thetennesseestar--2020-10-20--Faith, Family, and Freedom: Republican Candidate for Florida’s Tenth Congressional District, Vennia

Faith, Family, and Freedom: Republican Candidate for Florida’s Tenth Congressional District, Vennia Francois Pushes the Conservative Message to Oust Val Demings

Live from Virginia Monday morning on The John Fredericks Show – weekdays on WNTW AM 820/ FM 92.7 – Richmond , WJFN FM 100.5 – Central Virginia , WMPH AM 1010 / FM 100.1 / FM 96.9 ( 7-9 PM ) Hampton Roads , WBRG AM 1050 / FM 105.1 – Lynchburg/Roanoke and Weekdays 6-10 am and 24/7 Stream – host Fredericks welcomed Florida ’ s 10th Congressional District ’ s Vennia Francois to the show to discuss her campaign against Democrat Val Demings and her resonating message of faith , family , and freedom .
Fredericks : We ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ congressional district in Florida .
That ’ s where the Democrat Val Demings is up for re-election .
That is a pretty heavily Democratic area .
D plus 12 .
And joining us now is the Republican candidate trying to oust Val Demings .
Vennia Francois .
I hope I ’ m saying your name , right both first and last name .
I think I just mangled the whole thing .
How do I say it ?
Francois : Not quite not quite .
You got the last name right .
Good @ @ @ @ @ @ @ having me .
But I am Vennia Francois and I am the Republican nominee running against Val Demings in the Orlando area .
Fredericks : Okay , Vennia Francois .
You are the Republican candidate in the 10th District .
Tell us about where exactly that district is Vennia and the makeup of it .
Francois : Sure .
The district is in the heart of Orlando .
We have all of the things parks including Disneyworld .
So that should give you some sort of idea where we are .
The makeup @ @ @ @ @ @ @ community here with African-American , Latino , Hispanic-Americans as well .
And so we have again tourism is the number one industry in this area .
So it ’ s I think it ’ s a good mix .
Fredericks : Vennia , what inspired your run ?
I mean , you also had a competitive Republican primary .
What inspired your run for Congress Vennia ?
Francois : Well , that ’ s a great question .
I was actually born and raised here in the Orlando area .
And after I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up working for Senator Mel Martinez .
So I moved from Orlando to D.C. and worked on Capitol Hill for a number of years and then transitioned off to the SEC .
So my background is in this arena is in politics .
And I just have a love for art government and history and things of that nature .
So this was a perfect fit for me , and I love to serve so this is my way of giving back to this country .
My country .
And I am also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s a beautiful thing .
And so this is just my way of giving back .
Fredericks : Vennia , your District Is about 16 percent Hispanic .
Fredericks : What percent of the Hispanic vote do you think you ’ ll be able to get ?
Francois : I think I have an opportunity here to really chip away and get those votes again .
I ’ m a first-generation American and so I cross over many dynamics .
And so I have been well received in all communities .
You know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the Vietnamese community as well as the Filipino community here in the district .
So I think that my message of faith family and freedom resonates across the board .
And it ’ s just been an amazing thing .
And what ’ s interesting .
It ’ s a very diverse community , and I was just speaking to several actually Hispanic roundtables and they just really relate .
I ’ m a very relatable candidate , and they just relate more to me .
And so it ’ s been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ground .
Fredericks : Vennia Francois with us .
She is the Republican candidate going against up against Democratic incumbent Val Demings in the 10th congressional district in Florida .
Vennia , how do you win this race ?
Francois : Well , we win this race by again pushing out our conservative message .
I truly believe conservative principles are the way for men and women to flourish .
They promote freedom and they honor the God-given rights and potential of every individual .
Sadly the Orlando area where I ’ m @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the left and it shows in the poor quality of our elected leadership .
Especially here in this congressional district where I ’ m running and our current representative Demings has gone to Washington and has been so caught up with the politics in Congress that she just spends more of her time in the establishment string instead of fighting for our district here at home .
And so how do I combat that ?
And again just being here on the ground .
Showing up and reaching out voters .
And it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ family , and freedom that resonates a great deal .
And our conservative message .
It resonates a great deal with the individuals in this district .
Fredericks : Well , it ’ s a tough one .
I mean in 2018 Val Demings got 75 percent of the vote .
In 2016 she got 65 percent of the vote .
So you ’ ve got your work cut out for you .
But you know Vennia Francois , I love the fact that you ’ re running because one of the problems @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t run candidates on paper where the district just appears to be unwinnable .
You know , you ’ re not going to get any money from the RNC .
You know you ’ re not going to get any money from the RCC .
So you ’ re , you ’ re on your own .
You know that going in .
Fredericks : So it takes a lot of courage to run because what it does is Val Demings can ’ t run a campaign for other Democrats of Florida .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ do rallies if they ever had one .
She can ’ t be out campaigning for Biden in Georgia .
She ’ s stuck in the 10th district because you ’ re a viable candidate and she can ’ t take it for granted .
Francois : Absolutely .
Right , that is very true .
But on the flip side John in the prior elections , she didn ’ t really have a viable candidate or the election prior to that .
There was no one running against her .
So she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she was a former police officer .
And they believed that she was their only choice and the fact that they thought that she would remain moderate .
But she has gone so far to the left .
And she ’ s vote at least 95 to 99 percent of the time with Nancy Pelosi .
And then with the impeachment debacle that she was heavily involved with .
And so people are now turned off by that turned off by her .
Even within the Black community .
Hispanic community .
They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them behind .
She ’ s nowhere here on the ground at all , and so she ’ s MIA .
And she ’ s only seeking another office and she ’ s auditioning for another position .
She ’ s not really focused here on in the district and on the ground .
And so we do have an opportunity here to flip the district .
And I agree with you .
I believe the Republican Party has left this district behind .
And had we been here two years or four @ @ @ @ @ @ @ messages I do believe we could have made a whole lot more in roads here within this particular district .
Fredericks : We ’ re with Vennia Francois .
She ’ s running for congress in the 10th congressional district in Florida .
that is right now being held by former Orlando Police Chief .
And now the Democrat there Val Demings .
Val was also being considered on Joe Biden ’ s shortlist for vice president .
How does the fact that she was a Potential V Pugh pick , How does @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
Francois : I don ’ t think it plays heavily in our race at all .
Again people see her as auditioning for another position .
They ’ ve all said that .
Again , she ’ s nowhere to be found on the ground .
She ’ s gone MIA .
She has not paid any attention .
She has not worked for the people of this district .
And so , therefore , they just think that you know , she only utilized them as a stepping stone to her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s wanting to vie for .
And so again , they have been disheartened by her and turned off by that .
Fredericks : Wow .
You know the fact that you ’ re tying her up there , are you spending the majority of your time on the phone and knocking on doors Vennia ?
How are you reaching voters ?
Francois : I am spending my time on the ground knocking on doors .
I am participating in community events that are happening and that are happening around town .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s front doorstep they are so excited to see that I am literally there having a conversation with them .
And frankly more so than ever I ’ m now in churches .
I have been attending a different church every single Sunday now that our economy is back open here in the state of Florida .
And so that ’ s been well received as well .
So I ’ m touching the voters where there are .
I ’ m going out to sea and meet them where they are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and going very well .
Listen to the full show here :


thetennesseestar--2020-10-20--Trump Campaign Accuses Michigan Governor of ‘Encouraging Assassination’ Attempts

President Donald Trump ’ s reelection campaign accused Michigan Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer of “ encouraging assassination attempts ” against the president .
Whitmer appeared on MSNBC ’ s “ Meet the Press ” Sunday morning and viewers quickly noticed an “ 86 45 ” sign displayed on the table behind her .
Forty-five is a reference to Trump , who is the 45th president of the United States .
“ 86 can be shorthand for killing someone .
Whitmer is encouraging assassination attempts against President Trump just weeks after someone sent a ricin-laced package to the White House , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Gretchen Whitmer can ’ t have it both ways .
These are the standards she set.
” Tensions between the first-term governor and President Trump intensified earlier this month after the FBI foiled a plot to kidnap Whitmer .
She blamed the attempted kidnapping on the president ’ s rhetoric , saying the two militia groups behind the conspiracy have “ heard Trump ’ s words not as a rebuke but as a rallying cry.
” “ When our leaders speak , their words matter .
They carry weight .
When @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fraternize with domestic terrorists , they legitimize their actions and they are complicit .
When they stoke and contribute to hate speech , they are complicit , ” Whitmer said .
In response , Trump said he does not “ tolerate any extreme violence ” and defends “ all Americans , even those who oppose and attack me.
” “ Governor Whitmer of Michigan has done a terrible job , ” he said in an Oct. 8 tweet .
“ My Justice Department and Federal Law Enforcement announced today that they foiled a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Rather than say thank you , she calls me a White Supremacist — while Biden and Democrats refuse to condemn Antifa , Anarchists , Looters and Mobs that burn down Democrat run cities.
” Whitmer criticized the president ’ s rhetoric again Saturday night when a crowd at a Trump rally in Muskegon , Michigan , chanted “ lock her up , ” referring to Whitmer .
“ This is exactly the rhetoric that has put me , my family , and other government officials ’ lives in danger while we try @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Americans .
It needs to stop , ” she said .
During her Sunday MSNBC interview , Whitmer said it is “ incredibly disturbing ” that the president is “ inciting this kind of domestic terrorism.
” “ It is wrong .
It has got to end , ” she said .
“ It is dangerous , not just for me and my family but for public servants everywhere who are doing their jobs and trying to protect their fellow Americans .
People of goodwill on both sides of the aisle need to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In a statement provided to Newsweek , a spokesperson for Whitmer dismissed concerns about the “ 86 45 ” sign as “ silly.
” Anthony Gockowski is Editor-in-Chief of Alpha News .
He previously worked as an editor for The Minnesota Sun and Campus Reform , and reported for The Daily Caller .
Photo “ Gretchen Whitmer ” by NBC News Video .

