thetennesseestar--2020-07-11--Nashville Out of ‘MLS is Back’ Professional Soccer Event after Nine Players Test Positive

Nashville SC has withdrawn from Major League Soccer ’ s MLS is Back tournament in Florida after nine players tested positive for the coronavirus , the league announced Thursday .
Nashville is the second team to withdraw from the tournament .
FC Dallas had to pull out after 10 players and a coach tested positive for COVID-19 .
“ Due to the number of positive tests , the club has been unable to train since arriving in Orlando and would not be able to play matches , ” MLS Commissioner Don Garber said in a statement .
“ For every @ @ @ @ @ @ @ play , the well-being of our players , staff , officials and all participants is our top priority.
” Nashville SC was playing in its first season in MLS .
The team dropped its first two matches of the season before the league shut down on March 12 because of the coronavirus pandemic .
Nashville arrived in the Orlando area for the tournament on July 3 .
One player tested positive upon arrival , and eight others tested positive over the next few days .
Nashville was originally scheduled to play the Chicago @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was postponed .
CEO Ian Ayre said Thursday players were devastated by not playing in this tournament , and now the team will work on getting everyone healthy and back to Tennessee to prepare for the rest of the season .
“ We ’ ve had it tougher than maybe any team ’ s had in an expansion year so far , but that doesn ’ t mean we can ’ t recover and we can ’ t be great again and bring the energy that we saw on Feb. 29 back to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But Ayre was incensed at suggestions that Nashville didn ’ t follow the league ’ s protocols during training and denied that players had a going-away party before traveling to Orlando .
He called former player and now broadcaster Taylor Twellman ’ s comments during the Orlando City-Miami game “ hugely disrespectful.
” The league revised its tournament schedule to reflect Nashville ’ s withdrawal , which was first reported by The Athletic .
The 24 teams playing in the tournament are divided into six groups of four teams for the group @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being played at ESPN ’ s Wide World of Sports complex at Walt Disney World .
Teams are sequestered in two resorts and subject to rigorous virus testing .
The group stage of the tournament , which opened Wednesday night with Orlando City ’ s 2-1 victory over Inter Miami , runs 16 consecutive days .
The results of the preliminary round count toward the regular season .
Anne M. Peterson is a reporter for The Associated Press .
About the Headline Photo : In this Feb. 29 , 2020 , file photo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ third from right , celebrates his goal against Atlanta United during the first half of an MLS soccer game in Nashville , Tenn. Nashville SC has withdrawn from Major League Soccer ’ s MLS is Back tournament in Florida after nine players tested positive for the coronavirus , the league announced Thursday , July 9 , 2020 .
( Mark Zaleski/The Tennessean via AP , File )


thetennesseestar--2020-07-11--New Complaint Accuses Tennessee State Sen. Bill Powers of Ethics Violations

State Sen. Bill Powers ( R-Clarksville ) allegedly collaborated with the Clarksville-based Wyatt Johnson Automotive Group to illegally fund his campaign , according to a complaint someone filed with the Tennessee Bureau of Ethics and Campaign Finance .
Powers allegedly did this using in-kind donations , said the complaint , which The Tennessee Star received this week .
“ An in-kind contribution is the donation of a thing of value or service at any particular point in time , ” according to the complaint .
“ Bill Powers , as a Managing Partner of the Wyatt Johnson Automotive Group , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s finances in violation of the law , without discourse and in excess of limits ; specifically by using his company ’ s advertising and resources as a way to boost his political recognition.
” Powers did not respond to two separate requests for comment Friday .
Tennessee Bureau of Ethics and Campaign Finance Executive Director Bill Young would not comment on the matter either .
“ Our office can not confirm or deny this complaint has been filed pursuant to T.C.A .
3-6-202 .
Thanks for your inquiry , ” Young @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The complaint points to a photo of Wyatt Johnson Automotive staff donating lunch to critical care nursing staff at Tennova Clarksville .
The complaint said this pic appeared on the Wyatt Johnson Facebook homepage and the official Bill Powers state senate homepage .
“ This photo could be construed to be a political event/post , with Wyatt Johnson Automotive Group ’ s donation making the event possible , ” according to the complaint .
The complaint also said Powers took a political trip to East Tennessee where he allegedly traveled using a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the complaint , Powers also parked a truck — carrying a ‘ Bill Powers for State Senate ” sign — in the Wyatt Johnson Dealership parking lot “ at a high-traffic location.
” “ This , combined with other events that appear to show a collaboration between the Wyatt Johnson Automotive Group and Bill Powers ’ senate campaign would constitute a significant series of in-kind donations that must be quantified and declared and is not something the ethics commission can ignore , ” the complaint said .
The complaint also lists three separate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Facebook page blocking citizens .
“ A Facebook public page is an ‘ interactive component ’ of a local government official ’ s social media and constitutes a public forum , ” the complaint said .
“ It appears that the Bill Powers Campaign is engaging in unconstitutional behavior by banning the protected speech from that forum.
” Chris Butler is an investigative journalist at The Tennessee Star .
Follow Chris on Facebook .
Email tips to [ email protected ]

Richmond Police arrested 11 people during a protest outside the Richmond City Justice Center on Tuesday.
The group was gathered outside of the Justice Center to protest conditions in the Richmond jail after COVID-19 outbreak among 100 inmates and staff was reported.
Richmond police officers arrived outside of the Justice Center to help the Richmond Sheriff’s office deal with the group protesters who had moved from the public sidewalk onto Justice Center grounds during the demonstration, causing a security concern, according to the Richmond police description of the incident,
Just before 7 p.m., a man on a bicycle attempted to block a tow truck trying removing a vehicle that had been illegally parked in front of the Justice Center. When a Richmond police officer arrived at the scene, the man tried to flee on his bike and was then stopped by the officer. Other protesters witnessed this and attempted to stop the arrest, leading to those people being arrested as well, according to the police account.
A video of the incident was captured and published to the RVA Magazine Instagram account. That video is below.
A flyer on social media for the protest read: “Our comrades on the inside are facing retaliation from officers for simply requesting adequate medical attention. These conditions are inhumane. We stand in solidarity with those who have been kidnapped, convicted and caged.”
On Wednesday, Richmond police released the names and charges for the 11 protesters arrested.
Their names and charges are as follows:
Stephen Roach Obstruction of Justice Impeding the flow of traffic
Benjamine Skromine Obstruction of Justice Impeding the flow of traffic
Gabrielle Brost Hoffman Obstruction of Justice
Aditya Mohan Obstruction of Justice
Rachel Fidlow Obstruction of Justice
Andre Rosson Obstruction of Justice
Alex Oxford Obstruction of Justice with Force
Jonathan Miranda Disorderly Conduct
Susanna Keating Disorderly Conduct
Mollie Luck Disorderly Conduct
Carmen Day Disorderly Conduct
– – –
Jacob Taylor is a reporter at The Virginia Star and the Star News Digital Network. Follow Jacob on Twitter. Email tips to [email protected]
Photo “Richmond City Justice Center Protest” by RVA Mag.


thetennesseestar--2020-07-11--Commentary: Joe Biden’s Economic Plan and Type Two Socialism

