thetennesseestar--2020-05-12--Newspaper Builds Convoluted Case to Accuse Rep. Vitale of Being Anti-Semitic for Calling Health Depa

Newspaper Builds Convoluted Case to Accuse Rep. Vitale of Being Anti-Semitic for Calling Health Department Director ‘Globalist’

Thinking local is racist , according to The Columbus Dispatch , which built a convoluted case to accuse Ohio Rep. Nino Vitale ( R-OH-85 ) of being anti-semitic for using the dirty word “ globalist.
” On May 1 , the Urban-area Republican posted on Facebook : While you were sleeping , UNELECTED Acton declared Ohio closed until May 29th .
Now when you go to bed at night , you have NO IDEA what your rights will be when you get up in the morning .
Is this America or Amerika ?
Your basic human rights of life , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not come from an unelected Globalist Health Director , who signed the order in the dark of night .
Your basic human rights are inalienable and can not be bought , sold , traded or taken from you .
The Ohio legislature is scheduled to be in session May 4th .
It ’ s time for every member of the Ohio House and Senate to go DO THEIR JOBS , get to the state house and vote on all these unconstitutional orders that defy your liberties and freedoms !
The highest law of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Constitution states … “ emergency laws necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace , health or safety , shall go into immediate effect .
Such emergency laws upon a yea and nay vote must receive the vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each branch of the general assembly… ” Article 2 Section 01d – Emergency Laws The Dispatch cited the far-left advocacy group , the Anti-Defamation League , as saying “ globalist ” is a term used to say someone is disloyal to a nation .
It says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anti-Semitic , “ globalist ” is often used as a pejorative term for people whose interests in international commerce or finance ostensibly make them disloyal to the country in which they live , or who are willing to undermine the financial security of their neighbors in order to benefit transnational interests .
Because of the long history of anti-Semitic associations of Jews with money and commerce , and allegations that Jews place their transnational ethnic affiliations ahead of the interests of their non-Jewish neighbors , these pejorative subtexts quickly take on anti-Semitic connotations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jews , groups of Jews , or places where Jews are known to live ( i.e .
“ New York globalists ” ) .
Anti-Semites frequently use the term “ Globalist ” as a code word for Jews .
Not “ inherently anti-Semitic , ” the ADL says in words , but they more than make that accusation in that paragraph .
The Dispatch then referred to a social media post by an ADL official in Cleveland .
In a Facebook post , James Pasch , the organization ’ s Cleveland regional director @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Vitale ’ s use of the antisemitic slur ‘ globalist ’ when describing Ohio ’ s Director of Health is unacceptable and offensive .
… Whether Rep. Vitale purposely invoked antisemitism or not , we strongly urge him to remove that term from his vocabulary , and to issue an apology to Dr. Acton and the entire Jewish community.
” Influence Watch details how ADL has become ultra-liberal since former Obama administration staffer Jonathan Greenblatt took the helm and even removing the words “ anti-Semitic ” from its mission statement .
The Dispatch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Columbus and Central Ohio and two other conservative Republicans — Joseph Healy , a member of the Franklin County Republican Party ’ s Central Committee , and wife , Alicia , who is seeking to become the county party ’ s new chair .
So , why did The Trump Club of Columbus and Central Ohio draw the newspaper ’ s ire ?
They dared to express an opinion that DeWine and Acton should be impeached .
Their Facebook post linked to a petition for impeachment .
The newspaper says Healy runs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t the first time defenders of Acton have used anti-semitic charges to try to silence opposition to her actions .
Jason M. Reynolds has more than 20 years ’ experience as a journalist at outlets of all sizes .
Image “ Nino Vitale ” by Nino Vitale .


thetennesseestar--2020-05-12--Ohio’s House Finance Committee to Consider Allocation of Federal CARES Money

The House Finance Committee will consider a trio of bills when it meets this week , including a measure to allocate $ 350 million of federal dollars to communities across the state .
The hearing comes as state lawmakers resume business – even if in a limited capacity – amid the COVID-19 pandemic .
Lawmakers will consider Senate Bill 310 , which the state Senate unanimously passed last week .
The bill authorizes the distribution of $ 350 million of federal dollars allocated by the Coronavirus Aid , Relief , and Economic Security ( CARES ) Act for expenses stemming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re-opening of Ohio ’ s economy requires many moving parts .
An important part is assuring local governments have the resources to maintain safe and crucial operations , ” state Sen. Matt Dolan , R-Chagrin Falls , said in a news release .
“ Senate Bill 310 directs much-needed funds to counties and local governments for the reimbursement and expenditures of significant medical , public health and safety operations as they battle this pandemic on the front lines.
” The funding would be distributed based on Local Government Fund revenues allocated in 2019 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ jurisdictions with populations of more than 500,000 residents – Cuyahoga , Franklin , Hamilton , Montgomery and Summit counties and the city of Columbus – as they qualify for a direct payment from the CARES Act .
“ Items such as costs of testing , acquisition of personal protective equipment , disinfectants , technology upgrades , overtime costs for safety and health officials are some of the allowable uses of the CARES Act dollars , ” Dolan added .
Meanwhile , the committee could vote on House Bill 282 , which would allow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to provide the game using an electronic “ instant bingo device.
” The proposal requires that devices interface with a state system to track , monitor and remotely deactivate the devices .
The committee also plans to consider House Bill 388 , a measure that aims to protect Ohioans from surprise billing .
The bill includes a provision requiring insurers to reimburse out-of-network providers for so-called “ unanticipated ” out-of-network care administered at an in-network facility .
It also mandates providers to disclose information about the cost of out-of-network services .
Committee members @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bill during Wednesday ’ s hearing .
Todd DeFeo is a contributor to The Center Square .
Photo “ State Senator Matt Dolan ” by OhioSenate.gov .

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--2020-05-12--Michigan’s State Capitol Commission Delays Decision Whether It Will Ban Guns on Capitol Grounds

The Michigan State Capitol Commission on Monday voted to form a five-member committee to study whether it has the authority to ban guns from Capitol grounds , to seek input from the legislature and the executive branches , and report a recommendation to the Commission .
Chair Gary Randall said the committee will meet as soon as next week if members ’ schedules allow .
Attorney General Dana Nessel issued a formal opinion Monday in which she concluded the Commission has the authority to ban guns on Capitol grounds .
The request follows an April 30 protest against Gov .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ shuttered businesses throughout the state during the coronavirus pandemic .
During the protests , several demonstrators brandishing firearms entered the Capitol and urged lawmakers not to extend Whitmer ’ s state of emergency .
Some watched proceedings from the gallery .
Michigan ’ s open-carry law doesn ’ t apply to all buildings , such as in the Michigan Supreme Court , without prior approval , Nessel wrote .
“ In Michigan , the concept of ‘ open carry ’ does not provide the unfettered right to bring firearms into any public space @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Numerous restrictions already exist on openly carrying firearms in public places.
” “ With this opinion , it is my fervent hope that the Commission acts responsibly and takes meaningful steps to protect the safety of those at our State Capitol because the wheels of democracy can not freely turn under the threat of violence , ” Nessel said in statement .
Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey , R-Clarklake , asked the Commission in a Monday letter to delay the vote and plan to meet with legislative leaders , Senate and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ The choice to allow or disallow the open carry of firearms brings with it the need for a thorough review of how the policy will be implemented and communicated to the public , ” Shirkey wrote .
Shirkey said the complex decision must balance citizen expectations to demonstrate while providing safety to legislators , staff and visitors .
“ A simple vote of the Commission will not be an adequate solution to this problem , ” Shirkey wrote .
“ We must work together to evaluate our options and develop a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ citizens.
” Shirkey previously denounced protestors who used intimidation to scare legislators .
Capitol Commission Legal Counsel Amy Shaw said she believed the authority to ban guns on the property belonged to the legislature .
“ The Commission is the custodian , ” Shaw said on a Monday Zoom call .
“ Nowhere does it confer the … commission the police or public policy-making powers of the state.
” Shaw recommended the commision seek outside counsel and input .
Commissioner Kerry Chartkoff said she ’ d never seen residents open-carry firearms in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the building .
Chartkoff said the Commission has authority over the public areas of the Capitol , such as the rotunda and corridor , and over building procedures .
“ We ’ re not just gardeners … we have the wellbeing of the Capitol and the wellbeing of all those who come to the building under our authority , ” Chartkoff said .
“ We ’ re supposed to protect the right of the public to visit the building and also protect the security and well-being of those who work there.
” Chartkoff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and deliberate review .
Scott McClallen is a staff writer covering Michigan and Minnesota for The Center Square .


thetennesseestar--2020-05-12--Contact Tracing Lists for COVID-19 Has ‘Adverse Effect,’ Tennessee State Rep. Warns Colleagues