Arizona State Rep. Jake Hoffman (R-Queen Creek) and 19 other legislators issued a statement following a video that went viral of three black students kicking two white students out of Arizona State University’s multicultural center. They demanded accountability and threatened to withhold funding from the university.
They announced, “It has come to light following the racially-motivated harassment of two students and their subsequent removal from one of the campus’ study facilities that ASU has allowed a culture of institutionalized racism and neo-segregation to take hold on its campus. The racially-charged removal of these students from the multicultural center begs the question of why Arizonans are being forced to spend tens, potentially hundreds, of millions of their hard-earned tax dollars on a building at a public university that some of our citizens are not allowed to use?”
Hoffman is a member of the House Appropriations Committee, and concluded that he would “get to the bottom of this and take the appropriate action in the upcoming budget. Not one penny of taxpayer money should be appropriated to a public institution that in any way enables racism or neo-segregation. Period.”
ASU said it is investigating the incident. The angry students may have been “triggered” by a sticker on the laptop belonging to one of the white males, which said “Police Lives Matter,” and the slogan on the other white male’s shirt, which said “Did not vote for Biden.” They told the two young men, “You’re making this space uncomfortable” and “white is not a culture.” They said the Police Lives Matter sticker was racist.
One of the three told the students to leave, and another remarked, “This white man thinks he can take up our space, and this is why we need a multicultural space, because they think they can get away with this sh*t.” One of the two males packs up and leaves, and the other one stands up and looks like he might have been about to leave too.
A fundraiser was started for the harassed students on GoFundMe — one of the students mentioned in the video that he works 60 hours a week to support himself and his tuition, explaining that he’s not entitled — but GoFundMe removed it, refunding the money back to the donors. The company said it violated their “prohibited conduct policy,” which bans content that GoFundMe finds to be “in support of hate, violence, harassment, bullying, discrimination, terrorism, or intolerance of any kind.”
– – –
Rachel Alexander is a reporter at The Arizona Sun Times and The Star News Network. Follow Rachel on Twitter. Email tips to [email protected]


thetennesseestar--2020-10-20--Sen. Tina Smith Tests Negative for COVID After Skipping Warren Event

MINNEAPOLIS , Minnesota ( AP ) — Democratic U.S. Sen. Tina Smith skipped a campaign event with Sen. Elizabeth Warren over the weekend after learning that a person who attended one of her events eight days earlier had tested positive for the coronavirus .
“ I ’ m getting tested & I am quarantining until I test negative , ” Smith tweeted Sunday .
After learning Monday morning that she had tested negative , Smith tweeted that she was “ Headed back to Washington to keep working for Minnesotans.
” Campaign spokeswoman Molly Morrisey said the person who tested positive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Smith ’ s headquarters in St. Paul on Oct. 10 .
It was an outdoor event at which masks were required , and Smith did not have close contact with the individual , Morrisey said .
The campaign learned Sunday that the person tested positive .
To be safe , Morrisey said , Smith got tested and skipped a Sunday afternoon rally with Warren , a senator from Massachusetts , at Macalester College in St. Paul .
Republicans U.S. Reps. Tom Emmer , Jim Hagedorn and Pete Stauber came under Democratic criticism earlier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Washington just two days after they had flown with President Donald Trump on Air Force One , where they potentially could have been exposed .
That was before the White House announced that the president had tested positive for COVID-19 .
Their own test results came back negative before they flew on a Delta Air Lines flight .
But Democratic leaders said they should have waited longer , given the virus ’ incubation period .
Smith ’ s potential exposure was nine days before she tested negative .
Her Republican opponent , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ days after greeting Trump at the airport in Minneapolis and flying on Air Force One to Duluth , and briefly again later after a campaign worker tested positive .
They have clashed on the campaign trail over how strict state and national restrictions should be to slow the spread of the virus .
Lewis said there ’ s a double-standard for Republicans and Democrats over COVID-19 rules .
“ Tina now gets a free pass for doing the same , ” Lewis tweeted Monday .
Steve Karnowski is a reporter for The Associated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Smith ” by Lorie Shaull CC BY-SA 2.0 .


thetennesseestar--2020-10-20--New Research Shows Excess of Non-COVID Deaths Increased Over Course of Pandemic

New research from Virginia Commonwealth University ( VCU ) shows that excess , non-COVID-19 deaths increased over the course of the pandemic .
The authors theorized that the pandemic caused “ disruptions ” that led to these deaths .
Non-COVID deaths accounted for over thirty percent of the overall excess deaths .
The most significant non-COVID causes of death were heart disease , Alzheimer disease , and dementia .
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) defined excess deaths as “ the difference between the observed numbers of deaths in specific time periods and expected numbers of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Researchers draw comparisons from previous years ’ death counts .
According to the CDC , these numbers relate to the pandemic ’ s potential effect on non-COVID-19 mortality rates .
The VCU article was accepted for publication last month and published online last week .
Their previous research noted that non-COVID-19 deaths increased in states that also had the most COVID-19 deaths .
This research letter accounts for the excess deaths in relation to states reopening .
According to the report , three states attributed to thirty percent of excess deaths and experienced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the top ten states with the highest per capita of excess deaths are New York and Michigan .
The pandemic is also causing other deadly issues .
As of September , Virginia ’ s rate of overdoses have nearly eclipsed the total overdoses for all of 2019 .
From January to March of this year , overdoses in Virginia increased by 11 percent statewide .
Regionally , overdose increases ranged from 6 percent to 32 percent .
Subsequent monthly updates show a dramatic increase in overdoses , especially from May to September .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ – far higher than any in the past five years .
In 2019 , the total overdoses amounted to 14,542 .
As of September , the total number of 2020 overdoses amounted to 13,673 .
This time last year , overdoses only totaled 10,738 .
It is unclear whether suicides have increased as well .
No available data exists for suicides committed in 2020 .
However , a CDC report indicates a sharp overall increase in suicidal feelings and other adverse emotional states .
Several months into the pandemic , researchers found that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seven to ninety times more years of human life than they will save .
The Virginia Star asked the VDH for more information on the pandemic ’ s impact on overdose and suicide rates .
VDH officials didn ’ t respond with comment by press time .
Virginia remains in Phase III , requiring six to ten feet of social distancing , face coverings , and limited social gatherings of 50 percent occupancy up to 250 individuals .
Corinne Murdock is a reporter at The Virginia Star and the Star News Network .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ email tips to [ email protected ] .


thetennesseestar--2020-10-20--TRUMPDATE: Latest From the Team Trump Virginia Campaign for October 20

Welcome to the Tuesday edition of our daily Virginia Trump campaign update !
We will provide our readers with daily updates on the Trump Virginia campaign from today to November 3 ( and after…if need be ! )
.
It ’ s officially 14 days until the election on November 3 – and 11 days until early voting in Virginia closes .
President Trump meets Joe Biden in the final presidential debate THIS THURSDAY .
The deadline to request a mail-in ballot in Virginia is Friday , October 23 .
It was on this day in 1947 , amidst what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Congress began subpoenaing witnesses from Hollywood to testify before the House Un-American Activities Committee .
The group known as the Hollywood Ten were called to Capitol Hill where they were plainly asked if they were , or had ever been at any time prior , a communist .
It ’ s interesting looking back at how America at that time tried everything to try and rid the nation , and the world , of an evil that had brought the world to its knees in the 1940s .
Nowadays communists in Hollywood @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Democratic Socialism , ” Hollywood elites today are among the most boisterous critics of President Trump , Republicans , conservative values , and capitalism .
President Trump remains on the campaign trail , appearing at rallies in battleground states as the polls officially close in two weeks time .
The president will be in North Carolina tomorrow , which will mark ten consecutive days of campaigning since being cleared of COVID-19 .
The president ’ s website hasn ’ t indicated any rallies taking place at the end of this week , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will return to the White House before making the final final push to end the 2020 campaign .
This coming Saturday , Republican Mike Dickinson , candidate for Richmond City Council will be leading a Trump train parade from just outside the city , into Dickinson ’ s district .
Participants are asked to gather in the parking lot of Mission BBQ ( 5432 Glenside Drive , Richmond , VA 23228 ) .
The parade will begin at 1 p.m. “ We ’ re trying to get everybody in my district where I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to go to the polls and vote for Trump , ” Dickinson told The Virginia Star .
Trump parades have been on the rise across the country , and Dickinson said it ’ s an opportunity for supporters of the president to come together .
“ People are enthusiastic and want to participate in things like this , ” he said .
“ The biggest thing is the media tries to guilt and shame anyone who tries to show support for President Trump .
But it ’ s all about showing we won @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Virginia will be organizing watch parties for Thursday night ’ s presidential debate .
Keep it here for details .
Check back every day for more Trump Virginia campaign updates !
If you want to join the volunteer team or if you need signs email Fredericks or Justin Rice .
To Donate to our Virginia campaign click here .
For more information , or to sign up to become a volunteer , click here .
The Trump Campaign in Virginia Needs Poll Watchers !
Don ’ t let them steal the election !
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ is the publisher and editor-in-chief of The Virginia Star .
He is also a Trump 2020 delegate and the chairman of the Trump Virginia Delegation .


thetennesseestar--2020-10-20--Lawsuit Accuses Delegate Michael Mullin of Violating Separation of Powers

Delegate Michael Mullin ( D-Newport News ) is accused of violating the separation of powers by serving as an attorney in cases with justices he appoints .
The lawsuit asks the court to “ disqualify any judge ( s ) subject to review or reappointment ” by Mullin , and to remove Mullin from prosecution of the case .
The suit contends that Mullin ’ s positions as both a Delegate in the House and an assistant attorney violates Articles III and IV of the Constitution of Virginia .
Article IV of the Constitution of the Virginia , section four @ @ @ @ @ @ @ salaried office under the Commonwealth – including attorneys for the Commonwealth – can ’ t be a member of either house of the General Assembly .
Mullin ’ s term in the House expires in 2022 .
The suit explains that Mullin serves currently on the General Assembly ’ s Courts of Justice Committee .
This committee appoints judges throughout the Commonwealth .
As the lawsuit points out , one member ’ s vote is impactful considering the committee has eighteen members .
“ The role of a Commonwealth , both elected and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to prosecute violations of the laws of the Commonwealth .
The role of the General Assembly is Legislative , to make and modify the laws of the Commonwealth , ” the lawsuit reads .
“ The role of the Courts of Justice Committee is to oversee and appoint the Commonwealth ’ s judiciary .
Del .
Mullin exists in all three concurrent roles .
The Defendant is concerned that this creates a precarious situation for his Due Process rights.
” In an interview with The Virginia Star , State Senator Joe Morrissey ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ these roles may result in unfair trials .
“ In Virginia the legislators – including me and everybody else – have the power to appoint every six years in general courts and eight years in district courts .
The only people who can really appoint the judge are the legislators – not the governor , not God .
The motion was very well made : that every time Mullin is prosecuting the case , the judge is mindful that that ’ s the guy that reappoints him to his job .
It creates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ therefore there is one .
That ’ s why the Constitution says you can ’ t be an attorney of the Commonwealth and serve in the general assembly at the same time.
” Morrissey added that he wasn ’ t sure how this was allowed to continue .
“ I don ’ t know how it got this far – it was an attorney general ’ s opinion years ago that a person could accept a temporary appointment for no more than 90 days .
But this has just gone on and on.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a reporter at The Virginia Star and the Star News Network .
Follow her latest on Twitter , or email tips to [ email protected ] .
Photo “ Delegate Mullin ” by Virginia General Assembly .
Background Photo “ Virginia House ” by Germana CC CC BY 2.0 .


