needs more funding to patrol the streets , and cutting those budgets won ’ t help , Slocumb added , especially amid protests over the death of George @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police officer knelt on his neck for several minutes , according to video .
But law enforcement critics who support the movement to defund police departments , who are distinctively different from those who want to abolish police forces altogether , argue that budgets need to shift funding to other aspects of the community , according to Fox News .
“ Defunding the police force is usually intended to take part of the budget and apply it to other social services that could possibly be handled better than by a police department , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of police and associate professor and director of the master ’ s program in criminal justice at the University of New Haven , told Fox News .
He added : “ [ For instance ] , responses to mental illness and other specialized needs of the community that are handled by police departments simply because the police departments are the last agencies in a line when there is no one else to respond.
” Slocumb agrees that officers are not as well trained as mental health professionals to deal with psychiatric problems .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ have , it really barely scratches the surface when you consider what mental health professionals have to go through before they ’ re allowed to deal with patients , ” he said .
“ We ’ re sending men and women out to deal with these mental health cases where people are in crises , and they ’ re usually not responding with some kind of mental health team.
” The union official , however , does not condone taking funds from police to fix this problem .
Instead , law enforcement should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as lives are in danger — and certain professionals should respond accordingly , Slocumb said .
“ We should respond to any situation where someone ’ s life may be in jeopardy , ” he said .
“ Like a house fire , we respond to protect or save lives , but the fire department has the resources and training to deal with the fire .
Professional people should be able to quickly respond to deal definitely with mental health patients.
” Calls for defunding the police came from those fed up with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ additions like body cameras don ’ t go far enough .
“ It is clear that our system of policing is not keeping our communities safe , ” Minneapolis City Council President Lisa Bender said , according to USA Today .
“ Our efforts at incremental reform have failed , period.
” Co-founder of Black Lives Matter Patrisse Cullors argues that slashing police funding can stymie law enforcement efforts to “ harm our communities.
” “ The demand of defunding law enforcement becomes a central demand in how we actually get real accountability @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , “ because it means we are reducing the ability of law enforcement to have resources that harm our communities.
” Cullors further argued that , on the issue of training , no additional instruction is necessary because police officers are “ incapable ” of operating in black neighborhoods .
“ It ’ s not possible for the entity of law enforcement to be a compassionate , caring governmental agency in black communities , ” she told WBUR .
“ That ’ s not the training , that ’ s not the institution @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years asking for training , asking for body cameras.
” “ The body cameras have done nothing more than show us what ’ s happened over and over again , ” she added .
“ The training has done nothing but show us that law enforcement and the culture of law enforcement is incapable of changing.
” Those in the defund the police camp have also pushed proposals that may mandate officers carry their own private liability insurance .
Minnesota ’ s Council on American-Islamic Relations ( CAIR ) and a few Black @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Monday as a way to reform the Minneapolis Police Department , according to an Associated Press report .
City officials believed the insurance would act as a strike system , where bad officers would eventually be uninsurable and unable to keep their badge , the AP reported .
“ The employer provides the training , equipment and the selection … they want to do all of that and absolve themselves of any responsibility ?
” he asked .
He also expressed concern about officers who are already underpaid having to incur an additional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he doesn ’ t think it ’ s plausible for carriers to want to insure officers in the first place .
Jake Dima is a reporter for the Daily Caller News Foundation .
Photo “ Law Enforcement ” by Barry Stock .
CC BY-SA 2.0 .


thetennesseestar--2020-06-12--Dem Leaders in Seattle Surrender to the Mob, Allow Antifa Goons to Take Over Part of the City

The weak Democrat leaders of Seattle have surrendered to the antifa mob , boarding up a police facility , allowing unruly radicals to flood a city council building , and even take over a large section of the city .
Hundreds of far-left agitators and at least one City Council member stormed Seattle ’ s City Hall Tuesday night to demand the mayor ’ s resignation if she refuses to defund the city ’ s police department .
Councilwoman Kshama Sawant reportedly helped the agitators get inside the building .
Antifa extremists in the city recently seized a six-block area @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Seattle that now includes an abandoned police precinct , calling the commune the “ Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone ” or “ CHAZ.
” “ When antifa can ’ t achieve a full revolution , they take over a small area in leftist cities to carry out their utopian commune experiment , ” independent journalist Andy Ngo explained on Twitter .
“ It ends in neighborhoods being destroyed & occupiers forcibly dispersed because of health hazards .
They leave the filth behind for others.
” Below are some of the demented figures inhabiting Seattle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ above antifa account put out a request on Twitter for more food , including vegan meat substitutes , fruits , oats and soy after the homeless people they invited to their commune stole their supplies .
A seattle-based antifa group put out a request on Twitter for “ more people with guns ” to patrol “ CHAZ.
” Like many other cities , Seattle saw violent riots following the death of George Floyd , the unarmed career criminal who died at the hands of Minneapolis police .
For nearly two weeks , antifa-fueled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , throwing glass bottled , rocks and other projectiles at officers .
The police responded with pepper spray and tear gas to break up violent rioters .
The riots and looting destroyed many businesses in downtown Seattle , including those owned by minorities in the Chinatown/International District , according to the Post Millennial .
Even though Mayor Jenny Durkan handicapped the city ’ s police force on Friday by banning the use of tear gas against the violent mob , the agitators were not satisfied .
On Tuesday , they released a long @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police and “ youth jails , ” as well as “ reparations for victims of police brutality , ” and “ a retrial of all People in Color currently serving a prison sentence for violent crime , by a jury of their peers in their community , ” and assorted free stuff .
The entire list can be seen here .
According to Fox News , Seattle Police responded to the radicals by rolling back “ aggressive policing tactics , ” saying they will only enter antifa ’ s “ autonomous zone ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an emergency .
In an effort to “ de-escalate , ” police on Monday removed the barricade that protected the East Precinct facility from violent demonstrators .
During a press briefing , Police Chief Carmen Best said Seattle Police explained that demonstrators would now be able to walk freely around Capitol Hill .
“ We ’ re not going to evacuate or abandon the East Precinct , ” she said .
“ We will be hardening the East Precinct facility by boarding up the exterior windows , and applying fire retardant to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ June of 2018 , an anti-ICE Autonomous zone in Portland Oregon was allowed stand for five weeks , becoming a biohazard with intravaneous drug abusers and masked agitators terrorizing local residents and businesses .
Tax payers ended up footing the bill for the extensive clean-up after they were finally driven out .
In response to the demonstrations Tuesday night , Durkan ’ s office said in a statement that she remains committed to making “ actual steps on policing ” and other measures of reform .
“ As the person who originally investigated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ use of force , Mayor Durkan believes that SPD can lead the nation on continued reforms and accountability , but knows this week has eroded trust at a time when trust is most crucial , ” the statement said .

A dozen individuals have been charged in a gun-running conspiracy that funneled firearms from Tennessee and Kentucky to Chicago, according to a release from the Department of Justice (DOJ).
In total, the 12 individuals are facing a 21-count indictment with charges for dealing in firearms without a license, transporting and receiving firearms into another state, making false statements to a federally licensed firearm dealer, and multiple other offenses.
Three of the alleged members of the gun pipeline were enlisted members of the U.S. Army and were stationed at Fort Campbell in Clarksville.
Demarcus Adams, Brandon Miller, and Jarius Brunson, along with other individuals charged in the indictment, allegedly purchased legal firearms from dealers in the area. After securing the guns, the DOJ contends the group would deliver the firearms to individuals in Chicago.
Law enforcement officials also claim the scheme was connected to gang violence in Chicago, saying that “the defendants conspired to purchase and deliver over 90 illegally obtained firearms to the Chicago area to facilitate the ongoing violent disputes between the Pocket Town Gangster Disciples and their rival gangs.”
Authorities detailed that at least two deaths were connected to firearms distributed in the movement from Tennessee to the Chicago area.
In addition to Clarksville, the organized crime circle operated in Oak Grove, Kentucky:
“The indictment further alleges the methods used by co-conspirators to purchase firearms from federally licensed firearms dealers in the Clarksville, Tenn. and Oak Grove, Kentucky areas, which included communicating via text messages to coordinate the purchase and delivery of firearms to the Chicago area; providing false information on firearms purchase application forms; and using apps such as Zelle and CashApp to facilitate payment for the illegal transfer of firearms. On one occasion, the indictment alleges that in addition to several firearms available for sale, Brandon Miller had 1,000 rounds of 9mm ammunition available for purchase,” the release from the DOJ details.
— — —
Cooper Moran is a reporter for The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Email tips to [email protected]mail.com.
Photo “Justice Department Announces Superseding Indictment Charging 12 in Gun-Running Conspiracy to Supply” by The Justice Department.


