thetennesseestar--2020-09-12--Commentary: New Report Finds ‘War on Terror’ has Forced 37 Million People to Flee Their Homes

When President George W. Bush launched the “ War on Terror ” in the wake of the 9/11 terrorist attacks , few could have predicted the campaign would entail US involvement in combat in 24 countries over the next two decades .
But it did , and the resulting conflicts have come at enormous costs we are only now beginning to fully realize .
From the Iraq War to the 19-year ( and counting ) military intervention in Afghanistan , the US has spent trillions of dollars and lost thousands of American lives in protracted military engagements .
We know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ astounding 800,000 civilians and combatants have died in Afghanistan , Iraq , Syria , Pakistan , and Yemen since the US got involved .
But we are only now beginning to understand the full ramifications of our many interventions around the world—and just how many millions of peoples ’ lives were disrupted or destroyed by these conflicts .
A new report from Brown University ’ s Cost of War Project finds that the War on Terror has led to the displacement of at least 37 million people , meaning that this many people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leave their lives behind .
This includes 8 million people who fled across country borders as refugees or asylum seekers and at least 29 million people who were internally displaced within their home country .
The report finds that roughly 25 million have since returned home .
It is important to note that the report does not conclude that all of these displacements are the fault of the United States .
There are many factors at play and many parties involved in these conflicts .
However , it is indisputable that , from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ military intervention has greatly contributed to the chaos and instability that resulted in so many people fleeing their homes .
The human , economic , and social costs here are difficult to overstate .
“ Millions have fled air strikes , bombings , artillery fire , drone attacks , gun battles , and rape .
People have fled the destruction of their homes , neighborhoods , hospitals , schools , jobs , and local food and water sources , ” the study ’ s authors write .
“ They have escaped forced evictions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cleansing set off by the U.S wars in Afghanistan and Iraq in particular.
” To put the number of people displaced by the War on Terror into context , the entire population of Canada is only 38 million .
That ’ s right : The number of people the War on Terror has sent fleeing their homes could nearly repopulate Canada .
And all of this may be an underestimate .
The study ’ s authors used a conservative methodology to come to their conclusions , and they say the true figure could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ displaced .
Yet the costs of war go far beyond the causality statistics .
War has ripple effects , and measuring the total human cost and pain involved in armed conflict is essentially impossible .
But knowing roughly how many displaced peoples ’ lives were turned upside down in the War on Terror is an important place to start .
It ’ s a reminder of just how heavily the costs end up outweighing the benefits when we rush to drastic decisions amid crisis .
Time and time again , we have seen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public ’ s emotions run high and launch a massive government intervention , be it into another country or into the market economy , in the heat of the moment .
Yet in hindsight these threats usually turn out to be far less grave than they had seemed in the moment , while the costs end up far exceeding what anyone expected .
This heavy-handed and reactionary approach inherently and inevitably entails the displacement of innocent people .
“ For the past 14 years , the American Colossus has been on a Godzilla-like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , North Africa , and South Asia : squashing people , flattening homes , and demolishing communities , ” Dan Sanchez wrote in summation of this pattern in 2015 .
“ Now its specialty is not offering refuge , but making refugees .
Not welcoming huddled masses , but mass-producing them .
The Iraq War displaced millions .
The chaos it engendered , including the rise of ISIS ( which didn ’ t even exist before the war ) displaced millions more.
” And it ’ s important to note that despite these @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s military interventions have largely failed to achieve the intended results .
In many cases , we ’ ve actually made things much worse .
For example , the US originally intervened in Afghanistan in 2001 to punish the Taliban for harboring the terrorists who planned the 9/11 attacks .
This justified goal was accomplished within a few years .
The decade and a half since of US investment and American lives have been spent on a failed regime change experiment trying to prop up an Afghanistan government that would , all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ short order without US backing .
In Iraq , the terrorist group ISIS only emerged as a result of the chaos , instability , and ensuing power vacuum the US created with its sweeping intervention .
And in Libya , perhaps the most glaring example , the US launched a military intervention to depose the regime of dictator Muammar el-Qaddafi , hoping to start a new era for the country .
Instead we turned it into a literal failed state .
Defenders of the status quo are left with the impossible mission of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ displacement , with only a litany of failures to show for it .
“ The displacement and other suffering must be central to any analysis of the post-9/11 wars and to any conceivable consideration of the future use of military force by the United States or any other country , ” the Brown University report concluded .
“ The legitimacy and efficacy of war should be questioned more than ever given nearly two decades of disastrous outcomes.
” Brad Polumbo is a libertarian-conservative journalist and the Eugene S. Thorpe Writing Fellow at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ previously a Media and Journalism Fellow at the Washington Examiner and an editor at the libertarian media nonprofit Young Voices .
His work has appeared in outlets such as USA Today , National Review , the Daily Beast , and the Boston Globe , and he has also appeared on Fox News and Fox Business .
Photo “ Refugee Camp ” by Fabio Sola Penna CC2.0

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


thetennesseestar--2020-09-12--Left-Wing Agitator Arrested for Starting Fire in Washington, Suspected of Starting Two Other Wildfir

Left-Wing Agitator Arrested for Starting Fire in Washington, Suspected of Starting Two Other Wildfires

A Washington man with a history of left-wing agitation was arrested Wednesday evening after he allegedly started a fire in the brush along a highway near Tacoma .
Jeffrey Acord , 36 , was charged for reckless burning in the second degree .
He is now reportedly also a suspect in two other Washington wildfires .
Acord appears to be a man of the left , according to his Facebook page .
Acord called 911 to report the fire he apparently started himself , and then livestreamed what ensued to his Facebook page .
Washington State Patrol Trooper Ryan Burke @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Accord had drawn attention to himself earlier in the day by walking around the highway holding a lighter , according to Q13Fox .
When an officer questioned Acord , he claimed that he was looking for his $ 1,000 recording equipment because the camera case had supposedly fallen out of his backpack while he was biking the previous day .
“ I ’ ve been out here all day searching for my camera , ” Acord told police .
“ I ’ m trying to cover the area thoroughly.
” During his Facebook @ @ @ @ @ @ @ job sounding alarmed by his fire .
The fire was contained to the interstate and extinguished by the local fire department , although Puyallup Police were forced to close the northbound ramp .
“ There ’ s nothing you can connect to me to this at all , ” Acord stated before the video cut out .
“ I was literally calling this in.
” Acord was detained in the Puyallup City Jail with bail set at $ 1,000 and then transferred to the Pierce County Jail where he was booked under a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ militant has a history of anti-police protesting and encounters with law enforcement , court records show .
According to his Facebook , Acord also attended a Black Lives Matter march in Seattle on June 5 of this year .
In the 2014 incident , officers reportedly found Acord carrying a 7-inch knife in his backpack , a box of ammunition , an assault rifle , a shotgun , and a box full of large fireworks in his car .
Acord attempted to justify the 2014 case as “ a misunderstanding ” to arresting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ According to Protester Privilege , sources say Acord is now a suspect in two other wildfires in Washington , including the Bonney Lake fire that has burned more than 800 acres .
The Oregonian reported on Wednesday that a group of wildfires in Lincoln County may have been caused by human activity , as opposed to lightning or other natural ignition sources .
These massive wildfires have have destroyed more than 2,400 acres .
At least five other individuals have been arrested for starting fires in Washington , Oregon , and California in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ left-wing domestic terrorism has not yet been established .
“ I am getting a lot of reports from residents of Washington State that the current wave of wild fires in Washington and Oregon may be caused or at least made worse by politically motivated arsonists , ” he said .
“ How could their motives be political ?
To set fire to blame them on climate change ?
” Residents of Bonney Lake told Kiro 7 news that they found broken glass with newspaper in the brush .
Residents of Buckley Washington have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ groups .
According to Law Enforcement Today , federal law enforcement sources say that some of the people who started the fires may be connected , and more attacks could be on the way .
“ We are reacting to a coordinated series of attempts to start fires anywhere and everywhere in Oregon .
Public and Private lands , incorporated and unincorporated areas .
By all indications so far in the preliminary stages of these investigations there is a coordinated effort on the part of these individuals to start fires in areas that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then slowing working their way into more populated areas and neighborhoods .
Please take this information as an advisory for you own account and welfare and please act in good faith with due diligence to plan accordingly for your own safety and the well being of your community.
” Debra Heine reports for American Greatness .
Photo “ Jeff Demologik Acord ” by Jeff Demologik Acord .
Background Photo “ Wildfire ” by Trooper Ryan Burke .