thetennesseestar--2020-10-20--Coalition of Churches Opposes Bristol Casino

Eight churches in Bristol , Virginia are fighting against a proposed $ 400 million Hard Rock casino ; residents will vote on the referendum this November .
The coalition cites studies claiming that casinos prey on gambling addicts and questions whether a casino would draw high numbers of tourists as claimed by supporters of the referendum .
Proponents say the casino would bring Bristol $ 15- $ 20 million a year in taxes and over 2,000 jobs averaging salaries of $ 46,500 .
“ No wealth is produced by a casino .
It is redistributing of wealth from one man @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hand , ” Fellowship Chapel pastor Scott Price told The Bristol Herald Courier .
“ It ’ s pretty much a Goliath versus David battle in that the proponents certainly have multiple resources from which to draw , and they ’ re using those to get their message out , ” Price said .
Bristol Mayor Bill Hartley told The Virginia Star that concerns like Price ’ s are common when cities announce projects like this , but he thinks many people support the referendum .
“ There are some that are opposed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , they ’ re worried about how it might change the character of the city or the potential increases in crime , or just the moral objections.
” According to The Associated Press , the church coalition has bought several billboards in Bristol , including one that reads , “ What would Jesus do ?
He would definitely vote no on the casino referendum.
” Hartley said Hard Rock hasn ’ t asked for anything from the city or residents — no tax breaks or city spending .
“ It ’ s a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the process [ the developers ] are not asking for anything from the locality or the state other than the voters to approve the change in the law .
I think a lot of people see that.
” Hartley said tax revenues from the casino will be used to improve city services including emergency response needs .
Delegate Terry Kilgore ( R-Wise ) told The Star that Bristol already sees some tourism , and a Bristol casino and related attractions will draw even more .
He pointed to a casino in North @ @ @ @ @ @ @ see mostly tourists coming in there visiting , like they do in Vegas and places like that .
They just come in there to visit .
That ’ s what we ’ re wanting , to make this a destination.
” Kilgore added , “ Not only can you come here and gamble in the casino , but you can also have the opportunity to watch shows , you can also get out and hike , see the great nature down here in southwest Virginia , go to the birthplace of country music @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of opportunities.
” Kilgore expects the referendum to pass by a wide margin .
“ It ’ s just not a casino , it ’ s going to bring jobs , going to bring investment , ” he said .
Danville , Portsmouth , and Norfolk are also holding casino referendums this year .
Casino news site Best Online Casinos predicts a 100 percent chance the Danville referendum will pass , a 75 percent chance the Bristol casino referendum will pass , a 55 percent chance the Portsmouth referendum will pass , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will pass .
Although there is no referendum on the ballots this year , Richmond is another potential casino location .
Best Online Casinos suggests that city officials are waiting to see how the casino referendums play out in other cities .
“ I think [ casinos ] are important because of the opportunity for economic development , meaning jobs , expanding the tax base , ” Kilgore said .
“ They ’ re going to be here for a while , you can ’ t ship them to China , you can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anything like that.
” Eric Burk is a reporter at The Virginia Star and the Star News Digital Network .
Email tips to [ email protected ] Photo “ Slot Machines ” by Ted Murphy CC BY 2.0 .


thetennesseestar--2020-10-20--Trump Campaign Knocks One-Millionth Door in Minnesota

President Donald Trump ’ s reelection campaign knocked its one-millionth door in Minnesota over the weekend .
While Democrats have been hosting their events online , Republicans have been on the ground knocking doors and holding rallies in their push to turn Minnesota red .
Democrats were previously critical of Republicans for campaigning in person during a pandemic , but supporters of Joe Biden recently took to knocking doors themselves .
“ While Democrats are massively playing catch-up and have a virtually non-existent ground game , Republicans are out in full force , safely spreading the winning message of President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wide , ” the national Republican Party said in a press release .
According to the Wall Street Journal , the Biden campaign reversed its stance on door-knocking at the beginning of the month due to concerns that “ its caution about social distancing was closing off a vital tool for reaching voters.
” The Biden campaign has now mobilized in several battleground states , including Minnesota , Michigan , Nevada , New Hampshire and Pennsylvania , the Wall Street Journal reported .
Trump supporters have been knocking 2.5 million doors each week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ GOP .
“ With early and absentee voting officially underway in several states , the election is already in full swing and Trump Victory is capitalizing on this momentum by harnessing voters ’ enthusiasm for President Trump and the Republican ticket , ” the GOP said .
Minnesota GOP Chairwoman Jennifer Carnahan said the Trump campaign ’ s ground game “ includes more than four million direct voter contacts and a concentrated effort to turn out the vote.
” “ Joe Biden ’ s campaign started late , is not gaining traction and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” she said .
“ In 19 days we are confident Minnesota voters will stand with our President ’ s policies of putting America first and keeping our country strong for a generation to come.
” A recent KSTP poll found that Biden ’ s lead in Minnesota has decreased by two points , but he still leads the president 47 percent to 40 percent .
Judah Torgerud is a freelance journalist working with Alpha News to keep the people informed and bring the truth to light .
Photo “ Minnesota Door @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .


thetennesseestar--2020-10-21--General Motors Says It Will Invest $2 Billion in Spring Hill Plant

General Motors will invest nearly $ 2 billion in its Spring Hill manufacturing plant , in Maury County , to build fully electric vehicles , including the all-new , luxury Cadillac LYRIQ .
This , according to a press release that Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development ( TNECD ) officials posted on their website Tuesday .
Maury County Mayor Andy Ogles told The Tennessee Star Tuesday that Maury County competed against another location — which he did not specify — for this $ 2 billion .
He said the Spring Hill GM facility currently has 3,100 employees .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ map as being one of the key locations for EV technology for North America .
That is the real significance .
A $ 2 billion investment .
It ’ s the largest corporate expansion in Tennessee ’ s history , ” Ogles said .
“ And we ’ ll be getting four vehicles over the next four years .
We ’ ll continue to make engines at this facility , so we ’ ll be supplying combustion engines but also be on the cutting edge of EV production.
” GM will make the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ third electric vehicle manufacturing site and the first outside Michigan .
GM ’ s Spring Hill paint and body shops will undergo major expansions .
General assembly will receive comprehensive upgrades , which include new machines , conveyors , controls and tooling , according to the TNECD ’ s press release .
Renovation and construction will begin immediately .
In addition to the new , fully electric Cadillac LYRIQ , workers at the Spring Hill plant will continue to build traditionally-powered Cadillac products , including the XT6 and XT5 , the press release @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a factory of this size will bring suppliers and third-party vendors to locate near the factory and employ more people .
“ I think the impact that this has is there are a lot of communities around the country who are competing for these type factories .
It is the next generation technology .
The combustion engine over the next 10 to 15 years will be phased out by all of the auto manufacturers , so this is a transformative technology .
We are on the cutting edge of that with this $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Ogles said .
“ I think what you will see is we are already a hotbed of growth .
Maury County is Number One in the state for manufacturing job growth .
We are top five for population growth .
I think this has the potential to attract more suppliers and spinoff industries , which continues our legacy in Middle Tennessee as being the largest jobs creator for our region in our state.
” According to the Center for Automotive Research , GM ’ s employment in Tennessee produces a 6.8 employment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Tennessee economy for every direct GM hourly and salaried job in the state , according to TNECD ’ s press release .
Chris Butler is an investigative journalist at The Tennessee Star .
Follow Chris on Facebook .
Email tips to [ email protected ] Photo “ Spring Hill GM Plant ” by GM .

by Tom Joyce
Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich is leading a group of 21 attorneys general in an amicus brief regarding federal immigration law.
The attorneys general are asking the Supreme Court of the United States to uphold a federal statute to enforce federal immigration law in United States v. Hansen.
“In the middle of this man-made disaster at our southern border, we need every tool and law available,” Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich said in a press release. “The last thing we need is anyone incentivizing migrants to come here illegally and further straining our social safety net. Border communities are being overwhelmed by the influx of people.”
A grand jury charged California resident Helaman Hansen with multiple crimes in 2017 for scamming hundreds of noncitizens out of more than $1 million by promising them a nonexistent path to citizenship.
According to the release, Hansen was charged under a federal statute for encouraging people to come to the United States illegally for “commercial advantage or private financial gain,” according to the release.
The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals then struck down the statute arguing that the words “encourage” and “induce,” in the law are too broad.
General Brnovich and the attorneys general argue in their amicus brief that the Ninth Circuit decision jeopardizes the constitutionality of criminal law in all 50 states. They worry that the decision may cause other state and federal courts to invalidate existing criminal laws.
The other attorneys general who signed the brief is from the states of: Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, and Wyoming.
– – –
Tom Joyce is a contributor to The Center Square.
Photo “Mark Brnovich” by Mark Brnovich. Background Photo “U.S. Supreme Court” by AscendedAnathema. CC BY-SA 3.0.


thetennesseestar--2020-10-21--Commentary: Biden Plus Harris Equals California Everywhere, a Nightmare We Must Reject