State Rep. Scott Cepicky ( R-Culleoka ) on Monday asked Tennessee ’ s top elected officials to abolish the state ’ s contact tracing lists because he said they could do more harm than good .
Cepicky said this while addressing members of The Tennessee General Assembly in a letter he published on his Facebook page .
Cepicky warned about an “ infringement of personal privacy and liberty.
” “ As you know we now have contact tracers in place and sick lists .
Being distributed to first responders and law enforcement .
These lists are being used to single @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the virus , ” Cepicky said .
“ However , 98 percent of those that contract the virus may experience little to no symptoms and will recover normally without any assistance .
I am concerned that these reports and lists will have an adverse effect on testing .
As a result , Tennesseans will stop getting tested to protect their privacy.
” Cepicky then asked that Tennessee Speaker of the House Cameron Sexton ( R-Crossville ) and Lt. Gov .
Randy McNally advise Gov .
Bill Lee to repeal these programs — immediately @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the worst possible outcome from this virus .
Our hospitals , National Guard , first responders and our great citizens responded with incredible focus and determination to fight COVID-19 .
However , none of those dire predictions have come to a realization , ” Cepicky wrote in his letter .
“ COVID-19 has proven to be no more threatening than our common flu season every year .
COVID-19 is less deadly than other types of diseases such as heart disease , diabetes , cancer , and others that have taken so many lives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 as another virus that we must deal with so that we can move forward with our lives both economically and socially .
We must work hard to return Tennessee to its pre-COVID-19 status and allow our citizens to resume a normal life.
” Cepicky told The Tennessee Star Monday afternoon that no one from Sexton ’ s , McNally ’ s , or Lee ’ s offices had thus far contacted him about the letter .
“ Nothing more to add at this time , ” Cepicky told us in an email @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or McNally ’ s offices returned The Star ’ s request for comment Monday .
Sexton , however , corresponded with us via email .
“ Tennessee is one of the first states to reopen , and we are going to continue to reopen as quickly and as safely as we can.
” Chris Butler is an investigative journalist at The Tennessee Star .
Follow Chris on Facebook .
Email tips to [ email protected ]


thetennesseestar--2020-05-13--Shelby County Officials Report Spike in Opioid Deaths, 20 Overdoses in 24 Hours

The Shelby County Health Department in Tennessee has issued a drug overdose spike alert lasting from April 6 to May 7 after seeing an unexplained increase in drug overdoses between that time .
Recent data showed that seven separate spike alerts were triggered between those dates , with the most recent reporting 20 suspected overdose events , four of them fatal .
The Shelby County Health Department monitors drug overdose activity through first responder organizations and a database called ODMAP .
Data from ODMAP also showed a seven-day alert for April 30 to May 7 , with 131 total suspected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 14-day alert for April 23 to May 7 , with 209 total suspected overdose events and 35 fatalities ; and a 30-day alert from April 7 to May 7 , with 391 total suspected overdose events and 58 fatalities .
Both the 7- , 14- and 30-day alerts are the highest recorded count to date for their respective time periods .
Tracking for overdose events began January 1 , 2019 , according to the department .
“ The contributing factors behind the overdose spike are not clear , but the trend is concerning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Alisa Haushalter said in a statement The spike alerts are not specific to opioid overdoses , but rather include all drug overdoses , the department said , adding that overdoses may include more than one substance .
“ Amid the COVID-19 pandemic , it is important that those with substance use issues continue to have access to the care they need , including treatment and community access to Narcan , which can reverse opioid overdoses if administered promptly , ” Haushalter said .
There are more than 3,400 cases of the coronavirus in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s health department .
The death toll for the county is 72 .
Tennessee has more than 16,000 confirmed cases and 264 deaths , according to the Tennessee Department of Health .
Jordyn Pair is a report with The Michigan Star .
Follow her on Twitter at @ JordynPair .
Email her at [ email protected ]

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.


thetennesseestar--2020-05-13--Commentary: Time for Trump and Barr to Declassify Everything the Obama White House Knew About Michae

Commentary: Time for Trump and Barr to Declassify Everything the Obama White House Knew About Michael Flynn

The Justice Department has dismissed all charges against former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn , after spying on his Dec. 22 , 2016 conversation he had with Russian ambassador Sergei Kislyak , leaking it to the Washington Post on Jan. 12 , 2017 , sending the FBI to ask about it on Jan. 24 , 2017—all resulting in Flynn ’ s firing , prosecution and guilty plea , that he has since motioned to withdraw .
Now , the Justice Department says any omissions of fact were unintentional , especially since the FBI had the transcript of the Kislyak call @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was said , which Flynn told the agents when they came for the interview asking questions .
According to Justice Department ’ s motion , “ Mr .
Flynn , himself a former Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency , stated that he readily expected that the FBI already knew the contents of his conversations with the ambassador , stating : ‘ you listen to everything they say.
’ ” As a result , and given other internal statements by the FBI that it was unsure if Flynn had even lied at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ case , stating there was not even linked to a legitimate investigation , saying , “ After a considered review of all the facts and circumstances of this case , including newly discovered and disclosed information appended to the defendant ’ s supplemental pleadings… the Government has concluded that the interview of Mr. Flynn was untethered to , and unjustified by , the FBI ’ s counterintelligence investigation into Mr. Flynn—a no longer justifiably predicated investigation that the FBI had , in the Bureau ’ s own words , prepared to close because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any derogatory information.
’ ” Additionally , that there was no basis for the interview in the first place : “ The Government is not persuaded that the January 24 , 2017 interview was conducted with a legitimate investigative basis and therefore does not believe Mr. Flynn ’ s statements were material even if untrue .
Moreover , we do not believe that the Government can prove either the relevant false statements or their materiality beyond a reasonable doubt.
” All this raises not only raises significant questions about Flynn ’ s case @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of President Donald Trump , his campaign and administration that they were Russian agents who stole the election from Hillary Clinton .
The investigation started first by targeting George Papadopoulos via foreign agency efforts beginning in mid-2016 , and then the FISA warrant applications , on Carter Page beginning in Oct. 2016 , fueled by the DNC-Steele dossier falsely accusing President Donald Trump , Page and Paul Manafort of being Russian agents , that was renewed after the election .
Then , they went after Flynn during the transition .
Since 2017 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Special Counsel Robert Mueller that there was no conspiracy between Trump , his campaign and Russia .
Mueller found in his report that “ [ T ] he investigation did not establish that members of the Trump Campaign conspired or coordinated with the Russian government in its election interference activities , ” and “ the evidence does not establish that the President was involved in an underlying crime related to Russian election interference.
” That is why it is time for President Trump and Attorney General William Barr to declassify everything .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ own judgment on President Trump this year in his reelection bid , and yet the public is still unaware of much of the basis of this botched investigation , and who knew about it .
A Jan. 20 , 2017 email that former National Security Advisor Susan Rice sent to herself on the day Trump was inaugurated revealed a Jan. 5 , 2017 meeting in the Oval Office , in which Rice wrote , “ On January 5 , following a briefing by IC leadership on Russian hacking during the 2016 Presidential election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conversation with FBI Director Jim Comey and Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates in the Oval Office .
Vice President Biden and I were also present.
” This was the Russian interference into the 2016 election briefing given a day before then-Director of National Intelligence James Clapper issued the joint intelligence assessment on the same , but the version that was given to former President Barack Obama and then-President-Elect Trump on Jan. 5 , 2017 also reportedly included some of the allegations leveled by former British spy Christopher Steele in his infamous dossier , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the Democratic National Committee , that Trump was a Russian agent .
According to Rice , former President Barack Obama supposedly , laughably wanted to make certain that the investigation , which was about to be carried over to the Trump administration , would be done “ by the book.
” Per Rice ’ s email to herself , “ President Obama began the conversation by stressing his continued commitment to ensuring that every aspect of this issue is handled by the Intelligence and law enforcement communities ‘ by the book ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not asking about , initiating or instructing anything from a law enforcement perspective .
He reiterated that our law enforcement team needs to proceed as it normally would by the book .
From a national security perspective , however , President Obama said he wants to be sure that , as we engage with the incoming team , we are mindful to ascertain if there is any reason that we can not share information fully as it relates to Russia.
” The email continued , “ The President asked [ then-FBI Director James @ @ @ @ @ @ @ changes in the next few weeks that should affect how we share classified information with the incoming team .
Comey said he would.
” The email was uncovered from the National Archives by then-Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley ( R-Iowa ) and the current Chairman Lindsey Graham ( R-S.C. ) on Feb. 12 , 2018 , who wrote a letter to Rice with very pointed questions .
Rice actually responded , via her attorney , Kathryn Ruemmler , in a letter on Feb. 23 , 2018 , denying that the meeting covered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or even knowing there as an active FBI investigation into the Trump campaign in 2016 or that there were ongoing FISA warrants and surveillance into the Trump campaign and then transition .
Rice claimed to have only found out about it all via Comey ’ s Congressional testimony and press reports later .
Those denials stand at the heart of what role former President Barack Obama knew , and when he knew it .
If Rice knew , he knew .
Obamagate ?
Maybe .
This is why everything must be declassified immediately @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Public Policy at Americans for Limited Government .


thetennesseestar--2020-05-13--Michael Patrick Leahy Explains HIPAA and Questions the Legality of Governor Bill Lee’s Memorandum of

Michael Patrick Leahy Explains HIPAA and Questions the Legality of Governor Bill Lee’s Memorandum of Understanding Regarding Positive COVID-19 Patients

