thetennesseestar--2020-06-05--Tennessee House Passes Resolution Inviting RNC to Host Convention in Nashville

The Tennessee House passed a resolution Thursday inviting the Republican National Committee to host its August convention in Nashville .
The resolution was passed after President Donald Trump announced earlier this week that he would be pulling the convention from Charlotte , North Carolina , whose Democratic governor refused to guarantee a full-scale convention amid the coronavirus pandemic .
Gov .
Roy Cooper said in a letter to RNC Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel that “ planning for a scaled-down convention with fewer people , social distancing and face coverings is a necessity.
” A few hours later , the president said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forced to seek another state to host the 2020 Republican National Convention.
” “ Had long planned to have the Republican National Convention in Charlotte , North Carolina , a place I love .
Now , North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper and his representatives refuse to guarantee that we can have use of the Spectrum Arena – spend millions of dollars , have everybody arrive , and then tell them they will not be able to gain entry , ” said Trump .
Officials with the RNC visited Nashville Thursday for a tour @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at Orlando , Jacksonville , New Orleans , Dallas , and Phoenix as possible alternative hosts .
“ Nashville is the best place in America to have a convention and we certainly would be interested in welcoming that to our city , ” Gov .
Bill Lee said in a statement earlier this week .
The House resolution approved Thursday declares Tennessee “ well-suited to host the 2020 Republican National Convention ” and a copy of the measure was sent to McDaniel .
“ Tennessee has become a global tourism destination , while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cultural heritage , and magnificent scenic beauty , ” states the resolution .
“ The Volunteer State stands poised and ready from East Tennessee to West Tennessee to nominate President Donald J. Trump as the Republican nominee during the 2020 Republican National Convention.
” The resolution was sponsored by Rep. Jeremy Faison ( R-Cosby ) and passed in a vote of 70-21 .
Although the convention itself won ’ t be hosted in North Carolina , the RNC confirmed Thursday that it would still hold meetings in Charlotte .
“ The RNC ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allow the official business of the national convention to continue in Charlotte , ” said a statement from Michael Ahrens , the RNC ’ s communications director .
“ Many other cities are eager to host the president ’ s acceptance of the nomination , and we are currently in talks with several of them to host that celebration.
” The Associated Press contributed to this report .
Anthony Gockowski is managing editor of The Minnesota Sun and The Ohio Star .
Follow Anthony on Twitter .
Email tips to [ email protected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2016 ” by Walt Disney Television .

The Tennessee House passed a resolution Thursday inviting the Republican National Committee to host its August convention in Nashville.
The resolution was passed after President Donald Trump announced earlier this week that he would be pulling the convention from Charlotte, North Carolina, whose Democratic governor refused to guarantee a full-scale convention amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Gov. Roy Cooper said in a letter to RNC Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel that “planning for a scaled-down convention with fewer people, social distancing and face coverings is a necessity.” A few hours later, the president said on Twitter that Republicans “are now forced to seek another state to host the 2020 Republican National Convention.”
“Had long planned to have the Republican National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina, a place I love. Now, North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper and his representatives refuse to guarantee that we can have use of the Spectrum Arena – spend millions of dollars, have everybody arrive, and then tell them they will not be able to gain entry,” said Trump.
Officials with the RNC visited Nashville Thursday for a tour of the city and are also looking at Orlando, Jacksonville, New Orleans, Dallas, and Phoenix as possible alternative hosts.
“Nashville is the best place in America to have a convention and we certainly would be interested in welcoming that to our city,” Gov. Bill Lee said in a statement earlier this week.
The House resolution approved Thursday declares Tennessee “well-suited to host the 2020 Republican National Convention” and a copy of the measure was sent to McDaniel.
“Tennessee has become a global tourism destination, while preserving its rich history, arts, cultural heritage, and magnificent scenic beauty,” states the resolution. “The Volunteer State stands poised and ready from East Tennessee to West Tennessee to nominate President Donald J. Trump as the Republican nominee during the 2020 Republican National Convention.”
The resolution was sponsored by Rep. Jeremy Faison (R-Cosby) and passed in a vote of 70-21.
Although the convention itself won’t be hosted in North Carolina, the RNC confirmed Thursday that it would still hold meetings in Charlotte.
“The RNC’s Executive Committee has voted unanimously to allow the official business of the national convention to continue in Charlotte,” said a statement from Michael Ahrens, the RNC’s communications director. “Many other cities are eager to host the president’s acceptance of the nomination, and we are currently in talks with several of them to host that celebration.”
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The Associated Press contributed to this report. Anthony Gockowski is managing editor of The Minnesota Sun and The Ohio Star. Follow Anthony on Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Republican National Convention 2016” by Walt Disney Television.


thetennesseestar--2020-06-05--Full Autopsy Released, Shows George Floyd Tested Positive for Coronavirus, Had Meth and Fentanyl in

Full Autopsy Released, Shows George Floyd Tested Positive for Coronavirus, Had Meth and Fentanyl in Blood

The Hennepin County Medical Examiner released a full autopsy Wednesday in the case of George Floyd , an unarmed black man who was allegedly murdered by Minneapolis police officers on Memorial Day .
The 20-page report was released with the permission of Floyd ’ s family and determined that Floyd ’ s heart stopped while being restrained by officers .
A summary of the findings released earlier this week listed the “ manner of death ” as a homicide , but the coroner ’ s office said that a manner of death classification is “ a statutory function of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is not a legal determination of culpability or intent , and should not be used to usurp the judicial process .
Such decisions are outside the scope of the Medical Examiner ’ s role or authority , ” said the summary .
Chief Medical Examiner Andrew Baker revealed in his full report that Floyd had tested positive for the coronavirus , but said the “ autopsy result most likely reflects asymptomatic but persistent ” positivity for the virus .
Floyd was known to have the virus on April 3 , Baker said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ s blood demonstrated “ fentanyl intoxication ” and “ recent methamphetamine use.
” The full report ’ s footnotes noted that signs of fentanyl toxicity can include “ severe respiratory depression ” and seizures .
The autopsy identified blunt force injuries “ of the forehead , face , and upper lip ” as well as “ the shoulders , hands , elbows , and legs.
” Under “ natural diseases , ” the medical examiner listed “ arteriosclerotic heart disease , ” “ hypertensive heart disease , ” and a “ left pelvic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Crump , earlier decried the official autopsy – as described in the original complaint against ex-officer Derek Chauvin – for ruling out asphyxia .
An autopsy commissioned by the Floyd family concluded that he died of asphyxiation due to neck and back compression .
Crump discussed the findings of the independent autopsy during a Monday press conference , saying the ambulance that responded to the scene was Floyd ’ s “ hearse.
” “ Peace is not the absence of tension but the presence of justice .
We believe truth will help lead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Beyond question , he would be alive today if not for the pressure applied to his neck by fired officer Derek Chauvin and the strain on his body from the two additional officers kneeing him in his back.
” “ Based on all apparent evidence , George was dead on that scene , ” he added .
The criminal complaint filed against Chauvin said that his actions were “ a substantial causal factor in Mr. Floyd losing consciousness , constituting substantial bodily harm , and Mr. Floyd ’ s death as well.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the effects of the officers ’ restraint of Mr. Floyd , his underlying health conditions , and the presence of drugs contributed to his death , ” said the complaint .
Attorney General Keith Ellison announced that he has charged Chauvin with second-degree murder in addition to the third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter charges .
The three other officers involved in the incident were charged for the first time Wednesday and arrested .
The Associated Press contributed to this report .
Anthony Gockowski is managing editor of The Minnesota Sun and The Ohio @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Email tips to [ email protected ] .
Photo “ George Floyd Memorial ” by Lorie Shaull .
CC BY-SA 2.0 .

The Hennepin County Medical Examiner released a full autopsy Wednesday in the case of George Floyd, an unarmed black man who was allegedly murdered by Minneapolis police officers on Memorial Day.
The 20-page report was released with the permission of Floyd’s family and determined that Floyd’s heart stopped while being restrained by officers. A summary of the findings released earlier this week listed the “manner of death” as a homicide, but the coroner’s office said that a manner of death classification is “a statutory function of the medical examiner.”
“Manner of death is not a legal determination of culpability or intent, and should not be used to usurp the judicial process. Such decisions are outside the scope of the Medical Examiner’s role or authority,” said the summary.
Chief Medical Examiner Andrew Baker revealed in his full report that Floyd had tested positive for the coronavirus, but said the “autopsy result most likely reflects asymptomatic but persistent” positivity for the virus. Floyd was known to have the virus on April 3, Baker said.
A toxicology screening found that Floyd’s blood demonstrated “fentanyl intoxication” and “recent methamphetamine use.” The full report’s footnotes noted that signs of fentanyl toxicity can include “severe respiratory depression” and seizures.
The autopsy identified blunt force injuries “of the forehead, face, and upper lip” as well as “the shoulders, hands, elbows, and legs.” Under “natural diseases,” the medical examiner listed “arteriosclerotic heart disease,” “hypertensive heart disease,” and a “left pelvic tumor.”
Floyd family attorney, Ben Crump, earlier decried the official autopsy – as described in the original complaint against ex-officer Derek Chauvin – for ruling out asphyxia. An autopsy commissioned by the Floyd family concluded that he died of asphyxiation due to neck and back compression.
Crump discussed the findings of the independent autopsy during a Monday press conference, saying the ambulance that responded to the scene was Floyd’s “hearse.”
“Peace is not the absence of tension but the presence of justice. We believe truth will help lead to justice,” said Crump. “Beyond question, he would be alive today if not for the pressure applied to his neck by fired officer Derek Chauvin and the strain on his body from the two additional officers kneeing him in his back.”
“Based on all apparent evidence, George was dead on that scene,” he added.
The criminal complaint filed against Chauvin said that his actions were “a substantial causal factor in Mr. Floyd losing consciousness, constituting substantial bodily harm, and Mr. Floyd’s death as well.”
“The Medical Examiner opined that the effects of the officers’ restraint of Mr. Floyd, his underlying health conditions, and the presence of drugs contributed to his death,” said the complaint.
Attorney General Keith Ellison announced that he has charged Chauvin with second-degree murder in addition to the third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter charges. The three other officers involved in the incident were charged for the first time Wednesday and arrested.
– – –
The Associated Press contributed to this report. Anthony Gockowski is managing editor of The Minnesota Sun and The Ohio Star. Follow Anthony on Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “George Floyd Memorial” by Lorie Shaull. CC BY-SA 2.0.


