thetennesseestar--2020-04-16--DeWine Delays Three Executions Until 2022 Citing Drug Shortage

The execution of three death row inmates was delayed Monday by Governor Mike DeWine , who said the reprieve was due to “ ongoing problems involving the willingness of pharmaceutical suppliers to provide drugs to the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction ( DRC ) , pursuant to DRC protocol , without endangering other Ohioans.
” The move follows a decision in January , 2019 to delay the execution of Warren Henness , after a federal judge suggested that Ohio ’ s current three-drug execution cocktail was unconstitutional , which lead DeWine to postpone execution dates for other men and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s death-penalty method .
The ruling by U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael R. Merz said , in part : In 2017 , the Court heard extensive evidence that midazolam was not achieving the intended result of blocking the severe pain caused by the second and third drugs… We have good evidence that midazolam will cause the ‘ waterboarding ’ effects of pulmonary edema .
Reading the plain language of the Eighth Amendment , that should be enough to constitute cruel and unusual punishment .
The three inmates are Romell Broom , James Hanna , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Chillicothe Correctional Institution inmate convicted of murder , kidnapping , and rape .
He was convicted in 1984 of abducting and killing Tryna Middleton , age 14 , who was walking home from a football game in East Cleveland , Ohio .
Broom faced actual execution in 2009 , but the procedure was called off after about two hours when executioners were unable to find a usable vein .
His lawyers have argued for years that the state shouldn ’ t be allowed to try again .
Broom was scheduled to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The new date of execution has been moved to March 16 , 2022 .
James Gallen Hanna was a Warren County resident incarcerated for rape before fatally stabbing a cellmate with a paintbrush handle in 1997 .
Hanna was scheduled to be executed on July 16 , 2020 .
The new date of execution has been moved to May 18 , 2022 .
Douglas Coley a Lucas County Resident on May 1998 , when a jury convicted Coley of the kidnapping , robbery , and attempted murder , and also charges for other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ murder .
Coley received a death sentence , and his case is now on direct appeal .
Coley was scheduled to be executed on August 12 , 2020 .
The new date of execution has been moved to July 20 , 2022 .
According to WKYC , Ohio started looking for new drugs in 2014 , it took the state three years to establish its current three-drug lethal injection protocol .
Since then , it has become difficult for states to find the drugs .
Ohio Governor Press Secretary Daniel Tierney stated to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drugs are manufactured primarily for medical use , Tierney said the governor is concerned that if drug companies find that Ohio used its drugs to put people to death , the companies will refuse to sell any of its drugs ( not just the ones used in executions ) to the state.
” A bipartisan group of state senators held a press conference Wednesday to announce they would soon put forward a piece of legislation to end all forms of capital punishment and it to be eliminated in Ohio .
As of 2016-2017 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is 50,452 , and costs an average amount of $ 26,000 per year , per inmate .
Samantha Witwer is a reporter at The Ohio Star


thetennesseestar--2020-04-16--Lawmakers Call on DeWine to Reopen Ohio

Lawmakers Call on DeWine to Reopen Ohio

Some state lawmakers are calling on Gov .
Mike DeWine to reopen the state government .
“ Ohio ’ s Covid-19 numbers have flattened out .
Isn ’ t that what our goal was ?
” state Sen. Andrew Brenner , R-Powell , said in a Facebook post last week .
“ The real threat might not be over for the next year or two .
“ We need to get the economy open , even if that means social distancing of some sort for months to come , ” Brenner added .
“ We can ’ t stay like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of thousands of Ohioans who ’ ve lost their jobs or the thousands of small business owners can ’ t keep doing this either , or their lives will be irreparably destroyed.
” As of Tuesday evening , Ohio had 7,280 “ confirmed and probable ” cases of COVID-19 along with 324 “ confirmed and probable ” deaths .
In a letter to DeWine , state Rep. Todd Smith , R-Germantown , praised DeWine for his early leadership in responding to the pandemic and called on the governor to lead in reopening Ohio @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were based on what we now know to be flawed data models , ” Smith said in the letter , which he posted on his Facebook page .
“ We now have actual data that has shown the effect of the virus to be much less than anticipated .
We now have enough actual data upon which to base our decisions going forward.
” Added Smith : “ Here in my district and across the state , our small business owners are being crushed under the current restrictions .
They do not think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the state economy for the actual effect they are seeing due to this virus.
” On Twitter , DeWine responded to the brewing controversy .
“ If we want our economy to pick back up , we have to be as deliberate , careful , and thoughtful about getting out of this as we were when we had to make decisions to close things down , ” he said in a tweet .
“ This is , frankly , much more difficult – but it ’ s what I owe the people of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also owe them the truth : The truth is that it won ’ t be like it was until we get a vaccine .
We have to do the best we can.
” He added : “ I share everyone ’ s frustration and anger .
I get it .
But it ’ s not going to do businesses and employees any good if we get it wrong .
If we get it wrong , we ’ ll have a medical mess and a mess in the economy .
The best thing we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ However , many businesses are concerned with their ability to survive a prolonged closure .
“ Businesses small , medium , and large will go into bankruptcy by the thousands if something isn ’ t done to open them up , ” Brenner said .
“ State and local governments are seeing drastic reductions in tax revenue — 20-40 percent .
That means take all your favorite programs and cut 40 % from them .
Medicaid and education funding could see drastic cuts ( and forget about fair funding for my district ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be devastating to services which are needed by the public.
” Todd Defeo is a contributor to The Center Square .
Photo “ Ohio Capitol ” by Mj .
CC BY-SA 4.0 .

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


thetennesseestar--2020-04-16--Emmer Slams Mainstream Media in New Column: ‘Lower Approval Rating Than President It Loves to Smear’

Rep. Tom Emmer ( R-MN-06 ) pummeled the mainstream media in a column published Tuesday , criticizing the corporate press for parroting propaganda issued by the Chinese Communist Party .
“ If you have followed American politics over the past four years , you likely picked up on the hatred Democrats harbor for President Donald Trump .
Perhaps the best example of this hatred is liberal darling Bill Maher ’ s comments from 2018 when he said he was hoping for a crashing economy because it was the only way to defeat President Trump in 2020 .
This perverse thinking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democratic Party , and unfortunately , Americans are forced to witness this irrational hatred on a daily basis , ” Emmer wrote in an op-ed for Roll Call .
According to Emmer , who chairs the National Republican Congressional Committee , if President Trump “ says the sky is up , the Democrats will say it is down.
” “ This irrational hatred is a very dangerous game to play during the COVID-19 pandemic that has paralyzed our country and shattered our economy , ” Emmer continued .
“ The Democrats who are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this pandemic seriously are the same ones who called him ‘ un-American ’ in January for cutting off travel from countries engulfed by the virus.
” He then turned his attention to the “ liberal press corps , ” which in his estimation is “ all too happy to provide a platform for the hate-filled left to spew anything they want , so long as it is to the detriment of President Trump.
” “ During this health crisis , the liberal media has reported on propaganda being issued by the Chinese Communist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ President Trump ’ s daily briefings , ” said Emmer .
He pointed to the media ’ s blind trust in the official coronavirus death toll put out by the Chinese Communist Party as just one example .
“ Democrats throw their tantrum , and the liberal media parrots it .
Rinse .
Liberal media reports talking points from Beijing , and Democrats cite them as fact .
Repeat , ” said Emmer .
“ It should come as no wonder that , thanks to the liberal media , the media as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the president it loves to smear , and it is the least trustworthy of the country ’ s major institutions regarding their handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.
” The Minnesota congressman concluded his column by declaring that America has “ a historic opportunity to get our country back on track in the next few months.
” “ We simply can ’ t afford Nancy Pelosi and congressional Democrats derailing our efforts to appease their socialist foot soldiers , ” he said .
“ As America looks to rebuild as quickly as possible , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the liberal press will finally put their bias aside and report the facts.
” Anthony Gockowski is managing editor of The Minnesota Sun and The Ohio Star .
Follow Anthony on Twitter .
Email tips to [ email protected ] .
Background Photo “ Tom Emmer ’ s Op-ed ” by Roll Call .


thetennesseestar--2020-04-16--Tennessee Public Schools to Stay Closed for Rest of School Year, Bill Lee Recommends