Imagine a country where rolling blackouts are a common occurrence , where gasoline-powered cars are outlawed , and all new car sales must be electric by a date certain .
Imagine a country where borders are open , sanctuary cities and towns are everywhere , where people here illegally are celebrated with lots of free things like healthcare and housing , and wage-earners pay for it all .
Imagine a country where the radical Green New Deal is thrust upon us ( out goes natural gas , oil and coal ; in comes renewables ; goodbye to your warm/cool home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ management causes out-of-control fires that threaten homes and air quality .
Imagine a country that dictates cultural norms , imposes a radical sexual education curriculum starting in kindergarten , where abstinence-only and religious doctrine education are prohibited , and parents may opt out on a limited basis only .
Imagine a country where police officers are ostracized and defunding police departments is the norm , where there ’ s chaos on the streets , and the mob is celebrated .
Imagine a country where a family ’ s home is no longer considered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Second Amendment is in the crosshairs and decimating it is the result .
Imagine a country where income taxes will go up regardless of your income .
( Biden-Harris ’ claim that under $ 400,000 wage earners won ’ t see increased taxes is false , as per multiple studies including Penn ’ s Wharton School .
“ Taxes would increase at every income level under [ Biden ’ s ] presidency , with the bottom quintile ’ s after-tax income decreasing 0.5 percent , and the second , middle , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 0.4 percent .
Likewise , wages are projected to decrease.
” ) Imagine a country where the federal government re-imposes an Obama-Biden housing regulation that Trump ripped up , where Washington , DC bureaucrats dictate the zoning of suburbia , make decisions where to put high-density , low-income housing , re-draw school districts , make roads and transportation decisions , and do away with single-family zoning .
Imagine a country where there is one-party rule , and the rule is by Marxists and socialists .
Sounds like a nightmare , right ?
Just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gone disaster under the grip of the Democrats , who have reigned for far too long .
The United States will become California on steroids because Biden-Harris are radical .
Don ’ t be fooled by the folksy Uncle Joe scheme .
Biden selected the most radical member of the Senate to be his sidekick , and they surround themselves with fellow radicals like Bernie Sanders and AOC .
Biden is the one who bragged , “ I am the Democratic [ sic ] party.
” Well , if the shoe fits , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ California seem tame .
They will turn our exceptional country into California and pile on from there .
Medicare for all , packing the Supreme Court , returning to the disastrous Iran deal and resuming payments to the world ’ s largest sponsor of terrorism , re-joining the Paris Climate Agreement , and abandoning our strong and close ally Israel are all on their to-do list .
It ’ s too late for California but it ’ s not too late to preserve and protect our exceptional country .
As Thomas Paine eloquently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that try men ’ s souls .
The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will , in this crisis , shrink from the service of their country ; but he that stands by it now , deserves the love and thanks of man and woman.
” The time is now upon us to stand tall and serve our country by firmly rejecting Biden-Harris and leaving all the radicals behind .
And for that , men and women who revere our republic and cherish liberty will love and thank you for future generations to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attorney and patriot who loves her country .
Photo “ Joe Biden and Kamala Harris ” by Joe Biden .


thetennesseestar--2020-10-21--First Time-Voters in Tennessee Don’t Have to Vote in-Person Due to Coronavirus

Tennessee first-time voters will not have to vote in person this year due to the coronavirus , according to Fox News .
Instead of voting in person , these new voters will have access to absentee ballot options .
The deadline for obtaining an absentee ballot is October 27 .
In a 3-0 decision , the 6th U.S .
Circuit Court of Appeals panel declined the state ’ s request to reinstate the in-person requirement while the court mulls the case .
In court documents obtained by Fox News , Judge Julia Smith Gibbons said Monday in her ruling that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voting in the November 2020 election due to the COVID-19 pandemic , there has been increased interest in the state ’ s absentee-voting procedures.
” Furthermore , Gibbons said any changes this close to Election Day would “ harm the public , ” Fox News said .
“ Given this situation , the injury to potential voters , who have relied on communications from defendants and local election officials , is great , ” she said .
“ Moreover , disrupting the new rules at this point poses significant risk of harm to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In this instance , there is no substantial harm to defendants in continuing to comply with rules they are currently following.
” The blocked law requires first-time voters to cast a ballot in person or show ID at the local election office before voting by mail , if they qualify .
Instead , officials are requiring certain first-time voters to submit a copy of their ID during the absentee voting process .
With 14 days left until Election Day , Tennesseans have taken full advantage of the early voting process in the state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day of early voting , Tennessee saw a record number of people voting .
A total of 273,325 people cast their ballot by voting early or absentee by-mail , according to a Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett press release .
This number is a “ 91 % increase from the first day of early voting in 2016 and a 120 % increase over 2012.
” The early voting period in Tennessee lasts until October 29 .
Tennessee witnessed another voting record broken this year as 4.4 million people registered to vote ahead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reported .
Zachery Schmidt is the digital editor of Star News Digital Media .
If you have any tips , email Zachery at [ email protected ] .
Follow Zachery on Twitter @ zacheryschmidt2 .
The Associated Press contributed to this story .


thetennesseestar--2020-10-21--USA Today Delivers Presidential Endorsement for the First Time in Its History

USA Today endorsed Democratic nominee Joe Biden Tuesday , marking the paper ’ s first presidential endorsement in its 38-year history .
The endorsement acknowledged that over 90 % of voters have already made up their minds and addressed the few remaining undecided voters as a result .
“ Maybe you backed Trump the last time around because you hoped he ’ d shake things up in Washington or bring back blue-collar jobs .
Maybe you liked his populist , anti-elitist message , ” the endorsement said .
“ Maybe you couldn ’ t stomach the idea of supporting a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you cast a ballot for a minor party candidate , or just stayed home.
” “ Now , two weeks until Election Day , we suggest you consider a variation of the question Republican Ronald Reagan asked voters when he ran for president in 1980 : Is America better off now than it was four years ago ?
” it asked , noting the worsening coronavirus pandemic and its toll on the economy , intensifying natural disasters and a “ racial reckoning.
” The paper also said that it reached out to voters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three states that helped President Donald Trump clinch his victory over Hillary Clinton four years ago .
“ Many declined to comment , citing a general disgust with the election or fear of speaking out publicly , ” the endorsement said , but “ while some said they were personally better off , most of those willing to talk on camera expressed anguish and dismay about the nation ’ s election.
” “ Biden is well positioned to repair the wreckage Trump has made of the federal government , from the foreign service @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to politicize , ” the endorsement said .
Though the paper did not endorse a candidate in 2016 , it did urge voters not to vote for Trump when he ran against Clinton .
“ In 2016 , we broke tradition and urged you not to vote for Trump .
Now we ’ re making our first presidential endorsement .
We hope it ’ s our last , ” the endorsement said .
Andrew Trunsky is a reporter for the Daily Caller News Foundation .
Photo “ Joe Biden ” by Gage Skidmore @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ USA Today ” by Vincent Desjardins .
CC BY 2.0 .


thetennesseestar--2020-10-21--Justice Dept. Files Landmark Antitrust Case Against Google