thetennesseestar--2020-06-05--Pace of Minnesota Unemployment Slows, But Claims Still Near 440,000

Even as Gov .
Tim Walz allows more sectors of the economy to open , Minnesota unemployment ticked upward to 439,550 total claims in the week ending May 30 , compared to 417,084 claims the prior week ending May 23 .
All told , 22,466 new unemployment claims were filed in the state last week , a drop of 4,745 claims from the 27,211 claims initiated the prior week , an 18.5 percent week-over-week decrease .
According to numbers released Thursday by the U.S. Department of Labor , Wisconsin unemployment claims decreased 22,622 claims between May 16 and May 23 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 417,084 .
Nationally , about 1.9 million people filed for unemployment , according to the latest numbers , bringing the national total during the 11 weeks of the outbreak to more than 42 million .
Florida had the largest jump in new claims with a 17 percent increase .
California , the most populous state , led the nation with more than 230,000 claims ; New York was fourth-highest .
Bruce Walker is a regional editor at The Center Square .
He previously worked as editor at the Mackinac Center for Public Policy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Institute ’ s InfoTech & Telecom News .

by Bruce Walker
Even as Gov. Tim Walz allows more sectors of the economy to open, Minnesota unemployment ticked upward to 439,550 total claims in the week ending May 30, compared to 417,084 claims the prior week ending May 23.
All told, 22,466 new unemployment claims were filed in the state last week, a drop of 4,745 claims from the 27,211 claims initiated the prior week, an 18.5 percent week-over-week decrease.
According to numbers released Thursday by the U.S. Department of Labor, Wisconsin unemployment claims decreased 22,622 claims between May 16 and May 23, from, respectively, 416,668 to 417,084.
Nationally, about 1.9 million people filed for unemployment, according to the latest numbers, bringing the national total during the 11 weeks of the outbreak to more than 42 million.
Florida had the largest jump in new claims with a 17 percent increase. California, the most populous state, led the nation with more than 230,000 claims; New York was fourth-highest.
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Bruce Walker is a regional editor at The Center Square. He previously worked as editor at the Mackinac Center for Public Policy’s MichiganScience magazine and The Heartland Institute’s InfoTech & Telecom News.


thetennesseestar--2020-06-05--Whitmer Seen Not Practicing Social Distancing at Thursday Protest

Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer was seen protesting the death of George Floyd on Thursday in Highland Park with hundreds of other people in a way that appeared to break social distancing practices , despite voicing concerns in recent weeks about similar demonstrations spreading coronavirus .
Tiffany Brown , a spokesperson for the governor , denied that Whitmer had violated the executive order issues on Monday .
The order , which moved Michigan into phase four of the MI Safe Start plan , says that people should remain six feet apart at public gatherings and that gatherings should consist of 100 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ march did not violate the order because the order says that nothing it “ shall be taken to abridge protections guaranteed by the state or federal constitution , ” according to The Detroit News .
“ That includes the right to peaceful protest , ” she told the outlet .
Pictures distributed by the office show Whitmer walking with a Unity March in Detroit .
Although she was wearing a mask , she was not spaced six feet apart from other attendees .
Lt. Gov .
Garlin Gilchrist was also in attendance .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who died in Minneapolis on May 25 after an arresting officer knelt on his neck .
All four officers involved in the incident have been arrested and charged with murder .
“ Gov .
Whitmer attended today ’ s unity march to show her support for peaceful demonstrations taking place across America , the need for action , and to shine a light on the inequities Black Michiganders face every day , ” Brown said in a Thursday statement , according to The Detroit News .
After a protest about the governor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ streets of Lansing , Whitmer said the lack of social distancing was a problem .
“ The sad irony here is that the protest was that they don ’ t like being in this stay-home order , and they may have just created a need to lengthen it , ” Whitmer said at the time .
“ …Just by congregating , they ’ ve made that a real possibility.
” Whitmer ’ s participation in the protest was criticized by Michigan Rep. Lynn Afenoudlis , ( R-3-Grand Rapids ) .
“ Social distancing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 — unless you have a great photo op .
And control , ” she wrote on Twitter .
Jordyn Pair is a reporter with The Michigan Star .
Follow her on Twitter at @ JordynPair .
Email her at [ email protected ] Photo “ Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer Marches ” by Jason Overstreet .

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer was seen protesting the death of George Floyd on Thursday in Highland Park with hundreds of other people in a way that appeared to break social distancing practices, despite voicing concerns in recent weeks about similar demonstrations spreading coronavirus.
Tiffany Brown, a spokesperson for the governor, denied that Whitmer had violated the executive order issues on Monday. The order, which moved Michigan into phase four of the MI Safe Start plan, says that people should remain six feet apart at public gatherings and that gatherings should consist of 100 people or fewer.
“We know that we are at a tipping point in this march toward justice. But this day can’t just be a day. It must be a step forward in this march toward justice.” – @GovWhitmer pic.twitter.com/jv0qE6d7S8 — Chris Meagher (@chrismeagher) June 4, 2020
Brown said the march did not violate the order because the order says that nothing it “shall be taken to abridge protections guaranteed by the state or federal constitution,” according to The Detroit News.
“That includes the right to peaceful protest,” she told the outlet.
Pictures distributed by the office show Whitmer walking with a Unity March in Detroit. Although she was wearing a mask, she was not spaced six feet apart from other attendees. Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist was also in attendance.
Whitmer was protesting the death of Floyd, who died in Minneapolis on May 25 after an arresting officer knelt on his neck. All four officers involved in the incident have been arrested and charged with murder.
“Gov. Whitmer attended today’s unity march to show her support for peaceful demonstrations taking place across America, the need for action, and to shine a light on the inequities Black Michiganders face every day,” Brown said in a Thursday statement, according to The Detroit News.
After a protest about the governor’s lockdown orders clogged up the streets of Lansing, Whitmer said the lack of social distancing was a problem.
“The sad irony here is that the protest was that they don’t like being in this stay-home order, and they may have just created a need to lengthen it,” Whitmer said at the time. “…Just by congregating, they’ve made that a real possibility.”
Whitmer’s participation in the protest was criticized by Michigan Rep. Lynn Afenoudlis, (R-3-Grand Rapids).
Social distancing is critical to stop the spread of COVID-19—unless you have a great photo op. And control. pic.twitter.com/uFyM6gBWaM — Rep. Lynn Afendoulis (@LynnAfendoulis) June 4, 2020
“Social distancing is critical to stop the spread of COVID-19 — unless you have a great photo op. And control,” she wrote on Twitter.
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Jordyn Pair is a reporter with The Michigan Star. Follow her on Twitter at @JordynPair. Email her at [email protected]
Photo “Gov. Gretchen Whitmer Marches” by Jason Overstreet.


thetennesseestar--2020-06-05--Executive Director of Michigan Rising Action Calls for Whitmer to Focus on Nursing Homes, Not Politi

Executive Director of Michigan Rising Action Calls for Whitmer to Focus on Nursing Homes, Not Politics

Michigan Rising Action is calling for Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer to “ put politics aside and focus on Michigan.
” In an opinion published on May 30 in The Detroit News , Tori Sachs , the executive director for Michigan Rising Action , argued that Whitmer should shift her focus from politics and “ raising her national profile ” back to the state of Michigan .
“ The governor should change her focus from politics to five key issues to help Michigan residents : Protecting people in nursing homes and long-term care facilities , fixing the broken unemployment system , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ metrics , providing a plan for schools , and addressing the state ’ s budget deficit , ” Sachs wrote in the piece .
Sachs told The Michigan Star that Whitmer ’ s top priority should be fixing her policies on nursing home patients with coronavirus .
Michigan is currently one of three states that do not track or report data on deaths in nursing homes or residential care facilities that are a result of COVID-19 .
A national analysis of data estimates that 42 percent of coronavirus deaths are related to nursing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We ’ ve known from the beginning that elderly were the most susceptible , ” Sachs told The Michigan Star .
Nearly 70 percent of all coronavirus deaths in Michigan are those ages 70 years old or older and 87 percent are those 60 years old or older , according to data from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services .
Sachs said the top priority should be having separate facilities for coronavirus-positive and coronavirus-negative patients .
Current policy allows for the patients to be in the same building , although separated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be separated , separate buildings , ” Sachs said .
“ Separate physical buildings.
” Sachs also called for prioritized testing for anyone going into a nursing home , as well as inspections to ensure nursing homes are following protocol about coronavirus .
“ The vulnerable residents living in nursing homes can not afford to wait any longer for the Whitmer administration to enact new safety measures and a holistic plan to stop the spread of COVID-19 to the population who is most at risk of dying from the virus , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ added she felt that Whitmer was using the crisis to bolster her bid for the position of vice president .
Whitmer has previously said she has had “ opening conversations ” with Joe Biden ’ s campaign .
“ It ’ s been clear she ’ s been using this pandemic to elevate her national profile , ” Sachs said , adding that she would like to see more focus on nursing home , as well as education and unemployment .
“ It ’ s unfortunate she prioritizes her national profile over those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with The Michigan Star .
Follow her on Twitter at @ JordynPair .
Email her at [ email protected ] Photo “ Tori Sachs ” by Michigan Rising Action .