Tennessee Gov .
Bill Lee said at a press conference Wednesday that , per his recommendation , the state ’ s public schools will remain closed through the end of this current school year because of the COVID-19 pandemic .
Education Commissioner Penny Schwinn , meanwhile , said schools would reopen for the next school year and that students will enter their new grades .
Lee said he had asked Schwinn to convene a COVID-19 Child Well-Being Task Force .
Lee said that task force would support state and local leaders and local communities as they help students after their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ We want to make sure that there is flexibility for districts all across the state as they have critical year-end activities that they need to complete and to begin , in fact , preparing for next year .
This pandemic has created many challenges for families and for teachers and for students .
Classroom time has been lost .
Students have lost a significant amount of learning time , and we are committed to continuing to provide resources that will keep our students engaged over the next several weeks , ” Lee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ length at previous briefings about those initiatives that we put in place to make sure that academics continue in our state , but time lost in the classroom also has implications beyond academics .
Those implications are often the well-being of children .
Schools and teachers are often the front lines in caring for students , particularly those that are in difficult situations , those that are most vulnerable , those that are most at-risk .
As a state it will take all of us to ensure the safety and the well-being of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they are not in the structured environment of a classroom.
” Schwinn , meanwhile , said this long-term school closure affects students ’ safety and well-being .
“ In recent weeks we ’ ve been inspired by the ways our communities have come together to solve tough challenges and support one another .
Schools have been working together with local partners , churches , volunteers , school-site staff and more to deliver meals , instructional lessons , and work packets to students , ” Schwinn said .
“ Policeman have been checking on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stepping up with critical supplies and supports now more than ever before .
And we know our teachers , our principals , and our superintendents are working hard to support our kids every single day.
” Chris Butler is an investigative journalist at The Tennessee Star .
Follow Chris on Facebook .
Email tips to [ email protected ]


thetennesseestar--2020-04-17--COVID-19 May Have Affected Tennessee’s Crime Rates

To illustrate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the volume and nature of crime in the state , this week the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation released select preliminary crime data trends for the first three months of 2020 .
This , according to a press release that TBI officials released this week .
The data , gathered through TBI ’ s Tennessee Incident Based Reporting System ( TIBRS ) , compiles incidents submitted by the state ’ s law enforcement agencies .
TBI officials said the preliminary statistics , subject to change as agencies investigate these reported incidents further @ @ @ @ @ @ @ January through March of 2019 and 2020 , reported instances of burglary decreased by approximately 17 percent .
• Burglaries reported as having occurred in a home decreased approximately 20 percent , while those reported in many public places increased , including convenience stores ( up more than 15 percent year-to-year ) , liquor stores ( up approximately 53 percent ) , and department/discount stores ( up more than 15 percent ) .
• Crimes reported as having a domestic violence nexus decreased by approximately 4 percent comparing the same time periods .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and crimes designated as violent in nature decreased by more than 5 percent .
However , the number of those crimes involving a firearm increased by more than 3 percent .
“ We are thankful to the state ’ s law enforcement agencies for prioritizing these data submissions , ” TBI Director David Rausch said in the press release .
“ This snapshot helps all stakeholders have a better idea of how the pandemic has impacted public safety .
I join all of my law enforcement colleagues in reminding the public all of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this , and every , emergency.
” As The Tennessee Star reported last month , more Tennesseans died from suicide than the coronavirus during one week , Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs said .
“ Thus far , our reaction to COVID-19 has been to sacrifice the global economy , ” Jacobs said .
“ The truth is : a sick economy produces sick people.
” According to Jacobs , the Knox County Regional Forensic Center examined nine suspected suicides in under 48 hours in one week .
Chris Butler is an investigative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chris on Facebook .
Email tips to [ email protected ]

by Eric Lendrum
On April 7th, an amicus brief was filed in favor of Florida’s current ban on using state funds to support “transgender” treatments, with 17 state attorneys general voicing their support for the law.
According to the Daily Caller, the brief’s filing was part of an ongoing legal battle in the state of Florida, where far-left, pro-transgender activists have teamed up with several pseudo-medical organizations to file a lawsuit against the law. The groups involved include the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH), the Endocrine Society, and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). The law in question states that Medicaid funds cannot be used to cover any transgender operations, including sex change surgery, cross-sex hormones, and puberty blockers.
The 17 states that have filed in support of Florida are: Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah and Virginia. In their filing, the AGs argue that the organizations involved in the lawsuit have “prioritized politics over science.”
“The amici States submit this brief in support of Florida’s right to regulate medicine and determine appropriate treatments for Medicaid coverage,” the brief states. “Moreover, there is particular reason to be suspicious of the interest groups in this case.”
Their brief goes on to point out that several European countries, including the United Kingdom, Finland, Norway, and Sweden have taken similar steps to crack down on transgender treatments, declaring that “transitioning treatments for minors are experimental.”
The case has already seen a judge order the three organizations to comply with subpoenas ordering them to turn over documents related to their guidance for children suffering from gender dysphoria, the official name for the condition of transgenderism. In addition, Florida’s Agency for Healthcare Administration (AHCA) submitted a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to the Biden Administration demanding access to similar internal documents related to the administration’s gender transition policies.
– – –
Eric Lendrum graduated from the University of California, Santa Barbara, where he was the Secretary of the College Republicans and the founding chairman of the school’s Young Americans for Freedom chapter.


thetennesseestar--2020-04-17--Tennessee Unemployment Claims Still High Because of COVID-19, New Numbers Show

Nearly 75,000 Tennesseans were on record as filing unemployment claims as of April 11 , according to new numbers the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development put out on their website Thursday .
Residents in Northern Middle Tennessee filed 34,643 claims , the highest regional number , while residents in East Tennessee filed 16,669 claims , according to the TDLWD data .
According to the TDLWD ’ s other numbers , residents in these regions filed the following number of claims : TDLWD officials said in a separate press release Thursday that , despite the current spike in unemployment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adjusted unemployment rate remains relatively unchanged , only increasing 0.1 of a percentage point to 3.5 percent .
“ The Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development did not begin to see an unprecedented increase in unemployment claims until the third and fourth weeks of March .
The survey the federal government conducts to determine the number of unemployed workers in each state took place in Tennessee between March 8 and 14 .
This explains why the current unemployment rate does not reflect the struggle many Tennesseans are currently facing , ” TDLWD @ @ @ @ @ @ @ increases nearly a percentage point in March .
The seasonally adjusted rate for the United States is up by 0.9 of a percentage point to 4.4 percent , when comparing it to February ’ s rate of 3.5 percent.
” The statewide unemployment rate for April 2020 will come out on May 21 , 2020 , at 1:30 p.m. Central Time , TDLWD officials said .
TDLWD officials said in a separate press release this week that the state of Tennessee has started paying approved unemployment claimants their first installment of the $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) benefit , in addition to their Tennessee Unemployment Compensation ( TUC ) benefit .
On Tuesday , April 14 , the state distributed benefit payments of close to $ 94 million to financial institutions for approximately 110,000 unemployed Tennesseans .
Most claimants will receive their directly-deposited payment on Wednesday , April 15 .
The number of payments is projected to increase throughout the week and will likely exceed 150,000 , the press release said .
Chris Butler is an investigative journalist at The Tennessee Star .
Follow Chris on Facebook .
Email @ @ @ @ @ @


thetennesseestar--2020-04-17--Commentary: Are We Witnessing a Targeted Hit Against Trump Voters?

The debate about “ reopening the economy ” is a phony debate .
It ’ s phony because “ the economy ” isn ’ t shut down .
Far from it .
Walmart is still open .
Dollar General is open .
Amazon is open .
Alibaba is open .
It just so happens that the big-box mass merchandisers and online retailers responsible for flooding our country with crap from Communist China are open .
Meanwhile , other , very specific parts of the country are shut down .
Family-owned shops and workshops , the backbone of America , are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are operating at full tilt—but independently owned restaurants are shuttered or trying to survive at diminished capacity doing takeout only .
Conveniently , if not coincidentally , small-business owners make up an important segment of Trump ’ s base .
Like the president , they have signed the front of a paycheck , experienced the brunt of the well-meaning administrative state , and endured the predations of giant corporations and subsidized Chinese competition .
That ’ s why they love President Trump–he understands what they go through .
While these largely family-owned , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ workers by the millions , Amazon and Walmart are hiring .
In the energy industry , the big guys can weather the storm while small , independent producers are getting crushed as oil prices fall off the cliff along with demand .
Facebook , Twitter , Google , Zoom and other giant internet overlords are seeing more traffic than ever as people are locked in and white-collar professionals work from home .
These are the same people in Silicon Valley who tilt hard to the left and censor anyone who strays from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ die ” pandemic narrative .
Twitter gives a soapbox to Chinese Communist Party propagandists suggesting the U.S. Army hatched the coronavirus but bans Laura Ingraham for daring to suggest an FDA-approved drug could offer hope to the stricken .
Who else isn ’ t shut down ?
Government employees continue to draw paychecks , even those deemed “ nonessential.
” Let us pause for a moment to consider just how ridiculous this is : Show me a private business that pays a “ nonessential ” employee even in the best of times .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ government , if you ’ re not essential you ’ re not on the payroll ( unless you ’ re married to the boss ’ s daughter ) .
The “ creative class ” of the coastal elites , academics , media and the white-collar professionals of the urban centers remain employed—and paid—while blue-collar Americans are furloughed , laid off , and deemed “ nonessential.
” There ’ s a certain symmetry to this .
Americans who work with their hands and live outside the big blue cities are considered “ nonessential.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work for a family business rather than depend on the government or a global corporation for their livelihoods are considered “ nonessential.
” People who want to go to church rather than an abortion clinic are considered “ nonessential.
” Before these Americans were called “ nonessential ” they were called “ deplorable.
” The same people who called half of America deplorable now call half of America nonessential .
They never really liked them anyway .
They feel a closer affinity to their classmates from Harvard and Yale , children of transnational @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fellow citizens without such credentials .
These “ citizens of the world ” refused to learn any lessons from Donald J. Trump ’ s victory in 2016 .
Now they ’ ve found the ultimate weapon to punish those they detest for electing the Bad Orange Man president : lock them at home , put them on the dole , and let them eat grass ( since they can ’ t buy seeds for a vegetable garden ) .
Do this and maybe they will finally learn to place their faith in government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ find solace in the bosom of the human resources department at Amazon or Walmart , now hiring .
As agriculture consolidated , family farmers became farmhands for agribusiness giants .
Now those who once owned shops can become buyers for one of the remaining merchandisers or find a managerial position in the archipelago of Amazon warehouses .
We are watching the corporate consolidation of the economy taking place before our eyes .
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo tells us government economic development officials and Nurse Ratcheds from the Department of Public Health will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the northeast .
How reassuring .
I can ’ t wait for their five-year plan !
Banks are poised to exploit the recovery programs while everyone else waits for the check in the mail .
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ( D-Calif. ) wants to give private equity firms money that was supposed to help small businesses .
The Federal Reserve is taking on its balance sheet the junk bonds Wall Street players used to destroy the real economy companies where all those nonessential deplorables once worked .
These vulture capitalists are poised @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the forced shutdown of the non-corporate sector .
When we awaken from the fever dream of pandemic hysteria , it will be clear who has suffered the most : the forgotten men and women of America .
If you tried to design an attack against Trump voters you couldn ’ t do better than what the experts have done in the name of public health .
We need to restore our way of life—and make America great again .
Curtis Ellis is policy director with America First Policies .
He was also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ J. Trump presidential campaign in 2016 .


