thetennesseestar--2020-04-24--Anti-Semitic Protest Sign, State Senator’s Remarks Draw Scrutiny

Ohio Gov .
Mike DeWine is denouncing an anti-Semitic sign at a recent protest as well as remarks by a state senator and his wife about Health Director Dr. Amy Acton , who is Jewish .
On Wednesday , DeWine posted on his Facebook page : I am deeply concerned by the anti-Semitic sign at Ohio ’ s Statehouse during a recent protest rally .
The sign was vile and disgusting .
While even disgusting speech is constitutionally protected , it still demands condemnation .
The recent Internet post by Ohio State Senator Andrew Brenner , likening Ohio ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to fight the corona virus to those taken by the Nazis in Germany during World War II , must also be condemned .
The comments showed a complete lack of understanding of the Holocaust — made even more offensive by posting on Holocaust Memorial Day — and was a slur on a good , compassionate , and honorable person who has worked non-stop to save lives and protect her fellow citizens .
Any complaints about the policy of this administration need to be directed at me .
I am the office holder , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , I am responsible for the decisions in regard to the corona virus .
The buck stops with me .
The protest last week marked at least the third demonstration in front of the Ohio Statehouse in two weeks and the second protest this week , The Ohio Star reported .
The protests have been peaceful but for the one sign .
Regarding Brenner , it was actually a remark made by his wife initially , which the senator commented on , WBNS said .
The initial post on Facebook came from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) , Sara Brenner , to which the senator reportedly commented on the post “ We won ’ t allow that to happen in Ohio.
” According to the Columbus Dispatch , and the Ohio Capital Journal , Sara Brenner said in a now-deleted Facebook post from Tuesday evening , “ With a German accent , in your head say ‘ show me your papers ’ …This is downright scary !
You don ’ t issue people certificates to be able to function outside their home .
… This actually feels like Hitler @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have blonde hair and blue eyes to be able to function anywhere , and you were damned otherwise .
When are people going to say enough is enough ?
” Today , it was reported in an online news outlet that I said something inappropriate and inflammatory on social media .
What I actually said was not the same as what is being reported .
I would never , ever say what I am accused of saying .
I understand that while people may differ on policy issues , the manner in which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and hurtful .
I apologize to Dr. Acton , because I ’ m sure she was offended by the comments as they were reported .
I have also spoken with leaders from Ohio ’ s Jewish community , for whom I have great respect , and I appreciate the understanding and support I have received .
I am confident that Governor DeWine and Dr. Acton have Ohio ’ s best interests in mind , and I appreciate their hard work and efforts in finding a responsible path forward .
This is a time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I am committed to doing so for all Ohioans .
Jason M. Reynolds has more than 20 years ’ experience as a journalist at outlets of all sizes .


thetennesseestar--2020-04-24--Ohio Governor Eases Restrictions on Elective Surgery Ban

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine announced Wednesday an easing up on the prohibition of elective surgeries during the coronavirus pandemic .
DeWine said that doctors can now review postponed procedures and surgeries with patients in terms of their current health situation and quality of life , after which doctors and patients can make a joint decision about whether to proceed .
New or other chronic conditions that may have a significant impact on a patient ’ s quality of life should also be evaluated .
“ We must now begin the gradual , multi-phased process of reopening , and my first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ procedures and surgeries delayed , ” the governor said in a statement released after the briefing .
Dr. Acton directed healthcare providers in hospitals and outpatient surgery centers to reassess procedures and surgeries that were postponed .
“ I ’ ve heard stories that some surgeries that we had no intention of stopping have been postponed , ” DeWine said .
“ That has concerned me a great deal , so we are starting back one step at a time.
” DeWine said that patients be informed of the risk of contracting COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during the post-operative recovery process .
“ Resuming elective surgeries and procedures will take clinical judgment , and we will rely on our healthcare providers to make responsible decisions as we move forward , ” said Governor DeWine .
On March 17 , Ohio Department of Health Director Dr. Amy Acton issued an order postponing elective surgeries to conserve critical personal protective equipment ( PPE ) and to open bed space needed to care for COVID-19 patients .
Those extra beds were not needed after all , DeWine said .
The COVID-19 tracker @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 88,143 negative test results , with 2,960 hospitalized and 656 deaths .
Samantha Witwer is a reporter at The Ohio Star .

The Tennessee Secretary of State’s office now lists 24 individuals as collecting petitions in the campaign for Tennessee’s 5th Congressional District.
There are 16 Republicans, four Democrats, and four Independents collecting qualifying petitions for the TN-5 race.
Candidates of all parties have until noon on April 7 to turn in their qualifying petitions, a deadline which is fast approaching. Candidates must collect 25 valid signatures from registered voters in the district. Those seeking the Republican nomination must be verified as bona fide Republicans by the Tennessee Republican Party in order to appear on the GOP primary ballot.
Challenges have been filed against the bona fide Republican statuses of the three carpetbaggers in the race, Morgan Ortagus, David Vitalli, and Robby Starbuck. Action will occur on those challenges after the April 7 filing deadline.
On the Republican side, Morgan Ortagus, former Speaker of the Tennessee House Beth Harwell of Nashville, businessman Baxter Lee of Nashville, Robby Starbuck of Franklin (listed as Robert Starbuck Newsom), Geni Batchelor of Lebanon, Natisha Brooks of Nashville, Timothy Bruce Lee of Nashville, Annabelle Lee of Madison, Alan Clement Sharp of Nashville, David Vitalli of Brentwood, Stewart Parks of Nashville, Richie Lee of Nashville, General Kurt Winstead of Franklin, Tres Wittum of Nashville, Jeff Beierlein of Nashville, and Maury County Mayor Andy Ogles are listed as collecting petitions.
Former Williamson County GOP Chair Omar Hamada of Franklin is still listed as collecting petitions but he dropped out of the race and endorsed Maury County Mayor Andy Ogles in the GOP primary.
On the Democrat side, Clay Faircloth, Richard H. Harris, Justicia Rizzo, and Joel Michael Hurbert, all from Nashville, are collecting petitions.
Derrick Brantley of Nashville, Patrick O. Halfacre of Hohenwald, Daniel J. Cooper of Spring Hill, and Richard A. Shannon of Franklin are the independents collecting petitions.
The Tennessee Secretary of State’s office has been updating its list on a weekly basis. This list is current as of Friday, April 1.
Reports are expected to be available for the January 1 through March 31, 2022 Federal Election Commission campaign finance first-quarter period in the coming days. Those reports are expected to shed significant light on which candidates are considered viable. The bulk of the field entered the race after the December 31, 2021 reporting deadline.
The primaries are scheduled for August 4, 2022.
The newly-redrawn 5th Congressional District consists of parts of Davidson, Williamson, and Wilson counties, as well as all of Maury, Marshall, and Lewis counties.
– – –
Aaron Gulbransen is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Email tips to [email protected] Follow Aaron on GETTR, Twitter, and Parler.
Photo “U.S. Capitol” by Andrew Can Huss.


thetennesseestar--2020-04-24--Ohio’s Urbana University Closing Its Doors for Good

Urbana University said they will close their campus at the end of the semester in May due to the combination of challenges brought on by the coronavirus pandemic and years of low enrollment .
The school ’ s CEO Dr. Christopher Washington took to Facebook Monday to discuss the closure personally .
“ I don ’ t think anyone seen this coming as fast as it did .
The calamity of the COVID-19 pandemic , which is affecting our entire nation and in fact our whole world has caused tremendous disruption and uncertainty in higher education , ” Washington said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home .
Urbana University – a branch campus of Franklin University specializing in liberal arts – is the first college to close its doors because of the public health emergency .
“ Our highest priority is to ensure students experience a seamless transition of their academic studies and that our branch campus employees have the resources to make their transition as well , ” said Dr. David Decker , President , Franklin University .
“ As institutions of higher education across the country struggle to identify ways to stay open , we will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ identify the best alternative forward to fulfill their education goals in an affordable manner.
” The campus currently serves 1,254 students , 75 % of which are enrolled in off-campus programs , including College Credit Plus , Post-Baccalaureate Education , MBA-Healthcare , and the London Correctional Institute .
“ These students will continue their studies uninterrupted and unchanged , as their instruction does not occur on the Urbana campus , ” the statement said .
The remaining 350 students who either live nearby or commute to the campus will have the option to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or transfer their credits to other institutions .
Students who prefer to transfer to other institutions will be assisted in doing so .
The closure affects 111 full-time employees , the university said .
A number of full-time employees who work at the branch campus will be offered employment at Franklin University .
Those who will not continue at Franklin will be offered severance packages that include outplacement assistance .
While Ohio governor Mike DeWine has announced the slow reopening of businesses beginning next month , K-12 schools will remain closed for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unclear if the same will happen to colleges and universities in the state .
Samantha Witwer is a reporter at The Ohio Star .
Photo “ Urbana University ” by Urbana University .


thetennesseestar--2020-04-24--John Cooper Showcases Plan to Reopen Nashville’s Economy Post-COVID-19

