thetennesseestar--2020-11-15--Disney Posts 4Q Loss as Parks Business, Costs Drag Results

Walt Disney Co. reported fiscal fourth-quarter loss on Thursday thanks largely to changes related to the COVID-19 pandemic .
Its earnings were dragged by costs from restructuring related to its streaming services and lost revenue from its California theme parks , which remain closed amid surging coronavirus cases in the U.S .
But its results weren ’ t as bad as feared and the company ’ s shares advanced after hours .
Before the pandemic , Disney ’ s profit soared as its wide array of media and entertainment offerings , from Marvel theatrical releases to Disney cruises , outperformed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the hardest hit during a pandemic that shows no sign of going away .
Even before the pandemic , Disney had been increasingly focused on its streaming services such as Disney Plus , which launched a year ago and now boasts 73.7 million subscribers , surpassing analysts ’ and the company ’ s own expectations .
That move has been vastly sped up by the pandemic , as well as increasing competition from new streaming services such as NBCUniversal ’ s Peacock and WarnerMedia ’ s HBO Max , not to mention older @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Disney announced a restructuring of its business units to put streaming front and center .
It created three content arms , one each for sports , general entertainment and its studios , which have famous brands including Star Wars and Marvel .
Their primary focus is on making shows and movies for streaming services .
Meanwhile , a new distribution group will centralize how the content is sold and oversee streaming operations .
Disney Plus has boomed during the pandemic .
Subscribers to Disney ’ s main streaming bundle — Disney Plus , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million .
It still plans to launch another international streaming service called Star .
Disney has also been pivoting to releasing major titles on streaming services that would traditionally have appeared at cinemas , like a live-action remake of “ Mulan ” and the upcoming Pixar film “ Soul , ” which will hit Disney Plus at Christmas .
Disney posted a loss of $ 629 million , or 39 cents per share , in the three months that ended Oct. 3 .
That ’ s a swing from earnings of $ 1.21 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a year earlier .
Analysts expected a loss of 73 cents per share , according to FactSet .
To offset the cost of shuttered parks , the company is laying off some staff .
In September , Disney said it was laying off 28,000 staffers at its parks in California and Florida due to limits on attendance and other pandemic-related issues .
Two-thirds of the planned layoffs involve part-time workers , although salaried employees and hourly workers were both affected .
Disney said revenue at its parks , experiences and products business @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But it wasn ’ t just parks that suffered .
The company said it has suffered “ significant disruption ” in the production and availability of programming material — including the shift of live sports from the third into the fourth quarter and beyond .
The pandemic has also led to the suspension of TV and movie production , though some of that has resumed in the current quarter .
Shares of the Burbank , California-based company rose $ 4.48 , or 3.3 % , to $ 140 in after-hours trading .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2 % at $ 135.52 .
Mae Anderson and Barbara Ortutay are reporters for The Associated Press .


thetennesseestar--2020-11-15--Make It Up As We Go Podcast

Make It Up As We Go Podcast

NASHVILLE , Tennesse –Before COVID even hit , the multi-talented Scarlett Burke was looking for a way to distribute her music on a new platform .
The producer/actress/singer/songwriter was not interested in touring but was interested in sharing her music .
Alongside executive producer and award-winning country-music superstar Miranda Lambert , Burke co-created , directed and executive produced the original , scripted country music series : Make It Up As We Go .
This first of its kind series from creators Audio Up CEO Jared Gutstadt and actor/songwriter Scarlett Burke was released through iHeartPodcast Networks on October 1 , 2020 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as Charlotte Sayles who is a Texas-born aspiring songwriter who recently moved to Nashville .
Dennis Quaid players her father , Joe Sayles , while Billy Bob Thornton voices the legendary Nashville producer , Van Tyler .
I asked if Charlotte Sayles ’ s life mirrored her own and the answer is only partially .
She and her character Sayles are both from Texas and they both write songs .
But that is where the similarities end .
In addition to songwriting , Burke is an accomplished actress and producer .
She has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaigns in advertising , including Taco Bell ’ s Chasing Gold ad and Zillow .
Her scores have also been heard on countless Netflix , ABC , CBS , and Fox series .
As an actor , she ’ s appeared on Showtime ’ s Ray Donovan , Lethal Weapon on Fox , and TNT ’ S Animal Kingdom .
Even though the podcast is fictional , it gives real glimpses of what may and often happens in the famous Nashville writers ’ rooms .
Not only that , she used real Nashville @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she has written for the series .
So far this year she has had acclaimed country music DJ , Bobby Bones , playing himself along with guest “ appearances ” from Lindsay Ell and Lambert .
Tyler Rich is featured in a song that he wrote with Burke , “ Breathe ” for the podcast .
In addition to “ Breathe ” , Burke has written or co-written all the tracks that are featured .
She also sings on every song except for “ Workin ’ Out ” which is sung by Lindsay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ musical , Burke can write/produce/sing on most every song without having to be on a stage .
Make It Up As We Go was never created as something for artists to do during the pandemic .
However , it has turned out to be a blessing because it has allowed for actors/musicians to have a creative outlet while they safely allow listeners to be entertained .
Crazily , it is reminiscent of the early days , 100 years back when the family gathered around the radio and listened to the Grand Ole ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The only difference now is people can listen on their phones or on their homes ’ virtual assistant devices .
“ As a songwriter , we tell stories through our music and hope those songs find the right home , and our stories reach a listener , ” reflected Burke .
“ Creating this platform of being able to do both without the live component brings me hope for more creative control for songwriters and artists and that no matter your story or your style , there is an audience out there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ capture the story of a woman in music as authentic as we could and all the challenges along the way to a win .
I hope this series brings listeners to a place of experiencing the songwriting process as if they were in the room as we take them along the journey of how a song travels from writer to artist and finds its home.
” In what some would call serendipitous timing , Burke has successfully launched the first season of her innovative Make It Up As We Go podcast .
Fans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two .
If the opportunity to make a TV arises , Burke would jump the chance .
Either way , music enthusiasts will love the characters , songs , and storylines that make Nashville ’ s music scene come to life .
You can follow Make it Up As We Go on Instagram , Twitter , and Facebook .
You can follow Scarlett Burke on Instagram , Twitter , and Facebook .
Bethany Bowman is a freelance entertainment writer .
You can follow her blog , Instagram , Twitter , and YouTube .

A new bill to raise the minimum wage to $15 per hour is emerging in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.
Sponsored by Representative Patty Kim (D-Harrisburg), the bill as described in a memorandum appears similar to legislation Senator Dan Laughlin (R-Erie) is spearheading in his chamber. It contrasts with a more radical measure authored by Representative Chris Rabb (D-Philadelphia) that would hike the wage floor to $16.50 in July 2025 and gradually increase it to $21 by mid-2028. The Rabb bill would also apply the state minimum wage to prisoners, vastly boosting their pay.
In her memo pushing for a $15 hourly floor, Kim (pictured above) lamented that the commonwealth last hiked its minimum wage to $7.25 in 2009. She cited data from the U.S. Department of Labor indicating that 30 states, including all of those that neighbor Pennsylvania, mandate higher wage minimums. Her $15 rate would take effect in January 2024 and would tie future minimum-wage rises to inflation.
“Too many people have worked too hard for too long to not be able to pay their bills,” Kim said at a House Majority Policy Committee hearing on the issue in late March. “We want to tag a cost-of-living adjustment on this, so we never have to wait years and years – or wait for a once-in-a-century pandemic – for this issue to have a bright light shined on it.”
While free-market advocates generally oppose minimum wage increases, some in Harrisburg expect Republicans like Laughlin who now champion a hike will insist that such a policy come as part of a broader deal that will include regulatory reform. Governor Josh Shapiro (D) has urged enactment of a new $15 floor and many Republicans have sensed an opportunity for dealmaking, particularly insofar as they control the state Senate.
Advocates of an increase often cite a Pennsylvania Minimum Wage Advisory Board report indicating that 63,800 individuals — less than two percent of the state’s workforce — earned $7.25 per hour or less in 2021. Nonetheless, wages have risen markedly over the last two years and many who continue to make so little are teenagers working one of their first jobs.
After House Democrats began clamoring for new pay mandates, the Harrisburg-based Commonwealth Foundation (CF) issued a backgrounder in March opposing the idea. CF cited calculations from the nonpartisan Independent Fiscal Office suggesting that even raising the floor to $12 per hour would kill 5,000 jobs.
And the think tank fears the proposal could disadvantage even workers who keep their jobs insofar as employers may compensate for the new mandate by cutting worker hours and benefits. An example of this was observed nationally in 2018 after Amazon set its own low-end hourly wage to $15 but nevertheless suspended workers’ monthly bonuses and stock options.
Instead of raising the minimum wage, CF suggested, the commonwealth should focus on lowering impediments to employment by reforming licensing and permitting processes as well as improving public-assistance programs so they reward those who secure employment.
– – –
Bradley Vasoli is managing editor of The Pennsylvania Daily Star. Follow Brad on Twitter at @BVasoli. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Patty Kim” by Rep. Patty Kim. Background Photo “Pennsylvania Capitol” by Ad Meskens. CC BY-SA 3.0.


thetennesseestar--2020-11-15--Georgia SOS: Vacation Run-Off Voters Will Be Prosecuted, Face 10 Years in Jail

Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger ( R ) issued an unequivocal warning Friday to Democrats ’ call for Georgia run-off election vacation voters : “ Moving to Georgia temporarily in order to vote in January 5 runoff is illegal and will be prosecuted.
” Further clarifying the spirit of the law , he said , “ Moving to the state with the sole purpose of voting and leaving is illegal and is considered voter fraud .
Per O.C.G.A § 21-2-561 , it is a felony to register to vote in Georgia if you are not a resident of Georgia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ punishable by up to 10 years in jail and a $ 100,000 fine.
” Raffensperger ’ s statement addressed legitimate concerns raised by statements [ from ] Andrew Yang , the former Democratic presidential candidate who said he would “ move ” to Georgia for the runoff ” on Twitter .
Yang subsequently retracted his threat ( admissible as evidence of intent , should charges of voter fraud be pressed ) , saying that he would not register to vote .
Yang , however , appears not to be the only prominent Democrat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vote ” in practice , whilst endorsing political equality in the abstract .
Breitbart reports that “ New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman is encouraging non-Georgia residents to move to the state so they can register to vote in two January 5 Senate runoff elections ” when he talked to CNN ’ s Chris Cuomo .
Fox News reported that “ Intelligencer ’ s Eric Levitz wrote in a now-deleted tweet that was captured by Washington Examiner reporter Jerry Dunleavy : ‘ These run-offs will decide which party controls the Senate , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any hope of a large stimulus-climate bill .
If you have the means and the fervor to make a temporary move to GA , believe anyone who registers by Dec. 7 can vote in these elections.
’ ” “ Let me be clear : those who come to Georgia with the intention of voter fraud will be prosecuted .
We thoroughly investigate every single allegation of voter fraud , ” the GOP Secretary of State reiterated .
Deputy Secretary of State Jordan Fuchs added , “ Anyone moving to our state to attempt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a hefty fine and the possibility of up to 10 years behind bars .
Do you value your freedom ?
If so , don ’ t commit voter fraud in Georgia.
” Statistical improbability notwithstanding , Breitbart reports : “ according to the Heritage Center voter fraud data base , there has been only one criminal conviction for false registration in Georgia since 2011.
” Several influential GA Republican legislators have demanded that Georgia GOP governor Brian Kemp call a special session to address the voter fraud concerns of the run-off .
State @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a scathing letter to his colleagues , writes : I have lived in Fulton County for 26 years and in every election no matter how small the election , there is incompetence and chaos !
!
I will not speak for the other six counties that had problems , but if we think Fulton County is going to look at three signatures if the first one doesn ’ t match like Gabe Sterling said should happen we are mistaken .
It will not happen .
Also , if you believe that between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the sudden Fulton County is going to do a great job , we are mistaken .
It will not happen .
If Stacy Abrams were Governor or the Secretary of State was a Democrat , we would be on the steps of the Capitol having a press conference demanding a special session not having private zoom calls .
Let me assure you if you think that Stacy Abrams is going to play fair we are mistaken .
It will not happen .
I keep hearing that if we call a special session , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ news for you–she is going to sue us anyway .
We are in charge and in my opinion if we want to stay in charge , we must lead .
Everyone knows how critical these two U.S. Senate seats are to the future of our country .
I do not want to wake up on January 6 and say what happened ?
?
Or should I say January 12 if the election is run like November ’ s election .
I don ’ t claim to have all the answers but I know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my future in the hands of Fulton County elections knowing we did nothing to help between now and January 5 .
At this point , I believe doing nothing is not an option .
At the minimum we need resources in those 7 counties watching the election process .
David Shafer , a former state senator from Duluth who is now Georgia Republican Party Chairman , echoed Beach ’ s salvo .
“ It ’ s unlawful to register to vote in Georgia if you do not intend to permanently live here .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Shafer said .
“ If we enforce current law , a special session may not be necessary.
” Shafer said he has contacted Raffensberger directly about social media posts advocating and encouraging Georgia run-off voter fraud .
“ We should start with the people who are openly advocating on social media to brazenly flaunt our election laws .
I sent a letter to Reffensberger — asking him to seek out any new registrants and follow-up on permanent residency .
I have not received a response , ” Shafer said .
Meantime , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one of the two incumbent GOP Senators in the run-off election that will determine which Party controls the U.S. Senate , blasted the Democrat effort to subvert the intent of the Georgia run-off registration law .
In response to calls for Democrats to move to Georgia ahead of the December 7 voter registration deadline , Perdue , in a statement , demanded that Georgia Republicans request Raffensperger take additional measures to protect the integrity of the January 5 Senate run-off elections .
“ Every legally eligible Georgia voter deserves to have their voice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Perdue for Senate campaign manager Ben Fry .
“ Like Chairman Shafer , we have serious concerns about Democrat efforts to encourage non-Georgians to temporarily move to our state , only to vote in the two most critical Senate elections in modern history and go home .
Steps must be taken to ensure our election system is secure .
We now request that you utilize your broad powers to ensure that Georgia voters receive a fair election in January , ” The Secretary of State asks all to report any suspicion of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ online reporting form at https : //sos.ga.gov/cgi-bin/EMailStopVoterFraud.asp or call the Voter Fraud Hotline at 877-725-9797 to report questionable elections activity .
A POST-certified investigator will contact them for more information if needed .
Maggie Bean is a reporter at The Georgia Star and The Star News Network .
Photo “ Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger ” by Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger


thetennesseestar--2020-11-15--Biden Chooses Longtime Adviser Ron Klain as Chief of Staff

WASHINGTON , D.C. ( AP ) — President-elect Joe Biden has chosen his longtime adviser Ron Klain to reprise his role as his chief of staff , installing an aide with decades of experience in the top role in his White House .
Klain will lead a White House likely to be consumed by the response to the coronavirus pandemic , which continues to spread unchecked across the nation , and he ’ ll face the challenge of working with a divided Congress that could include a Republican-led Senate .
Klain served as the coordinator to the Ebola response during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wednesday night , Biden suggested he chose Klain for the position because his longtime experience in Washington had prepared him for such challenges .
“ His deep , varied experience and capacity to work with people all across the political spectrum is precisely what I need in a White House chief of staff as we confront this moment of crisis and bring our country together again , ” Biden said .
Klain served as chief of staff for Biden during Barack Obama ’ s first term , was chief of staff to Vice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was a key adviser on the Biden campaign , guiding Biden ’ s debate preparations and coronavirus response .
He ’ s known and worked with Biden since the Democrat ’ s 1987 presidential campaign .
The choice of Klain underscores the effort the incoming Biden administration will place on the coronavirus response from Day One .
Klain has experience in public health as the Ebola response coordinator and played a central role in drafting and implementing the Obama administration ’ s economic recovery plan in 2009 .
“ I ’ m honored @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will give my all to lead a talented and diverse team in a Biden-Harris WH , ” Klain tweeted .
Choosing Klain is also likely to assuage some concerns among progressives who had been gearing up for a fight over one of the first and biggest staff picks Biden will make as he builds out his White House team .
The chief of staff is typically a gatekeeper for the president , crafts political and legislative strategy and often serves as a liaison to Capitol Hill in legislative negotiations .
Progressives had expressed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his other former chiefs of staff : Steve Richetti , who faces skepticism for his work as a lobbyist , or Bruce Reed , who is seen as too much of a moderate to embrace reforms pushed by the party ’ s base .
But progressives see Klain as open to working with them on top priorities like climate change and health care .
Alexandra Jaffe is a reporter for The Associated Press .
About this Headline Photo : In this Wednesday , Oct. 22 , 2014 file photo , Ebola coordinator Ron @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the media about the government ’ s Ebola response in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington .
Joe Biden has chosen his longtime adviser Ron Klain to reprise his role as his chief of staff , installing an aide with decades of experience across .
That ’ s according to a person familiar with the decision who spoke to The Associated Press on Wednesday , Nov. 11 , 2020 on condition of anonymity to avoid preempting an official announcement .
( AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin , File )


thetennesseestar--2020-11-15--Joe Biden’s Transition Team Stacked with Lobbyists

Breitbart reports “ Democrat Joe Biden has stacked his transition team , after the establishment media called the presidential election for him , with at least 40 lobbyists , according to the latest estimate.
” In an Iowa town hall in 2007 , Biden called lobbyists and special interest groups “ corrosive.
” “ Lobbyists aren ’ t bad people , ” Biden says in the C-Span footage .
“ Special interest groups are not bad people .
But guess what ?
They ’ re corrosive .
People who accept the money from them aren ’ t bad people .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ If you , Lynn , bundle $ 250,000 for me , all legal , and then you call me after I ’ m elected and say , ‘ Joe , I ’ d like to talk to you about something .
You didn ’ t buy me .
But it ’ s human nature , you helped me , I ’ m going to say , ‘ Sure , Lynn , come on in , ’ ” he explained .
“ Just like , by the way , if I turn around @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the United States of America , and you call me and say , Joe , I want to come and see you , I ’ m going to see you .
You helped me , ” Biden says .
Last year , Biden began accepting donations from registered lobbyists at Google , Lockheed Martin , and giant pharmaceutical corporations before his super PAC was established by lobbyists , according to Breitbart .
As per Breitbart , Biden , acting as president-elect though the election has not been certified , has given waivers to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his transition team and another at least 35 former lobbyists have joined , according to the Wall Street Journal : Five people on the teams are currently registered as lobbyists or were registered within the last year , according to the Journal ’ s analysis .
[ Emphasis added ] In addition , the Journal identified 35 people who had registered as lobbyists prior to this year and who do not need special approval to work on the transition .
Those individuals lobbied for a range of companies , unions and advocacy groups—from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that owns private prisons to the Environmental Defense Fund and the American Federation of Teachers .
Some haven ’ t lobbied for more than a decade , while others lobbied in recent years .
[ Emphasis added ] “ Biden ’ s transition team is shaping up to be a typical Washington , D.C. , beltway-style effort with not only lobbyists on board , but Big Tech corporations , and Wall Street — which both served as major donors to his campaign.
” “ Former employees with Visa , KeyBank , Citigroup , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lyft , Airbnb , Google , Twitter , and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation have all been appointed to positions on Biden ’ s transition team , ” according to Breitbart .


thetennesseestar--2020-11-15--West Coast Governors Urge COVID Quarantine After Travel