thetennesseestar--2020-04-17--A Left-Wing Group Targeting Trump Accepted $100K in Stock from a Chinese-Controlled Tech Firm, Filin

A Left-Wing Group Targeting Trump Accepted $100K in Stock from a Chinese-Controlled Tech Firm, Filings Show

A Democratic group expected to spend millions of dollars targeting President Donald Trump received over $ 100,000 in stock shares from an anonymous donor in a giant Chinese tech company , according to tax filings .
American Bridge 21st Century accepted a gift in 2018 of 450 shares into Baidu , a Google-like tech company closely affiliated with China ’ s ruling Communist Party , according to the group ’ s 2018 IRS filings .
The Washington Free Beacon first reported on the donation Wednesday .
It is unclear if American Bridge sold the stocks during the past two years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s report .
Democratic operative David Brock founded the group in 2010 and has raked in $ 23 million in 2020 , with a reported $ 2 million of that money coming from mega-financier George Soros .
American Bridge announced plans to spend $ 50 million on ads and messages targeting the president .
The group is cutting ads thrashing Trump ’ s handling of coronavirus , or COVID-19 , which originated in China before hitting the U.S. shores , where it ’ s killed more than 25,000 people .
The group is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Wisconsin , all of which are battleground states that the president won in 2016 but Democrats say are in play come 2020 .
The group ’ s Facebook ads lashing out at Trump are similar to other ads criticizing the president .
“ Neglect .
Botched responses .
Cuts at the Centers for Disease Control , ” American Bridge noted in an ad that ran March 18 to 30 .
American Bridge also reportedly joined an alliance in March with super pac Unite the Country to support former Vice President Joe Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s presidential campaign , for its part , is trying to use Biden ’ s past comments praising China as a hammer against the former vice president .
American Bridge has not responded to the Daily Caller News Foundation ’ s request for comment about the Baidu shares , nor has the group commented on the ads targeting the president , whose response has shifted from likening the virus to the flu to restricting travel to China .
Baidu is under a significant amount of Chinese party control , analysts say .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ degree of party control than the average Chinese private firm because Baidu ’ s business is basically dissemination of information , ” Derek Scissors , an academic at the conservative American Enterprise Institute , told the Free Beacon .
Chris White is a reporter for the Daily Caller News Foundation .
Photo “ Donald Trump ” by Gage Skidmore .
CC BY-SA 2.0 .
Background Photo “ American Bridge ” by American Bridge .


thetennesseestar--2020-04-17--Coronavirus Is Ripping Through Rural America

Cases of coronavirus have begun to spike in Nebraska , Iowa and South Dakota — states where governors have not issued stay-at-home orders .
Nebraska , Arkansas , Iowa , North Dakota , Oklahoma , South Dakota , Utah and Wyoming governors have not yet ordered residents to stay in their homes , Politico reported .
President Donald Trump has referred to several of these states in noting that coronavirus has not severely affected populations there , despite laxer restrictions than other states that have implemented strict stay-at-home policies .
“ They have fewer people and have lots of room @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the White House , according to Politico .
“ There are numerous states that are in great shape right now … They are set to open practically now.
” But cases have increased more than 30 % in North Dakota in the past five days , similarly increasing 22 % in Arkansas and 26 % in Oklahoma , Politico reported , comparing these outbreaks to the 26 % increase in cases over the same period in New York .
In Nebraska , case counts have increased almost 30 % in three days , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Grand Island and Hall County area has seen 214 confirmed cases of the virus — numbers that amount to almost a quarter of total coronavirus cases in the state , according to Politico , and 28 workers have tested positive at JBS USA beef plant , the largest employer in Grand Island .
Nebraska Gov .
Pete Ricketts said his voluntary social distancing plan is working .
Ricketts has pushed residents to remain at home , to avoid large gatherings and to implement the six-foot rule at work .
“ This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exercising personal responsibility and their civic duty , ” Ricketts told Politico on Wednesday .
“ This is about making that decision , not the heavy hand of government taking away your freedoms.
” Researcher Charles Branas , chair of the Epidemiology Department at Columbia University who tracks hospital shortages and virus outbreaks , told Politico that every state is at risk from the virus .
“ Perhaps there are governors who believe they have the medical capacity to deal with this [ without a lockdown order ] , ” Branas told the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t know if that is wise , because once it gets out it can spread unabated and overwhelm any medical system of any size .
Every state is at risk and should have aggressive social distancing policies.
” Mary Margaret is a reporter for the Daily Caller News Foundation .


thetennesseestar--2020-04-17--Commentary: If Larger States Remain Closed, America May Need a Bank Debt Holiday to Avert Another Fi

Commentary: If Larger States Remain Closed, America May Need a Bank Debt Holiday to Avert Another Financial Crisis