Joe Biden revealed on Thursday the first part of “ Build Back Better , ” his plan for economic recovery from the COVID crisis .
• $ 300 billion on “ R & D for advanced tech industries such as batteries , electric vehicles , AI , and 5G , ” and • $ 400 billion “ on U.S. goods and services .
Biden wants to reduce dependence on foreign economies , particularly in America ’ s medical supply chain .
Those “ procurement investments ” would also focus on supporting small businesses , particularly minority- and women-owned ones.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to raise $ 4 trillion by raising taxes “ on corporations and the wealthy.
” “ This will be a mobilization of R & D and procurement investments in ways not seen since World War II , ” Biden said .
To call such a policy “ socialist ” might seem like hyperbolic , partisan scaremongering .
How can “ investments ” in private enterprises , including small businesses , be socialism ?
After all , when we think of a country transitioning to socialism , we picture revolutionaries seizing factories ( like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nationalizing industries ( like in 2000s Venezuela ) .
Socialism is supposed to arise through confrontational acts of seizure and overthrow : by smashing private enterprise , not “ investing ” in it .
But how a policy “ feels ” can mask the reality , which in this case is that “ investing ” in private enterprise is one of the most efficient ways of destroying it .
“ There are two patterns for the realization of socialism , ” the important economist Ludwig von Mises wrote in his great treatise Human @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lenin or the Russian pattern , ” since that is how Vladimir Lenin installed socialism in Russia following the October Revolution .
“ The second pattern , ” Mises continued , “ nominally and seemingly preserves private ownership of the means of production and keeps the appearance of ordinary markets , prices , wages , and interest rates.
” But this “ market economy ” is a facade , Mises explained .
Through mounting interventions ( mandates , “ investments , ” etc ) in the economy , the government ’ s sway @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the point where it is the state that ultimately steers production , and thus becomes the de facto owner of the means of production .
Mises called this “ the Hindenburg or German pattern ” of realizing socialism , because that is how Paul von Hindenburg , the leader of the German Imperial Army , imposed “ wartime socialism ” on Germany during World War I , and also how socialism later re-emerged under the Nazis .
This form of socialism can seem like capitalism , even to those operating within it .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ still at the helm of their enterprises .
But , as Mises explained , it ’ s an illusion : There are , however , no longer entrepreneurs , but only shop managers ( Betriebsführer in the terminology of the Nazi legislation ) .
These shop managers are seemingly instrumental in the conduct of the enterprises entrusted to them ; they buy and sell , hire and discharge workers and remunerate their services , contract debts and pay interest and amortization .
But in all their activities they are bound to obey unconditionally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s supreme office of production management .
This office ( The Reichswirtschaftsministerium in Nazi Germany ) tells the shop managers what and how to produce , at what prices and from whom to buy , at what prices and to whom to sell .
It assigns every worker to his job and fixes his wages .
It decrees to whom and on what terms the capitalists must entrust their funds .
The “ managers ” Mises speaks of are no longer entrepreneurs , but have become essentially bureaucrats going through the motions of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ participate in a true labor market , but are “ mobilized ” and essentially assigned jobs by the state .
As Mises concluded : Market exchange is merely a sham .
All the wages , prices , and interest rates are fixed by the government ; they are wages , prices , and interest rates in appearance only ; in fact they are merely quantitative terms in the government ’ s orders determining each citizen ’ s job , income , consumption , and standard of living .
The government directs all production @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the government , not the consumers ’ demand and the market ’ s price structure .
This is socialism under the outward guise of the terminology of capitalism .
Some labels of the capitalistic market economy are retained , but they signify something entirely different from what they mean in the market economy .
These “ market ” labels don ’ t actually do anything to coordinate production .
Therefore , socialism with a capitalist veneer will be plagued with the same chaos that always afflicts plain-faced socialism .
Socialism has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and will always be so : it will make no difference whether it emerges through nationalization or intervention .
It is absolutely vital that we come to grips with that now , because implementing a plan like Biden ’ s would be a great leap toward the second pattern of socialism described by Mises , or “ Type 2 socialism ” as we might call it , since it is as lethal as diabetes or any other disease .
The more “ public investment ” the tech industry gets , the more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ entrepreneurs , ” until eventually the tech industry is effectively nationalized .
The more that small businesses are “ supported ” by the government , the more they will be subjugated to the state .
He who pays the piper calls the tune .
And the more that actual market profits are taxed away to finance all this “ investment ” and “ support , ” the more that entrepreneurs will devolve into subservient apparatchiks dependent on the government for their income .
What makes Type 2 socialism especially pernicious is not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ smoothly it can emerge .
Instead of being menaced with seizure , captains of industry are seduced with “ investment.
” Instead of being marched into labor camps , workers are lulled into docility with “ support.
” And in case any reader still thinks this is mere partisanship talking , I will note that President Trump has already led us quite a distance down this road .
The CARES Act stimulus checks to individuals , the PPP loans to small businesses , the bailouts of big businesses , the Federal Reserve ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Fed bailing out the banks and stock market by pumping into them trillions of new dollars : these have all been great leaps forward down the back-alley road to Type 2 socialism .
Socialism has destroyed far more lives than any single pandemic ever could .
We must not let panic over one threat drive us into the maw of a much greater one .
Dan Sanchez is the Director of Content at the Foundation for Economic Education ( FEE ) and the editor of FEE.org .
Photo “ Joe Biden ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .


thetennesseestar--2020-07-11--Williamson County Mayor Rogers Anderson Clarifies COVID-19 Mandatory Mask Order

Williamson County Mayor Rogers Anderson has clarified and/or corrected part of a face covering requirement he imposed on the county this past week .
As The Tennessee Star reported , Williamson County residents will have to wear masks or other coverings in public until at least August 3 to guard against COVID-19 .
“ The Mayor ’ s declaration included several exceptions to the face covering requirement .
As implementation began , it became clear that clarification and/or correction of two of the exceptions is needed , and the mayor has issued an addendum to the declaration for that purpose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ released Thursday .
“ First , the addendum clarifies that the exception for children applies to children 12 and under , rather than children under 12 .
Second , the addendum clarifies that the exception for houses of worship also applies to religious ceremonies ( including such ceremonies as weddings and funerals ) and activities attendant thereto that occur at locations other than churches.
” Anderson announced the mandate Monday in a press release on the Williamson County Government ’ s Facebook page .
In a separate Facebook post , a video , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s advice .
“ Many other health care professionals think this is the best approach , as all of you know , ” Anderson said , even though he did not specify which health care professionals .
“ I am not a doctor .
I am listening to those people who suggest that we do this to help slow this virus down.
” Anderson , in his press release , also said he consulted with each of the mayors of the county ’ s various municipalities as well as the school superintendents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ districts .
But county officials offered no evidence from studies that support the assertion that cloth or face mask mandates limit the spread of COVID-19 .
Nor did they provide evidence to support the claim that cases , hospitalizations , or deaths are increasing in the county .
The Tennessee Star asked county spokeswoman Diane Giddens if Anderson and other county officials could point to any studies that confirm that cloth or surgical masks stop the spread of COVID-19 .
“ The decision to require face coverings is based on recommendations from federal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CDC and the State of Tennessee Department of Health , ” Giddens said .
Officials at the Atlanta-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , on their website , recommend face cloth coverings for events and other gatherings , especially when physical distancing is difficult .
The TDH ’ s website , meanwhile , refers to CDC guidelines for businesses , restaurants , and bars .
On July 3 , Gov .
Bill Lee signed Executive Order 54 that grants county mayors in 89 counties the authority to make citizens wear face coverings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 .
“ Per the governor ’ s order , violation is a Class A misdemeanor , ” Giddens said when The Star asked about enforcement mechanisms .
Critics claim the governor ’ s executive order and Anderson ’ s executive order requiring face masks are unconstitutional and will not survive court challenges .
In a column for The Star last month , board certified emergency physician Simone Gold said the scientific usefulness of a mask is “ aggressively overstated.
” Chris Butler is an investigative journalist at The Tennessee Star .
Follow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ [ email protected ] Photo “ Grocery Shop Face Masks ” by Nickolay Romensky .
CC BY 2.0 .


thetennesseestar--2020-07-11--AG Keith Ellison Faces Lawsuit Accusing Him of Coordinating with Bloomberg on Anti-Exxon Crusade

A Virginia-based law firm is suing Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison for access to records revealing his use of attorneys financed by former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg to engage in a climate crusade targeting oil companies .
The nonprofit Government Accountability & Oversight ( GAO ) filed a lawsuit Wednesday for records detailing how the Democratic attorney general is allegedly deploying Bloomberg-financed lawyers to advance a lawsuit his office leveled against the fossil fuel industry .
The firm ’ s complaint was filed on behalf of the nonprofit group Energy Policy Advocates .
This is the second lawsuit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) ( 3 ) nonprofit launched in 2018 , has filed against Ellison in the last two years .
The law firm ’ s complaint also reveals that the Minnesota attorney general entered into confidentiality agreements and so-called common interest agreements requiring his office to obtain the consent of the private attorneys before releasing public information about such climate lawsuits .
GAO attorney Chris Horner believes such contracts undermine open records laws and violate obligations of attorneys general to taxpayers .
“ They likely are void as against public policy including that underlining @ @ @ @ @ @ @ obligations of state attorney generals to the people of their states by purporting to contract away the public ’ s right to access to public information such as is embodied in the MGDPA , ” Horner staid in a statement Wednesday .
The agreements cover records related to lawsuits two Special Assistant Attorneys General ( SAAGs ) inside Ellison ’ s office leveled against ExxonMobil .
Ellison announced lawsuits targeting Exxon , Koch Industries , and the American Petroleum Institute over what he calls “ a campaign of deception ” on climate change @ @ @ @ @ @ @ offices around the country by New York University ’ s State Energy and Environmental Impact Center ( SEEIC ) , which received $ 6 million from Bloomberg Philanthropies in 2018 .
The NYU School of Law launched the group in 2017 to “ identify and hire NYU Law Fellows who serve as special assistant attorneys general in state attorney general offices , focusing on clean energy , climate and environmental matters , ” according to the NYU Law website .
Ellison submitted an application for SAAGs in March 2019 , according to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ application a willingness to do more in certain areas of “ known public interest to Bloomberg and his SEEIC , ” the complaint stated .
Ellison ’ s application also suggested the attorney general intends on focusing on “ multistate initiatives…including…supporting state-led efforts to investigate Exxon Mobil [ sic ] .
” Neither Bloomberg nor Ellison ’ s office have responded to the Daily Caller News Foundation ’ s requestS for comment about the lawsuit .
Chris White is a reporter for the Daily Caller News Foundation .


