thetennesseestar--2020-07-22--Manny Sethi Campaign Fails to Provide Evidence to Support Claim Bill Hagerty Made Millions on Common

Manny Sethi Campaign Fails to Provide Evidence to Support Claim Bill Hagerty Made Millions on Common Core

Members of U.S. Senate candidate Manny Sethi ’ s campaign , despite countless claims , apparently can not prove that opponent Bill Hagerty made millions of dollars off of Common Core .
Sethi and Hagerty are both challenging one another to replace the retiring U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander ( R-TN ) for the August 6 Republican primary .
On Tuesday , The Tennessee Star asked Sethi ’ s campaign to demonstrate that Common Core , with no room for doubt , netted Hagerty seven figures or more .
We asked for dates for when Hagerty made those millions .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sethi ’ s campaign to state a precise sum of money .
Sethi Campaign Manager Forrest Barnwell-Hagemeyer , by close of business Tuesday , provided none of that .
Instead , in an emailed response , Barnwell-Hagemeyer linked to a March 2015 CNBC article titled “ Companies Cash in on Common Core despite controversy.
” The article , which only had 92 words , said state governments granted hundreds of millions of dollars in Common Core-related contracts to various businesses , including Houghton Mifflin Harcourt .
Hagerty was Houghton Mifflin Harcourt ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ through 2013 , according to his LinkedIn page .
Hagerty said he assisted a “ a global publisher during transition from an Irish domiciled company to one now headquartered in the US.
” Barnwell-Hagemeyer , though , continued to say that Hagerty and HMH made millions through Common Core .
“ Hagerty ’ s company implemented the Federal Government takeover of our schools while Hagerty was a director , they sent press releases bragging about it , and they continued cashing in to the tune of hundreds of millions of dollars during the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an email .
The Star asked Barnwell-Hagemeyer for either copies of the press releases he mentioned or , better yet , links that would direct us to them .
Barnwell-Hagemeyer responded by saying he was mobile and did not have any press releases at his disposal .
Barnwell-Hagemeyer next emailed us text from a source he did not identify .
That text described Houghton Mifflin Harcourt ’ s new literature in line with Common Core standards .
The written material did not mention Hagerty .
The written material also did not describe how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of its employees financially .
Hagerty himself , at an early voting rally at the Nashville Public Library Bellevue Branch last week , would not directly address Sethi ’ s accusation — other than to verbally disavow Common Core .
The Star asked Sethi ’ s campaign yet again for concrete evidence to support their staff members ’ claims that Hagerty made millions of dollars off Common Core .
“ As a member of the board , he financially benefited , during the time in which he was there , ” Barnwell-Hagemeyer said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would ask him on that one , but it ’ s clear that hundreds of millions were made from Common Core for his company HMH.
” Houghton Mifflin Harcourt ’ s 2013 Initial Public Offering said that cash compensation for non-employee directors consisted of an annual retainer for board and committee service .
“ Our non-employee directors ( other than the Chairman of the Board ) receive annual cash compensation of $ 144,000 .
Our Chairman received annual cash compensation of $ 216,000 , ” according to the IPO .
“ The Company @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expenses they incur in connection with attending Board meetings and committee meetings.
” Hagerty that year made $ 79,500 for fees earned , the IPO said .
Chris Butler is an investigative journalist at The Tennessee Star .
Follow Chris on Facebook .
Email tips to [ email protected ] Photo “ Bill Hagerty ” by Manny Sethi .


thetennesseestar--2020-07-23--Marsha Blackburn Endorses Bill Hagerty for U.S. Senate, Knocks Manny Sethi

U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn ( R-TN ) on Wednesday endorsed Bill Hagerty to work alongside her in Washington , D.C. Blackburn tweeted her support for Hagerty and called him “ a true conservative.
” Hagerty and Manny Sethi are competing against one another to replace the retiring U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander ( R-TN ) in the August 6 Republican primary .
Blackburn elaborated her support for Hagerty — and faulted Sethi — in a press release that Hagerty ’ s staff posted on his campaign ’ s website .
“ Manny ’ s friends – and personally picked board members @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attacked me during the 2018 election .
He stood by and did nothing – they remain on the board of his ‘ policy think tank ’ to this day and were not held accountable for their accusations , ” Blackburn said .
“ He wanted to work in the Obama , Biden White House , defended and supported Obamacare , and gave to ActBlue , which is bankrolling the Marxist BLM movement .
Tennesseans can ’ t afford to send someone who is conveniently conservative to be a Republican and consistently supports President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Bill is the consistently conservative choice .
Join me and President Trump in supporting Bill Hagerty for Senate.
” “ Marsha Blackburn and I stood together in 2016 to elect President Donald J. Trump , and I am so honored that she is standing with me now , ” Hagerty wrote .
“ I look forward to working with her and OUR President to keep fighting for our Tennessee conservative values .
# TNSen.
” As The Tennessee Star reported this week , Hagerty leads Sethi by 3 percentage points – 30 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ percent of voters remain undecided , according to a new poll .
John Couvillon of the Louisiana-based JMC Analytics and Polling published the results , which he said has a 4 percent margin of error .
JMC asked voters who they ’ d vote for if the Republican primary for the U.S. Senate were held today .
Exactly 30 percent of voters said they ’ d support Hagerty , while 27 percent would support Sethi .
Another candidate , George Flinn , would get 3 percent of the vote , while 8 percent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ percent of respondents remain undecided , according to the poll .
“ In summary , Bill Hagerty has a lead in the primary race for the U.S. Senate , but it ’ s not a secure lead against Manny Sethi , ” according to the JMC report .
According to the poll , Hagerty holds a narrow lead whether or not undecided leaners are included , although that lead is within the statistical margin of error .
Chris Butler is an investigative journalist at The Tennessee Star .
Follow Chris on Facebook .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @

Gov. Bill Lee said more than 23,000 Tennesseans have received a free COVID-19 test at one of 67 drive-through testing sites over the past three weekends.
“Testing remains one of the most important tools for gaining more information in our fight against COVID-19, and the 23,000 tests we’ve completed over the last three weekends have provided incredibly valuable data,” Lee said in a statement. “We’re grateful to the thousands who came out to receive a test this weekend and we continue to remind Tennesseans: when in doubt, get a test.”
Last weekend alone, 5,153 Tennesseans received a free COVID-19 test. Lee said the free testing is part of the Unified Command Group’s efforts to widen access to testing regardless of symptoms.
“Our weekend sites have been equipped to meet the demand for free testing across the state,” said Dr. Lisa Piercey, Tennessee Department of Health commissioner. “With ample capacity at our county health departments during the week, we continue to encourage Tennesseans to take advantage of free testing at these locations.”
The Tennessee Department of Health has a map of testing sites published on its website. As of Thursday, Tennessee had completed 236,328 COVID-19 tests. That’s more than double the number of tests performed in states like Minnesota, which claims it has the ability to test up to 20,000 individuals in a day, but has yet to surpass 6,000 daily tests.
Between Wednesday and Thursday, Tennessee tested an additional 9,227 residents, according to the Department of Health.
Tennessee has also performed more than twice as many tests as Kentucky, which had tested 81,391 residents as of Thursday.
Most of Tennessee’s COVID-19 tests have been performed by non-state health labs, which account for 225,427 of the state’s 236,328 total tests.
Tennessee now has 14,096 confirmed COVID-19 cases, 237 deaths, and 6,783 recovered patients.
– – –
Anthony Gockowski is managing editor of The Minnesota Sun and The Ohio Star. Follow Anthony on Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “North Carolina National Guard Members” by the National Guard. CC BY 2.0.


thetennesseestar--2020-07-23--Commentary: President Trump’s Case for Excluding Illegal Aliens from the Census Is Stronger Than You

Commentary: President Trump’s Case for Excluding Illegal Aliens from the Census Is Stronger Than You Think