LOS ANGELES , California ( AP ) — The governors of California , Oregon and Washington issued travel advisories Friday urging people entering or returning to their states to self-quarantine to slow the spread of the coronavirus as infections spike across the U.S .
The advisories stopped short of stricter rules imposed by other governors and instead said people should avoid non-essential out-of-state travel and quarantine for 14 days after arriving from another state or country .
“ California just surpassed a sobering threshold – one million COVID-19 cases – with no signs of the virus slowing down , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statement .
“ Increased cases are adding pressure on our hospital systems and threatening the lives of seniors , essential workers and vulnerable Californians.
” The effort two weeks before Thanksgiving — traditionally the busiest travel period of the year in the U.S. — coincides with warnings for people to rethink their holiday traditions and not gather in large groups or beyond their immediate families in settings where the virus could easily spread .
The West Coast states have some of the lowest number of cases per 100,000 residents .
But they have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in November , though not nearly as severe as North Dakota and South Dakota , which have the highest rates per capita .
Oregon for the first time on Thursday surpassed 1,000 positive cases in a day .
Gov .
Kate Brown announced a two-week “ freeze ” Friday that will limit restaurants to offering only take-out food and close gyms .
“ If we do not act immediately , we will soon reach a breaking point , ” Brown said in a social media video .
She said if cases remain at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will likely become a requirement .
California on Thursday became the second state — behind Texas — to surpass 1 million cases of the virus since the outbreak began , though it ranks 40th for cases per capita .
Eleven California counties were forced to impose stricter limits on businesses this week after cases rose above thresholds established by the state .
Three Northern California counties on Friday said they would voluntarily join nearby San Francisco in halting indoor dining to help control the virus .
California Health Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or restrict flying and instead appeal to Californians ’ sense of personal responsibility .
Andrew Noymer , a public health professor at the University of California , Irvine , said the voluntary element makes sense because the state can ’ t police whether people follow quarantine rules .
If word got out that the state wasn ’ t enforcing restrictions , people would ignore it and “ the whole thing becomes a farce , ” he said .
“ I think it sets the right tone that these states are taking it seriously @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hot spots in the USA , ” Noymer said .
“ Nobody wants to become North Dakota.
” The travel advisory is not as strict as rules implemented in June by New York , New Jersey and Connecticut .
Those three states require travelers to quarantine for 14 days and submit forms disclosing personal information if they arrive from states averaging 10 or more new daily cases of the coronavirus per 100,000 residents over a seven-day period , or from states where 10 % or more of tests came up positive on average @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Coast measure will add to the misery of the airline and tourism industries that are reeling from a year when people have been told or encouraged to stay home for months at a time .
On Wednesday , three global airline alliances urged governments to favor testing and other measures over the “ blunt instrument ” of quarantines .
Oneworld , Star Alliance and SkyTeam , which represent 58 airlines , said testing could be part of an overall approach to restart international travel , which is down 92 % from pre-COVID-19 levels @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state tourism , said the recent uptick in cases was cause for concern going into the holidays .
“ California ’ s tourism businesses are disappointed the pandemic is forcing this step , but the travel industry understands long-term recovery is not possible until COVID-19 rates are under control , ” said Caroline Beteta , president and CEO of Visit California .
“ Safety remains our top priority.
” Dr. Jeffrey Klausner , an epidemiologist at the University of California , Los Angeles , said travel restrictions have a “ limited impact ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ We ’ ve got to focus on things that we have better evidence in terms of what works , like routine and consistent mask use , particularly indoors , testing , supportive isolation of those who are positive and supportive quarantine of those who are exposed , ” he said .
The travel advisory comes after San Francisco and 10 other health officers in the Bay Area on Monday issued a joint advisory , urging residents to self-quarantine for two weeks should they leave the region , especially if they have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people did not wear masks at all times .
Some counties said the recommendation also applies to people traveling into the region from outside the area .
Brian Melley is a reporter for The Associated Press .
AP writers Kathleen Ronayne in Sacramento , John Antczak in Los Angeles and Sara Cline in Salem , Oregon , contributed to this report .
About the Headline Photo : Travelers wear face masks at Los Angeles International Airport in Los Angeles Friday , Nov. 13 , 2020 .
California has become the second state to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes )


thetennesseestar--2020-11-15--While Unions Demand More Money, Unemployment Data Shows Increasing Layoffs in Education Sector

In April , several education groups , including two national teachers ’ unions , urged Congressional leaders to allocate more than $ 200 billion to education in addition to the CARES Act and federal relief through which Congress had just allocated nearly $ 31 billion in March .
They requested an additional subsidy of $ 175 billion for K-12 education at the state level , $ 13 billion for IDEA and $ 12 billion for Title I .
In March , they had lobbied for $ 75 billion for additional state aid .
Ultimately , Congress allocated $ 31 billion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ education institutions were criticized for taking millions of dollars when they were holding hefty endowments , especially after the top 25 universities in the U.S. with $ 350 billion in total endowments were allocated $ 800 million in coronavirus aid .
Despite the record level of funding , by June , the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics ( BLS ) reported that 469,000 K-12 personnel , state-run colleges and universities laid off 176,000 professors and other employees .
Private schools , including well-known colleges and universities and K-12 private schools , reported 457,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nearly 300,000 education professionals who lost their jobs during the entire period of the 2008 Great Recession , according to an analysis financed by the Russell Sage Foundation .
In total , BLS reported 779,000 layoffs in K-12 public school district personnel nationwide in the months of April and May .
The AFT reported a list of higher education institutions that eliminated full-time faculty positions , imposed hiring restrictions , and furloughed employees .
“ While the pandemic has certainly exacerbated the financial issues facing most colleges and universities , the truth is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support for higher education has plummeted , ” AFT President Randi Weingarten and Rutgers AAUP-AFT President Todd Wolfson wrote in an op-ed .
“ Dozens of university leaders have announced drastic budget cuts , furloughs , layoffs and even permanent campus closures , instead of dipping into reserves or reducing salaries of highly paid executives and coaches.
” But before the coronavirus ever hit , according to the California School Boards Association , roughly 7 in 10 school districts in California were already facing budget deficits ; 40 percent were already considering or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ costs .
And after state shutdowns began , an analysis by Brown University found that schools districts and local governments implemented different reopening guidelines and timelines based more on politics or competition with private schools than because of science .
A Reason Foundation analysis of school reopening decisions also found that school districts with stronger teachers ’ unions were much less likely to offer full-time , in-person instruction than those with weaker teacher union involvement .
Of the 835 public districts that represent roughly 38 percent of all students enrolled in K-12 public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that school districts in states without right-to-work laws were 14 percent less likely to reopen in person than in states that have such laws in place .
“ A 10 percent increase in union power is associated with a 1.3 percentage-point lower probability of reopening in person , ” its analysis states .
In Florida , 79 percent of 38 school districts in an Education Week dataset were planning to offer full-time in-person instruction to all students .
By comparison , all of the 21 school districts included in the dataset for New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stronger , had no plans to offer full-time in-person instruction .
The Reason analysis found that a one percent increase in union membership at the state level was associated with a 1.5 percent point lower probability of reopening in-person instruction .
And a 10 percent rise in union workers at the county level was associated with a one percent decline in the probability of reopening in-person .
Meanwhile , the trend of education layoffs reported in April continued through October .
According to BLS data , public education employment had fallen to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ analyzed compared to the same period in two decades .
According to U.S. Department of Labor estimates , state and local education employment was down 8.8 percent in October from the previous year , “ representing the lowest national jobs total at that point in the school year since 2000 , ” a Pew Charitable Trusts report states .
“ The cuts were mostly driven by temporary layoffs and positions left unfilled in the new school year.
” “ Although teachers account for a portion of the local education cuts , anecdotal evidence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ personnel , support staff , and other non-instructional positions bore the brunt of the initial reductions as schools shifted to distance learning , ” Pew reports .
Corey A. DeAngelis at Reason Foundation notes that teachers “ aren ’ t the only stakeholders in the reopening debate .
Keeping schools closed hurts families that need in-person options .
Plus , remote learning provided by public districts may turn out to be a disaster for many students already falling behind.
” Instead of funding failing school systems that are increasingly laying off employees , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be directly allocated to families , “ so they can take their education dollars to the schools of their choice.
” “ Education funding is supposed to be for educating students , not protecting traditional public schools when other options are available .
School districts have the power to choose their own reopening plans , ” he adds , arguing that families should have the same options .
Bethany Blankley is a contributor to The Center Square .
Photo “ Teacher Coronavirus ” by Phil Roeder .
CC BY 2.0 .


thetennesseestar--2020-11-15--St. Olaf College Urges Students Not to Kiss While Having Sex Due to COVID-19

St. Olaf College encouraged students to “ avoid kissing ” while having sex to reduce spreading coronavirus , according to a photo provided to The Daily Caller News Foundation .
The Minnesota college ’ s flyer also urged students to “ wear a mask , ” “ steer clear of partners with symptoms of COVID-19 , ” “ reduce your number of sexual partners ” and “ use barrier protection like internal/external condoms , as well as dental dams , ” according to the picture provided to the DCNF .
The flyer also reportedly listed various “ sex hygiene ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hands and your sex toys ( before and after sex ) with warm soapy water for at least 20 seconds , ” the picture provided to the DCNF said .
“ Check in with yourself mentally to make sure that everything still feels comfortable and okay .
It is important to keep up with your mental sex hygiene as well , ” the picture of the poster provided to the DCNF said .
The poster gave an example of how to “ set clear boundaries ” and provided example questions for people who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Acknowledge and respect each other ’ s boundaries , ” the poster said .
The college flyer also recommended students “ have a conversation with your roomate ( s ) about what each person is comfortable with since you are sharing a space.
” St. Olaf College didn ’ t immediately respond to the DCNF ’ s request for comment .
Mary Rose Corkery is a reporter for the Daily Caller News Foundation .
Photo “ St .
Olaf ” by Daniel Edwins .
CC BY-SA 2.5 .


thetennesseestar--2020-11-15--Ohio Gov. DeWine Threatens to Close Bars, Restaurants, Gyms If COVID-19 Cases Keep Rising