thetennesseestar--2020-06-12--These Are the Police Officers Shot During the Riots

At least twelve police officers have been shot in the line of duty as riots and protests raged throughout the country following the death of George Floyd .
Floyd was a black man who died May 25 after a Minneapolis police officer knelt on his neck for several minutes , video of the incident showed .
Derek Chauvin , the officer who knelt on Floyd ’ s neck , has been fired and arrested on second-degree murder and manslaughter charges .
News of Floyd ’ s death has prompted many to peacefully protest police brutality and violence , but spurred @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rioting and violence against police officers themselves .
A number of these police officers have been killed in the line of duty , including retired St. Louis police captain David Dorn , Santa Cruz County Deputy Sgt .
Damon Gutzwiller , and contract security officer Dave Patrick Underwood .
Others , like Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Officer Shay Mikalonis , may be forced to reckon with injuries received during the riots for the rest of their lives .
Retired St. Louis police captain David Dorn died June 2 while attempting to protect a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of his , Lee ’ s Pawn and Jewelry , from suspected looters .
Dorn died around 2:30 a.m. in the middle of a street after he was shot in the torso , according to a police incident report , and his killing was caught on a Facebook live video .
He had served 38 years in the St. Louis Police Department before he retired .
Underwood and another officer , who was injured , were working as contract security officers for the Department of Homeland Security Federal Protective Service ( FPS ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an FBI press release .
Oakland police have said that the shooting was most likely an incident targeting uniformed officers , according to the Wall Street Journal .
Sergeant Damon Gutzwiller was killed Saturday when he and other deputies investigated a suspicious vehicle and were allegeldy ambushed by a suspect using explosive devices and an assault rifle .
The suspect shot Gutzwiller , who was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead , according to a statement from the Santa Cruz Deputy Sheriff ’ s Association .
“ Sergeant Damon Gutzwiller @ @ @ @ @ @ @ since 2006 when he was hired by the Santa Cruz Sheriff ’ s Office , ” the association said in a statement .
“ During that time he served as a patrol deputy and detective .
When he was promoted to Sergeant he performed as the leader that this community needed and deserved.
” “ Damon was a beautiful person who cared most about his family , ” the statement said .
“ He leaves behind a wife who is 3 weeks away from delivering their second child , and the love of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ old son.
” Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Officer Shay Mikalonis was shot in the head while he attempted to disperse protestors last week .
His family said Tuesday that 29-year-old Mikalonis will probably remain on a ventilator for the remainder of his life , but that he is awake and “ appears to recognize his family.
” “ Shay is on a ventilator and will be for the foreseeable future or perhaps the rest of his life , ” the family statement said , according to Fox News .
Early reports said that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being shot in the head , but police later confirmed he was alive and on life support .
Four unnamed St. Louis police officers were shot in the line of duty on June 2 , St. Louis MPD Public Information Officer Evita Caldwell told the Daily Caller News Foundation .
All four are expected to recover : Victim # 1 , a 52-year-old white male with 30 years of service , Victim # 2 , a 34-year-old white male with 12 years of service , Victim # 3 , a 36-year-old white male @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Victim # 4 , a 28-year-old asian male with 1-year of service .
The officers were aiding the Civil Disobedience Team at 12:04 a.m. on June 2 when they “ suddenly felt pain and realized they had been shot.
” “ Due to the deployment of munitions by the SLMPD SWAT team , no gunshots were heard , ” the incident report said .
Caldwell told the DCNF that the St. Louis MPD does not provide the names of victims unless they are deceased and the next-of-kin has been notified .
“ Victim @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his leg and was listed in stable condition , ” the incident report said .
“ Victim # 2 sustained a gunshot wounds to his leg and was listed in serious/stable condition .
Victim # 3 sustained a gunshot wound to his foot and was listed in serious/stable condition .
Victim # 4 sustained a gunshot wound to his arm and listed in serious/stable condition.
” Officers Jason Scott and Rashad Martin were shot early in the morning on June 2 during an exchange of gunfire near the Manchester Bridge in Richmond , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ have a lot in front of them as far as rehab , ” a police supervisor said Friday according to the Richmond Times Dispatch .
Two NYPD cops were shot and another was stabbed in the neck June 3 in what has been called an “ unprovoked ” attack , according to Fox News .
“ I think we are all fed up with what we ’ re seeing and many levels .
This violence has to stop , ” NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea told Fox .
New York police officers have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ riots .
Video footage posted June 1 shows rioters ganging up on a police officer only hours before an SUV reportedly plowed through a group of both police officers and National Guard members .
The New York Daily News also reported that a different SUV full of suspected looters crashed into an NYPD officer in Greenwich Village .
The New York Police Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the DCNF .
Mary Margaret Olohan is a reporter for the Daily Caller News Foundation .


thetennesseestar--2020-06-12--Declassified Intelligence Report Shows FBI Withheld Key Details About Steele Dossier

FBI officials left key details about former British spy Christopher Steele and his infamous dossier out of a newly declassified Intelligence Community Assessment regarding Russian interference in the 2016 election .
The two-page document , which Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe declassified this week , describes Steele ’ s allegations about possible links between the Trump campaign and Russian government .
It says that an FBI source — Steele — had provided information thought to be credible regarding Russia ’ s goals in meddling in the election .
But the document , which was attached as an annex to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Community Assessment , failed to disclose information that the FBI had regarding Steele that likely would have raised questions about his motives for investigating the Trump campaign , as well as the validity of his allegations .
According to a Justice Department inspector general ’ s ( IG ) report , Steele told his FBI handlers on Oct. 3 , 2016 , that a key sub-source for his dossier was a “ boaster ” and “ egotist.
” Some of Steele ’ s former colleagues also told FBI counterintelligence officials in December 2016 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , according to the IG report .
The annex also does not disclose that the FBI cut ties with Steele on Nov. 1 , 2016 , after he had unauthorized contact with the media .
“ The source ’ s reporting appears to have been acquired by multiple Western press organizations starting in October , ” the annex stated .
What it leaves out is that the press outlets acquired Steele ’ s information from Steele himself .
The retired spy met with numerous journalists in the weeks and months leading up to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ primary source for a Yahoo !
News article published Sept. 23 , 2016 , and a Mother Jones story published on Oct. 31 , 2016 .
While the annex stated that Steele produced the dossier on behalf of a private client , it does not identify the client as the Democratic National Committee and Clinton campaign .
Perkins Coie , the law firm for the DNC and Team Clinton , hired opposition research firm Fusion GPS to investigate Donald Trump in April 2016 .
Fusion GPS in turn hired Steele .
The annex @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It says that an FBI source volunteered “ highly politically sensitive information ” during summer 2016 regarding “ Russian influence efforts aimed at the U.S. presidential election.
” “ We have only limited corroboration of the source ’ s reporting in this case and did not use it to reach the analytic conclusions of the CIA/FBI/NSA assessment , ” reads the annex .
The now-declassified annex said that “ some of the FBI source ’ s reporting is consistent with the judgments in this assessment.
” The IG report said that FBI officials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , pushed to include the information in a Jan. 7 , 2017 , Intelligence Community Assessment regarding Russian efforts to influence the election .
The IG report said that McCabe argued that Steele was a “ credible ” source and that the annex would support the information about Russia ’ s covert election-related activities .
The ICA asserted that Russian operatives were behind hacks of Democrats ’ computer networks , and that Russian President Vladimir Putin directed the operation in order to help Donald Trump defeat Hillary Clinton .
The IG report said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the ICA because the dossier appeared to be nothing more than “ Internet rumor.
” Chuck Ross is a reporter for the Daily Caller News Foundation .