Another 5.2 million Americans filed for initial unemployment claims last week , bringing the total number of jobs lost to the Chinese coronavirus and related government closures to anywhere from 21.8 million to 24.8 million jobs lost in about one month , and when added to the 5.8 million who were already jobless , produces an effective unemployment rate of 16.7 to 18.5 percent .
That ’ s already almost triple the number of jobs lost in the 2007-2008 financial crisis and ensuing recession , when 8.3 million Americans had lost their jobs by Dec.2009 and more than 6 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Joblessness has not been this high since the Great Depression .
If the same proportion of homes lost to jobs lost holds true today in the event we have a long-term unemployment problem , as many as 15 million to 18 million households could be in jeopardy of falling behind on their mortgage payments right now — through no fault of their own .
They had great jobs and were making good money to live in a nice home , and now it could all be washed away by the recession onslaught brought @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are already providing temporary forebearance and deferral options for mortgage payments that must be paid back for any delinquency on a separate payment plan , or outright deferral with the delinquent amounts being added to the mortgage principal .
In addition , there is also a moratorium on foreclosures and evictions by the U.S. Treasury and the Federal Reserve , but those who have already lost their jobs are in danger of falling behind on their payments and losing equity in their homes right now .
Fortunately the job losses only began a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ may already be trickling into the financial system that could become a torrent should it go on too long .
The trouble is the amount of time it takes for a recession to run its course , with job losses to recovering those jobs lasting on average 27 months since 1948 — 11 months to lose all the jobs , and 16 months to get them all back .
But if you look at the financial crisis and Great Recession , which may be a more relevant example , it took 25 months @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 57 months to get them all back .
Of note , the past three recessions have progressively taken longer to recover from , at 14 months to 18 months and then 57 months in the last one .
So , banks might be able to defer or reduce payments for a few months , but in the end , if unemployment turns out to be a much longer term problem , then so too will foreclosures eventually become a problem , the current moratorium notwithstanding .
The danger comes if the recession lasts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ either way behind on their payments or they lost a ton of equity when the moratorium ends and find themselves upside down if , say , property values plummet during this recession .
For middle and upper middle class households , the expanded unemployment proceeds plus the checks going out , particularly in more expensive states , may still not be enough for millions of households who are already experiencing unemployment .
Households whose revolving debt loads were already high will be impacted greatly .
The wealthiest could actually be hit the hardest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that might sound to the lay person , because they will have to simultaneously assume considerable capital losses on equities to get to cash , which are still in practical bear market territory .
Into the mix , we must also consider the very strong possibility that governors of larger states with bigger metropolitan areas , Democrats and Republicans alike , are going to take considerably longer to reopen than smaller states , cities and towns that have flatter curves in terms of the rate of infection by the virus .
Longer periods @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mean millions of more unemployed and longer periods of unemployment , too , and therefore even more potential foreclosures than is currently being discussed .
And so we may need a temporary bank holiday to prevent another financial crisis much , much larger than the last one .
That is , if we want there to be a middle class when this is over .
Not even the wealthy may have enough savings to not work indefinitely because they have larger mortgages , as we learned in 2008 .
The higher the property @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Those of you living in more expensive states who are at risk of losing their jobs or already have know exactly what I ’ m talking about .
This gives some context to the current anxiety over how and when states might begin reopening .
There are very understandable concerns on the public health side , and those on the economic side are equally sobering .
But still not knowing when we might reopen definitively for each state is a huge red flag that the potential downstream costs have not been fully contemplated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ For example , if in reality we ’ re actually talking months and not weeks to get past this current period for larger states and metro areas where property values are the highest and unemployment will likely be the worst — and maybe even until we get a vaccine for the virus — we need to know that right now .
State governors must be clear about what it will take for them to reopen , because Congress , Treasury and the Federal Reserve must be prepared now , not later , for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ defined .
Under these circumstances , periodically returning to Congress to address these concerns every few weeks when another critical part of the economy breaks could result in millions more households getting behind on their payments , ultimately culminating in another foreclosure crisis when things finally do reopen that will make 2008 look like a blip on the radar .
Again , we ’ ve already lost triple the jobs compared to the last financial crisis .
Expanded unemployment benefits and the checks now going out may not be enough to cover the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , especially in areas with higher costs of living .
Whatever choice we make right now must be both politically and economically sustainable .
That has to be the rule .
Does the above scenario sound sustainable to anyone ?
Governor Cuomo ?
Anyone ?
State and local governments have their own problems , where the essence of the crisis is they are rapidly running out of taxpayers to cover the costs of everything on government ledgers , in addition to so many losing their jobs in the private sector to continue servicing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ toxic combination could collapse not only the financial system but society itself .
This could be an economic suicide pact if the proper measures are not taken .
The U.S. labor force is currently contracting at a rate about 3 to 4 percent !
So , for governments , that means state and local revenues are falling at about the same rate .
It appears to be more expensive to leave things closed than to have them open , despite utilizing fewer resources , as unbelievable as that sounds .
Another problem is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deal with this emergency on the fiscal side where the administration may have to keep going back to Congress when further assistance is needed , and even then what they ’ re producing out of Congress is actually quite meager despite the gargantuan price tag when balanced against the real need .
Consider that , the legislation Congress passed is by far the largest in American history , and might not be enough .
To be sure , the U.S. Treasury and the Federal Reserve should have access to accurate , up-to-the-minute data @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are about to fall behind on their payments and by how much .
They need to look at the drop in FICA payments already occurring and then compare the incomes that existed above that but suddenly do not anymore .
Similar analysis will probably need to be prepared for municipal bond markets .
The shortfalls being experienced or that we ’ re about to experience must be colossal .
Treasury and the Fed should also consider whether the bill Congress already passed , which can be expanded up to $ 6 trillion with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ authorize a more aggressive approach and begin making immediate preparations .
If so , then the nation ’ s top financial officials could move towards a bank holiday rapidly .
We might need it right away , not just for households , but for a larger portion of debt service than is currently being anticipated .
In truth , only the Federal Reserve has the resources to do this .
Anecdotally , my student loan payment has been automatically deferred .
Officials should consider whether that might be necessary for a larger share @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Here are just a few categories of things the Fed might already be looking at potentially covering .
Fiscal conservatives may wish to avert their eyes .
But if this really is going to go on for months , not weeks as I am reading from state governors right now who are reticent to even think about when we might reopen , then this contingency must at least be considered .
The areas most likely to run into trouble are 1 ) state and local government revenues ; 2 ) municipal bonds ; @ @ @ @ @ @ @ larger employers ; 4 ) mortgages both residential and commercial ; 5 ) credit card bills ; 6 ) student loans ; and 7 ) corporate bonds .
Without widespread deferrals amid mass unemployment already approaching Great Depression levels , even if only , say , 25 percent of individuals and entities fell into this category , that would be more than enough to topple the entire financial system .
Again , the U.S. Treasury and the Federal Reserve has access to all the data they need to determine how many households and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be unable to service payments .
It might be wise to consider debt service assistance for the foreseeable future .
That ’ s what a bank holiday is .
In addition to the already approved expanded unemployment plus the checks going out , debt service assistance might be enough to get households through this crisis without any foreclosures and prevent households from falling behind on their payments in the first place .
Such a program can only possibly be undertaken on the monetary side , in my opinion , because not even the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cover the gaping hole that has been created by the equivalent of a large asteroid striking the global economy .
In 2008 , Congress created the $ 700 billion Troubled Asset Relief Program to address what was more like a $ 5 trillion problem in mortgage and derivative markets .
That is because no matter how big Congress thought the problem was , it was in fact much , much larger than could be politically contemplated .
The only way then Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke was able to stop the bleeding was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ markets from both the privately issued mortgage-backed securities plus those held by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac .
To give this scale to the current crisis , Congress passed a $ 2.2 trillion leverageable up to $ 6 trillion plan to address what might actually be more like a $ 20 trillion problem on the backend .
This has to do with the potential cascading effects of tens of millions of Americans suddenly stopping their payments on debt service , which may already be happening or soon will this month and next month @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , that resulted in bond holders who suddenly stopped receiving principal and interest payments , who in turn suddenly stopped making their own debt service payments to major financial institutions , who in turn had nowhere but the Fed to turn to .
It shouldn ’ t even get that far .
The uncertainty in the projection has to do with similar uncertainties about how long the economic shutdown will go on , plus bank exposure in the shadow banking and derivatives markets .
It is possible not even the banks know how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The only difference appears to be on orders of magnitude .
Again , we ’ ve already lost triple the jobs compared to the last financial crisis .
The orderly liquidation fund in Dodd-Frank won ’ t be enough to cover this on a liquidation basis , nor do I think it should even be considered as an option because it assumes mass defaults .
Now , stemming that tide will be the Fed ’ s ongoing legacy mortgage-backed securities purchase program from the last crisis , where the central bank takes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ balance sheets .
But we shouldn ’ t let it get there , either , because that assumes the foreclosures happen .
This crisis was not the fault of Americans who were working hard and paying all their debts in one of the finest economies in modern history .
In one month , however , again , we have lost almost triple the jobs lost in the Great Recession that took 25 months to be realized beginning in 2007 all the way to the end of 2009 .
The bill Congress already passed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it already provides for the Fed to expand measures as needed up to $ 6 trillion without any more votes in Congress required to cover whatever needs to be covered .
If so , then the action that could still be urgently needed must come from Treasury and the Federal Reserve .
In addition , 38 million Americans in the labor force are 55 years old and older , and 11 million of those are 65 years old and older , such that even if governors say let ’ s reopen except for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ talking about almost one-quarter of the labor force who will likely be unable to continue working and servicing their debts .
And that ’ s the so-called Swedish model .
It will likely take years to calculate the true costs of the overall closures impacting a far wider swath of the civil labor force than just the elderly , however .
Now , all of the above is completely dependent on what state governors do very specifically on reopening , and what sorts of treatment become available to mitigate the virus ’ impact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on an emergency basis by President Trump .
Until there is something like that , and we can already anticipate how governors in larger states are going to proceed , it would be irresponsible of Congress , the U.S. Treasury and the Federal Reserve not to contemplate and prepare for the worst case scenario economically that I fear we are already in .
The damage may have already been done .
We need to get ahead of this storm .
The problem is it is already right over our heads .
Robert Romano @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at Americans for Limited Government .


thetennesseestar--2020-04-17--California Offering $125 Million in Coronavirus Assistance to Illegal Aliens

California will dole out $ 125 million in coronavirus assistance to illegal aliens living in the state , California Gov .
Gavin Newsom said during a press briefing Wednesday .
The announced disaster relief assistance program is a public-private partnership with $ 75 million in funds being covered by taxpayers and another $ 50 million by philanthropic donations .
“ California is the most diverse state in the nation , ” Newsom , a Democrat , said in a prepared statement .
“ Our diversity makes us stronger and more resilient.
” “ Every Californian , including our undocumented neighbors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is here to support them during this crisis , ” he continued.
” We are all in this together.
” The Disaster Relief Fund is intended for illegal aliens living in California who don ’ t qualify for the stimulus package Congress passed in March .
Individuals can receive a one-time cash benefit of up to $ 500 and households can receive up to $ 1,000 to deal with the economic downturn caused by the coronavirus pandemic .
The state expects to dole out cash to roughly 150,000 illegal alien adults .
Newsom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s workforce is undocumented .
“ Many Californians are one paycheck away from losing their homes or from being able to put food on their tables , and COVID-19 has only made these challenges worse , ” the governor said .
“ California is focused on getting relief dollars and unemployment assistance in the hands of those who need it as quickly as possible.
” Individuals can begin applying for the Disaster Relief Fund in May .
This is not the first initiative in California meant to help the undocumented during the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ launch of a relief program for businesses in the state that are run by illegal aliens , and earlier in April he confirmed that he is working with Democrats in the California state legislature on a fund for those living in the country illegally .
Democrats in Congress and across the country have urged that taxpayer dollars be used to help illegal aliens during the crisis .
A debate will likely take place as to wether the undocumented should be included in the next federal relief package .
Jason Hopkins is a reporter @ @ @ @ @ @ @


thetennesseestar--2020-04-17--5.2 Million More US Workers File for Unemployment Compensation