thetennesseestar--2020-07-11--Homeland Security Gets New Role Under Trump Monument Order

PORTLAND , Oregon ( AP ) — Protesters who have clashed with authorities in the Pacific Northwest are not just confronting local police .
Some are also facing off against federal officers whose presence reflects President Donald Trump ’ s decision to make cracking down on “ violent mayhem ” a federal priority .
The Department of Homeland Security has deployed officers in tactical gear from around the country , and from more than a half-dozen federal law enforcement agencies and departments , to Portland , Oregon , as part of a surge aimed at what a senior official said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the police killing of George Floyd to engage in violence and vandalism .
“ Once we surged federal law enforcement officers to Portland , the agitators quickly got the message , ” said the official , speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss an ongoing operation .
The deployment represents somewhat of a departure for DHS , which was created after the Sept. 11 , 2001 , attacks and is primarily focused on threats from abroad and border security .
During the Trump presidency , its focus has been largely on carrying out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Now it is in the role of supporting Trump ’ s law-and-order campaign , raising questions about whether it is overstepping the duties of local law enforcement .
Portland Deputy Police Chief Chris Davis said his department did not request the assistance and did not coordinate efforts with the federal government during often chaotic clashes that have ranged across several downtown blocks after midnight for weeks .
“ I don ’ t have authority to order federal officers to do things , ” Davis said .
“ It does complicate things for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comes at an incredibly tense moment for Portland .
After Floyd ’ s death , the city for days saw marches and rallies that attracted more than 10,000 generally peaceful Black Lives Matter protesters to the downtown area .
The police took a “ mostly hands-off approach ” to those events because they were orderly , Davis said .
Trump , speaking at a military base near Miami on Friday , said Portland officials failed to adequately respond to the protests .
“ It was out of control , ” he said to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The locals couldn ’ t handle it and you people are handling it very nicely.
” Civil liberties advocates and activists have accused federal authorities of overstepping their jurisdiction and excessive use of crowd-control measures , including using tear gas and patrolling beyond the boundaries of federal property .
Portland police are prohibited from using tear gas under a recent temporary court order unless they declare a riot .
“ DHS should go back to investigating the rise of white supremacist activity and actors who are seeking to cause violence against these peaceful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the agency ’ s mission , ” said Andrea Flores , the deputy director of immigration policy at the American Civil Liberties Union , who was a DHS official during the Obama administration .
Trump issued an executive order on June 26 to protect monuments after protesters tried to remove or destroy statues of people considered racist , including a failed attempt to pull down one of Andrew Jackson near the White House .
The president has denounced the Black Lives Matter movement and protests calling for the removal of statues honoring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the sporadic outbursts of vandalism and looting at some demonstrations .
He referred to “ the violent mayhem we have seen in the streets of cities that are run by liberal Democrats , ” as well as the “ merciless campaign to wipe out our history , ” in his July 3 Mount Rushmore speech .
Following the executive order , DHS created the Protecting American Communities Task Force and sent officers from Customs and Border Protection and other agencies to Washington , D.C. , Seattle and Portland .
Others were ready to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ among law enforcement agencies is part of DHS ’ s mission .
It also oversees the Federal Protective Service , which guards federal government buildings around the nation .
But the FPS doesn ’ t have the resources to respond to the sustained attacks that have taken place in Portland and elsewhere on the margins of protests over the May 25 killing of Floyd in Minneapolis .
FPS Officer David Underwood was shot and killed outside a federal building in Oakland during a May protest .
Authorities charged an Air Force staff sergeant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ boogaloo ” movement with his murder .
As local governments in Washington , D.C. , and Portland have stepped back to allow space for peaceful demonstrations , the Trump administration has stepped up its effort against what the senior official called “ opportunistic criminals.
” Attorney General William Barr says there have been more than 150 arrests on federal charges , including destruction of property and assault , around the country , with about 500 investigations pending related to recent protests .
There were about a dozen in Portland in recent days .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ nightly attacks , which have shut down much of the downtown , has been unprecedented .
Early Thursday , a man in a SUV fired several times into the air as he drove away from protesters who had surrounded his car .
“ We ’ ve never seen this intensity of violence and focused criminal activity over this long period of time , ” Davis said .
Among the federal forces deployed in Portland are members of an elite Border Patrol tactical team , a special operations unit that is based on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , including to Iraq and Afghanistan .
BORTAC members , identifiable by patches on their camouflage sleeves , are mixed in with Federal Protective Service officers outside the courthouse .
Others in the unit , which includes snipers , have been stationed in “ overlook ” positions on the courthouse ’ s ninth floor , where a protester in a black hoodie shined a green laser into the eyes of one of the officers on Monday , according to court documents .
The night before , a BORTAC agent tackled and arrested a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him and others from a park across the street from the courthouse .
A former DHS official said BORTAC agents were viewed as “ highly trained , valuable , scarce resources ” and would typically be used for domestic law enforcement in extraordinary circumstances .
“ These units don ’ t normally sit around idle , ” said the official , who spoke on condition anonymity because he no longer works at the agency , after serving under Trump and President Barack Obama , and is not authorized to discuss operations .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in order to watch over statues ?
” Ben Fox and Gillian Flaccus are reporters for The Associated Press .
Fox reported from Washington .
About the Headline Photo : In this photo provided by Doug Brown , agents from different components of the Department of Homeland Security are deployed to protect a federal courthouse in Portland , Ore. , Sunday , July 5 , 2020 .
Protesters who have clashed with authorities in Portland are facing off not just against city police but a contingent of federal agents who reflect a new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : preventing what President Donald Trump calls “ violent mayhem.
” The agents clad in military-style uniforms include members of an elite Border Patrol tactical unit , and their deployment to protect federal buildings and monuments is a departure for an agency created to focus on threats from abroad .
( Doug Brown via AP )


thetennesseestar--2020-07-11--Nashville Attorney Jim Roberts Gives Updates on the Nashville Taxpayer Protection Act Petition