Nashville Mayor John Cooper on Thursday issued a four-phased plan to reopen Nashville ’ s economy after the COVID-19 pandemic grounded it to a halt , and he said the first phase could start within a few weeks .
Each of the four phases contains metrics that will determine when certain parts of the city ’ s economy will reopen , Cooper said at a press conference .
“ These include triggers that could require us all to revert to an earlier phase of the plan to protect our community and ensures that area health providers do not become overwhelmed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Every Nashvillian feels an urge to return to business as normal .
Many livelihoods depend on it , ” Cooper said .
“ But everyone , business owners , employees , and customers should trust that places of business , schools , and all venues throughout Nashville are safe .
Consumer confidence lies at the heart of our economy .
A safe rollout must be data-driven , not purely date-driven .
This is essential to avoid a false start , which would simply prolong the economic effects of the coronavirus in Davidson County.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the four phases Nashville is in , city officials will only advance to the next phase if the area meets one of two benchmarks .
The website said either the number of COVID-19 cases in Davidson County must remain stable or the number must decline over a 14-day period .
Alex Jahangir , who chairs Davidson County ’ s Metro Coronavirus Task Force , said at Thursday ’ s press conference that city officials will slow the process down “ if something worrisome presents in those metrics.
” According to Jahangir , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ • In Phase One retail businesses will open and restaurants will have dine-in services , all at half-capacity and added guidelines and restrictions and operations will be present .
Employees will be screened daily to ensure that they are symptom free and they will be required to wear cloth face coverings .
Other public gatherings will be limited to 10 people or less .
Everyone out in public should wear cloth masks and , if you are able , still work from home .
• In Phase Two , businesses and restaurants can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In addition , personal hygiene businesses like hair and nail salons will open but only for appointments , no walk-ins , and limited to 10 people inside the building at one time .
Playgrounds , tennis courts , and basketball courts will open .
Other public gatherings , including worship services , will be limited to 50 people and with adherence to strict physical distancing protocols .
• In Phase Three businesses and restaurants will go to full capacity .
In addition , bars and entertainment venues will open at half capacity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Other gatherings will be limited to 100 , again with adherence to strict physical distancing protocols .
• In Phase Four , bars and entertainment venues will be at full capacity , and sport venues will open with adherence to physical distancing protocols and best practices As The Tennessee Star reported Wednesday , Leslie Waller , an epidemiologist with the Metro Nashville Public Health Department , said that in recent weeks most of the new cases in Nashville have shifted geographically .
“ Most of our new cases are now clustered in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Waller said .
“ Communities that call it home are numerous and diverse , and they work in a number of essential service jobs.
” Chris Butler is an investigative journalist at The Tennessee Star .
Follow Chris on Facebook .
Email tips to [ email protected ] Photo “ John Cooper ” by John Cooper .


thetennesseestar--2020-04-24--Tennessee Says Unemployment Filings Went Down in Second Week of March, But That Was Before the Lockd

Tennessee Says Unemployment Filings Went Down in Second Week of March, But That Was Before the Lockdown

In a “ what the heck ” moment , the Tennessee Department of Labor & Workforce Development on Thursday said unemployment filings for two-thirds of counties went down for the second week of March .
The filings were for March 8-14 , just before the Chinese coronavirus took a toll .
The department said in an announcement : Newly released unemployment data shows the jobless rate dropped in two-thirds of Tennessee ’ s 95 counties during March 2020 .
The unemployment data for the month does not take into account the impact of the COVID-19 health emergency .
The federal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number of Tennesseans who were out of work during the second week of the month , between March 8 and 14 .
The Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development did not begin to see the unprecedented increase in unemployment claims until the third and fourth weeks of March .
Unemployment rates decreased in 61 counties during March , increased in 18 counties , and remained the same in 16 counties .
Sixty-eight counties had unemployment rates lower than 5 % for the month , while 27 counties had rates that were 5 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the state ’ s lowest unemployment rate in March .
At 2.6 % , the new rate mirrored February ’ s rate .
Last week , The Tennessee Star reported that nearly 75,000 Tennesseans were on record as filing unemployment claims as of April 11 , according to new numbers the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development put out on their website .
During Gov .
Bill Lee ’ s daily COVID-19 press release Thursday , Jeff McCord , the labor commissioner , spoke about the problems the unemployed are having in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , especially for the self-employed .
The video is available on the governor ’ s Facebook page .
McCord has been promising to scale the unemployment computer system and make other improvements to help process record claims , a 2,000 percent increase .
On Thursday , he said that during the past week , the state paid 225,000 people benefits including a $ 600 federal benefit , plus back pay .
The computer system for processing the federal pandemic unemployment assistance program has been built and will start up Friday , with self-employed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ department hired over 300 workers for customer service and has a couple of contract call centers .
Photo “ People Filling Out Paperwork ” by Micah Sittig .
CC BY 2.0 .


thetennesseestar--2020-04-25--Tennessee Restaurant Owners Charged with Harboring Illegal Aliens and Profiting off Their Employment

The owners of a Tennessee restaurant were charged with harboring illegal aliens and profiting off their employment by paying them under the table in a federal indictment unsealed this week .
According to the indictment , the owners of New China Buffet and Grill in Clarksville , Tennessee were charged last month with harboring illegal aliens from China and Guatemala , money laundering , income tax fraud , and employment tax fraud .
Quanwei Shi , 29 , was arrested at his home in Clarksville on March 27 while Chongqiang Chen , also 29 , surrendered to U.S .
Marshals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a statement announcing the charges , U.S. Attorney Don Cochran for the Middle District of Tennessee said Shi and Chen conspired to harbor illegal aliens and profited off their employment at the New China Buffet .
“ The undocumented workers were not required to complete any forms related to immigration status and were paid in cash , outside the regular payroll system , ” according to the indictment .
The indictment further reveals that Shi and Chen invited the undocumented workers to live with them , transported them to and from the restaurant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the kitchen so “ they would not be able to interact with the patrons of the restaurant.
” Additionally , Shi and Chen allegedly evaded payroll taxes by failing to withhold more than $ 175,000 in income and FICA taxes from the illegal immigrants ’ payments .
“ These income and FICA taxes were not paid over to the IRS as required , but instead were used for commercial advantage and private financial gain , ” Cochran said in a press release .
The two defendants also signed and submitted false forms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s gross receipts for the 2017 and 2018 tax years .
If convicted , Shi and Chen face up to 20 years in prison , a $ 500,000 fine , and will be required to forfeit property , vehicles , and bank accounts that were used in furtherance of the crime .
Anthony Gockowski is managing editor of The Minnesota Sun and The Ohio Star .
Follow Anthony on Twitter .
Email tips to [ email protected ] .
Photo “ New China Buffet & Grill ” by New China Buffet & @ @

One of the principles asserted by Governor Haslam in support of his IMPROVE Act and its proposed increase of 7 cents per gallon in the gas tax is that “users” of roads should pay for road construction.
The gas tax is proper, he argues, because people who purchase gas to fuel their cars are the users of roads, and the gas tax is the best mechanism to charge them for that usage.
For at least a decade, however, revenue sources originally designed to fund highway construction have been intermingled, and that “user” fee principle has not strictly been applied to the funding of road construction. The IMPROVE Act does not fully address the co-mingling of funds.
The Highway Fund receives road construction “user fee” revenues from gasoline tax, motor fuel tax, gasoline inspection tax, motor vehicle registration tax and the motor vehicle title fees. At least 25 percent of those road construction “user fees” go to the General Fund, Education and Debt Service.
Though the majority of these “user fee” revenues have been allocated to the Highway Fund, between 25 percent and 29 percent of those fees -ranging from $177 million to $196 million annually– have been diverted away from the Highway Fund between FY 2011-12 and FY 2017-18, as Table 1 below illustrates.
Table 1
Highway Fund ‘User Fees’ Allocated to Funds Other than the Highway Fund
FY 2011-12 to FY 2017-18
Fiscal Year Highway Fund”User Fees ” Directed to General Fund, Education & Debt Svc. As % of Highway Fund Total Sales & Use Tax Revenues Sales Tax $ to Highway Fund % Sales Tax to Highway Fund Data Source (Link to Document) Page of Data Source 2017-18 $187,100,000 26.2% $8,861,100,000 $22,600,000 0.26% Estimated 99 of 558 2016-17 $195,200,000 26.5% $8,564,100,000 $22,600,000 0.26% Revised Est. 98 of 558 2015-16 $189,572,000 26.2% $8,267,224,400 $22,625,400 0.27% Actual 97 of 558 2014-15 $177,611,900 25.1% $7,706,018,700 $38,165,000 0.50% Actual 97 of 550 2013-14 $196,234,300 28.9% $7,286,164,500 $53,797,600 0.74% Actual 97 of 542 2012-13 $194,365,000 28.4% $7,012,028,700 $60,902,800 0.87% Actual 97 of 545 2011-12 $193,243,800 28.2% $6,899,944,000 $64,574,000 0.94% Actual 111 of 656
The state of Tennessee budget documents detail the revenue sources and the basis of apportionment for those revenues. For every one of the “user fee” revenues, the Tennessee Code Annotated that directs funds away from the Highway Fund is cited.
There are also allocations to the Highway Fund, such as Gross Receipts Tax-Other and Beer Tax, that would otherwise be considered General Fund revenues, as the majority of those revenues are allocated to the General Fund. However, the increase of 25 to 29 percent to the Highway Fund is net the General Fund dollars.
In the upcoming 2017-18 budget year, the redistribution of “user fees” strictly to the Highway Fund would increase the Highway Fund by $187 million, and combined with the past six years would have added a total of $1.3 billion to the Highway Fund, all without a gas tax increase.
The co-mingling of funds goes both ways.
“Sales and Use Tax” revenues have been and continue to be allocated to the Highway Fund.
During Gov. Haslam’s administration, the percentage of state sales tax revenues allocated to the Highway Fund ranged between 0.26 and 0.94 percent. Essentially, the alternate “Hawk Plan,” named for Rep. David Hawk of Greenville, which allocates 0.25 percent of the sales tax revenues to the Highway Fund has been in effect for years to an even greater extent.


thetennesseestar--2020-04-25--Commentary: White House Should Shift to Economic Recovery Briefings