WASHINGTON – The coronavirus pandemic is continuing to wreak havoc on the U.S. economy , with another 5.2 million workers claiming unemployment compensation last week , the Labor Department reported Thursday .
The new figure pushed the four-week total to more than 22 million , with millions more expected to file for jobless assistance in the coming weeks as the full impact of business closures takes effect .
It is a level of job loss that the United States has not seen since the Great Depression in the 1930s .
Some companies laid off workers quickly in the past month @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their employees for several weeks , even if they had little work for them to do .
But now , more companies with white-collar workers are furloughing employees , as the depth of the country ’ s economic turmoil becomes apparent .
Some economists say the U.S. economy , the world ’ s largest , shrunk by 10.8 % in the first three months of the year , its steepest plunge since World War II .
The newest weekly total for jobless assistance claims is smaller than the last two weeks , when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ help .
That possibly suggests that the downturn has stabilized to a degree .
But what is unknown is how long businesses will remain shut or operating only on a curtailed basis , leading to weeks of heightened layoffs .
Millions of people could be out of work through the end of 2020 .
U.S. President Donald Trump is pushing to reopen parts of the country to business again by May 1 , especially in states where there has been a relatively small number of coronavirus cases .
But executives of some of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him Wednesday that more coronavirus testing needs to be done before workers return to their jobs .
The amounts paid to the jobless in the U.S. vary widely among the 50 states , but often it amounts to not quite half of what a worker was paid before being laid off .
However , in the current downturn , Trump signed legislation as part of the $ 2 trillion coronavirus rescue package that is boosting unemployment assistance by $ 600 a week for the next four months .
With federal authorities recommending that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ distance from other people through the end of April , businesses have been forced to curtail work or shutter operations and lay off workers .
The rapid pace of layoffs is unprecedented in recent U.S. history , although the extent of the economic damage is not precisely known .
It took two years during the Great Recession in the two-year period between 2007 and 2009 for 8.6 million people to lose their jobs .
Despite the vast number of layoffs , more than an eighth of the U.S. labor force , Treasury Secretary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could be “ open for business ” sometime in May .
“ I think as soon as the president feels comfortable with the medical issues , we are making everything necessary that American companies and American workers can be open for business , and that they have the liquidity they need to operate their business in the interim , ” Mnuchin told the CNBC network last week .
Numerous supporters of Trump have been pushing him to reopen the U.S. economy .
On Wednesday , hundreds of workers in the Midwestern city and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer ’ s stay-at-home order , among the stiffest in the 42 states where governors have ordered residents to leave home only for essential trips .
The U.S. unemployment rate in March was 4.4 % , but that figure was mostly derived from employment surveys in the early part of the month before most of the layoffs occurred .
The survey for April covering the current layoffs will not be released until early May .
The early April employment report said the U.S. economy shed 701,000 jobs in March .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ lost in 2008 in the steep recession more than a decade ago , and the unemployment rate topped out at 10.2 % in October 2009 .
Some U.S. economists are predicting that 25 million to 40 million workers out of the U.S. labor force of nearly 165 million could be laid off by July .
The wave of claims by the newly unemployed has overwhelmed some state agencies that handle the paperwork .
Jobless claim websites in some states , including New York and Oregon , have crashed .
Retail stores , restaurants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been especially affected by the coronavirus , but layoffs are also increasing in manufacturing , warehousing , transportation and some white-collar professions .
An estimated 190,000 stores have closed , about half of the country ’ s retail space .
Major retailers Macy ’ s , Kohl ’ s and Gap have collectively laid off 290,000 workers .
Other retailers have furloughed thousands more .


thetennesseestar--2020-04-17--Dr. Manny Sethi Expresses the Need for the United States to Repatriate its Medical Supply Chain by P

Dr. Manny Sethi Expresses the Need for the United States to Repatriate its Medical Supply Chain by Putting American Health Back in American Hands

Live from Music Row Thursday morning on The Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy – broadcast on Nashville ’ s Talk Radio 98.3 and 1510 WLAC weekdays from 5:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. – Leahy was joined on the newsmakers line by Dr. Manny Sethi .
During the third hour of the show , Dr. Sethi discussed China ’ s stronghold on medical and pharmaceutical supplies to the United States while calling for the need to repatriate the supply chain .
Leahy : We are joined now by our good friend and the candidate for the Republican nomination of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dr. Manny Sethi .
Welcome , Dr. Manny .
Sethi : Hey Michael .
Thanks , brother .
I hope you are doing well on this beautiful morning .
Leahy : I ’ m delighted to have you on because you actually know what you ’ re talking about when it comes to medicine and science .
You are an emergency room surgeon here in Nashville .
I guess you ’ ve gone back and you are doing more work now because of the crisis ?
Sethi : Yeah , I ’ ve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thing for about four weeks now .
In Nashville , we ’ ve seen a rise of coronavirus patients come through .
But other places haven ’ t .
But yes , once this happened I felt the Lord put in my heart to make a difference .
It ’ s why I ’ m running for the Senate to help make a difference .
I just felt this is a generational fight .
I ’ ve suspended the campaign for a little while and started to take care of patients .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of this I think God willing .
Leahy : When you say taking care of patients , what is your typical day like in the emergency room ?
Sethi : For me its more of if someone gets ejected from a car by 30 feet or falls from a ladder or there ’ s a gunfight and somebody gets really injured or a stabbing .
I take those patients to the ER immediately .
Now the issue there is you just don ’ t know who ’ s got COVID and who doesn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the moment , it doesn ’ t matter to us because trauma surgeons are all about life and saving lives in the clutch .
That ’ s what I ’ m seeing .
Now I ’ ve operated on a couple of people who had the coronavirus .
Who we knew had it and you have to take the proper precautions .
It ’ s kind of scary .
You dress up in this kind of protective gear .
Leahy : Do they have to fit you for this gear ?
My @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and they fit him with a very specific PPE gear .
Physical protective equipment .
Did they suit you up in that ?
Sethi : Yes .
You just try it on and it takes five minutes and you move on .
Leahy : Are you seeing more trauma cases than normal or is it less than normal ?
Sethi : I think it ’ s more than normal because lots of the hospitals in Tennessee and around have shut down or don ’ t have the personal protective equipment so they ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sethi : I think there ’ s been an uptick .
I was on a call about two weeks ago on a weekend and I literally operated from Friday night to Sunday pretty much .
That ’ s very rare .
So it ’ s been busy .
Leahy : Is there a shortage of personal protection equipment ?
We ’ ve heard that a lot .
Is there and is that being alleviated ?
Sethi : Here ’ s the bottom line with all that .
There is .
But we are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because our healthcare supply chain is in China .
They make the balance of our gloves , masks , gowns , and medications .
All or parts of these medications or parts of these medications are made in China .
They can ’ t be made here .
We need to bring that back to America immediately .
Leahy : You had a press release on that very topic yesterday .
Do you want to elaborate on some of your recommendations to do that ?
Sethi : Sure .
What we call it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ American Hands.
” We are reliant on the Chinese Communist government for our health .
Think about what I just said .
All of these things are made in China and it ’ s because these global elitists and Washington insiders for many years said we ’ ll get it for cheaper and all this stuff so why don ’ t we make it all in China .
Meanwhile , what ’ s happening is that we ’ re trading our national security and growing dependent on the Chinese government .
So the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ve learned anything from this crisis is that we need to repatriate these companies and industries and bring them back to America .
One night I couldn ’ t sleep and around 2:00 a.m .
I was really bothered by this and I started looking around over the internet and there are over 2,000 companies that make drugs in China that export around the world .
And we have to bring those companies back to the United States .
So that ’ s our plan to put forward with five points about how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ With deregulating .
By creating more vocational and technical educational opportunities to make PPE here in the states .
And so that ’ s what we ’ ve got to do .
If I ’ m your next U.S .
Senator we ’ re doing that immediately .
Leahy : Help me out with this .
I don ’ t get why it ’ s so hard for an American company to make personal protection equipment .
I mean its basic stuff , right ?
Why aren ’ t American companies getting orders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sethi : Here ’ s the challenge .
First of all , the cost of labor is what they say but the biggest challenge is the regulations .
So you make a mask and that N-95 mask has to have these five things .
Then the FDA comes then the other guy comes .
There is so much regulation that these companies can ’ t survive it by the FDA .
We have to aggressively de-regulate .
Now we ’ ve got to keep it safe .
Like the president is doing , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ de-regulate .
As you saw it ’ s been the greatest economy ever .
And the reason is that we ’ ve cut red tape .
This is no different .
Imagine Mike , if I told you , hey we ’ re reliant on oil from China .
We can ’ t find any oil in the United States .
You ’ d say , that ’ s a problem .
And this is no different .
Leahy : Is PPE equipment manufactured in China subject to different regulatory requirements than that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
Sethi : Yes .
Absolutely it is .
That ’ s a great question because here ’ s what ’ s been happening around the world .
They ’ ve been opening up these boxes of N-95 masks and they are finding out so many of them are defective now .
And the reason that that is happening is because for a month when these Chinese factories weren ’ t open because they were shut down , now they ’ re trying to make five times the production and really ramp up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ happening is that they are making mistakes .
Leahy : That ’ s very interesting .
Let ’ s talk a little bit about testing .
Now the governor said he ’ s going to have a full-blown effort to increase testing .
I ’ ve not seen it yet .
Supposedly it ’ s going to happen over the weekend .
We had 2,000 tests here in Tennessee yesterday .
Not exactly setting the world on fire with the number of tests .
Why is it so difficult Manny to ramp up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the test manufacturers are shipping out thousands and tens of thousands of tests a day , and yet , we ’ re not seeing that ramp up .
What ’ s the problem ?
Sethi : The first thing is that I think this shows you the failure of government bureaucracy right ?
And how we have to think really differently in our federal government .
That ’ s why our president is so effective .
He ’ s a businessman .
He ’ s able to move , shift , and change @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The way we got into this problem was that the CDC wanted to create a test early on .
February they lost two or three weeks then realized the number of false negatives was really high .
Then they said let ’ s try and do something else .
Then we started to rely on the private sector which is what we should have done from the very beginning .
Now we are behind the eight-ball because of this rapid demand .
Now , the test that people want and need is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is we want to know if you were exposed to the coronavirus .
A lot of people can have this thing and not even know it .
Someone who doesn ’ t know they had it give it if actively infected can they give it to somebody or take it home .
Or , if they had it and they ’ ve now passed it , can they just go back to work and we don ’ t have to worry about it ?
Testing is important .
The president mentioned this yesterday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this issue because of that lag time .
Leahy : Yesterday , Abbott Laboratories announced that antibody blood test that you are talking about that will tell if you ’ ve been exposed and had developed an immunity , that test they are shipping out a million of those this week to labs around the country .
And they are going to be shipping out 20 million in June .
So it looks like the private sector is making tests for both antibody blood tests and whether you are positive or negative .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ The problem that I ’ m seeing Manny is that they are not actually being tested at the state or county level at the rate they need to be .
I don ’ t know .
That ’ s what I ’ m curious about .
Sethi : I think its the failure of bureaucracy man .
We have to get the tests in the right hands .
Here ’ s the deal .
We ’ ve got to move forward here as a country .
We ’ ve got this horizontal containment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all of America and we ’ ve got to get started up again and we need a vertical containment strategy .
We ’ ve got to start protecting those people that are at risk and let the other people get back to work .
Our economy is not going to survive this if we don ’ t .
We need an economic strategy to restart America .
And we ’ re going to release this really soon .
And at the same time , we need a public health strategy .
Listen to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weekdays from 5:00 – 8:00 a.m. to the Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy on Talk Radio 98.3 FM WLAC 1510 .
Listen online at iHeart Radio .
Photo “ Manny Sethi ” by Manny Sethi .