Ohio Gov .
Mike DeWine on Thursday said the state could close bars , restaurants and fitness centers beginning Nov. 19 if the number of new coronavirus cases continues to rise .
“ We have not made a final decision on that , ” DeWine said of the threatened closures .
“ If things don ’ t change in a week , we will have to do this … we ’ re not trying to pick on bars and restaurants .
It ’ s the last thing we want to do.
” Ohio on Thursday again set a daily record @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said restaurants , bars and gyms are COVID-19 breeding grounds , which is why they might be targeted for closure .
“ It makes inside activities more difficult , more dangerous potentially , ” DeWine said .
DeWine also issued new orders on mask enforcement at businesses , and shifted the authority over mask enforcement from the counties to the state .
If a business receives more than one violation , it must close for 24 hours .
Businesses also will be required to post “ No Mask , No Service ” signs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t comply .
In response , Robert Alt , president and chief executive officer of The Buckeye Institute , said a second shutdown would make matters worse .
“ A second shutdown raises serious issues of enforcement , and would be absolutely devastating to businesses which are diligently following the rules , keeping their patrons safe , yet are hanging on by their financial fingernails , ” Alt said in a statement .
“ Ohio would be better served to focus its limited resources on truly bad actors rather than crushing whole @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Institute noted that “ more than 246,000 Ohioans who work at hotels , restaurants , and bars were out of work during the last shutdown , and there are still more than 100,000 fewer jobs in those industries compared to this time the previous year.
” The Ohio Restaurant Association has said that more than half of the state ’ s restaurants could close permanently if they are shut down again .
Dan McCaleb is the executive editor of The Center Square .
He welcomes your comments .
Contact Dan at [ email @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Eden , Janine and Jim .
CC BY 2.0 .


thetennesseestar--2020-11-15--Virginia Military Institute Hires First Black Interim Superintendent After Northam Pays $1 Million t

Virginia Military Institute Hires First Black Interim Superintendent After Northam Pays $1 Million to Investigate Systemic Racism

The Virginia Military Institute ( VMI ) hired its first Black superintendent shortly after Governor Ralph Northam allotted $ 1 million to investigate allegations of systemic racism there .
VMI announced the appointment of retired U.S. Army Major General Cedric T. Wins on Friday .
Wins will serve as the interim superintendent at VMI – he is also a 1985 graduate .
In his remarks on accepting the interim position with VMI , Wins only had positive words for the institution ’ s history .
“ I am excited to return to VMI , a place that had an extraordinary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ person .
Now , more than ever , the lessons and values of VMI are needed in the world , and I am humbled to be part of making that happen , ” stated Wins in the press release .
“ I most look forward to leading the cadets and ensuring we have a safe and successful conclusion to the academic year , hit the ground running during the spring sports season , and continue fulfilling our vital mission of producing educated and honorable men and women.
” Later that same day , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that appeared to indicate that the investigation wouldn ’ t substantiate the claims of systemic racism within the school .
“ We welcome the investigation , because it allows us to set the record straight on many fronts and to better understand the experiences of all cadets .
We will also have the opportunity to demonstrate the importance of VMI ’ s unique method of education that calls forth leaders in our nation .
We remain committed to a challenging but equitable experience for all.
” VMI ’ s previous superintendent , retired @ @ @ @ @ @ @ III ( ’ 62 ) , resigned at the end of last month .
Northam prompted the resignation , according to Peay ’ s brief resignation letter .
According to personal statements , Peay was against racism and discrimination and advocated for diversity .
Just days after Peay ’ s resignation , VMI ’ s Board of Visitors voted unanimously to remove the Stonewall Jackson statue from campus .
VMI mentioned that it plans to select a permanent superintendent next summer .
Corinne Murdock is a reporter at The Virginia Star and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Twitter , or email tips to [ email protected ] .


thetennesseestar--2020-11-15--Michigan Governor Seeks Shutdown of Great Lakes Oil Pipeline

TRAVERSE CITY , Michigan ( AP ) — Michigan Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer took legal action Friday to shut down a pipeline that carries oil beneath a channel linking two of the Great Lakes .
Whitmer ’ s office notified Canadian company Enbridge Inc. that it was revoking an easement granted 67 years ago to extend a roughly 4-mile ( 6.4-kilometer ) section of the pipeline through the Straits of Mackinac .
The revocation takes effect in 180 days , when the flow of oil must stop .
“ Enbridge has routinely refused to take action to protect our Great @ @ @ @ @ @ @ depend on them for clean drinking water and good jobs , ” the Democratic governor said in a statement .
“ They have repeatedly violated the terms of the 1953 easement by ignoring structural problems that put our Great Lakes and our families at risk .
“ Most importantly , Enbridge has imposed on the people of Michigan an unacceptable risk of a catastrophic oil spill in the Great Lakes that could devastate our economy and way of life.
” Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel filed a lawsuit Friday to carry out Whitmer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Nessel filed last year targets the pipeline as a public nuisance .
Enbridge said there was “ no credible basis ” for Whitmer ’ s action .
“ Line 5 remains safe , as envisioned by the 1953 Easement , and as recently validated by our federal safety regulator , ” said Vern Yu , the company ’ s president for liquids pipelines .
Line 5 is part of Enbridge ’ s Lakehead network , which carries oil from western Canada to refineries in the U.S. and Ontario .
The pipeline moves @ @ @ @ @ @ @ liters ) daily between Superior , Wisconsin , and Sarnia , Ontario , traversing parts of northern Michigan and Wisconsin .
The underwater section beneath the Straits of Mackinac , which connects Lake Huron and Lake Michigan , is divided into two pipes that are 20 inches ( 50 centimeters ) in diameter .
Enbridge says they are in good condition and have never leaked .
Environmentalists say they ’ re vulnerable and that closing Line 5 should be part of a global effort to curb use of climate-warming fossil fuels .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ powerful forces , including exceptionally strong currents , lakebed scouring , new anchor and cable strikes and corrosion , ” said Liz Kirkwood of For Love of Water .
Enbridge reached an agreement with then-Gov .
Rick Snyder , a Republican , in 2018 to replace the underwater portion with a new pipe that would be housed in a tunnel to be drilled through bedrock beneath the straits .
The company is seeking state and federal permits for the $ 500 million project , which is not affected by Whitmer ’ s shutdown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and some elected officials began pushing to decommission Line 5 after another Enbridge pipe spilled at least 843,000 gallons ( 3.2 million liters ) of oil in the Kalamazoo River in southern Michigan in 2010 .
Pressure grew as the company reported gaps in protective coating and installed supports when erosion opened wide spaces between sections of pipe and the lake bed .
An anchor dragged by a commercial tug and barge dented both pipes in April 2018 .
One of the pipeline supports was damaged this summer , apparently by a boat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Whitmer ’ s office said the easement should not have been granted in 1953 .
Placing the pipes beneath a busy shipping lane with no protective cover violated the state ’ s duty to protect the public ’ s interest in Great Lakes waters and bottomlands , the document said .
It referred to a Michigan Technological University report that said oil discharged in the straits could harm fish and foul hundreds of miles of beaches , dunes and wetlands .
The notice said Enbridge repeatedly violated a requirement that the pipelines rest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supports at least every 75 feet ( 22 meters ) .
Spaces exceeding the threshold have been detected as far back as 1963 and most were never dealt with , it said .
Enbridge has repeatedly defended its operation of the pipeline , saying the coating gaps posed no serious threat .
It has installed more than 120 supports to improve stability and stepped up patrols and other measures to prevent anchor strikes .
The company said shutting down Line 5 would cause shortages of crude oil for refineries in Michigan , Ohio @ @ @ @ @ @ @ well as propane shortages in northern Michigan .
It also would boost shipments of oil by rail or trucks , Enbridge said .
“ Today ’ s move would kill jobs and increase fuel costs , ” said Geno Alessandrini of the Michigan Laborers Union , which joined industry groups in criticizing Whitmer ’ s decision .
“ That ’ s the last thing Michigan needs as we work to overcome the coronavirus pandemic.
” Republican state Sen. Jim Stamas said the governor had sided with “ environmental extremists ” instead of “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sen. Gary Peters , a member of the Senate committee that oversees the U.S .
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration , endorsed Whitmer ’ s move and said he would work with officials “ to swiftly evaluate alternatives to Line 5 while continuing to hold Enbridge accountable.
” John Flesher is a reporter for The Associated Press .
About the Headline Photo : In this Thursday , Nov. 12 , 2020 , file photo provided by the Michigan Office of the Governor , Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer addresses the state during a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s office took legal action Friday to force the shutdown of Enbridge ’ s Line 5 pipeline by revoking the easement that allows an underwater section to run through the Straits of Mackinac .
( Michigan Office of the Governor via AP , File )


thetennesseestar--2020-11-15--Liberty Blows Out Western Carolina to Keep Unbeaten Streak Alive

No.22 Liberty Flames easily cruised past the Western Carolina Catamounts 58-14 Saturday afternoon to remain unbeaten on the season and improve to 8-0 for the first time in program history .
After walloping the Catamounts , Liberty has now won 10 games in a row dating back to the end of last season , the second longest active winning streak in all of college football .
“ Excited to be 8-0 , ” head coach Hugh Freeze said postgame .
“ Obviously , it wasn ’ t pretty at all times and we probably could have done a lot of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ [ the team ] prepared better this week coming off an emotional , big win last week and executed enough to win the game handily .
“ I think our kids did what they needed to do to get to 8-0 and it wasn ’ t exactly , maybe , like [ how ] I would have drawn it up , but it was sure good enough , and I ’ m going to celebrate with them on that.
” In the game , the Flames had clear advantages over Western Carolina on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was suffocating , forcing three turnovers – two inceptions and one fumble – and stopping the Catamounts ’ offense on most possessions except for two touchdowns and a missed field goal .
Freshman linebacker Carl Poole had an especially big game on defense , snagging a one-handed interception and then forcing as well as recovering a fumble later one .
On the other side of the ball Liberty ’ s offense put up 58 points and 633 scrimmage yards , both season highs , resulting in eight touchdowns and 21 first downs .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ was once again quarterback Malik Willis , as it has been all season long .
Willis had five total touchdowns , throwing for three and running for the other two .
All together Willis garnered 403 all-purpose yards – completing 14 of 19 passes for 306 yards and running the ball eight times for 96 yards , including a 43-yard untouched scamper right through the middle of the defense .
“ We work real hard and we usually just try to do what we need to do in order to win , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the season , we didn ’ t need me to throw for however many yards or however many touchdowns , we just had to continue to hone in on the run game .
But we have gotten opportunities to air the ball out and we just have to take those opportunities where we get them.
” Willis capitalized on many chances to air the ball out during the game , connecting with freshman wide receiver CJ Daniels for a 40-yard touchdown as well as an 83-yard bomb to wide receiver Kevin Shaa to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the start of the third quarter .
A football perfectionist , Freeze described his quarterback ’ s play as “ really solid ” and said there were some operational things that Willis had missed in the first half .
Freeze did offer some praise , saying Willis did well in reading the play progressions and , most importantly , did not turn the ball over .
“ You get to where you expect so much out of him on every play and I had to temper my emotions sometimes , ” Freeze said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ] probably expect him to be perfect on every play and that is just not reality.
” After two quick touchdowns in the first minutes of the third quarter , Willis was taken out of the game .
If the Auburn transfer keeps this pace , Willis will play himself into a Heisman Trophy contender .
For Western Carolina , a relatively young and inexperienced team , Saturday was the first game of the 2020-21 season and was the first time they had played live football since November of 2019 .
The Catamounts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are only playing three games in the fall before playing conference matchups in the Spring .
The Catamounts were using the game against Liberty to get many players real game experience and to help solidify the depth chart for future matchups .
The most glaring example of this was quarterbacks Mark Wright and Will Jones subbing in and out for one another throughout the game .
Despite only producing 14 points , Western Carolina ’ s offense scored both times they reached the red zone and found some success running the ball .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Saturday when the team faces its third opponent of the season from the Atlantic Coast Conference in North Carolina State ( 4-3 ) .
Jacob Taylor is a reporter at The Virginia Star and the Star News Digital Network .
Follow Jacob on Twitter .
Email tips to [ email protected ]


thetennesseestar--2020-11-15--‘Stop The Steal’ Rallies a Second Time in Nashville with Double the Numbers