The so-called Murray model on COVID-19 issued yet another update on Wednesday , its 11th iteration in less than a month Even though his apocalyptic projections about massive shortages of hospital beds , intensive care units , and ventilators failed to materialize this month , Dr. Chris Murray , director of the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation , keeps upping the ante .
It was Murray ’ s collection of scary graphs that Drs .
Anthony Fauci and Deborah Birx presented to the president at the end of March to support their push to extend the “ social distancing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump acquiesced ; that decision effectively shut down the U.S. economy , has confined most Americans to house arrest , and is fueling fear and panic across the land .
After being so wrong , any professional with a sliver of integrity would crawl away in shame .
Murray should be offering an apology to the nation for warning of widespread death and misery which , outside of New York City , can not be found on anything like the scale he predicted .
The president should be hauling Murray and his abettors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But being a scientific modeler means never having to say you ’ re sorry—see climate science for a lengthy list of examples—so Murray is not only unrepentant , he ’ s spinning out more imaginary charts .
Republican governors who either never enacted draconian social distancing decrees or are planning to end those measures are on Murray ’ s latest hit list .
Florida and Arizona , whose Republican governors want to liberate their states gradually in a few weeks , should not be permitted to lift social distancing measures until the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ says .
The residents of North Dakota will have to wait until after July 4 to celebrate their freedom .
Governor Doug Burgum , a Republican , never instituted a stay-at-home order and is preparing plans for businesses to open on May 1 so Murray has pushed back North Dakota ’ s safe date to July 19 .
( The state has had 17 COVID-19 fatalities . )
It ’ s nothing more than a game of scientific darts , which might be entertaining if the catastrophic impact of Murray ’ s failed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into view .
The Labor Department released another horrific report on unemployment ; 4.4 million Americans filed new claims last week , bringing the total number of jobless Americans to more than 26 million in just five weeks .
The nation ’ s unemployment rate now stands at its “ highest level of the seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate in history , ” according to the agency .
States can not keep up with the unexpected surge in demand .
Forty percent of Americans now have an immediate family member out of work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the level of misery Americans are experiencing .
Hospitals are laying off staff and sustaining huge financial losses since the healthcare system is open to coronavirus patients only .
A devastating article in the New York Times this week detailed how cancer sufferers are not getting treatment and other life-saving procedures such as brain surgery and organ transplants are being delayed .
“ Many hospitals have postponed surgery for breast tumors , an unsettling decision for women eager to have the cancer removed , ” the Times reported .
“ Nearly one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their care because of the pandemic , including access to in-person appointments , imaging , surgery and other services.
” The nation ’ s food supply chain is facing unprecedented strain .
Farmers are plowing under their fields as food demand for restaurants and schools disappears .
Meat shortages are imminent as packing plants shutter and ranchers have nowhere to store beef , pork , and chicken .
Domestic violence is on the rise in several states .
Some regions are reporting a spike in calls to suicide prevention hotlines .
The long-term @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Prolonged social isolation takes physical and psychological tolls that are well-documented , ” a psychologist told the Wall Street Journal this week .
“ Numerous studies link isolation and loneliness to depression , dementia , heart attacks and strokes .
It shortens lives.
” The country has been thrown into an unforeseen and immediate crisis the likes of which we have never seen in American history .
There was no warning and no way to prepare ; we are in a state of shock that the collective life we led just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gone for the foreseeable future .
That ’ s why it ’ s time for President Trump to speak to the trauma the nation is enduring , and not just continue the same drumbeat about the “ invisible enemy ” each day from the White House press room .
The daily briefings featuring the Coronavirus Task Force have become repetitive .
Trump ’ s jiujitsu with the hostile , childish , and hysteria-inducing White House press corps might entertain some of his followers , and undoubtedly it amuses the president himself , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anxiety about the future .
Fauci and Birx , aside from misleading the president with the disastrous Murray models , don ’ t have much new to offer .
Their updates should be short and weekly , not daily , since the health crisis shows major signs of abating .
The president should now pivot to focusing primarily on how to recover both the economy and the spirit of the American people .
He needs to speak directly to our fears .
He must give cover to governors who have every reason to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ states rather than listening to the same small chorus of “ experts ” who have misled him .
( Commending New York governor Andrew Cuomo while openly criticizing Georgia governor Brian Kemp isn ’ t a great idea , either . )
He needs to get his economic team before the public every day to explain how and when we can start getting back to business as usual—and in days , not weeks or months .
Most Americans don ’ t want more government hand-outs or debt-inducing programs .
We want to protect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ capacity , and move on before the damage is too great to repair .
Trump performs best when he gives voice to the inner worries of Americans that others are too timid to express .
COVID-19 is deadly and scary but Trump promised Americans the cure wouldn ’ t be worse than the disease .
We are now at the point where we need to hear his plan to make good on that promise—and the president must change course accordingly .
Julie Kelly is a political commentator and senior contributor to American Greatness @


thetennesseestar--2020-04-25--ICE Arrests Illegal Alien Wanted for Allegedly Raping a Minor in His Home Country

A special task force of Immigration and Customs Enforcement ( ICE ) located and arrested an illegal alien wanted in his home country of El Salvador for allegedly raping a child .
ICE ’ s Fugitive Alien Removal ( FAR ) Task Force arrested Jose Luis Rodriguez-Vasquez in the Los Angeles area on April 8 for immigration violations , according to a Thursday press release by the agency .
Not only was Rodriguez-Vasquez living unlawfully in the United States , but the Salvadoran national is also wanted in his home country under child rape charges .
Rodriguez-Vasquez remains in ICE @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The agency commended the arresting officers at a time when much of the country is under coronavirus lockdown , prompting ICE to scale back its enforcement efforts .
“ Our incredible and dedicated FAR officers continue to exercise vigilance during this chaotic time to make arrests that simply put , ensure the safety and security of our communities , ” ICE ’ s Los Angeles Field Office Director Dave Marin said in a Thursday statement .
He continued : “ The arrest and removal of these high-profile criminal aliens sends a strong and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allow itself to be used as a refuge for the violent criminals of other countries .
Our officers work closely with partner federal law enforcement and foreign agencies to bring these violators to justice.
” The arrest marked the latest high-profile apprehension by the FAR Task Force , a group of ICE officials who must carry an extensive law enforcement background .
Los Angeles FAR officers notched 67 “ high-profile ” arrests in 2019 alone .
Since 2020 began , this special task force has made more than 40 arrests — including a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ; and a 63-year-old Mexican citizen wanted for burglary , sexual assault and carnal abuse .
Cooperation from local jurisdictions helps FAR ’ s mission to arrest and deport dangerous criminals from the community , Marin added .
However , it ’ s not clear how much cooperation FAR is receiving in California , one of the most notorious sanctuary states in the country .
Jerry Brown , the previous governor of California , signed the California Values Act in October 2017 .
The bill , among many things , bans state and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — requests the agency makes when an illegal alien is placed into local custody for an unrelated crime .
Such holds allow an ICE agent to arrive and make an apprehension in a safe and secure manner .
This policy has been compounded by some of the state ’ s most populous cities .
The mayor of Los Angeles and the sheriff of San Francisco , for example , have previously declared that they will not cooperate with federal immigration authorities .
Jason Hopkins is a reporter for the Daily Caller News Foundation @


thetennesseestar--2020-04-25--Commentary: Rep. Thomas Massie Defends the Constitution Again

As the Democrat-controlled US House of Representatives finally came back into session to appropriate another tranche of $ 484 billion in coronavirus economic relief , one principled limited government constitutional conservative stood up to ensure their was a quorum of the House present to conduct business and to ask for a roll call vote – Republican Rep. Thomas Massie ( KY-4 ) .
Rep. Massie has made himself incredibly unpopular around DC by demanding that Congress follow the Constitution and its own rules while dealing with the fallout from the coronavirus epidemic and the attendant financial panic .
Although President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at Massie for having the temerity to want the rules followed , we thought the President was aiming his ire at the wrong target .
In addition to being blasted by President Trump , Massie faced fury from his colleagues and received death threats from voters , all for demanding a formal vote on the bill .
“ I was just standing up for the Constitution , and I did it in a professional manner that did not delay the bill , ” Massie told FOX in a phone interview , adding , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wealth in human history.
” “ Congress should show up to work if they ’ re telling truckers and grocery store baggers to show up to work .
A congressman making $ 174,000 with health benefits should sure as hell show up , ” Massie said .
“ They were trying to avoid accountability , ” Massie told Fox News , saying that some representatives were trying to hide from putting their name to such an expensive bill .
Undeterred by the threats and offers , Massie went to the floor of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ I came here to make sure our republic doesn ’ t die by unanimous consent in an empty chamber , and I request a recorded vote.
” “ The tragedy of this bill is it ’ s a massive wealth transfer from the middle class to the moneyed class [ rich investors and lobbyists ] .
Just going by the numbers — the most that somebody qualifies for is $ 1,200 under this bill… where ’ s the rest of that money going ?
” What was even worse than the President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Uniparty ’ s Capitol Hill leaders : The floor leaders of both parties scrambled to stymie Massie .
Within a few hours , they had established the rule of debate on the bill so that the Senate ’ s version of CARES could be approved without a roll call vote .
Yesterday , Rep. Massie was once again on the House Floor to demand a roll call vote and a quorum but this time he had allies in such limited government constitutional conservatives as Representatives Louie Gohmert and Dan Crenshaw .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thomas Massie is another frontline hero of this epidemic .
Just as doctors , nurses and other healthcare workers are trying to quell the coronavirus epidemic , Rep. Massie is on the frontlines trying to quell the epidemic of anti-constitutional government that is threatening the life of our Republic .


thetennesseestar--2020-04-25--Steve Bannon Presents Part Three of Descent into Hell: Life of the Chinese under the CCP

An all new LIVE STREAM of Steve Bannon Presents Descent into Hell : Life of the Chinese under the CCP ( Part Three ) starts at 9 a.m. Central Time on Saturday .
The Tennessee Star is the only Tennessee media outlet presenting this special two-hour program .
You can watch the recorded version of this program here : Former White House Chief Strategist and War Room : Pandemic host Stephen K. Bannon is hosting a two-hour long special program entitled “ Descent into Hell : The Chinese People Confront the CCP this Saturday , April 25 , from 10:00 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ groundbreaking special will air live on the John Fredericks Radio Network , America ’ s Voice Network , Dish TV Channel 219 , The Epoch Times , ND TV , GTV and GNews in Mandarin .
This is the third in the series addressing Chinese Communist Party ( CCP ) and Xi ’ s torturous regime .
Mr. Bannon began the daily War Room : Pandemic radio show and podcast on January 25 , when news of the virus was just beginning to leak out of China around the Lunar New Year .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and breaking updates from top medical , public health , economic , national security , supply chain and geopolitical experts weekdays from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon ET .
The show ’ s broadcast partners are America ’ s Voice News , the John Fredericks Radio Network , Salem Media Group , and Newsmax TV and the podcast is available on Apple , Spotify , Stitcher , SoundCloud , and Google Play .
For more information , please visit www.pandemic.warroom.org and @ WarRoomPandemic .


thetennesseestar--2020-04-25--Democrat Who Endorsed Trump Changes His Mind About Resigning