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--2020-09-12--Army Soldier to Receive Medal of Honor for Saving Around 75 Hostages Facing Execution from ISIS

An Army sergeant major who rescued around 75 hostages from being executed by ISIS fighters in Iraq will be awarded the Medal of Honor on Friday , the U.S. Army announced on Tuesday .
Sgt .
Maj. Thomas “ Patrick ” Payne ran through a burning building and enemy gunfire with a pair of bolt cutters to free the hostages during a rescue mission , according to the Army .
Payne , 36 , was sent home from Iraq after a grenade blast shattered one of his knees in the summer of 2010 , according to the Army .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parent ’ s care and returned to the Army in 2015 when he and others rescued the hostages from ISIS fighters .
“ There comes a time when sympathy is over , ” Payne said , the Army reported .
“ It ’ s time to get to work and get back out there.
” Payne ’ s unit was deployed in Iraq when they received an alert from the Kurdish Regional Government that Iraqi security forces had been captured and were facing execution by ISIS fighters inside a Hawija prison , according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ came to us for assistance and we ’ re not going to let them down , ” Payne said.
, according to the Army .
“ Time was of the essence .
There were freshly dug graves .
If we didn ’ t action this raid , then the hostages were likely to be executed.
” The unit was given a week to plan the rescue mission , which took place on Oct. 22 , 2015 , according to the Army .
Payne ’ s unit cleared the building and freed around 40 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ backup from the other half of the group who faced heavy enemy fire , according to the Army .
Payne ran through the burning building under enemy fire with a pair of bolt cutters to free the remaining hostages , according to the Army .
“ My focus was the hostages , ” Payne said , according to the Army .
“ That was our mission.
” Payne attempted to enlist with the Marine Corps shortly after the 9/11 attacks when he was 17-years-old , though his mom would not sign his waiver @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a kid , I wanted to be like a G.I .
Joe , ” Payne said , according to the Army .
“ I was always fascinated with the military.
” Payne decided to join the Army after seeing highlights from the Army ’ s Best Ranger Competition on ESPN just before his 18th birthday , according to the Army .
His recruiters reportedly told Payne , “ you were our last pick , we didn ’ t expect you to make it.
” “ I was given an opportunity and sometimes that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ yourself , ” Payne said , according to the Army .
Payne went on to win the Army ’ s Best Ranger Competition in 2012 , according to the Army .
Kaylee Greenlee is a reporter at Daily Caller News Foundation .
Photo “ Thomas Payne ” by U.S. Army


thetennesseestar--2020-09-12--Steve Bannon Presents: CCP’s Plan for Global Domination

An all new LIVE STREAM of War Room : Pandemic starts at 9 a.m. Central Time on Saturday .
Former White House Chief Strategist Stephen K. Bannon began the daily War Room : Pandemic radio show and podcast on January 25 , when news of the virus was just beginning to leak out of China around the Lunar New Year .
Bannon and co-hosts bring listeners exclusive analysis and breaking updates from top medical , public health , economic , national security , supply chain and geopolitical experts weekdays from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon ET .
The show ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Voice News , the John Fredericks Radio Network , Salem Media Group , and Newsmax TV and the podcast is available on Apple , Spotify , Stitcher , SoundCloud , and Google Play .
You can watch past episodes here .
Previously , Bannon hosted a series of three , two-hour long special programs entitled Descent into Hell : The Chinese People Confront the CCP .
The groundbreaking specials aired live on the John Fredericks Radio Network , America ’ s Voice Network , Dish TV Channel 219 , The Epoch Times , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mandarin .
For more information , visit www.pandemic.warroom.org and @ WarRoomPandemic .


thetennesseestar--2020-09-12--Mueller Team Members ‘Wiped’ Cell Phones, DOJ Records Show

Data from more than 25 government-issued phones used by members of the special counsel ’ s team was wiped or deleted during the course of the Trump-Russia probe , according to Justice Department records released on Thursday .
Several prosecutors on the special counsel ’ s team claimed they accidentally wiped their devices by entering incorrect passwords too many times .
Others said they intentionally deleted data from their phones .
Andrew Weissmann , a top deputy on the special counsel ’ s team , “ wiped ” his phone twice , according to the documents , which were released @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Act lawsuit filed by Judicial Watch .
Weissmann “ entered password too many times and wiped his phone ” on March 8 , 2018 , the Justice Department spreadsheet says .
He claimed to have “ accidentally wiped ” his phone on Sept. 27 , 2018 .
A phone used by James Quarles , one of special counsel Robert Mueller ’ s closest aides , “ wiped itself without intervention from him , ” the Justice Department document says .
A phone used by prosecutor Greg Andres was wiped due to a forgotten @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kyle Freeney ’ s phone “ was accidentally wiped prior to records review ” on Nov. 27 , 2018 , according to the spreadsheet .
Another unidentified special counsel team member also claimed to have accidentally wiped their data prior to the records review .
L. Rush Atkinson claimed to have accidentally wiped data from his phone two days later , on Nov. 29 , 2018 .
Two other users claimed their phones were accidentally scrubbed on Dec. 12 , 2018 and Jan. 2 , 2019 .
The records cite numerous other incidents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ team members ’ phones was erased because of errant password entries .
There is no indication from the records that any of the special counsel prosecutors scrubbed their phones to intentionally hide their communications .
The prosecutors likely knew their phones were subject to review from the Justice Department ’ s office of the inspector general .
Three FBI employees who worked on the special counsel ’ s investigation were removed from the probe after their anti-Trump text messages were discovered during the IG ’ s investigation of the FBI ’ s handling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ IG report released on June 11 , 2018 , detailed text messages that FBI officials Peter Strzok and Lisa Page exchanged about Donald Trump .
The report also detailed anti-Trump messages that Kevin Clinesmith sent to a colleague shortly after Trump ’ s election win in November 2016 .
Clinesmith , who worked on the special counsel ’ s team , pleaded guilty last month to altering an email during the Trump-Russia probe .
Chuck Ross is a reporter for the Daily Caller News Foundation .


thetennesseestar--2020-09-12--Federal $300 Weekly Unemployment Benefit Will End in Tennessee

A federal $ 300 weekly unemployment benefit will cease after the week ending Sept. 5 , the Federal Emergency Management Agency informed Tennessee ’ s Department of Labor & Workforce Development on Friday .
Beginning this week , unemployment benefits will include only the benefit amount available through regular state or federal unemployment programs .
The federal Lost Wages Assistance Program was funded by a finite sum of $ 44 billion allocated for the new unemployment benefit by President Trump last month .
Because the funding is depleted , the program will end .
To be eligible for the benefit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of work because of COVID-19 , be eligible for at least $ 100 per week in unemployment benefits and certify with the department .
Eligible claimants in Tennessee will receive the additional $ 300 payments for the weeks of Aug. 1 through Sept. 5 .
FEMA approves funding on a week-by-week basis , after the state applies for funding for eligible claimants .
Tennessee has applied for funding for payments through the week of Aug. 29 , and payments for the remaining weeks will continue to have a lag time .
Claimants who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first three weeks of August already received a retroactive payment for the weeks they were eligible .
Last week , 12,035 Tennesseans filed new unemployment claims .
The department continued to process nearly 185,000 ongoing claims .
Vivian Jones reports on Tennessee and South Carolina for The Center Square .
Her writing has appeared in the Detroit News , The Hill , and publications of The Heartland Institute .
Photo “ Unemployment Office ” by Burt Lum .
CC BY 2.0 .

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


thetennesseestar--2020-09-12--Windows at Virginia GOP Headquarters Smashed Overnight

RICHMOND , Virginia – Multiple street-facing windows were shattered overnight at the Republican Party of Virginia headquarters in downtown Richmond .
This is the second time in three months the office windows in the Richard D. Obenshain Center have been smashed by someone .
Anderson said : “ Under cover of darkness on Thursday night , the violent wave of crime that has infected Richmond for months struck again with a violent , cowardly , and unprovoked attack on the state headquarters of the Republican Party of Virginia ( RPV ) .
“ While the damage to RPV Headquarters was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ building , it was a clear attempt to induce a sense of terror in Virginia Republicans.
” Around 3:30 p.m. Friday afternoon , Anderson was joined by Bishop Leon Benjamin , a Republican congressional candidate in Virginia ’ s fourth district , in front of the office to speak about the incident and rally Virginia Republicans to vote .
“ This is domestic terrorism at its best and a direct assault against the Republican party of Virginia and this has to stop , this has to stop right now , ” Benjamin said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Virginia Democratic leaders , including Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney and Virginia Governor Ralph Northam , for not condemning acts of violence and allowing such events to take place .
Stoney took to his Twitter to speak out against the incident .
Stoney retweeted a photo of the shattered windows and wrote : “ Although I may not agree with this party ’ s stances , violence and vandalism have no place in this city .
Destruction is not how we win arguments.
” Sen. Joe Morrissey ( D-Richmond City ) issued his own @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with The Virginia Star .
“ I was disgusted , not just disappointed , I was disgusted [ when ] I saw the damage to the GOP window fronts that occurred last night , ” Morrissey said .
“ It ’ s absolutely wrong , there are no excuses , there are no conditions under which that is appropriate .
It is flat out wrong and we can ’ t condone that.
” Anderson and Benjamin believe this was a deliberate act of aggression and intimidation against the Republicans and party ideals , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ currently no evidence on who broke the windows or why , the GOP office was the only building to have their windows smashed on a block which features other offices , a restaurant and a food market .
One woman walking by the damaged office front noticed a Trump-Pence poster inside and said : “ You are asking for it with that sign.
” The offices have a security camera aimed at the front doors , but Anderson said he did not know if the camera had actually caught the perpetrator on video @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to board up the office and wait until this period of lawlessness is over to replace the glass .
Jacob Taylor is a reporter at The Virginia Star and the Star News Digital Network .
Follow Jacob on Twitter .
Email tips to [ email protected ]