President Donald Trump has issued an executive memorandum to Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross to discount illegal aliens who are subject to legal removal from the U.S. Census .
Here , the President is invoking the Fourteenth Amendment , Section 2 of the Constitution , which states , “ Representatives shall be apportioned among the several states according to their respective numbers , counting the whole number of persons in each state , excluding Indians not taxed.
” From the President ’ s memorandum : “ The Constitution does not specifically define which persons must be included in the apportionment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ‘ persons in each State , excluding Indians not taxed , ’ to be enumerated in the census , that requirement has never been understood to include in the apportionment base every individual physically present within a State ’ s boundaries at the time of the census .
Instead , the term ‘ persons in each State ’ has been interpreted to mean that only the ‘ inhabitants ’ of each State should be included.
” So , who are the inhabitants of each state ?
The President ’ s memorandum says it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ For example , aliens who are only temporarily in the United States , such as for business or tourism , and certain foreign diplomatic personnel are ‘ persons ’ who have been excluded from the apportionment base in past censuses.
” Which , raises the question , if tourists — whose travel visas have certain expiration dates — can and have been excluded from the Census , then why not illegal immigrants who are subject to removal upon discovery by federal authorities ?
In Burns v. Richardson ( 1966 ) the Supreme Court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could be excluded from apportionment in the Hawaii state legislature because “ Total population figures may thus constitute a substantially distorted reflection of the distribution of state citizenry , ” which would have granted more representatives to Oahu than were owed under the State constitution .
The same can be said of sanctuary states like California , whose own non-legal resident populations skew the Census and award additional seats in the House to that state that would not otherwise be counted if only legal inhabitants were considered .
Given that illegal immigrants are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ migrants , they could be treated the same as tourists under the law — at least , that ’ s what President Trump is saying .
The question is whether , like in Burns , who is being counted constitutes a “ permissible population base , ” in the words of the Court .
Various estimates over the years have stated that anywhere from 11 million to 30 million illegal aliens could be residing in the U.S. but nobody knows for certain .
When President Trump attempted to have a question included on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Court arbitrarily shot it down on June 27 , 2019 , leaving him to pursue a fallback plan .
Under a July 11 , 2019 executive order , Trump instead mandated federal departments and agencies to provide records to the Department of Commerce and the U.S. Census Bureau to compile an accurate counting of citizen , legal resident and illegal alien populations for the 2020 Census — but without a citizenship question on the Census form for households to fill out .
Instead , the Trump executive order requires “ All agencies shall @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ] the maximum assistance permissible , consistent with law , in determining the number of citizens , non‑citizens , and illegal aliens in the country , including by providing any access that the Department may request to administrative records that may be useful in accomplishing that objective.
” In addition , the order specifically requires the following records to be furnished to the Census : “ National-level file of Lawful Permanent Residents , Naturalizations ” from the Department of Homeland Security ( DHS ) and the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from DHS and Immigration and Customs Enforcement , “ National-level file of Customs and Border Arrival/Departure transaction data ” from DHS , “ Refugee and Asylum visas ” from DHS and Department of State , Worldwide Refugee and Asylum Processing System , “ National-level passport application data ” from State , “ Master Beneficiary Records ” from the Social Security Administration and “ CMS Medicaid and CHIP Information System ” from the Department of Health and Human Services .
Now , Trump ’ s move to block illegal aliens from being counted will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Abbott ( 2016 ) Supreme Court decision that held “ As constitutional history , precedent , and practice demonstrate , a State or locality may draw its legislative districts based on total population.
” Then , plaintiffs were objecting to Texas ’ plan to count the total population including non-citizens , both legal and illegal , given in the Census toward legislative districts .
The Supreme Court unanimously held in Texas ’ favor .
And while that may seem like it might preclude what Trump is trying to do here , the question @ @ @ @ @ @ @ constitutes the “ total population ” in each state .
Is it the number persons who happen to be in each state at the time of the Census ’ taking ?
Or the number of inhabitants , as Trump suggests ?
And who decides who is an inhabitant ?
Here , Trump shows that past presidents have made the ultimate determination , excluding tourists and also sometimes excluding overseas military personnel and sometimes including them .
From the memorandum , “ the Constitution also has never been understood to exclude every person who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ State at the time of the census .
For example , overseas Federal personnel have , at various times , been included in and excluded from the populations of the States in which they maintained their homes of record .
The discretion delegated to the executive branch to determine who qualifies as an ‘ inhabitant ’ includes authority to exclude from the apportionment base aliens who are not in a lawful immigration status.
” So , Trump wishes to separate out citizens and legal residents from those here either on temporary visas or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ different from what the Supreme Court decided in 2016 .
The case is stronger than you think .
If persons with temporary travel visas have been excluded constitutionally in past Censuses , then why should persons who overstay those travel visas be included ?
The same can be said for illegal aliens subject to deportation who never had a visa to begin with .
If tourists and visa overstayers aren ’ t included , then neither should illegal aliens be included .
Robert Romano is the Vice President of Public Policy at Americans @ @ @ @


thetennesseestar--2020-07-23--‘We Will Not Retreat’: DHS’ Chad Wolf Defends Portland Intervention Amid Riots

Chad Wolf , acting secretary of the Department of Homeland Security , said the ongoing protests in Portland are “ the complete opposite ” of peaceful demonstrations and that the federal government would “ not retreat.
” “ We support and we will protect those who want to peacefully protest , ” Wolf said in a press conference Tuesday .
“ Unfortunately , what we ’ re seeing in Portland every night , roughly from midnight to 4:30 or 5 a.m. is the complete opposite.
” “ If you ’ re a violent rioter or looking to inflict damage on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ need to find another line of work , ” Wolf said .
“ We will not retreat.
” The targets of the rioters include the Mark O. Hatfield U.S .
Courthouse and the Multnomah County Justice Center .
Violence began on May 29 , days after the death of George Floyd , who died in police custody in Minneapolis .
Wolf said the city of Portland has turned a blind eye to crime that has been occurring throughout the city , which has continued since the reported dismantling of the cop-free zone during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The city of Portland takes little to no action to stop or disperse this crowd , ” Wolf said .
“ These individuals carry lasers , baseball bats , explosive fireworks , metal pipes , glass bottles , accelerants , and other weapons , all targeting federal facilities and federal law enforcement .
And yet the city of Portland takes little to no action.
” Wolf said the rioters are also destroying fencing and painting graffiti at the courthouse in Portland .
He also said they have been taking plywood off the courthouse @ @ @ @ @ @ @ well as tossing explosive materials into the courthouse .
He also decried the attacks against law enforcement in Portland as “ disgusting.
” “ Many of our law enforcement officers in Portland have other responsibilities around the country .
They are away from their families and putting their lives at risk every night , ” he said , adding : Wolf also pushed back on the notion that the federal government is to blame for the unrest in Portland .
“ I ’ ve heard the mayor of Portland recently stated the federal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Wolf said , adding : Portland has declared a riot on numerous occasions because of this nightly violence .
While this action helps , unfortunately , they only take this action when city officials or local law enforcement are targeted , not federal .
Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler , a Democrat , told CNN Sunday , “ The tactics that the Trump administration are using on the streets of Portland are abhorrent.
” “ People are being literally scooped off the street into unmarked vans , rental cars , apparently , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being denied probable cause .
And they are denied due process .
They don ’ t even know who ’ s pulling them into the vans .
The people aren ’ t identifying themselves .
And , as far as I can see , this is completely unconstitutional.
” Previously this summer , another northwest city , Seattle , was an epicenter of violence and unrest following the death of Floyd on May 25 .
The Seattle area subsequently became home to the so-called Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone ( CHAZ ) , also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( CHOP ) , which was a self-declared “ autonomous ” and cop-free zone .
The city of Seattle ultimately took action and dispersed the participants at the beginning of July .
Rachel del Guidice is a congressional reporter for The Daily Signal .
She is a graduate of Franciscan University of Steubenville , Forge Leadership Network , and The Heritage Foundation ’ s Young Leaders Program .


thetennesseestar--2020-07-23--Commentary: The Death of Standards at the New York Times

The mainstream press has spent a lot of time and energy recently attacking Tucker Carlson , none more enthusiastically than CNN ’ s simpering and shrieking little eunuch , Brian Stelter .
Of course Carlson , with the No .
1 rated show in the history of cable news , can laugh all the way to the bank in response to most of these critics .
This is nothing new : Fox News is used to its top stars being attacked by the thought-monolith , leftist media and benefitting from the drama in the ratings .
For those of us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ amusing and tiresome all at once .
But at the same time , disturbing undertones are emerging in these stories .
On Monday , Carlson revealed that the New York Times was preparing to publish a story discussing the details surrounding the location of his family residence .
This pathetic attempt to incite doxxing and harassment is unfortunately par for the course for the rag started by Confederate sympathizers .
The paper with its new generation of little wokesters will brook no deviation from their leftist dogma and are intent on driving out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who are not 100 percent on board with their program to smash the Right .
It is kind of ironic in a deliciously karma-filled way that the lefties at the Times are being purged by the little commies they hired .
First , the commies forced the resignation of two editors for the cardinal sin of publishing Senator Tom Cotton ’ s ( R-Ark . )
op-ed on sending in troops to quell the looting and violence in cities across the country .
Such independent thinking is only good for the gulag , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the one , true faith !
A few weeks later , and we find the Gray Lady reeling from what should have been the equivalent of a nuclear bomb exploding in the middle of the national media—the resignation letter of New York Times editor Bari Weiss .
Weiss was one of the few centrists left at the Times ; liberal , yes , but generally in the ZIP code of left-of-center .
In fact , the Times hired her after the 2016 election precisely because management felt the paper needed her centrist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so badly missed the mood of the country that led to President Trump ’ s election : My own forays into Wrongthink have made me the subject of constant bullying by colleagues who disagree with my views .
They have called me a Nazi and a racist ; I have learned to brush off comments about how I ’ m “ writing about the Jews again.
” Several colleagues perceived to be friendly with me were badgered by coworkers .
My work and my character are openly demeaned on company-wide Slack channels where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , some coworkers insist I need to be rooted out if this company is to be a truly “ inclusive ” one , while others post ax emojis next to my name .
Still other New York Times employees publicly smear me as a liar and a bigot on Twitter with no fear that harassing me will be met with appropriate action .
They never are .
Bari Weiss , a Jewish female centrist , was labeled a Nazi by her New York Times colleagues for her “ forays into Wrongthink , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ alternate view to the dominant left-wing bias of the Times and its acolytes at the Washington Post , ABC , NBC , CBS , CNN , MSNBC and the rest of the national media .
In a normal world , this would be laughed at on account of the absolute ludicrousness of it all .
A day after Weiss resigned , Liberty University sued the Times in a $ 10 million defamation case over a “ made up ” and damaging story that falsely claimed several students returning from spring break became infected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ open .
In fact , no student , faculty member , or administrative staff on campus was or ever became infected .
That story was never retracted .
The Times said in a statement that it is “ confident ” the story was accurate .
I guess they ’ re using the “ new math ” where zero plus zero equals something or other when leftist ideology is the constant in the equation .
The entire mindset behind it all is incredibly arrogant .
You can ’ t create something out of nothing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can do that .
Speaking of , over at CNN , Don Lemon insulted every believing Christian on the planet with a swipe at Jesus Christ .
“ Here ’ s the thing , ” Lemon stated to fellow CNN anchor Chris Cuomo who is , ironically , a Catholic : “ Jesus Christ—if that ’ s who you believe in , Jesus Christ—admittedly was not perfect when He was here on Earth.
” Mmm .
Yeah , so listen , I ’ m no theologian , but a fundamental aspect of Christianity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Jesus Christ , was fully perfect and fully man , though I guess we should not expect that Don Le-MON or any reporter assigned to CNN would know any more about Christianity than they do about the other subjects they cover .
Today the Left can do and say anything , no matter how vile , outrageous , or untruthful—and get a pass .
When the standard of truth is not the facts , but instead how you feel about them , that ’ s how it works .
Facts be damned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I hope Bari Weiss kept screenshots of the “ Slack channels ” on which she was harassed for simply doing what she was hired to do by the New York Times : present her personal view of politics , the culture and world events which did not necessarily reflect the leftist , elitist groupthink that pervades the historic flagship of American journalism and the rest of America ’ s national media .
But even if she did , it won ’ t matter .
The Times will do nothing .
The mainstream @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s always the way of it .
That ’ s because this has nothing to do with the truth .
It has everything with forcing groupthink , rationalizing conformity , and creating and advancing “ an open , articulate philosophy which holds that group values are not only expedient but right and good as well.
” In other words , our media see themselves as the enforcers of conformity to the “ true faith ” —the Idiocracy of the Left .
You will conform or be damned .
But if embracing open dialogue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be deemed heretical by the new Left , then I will gladly for the rest of my life be an apostate to their idiocy .
Ned Ryun is a former presidential writer for George W. Bush and the founder and CEO of American Majority .
You can find him on Twitter @ nedryun .