Michigan Rising Action is calling for Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to “put politics aside and focus on Michigan.”
In an opinion published on May 30 in The Detroit News, Tori Sachs, the executive director for Michigan Rising Action, argued that Whitmer should shift her focus from politics and “raising her national profile” back to the state of Michigan.
“The governor should change her focus from politics to five key issues to help Michigan residents: Protecting people in nursing homes and long-term care facilities, fixing the broken unemployment system, creating an opening plan with clearly defined metrics, providing a plan for schools, and addressing the state’s budget deficit,” Sachs wrote in the piece.
Sachs told The Michigan Star that Whitmer’s top priority should be fixing her policies on nursing home patients with coronavirus. Michigan is currently one of three states that do not track or report data on deaths in nursing homes or residential care facilities that are a result of COVID-19.
A national analysis of data estimates that 42 percent of coronavirus deaths are related to nursing homes or similar care facilities.
“We’ve known from the beginning that elderly were the most susceptible,” Sachs told The Michigan Star.
Nearly 70 percent of all coronavirus deaths in Michigan are those ages 70 years old or older and 87 percent are those 60 years old or older, according to data from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.
Sachs said the top priority should be having separate facilities for coronavirus-positive and coronavirus-negative patients. Current policy allows for the patients to be in the same building, although separated from each other.
“It has to be separated, separate buildings,” Sachs said. “Separate physical buildings.”
Sachs also called for prioritized testing for anyone going into a nursing home, as well as inspections to ensure nursing homes are following protocol about coronavirus.
“The vulnerable residents living in nursing homes cannot afford to wait any longer for the Whitmer administration to enact new safety measures and a holistic plan to stop the spread of COVID-19 to the population who is most at risk of dying from the virus,” she said in the piece.
Sachs added she felt that Whitmer was using the crisis to bolster her bid for the position of vice president. Whitmer has previously said she has had “opening conversations” with Joe Biden’s campaign.
“It’s been clear she’s been using this pandemic to elevate her national profile,” Sachs said, adding that she would like to see more focus on nursing home, as well as education and unemployment. “It’s unfortunate she prioritizes her national profile over those things.”
– – –
Jordyn Pair is a reporter with The Michigan Star. Follow her on Twitter at @JordynPair. Email her at [email protected]
Photo “Tori Sachs” by Michigan Rising Action.


thetennesseestar--2020-06-05--City of Minneapolis, State Patrol Sued for Attacks on Journalists During Riots

A class-action lawsuit was filed this week against the leaders of the Minneapolis Police Department , the Minnesota State Patrol , and the Minnesota Department of Public Safety for their “ attacks ” on journalists during last week ’ s riots .
“ The press is under assault in our City .
Over the past week , the Minneapolis Police and the Minnesota State Patrol have tear-gassed , pepper-sprayed , shot in the face with rubber bullets , arrested without cause , and threatened journalists at gunpoint , all after these journalists identified themselves and were otherwise clearly engaged in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lawsuit .
The complaint was filed by the American Civil Liberties Union ( ACLU ) of Minnesota against the City of Minneapolis , Minneapolis Police Chief Medaria Arradondo , Minneapolis Police Lieutenant Bob Kroll , Minnesota Department of Public Safety Commissioner John Harrington , and Minnesota State Patrol Colonel Matthew Langer .
The lawsuit ’ s lead plaintiff , Jared Goyette , was documenting protesters ’ efforts to shield and help an injured person when police fired a projectile at his face .
“ Journalists aren ’ t the only victims , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Actions like this make protesters , people trying to advocate for change , more vulnerable because journalists provide a witness and police are aware of that .
Without journalists there , police or other people in power can feel a sense of impunity that no one will see what ’ s happening anyway .
Everyone needs to know people are watching.
” The lawsuit seeks a temporary restraining order and a permanent injunction to stop law enforcement “ from attacking and targeting journalists , ” a declaration that police conduct during the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Fourteenth Amendments , and financial damages .
The complaint accuses the Minneapolis Police Department of a “ history of unconstitutional actions against journalists ” and a failure to properly train officers in this regard .
“ Law enforcement is using violence and threats to deter the media from vigorously reporting on demonstrations and the conduct of police in public places , ” Teresa Nelson , ACLU legal director , said in a press release .
“ We depend on a free press to hold the police and government accountable for its actions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when police have brutally murdered one of our community members , and we must ensure that justice is done .
Our community , especially people of color , already have a hard time trusting police and government .
Targeting journalists erodes that public trust even further , ” she added .
The ACLU compiled a video of several instances of law enforcement officers using force on journalists during the Minneapolis riots .
The lawsuit doesn ’ t name the Minnesota National Guard as a defendant , but the guard was activated and called @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an end to the unrest .
“ This pattern and practice of conduct by law enforcement tramples on the Constitution .
It violates the sacrosanct right to freedom of speech and freedom of the press that form the linchpin of a free society , ” states the lawsuit .
“ It constitutes a pattern of unreasonable force and unlawful seizures under the Fourth Amendment .
And it deprives liberty without a modicum of due process protected by the Fourteenth Amendment.
” Anthony Gockowski is managing editor of The Minnesota Sun and The Ohio @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Email tips to [ email protected ] .
Photo “ Minnesota State Patrol ” by Lorie Shaull .
CC BY-SA 2.0 .

A class-action lawsuit was filed this week against the leaders of the Minneapolis Police Department, the Minnesota State Patrol, and the Minnesota Department of Public Safety for their “attacks” on journalists during last week’s riots.
“The press is under assault in our City. Over the past week, the Minneapolis Police and the Minnesota State Patrol have tear-gassed, pepper-sprayed, shot in the face with rubber bullets, arrested without cause, and threatened journalists at gunpoint, all after these journalists identified themselves and were otherwise clearly engaged in their reporting duties,” states the lawsuit.
The complaint was filed by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Minnesota against the City of Minneapolis, Minneapolis Police Chief Medaria Arradondo, Minneapolis Police Lieutenant Bob Kroll, Minnesota Department of Public Safety Commissioner John Harrington, and Minnesota State Patrol Colonel Matthew Langer.
The lawsuit’s lead plaintiff, Jared Goyette, was documenting protesters’ efforts to shield and help an injured person when police fired a projectile at his face.
I want to be reporting. Instead I am getting my eye looked at. Here is me and my patient daughter. She wants me to get an eye patch so I look like a pirate. PSA: If you are in need of medical treatment and don't have insurance, like me., @OpenCitiesHC is a good place to go. pic.twitter.com/V6YxzLe2lz — Jared Goyette (@JaredGoyette) May 28, 2020
“Journalists aren’t the only victims,” Goyette said in a press release. “Actions like this make protesters, people trying to advocate for change, more vulnerable because journalists provide a witness and police are aware of that. Without journalists there, police or other people in power can feel a sense of impunity that no one will see what’s happening anyway. Everyone needs to know people are watching.”
The lawsuit seeks a temporary restraining order and a permanent injunction to stop law enforcement “from attacking and targeting journalists,” a declaration that police conduct during the riots violated the First, Fourth, and Fourteenth Amendments, and financial damages.
The complaint accuses the Minneapolis Police Department of a “history of unconstitutional actions against journalists” and a failure to properly train officers in this regard.
“Law enforcement is using violence and threats to deter the media from vigorously reporting on demonstrations and the conduct of police in public places,” Teresa Nelson, ACLU legal director, said in a press release.
“We depend on a free press to hold the police and government accountable for its actions, especially at a time like this when police have brutally murdered one of our community members, and we must ensure that justice is done. Our community, especially people of color, already have a hard time trusting police and government. Targeting journalists erodes that public trust even further,” she added.
The ACLU compiled a video of several instances of law enforcement officers using force on journalists during the Minneapolis riots. The lawsuit doesn’t name the Minnesota National Guard as a defendant, but the guard was activated and called to the Twin Cities to help put an end to the unrest.
“This pattern and practice of conduct by law enforcement tramples on the Constitution. It violates the sacrosanct right to freedom of speech and freedom of the press that form the linchpin of a free society,” states the lawsuit. “It constitutes a pattern of unreasonable force and unlawful seizures under the Fourth Amendment. And it deprives liberty without a modicum of due process protected by the Fourteenth Amendment.”
– – –
Anthony Gockowski is managing editor of The Minnesota Sun and The Ohio Star. Follow Anthony on Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Minnesota State Patrol” by Lorie Shaull. CC BY-SA 2.0.


thetennesseestar--2020-06-05--Ohio Unemployment Claims Fell Below 40,000 Last Week

For the first time since mid-March , the number of Ohioans filing jobless claims has gone under 40,000 , the Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services ( ODJFS ) numbers showed .
For the week ending on May 30 , more than 34,000 people asked the government for assistance .
This marks the sixth consecutive week that unemployment claims have been under 100,000 .
Also , this is the ninth consecutive week that unemployment claims have gone down .
Over the last 11 weeks , almost 1.3 million people have filed for unemployment benefits in Ohio .
Nationally , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for unemployment in the past 11 weeks .
Ohio has accounted for roughly three percent of these claims .
The ODJFS has given over $ 3.5 billion to more than 668,000 claimants , according to WKYC .
ODJFS is still struggling to get people their claims with only 51 percent of Ohioans getting their money .
Last week , ODJFS Director Kimberly Hall testified to the Ohio House Ways and Means Committee about House Bill 614 , which seeks to reform Ohio ’ s unemployment compensation system .
Hall said Ohio ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the agency cutting staff members in an effort to save state resources .
“ When this emergency began , only 553 people worked in unemployment , and our call center was comprised of only 40 full-time agents , ” she said .
“ To put that in perspective , in 2009 , during the last recession , 1,422 people worked in our unemployment office.
” House Bill 614 is still in the Ways and Means Committee .
Zachery Schmidt is the digital editor of Star News Digital Media .
If you have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ email protected ] Follow Zachery on Twitter @ zacheryschmidt2 .