Tuesday 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 Michael Patrick Leahy gave his commentary on Tennessee Governor Bill Lee ’ s recent order allowing COVID-19 test results of private citizens to be released to local law enforcement .
He examined whether this was constitutional or a statutory violation of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act ( HIPAA ) of 1996 ’ s privacy rule .
Well , the big news if you look at our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The state Representative Scott Cepicky from Murray County has written a letter to Governor Bill Lee saying , you know , you need to stop this policy of sharing private information with law enforcement about the details of whether or not somebody has COVID-19 .
The governor kind of snuck this in late Friday .
Didn ’ t make a press release announcement about it .
And people are very upset about it .
On the face of it , it looks to be a violation of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability @ @ @ @ @ @ @ called H-I-P-A-A passed in 1996 .
Every time you see people handling medical information you can ’ t reveal it about any individual because of HIPAA .
There are all sorts of rules and regulations that prohibit you from sharing that information .
But , Governor Lee thought it would be a good idea to secretly allow COVID-19 test status data , in otherwords if someone has tested positive for COVID-19 right now and we don ’ t know who else is on this memorandum of understanding between the state and the counties @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a county where the county administrator or law enforcement guys there or I guess the sheriff would have signed this agreement regarding the COVID-19 test .
And if you are positive that information is given to this Tennessee Emergency Management Council and they , in turn , give it to the local law enforcement .
So the question is why did Governor Bill Lee think this was a good idea ?
He hasn ’ t told us why he thinks it ’ s a good idea .
Although late Friday after the Associated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say that , well the Department of Health and Human Services has provided guidelines which lets us do this .
OK .
But are those guidelines constitutional or are they a statutory violation of HIPAA privacy rule ?
I think they are .
The governor hasn ’ t really made the case that they are not a violation of the law .
And so a lot of us have that question .
There ’ s also a common-sense issue related to this and this was captured in this letter that Scott Cepicky sent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can read the letter .
Basically he said , look , this is going to have a chilling effect on people who want to take the test .
Let ’ s just say you want to know .
Maybe you have symptoms or maybe your asymptomatic but you think you ’ ve been exposed .
Why would you go in and take this test if you know the information if you test positive is going to be given to law enforcement and I guess every deputy , sheriff , or police officer in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have the information that you tested positive for COVID-19 .
Well , it ’ s none of their business !
A .
And B , does it give them an excuse to target you ?
I think that maybe it does .
I ’ m not a HIPAA expert so this is always dangerous when you are trying to explain these laws and regulations which are very obscure and detailed .
What happens is kind of hard to explain how this works , Congress will pass and within this law which was passed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the agencies and those agencies set up rules about how you administer those .
And there ’ s a rule making process where they will have public comment etc .
But the rules are written by bureaucrats who often will write the rules in such a way that they are violating the intent of the law .
It happens all the time .
And so there have been rules about this .
And I went to look at the rules and the original rules in my view would not permit the disclosure of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ data .


thetennesseestar--2020-05-13--Biden Denies Knowing Anything About Flynn Investigation Before Admitting He ‘Was Aware’

Presumptive Democrat Presidential nominee Joe Biden denied knowing anything about the investigation into Michael Flynn until he was reminded that he was in the room at the White House with other top Obama officials on the day the matter was discussed .
Biden ’ s memory was jogged by ABC ’ s George Stephanopoulos during an interview on “ Good Morning America , ” Tuesday .
While noting that the president called the Flynn case “ the biggest political crime in U.S. history , ” Stephanopoulos asked Biden what he personally knew about the case .
“ What did you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Flynn and was there anything improper done ?
” the host asked .
“ I know nothing about those moves to investigate Michael Flynn , ” Biden replied without hesitation .
“ Number two , this is all about diversion !
” he cried .
To Stephanopoulos ’ credit , he pressed Biden about his answer .
“ You say you didn ’ t know anything about it but you were in a January 5 , 2017 meeting where you and the president were briefed on the FBI ’ s plan to question @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had with the Russian ambassador Kislyak … ” On January 5 , 2017 , Biden attended an Oval Office meeting to discuss Russian election interference with then-FBI Director James Comey , then-Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates , then-CIA Director John Brennan , and then-Director of National Intelligence James Clapper , according to recently declassified documents .
Then-National security adviser Susan Rice and other members of the national security council were also in on the meeting .
“ Joe Biden was in the room when one of the greatest abuses of power by an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Trump campaign spokesman Matt Wolking said in a statement after the news broke last week .
“ The corrupt media will do its best to cover up this scandal and protect him , but Americans deserve to know : What did Joe Biden know and when did he know it ?
” In Biden ’ s defense , he may not have heard about the Flynn investigation at that briefing .
After the meeting , the officials who would be leaving at the end of the term were dismissed and Yates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Trump administration , were asked to stay .
That ’ s when Obama brought up Flynn ’ s conversations with Kislyak , apparently taking Yates by surprise .
In answer to Stephanopoulos ’ s question , Biden said , “ no , I thought you asked me about whether or not I had anything to do with him being prosecuted , I ’ m sorry.
” But Biden had specifically said he didn ’ t know about the FBI ’ s “ moves to investigate Michael Flynn ” in his previous answer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had asked for an investigation , ” he continued .
“ But that ’ s all I know about it and I don ’ t think anything else , I mean look.
” When Stephanopoulos asked Biden if he believed the Justice Department was right to drop the charges against Flynn , the candidate cited a letter signed by 2,000 former DOJ officials who called for Attorney General William Barr to resign .
“ I have been absolutely stunned by the way in which he has not conducted the office properly , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t know the detail of where we are right now.
” He added , “ My point is a simple one .
Focus on what ’ s in front of us .
You have plenty of time to investigate this issue .
I think there ’ s nothing there , there.
” Following the interview , RNC Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel tweeted that Biden had “ lied about the setup of General Flynn .
”


thetennesseestar--2020-05-13--Tennessee Officials: April Revenues Decline Sharply, Likely Because of COVID-19

Tennessee Department of Finance and Administration Commissioner Butch Eley announced Tuesday that revenues for April were less than the monthly revenues from the previous year .
according to the department ’ s press release .
Overall state revenues for April were $ 1.3 billion , which is a negative growth rate of 39.75 percent compared to last year and $ 693.8 million less than the state budgeted , the press release said .
“ The signs of economic downturn due to the COVID-19 pandemic have begun to appear in Tennessee ’ s April tax receipts , ” Eley said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ March taxable sales activity , were weakened as the state began to withdraw from its usual patterns of consumer spending by mid-month .
Franchise and excise tax receipts , along with Hall income and business taxes are also notably reduced due to filing extensions that will allow individuals and businesses to report their taxable activity later in the year .
It has been 10 years since an economic downturn has impacted state revenues .
The state ’ s large monthly revenue surpluses built up throughout the beginning of the year will now be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ begins to erase those gains .
Yet , we remain committed to keeping the state ’ s budget in balance despite the current challenges.
” The Tennessee Department of Revenue extended the due date for certain taxes on April 6 , 2020 .
On an accrual basis , April is the ninth month in the 2019-2020 fiscal year , the press release said .
“ General fund revenues were less than budgeted estimates by $ 650.9 million , while the four other funds that share in state tax revenues were $ 42.9 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ revenues were $ 61.2 million less than the estimate for April and they were 6.01 percent less than April 2019 .
For nine months , revenues are $ 182.4 million higher than estimated .
The year-to-date growth rate for nine months is 4.83 percent , ” the press release aid .
“ Franchise and excise tax revenues combined were $ 486.6 million lower than the budgeted estimate in April , and the growth rate compared to April 2019 was negative 70.61 percent .
For nine months , revenues are $ 249.2 million lower @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rate is negative 16.50 percent .
Gasoline and motor fuel revenues for April decreased by 1.4 percent compared to April 2019 and they were $ 5.6 million less than the budgeted estimate of $ 108.7 million .
For nine months revenues are more than estimated by $ 33.4 million.
” Motor vehicle registration revenues were $ 10.8 million less than the April estimate , and on a year-to-date basis they are $ 1.6 million less than estimates .
Tobacco tax revenues were $ 3.2 million less than the April budgeted estimate of $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they are $ 1.3 million more than the budgeted estimate .
Mixed drink taxes were $ 7.4 million less than the budgeted estimate of $ 12.5 million , the press release said .
“ Hall Income Tax revenues for April were $ 62 million less than the budgeted estimate .
For nine months , revenues are $ 55.5 million less than the budgeted estimate .
Privilege tax revenues were $ 7.2 million less than the April estimate , and on a year-to-date basis , August through April , revenues are $ 34.4 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the press release .
“ Business tax revenues were $ 50.4 million less than the April estimate .
For nine months , revenues are $ 41 million less than the budgeted estimate .
All other tax revenues exceeded estimates by a net of $ 0.6 million .
Year-to-date revenues , August through April , are $ 88.1 million less than the budgeted estimate .
The growth rate for nine months is negative 0.89 percent .
General fund revenues are $ 164.2 million less than the budgeted estimate and the four other funds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Chris Butler is an investigative journalist at The Tennessee Star .
Follow Chris on Facebook .
Email tips to [ email protected ]


thetennesseestar--2020-05-13--Commentary: Minority Communities Stand to Lose the Most Because of Judge’s ESA Decision