thetennesseestar--2020-06-12--Swain and Leahy Take Listener Calls Concerning Trial Suspension and Coordinated Election Year Chaos

Live from Music Row Thursday morning on The Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy – broadcast on Nashville ’ s Talk Radio 98.3 and 1510 WLAC weekdays from 5:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. – host Leahy welcomed former Nashville mayoral candidate and all-star panelist Dr. Carol M. Swain to the studio .
At the end of the third hour , Leahy and Swain took calls from a local attorney and a current high school student .
Both callers had individual points to make in terms of trial suspensions and election-year Democratic dramatics .
Leahy : We are joined now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in town .
He wants to talk with us .
Carol Swain is here in the studio .
Good morning Dillon .
Caller Dillon : Yes sir .
Thanks for having me on .
I just wanted to see what you alls ’ thoughts are on the suspension jury trials .
The suspension of court proceedings .
The suspension of justice that ’ s been going on nationwide for the past three months .
I just find it to be an incredibly dangerous precedent in which we have some new virus .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or any of the documents that inspire the Constitution to suspend justice over a marginally worse flu and I just wanted to get your alls ’ opinion on that .
Leahy : Dillon , when you say the suspension of jury trials are you talking about the executive orders and the sort of failure of responding to challenges to those executive orders ?
Dillon : For instance in Kentucky , the Supreme Court of Kentucky has issued an order saying no jury trials to occur till August or September .
Leahy : Is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ elsewhere ?
Dillon : There are other states that have been suspending various hearings .
Swain : Dillon , are they delaying trials , or are they making decisions some other way ?
Dillon : Oh , trials have been delayed .
Most certainly trials have been delayed .
You can ’ t do a jury trial over a Zoom conference .
Swain : I can tell you what I think .
Dillon : And you can ’ t do them in person .
Swain : I agree .
I believe that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Godsend .
I think it was a manipulated effort to change the country .
It has not been nearly as deadly as they predicted .
It has not been deadly enough to justify the shutdowns and the lockdowns that continue .
And if we don ’ t get back to business as normal we won ’ t have a country left .
And this is the moment to stand and fight for our Constitution because it has been eroded to the point it ’ s almost meaningless .
Leahy : What is your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t aware .
You can see why they are trying to do it .
But its a very dangerous precedent in my view .
Dillon : My recommendation would be to … And justice is hard .
And I definitely sympathize with those who have been immune-compromised or elderly .
I definitely don ’ t want anyone to put their lives in danger .
But to those that are afraid , stay home .
And let those who are strong enough continue to carry out justice .
Leahy : I agree with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s a great comment .
Please keep us posted .
Give us a call next week to update us on the status .
We ’ ll go to Alex now in Mt .
Juliet who has a comment for Carol on the election year .
Welcome , Alex to The Tennessee Star Report .
Caller Alex : Hi Carol .
I was at that meeting at the Mt .
Juliet Republican Women ’ s group and I was trying to you when you had that little segment for questions .
However , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I guess I can go ahead and tell my comment right now about this .
It seems weird to me that every time this kind of mass protest happens it comes on an election year .
Like in 2012 .
Alex : And in 2016 with Freddie Gray .
And now 2020 with George Floyd .
And all of them are going during an election year .
I would think this is not a coincidence but part of something being used for the Democrats .
Swain : Your right .
Your very astute @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voters up so that they ’ ll go to the polls .
Especially during an election year .
Especially if they don ’ t have a candidate that inspires turn out .
They don ’ t have a Barack Obama that ’ s going to get black people to the polls they have to use something else .
And back when the voting rights act had been extended , every year that it was up for extension it was near an election and they would tell black people that their right to vote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Republicans .
Leahy : Very good point Alex .
Thank you so much for your call .
We appreciate it .
Any other comments for Carol ?
Alex : No problem .
For me , here ’ s the problem with this whole thing .
I 100 % support the black community not to mention I worked on Carol Swain ’ s Nashville mayoral election last year .
Too bad she lost to Mayor “ Chicken Cooper.
” ( Laughter ) Leahy : Let me just stop for a moment .
Leahy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ name !
Have you heard that before Alex ?
Did you just make that up here , Mayor “ Chicken ” Cooper ?
Alex : I heard that all around social media .
Alex : I think this is the first time you have a teenager on the show .
Being a teenager I ’ m more involved in social media and I see a bunch of those posts on there for who people dislike Mayor Cooper and all of that .
Swain : I recognize Alex .
We took a picture together @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up .
You ’ re going to be a great leader someday .
I ’ m sure you are already a leader .
Leahy : Alex , thanks so much .
Are you still in high school and are you going back to college ?
Alex : I ’ m still in high school .
Our high school is planning to open on time for the next school year at Father Ryan High School .
Leahy : Great school .
Great school .
Thanks , Alex for your call and keep listening .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ get the first question .
Alex : ( Laughs ) Thank you both .
Thank you , Mike .
Swain : He ’ s a great young man and worked very hard on my campaign .
Leahy : The phones light up when you are on Carol .
Swain : I would like to encourage people to follow me on Twitter and Facebook at Carol M. Swain .
Leahy : And watch Life , Liberty , and Levin this Sunday night at 7 pm on FOX News .
Carol will be on that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hour here : Tune in weekdays from 5:00 – 8:00 a.m. to the Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy on Talk Radio 98.3 FM WLAC 1510 .
Listen online at iHeart Radio .


thetennesseestar--2020-06-12--State Senate Ignores Millions of Dollars Disability Fraud in Tennessee