thetennesseestar--2020-09-12--Ohio AG Announces New Cold Case Unit

Ohio AG Announces New Cold Case Unit

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost announced in a press release Friday the formation of a new cold case unit .
Yost said in the release “ we can make a difference , even when years have passed since a murder or sexual assault , ” and told citizens to “ consider how DNA testing advances have unmasked , time and time again , violent criminals who got away with living among us for too long.
” The Cold Case Unit ( CCU ) , will be housed within the state ’ s Bureau of Criminal Investigation ( BCI ) and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investigative resources and techniques .
The unit was formed with the hope that by using modern criminal evidence gathering and analysis the CCU will be able to aid the law enforcement departments where the cold cases originated .
BCI Superintendent Joe Morbitzer said in the release “ even if leads were thought to be exhausted in the past , applying current technology and new techniques may help solve old cases.
” Furthermore , Morbitzer said this “ is a service for all law enforcement agencies .
BCI provides its resources to everyone from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to rural offices with limited resources – all can benefit from this true partnership model.
” The CCU will focus on unsolved sexual assaults and homicides and is currently aiding in the investigation of 11 crimes , ranging from 1966-2016 according to their website .
The mission statement of the organization ’ s sexual assault unit is to : Currently , The Ohio attorney general ’ s website lists over 2,100 unsolved homicides .
While there is no number on how many rapes and sexual assault remain unsolved in the state , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ languish “ in storage at law enforcement agencies across the state.
” Ben Kolodny is a reporter at The Ohio Star and the Star News Network .
Follow Ben on Twitter .
Email tips to [ email protected ] Photo “ Dave Yost ” by Dave Yost .


thetennesseestar--2020-09-12--Gov. DeWine’s Pick for New State Health Director Withdraws Her Name from Consideration

The doctor named by Ohio Governor Mike DeWine to be the state ’ s new health director has withdrawn her name from consideration .
The move came just hours after DeWine announced that he ’ d chosen Dr. Joan Duwve to take the position .
The governor announced the decision on Twitter stating that Duwve cited “ personal reasons ” for the decision and that his office would continue searching for a full-time replacement .
Duwve was supposed to take over for former Health Director Amy Acton who left the position in June amid growing criticism for the handling of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home was the scene of several protests with citizens showing to voice their discontent about restrictions and the state ’ s response to the pandemic , according to the Columbus Dispatch .
In a Thursday press conference , DeWine described Duwve as a “ native Ohioan medical doctor , ” with “ extensive experience with public health.
” Previously , Duwve served as South Carolina ’ s Director of Public Health and as the chief medical officer for the Indiana Department of Health .
DeWine said he thought Duwve was “ spot on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her views on problems facing the state like suicide and “ children ’ s issues.
” Duwve was scheduled to start somewhere around October 1 .
On Twitter , DeWine continued to praise Duwve pointing to both her experience and her academic background .
Duwve ’ s appointment was not without criticism , as some Ohioans criticized her past with Planned Parenthood .
Aaron Baer who is the president of Citizens for Community Values , questioned how a former Planned Parenthood volunteer coordinator would become Ohio ’ s next health director .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regard for the health and safety of women and unborn children than Planned Parenthood , ” he tweeted .
DeWine ’ s appointment is the first step in the approval process for choosing Ohio ’ s next health director .
To officially become health director , the nominee has to be approved by the state Senate , which one member thinks would not have happened for Duwve .
State Senator Andrew Brenner ( R-19 ) told The Star “ it is my belief that the chamber would have turned her down by a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Senator Kristina Roegner ( R-27 ) told The Ohio Star .
“ I , personally , would have had a hard time approving her because of her stance on abortion and affiliation with Planned Parenthood.
” Lance Himes will remain interim director , a post he took after Acton resigned from on June 11 .
Acton stepped into the role as chief health advisor to Governor DeWine – a position he added in the middle of a state freeze on hiring – where she was paid a $ 236,000 salary .
Acton stepped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ returned to The Columbus Foundation , her last stop before the ODH .
Senate President Larry Obhof was contacted for comment but had not returned the request before press time .
Ben Kolodny is a reporter for The Ohio Star and the Star News Network .
Follow Ben on Twitter .
Email tips to [ email protected ] Jack Windsor is Managing Editor and an Investigative Reporter at The Ohio Star .
Windsor is also an Investigative Reporter at WMFD-TV .
Follow Jack on Twitter .
Email tips to [ email protected ] @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” by Ball State University .


thetennesseestar--2020-09-12--Reps Tom Emmer  and Tim Walberg Secure Survivors Benefits for Homeschoolers After Social Security Or

Reps Tom Emmer  and Tim Walberg Secure Survivors Benefits for Homeschoolers After Social Security Originally Denied Them Because of Their School Choice

Congressman Tom Emmer ( R-MN-06 ) , alongside Congressman Tim Walberg ( R-MI-07 ) , secured survivors benefits for homeschooled children .
Prior to this , Minnesota and Michigan blocked homeschoolers over 17 and 18 respectively from attaining benefits .
According to the Homeschool Legal Defense Association ( HSLDA ) , both states were cutting off Social Security Administration ( SSA ) survivors benefits to homeschoolers due to “ lack of proof ” of their status as full-time students .
In both states ’ eyes , the students didn ’ t meet state compulsory education laws .
The HSLDA said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ legally compelling homeschooled 18-year-old students to remain in school .
Therefore , the state said that the teens couldn ’ t be considered students .
Survivors benefits are granted to children as an income supplement following parental retirement , disability , or death .
Federal law recognizes full-time student youths up to two months after their 19th birthday as eligible .
The HSLDA contacted Emmer and Walberg about their states ’ SSA denying homeschoolers survivors benefits .
Both congressmen reviewed their district-specific policy manuals ( POMS ) and regional offices ’ policies on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ claiming that “ homeschools in Minnesota are not educational institutions , because they are not recognized as schools apart from the compulsory education ages ” ( PR 17-061 ) .
This conflicted with federal law concerning student eligibility .
“ Homeschooling is an excellent way to receive a quality education , and families who decide to make the necessary sacrifices for this choice should not be penalized by their government , ” stated Emmer .
“ After working with my colleague Congressmen Walberg and contacting the Social Security Administration , I am glad @ @ @ @ @ @ @ restore the benefits these families serve.
” The Minnesota Sun asked Representative Emmer spokespersons if benefits would be issued for those who didn ’ t receive any under Minnesota or Michigan interpretations of SSA policy .
Emmer ’ s team did not respond by press time .
The policy revisions will be implemented immediately .
Corinne Murdock is a reporter at The Minnesota Sun and the Star News Network .
Follow her latest on Twitter , or email tips to [ email protected ]


thetennesseestar--2020-09-12--Virginia Tenants File Class Action Suit Against Renowned Eviction Law firm

Three Virginia residents are filing a class action lawsuit on behalf of tenants across the Commonwealth against the firm Senex Law , alleging abusive and unfair debt collection practices in violation of federal law .
Representing the tenants are attorneys from the Legal Aid Justice Center ( LAJC ) , Legal Aid Society of Roanoke Valley and Charlottesville law firm MichieHamlett .
The plaintiffs , Jennifer Lord , Ebony Reddicks , and Toniraye Moss , are bringing their claims under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and are requesting the Court to reward compensatory damages including actual damages , class-wide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ predatory debt collection practices , and payment of their attorneys ’ fees and costs , according to the complaint .
The complaint argues that the firm directly sends letters to tenants intentionally designed to look as if they are from the landlord or property manager , and not from a debt collector like Senex .
The letters say the landlord has retained counsel for delinquency and demands that tenants pay attorney ’ s fees as well as any unpaid rent or late fees .
Senex then sends out hundreds or thousands of unlawful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adding their own attorney fees without significant involvement from lawyers or review of the claim , according to the complaint .
In a statement published online announcing the lawsuit , the tenant ’ s attorneys said the firm ’ s practices “ are abhorrent at any time , but as our state struggles through the economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic , Senex Law continues to prey on poor tenants who have few options.
” “ Senex Law has taken extraordinary measures to try and skirt the protections Congress put in place to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” said Brenda Castañeda , Legal Director with the Legal Aid Justice Center .
“ They lurk in the shadows so they can flout necessary consumer protections and charge attorneys ’ fees that put Virginians who are already in financial trouble further into the hole.
” Based in Hampton , Virginia , Senex Law advertises itself as a next-generation firm focused on the multifamily housing industry , offering end-to-end multifamily legal processing using proprietary software that allows clients to process legal documents quickly , cheaply , and accurately , according to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Star reached out to Senex Law for comment on the class action suit but did not get a response by publication time .
In 2017 , Senex filed more than 20,000 civil claims for evictions , four times more than other lawyer in Virginia , and collected almost $ 1 million from their clients ’ tenants , according to reporting by the Richmond Times-Dispatch .
The complaint also alleges that in 2020 Senex has filed 3,891 unlawful detainers in Virginia , despite a statewide eviction moratorium that was in place until September 7 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eviction moratorium from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention went into effect , barring evictions for those eligible until the end of the year .
“ It ’ s no coincidence that Senex operates in five jurisdictions that rank in the top ten for highest eviction rates in the United States , ” said Bryan Slaughter , an attorney at MichieHamlett .
“ MichieHamlett is proud to partner with the Legal Aid Justice Center and the Legal Aid Society of the Roanoke Valley to prosecute a case against a company that , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the epidemic of housing instability within the Commonwealth.
” The full complaint can be found here .
Jacob Taylor is a reporter at The Virginia Star and the Star News Digital Network .
Follow Jacob on Twitter .
Email tips to [ email protected ]


thetennesseestar--2020-09-12--University of Minnesota Will Cut Only Men’s Sports Due to COVID Financial Strains, Cites Title IX