thetennesseestar--2020-04-17--Leahy and Swain Discuss How Tennessee’s Stay at Home Order Allows People to Buy Liquor and Get an Ab

Leahy and Swain Discuss How Tennessee’s Stay at Home Order Allows People to Buy Liquor and Get an Abortion

Live from Music Row Thursday 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 was joined on the newsmakers line by all-star panelist Dr. Carol Swain .
During the second hour , Leahy and Swain discussed how liquor stores and abortions fall under Governor Lee ’ s essential business category as these businesses remain in operation during the COVID-19 pandemic .
Swain added that she believes that the CDC is inflating the number of coronavirus deaths for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : We are joined now by our good friend , all-star panelist , and former Vanderbilt Professor Carol Swain .
Good morning Carol .
How are you doing ?
Are you sheltering safety at home ?
Swain : I ’ m doing my best .
I ’ m getting antsy like everyone else .
Leahy : Yes !
Yes indeed .
I said yesterday you ’ ve heard of cabin fever .
I am suffering now apparently from studio fever .
What that means is that I come into the studio every day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mask and unlike the way it ’ s usually been , when I have my friends here in the studio with me you are here every Thursday and Crom is here typically Monday , Wednesday , and Friday .
Kerry Roberts is here on Tuesdays .
Now we don ’ t get to sit here in person and have fun .
We ’ re stuck talking over the phone .
It ’ s a little bit different isn ’ t Carol ?
Swain : It is different .
I was thinking this day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to normal in the sense of the crowds that you had downtown .
The tourism industry .
I believe that if the model that they are pushing now as far as how they are handling the coronavirus .
If they pursue that , then I don ’ t see people traveling for tourism anytime soon .
And then businesses can impose all kinds of restrictions .
I think schools and a lot of parents are going to decide to home school so that ’ s going to hurt the public school system .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ decide really who they need and who they don ’ t need .
Leahy : Yes .
I see that happening .
I see a bit of restructuring here .
I have been very critical of Governor Lee ’ s decision to use the blunt instrument of the stay at home order and the blunt instrument of shutting down what “ non-essential ” businesses until April 30 in a state where it appears that we really have a much lesser problem than most other states .
We are on the decline in terms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and deaths .
I say open up 85 of the state counties now and begin elective surgery .
In those other 85 counties let those schools go back and let kids start learning again .
Carol .
you and I often see things the same way but don ’ t always .
Sometimes we disagree .
I ’ d be curious to see what your view on the governor ’ s actions are ?
Swain : Governor Lee has been a disappointment from day one .
I believe that he has a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
So yes , the state should be reopened .
And if he wants to use his powers to shut down “ non-essential ” businesses .
Then what about the liquor stores and abortion clinics that are operating in Nashville ?
If he has state authority then shut down the liquor stores and shut down the abortion clinics .
Leahy : You make a good point .
Let ’ s go back to this .
He ’ s said and has loudly professed that he ’ s an Evangelical Christian .
And there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of course .
Swain : You should always run when somebody leads with I ’ m a Christian .
Leahy : Oh yes .
Oh yes .
Let ’ s just look at the science of this .
I think the science of this is wrong in this regard .
It ’ s ok to go to a liquor store and buy liquor .
There is no constraint there whether you wear a face mask or not .
They don ’ t say wear a face mask .
And you ’ re going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there .
It ’ s ok to go to a grocery store .
A lot of people aren ’ t wearing face masks there .
A lot of people are coming within six feet of others .
Liquor stores and grocery stores are going to have an opportunity to spread the virus you would think right ?
Swain : Yeah .
But let ’ s go back .
It ’ s ok to get an abortion at the same time people across the country are claiming that they are trying to save lives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s run by Democrats have abortion clinics open .
And the governor has all this authority to shut down businesses .
Again , why hasn ’ t he shut down the liquor stores and the abortion clinics ?
Leahy : So you can get an abortion in Tennessee under Governor Lee ’ s rule today .
Swain : ( Chuckles ) I checked this out .
I called the clinic yesterday and I also went to their website where you could schedule it .
Leahy : So you can do it here in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that but he ’ s prohibiting going to the dentist .
You can ’ t get normal elective surgery in Crockett County for instance where there is like zero cases of coronavirus .
This seems inconsistent and bad science , and public policy to me .
Swain : I agree .
When we talk about elective surgery , we are not talking about plastic surgery .
We are talking about people who may have a cancer diagnosis that ’ s not growing aggressively doctors believe it can be scheduled .
People may be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ these people may be suffering .
And it has to do with scheduling whether or not it ’ s considered elective .
Leahy : Yeah .
It doesn ’ t make any sense .
It ’ s inconsistent to me .
The other thing is the governor has a press release out today that says we ’ re going to do aggressive testing .
Well , they ’ re going to do a few remote testing sites .
But I looked at the statistics and yesterday they only did in the state of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ done .
There is a population of 6.5 million .
The state of Tennessee is way behind where it should be with testing right now .
And that is a more important responsibility of the governor than this draconian shut everything down all across the state when it ’ s not needed in really 85 % of the state .
Swain : I can tell you that I have a friend that ’ s been driving around snapping photos of testing sites .
And testing sites were set up for people who suspected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some kinds of symptoms .
And every time he has driven by the place and taken photos there is nobody in line .
This whole coronavirus pandemic scare , it ’ s not a hoax .
I ’ m not saying it ’ s a hoax but I ’ m saying that it has been greatly exaggerated for political purposes .
We know from the CDC coding that they are inflating the numbers with people who have flu and various other things when it comes to the deaths .
And as far as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , most of them are just fine .
98 % of them are just fine .
And the ones who have difficulty are the ones who fall into those high-risk categories .
Leahy : Let ’ s be clear about it .
You don ’ t want to get this .
And you don ’ t want it to develop into a bad situation .
And you don ’ t want to have to be hospitalized and then go into intensive care .
And then be put on a ventilator because that ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the reality is although it is more transmissible than the flu and has a higher mortality rate particularly if you have underlying conditions .
Here in the state of Tennessee we ’ ve had 135 deaths out of a population of 6.8 million .
Swain : But those deaths you also have a CDC is encouraging doctors and hospitals to code anyone who dies that may have had a fever or cough as a COVID-19 death .
And so those numbers we have every reason to believe that tat those death numbers in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the inflated numbers , the death rate given our population size is miniscule .
Leahy : That ’ s a very good point .
Of course in New York City they ’ ve decided to rig the numbers and have now said , well even if you didn ’ t test positive for COVID-19 , if we presumed you died of COVID-19 we ’ re adding you to the list .
They inflated the number of dead there by about 3,500 .
That ’ s crazy .
Swain : But they are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been put out all across the country .
There is something else going on that is far more sinister than COVID-19 .
We are talking about government control .
Listen to the full second hour : 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 .
Background Photo “ Bill Lee Press Conference ” by The Tennessean .


thetennesseestar--2020-04-17--Democrats Are Asking the Trump Administration to Stop Border Wall Construction

Nearly 100 Democrats in Congress are urging the Trump administration to halt construction on the U.S.-Mexico border wall during the coronavirus pandemic .
Ninety-one Democrats in the House and Senate signed onto a letter addressed to key members of the Trump administration , requesting that “ all border wall construction halt immediately.
” Not only has border construction continued amid the coronavirus outbreak , but the White House has moved to expedite its progress — to the chagrin of its critics .
News of the letter was first reported by Axios .
“ Money should be invested in healthcare , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of COVID-19 , not used to build an ineffective and wasteful border wall that does not solve our immigration crisis or protect our homeland , ” the lawmakers wrote .
“ We should be using all resources and funding to combat this virus and protect Americans.
” Sixty-six Democrats in the House and 25 Democrats in the Senate are in support of the push — including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer , House Judiciary Chair Jerrod Nadler , and several members who represent border districts .
The letter was addressed to Secretary of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Secretary Chad Wolf , and Attorney General William Barr .
The Trump administration , undeterred by the crisis , has continued with its most lauded campaign promise of 2016 : the construction of a massive border wall between the United States and Mexico .
The White House promised to construct around 400 miles of border wall before the end of 2020 .
Border Patrol Chief Rodney Scott announced April 6 that 151 miles of border wall had been completed since the dawn of the Trump administration .
Scott revealed in an updated post @ @ @ @ @ @ @ border wall has risen to 158 miles .
Despite claims made by Democrats , Wolf has pointed to numerous instances where illegal immigrant crossings have gone down after the erection of a wall system .
Notably , on the same day that the letter was dated and released , the Department of Homeland Security ( DHS ) issued an environmental waiver allowing for the “ expeditious construction ” of roughly 15 miles of border wall in the Rio Grande Valley Sector in Texas .
Democrats — who have long opposed the concept of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus pandemic as a reason to pause construction .
“ At this juncture , the priority of the United States must be to stop the spread of COVID-19 .
The continuation of wall construction compromises those efforts , ” the Democrats said .
Jason Hopkins is a reporter for the Daily Caller News Foundation .