At a second Nashville-based “ Stop the Steal ” rally , hundreds of Trump supporters descended on the Tennessee State Capitol grounds downtown .
Every person wore the hallmark shade of MAGA red .
American flags waved alongside deep blue “ Trump 2020 ” or “ Keep America Great ” flags .
Cars decked out with patriotic and pro-Trump flags , stickers , and signs looped the capitol , blaring their horns as they passed .
Some wore masks while others chose not to .
All throughout the event , the crowd would chorus chants of “ Stop the steal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ !
” , or “ Four more years !
” Despite the reason behind the rally , the atmosphere was cheerful and confident .
The organizers would pause between scheduled speakers to announce they ’ d found a lost license , or to hand out free copies of the Constitution to teenagers in attendance .
The rally began with a prayer , followed by a rendition of the National Anthem from singer , actress , and conservative activist Joy Villa .
Villa has received both criticism and praise for her pro-Trump and pro-life @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Grammy Awards .
State Senator Mark Pody ( R-Lebanon ) opened with a few words to encourage the attendees on the current state of the election .
“ It is the people that vote .
Not the press .
You can not declare yourself president.
” After singing the National Anthem , Villa announced that she ’ d moved to Nashville recently because of how this political climate has impacted her faith .
The singer testified that God had told her to move from California to Tennessee .
“ This is God @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my family because we ’ re patriots and you ’ re fighting alongside me .
This is our 1776 and I truly believe this , ” stated Villa .
“ It ’ s Democrats versus freedom-loving Americans .
I don ’ t say ‘ Republicans ’ because there ’ s a lot of ‘ RINOs ’ out there : ‘ Republicans In Name Only.
’ I don ’ t think this is Democrats versus Republicans .
It ’ s good versus evil.
” Conservative activist Ty Bollinger came onstage next , and shared @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
According to Bollinger , his younger two daughters remained at home from this second rally because of the harassment they ’ d faced for wearing “ MAGA ” hats at last weekend ’ s rally .
Bollinger then listed off the current evidence for fraud , including the increasing numbers of affidavits being filed .
After Bollinger , previous U.S. Senate candidate Jon Henry told the crowd that they needed to continue their efforts in the conservative movement with more energy than before .
Henry stated that the conservatives can ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ – they must be a majority .
Next , conservative activist Brad Barton referenced the Book of Esther , reminding the crowd that Esther stood up against Haman and won after he ’ d sentenced the Jewish people to death .
The event ended after attendees recited the Pledge of Allegiance and participated in one last prayer .
The organizers played a video from Senator Marsha Blackburn ( R-TN ) , in which the senator applauded the attendees ’ diligence to the cause in stopping the steal of the election .
Landon and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ duo known for their work in the music and film industry and fight against human trafficking – spoke briefly about Trump ’ s accomplishments .
The couple also told the crowd to reject Hollywood culture in order to fight for conservative values .
“ This is a movement from every background and every walk of life .
That is the one thing I ’ m most grateful to our President for .
The sleepy RINOs have another thing coming , ” stated Robby .
In an interview with The Tennessee Star , Starbuck @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against current Representative Jim Cooper ( D-TN-05 ) .
He shared that his grandparents escaped to America from Cuba so that they could be free .
According to Starbuck , much of current government authority is beyond where it should be – especially during this year ’ s pandemic .
“ Whether or not if you agree , the one thing we don ’ t live in is a monarchy – they don ’ t have a right to take away our individual freedoms.
” One rally attendee , Army veteran Coy Chandler @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attend every “ Stop the Steal ” rally to show his support .
“ If you don ’ t stand up right now , you ’ ll never get another opportunity to stand.
” Only four or five counter-protestors showed up , all wearing masks .
Two held signs that read , “ GO HOME YOU LOST ( didn ’ t they teach you about losing fair & square in grade school ? )
” and “ YOU LOST , GO CRY ON PARLER.
” Of the four , only one would speak @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who wished to remain anonymous , held the latter sign mentioning Parler , the newly-launched social media platform popularized by conservatives .
“ I just wanted to show some pushback , to show that not everybody agrees with them .
That ’ s it , I didn ’ t have a plan , ” “ I ’ m opposed to Trump .
I voted for Biden because he ’ s the lesser of two evils , but I ’ m mostly opposed to Trump , his fascism and racism.
” The other protestors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to give any statement to The Star .
Some of the rally members argued with the counter-protestors about the existence of voter fraud .
One of the main organizers , Moms for Tennessee President and Phyllis Schlafly Eagles Tennessee Leader Cecelia DeSonia shared with The Star the mindset behind organizing the rally .
“ People have been praying over this event .
We ’ re going to do this every Saturday until we get results .
I think we ’ re helping people feel good – people are in a very weird space @ @ @ @ @ @ @ offering is encouragement , and prayer.
” Organizers shared that individuals interested in doing more for the conservative movement could text “ America ” to 33777 .
Corinne Murdock is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and the Star News Network .
Follow her latest on Twitter , or email tips to [ email protected ] .


thetennesseestar--2020-11-16--Review of TVA CEO Jeff Lyash’s Pay Will Extend into 2021

NASHVILLE , Tennessee ( AP ) — The review of a federal utility ’ s CEO compensation following President Donald Trump ’ s criticisms of the pay scale will continue into 2021 , according to its board chairman .
John Ryder , Tennessee Valley Authority chairman , said at a board meeting held virtually Friday that results from an independent consultant ’ s review of CEO pay should be ready for the utility ’ s board meeting in February .
“ We ’ re not going to jump the gun and reach a conclusion before we have a thorough and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ryder told reporters in a call afterward .
“ So , whatever the outcome of the election is , we will complete our process in accordance with our schedule.
” TVA announced the review in August , after Trump earlier that month fired the former board chairman and another board member and called for CEO Jeff Lyash ’ s replacement and the position ’ s pay to be capped at $ 500,000 .
Trump previously criticized the pay package in April .
But since this summer , the president hasn ’ t similarly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ own reelection bid , the growing coronavirus pandemic and other issues consuming his attention .
Ryder has reiterated that the review of Lyash ’ s pay isn ’ t indicative of his performance .
Lyash ’ s leadership — for instance , in navigating the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and Tennessee tornadoes early in the year — drew high praise during Friday ’ s meeting .
Additionally , Lyash announced Friday that TVA will focus on incentivizing electric vehicles , including new policies about allowing people to resell electricity for vehicle charging ; a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vehicle charging equipment ; and possibly some funding for the initial wave of charging infrastructure .
The federal TVA Act requires TVA to pay competitively with other major utilities .
TVA has said its top executive compensation falls in the bottom 25 % of big utilities .
Trump ’ s criticisms this summer also drove TVA to reverse course on the hiring of foreign labor for information technology jobs , which piqued his interest enough that in early August he invited the workers who would be replaced to the White House .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the 2019 budget year , Lyash ’ s compensation was $ 8.1 million , making him the highest paid federal employee , albeit at an organization that doesn ’ t use taxpayer funding and relies almost entirely on electric rates .
The CEO ’ s package includes various pension and performance incentives worth millions of dollars .
Republican U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander , who is retiring , delivered one of the biggest compliments for Lyash in a video message during Friday ’ s board meeting .
“ If Jeff Lyash were the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of trying to cut his salary , they ’ d be raising his salary , because I think your scorecard is very good , ” the senator from Tennessee said .
TVA , the largest public utility , was created in 1933 under the New Deal to provide electricity , flood control and economic development to Tennessee and parts of six more surrounding states .
Jonathan Mattise is a reporter with The Associated Press .