The University of Minnesota ( UMN ) announced Thursday that it will cut four men ’ s sports due to pandemic-induced financial strains .
Men ’ s indoor/outdoor track and field , gymnastics , and tennis will be cut after the 2020-21 competition season .
Comparatively , the women ’ s indoor/outdoor track and field , gymnastics , and tennis lost more money than the men ’ s teams : $ 4.8 million versus $ 3.4 million .
Other women ’ s sports cost the school more .
Women ’ s basketball , gymnastics , hockey , swim and dive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 14 million in the red .
Although the coronavirus exacerbated already sizable financial concerns , UMN stated that the cuts were a long time coming for another reason : Title IX regulations .
“ For the past few years , we had forecasted future sustainability issues , both financial and Title IX related , and although we have directed our efforts to address these challenges while maintaining our current sport offerings , we knew we would be faced with a difficult sports sponsorship decision at some point.
” Although the department is struggling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regular-season conference titles across 20 of its 25 programs .
Included in the cuts are programs that produced quite a few Olympic athletes .
However , UMN ’ s athletic department anticipates $ 75 million in lost revenue .
The board discussed this possible scenario back in May .
They hoped that pandemic restrictions would lift and revenue losses would be minimized .
The department proposed the present team cuts in a meeting with the Board of Regents .
“ We are continuously evaluating our program for Title IX compliance .
Over the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ review and guidance from a nationally recognized outside Title IX expert , ” said Athletic Director Mark Coyle .
“ The number of female students as a percentage of the University ’ s undergraduate enrollment population has increased in recent years .
As a result , we need to take steps to ensure ongoing gender equity in our program.
” Additionally , there will be hiring and spending freezes and most of the athletic department staff will bear a ten percent pay cut .
These changes will result in around $ 3.2 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Other Big Ten schools facing millions in deficits are Wisconsin , Ohio State , Michigan , Nebraska , Iowa , and Purdue .
Athletes will be able to compete in their 2020-21 competition season if health and safety precautions allow .
UMN promises to honor scholarships for the remainder of current athletes ’ undergraduate degrees .
The PR Director for UMN didn ’ t offer a response on this decision ’ s impact on transgender athletes , or the future plans to offset the remainder of the projected losses .
The final @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s Board of Regents .
Corinne Murdock is a reporter at The Minnesota Sun and Star News Network .
Follow her latest on Twitter , or email tips to [ email protected ] .
Photo “ University of Minnesota High Jumper ” by University of Minnesota Cross County and Track and Field .


thetennesseestar--2020-09-12--Is Stafford County the New Flint?

Is Stafford County the New Flint?

Traces of COVID-19 are present in 18 percent of samples at a sewage plant in northern Stafford County , up from 9 percent in May , according to The Free-Lance Star .
“ This is estimated to be about 17,800 individuals in the North Stafford sewershed that are actively infected and shedding the virus , ” Deputy County Administrator Michael Smith wrote to the Stafford County Board of Supervisors .
However , in an email , Smith told The Virginia Star , “ The testing that is being conducted is in the experimental stage and there are no standardized and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a research project with Biobot , a firm that is working on this type of study.
” “ The current results provide information about the presence of the genome in the wastewater and we are working at trying to find a way to quantify the results .
We do not use these results as actual measures , and rely on the Virginia Department of Health for the actual numbers of positive cases in the Rappahannock Area Health District , ” Smith cautioned .
Amy Mathers is an infectious disease physician and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ University of Virginia ( UVA ) .
She ’ s performing similar sewage analysis on individual buildings at UVA .
Mathers told The Virginia Star , “ There ’ s a lot of needed research in this field , but it does seem like it might be a good way to understand how much COVID is in a population .
But we need to do more research and understand exactly what the amount of COVID means in relation to how many affected humans are in that population.
” “ COVID-19 is shed in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or have recently been infected and are recovering , but no longer contagious , ” Mathers said .
She said one study showed COVID-19 traces in stools last up to 46 days , but she emphasized that those traces are not viable viruses .
Nevertheless , Mathers said wastewater testing is much easier to do than individual patient testing , and is less prone to be biased to one population or another .
A Biobot press release adds that the company ’ s tests can help detect asymptomatic cases .
“ Wastewater provides @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be diagnosed and reported in a community several days later.
” Mathers said , “ [ Wastewater testing ] does hold great promise potentially .
I think that claims about how many humans that equals in a population make me a little nervous.
” Mathers added , “ Using it in a vacuum to say , ‘ This is exactly what is going on ’ in that community I don ’ t think is a smart way to use it .
But I think using it in the context of understanding what we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a community and then looking over time at the trends , I think that is a way that this brings a lot of value.
” According to Mathers , there ’ s a risk that new companies entering clinical diagnostics fields may not bring traditional levels of scientific caution when evaluating results .
“ I just think there needs to be more validation and regulation in this area , as well as research , before we start making claims about public health across all the companies that are doing it , including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ important ] especially if we ’ re going to act on all this stuff — ‘ Everybody has COVID , you should close the schools . '
” Mather said , “ I don ’ t want to put any one company [ down ] , but we ’ re not all getting the same results , I can tell you that.
” Eric Burk is a reporter at The Virginia Star and the Star News Digital Network .
Email tips to [ email protected ] .


thetennesseestar--2020-09-12--Under Intense Business Pressure, Gov. Northam Finally Caves  on Virginia Beach

Citing “ significantly improved health metrics , ” Governor Ralph Northam relaxed COVID-19 restrictions in Eastern Virginia on Thursday , allowing the Hampton Roads region to join the rest of Virginia in Phase Three of its pandemic restrictions .
“ Hampton Roads residents , businesses , and health officials have worked together to reduce the spread of COVID-19 , ” Northam said in a press release .
“ New cases have dropped by more than half , hospitalizations have declined , and percent positivity has fallen below the statewide average.
” The new regulations allow businesses to sell alcohol as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ capacity restrictions — as long as facilities have room for patrons to stay six feet apart .
Northam tightened restrictions in the wake of COVID-19 case spikes following holidays , and he declined to remove the restrictions ahead of Labor Day .
Restaurants suffered because they were prevented from selling alcohol during the key hours from 10 p.m. to 12 a.m .
Senator Jen Kiggans ( R-Virginia Beach ) hopes that the hospitality industry can take advantage of the short amount of the tourism season remaining .
“ I applaud all of our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heeding the cautions , taking the precautions , doing the right thing , social distancing , limiting capacity , and following the extra restrictions , ” Kiggans told The Virginia Star .
“ You can see the trends are down , and the positivity rates and the numbers of hospitalizations are down , so I think it has worked.
” She added , “ I ’ m just glad that these restrictions have been lifted , so hopefully we can get back to business for the last few weeks of the warm weather.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ nurse , said that continued precautions are still necessary .
She hopes people will get the flu vaccine .
“ Almost everyone is wearing a mask .
I think that ’ s an easy precaution to take .
I hope we continue to use our hand sanitizer , to stay six feet apart , follow those circles on the ground that we see and really do our part.
” Virginia Beach Councilmember John Moss said he wishes the restrictions had been relaxed earlier .
“ You never get that day back .
They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can you say that one weekend or one week was a major break ?
” Nevertheless , Moss added , “ It could have been a little earlier , but we ’ re glad it came.
” Moss told The Virginia Star that the focus now needs to be on the future .
“ I think the masks make sense , I know that the anti-maskers , I certainly appreciate their frustration , but I think the science is clear .
I think its doable , I think we can get back to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ maybe it ’ s not fully normal until there ’ s a vaccine.
” According to Moss , the way forward is for businesses and individuals to evaluate their own health risk tolerance .
“ I just think that people are going to adapt in the right fashion over time , ” Moss said .
“ We certainly don ’ t want to be shutting down our economy again , ” Moss said .
“ That is not a path we want to take.
” Eric Burk is a reporter at The Virginia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Email tips to [ email protected ] .