A bill that would make it a requirement for the state to cooperate in investigations of millions of dollars of disability fraud occurring within Tennessee was ignored this week by the Senate Judiciary Committee .
Disability fraud can involve exaggerating or faking an illness or disabilities , filing multiple applications , concealing work or other activities , all of which cost the state and the federal government millions of dollars every year .
Disability benefits , officially known as Supplemental Security Income , is available through the Social Security Administration ( SSA ) to individuals who can not work because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last at least one year or result in death .
In the fiscal year 1998 , the SSA and Office of Inspector General jointly formed a Cooperative Disability Investigations ( CDI ) Program to work in conjunction with State Disability and Determination Services ( DDS ) and state or local law enforcement agencies to pool resources and expertise to detect and prevent fraud in the SSA ’ s disability programs .
Through a memorandum of understanding , the SSA assumes all fiscal responsibilities needed to fund and operate the participation of the state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Program , including but not limited to salaries , overtime , insurance benefits , retirement benefits , paid leave and operating costs .
The primary mission of the CDI Program is to obtain evidence that can resolve issues of fraud before benefits are ever paid .
Tennessee participated in this CDI Program since 2001 , but withdrew from the Program in 2016 during Governor Bill Haslam ’ s administration .
The SSA ’ s Office of the Inspection General publishes Performance Reports relative to the projected savings from the CDI Program .
SSA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ method that considers the type of program involved and factors that account for nationwide denial or cessation rates .
Also reported are non-SSA savings , which include benefits provided by other government programs that were then withheld because of CDI investigations .
The projections of non-SSA savings are either estimated or actual benefit amounts , as documented by the responsible agency for a five-year period .
In some years , the Performance Reports also contain information on recoveries , which includes restitution , fines , settlements and judgments against the person committing the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ readily available Performance Reports , the projected savings specific to the investigations in Tennessee is detailed , along with more than thirty other states or territories .
Data obtained from the 14 semiannual reports to Congress from the SSA ’ s Office of the Inspector General dated from October 1 , 2009 , through September 30 , 2016 , when Tennessee was participating in the CDI Program was compared to that of the four reports from October 1 , 2017 , through September 30 , 2018 , after Tennessee ceased participation in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , in Tennessee alone there was an average of nearly 100 confirmations of fraud or cases denied due to the investigations .
The denials during that period averaged a projected $ 7.8 million per year in SSA savings .
But there were also savings in non-SSA programs , such as TennCare , that averaged another $ 5.9 million in projected annual savings .
Once Tennessee stopped participating in the SSA-funded program , the number of denials and dollars saved dropped by about 90 percent .
The cases denied in Tennessee then averaged just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ SSA savings from denials in Tennessee dropped to a projected $ 861,484 and the non-SSA savings to a projected $ 611,709 .
Efforts to identify a state agency that would voluntarily enter a memorandum of understanding with the SSA for the CDI Program were unsuccessful .
In 2019 , the sponsors of SB1300 / HB1172 Senator Mark Pody ( R-Lebanon ) and Representative Terri Lynn Weaver ( R-Lancaster ) decided to codify the requirement of participating in the SSA-funded CDI Program by creating a new division of state government , the Tennessee Office @ @ @ @ @ @ @ period of two years .
The division will be attached to the office of the governor , be separate and distinct from any other bureau or agency in the state and be comprised of state law enforcement officers working solely with the SSA .
HB1172 was heard last year in the House Departments & Agencies Subcommittee and recommended for passage on to the House State Committee .
The bill passed the House State Committee on June 4 , after the legislature returned from a two-month COVID-19 recess , and then passed the House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now awaiting the House Calendar & Rules Committee to put it on a calendar for the House floor .
Meanwhile , SB1300 took a different path , with its first stop being in the Senate Government Operations Committee .
Two members of the SSA CDI Program were there to testify before the Committee .
With one witness being a special agent in the Office of the Inspector General , he reported that since April 2000 , in Tennessee there had been roughly 1,400 cases of fraud that resulted in projected savings of $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fund and another $ 64 million in projected savings to Medicare and TennCare .
As the bill was being discussed , Government Operations Committee member Senator Mike Bell ( R-Riceville ) said that when the bill gets to the Judiciary Committee he chairs , they would be hearing from two state offices that the SSA CDI Program operated under before .
Those witnesses , Senator Bell said , would disagree with the cost savings to the state .
SB1300 passed the Senate Government Operations Committee by a vote of 7 to 2 in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It was then placed on the calendar for the Senate Judiciary Committee for June 2 , but then deferred to June 9 .
While the House has taken up a great number of bills since returning to business on May 26 , the Senate has held the position of only taking up bills that are COVID-19 , time-sensitive or budgeted related .
As such , there have been two calendars for Senate committee meetings to separate the bills into the two categories .
In what Chairman Bell said he believes and hopes is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ June 9 , the Senate Judiciary Committee had a hearing on the Governor ’ s appointment of The Honorable Kristi M. Davis to the Court of Appeals and took up SB2381 sponsored by Senator Bell .
The other 44 items on the Senate Judiciary Committee calendar , including SB1300 , were not addressed .
In addition to being good stewardship of taxpayer dollars , Weaver told the Governor Operations Committee during her presentation of HB1172 that the bill is time-sensitive in as much as SSA has been trying to enter an agreement with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and their willingness to continue that effort is coming to an end .
Laura Baigert is a senior reporter at The Tennessee Star .


thetennesseestar--2020-06-12--U.S. Senate Passes Marsha Blackburn Co-Sponsored Bill to Protect Free Speech on American College Cam

U.S. Senate Passes Marsha Blackburn Co-Sponsored Bill to Protect Free Speech on American College Campuses

This week the U.S. Senate passed the Concerns Over Nations Funding University Campus Institutes in the United States ( CONFUCIUS ) Act by unanimous consent , which U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn ( R-TN ) co-sponsored .
The legislation addresses concerns about Confucius Institutes suppressing free speech on American college campuses .
John Kennedy ( R-LA ) , Doug Jones ( D-AL ) and Chuck Grassley ( R-IA ) also co-sponsored the bill .
This , according to an emailed press release that Blackburn ’ s office distributed this week .
“ The Chinese Communist Party has used deceptive tactics to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ classrooms , ” Blackburn said in the press release .
“ Those studying Chinese culture and language at Confucius Institutes should be alarmed to learn that these facilities are a part of the Communist Party propaganda .
It is an affront to academic freedom , and we should not bow to repressive Chinese propaganda systems .
I am pleased that today the Senate acknowledged the importance of putting some serious distance between Confucius Institutes and American universities through the passage of the CONFUCIUS Act.
” At universities across the United States the Chinese @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its Confucius Institutes .
Though ostensibly designed to promote cultural studies on college campuses , Confucius Institutes receive direct funding from the Chinese government .
The CONFUCIUS Act reduces the Chinese Communist Party ’ s influence on U.S. colleges and universities by granting full managerial authority of Confucius Institutes to the universities that host them , the press release said .
The bill , according to the press release , also requires Confucius Institutes to : • Protect academic freedom on the campus where the Confucius Institute is located • Prohibit the application @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the institution • Grant full control over what a Confucius Institute teaches , the activities it carries out , the research grants it gives , and the individuals it employs to the college or university on which it is located .
This bill would prohibit federal government funding to colleges and universities that host Confucius Institutes and are not in compliance with the above provisions .
The funding prohibition would only apply to funding directed to the college or university and would not include funding disbursed to students , such as Pell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chris Butler is an investigative journalist at The Tennessee Star .
Follow Chris on Facebook .
Email tips to [ email protected ]


thetennesseestar--2020-06-12--After Protesters Tear Down Columbus Statue, Minnesota Lt. Governor Welcomes Removal

The protesters and activists who tore down a statue of Christopher Columbus outside the Minnesota Capitol Wednesday faced virtually no resistance from state leaders or law enforcement .
In fact , after the statue was toppled over , Lt. Gov .
Peggy Flanagan said Minnesota “ is long overdue for a hard look at the symbols , statues , and icons that were created without the input of many of our communities.
” “ I can ’ t say I ’ m sad the statue of Christopher Columbus is gone .
I ’ m not , ” she said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ what is now the Americas set in motion centuries of violence and genocide against the Indigenous people who already lived here .
As the highest-ranking Native woman elected to executive office in the country , I have often reflected on the fact that I could see a statue honoring that legacy from my office window.
” Flanagan said the Columbus statue was a “ constant reminder that our systems were not built by or for Native people or people of color , but in many cases , to exclude , erase , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ m thinking of all the Native children who might now feel more welcome on the grounds and in the halls of their state government , ” she added .
Mike Forcia , chairman of the American Indian Movement ( AIM ) , said in an interview recorded by Alpha News that he informed the governor ’ s office Wednesday morning of the group ’ s plan to tear down the statue .
“ I reached out to the mayor ’ s office this morning .
I reached out to the governor ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we were going to do because several people wanted to do it in the dark of night , come over here and pull him down .
See , he was put up in broad daylight with 24,000 people here and they celebrated and it should be taken down the same way , in broad daylight and celebrated .
And that ’ s exactly what happened , ” said Forcia .
He said he expects to be arrested in the coming days and was told by the State Patrol that he would be charged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reports and video of the incident , about a dozen members of the State Patrol arrived at the scene only after the statue was already torn down .
Prior to its removal , there was just one state trooper at the site who attempted to explain the legal process for removing a statue from the Capitol grounds .
Both Gov .
Tim Walz and Public Safety Commissioner John Harrington said they were aware of the plans to tear down the statue at a Wednesday afternoon press conference – just 90 minutes before the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I am .
I ’ ve heard that through social media .
Col. Langer and his staff plan to be out there to meet with the groups , to explain to them the process that is already in existence for if you want to have a statue or if you want to have something removed from the Capitol grounds , there is a lawful process for doing that and we will be out there to meet with them to have that conversation , ” said Harrington .
A Facebook page created by AIM @ @ @ @ @ @ @ warned that “ today ’ s the day we remove this POS from the State Capitol.
” “ The elders have spoken and we must act now , ” said the event page .
“ Time to destroy the symbols of oppression .
F that pacifist view .
Time to warrior up.
” Gov .
Walz claimed that the process for legally removing the statue “ was too long ” for the protesters , but said “ that is not an excuse for them to take matters into their own hands and remove @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a former social studies teacher , I taught my students that many Minnesotans look at that statue and see a legacy of genocide .
Now more than ever , we must take a hard look at the dated symbols and injustices around us , ” he said in a statement released Wednesday night , according to KSTP .
Minnesota Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka ( R-East Gull Lake ) said Gov .
Walz “ failed the state of Minnesota , again.
” “ They knew there was a threat to the Christopher Columbus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protect public property .
The mob mentality to do whatever people want without repercussion has got to stop .
The governor didn ’ t protect the Third Precinct , he didn ’ t protect businesses on Lake Street , and the lieutenant governor condoned the destruction on public property , ” Gazelka said in a statement .
Statues across the country are meeting similar fates , including a Columbus statue in Virginia that was set on fire and thrown in a lake , and another in Boston that was decapitated .
Anthony Gockowski @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and The Ohio Star .
Follow Anthony on Twitter .
Email tips to [ email protected ] .
Photo “ Christopher Columbus Statue Destroyed ” by Tony Webster .
CC BY-SA 2.0 .