For the first time since mid-March, the number of Ohioans filing jobless claims has gone under 40,000, the Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services (ODJFS) numbers showed.
For the week ending on May 30, more than 34,000 people asked the government for assistance. This marks the sixth consecutive week that unemployment claims have been under 100,000. Also, this is the ninth consecutive week that unemployment claims have gone down.
Over the last 11 weeks, almost 1.3 million people have filed for unemployment benefits in Ohio. Nationally, more than 42 million people have filed for unemployment in the past 11 weeks.
Ohio has accounted for roughly three percent of these claims.
The ODJFS has given over $3.5 billion to more than 668,000 claimants, according to WKYC. ODJFS is still struggling to get people their claims with only 51 percent of Ohioans getting their money.
Last week, ODJFS Director Kimberly Hall testified to the Ohio House Ways and Means Committee about House Bill 614, which seeks to reform Ohio’s unemployment compensation system.
Hall said Ohio’s low unemployment claims before the coronavirus led to the agency cutting staff members in an effort to save state resources.
“When this emergency began, only 553 people worked in unemployment, and our call center was comprised of only 40 full-time agents,” she said. “To put that in perspective, in 2009, during the last recession, 1,422 people worked in our unemployment office.”
House Bill 614 is still in the Ways and Means Committee.
– – –
Zachery Schmidt is the digital editor of Star News Digital Media. If you have any tips, email Zachery at [email protected] Follow Zachery on Twitter @zacheryschmidt2.


thetennesseestar--2020-06-05--Despite Drop in New Claims, Michigan Unemployment Ninth Highest in Nation

As Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer allows more sectors of the economy to open , Michigan unemployment claims dropped to 956,418 in the week ending May 30 , compared to 985,294 claims the prior week ending May 23 .
Those numbers are the lowest unemployment figures in Michigan since the beginning of measures to contain the coronavirus were initiated in late March .
However , Michigan ’ s unemployment rates are still the ninth highest in a nation with more than 42 million unemployed workers .
All told , 41,035 new unemployment claims were filed in the state last week , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 64,574 claims initiated the prior week , according to numbers released Thursday by the U.S. Department of Labor .
DOL numbers indicated a 36 percent drop in initial Michigan unemployment claims from the prior week .
The DOL reported 1.9 million new unemployment claims across the nation last week .
Although high , the number also reflects a gradual decline of new claims over the past nine weeks .
Bruce Walker is a regional editor at The Center Square .
He previously worked as editor at the Mackinac Center for Public Policy ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s InfoTech & Telecom News .

by Bruce Walker
As Gov. Gretchen Whitmer allows more sectors of the economy to open, Michigan unemployment claims dropped to 956,418 in the week ending May 30, compared to 985,294 claims the prior week ending May 23.
Those numbers are the lowest unemployment figures in Michigan since the beginning of measures to contain the coronavirus were initiated in late March.
However, Michigan’s unemployment rates are still the ninth highest in a nation with more than 42 million unemployed workers.
All told, 41,035 new unemployment claims were filed in the state last week, a drop of 23,539 claims from the 64,574 claims initiated the prior week, according to numbers released Thursday by the U.S. Department of Labor. DOL numbers indicated a 36 percent drop in initial Michigan unemployment claims from the prior week.
The DOL reported 1.9 million new unemployment claims across the nation last week. Although high, the number also reflects a gradual decline of new claims over the past nine weeks.
– – –
Bruce Walker is a regional editor at The Center Square. He previously worked as editor at the Mackinac Center for Public Policy’s MichiganScience magazine and The Heartland Institute’s InfoTech & Telecom News.


thetennesseestar--2020-06-05--Nashville Officials Opt Not to Press Criminal Charges Against Justin Jones After Saturday’s Riots

On Thursday Nashville officials were about to press criminal charges against left-wing activist Justin Jones for alleged felony aggravated rioting — but later in the day they changed their minds .
A Twitter video showed a man during Saturday ’ s downtown riots jumping onto the hood of a police car while hundreds of protestors cheered him on .
The man ’ s face is not visible to the camera .
Seconds later a law enforcement officer tackled the man .
Whether Jones was the man in the video is uncertain , but the Twitter user who posted the video @ @ @ @ @ @ @ right after Justin Jones stepped off of the car , ” said Twitter user @ iholytrojan .
“ As you can see the only weird thing about the vehicle is the cone laying in the car.
” As The Tennessee Star reported , Jones exchanged words with Mayor John Cooper at last Saturday ’ s rally at Legislative Plaza that honored George Floyd .
Nashville Police spokesman Don Aaron told The Tennessee Star Thursday night that city officials withdrew Jones ’ warrant “ after one of the 60 detectives assigned to investigate protest-related @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ This afternoon , in discussing additional information with District Attorney Funk , the decision was made to withdraw them for the present , ” Aaron said in an email .
The Star then asked whether Mayor Cooper intervened in the matter .
Aaron said nothing further .
No one at Cooper ’ s or Funk ’ s offices immediately returned our request for comment Thursday night .
On his Facebook page , Jones said “ justice beared out , but we have to make sure that it works for all.
” “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jones said .
Jones ’ attorney Nick Leonardo said on Twitter that Nashville officials recalled the warrant because Jones did not commit a crime .
Jones , as The Star reported , has had prior run-ins with law enforcement , one of which was for an alleged assault of then-Speaker of the House Glen Casada .
And another for allegedly disrupting a Marsha Blackburn rally in Nashville in 2018 that featured U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina .
Also , as reported , Jones asked Cooper during Saturday ’ s rally whether @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the city ’ s police department ?
According to Jones ’ account that day , Cooper would not agree to Jones ’ demands .
Jones later told the crowd of thousands that “ you don ’ t just vote out your oppressor .
You overthrow them.
” As The Tennessee Star reported last year , Jones accepted an American Civil Liberties Union award in November 2016 .
According to video of the event , which Jones ’ grandmother posted on her personal Facebook page , Jones called upon young people to fight for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and those who are young at heart , we have five words for you , ” Jones said as he accepted the award .
“ See you in the streets .
We will disrupt .
We will organize .
We will shut down injustice .
Know we will not normalize hatred in this country.
” Chris Butler is an investigative journalist at The Tennessee Star .
Follow Chris on Facebook .
Email tips to [ email protected ]

On Thursday Nashville officials were about to press criminal charges against left-wing activist Justin Jones for alleged felony aggravated rioting — but later in the day they changed their minds.
A Twitter video showed a man during Saturday’s downtown riots jumping onto the hood of a police car while hundreds of protestors cheered him on. The man’s face is not visible to the camera. Seconds later a law enforcement officer tackled the man.
This video is right after Justin Jones stepped off of the car. As you can see, the only thing weird about the vehicle is the cone laying in the car. https://t.co/xdr0Q4vQDL https://t.co/yZf2PH8o1R — just greg. (@iholytrojan) June 4, 2020
Whether Jones was the man in the video is uncertain, but the Twitter user who posted the video said this:
“This video is right after Justin Jones stepped off of the car,” said Twitter user @iholytrojan.
“As you can see the only weird thing about the vehicle is the cone laying in the car.”
As The Tennessee Star reported, Jones exchanged words with Mayor John Cooper at last Saturday’s rally at Legislative Plaza that honored George Floyd.
Nashville Police spokesman Don Aaron told The Tennessee Star Thursday night that city officials withdrew Jones’ warrant “after one of the 60 detectives assigned to investigate protest-related offenses appeared before a judicial commissioner.”
“This afternoon, in discussing additional information with District Attorney Funk, the decision was made to withdraw them for the present,” Aaron said in an email.
The Star then asked whether Mayor Cooper intervened in the matter.
“Absolutely not,” Aaron said.
Aaron said nothing further.
No one at Cooper’s or Funk’s offices immediately returned our request for comment Thursday night.
On his Facebook page, Jones said “justice beared out, but we have to make sure that it works for all.”
“That is why we protest,” Jones said.
Jones’ attorney Nick Leonardo said on Twitter that Nashville officials recalled the warrant because Jones did not commit a crime.
Jones, as The Star reported, has had prior run-ins with law enforcement, one of which was for an alleged assault of then-Speaker of the House Glen Casada. And another for allegedly disrupting a Marsha Blackburn rally in Nashville in 2018 that featured U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina.
Also, as reported, Jones asked Cooper during Saturday’s rally whether he would commit to demilitarize and defund the city’s police department?
According to Jones’ account that day, Cooper would not agree to Jones’ demands.
Jones later told the crowd of thousands that “you don’t just vote out your oppressor. You overthrow them.”
As The Tennessee Star reported last year, Jones accepted an American Civil Liberties Union award in November 2016. According to video of the event, which Jones’ grandmother posted on her personal Facebook page, Jones called upon young people to fight for liberty and justice.
“Young people and those who are young at heart, we have five words for you,” Jones said as he accepted the award.
“See you in the streets. We will disrupt. We will organize. We will shut down injustice. Know we will not normalize hatred in this country.”
– – –
Chris Butler is an investigative journalist at The Tennessee Star. Follow Chris on Facebook. Email tips to [email protected]


thetennesseestar--2020-06-05--Joe Biden Has His Deplorable Moment: ’10 to 15 Percent’ of Americans Are ‘Just Not Very Good People’

Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden put his foot in his mouth again on Thursday when he said that “ 10 to 15 percent ” of Americans are “ just not very good people.
” The former vice president made these comments while holding a town hall on Thursday night with black supporters , according to Fox News .
“ The words a president says matter , so when a president stands up and divides people all the time , you ’ re gon na the worst of us to come out , ” Biden said .
“ Do we really @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can be as a nation ?
I don ’ t think the vast majority of people think that , ” Biden added .
“ There are probably anywhere from 10 to 15 percent of the people out there who are just not very good people , but that ’ s not who we are .
The vast majority of the people are decent .
We have to appeal to that and we have to unite people — bring them together.. ” These comments come after Biden made controversial comments two weeks ago about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Democrats .
“ If you have a problem figuring out whether you ’ re for me or Trump , then you ain ’ t black , ” Biden told Charlamagne , the black host of the New York City-based Breakfast Club radio show .
Somewhat taken aback , Charlamagne shot back , “ it don ’ t have nothin ’ to do with Trump .
It has something to do with I want something for my community.
” “ Look at my record man !
” Biden interjected .
“ I extended @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years !
I have a record that is second to none !
The NAACP ’ s endorsed me every time I ’ ve run .
I mean—come on !
Take a look at the record !
” After making these comments , the former Deleware Senator issued an apology .
“ I should not have been so cavalier .
I ’ ve never , never , ever taken the African-American community for granted , ” Biden told the U.S. Black Chambers Inc. , according to USA Today .
Zachery Schmidt is the digital @ @ @ @ @ @ @ If you have any tips , email Zachery at [ email protected ] Follow Zachery on Twitter @ zacheryschmidt2 .
Photo “ Joe Biden ” by Joe Biden .

Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden put his foot in his mouth again on Thursday when he said that “10 to 15 percent” of Americans are “just not very good people.”
The former vice president made these comments while holding a town hall on Thursday night with black supporters, according to Fox News.
“The words a president says matter, so when a president stands up and divides people all the time, you’re gonna the worst of us to come out,” Biden said.
“Do we really think this is as good as we can be as a nation? I don’t think the vast majority of people think that,” Biden added. “There are probably anywhere from 10 to 15 percent of the people out there who are just not very good people, but that’s not who we are. The vast majority of the people are decent. We have to appeal to that and we have to unite people — bring them together..”
Joe Biden says that about "10 to 15 Percent" of Americans are "not very good people." pic.twitter.com/xwd1W6tLrr — Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) June 5, 2020
These comments come after Biden made controversial comments two weeks ago about black people who don’t vote for Democrats.
“If you have a problem figuring out whether you’re for me or Trump, then you ain’t black,” Biden told Charlamagne, the black host of the New York City-based Breakfast Club radio show.
Somewhat taken aback, Charlamagne shot back, “it don’t have nothin’ to do with Trump. It has something to do with I want something for my community.”
“Look at my record man!” Biden interjected. “I extended the Voting [Rights Act] 25 years! I have a record that is second to none! The NAACP’s endorsed me every time I’ve run. I mean—come on! Take a look at the record!”
After making these comments, the former Deleware Senator issued an apology.
“I should not have been so cavalier. I’ve never, never, ever taken the African-American community for granted,” Biden told the U.S. Black Chambers Inc., according to USA Today.
– – –
Zachery Schmidt is the digital editor of Star News Digital Media. If you have any tips, email Zachery at [email protected] Follow Zachery on Twitter @zacheryschmidt2.
Photo “Joe Biden” by Joe Biden.


thetennesseestar--2020-06-05--Wall Street’s Rally Zooms Higher After Surprise Gain in Jobs

Stocks are rushing higher in morning trading Friday after a much better-than-expected report on the U.S. job market gave Wall Street ’ s recent rally another shot of adrenaline .
The S & P 500 was up 2.2 % after the government said that U.S. employers added 2.5 million workers to their payrolls last month .
Economists were expecting them instead to slash another 8 million jobs amid the recession caused by the coronavirus and the shutdowns put in place to stem it .
While economists cautioned that it ’ s just one month of data and that many risks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a full recovery , the report gives some credence to the optimism building among stock investors that the economy can climb out of its current hole relatively quickly .
That hope has been a big reason for the better than 40 % rally for the S & P 500 since late March .
The S & P 500 is now down only about 6 % from its record set in February after being down nearly 34 % earlier this year when recession worries were peaking .
“ It looks like the healing process @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it looks like it ’ s happening sooner than expected , ” said Todd Lowenstein , equity strategy executive of The Private Bank at Union Bank .
“ It looks like the worst is behind us.
” The Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 676 points , or 2.6 % , at 26,958 , as of 10:35 a.m. Eastern time , and the Nasdaq was up 1.7 % .
In another show of increased confidence , the yield on the 10-year Treasury zoomed up to 0.92 % from 0.82 % late Thursday .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ earlier than stocks to give warning about the coming economic devastation from the coronavirus outbreak .
It had also been showing much more caution than stocks recently , but the 10-year yield is now close to its highest level since late March .
The yield tends to move with investors ’ expectations for the economy ’ s strength and inflation .
Stocks began their tremendous rally in late March after the Federal Reserve came to the rescue once again with promises of immense aid to keep markets running smoothly .
Capitol Hill also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the economy , which helped convince investors that the worst-case scenario of a full-blown financial crisis was off the table .
More recently , it ’ s been hopes that growth can resume for the economy as states across the country and nations around the world relax lockdown restrictions meant to slow the spread of the virus .
Even as horrific and historic data continued to come in on the job market and economy , stocks largely remained resilient in their climb .
If their optimism proves to be right , it wouldn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ During past recessions , stocks have historically hit their bottom and turned upward months before the economy has .
That ’ s because investors are setting stock prices now for where they see corporate profits heading months into the future .
Analysts and economists warn , though , that a full recovery is still a long way away .
The unemployment rate is still above 13.3 % , which is nearly four times above where it was at the start of the year .
The biggest threat is likely a possible second wave @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all the improvement and push governments to tighten up on lockdown orders .
Increasing tensions between the United States and China are also raising worries about a resumption in the trade war between the world ’ s two largest economies , while some investors are worried about volatiltiy that could be created by this fall ’ s U.S. elections .
Nevertheless , investors on Friday continued their recent trend of focusing more on companies that would benefit most from a growing economy , rather than those that had been earlier winners in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had the market ’ s biggest gains , as they typically do when expectations for the economy are rising .
The Russell 2000 of small-cap stocks jumped 4 % .
Among the biggest stocks , energy producers , banks and industrial companies were jumping to the biggest gains .
Their profits tend to be very closely tied to the strength of the economy .
Travel-related companies were also strong , after their stocks got pummeled early in the outbreak on worries that no one would want to fly or go onto a cruise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officers screened 391,882 people at U.S. airports on Thursday , the most since March 22 .
Year-over-year declines have moderated to 85 % from 96 % in mid-April .
American Airlines Group jumped 20 % , tacking even more gains onto its 41.1 % surge a day before when it said it would fly more of its regular U.S. schedule in a bet that fliers will return to the skies .
Retailers and owners of shopping malls surged on hopes that people may also head back to enclosed stores .
Kohl ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Group rose 14.5 % .
Some of the stocks that had been the steadiest earlier this year when investors were searching for stay-at-home winners , meanwhile , were lagging the market .
Slack Technologies slid 15.7 % even though it reported better results for the latest quarter than Wall Street expected .
Netflix , whose subscriber rolls swelled with people hunkering down at home , was close to flat .
Clorox , whose disinfecting wipes had been cleared off shelves , was down 3.3 % .
Stan Choe and Damian J Troise are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ AP Business Writer David Koenig contributed .
About the Headline Photo : A woman walks past an electronic stock board showing Japan ’ s Nikkei 225 index at a securities firm in Tokyo Friday , June 5 , 2020 .
Asian markets are mostly lower after Wall Street rally takes a breather , as investors parse unemployment data .
( AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko )

Stocks are rushing higher in morning trading Friday after a much better-than-expected report on the U.S. job market gave Wall Street’s recent rally another shot of adrenaline.
The S&P 500 was up 2.2% after the government said that U.S. employers added 2.5 million workers to their payrolls last month. Economists were expecting them instead to slash another 8 million jobs amid the recession caused by the coronavirus and the shutdowns put in place to stem it.
While economists cautioned that it’s just one month of data and that many risks still loom on the long road to a full recovery, the report gives some credence to the optimism building among stock investors that the economy can climb out of its current hole relatively quickly. That hope has been a big reason for the better than 40% rally for the S&P 500 since late March.
The S&P 500 is now down only about 6% from its record set in February after being down nearly 34% earlier this year when recession worries were peaking.
“It looks like the healing process is underway in the jobs market and it looks like it’s happening sooner than expected,” said Todd Lowenstein, equity strategy executive of The Private Bank at Union Bank. “It looks like the worst is behind us.”
The Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 676 points, or 2.6%, at 26,958, as of 10:35 a.m. Eastern time, and the Nasdaq was up 1.7%.
In another show of increased confidence, the yield on the 10-year Treasury zoomed up to 0.92% from 0.82% late Thursday. This area of the market was much earlier than stocks to give warning about the coming economic devastation from the coronavirus outbreak. It had also been showing much more caution than stocks recently, but the 10-year yield is now close to its highest level since late March. The yield tends to move with investors’ expectations for the economy’s strength and inflation.
Stocks began their tremendous rally in late March after the Federal Reserve came to the rescue once again with promises of immense aid to keep markets running smoothly. Capitol Hill also agreed on unprecedented amounts of aid for the economy, which helped convince investors that the worst-case scenario of a full-blown financial crisis was off the table.
More recently, it’s been hopes that growth can resume for the economy as states across the country and nations around the world relax lockdown restrictions meant to slow the spread of the virus. Even as horrific and historic data continued to come in on the job market and economy, stocks largely remained resilient in their climb.
If their optimism proves to be right, it wouldn’t be the first time. During past recessions, stocks have historically hit their bottom and turned upward months before the economy has. That’s because investors are setting stock prices now for where they see corporate profits heading months into the future.
Analysts and economists warn, though, that a full recovery is still a long way away. The unemployment rate is still above 13.3%, which is nearly four times above where it was at the start of the year.
The biggest threat is likely a possible second wave of coronavirus infections, which could derail all the improvement and push governments to tighten up on lockdown orders. Increasing tensions between the United States and China are also raising worries about a resumption in the trade war between the world’s two largest economies, while some investors are worried about volatiltiy that could be created by this fall’s U.S. elections.
Nevertheless, investors on Friday continued their recent trend of focusing more on companies that would benefit most from a growing economy, rather than those that had been earlier winners in the weak, stay-at-home economy.
Smaller stocks had the market’s biggest gains, as they typically do when expectations for the economy are rising. The Russell 2000 of small-cap stocks jumped 4%.
Among the biggest stocks, energy producers, banks and industrial companies were jumping to the biggest gains. Their profits tend to be very closely tied to the strength of the economy.
Travel-related companies were also strong, after their stocks got pummeled early in the outbreak on worries that no one would want to fly or go onto a cruise ship for a long time. Security officers screened 391,882 people at U.S. airports on Thursday, the most since March 22. Year-over-year declines have moderated to 85% from 96% in mid-April.
American Airlines Group jumped 20%, tacking even more gains onto its 41.1% surge a day before when it said it would fly more of its regular U.S. schedule in a bet that fliers will return to the skies.
Norwegian Cruise Line rose 17.4%, and United Airlines jumped 14.7%.
Retailers and owners of shopping malls surged on hopes that people may also head back to enclosed stores. Kohl’s added 12%, and Simon Property Group rose 14.5%.
Some of the stocks that had been the steadiest earlier this year when investors were searching for stay-at-home winners, meanwhile, were lagging the market.
Slack Technologies slid 15.7% even though it reported better results for the latest quarter than Wall Street expected.
Netflix, whose subscriber rolls swelled with people hunkering down at home, was close to flat. Clorox, whose disinfecting wipes had been cleared off shelves, was down 3.3%.
– – –
Stan Choe and Damian J Troise are Business Writers for The Associated Press. AP Business Writer David Koenig contributed.
About the Headline Photo: A woman walks past an electronic stock board showing Japan’s Nikkei 225 index at a securities firm in Tokyo Friday, June 5, 2020. Asian markets are mostly lower after Wall Street rally takes a breather, as investors parse unemployment data. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)