thetennesseestar--2020-09-12--Trump Goes After Whitmer at Rally, Saying She ‘Doesn’t Have a Clue’

President Trump slammed Michigan Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer during a rally on Thursday , saying that she “ doesn ’ t have a clue.
” “ Michigan has already gained and regained more than half of the jobs that it lost — and if your state was ever allowed to safely reopen by your governor , who doesn ’ t have a clue , just like Joe [ Biden ] , you would have gained far more than that , ” Trump said in a rally in Saginaw County , according to FOX 2 .
He then called on her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump ’ s criticism follows Whitmer calling Trump the “ biggest threat to the American people ” earlier on Thursday .
Whitmer said that the Trump administration had been “ reckless and not particularly well informed.
” She also slammed Trump for audio recordings that surfaced earlier this week that revealed Trump had downplayed the severity of the coronavirus pandemic so as to not incite panic .
“ I wanted to always play it down , ” Trump told journalist Bob Woodward on March 19 , shortly after declaring the pandemic a national @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I still like playing it down , because I don ’ t want to create a panic.
” Woodward ’ s book on Trump , “ Rage , ” is set to publish September 15 , CNN said .
Whitmer criticized Trump downplaying the impact of COVID-19 during a press conference .
“ They knew ; they didn ’ t tell us , and I think the biggest enemy of the state right now is the misinformation that is coming out of the head of the state , ” Whitmer said .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ American people is the American president right now .
It ’ s devastating — and I do not relish saying that — but the fact of the matter is there ’ s been so much more loss of life because we haven ’ t had accurate , consistent medical information just coming out of the chief executive of our nation.
” Trump shot back during his rally , saying that Michigan would be better off if it “ had a governor who knew what the hell she was doing , ” Fox News @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a “ liberal hypocrite who lives by a different set of rules , ” referencing a scandal earlier this year when Whitmer ’ s husband appeared to attempt to use his position to sway a dock owner to bend coronavirus regulations .
Trump appeared in Michigan just one day after Democratic nominee Joe Biden .
Whitmer said that Trump ’ s rally was “ distressing , ” because she doubted his supporters would take proper precautions in regards to the coronavirus , Fox News reported .
Michigan currently has more than 110,000 confirmed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 6,578 deaths , according to the Michigan Department Health and Human Services .
There are more than 80,000 considered recovered .
Jordyn Pair is a reporter at The Michigan Star and Star News Digital Media .
Follow her on Twitter at @ JordynPair .
Email her at [ email protected ]


thetennesseestar--2020-09-12--Former TDOE Employees Warn That Penny Schwinn Jeopardizes Tennessee’s Public Schools As Well As Bill

Former TDOE Employees Warn That Penny Schwinn Jeopardizes Tennessee’s Public Schools As Well As Bill Lee’s Reelection Chances

Three former high-level officials of the Tennessee Department of Education ( TDOE ) who spoke with The Tennessee Star on condition of anonymity offered some serious warnings to the public about their former boss , TDOE Commissioner Penny Schwinn : • Commissioner Schwinn ’ s leadership problems could trickle down to the state ’ s public schools , and parents are right to worry .
• Additionally , Tennessee Gov .
Bill Lee , who appointed Schwinn , should worry that she could cost him reelection in 2022 .
TDOE officials , as well as Lee ’ s staff members @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s repeated requests for comment on this matter .
“ When I left the department all I did was pray that the actions of the state Department of Education didn ’ t matter that much for what happened in classrooms because , if it did , Tennessee children would be in for a world of hurt .
I think parents should be worried because of Penny Schwinn ’ s attempt at overreach , ” said the first source .
“ I don ’ t think most parents like the suggestion of the well-being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has no institutional control over the department , and I think that shows up in various ways in what a child experiences in a classroom .
I think strong districts are able to overcome that impact , like Williamson County , but there are some non-negotiables that the state department is required to oversee .
Things like testing .
Things like accountability .
She has shown her complete ineptness of those things.
” The second source , meanwhile , referenced complaints , as reported , that Schwinn has created low morale and driven @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — while also wasting money on higher-than-usual salaries for certain employees .
“ I think that school districts aren ’ t going to get the support that they need , and that means kids don ’ t get the support that they need , ” the second source said .
“ And if there aren ’ t funds to pay for it because they are being spent wildly , which I firmly believe they are , that means funds don ’ t go to students ultimately.
” The third source , meanwhile , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him for staying loyal to Schwinn : “ I don ’ t know why he [ Lee ] lets this continue , ” the third source said .
“ He might not even win the primary for the next governor ’ s race.
” As reported , these three sources have also alleged that Schwinn mocked Lee at a staff meeting last year , falsified government records , and lied to avoid appearing in public alongside U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos .
Chris Butler is an investigative journalist at The Tennessee Star @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tips to [ email protected ]


thetennesseestar--2020-09-13--America’s Founding Biblical Values Can Heal Nation from Racial Strife, Conservative Clergy of Color

America’s Founding Biblical Values Can Heal Nation from Racial Strife, Conservative Clergy of Color Tells Christian Leaders

America ’ s biblical founding values can peacefully resolve the racial strife present in today ’ s culture , Bishop Aubrey Shines , chairman of Conservative Clergy of Color , said Saturday .
Shine delivered his remarks at the inaugural Get Louder Faith Summit at Liberty University ’ s Falkirk Center in Lynchburg , Virginia .
The summit addressed the issues dividing the nation and how to fight back based on America ’ s founding Judeo-Christian values .
The event featured a number of prolific Christian speakers including former Arkansas Gov .
Mike Huckabee , Eric Metaxas , the Rev @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a candidate for the Seventh Congressional District in Baltimore , Maryland .
“ Our nation is facing the biggest social challenges it ’ s ever seen , but fortunately we have the biblical values passed down by our forebears to navigate these waters of turmoil , ” said Shines .
In addition to his remarks on America ’ s need to revisit its Christian roots , Shines spoke on the mission and work of Conservative Clergy of Color .
While Black Lives Matter has spent this summer terrorizing America ’ s cities , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ministers have been working to set the record straight in America ’ s race conversation .
That work involves sharing Christ ’ s message of reconciliation and the peaceful resolution to the wounds of slavery and segregation .
Shines last week called out Nike for supporting the Marxist organization Black Lives Matter as well as Community China , which uses slave labor , while using athletic stars to push an agenda .
Regarding the Get Louder summit , Shines said , “ It was an honor to bring the message of Conservative Clergy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is simple — to counter the hateful actions of Black Lives Matter with the values of love only Christ can bring to us .
We believe in dialogue and free speech , and we ’ re going to continue pushing our message to anyone willing to listen.
” Liberty ’ s Falkirk Center ’ s website says it “ equips Christians to be courageous champions for Christ to advance His kingdom and preserve American freedom.
” Jason M. Reynolds has more than 20 years ’ experience as a journalist at outlets of all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” by Bishop Aubrey Shines .
Star News Digital Media executives also own Old Ironsides Advisors , a management consultancy serving conservative nonprofits including Conservative Clergy of Color .

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--2020-09-13--Carol Swain Commentary: Unity Training Should Replace Failed Diversity Training