thetennesseestar--2020-06-12--Ramsey County Board Wants COVID Morgue Relocated, Worried About ‘Taboo of Dead Bodies’

The Ramsey County Board of Commissioners expressed its “ alarm and concern ” regarding the state ’ s recent purchase of a commercial facility in St. Paul for the storage of deceased COVID-19 patients .
“ On behalf of the Ramsey County Board , we are writing to express our alarm and concern regarding your decision to purchase the former Bix site for use as a morgue during the COVID-19 emergency .
We fear that this location will only exacerbate the challenges facing the surrounding community , which is already one of the poorest , most vulnerable , and most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said in a letter sent last week to Homeland Security and Emergency Management Director Joe Kelly .
The former Bix Produce facility was purchased by the state on May 19 for a total of $ 6.9 million , but so far it has gone unused , The Minnesota Sun reported .
The intent of the purchase is to accommodate a surge in demand for the “ temporary storage of human remains.
” According to the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners , the area surrounding the facility is home to “ some of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Many of these residents hold beliefs that make proximity to a morgue especially problematic .
Residents have reached out to express fear of religious pollution from dead bodies , the presence of ghosts or evil spirits , and many other substantive concerns , ” said the letter .
The board warned Kelly that converting the facility into a morgue could have “ severe implications for the commercial viability of this site and of broader redevelopment in the area.
” “ The Bix building is mere steps away from the former Kmart site @ @ @ @ @ @ @ single-site redevelopment opportunities in the City of Saint Paul .
Several other nearby parcels are also ripe for redevelopment , including numerous large parcels along Jackson St. and L ’ Orient St .
It is no overstatement to say that this decision could adversely impact these redevelopment efforts and could even create a permanently blighted building on the Bix site , which would further drag down the fortunes of the surrounding community , ” the board wrote .
The commissioners have additional concerns about the morgue diminishing the use of the Gateway State @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most-used trails in the state and adjacent to the Bix facility .
“ We see potentially serious safety concerns arising from the heavy truck traffic envisioned , and also a potentially depressive effect on use of the trail caused by the taboo of dead bodies .
Many of us worked hard to win funding for the DNR to rehabilitate the Gateway State Trail in this area , and it is dismaying to see that significant state investment potentially overwhelmed by the effects of this decision , ” the letter continued .
The commissioners @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ pattern of making decisions that hurt our indigenous communities and people of color.
” As of Thursday , Minnesota had 1,249 COVID-19 deaths , 994 of which occurred in long-term care facilities .
Anthony Gockowski is managing editor of The Minnesota Sun and The Ohio Star .
Follow Anthony on Twitter .
Email tips to [ email protected ] .
Photo “ Ramsey County Board of Commissioners ” by Ramsey County Board of Commissioners .


thetennesseestar--2020-06-12--Michigan Unemployment Claims Continue Upward Trend

More than 28,500 Michigan workers joined the ranks of the unemployed in the week ending June 6 , bringing the total number of state residents filing unemployment claims to 870,772 since restrictions were put in place to slow the spread of COVID-19 .
Michigan unemployment claims are among the highest in the nation .
Michigan ’ s unemployment rate the week ending May 23 was 21.7 percent , the third highest in the nation behind Maine ( 26.9 percent ) and Nevada ( 24.3 percent ) .
The rate is slightly lower than the state ’ s 23.8 percent unemployment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which , at the time , was the second highest percentage of unemployment in the nation .
Nationally , new unemployment claims decreased 355,000 last week from the previous week ’ s revised level of 1,897,000 to 1,542,000 , the tenth week in a row the rate of new claims fell from the previous week ’ s numbers .
More than 43 million U.S. workers have filed unemployment claims since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic , according to U.S. Department of Labor statistics .
Millions of those have since gone back to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deemed non-essential .
Florida tops the list of states with the biggest decrease in week-over-week unemployment , a drop of 97,186 .
Next on the list is Texas and Georgia , which , respectively , witnessed decreases of 16,941 claims and 14,452 claims .
Bruce Walker is a regional editor at The Center Square .
He previously worked as editor at the Mackinac Center for Public Policy ’ s MichiganScience magazine and The Heartland Institute ’ s InfoTech & Telecom News .


thetennesseestar--2020-06-12--Michigan Publishes Data on Coronavirus Cases in Long-Term Care Facilities

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is now providing data about the confirmed cases of coronavirus in long-term care facilities such as nursing homes on its website .
During a reporting period between June 3 and June 10 , 98 percent of skilled nursing facilities in Michigan gave reports on the number of confirmed coronavirus cases in their facilities , according to the MDHHS website .
The numbers are expected to be updated daily .
“ We are continuing to improve the information we are providing as our goal is to share timely and accurate data during this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chief medical executive and chief deputy for health said in a statement announcing increased coronavirus data publishing , as well as updates to the presentation on the state ’ s website .
“ Data is now being provided in visual , easy-to-understand graphs and allow users to display data by date , for their county or by preparedness region .
I am grateful for the hard work and dedication of MDHHS staff who made this possible.
” Until recently , Michigan was one of just three states not publishing data on confirmed coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dakota and Montana have yet to publish data for their facilities , according to the AARP .
Although many counties have zero cases of the coronavirus in their long-term care facilities , areas hardest-hit by the pandemic are seeing confirmed cases over 1,000 .
Current policy dictates that nursing homes , if possible , have separated facilities for coronavirus-positive residents .
Diagnosed patients may also be sent to regional “ hubs.
” These hubs , scattered across the state , have a total of 950 confirmed cases of the coronavirus among them , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ per facility .
Individual counties fared worse , with Oakland , Macomb and Wayne counties each seeing the number of confirmed cases pass 1,000 .
Oakland County currently has 1,011 , confirmed cases in its long-term care facilities , with an average of 22 cases per facility .
Macomb County currently has 1,164 confirmed cases in its long-term care facilities , with an average of 42 cases per facility .
Wayne County currently has 2,610 confirmed cases in its long-term care facilities , with an average of 40 cases per facility .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ top of the governor ’ s priority list to receive personal protective equipment and staffing levels at these facilities are insufficient , ” said Ryan Berman ( R-39-Commerce ) in a statement .
“ They were never meant to serve as wards for people with a deadly virus .
I am asking the governor to stop this senseless and irresponsible practice.
” The newly-published data only tracks confirmed cases , not deaths .
Jordyn Pair is a reporter with The Michigan Star .
Follow her on Twitter at @ JordynPair .
Email her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Texas National Guard Cleaning Nursing Home ” by The National Guard .
CC BY 2.0 .