Next time you hear progressives talk about how they are the ones who are sticking up for minority communities , ask them to square their opposition to educational freedom – or the ability for families to customize their child ’ s education .
Progressives cheered this week as Nashville Chancellor Anne C. Martin ruled that the state ’ s education savings account program is “ unconstitutional ” because of an obscure section in our constitution where it talks about “ home rule.
” The ruling was a blow to the many hundreds of families who are desperately looking for increased @ @ @ @ @ @ @ best type of education for their child .
Every single family in Tennessee should have this choice , but because teacher unions and their special interest group advocates adamantly oppose any type of choice for parents , the ESA program that was signed into law was narrow in scope .
But even this was a step too far for educational freedom opponents who consistently put their interests above everything else .
Let ’ s be clear , minority families are the ones who are among the biggest groups in the state who are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it is difficult for any child to learn and thrive .
It ’ s why minority families have been demanding policymakers to take action and enact bold action to change a status quo that is leaving far too many students behind .
Here in Tennessee , the numbers are staggering .
As the Tennessee Star recently reported , Tennessee students are struggling to keep pace on national exams despite adopting one-size-fits-all policies .
This is why education savings accounts represent something dramatically different from what we have been doing for nearly half a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ child ’ s education using education dollars to pay for tutoring , school supplies and even private school tuition .
Not surprisingly , ESAs are incredibly popular with the American people .
A recent Mason Dixon poll found that a whopping 78 % of Tennesseans and 68 percent of Democrats in the state support ESA programs .
Behind these numbers are real families who are looking for additional options for their children to thrive and learn .
They include folks like Tamara Henderson and her children Trey , 11 and Trinity , 5 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forward to using their ESA accounts beginning this fall .
After the recent court ruling , Ms. Henderson told the media that she was worried about how she was going to make ends to meet to continue sending her children to the private school where they are currently enrolled .
Ms. Henderson speaks highly of their children ’ s school saying that his son is able to “ grow ” and isn ’ t “ held back.
” Every student in the state should feel like they are able to grow and find @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them .
As every family in Tennessee is learning because of COVID -19 school closures , education can happen anywhere .
Families and students can structure their day to learn and explore reading books , but also taking advantage of the internet .
And because every child is unique , parents are figuring out ways to ensure that they are developing an education plan for each child .
The point here is that we should reject a cookie-cutter approach to education and demand policy makers free up families ’ ability to customize their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a great step forward to increased educational freedom .
Unfortunately , now with the judge ’ s ruling , the future of ESAs in the state is up in the air .
Next time you hear someone cheer this decision and rail against school choice , ask them : why do you feel families are incapable of choosing an education plan that works for their children ?
Raul Lopez is the executive director of Latinos for Tennessee PAC , a political action committee that supports candidates that promote faith , family , freedom @ @ @ @


thetennesseestar--2020-05-13--Trump Halts Federal Retirement Investments in Chinese Funds

President Donald Trump will cut the federal government ’ s retirement fund investments in Chinese equities , according to a Monday letter obtained by Fox Business .
The White House does not want federal employee retirement funds to have money invested in Chinese equities , national Security Adviser Robert O ’ Brien and National Economic Council Chair Larry Kudlow said in a letter to U.S. Labor Secretary Eugene Scalia Monday .
“ This action would expose the retirement funds to significant and unnecessary economic risk , ” O ’ Brien and Kudlow wrote in the letter , “ and it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that present significant national security and humanitarian concerns because they operate in violation of U.S. sanction laws and assist the Chinese Government ’ s efforts to build its military and oppress religious minorities.
” Indiana Republican Rep. Jim Banks praised Trump for taking action on the investments in Chinese funds .
“ I want to thank President Trump for ensuring that our military personnel and other federal employees don ’ t subsidize the Chinese military , ” Banks told the Daily Caller News Foundation in a statement .
“ I hope Congress can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bill , the Blocking Investment In Our Adversaries Act.
” The Indiana representative first drew attention to the matter May when he introduced the Blocking Investment in Our Adversaries Act — a bill that seeks to prevent TSP savings from being invested in either Chinese or Russian companies .
“ Last month , Rep. Gallagher and I called Secretary Gene Scalia to look at his jurisdiction to stop federal pension investments in companies tied to China ’ s military , ” Banks added .
“ I ’ m thankful for Sec .
Scalia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issue.
” Banks warned of the looming coronavirus pandemic days before his fellow lawmakers began taking the virus seriously , he told the DCNF in an early April interview .
If more lawmakers had focused their attention on China and China ’ s pattern of misinformation and propaganda , the United States might not have been impacted so heavily by the virus , according to Banks .
“ It wouldn ’ t be a surprise to anyone who has been following China ’ s actions , their misinformation campaign , their propaganda , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ see many of the actions that we ’ ve seen come out of China , ” Banks said in April .


thetennesseestar--2020-05-13--Gov. Lee’s Advisor Who Provided COVID-19 Patient Information to Police, Promoted to COO

The woman behind Tennessee providing COVID-19 patient data to first responders has been promoted .
Brandon O. Gibson , a senior advisor to Gov .
Bill Lee , was promoted to the state ’ s chief operating officer ( COO ) , the governor ’ s office announced Tuesday .
Gibson replaces Butch Eley as COO following Eley ’ s appointment as commissioner of Finance & Administration .
Gibson had previously been serving as Senior Advisor to the Governor .
“ Brandon has been a respected voice both within our administration and across our state , ” said Gov .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ creatively and bring innovative ideas to fruition will be critical as state government continues to provide services to our customers in new ways during these challenging times .
We ’ re lucky to have a public servant like Brandon in Tennessee and I ’ m excited for her to get started in this new role.
” The Tennessee Department of Health is providing the names and addresses of Tennessee residents who test positive for COVID-19 to sheriffs and police daily , the Tennessee Lookout reported .
The offer to share the protected health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gov .
Bill Lee , according to two letters obtained by the Lookout .
Thirty-two sheriff ’ s offices and 35 police departments have entered into agreements with the state to receive the information , the publication reported , quoting Shelley Walker , a Health Department spokeswoman .
Gibson also was involved in the decision to tell police and other first responders who has COVID-19 .
WSMV said the Easter Sunday tornadoes caused angst among some first responders about going into homes to help people during a pandemic , including Robertson County Sheriff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would look into the issue .
The Tennessee Black Caucus of State Legislators asked Lee and the Tennessee Department of Health to stop giving out the names , The Tennessee Star reported .


thetennesseestar--2020-05-13--Commentary: Communism Survivor Warns What Will Happen If Americans Take Freedom for Granted