President Trump ’ s recent decision earlier this month to use his executive authority to end certain forms of diversity training in federal agencies was a bold and necessary action to bring about racial healing and reconciliation .
In making his decision , the president was reacting to reports of federal training exercises that singled out white people with accusations that “ virtually all whites contribute to racism , ” or they benefit from it .
The decision to ban funding of such programs provides an important opportunity to remind the American people of constitutional and statutory protections that many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment stipulates that , “ No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States .
.
.
nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws .
[ emphasis added ] .
Moreover , the statutory language of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 bans discrimination “ based on race , color , religion , sex , and national origin .
Many Americans seem to think and act as if these @ @ @ @ @ @ @ minorities , when they are available to every person who falls into the protected categories .
We have now reached a point in our nation ’ s history where whites are increasingly attacked and shamed because of their skin color .
Firm legal grounding , therefore , undergirds the president ’ s directive to remove funding from training exercises based on critical race theory .
Here ’ s the crux of the issue : critical race theory divides the world into oppressors and victims .
It asserts that racism is permanent , that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people need to divest themselves of their privilege and become anti-racist – that is , they must surrender their rights as U.S. citizens for the crime of being white .
Critical race theory has spawned a cottage industry funded by more than $ 8 billion a year provided by corporations , churches , universities , and government entities that use diversity training to comply with directives and “ virtue signal ” while producing minimal results .
Essentially , diversity training is an added layer of fluff on top of the existing affirmative action @ @ @ @ @ @ @ – for those who preach it .
In the four years since the end of the Obama Administration , diversity trainers have become more steeped in critical theory as they embrace this empty exercise of political correctness foisted upon us .
These trainers have targeted and peppered white Americans and their children with nonstop accusations of white privilege and domination based on an alleged property interest in skin color .
In this twisted world of reverse racism , whites can absolve their sins only by divesting themselves of their whiteness by becoming explicitly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s hidden racism and unearned advantages tied to their ancestors ’ sins .
It ’ s as absurd as it is fraudulent .
There is some evidence that mandatory diversity training can worsen workplace relationships and generate the opposite of what was intended .
Black Lives Matter and Antifa are among many groups using critical theory to justify violent protests and personal property destruction .
They are the new “ Untouchables , ” generously protected by the implied consent of many of our leading Democratic politicians , including presidential candidate Joe Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the forms of political correctness , microaggressions , safe spaces , and trigger warnings has expanded beyond academia and taken up residence in our workplaces , churches , gyms , and sports events , permeating every facet of our lives .
It steals our joy and places us at each other ’ s throats , with white Americans expected to just sit there and take their medicine .
Our country is being forced backward toward resegregation , while destroying the quality of black education .
Meanwhile , students find themselves trapped in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is time to know our enemy – critical race theory in its various forms .
Critical race theory had its own originating “ big bang ” explosion at colleges and universities across the USA during the 1980s .
The concept that is now championed by corporations , governmental agencies at the state , local , and federal levels , churches , and other institutions derives from Max Horkheimer , a Marxist who coined the concept of critical theory in 1937 .
Critical theory offers an ongoing critique of a society and its culture @ @ @ @ @ @ @ social and political change .
This PC juggernaut has been effective because its approach is subtle .
Deception , infiltration , and manipulation allow trained activists to destroy and undermine institutions from within .
This anti-American philosophy and its demands for promoting social justice while ending so-called “ systemic racism ” and oppression of political and ethnic minorities has its roots in Western Europe .
Horkheimer , Theodor Adorno , Wilhelm Reich , Herbert Marcuse , and Eric Fromm were German and Western Marxist faculty of the Frankfurt School Institute of Social Research @ @ @ @ @ @ @ critically analyzed society with the utopian goal of delivering people from oppression and slavery to create a world where human needs could be met and satisfied .
To those lacking discernment , it sounds great , when in fact it is pure Marxist hogwash .
In a word , socialism .
.
.
or communism , take your pick .
These men ’ s Marxist-driven ideas about social justice were brought to the United States after Adolf Hitler rose to power in 1933 .
The Frankfurt School ’ s faculty fled to New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home at Columbia University .
There , they could churn out cohorts of easily brainwashed students who took their Marxist ideology to schools , corporations , and other institutions .
This resulted in a radical change in America ’ s culture and a rise in secularism .
Judeo-Christian values and principles gradually eroded as did respect for the U.S. Constitution and our nation ’ s founding .
The social and political unrest of the 1960s can be traced directly to what became known as cultural Marxism , emphasizing the need to change institutions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the enemy within .
Marcuse , renowned radical activist Angela Davis ’ s mentor , and Saul Alinsky , Hillary Clinton ’ s high priest , trained students to agitate and infiltrate .
We have now reached the point where we either stand up and reclaim America ’ s best traditions or roll over in defeat .
President Trump is offering needed leadership on this issue and others .
America must return to a principled based approach to addressing issues of race .
We need to focus on the attaining the just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ instead of succumbing to social engineering that seeks equality of results ( everybody wins a ribbon ) and a radical redistribution of wealth .
America does not need diversity , equity , inclusion training as an added layer to existing affirmative action programs .
In place of diversity training and mandated guilt trips , we need unity training solutions that will bring about positive cultural changes within institutional structures .
We must build on shared principles and approaches that recognize the human dignity and unique contributions of everyone .
This will bring us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a nation .
Any other approach is doomed to fail .
Dr. Carol M. Swain is a retired professor of political science and professor of law at Vanderbilt University .
She is a member of Black Voices for Trump and the host of the Be the People Podcast .


thetennesseestar--2020-09-13--Dozens Missing as Firefighters Battle Two Large Oregon Fires

SALEM , Oregon ( AP ) — Hundreds of firefighters battled two large wildfires Friday that threatened to merge near the most populated part of Oregon , including the suburbs of Portland , and the governor said dozens of people are missing in other parts of the state .
The state ’ s emergency management director , Andrew Phelps , said officials are “ preparing for a mass fatality event ” and that thousands of structures have been destroyed .
Gov .
Kate Brown said more than 40,000 Oregonians have been evacuated and about 500,000 are in different levels of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to leave or to prepare to do so .
She was dialing back on a statement late Thursday issued by the state Office of Emergency Management that said a half-million people had been ordered to evacuate statewide .
Dozens of people are missing in Jackson County in the south and Marion County , where a fire continues to burn east of Salem , Brown told a news conference Friday .
Also Friday , authorities announced that a man had been arrested on two counts of arson for allegedly starting a fire in southern @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Center in Portland was among the buildings being transformed into shelters for evacuees .
Portland , shrouded in smoke from the fires , on Friday had the worst air quality of the world ’ s major cities , according to IQAir .
National Guard troops and corrections officers transferred about 1,300 inmates from a women ’ s prison in a southern suburb of Portland “ out of an abundance of caution , ” the Oregon Department of Corrections said .
Spokeswoman Vanessa Vanderzee said it took 20 hours to transfer the inmates Thursday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
A change in the weather , with winds dropping and shifting direction and humidity rising , greatly helped firefighters struggling to prevent the two fires from advancing farther west into more-populated areas .
“ The wind laid down quite a bit for us yesterday .
There also wasn ’ t that strong eastern wind that was pushing the fire more to the west , ” said Stefan Myers of the state ’ s fire information team .
Winds coming from the Pacific Ocean also neutralized the fires ’ advance and even pushed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 500 personnel were working on the fires , which were just a few miles ( kilometers ) apart , with rugged terrain between them that limits boots-on-the-ground efforts to keep them apart , Myers said .
If they merge , they could generate such heat that it causes embers to fly thousands of feet into the air , potentially igniting other areas , Myers said .
The high number of fires occurring simultaneously in the span of just a few days in Oregon was fueled by dry conditions , high temperatures and especially @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thursday that more than 1,400 square miles ( 3,600 square kilometers ) have burned in Oregon over the past three days , nearly double the land that burns in a typical year in the state and an area greater than the size of Rhode Island .
Oregon officials haven ’ t released an exact death count for the wildfires , but at least eight fatalities have been reported in the state .
A 1-year-old boy was killed in wildfires in Washington .
A Northern California fire that tore through several hamlets in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ killed 10 people , making it the deadliest of the year .
In Oregon , evacuation centers opened across the state .
Kim Carbaugh fled from her home in Lyons with her husband , two children and two horses Monday .
“ When we were driving away and I could see actual fire , the red and orange flames , at the time I didn ’ t feel scared , I had so much adrenaline — we just had to leave , ” she said Friday from the livestock stables of the evacuation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
One fire approached Molalla , triggering a mandatory evacuation order for the community of about 9,000 located 30 miles ( 48 kilometers ) south of Portland .
A police car rolled through the streets with a loudspeaker blaring “ evacuate now.
” With the two large fires — called the Beachie Fire and the Riverside Fire — threatening to merge , some firefighters in Clackamas County , which encompasses Molalla , were told to disengage temporarily Thursday because of the danger .
Officials tried to reassure residents who abandoned their homes and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be stepped up to prevent looting .
The change in weather also aided efforts to contain a fire near Lincoln City , on the Oregon Coast , that according to an estimate has damaged or destroyed at least 100 structures .
“ Thank God , we got a wind shift .
The wind started coming from the west , pushing the fire back towards the east , and that ’ s what kept it within its footprint and kept it from growing , ” fire spokesperson Ashley Lertora said .
Oregon ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House has approved the state ’ s request for an emergency declaration that will help provide immediate assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency .
Jackson County Sheriff Nathan Sickler said Friday that a 41-year-old man was jailed on two charges of arson for a fire that started Tuesday in the Phoenix area in southern Oregon .
Sickler said the Almeda fire , which burned hundreds of homes , had ignition points in Ashland near the spot where a man was found dead , and in Phoenix .
Authorities said the man was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Phoenix and that he denied starting the fire .
Police are still investigating the first ignition point in Ashland .
In southern Oregon near the California state line , much of the small town of Phoenix was wiped out .
A mobile home park , houses and businesses were burned , leaving twisted remains on charred ground .
Many of the residents were immigrants , with few resources to draw on .
Artemio Guterrez , a single father of four , had been at work at a vineyard when he saw thick smoke @ @ @ @ @ @ @ snatched his kids to safety .
They escaped with only the clothes they were wearing .
“ I ’ m going to start all over again .
It ’ s not easy but it ’ s not impossible either , ” said Guterrez .
In a news conference Friday , Washington Gov .
Jay Inslee noted that the amount of land burned in just the past five days amounted to the state ’ s second-worst fire season , after 2015 .
He called the blazes “ climate fires ” rather than wildfires .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ God , ” Inslee said .
“ This has happened because we have changed the climate of the state of Washington in dramatic ways.
” Andrew Selsky and Sara Cline are reporters for The Associated Press .
AP writers Gillian Flaccus in Phoenix , Oregon and Lisa Baumann and Gene Johnson in Seattle contributed to this report .
AP freelance photographer Paula Bronstein also contributed to this report from Talent and Phoenix , Oregon .
About the Headline Photo : Derek Trenton from Talent , Ore. salvages some items at his parents home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Sept. 11 , 2020 in Talent , Ore. ( AP Photo/Paula Bronstein )


thetennesseestar--2020-09-13--Experts: Revamped OxyContin Hasn’t Curbed Abuse, Overdoses