by Scott McClallen
Sixteen Michigan schools have been awarded $205,028 to develop Great Lakes-based science, technology, engineering, and math – STEM – programs.
“These grants will support freshwater literacy programs and offer students access to real world STEM experiences,” Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said in a statement. “Our Great Lakes are our greatest asset, and we must empower young Michiganders to learn more about them and continue advancing conservation efforts. Michigan’s economic competitiveness depends on a workforce proficient in STEM and committed to solving our biggest challenges. Investments like these will help prepare our kids to lead our state into the future.”
Grant proposals were submitted and reviewed through a competitive process. Selected projects study freshwater conservation and real-world experiences.
Grant awardees and amount are as follows:
Alcona Community Schools: $6,892 to expand 3-P learning by studying coastal and wetland habitats.
Alpena Public Schools: $8,078 so students can work as scientific researchers collecting data and making observations to determine if environmental issues are impacting the Thunder Bay River Watershed.
Avron Township School: $5,000 to adopt two beaches so it can participate in science lessons.
Atherton Community Schools: $10,000 to engage 195 middle and high school science students in 3-P learning through its “Health in Our Hands” curriculum.
Charlevoix-Emmet Intermediate School District: $20,000 for 3-P learning to support teachers.
Farmington Public Schools: $15,870 to incorporate “student voice” in water steward topics and activate 3-P teaching
Forest Hills Central Woodlands ⅚ School: $20,000 to provide 3-P learning students, including transportation for all students to visit the Inland Seas Schooner and engage in the remotely operated vehicle program through Inland Seas Education Association.
Grand Rapids Montessori, Grand Rapids Public Schools: $8,862 to help students identify and solve habitat loss for local pollinators, bird and turtle species through a partnership with the John Ball Zoo.
Harrington Elementary School: $12,000 for Marshall Public Schools to partner with Albion College to develop “outdoors at school” curricula for grades K-5.
Kalamazoo Regional Educational Service Agency: $20,000 to support Southwest MiSTEM and the Kalamazoo Nature Center to establish a Great Lakes Stewardship Initiative hub to continue water stewardship education programs.
Mt. Morris Consolidated Schools: $15,000 to participate in the Flint River Green project, where students learn about the Flint River Watershed and its community impact.
Muskegon Area Intermediate School District: $15,000 to expand 3-P learning for 420 fourth grade students and 3-P training for 19 fourth grade teachers.
Pickfield Public Schools: $9,996 so students can gather water quality data from the local watershed.
Stanton Township Public Schools: $5,000 to train new teachers to carry out future Lake Superior Stewardship Initiative activities.
Washtenaw Intermediate School District: $20,000 to build a foundation for cross-district collaboration in support of freshwater-focused place-based education.
Wayne-Westland Community Schools: $13,330 to activate a 3-P learning program.
The grants continue the 2020 From Students to Stewards Initiative and the 2021 MiSTEM Transformative Playbook grants.
The Great Lakes account for over 20% of the world’s surface freshwater.
– – –
Scott McClallen is a staff writer covering Michigan and Minnesota for The Center Square. A graduate of Hillsdale College, his work has appeared on Forbes.com and FEE.org. Previously, he worked as a financial analyst at Pepsi.


thetennesseestar--2020-11-16--Commentary: The Empire Struck Back, but MAGA Will Strike Harder

I ’ ve written many times that I thought Donald Trump would win the 2020 election .
The question always was whether he would win it beyond the margin of fraud and litigation .
Did he ?
It ’ s touch and go .
Television networks and even some foreign heads of state tell us Joe Biden won the election .
The electors have yet to be appointed and meet to vote .
Still , the forces arrayed against Trump are formidable .
It ’ s not just , as Joe Biden bragged , that the Democrats had put together @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fraud organization in the history of American politics.
” That does appear to have been the case .
But if Donald Trump loses , it won ’ t only be because of that “ extensive and inclusive ” organization .
Perhaps more important is the ambient jelly in which that organization has operated .
I mean the eructations of the swamp , or to give it a more cinematic name , “ The Empire.
” Children in the United States are ( or at least they used to be ) told that in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Of course , that has never really been true .
At any given time , there are plenty of people who , for various reasons , could never become president .
But the pleasing story did name a sort of half-truth that was also an ideal , an ideal that revolved around the effort to maintain a society that rewarded talent , ambition , and hard work more than it valued wealth , connections , or pedigree .
Donald Trump put that ideal to the test .
The test failed .
Trump was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to challenge the dominant narrative .
Trump was rich , which is a plus for candidates these days .
But he came not just from the wrong sort of family , but also from the wrong consensus , the wrong universe of opinion and sentiment .
It was not so much his particular policies that were at issue .
It was rather what he himself represented .
Some people have banged on and on about Trump ’ s “ character , ” which they said was a bad character .
But I do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ really the issue .
The issue was that he represented an existential threat to the governing consensus .
This consensus is not fundamentally Democratic or Republican .
It is not really even left-wing or conservative .
John Fonte came close to identifying it with his phrase “ transnational progressivism.
” The “ transnational ” part was just as important as the “ progressive ” element , not least because the definition of “ progressive ” is always a mutable and hungry thing .
Yesterday ’ s progressive ideas routinely become tomorrow ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not specific policies but specific attitudes .
To an extent not widely appreciated , politics drowns more and more in the imperatives of fashion .
From the beginning , it was regularly pointed out that Trump ’ s cardinal sin was a matter of aesthetics , not substance .
I think that is right .
And it helps explain why so successful a president—has anyone in history had a more successful first term than Donald Trump ?
—could still be so cordially hated by the credentialed elite , both in this country and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ beyond ” such parochial affections as patriotism , national identity , and religious affiliation .
To a large extent it has even “ gone beyond ” or at least redefined family .
Donald Trump was a walking rebuke to every finer feeling with which they congratulated and fanned themselves .
For four years , they stood together as one to emit a primal scream of repudiation .
Nothing worked .
Not the Russia collusion delusion , not the preposterous Ukrainian impeachment follies , not the dark talk about invoking the 25th Amendment , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concerted assault against a U.S. presidential election may have done the trick .
But there are three things to note .
First , the Empire really did strike back against Trump , deploying its “ fully armed and operational battle station ” of voter fraud against the president and the people who supported him .
But , second , no matter what happens with the presidential election itself , the result of its assault was not at all what was expected .
No planets were vaporized .
There was no “ blue wave @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
There was barely even a blue trickle .
In the run-up to the elections , Democrats were predicting a landslide for Biden .
As of this writing , he is barely ahead—it ’ s a matter of a fraction of a percentage point—in most of the battleground states .
Instead of making gains in the House , the Democrats lost at least 10 and maybe as many as 13 seats .
And instead of flipping the Senate , the Republicans are very likely to wind up staying in control with 52 seats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Donald Trump .
They are not retreating in silence to their caves .
They are galvanized with the MAGA spirit that Trump inculcated in the country and , except for a handful of soy boys , in the Republican Party .
As I write , thousands upon thousands of people are descending upon Washington D.C. for a “ million MAGA march.
” There is the “ Women for Trump ” contingent , the “ Stop the Steal ” contingent , and more .
These are the people who are fleeing Fox News , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CNN , The New York Times , and the entire woke establishment to create a counterforce—a rebellion against—the Empire .
The narrative is a powerful thing .
The consensus everywhere in polite society is that Biden won , Trump lost , and the globalist , anti-populist dispensation is poised to flood back into control .
I think the people who believe that are about to be sorely disappointed , no matter what happens with the presidential vote tally .
And about that ( and this is my third point ) , I suspect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ laugh .
Interviewed Friday by Byron York , the president outlined various scenarios by which he could overturn expectations and win the election .
Maybe he is simply acting like the Spartans at Thermopylae : fighting bravely against impossible odds because it is the honorable thing to do .
Maybe he sincerely believes he can win .
Many people have bet against Donald Trump over the years .
Most came to regret it .
He ended his interview with a sober piece of advice acknowledging this fact : “ Never bet against me.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of The New Criterion and the president and publisher of Encounter Books .
He is the author and editor of many books , including The Fortunes of Permanence : Culture and Anarchy in an Age of Amnesia ( St. Augustine ’ s Press ) , The Rape of the Masters ( Encounter ) , Lives of the Mind : The Use and Abuse of Intelligence from Hegel to Wodehouse ( Ivan R. Dee ) , and Art ’ s Prospect : The Challenge of Tradition in an Age of Celebrity ( Ivan R. @ @ @


thetennesseestar--2020-11-16--Special Representative for Syria James Jeffrey: ‘We Were Always Playing Shell Games’ to Hide the Num

Special Representative for Syria James Jeffrey: ‘We Were Always Playing Shell Games’ to Hide the Number of U.S. Troops in Syria

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thetennesseestar--2020-11-16--Dustin Johnson Buries Some Major Memories, Wins the Masters