Too few have learned about the horrors of communism .
Fewer still have escaped it and lived to tell the tale .
Amy Phan West is one such survivor .
In 1984 , Phan escaped Vietnam ’ s communist dictatorship by concealing herself in the bottom of one of her father ’ s fishing vessels before it set out to sea .
Escape wasn ’ t a question of political preference for Phan and her family .
It was one of survival .
In a recent interview with Young Americans Against Socialism ( YAAS ) , Phan told how her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on her father ’ s lap .
“ My dad told my mom , ‘ We can ’ t have a future in Vietnam .
So we have to leave Vietnam because we will die in the hands of the communists , ’ ” says Phan , an entrepreneur who now lives in America .
Before the communist takeover , Phan ’ s mother and father made a living by fishing .
They made enough to feed themselves and put a roof over the heads of their small family , which also included @ @ @ @ @ @ @ younger sister .
Phan said life was “ beautiful and nice ” in Vietnam for a time .
Things changed quickly , however , under the communist regime .
“ Once the communists took over , everything that [ my parents ] fished they had to give to the communists , the government , ” said Phan .
“ And if they don ’ t do it , they make an example of them .
Bury them alive.
” Phan ’ s father realized his family could not survive in Vietnam .
So @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his fishing boat and set out to sea , taking with them all the food , water , and clothes they possessed .
After three days at sea , the family ran out of fresh water .
They were saved when they encountered a German oil tanker .
The crew took them in , gave them food and water , and eventually carried them to a refugee camp in Thailand .
The conditions at the refugee camp were poor , but eventually Phan and her family were granted asylum in America .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her .
“ I ’ ve seen women and children raped and thrown overboard on a fishing boat , ” Phan says .
“ I ’ ve seen people die because of starvation … and eating flesh to survive.
” Phan says she has no wish to relive that experience , and her message to young Americans is simple : cherish and protect the Constitution .
“ Right now in America , we still have freedom .
We still have freedom of speech , freedom of religion , and freedom to bear arms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ freedom to be entrepreneurs , freedom to free market.
” Pointing to freedom in retreat in nations around the world such as North Korea , Venezuela , and China , Phan says Americans must not take these freedoms for granted .
“ This country is great because of our Constitution , ” Phan says .
“ So we have to fight and we have to [ preserve ] that .
If we don ’ t , we will lose it all.
” As moving and powerful as Phan ’ s story is , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ horrors of which she speaks are , tragically , not unique .
As Ilya Somin of George Mason University pointed out in a 2017 Washington Post article , communist states killed as many as 100 million people collectively during the 20th century , more than all other totalitarian regimes combined during that period ( hyperlinks added ) : In China alone , Mao Zedong ’ s Great Leap Forward led to a man-made famine in which as many as 45 million people perished – the single biggest episode of mass murder in all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Union , Joseph Stalin ’ s collectivization – which served as a model for similar efforts in China and elsewhere – took some 6 to 10 million lives .
Mass famines occurred in many other communist regimes , ranging from North Korea to Ethiopia .
In each of these cases , communist rulers were well aware that their policies were causing mass death , and in each , they persisted nonetheless , often because they considered the extermination of “ Kulak ” peasants a feature rather than a bug .
While collectivization was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also engaged in other forms of mass murder on an epic scale .
Millions died in slave labor camps , such as the USSR ’ s Gulag system and its equivalents elsewhere .
Many others were killed in more conventional mass executions , such as those of Stalin ’ s Great Purge , and the “ Killing Fields ” of Cambodia .
The injustices of communism were not limited to mass murder alone .
Even those fortunate enough to survive still were subjected to severe repression , including violations of freedom of speech @ @ @ @ @ @ @ property rights , and the criminalization of ordinary economic activity .
No previous tyranny sought such complete control over nearly every aspect of people ’ s lives .
Read the last sentence again : No previous tyranny sought such complete control over nearly every aspect of people ’ s lives .
Somin gets at the heart of Marxism here .
While many see socialism as a philosophy of compassion , the ideology is pregnant with the desire to control others .
To be sure , many seek to use this control for noble @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But as FEE founder Leonard Read observed in his classic work Let Freedom Reign , “ the bloom pre-exists in the seed.
” This was Read ’ s way of saying we must look at the means we use , not just the ends we seek .
Ends , goals , aims are but the hope for things to come…They are not a part of the reality… from which may safely be taken the standards for right conduct .
They are no more to be trusted as bench marks than are day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the most monstrous deeds in human history have been perpetrated in the name of doing good—in pursuit of some ‘ noble ’ goal .
They illustrate the fallacy that the end justifies the means .
FEE ’ s archives are filled with articles chronicling the horrors of Marxism , from the Bolshevik Revolution of 1917 to the tragic collapse that continues today in socialist Venezuela .
There are accounts of others who , like Phan , escaped communism only to find the seeds of its rebirth here in America .
Some of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Americans understand socialism and freedom .
It ’ s a cliché , but sometimes clichés are true : freedom is not free .
If Americans forget this crucial truth , we may one day learn the bitter truth of socialism that Phan and so many others were forced to endure .
Phan , at least , appears determined to never that happen .
“ If you hear my voice today , this is it , ” she said .
“ Never , never surrender your Second Amendment .
Because once you do , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jonathan Miltimore is the Managing Editor of FEE.org .
His writing/reporting has appeared in TIME magazine , The Wall Street Journal , CNN , Forbes , and Fox News .


thetennesseestar--2020-05-13--POLL: Biden’s Support Among Women Drops After He Denies Sexual Assault Allegations

Former Vice President Joe Biden ’ s favorability rating is dropping among women amid an increase in media coverage of Tara Reade ’ s sexual assault allegations , a national poll found Tuesday .
Biden ’ s net favorability rating among women slid 6 points since April , leaving the former vice president with a 44 % positive and 46 % negative rating , according to a Morning Consult poll published Tuesday .
The survey is the first time Morning Consult has shown the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee underwater among women .
The poll , conducted between May 4 and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as the media began ramping up stories on Reade ’ s accusations .
The survey also has a 1 percentage point margin of error .
Reade accused the former vice president of sexually assaulting her when she was Biden ’ s Senate aide in 1993 .
Several witnesses began corroborating her allegations on April , 24 , 25 and 27 .
Reade ’ s mother , her brother , her close friend , her former neighbor and her former coworker have all corroborated details of her story .
Biden , for his part @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s “ Morning Joe ” co-host Mika Brzezinski on May 1 that “ it never , never happened.
” Despite the negative numbers , women still supported Biden over President Donald Trump by 8 points in the poll .
The poll also found Biden losing steam among voters in general as he pulls in 45 % support nationally , against 42 % for Trump .
Morning Consult conducted a similar poll in mid-April that found the former vice president ahead by 8 points .
Chris White is a reporter for the Daily @ @ @ @


thetennesseestar--2020-05-13--Kerry Roberts: Now Is a Great Opportunity for Gov. Lee to Show Leadership by Un-Declaring the Tennes

Kerry Roberts: Now Is a Great Opportunity for Gov. Lee to Show Leadership by Un-Declaring the Tennessee State of Emergency and Put People Back to Work

On Tuesday ’ s 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. – Michael Patrick Leahy welcomed his weekly regular guest and all-star panelist Tennessee state Senator Kerry Roberts ( R-Springfield ) to the newsmakers line .
During the second hour , Roberts weighed in on Governor Lee ’ s recent order which allowed law enforcement access to private citizens ’ COVID-19 test results .
He expressed his disagreement with the order and suggested Lee show leadership by undeclaring a state of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now by our very good friend .
All-star panelist and State Senator Kerry Roberts .
Good morning Kerry .
Roberts : Good morning .
You caught me with my mouth full of food .
( Laughs ) Leahy : Well , it ’ s always good to eat breakfast in the morning .
Roberts : Yes it is .
( Laughs ) Leahy : I called you early Saturday morning because there was something very troubling I discovered late Friday night .
And that was that Governor Lee had authorized the disclosure of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to law enforcement .
The local law enforcement has to sign a memorandum of understanding about the use of this information .
But to me , it seemed to be an egregious violation of the Health Insurance and Portability Accountability Act ( HIPAA ) as well as the right to privacy of every individual .
I think your initial reaction to this was somewhat similar to mine .
The story has moved forward since then .
Scott Cepicky the state representative from Murray County has written a letter to the governor saying you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you on this now Kerry ?
Roberts : Well , I don ’ t agree with it .
I probably had a little bit more of an understanding of the rational .
But I don ’ t agree with it at all .
Fundamentally before you get caught up in the details we have to ask ourselves this question .
Doe the state of emergency still exists ?
Because when we have a state of emergency Title 58 of the Tennessee code applies and one of the things it allows to occur is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regulations to be suspended .
So you can enact emergency rules .
So under normal circumstances this policy , if you will , would be reviewed by the government operations committee .
It would have people for and against it to give testimony .
And it would receive a thorough vetting .
And I ’ m sure from the administration ’ s standpoint well we already done this with HIV .
We already do it to some extent with tuberculosis and that HIPAA does have a very narrow exception for law enforcement .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ says this could be easily abused .
You ’ ve got privacy concerns here .
What are you going to do with the lists when you ’ re done ?
Then you have the first responders that come in that say , “ Hey we ’ re the ones that insisted on this and wanted it and the health department pushed back but they finally gave in.
” A judge would not hear a case by only letting the prosecutor present his argument and the defense attorney can not .
Leahy : Unless @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Roberts : Right .
Yes .
But we digress .
Roberts : They aren ’ t going to listen to the defense attorney and say I only want to hear one side of the story .
That ’ s the point of the rule review .
You don ’ t just hear one side of the story .
You get thoroughly vetted .
And under normal circumstances , I don ’ t see that this would be approved .
This begs the question of are we still in a state of emergency and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state of emergency was declared it was declared under the very well-intended assumption that thousands upon thousands upon thousands of people were going to die in America if we didn ’ t stop what we were doing and deal with this .
And none of this has come to pass .
As I have said repeatedly that one of the most telling things is Walmart , Target , Lowes , etc those workers don ’ t have any higher instances than anybody else does and that they ’ re the ones who get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anybody else would .
They don ’ t even have PPE for the most part .
I think its a bad idea .
I think it ’ s going too far .
And I think it needs to be backtracked along with a couple of other things that they ’ re suggesting .
And we have no idea .
I think this decision was made on April 9 .
I ’ m not sure why we weren ’ t told .
Not a whole lot of feedback on it .
Leahy : The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a memo on April 3 that said that they were doing something in this but they didn ’ t say we ’ re going to be giving it to law enforcement apparently .
Roberts : To the memo , maybe they did and maybe we missed it .
But here ’ s the thing that you ’ ve got to look at too .
When you are in an emergency situation and you have the authority to make a decision that ’ s fine .
But you know the other expression , just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t make it right .
If you are making this kind of decision you don ’ t call up your General Assembly and inform them after the fact of what you ’ ve done or you ’ ve decided to do .
Leahy : If you ’ re Governor Lee apparently you do that but only after the press calls you out on it .
Roberts : Well there are years of collective wisdom in the Tennessee General Assembly and there is a reason that we have three branches of government .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made that change the authority to make decisions .
But just think about it .
When some of this originated , what if North Korea had detonated an E & P in North America and wiped out our grid .
Or some doomsday scenario .
That ’ s whats Title 58 was written for .
Leahy : Big earthquakes and some craziness happens .
Roberts : Right right right .
And this at the front end of it based on the assumptions .
On the front end of it , it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s not turned into that .
So at what point in time do you say , “ You know what the medical experts were wrong so let ’ s roll it back.
” And I think we ’ re at that point .
I think we ’ re very clearly at that point .
There ’ s not been any run on the hospital beds like we thought .
We didn ’ t run out of ventilators .
We didn ’ t run out of medical personnel .
And in fact , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weren ’ t allowed to elective surgeries .
You got people who put off medical tests .
You ’ ve got people who lost their jobs .
Very early on people were saying let ’ s not let the cure be worse than the disease and that ’ s exactly where we are right now .
At some point , we ’ ve got to say its time to un-declare the state of emergency .
And why shouldn ’ t Tennessee be the first state in the nation to do that ?
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It ’ s a great opportunity for Governor Lee to show leadership .
Let ’ s say to the rest of America , you know these medical experts apparently didn ’ t know what they were talking about and its time to un-declare the state of emergency , and let ’ s put America back to work with added protection for the elderly and fragile and who are absolutely are vulnerable .
Roberts : Let ’ s everything in our power to give them the care and protection and safety and security they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ everybody else go back to work .
Just like that Walmart , Target , or Kroger clerk who ’ s been working this entire time without PPE and the benefit of social distancing .
And all these other meaningless things they ’ ve done in retail .
Anybody that ’ s been to a crowded Walmart knows that social distancing experiment does not work in Walmart despite they ’ re best efforts .
Leahy : Just a side note .
There is a union of grocery workers out there .
I forget the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ amalgamated something .
1.3 million workers and they ’ ve done a test and found of 1.3 million workers like 50 of them have died of COVID-19 which is a very very low rate .
That ’ s the point Kerry that you ’ ve been making since the beginning of this pandemic .
Roberts : You know what ?
I have .
And I don ’ t say that with any kind of I told you so glee or anything .
Leahy : That ’ s alright .
I ’ ll say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Roberts told us so !
( Laughs ) Roberts : The point is this .
I ’ ve said this before and I don ’ t mean to step on the toes of anyone in the medical profession but I ’ m going to segregate the medical “ experts ” from the medical professionals .
I ’ m not talking about medical professionals .
I ’ m talking about medical academic and intellectual elite experts .
I ’ ve learned to roll my eyes at them when they come in and give testimony @ @ @ @ @ @ @ terms and when you challenge them or question them because they get so indignant .
Leahy : Got to save that one life !
Roberts : And you know every single life is precious .
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--2020-05-13--Manny Sethi Announces 95 County Tour