WASHINGTON , D.C. ( AP ) — A panel of government health advisers said Friday there ’ s no clear evidence that a harder-to-crush version of the painkiller OxyContin designed to discourage abuse actually resulted in fewer overdoses or deaths .
The conclusion from the Food and Drug Administration advisory panel comes more than a decade after Purdue Pharma revamped its blockbuster opioid , which has long been blamed for sparking a surge in painkiller abuse beginning in the 1990s .
In a series of non-binding votes , the FDA experts said that the updated OxyContin appeared to cut down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the original drug .
But panelists overwhelmingly ruled that data from Purdue and other researchers did not show that the reformulation curbed abuse overall or led to fewer overdoses .
Panelists said the shortcomings were due , in part , to the challenges of studying overdoses , which often involve multiple drugs .
“ I think it ’ s very difficult to tease out cause of death and overdose , ” said Dr. Lewis Nelson of Rutgers University .
“ Overall , I think the quality of evidence was fairly poor.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ misused by simply swallowing them , which remains the most frequent route among those with opioid addiction .
The FDA will consider the group ’ s opinions as it weighs whether to revisit OxyContin ’ s terms of approval .
That could include scaling back the drug ’ s prescribing labeling , which currently states that it is “ expected to ” reduce abuse via injecting and snorting .
Purdue ’ s 2010 revamped OxyContin was the first of several opioids developed by drugmakers to help curb abuse .
But whether the drugs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ FDA is reviewing their use .
These so-called abuse-deterrent formulations account for just 2 % of U.S. opioid prescriptions .
The vast majority of opioids prescribed are generic versions of short-acting opioids like hydrocodone .
Purdue representatives said during the meeting that multiple studies showed the updated tablets are harder to crush and dissolve , making them harder to snort or inject .
They said those changes represent a “ meaningful incremental improvement , ” over the original OxyContin launched in 1996 .
Data submitted by Purdue showed both prescribing and illegal trafficking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and replaced the original version of the drug .
But panelists said it was impossible to decipher whether those positive trends were due to the reformulation or a host of other factors affecting opioid use , including government crackdowns on pill mills and an influx of illegal opioids like heroin and fentanyl .
Several studies suggest many people who abused OxyContin switched to generic pain pills or illicit opioids , but patterns of switching varied widely across the country and populations , further blurring the drug ’ s overall impact .
Purdue said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would continue to work with the FDA as it reviewed the OxyContin studies .
The company declared bankruptcy last year in an effort to settle thousands of lawsuits accusing it of over-promoting OxyContin and misleading the public about its risks .
U.S. drug overdose deaths hit a new high last year of 71,000 , according to federal data , driven mainly by fentanyl and similar synthetic opioids which were involved in about half of all deaths .
Deaths tied to prescription opioid overdoses have plateaued at around 15,000 annually .
The slowdown follows @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at physicians .
Matthew Perone is a reporter for The Associated Press .
About the Headline Photo : This Feb. 19 , 2013 file photo shows OxyContin pills arranged for a photo at a pharmacy in Montpelier , Vt. On Friday , Sept. 11 , 2020 , a U.S. Food and Drug Administration advisory panel said there ’ s no clear evidence that a reformulated version of the painkiller OxyContin designed to discourage abuse actually resulted in fewer overdoses or cases of addiction .
( AP Photo/Toby Talbot , File )


thetennesseestar--2020-09-13--Josh Hawley Calls on Netflix to Remove ‘Cuties’

Republican Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley demanded that Netflix remove “ Cuties ” Friday after Netflix defended the film in a Thursday night statement to the Daily Caller News Foundation .
“ In early 2019 , journalists first began to report that YouTube videos of children in partial states of exposure were being ‘ inundated with comments ’ by pedophiles , exposing the children involved in the videos and other children visiting the platform to potential harm , ” Hawley wrote in the Friday afternoon letter .
“ Now Netflix is airing a film called Cuties depicting children being coached to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cameras both onscreen and off , ” he continued .
“ Your decision to do so raises major questions of child safety and exploitation , including the possibility of copycat behavior and exploitation of child actors.
” His letter comes after Netflix defended “ Cuties ” in a Thursday evening statement to the Daily Caller News Foundation , calling the film “ powerful ” and “ award winning.
” “ Cuties is a social commentary against the sexualization of young children , ” a Netflix spokeswoman told the DCNF late Thursday .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and a powerful story about the pressure young girls face on social media and from society more generally growing up – and we ’ d encourage anyone who cares about these important issues to watch the movie.
” “ Why did your company designate this film with a ‘ TV-MA ’ for ‘ language ’ without any mention of its graphic sexual content , ” he asked .
“ In marketing this film , did Netflix consult with any experts or authorities on combating child sexual exploitation or the psychological and emotional impacts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He continued , “ In marketing this film , did Netflix consult with any law enforcement authorities or experts about the possibility of copycat behavior , such as the viewing and imitation of hardcore pornography , by children who may see this film ?
” Hawley also asked whether Netflix took measures to protect the “ physical , mental , and emotional health of child actors made to perform simulated sex acts and filmed in sexual or sexually suggestive ways ” and whether Netflix chose to market the film “ with a poster @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suggestive positions.
” “ Why did your company choose to market this film with a poster different from the French original , which depicts children throwing confetti in the street , ” he asked .
“ What internal algorithmic designations has Netflix appended to this film , and what are the primary algorithmic characteristics of the film ’ s primary viewership as of today , September 11 , 2020 ?
” Mary Margaret Olohan is a reporter for the Daily Caller News Foundation .


thetennesseestar--2020-09-13--John Durham Aide Resigns, Reportedly Because of Pressure to Complete Trump-Russia Probe

A top prosecutor in the office of U.S. Attorney John Durham submitted her resignation on Friday , The Daily Caller News Foundation has confirmed .
The Hartford Courant reported that Nora Dannehy resigned because of political pressure from Justice Department headquarters regarding Durham ’ s investigation into the origins of the Trump-Russia probe .
According to the Courant , associates of Dannehy ’ s said that she was concerned that Barr is pressuring Durham ’ s team to release a report on the investigation before the probe is finished .
The story notes that Dannehy is not a supporter of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that she resigned ( effective today ) , and have no further comment or background to provide , ” Thomas Carson , a spokesman for the U.S. attorney ’ s office in Connecticut , told The Daily Caller News Foundation .
Barr tapped Durham in April 2019 to investigate FBI and CIA activities related to Trump associates during the 2016 presidential campaign .
Dannehy has worked with Durham for decades , according to the Courant .
She left her job for a brief stint in 2019 to work in the defense industry , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him again after Barr appointed him to oversee the probe .
Democrats have criticized the investigation , claiming that Barr is directing it to provide political cover for President Trump .
Despite intense scrutiny on Durham ’ s inquiry , few details of the probe have leaked into public view .
Durham has obtained one guilty plea so far in the investigation .
Kevin Clinesmith , a former FBI attorney , pleaded guilty on Aug. 19 to altering an email from a CIA analyst in June 2017 regarding former Trump aide Carter Page @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a Justice Department inspector general ’ s report on the FBI ’ s investigation of the Trump team .
The report blasted the FBI for multiple errors and omissions in applications for Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act warrants against Carter Page .
Barr said in an interview with NBC News this week that more prosecutions could be coming in the Durham probe .
Barr has also said that Durham is investigating the possibility that Russian intelligence operatives fed disinformation to Christopher Steele , the author of a dossier that the FBI used to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the Courant , Durham associates expect the investigation to be shut down if Trump loses the election in November .
The Justice Department did not respond to a request for comment .
Chuck Ross is a reporter for the Daily Caller News Foundation .
Background Photo “ DOJ Building ” by Coolcaesar .
CC BY-SA 3.0 .


thetennesseestar--2020-09-13--U.S. Budget Deficit Hits Record $3 Trillion Through 11 Months