WASHINGTON , D.C. ( AP ) — The Justice Department on Tuesday sued Google for antitrust violations , alleging that it abused its dominance in online search and advertising to stifle competition and harm consumers .
The lawsuit marks the government ’ s most significant attempt to protect competition since its groundbreaking case against Microsoft more than 20 years ago .
It could be an opening salvo ahead of other major government antitrust actions , given ongoing investigations of major tech companies including Apple , Amazon and Facebook at both the Justice Department and the Federal Trade Commission .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and a search advertising behemoth , ” U.S. Deputy Attorney General Jeff Rosen told reporters .
“ It has maintained its monopoly power through exclusionary practices that are harmful to competition.
” Antitrust cases in the technology industry have to move quickly , he said .
Otherwise “ we could lose the next wave of innovation.
” Lawmakers and consumer advocates have long accused Google , whose corporate parent Alphabet Inc. has a market value just over $ 1 trillion , of abusing its dominance in online search and advertising to stifle competition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that multibillion-dollar fines and mandated changes in Google ’ s practices imposed by European regulators in recent years weren ’ t severe enough and that structural changes are needed for Google to change its conduct .
Google responded immediately via tweet : “ Today ’ s lawsuit by the Department of Justice is deeply flawed .
People use Google because they choose to — not because they ’ re forced to or because they can ’ t find alternatives.
” The case was filed in federal court in Washington , D.C .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ collected from advertisers to pay phone manufacturers to ensure Google is the default search engine on browsers .
Eleven states , all with Republican attorneys general , joined the federal government in the lawsuit .
But several other states demurred .
The attorneys general of New York , Colorado , Iowa , Nebraska , North Carolina , Tennessee and Utah released a statement Monday saying they have not concluded their investigation into Google and would want to consolidate their case with the DOJ ’ s if they decided to file .
“ It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said spokesman Fabien Levy of the New York State attorney general ’ s office .
“ There ’ s things that still need to be fleshed out , basically , ” President Donald Trump ’ s administration has long had Google in its sights .
One of Trump ’ s top economic advisers said two years ago that the White House was considering whether Google searches should be subject to government regulation .
Trump has often criticized Google , recycling unfounded claims by conservatives that the search giant is biased against conservatives and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ elections and prefers working with the Chinese military over the Pentagon .
Rosen told reporters that allegations of anti-conservative bias are “ a totally separate set of concerns ” from the issue of competition .
The Justice Department isn ’ t seeking specific changes in Google ’ s structure , but it asked the court to order structural relief “ as needed to remedy any anticompetitive harm.
” That opens the door to possible fundamental changes such as a spinoff of the company ’ s Chrome browser .
Sally Hubbard , an antitrust @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Open Markets Institute , said it was a welcome surprise to see the Justice Department ’ s openness to the possibility of structurally breaking up Google , not just imposing conditions on its behavior as has happened in Europe .
“ Traditionally , Republicans are hesitant to speak of breakups , ” she said .
“ Personally , I ’ ll be very disappointed if I see a settlement .
Google has shown it won ’ t adhere to any behavioral conditions.
” Google controls about 90 % of global web searches .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ government ’ s action and is expected to fiercely oppose any attempt to force it to spin off its services into separate businesses .
The company vowed to defend itself in court against a “ deeply flawed ” case that relies on “ dubious legal arguments.
” Barring a settlement , a trial would likely begin late next year or in 2022 .
The company , based in Mountain View , California , has long denied the claims of unfair competition .
Google argues that although its businesses are large , they are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ maintains that its services face ample competition and have unleashed innovations that help people manage their lives .
Most of Google ’ s services are offered for free in exchange for personal information that helps it sell its ads .
Google insists that it holds no special power forcing people to use its free services or preventing them from going elsewhere .
In a Tuesday presentation with a handful of reporters , Google argued that its services have helped hold down the prices of smartphones and that consumers can easily switch away from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s the default option on smartphones and in some internet browsers .
A recent report from a House Judiciary subcommittee , following a year-long investigation into Big Tech ’ s market dominance , concluded that Google has monopoly power in the market for search .
It said the company established its position in several markets through acquisition , snapping up successful technologies that other businesses had developed — buying an estimated 260 companies in 20 years .
The Democratic congressman who led that investigation called Tuesday ’ s action “ long overdue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the Justice Department to look beyond Google ’ s search business .
“ It is critical that the Justice Department ’ s lawsuit focuses on Google ’ s monopolization of search and search advertising , while also targeting the anticompetitive business practices Google is using to leverage this monopoly into other areas , such as maps , browsers , video , and voice assistants , ” Rep. David Cicilline of Rhode Island said in a statement .
The Justice Department “ filed the strongest suit they have , ” said Columbia Law @ @ @ @ @ @ @ almost a carbon copy of the government ’ s 1998 lawsuit against Microsoft .
He said via email that the U.S. government has a decent chance of winning .
“ However , the likely remedies — i.e.
, knock it off , no more making Google the default — are not particularly likely to transform the broader tech ecosystem.
” Other advocates , however , said the Justice Department ’ s timing — it ’ s only two weeks to Election Day — smacked of politics .
The government ’ s “ narrow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attorneys general is evidence of an unserious approach driven by politics and is likely to result in nothing more than a choreographed slap on the wrist for Google , ” Alex Harman , a competition policy advocate at Public Citizen , said in a statement .
The argument for reining in Google has gathered force as the company stretched far beyond its 1998 roots as a search engine governed by the motto “ Don ’ t Be Evil.
” It ’ s since grown into a diversified goliath with online tentacles that scoop @ @ @ @ @ @ @ via services ranging from search , video and maps to smartphone software .
That data helps feed the advertising machine that has turned Google into a behemoth .
The company owns the leading web browser in Chrome , the world ’ s largest smartphone operating system in Android , the top video site in YouTube and the most popular digital mapping system .
Some critics have singled out YouTube and Android as among Google businesses that should be considered for divestiture .
With only two weeks to Election Day , the Trump Justice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Google on an issue of rare bipartisan agreement .
Republicans and Democrats have accelerated their criticism of Big Tech in recent months , although sometimes for different reasons .
It ’ s unclear what the status of the government ’ s suit against Google would be if a Joe Biden administration were to take over next year .
The Justice Department sought support for its suit from states across the country that share concerns about Google ’ s conduct .
A bipartisan coalition of 50 U.S. states and territories , led by Texas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year ago they were investigating Google ’ s business practices , citing “ potential monopolistic behavior.
” Michael Balsamo is a reporter for The Associated Press .
AP Technology Writers Michael Liedtke in San Ramon , Calif. , Matt O ’ Brien in Providence , R.I. , and Frank Bajak in Boston contributed to this report .
About the Headline Photo : In this Sept. 24 , 2019 , file photo a sign is shown on a Google building at their campus in Mountain View , Calif .
The Justice Department is expected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Google has been abusing its online dominance in online search to stifle competition and harm consumers .
The litigation marks the government ’ s most significant act to protect competition since its groundbreaking case against Microsoft more than 20 years ago .
The suit could be an opening salvo ahead of other major government antitrust actions , given ongoing investigations of major tech companies including Apple , Amazon and Facebook at both the Justice Department and the Federal Trade Commission .
( AP Photo/Jeff Chiu , File )


thetennesseestar--2020-10-21--Metro School Board Member Fran Bush Joins Host Leahy in Studio to Discuss What Motivates Her to Advo

Metro School Board Member Fran Bush Joins Host Leahy in Studio to Discuss What Motivates Her to Advocate for Children’s Education

Live from Music Row Tuesday morning on The Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy – broadcast on Nashville ’ s Talk Radio 98.3 and 1510 WLAC weekdays from 5:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. – host Michael Patrick Leahy welcomed MNPS District Six school board member Fran Bush to the studio to discuss her experience and what motivated her to run for the MNPS Board of Education .
Leahy : We are delighted to have in the studio as our guest , a member of the Metro Nashville Public School Board of Education Fran Bush .
Good morning Fran .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ for having me .
Good morning .
Leahy : Well , we are delighted to have you here Fran .
And it ’ s been very interesting tracking what ’ s going on with Metro Nashville Public Schools .
Now just to set this up .
There are nine members of the board of education .
Is that right ?
Leahy : And the Board of Education sets policy and hires the director of schools , right ?
Leahy : How often do you meet ?
Bush : We meet twice a month @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tuesday and fourth Tuesday of the month .
Leahy : Why did you decide Fran with all the other things you have going on in your life , ( Bush chuckles ) why did you decide oh , I think I ’ m going to spend all this time to try and get elected and then work on this ?
What motivated you ?
Bush : Well , you know , I have always had a passion for children and education .
I have five boys of my own .
Bush : Five @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Metro Nashville Public Schools .
And they ’ re still there .
I have three that are in college .
I have two that are left in high school at Hillsborough High School .
One is a senior and one is a freshman .
And I am a community leader .
I ’ ve always done a lot of great things in our community .
I ’ m a volunteer so for so many different committees and boards so we can move our students forward in the right direction with their education .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And I also have a childcare academy .
Leahy : You have a childcare academy yourself ?
Leahy : Tell me about that .
Bush : So I educate the smallest of our students starting with six weeks to five years old .
So we are geared up at Model Kids Learning Academy .
Leahy : To make sure that so this is model Kids Learning Academy .
Where is this located ?
Bush : It is located in the heart of the Antioch Priest Lake area and we ’ ve been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ How many kids do you have ?
Bush : Right now we have a total of 23 .
And I am going to be expanding next year to another part of the land where we ’ re going to be educating our preschoolers .
Leahy : So you really are all into education for kids .
Leahy : I mean it ’ s a daunting task to decide to run for political office these days .
And as I understand it there are nine districts , right ?
Leahy : Separate geographic districts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ oh , I think it ’ s time for Fran Bush to run for the Board of Education ?
Bush : Well , you know over the past year 25 years I ’ ve had my students and my own kids in Metro Nashville Public Schools .
And I ’ ve been a part of the PTA .
I ’ ve been a part of volunteering .
I ’ ve been a part of every outlet of Education when it comes to Metro schools .
And so I saw a lot of things @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a part of so that we can move our district forward .
And I had a lot of great ideas .
And I just felt like that there were some pieces of the puzzles that I felt they were missing .
And so therefore it was time .
It was time .
As you know , it ’ s always been about you see something say something .
If you want to be a part of something a part of change then then then do it .
So you know , I want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my passion and my drive into education .
And this was the next best thing .
Leahy : What ’ s it like running for office ?
I mean you had to , did you have competition ?
And so I mean , what did you do ?
What did you spend your days doing ?
How long did you prepare ?
You were elected in 2019 ?
Bush : This is my second year .
2018 .
And it was really hard .
It was a lot of as we know when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of positions and pail and politics You have to have a lot of money right ?
I did not have a whole lot of money .
What I did was I strategize on how I was going to run my campaign .
I ran against three other people , and also ran against an incumbent .
This is first time I ’ ve ever done it .
And I did not know what my chances were going to be like , but I knew that I ’ ve been in the community so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expertise in my knowledge and being involved .
So I knew that my name was there .
It was just about being more involved with the constituents and hearing from me .
Seeing what I do .
And absolutely the drive and the passion that I have for kids .
Leahy : So how much of your day did you spend campaigning ?
What sort of things did you do to campaign and win ?
Bush : I got to work and I had a great staff .
I put on my t-shirt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get out and campaign .
And they were able to help me get my message out there .
And my children helped .
It was a family affair .
You know , I had some great friends .
And I said help .
And we just worked really hard every single day .
Leahy : What was the final tally on election day ?
Bush : Well , I was really surprised .
I got if I remember it was over , gosh , 60 percent of the vote was for me .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Listen to the full third hour here : Tune in weekdays from 5:00 – 8:00 a.m. to the Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy on Talk Radio 98.3 FM WLAC 1510 .
Listen online at iHeart Radio .
Photo “ Fran Bush ” by Metro Nashville Public Schools .
Background Photo “ Classroom ” by USAG- Humphreys CC BY 2.0 .


thetennesseestar--2020-10-21--Senior Advisor to the White House Chief of Staff Ben Williamson Weighs in on the Expected Confirmati

Senior Advisor to the White House Chief of Staff Ben Williamson Weighs in on the Expected Confirmation of Amy Coney Barrett