Manny Sethi Announces 95 County Tour

U.S. Senate candidate Manny Sethi announced Tuesday that he will begin a 95 county tour in the coming days .
This , according to a press release Sethi put out on his campaign ’ s website .
“ Over the last ten years with our health care nonprofit , Maya and I have visited every corner of the state , and again since kicking off our campaign in June .
From now until Election Day on August 6 , I will be visiting every county in Tennessee , ” Sethi said .
“ I believe the way you campaign is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will represent every person from Mountain City to Memphis , Turtletown to Tiptonville , and I will be visiting every county to share my vision for this state and country.
” Campaign Manager Forrest Barnwell-Hagemeyer said he and members of the Sethi campaign look forward to visiting every county between now and Election Day .
“ Tennesseans are looking for a trustworthy , conservative candidate , and Dr. Manny is the candidate who is talking directly to voters and answering their questions , ” Barnwell-Hagemeyer said in the press release .
“ He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wants to hear directly from Tennesseans.
” Sethi will visit every county safely , and all events will comply with President Donald Trump ’ s and Gov .
Bill Lee ’ s guidelines , according to the press release .
As The Tennessee Star reported last year , Sethi , a Republican who wants to replace the retiring U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander , said Tennessee voters may rest assured he , if elected , won ’ t fall in with the Washington D.C. establishment .
And if he does replace Alexander then Sethi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ skill set he needs to do something a lot of U.S. senators can not — get his policies enacted into law .
Sethi sat down with The Star last year and described why he thinks grassroots Republicans should pull the lever for him next year .
“ I met my wife when I was 16 .
We have two children , a six-year-old and a three-year-old .
I ’ ve developed a thriving trauma practice in a non-profit .
I wouldn ’ t walk away from that to go up to Washington , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Sethi said .
“ I ’ m going out there to keep the American dream alive , the same dream that my parents came here to find .
That ’ s why I ’ m doing it and that is why the establishment is so scared of me , because they know that I won ’ t back down .
There are things like the debt ceiling .
We can ’ t call ourselves conservatives and spend like we ’ re spending .
We can ’ t call ourselves conservative when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That ’ s crazy .
Those are the things I ’ ll fight for .
You have my word.
” Chris Butler is an investigative journalist at The Tennessee Star .
Follow Chris on Facebook .
Email tips to [ email protected ] Photo “ Manny Sethi ” by Manny Sethi .


thetennesseestar--2020-05-13--Judge in Michael Flynn Case Isn’t Tossing Charges Just Yet

The federal judge handling the case against Michael Flynn signaled Tuesday he is not yet ready to grant the Justice Department ’ s request to throw out charges against the former national security adviser .
Emmet G. Sullivan , a district judge in Washington , D.C. , said that he will allow for the submission of amicus curiae briefs , in which individuals and organizations who did not take part in the case can argue for or against the Justice Department ’ s request to withdraw charges against Flynn .
The Justice Department filed a motion last Thursday to drop @ @ @ @ @ @ @ evidence uncovered by U.S. Attorney Jeffrey Jensen .
Flynn pleaded guilty on Dec. 1 , 2017 to making false statements to the FBI in a January 2017 interview regarding his conversations with Russian ambassador Sergey Kislyak .
But Flynn has sought to withdraw from the plea deal , claiming that he did not actually lie in the FBI interview .
Attorney General William Barr appointed Jensen in January to review evidence in Flynn ’ s case .
The prosecutor discovered FBI documents that Barr says raised questions about the bureau ’ s investigation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to close a counterintelligence investigation of Flynn as of Jan. 4 , 2017 , citing a lack of evidence that he was working in secret with Russia .
But the FBI kept the investigation open after Flynn was discovered to have spoken with Kislyak in late December 2016 .
Jensen obtained another FBI document which showed that the FBI ’ s chief of counterintelligence questioned whether the goal of an interview with Flynn was “ to get him to lie ” so that he could either be fired or prosecuted .
Barr said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ FBI did not have a legitimate basis to conduct the interview central to Flynn ’ s plea deal .
Barr told CBS News that Flynn ’ s call with Kislyak was “ laudable ” given that he was about to begin working as national security adviser .
Barr also accused the FBI of setting a “ perjury trap ” against Flynn , who was fired as national security adviser on Feb. 13 , 2017 .
Sullivan ’ s order granting amicus curiae filings will likely delay a decision on whether to grant the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ charges .
Democrats and critics of the Trump administration criticized the request to withdraw the charges against Flynn .
More than 2,000 former Justice Department and FBI officials submitted a letter through the left-wing group , Project Democracy , requesting Barr ’ s resignation .
Chuck Ross is a reporter for the Daily Caller News Foundation .


thetennesseestar--2020-05-13--Speaker Pelosi’s Coronavirus Bill Includes Billions for Eligible Illegal Aliens

Speaker Nancy Pelosi introduced her party ’ s coronavirus relief package , which includes billions of dollars in carve outs for illegal aliens , grants to sanctuary cities , and other protections for the undocumented community .
House Democrats released the HEROES Act on Tuesday , a bill that provides a total of $ 3 trillion in stimulus funds to state and local governments , along with other industries affected by the coronavirus pandemic .
The legislation — which was not negotiated with the GOP or the Trump administration — includes $ 500 billion for state governments and $ 375 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ through the 1,815-page bill also reveals that it includes billions in payments to those living in the United States unlawfully .
Under a provision in the HEROES Act , recipients can receive stimulus money if they file taxes with a Taxpayer Identification Number — in lieu of a Social Security number , allowing many illegal aliens to be eligible for direct funds .
The previous coronavirus relief package , the CARES Act , only allowed those who filed with a Social Security number to be eligible for stimulus money , leaving out undocumented @ @ @ @ @ @ @ passed , would also retroactively provide those using Taxpayer Identification Numbers to obtain funds from the CARES Act .
The House Speaker revealed to the media in late April that Democratic leaders were in discussions to include a provision for Taxpayer Identification Numbers in the next coronavirus relief package .
“ FAIR estimates there are 14.3 million illegal aliens , meaning that in the last stimulus alone illegal aliens could have received over $ 17 billion in direct payments from the Federal government , ” Preston Huennekens , a government relations associate with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ FAIR ) , said in a statement to the Daily Caller News Foundation on Tuesday .
“ This bill provides other relief to illegal aliens outside of the recovery rebates .
Take for instance the eviction protection for renters , ” Huennekens added .
“ The way the bill is written , illegal aliens also benefit from that protection because it is so broadly written.
” The legislation includes a multitude of other treats for illegal aliens and the institutions that allow them to remain in the U.S .
The HEROES Act , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Homeland Security ( DHS ) to release all illegal aliens currently under Immigration and Customs Enforcement ( ICE ) detention who do not pose a “ threat to public safety or national security.
” The bill also provides $ 300 million in federal grants to law enforcement agencies , and specifically forbids the Trump administration from withholding these funds from agencies that refuse to cooperate with ICE , also known as “ sanctuary cities.
” Numbers USA , a nonprofit group that advocates for less immigration into the U.S. , took issue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ foreign workers .
“ House Democrats prioritizing foreign workers , legal and illegal , over unemployed and underemployed Americans in the middle of a crisis is shameful , ” said Numbers USA President Roy Beck .
Beck also derided a provision in the bill that would “ expedite the permanent importation of foreign health care professionals , apparently to take the jobs of the tens of thousands of American health care professionals who have been laid off or furloughed during the pandemic.
” The Heroes Act , if it passes the House , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Republican-controlled Senate .
In a statement released on Tuesday , House GOP Leader Kevin McCarthy called the bill a “ liberal wishlist that has no chance of becoming law.
” Jason Hopkins is a reporter for the Daily Caller News Foundation .