A dozen individuals have been charged in a gun-running conspiracy that funneled firearms from Tennessee and Kentucky to Chicago, according to a release from the Department of Justice (DOJ).
In total, the 12 individuals are facing a 21-count indictment with charges for dealing in firearms without a license, transporting and receiving firearms into another state, making false statements to a federally licensed firearm dealer, and multiple other offenses.
Three of the alleged members of the gun pipeline were enlisted members of the U.S. Army and were stationed at Fort Campbell in Clarksville.
Demarcus Adams, Brandon Miller, and Jarius Brunson, along with other individuals charged in the indictment, allegedly purchased legal firearms from dealers in the area. After securing the guns, the DOJ contends the group would deliver the firearms to individuals in Chicago.
Law enforcement officials also claim the scheme was connected to gang violence in Chicago, saying that “the defendants conspired to purchase and deliver over 90 illegally obtained firearms to the Chicago area to facilitate the ongoing violent disputes between the Pocket Town Gangster Disciples and their rival gangs.”
Authorities detailed that at least two deaths were connected to firearms distributed in the movement from Tennessee to the Chicago area.
In addition to Clarksville, the organized crime circle operated in Oak Grove, Kentucky:
“The indictment further alleges the methods used by co-conspirators to purchase firearms from federally licensed firearms dealers in the Clarksville, Tenn. and Oak Grove, Kentucky areas, which included communicating via text messages to coordinate the purchase and delivery of firearms to the Chicago area; providing false information on firearms purchase application forms; and using apps such as Zelle and CashApp to facilitate payment for the illegal transfer of firearms. On one occasion, the indictment alleges that in addition to several firearms available for sale, Brandon Miller had 1,000 rounds of 9mm ammunition available for purchase,” the release from the DOJ details.
— — —
Cooper Moran is a reporter for The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Email tips to cooperrepor[email protected]
Photo “Justice Department Announces Superseding Indictment Charging 12 in Gun-Running Conspiracy to Supply” by The Justice Department.


thetennesseestar--2020-06-12--Ohio House Democrats Send a Letter to DeWine Asking for the Stoppage of  Police Tear Gas Usage

Rep. Janine Boyd ( D-Cleveland Heights ) along with other Ohio House Democrats sent a letter on Tuesday to Gov .
Mike DeWine asking that tear gas usage be banned .
“ During the past week , tear gas , pepper spray and mace have all been used by police against peaceful protestors in Columbus , Cincinnati , Cleveland , Toledo , Dayton and Akron , ” the letter says .
“ We are extremely concerned about the use of tear gas and other chemical agents , which are banned under the Geneva Protocol , on the general population and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on public health.
” The letter gives three reasons as to why tear gas should stop being used by police .
The first reason Ohio House Democrats give as to why tear gas should be banned is because of the potential health effects it can have on Ohioans .
“ Tear gas can cause physical injury , permanent disability , and even death , ” the letter states .
According to the Dayton Daily News , tear gas is being investigated as a possible reason why recent Ohio State college graduate Sarah Grossman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ May 28 .
“ The use of tear gas is not only irresponsible , it is un-American , ” the letter says .
“ The unjustified use of a dangerous chemical weapon on protesters raises serious human rights concerns under international law.
” Finally , the letter says that tear gas can exacerbate the spread of the coronavirus .
“ There have been heightened concerns that the use of tear gas , pepper spray and mace will increase the spread of COVID-19 , ” the letter details .
“ These chemical agents can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ discharge , coughing , vomiting— all of which would increase the spread of water droplets , the main way in which COVID-19 spreads.
” After Ohio House Democrats sent his letter to DeWine and Acton , the Fraternal Order of Police of Ohio released a statement defending tear gas usage , according to WKBN .
“ …it is the position of the Fraternal Order of Police of Ohio that chemical sprays such as Oleoresin Capsicum ( OC ) or 2-chlorobenzalmalononitrile ( CS ) are safe and effective crowd control measures that prevent law @ @ @ @ @ @ @ risk significant harm to both citizens and law enforcement .
Chemical sprays such as OC and CS work causing minor irritation to the area of contact ( for example , eyes , skin , nose ) .
The effects of exposure are usually short-lived ( 15–30 minutes ) after the person has been removed from the source .
Treatment generally consists of exposure to fresh air or rinsing the affected area with water .
Chemical sprays such as OC and CS were introduced to law enforcement to reduce the use of intermediate weapons @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eliminating these tools risk of harm to citizens and law enforcement likely will increase.
” On Tuesday , DeWine asked Ohio ’ s Collaborative Community-Police Advisory Board ( CCPAB ) to begin developing uniform minimum standards related to mass protests in an effort to improve community-police relations in the state .
Zachery Schmidt is the digital editor of Star News Digital Media .
If you have any tips , email Zachery at [ email protected ] Follow Zachery on Twitter @ zacheryschmidt2 .
Photo “ Police-Protester Interaction ” by Becker1999 .
CC BY @ @


thetennesseestar--2020-06-12--Whitmer Touts Report Showing Stay-At-Home Order Decreased Infection Rate Even As Experts Warn of Sec

Whitmer Touts Report Showing Stay-At-Home Order Decreased Infection Rate Even As Experts Warn of Second Wave

Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer touted her stay-at-home policies on Thursday after a new report showed a drop in infection rates after the implementation of the orders , even as the report itself warns that the pandemic is not yet over .
The Imperial College COVID-19 Response Team released a report on May 24 detailing how stay-at-home orders and other interventions impacted the infection rate in individual states in the U.S .
The report shows that Michigan ’ s rate of infection fell as Whitmer instituted various polices such as closing restaurants and schools .
It continued to fall when she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , crossing the threshold of infection rates fewer than one around March 30 .
An infection rate of fewer than one means a person infected with coronavirus infected fewer than one other person , on average .
“ Throughout this crisis , the vast majority of Michiganders have done the right thing by staying safer at home .
Those who have done their part , especially the brave men and women on the front lines of this crisis , have helped us flatten the curve and save lives , ” Whitmer said in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and travel within the states and did not account for behavioral changes , such as increased mask wearing or age-specific patterns .
It also warned that the pandemic is not yet over and suggested “ rapid testing , contact tracing and behavioral precautions ” to offset an increase in spread as states reopen .
“ We predict that increased mobility following relaxation of social distancing will lead to resurgence of transmission , keeping all else constant .
We predict that deaths over the next two-month period could exceed current cumulative deaths by greater @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mobility and transmission remains unchanged… ” the report read .
“ Overall , we show that while all US states have substantially reduced their reproduction numbers , we find no evidence that any state is approaching herd immunity or that its epidemic is close to over.
” Michigan currently has nearly 60,000 confirmed cases of the coronavirus and 5,738 deaths , according to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services .
More than 42,000 people have recovered in the state .
The Upper Peninsula and the upper half of the Lower Peninsula @ @ @ @ @ @ @ MI Safe Start Plan , which allows restaurants and schools to reopen , as well as permits travel .
The remainder of the Lower Peninsula is in Stage 4 , which allows retail and restaurants to reopen and lifts the stay-at-home order .
“ The data shows that our aggressive actions against this virus are working , and that implementing them has saved lives , ” MDHHS Chief Deputy for Health and Chief Medical Executive Dr. Joneigh Khaldun said in a statement .
“ We will continue to closely monitor the data and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the chance of a second wave and further protect Michigan families.
” The state has received pushback on its data measures as both politicians and activists call on Michigan to report and publish data about the coronavirus in long-term care facilities like nursing homes .
Until recently , Michigan was one of just three states not reporting any data on coronavirus in long-term care facilities .
South Dakota and Montana are still not reporting that data , according to the AARP .
“ Whitmer ’ s administration continues to falsely claim they are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when the state still doesn ’ t have data on the most vulnerable populations in long-term care facilities , ” said Tori Sachs , the executive director of Michigan Rising Action in a statement .
“ It is past time for the state to revise their policies on residents living in nursing homes and long-term care facilities and release the data on the deaths that have occurred from COVID-19 there.
” The Michigan House of Representatives introduced legislation on Thursday that would voice opposition to Whitmer ’ s policies related to housing coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ policy requires that coronavirus patients in long-term care facilities be housed separately from non-diagnosed patients and that nursing homes without dedicated spaces send residents diagnosed with coronavirus to regional hubs .
“ The governor says that data and facts are driving her public health decisions .
You would think the roughly 1,600 nursing home resident deaths statewide and the average Michigan nursing home resident being over 80 are two strong data points against her current policy , ” said Rep. Ryan Berman ( R-39-Commerce ) in a statement .
“ Long-term care facilities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ governor ’ s priority list to receive personal protective equipment and staffing levels at these facilities are insufficient .
They were never meant to serve as wards for people with a deadly virus .
I am asking the governor to stop this senseless and irresponsible practice.
” Michigan has seen additional fallout from the pandemic , including increased risk of suicides and a rocketing unemployment rate .
One study predicting suicide rates in Michigan caused by despair from the pandemic projected a 32 percent rise of suicides in the state in 2020 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ that isolation , insomnia , poor physical health and increased substance abused caused by the pandemic could all lead to higher suicide rates .
Unemployment rates in Michigan also shot up , at one point topping 22 percent — higher than the Great Recession , according to The Detroit News .
Recent data from the U.S. Department of Labor showed that a little more than 28,500 people filed for unemployment during the week ending June 6 , a drop of nearly 11,000 from the week prior .
Roughly 1.45 million Michigan residents are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ MLive .
Still , Whitmer expressed hope that the state ’ s ability to stave off a second wave of the virus , even as unemployment and mental health struggle .
“ Our action is working , but we must stay vigilant and flexible in order to lower the chance of a second wave , ” Whitmer said in a statement .
“ We owe it to the heroes on the front lines to keep doing our part by wearing a mask when in public and practicing social distancing .
We will get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a reporter with The Michigan Star .
Follow her on Twitter at @ JordynPair .
Email her at [ email protected ] Background Photo “ Georgia National Guard Cleaning Nursing Home ” by The National Guard .
CC BY 2.0 .