thetennesseestar--2020-06-05--Alabama City Removes Confederate Statue Without Notice

MOBILE , Alabama ( AP ) — Alabama ’ s port city removed a statue of a Confederate naval officer early Friday after days of protests over the police killing of George Floyd , with the mayor saying the monument was a “ potential distraction ” to focusing on the city ’ s future .
The bronze likeness of Admiral Raphael Semmes , which stood in a middle of a downtown street near the Mobile waterfront for 120 years , had become a flash point for protest in the Gulf Coast city .
Vandalized during a demonstration this week and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was removed overnight without any public notice .
Mayor Sandy Stimpson , in a string of messages sent on Twitter , said he ordered the removal .
The decision to take down the statue wasn ’ t about Semmes or the monument itself , “ and it is not an attempt to rewrite history , ” he wrote .
“ Moving this statue will not change the past .
It is about removing a potential distraction so we may focus clearly on the future of our city , ” Stimpson said .
Other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ South as calls to get rid of rebel monuments intensified during protests over Floyd ’ s death , in which an Minneapolis police officer was charged with murder .
The city of Birmingham removed a towering obelisk after another statue was toppled by protesters .
Virginia ’ s governor has decided to remove a huge statue of Gen. Robert E. Lee in Richmond , Virginia , after city authorities said they ’ ll remove other Confederate monuments from Monument Avenue .
Semmes was a Confederate commerce raider , sinking Union-allied ships during the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Alabama , he was jailed on treason charges in New York City before returning South after the war , and was later prohibited by U.S. authorities from taking office as an elected judge in Mobile .
He devoted his later years to writing his memoirs and became a “ Lost Cause ” hero to Southerners who lamented the end of the Confederacy .
The statue was dedicated in 1900 , the year before Alabama ratified a Constitution that established white supremacy in the state by essentially disenfranchising blacks and poor whites .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ people near Mobile , was incorporated in 2010 and named in his honor .
Written by The Birmingham News .
About the Headline Photo : The pedestal where the statue of Admiral Raphael Semmes stands empty , early Friday , June 5 , 2020 in Mobile , Ala .
The city of Mobile removed the Confederate statue early Friday , without making any public announcements .
( WMPI-TV via AP )

MOBILE, Alabama (AP) — Alabama’s port city removed a statue of a Confederate naval officer early Friday after days of protests over the police killing of George Floyd, with the mayor saying the monument was a “potential distraction” to focusing on the city’s future.
The bronze likeness of Admiral Raphael Semmes, which stood in a middle of a downtown street near the Mobile waterfront for 120 years, had become a flash point for protest in the Gulf Coast city. Vandalized during a demonstration this week and then cleaned by the city, it was removed overnight without any public notice.
Mayor Sandy Stimpson, in a string of messages sent on Twitter, said he ordered the removal. The decision to take down the statue wasn’t about Semmes or the monument itself, “and it is not an attempt to rewrite history,” he wrote.
“Moving this statue will not change the past. It is about removing a potential distraction so we may focus clearly on the future of our city,” Stimpson said.
Other Confederate symbols have come down around the South as calls to get rid of rebel monuments intensified during protests over Floyd’s death, in which an Minneapolis police officer was charged with murder.
The city of Birmingham removed a towering obelisk after another statue was toppled by protesters. Virginia’s governor has decided to remove a huge statue of Gen. Robert E. Lee in Richmond, Virginia, after city authorities said they’ll remove other Confederate monuments from Monument Avenue.
Semmes was a Confederate commerce raider, sinking Union-allied ships during the Civil War. According to the Encyclopedia of Alabama, he was jailed on treason charges in New York City before returning South after the war, and was later prohibited by U.S. authorities from taking office as an elected judge in Mobile.
He devoted his later years to writing his memoirs and became a “Lost Cause” hero to Southerners who lamented the end of the Confederacy. The statue was dedicated in 1900, the year before Alabama ratified a Constitution that established white supremacy in the state by essentially disenfranchising blacks and poor whites.
Semmes, a city of several thousand people near Mobile, was incorporated in 2010 and named in his honor.
– – –
Written by The Birmingham News.
About the Headline Photo: The pedestal where the statue of Admiral Raphael Semmes stands empty, early Friday, June 5, 2020 in Mobile, Ala. The city of Mobile removed the Confederate statue early Friday, without making any public announcements. (WMPI-TV via AP)


thetennesseestar--2020-06-06--Tennessee National Guard Soldiers Sent to DC Amid Unrest

About 1,000 citizen-soldiers with the Tennessee National Guard were deployed to the nation ’ s capital this week to help keep the peace outside the White House .
Like many major cities , Washington has seen massive demonstrations in response to the death of George Floyd , an unarmed black man who was allegedly murdered by Minneapolis police .
Many of the protests have taken a violent turn as Washington braced for what was expected to be its largest protest yet Saturday night .
Gov .
Bill Lee activated the Tennessee National Guard last Sunday after rioters set fire to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ The right to peaceful protest is foundational to our country , but the violence and vandalism that occurred in Nashville last night was unlawful and tears at the fabric of our community , ” Lee said in a statement .
“ We have reason to believe that many of those involved in unlawful acts are not Tennesseans and we will be working with law enforcement to investigate this further and bring those responsible to justice.
” At the request of President Donald Trump ’ s administration , Tennessee sent soldiers from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thursday to provide additional support .
“ We are here to promote a safe atmosphere and we stand proudly to protect the right to peacefully assemble , ” the National Guard said on Twitter .
At a news conference , Tennessee Adjutant General Jeff Holmes said he received the request this week from the chief of the National Guard Bureau , Gen. Joseph Lengyel .
Holmes said the deployment would not impact any of the guard ’ s local missions in support of the Department of Safety and Homeland Security or missions involving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the governor and under his authorization and direction , we alerted the 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment headquartered in Knoxville , Tennessee , ” Holmes said during the Tuesday press conference , noting that he wasn ’ t able to provide further details on the “ operational aspects.
” Tennessee is one of several states to send National Guard troops to Washington .
At least three states – New York , Virginia and Delaware – have so far rejected the request .
Anthony Gockowski is managing editor of The Minnesota Sun and The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Email tips to [ email protected ] .
The Associated Press contributed to this report .
Photo “ Tennessee National Guard ” by The Tennessee National Guard .

About 1,000 citizen-soldiers with the Tennessee National Guard were deployed to the nation’s capital this week to help keep the peace outside the White House.
Like many major cities, Washington has seen massive demonstrations in response to the death of George Floyd, an unarmed black man who was allegedly murdered by Minneapolis police. Many of the protests have taken a violent turn as Washington braced for what was expected to be its largest protest yet Saturday night.
Gov. Bill Lee activated the Tennessee National Guard last Sunday after rioters set fire to the Metro Courthouse the night before.
“The right to peaceful protest is foundational to our country, but the violence and vandalism that occurred in Nashville last night was unlawful and tears at the fabric of our community,” Lee said in a statement. “We have reason to believe that many of those involved in unlawful acts are not Tennesseans and we will be working with law enforcement to investigate this further and bring those responsible to justice.”
At the request of President Donald Trump’s administration, Tennessee sent soldiers from the 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment to Washington on Thursday to provide additional support.
“We are here to promote a safe atmosphere and we stand proudly to protect the right to peacefully assemble,” the National Guard said on Twitter.
Happening today: Soldiers from the 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment are headed to Washington D.C. to provide additional support to our fellow guardsmen. We are here to promote a safe atmosphere and we stand proudly to protect the right to peacefully assemble. pic.twitter.com/4rBCPBtgvl — Tenn. National Guard (@TNMilitaryDept) June 4, 2020
At a news conference, Tennessee Adjutant General Jeff Holmes said he received the request this week from the chief of the National Guard Bureau, Gen. Joseph Lengyel. Holmes said the deployment would not impact any of the guard’s local missions in support of the Department of Safety and Homeland Security or missions involving the coronavirus pandemic.
“After consultation with the governor and under his authorization and direction, we alerted the 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment headquartered in Knoxville, Tennessee,” Holmes said during the Tuesday press conference, noting that he wasn’t able to provide further details on the “operational aspects.”
Tennessee is one of several states to send National Guard troops to Washington. At least three states – New York, Virginia and Delaware – have so far rejected the request.
– – –
Anthony Gockowski is managing editor of The Minnesota Sun and The Ohio Star. Follow Anthony on Twitter. Email tips to [email protected]. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Photo “Tennessee National Guard” by The Tennessee National Guard.


thetennesseestar--2020-06-06--Commentary: America’s Small Business Owners Have Been Horribly Abused During These Riots and Lockdow