thetennesseestar--2020-07-23--The Woodshed Guitar Experience Brings World Renown Artists to Crossville, Tennessee

Nashville , Tennessee– The Woodshed Guitar Experience ( WGE ) will be held in Crossville , Tennessee from August 27-30 .
The event will be hosted by master guitarist Andy Wood ( rock , bluegrass ) and facilitated by renowned guitarists Joe Bonamassa ( blues ) , Brent Mason ( country ) , Andy Timmons ( rock ) , Mark Lettieri ( Gospel , R & B ) , and Greg Koch ( blues , funk , jazz ) .
Wood described this event as a three-day vacation where guitar enthusiasts can learn from six of the top guys in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are covered in the registration cost .
Additionally , a variety of meal options will be offered to all attendees , with special accommodations for campers with food allergies .
When creating this retreat , the musicians knew they needed to do something on a smaller scale because of COVID-19 .
While Lake Frances has the space to host well over 1,000 people , the event will only allow 110 general admission tickets to be sold along with 15 VIP passes .
With smaller numbers for this exclusive event , The WGE has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ safe environment .
“ We decided to put together an event that could bring a little happiness to some fellow music lovers and guitar nerds , ” Wood said .
“ That ’ s the least we can do.
” The exclusive experience is designed to inspire and educate musicians by offering hands-on opportunities with some of the most talented artists in the industry .
To further promote social distancing , classes will be conducted in shifts in open areas .
At the end of the event , the WGE plans to do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ group of attendees .
Also of note , the house band performing will consist of Jim Reilley on drums , Travis Toy on steel guitar , and Adam Nitti on bass .
“ [ This group of artists ] is like a stable full of Ferraris and Lamborghinis .
I just want them to go do what they do , ” Wood said .
This is sure to provide a once-in-a-lifetime experience for any guitar enthusiast .
The WGE will appeal to guitars lovers of all ages and family members are encouraged to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more about The WGE , click here .
You can follow The WGE on Facebook and Instagram .
Bethany Bowman is a freelance entertainment writer .
You can follow her blog , Bethany Writes , Instagram , and Twitter .


thetennesseestar--2020-07-23--US Ratchets up China Tensions, Closing Houston Consulate

WASHINGTON , D.C. ( AP ) — The United States ordered China to close its consulate in Houston , escalating tensions between the world ’ s largest economies as President Donald Trump ramps up pressure against China ahead of the November election .
Beijing denounced the order Wednesday as “ outrageous ” and said it would draw a firm response if not reversed .
The physical closure of the consulate , one of six in the United States along with China ’ s mission to the United Nations , marked a dramatic step in increasingly contentious relations that have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but by disputes over trade , human rights , Hong Kong and Chinese assertiveness in the South China Sea .
Previous Trump administration measures against Chinese officials , students and researchers have included travel bans , registration requirements and others steps intended to reduce the country ’ s footprint in the United States .
The administration has also announced its outright rejection of virtually all Chinese maritime claims in the South China Sea .
These actions have come as Trump has sought to blame China for the coronavirus outbreak in the United States @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump ’ s prospects for reelection .
The State Department said it ordered the consulate closed within 72 hours as it alleges that Chinese agents have been seeking to steal U.S. data from facilities in Texas , including the Texas A & M medical system statewide and The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston .
There were indications consulate staff were preparing to leave .
There were reports of papers being burned on the consulate grounds Tuesday night — a common practice when a diplomatic post is being shuttered on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ortagus said in a statement.that the closure was “ to protect American intellectual property and American ’ s private information.
” “ The United States will not tolerate ( China ’ s ) violations of our sovereignty and intimidation of our people , just as we have not tolerated ( China ’ s ) unfair trade practices , theft of American jobs , and other egregious behavior , ” she said .
“ President Trump insists on fairness and reciprocity in U.S.-China relations.
” Testifying before Congress on Wednesday , Deputy Secretary of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are “ weighed down by a growing number of disputes , ” including commercial espionage , intellectual property theft , unequal treatment of diplomats , businesses and journalists .
“ It is these factors which led the president to direct a number of actions in response , including yesterday ’ s notification to ( China ) that we have withdrawn our consent for ( China ) to operate its consulate in Houston , Texas , ” Biegun told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee .
The Department of Justice on Tuesday had announced the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of trying to steal pharmaceutical secrets from U.S. companies related to the COVID-19 pandemic that originated in China .
Although there was no indication the two measures were related , the U.S. has long alleged China is involved in nefarious activity around the country , including from its Houston consulate .
Even before the U.S. announced the closure , which was conveyed privately to the Chinese ambassador to the United States on Tuesday , China strongly condemned it .
A foreign ministry spokesperson called it “ an outrageous and unjustified move that will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ The unilateral closure of China ’ s consulate general in Houston within a short period of time is an unprecedented escalation of its recent actions against China , ” foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said at a daily news briefing in Beijing .
He warned of firm countermeasures if the U.S. does not reverse itself .
Wang accused the U.S. of opening Chinese diplomatic pouches without permission multiple times , confiscating Chinese items for official use and imposing restrictions on Chinese diplomats beginning last October and again in June .
He also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in infiltration activities .
“ If we compare the two , it is only too evident which is engaged in interference , infiltration and confrontation , ” Wang said .
He also said that the Chinese Embassy in Washington has received bomb and death threats , and accused the U.S. government of fanning hatred against China .
In Houston , firefighters responded to reports of papers being burned on the consulate grounds Tuesday night but were barred entry , according to local reports .
Houston police said in a tweet that officers responded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ call at the Chinese Consulate building at 3417 Montrose Blvd .
It said smoke was observed in an outdoor courtyard area , and that officers were not allowed to enter the building .
Foreign diplomatic missions operate under legal immunities accorded by international law and are not able to be entered without permission .
However , the destruction of confidential documents at a facility that has been ordered or otherwise forced to close on short notice , including U.S. missions , is not unusual .
Most recently in the United States , Russia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ news for burning large amounts of material when it was ordered closed in 2017 .
Aside from the diplomatic ramifications , the closure of the Houston consulate will make it more difficult for China to provide assistance to its citizens in the southern United States and for U.S. nationals seeking visas and other services there .
In addition to its embassy in Washington and its mission to the United Nations in New York , China has consulates in New York , Chicago and Los Angeles.In an apparent bid to stave off the reciprocal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ China , the State Department told the Chinese that it would not re-open its consulate in Wuhan , according to two U.S. officials who were not authorized to discuss the matter publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity .
The U.S. consulate in Wuhan was shuttered in late January at the height of the coronavirus outbreak that started there , but the State Department had informed Congress in early June that it planned to re-open it , possibly this summer .
Besides Wuhan , the U.S. has four other consulates in China — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Shenyang — along with its embassy in Beijing and a consulate general in Hong Kong .
In a reflection of China ’ s economic importance , a Houston business group expressed regret at the announcement , saying the consulate has been important in building trade , investment and cultural ties .
It noted that the Houston consulate was China ’ s first in the U.S. when it opened in 1979 .
The Greater Houston Partnership expressed hope that China would take immediate steps to address intellectual property and cybersecurity concerns .
Ken Moritsugu @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Associated Press .
Moritsugu reported from Beijing .
About the Headline Photo : A firetruck is positioned outside the Chinese Consulate Wednesday , July 22 , 2020 , in Houston .
Authorities responded to reports of a fire at the consulate .
Witnesses said that people were burning paper in what appeared to be trash cans , according to police .
China says the U.S. has ordered it to close its consulate in Houston in what it called a provocation that violates international law .
( AP Photo/David J. Phillip )


thetennesseestar--2020-07-23--Powerful Quake Jolts Alaska Towns, Produces Small Tsunami