Live from Music Row Friday morning on The Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy – broadcast on Nashville ’ s Talk Radio 98.3 and 1510 WLAC weekdays from 5:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. – host Leahy welcomed Nashville attorney Jim Roberts to the newsmakers line .
During the third hour , Roberts gave updates on the petition for the Nashville Taxpayer Protection Act and detailed the timeline in order to get the referendum on the ballot by August 6 .
He added that this will allow the mayor and the Metro government to remain accountable and transparent to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we are joined now by our very good friend .
An excellent attorney and supporter of all the good causes here in Nashville Jim Roberts .
Good morning Jim .
Roberts : Good morning sir how are you doing today ?
Leahy : So you are the guy behind the Nashville Taxpayer Protection Act on the web at 4goodgovernment.com .
Tell us about that Nashville Tax Payer Protection Act and your petitions that you are signing to put a referendum on the charter .
Where do we stand on this and what does @ @ @ @ @ @ @ First of all I ’ m not the only person involved .
There is a whole load of people who have come forward and are gathering petitions and talking to folks .
I ’ m just one of many .
The charter amendment that we put forth is really to try to add a little financial stability to the Metropolitan government .
I think this 34 percent tax increase and additional spending that was thrust upon us on a rough economic market is a symptom of what ’ s wrong with the Metropolitan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decisions .
This petition sort of came out of that .
It came out of the idea that we need to reign them in a little bit .
Give them a little backbone and hopefully force some good changes .
Things are going great .
We have 40,000 petitions were mailed out this morning .
We ’ ve already collected over half the signatures that we need .
We are right on track .
This is going to be on the ballot .
Leahy : What does the petition say ?
How many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ballot and describe that ballot process for us ?
Roberts : Sure .
It really does about five things .
The most important to most people is that repeals the 34 percent property tax increase and puts a limit of two percent per year as the maximum amount that the Metropolitan government can raise our taxes without voter approval .
Leahy : The cheering sound that you are hearing is our listening audience around Tennessee saying yeah !
!
!
( Roberts chuckles ) Carmichael : Let ’ s mention again here @ @ @ @ @ @ @ probably twice as many signatures from Davidson County as the law requires because the powers that be will do everything they can to try and keep the voters from voting on this very important question .
So let ’ s mention that the website where they can download the form .
Leahy : 4goodgovernment.com .
You can download the petition .
Carmichael : And you can sign it and go with other people to sign it too .
Leahy : How many signatures do you need ?
And if you get enough signatures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ happen on the ballot ?
Roberts : We probably need a minimum of about 4,500 and you are right , we probably need three or four times that to keep any shenanigans from happening to the process .
That number is not known because it will be based on the number of people that vote in the August 6 election .
Leahy : But probably around 4,500 you think ?
Roberts : Correct .
Once that happens and the petitions are turned in .
Leahy : What ’ s your deadline for turning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s probably about the second or third week of August .
But our goal is to turn them in on the seventh of August .
That ’ s what we ’ re shooting for .
That ’ s the day after the election .
Get those signatures in that way we have the maximum amount of time to educate people on .
Leahy : Crom has a question for you .
Carmichael : Let ’ s just assume that you just turn in 15,000 so that there is no question as to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of signed petitions required by law .
Even if they can ’ t disqualify a large number is there any legal thing they can do to try and keep what you ’ re doing from being on a ballot for the voters to vote ?
Roberts : It ’ s very difficult Crom because up until the time that it ’ s voted on its all sort of speculative .
Certainly , some dishonest people will try to come up with ways to attack us and to distract us and keep us off @ @ @ @ @ @ @ approved .
But from a legal standpoint , until its actually approved by the voters , it could be voted down .
The courts will generally look at that and say this is very speculative .
You don ’ t know if it ’ s going to be approved or not .
If it was something outrageously unconstitutional or illegal court could probably step in .
Everything in this ballot initiative is designed to reign in government and that ’ s not illegal .
Carmichael : The point that Jim is making is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this show a lot , and that is in the absence of institutional constraints against bad government , the government has a natural tendency to grow and become bad .
And by the way , based on the one conversation that I had with our mayor prior to the election I believe that he really is in favor of this ballot being put up before the voters and I believe that he really wants the voters to pass it .
Leahy : And the reason is ?
Carmichael : The reason is that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his running that he was not for a property tax increase and I believe him .
( Leahy laughs ) I believe that they must have something on him .
There must be something that is forcing him to do something that is against his will and that he knows is bad for our city based on what he said prior to the election which I think is dis-positive .
Leahy : Ok. Great .
Jim , walk us through the timeline .
Carmichael : I really want to help the mayor .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ I know he wants to do the right thing .
Leahy : Jim , walk us through the timeline .
The petitions are submitted and let ’ s say they are approved by mid-September , tell us what happens next .
Roberts : Once we turn the signatures in the Metro clerk is the person we turn them into .
They will verify the signatures .
Then it goes to the election commission and they have to put it on the ballot and schedule the election .
Leahy : And when will that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ next two or three weeks of August .
They will probably delay or hem and haw a little bit but in the end , they will have to do it .
And they will set it for the date that it ’ s set on .
Then we ’ ll spend August and September and October educating people .
The good news is they will start to get their property bills at that time and they will see first hand what ’ s about to happen to them if they don ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it all goes through there would be a vote on this charter amendment right ?
A referendum on it ?
That would happen in what December ?
Leahy : There would be a big campaign .
So somebody gets this tax increase of 34 percent and if they just hold onto it and then they go to the polls and vote in favor of your charter amendment limiting property tax increases to two percent , would that mean that they wouldn ’ t have to pay the 34 percent increase that they received @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is retroactive to January 1 and it will invalidate and I think it will take the 34 down to two percent and I think that ’ s the effective result to this .
Although some people think it would abolish the entire approval .
but I ’ m happy to give them two percent .
We do need to raise our property taxes a small amount every year to track inflation .
is because we go year after year after year with no property tax and then just inflict a huge jump on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way to do it .
Leahy : Jim , if this referendum was to pass then the property tax increase would be revoked , would that reduction in revenue drive Nashville into insolvency or bankruptcy ?
Roberts : Well , it wouldn ’ t result in bankruptcy .
That ’ s something the state has to deal with .
What it does is it creates a situation where they just can ’ t say business as usual .
The Metro Council and the mayor are going to have to step up .
They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that extra $ 100 million of spending they put into the bill .
They will have to take account of the money they have received and are likely to receive from the federal government .
And it is possible that some sort of smaller tax might need to be implemented .
But they are going to have to go to the people to justify it .
They are going to be business as usual .
The Metro Council and the mayor are going to have to go to the people and say this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spend money willy nilly and just pretend that its just business as usual .
It ’ s not .
We are in a different economy and climate and they need to be responsive to that .
Leahy : So then they ’ d have to do another referendum to get another tax increase ?
Roberts : If the mayor wants to do a tax increase or the council , all they have to do is put it to the people .
Nothing prohibits them from having a 34 percent tax increase they ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ referendum if they want to do it .
Leahy : And that ’ s what they ’ d have to do and if your amendment passes in December which I hope it will .
Carmichael : He needs to get the petitions signed first .
4goodgovernment.com .
Roberts : If you go to nashvilletaxpayerprotectionact.com that will get you there too .
Listen to the third hour here : Tune in weekdays from 5:00 – 8:00 a.m. to the Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy on Talk Radio 98.3 FM WLAC 1510 .
@ @ @ @ @ @


thetennesseestar--2020-07-11--Music Spotlight: Derek Jones

Music Spotlight: Derek Jones

NASHVILLE , Tennessee — Even though Derek Jones ’ dad was a drummer and his grandmother played piano , he never played music until later in life .
“ We always had music going on at the house at our supper table .
If Dad was in charge of the music , we listened to Allman Brothers , Marshall Tucker , Grand Funk Railroad but if Mom was in control [ of the music ] , we listened to Lionel Richie , Jim Croce , stuff like that , ” he said .
As a child , the Indiana boy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( he ’ s 5 ’ 7 ” ) and his other goal was to be in a rock n roll band .
He knew because of his size , football was not going to be a possibility .
However , when his two older brothers joined the Navy , he followed suit after graduating high school .
Jones never even picked up a guitar until he got out of the Navy .
He started college and lived with two friends who often had house parties .
Two of his other friends would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Around midnight , they busted those guitars out and people could hear a pin drop and they would pick on those guitars and that ’ s when Jones said to himself “ I ’ ve got to learn how to do that.
” A few weeks later , he went and bought his own guitar .
His friends taught him the basics and he hasn ’ t put the guitar down since .
After graduating , he worked in a factory for some time while he was trying to decide whether to move @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a coin and Nashville it was and he moved the week after the devastating flood of 2010 .
He moved to Nashville with no job and lived in a hotel for several months .
As so many have done in the past , he went down to Broadway and put down his guitar case and played for people passing by .
Jones then began filling bars and honky-tonks throughout the country and building a loyal fanbase .
Jones has also established a name for himself as a songwriter with his cuts receiving placement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Adventures ” and selection as the theme song for “ Fisher ’ s ATV World ” on the Velocity Channel and NBC Sports Network .
Jones has had the privilege of sharing the stage with a variety of revered acts , including Billy Ray Cyrus , Alabama , Charlie Daniels , Trace Adkins , David Allan Coe , Shooter Jennings , Dwight Yoakam , Blackberry Smoke , Ted Nugent , and Jamey Johnson , among others .
Jones was privileged to play “ Some Gave All ” alongside Billy Ray Cyrus on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s 40th Volunteer Jam .
He was still driving a truck at that time and was sitting in the cab at Rippy ’ s thinking , “ Man , in six hours , I am going to playing on that stage there [ at Bridgestone ] .
” After he played his song , Charlie Daniel ’ s came up to him and said , “ Derek , thank you , young man , for your service in the Navy.
” Jones thanked him for the honor of playing at a Volunteer Jam @ @ @ @ @ @ @ humble and kind of him to even recognize my name and my service .
Charlie was honestly the nicest , most genuine man that I think I ’ ve ever met in the business .
He was a true patriot that loved his country and loved God and stood behind what he believed , ” Jones said .
In 2018 , the independent artist ’ s sophomore extended play record ( EP ) , Pray , topped the Amazon Charts at No .
1 and landed at No .
7 on the iTunes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cyrus and they promoted each other ’ s music .
However , COVID-19 has severely impacted his up and coming career in 2020 .
He was the support act for many performers and was set to tour and release his new EP and go on tour .
Jones had shows scheduled with Joe Nichols , Molly Hatchett and Jo Dee Messina to name a few .
COVID hit and the shows got rescheduled and canceled .
Derek Jones is set to release his follow-up EP , Everybody ’ s Somebody , this fall @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 10 .
Written by Jones and James LeBlanc , the timely song has a unifying message with lyrics like : “ Whether you ’ re a millionaire or a carny at the county fair , you ’ re gon na get the same from me / We ’ re all cut from the same old cloth / A damn Yankee or a southern drawl , I was raised to believe that everybody ’ s somebody , ain ’ t nobody , nobody / Don ’ t let anybody tell you that ain ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you know.
” The song emphasizes how Jones grew up .
“ I try to treat everybody with respect , the color of your skin , whether you are left , right , Republican , Democrat , I really don ’ t care , ” he said .
“ What I care about is how you treat me and how you treat other people .
If you are a good person , I will treat you as such.
” Maybe we should all take some life lessons from Jones and let the words @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s Somebody ” really take hold in our hearts .
You can follow Derek Jones on Facebook , Instagram , Twitter , and all streaming platforms .
Bethany Bowman is a freelance entertainment writer .
You can follow her blog , Bethany Writes , Instagram , and Twitter .