WASHINGTON , D.C. ( AP ) — The U.S. budget deficit hit an all-time high of $ 3 trillion for the first 11 months of this budget year , the Treasury Department said Friday .
The ocean of red ink is a product of the government ’ s massive spending to try to cushion the impact of a coronavirus-fueled recession that has cost millions of jobs .
The deficit from October through August is more than double the previous 11-month record of $ 1.37 trillion set in 2009 .
At that time the government was spending large sums to get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 2008 financial crisis .
With one month to go in the 2020 budget year , which ends Sept. 30 , the deficit could go even higher .
The Congressional Budget Office is forecasting the deficit this year will hit a record $ 3.3 trillion .
While the government has sometimes run surpluses in September , Nancy Vanden Houten , an economist at Oxford Economist , predicted the September deficit would hit $ 200 billion , giving the country a deficit for this budget year of $ 3.2 trillion .
That would be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of $ 984 billion .
The previous record deficit for a fiscal year was $ 1.4 trillion in 2009 in the aftermath of the financial crisis .
Congress has passed a series of relief bills totaling nearly $ 3 trillion that provided support such as a $ 600-a-week boost in unemployment benefits , up to $ 1,200 in payments to individuals and aid for small businesses trying to retain their workers .
However , many of the support programs ended in early August and efforts to approve another measure to restore the expired @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
That has raised concerns among economists that with so many people still out of work and so many businesses struggling to re-open , the economic recovery could wither by late this year .
The deficit for August totaled $ 200 billion , matching the August 2019 deficit and reflecting the fact that with relief programs expiring , the gains in monthly government spending slowed .
The CBO is forecasting that by the end of this year , the amount of government debt will equal 98 % of the total economy and then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of gross domestic product , the economy ’ s total output of goods and services .
That ’ s a level not seen since the huge government debt buildup in the 1940s to pay for fighting World War II .
By comparison , the debt held by the public totaled 79 % of GDP at the end of 2019 and stood at 35 % of GDP in 2007 before the Great Recession .
Even with huge amounts of debt being added , the government ’ s interest costs to finance the debt are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 484 billion compared to what the government spent on interest payments last year .
Treasury officials said the lower figure is due to lower interest rates this year as the country went into recession .
Through August of this year , tax revenue totaled $ 3.05 trillion , 1.3 % below the same period last year .
Spending totaled $ 6.05 trillion , up from $ 4.16 trillion for the same period last year .
Martin Crutsinger is a reporter for The Associated Press .
About the Headline Photo : In this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a man wearing a mask to protect against coronavirus , waits to cross the street as a digital sign displays groups of people walking above another sign displaying the size of the national debt along an empty K Street in Washington .
The U.S. budget deficit hit an all-time high of $ 3 trillion for the first 11 months of this budget year , the Treasury Department said Friday , Sept. 11 .
( AP Photo/Andrew Harnik , File )


thetennesseestar--2020-09-13--‘There Was No Fighting This Fire,’ California Survivor Says

BERRY CREEK , California ( AP ) — John Sykes built his life around his cabin in the dense woods of Northern California .
He raised his two children there , expanded it and improved it over time and made it resilient to all kinds of disaster except fire .
So when the winds started howling Tuesday and the skies became so dark from smoke that he had to turn on his lights at midday , he didn ’ t hesitate to leave it all behind in an instant before any evacuation order .
With the disaster two years ago @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people perished in the deadliest and most destructive fire in modern state history , still fresh on his mind , Sykes got his wife and a friend into his car and left with only a change of clothes each .
“ All I could do is look in the rear view mirror and see orange sky and a mushroom cloud and that told me it was hot and to keep going , ” Sykes said Friday .
“ It was a terrifying feeling.
” Berry Creek was largely destroyed in what has become @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year that has already shattered California records for the most area burned — more land than the state of Connecticut — and recorded the largest fire of all time in the state .
Five of the top 10 biggest blazes in state history are still burning and fire season often gets worse in the fall .
At least nine people were killed and 19 were unaccounted for .
The Butte County Sheriff ’ s Office initially said 10 bodies were found but reduced it on Friday because it was determined that bones found @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a realistic-looking human skeleton model made of resin that an anthroplogy student used for study , Sheriff Kory Honea said .
The sheriff also announced that the victims included Josiah Williams , 16 , of Berry Creek , who apparently died while trying to flee the flames in a vehicle .
“ He was alone , terrified and ran for his life , ” his mother , Jessica Williams , told CBS13 Sacramento .
“ ” My son was a good , smart , caring young boy that died alone and it kills @ @ @ @ @ @ @ through.
” The body of Millicent Catarancuic , 77 , of Berry Creek was found by a car on Wednesday , and two other people who may have been associated with her were found in the same area , the sheriff said , although he didn ’ t release their names .
“ We have information that those subjects were aware of the fire but chose not to immediately evacuate , ” he said .
More victims could be found when search-and-rescue teams join sheriff ’ s detectives in searching the devastated area @ @ @ @ @ @ @ begin work in some places , the sheriff said .
“ Right now , the areas that we need to search are too hot , ” he said .
Neighboring Oregon and Washington also have been besieged and air pollution is a major problem across the West .
Oregon Gov .
Kate Brown said Friday “ dozens of people ” are missing from the large wildfires that have burned across the state .
California Gov .
Gavin Newsom toured the fire-ravaged region Friday and strongly asserted that climate change was evident and pledged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the economy .
“ The debate is over around climate change .
Just come to the state of California , observe it with your own eyes , ” he said , citing the hottest August in state history , 14,000 dry lightning strikes in three days , record-breaking temperatures , drought and millions of dead trees .
The immediate good news , he said , was the weather was beginning to cooperate , with winds settling down and the possibility of modest rain .
Bill Connelly , a Butte County supervisor , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ burned but most of the 6,000 people in that area got out .
“ It ’ s just as devastating as Paradise , ” he said , referring to the town 10 miles ( 16 kilometers ) away that had 26,000 residents when it was destroyed .
“ It would be worse than Paradise if there were that many people living there.
” About 20 people were hospitalized with burns ; others broke limbs in the panic to flee , Connelly said .
Fire officials have estimated that more than 2,000 homes and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ smoke , the search continued Friday for 16 people missing in the rugged mountains 125 miles ( 200 kilometers ) northeast of San Francisco .
Berry Creek , which began as a stage coach stop during the California Gold Rush , was among the hardest hit communities .
A bar , laundromat and two stores are gone .
All that remained of a gas station were a pair of pumps and a sign listing prices .
The school and volunteer fire station — with the engine still inside — were destroyed .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Sykes said .
“ Those who tried to fight it are probably not here.
” Most homes were reduced to smoldering piles of ash , twisted metal and blackened appliances , but others escaped unscathed .
Chimneys poked from the rubble and burned out cars and pickup trucks dotted the landscape .
Scorched utility poles and fallen wires lined the roads .
Sykes , who became emotional several times describing his ordeal , said he has located all but two friends .
Some dunked into ponds , others jumped into Lake Oroville @ @ @ @ @ @ @ debris rained down on them , he said .
Sykes , a former logger and construction worker , had never evacuated his home during a fire before but said he was too old at 68 to stay put .
Plus , he had to look after his wife Janet , the “ love of my life , ” and a close friend who has been ill and lived with them since her husband died six months ago .
He didn ’ t want them to be trapped on the road leading out of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Paradise .
When they were 5 miles ( 8 kilometers ) miles down the road heading to safety , a friend called to say that the home he left behind on Wood Smoke Way was burning .
Brian Melley and Terence Chea are reporters for The Associated Press .
Melley reported from Los Angeles .
Associated Press writer John Antczak in Los Angeles contributed to this report .
About the Headline Photo : A firefighter shoots an incendiary device during a back burn to help control the Dolan Fire at Limekiln State Park @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Friday , Sept. 11 , 2020 .
( AP Photo/Nic Coury )


thetennesseestar--2020-09-13--Dolphins Announce They Will Stay Inside Locker Room During Both National Anthems

Miami Dolphins announced that they will remain in the team ’ s locker room for both national anthems this Sunday ahead of their regular-season opener against the New England Patriots , Fox News reports .
There will be no kneeling for the Dolphins on the sidelines this season .
The players shared their thoughts in a video Thursday and read a message demanding the NFL use its money and influence to make social changes .
“ Is it authentic ?
That ’ s the mystery , ” one Dolphins player questioned .
“ Or is it just another symbolic victory @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Now there ’ s two anthems .
Do we kneel ?
Do we stand ?
” “ If we could just right our wrongs , we wouldn ’ t need two songs.
” “ We don ’ t need another publicity parade , ” another Dolphins player said .
“ So , we ’ ll just stay inside until it ’ s time to play the game , ” one player concluded .
Head coach Brian Flores also shared his thoughts .
“ Before the media starts wondering and guessing , they just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ll just stay inside , ” he said .
The Dolphins won ’ t be the only team making a bold statement when NFL games begin .
The move comes after the NFL ’ s decision to play “ Lift Every Voice and Sing ” as a sign of its commitment to social justice and been seen by many , including the Dolphins , as a publicity stunt rather than an effort to affect change .
The team also said the NFL allowing players to wear helmet stickers honoring victims of racism @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and demanded the NFL stop with “ fluff and empty gestures , ” asking team owners to “ flex political power ” to make social changes .
The NFL joined other sports leagues around the nation this season and used their facilities and resources to condemn racism and bring awareness to social justice .
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell announced the league will imprint “ End racism ” and “ It takes all of us ” in the end zones at each stadium during the 2020 season and teams will have the opportunity to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on their helmets .