ANCHORAGE , Alaska ( AP ) — A powerful earthquake off Alaska ’ s southern coast jolted coastal communities late Tuesday , and some residents briefly scrambled for higher ground over fears of a tsunami .
There were no immediate reports of damage in the sparsely populated area of the state , and the tsunami warning was canceled after the magnitude 7.8 quake off the Alaska Peninsula produced a wave of a less than a foot .
According to the U.S. Geological Survey , the earthquake struck Tuesday at 10:12 p.m. local time and was centered in waters 65 miles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tiny community of Perryville , at a depth of 17 miles ( 28 km ) .
Because of the temblor ’ s location , nearby communities along the Alaska Peninsula did not experience shaking that would normally be associated with that magnitude of a quake , said Michael West , Alaska State Seismologist .
That doesn ’ t mean they slept through it , West said residents in small towns within a hundred miles ( 160 kilometers ) of the quake reported very strong shaking .
Some shaking was also felt more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Anchorage area , West said .
“ No reports of any damage , ” Kodiak Police Sgt .
Mike Sorter said early Wednesday morning .
“ No injuries were reported .
Everything is nominal.
” Kodiak is about 200 miles ( 320 kilometers ) northeast of where the earthquake was centered .
The tsunami warning prompted coastal residents to evacuate to higher ground , with social media posts showing long lines of people fleeing towns like Homer and Kodiak as tsunami sirens wailed in the background .
On Kodiak Island , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their doors for evacuees , the Anchorage Daily News reported .
“ We ’ ve got a high school full of people , ” said Larry LeDoux , superintendent of the Kodiak School District .
“ I ’ ve been passing out masks since the first siren sounded , ” he told the Daily News .
“ Everything ’ s as calm as can be .
We ’ ve got probably 300 , 400 people all wearing masks , ” he said before the warning was canceled .
Tsunami warnings are commonplace for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” I ’ ve been doing these since I was a little kid , ” LeDoux told the newspaper .
“ Old news.
” Officials at the National Tsunami Warning Center in Palmer , Alaska , began calling off tsunami advisories and warnings after a wave of less than 1 foot ( 30 centimeters ) was recorded in the community of Sand Point .
“ I might have expected a little bit more water , but I ’ m happy that there wasn ’ t , ” said David Hale , the senior @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tuesday ’ s quake was more powerful than the magnitude 7.1 earthquake that caused damage in the Anchorage area in November 2018 .
“ This earthquake released about 15 times as much energy as that earthquake , said West , the state seismologist .
More than a dozen aftershocks of magnitude 4.0 or higher were reported immediately after the earthquake , he said from the Alaska Earthquake Center at the University of Alaska Fairbanks .
” We got people here who are going be working all night , ” West said early Wednesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and go and go and go.
” The Alaska-Aleutian Trench was also where a magnitude 9.2 quake in 1964 was centered .
That remains the second most powerful earthquake ever recorded .
The temblor and ensuing tsunami caused widespread damage and killed 131 people , some as far away as Oregon and California .
Alaska is the most actively seismic state .
Nearly 25,000 earthquakes have been recorded in Alaska since Jan. 1 , according to the center .
Mark Thiessen is a reporter for The Associated Press .
About the Headline Photo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shine at dusk as people evacuate the Spit in Homer , Alaska , following a powerful earthquake in the Aleutian Islands that prompted a tsunami warning .
There were no immediate reports of damage in the sparsely populated area of the state , and the tsunami warning was later canceled .
( Pat Williams Russell via AP )


thetennesseestar--2020-07-23--At Least 20,000 People Walked off Jobs to Protest Racial and Economic Inequality

Around 20,000 workers walked out of their workplaces worldwide to protest racial and economic inequality Monday , organizers told the Associated Press .
About 60 labor unions and other social justice organizations organized The Strike For Black Lives walkout in 160 cities around the world , according to the AP .
“ There was a time when the Irish and Italians were a subjugated people , too , ” said 38-year-old Justice Favor , an organizer for New York City ’ s Laborers ’ International Union Local 79 , told the AP .
“ How would you feel if you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into society ?
” Workers blocked the drive-thru for eight minutes and 46 seconds , at a Los Angeles , California McDonald ’ s to protest , according to the AP report .
This is reportedly the length of time a St. Louis policeman kneeled on George Floyd ’ s neck before Floyd ’ s death .
A few dozen Uber and Lyft drivers formed a vehicle convoy in Los Angeles to demand better health insurance and paid sick leave , the AP reported .
“ It ’ s basic stuff , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for everyone , not just the companies , ” 28-year-old Jerome Gage told the AP .
Around 200 essential workers met Democratic senatorial candidates outside the Boston Statehouse , according to the AP .
“ We ’ re just being overworked and underpaid , ” Toyai Anderson , a nursing aid at Hartford Nursing and Rehab Center nursing in Detroit , Michigan , told the AP .
Employees of the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport called for a minimum wage increase to $ 15 an hour , the AP reported .
“ We are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re doing it at a wage that doesn ’ t even match the risk , ” said Glen Brown , a wheelchair agent whose job does not accommodate social distancing .
“ We have to also be concerned about the people who are dying and being put into lethal situations through economic exploitation all over the country , ” said protest organizer Rev .
William Barber II , co-chairman of the Poor People ’ s Campaign .
Around 150 union workers gathered outside Trump International Hotel in New York to support the HEROES @ @ @ @ @ @ @ act would provide essential workers with more personal protective equipment , essential pay , and extended unemployment benefits , according to the AP .
The House of Representatives passed the HEROES act on May 15 , according to congressional record .
Around 6,000 workers from 85 nursing homes in New York , New Jersey and Connecticut protested personal protective equipment shortages affecting black and Hispanic workers and nursing home residents , the AP reported .
Dozens of janitors , health care workers and security guards observed a moment of silence for George Floyd @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In San Francisco , around 1,500 janitors walked out of their workplaces and marched to City Hall .
Kaylee Greenlee is a reporter for the Daily Caller News Foundation .


thetennesseestar--2020-07-23--Trump Deploys Feds to More States Under ‘Law-and-Order’ Push

WASHINGTON , D.C. ( AP ) — President Donald Trump announced Wednesday that he will send federal agents into Chicago and Albuquerque to help combat rising crime , expanding the administration ’ s intervention in local enforcement as he runs for reelection under a “ law-and-order ” mantle .
Using the same alarmist language that he has employed in the past to describe illegal immigration , Trump painted Democrat-led cities as out of control and lashed out at the “ radical left , ” even though criminal justice experts say the increase in violence in some cities defies easy explanation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been a radical movement to defend , dismantle and dissolve our police department , ” Trump said at a White House event , blaming the movement for “ a shocking explosion of shootings , killings , murders and heinous crimes of violence.
” “ This bloodshed must end , ” he said .
“ This bloodshed will end.
” The decision to dispatch federal agents to American cities is playing out at a hyperpoliticized moment when Trump is trying to show that he stands with law enforcement and depict Democrats as weak on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to go before Election Day , Trump has been serving up dire warnings that the violence would worsen if his Democratic rival Joe Biden is elected in November , as he tries to win over voters who could be swayed by that message .
In trying to explain the spike in violence , experts point to the unprecedented moment the country is living through — a pandemic that has killed more than 140,000 Americans , historic unemployment , stay-at-home orders , a mass reckoning over race and police brutality , intense stress and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years , crime is down overall .
Local authorities have also complained that deploying federal agents to their cities has only exacerbated tensions on the streets .
Hundreds of federal agents already have been sent to Kansas City , Missouri , to help quell a record rise in violence after the shooting death of a young boy there .
Sending federal agents to help localities is not uncommon .
Barr announced a similar surge effort in December for seven cities that had seen spiking violence .
Usually , the Justice Department sends agents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the Bureau of Alcohol , Tobacco , Firearms and Explosives or the Drug Enforcement Agency .
But this surge effort will include at least 100 Department of Homeland Security Investigations officers working in the region who generally conduct drug trafficking and child exploitation investigations .
DHS officers have already been dispatched to Portland , Oregon , and other localities to protect federal property and monuments as Trump has lambasted efforts by protesters to knock down Confederate statutes .
But civil unrest in Portland only escalated after federal agents there were accused of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ probable case .
The spike in crime has hit hard in some cities with resources already stretched thin from the pandemic .
But local leaders initially rejected the move to send in federal forces .
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot later said she and other local officials had spoken with federal authorities and come to an understanding .
“ I ’ ve been very clear that we welcome actual partnership , ” the Democratic mayor said Tuesday after speaking with federal officials .
“ But we do not welcome dictatorship .
We do not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ welcome unconstitutional arrest and detainment of our residents .
That is something I will not tolerate.
” In New Mexico , meanwhile , Democratic elected officials were cautioning Trump against any possible plans to send federal agents to the state , with U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich calling on Bernalillo County Sheriff Manny Gonzales , who will be at the White House on Wednesday , to resign .
“ Instead of collaborating with the Albuquerque Police Department , the Sheriff is inviting the President ’ s stormtroopers into Albuquerque , ” the Democratic senator @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gun crimes generally carry much stiffer penalties than state crimes — and larger-scale federal investigations that can cross state lines tend to make a big impact .
The Justice Department will reimburse Chicago $ 3.5 million for local law enforcement ’ s work on the federal task force .
Through a separate federal fund , Chicago received $ 9.3 million to hire 75 new officers .
Two dozen agents will be sent to Albuquerque , and the administration made available $ 1.5 million in funding for the Bernalillo County Sheriff ’ s Department @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million for 40 new Albuquerque officers .
In Kansas City , the top federal prosecutor said any agents involved in an operation to reduce violent crime in the area will be clearly identifiable when making arrests , unlike what has been seen in Portland .
“ These agents won ’ t be patrolling the streets , ” U.S. Attorney Timothy Garrison said .
“ They won ’ t replace or usurp the authority of local officers.
” Operation Legend — named after 4-year-old LeGend Taliferro , who was fatally shot while sleeping in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — was announced on July 8 .
The first arrest came earlier this week .
Garrison has said that the additional 225 federal agents from the FBI , DEA , ATF and the U.S .
Marshals Service join 400 agents already working and living in the Kansas City area .
The Trump administration is facing growing pushback in Portland .
Multiple lawsuits have been filed questioning the federal government ’ s authority to use broad policing powers in cities .
One suit filed Tuesday says federal agents are violating protesters ’ 10th Amendment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to local and state governments .
Oregon ’ s attorney general sued last week , asking a judge to block federal agents ’ actions .
The state argued that masked agents had arrested people on the streets without probable cause and far from the U.S. courthouse that ’ s become a target of vandalism .
Federal authorities , however , said state and local officials had been unwilling to work with them to stop the vandalism and violence against federal officers and the U.S. courthouse .
Colleen Long and Jill Colvin are reporters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Michael Tarm in Chicago and Michael Balsamo in Washington contributed to this report .
About the Headline Photo : President Donald Trump speaks during an event on “ Operation Legend : Combatting Violent Crime in American Cities , ” in the East Room of the White House , Wednesday , July 22 , 2020 , in Washington .
( AP Photo/Evan Vucci )


thetennesseestar--2020-07-23--New York Planned Parenthood Condemns Founder’s ‘Harmful Connections to the Eugenics Movement’