AUGUSTA , Georgia ( AP ) — In this one-of-a-kind Masters that had no fans and no roars , Dustin Johnson made sure it had no drama .
And when he polished off his five-shot victory Sunday with lowest score in tournament history , he had no words .
Looking smart in his Masters green jacket he dreamed his whole life of winning , Johnson spoke to a small gathering on the putting green in absence of the official ceremony , but only briefly .
In control of every aspect of his game on a course that never allows anyone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ speak when it was over .
Instead , he turned to wipe his eyes .
“ I ’ ve never had this much trouble gathering myself , ” Johnson finally said .
“ On the golf course , I ’ m pretty good at it.
” No one was better .
Not even close .
Johnson overcame a nervous start that conjured memories of past majors he failed to finish off , and then delivered a command performance that added his own touch to a Masters unlike another .
Because of the COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in November .
It was the first without ropes and without roars because patrons were not allowed , only one guest for each player , coaches , Augusta National members and officials .
Leading by two shots heading into Amen Corner , the world ’ s No .
1 player got through the 12th hole — where Tiger Woods earlier hit three balls in Rae ’ s Creek and made 10 — and then ran off three straight birdies to pull away from Cameron Smith and Sungjae Im , the only players who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a 4-under 68 and finished at 20-under 268 , breaking by two shots the record set by Tiger Woods in 1997 and matched by Jordan Spieth in 2015 .
He had only four bogeys in 72 holes , another record , this one held by Jack Nicklaus and Jimmy Demaret .
He missed only 12 greens all week , a record last set by Woods .
All that mattered was that green jacket .
Nothing ever comes easily for Johnson in the majors .
Nothing looked so natural as seeing Woods , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ size 42 long in Butler Cabin .
“ Having Tiger put it on was awesome .
You wouldn ’ t want it any other way , ” Johnson said .
And then he smiled before adding , “ But any guy could put it on me and I ’ d be just fine.
” His five-shot victory was the largest at the Masters since Woods won by 12 in 1997 .
All that was missing were the roars from a crowd for any of his pivotal putts early and his birdie putts on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It wasn ’ t the loneliest walk up the hill to the 18th green .
About 250 people offering warm applause and partner Paulina Gretzky rushed onto the green to celebrate with Johnson and his brother , caddie Austin Johnson .
Johnson now has two majors to go along with his 25 victories worldwide , a combination that validates him as one of the greats of his generation .
Gone are the doubts that he could hold a lead in the major on the final day .
Four times he had gone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a share of the lead without winning .
Johnson had questions , too .
His only major was the U.S. Open at Oakmont in 2016 when he rallied from four shots behind .
“ I ’ m sure a lot of you all think … there were doubts in my mind , just because I had been there .
I ’ m in this position a lot of times , ” Johnson said .
“ When am I going to have the lead and finishing off a major ?
It definitely proved that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some nervous moments early .
Johnson ’ s four-shot lead was reduced to one after five holes , and then he quickly restored control with an 8-iron to 6 feet on the top shelf on the right corner of the green at the par-3 sixth for birdie .
That restored his lead to three shots when Im missed a 3-foot par putt .
Smith was the only one who was closer than two the rest of the way .
Smith got quite the consolation .
He became the first player in Masters history @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 60s , and all it got him was a silver medal .
“ I thought I ’ d have a decent shot if I got to Dustin ’ s original score at the start of the day , 16 under , ” Smith said .
“ I knew I had to put the pressure on early .
Got out of the gates pretty good and DJ was just too good at the end.
” Johnson became the 12th Masters champion to never trail after any round , and his closing 68 broke another @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his 11th consecutive subpar round at Augusta National .
No one had a better finish than Woods , but only after the five-time Masters champion posted the highest score of his career on the 12th hole .
He finished with five birdies over the last six holes to salvage a 76 .
The betting favorite and biggest basher in golf , Bryson DeChambeau , couldn ’ t even beat 63-year-old Bernhard Langer , who shot 71 and wound up one shot ahead of the U.S. Open champion .
These were only sideshows on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Johnson , the first No .
1 player in the world to win the Masters since Woods in 2002 , was the main event .
But even a record score , and the widest margin of victory since 1997 , didn ’ t mean it was easy .
This is Johnson , after all , who for all his talent has dealt with more than his share of misfortune , not all his own doing .
“ I knew it wasn ’ t going to be easy , ” he said .
After @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 6 , and his nifty par save from a bunker on the seventh , Johnson didn ’ t bother looking at a leaderboard until his brother asked if he knew where he stood on the 18th green .
Johnson knew only that he was in control and it was up to everyone else to catch him .
“ I took what the course gave me and hit the shots I felt I could hit , ” he said .
And so ended the Masters in November , so strange in so many ways @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Soft conditions — not only from rain that delayed the start but an autumn date that affected the grass — led to record scoring .
The average score for the week was 71.75 , the lowest ever , breaking the record from last year .
Gone were the white and pink blooms of azaleas and dogwoods , replaced by autumn hues of brown and gold .
The Masters , though , in any month is defined by green .
And the jacket fit Johnson well .
Doug Ferguson is a golf writer with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Photo : Tiger Woods helps Masters ’ champion Dustin Johnson with his green jacket after his victory at the Masters golf tournament Sunday , Nov. 15 , 2020 , in Augusta , Ga. ( AP Photo/Charlie Riedel )


thetennesseestar--2020-11-16--Voting Software Was ‘Designed to Rig Elections,’ Trump Attorney Sidney Powell Tells Maria Bartiromo

Sidney Powell , President Donald Trump ’ s election lawyer , spoke to Maria Bartiromo Sunday on the many legal challenges that are active in several states .
Powell is a former federal prosecutor and was the attorney for former Trump National Security Advisor Michael Flynn , The Tennessee Star reported .
One of the legal challenges is in Michigan over Dominion software , Breitbart reported .
Bartiromo tweeted , “ Attorney Powell on election legal challenges that remain active in several states ” .
“ According to public records , Dominion voting machines are used in 2,000 jurisdictions in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Experts have said if one is flawed , others may , so Texas rejected Dominion software three times over manipulation concerns , Bartiromo said .
Although Texas rejected Dominion , states including Pennsylvania used the system , The Center Square reported .
Dominion , on its website , denied claims of voting problems from its software , saying in part , “ Dominion Voting Systems categorically denies false assertions about vote switching issues with our voting systems.
” Powell told Bartiromo about Peter Neffenger , a retired U.S. Coast Guard vice admiral , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the transition team Joe Biden put together .
Powell said that presidential transition team will soon be “ nonexistent.
” We ’ re fixing to overturn the results of the election in multiple states and President Trump won not by just hundreds of thousands of votes but by millions of votes that were shifted by this software that was designed expressly for that purpose .
We have sworn witness testimony of why the software was designed .
It was designed to rig elections .
He was fully briefed on it , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it was exported internationally for profit by the people behind Smartmatic and Dominion .
They did this on purpose .
It was calculated .
They ’ ve done it before .
We have evidence from 2016 in California .
We have so much evidence I feel like it ’ s coming in through a firehose .
Bartiromo asked Powell if she could prove her claims , to which she said she has “ lots of ways , ” but would not name them on television .
The Smartmatic software was used in other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s user manuals allegedly tell how votes can be “ wiped away.
” Powell said every state that bought the software should be investigated .
Powell said her team is continuing to investigate additional claims , including the possibility of software firms being able to watch votes in real time and shift votes in real time .
Jason M. Reynolds has more than 20 years ’ experience as a journalist at outlets of all sizes .


thetennesseestar--2020-11-16--UCLA Professor Laura Gomez: Give Reparations to Latinos, Too

A book titled , Inventing Latinos : A New Story of American Racism , written by University of California Los Angeles School of Law professor , Laura Gomez , is advocating for the United States to provide reparations for the Latino community .
According to Gomez ’ s website , the main theme of the book , as described from an excerpt from the introduction , is “ the how and why of Latinx identity becoming a distinctive racial identity.
” Furthermore , it says , “ this book explains how and why Latinos became cognizable as a racial group— @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inferior to Whites.
” In an interview with UCLA , Gomez was asked several questions about the book .
In response to one of the questions , Gomez advocates for reparations for Latinos .
“ Thankfully , we ’ re talking a lot more about reparations to African Americans .
I think that ’ s a long-overdue conversation .
How do we repair the damage that racism has done ?
” she said , adding that “ because of the way that American military , government , and corporations infiltrated Central America and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and slaughtered so many people , ” “ people in Central America should get asylum here , like we had asylum for the Vietnamese , for Cubans .
We must allow those folks in.
” Gomez stated that another way to provide reparations would be to provide amnesty to illegal immigrants living in the United States .
“ Another is amnesty , a pathway to citizenship for undocumented persons who are here , have not committed violent crimes , and can prove that they ’ ve been here for a certain amount of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Again , we ’ re looking at a different story of anti-Latino racism .
And so what does that suggest in terms of what we might do as a society to make amends , repair the relationship , and bring people into the fold as full-fledged Americans.
” Professors from around the country have commented on the book .
Brigham Young University professor James-David Gonzalez wrote that “ Gómez also reveals the nefarious roles the United States has played in Latin America – from military interventions and economic exploitation to political interference – @ @ @ @ @ @ @ national economies to send migrants northward over the course of more than a century.
” “ It ’ s no coincidence that the vast majority of Latinos migrate from the places most impacted by this nation ’ s dirty deeds , leading Gómez to a bold call for reparations , ” he added .
UC-Berkeley law professor Ian Haney Lopez said that “ Laura Gómez puts racism , colonialism , white dominance , and community resistance exactly where they should be : at the heart of the conversations about Latinos today , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ States tomorrow , ” according to Gomez ’ s website .
UCLA student Brooke Newman spoke with Campus Reform regarding Gomez ’ s book , saying , “ I think it ’ s definitely an interesting take on the subject , ” but adding that “ I don ’ t really think a lot of people usually think about reparations for Latinos because generally , it focuses on the African-American community so this is a new perspective for me and probably a lot of other people too.
” “ I also think this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ idea about reparations and what that could look like if it were to ever happen .
I guess reparations doesn ’ t always just have to be giving money to communities but it could be something that addresses a particular issue instead like , in this case , amnesty and asylum.
” Campus Reform reached out to Gomez but did not receive a response in time for publication .
Matthew Keyes is an Ohio Campus Correspondent , reporting on liberal bias and abuse for Campus Reform .
He is a junior at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Science and minors in Journalism .
He is also a member of College Republicans at OSU .
Follow Matthew on Twitter .
Photo “ Professor Laura Gomez ” by UCLA .


thetennesseestar--2020-11-16--Analysis: A Lack of Signature Verification in Georgia Damages Recount Validity

Georgia is undertaking a hand recount of ballots cast in the 2020 election in an effort to ensure ballot integrity , but with absentee mail-in ballots already separated from their envelopes , it may be impossible to pull back any votes even if they were cast by ineligible voters .
Because under state law , a voter ’ s signature goes on the envelope containing the secret ballot , not the ballot itself .
As a result , even if a number of voters are found to have cast votes that were ineligible , there will not be an easy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ caused .
Making matters worse , the state of Georgia arbitrarily changed state law on signature verification of absentee ballots via a March 2020 judicial consent decree with Georgia Democrats — without ever going to the state legislature .
It changed the statutory requirement that the signature must match the signature on the voter registration card to simply matching the signature on the absentee ballot application .
State law says the signature must match either the voter registration card or the most recent updated registration card the absentee ballot application , “ The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ identifying information on the oath with the information on file in his or her office , shall compare the signature or mark on the oath with the signature or mark on the absentee elector ’ s voter registration card or the most recent update to such absentee elector ’ s voter registration card and application for absentee ballot or a facsimile of said signature or mark taken from said card or application… ” If it ’ s correct , it gets counted , if not , it gets rejected and then , “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clerk shall promptly notify the elector of such rejection , a copy of which notification shall be retained in the files of the board of registrars or absentee ballot clerk for at least two years .
Such elector shall have until the end of the period for verifying provisional ballots contained in subsection ( c ) of Code Section 21-2-419 to cure the problem resulting in the rejection of the ballot.
” That section provided until Nov. 6 , three days after the election , for voters to cure their ballots .
That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resubmitting ballots days after Election Day — Republicans are challenging that as well as extending Election Day beyond that set forth by Congress under Article I , Section 4 of the Constitution and 2 U.S.C .
§7 which states “ The Tuesday next after the 1st Monday in November , in every even numbered year , is established as the day for the election , in each of the States ” But leaving that aside , and focusing on the signatures , the March 2020 consent decree removed the requirement that the signature @ @ @ @ @ @ @ card : “ County registrars and absentee ballot clerks are required , upon receipt of each mail-in absentee ballot , to compare the signature or mark of the elector on the mail-in absentee ballot envelope with the signatures or marks in eNet and on the application for the mail-in absentee ballot.
” This effectively amended state law , clearly violating Article I , Section 4 of the U.S. Constitution , which states , “ The times , places , and manner of holding elections for senators and representatives , shall be prescribed in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but the Congress may at any time by Law make or alter such Regulations… ” Now , even if these unconstitutional actions would not change the outcome of the presidential contest of 2020 , federal courts should still hear these challenges .
They could affect down-ballot races , and will certainly impact how future elections are handled in the U.S. On the administrative and judicial amendment to the signature matching requirement , the danger of removing the voter registration card from the mix is that it becomes possible for individuals to both request @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of somebody else — potentially without their knowledge .
And now that the ballots have been separated from the envelopes , even if it a great number of voters are later determined to have been ineligible to vote after the fact — whether because they live out of state or the signatures didn ’ t match — the votes themselves will remain tabulated .
Where the Georgia recount could get really interesting is if the Trump campaign and Republican Party can find enough ineligible votes having been cast that either exceed former Vice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lead over President Donald Trump in the state , or could potentially make Sen. David Perdue ( R-Ga. ) the clear winner of one of the Georgia Senate races currently headed for a January 2021 runoff , which would give Senate Republicans a clear majority right now .
At that point , the Georgia state legislature would have to reconcile the popular vote result in the state versus a likelihood that the result might change if only legal votes are counted .
What is still unknown is just how many ineligible votes were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but other battleground states like Pennsylvania , Michigan , Wisconsin and Arizona .
Stay tuned .
Robert Romano is the Vice President of Public Policy at Americans for Limited Government .