thetennesseestar--2020-07-11--66 Percent of Americans Believe Civilians Should Have the Power to Sue Police for Using Excessive Fo

66 Percent of Americans Believe Civilians Should Have the Power to Sue Police for Using Excessive Force: Poll

More than 60 % of Americans support allowing people to sue police officers for using excessive force against assailants , even if such a move makes the job of police work more difficult , according to a survey published Thursday .
Two-thirds of the public believe civilians should be able to level lawsuits if police officers are engaging in misconduct , a Pew Research Center survey showed .
Law enforcement officers are protected through qualified immunity , a doctrine protecting them from civil liability unless they commit clear violations of law .
Only 32 % of people surveyed said that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ according to the Pew poll .
As for defunding the police , only 25 % of Americans believe spending on local law enforcement should be slashed , with just 12 % responding that police budgets should be substantially decreased , the survey found .
Pew Research surveyed 4,708 subjects in June amid demonstrations against the death of George Floyd .
Floyd , a black man , died May 25 after former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin knelt on his neck for nearly 9 minutes , video of the incident shows .
Chauvin was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Floyd ’ s death , and the resulting protests , created an activist movement intent on defunding the police .
More than 84 % of Democrats and Democrat-leaning independents said citizens should be permitted to sue , while only 45 % of Republicans said the same , according to the Pew survey .
The survey results were broken down along race as well , with fewer than 42 % of black people and only 24 % of Hispanics in favor of decreasing police budgets .
More than 90 % of Americans believe police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the survey showed .
President Donald Trump pledged in June that he would not consider signing any police reform law that includes measures eliminating qualified immunity .
Democrats proposed a police reform bill in June calling for changes to immunity as well as making it easier for police to be convicted in use-of-force cases .
Chris White is a reporter for the Daily Caller News Foundation .
Photo “ Columbus Law Enforcement ” by Becker1999 .
CC BY 2.0 .


thetennesseestar--2020-07-11--Laura Baigert Weighs In on Gov. Lee’s Decision to Remove the Nathan Bedford Forrest Bust from the Ca

Laura Baigert Weighs In on Gov. Lee’s Decision to Remove the Nathan Bedford Forrest Bust from the Capitol

Live from Music Row Friday morning on The Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy – broadcast on Nashville ’ s Talk Radio 98.3 and 1510 WLAC weekdays from 5:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. – host Leahy welcomed Tennessee Star Senior Reporter Laura Baigert to the newsmakers line .
During the second hour , Baigert weighed in on the recent meeting where Governor Lee decided to remove the bust of Nathan Bedford Forrest from the State Capitol .
She found it particularly interesting that it was known and attended by protesters and other local media however seemed to forget notifying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are joined now by our senior Capitol Hill correspondent .
The intrepid Laura Baigert who by the way if a Pulitzer Prize was given out properly for conservatives she would be winning it for her fantastic reporting on Tennessee state political news .
Baigert : Well thank you , Michael .
Good morning .
How are you ?
Leahy : Another very detailed story from you .
Our lead story at The Tennessee Star .
State Capitol Commission Votes to Remove Nathan Bedford Forrest Bust from Capitol After In-Person Request From Governor Lee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Baigert : OK .
It was quite unusual for a lot of reasons and largely because of how much the governor weighed in on it .
This commission is set up with 12 members on it and three are ex-official members from Governor Lee ’ s cabinet .
So that ’ s already been established from the General Assembly .
And then the governor gets to pick three private citizens for that commission as well .
Then there are two members of the legislature .
One from the Senate , one from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who are appointed to those positions or elected to those positions by the General Assembly .
But the day before the meeting the governor came out and made remarks that he wanted the bust moved and said that this process has been a year in the making in part because of putting the right people on the commission .
Leahy : That is people who would follow the governor ’ s line correct ?
Baigert : Apparently .
As you go through some of these steps in this it becomes more evident that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because he made those remarks weighed heavily on what the commission should do .
And three of these people where his direct reports that serve in his cabinet .
If we think that doesn ’ t put some influence on those folks .
Leahy : Yes .
They obviously have to toe the line of what the governor wants .
Leahy : Now the history of this is that Nathan Bedford Forrest of course a Confederate general .
Very controversial .
Perhaps the greatest cavalry commander in American history and also a slave @ @ @ @ @ @ @ war and the KKK was founded he was asked to be the president .
When it became violent he disbanded it and then became very very interested in promoting reconciliation between Blacks and whites .
He died in 1877 .
So a complex person and a complex story .
In 1978 the state legislature unanimously voted to place a bust of him there to counterbalance admiral who was a union hero from Tennessee .
Baigert : Right .
What can ’ t be missed in that unanimous vote is that this was a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resolution to put the bust there .
It was proposed by Democratic Senator Doug Henry .
To just override what the legislature wants and that goes further in that the legislature had taken up this issue and spent hours in particularly the House .
Baigert : In this session and in particular , this year spent hours in a committee called the Naming Designating Private Acts Sub-Committee .
Hours talking about Nathan Bedford Forrest .
And these measures moved nowhere .
But a measure that did move was passed by both the House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ members appointed by the Speaker of the Senate and the Speaker of the House , one for each would be on this commission .
And that bill was signed both leaders and is waiting for the governor ’ s signature .
Leahy : And he ’ s not signed that .
Let me just come back to the legal authority by which the state capitol commission made this decision to move the controversial bust of Nathan Bedford Forrest which is one of the major objectives of the Black Lives Matter movement here in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ essence .
The governor has caved to Black Lives Matter here on this and I think on several other things .
The authority to place the bust there was a unanimous act of the state legislature .
Is it the State Capitol Commission ’ s legal authority to move that bust ?
Or is it the state legislatures ’ legal authority to do that ?
Baigert : Well kind of not either believe it or not .
The State Capitol Commission ’ s process is the has to go through the Tennessee Historical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the body that controls the public property where a monument is located requests a waiver for a move .
So it ’ s a very complex and long-winded process .
So this is the first step where the State Capitol Commission had to petition for a waiver to move the bust .
Leahy : Did they petition the Tennessee Historical Commission for that waiver to move the bust ?
Baigert : Not yet .
They voted yesterday to prepare a petition .
Baigert : And so three years ago this was an issue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that was going to develop the petition in 2017 and that petition would never come back and it still isn ’ t going to come back for the commission to review and vote on the wording of it to make sure that their actions are carried out the way they want them carried out .
Leahy : So the next step in the process is that the waiver is sent to the Tennessee Historical Commission .
Leahy : Who serves on the commission and when will they make that decision to accept that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the commission .
24 of them are governor appointees and himself including ex-official members .
So 24 appointees plus five ex-official members including the governor .
Leahy : So it seems like it ’ s already a done deal ?
Baigert : It would seem .
That meeting was a public meeting and it can not be scheduled for less than 60 days .
It has to be more than 60 days after the petition so the people have proper notice .
That ’ s initial meeting and gather their data and then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ action .
It seems like this is a pretty long-winded process .
But when I was mentioning too about this meeting being scheduled the way that it was a couple of things .
This bill is sitting out there waiting to be signed that would have given the General Assembly control over the meeting and perhaps tilt the makeup of the commission .
We had Governor Lee weigh in the day before and actually prior to but not realizing that the meeting was scheduled the way it was .
Then he came in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Was this kind of a sneaky way to hold the meeting ?
Baigert : Well and then you add to it the agenda for the meeting and the notice for the meeting on the commission ’ s website both say its a WebX meeting only .
It never said it was an in-person meeting where the location was .
Leahy : So you didn ’ t know where it was .
You are part of the press .
And had you ’ d gotten that notice would have attended right ?
Baigert : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It wasn ’ t until I turned on the WebX meeting where I saw that there were members of the legislature in the meeting room and members of the media .
Leahy : Hold up .
Other members of the media ?
How did they know to be there ?
Leahy : It just seems to me like Governor Lee was looking for a friendly audience to be able to virtue signal on this issue .
That ’ s what it looks like to me .
Baigert : And the protesters knew because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doors .
Leahy : Oh the protesters knew about it but The Tennessee Star was not informed about it ?
Baigert : I got to believe this is going to be another situation where the governor and the legislature are going to get a little sideways with each other because this is another situation where it looks like what the legislature wants , they had a chance to weigh in with the State Capitol Commission to say please take up this issue and have a meeting on it .
And they wanted to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They did not get the change that they wanted before this meeting was held and they chose not to take up any other action asking the state capitol commission to do something about it .
Leahy : Our readers on this story are generally not impressed with the governor ’ s high handed and sneaky way of virtue signaling on this .
A lot of people are saying this is not going to help him when he considers re-election .
Any reaction on your part ?
Baigert : And you look at that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ these are not things that make our readers happy .
Listen to the full second hour here : Tune in weekdays from 5:00 – 8:00 a.m. to the Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy on Talk Radio 98.3 FM WLAC 1510 .
Listen online at iHeart Radio .
Photo “ Bill Lee ” by Bill Lee .