Planned Parenthood of Greater New York condemned its founder Margaret Sanger for her “ harmful connections to the eugenics movement ” and vowed to remove her name from their building , according to the group ’ s statement released Tuesday .
“ The removal of Margaret Sanger ’ s name from our building is both a necessary and overdue step to reckon with our legacy and acknowledge Planned Parenthood ’ s contributions to historical reproductive harm within communities of color , ” Karen Seltzer , chairwoman of Planned Parenthood of Greater New York ’ s board , said in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Manhattan clinic also urged city leaders to remove Sanger ’ s name from a street sign adjacent to their building , according to the Times .
Margaret Sanger opened the first birth control clinic in 1916 and was a passionate advocate for women ’ s use of contraceptives when they were still illegal .
She founded the American Birth Control League in 1921 , which would later evolve into the Planned Parenthood Federation of America , according to PBS .
The Planned Parenthood Federation agreed with the New York clinic ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Times reported .
“ Planned Parenthood , like many other organizations that have existed for a century or more , is reckoning with our history , and working to address historical inequities to better serve patients and our mission , ” spokeswoman Melanie Roussell Newman said .
The Planned Parenthood Federation , which described Sanger as “ a trailblazer in the fight for reproductive rights ” in a 2016 fact sheet , has previously been scrutinized for its founder ’ s beliefs .
Former Republican presidential candidate Ben Carson lambasted the national @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2015 .
“ I know who Margaret Sanger is , and I know that she believed in eugenics , and one of the reasons you find most of their clinics in black neighborhoods is so that you can find a way to control that population , ” the retired neurosurgeon and current secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development said .
Planned Parenthood is among many institutions that have begun removing references to controversial historical figures .
Princeton University decided in June that it would remove former president and alum @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a residential college and its public policy school due to his segregationist views .
Spencer Landis is a reporter for the Daily Caller News Foundation .


thetennesseestar--2020-07-23--Crom Carmichael: ‘Core Principles That Make for a Civilized Society Are Clearly Under Assault’

Live from Music Row Wednesday morning on The Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy – broadcast on Nashville ’ s Talk Radio 98.3 and 1510 WLAC weekdays from 5:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. – host Leahy welcomed the original all-star panelist Crom Carmichael to the studio .
During the second hour , Carmichael weighed in on the violence and looting happening around the country citing a decline in society ’ s core values .
He expressed concern for voters in Democratic cities who would still vote Democratic even as their cities are destroyed and described this as the most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our good friend and original all-star panelist Crom Carmichael .
Good morning Crom .
Carmichael : Good morning Michael .
How are you , sir ?
Leahy : Well you know , does it feel like the world is getting crazier and crazier Crom ?
Carmichael : The core principles that make for a civilized society are clearly under assault .
Leahy : That ’ s a very good way of putting it , Crom .
It leaves me sometimes more than a little bit out of sorts .
Carmichael : It just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now nightly riots .
And Portland apparently the riots start at midnight .
It ’ s almost like its an appointment .
Its been going on for about 50 consecutive nights where there are downtown riots , looting , destruction , and graffiti just all over the place .
Just destroying the downtown area of Portland .
Leahy : And what is that Democratic mayor doing to enforce the rule of law .
Carmichael : And a Democrat governor .
So the graffiti and attacks on the federal buildings has caused Trump in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ troops in to protect federal buildings .
Not troops but… Carmichael : So it ’ s not part of the military .
It ’ s part of Homeland Security which is law enforcement domestic .
And so the legal case for it is the Left claims that he ’ s breaking the law .
And Napolitano has claimed that he ’ s breaking the law .
And poor Judge Napolitano .
Something has caused him and John Kasich to click and must have lunch once a week I guess .
Leahy : I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a ride down to Joe Biden ’ s basement and commiserate with the lack of mental capabilities .
Carmichael : Well , they don ’ t commiserate with Joe because they wouldn ’ t learn anything .
( Leahy chuckles ) The question is should Trump send the troops in or send in forces to protect federal buildings or should he leave it up to the people of Portland to vote these people out and the people of Oregon ?
I will tell you , it is a mystery to me that people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is destroying their own city .
I ’ m going to make a prediction that if I ’ m wrong I ’ ll really be distressed .
And that is that Minnesota will go for Trump in the November election .
Carmichael : The state of Minnesota .
Because Trump lost Minnesota by only 2,000 votes .
So it was very very close .
Leahy : Well , 40,000 .
But two-tenths of one percent .
It was very close .
Carmichael : OK. And Minnesota has gotten more of the damage and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the violence than any other state .
And Minneapolis in particular .
If the people of Minneapolis say OK I ’ m still going to vote for the same party that thinks this is OK then ( Chuckles ) that to me is a bigger indication of where society is going and where are country is going than any of the political stuff .
Leahy : So I have a theory about this .
I think we have mental health problems in certain cities in this country .
Minneapolis would be one of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Evidence of that is you ’ ve got these rioters there like Antifa tearing things down .
They are rioting and destroying the federal courthouse .
Then you have the federal officers there trying to stop them .
You saw this story , in between Moms Gone Wild .
Left-wing moms basically cornering themselves off by separating law enforcement from the violent protesters .
Carmichael : I ’ m not talking about Portland .
I ’ m really not .
Portland is a crazy place .
It really is .
And these are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There are millions of people in Portland .
So to me , they are the exception and not the rule .
But if the people of Portland continue to vote , my question is are they going to vote for Trump ?
Leahy : They are not .
Carmichael : The question is do they vote for a Democrat mayor next time .
That to me is the question .
Carmichael : And if they do I don ’ t know why Trump is sending in anybody if that ’ s how they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way .
As long as they can ’ t impose their will of living in essentially in the Lord of the Flies .
Carmichael : If that ’ s how they want to live .
But this ought to be an example of where the Left will take the rest of the country .
And you can see it in the media .
They actually think that the rioters in Portland are virtuous .
Carmichael : So that is what is most troubling to me .
I don ’ t care what you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t like Obama at all .
I probably detested Obama as much as people detest Trump .
Some people detest Trump .
But I didn ’ t think that lawlessness was good .
I didn ’ t say OK well since I detest Obama then let the country burn .
I didn ’ t go anywhere near there .
Leahy : Let me do a counterpoint here on this .
I think many urban areas have widespread mental health problems as evidenced by…no no .
Let me continue .
Let ’ s say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Minneapolis which is the urban area .
Then you have the west of Minnesota which is rural .
The rural folks just can ’ t understand what ’ s going on in Minneapolis .
But within Minneapolis , my guess is that most of these voters there will vote to elect a Democrat mayor .
This is the problem .
Carmichael : That doesn ’ t necessarily mean they are mentally ill .
I don ’ t know what it does mean .
I ’ m not going to let them off the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the hook in my opinion .
Leahy : I ’ m trying to make a funny joke but it ’ s not that funny apparently .
Carmichael : No .
I don ’ t think to call somebody mentally ill because they vote for people who are going to destroy their own city .
I think that ’ s letting them off the hook .
I don ’ t know what it is .
I really don ’ t .
I keep saying I ’ m reading these two books ( Leahy chuckles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plow my way through .
And what happened in France and what happened in Germany .
Leahy : During the French Revolution and proceeding the Nazi right of power in the 20th century .
Carmichael : Yes .
That is what we are seeing .
And in both cases , it was because of the core values .
They weren ’ t anywhere near our core values .
In France , you had a monarchy .
Leahy : You didn ’ t have a Democratic republic or that long tradition that we have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the traditions that they did have disintegrated .
And the nature of the mob took over .
But then as the nature of the mob took over early on a bigger mob turned against that mob .
And it disintegrated .
And over a 10 year period , France shrunk by 50 percent .
And it wasn ’ t until Napoleon came in as a dictator .
I think that the voters in November have a very very clear choice .
And that the race is close is troubling .
But if Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Democrats were to have the House and the Senate they would change all kinds of rules that would destroy our Republic .
Leahy : I think my thesis is the majority of urban voters in these large cities are OK with that .
That ’ s my thesis .
Carmichael : No .
I don ’ t think so .
Leahy : You don ’ t think so ?
Carmichael : I don ’ t think they realize it .
Leahy : Oh , because they don ’ t realize it .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I hope I ’ m wrong .
Carmichael : It ’ s a little bit like Scrooge where they wake up and look back .
I don ’ t think they want chaos .
Leahy : We ’ ll see .
I hope you are right .
Listen to the full second hour here : Tune in weekdays from 5:00 – 8:00 a.m. to the Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy on Talk Radio 98.3 FM WLAC 1510 .
Listen online at iHeart Radio .


thetennesseestar--2020-07-23--U.S. Will Pay $1.95 Billion for 100 Million Doses of Coronavirus Vaccine Doses

The federal government pledged $ 1.95 billion for an order of 100 million doses , with an option to acquire an additional 500 million doses of a coronavirus vaccine , which is set to enter key large-scale trials in the coming weeks .
American pharmaceutical company Pfizer and German partner BioNTech announced the deal in a press release Wednesday .
The companies are on track to produce 100 million doses by the end of the year and potentially 1.3 billion doses by 2022 .
“ We ’ ve been committed to making the impossible possible by working tirelessly to develop @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and effective vaccine to help bring an end to this global health crisis , ” said Dr. Albert Bourla , Pfizer ’ s chairman and CEO .
The companies expect large-scale phase 3 trials of the vaccine with up to 30,000 volunteers to begin by the end of the month , according to the press release .
Phase 3 trials are one of the final speed bumps before a drug is approved .
Americans would be able to receive the vaccine free of charge , the press release said .
The Trump administration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would be provided without cost to Americans who can ’ t afford it , CNBC reported .
Democratic Rep. Jan Schakowsky of Illinois grilled representatives from several pharmaceutical companies , including Pfizer , who are developing coronavirus vaccines Tuesday on if they would profit from a potential vaccine , Barron ’ s reported .
She stated that Pfizer would seek to profit on its vaccine .
“ Ensuring the safety and efficacy of Covid-19 vaccine , of course , is critical , but it will mean nothing if price is a barrier to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said , according to Barron ’ s .
The Pfizer and BioNTech vaccine isn ’ t the only drug in trial that is being produced before approval , according to Dr. Francis Collins , director of the National Institutes of Health .
“ There is this investment in manufacturing tens of millions of doses of these vaccines , even before we know if they ’ re going to work , to prevent long delay at the end , ” Collins told Intelligencer on July 1 .
He added , “ It would be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ December , saying , ‘ Hey , we ’ ve got a vaccine that works , ’ and there were no doses left to offer to the people who need it.
” The U.S. government has also awarded federal funds to pharmaceutical companies Novavax , Moderna , AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson as part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services ’ ( HHS ) Operation Warp Speed , according to CNN .
Pfizer and BioNTech received fast track designation from the federal government , the companies announced last Monday .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ designed to expedite the development of important drugs , according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration .
“ Expanding Operation Warp Speed ’ s diverse portfolio by adding a vaccine from Pfizer and BioNTech increases the odds that we will have a safe , effective vaccine as soon as the end of this year , ” said HHS Secretary Alex Azar , according to Wednesday ’ s press release .
Thomas Catenacci is a reporter for the Daily Caller News Foundation .