thetennesseestar--2020-04-17--Bill Hagerty Releases New TV Ad Slamming Communist China’s Wuhan Coronavirus Coverup

Bill Hagerty released a television ad touting the candidate holding China accountable for what he called that nation ’ s deceitful actions , according to his Thursday press release .
Hagerty said China ’ s leaders continue to mislead and cover up their Wuhan coronavirus data .
China , Hagerty said , even accuses the United States of starting the global pandemic .
“ The Chinese Communist regime ’ s efforts to conceal and destroy valuable evidence – including silencing their own people – regarding the Wuhan coronavirus is the crime of the century and the greatest coverup in human @ @ @ @ @ @ @ press release .
“ The Communist Chinese leaders must be held accountable for the death and destruction leveled on their own people and for the widespread damage to the world ’ s health and economy , ” Hagerty added .
“ In the Senate , I will continue to stand with President Trump to help put an end to Communist China ’ s deception about the origins and the impact of this deadly virus , along with holding organizations like the World Health Organization accountable for perpetuating the Communist regime ’ s propaganda.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Donald Trump ’ s endorsement to replace the retiring Sen. Lamar Alexander ( R-TN ) .
Hagerty previously served as the U.S. ambassador to Japan .
As The Tennessee Star reported Thursday , Hagerty cited a Washington Post report about inadequate safety measures at a Chinese research facility in Wuhan .
The report said that two years ago U.S. Embassy officials visited this facility and twice warned Washington , D.C. officials about the lab ’ s “ risky studies on coronaviruses from bats.
” “ They prioritized a public relations campaign over a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the world ’ s health and economy , ” Hagerty said .
As The Tennessee Star reported last week , Hagerty made similar remarks while appearing with host Lou Dobbs on FOX Business .
“ It ’ s been an enormously costly cover-up .
It has now cost over 94,000 lives worldwide , ” Hagerty said .
“ Just here in America , 16,000 lives have been lost and still counting .
Over 17 million jobs and approximately $ 5 trillion worth of economic damage.
” Chris Butler is an investigative journalist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Facebook .
Email tips to [ email protected ] Photo “ Bill Hagerty Ad ” by Team Hagerty .


thetennesseestar--2020-04-17--Democratic Hawaii Governor Is Proposing 20 Percent Pay Cut for Public Sector Employees, Including Te

Democratic Hawaii Governor Is Proposing 20 Percent Pay Cut for Public Sector Employees, Including Teachers

Hawaii Governor David Ige announced Wednesday that state employees might have to take pay cuts .
“ Let me be very frank with you , due to this crisis , the main sources of state revenue have been drastically reduced , ” he said .
“ State government needs to look very different going forward.
” The Democratic governor said he has had ongoing discussions with union representatives and state legislators , but no decision has been made yet .
According to West Hawaii Today , Ige met with six unions to discuss 20 percent pay cuts for public employees @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ten percent pay decrease .
The governor and his cabinet would also take pay cuts .
Currently , Hawaii is facing a “ $ 1.5 billion shortfall over the next 15 months ” as a result of the tourist and restaurant industries losing money , the Hawaiian newspaper reported .
State Senate President Ron Kouchi ( D-Kauai , Niihau ) and House Speaker Scott Saiki ( D-McCully , Kakaako , Downtown ) issued a statement reacting to the public employee pay cut proposal .
“ Although Governor Ige has the unilateral authority to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do not agree with such action .
We urge the Governor to obtain better data and analysis before he makes this decision , ” the Hawaiian politicians said , according to the Hawaii State Teachers Association ( HSTA ) press release .
“ We also urge him to act on all alternatives , just as the National Governors Association did when it called on Congress four days ago to provide an additional $ 500 billion to the 50 states to stabilize state budgets due to tax revenue shortfalls.
” Also reacting to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conference Wednesday to talk about the 20 percent pay cut .
These potential pay cuts could start on May 1 if implemented , according to the HSTA press release .
“ Hawaii already has a shortage of over 1,000 teachers .
If we cut teachers ’ salaries , that will force teachers to retire and our brand-new teachers to leave , ” HSTA President Corey Rosenlee said .
“ The state already has over a billion dollars in its cash surplus and its rainy day fund .
Governor , it ’ s raining @ @ @ @ @ @ @ may be a time when we have to look at budget cuts , and teachers are willing to work with you , but a rash decision can have devastating results.
” The average salary of a teacher is $ 65,000 , according to West Hawaii Today .
Zachery Schmidt is the digital editor of Star News Digital Media .
If you have any tips , email Zachery at [ email protected ] Background Photo “ Hawaii Capitol ” by Cliff .
CC BY 2.0 .


thetennesseestar--2020-04-17--Midwest Governors Announce Partnership to Reopen Midwest Economy

Michigan Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer announced on Thursday that she has joined a partnership with other Midwest states focused on working together to reopen the economy in the region .
The governors include Govs .
Mike Dewine from Ohio , Tony Evers from Wisconsin , Tim Walz from Minnesota , J.B. Pritzker from Illinois , Eric Holcomb from Indiana and Andy Besehar from Kentucky .
“ We are doing everything we can to protect the people of our states and slow the spread of COVID-19 , and we are eager to work together to mitigate the economic crisis this virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the governors said in a joint statement .
“ Here in the Midwest , we are bound by our commitment to our people and the community .
We recognize that our economies are all reliant on each other , and we must work together to safely reopen them so hardworking people can get back to work and businesses can get back on their feet.
” The governors said they will examine four sectors of the pandemic to assess if they can open up the economy safely .
These sectors include : sustained control @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hospitalizations , enhanced ability to test and trace cases , sufficient health care capacity to handle a influx of cases and best practices for social distancing in the workplace .
“ Our number one priority when analyzing when best to reopen our economy is the health and safety of our citizens , ” they said .
“ We will make decisions based on facts , science , and recommendations from experts in health care , business , labor , and education.
” The states involved in the partnership have more than 81,000 confirmed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ data compiled by the COVID Tracking Project .
Michigan has the most cases at 29,263 , followed by Illinois at 25,733 .
All seven states are currently on various stay-at-home orders .
“ Phasing in sectors of our economy will be most effective when we work together as a region .
This doesn ’ t mean our economy will reopen all at once , or that every state will take the same steps at the same time , ” the governors said .
“ But close coordination will ensure we get this right @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back to work , restaurants will reopen , and things will go back to normal .
We look forward to working together as one region to tackle this challenge together.
” Jordyn Pair is a reporter with The Michigan Star .
Follow her on Twitter at @ JordynPair .
Email her at [ email protected ]


thetennesseestar--2020-04-17--Commentary: An Appeal to North Carolina’s Governor

For every COVID-19 case in North Carolina ( 4,500 estimated ) , 125 people have lost their jobs ( 500,000 unemployed across the state ) .
You created this tragedy .
Your executive orders have quarantined healthy individuals for the first time in American history .
Small businesses can no longer operate , and their employees are jobless .
This may be a solution for your medical advisers , but the results are now devastating nearly every facet of our society .
You have also effectively denied religious freedom , a God-given and constitutional right .
Now you are in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , purportedly to protect us from ourselves .
COVID-19 is a serious virus , but North Carolinians are intelligent and practical .
Each person is very capable of avoiding COVID-19 by practicing social distancing , hand washing , and refraining from face touching .
The vulnerable and those with COVID-19 must stay home , but healthy individuals need to return to work and sustain our economy .
It is important to put this virus into perspective .
In 2009–10 , 60 million Americans had SARS , and 18,000 died , but few remember @ @ @ @ @ @ @ restrict freedoms .
We are grateful and thankful to medical personnel and the health-care industry for scaling up quickly and caring for those in need .
Your executive orders have inflicted severe pain and suffering on our state : • The 500,000 who have filed for unemployment are just the beginning ; soon there will be millions pleading for support .
• You vetoed the state budget , which means many agencies do not have the financial resources needed in this crisis .
• Because businesses can not survive very long without revenue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be permanently lost due to bankruptcy .
The dreams and aspirations of their employees and families will be lost , as well .
• We now have widespread shortages of critically needed products such as paper goods , masks , and some food supplies .
Since you have shuttered many producers , these shortages will become worse every week .
• Economies are fragile and interdependent ; people and businesses rely on products and services provided by those shut down by your executive order .
We are now witnessing a domino effect as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supplies .
• Healthy people have been paralyzed in fear by the media and your health advisers to the point of great distrust and hysteria .
Every citizen is now considered a suspect who may carry the virus , and even family members don ’ t trust one other .
In calmer times , this may be referred to as ( state-sponsored ) paranoia .
• Your orders are creating lines to buy critically needed food and supplies at grocery stores .
Your shutdown mandates may soon lead to food riots and violence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and suicide and depression rates are spiking .
Special needs children are floundering , and children who depend on school lunches are hungry .
Cardiac disease and cancer ( the two leading causes of death in the U.S. ) patients are not receiving the critical care they need to survive .
• Hospitals are losing revenue and laying off medical personnel because they are not treating most patients and instead are waiting for COVID-19 cases , which are well below projections .
• North Carolina Certificate of Needs ( CON ) laws @ @ @ @ @ @ @ without state approval , which makes hospitals a state-sponsored monopoly , driving up costs and reducing care .
You could call a special session this week and end CON , expanding medical care and lowering costs .
Your plan is to save us from COVID-19 based on virtually no data and death projections that were wildly overstated and are now being revised downward by the medical community .
In the process , quality of life as we know it is rapidly declining , and thousands are without jobs .
Every week you make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
This is an urgent appeal to consider the destruction your orders are causing compared to the purported benefits .
You should allow all healthy workers and businesses to resume their roles as producers of critically needed goods and services for our families .
Remember , economic destruction and job losses are measured in hours as your team talks in terms of months .
Your claim that your restrictions have slowed the virus may be valid , but the virus will not disappear because we stayed home .
It is clear we have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
By the end of this quarantine , our jobs and our way of life will have been decimated .
No amount of government money or programs can repair a fragile , interdependent network that took hardworking people decades to build .
Most Americans want our products to be manufactured in America , but this is not possible because you have shut down our economy .
In truth , government interventions lead to trouble , cause further problems , and create more interventions .
Gov .
Cooper , it is time to lead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ announcing this week the return of our freedom of association and our ability to support and feed our families .
All healthy individuals in North Carolina must return to work immediately , before our state economy and jobs are destroyed .
Bob Luddy is president and founder of CaptiveAire commercial ventilation technologies , based in North Carolina .
Photo “ Roy Cooper ” by Roy Cooper .
Background Photo “ North Carolina Capitol ” by Orchidus .
CC BY-SA 4.0 .