thetennesseestar--2020-07-11--Trump Commutes Longtime Friend Roger Stone’s Prison Sentence

WASHINGTON , D.C. ( AP ) — President Donald Trump commuted the sentence of his longtime political confidant Roger Stone on Friday , just days before he was set to report to prison .
Democrats denounced the move as just another in a series of unprecedented interventions by the president in the nation ’ s justice system .
Stone had been sentenced in February to three years and four months in prison for lying to Congress , witness tampering and obstructing the House investigation into whether the Trump campaign colluded with Russia to win the 2016 election .
He was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Stone told The Associated Press that Trump had called him earlier Friday to inform him of the commutation .
Stone was celebrating in Fort Lauderdale , Florida , with conservative friends and said he had to change rooms because there were “ too many people opening bottles of Champagne here.
” White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany called Stone a “ victim of the Russia Hoax that the Left and its allies in the media.
” A commutation does not erase Stone ’ s felony convictions in the same way a pardon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from serving prison time as a result .
Democrats were angered by Trump ’ s move , with House Intelligence Committee Chair Adam Schiff calling it “ offensive to the rule of law and principles of justice , ” and Democratic National Committee Chair Tom Perez asking , “ Is there any power Trump won ’ t abuse ?
” The action , which Trump had foreshadowed in recent days , reflects his lingering rage over the Russia investigation and is a testament to his conviction that he and his associates were mistreated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been eager to rewrite the narrative of special counsel Robert Mueller ’ s Russia investigation , with Trump ’ s own Justice Department moving in May to dismiss the criminal case against former national security adviser Michael Flynn .
Stone told the AP that the president did not mention the statuses of Flynn or his former campaign chairman , Paul Manafort , also ensnared in the Russia probe .
“ What am I going to do now ?
I am going to work as hard as I can to make sure that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Stone said .
“ Mike Flynn is an American war hero and he ’ s done absolutely nothing wrong.
” Stone , for his part , had been open about his desire for a pardon or commutation , appealing for the president ’ s help and seeking to postpone his surrender date by months after getting a brief extension from the judge .
Trump had repeatedly publicly inserted himself into Stone ’ s case , including just before Stone ’ s sentencing , when he suggested Stone was being subjected to a different @ @ @ @ @ @ @ earned a public rebuke from his own attorney general , William Barr , who said the president ’ s comments were “ making it impossible ” for him to do his job .
Barr was so incensed that he told people he was considering resigning over the matter .
Schiff said the commutation demonstrated the corruption of the Trump administration .
“ With this commutation , Trump makes clear that there are two systems of justice in America : one for his criminal friends , and one for everyone else , ” he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Barr , and all those who enable them pose the gravest of threats to the rule of law.
” Stone , a larger-than-life political character who embraced his reputation as a dirty trickster , was the sixth Trump aide or adviser to have been convicted of charges brought as part of Mueller ’ s investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election .
A longtime Trump friend and informal adviser , Stone had boasted during the campaign that he was in contact with WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange through a trusted intermediary and hinted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to release more than 19,000 emails hacked from the servers of the Democratic National Committee .
But Stone denied any wrongdoing and consistently criticized the case against him as politically motivated .
He did not take the stand during his trial , did not speak at his sentencing , and his lawyers did not call any witnesses in his defense .
Prosecutors had originally recommended Stone serve seven to nine years in federal prison .
But , in a highly unusual move , Barr reversed that decision after a Trump tweet and recommended @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mini-revolt inside the Justice Department , with the entire prosecution team resigning from the case .
Department officials have vehemently denied Barr was responding to Trump ’ s criticism and have insisted there was no contact with the White House over the decision .
Barr has also pointed out that the judge , in imposing a 40-month sentence , had agreed with him that the original sentencing recommendation was excessive .
Barr , who was attorney general during Stone ’ s trial last fall , has said the prosecution was justified , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s more recent effort to put off his surrender date .
Though the Justice Department raised concerns about the handling of Flynn ’ s case , including what it said were irregularities about his FBI interview , prosecutors did not point to any similar issues or problems with the Stone prosecution .
Even so , the commutation will almost certainly contribute to the portrait of a president determined — particularly in an election year — to undo the effects of a Russia investigation that has shadowed his administration from the outset , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allies .
The commutation was the latest example of Trump using his unlimited clemency power to pardon powerful men he believes have been mistreated by the justice system .
Trump went on a clemency spree in February commuting the 14-year prison sentence of former Illinois Gov .
Rod Blagojevich , a Democrat , and pardoning former New York City police commissioner Bernie Kerik , financier Michael Milken and several others .
Trump has also offered clemency to other political allies , including Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio , who was awaiting sentencing at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ Souza , who had been convicted on campaign finance violations , and Conrad Black , a newspaper publisher convicted of fraud who had written a flattering book about the president .
Trump , however , has spent much more time trumpeting his decision to commute the sentence of Alice Marie Johnson , who was serving life in prison for nonviolent drug offenses and who came to Trump ’ s attention after reality star Kim Kardashian West took up her cause .
Her story was featured in a Trump campaign Super Bowl ad @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his gratitude to the president in the phone call .
“ You know , he has a great sense of fairness , ” Stone said .
“ We ’ ve been friends for many , many years , and he understands that I was targeted strictly for political reasons.
” Jill Colvin and Eric Tucker are reporters for The Associated Press .
About the Headline Photo : In this Nov. 7 , 2019 , file photo , Roger Stone arrives at federal court in Washington .
( AP Photo/Cliff Owen , File )


thetennesseestar--2020-07-11--Judge Blocks Removal of More Confederate Statues in Richmond