Vernon Jones , a Democratic state representative in Georgia who attracted immense ire from his party after endorsing President Donald Trump , said he will remain in office .
Jones had announced on Wednesday that he would be resigning from his post within the Georgia House of Representatives , citing attacks and harassment from the Democratic Party for supporting Trump ’ s re-election .
However , the renegade Democrat later said that , after an avalanche of public support , he has changed his mind and will not resign .
“ Little did I know that I would receive such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ name-calling by the far left in the Democratic Party , ” Jones said in a Twitter video posted on Thursday about his decision to support Trump .
These attacks at first prompted him to vacate office , but he said something soon changed .
“ When I started receiving the overwhelming amount of support and outcry from the people that I represent in House District 91 in DeKalb and Rockdale counties , my fellow Georgians , and fellow Americans from across this country in every walk of life , every age , every @ @ @ @ @ @ @ emotional , and that was motivational , ” Jones continued .
He added : “ And you know what , America ?
I thought about it , and I talked to my family , and I talked to my supporters .
Because what you did for me , I am going to remain on the battlefield , I am going to complete my term , I ’ m going to continue to put my country before my party.
” The state representative added that he will do “ everything I can ” to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ launched onto the national scene when he officially endorsed Trump on April 14 , pointing to the president ’ s handling of the economy , support for historically black colleges and his criminal justice reform initiatives .
These issues , he said , drew him to support Trump ’ s campaign .
However , his decision was met with resounding condemnation from his colleagues .
Georgia Democratic Party Chairwoman Nikema Williams called Jones an “ embarrassment ” to the party , and a group launched by failed gubernatorial candidate and romance novelist Stacey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him from office .
The establishment has since thrown its support behind Rhonda Taylor , Jones ’ s Democratic primary rival .
Jones represents the 91st House District in the Georgia House of Representatives — a majority-minority district in the suburbs south of Atlanta that is overwhelmingly Democratic .
Before entering the Georgia General Assembly , Jones served as the CEO of DeKalb County , and served in the state House from 1993 to 2001 .
Jason Hopkins is a reporter for the Daily Caller News Foundation .
Background Photo “ Georgia Capitol @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2.0 .


thetennesseestar--2020-04-25--Acting DHS Chief: Additional Immigration Measures Could Be Coming

According to CNN , “ acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf said that President Trump ’ s immigration executive order is a first step , teasing additional measures aimed at non-immigrant temporary visas.
” “ That is something that the department has been looking at for the past several months , so we are well underway and look forward to presenting to the President those recommendations for additional steps , ” he said during a Fox News interview .
Trump said during Wednesday ’ s coronavirus task force news briefing that he had just signed an executive order temporarily halting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 48 hours after announcing the move on Twitter .
The order directs the Department of Homeland and Security and the Department of Labor to look at additional recommendations , said Wolf .
After Trump ’ s announcement on Twitter , “ the White House was flooded with calls from industry representatives imploring the administration to carve out exemptions for temporary workers , including migrants who work on American farms .
The final order excludes temporary guest workers but officials have said a future order could include them , ” according to CNN .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ immigration adviser , told allies in a phone call it was important to “ turn off the faucet of new immigrant labor ” to protect Americans ’ jobs .
Wolf said there are “ critical ” exceptions to the order that include people who participate in the medical field , health care industry and medical research .
“ This is a targeted approach and it ’ s , really , the importance here is making sure that we are protecting American jobs , ” he said .
“ I think it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a little bit longer till we see how this plays out.
” The executive order is expected to be in place for at least 60 days , and may halt thousands of parents , adult children and siblings of citizens seeking to immigrate to the United States .
However Trump has said that the extent of the restrictions is subject to change , depending on the needs of American businesses and farms .
The diversity visa lottery that issues about 50,000 visas each year will also be suspended .


thetennesseestar--2020-04-25--Paradigm Shift: Host Micheal Patrick Leahy Discuses Current Data Driven Death Rates in New York Stat

Paradigm Shift: Host Micheal Patrick Leahy Discuses Current Data Driven Death Rates in New York State

Paradigm Shift , airing Saturdays at 6:00 a.m. to 7 a.m. CST with Michael Patrick Leahy – is a one-hour radio show from Star News Digital Media in the early stages of national weekend syndication rollout which discusses how daily life will change in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic .
During the show , Leahy gave his commentary on Governor Andrew Cuomo ’ s recent press briefing and how New York state ’ s coronavirus data revealed less than one percent death rate .
This is Michael Patrick Leahy .
Welcome to Paradigm Shift , the weekly program that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like after the coronavirus lock down orders end and we await the development of a vaccine .
We focus on five general areas in this program .
It ’ s a one hour program every Saturday .
You can hear it here on Talk Radio 98.3 and 1510 WLAC from 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m .
The areas we focus on are your personal behavior and actions .
Where you are going to shop ?
What you ’ re going to do ?
And how you will spend your time while you ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ focus on is how are you going to make a living ?
What will jobs be like and the economy and business be like after the first wave of this pandemic passes and we return to somewhat normal ?
Third area is politics and how ’ s that going to change .
Fourth area is health and healthcare and hospitals and all of those issues for you and your family .
Lastly , we look at education .
How is that going to be different ?
Are people going to be doing more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and public education respond ?
The program is broadcast every Saturday from 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m. here on Talks Radio 98.3 and 1510 WLAC .
You hear me every weekday morning on this station from 5:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. on the Tennessee Star Report .
In today ’ s program we ’ ll hear from Crom Carmichael and Washington journalist Neil McCabe .
Along with former Trump White House chief strategist my good friend , former boss , mentor , and friend , Steve Bannon .
But first , some breaking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a story from Breitbart news and its an important story .
A lot of people have been wondering about this .
How many people have been infected by coronavirus and haven ’ t known it ?
This is important because it gets to the issue of the real mortality rates .
We know what the mortality rate is in terms of the number of people who have been tested for it .
4.5 million people in the United States have been tested and about 825,000 or so have tested positive .
Of those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ died .
So that means you ’ ve got a death rate there of about 4.59 % or 5 % .
That ’ s pretty high particularly when you compare it to the flu or something like that which is much lower .
But , some people have wondered if people out there that have been unaffected have they been asymptomatic .
Or perhaps just had mild mild responses to it .
A lot of people thought , a lot of folks have it .
Well , we had actually of all people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ detailed at his press briefing that the preliminary results of a statewide antibody study revealed that wait for it…13.9 % of people who live in New York state have developed antibodies to the coronavirus .
And it ’ s interesting because if you look at that there are regional differences within New York .
New York City , that number is 21 % .
Of course New York City has been devastated by this .
You have the highest death rates in New York City and highest transmissions there .
Governor Cuomo said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ individuals over two days and it covered 19 counties and 40 different localities .
Blood samples were collected at grocery stores and other retail stores .
And the people were being tested out of the home and not at work .
So these are people who were out and about .
This is exactly how Governor Cuomo described it .
“ These were people who were out and about shopping and were not people who were in their homes .
They are not people who are isolated .
They are not people who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are not at work , so they are probably not essential workers , ” he said .
Well , I ’ m not sure if that ’ s true .
That ’ s what Cuomo said .
And he said , that information “ has to be calibrated.
” So the regional look at this information says , 21.2 % in New York City tested positive for developing antibodies .
16.7 % tested positive in Long Island .
11.7 % tested positive in Westchester and Rockland counties .
That ’ s metropolitan New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ County to New York City is about 70 miles .
And Long Island at the edge to downtown Manhattan is about 70 miles .
I know that in New York state they don ’ t pay much attention to upstaters .
There ’ s been a movement in upstate New York where people want to be separate from downstate New York to have two states .
I think that would be a pretty good idea but not something that is going to happen .
In upstate New York as you might imagine , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the state .
I think it ’ s very interesting .
And if that ’ s true than here ’ s the key .
If 13 % of the population of New York state is about two million .
If you have a death rate of about 15,000 that would be a less than half of one percent death rate .
That ’ s far far less than people thought .
It ’ s a lot closer to the flu but a little bit higher than the flu .
But this puts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ true than getting coronavirus will not be as starkly difficult and troublesome and scary as people thought .
But we ’ ll see how this all plays out .
That ’ s kind of the breaking news .
Up next in our next segments we ’ ll talk to Crom Carmichael , Neil McCabe , and Steve Bannon .


thetennesseestar--2020-04-25--Trump Signs $484 Billion New Stimulus Measure

President Donald Trump on Friday signed the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act , freeing up new money for workers , small businesses , hospitals and additional testing .
Trump signed the measure at a ceremony in the Oval Office .
The $ 484 billion deal includes $ 320 billion for the Paycheck Protection Program so businesses can continue paying employees .
It also includes an additional $ 60 billion for a small business emergency grant and loan program , $ 75 billion for hospitals and $ 25 billion for a new coronavirus testing program .
Many governors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to fully reopen their economies .
The House passed the bipartisan bill Thursday evening , with four Republicans and one Democrat voting against it .
The Senate passed the legislation by voice vote on Tuesday .
Although the bill totals nearly half a trillion dollars , it ’ s largely expected that another round of stimulus funding is coming .
In late March , Trump signed the $ 2 trillion CARES Act .
Dan McCaleb is the executive editor of The Center Square .
He welcomes your comments .
Contact Dan at [ @ @ @


thetennesseestar--2020-04-25--U.S. Treasury Gives Publicly Traded Companies until May 7 to Return PPP Loans ‘in Good Faith’