thetennesseestar--2020-07-23--Gov. DeWine Orders Nearly Everyone in Ohio to Mask up and Travelers to and from Certain States to Qu

Gov. DeWine Orders Nearly Everyone in Ohio to Mask up and Travelers to and from Certain States to Quarantine for Two Weeks

Whether you live in metropolitan Columbus or rural Beaverdam , Ohio Gov .
Mike DeWine demands that you wear a mask when you step foot outside your door .
DeWine is imposing a statewide mask mandate starting today at 6 p.m. His announcement is available here .
“ Our preliminary data indicate that the rate of increase in new cases has slowed in the high-risk counties where masks are already mandated , so we are cautiously optimistic that things are heading in the right direction , ” said Governor DeWine .
“ We believe that requiring masks statewide will make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to making sure other counties do not progress to a higher level of increased spread.
” All individuals in Ohio must wear facial coverings in public at all times when : • At an indoor location that is not a residence • Outdoors , but unable to maintain six-foot social distance from people who are not household members • Waiting for , riding , driving , or operating public transportation , such as a taxi , a car service , or a private car used for ride-sharing .
If you ’ re under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to cover up .
• Those with a medical condition or a disability or those communicating with someone with a disability ; • Those who are actively exercising or playing sports ; • Those who are officiants at religious services ; • Those who are actively involved in public safety ; or • Those who are actively eating or drinking .
• Schools should follow guidance previously issued about masks , he said .
The governor also announced a travel advisory for people coming and going from nine states .
People should quarantine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from these states .
DeWine said that is because these states reportedly have positive rates of 15 percent or higher : DeWine may not have watched the news about Florida .
Fox News reported on investigations of affiliate Fox 35 News in Florida .
That station said it investigated the state ’ s virus numbers by contacting testing locations .
One , Orlando Health , said that the 98 percent figure is incorrect and the positivity rate is actually 9.4 percent .
Another , the Orlando Veterans Affairs Medical Center , had a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 76 percent reported by the state .
Meanwhile , Ohio officials reported 78,742 cases and 3,235 related deaths as of Wednesday , Breitbart said .
In addition to DeWine ’ s order , Washington , D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser signed a mandatory mask order telling people to wear a face-covering outside their homes .
Jason M. Reynolds has more than 20 years ’ experience as a journalist at outlets of all sizes .
Photo “ Mike DeWine ” by Mike DeWine .
Background Photo “ Ohio Statehouse ” by James St. John .
@ @ @ @


thetennesseestar--2020-07-23--Whitmer Calls For Federal Mask Mandate in NYT Op-Ed

Michigan Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer argued for a national face mask mandate in an opinion piece published in the New York Times on Wednesday .
Citing various mask mandates from across the country , Whitmer said that wearing masks can “ save lives and put ourselves in a better position to send our children back to school in the fall.
” “ Leaders across the country are telling families to mask up because the data shows it is the best way to protect ourselves and one another from Covid-19 .
Wearing a mask has been proven to reduce the chance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Whitmer wrote .
“ Modeling from the University of Washington indicates that more than 40,000 lives would be spared nationwide if 95 percent of the population wore a mask while in public.
” Michigan currently requires residents to wear a face mask while indoors or in an outdoor space where social distancing is not possible .
Exemptions are in place , including for those who can not medically tolerate a mask , are too young to wear one or are eating and drinking .
It also allows exemptions for those officiating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the hearing impaired or those who have been asked to remove the mask as part of an identification process .
“ The heroes on the front lines of this crisis go for hours without taking their masks off every day , ” Whitmer wrote .
“ Doctors , nurses , emergency medical technicians and child care and grocery store workers wear them when they are on the job and putting their own lives on the line to protect us .
We owe it to them to wear our masks when we go @ @ @ @ @ @ @ governor also said she applauded President Trumps ’ recent statements in favor of masks , which followed previous refusals to wear them .
He said in a White House coronavirus press briefing on Tuesday that “ whether you like the mask or not , they have an impact , ” according to CBS News .
Whitmer called for Trump to issue a federal mask mandate similar to Michigan ’ s , which requires masks indoors and when social distancing is not possible , but allows room for exemptions .
“ Wearing a mask @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is about protecting our loved ones from the spread of this deadly virus ” Whitmer said .
“ I know the president has begun to understand that…The president has the chance to save tens of thousands of lives .
I am hopeful that he will seize this opportunity.
” Read the full piece from Whitmer here .
Jordyn Pair is a reporter with The Michigan Star .
Follow her on Twitter at @ JordynPair .
Email her at [ email protected ] Photo “ Gretchen Whitmer ” by Gretchen Whitmer .
Background Photo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New York Times .


thetennesseestar--2020-07-23--Keith Ellison’s Son Appears to Berate Officers Suffering From PTSD

Minneapolis City Council Member Jeremiah Ellison , the son of Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison , berated cops who are presently away from the job as many of those officers suffer from PTSD related to the George Floyd riots .
Ellison placed the blame for the recent uptick in violence squarely on cops recently , as he suggested that law enforcement has abandoned the city amidst his own council ’ s attempts to abolish the Minneapolis Police Department ( MPD ) .
He then suggested that officers are lying about having PTSD because they hate the citizens of Minneapolis .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , his words drew a sharp response from the Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association ( MPPOA ) .
“ As we ’ re seeing people losing faith in our … current public safety system , as we ’ re seeing communities needing support because of the increase in violent crime , we ’ re also seeing , quite frankly , our police force express a deep resentment of our city and abandoning our city , ” Ellison said during a public meeting , per the Star Tribune .
“ We ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ either resigning or , you know , making claims of harm that they themselves caused and taking advantage of that , ” he added .
This second half of Ellison ’ s remarks appears to be an allusion to the large number of officers who have taken leave due to PTSD after the riots triggered by George Floyd ’ s death .
Many officers involved in the recent wave of PTSD say that poor leadership left them expecting to die as rioters overran a police station in late May .
A lawyer representing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for disability says that during the riots , cops “ worked 12-hour-plus shifts for days upon days , without relief or clear leadership.
” Ellison immediately hedged his apparent claim that members of the MPD are lying about PTSD after Council Member Linea Palmisano pressed him on his controversial suggestion .
“ I was referring generally to the fact that we do have officers for whatever reason , and it ’ s not my place to say what that reason is , but we do have officers who are rushing to find their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ constituents in a myriad of ways , ” he said , appearing to back off of his original claim .
Despite this , the MPPOA Executive Director Brian Peters condemned Ellison ’ s remarks via a press release , Sunday .
“ It is shameful for Ellison and other political leaders to make unequivocally false accusations of law enforcement .
We shouldn ’ t downplay mental illness , and we shouldn ’ t denigrate the public safety needs of the community .
We urge civility and honesty at the forefront as a way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and trust , ” he said .
“ To Councilmember Ellison : We ’ d strongly encourage you to learn more about the officers you slandered and the police department you wish to dismantle , ” he added .
For weeks , the Minneapolis City Council , with the strong , vocal support of Ellison , has advocated the abolition of the MPD .


thetennesseestar--2020-07-23--Ohio Dems Want Nuclear Bailout Law Repealed as Scandal Grows

COLUMBUS , Ohio ( AP ) — A nuclear plant bailout law should be repealed immediately , Democratic members of the Ohio House announced Wednesday as a bribery scandal involving one of the state ’ s most powerful lawmakers unfolded over the law ’ s passage .
The announcement came a day after Larry Householder , the Republican speaker of the Ohio House , and four associates were arrested in a $ 60 million federal bribery case connected to the taxpayer-funded bailout .
U.S. Attorney David DeVillers described the ploy as likely the largest bribery and money-laundering scheme that had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the state of Ohio.
” Householder was one of the driving forces behind the nuclear plants ’ financial rescue .
Previous attempts to bail out the nuclear plants had stalled in the Legislature before Householder became speaker .
Months after taking over , he rolled out a new plan to subsidize the plants and eliminate renewable energy incentives .
“ When corruption is revealed , it is important we act quickly to fix what has been broken , ” Rep. Michael Skindell , a suburban Cleveland Democrat , said Wednesday .
Senate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for its repeal .
The 2019 law added a new fee to every electricity bill in the state and directed over $ 150 million a year through 2026 to the plants near Cleveland and Toledo .
The bill faced fierce opposition from both clean energy groups and manufacturers .
Repealing the law quickly won ’ t be easy , and is complicated by support the law received in the House , both from Householder-backed Republicans and Democrats persuaded to support the measure .
Meanwhile , even before the scandal erupted , the Householder-led @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the speaker had declined to bring lawmakers back before fall .
The Senate has been conducting sessions .
Republican officials from Gov .
Mike DeWine on down have called on Householder to resign , including at least five GOP House lawmakers as of Wednesday afternoon .
The speaker , who could continue to hold office unless he were convicted , has remained silent regarding those demands .
A vote by two-thirds of the House could result in the expulsion of a member for disorderly conduct under the Ohio Constitution , Republican Attorney General @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Householder to resign , tweeted Wednesday morning .
In addition , the Constitution allows the governor to call the General Assembly together “ on extraordinary occasions , ” Yost said , noting : “ This is that.
” Repealing the energy bailout would also need support from DeWine , who signed the original bill .
No one from the governor ’ s office has been questioned to date in the investigation , DeWine spokesman Dan Tierney said .
He said the governor wasn ’ t commenting on a repeal ahead of a regularly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is the second major case brought against a utility within the past few days .
Last week , federal prosecutors in Illinois said electric utility ComEd had agreed to pay $ 200 million to resolve a criminal investigation into a long-running bribery scheme that also implicated longtime state House Speaker Michael Madigan .
While Madigan denied any wrongdoing and has not been charged , prosecutors said the company admitted that from 2011 to 2019 it arranged for jobs and vendor subcontracts “ for various associates of a high-level elected official for the state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reporter for The Associated Press .
AP writer John Seewer in Toledo contributed to this report .
About the Headline Photo : Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder leaves the federal courthouse after an initial hearing following charges against him and four others alleging a $ 60 million bribery scheme Tuesday , July 21 , 2020 , in Columbus , Ohio .
( AP Photo/Jay LaPrete )


thetennesseestar--2020-07-23--Leading Ohio Republicans Ask Larry Householder to Resign After His Recent FBI Arrest