RICHMOND , Virginia ( AP ) —A judge issued an injunction Thursday barring the city of Richmond from removing any more Confederate monuments , a process that began last week after Mayor Levar Stoney ordered the statues cleared away amid weeks of protests over police brutality and racism .
Richmond Circuit Court Judge Bradley Cavedo issued the decision after a hearing in a lawsuit filed Tuesday by an unnamed plaintiff , local media outlets reported .
The lawsuit asked for an emergency injunction to halt the removal of the statues and alleged that Stoney violated state law by ordering their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We ’ re disappointed .
We did the right thing , ” Jim Nolan , Stoney ’ s spokesman , said in a statement after Cavedo issued his 60-day injunction .
During Thursday ’ s hearing , lawyers for Stoney said all the city ’ s Confederate statues have been removed in recent days , with the exception of one of A.P .
Hill , the Richmond Times-Dispatch reported .
Hill ’ s remains are interred beneath the statue , which sits in the middle of a traffic circle .
Some sites where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pedestal or remnants of the larger monument .
Also Thursday , Nolan said that family members of Black humanitarian and tennis legend Arthur Ashe have requested that his statue be removed from Richmond ’ s prestigious Monument Avenue .
“ Ashe family members made the request during the recent period of civil unrest .
The matter is still under consideration and we continue to have discussions with the family regarding their wishes , ” he said in a statement .
Work to remove the Confederate tributes that dot this former capital of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day a new state law took effect granting local authorities control over war memorials on their property .
Stoney said he was invoking his emergency powers to immediately remove the statues instead of following a lengthy process outlined in the law .
He said he was concerned about public safety amid continuing protests and fears that protesters could get hurt if they tried to bring down the enormous statues themselves .
The judge criticized Stoney ’ s handling of the protests and his decision to remove the monuments , according to the newspaper @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rioters ” were a threat to the public ’ s safety , not the monuments .
The judge also referred to Hill , as an “ American war hero , ” TV station WRIC reported .
Among the figures already removed are statues of Gens .
J.E.B .
Stuart and Stonewall Jackson , and Confederate naval commander and scientist Matthew Fontaine Maury .
Richmond ’ s largest statue left intact is on state land — a massive monument to Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee on Monument Avenue .
Its planned removal , under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , has been blocked at least temporarily by a court injunction also issued by Cavedo .
On Wednesday , an amended complaint was filed in that case .
Cavedo had dismissed the first one but said he wanted the plaintiff ’ s attorney to have “ another shot ” at addressing issues of legal standing .
The amended complaint lays out in greater detail the family history of the plaintiff — a descendant of a couple who were among the grantors of the land the statue now sits on , which eventually became @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the plaintiff , 69-year-old William C. Gregory , would face “ irreparable harm ” if the statue were removed .
A hearing in the case is expected later this month .
The statues were erected decades after the Civil War , during an era when Southern states were crushing attempts to achieve equality for Black people .
After years of little change , a growing number of these Confederate symbols are being removed , prompted by nationwide protests against police brutality and racism that appear to have inspired a profound shift in American @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Workers remove the statue of Confederate Naval officer Matthew Fontaine Maury on Monument Avenue Thursday July 2 , 2020 , in Richmond , Va. Maury was better known for his work in oceanography and other sciences before the Civil War .
His statue is the second removed since a new state law was enacted on July first .
( AP Photo/Steve Helber )


thetennesseestar--2020-07-11--Steve Bannon Presents: Descent Into Hell

An all new LIVE STREAM of Descent Into Hell starts at 9 a.m. Central Time on Saturday .
The two-hour special takes a closer look at the life of everyday Chinese citizens under the Chinese Communist Party and will air live on the John Fredericks Radio Network , America ’ s Voice Network , Dish TV Channel 219 , The Epoch Times , ND TV , GTV and GNews in Mandarin .
John Fredericks said , “ A longtime China hawk and global leader in the fight for freedom of the Chinese people , Mr. Bannon was one of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ predict and call attention to the coronavirus pandemic outbreak .
This show will be groundbreaking in detailed strategy and the latest firsthand news from the world ’ s experts on the Chinese Communist Party.
” EP 275 : Hong Kong , Will America Confront the CCP Part 1 : 10:00 a.m. EP 276 : Hong Kong , Will America Confront the CCP Part 2 : 11:00 a.m .
Previously , Bannon hosted a series of three , two-hour long special programs titled Descent into Hell : The Chinese People Confront the CCP .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ America ’ s Voice News , the John Fredericks Radio Network , Salem Media Group , and Newsmax TV and the podcast is available on Apple , Spotify , Stitcher , SoundCloud , and Google Play .
The former White House Chief Strategist began the daily War Room : Pandemic radio show and podcast on January 25 , when news of the virus was just beginning to leak out of China around the Lunar New Year .
Bannon and co-hosts bring listeners exclusive analysis and breaking updates from top medical , public health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chain and geopolitical experts weekdays from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon ET .
You can watch past episodes here .
For more information , visit www.pandemic.warroom.org and @ WarRoomPandemic .


thetennesseestar--2020-07-11--Memphis Entrepreneur Jeff Webb Discusses His Endorsement of Dr. Manny Sethi for the U.S. Senate