Live from Music Row Tuesday morning on The Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy – broadcast on Nashville ’ s Talk Radio 98.3 and 1510 WLAC weekdays from 5:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. – host Michael Patrick Leahy welcomed Senior Communications Advisor and Deputy Assistant to the President and Senior Advisor to WH Chief of Staff Ben Williamson to the newsmaker line to weigh in on when Amy Coney-Barrett will be confirmed as the next Supreme Court Justice .
Leahy : We are joined now by Ben Williamson .
Ben is the Communications Advisor to the Chief of Staff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ben , we have a big week coming up .
The confirmation hearings for the vote on Amy Coney Barrett ’ s nomination to be a Supreme Court Justice .
Welcome to the Tennessee Star Report , Ben .
Williamson : Big week indeed Michael .
Thank you for having me .
I appreciate it .
Leahy : So walk us through what ’ s going to happen in Washington on Thursday .
I guess the Judiciary Committee is holding a hearing or holding a vote on whether to move the nomination of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forward .
Williamson : Yes .
So we had a great week of hearings last week .
Judge Barrett made her case for the Senate Judiciary Committee , answered all of their questions , walked through her resume , her qualifications , legal precedent .
Made her case before that committee .
Now , they will vote to confirm her on October 22nd , which I believe is Thursday .
Leahy : Thursday the day of the debate .
We ’ ve got lots going on that night here in Nashville .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be debating .
We think .
Williamson : It won ’ t be the first time the debate commission has changed the rules .
Leahy : So yeah , so now that the Judiciary Committee what is 13 Republicans 12 Democrats , is that right ?
Leahy : Thirteen and 11 .
Okay .
Thanks for that correction .
Williamson : No , no , you ’ re fine .
We have a two-point advantage there and we expect we expect her to be confirmed after the committee .
And then once @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and then leader McConnell will put her name on the floor for a full confirmation vote .
And we expect that to happen about Monday or Tuesday .
Leahy : Okay .
So now it ’ s Monday , which is the 26th .
So now I don ’ t think there ’ s any drama involved in the vote coming out of the Judiciary Committee .
The question is I think all 13 Republicans are going to vote for confirmation .
Any of the 11 Democrats going to vote for confirmation ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ve learned not to count on the Democrat vote , my friend .
I will say that as gently as I can .
We ’ re not expecting any Democrats to come across the aisle .
Although I will say Amy Coney Barrett , if anyone deserves a bipartisan vote , it would be her .
She was outstanding in her hearing .
She did a tremendous job .
She ’ s the exact kind of not only judge but the exact kind of person that you want on the Supreme Court .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a bipartisan basis with the 80s and 90s in the vote it ’ s her .
But we don ’ t expect any Democrats to come across the aisle .
They ’ ve made it quite clear that they ’ re going to force Republicans to do this on their own .
Leahy : Her answers were I think very recent and measured .
I think the only objection that I ’ ve heard from Democrats is that well , back in 2016 when Merrick Garland was nominated to replace Antonin Scalia who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ majority that was there at that time , Mitch McConnell still Majority Leader , said well look .
The people voted .
And they said , you know , the Senate now has the authority to either take it up or not take it up .
We ’ re not going to take it up .
That ’ s it .
Is there any other objection to her nomination other than that ?
Williamson : There really isn ’ t .
I mean her resume speaks for itself .
She ’ s an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ She ’ s almost universally in fact , I think universally recommended by her peers .
You talk to people that she served with at Notre Dame law school that she served with on the bench .
The federal bench or otherwise .
I mean , they all universally recommend her .
They give glowing reviews about the type of judge and intellect and the kind of person that she is .
This is a clear choice .
I mean , it was an easy choice for the president when you really think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of judge that Amy Coney Barrett is .
And so it was very clear early on that Democrats really weren ’ t going to have a ton of objections about her resume and her qualifications because they are so strong .
( Inaudible talk ) and much of that involved Merrick Garland .
I do want to say really quick , just for your listeners for the Merrick Garland thing for people that may be confused or may not know the context .
Just remember , you got to go all the way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Senate approved a Supreme Court nomination when the Senate and the president were of different parties .
There ’ s been 29 .
Williamson : Yeah it was an election year , correct .
When when the Senate approved a presidential nomination when the president and Senate were of a different political party in an election year there ’ s been 29 times that a nomination was ( Inaudible talk ) as spent in you got to go all the way back to 1888 , when the Senate did that .
So @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mitch McConnell and the Republicans did .
It was upholding precedent .
And the American people spoke in 2016 , they elected Donald Trump and that ’ s why we are about to have Justice Amy Coney Barrett .
Leahy : Then just walk us through what happens next .
I had read that Majority Leader McConnell was actually going to submit the confirmation vote before the floor of the Senate on this coming Friday .
Now it looks like you ’ re saying it ’ s probably going to be Monday .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ that process ?
And what are the Democrats going to do to kind of stop that process ?
Williamson : Well , we ’ re certainly prepared for them to pull out every rule of the book now .
I wish I was more of an expert in Senate procedures and some of the tricks that they might be able to pull .
I know that you have to file cloture as leader McConnell is planning to do .
He may do it as soon as Friday .
I don ’ t want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ terms of what exactly they want to do .
But we ’ re expecting it to go into the weekend for Democrats to force series of votes and to filibuster as long as they ’ re able to before leader McConnell is able to break that and move to a 50 vote threshold .
Which we expect to be about Monday .
So I mean certainly the sooner the better .
But we do expect , you know , if history ’ s any indication Democrats ’ are going to try and delay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Leahy : What ’ s your best guess as to the day next week that the Senate will vote to confirm Judge Barrett ?
Williamson : Well , if I had to make a safe conservative guess I would say Tuesday .
I think Monday is probably the best bet for your money .
But I like to Lean on the safe side and not get my hopes up .
my old boss Mark Meadows that there are two ways things happen in Congress .
Slow and never .
This one is fortunately @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like to lean on the slow side whenever I ’ m guessing what Congress is going to vote on something .
Leahy : Ben , so tell us exactly what you do in the White House .
You ’ re a good senior Communications advisor .
Are you on the staff of Chief of Staff Mark Meadows ?
Do you work for the White House ?
Tell us about how you how long you ’ ve been there .
How did you get to the White House ?
Williamson : Sure , so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chief of Staff Mark Meadows .
I came over with him actually at the beginning of March when the President picked him for the job .
I ’ ve been with him since he was in Congress for about six years .
So I came over with him to the White House .
And then I also work in the communications and press office .
So I work with Kayleigh McEnany and Alyssa Farah .
Leahy : Kayleigh McEnany .
What a great press secretary she is .
Williamson : Oh , she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they come .
And more importantly the exact kind of person you want in a position like that .
She ’ s a tremendous person a real fighter and very gifted at what she does .
Leahy : Do you work physically in the West Wing or do you physically work in the executive office building across the way ?
Williamson : I am physically in the West Wing so , I ’ ve got a room in the chief of staff ’ s office .
I work out of there and it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ between the chief ’ s office and over in the press and communications office which is right down the hall .
Leahy : So are you from North Carolina where you from originally because that ’ s where Mark Meadows is from .
Where are you from ?
Williamson : I am .
I am from Winston-Salem , North Carolina .
Williamson : I ’ m not a Wake Forest grad but I am a Wake Forest sports fan .
I grew up watching basketball and baseball or I ’ m sorry basketball @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : Well look Ben will you come back again and talk to us more ?
Williamson : Any time my friend I would be happy to .
Thank you for having me .
Listen to the full second hour here : Tune in weekdays from 5:00 – 8:00 a.m. to the Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy on Talk Radio 98.3 FM WLAC 1510 .
Listen online at iHeart Radio .
Photo “ Amy Coney Barrett ” by Roger Wicker U.S. Senate .


thetennesseestar--2020-10-21--Commentary: 4.4 Million Lose Unemployment Benefits Since August as Pelosi Puts Politics Above People

Small business relief , supporting 5.2 million small businesses and 50 million jobs , ran out on Aug. 8 and airlines ran out of money last month as massive layoffs have been ensuing .
In the meantime , House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ( D-Calif. ) continues to refuse a deal from President Donald Trump to extend these CARES Act programs — even if it means she loses a few seats in the House over it .
The rationale of course is political .
As long as Pelosi believes she won ’ t lose the House majority over the lack of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no President since Truman in 1948 has reclaimed a House majority in a bid for a second term — there is not much in it for Pelosi .
Naturally , Pelosi would like to see who wins the White House first .
If Biden wins , she can get a better deal in her eyes , even if it means her constituents in blue states are the ones who suffer more .
And even if Trump does win , Pelosi does not want to give him a political boost in the closing days @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thinking goes .
In fact , the top ten states in the country with the highest unemployment rates in August before today ’ s release and prior to workers losing their benefits are all run by Democratic governors with the worst lockdowns : Those numbers a slightly down in September , but the drop off from the August levels , sadly , is largely people losing their benefits and exiting the labor force altogether .
In September alone , 879,000 Americans left the U.S. labor force nationwide .
Pelosi is putting politics above @ @ @ @ @ @ @ President Trump is keen on .
In an Oct. 15 tweet , Trump blasted Pelosi for the holdup , stating , “ Pelosi is holding up STIMULUS , not the Republicans !
” And public opinion could be coming the President ’ s way .
A Yougov poll from Oct. 9-11 found 43 percent of Americans blame Pelosi for slowing the legislation down , including 10 percent of Democrats and 45 percent of independents .
Only 40 percent blamed the President , with just 3 percent of Republicans and 35 percent of independents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in voter registration in many battleground states including Florida , Pennsylvania and North Carolina .
That , plus turnout , could have major implications on the race for the House of Representatives in 2020 .
Remarkably , the House and Senate agree in principle on extending unemployment , small business relief , helping the airlines , some funding for states and sending more checks to the American people in the way of tax credits .
Both have bills that do that albeit at different price tags .
The House bill would go further @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that has since been knocked down to $ 2 trillion .
The Senate bill , the HEALS Act , comes in at $ 1 trillion and it extends unemployment , sends the checks , extends small business relief and takes care of the airlines .
In between the two , the White House has offered a $ 1.8 trillion compromise approach to keep momentum in the economy still reeling from the state-led COVID-19 lockdowns when 25 million jobs were lost when labor markets bottomed in April .
More than 14 million jobs have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the recovery slowed considerably in September as the government programs ran out and states largely keep schools and many other businesses closed .
Trump is framing his closing campaign arguments around the economy , asking which direction we want to move in : reopening or lockdowns ?
In an Oct. 17 tweet , Trump declared , “ This election is a choice between a TRUMP RECOVERY and a BIDEN DEPRESSION .
If you vote for me , prosperity will surge , normal life will fully resume , and next year will be one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of our Country !
” That is a stark choice for the American people .
And if they go with Trump and there ’ s no deal on stimulus , it could even bring Republicans back into the majority in the House of Representatives .
If Pelosi acts before the election that will be why .
Stay tuned .
Robert Romano is the Vice President of Public Policy at Americans for Limited Government .
Photo “ Nancy Pelosi ” by Gage Skidmore .
CC BY-SA 2.0 .