thetennesseestar--2020-06-12--Ohio Unemployment Claims Continue Upward Trend

More than 35,474 Ohio workers joined the ranks of the unemployed in the week ending June 6 , bringing the total number of state residents filing unemployment claims to 546,854 since restrictions were put in place to slow the spread of COVID-19 .
Week-over-week , Ohio witnessed an increase of nearly 400 new claims from the prior week , during which 35,078 new claims were reported .
Nationally , new unemployment claims decreased 355,000 last week from the previous week ’ s revised level of 1,897,000 to 1,542,000 , the 10th week in a row the rate of new claims @ @ @ @ @ @ @ numbersth More than 43 million U.S. workers have filed unemployment claims since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic , according to U.S. Department of Labor statistics , though millions have returned to their jobs as restrictions have eased .
Florida tops the list of states with the biggest decrease in week-over-week unemployment , a drop of 97,186 .
Next on the list is Texas and Georgia , which , respectively , witnessed decreases of 16,941 claims and 14,452 claims .
Bruce Walker is a regional editor at The Center Square .
He previously @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Public Policy ’ s MichiganScience magazine and The Heartland Institute ’ s InfoTech & Telecom News .


thetennesseestar--2020-06-12--Minnesota Unemployment Claims Continue Upward Trend

More than 29,209 Minnesota workers joined the ranks of the unemployed in the week ending June 6 , bringing the total number of state residents filing unemployment claims to 439,782 since government restrictions were put in place to slow the spread of COVID-19 .
Week-over-week , Minnesota witnessed an increase of nearly 7,555 new claims from the prior week , during which 21,654 new claims were reported .
Nationally , new unemployment claims decreased 355,000 last week from the previous week ’ s revised level to 1,542,000 , the 10th week in a row the rate of new claims fell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
More than 43 million U.S. workers have filed unemployment claims since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic , according to U.S. Department of Labor statistics , though millions have returned to work as restrictions have eased .
Florida tops the list of states with the biggest decrease in week-over-week unemployment , a drop of 97,186 .
Next on the list is Texas and Georgia , which , respectively , witnessed decreases of 16,941 claims and 14,452 claims .
Bruce Walker is a regional editor at The Center Square .
He previously worked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Public Policy ’ s MichiganScience magazine and The Heartland Institute ’ s InfoTech & Telecom News .


thetennesseestar--2020-06-12--Liberal Group Calls on Nashville Police Chief to Resign, More Council Members Support Move

The American Civil Liberties Union ( ACLU ) of Tennessee called on Metro Police Chief Steve Anderson to resign in a statement released Wednesday .
“ Over the last ten days , tens of thousands of Nashvillians have stood together in peaceful protests to express their outrage over the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis .
These powerful protests highlight the outrage over the enduring and deep-rooted problem of racist policing and structural racism in the United States , ” the group said in its statement .
The ACLU said recent protests , which in some cases have turned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grievances against policing in Nashville.
” In particular , the group expressed frustration with Anderson ’ s alleged refusal to collaborate with the Community Oversight Board , which was established in 2018 after the deaths of Jocques Clemmons and Daniel Hambrick .
The board has independent authority to investigate allegations of misconduct against the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department .
Under Anderson ’ s leadership , the police department has been reluctant to use police body cameras and has dismissed allegations of racial profiling during traffic stops , said the ACLU .
“ It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ policing in Nashville .
Metro Nashvillians need a police chief who adheres to a policing philosophy that is built on positive community-police relations for all Nashvillians and an end to over-policing by reducing and refining the role and responsibilities of police .
We need a police chief who will support divestment of the police budget and reinvestment of those funds into the community , ” the statement added .
Three members of the Metro Council also called for Anderson ’ s resignation earlier this week after his department issued arrest warrants for two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ warrants three hours later upon reviewing “ additional information.
” According to the Nashville Scene , at least 13 council members have now signed their names to a resolution asking Mayor John Cooper to request Anderson ’ s resignation .
“ It is time for Mayor John Cooper to call for the resignation of Metropolitan Nashville Chief of Police Steve Anderson in order to create meaningful policy and behavioral change in the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department , ” states the text of the resolution .
The ACLU said Anderson ’ s approach to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ willingness to examine structural racism.
” “ For these reasons , ACLU-TN is compelled to request the resignation of Police Chief Steve Anderson , ” the group said .
“ To be clear , the resignation of Chief Anderson alone will not end racist policing and the oppressive treatment of communities of color on which policing in America was founded .
But it ’ s a first step.
” Anthony Gockowski is managing editor of The Minnesota Sun and The Ohio Star .
Follow Anthony on Twitter .
Email tips to [ email @ @ @


thetennesseestar--2020-06-12--Gov. Bill Lee Says He Will Not Tolerate Anarchy at Planned ‘Defund the Police’ Protest

Tennessee Gov .
Bill Lee said Friday afternoon that state officials will not entertain any criminal behavior at a demonstration scheduled for 5 p.m. today at Legislative Plaza .
Organizers have scheduled the event , which they call “ Free Capitol Hill ” at 5 p.m. Central today .
In a Facebook flyer organizers do not address the venue as “ Legislative Plaza.
” Instead they refer to the landmark as the “ Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone ( Formerly Legislative Plaza ) .
” Organizers do not identify themselves in the flyer .
They said they want government officials to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what they call racist statues , and fire Nashville Police Chief Steve Anderson .
Lee said on his Facebook page that demonstrators must abide by the rule of law .
“ We encourage Tennesseans to exercise their First Amendment rights and have seen many examples of peaceful protests across our state in recent weeks .
As demonstrations continue , we will continue to protect Tennesseans ’ right to peaceful assembly , while also reassuring citizens that lawlessness , autonomous zones , and violence will not be tolerated , ” Lee said .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on state property not expressly designated as a campground area , and that law will be enforced.
” In an emailed statement , Tennessee Speaker of the House Cameron Sexton ( R-Crossville ) warned “ there is a difference between peaceful assembly , and lawlessness or unlawful camping , occupying , and autonomous zones on state property.
” “ The General Assembly enacted laws after Occupy Nashville making it a Class A misdemeanor to occupy state property , ” Sexton said .
“ I agree with Governor Lee ’ s decision to enforce @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is fully prepared to enhance this type of lawlessness to a felony before the 2020 legislative session concludes next week.
” U.S. Rep. Mark Green ( R-TN-07 ) said on his Facebook page that “ Tennessee will not tolerate anarchy ” and called on state officials “ to stop any form of lawlessness in its tracks.
” “ Peaceful assembly is a Constitutional right that I ’ ve gone to war to defend , and will continue to fight for , ” Green said .
“ But if the organizers of this ‘ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recreate in Nashville what we ’ ve seen in Seattle , that ’ s anarchy.
” Nashville Mayor John Cooper said nothing about the planned protest on his Facebook page as of mid-Friday afternoon .
A Facebook user went to Nashville At Large Metro Council member Steve Glover ’ s Facebook page and asked “ if there is a plan in place ” to deal with any civil unrest .
“ The plan won ’ t be shared but they are very aware.
” Chris Butler is an investigative journalist at The Tennessee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Email tips to [ email protected ] Photo “ Bill Lee ” by Bill Lee .
Background Photo “ Seattle Autonomous Zone ” by Ochlo .
CC BY-SA 4.0 .