thetennesseestar--2020-04-17--Ohio Congressional Candidate Calls Michiganders Who Protested Against Gretchen Whitmer ‘Bad People’

While Michiganders protested on Thursday the authoritarian like measures Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer has implemented during the coronavirus pandemic , a person trying to unseat Rep. Jim Jordan ( R-OH-04 ) had harsh things to say about them .
Shannon Freshour , a progressive who is competing against two other Democrats for the party ’ s nomination , tweeted her true feelings about the protesters .
“ Republicans everywhere want people to die while claiming to be pro-life , ” Freshour said .
“ Also um gridlock would be an effective tool if there was traffic but y ’ all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , confederate supporting traitors.
” A Twitter user named Rachael Townes responded to Freshour ’ s tweet by saying “ They ’ re also blocking ambulances.
” The Democratic candidate then replied to Townes ’ s tweet by calling the people protesting “ bad people.
” This is not Freshour ’ s first time questioning people who have protested against their state ’ s coronavirus executive orders .
Last week , when Ohioans took to the capital to protest the way the state has handled the Chinese virus , she questioned why people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Health Director Amy Acton .
“ [ T ] hat ’ s DOCTOR Amy Acton , people who are probably claiming to be “ pro-life ” but fine with people dying and those protesters sounds like the dudes on jordan ’ s call last night attacking her , ” she said on April 9 .
“ He did nothing to tamp that down or defend her or DeWine but did a lot tacit agreeing.
” “ Also the fact that they are protesting Dr. Amy because she designed Ohio ’ s social distancing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ level of irony heretofore unreached in the of annals of human history , ” the politician added .
Freshour supports universal pre-k , the Equality Act , a Trump tax cut repeal , and views climate change as a “ threat to all humanity , ” according to her campaign page .
Between July 1 , 2019 and February 26 , 2020 , the Democrat congressional hopeful reported to the Federal Election Committee that she raised $ 433,086 .
Meanwhile in Michigan Thursday , Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced she added the Great Lake @ @ @ @ @ @ @ working to reopen the economy .
In her own state of Ohio , Governor Mike DeWine announced during his daily coronavirus press briefing that beginning May 1 , he would take concrete steps to reopen the economy .
Zachery Schmidt is the digital editor of Star News Digital Media .
If you have any tips , email Zachery at [ email protected ] Photo “ Shannon Freshour ” by Shannon Freshour .
Background Photo “ Michigan Protesters ” by Michigan House Republicans .


thetennesseestar--2020-04-17--Ohio Lost More Jobs in Four Weeks Than It Did In Two Years

With approximately 157,218 unemployment claims filed last week , Ohio has lost more jobs in four weeks than it has in two years .
The numbers come from the U.S. Department of Labor ’ s seasonally adjusted weekly unemployment insurance weekly claims list , available here .
The claims filed the week ending April 11 represented a 30 percent decrease from the previous week ’ s total of 226,191 , which in normal times would seem good news .
The state of Ohio gives slightly different numbers for the most recent claims .
For the week ending April 11 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Services ( ODJFS ) reported 158,678 initial jobless claims .
The number of initial jobless claims filed in Ohio over the last four weeks stands at 855,197 .
To put that in perspective , the total for the last four weeks of claims is 139,685 more than the combined total of 715,512 for the last two years .
Over these last four weeks , ODJFS has distributed more than $ 227 million in unemployment compensation payments to more than 271,000 claimants .
Some state lawmakers are calling on Gov .
Mike DeWine to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Star reported Thursday .
“ Ohio ’ s Covid-19 numbers have flattened out .
Isn ’ t that what our goal was ?
” state Sen. Andrew Brenner , R-Powell , said in a Facebook post last week .
“ We can ’ t stay like this much longer , and the hundreds of thousands of Ohioans who ’ ve lost their jobs or the thousands of small business owners can ’ t keep doing this either , or their lives will be irreparably destroyed.
” As of Tuesday evening , Ohio had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of COVID-19 along with 324 “ confirmed and probable ” deaths .
Even as the private sector in Ohio is feeling the burn of Gov .
Mike DeWine ’ s closure mandates , state workers are faring better , The Star reported .
The governor ordered state departments to cut up to 20 percent of their budgets and implement a hiring freeze .
The governor halted pay increases and promotions for state of Ohio unclassified and exempt staff .
Jason M. Reynolds has more than 20 years ’ experience as a journalist at @ @ @ @ @


thetennesseestar--2020-04-17--More Than 38,000 Ohio Businesses Received Loans Under Depleted Paycheck Protection Program

More than 38,000 small businesses across Ohio have received forgivable loans from the federal government under the Paycheck Protection Program .
The program was included in the Coronavirus Aid , Relief , and Economic Security ( CARES ) Act passed on March 27 and signed into law by President Donald Trump .
A total of $ 349 billion was set aside for the program , which is intended to help small businesses keep their workers on payroll during the coronavirus pandemic .
A report released Monday by the Small Business Administration ( SBA ) notes that 38,016 Ohio businesses have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Program .
In total , small businesses across the state have received more than $ 10 billion in loans .
According to the SBA , loans will be forgiven if all employees are kept on the payroll for eight weeks and the money is used for payroll , rent , mortgage interest , or utilities .
The program , however , blew threw the $ 349 billion in funding in a little more than two weeks and was officially depleted of funds as of Thursday morning .
A notice on the SBA website @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to accept new applications for the Paycheck Protection Program based on available appropriations funding.
” Republicans attempted to pass a $ 250 billion replenishment fund , but the motion was blocked by Senate Democrats who demanded more financial aid for hospitals and states .
Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin said he is in talks with Democrats about an agreement that would immediately increase funding for the program , CNN reported .
“ Democrats have spent days blocking emergency funding for Americans ’ paychecks and today , the money for the Paycheck Protection Program completely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Pelosi ’ s obstruction will be pink slips and shuttered businesses , ” House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy ( R-CA-23 ) said on Twitter .
President Donald Trump slammed Democrats on Twitter Thursday afternoon , saying they are “ playing politics ” with the popular program .
“ Democrats are blocking additional funding for the popular Paycheck Protection Program .
They are killing American small businesses .
Stop playing politics Dems !
Support refilling PPP now – it is out of funds , ” he said .
As of Monday , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to small businesses under the program .
The overall average loan size is $ 239,152 , the SBA ’ s report says .
A little more than 70 percent of loans issued were $ 150,000 and under .
Anthony Gockowski is managing editor of The Minnesota Sun and The Ohio Star .
Follow Anthony on Twitter .
Email tips to [ email protected ] .


thetennesseestar--2020-04-17--Minnesota Unemployment Applications Up 79,000 From Last Week

Minnesota has seen 464,513 new applications for unemployment insurance since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic .
The state had 13,000 new applications between Tuesday and Wednesday , Department of Employment and Economic Development ( DEED ) Commissioner Steve Grove said during a Wednesday press briefing .
As of last Thursday , Minnesota had 385,318 unemployment applications , meaning the state had 79,195 new applications in less than a week .
According to Grove , the top occupational groups seeking unemployment are food preparation and serving , sales and service , health care including both practitioners and support , office @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Grove announced Wednesday that DEED has fully implemented the Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation ( PEUC ) program , which provides a 13-week extension of unemployment benefits for eligible applicants .
The PEUC program was authorized by Congress and signed into law by President Donald Trump in the Coronavirus Aid , Relief , and Economic Security ( CARES ) Act .
“ This is the second of three CARES Act programs which DEED has quickly implemented to help those most in need during the COVID-19 crisis , ” Grove said in a statement .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ will soon exhaust their Minnesota unemployment insurance benefits .
With PEUC fully implemented , those individuals will now be eligible for an additional 13 weeks of unemployment insurance in addition to the $ 600 additional compensation payments we implemented last week.
” Grove defended the state ’ s unemployment system in an op-ed published Wednesday in The Star Tribune and revealed that since March 16 , DEED has seen “ twice as many applications for unemployment benefits than we saw in all of 2019.
” “ We have processed over 450,000 applications for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Before the crisis began , we had around 66,000 active accounts , ” he said .
“ In Minnesota , we ’ ve managed to keep our system stable and have successfully processed initial payments for more than 90 percent of eligible applicants within days.
” Nationally , more than 22 million Americans have filed for unemployment insurance since the beginning of the pandemic .
Last week , the country had 5.2 million new applications .
Anthony Gockowski is managing editor of The Minnesota Sun and The Ohio Star .
Follow Anthony on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protected ] .
Photo “ Long line of People ” by Dave Winer .
CC BY-SA 2.0 .