Leading Ohio Republicans have called on Speaker of the House Larry Householder ( R-Glenford ) to resign after his recent arrest for allegedly participating in a $ 60 million bribery scheme .
The Department of Justice ( DOJ ) arrested Householder along with Matt Borges , the former Ohio Republican Party chairman ; Jeffrey Longstreth , a longtime political strategist for Householder ; Neil Clark , the former budget director for the Ohio Republican Caucus ; and Juan Cespedes , a Columbus lobbyist .
These five men are alleged to have “ worked to corruptly ensure that HB 6 went @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to overturn the legislation .
The Enterprise received approximately $ 60 million into Generation Now from an energy company and its affiliates during the relevant period , ” according to the DOJ press release .
After Householder and others were arrested , Gov .
Mike DeWine said Householder should resign in what he called a “ sad day for Ohio.
” “ I am deeply concerned about the allegations of wrongdoing in the criminal complaint issued today by the U.S. Attorney ’ s Office , ” the governor said .
“ Every American @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guilty .
Because of the nature of these charges , it will be impossible for Speaker Householder to effectively lead the Ohio House of Representatives ; therefore , I am calling on Speaker Householder to resign immediately .
On top of DeWine ’ s announcement , Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost chimed in and echoed a statement similar to DeWine ’ s message .
“ Larry Householder sold out the people of Ohio in exchange for power and dirty money .
The 81-page sworn affidavit filed today shows plainly he can not be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , or trusted with public authority .
“ He is entitled to a presumption of innocence regarding the criminality of his acts , but he is entitled to no presumption of continuance in office .
He should resign immediately , ” the attorney general said .
If he refuses , the House should eject him under Article II , section 6 of the Ohio Constitution.
” Householder ’ s colleague Ohio Senate President Larry Obhof ( R-Medina ) also said the speaker of the house should leave office .
“ The allegations made @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very serious , and they are very troubling to me , and undoubtedly , to the people of Ohio .
Every member of the Ohio legislature has a sacred trust with the citizens of this state , and the people deserve the honest services of their elected representatives , ” Obhof said .
The seriousness and gravity of the allegations cast a dark shadow over the People ’ s House .
It is clear that he can not continue to lead the Ohio House of Representatives , ” the senate president concluded .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chairwoman Jane Timken , who replaced Borges after he was fired by President Donald Trump before the 2016 election , released a video condemning Householder .
She said he should resign .
“ I understand and respect the presumption of innocence .
All charges filed must be proved in court .
These are basic legal rights .
However , there is no right to hold public office .
This is a privilege extended by the people of Ohio to officeholders , ” Timken said .
“ It ’ s a higher calling and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” she added .
“ That ’ s why I ’ m calling on Larry Householder to step down as Speaker of the House and resign as a legislator.
” Zachery Schmidt is the digital editor of Star News Digital Media .
If you have any tips , email Zachery at [ email protected ] .
Follow Zachery on Twitter @ zacheryschmidt2 .


thetennesseestar--2020-07-23--Ted Cruz Endorses Manny Sethi, Warns Against Going with ‘The Establishment’

U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz ( R-TX ) this week endorsed U.S. Senate candidate Manny Sethi .
This , according to a press release that members of the Sethi campaign emailed Wednesday .
Sethi and Bill Hagerty are competing against one another to replace the retiring U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander ( R-TN ) in the August 6 Republican primary .
“ Primaries are a time for choosing .
Too many times the Washington swamp tries to trick voters into choosing their preferred candidate .
We need conservative fighters in the U.S. Senate that will stand up for our values and that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Manny Sethi for United States Senate .
Dr. Manny is a pro-life doctor who will fight to finally repeal Obamacare , defend the Second Amendment , and help get our economy moving again , ” Cruz said in the press release .
“ There ’ s a reason the Establishment ’ s throwing everything they ’ ve got at Dr. Manny these final days—he ’ s winning .
I am urging Tennessee conservatives to stand up to the attacks , join me , and stand with Manny Sethi.
” As The Tennessee Star @ @ @ @ @ @ @ television personality Mark Levin has already endorsed Sethi .
“ I have kids who live in Tennessee , I have grandkids who live in Nashville .
If I lived there , I would be voting for him .
That ’ s the bottom line , ” Levin said .
“ I like that he ’ s a citizen , a serious doctor , he ’ s a conservative , and he ’ s not tied to Romney .
Tennessee needs him in the Senate .
His opponent is tied so closely to Romney @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Senate , you know damn well what will happen.
” As reported Saturday , former U.S. Sen Jim DeMint ( R-SC ) also endorsed Sethi .
DeMint , known for his work in the Tea Party , is a University of Tennessee graduate and founder of the Senate Conservatives Fund .
Also as reported , individuals such as U.S. Sen. Rand Paul ( R-KY ) , Memphis-based Varsity Spirit founder Jeff Webb , and former Congressmen John J. Duncan Jr. have endorsed Sethi .
Chris Butler is an investigative journalist at The Tennessee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Email tips to [ email protected ] Photo “ Ted Cruz ” by Gage Skidmore .
CC BY-SA 2.0 .
Photo “ Manny Sethi ” by Manny Sethi .


thetennesseestar--2020-07-23--Unemployment Claims Rise for the First Time Since March to 1.4 Million

The Department of Labor reported Thursday that over 1.4 million Americans filed additional claims for unemployment last week , marking the first weekly increase in claims since March .
The number of Americans filing for unemployment had been declining each week before mid-July , but the Thursday report marks the 18th week in a row that unemployment claims have been above one million , CNBC reported .
Total new jobless claims for the week ending July 18 rose by 109,000 from the previous , according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics release .
California , Florida and Georgia were the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of claims , while Maryland , Texas and New Jersey had the largest decrease in claims , according to the Department of Labor report .
The increase comes as the $ 600-per-week unemployment benefits are set to expire on July 31 , risking the financial security of millions of Americans .
Despite the deadline being a week away , senate Republicans released their initial stimulus just this morning , and a bipartisan plan has not been agreed to so far , CNBC reported .
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin told CNBC Thursday morning that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 70 % of a recipient ’ s wages , though Democrats , who want the weekly $ 600 extended through the end of the year , may object to the measure .
The report also comes as cases of the coronavirus continue to rise in states across the country , increasing the chances that some states may temporary close businesses once again .
Several states in the south and western U.S. have reported over 10,000 new cases daily , while over 142,000 Americans have died from the virus , according to a Johns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a reporter for the Daily Caller News Foundation .
Photo “ Unemployment Insurance Claims Office ” by Bytemarks .
CC BY 2.0 .


thetennesseestar--2020-07-23--Trump Calls off Florida Segment of GOP National Convention

WASHINGTON , D.C. ( AP ) — President Donald Trump announced Thursday that he has scrubbed his planned Republican National Convention scheduled for Florida next month , citing a “ flare-up ” of the coronavirus .
Trump ’ s formal renomination will still go forward in North Carolina , where a small subset of GOP delegates will still gather in Charlotte , North Carolina , for just four hours on Aug. 24 .
Florida was to have hosted four nights of programming and parties that Trump had hoped would be a “ four-night infomercial ” for his reelection .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and it will be for a little while , ” Trump said , explaining his decision .
“ To have a big convention is not the right time , ” Trump added .
Trump moved the ceremonial portions of the GOP convention to Florida last month amid a dispute with North Carolina ’ s Democratic leaders over holding an event indoors with maskless supporters .
But those plans were steadily scaled back as virus cases spiked in Florida and much of the country over the last month .
Trump said he would deliver @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , potentially online .
Trump said thousands of his supporters and delegates wanted to attend the events in Florida , but “ I just felt it was wrong ” to attract them to a virus hotspot .
Some of them would have faced quarantine requirements when they returned to their home states from the convention .
“ We didn ’ t want to take any chances , ” he added .
“ We have to be vigilant .
we have to be careful and we have to set an example.
” In recent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ encouraged the president to consider calling off the convention , advising him it was not worth going forward with the event if the focus would be on the pandemic .
Trump acknowledged that consideration , saying , “ I could see the media saying , ‘ Oh , this is very unsafe.
’ ” More than 10,000 people were expected in Jacksonville — already a fraction of the number that would attend a normal convention .
Only 336 delegates will be allowed to participate in Charlotte under extraordinary procedures approved last month by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the more than 2,500 delegates will vote by proxy .
Democrats will hold an almost entirely virtual convention Aug. 17-20 in Milwaukee using live broadcasts and online streaming , according to party officials .
Joe Biden plans to accept the presidential nomination in person , but it remains to be seen whether there will be a significant in-person audience .
The Biden campaign did not immediately respond to messages seeking comment on Trump ’ s announcement .
Zeke Miller is a reporter for The Associated Press .
About the Headline Photo : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conference at the White House , Thursday , July 23 , 2020 , in Washington .
( AP Photo/Evan Vucci )


thetennesseestar--2020-07-24--Tennessee Sees Almost 26,000 People File Unemployment Benefits Last Week