The U.S. Department of Treasury issued new guidance on CARES Act funding saying publicly traded companies have two weeks to return loans meant for small businesses .
The Small Business Administration ’ s Payment Protection Program ( PPP ) received $ 349 billion from the Coronavirus Aid , Relief , and Economic Security ( CARES ) Act , but much of that funding was funneled to publicly traded companies .
CNBC reported this week that 15 publicly traded companies with market values of more than $ 100 million received PPP loans .
Some of those companies , however , are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Treasury ’ s guidance released Thursday .
DMC Global , a Broomfield , Colo.-based company that offers oil services , said Thursday it returned its $ 6.7 million loan .
“ In view of these new guidelines and to avoid any further disputes at a time when the business environment is the most difficult it has seen , the Company has repaid the loan , ” DMC Global , which has a market cap of $ 405 million , said in a statement .
“ DMC believes that at the time it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the language of the PPP legislation , ” the company said , adding that the SBA approved the loan on April 14 .
DMC Global , which let go 264 workers at the beginning of the month , said it borrowed the money to cover payroll and benefits for its 306 employees .
The Treasury ’ s guidelines said “ it is unlikely that a public company with substantial market value and access to capital markets will be able to make the required certification in good faith , ” adding companies that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 7 to repay their loan “ in good faith.
” Ruth ’ s Chris Steak House said Thursday it will return its $ 20 million PPP loan , while Shake Shack returned its $ 10 million loan earlier this week .
President Donald Trump said during Thursday ’ s press briefing that the returned loans will be redistributed .
The U.S. House also passed a $ 484 billion deal Thursday to give additional aid to small businesses , $ 320 billion of which will go toward the Paycheck Protection Program .
Derek Draplin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Square .
He previously worked as an opinion producer at Forbes , and as a reporter at Michigan Capitol Confidential and The Detroit News .
He ’ s also an editor at The Daily Caller .
Photo “ U.S .
Treasury Department Building ” by Sealy j. CC BY-SA 4.0 .


thetennesseestar--2020-04-25--Crom Carmichael Talks About the Democratic Party Who View the Private Sector as Unimportant

Friday 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. – Leahy was joined on the newsmakers line by all-star panelist Crom Carmichael .
During the second hour , Carmichael weighed in Mayor Cooper reopening phases for Nashville noting the 65 years of age or older must stay in their homes .
Towards the end of the segment , he commented on Nancy Pelosi ’ s recent appearance where she showed off of her million-dollar kitchen and expensive ice cream @ @ @ @ @ @ @ private sector are not humans .
They are not people .
They don ’ t matter.
” Leahy : We are joined now by our very good friend .
The original all-star panelist , Crom Carmichael .
Good morning Crom .
Carmichael : Michael , how are you , sir ?
Leahy : We are one week and three days away from Studio Freedom Day .
( Chuckles ) Carmichael : Now Michael , with all due respect , I ’ m not sure that you have read Mayor Cooper ’ s four-phased @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s a very good point .
You saw that announcement .
What did you make of it ?
And what does that mean for Studio Freedom Day ?
Carmichael : Well , the first item is what he says to protect the people who are the most potentially effected in phase one where people over 65 ( Leahy chuckles ) must stay at home .
And that is true through all four phases .
That people over 65 must stay home .
Carmichael : Here ’ s what ’ s interesting .
Mayor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) So Mayor Cooper gets to go out to dinner and I don ’ t .
Leahy : ( Laughs ) We ’ ll have to get a special dispensation .
Carmichael : I ’ ve emailed a couple of my buddies over 65 and asked does this mean we ’ ll never get to go out again ?
( Laughs ) Let me say this , I ’ m not picking on Mayor Cooper other than a funny way because by the time you get to phase four in his program large @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over 65 are still supposed to stay home ( Laughing ) .
So I am crushed .
I am .
I ’ m wondering will I ever get out of my house ?
( Leahy laughs ) When Kathy and I decide where want to go on vacation it will have to be the living room or the media room .
Leahy : Well , one place that you won ’ t go on vacation is the state of Michigan .
Leahy : This is a lengthy segment but since we ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exercising unconstitutional authority .
Obviously the poster child for that is Governor Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan .
And here ’ s a long clip of her on of all places MSNBC yesterday .
The good part of the story that is hard to focus on but that I always want to point out is that the vast majority of people in Michigan are doing their part .
We have seen the stay at home order impact the number of cases that we have .
You know , we had to take more aggressive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we ’ ve got the 10th largest population in this country we have the third highest death rate .
We have a uniquely tough problem and it requires a uniquely tough solution .
And that ’ s what we ’ ve done .
And certainly there are people dissenting my orders just like there are people dissenting orders in Indiana , Ohio , Colorado , and all across the country .
That ’ s OK .
I respect people ’ s ability and right to dissent .
But what we need to make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to observe the CDC best practices so we are not unwillingly spreading the COVID-19 .
The worst irony that could come about from these demonstrations is that they forced us to stay in this posture longer than we were already planning to .
Leahy : So according to Governor Whitmer , the reason that she ’ s extending these draconian measures isn ’ t because she ’ s done a poor job of controlling the spread of coronavirus .
No , no , no .
It ’ s because these people who are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out there protesting .
That ’ s her rational .
Carmichael : Here ’ s the problem in Michigan .
First of all , we now know that Governor Whitmer is taking government money and giving it to her campaign operatives and she ’ s gotten caught by that .
And the Michigan Legislature is now looking into that .
But here ’ s the problem .
This so typical with these monarchical Democrat governors to use the term that Jon Meacham likes to apply to Donald Trump .
( Leahy laughs ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ here .
Michigan has a problem in five of its 83 counties .
Five .
And even the problems in those five counties are nothing , nothing compared to New York and New Jersey .
So she claims that they ’ re the third-worst .
After the first two , for the rest of the states , it ’ s not that bad .
But in Michigan its only bad in five out of 83 counties .
So she can ’ t walk and chew gum at the same time .
All you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we ’ re going to really concentrate on these five counties and we ’ re going to do something similar to what John Cooper is doing in Nashville by having a phased opening of the rest of the state .
But she ’ s not doing that .
And Cuomo , by the way , showed what a fool he is when he was asked a question , how many people have to lose their businesses and their livelihood and everything they ’ ve spent their lives building ?
How many of those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ death ?
And here ’ s what his answer was .
His answer was , the illness is death .
The illness is death .
How can you compare death to anything ?
OK , now that is an interesting question and it ’ s going to take longer than this session .
Here ’ s what I dug up .
The average male , and by the way the most vulnerable population is by far the nursing home population .
Now I would like you to poll the audience .
Poll the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and you just say , if you are under 70 and in good health or at least reasonable health , please take this poll .
How many of you aspire if you are male to spend the last 90 days of your life in a nursing home ?
How many of you all would prefer if you had a choice to die peacefully in your sleep before being put in a nursing home where you will stay until you die ?
And the average male who goes into a nursing home is there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is there for six months .
And so the most vulnerable population we have and all these people being forced to stay at home and lose their businesses and livelihoods , I can tell you as someone who is 71 and in good health , I would prefer to die in my sleep rather than end up in a nursing home than have the rest of the population ’ s net worth and lose their businesses so I can live an extra six weeks .
Does that make any sense at all ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrats , ( Leahy laughs ) especially at the national level .
Leahy : You know what I find Crom that is very bothersome is this .
What we ’ re talking about here is really issues of public health and science and the Constitution and the law .
But every Democrat that I ’ ve seen at the national level has made this a partisan issue that translates into the following : bad man orange .
Carmichael : Well not just bad man orange .
I don ’ t care about that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But the policies that they are doing are hurting millions of people .
Millions of people !
And let me say what is so indicative .
You ’ ve seen the little clip of Nancy Pelosi with her sweater wrapped around her neck with her multi-million dollar home in one of the most expensive private kitchens I ’ ve ever seen being asked what message does she have for the rest of the question .
And her answer was chocolate .
Chocolate .
( Leahy laughs ) Then she opens her freezer to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in her freezer .
If you ’ re talking about a Marie Antoinette , Nancy Pelosi optimizes , optimizes the liberal left .
And the reason is , who are the liberal lefts ’ constituents ?
The liberal lefts ’ constituents are the are government unions .
The thugs that run the unions .
Not government employees .
The union thugs .
That ’ s who does it .
Who has seen no pay cut through this entire deal ?
Government employees .
I ’ ve not seen a pay cut .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pay cut ?
The media apparatus that supports the Democratic Party .
Carmichael : So these are people who are not affected .
And government employees many of them are working their butts off through this .
But the way that Nancy Pelosi looks at it is that the private sector are not humans .
They are not people .
They don ’ t matter .
That ’ s why she and Schumer act the way they do .
Cuomo calling the illness as death .
Well , that ’ s a lie @ @ @ @ @ @ @ press conference acknowledged that there are many many people in New York who have tested positive and that have shown no symptoms .
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 “ Nancy Pelosi ” by AFGE .
CC BY 2.0 .
Background Photo “ Office ” by Phil Whitehouse .
CC BY 2.0 .


thetennesseestar--2020-04-25--Public Affairs Strategist Clint Brewer Reacts to Mayor Cooper’s Reopen Plan