Commentary: America’s Small Business Owners Have Been Horribly Abused During These Riots and Lockdowns

For nearly 20 years , Bridget McGinty and her sister ran Tastebuds , a popular lunch spot in downtown Cleveland .
On May 1 , she made the torturous decision to close it forever after keeping it on life support for weeks after being closed due to the COVID-19 lockdowns .
“ There were just too many things against us , ” McGinty told The Washington Post , choking back tears .
McGinty ’ s story is tragically all too common .
America ’ s small businesses , the backbone of its economy , have been ravaged by the COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Street America found that 7.5 million small businesses in America are at risk of closing their doors for good .
A more recent survey showed that even with federal loans , close to half of all small business owners say they ’ ll have to shut down for good .
The toll has already been severe .
In New York alone , stay-at-home orders have forced the permanent closure of more than 100,000 small businesses .
“ Small businesses are taking a real beating , ” Gov .
Andrew Cuomo said , adding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ They are 90 percent of New York ’ s businesses and they ’ re facing the toughest challenges.
” Some might argue these closures are regrettable but ultimately acceptable losses in a necessary war against a uniquely deadly virus ; but there are problems with this theory .
For starters , there ’ s no evidence lockdowns even helped tame the virus .
“ There is still not a shred of real proof that the planet ’ s reckless stay-at-home experiment made any difference , ” one Daily Telegraph columnist recently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the highest COVID mortality rate in the world , was also one of the first to initiate a strict lockdown .
Spain and Italy experienced similar bad results with lockdowns , while other countries fared better in the experiment .
A detailed analysis by Bloomberg News shows there is no correlation between the severity of lockdowns and reduced COVID deaths , and public health officials in other countries are beginning to say the lockdowns weren ’ t necessary .
Overall , however , there seems to be a great reluctance to acknowledge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for good reason .
For months Americans were told , Yes , lockdowns are painful ; but they ’ re necessary to save lives .
Many people stand to look rather foolish and feel rather guilty if they were to accept that the widespread economic and psychological damage Americans endured was for naught .
Secondly , it ’ s hard to miss how , for the most avid proponents of the lockdowns , their all-overriding necessity vanished once a new cause emerged .
George Floyd ’ s tragic and senseless death on May @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have swept away the careful social distancing which for months Americans were told was essential for survival .
“ Stay home ; Stay safe ; Save lives ” quickly gave way to new hashtags .
Now , thousands of protesters in cities across America march in crowds , flouting social distancing orders .
To the extent that it ’ s peaceful , there is nothing wrong with that .
Indeed peacefully protesting injustice is to be commended .
But what adds insult to injury toward the lives and livelihoods that have been ruined @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are being applauded by many of the same people who days before were denouncing defiant businesses owners and lockdown opponents as “ selfish ” and “ reckless ” for urging lawmakers to open the economy .
Michigan Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer has imposed one of the country ’ s most draconian lockdowns on her state , and when a barber performed civil disobedience by continuing to cut hair to put food on the table , she stripped him of his license .
Yet , now she is marching alongside protesters in violation of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being smeared as “ domestic terrorists , ” as a small group of anti-lockdown demonstrators were , protesters crammed shoulder-to-shoulder outside a New York City hospital received a celebration similar to a Roman triumph ( even though many were not wearing protective masks ) .
In New York , where 40 people were recently arrested for violating state social distancing laws , the Public Health Department even took steps to instruct protesters on how to reduce the spread of COVID-19 while violating the state ’ s own stay-at-home order .
Meanwhile , dozens @ @ @ @ @ @ @ experts signed a letter explaining why the risks of spreading a global contagion shouldn ’ t keep people from congregating to protest—if the cause is the right one .
“ White supremacy is a lethal public health issue that predates and contributes to COVID-19 , ” the letter reads .
To be clear , what the signatories are saying is that during a pandemic it is unjust , selfish , and a public threat to protest lockdowns that are destroying the livelihoods of millions of Americans , but protesting injustice during that same @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and not a public threat .
This is the triumph of ideology over reason .
The right to assemble and protest doesn ’ t hinge on the worthiness of a cause ( which is subjective ) ; it is inherent in our nature as human individuals , as recognized in the US Constitution .
Business-owners and workers had every right to oppose the unprecedented lockdown regime , which was a knee-jerk reaction incited by collective panic that was carried out by central planners who saw little problem running roughshod over the property rights @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hypocrisy described above is galling to anyone possessing a modicum of intellectual honesty , principled consistency , and self-awareness .
But it must be especially grating to the millions of small business owners watching their dreams get destroyed by lockdown orders .
Daryl Austin spent 10 years of his life building a business with his wife : a small advertising company in Utah that helped other small business owners reach online customers .
They were on the verge of getting a taste of the American Dream before the coronavirus arrived .
The COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
His clients simply didn ’ t have the luxury of online advertising when they could barely stay afloat .
“ Perhaps the hardest part of watching our company crumble is feeling helpless to prevent it from collapsing further , ” Austin wrote in May at The Huffington Post .
And now the American small business is getting stomped while it ’ s down , as thousands of businesses are being smashed , looted , and even burned by rioters .
In Minnesota alone , more than 360 local businesses were destroyed in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ following Floyd ’ s death at the hands of Minneapolis police officers .
“ I don ’ t know what we ’ re going to do , ” cried KB Balla , a black firefighter who put his life savings in a sports bar that was destroyed .
“ We have worked so hard to get here .
So hard.
” Few Americans would deny that small businesses have been ravaged by the lockdowns and riots .
Yet there seems to be little visible concern for them ( “ they have insurance , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any event , attention is fixed in other directions .
The country remains gripped by political anger , accusation , and protest .
The crushing abuse of the American small business may be ignored , but its consequences will not be .
Small businesses account for 44 percent of all US activity , employ 55 percent of the US workforce , and represent nearly 90 percent of US companies .
A majority of people use their personal savings to launch their business .
Will Americans continue to take the courageous path of entrepreneurship @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shut down like Bridget McGinty ?
Will people like KB Balla continue to put their life savings into a bar business only to watch helplessly as it ’ s pillaged by looters ?
Will Americans continue to pour capital into these enterprises in a climate that seems at turns dismissive and hostile to their existence ?
If not , that bodes very ill. As economist Robert Higgs argued , the Great Depression lasted so long chiefly because of “ regime uncertainty , ” which he defined as , “ a pervasive lack of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ foresee the extent to which future government actions will alter their private-property rights.
” Add to that what Stephen Carson has recently called “ mob uncertainty , ” and that is exactly what we are facing today .
The American economy has shed as many as 40 million jobs since the COVID-19 pandemic began .
A recent study suggested 42 percent of US jobs aren ’ t coming back .
That means any recovery will require substantial small business growth to get Americans back to work .
If our economic future means anything @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the abuse of small businesses immediately .
Jonathan Miltimore is the Managing Editor of FEE.org .
His writing/reporting has been the subject of articles in TIME magazine , The Wall Street Journal , CNN , Forbes , Fox News , and the Star Tribune .
Dan Sanchez is the Director of Content at the Foundation for Economic Education ( FEE ) and the editor of FEE.org .
Photo “ Rioters ’ Damage in Minnesota ” by Lorie Shaull .
CC BY-SA 2.0 .