thetennesseestar--2020-11-16--Smith College Employee Whistleblower Exposes Anti-White Racism

An employee at Smith College in Massachusetts has been making videos detailing the creation of a “ hostile work environment ” for her as a white person .
“ I am very , very concerned about this issue , not just for the Smith community , but for communities at other colleges and workplaces too , ” Jodi Shaw told The College Fix in an email .
Shaw , an alumnus of the school , currently works as an administrative assistant in the Department of Student Affairs at the elite women ’ s college .
“ I ’ m white @ @ @ @ @ @ @ relevant , but my employer has made it clear that , not only is it relevant , but it ’ s possibly one of most important or if not the most important feature of me as a human , ” Shaw said in a video posted to her YouTube channel .
As of now , Shaw has made a total of four videos detailing her experience at work .
The first is titled : “ Dear Smith College : I Have a Few Requests.
” “ I ask that Smith College stop reducing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” she says .
Shaw also claims that “ a lot ” of other staff members feel the same way .
Those staffers have not come forward .
Shaw goes on to offer a blistering indictment of critical race theory , attacking the idea that white people have built an unconquerable system of racism against which people of color are powerless .
“ I believe my value lies in the quality of my work , the goodness of my deeds , the essence of my character , and the fullness of my heart @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she says .
According to Shaw , there is an “ ever-present terror ” at Smith “ that any unverified student allegation of racism , or any other ‘ -ism , ’ has the power to crush our reputations , ruin our livelihood , and even endanger the physical safety of ourselves or our family members.
” Shaw later went on the Quillette podcast to describe what she was referencing .
On July 31 , 2018 , a staffer saw student Oumou Kanoute lounging in a dining hall .
Believing she was out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campus police to investigate .
When the officer arrived on the site , he recognized Kanoute , saw nothing was wrong , and left .
Given a platform by the ACLU , Kanoute would claim that she was “ racially profiled , ” creating a firestorm on campus .
An independent investigation , however , found that the employee who called the police did not violate any campus policies .
After Shaw posted the first video to her channel , an HR representative came to a meeting with her supervisor , she told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your video , ” she told Shaw .
Shaw was then assigned a “ campus safety partner ” — which is another name for a campus police officer — to whom she could turn if she felt “ unsafe.
” “ It felt strange and I do not know if Smith is actually concerned about me or just concerned about fulfilling obligations necessary to maintain their liability policy , ” Shaw said , though she also said she assumes it is the latter .
Publicly , the college threw Shaw under the bus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ employee of the college posted a personal video to express their concerns about the college ’ s programming to promote racial justice , ” wrote Smith College President Kathleen McCartney in a statement .
“ This employee does not speak for the college or any part of the college .
Further , we believe the video mischaracterizes the college ’ s important , ongoing efforts to build a more equitable and inclusive living , learning and working environment , ” she wrote .
“ The National Labor Relations Act protects employees who engage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with respect to workplace conditions , ” McCartney writes .
Shaw is particularly skeptical of this sentence .
“ I feel like this paragraph is code for : ‘ We would fire her , but we can ’ t , because there ’ s this law that says we can ’ t…otherwise she would totally be fired , ’ ” Shaw said in a second video deconstructing the statement .
One reason for her disbelief is the existence of a college policy protecting the “ free exchange of ideas , ” as Shaw @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it is suspicious that McCartney cites the National Labor Relations Act rather than any freedom-of-expression policies at Smith .
In a third video , Shaw describes an experience she had while organizing a library orientation for students .
As a candidate for a full-time library position , she was told to “ do something crazy.
” She decided to perform a rap to get students acquainted with the library system .
While she was preparing for the orientation , the incident with Kanoute occurred .
According to Shaw , the campus “ went @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ racially tense environment.
” A supervisor wrote in an email to Shaw , “ The use of rap as a medium by a white staff member and student could easily be perceived as insensitive or cultural appropriation by incoming Smith students and could create a perception with students that the library is not racially sensitive.
” In an in-person conversation with the supervisor , Shaw asked if she would be able to do the rap if she were a person of color .
Without hesitation , the supervisor replied , “ Yes.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ if I filed a complaint…nobody would ever hire me at Smith College or anywhere , ” Shaw said .
Because of that event , as well as suspicion that the department would not want to hire a white person , she withdrew her application for the position and took on her current role .
After Shaw posted this video , The Sophian , Smith ’ s student newspaper , wrote a November 2 story on Shaw .
While Shaw agreed to an interview with The Sophian , she is only directly quoted once @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while she did not read the story , colleagues told her that “ it did not do a fair job of portraying the issues which is unfortunate as it denies members of the Smith College community access to information in an objective , fair manner.
” The fourth and most recent video as of November 11 describes Shaw ’ s experience at a faculty retreat , the first day of which would see her and her colleagues discuss their “ identities.
” Shaw was told to sit in a group and talk about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your childhood , your adolescence , and your college years.
” Uncomfortable talking about such subjects in a work environment , Shaw abstained from the discussion .
Hours later , a facilitator told the group , “ Any white person who expresses discomfort about or distress or any kind of resistance toward talking about their race when asked to is not actually experiencing discomfort , so don ’ t feel like you should comfort them because it ’ s not discomfort .
It ’ s called ‘ white fragility , ’ and it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saw this as “ a public humiliation.
” “ This was framed as a manipulative maneuver on my part , ” said Shaw .
“ It was an act of aggression , me saying I ’ m uncomfortable.
” Shaw told The College Fix that more videos are forthcoming .
They will feature her take on “ specific incidents that took place on Smith College campus between [ the Kanoute incident ] to the present that I believe are all a product of and a contributor to the hostile environment at Smith and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seeks to maintain over its community.
” The Fix contacted the Smith College public relations department , but it did not respond to repeated requests for comment .
Shaw ’ s videos have garnered national attention from TV hosts such as Tucker Carlson , who had Shaw on as a guest .
“ I consider myself a liberal , ” Shaw told The College Fix , “ and while I wish more liberals would speak out against this , I recognize it is an issue that concerns all of us and is an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( and should ) join forces on .
This is not the time for division.
” “ I continue to work in a hostile work environment that feels more hostile since releasing the video.
” Charles Hilu is a reporter with The College Fix .
He is a sophomore studying political science at the University of Michigan .
In addition to reporting for The College Fix , Charles also writes for his on-campus publication , The Michigan Review , and serves as secretary of Michigan ’ s Young Americans for Freedom chapter .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ plans to study law .
Image “ Jodi Shaw ” by Jodi Shaw .


thetennesseestar--2020-11-16--Groups Urge Adoption of Universal Occupational Licensing Recognition in Ohio

Several pro-business groups have banded together to urge Gov .
Mike DeWine and Ohio lawmakers to quickly adopt universal occupational licensing recognition .
The move could help the Buckeye State as it rebounds from the COVID-19 pandemic , The Buckeye Institute , Americans for Prosperity-Ohio and the Goldwater Institute said in the letter .
The state is in the midst of a record number of cases , and Ohio Gov .
Mike DeWine has threatened to shut down restaurants and bars if the number of cases continues to climb .
“ During the early days of the pandemic , Ohio @ @ @ @ @ @ @ medical licenses so that more doctors and nurses licensed in other states could treat Ohio patients , ” Robert Alt , president and CEO of The Buckeye Institute ; Micah Derry state director for AFP-Ohio ; and Victor Riches , president and CEO of the Goldwater Institute , said in the letter .
“ This limited reform wisely bolstered Ohio ’ s health care capacity in a time of need .
“ Ohio should adopt similar , but permanent , occupational licensing reforms that recognize out-of-state licenses for other licensed professionals , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unnecessary licensing barriers and recognizing existing licenses from other states will attract licensed , professional workers to Ohio and help more Ohioans get back to work serving our communities.
” The groups pointed to a pair of bills filed during the most recent legislative session : House Bill 432 and Senate Bill 246 , neither of which has advanced out of committee .
If lawmakers approved reciprocal license recognition , The Buckeye State would join Arizona , Missouri and Pennsylvania .
“ Significant research shows that occupational licenses do not enhance public safety @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for workers to find better job opportunities , ” the trio wrote .
“ High fees and training requirements reduce an occupation ’ s job growth by 20 percent with disproportionate impact on middle-aged , low-income , and non-college educated workers , ” they added .
“ Research also shows that Ohio has approximately 67,000 fewer jobs than it would have otherwise with more appropriate licensing laws.
” Todd DeFeo is a contributor to The Center Square .
Photo “ Gov .
Mike DeWine Signs ” by Gov .
Mike DeWine .