Public affairs strategist and all-star panelist Clint Brewer joined 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. – Friday morning on the newsmakers line .
During the second hour , Brewer weighed in on Mayor Cooper ’ s recent press conference where he revealed his plan to reopen Nashville .
He urged people to follow the guidelines and recommendations because the economy would be unable to handle a start and stop due to a relapse in coronavirus cases .
Leahy : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and all-star panelist Clint Brewer .
Clint , you said something very important at the end of the last segment related to the introduction to Mayor Cooper ’ s plan to reopen Nashville .
You said that it did a good job of debunking shall we say a false narrative out there about how we ’ re going to come back .
Elaborate on that a little bit .
Brewer : It said , living with COVID-19 and I ’ m paraphrasing , but living with COVID-19 and society is also going to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s still out there .
No one said it specifically but the way some of the coverage most of the coverage nationally at every level has been written is that it ’ s like this thing has a beginning , middle , and an end .
It ’ s a pandemic .
The end is going to be getting a vaccine and getting the infection rate worldwide to a certain acceptable level of control .
We ’ ve never eradicated the flu and new flu ’ s come online periodically .
Seasonal flu @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vaccine to those seasonal flus .
We ’ re going to have to change the way we do things .
What this country , this world really has a long way to go with this virus and some of the steps and the way people are going to be using things like face masks and gloves in your favorite restaurant is going to be new and a little unsettling .
You ’ re not going to be used to it .
The alternative is to stay home .
Leahy : That ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fever .
I told you Clint that I have studio fever here .
Here I am wearing my face mask , not during the program but I come into the building with my face mask .
Got my gloves here and I ’ m isolated in the studio !
I see in the far distance a big glass window with our producer Katie over there .
I wave to her every day but we ’ re socially distant .
And I have to talk to you over the phone Clint .
I don @ @ @ @ @ @ @ company in person .
That ’ s going to change hopefully in the first week of May when we have studio freedom day here .
I got your hazmat suit already up in the corner .
I ’ m looking forward to having you here in person .
( Chuckles ) Leahy : With regards to the reopening here in Tennessee , I see Governor Lee said that a week from today restaurants will be able to open at half capacity I guess .
Maybe even some places even earlier than that .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s earlier in the week .
Brewer : Yes , I think its Monday .
And it doesn ’ t apply to the larger cities in the state because they ’ ve got their own versions of safer at home .
But yes , it will be restaurants early in the week .
I think retail stores later in the week at some point .
I think that ’ s progress .
The state has been very vigilant about its testing .
We ’ ve got mass testing rolling out that happened @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I think he ’ s taken a similar approach to what you saw in the Cooper plan which the reality is we have to go back to some part of our lives at some point .
Leahy : Yes .
What I couldn ’ t figure out in Mayor Cooper ’ s plan is when that phase one is going to kick in where restaurants can go to 50 % occupancy .
It ’ s in phase one but you have to have like 14 days of declining numbers .
I couldn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s going to happen .
Do we have a sense of when that part of the city ’ s phase one will begin ?
We ’ re you able to figure that out ?
Brewer : The mayor used a great phrase and that was that the decision should be data-driven and not dates driven .
I think people have gotten , and I say people I mean everybody has got hung up on when these stay-at-home orders begin and end .
I think they are assigning meaning to the end of those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s going to be fine by then .
Brewer : Again , people are expecting a nice clean beginning and end to all this .
And that ’ s not necessarily the case .
I think we ’ ve got to watch the numbers .
People in Nashville have to work to flatten the curve a lot as people across the state have .
And when that ’ s happened and there ’ s an acceptable decline they ’ ll allow some re-openings .
Leahy : One part of that that I ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bit more is the number of new cases in Davidson County .
I can track that .
I ’ m sure they have that on a daily basis .
They ’ re tracking it .
We want to start tracking that a little bit more closely .
We are tracking of course here in Tennessee .
You are quite right that the state has increased its testing .
There are 8,200 new tests in the past 24 hours .
I think that ’ s the highest ever in a 24 hour period in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new positive cases .
That ’ s a little bit less than five percent of those that tested positive .
It ’ s still got a pretty low prevalence in Tennessee .
The number of deaths here in Tennessee , 170 .
That was an increase of four in a 24-hour period .
Again , statewide it does appear to be moving in a downward trajectory .
We ’ ll see how that works in Davidson County .
Brewer : Yeah , we will .
It ’ s good to see the sort @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Certainly , it ’ s a differentiator from some of our peers in the southeast .
The southern states and getting beaten on their response to this .
Leahy : The mainstream media , I lovingly call them the Manchurian Media .
You know , based in New York City and Washington and that area .
They still think the south is filled with a bunch of ignorant hillbillies in many regards .
Brewer : And they can ’ t beat us in college football either so… Leahy : No .
They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s that as well .
I think there ’ s a differentiating factor there .
I think that the language is similar to what we ’ ve seen .
We ’ ve taken a very data-driven approach here in the state .
And Mayor Cooper has taken a data-driven approach .
This is not something you go by on feel .
You need to use the science that ’ s available .
I think the leaders in our state are doing a really good job at this .
Leahy : What ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ re going to see as these social distancing governmental rules are relaxed , I think everybody ’ s going to be watching every day if the number of cases has increased .
Has the number of hospitalizations increased ?
Hospitalizations in Tennessee been very very low .
The net hospitalizations , that are those that are currently hospitalized I think is on the decline .
Although I can ’ t tell exactly because this is one of the states that doesn ’ t release current hospitalization data .
But I think that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whole thing was driven by hospital capacity that doesn ’ t look like it ’ s going to be a problem even if there ’ s an uptick in the number of new cases .
I ’ m guessing with the relaxation of these social distancing rules , I ’ m guessing that we ’ re probably not going to run into a hospital capacity problem .
That ’ s how I see it .
What ’ s your best projection at this moment on that ?
Brewer : It doesn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s been some coverage of this .
There ’ s a pretty good plan in place in case there is a surge in the state to have some facilities in some of our large cities that can take an overflow of patients .
Hospital beds can be put there .
There ’ s a plan in place .
I think what really is what people need to focus on is following these guidelines and recommendations so that we don ’ t have to start and stop the economy in certain sectors because we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ old start and stop ploy !
The old start and stop ploy .
We don ’ t want that .
Brewer : Yeah .
But it ’ s going to be difficult for businesses .
It ’ s hard to ramp up and then ramp back down and ramp up and ramp back down .
People need to listen .
Leahy : Clint Brewer , thanks so much for joining us this morning .
We ’ ll talk to you again Monday at 6:00 a.m .
I hope you have a great weekend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thanks so much .
Listen to the 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 “ John Cooper ” by John Cooper .


thetennesseestar--2020-04-25--Whitmer Extends Lockdown to May 15, Lifts Some Restrictions

Michigan ’ s “ Stay Home , Stay Safe ” order has been extended through May 15 , although some restrictions have been lifted , Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer announced on Friday .
The order keeps many of the same restrictions previous orders have , such as limiting funerals to fewer than 10 people , keeping only essential business open to the public and prohibiting traveling to vacation rentals .
It also requires people to wear homemade face coverings when entering an enclosed public space such as a grocery store , as well as mandates employers to provide non-medical grade @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no criminal penalty for not wearing a mask , Whitmer said .
The new order lifts many restrictions ; however , allowing big box stores to reopen “ closed areas ” such as the garden center and for businesses that do not sell essential goods to reopen for curbside pick-up and delivery .
“ Data shows that most Michiganders are doing their part by staying home and staying safe .
That ’ s good , but we must keep it up .
Social distancing is our best weapon to defeat this enemy , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ With new COVID-19 cases leveling off , however , we are lifting some of the restrictions put in place in the previous order .
I want to be crystal clear : the overarching message today is still the same .
We must all do our part by staying home and staying safe as much as possible.
” The new order also allows motorized boats and golf , although still prohibits the use of golf carts .
It also clarifies that state parks will remain open , as they have throughout the pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seen in the past week have shown a plateau in positive cases , but Michiganders must continue doing their part to fight this virus and protect their families , ” said MDHHS Chief Deputy for Health and Chief Medical Executive Dr. Joneigh Khaldun in a statement .
“ The governor has taken a number of critical steps to protect Michigan families , and this order today will allow that work to continue .
We will keep monitoring the data closely and work with our partners across state government to mitigate the spread of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 36,000 confirmed cases of the coronavirus with more than 3,000 recovered cases , according to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services .
The death toll in the state is 3,085 .
Jordyn Pair is a reporter with The Michigan Star .
Follow her on Twitter at @ JordynPair .
Email her at [ email protected ] Photo “ Gretchen Whitmer ” by Gretchen Whitmer .


thetennesseestar--2020-04-25--A Federal Super PAC Has Spent $321,821 on Alice DeWine’s Prosecutor Race in Greene County

As Alice DeWine , the daughter of Gov .
Mike DeWine , battles for the Greene County prosecutor position , a federal super PAC named Protecting Ohio Action Fund ( POAF ) has supported her campaign by spending $ 321,821 on it , according to The Columbus Dispatch .
Alice is in a tight race against Assistant Greene County Prosecutor David Hayes for the county ’ s prosecutor position .
Both candidates are Republican as no Democrats ran for this position .
The super PAC has been backing Alice by spending money on polling and digital advertising for her campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 320,000 of POAF ’ s contributions came from a super PAC named Protecting Ohio Inc. , according to Federal Election Committee records .
The Dispatch reported Protecting Ohio Inc. is a tax-exempt non-profit that formed right after Alice left the Greene County prosecutor ’ s office to go work in Clark County as an assistant prosecutor .
Protecting Ohio Inc. qualifies as a dark money group so it does not have to unveil its donors .
Besides a super PAC throwing its efforts behind Alice , her father and Attorney General Dave Yost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ father held the position his daughter is running for in 1976 .
This position launched his political career as he went on to become an Ohio state Senator in 1980 .
Even with all this money and support against him , Alice ’ s opponent still feels confident about the election .
“ That amount of money being spent on a local , county race , it is really insane , ” Hayes told The Dispatch .
“ But , I have near-universal law enforcement support and the people who support me are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Columbus or family members .
“ From their perspective , she has to win this race .
This is her political coming-out party and if she doesn ’ t win this race , her political career may be over before it ’ s started , ” he added .
The winner of the Greene County prosecutor will be announced next week as Ohio ’ s primary is April 28 .
Zachery Schmidt is the digital editor of Star News Digital Media .
If you have any tips , email Zachery at [ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” by Alice DeWine .


thetennesseestar--2020-04-25--Former MPR Senior Editor Tells Republicans to Shoot Themselves, Drink Bleach

A former Minnesota Public Radio ( MPR ) senior editor and director of political news told Republicans to drink bleach and shoot themselves on Twitter Friday morning .
Bob Collins , whose Twitter account is under the name “ My Little Bloggie , ” retired from MPR last May after a 27-year career with the outlet .
On the day of his retirement , Lt. Gov .
Peggy Flanagan announced a proclamation declaring May 31 , 2019 “ Bob Collins Day ” in Minnesota .
KARE 11 ran a glowing profile of Collins when he announced his retirement , describing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his retirement , Collins still weighs in on the news of the day from his Twitter account and had some shocking reactions to President Donald Trump ’ s Thursday press briefing .
“ Remember , Republicans , the proper way to inject disinfectant into your lungs is with a bullet , ” Collins wrote on Twitter .
His comments were made in response to Trump ’ s suggestion that an “ injection ” of disinfectant could work as a cure for the coronavirus .
The president distanced himself from the comments Friday and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ If Trump supporters drink a hot cup of bleach today , I ’ m pretty OK with that , ” Collins said in another Friday tweet .
Former state Rep. Nick Zerwas expressed his dismay with Collins ’ violent remarks .
“ Every single time he goes on these insanely partisan rants it hurts the credibility of his former MPR News colleagues , ” said Zerwas .
“ Reminder : this super well balanced individual ( now asking for Republicans to be shot in the chest ) oversaw political coverage at Minnesota @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are far from the first time Collins has made threatening statements about Republicans .
In March , for instance , he said he would “ be OK ” if Fox News viewers “ got together and killed themselves by being stupid about the virus.
” “ I wouldn ’ t do anything to help anyone who ’ s still a Trump supporter , ” he said in another tweet , according to an article from Alpha News .
Lt. Gov .
Flanagan thanked Collins for “ telling difficult truths and showcasing triumphs and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ announced his retirement .
“ We ’ ll miss you at MPR but we ’ ll see you at the ballpark , ” she said .
“ You ’ re wonderful.
” Anthony Gockowski is managing editor of The Minnesota Sun and The Ohio Star .
Follow Anthony on Twitter .
Email tips to [ email protected ] .
Photo “ Bob Collins ” by Bob Collins .