A dozen individuals have been charged in a gun-running conspiracy that funneled firearms from Tennessee and Kentucky to Chicago, according to a release from the Department of Justice (DOJ).
In total, the 12 individuals are facing a 21-count indictment with charges for dealing in firearms without a license, transporting and receiving firearms into another state, making false statements to a federally licensed firearm dealer, and multiple other offenses.
Three of the alleged members of the gun pipeline were enlisted members of the U.S. Army and were stationed at Fort Campbell in Clarksville.
Demarcus Adams, Brandon Miller, and Jarius Brunson, along with other individuals charged in the indictment, allegedly purchased legal firearms from dealers in the area. After securing the guns, the DOJ contends the group would deliver the firearms to individuals in Chicago.
Law enforcement officials also claim the scheme was connected to gang violence in Chicago, saying that “the defendants conspired to purchase and deliver over 90 illegally obtained firearms to the Chicago area to facilitate the ongoing violent disputes between the Pocket Town Gangster Disciples and their rival gangs.”
Authorities detailed that at least two deaths were connected to firearms distributed in the movement from Tennessee to the Chicago area.
In addition to Clarksville, the organized crime circle operated in Oak Grove, Kentucky:
“The indictment further alleges the methods used by co-conspirators to purchase firearms from federally licensed firearms dealers in the Clarksville, Tenn. and Oak Grove, Kentucky areas, which included communicating via text messages to coordinate the purchase and delivery of firearms to the Chicago area; providing false information on firearms purchase application forms; and using apps such as Zelle and CashApp to facilitate payment for the illegal transfer of firearms. On one occasion, the indictment alleges that in addition to several firearms available for sale, Brandon Miller had 1,000 rounds of 9mm ammunition available for purchase,” the release from the DOJ details.
— — —
Cooper Moran is a reporter for The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Email tips to [email protected]ail.com.
Photo “Justice Department Announces Superseding Indictment Charging 12 in Gun-Running Conspiracy to Supply” by The Justice Department.


thetennesseestar--2020-06-13--Nashville Not Yet Ready to Move to Phase Three of Post-COVID-19 Plan

Nashville is not ready to move on to Phase Three of its planned four-phased reopening after COVID-19 because of what ’ s happening in Southeast Davidson County .
Mayor John Cooper announced this at a press conference this week .
As The Tennessee Star reported in April , Southeast Nashville has many diverse communities and has also had the highest cluster of COVID-19 as far back as April .
“ The majority of public health metrics are satisfactory , but case numbers both here and across the state are slightly elevated , prompting us to stay in Phase Two for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cooper said .
“ The level of cases in Southeast Nashville warrants further attention .
I have instructed the public health department to concentrate its efforts in a more focused response in these neighborhoods .
So we will continue , hopefully just a little bit longer , with Phase Two while carefully observing our public health data every day.
” As of Friday , Davidson County had a total number of 6,734 confirmed cases of COVID-19 , an increase of 107 in the preceding 24 hours , according to the county government ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ range in age from 1 month to 100 years , ” according to Nashville.gov “ A total of 80 people have died after a confirmed case of COVID-19 .
5,249 individuals have recovered from the virus.
” Metro Coronavirus Task Force Chair Alex Jahangir , at the press conference alongside Cooper , said that in the past month nearly 50 percent of new cases are from Southeast Nashville .
“ Our contact investigations have shown that more than 85 percent of cases in that area had a relevant exposure to the virus in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ source of infection , meaning not through community spread , ” Jahangir said .
But Jahangir also said the pandemic is not a Southeast Nashville problem .
“ We have seen the virus affect almost every part of our city , our region and our state and not just a few zip codes .
While we may focus on this area we want to continue to work to slow the spread of this virus throughout the entire city , ” Jahangir said .
As The Star reported last month , Cooper issued a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ economy .
According to ASafeNashville.org , for each of the four phases Nashville is in , city officials will only advance to the next phase if the area meets one of two benchmarks .
The website said either the number of COVID-19 cases in Davidson County must remain stable or the number must decline over a 14-day period .
In Phase Three businesses and restaurants will go to full capacity .
In addition , bars and entertainment venues will open at half capacity .
Gyms and fitness facilities will open .
Other gatherings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with adherence to strict physical distancing protocols .
In Phase Four , bars and entertainment venues will be at full capacity , and sport venues will open with adherence to physical distancing protocols and best practices .
Chris Butler is an investigative journalist at The Tennessee Star .
Follow Chris on Facebook .
Email tips to [ email protected ] Photo “ John Cooper ” by John Cooper .

by Scott McClallen
About $13.5 million in taxpayer grants from the Going PRO Talent Fund will help train 8,500 workers across nearly 300 Michigan businesses to earn industry-recognized credentials and strong wages.
“The Going PRO Talent Fund is an investment in our state’s greatest asset – our people – helping them develop the skills they need to advance their careers and ‘make it’ in Michigan,” Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said in a statement. “These grants help us put thousands of Michiganders on paths to good-paying jobs and empower hundreds of Michigan businesses across the state develop the talent they need to compete in the global economy.”
The program launched in 2014. Since then, more than 6,000 Michigan businesses have received Going PRO Talent Fund awards to train 175,000 new and existing workers.
More than 60% of the employers receiving funds are small businesses with fewer than 100 employees. Training must fill a demonstrated talent need experienced by the employer and result in the employee acquiring a credential for a transferable skill recognized by the industry.
Susan Corbin, the director of the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, said these grants keep Michigan businesses competitive globally.
“Programs like the Going PRO Talent Fund help businesses throughout Michigan train the talent they need in order to stay competitive in the global economy,” Corbin said in a statement. “Investments like these help us connect individuals and business leaders with tailored opportunities and unique resources they need to prosper. Together, we are creating a competitive and innovative environment that improves the quality of life for people who live, work and do business in Michigan.”
The average training cost per worker is $1,250. According to 2021 data, average hourly wages for Going PRO Talent Fund participants increased by $5.71 six months after completing training.
“The Going PRO Talent Fund has continued to help Michigan employers retain their workers by providing the necessary support for them to help upskill their workforce,” LEO’s Office of Employment and Training director Stephanie Beckhorn said in a statement. “These trainings have also provided an opportunity for employees to gain industry-recognized credentials they need to grow and thrive in these in-demand careers.”
LEO makes Going PRO Talent Fund awards to employers through Michigan Works! Agencies. Participating employers play an integral role in defining their crucial training needs, then work with their local MWAs and other partners to develop strategic training plans.
David Worthams, director of Employment Policy for the Michigan Manufacturers Association, said the talent fund is “arguably the best talent development program the state of Michigan has to offer.”
“As we get into the next cycle of grants, employers and their employees will see huge strides in new skills that we need as we move into the future of manufacturing in the state, Worthams said in a statement. “This is another reason why Michigan is one of the best states to do business in.”
– – –
Scott McClallen is a staff writer covering Michigan and Minnesota for The Center Square. A graduate of Hillsdale College, his work has appeared on Forbes.com and FEE.org. Previously, he worked as a financial analyst at Pepsi. In 2021, he published a book on technology and privacy. He co-hosts the weekly Michigan in Focus podcast.