thetennesseestar--2020-10-21--Commentary: How Big Tech Masks COVID-19 Realities

Since the early stages of the coronavirus crisis , any viewpoint or research running afoul of the accepted doctrine conceived by the credentialed class has been censored .
Social media platforms , internet search engines , and other monopolistic guardians of information decided at the very beginning that they would determine which content would be available for public consumption ; “ false claims or conspiracy theories that have been flagged by leading global health organizations and local health authorities that could cause harm to people who believe them ” would be subjected to Facebook ’ s reject button , according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the company .
Twitter announced it would prompt users to follow “ credible , authoritative information ” on the virus .
None other than the World Health Organization , the agency that has flubbed the pandemic every step of the way , partnered with Twitter to judge what is credible and what is not .
A YouTube video produced in March by Dr. John Ioannidis , an early critic of the government ’ s handling of the virus , was removed for violating the company ’ s terms of service .
Another widely-viewed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ describing their experiences with people suffering the consequences of lockdowns and the emerging data about the virus ’ lethality met the same fate in April .
Ditto for a July video that showed several doctors condemning the detrimental effects of the lockdowns and promoting the reopening of schools and businesses nationwide .
Posts about hydroxychloroquine , including a tweet by the president ’ s son , are also banned .
The president ’ s tweet earlier this month claiming the flu is as deadly as COVID-19 was flagged by Twitter for “ spreading @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the virus .
But the only thing that ’ s “ harmful ” to the public as this crisis continues is the suppression of information that—based on data , research , and experience—contradicts what the public has been brainwashed to believe .
The left-leaning scientific and public health community decided back in January what the accepted “ facts ” would be ; nine months later , even as we know much more about how the virus spreads , who it impacts , and how to manage it , dissent is not permitted .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Orwell and Kafka , ” Dr. Scott Atlas , the president ’ s new coronavirus advisor , told me during a lengthy call Sunday afternoon .
The Stanford fellow and public policy expert is under fire from coronanoia propagandists for bringing some common sense and common decency to the debate .
It is Atlas who now has the president ’ s ear while Drs .
Anthony Fauci and Deborah Birx are justifiably on the outs .
Atlas discovered early Sunday morning that Twitter removed two of his tweets critical of mask mandates .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ explained , studies from Oxford ’ s Center for Evidence Based Medicine , the WHO , and the Centers for Disease Control as well as observational examples from Miami-Dade , Los Angeles County , Hawaii , and several countries where cases are rising despite near-universal mask use .
To clarify that his point concerned government-imposed mask mandates , Atlas subtweeted his initial tweet to clarify that his position aligned with the president ’ s .
“ Use masks for their intended purpose—when close to others , especially hi risk .
Otherwise social distance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Atlas tweeted .
But Twitter nonetheless purged the original tweet for violating its rules .
The blue bird ’ s expurgator failed to identify which precise “ rule ” Atlas broke .
Nor did the platform dispute Atlas ’ accurate conclusions that plenty of cities and counties are seeing lots of positive tests even though residents have been wearing masks for the better part of half the year .
Twitter also did not challenge the WHO or CDC comments that Atlas cited .
“ That ’ s a common sense policy on how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ But it ’ s contrary to widespread obsession with masks and the narrative that we typically hear from the media .
Twitter will not allow evidence even with quotes.
” Face coverings aren ’ t just a public obsession but a hot-button campaign issue .
All-powerful Democratic and Republican office holders routinely blurt “ wear a mask !
” orders at powerless constituents .
During last week ’ s dueling town hall meetings , Trump and Biden faced questions about mask use at the onset ; Biden has suggested , then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ impose a national mask mandate if elected .
He ’ s on the quasi-campaign trail wearing two masks at a time .
But the science on masks is far from settled .
Experts such as Fauci are now backtracking on their initial opposition to mask use ; the media ’ s coronavirus darling is attempting to rewrite history to downplay his early objections .
“ Contrary to what we thought , masks really do work , ” Fauci said during a glowing “ 60 Minutes ” profile segment that aired Sunday night .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
.
.
and not necessarily a surgical mask or an N95 , cloth covering work.
” With this , Fauci pulled out a homemade-looking mask , put his fingers all over it , put it on for the camera , took it off , and stuffed it back in his suit pants pocket .
Science !
There is no controlled study examining whether face masks , especially the bespoke kind that most people wear , are effective in stopping the spread of infected COVID droplets by asymptomatic carriers—a claim that is itself @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a controlled trial , he said , because it would allow people not to wear masks . )
A Danish scientist who has conducted the only known study on masks and COVID-19 told Alex Berenson , a former New York Times reporter and lockdown critic , that his study would be available “ as soon as a journal is brave enough , ” to publish it , implying the results would contradict current mask dogma .
Roughly half the recent studies cited by the CDC as evidence of the efficacy of mask wearing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what Silicon Valley ’ s Democratic Party oligarchs believe , or want their users to believe , we continue to learn more and more about the complexities of this virus .
It is completely inimical to science to think that the groupthink that besieged us back in March and April should still apply today .
Further , the mitigation strategies must be considered in their full context .
The side effects of the scientific community ’ s premature prescription to COVID-19 are as bad , if not worse , than the disease itself @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at night and keeps him working amid the external and internal forces aligned against him .
He choked up telling me about two emails he received on Friday .
A woman encouraged him to keep fighting ; her husband had committed suicide that week from the consequences of the lockdown .
Another woman emailed Atlas to commend him for his advocacy because her teenage daughter also had attempted suicide for the same reason .
“ They are desperate and begging me not to give up , ” Atlas , a Chicago native , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quit because so many people are desperate for me to speak the truth .
They have nobody .
These people pushing lockdowns have massive blood on their hands.
” He receives hundreds of emails a day from suffering Americans and others all over the world , and has for months .
Atlas didn ’ t name names—unlike his fellow White House Coronavirus Task Force colleagues who are orchestrating media hit jobs to discredit him and the president by extension—but referred to the “ massive egos ” of public health officials publicly invested in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ schools and business closed down regardless of the lasting damage .
“ Public health leaders in the United States are destroying the country and killing people .
But their reputations are on the line , their stature depends on coverage by their friends in the media , they made predictions without a full understanding of what ’ s going on , ” he told me .
The country , Atlas said , is in dangerous territory if people who show data contrary to conventional wisdom are silenced .
“ This will mark the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of information is allowed , ” he lamented .
“ It honestly is the end of the country.
” Julie Kelly is a political commentator and senior contributor to American Greatness .
She is the author of Disloyal Opposition : How the NeverTrump Right Tried―And Failed―To Take Down the President Her past work can be found at The Federalist and National Review .
Photo “ Masks ” by Baker County Tourism CC BY-ND 2.0 .


thetennesseestar--2020-10-21--Debate Commission’s New Rule Designates Mic Mute Times for Thursday’s Debate

President Donald Trump and Democratic nominee Joe Biden will have their microphones muted during Thursday ’ s debate when it is not their turn to speak , the Commission on Presidential Debates announced Monday .
The rule was created in order to avoid the interruptions and crosstalk seen during the first presidential debate , according to The New York Times .
The commission noted the campaigns might not be pleased and both Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden and President Donald Trump ’ s aides were informed of the rule on Monday .
“ We realize , after discussions with both @ @ @ @ @ @ @ totally satisfied with the measures announced today , ” the commission said in a statement .
“ One may think they go too far , and one may think they do not go far enough .
We are comfortable that these actions strike the right balance and that they are in the interest of the American people , for whom these debates are held , ” the statement continued .
Each candidate will have two minutes to answer the moderator ’ s questions , during which time his opponents microphone will be muted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ microphones will be unmuted so the president and form Biden and Trump can debate freely .
The commission said after the first debate that “ additional structure should be added to the format of the remaining debates to ensure a more orderly discussion of the issues , ” the NYT reported .
Those planning the debate were hesitant to make changes after Trump withdrew from the second debate when it was switched to virtual .
“ President Trump is committed to debating Joe Biden regardless of last minute rule changes from the biased @ @ @ @ @ @ @ advantage to their favored candidate , ” Bill Stepien , Trump ’ s campaign manager , said in a statement .
Trump will question Biden about the former vice president ’ s son , Hunter Biden , and China because the debate concerns foreign policy , Stepien added .
“ If the media won ’ t ask Joe Biden these questions , the President will , and there will be no escape for Biden , ” Stepien continued .
The Biden campaign and the Commission on Presidential Debates did not immediately respond to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Corkery is a reporter for the Daily Caller News Foundation .
Photo “ President Trump ” by Gage Skidmore .
CC BY-SA 2.0 .
Photo “ Joe Biden ” by Gage Skidmore .
CC BY-SA 2.0 .
Background Photo “ Debate Stage ” by Gage Skidmore .
CC BY-SA 3.0 .


thetennesseestar--2020-10-21--San Diego School Districts Abolish Grades to Combat Racism

In an effort to combat racial discrimination the San Diego Unified School District last week announced plans to abolish the traditional grading system , Fox News reports .
According to the data , black students received D or F grades 20 percent of the time and hispanic students received them 23 percent of the time , while white students received them 7 percent of the time and asian students received them 6 percent of the time from the first semester of the last school year , the San Diego Union-Tribune reported .
Under the district ’ s new system , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to complete assignments and factors like classroom behavior will not be counted toward their overall academic grade .
A student ’ s citizenship grade will replace their academic grade .
SDUSD Vice President Richard Barrera said the overhaul represents the district ’ s “ honest reckoning.
” “ If we ’ re actually going to be an anti-racist school district , we have to confront practices like this that have gone on for years and years , ” Barrera said .
“ I think this reflects a reality that students have described to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that ’ s a long time coming.
” The new system , which affects mostly middle school and high school students , will be implemented over this year and next .
According to NBC San Diego , student School Board Member Zachary Patterson , who is also a junior at University City High School said feedback from his peers is positive .
“ I know students all across the school district are really happy with the idea that these other accountability measures are no longer going to be defining their understanding of knowledge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ future students may not be penalized for cheating , as the board will be reviewing “ potential student disparities ” stemming from its existing zero-tolerance disciplinary policy on cheating in the coming weeks .
Catherine Smith reports for American Greatness .
Photo “ Students ” by U.S. Army CCDC CC BY-SA 2.0


thetennesseestar--2020-10-21--Mayor John Cooper Releases Names of Finalists to Serve as Nashville’s Next Police Chief