thetennesseestar--2020-04-25--Vice President Pence to Visit Mayo Clinic Next Week

Vice President Mike Pence will visit Mayo Clinic in Rochester , Minnesota on Tuesday , his office announced in a statement .
According to a press release from Mayo Clinic , the vice president will tour facilities that support COVID-19 research and treatment , and speak with staff members before returning to Washington , D.C. later in the evening .
The announcement of Pence ’ s visit comes just a few days after Gov .
Tim Walz revealed that the state will be able to perform up to 20,000 COVID-19 tests per day through a new partnership with Mayo and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s national reference laboratory has reportedly conducted 120,000 COVID-19 tests nationwide .
The vice president mentioned the testing breakthrough during the Coronavirus Task Force ’ s Thursday press briefing .
“ Gov .
Tim Walz of Minnesota announced , along with the state ’ s healthcare system , the Mayo Clinic , and the University of Minnesota , what he described as a breakthrough for rapid , widespread testing – able to test more than 20,000 people using a molecular test per day , ” he said .
Walz was scheduled to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pence and the nation ’ s governors to discuss the progress that is being made on testing .
Pence ’ s April 28 visit to the state will mark his second trip to Minnesota since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic .
The vice president visited the 3M Innovation Center in Maplewood in early March to discuss its production of N95 respirator masks .
With the increased testing capacity , the Minnesota Department of Health has launched a new website with a list of testing locations and criteria for getting tested .
There @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the state .
As of Friday , the state had completed 53,787 COVID-19 tests and reported 3,185 positive results .
Minnesota has now experienced 221 coronavirus-related deaths and 756 hospitalizations .
Anthony Gockowski is managing editor of The Minnesota Sun and The Ohio Star .
Follow Anthony on Twitter .
Email tips to [ email protected ] .
Background Photo “ Mayo Clinic ” by Tony Webster .
CC BY-SA 2.0 .


thetennesseestar--2020-04-25--Nashville Will Use $1.5 Million of Coronavirus Relief Money on Homeless

Nashville will accept more than $ 1.5 million of coronavirus relief money to spend on the homeless .
The money , of course , comes through the Coronavirus Aid , Relief , and Economic Security ( CARES ) Act .
This , according to a news release that Nashville ’ s Metropolitan Development and Housing Agency put out this week .
As The Tennessee Star reported last month , The CARES Act is a $ 2 trillion relief package .
“ What initially began as a bill designed to help the workers and families hurt by job loss or disruption @ @ @ @ @ @ @ morphed into an 880-page behemoth , ” said Rachel Bovard , senior director of policy at the Conservative Partnership Institute , last month .
No one at Nashville ’ s MDHA returned repeated requests for comment Friday about the $ 1.5 million homeless grant .
According to the grant ’ s action plan , officials at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced the funding .
“ These ESG-CV funds are to be used to prevent , prepare for , and respond to the coronavirus pandemic ( COVID-19 ) among individuals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ homeless assistance ; and to support additional homeless assistance and homelessness prevention activities to mitigate the impacts of COVID-19 , ” the action plan said .
Nashville officials will use this CARES Act money for , among other things , housing , homeless prevention assistance , shelter operations , and mental health services , according to the action plan .
As The Star reported , MDHA officials launched a taxpayer-funded initiative in 2013 to end homelessness as we know it .
The program , part of the “ How ’ s Nashville ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2017 .
Back in 2013 , the city ’ s Metropolitan Development and Housing Agency paired up with the Metropolitan Homelessness Commission and announced 200 housing opportunities for the chronically homeless .
They offered an unspecified amount of federal taxpayer money , via HUD Block Grant money .
MDHA officials did not comment to us in 2018 as to whether the program had , as promised , ended homelessness .
Chris Butler is an investigative journalist at The Tennessee Star .
Follow Chris on Facebook .
Email tips to [ email protected ]


thetennesseestar--2020-04-25--Paradigm Shift: Host Michael Patrick Leahy Discuses Current Data Driven Death Rates in New York Stat

Paradigm Shift: Host Michael Patrick Leahy Discuses Current Data Driven Death Rates in New York State


thetennesseestar--2020-04-26--Phil Roe Calls on IRS to Process Payments to Vulnerable Veterans without Delay

U.S. Rep. Phil Roe M.D .
( R-TN-01 ) encouraged the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the U.S. Department of the Treasury this week to expedite processing of stimulus payments for veterans without further delay .
Roe is the Ranking Member of the House Committee on Veterans ’ Affairs .
Roe said this in a press release .
Last week , VA and the Treasury announced that veterans who receive compensation and pension benefits from VA but who are not required to file an annual federal tax return would have their stimulus payments automatically deposited in their bank accounts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ students who use the GI bill but who do not file annual tax returns must still fill out an additional form on the IRS website to receive their full stimulus payments , the press release said .
“ I thank Secretary Wilkie for working together with Secretary Mnuchin to find a way to automatically process stimulus payments for veterans who do not file annual federal tax returns and for agreeing yesterday to act with urgency to process those payments without any further delay and to issue clear guidance to veterans with dependents and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to make sure they are not left behind , ” Roe said .
“ Veterans who do not file annual tax returns are among the most vulnerable and many of them are staring down the start of a new month without having received the money that President Trump and Congress provided to help them stay afloat during this crisis .
Since last week ’ s announcement that those veterans would have their stimulus payments processed automatically , I have been unable to get a firm answer from VA or from the IRS about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ m particularly troubled to learn that VA does not yet have a firm date by which it will send information to the Treasury on beneficiaries who have a fiduciary or representative payee that will allow for automatic processing of their stimulus payments .
I have also learned that those with dependents and those who receive GI Bill payments are still required to fill out the Non-Filer form .
Out of an abundance of caution , I encourage every veteran who does not file a tax return and who has yet to receive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fill out the Non-Filer form immediately.
” The IRS Non-Filer Form can be found here and all those veterans who do not file an annual federal tax return — but especially those with dependents and those who receive GI Bill benefits — should submit it as soon as possible to ensure their stimulus payment is processed quickly and accurately by the IRS .
Veterans whose taxable income is below $ 12,200 for individuals and $ 24,400 for married couples are not required to file a federal tax return .
VA and the Treasury @ @ @ @ @ @ @ compensation and pension benefits and do not typically file federal tax returns will receive their stimulus check automatically without any further action required , the press release said .
However , those veterans will only receive the potential additional $ 500 per eligible dependent if they complete the Non-Filer form .
Further , those who are GI Bill beneficiaries are still required to file the Non-Filer form on the IRS website to receive their stimulus money , according to the press release .
Chris Butler is an investigative journalist at The Tennessee Star @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tips to [ email protected ] Background Photo “ IRS Building ” by Cliff .
CC BY 2.0 .

by Joe Mueller
Attorneys general from 26 states are urging the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn a lower-court decision upholding a California law banning the raising or importing pork, veal or eggs if the animals are confined.
The Supreme Court announced on March 28 that it would hear the pork industry’s challenge to California’s Proposition 12, a law restricting confinement practices in animal agriculture. The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear arguments on Oct. 11.
Prop. 12 was approved by 63% of California voters in 2018. The law established minimum space requirements based on square feet for calves raised for veal, breeding pigs and egg-laying hens. It banned the sale of products from those animals if they were “confined in a cruel manner,” defined as in areas below minimum square-feet requirements.
The case, National Pork Producers Council v. Karen Ross, the Secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture, focuses on the regulation of animal products outside of California by prohibiting the in-state sale of products traceable to the animal being confined in a “cruel manner.” The Pork Producers and others argue the law violates the Interstate Commerce Clause and general constitutional restrictions against “extraterritorial regulation.”
The brief filed by the attorneys general states California consumes 13% of the nation’s pork and imports 99.87% of pork consumed. The attorneys general argue the “entire impact of Proposition 12 will be visited on out-of-state producers that, though they have no vote in California, must remodel their farms (or reduce their herds) to comply with the law.”
“Under no circumstances should the state of California be allowed to dictate to Missouri farmers and ranchers how they can raise and confine breeding pigs, egg-laying hens, and veal calves,” Missouri Republican Attorney General Eric Schmitt said in a statement. “Further, California is attempting to impose their will on Missouri farmers and ranchers by threatening to deny entry into the California market if those farmers and ranchers don’t comply with their pointless regulations. Missouri’s farmers and ranchers have been tending to their land and livestock for generations, they don’t need Californian politicians telling them how to do their jobs.”
Of the 19 briefs filed with the Supreme Court on the case last week, all urged the court to reverse the lower court’s decision, with the exception of two neutral parties providing economic information.
A brief filed to persuade the Supreme Court not to hear the case was filed last year by The Humane Society of the United States, Animal Legal Defense Fund, Animal Equality, The Humane League, Farm Sanctuary, Compassion in World Farming USA, and Animal Outlook. They stated the Pork Producers’ argument uses a “dormant Commerce Clause” to stop in-state sales of certain pork products from “animals confined in cruel and unsanitary conditions that threaten the health of California consumers. … Because that prohibition applies only to sales inside California, moreover, producers outside California are free to confine animals however they choose for products sold outside the state.”
States represented by the attorneys general are Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia and Wyoming.
– – –
Joe Mueller covers Missouri for The Center Square. After seven years of reporting for daily newspapers in Illinois and Missouri, he spent the next 30 years in public relations serving non-profit organizations and as a strategic communications consultant.