thetennesseestar--2020-05-13--Former Gov Haslam and Wife Create Tutoring Program Aimed to Fight the ‘Summer Slide’ Worsened by Pan

Former Gov Haslam and Wife Create Tutoring Program Aimed to Fight the ‘Summer Slide’ Worsened by Pandemic

The former Tennessee Gov .
Bill Haslam and his wife Crissy have started a tutoring program in Tennessee to fight against the “ summer slide ” and to help students whose education has been interrupted by the pandemic .
The Tennessee Tutoring Corps ( TTC ) was created by the Bill and Crissy Haslam Foundation in partnership with the Boys & Girls Clubs in Tennessee , as well as other youth-serving organizations in the state .
“ The ‘ summer slide ’ is a very real problem each year , and , with students being out of school for so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year could be more of a summer avalanche , ” Bill Haslam said in a statement .
“ We know that younger students and low-income students are especially vulnerable to summer learning loss , and we want to help address the problem.
” The TTC will run from June to August and aims to recruit at least 1,000 college students to tutor students entering K-6 grade this fall .
Tutors must be current college students , with a preference given to those with a 3.0 GPA or higher and who have completed their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ midnight on May 29 .
Tutors will be given up a stipend of up to $ 1,000 for their work .
Recent research indicates that the pandemic caused by COVID-19 will worsen the summer slide , with student retaining only an estimated 70 percent of learning gains in reading and less than 50 percent of learning gains in math , the foundation said .
The program will also help college students who may have lost summer internships or jobs .
The foundation said that as many as 30 percent of student have lost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ In creating this program , we hope to attract college students who care about their communities , about making a difference during this difficult time , and about helping younger students learn and grow , ” Crissy Haslam said in a statement .
“ Many of these college students thought they would be doing something else this summer and have suddenly found themselves available .
Both the college students and younger students will be in extraordinary circumstances this year.
” Jordyn Pair is a reporter with The Tennessee Star .
Follow her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her at [ email protected ]


thetennesseestar--2020-05-13--Ohio Reevaluating Policy About Ohioans Who Refuse to Work Amid Coronavirus After a Recent Hack on It

Ohio Reevaluating Policy About Ohioans Who Refuse to Work Amid Coronavirus After a Recent Hack on Its Unemployment Website

Ohio officials are rethinking the policy of removing unemployment benefits for workers who refuse to work during the COVID-19 ordeal , according to the cleveland.com .
On Friday , VICE reported someone hacked into the state ’ s unemployment benefits system website .
This hack allowed people to send “ junk data ” to part of the website where employers “ can report employees who quit or refuse work when it is available due to COVID-19.
” The code the hacker created automatically generates fake information on a form posted on the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the code became available publicly on social media , a software engineer named David Ankin , VICE reported , altered the script to allow anyone to constantly submit fake data to the website as the script ran in their computer ’ s background .
VICE did not say if the anonymous hacker and Ankin knew each other , but the software engineer did tell the news outlet , “ If you get several hundred people to do this , it ’ s pretty hard to keep your data clean unless you have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a LinkedIn profile believed to belong to the technology expert , Ankin is listed as a programmer for MK Elections – a company that provides election services to labor unions , Indian nations , and public sector entities , among other organizations and interests .
On a Facebook account that appears to be for Ankin ’ s personal use , he recently posted “ F**K OHIO ” with a link to Ohio ’ s unemployment website that was hacked last week .
Other posts on the account reflect leftist views and support for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) .
The point of the attack , VICE said , was to “ overwhelm ” Ohio ’ s unemployment system so it would be difficult for Ohio to handle legitimate submissions .
“ It ’ s easy enough to go to the page and fill it out , but that wouldn ’ t amount to enough data to make these particular gears of the state grind to a halt , ” the anonymous hacker told VICE .
“ It needs to be so much data that their ability to investigate these ‘ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ though the code successfully ran through the state ’ s unemployment website , none of the false forms resulted in actionable claims , spokesman Bret Crow told cleveland.com .
“ As a result of this incident , ODJFS implemented additional security measures to address this issue , ” he said in an email .
“ This attack is considered a distributed denial-of-service attack , one that attempts to disrupt traffic of a targeted network .
Based on the form generation and validation process , this attack was a low risk to disrupt traffic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ODJFS.
” “ We continue to encourage employers to engage in dialogue with an employee who expresses reluctance to return to work about the measures that employers are taking to help employees feel safe , ” the spokesman added .
Throughout the coronavirus pandemic , jobless claims have flooded the ODJFS .
As of last week , around half of the 1.1 million people who filed jobless claims had received their benefits .
Zachery Schmidt is the digital editor of Star News Digital Media .
If you have any tips , email Zachery @ @ @ @ @


thetennesseestar--2020-05-13--Farmington Business Plans to Open Monday, with or without an Extended Stay-Home Order

After 61 days of forced closure , a Farmington business says it will open on Monday , May 18 , when the current stay-home order expires , with or without the government ’ s approval .
Tim Struck is a co-owner of Crossfit Calypso , who held a small rally outside the Farmington city building on Monday evening .
“ The Governor ’ s decisions are arbitrary , ” Struck said in a Facebook video .
“ He opened up a candy store on Friday .
There ’ s no reason any Farmington small business can not open up their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ customers as safe as any big-box retailer.
” Struck said customers should be able to decide where they feel safe shopping .
“ Small business owners shouldn ’ t be afraid to go to work to make an honest living , ” Struck said .
“ We hope you stand behind us and all the other businesses that also decide to open up on May 18 , against the Governor ’ s unconstitutional orders , ” he said .
“ That being said , we do strongly suggest business owners take necessary precautions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Monday work session , other members shot down a proposed resolution in support of opening businesses that followed recommended safety guidelines , Farmington City Council member Joshua Hoyt told The Center Square .
Hoyt noted there wasn ’ t an official vote on the resolution , which asked Gov .
Tim Walz to apply an individualized approach when allowing the opening of businesses rather than a one-size-fits-all approach .
“ I stand with our businesses and the choices they need to make to support their families and their livelihood , ” Hoyt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ standard that big box stores were allowed to open while following state and federal safety guidelines , but small businesses weren ’ t .
“ There ’ s no reason that they can ’ t take those guidelines and find ways… to apply best practices in their own buildings , ” Hoyt said .
Large retail stores attract larger crowds than small businesses do , he said .
“ I can go to Home Depot , and I am by far at a higher risk from their lack of preparedness and my exposure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Downtown Farmington combined , ” Hoyt said .
Hoyt ’ s not alone in challenging the governor .
The GOP-led Senate on Monday passed Senate File 4511 , which aims to allow small businesses closed by executive orders to reopen if they adhere to safety guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Minnesota Department of Health .
Senate Minority Leader Susan Kent , DFL-Woodbury , opposed the bill , saying that COVID-19 was a new virus and that it will take time to open up businesses safely .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re doing this in a way that ’ s thoughtful , ” Kent said .
“ Because it will not help our economy if we jump the gun and if we have to … completely lockdown again the way we are.
” The DFL-controlled House isn ’ t likely to pass the bill .
Republicans argued small businesses need more revenue than curbside sales to pay rent , fixed expenses , and survive .
“ This isn ’ t just about the severity of the virus – we know it ’ s serious @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , R- East Gull Lake , said in a statement .
“ We also have more than 600,000 people on unemployment – I ’ m worried about folks not having jobs to come back to .
I think it ’ s time the governor of Minnesota let the people go .
Let them go to retail stores , restaurants , and church , and let them practice safe social distancing.
” Scott McClallen is a staff writer covering Michigan and Minnesota for The Center Square .
A graduate of Hillsdale College , his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Previously , he worked as a financial analyst at Pepsi .
Photo “ Crossfit Calypso ” by Steven Nelson .


thetennesseestar--2020-05-13--Owosso Barber Refuses to Comply with Gov. Whitmer’s Lockdown