Nashville Mayor John Cooper this week released the names of five finalists for the city ’ s next police chief .
This , according to a press release that members of Cooper ’ s staff published on the Metro Government ’ s website .
According to that press release , Metro Human Resources and a special search review committee named the following finalists : • John Drake , who currently serves as Nashville ’ s interim police chief and has served on the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department for 32 years .
• Troy Gay , who currently serves as chief @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
• Darryl McSwain , who serves as the chief of the Maryland-National Capital Park Police for the past two years .
• Larry Scirotto , the former assistant chief of professional standards with the Pittsburgh Police Department .
• Kristen Ziman , the chief of Illinois ’ second-largest police department , Aurora .
She became Aurora ’ s first female police chief in 2016 .
Ziman seems to support social justice causes , going by many of her tweets .
Earlier this year she said she believes systemic racism is a problem @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police officials should hire more women as a way to reform .
The search review committee , according to the Metro Government ’ s press release , includes : • Torry Johnson , former district attorney general of Metro Nashville and Davidson County • Diane Lance , director of the Metro Nashville Office of Family Safety As The Tennessee Star reported in August , former Metro Nashville Police Chief Steve Anderson vacated his position much sooner than he previously stated he would — without explaining .
Left-wing activists and Metro Council members pushed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cooper to fire him .
As reported , members of the American Civil Liberties Union of Tennessee also called on Anderson to resign .
In particular , ACLU members expressed frustration with Anderson ’ s alleged refusal to collaborate with the Community Oversight Board , which was established in 2018 .
This , after the deaths of Jocques Clemmons and Daniel Hambrick .
The board has independent authority to investigate allegations of misconduct against the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department .
Cooper has said he will use former President Barack Obama ’ s principles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Those principles , among other things , warn against “ overly aggressive law enforcement strategies ” and encourage a diverse workforce that reflects community demographics .
Chris Butler is an investigative journalist at The Tennessee Star .
Follow Chris on Facebook .
Email tips to [ email protected ] Photo “ Metro Nashville Police Car ” by nashville.gov .


thetennesseestar--2020-10-21--$15 Federal Minimum Wage Would Cause More Than Two Million Job Losses

If a $ 15 an hour minimum wage were implemented nationwide , more than 2 million jobs would be lost , according to a new report published by the nonprofit Employment Policies Institute ( EPI ) .
The authors of the report – Dr. David Macpherson , professor at Trinity University , and Dr. William Even , professor in the Farmer School of Business at Miami University – conducted a state-by-state economic impact analysis including the impact of coronavirus unemployment and state shutdown data .
The report also provides demographic-level estimates of the impact of raising the federal minimum wage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by age , sex , race and ethnicity , occupation type , and industry .
In 2019 , the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Raise the Wage Act that , if enacted , would create an incremental schedule to increase the federal minimum wage to $ 15 an hour by 2027 .
The bill also would increase the federal tipped wage incrementally to reach $ 12.60 by 2027 , an increase of 491 percent .
“ This staggering rate of increase in the federal minimum wage is unprecedented , ” the economists @ @ @ @ @ @ @ impact as businesses and employees seek to adjust to these rapidly changing wage floors .
From 2000 to the present , the federal minimum rose by 41 percent .
If enacted , the Raise the Wage Act dictates that the federal minimum will rise by 107 percent from 2020 to 2027.
” Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden has endorsed the $ 15 minimum wage and the elimination of the tip credit .
Of the 27 2020 Democratic candidates for president , 21 expressed support for raising the federal minimum wage , specifically to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it by a slightly lower amount .
Supporters say the cururent federal minimum wage of $ 7.25 an hour is not a living wage and it should be increased so lower-income families can pay for basic necessities .
President Donald Trump opposes the bill , saying it would be a jobs killer .
If a federal minimum tipped wage were enacted to reach $ 12.60 by 2027 , 33 states would be required to raise their tipped wages by $ 8 or more in the next six years , the economists estimated , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the regular minimum wage .
“ Such growth could be considered unsustainable for many businesses , localities , and states , ” they write .
The economists predicted that by 2027 , Texas would lose the most jobs – more than 370,664 .
The next-highest losses would be in Pennsylvania , which could lose more than 143,000 jobs ; followed by North Carolina , with more than 120,000 losses ; Ohio , with roughly 108,312 losses ; and Georgia , with roughly 106,427 losses .
The economists used a methodology developed by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which published a report in 2019 on the impact of the legislation .
The EPI report uses the CBO data and includes updated assumptions accounting for changes since 2019 , specifically the economic impact of the COVID-19 outbreak .
“ The crisis created by the spread of COVID-19 and subsequent shutdowns have severely affected employees and businesses , regardless of industry , ” the executive summary of the report states .
“ The U.S. faced a 14.7 percent unemployment rate at its peak in April 2020 , as a direct result of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has declined to 8.4 percent in the month of August , the nation ’ s businesses and employees still face a long road to achieving pre-COVID levels of jobs and hours.
” With more than 40 million workers unemployed , those hardest hit were those employed by the hospitality industry , the report found .
More than half of the job losses would be in the Arts , Entertainment , and Recreation and Accommodation and Food Services sectors .
Employees between the ages of 16 and 24 would experience the highest proportion of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ jobs being held by women , the economists found .
Nearly one-third of tipped workers affected by the minimum wage bill would experience job loss – 693,000 – significantly more than non-tipped workers .
The study includes a map , which highlights each state ’ s job losses if a federal $ 15 minimum wage were implemented by 2027 .
“ Business owners across the country are already facing a great loss after the economic downturn caused by the coronavirus , ” Michael Saltsman , EPI ’ s managing director , said in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ through a federal $ 15 minimum wage would only bring businesses – and the people they employ – closer to the point of no return.
” The authors note that the study ’ s estimates for impacted job losses does not account for slowed employment growth , and in some cases job loss , in areas where the minimum wage has already been increased to $ 15 an hour .
It only analyzes impacts through 2027 , and notes that slowed or negative economic growth may continue beyond 2027 , especially for tipped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would continue to rise annually to meet the regular minimum .
The authors recommend that policymakers consider the economic costs of enacting a $ 15 federal minimum wage , “ especially as placing the burden of steeply rising labor costs on employers on top of COVID-19 struggles will cause businesses to reduce their employment or close altogether.
” Bethany Blankley is a contributor to The Center Square .
Photo “ Minimum Wage ” by Fibonacci Blue CC BY 2.0 .


thetennesseestar--2020-10-21--Bitter Biden-Curious Rep. Denver Riggleman Shocks Virginia GOP

A sitting Virginia GOP congressman , who lost his party ’ s nomination , stunned party leaders and supporters when he told CNN Monday he would consider voting for Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. CNN Anchor Ana Cabrena : “ Would you consider voting for Joe Biden ?
” Rep. Denver L. Riggleman III ( R.-Va. ) : “ I would consider it .
I ’ m a free-thinking American.
” Riggleman ’ s announcement that he is now Biden-curious comes after conceding that Trump ’ s trade and agriculture policies are popular in the district—and after Trump endorsed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ State Sen. Amanda Chase is a candidate for the GOP nomination for governor in the 2021 contest said she was shocked to hear Riggleman might vote for the former vice president .
“ I am a strong supporter of our president , ” she said .
“ It ’ s really easy : there ’ s two choices on the ballot this November .
It ’ s socialism versus prosperity , ” she said .
“ President Trump represents freedom , ” she said .
“ Joe Biden represents socialism and Marxism—and fundamental @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whose ideology and platform resemble that of the Socialist Party should not be allowed to function as a Republican.
” The same day he told CNN he would consider voting for Biden , Riggleman , who represents Virginia ’ s Fifth Congressional District , met with Cameron Webb , the Democrat running to succeed him at his family ’ s distillery .
Webb is running against Bob Good , a former athletic director at Liberty University .
Standing with Webb , Riggleman was quoted in the Roanoke Times telling the Democrat : “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ talking about issues and policy , But what do you do when the other person is hiding ?
” This follows Riggleman ’ s interview Thursday with CNN ’ s Jake Tapper , when he criticized President Donald Trump for retweeted a theory that the 2011 raid that targeted Osama bin Laden in Pakistan used a body double to cover him his escaping from that raid .
In 2018 , Riggleman was the beneficiary of the surprise resignation of Republican Rep. Thomas Alexander Garrett Jr .
In the limited time available , Riggleman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ members of the GOP ’ s district committee to secure the nomination and went on to win the seat .
In the 2018 race , Riggleman also had the strong backing of Trump .
“ Denver Riggleman of 5th District of Virginia is a popular guy who really knows how to get the job done , ” the president said .
“ He has my Total Endorsement.
” During his freshman term , Riggleman has not voted as conservative as his district , which opened up the opportunity for Good to challenge and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Richard L. Anderson , the chairman of the Virginia Republican Party , said he was disappointed in Riggleman .
“ He , of course , did not win the nomination of the party and what I would hope is for any candidate , including Congressman Riggleman , should they lose , I believe all other Republican candidates in that contest should rally around the eventual nominee , ” said the retired Air Force colonel and former state legislator .
“ I certainly wish that he had been able to support Bob Good , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nearly a decade the Virginia Republican Party has suffered because of candidates like Riggleman .
“ The people chose Bob Good , ” she said .
“ They did not choose Denver Riggleman , and so everyone needs to accept the results and unify behind the Republican nominee—and win .
We need to unite and win.
” A house divided will fall , she said .
“ The Republican Party continues to lose because we don ’ t unify and get behind our Republican nominees.
” Neil W. McCabe is a Washington-based national @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Star News Network .
In addition to the Star Newspaper , he has covered the White House , Capitol Hill and national politics for One America News , Breitbart , Human Events and Townhall .
Before coming to Washington , he was a staff reporter for Boston ’ s Catholic paper , The Pilot , and the editor of two Boston-area community papers , The Somerville News and The Alewife .
McCabe is a public affairs NCO in the Army Reserve and he deployed for 15 months to Iraq as a combat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” by Gage Skidmore .
CC BY-SA 2.0 .