thetennesseestar--2020-04-26--Commentary: Reopening Georgia and Colorado Is a Study in Double Standards

When President Trump first unveiled his three-phase strategy for lifting the job-killing stay-at-home orders imposed by most states in an effort to “ flatten the coronavirus curve , ” among the first to embrace the guidelines were Govs .
Brian Kemp of Georgia and Jared Polis of Colorado .
Moreover , their reopening plans were quite similar .
Both , for example , will permit hair salons , tattoo parlors , and other personal services to resume operation .
Yet the reception by the legacy media and various “ experts ” has been dramatically different .
While the Polis plan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s program has been denounced by the press and President Trump ’ s public health advisors have quite literally disowned it .
Upon being advised that Gov .
Kemp had decided to begin reopening businesses in his state , President Trump was supportive : “ He ’ s a very capable man .
He knows what he ’ s doing .
He ’ s done a very good job as governor.
” Key members of the Coronavirus Task Force , however , refused to publicly endorse Gov .
Kemp ’ s plan .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dr. Deborah Birx , the panel ’ s coordinator , to try to convince Trump to oppose Kemp ’ s move .
She had a private meeting with the President just prior to the news conference and successfully convinced him to denounce Kemp ’ s decision.
” According to the report , Trump called the governor and asked him to delay the reopening .
Kemp refused : The obvious question that will occur to most Republicans and conservatives is the following : Why is Gov .
Polis getting an easier ride from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Kemp ?
Has Colorado done a better job than Georgia containing COVID-19 ?
Nope .
As of Thursday afternoon , according to the RealClearPolitics coronavirus tracker , Georgia has endured fewer deaths per million ( 82.1 ) than Colorado ( 88.2 ) , has a lower confirmed case fatality rate ( 4.05 percent ) than Colorado ( 4.67 percent ) , and has conducted twice as many tests ( 101,062 ) than has Colorado ( 50,645 ) .
Now , to answer the question with which this paragraph began , here ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s decision to reopen : Compare this to how the Post handles the concurrent reopening of Colorado ’ s economy by Gov .
Polis using virtually identical criteria .
First , it isn ’ t part of a feature story .
It ’ s buried 14 paragraphs down in a reprinted Associated Press report about states considering economic restarts .
Conspicuously absent are any portentous allusions to a “ deepening national battle ” or that it might “ risk exacerbating the public health crisis ” : Most of the media were not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gov .
Kemp appeared in Vanity Fair under the title , “ Front-Runner for Country ’ s Dumbest Governor to Reopen Essential Bowling Alleys , Nail Salons Friday.
” The author of this journalistic tour de force , Bess Levin , tells us Gov .
Kemp “ announced on the steps of his state ’ s capitol that he was a massive imbecile.
” Her tenuous grasp of syntax renders it unclear if she means he is overweight and stupid or if she believes he is , like , extra dumb .
Either @ @ @ @ @ @ @ insisting that Kemp “ doesn ’ t listen to public health experts.
” As it happens , his primary public health advisor is Kathleen Toomey , M.D.
, M.P.H .
She is an epidemiologist with a bachelor ’ s degree in biology from Smith College .
As a Fulbright Scholar , she studied indigenous healing practices in Peru .
Dr. Toomey earned her M.D .
and M.P.H .
degrees from Harvard University .
She then went to work for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) , where she served @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Country Director in Botswana .
Dr. Toomey now serves as the Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Public Health .
It was she who advised Gov .
Kemp to issue a shelter-in-place order for Georgia on April 2 , and it was she who advised him to lift it based on the guidelines issued by the Trump administration on April 16 .
Dr. Toomey ’ s résumé suggests that she just might be a “ public health expert.
” Gov .
Polis presumably has such advisors on his staff , but they seemed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decision than the protesters who descended on Colorado ’ s Capitol last week to protest his stay-at-home order .
That probably explains why the legacy media have denounced Gov .
Kemp ’ s reopen strategy and ignored the all-but-identical plan put forward by Gov .
Polis .
They don ’ t want to encourage the peasants to talk back .
Likewise , Trump must be wary about deferring to Beltway bureaucrats and betraying loyal GOP supporters like Gov .
Kemp .
To paraphrase Margaret Thatcher , this is no time to “ go @ @ @


thetennesseestar--2020-04-26--Report: FBI Director Wray Behind Suppression of ‘Stunning’ Exculpatory Evidence in Flynn Case

The Federal Bureau of Investigations withheld “ stunning ” exculpatory evidence in the case of President Donald Trump ’ s former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn at the behest of FBI Director Christopher Wray , the Daily Caller reported Friday .
The Federalist meanwhile reported that FBI general counsel Dana Boente was behind the effort to block the release of the Brady Material .
According to the FBI official who spoke to The Federalist , FBI general counsel Dana Boente led the charge internally against DOJ ’ s disclosure of the new materials .
Boente , who briefly served as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , personally signed off on one of the federal spy warrants against former Trump campaign affiliate Carter Page .
The new documents , which were filed under a protective order by DOJ on Friday , will reflect poorly on the FBI , the official told The Federalist .
It is not clear when , or even if , those documents will be unsealed and made available to the public for review .
A source with “ direct knowledge of the situation ” told the Daily Caller that Boente was acting in coordination with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attorney , Sidney Powell , announced on Twitter Friday that she filed the new court documents containing exculpatory evidence .
“ This afternoon , the government produced to Mr. Flynn stunning Brady evidence that proves Mr. Flynn ’ s allegations of having been deliberately set up and framed by corrupt agents at the top of the FBI , ” Powell wrote in a Supplement to Flynn ’ s Motion to Dismiss .
“ The government has deliberately suppressed this evidence from the inception of this prosecution—knowing there was no crime by Mr. Flynn.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ latest , partisan FBI and DOJ leaders conspired to destroy Mr. Flynn , ” she continued .
“ These documents show in their own handwriting and emails that they intended either to create an offense they could prosecute or at least get him fired.
” Powell said said her team also found more evidence of misconduct by prosecuting attorney Brandon Van Grack .
The government ’ s misconduct in this case is beyond shocking and reprehensible , Powell said in the filing .
“ It mandates dismissal .
She went on to say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ proving that crimes were committed by FBI officials and prosecutors will be coming .
Justice Department code clearly dictates that “ government disclosure of material exculpatory and impeachment evidence is part of the constitutional guarantee to a fair trial , ” and the FBI does not reserve the right to withhold exculpatory evidence .
Flynn replaced his legal team last summer after pleading guilty to charges raised by Special Counsel Robert Mueller ’ s investigation .
Furthermore , a judge delayed his sentencing , originally scheduled for late February , “ until further @ @ @ @ @ @ @ York Times meanwhile reported Friday that U.S. attorney John Durham is looking into the deep state leak to the Washington Post ’ s David Ignatius about Flynn late 2016 phone call with then-Russian Ambassador Sergey I. Kislyak .
Durham was tapped by Attorney General William Barr to investigate the circumstances surrounding the surveillance of President Trump ’ s campaign , transition , and early administration .
Rep. Devin Nunes ( R-CA ) last December took aim at Wray , saying he smeared House Republicans over their FISA Abuse memo in early 2018 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nunes called an “ extraordinary public statement ” condemning Republicans for trying to release their classified memo alleging surveillance abuses at the Department of Justice .
Democrats weaponized the Intelligence Community ’ s opposition to the Nunes memo against Republicans for the rest of the 2018 midterm election year .
The Inspector General ’ s report in December of 2019 vindicated the claims made in the FISA abuse memo .
Nunes said that Wray needed to explain why he sent that letter , saying it was “ very harmful to me as someone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” “ If Wray had not weighed in , if Democrats had told the truth , if the media would have told the truth , it ’ s very possible that we would have not lost the House of Representatives , ” he told The Washington Examiner ’ s Byron York .
“ Major consequences here .
They poisoned the minds of millions of Americans.
” Debra Heine is a regular contributor to American Greatness .
Background Photo “ J .
Edgar Hoover Building ” by I , Aude .
CC BY-SA 3.0 @


thetennesseestar--2020-04-26--Nashville Authorities Arrest Convicted Felon for Allegedly Possessing Stolen Guns and Cocaine

The stop of a Dodge pickup truck for having a license plate that expired last August has led to the arrest of a convicted drug felon for allegedly possessing four pistols , three of them stolen .
This , according to a press release Nashville officials put out this week .
“ Juvenile Crime Task Force officers stopped the truck , driven by Delbert Porter , 41 , on N. 5th Street .
Porter immediately jumped out of the driver ’ s seat , smelled strongly of marijuana , and admitted to officers that he had a baggie of marijuana @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grams of cocaine and an empty gun holster .
In the grass , just outside the truck , was a Smith & Wesson revolver , which Porter acknowledged was his by saying it only had three bullets in it , ” according to the press release .
“ The revolver had been stolen from Clifton , Tennessee , in Wayne County .
During an interview , Porter who was convicted of felony cocaine , marijuana and gun possession in 2004 , admitted that there were additional guns in his nearby residence .
Found @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were two pistols underneath a mattress and another pistol in between the cushions of a couch in the living room .
Two of the three guns found in the home had been reported stolen in Nashville.
” Porter is jailed in lieu of $ 75,000 bond on multiple firearm and drug charges , the press release said .
This is not the first time authorities have arrested a convicted criminal for allegedly having a firearm — even though the person legally wasn ’ t allowed to have it .
As The Tennessee Star @ @ @ @ @ @ @ man with carjacking , brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence , and being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm .
Officials charged Devan Javon Thompson , 31 , of Madison .
As The Star reported last year , Justin Jerome Jones pleaded guilty in November in U.S. District Court to three counts of being a convicted felon in possession of firearms .
The Star also reported that authorities sentenced a Nashville man , Kevin Mark Paul , in U.S. District Court to 15 years in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ possession of a firearm .
Chris Butler is an investigative journalist at The Tennessee Star .
Follow Chris on Facebook .
Email tips to [ email protected ]