Karl Manke told a throng of supporters he holds no animus against Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer .
However , he ’ s determined to continue cutting hair at his Owosso barbershop despite her executive order to keep businesses like his closed for an indeterminate time .
The 77-year-old barber spoke outside his shop on Monday afternoon to a large group of likeminded citizens and members of the media .
He explained he had been cutting hair professionally since he was 18 , and he had never sought nor accepted handouts .
Besides , he added , the government assistance offered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ orders were barely enough to pay his electricity bill .
Manke cut his comments short due to his emotional reaction to the support he had received .
The pause granted his attorney , David A. Kallman , the opportunity to announce Shiawassee County Circuit Judge Matthew Stewart had just denied a temporary restraining order request from Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel , which would have prompted immediate closure of Manke ’ s shop .
The Manke case has drawn national notoriety , dividing the public , politicians and law enforcement professionals .
On @ @ @ @ @ @ @ argue the shutdown orders are necessary to stanch the spread of the coronavirus epidemic – or “ flattening the curve ” – while opponents contend the governor ’ s executive order is unconstitutional and significantly prohibits small business owners and employees from earning a living .
At her news conference on Monday afternoon , Whitmer addressed Manke ’ s actions by stating her executive orders are legally enforceable .
For its part , the Shiawassee County Sheriff ’ s Department has stated it will wait until the courts determine whether the governor ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ action against Manke .
In a letter issued Monday , Sheriff Brian BeGole wrote : “ We have received many calls , text messages , and emails from local businesses and local residents regarding Governor Whitmer ’ s Executive Orders and the Sheriff ’ s Office position on those orders , especially since the Michigan Legislature did not extend the state of emergency beyond April 30 as required by law .
The legality of that is a judicial branch determination.
” Mayor James Huguelet in nearby Perry on Monday issued an administrative order @ @ @ @ @ @ @ governor ’ s edicts .
“ It is past time that government leadership treat the people of Michigan and of Perry like the responsible , thoughtful adults they are , ” Huguelet wrote .
“ I write today to state clearly my opposition to some of Governor Whitmer ’ s executive orders .
While I understand and share her desire to protect the public , I question some of the restrictions she has imposed as overstepping her executive authority .
She has created a vague , overreaching framework of emergency laws that only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ citizens.
” The mayor continued : “ Therefore , we will continue not having strict enforcement of these orders and effective immediately the city of Perry will not assist other law enforcement agencies in the strict enforcement of these orders .
We will deal with every case as an individual situation and apply common sense in assessing the apparent violation.
” Thus far , Manke has incurred a civil infraction penalty that includes a $ 1,000 fine .
His court date is scheduled for late June , and his attorney has stated he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 .
Photo “ Karl Manke ” by MLive .


thetennesseestar--2020-05-13--Minnesota House Passes Bill Raising Age to Buy Tobacco to 21

The Minnesota House of Representatives passed legislation on Saturday that would raise the minimum age for purchasing tobacco and tobacco-related products to 21 years old .
The bill , which is similar to a federal one , applies to both traditional tobacco and e-cigarettes .
“ Research shows that raising the tobacco age to 21 will prevent youth addiction and save lives , ” Rep. Heather Edelson ( D-49A-Edina ) , the sponsor of the bill , said in a statement .
“ Tobacco companies have been targeting youth to addict the next generation .
Edelson added that “ astronomical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has erased nearly two decades of limiting tobacco use and that raising the legal purchasing age can “ interrupt the cycle , ” as 95 percent of addicted adult smokers started before the age of 21 .
“ By taking a stand and saying that tobacco is not only the law of the land , but … the law of Minnesota … we are taking a stand , to say we are not going to turn the youth of Minnesota over to Big Tobacco once again , ” said Rep. Laurie Halverson ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ addition to raising the purchasing age , the bill also eliminates the petty misdemeanor charge for underage people who possess or purchase tobacco with a fake identification card , instead requiring non-monetary , civil penalties .
It also increases the penalties for stores that sell to underage customers and allows licenses to be revoked for a third or subsequent violation .
Rep. Marion O ’ Neill ( R-29B-Maple Lake ) said she agrees with the legislation in concept , but that increased penalties are too high for retailers who made an honest mistake @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tobacco to an underage customer are currently $ 75 for the first violation , $ 200 for the second violation and $ 250 for violations with 24 months of the initial violation .
Under the new bill , penalties would be , respectively , $ 300 , $ 600 , and $ 1,000 for violations within 36 months of the initial violation .
Edelson said that the bill is an “ important statement in the fight against rising youth tobacco use.
” “ It is our turn to adopt this life-saving policy , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now go to the Senate .
Jordyn Pair is a reporter with The Michigan Star .
Follow her on Twitter at @ JordynPair .
Email her at [ email protected ]


thetennesseestar--2020-05-13--Knoxville Opts Out of Controversial Practice of Sharing Personal Data of COVID-19 Patients with Poli

Knoxville Opts Out of Controversial Practice of Sharing Personal Data of COVID-19 Patients with Police

The City of Knoxville said Tuesday it will opt-out of sharing the names and addresses of COVID-19 patients with law enforcement following a statewide controversy over the practice .
Mayor Indya Kincannon and Police Chief Eve Thomas said that the Knoxville Police Department will leave a state program that allows law-enforcement officers across Tennessee to access a database of persons who have tested positive for COVID-19 .
“ The initiative was well-intended , aimed at protecting first responders and the people they serve , and safeguards were put in place to protect confidential information , ” Kincannon said .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the same goals , and we will continue to take the appropriate steps to assure public safety.
” The data-sharing has drawn intense criticism , especially from black legislators .
The Tennessee Black Caucus of State Legislators wants the state to quit giving names and addresses of COVID-19 patients to police , The Tennessee Star reported .
The caucus made the request to Gov .
Bill Lee and the Tennessee Department of Health .
Lee sent letters to Tennessee police offering to provide personal information to their departments once they ’ ve entered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state .
State Rep. Scott Cepicky ( R-Culleoka ) on Monday asked Tennessee ’ s top elected officials to abolish the state ’ s contact tracing lists because he said they could do more harm than good .
Knoxville will handle the matter in part by buying and distributing more Personal Protective Equipment ( PPE ) to firefighters , paramedics and police officers , Kincannon said .
“ Allowing law enforcement access to the state database was problematic , ” Kincannon said .
“ Few people have been tested , and many others @ @ @ @ @ @ @ present a false sense of security .
More importantly , we don ’ t want to create any public reluctance to be tested out of fear that confidential information might inadvertently be shared.
” • Making sure that all first responders wear face coverings when interacting with the public in close proximity , unless doing so prevents them from doing their job effectively , such as when chasing a suspect on foot .
• Supporting collaborative community efforts to increase testing capacity , so that ALL first responders can be tested every two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .


thetennesseestar--2020-05-13--UNMASKED: Biden, Comey, Brennan, Plus 16 More Obama Insiders Requested the Identity of Michael Flynn

Former Vice President Joe Biden and the directors of the three main U.S. intelligence agencies submitted so-called “ unmasking ” requests for information about Michael Flynn contained in highly classified intelligence reports , according to documents released Wednesday .
The documents show that an unmasking request was made in Biden ’ s name on Jan. 12 , 2017 .
Similar requests were made under the names of James Comey , John Brennan and James Clapper , the former directors of the FBI , CIA and Office of the Director of National Intelligence , respectively .
Sens .
Chuck Grassley and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Richard Grenell , the acting director of national intelligence , declassified the list of names last Thursday , and provided them to the senators this week .
It is not clear whether Biden or the other intelligence chiefs saw the documents related to Flynn .
The document released on Wednesday said that the unmasking requests were made under 16 different government officials ’ names .
“ Below is a list of recipients who may have received Lt. Gen Flynn ’ s identity in response to a request processed between 8 November 2016 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ identity that had been generically referred to in an NSA foreign intelligence report , ” the document stated .
“ While the principals are identified below , we can not confirm they saw the unmasked information.
” Flynn spoke by phone on Dec. 29 , 2016 , with Kislyak .
Days after the call , FBI and Justice Department officials began discussing whether Flynn violated the Logan Act , an obscure law that prohibits American citizens from negotiating with foreign governments regarding U.S. government policy .
Unmasking describes the process where high-level U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ American citizens mentioned in classified transcripts of communications involving foreigners .
It is not illegal to make unmasking requests .
But the Flynn case is unique because the mentions of him in the classified transcripts was leaked to the media .
David Ignatius , a Washington Post columnist , mentioned the call and the possible Logan Act violation in a Jan. 12 , 2017 , column .
WaPo ’ s source has still not been identified .
The Justice Department filed a motion to drop the case against Flynn May 7 for making @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conversations with Kislyak .
Flynn pleaded guilty on Dec. 1 , 2017 , to the false statements charge .
The Justice Department filed its motion to drop charges against Flynn citing new FBI documents discovered in the case .
Grenell , who also serves as ambassador to Germany , took the list of names to the Justice Department last week asking for the information to be released to the public .
Grenell has been behind a recent push to declassify and release documents related to the FBI ’ s investigation of Trump associates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of declassifying footnotes from a Justice Department inspector general ’ s report on the investigation .
Those footnotes showed that the FBI received evidence in 2017 that Russian intelligence operatives might have fed disinformation to Christopher Steele , the author of a dossier that accused the Trump campaign of conspiring with the Kremlin .
Grenell also recently pressured House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff to release 53 transcripts of interviews that the committee conducted as part of its own Russia probe .
The transcripts showed that Obama officials such as James Clapper , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seen evidence of collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia by the time they left office .
Chuck Ross is a reporter for the Daily Caller News Foundation .
Photo “ Joe Biden ” by Gage Skidmore .
CC BY-SA 2.0 .