by Jon Miltimore and Dan Sanchez
For nearly 20 years, Bridget McGinty and her sister ran Tastebuds, a popular lunch spot in downtown Cleveland.
On May 1, she made the torturous decision to close it forever after keeping it on life support for weeks after being closed due to the COVID-19 lockdowns.
“There were just too many things against us,” McGinty told The Washington Post, choking back tears.
McGinty’s story is tragically all too common.
America’s small businesses, the backbone of its economy, have been ravaged by the COVID-19 lockdowns.
A recent survey by Main Street America found that 7.5 million small businesses in America are at risk of closing their doors for good. A more recent survey showed that even with federal loans, close to half of all small business owners say they’ll have to shut down for good.
The toll has already been severe. In New York alone, stay-at-home orders have forced the permanent closure of more than 100,000 small businesses.
“Small businesses are taking a real beating,” Gov. Andrew Cuomo said, adding that minority-owned businesses were the most at-risk. “They are 90 percent of New York’s businesses and they’re facing the toughest challenges.”
Some might argue these closures are regrettable but ultimately acceptable losses in a necessary war against a uniquely deadly virus; but there are problems with this theory.
For starters, there’s no evidence lockdowns even helped tame the virus.
“There is still not a shred of real proof that the planet’s reckless stay-at-home experiment made any difference,” one Daily Telegraph columnist recently pointed out.
Belgium, the nation with the highest COVID mortality rate in the world, was also one of the first to initiate a strict lockdown. Spain and Italy experienced similar bad results with lockdowns, while other countries fared better in the experiment.
A detailed analysis by Bloomberg News shows there is no correlation between the severity of lockdowns and reduced COVID deaths, and public health officials in other countries are beginning to say the lockdowns weren’t necessary.
Overall, however, there seems to be a great reluctance to acknowledge the failure of the experiment, and for good reason.
For months Americans were told, Yes, lockdowns are painful; but they’re necessary to save lives. Many people stand to look rather foolish and feel rather guilty if they were to accept that the widespread economic and psychological damage Americans endured was for naught.
Secondly, it’s hard to miss how, for the most avid proponents of the lockdowns, their all-overriding necessity vanished once a new cause emerged.
George Floyd’s tragic and senseless death on May 25 has led to mass protests that have swept away the careful social distancing which for months Americans were told was essential for survival. “Stay home; Stay safe; Save lives” quickly gave way to new hashtags.
Now, thousands of protesters in cities across America march in crowds, flouting social distancing orders. To the extent that it’s peaceful, there is nothing wrong with that. Indeed peacefully protesting injustice is to be commended. But what adds insult to injury toward the lives and livelihoods that have been ruined by the lockdowns is that these protests are being applauded by many of the same people who days before were denouncing defiant businesses owners and lockdown opponents as “selfish” and “reckless” for urging lawmakers to open the economy.
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has imposed one of the country’s most draconian lockdowns on her state, and when a barber performed civil disobedience by continuing to cut hair to put food on the table, she stripped him of his license. Yet, now she is marching alongside protesters in violation of her own stay-at-home order.
Instead of being smeared as “domestic terrorists,” as a small group of anti-lockdown demonstrators were, protesters crammed shoulder-to-shoulder outside a New York City hospital received a celebration similar to a Roman triumph (even though many were not wearing protective masks).
Hospital staff come out to applaud #GeorgeFloyd protestors in New York – demonstrators shout back ‘Thank You’. pic.twitter.com/1BBLiL04JT — Sarah Walton (@SarahWaltonNews) June 2, 2020
In New York, where 40 people were recently arrested for violating state social distancing laws, the Public Health Department even took steps to instruct protesters on how to reduce the spread of COVID-19 while violating the state’s own stay-at-home order. Meanwhile, dozens of public health officials and infectious disease experts signed a letter explaining why the risks of spreading a global contagion shouldn’t keep people from congregating to protest—if the cause is the right one.
“White supremacy is a lethal public health issue that predates and contributes to COVID-19,” the letter reads.
To be clear, what the signatories are saying is that during a pandemic it is unjust, selfish, and a public threat to protest lockdowns that are destroying the livelihoods of millions of Americans, but protesting injustice during that same global pandemic is just, righteous, and not a public threat.
This is the triumph of ideology over reason. The right to assemble and protest doesn’t hinge on the worthiness of a cause (which is subjective); it is inherent in our nature as human individuals, as recognized in the US Constitution.
Business-owners and workers had every right to oppose the unprecedented lockdown regime, which was a knee-jerk reaction incited by collective panic that was carried out by central planners who saw little problem running roughshod over the property rights of millions of Americans.
The rank hypocrisy described above is galling to anyone possessing a modicum of intellectual honesty, principled consistency, and self-awareness. But it must be especially grating to the millions of small business owners watching their dreams get destroyed by lockdown orders.
Daryl Austin spent 10 years of his life building a business with his wife: a small advertising company in Utah that helped other small business owners reach online customers. They were on the verge of getting a taste of the American Dream before the coronavirus arrived.
The COVID-19 lockdowns destroyed his business in eight weeks. His clients simply didn’t have the luxury of online advertising when they could barely stay afloat.
“Perhaps the hardest part of watching our company crumble is feeling helpless to prevent it from collapsing further,” Austin wrote in May at The Huffington Post.
And now the American small business is getting stomped while it’s down, as thousands of businesses are being smashed, looted, and even burned by rioters. In Minnesota alone, more than 360 local businesses were destroyed in the riots that erupted amid the protests following Floyd’s death at the hands of Minneapolis police officers.
“I don’t know what we’re going to do,” cried KB Balla, a black firefighter who put his life savings in a sports bar that was destroyed. “We have worked so hard to get here. So hard.”
Few Americans would deny that small businesses have been ravaged by the lockdowns and riots. Yet there seems to be little visible concern for them (“they have insurance,” some blithely say). In any event, attention is fixed in other directions. The country remains gripped by political anger, accusation, and protest.
The crushing abuse of the American small business may be ignored, but its consequences will not be.
Small businesses account for 44 percent of all US activity, employ 55 percent of the US workforce, and represent nearly 90 percent of US companies. A majority of people use their personal savings to launch their business.
Will Americans continue to take the courageous path of entrepreneurship when they see they can be arbitrarily shut down like Bridget McGinty? Will people like KB Balla continue to put their life savings into a bar business only to watch helplessly as it’s pillaged by looters?
Will Americans continue to pour capital into these enterprises in a climate that seems at turns dismissive and hostile to their existence?
If not, that bodes very ill. As economist Robert Higgs argued, the Great Depression lasted so long chiefly because of “regime uncertainty,” which he defined as, “a pervasive lack of confidence among investors in their ability to foresee the extent to which future government actions will alter their private-property rights.”
Add to that what Stephen Carson has recently called “mob uncertainty,” and that is exactly what we are facing today.
The American economy has shed as many as 40 million jobs since the COVID-19 pandemic began. A recent study suggested 42 percent of US jobs aren’t coming back. That means any recovery will require substantial small business growth to get Americans back to work. If our economic future means anything to us, we need to stop the abuse of small businesses immediately.
– – –
Jonathan Miltimore is the Managing Editor of FEE.org. His writing/reporting has been the subject of articles in TIME magazine, The Wall Street Journal, CNN, Forbes, Fox News, and the Star Tribune.
Dan Sanchez is the Director of Content at the Foundation for Economic Education (FEE) and the editor of FEE.org.
Photo “Rioters’ Damage in Minnesota” by Lorie Shaull. CC BY-SA 2.0.


thetennesseestar--2020-06-06--More Active-Duty Troops Leaving D.C., Others Remain on Alert

WASHINGTON , D.C. ( AP ) — Nearly 500 of the active-duty troops brought in to help if needed with the civil unrest in the nation ’ s capitol have been given orders to leave Washington after a fourth day of largely peaceful protests , Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy and other officials said Friday .
But a number of other active-duty soldiers remain on alert in the region , prepared to respond if needed .
The decision to send the troops home comes as D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser has repeatedly complained about the growing contingent of National Guard troops in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and has opposed any use of active-duty forces .
According to McCarthy and other officials , about 350 soldiers from the 91st Military Police Battalion from Fort Drum , New York , about 30 members of the 16th Military Police Brigade from Fort Bragg , North Carolina , and about 100 military police from Fort Riley , Kansas , were given verbal commands to go home .
They are expected to leave Friday .
The Army ’ s 3rd Infantry Regiment , which is normally most visible as the soldiers who stand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , remains on alert just outside the city .
The troops , known as the Old Guard , are based close to D.C. at Fort Myer , Virginia , and have been on 30-minute alert status .
“ The Old Guard still remains in support .
It is our intention to try and turn that off as soon as possible .
We ’ ve had four peaceful days in a row , projecting a fifth , ” said McCarthy , adding that there have been enough National Guard personnel brought in to provide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Washington .
More than 700 soldiers with the 82nd Airborne Division ’ s immediate response battalion boarded buses on Thursday evening and were back at Fort Bragg overnight .
They had been kept at military bases outside Washington .
Their departure had been delayed a day , causing a bit of confusion at a time of growing tensions with the White House over the military response to the protests .
On Wednesday , defense officials approved an order to send the 82nd Airborne soldiers home , but just a few hours later Defense @ @ @ @ @ @ @ keeping them outside the city for another day .
McCarthy told The Associated Press that he was told about the reversal after Esper attended a meeting at the White House on Wednesday , and after other internal Pentagon discussions .
McCarthy said he believed the change was based on ensuring there was enough military support in the region to respond to any protest problems .
The active-duty troops were available , but were not used in response to the protests and never went into D.C .
They were brought to the capital region @ @ @ @ @ @ @ city turned violent .
The protests came in the aftermath of the death in Minnesota of a black man , George Floyd , after a white police officer pressed his knee to Floyd ’ s neck for several minutes .
Robert Burns and Lolita C. Baldor report for The Associated Press .
About the Headline Photo : In this June 1 , 2020 , file photo police clear the area around Lafayette Park and the White House as demonstrators gather to protest the death of George Floyd in Washington .
Floyd died after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( AP Photo/Alex Brandon , File )

WASHINGTON, D.C. (AP) — Nearly 500 of the active-duty troops brought in to help if needed with the civil unrest in the nation’s capitol have been given orders to leave Washington after a fourth day of largely peaceful protests, Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy and other officials said Friday.
But a number of other active-duty soldiers remain on alert in the region, prepared to respond if needed.
The decision to send the troops home comes as D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser has repeatedly complained about the growing contingent of National Guard troops in the city to help handle the protests,and has opposed any use of active-duty forces.
According to McCarthy and other officials, about 350 soldiers from the 91st Military Police Battalion from Fort Drum, New York, about 30 members of the 16th Military Police Brigade from Fort Bragg, North Carolina, and about 100 military police from Fort Riley, Kansas, were given verbal commands to go home. They are expected to leave Friday.
The Army’s 3rd Infantry Regiment, which is normally most visible as the soldiers who stand at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, remains on alert just outside the city. The troops, known as the Old Guard, are based close to D.C. at Fort Myer, Virginia, and have been on 30-minute alert status.
“The Old Guard still remains in support. It is our intention to try and turn that off as soon as possible. We’ve had four peaceful days in a row, projecting a fifth,” said McCarthy, adding that there have been enough National Guard personnel brought in to provide any needed support for the protests in Washington.
More than 700 soldiers with the 82nd Airborne Division’s immediate response battalion boarded buses on Thursday evening and were back at Fort Bragg overnight. They had been kept at military bases outside Washington. Their departure had been delayed a day, causing a bit of confusion at a time of growing tensions with the White House over the military response to the protests.
On Wednesday, defense officials approved an order to send the 82nd Airborne soldiers home, but just a few hours later Defense Secretary Mark Esper reversed the decision, keeping them outside the city for another day.
McCarthy told The Associated Press that he was told about the reversal after Esper attended a meeting at the White House on Wednesday, and after other internal Pentagon discussions. McCarthy said he believed the change was based on ensuring there was enough military support in the region to respond to any protest problems.
The active-duty troops were available, but were not used in response to the protests and never went into D.C.
They were brought to the capital region early this week as protests in the city turned violent. The protests came in the aftermath of the death in Minnesota of a black man, George Floyd, after a white police officer pressed his knee to Floyd’s neck for several minutes.
– – –
Robert Burns and Lolita C. Baldor report for The Associated Press.
About the Headline Photo: In this June 1, 2020, file photo police clear the area around Lafayette Park and the White House as demonstrators gather to protest the death of George Floyd in Washington. Floyd died after being restrained by Minneapolis police officers. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)