Tennessee saw 25,794 more people file unemployment benefits last week as the coronavirus continues to impact the state ’ s economy , according to the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development ( TDLWD ) .
The jobless claims for the week ending July 18 increased slightly from the 22,431 claims from the previous week .
The number of unemployment weekly claims Tennessee has received since May 9 have all been under 30,000 .
TDLWD data shows that 740,123 Tennesseans have asked the government for assistance since March 15 .
As the number of unemployment claims has steadied in recent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rate has gone down .
According to the TDLWD , the Volunteer State ’ s June seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 9.7 percent , which is down 1.3 percent from May .
In comparison , Tennessee has a lower seasonally adjusted unemployment rate than the national average of 11.1 percent .
The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate “ is a statistical technique that attempts to measure and remove the influences of predictable seasonal patterns to reveal how employment and unemployment change from month to month , ” the U.S. Department of Labor Statistics ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ highest unemployment rates were Shelby County ( 13.2 percent ) , Grundy County ( 13.1 percent ) , Cocke County ( 12.7 percent ) , Warren County ( 12.7 percent ) and Sevier County ( 12.6 percent ) .
The counties with the lowest unemployment rates were Williamson County ( 6.7 percent ) , Crockett County ( 6.8 percent ) , Pickett County ( 7.2 percent ) , Overton County ( 7.4 percent ) and Humphreys County ( 7.4 percent ) .
Knoxville had the lowest unemployment rate among the state ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nashville and Memphis both had an unemployment rate of 12.1 percent .
“ Seventy-four counties had lower jobless rates for the month , as Tennessee continues to reopen after many businesses closed in the spring to help curb the spread of COVID-19 , ” according to the TDWLD press release .
Zachery Schmidt is the digital editor of Star News Digital Media .
If you have any tips , email Zachery at [ email protected ] .
Follow Zachery on Twitter @ zacheryschmidt2 .

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


thetennesseestar--2020-07-24--Commentary: The GOP Can Make Inroads with Hispanics by Doing These Two Things

In expected 13 percent of the electorate in the 2020 elections , American Hispanics are likely to play a crucial role in deciding contests in Arizona , Florida , and Texas .
As the country ’ s Hispanic population grows larger , many wonder how Republicans can bring this demographic into their fold .
Given that the Republican Party has dedicated a good portion of its resources to addressing this question , it ’ s impossible to say they ’ ve been ignoring Hispanics .
But have they been effective ?
A sober analysis of these outreach efforts shows that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do .
In 2016 , President Trump received 29 percent of the Hispanic vote , which represented a two percentage point increase over Mitt Romney ’ s performance in 2012 .
Trump was able to receive an uptick in Hispanic votes despite running on a hawkish immigration platform that called for cracking down on illegal immigration and restricting legal immigration .
The media was utterly convinced that Trump ’ s support among Hispanics would crater because of his positions on these issues , but it turns out that immigration wasn ’ t really @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hispanics , in fact , share Trump ’ s views on the question .
Democrats received a solid percentage of the Hispanic vote in the 2018 midterms with roughly 69 percent of Hispanics pulling the lever for Democratic candidates .
On the other hand , Republicans could only count on 29 percent of Hispanics voting for them in the 2018 cycle .
There were some bright spots , however , in gubernatorial races .
In Arizona , Florida , and Texas , Republican governors Greg Abbott , Ron DeSantis , and Doug Ducey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and 44 percent of the Hispanic vote , respectively .
Even so , the GOP still has significant room for improvement in order to win over Hispanic voters .
Heading into the 2020 elections , Republicans have some reasons to be optimistic about their electoral prospects among Hispanic voters .
Domenico Montanaro of NPR recently illustrated this trend by noting “ the one group Biden continues to underperform with slightly is Latinos—59 percent of Latinos said they ’ d vote for Biden over Trump , but Clinton won 66 percent of their votes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the Hispanic population ’ s diverse , ethnolinguistic background prevents them from becoming a monolithic voting bloc .
It ’ s worth bearing in mind that if these numbers continue to hold as the Hispanic population grows—Unidos US projections have Hispanics reaching a quarter of the American population by 2040—the Republican party will become electorally irrelevant if they don ’ t address the concerns of Hispanic voters .
To prevent a prolonged electoral winter , the GOP will need to become active on several fronts with the Hispanic community .
And it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ national populist policies .
Take Up the Law and Order Mantle First up is a firm law and order message .
As American cities across the nation burn thanks to the dereliction of duty on the part of public officials and the hostility of unruly mobs , millions of Americans are clamoring for order .
Hispanic Democrats , surprisingly , are one constituency that has grown tired of the radical Left ’ s antics on the streets .
According to an ABC News/Ipsos poll conducted from June 3-4 , 54 percent of Hispanic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bring back order to the streets during the George Floyd riots .
60 percent of all Hispanics supported some form of military presence .
Such support for a resounding response against vandals is logical when taking into account Hispanics ’ shared experiences .
Hispanics generally come from countries marked by rampant crime and a good portion of them do not want the United States to become a facsimile of the chaotic countries they fled .
Such scenes are traumatic to them .
We ’ ve already witnessed certain gangs , such as the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ own hands in cities like Chicago to protect businesses from looters .
Nature abhors a vacuum , and when the police can ’ t bring order , criminal elements will step in to fill in the void .
Allowing criminals to occupy the role that police traditionally have held is likely to prove harmful , given the Latin Kings ’ reputation for committing high-profile crimes such as racketeering and drug trafficking .
But if local authorities can ’ t reassert themselves and fulfill their functions , criminal elements will become more emboldened and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not too dissimilar from what is taking place in countries such as Mexico .
Common-sense policing and a restoration of order are simple steps towards fixing these problems and reassuring Hispanic voters .
Another way the GOP can make even greater inroads with Hispanics is by cutting mass migration—both legal and illegal .
They should draw inspiration from the example of famed labor activist Cesar Chavez .
The Hispanic labor leader made his name by standing up against illegal immigrant labor that undercuts American farmworkers .
His United Farm Workers Union was able @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who resisted the agricultural industry ’ s use of illegal immigration to break strikes and depress wages .
In its efforts , the UFW was able to act as an effective surrogate to the now-defunct Immigration and Naturalization Service ( INS ) in cracking down on illegal immigration .
We can safely ignore the media ’ s hyperbolic take on immigration .
Again , President Trump did not lose but rather gained Hispanic support when he ran in 2016 .
In light of the coronavirus-related shutdowns , 69 percent of Hispanics support pausing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Washington Post and University of Maryland poll conducted in late April .
No matter what the pundit class says , Hispanics who are here legally and can vote in our elections want some form of immigration restriction .
Ultimately , there will need to be an immigration timeout to allow for immigration assimilation and integration into society .
Under a proper immigration pause , Hispanics and other immigrant groups will be able to assimilate while having their wages stabilize as they no longer have to worry about competing against never-ending pools of cheap @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can sustain themselves and their families without having to rely on public assistance ( which Democrats are more than happy to get them hooked on ) to get by .
The good news is that we have the 1920s as a guide for what this might look like .
It ’ s only fitting that as the centennial of these immigration restrictions approaches , we revive serious discussions about cutting off further unnecessary immigration .
These reforms signed into law by then-President Calvin Coolidge helped create an economically stable working class that would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s robust economy in the 20th century .
By pursuing a national populist agenda as opposed to engaging in cringe-inducing “ Hispandering , ” the GOP could make significant progress with Hispanic voters .
The burden is on Republican leaders .
The question is whether they are ready to capitalize on this opportunity .


thetennesseestar--2020-07-24--Portland Mayor Tear Gassed During Wednesday Protests

Democratic Mayor Ted Wheeler of Portland , Oregon was tear gassed Wednesday night while he was at the federal courthouse speaking with protesters , according to a video shared on Twitter .
“ I ’ m not gon na lie , it stings , it ’ s hard to breathe .
Man , uh , I can tell you with 100 % honesty , I saw nothing that provoked this response .
It ’ s absolutely stunning .
I ’ m not afraid , but I am pissed off , ” Wheeler said in a video tweeted by reporter Mike @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wheeler was tear-gassed while trying to talk with protesters at the federal courthouse , according to a tweet thread posted by Baker .
Reporter Andy Ngo tweeted that the building near where Wheeler was standing “ had been set on fire and rioters were throwing explosives.
” Someone threw a water bottle at Wheeler while he was pushed around and protesters screamed at him , freelance journalist Sergio Olmos posted on Twitter .
The protesters yelled various profanities at Wheeler , including , “ You ’ re a fucking coward !
” and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ !
” After Wheeler left , the police called the protests an official riot , Olmos tweeted .
Wheeler joined the demonstrators with several guards around him , Ngo tweeted .
“ Ash from the arson , smoke and tear gas fill the air .
He has at least four body guards protecting him , ” Ngo said on Twitter .
“ I want to thank the thousands of you who have come out to oppose the Trump administration ’ s occupation of this city , ” Wheeler told the protesters , according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reason this is important is it is not just happening in Portland … we ’ re on the front line here in Portland , ” Wheeler said .
President Donald Trump has been criticized for sending federal agents to stop protests in major cities , including Chicago , according to MSNBC .
Wednesday marked the 56th night in a row of protests in Portland , Oregon Live reported .
Cities across the country have seen demonstrations turn violent in the protests against police brutality and racial inequality that have followed the death of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police custody after an officer kneeled on his neck for nearly 9 minutes , video of the incident showed .
Mayor Ted Wheeler ’ s office did not immediately respond to the Daily Caller News Foundation ’ s request for comment .
Mary Rose Corkery is a reporter for the Daily Caller News Foundation .
Photo “ Ted Wheeler ” by Mike Baker .