Live from Music Row Friday morning on The Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy – broadcast on Nashville ’ s Talk Radio 98.3 and 1510 WLAC weekdays from 5:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. – host Leahy welcomed the Memphis Entrepreneur Jeff Webb to the newsmakers line .
During the third hour , Webb discussed his motivation for the recent endorsement of Tennessee Senate candidate Dr. Manny Sethi .
He described his decision as being one based on the fact that Sethi embodies the American dream , is a political outsider and would be an advocate for small businesses .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the line by our very good friend .
An entrepreneur from Memphis Jeff Webb .
The guy who is the founder of Varsity Spirit and really invented the modern cheerleading industry .
Also the founder and chairman of the New American Populist , which is a political organization dedicated to restoring America ’ s middle class .
Jeff , welcome .
You made some news yesterday .
Webb : Good morning Mike .
How are you ?
Leahy : I ’ m great I ’ m great .
Tell us what you did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ happy to announce my endorsement of Manny Sethi for Senate in Tennessee .
I had an opportunity to spend a good bit of time with Manny a couple of days ago and got to know him better .
Such an impressive person and so dedicated the citizens of Tennessee .
Just a very refreshing , honest , straight to the point approach to what needs to be done .
And it ’ s exactly the kind of guy and the kind of person that we need as our Senator here in Tennessee .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ business .
You started Varsity Spirit from scratch and now it has revenues approaching $ 2 billion with 8,000 employees in 50 states .
That ’ s a track record of great success .
You are also a champion of small business .
Tell us , was there anything in the campaign discussion that made you think or decide in your view that Dr. Manny Sethi would be better for small businesses ?
Webb : A couple of things .
I don ’ t really know Bill Hagerty personally or I ’ ve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ You look at things on his website that indicates that he ’ s supporting .
Those things are mostly things that I agree with .
Then you also look back and realize that he was the finance chairman for Mitt Romney ’ s campaign and Jeb Bush was his candidate of choice prior to the last election cycle .
That just kind of raised a red flag for me .
But beyond that , it ’ s really more about the positives that Manny brings to the table .
And there are a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ business and a particular issue that kind of pushed me over the edge Mike , when Hagerty announced his strong endorsement by the US Chamber of Commerce that was the last straw for me .
Leahy : Yes .
The Chamber of Commerce has been promoting I guess you might call a more of a globalist open borders agenda .
Is that how you viewed it ?
Webb : Yes .
Absolutely .
I think that most people who really aren ’ t as involved in business hear the Chamber of Commerce they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ’ s just pro-business and pro-small business .
That ’ s not the truth .
We are not talking about your local Chamber of Commerce .
That ’ s a completely different thing .
This is the US Chamber of Commerce .
And the kind of issues you just mentioned they have been proponents of .
They are not a friend of small business .
They are not a friend of middle-class Americans and middle-class Tennessean .
They do things that are actually harmful to us .
So that was kind of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a big deal out of the fact that the US Chamber of Commerce was supporting Bill Hagerty .
That was it for me .
That is something that we don ’ t need .
Leahy : But I think generally you are talking about the positives of Dr. Sethi ’ s candidacy .
Most people look at that race and on an issues basis for the most part it ’ s hard to distinguish them on the issues .
Webb : Well yes , as far as what the candidates are purporting are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s not what you say and what you do .
I go back again and I look at the kind of businesses that Bill Hagerty ’ s been involved in .
It ’ s consulting .
It ’ s private equity .
It ’ s not like a real operating business out there .
Then you look at what Manny Sethi has done and an incredible American success story .
And has given so much through his surgery and his non-profits where he ’ s helped everyday citizens in Tennessee .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are with him .
He ’ s smart .
He ’ s engaging .
He ’ s sincere .
He ’ s tough .
He ’ s not a professional politician .
He hasn ’ t been around the edges of politics his whole life .
And the other thing I think is that I believe that with the personality and intelligence and the fact that he ’ s been this outstanding trauma surgeon , I think Manny Sethi will be a leader in the Senate .
And that is something that this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who is high profile and influential and will speak at a national level on behalf of the citizens of this state .
I think he is that guy .
And I think we ’ ve got a great opportunity to make a big step forward if we can get Manny Sethi elected to the Senate .
Leahy : So what ’ s been the reaction from your friends in the Memphis business community and a lot of friends on the grassroots side .
You kind of appeal to both sides .
What kind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those folks ?
Webb : I ’ ve gotten the kinds of reactions that you might expect .
( Chuckles ) You talk about the establishment kind of the Republican Party in Tennesse very much behind Bill Hagerty .
And as I ’ ve said , I don ’ t know him .
I ’ m sure he ’ s a fine person .
But for me , he just doesn ’ t line up with where I think we need to be going as a country .
And at the grassroots level @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thrilled that I came out for Manny .
And I think his campaign is happy as well .
I think people will look at Manny as an outsider .
Somebody who will answer any question .
He ’ s very open and very transparent .
I think it ’ s just refreshing .
You get a sense when you see Manny or when you talk to him about how authentic he is .
He doesn ’ t need a job .
He ’ s got a great job .
He doesn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ’ s like what can he do to help our state and our country .
And that to me just trumps everything else no pun intended .
Leahy : No pun intended .
( Webb laughs ) It trumps everything else !
( Webb laughs ) You brought it up .
President Trump has endorsed Bill Hagerty .
Manny has been supportive of the president but hasn ’ t received the endorsement .
How do you think that ’ s going to play out in the primary on August 6 ?
Webb @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Would Manny like to have the president ’ s endorsement ?
Well of course .
But there is no doubt in my mind that Manny will be a great ally for the president .
He ’ ll be a great spokesman for him .
He ’ ll take on the tough issues .
And that after the primary and he heads to the general election I ’ m sure President Trump will be a big supporter .
Some of President Trump ’ s candidates in the last couple of weeks that he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Colorado and North Carolina were actually beaten .
Those were more kind of establishment candidates and they were beaten by newcomers and outsiders that had kind of a fresh new identity .
And they had a fresh approach .
I think that people in our state while they are very supportive and certainly of the Republican Party of President Trump and his policies I think they are going to make up their own minds of who represents the best .
And I think that ’ s going to be Manny Sethi .
Leahy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Do you have plans to be on the stump at all for Manny ?
Are you just going to go to press releases ?
What are your plans ?
Webb : We are still talking about that with this campaign .
And I think there are some upcoming dates that I ’ m looking at that I think could be leverage to help the campaign , especially with the small businesses community .
That ’ s one of the main areas that I ’ ve offered to assist on .
Leahy : It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guy .
It ’ s interesting because when we listen to our listeners call in our listeners have been pretty much split 50/50 between these two candidates .
And I think probably endorsements may have an impact on the outcome so we ’ ll follow it closely .
Listen to the full third hour here : Tune in weekdays from 5:00 – 8:00 a.m. to the Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy on Talk Radio 98.3 FM WLAC 1510 .
Listen online at iHeart Radio .
Photo “ Manny Sethi ” by @ @ @


thetennesseestar--2020-07-11--Crom Carmichael: The Media Are Paid to Say Exactly What They Are Told to Say

Live from Music Row Friday morning on The Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy – broadcast on Nashville ’ s Talk Radio 98.3 and 1510 WLAC weekdays from 5:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. – host Leahy welcomed the original all-star panelist Crom Carmichael to the studio .
During the second hour , Carmichael reiterated his take on the mainstream media ’ s overpaid talking heads and described how they are only in it for the money .
Leahy : We are joined in studio by my good friend for about 30 years now Crom .
He ’ s the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ morning Crom .
Carmichael : Good morning Michael .
How are you , sir ?
Leahy : You ’ ve been on the airwaves here .
When did you start with the old Teddy Bart Round Table ?
I didn ’ t know anything about Nashville .
Carmichael : I would say sometime around 1984 .
Leahy : You had been on the air for about six years when I first moved to Nashville .
I didn ’ t know anything about Nashville .
And I loved listening to that show .
What @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Teddy Bart was pretty much a liberal guy and everybody else was liberal and there you were .
And there you were back in 1984 and 1990 when I started listening to you building the edifice of logic brick by brick .
And here you are today still building the edifice of logic .
Carmichael : Yep .
It was Teddy ’ s show so he was nice to include me and my logical point of view and the things and my logical point of view that I was saying in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Because they are logical .
Human nature doesn ’ t really change that much .
Carmichael : So as long as your foundational way of thinking and your principles are accurate than you may miss a particular incident but you are not going to miss a particular incident but you are not going to miss the drift of history .
Leahy : One of your themes on this program has been that the talking heads who appear on CNN and NBC and MSNBC are vastly overpaid .
Carmichael : And ABC and CBS @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They are vastly overpaid and they are not that bright .
And they are paid probably 10 times , 20 times what they are worth in order to unquestionably spout the left-wing narrative about America .
Carmichael : Yes .
First of all , they probably tilt left to begin with .
They probably do .
But more importantly , they are very good readers and they will say whatever it is that they are told to say .
So they are not paid to think .
And it ’ s an amazing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , they are paid to think in terms of the game itself .
Carmichael : An entertainer is paid to think in terms of creating the entertainment value that they create that other people are willing to pay for .
But in the case of the media , they are paid to say exactly what they are told to say .
Nothing more and nothing less .
That ’ s what they are paid to do .
And what ’ s sad to me and very confusing quite frankly is that Republicans when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ don ’ t do a particularly good job of pointing out the biases of the hosts .
And if they did then it would be a more interesting conversation .
Leahy : Here ’ s what ’ s very interesting , you ’ ve been saying this consistently in a year or so since you ’ ve been back on this program and come to find out we have dramatic evidence that proves your point .
Don Lemon from CNN perhaps the poster boy to illustrate this point was interviewing Chris Cuomo the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ came out of Don Lemon ’ s mouth on the air at CNN .
Leahy : Crom now apparently Don Lemon has no knowledge about the basic premise of Christianity that Jesus Christ was the only perfect person ever to live on earth .
He was God on earth .
Carmichael : There are so many interesting things about what Don Lemon said from the standpoint of confusion or hypocrisy .
It ’ s like when somebody asks me , well what would Jesus Christ think ?
Or what would Jesus Christ do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ well that ’ s a tough question because there has only been one of them and he ’ s the son of God .
I have a really hard time putting myself in the shoes of the son of God .
But what do you think Jesus would say ?
That ’ s what I say right back to them .
( Leahy laughs ) But in the case of Don Lemon , Don Lemon is saying , because he tried to say that Christ isn ’ t perfect .
Leahy : Well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ admittedly with his faults .
Carmichael : Let ’ s assume then that he is the most perfect .
In other words , he ’ s the closest to perfect .
And by the way , this is the Left ’ s standard on everything .
If you are not perfect , in fact , he even criticized Christ for not being perfect and because in his mind Christ isn ’ t perfect therefore these generals who are not perfect should not be put on statues .
I ’ m not going to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ debate .
It ’ s more the argument of perfection .
Let ’ s carry that further to the police .
Carmichael : And that ’ s the key point here for the Left .
And let ’ s compare the police to the teachers ’ unions .
Ok ?
Because of the police in 2019 , there were nine unarmed Black men who were killed by the police .
There were a higher number of white men but let ’ s assume for purposes of discussion , let ’ s assume that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wrongfully shot .
But it was a number and it was nine .
Is Don Lemon only going to be happy if that number falls to zero ?
Carmichael : Yes .
So that ’ s the key here .
Is that for Don Lemon , and by the way he doesn ’ t hold himself to the same standard because he admits from time to time to make a mistake ?
So if he admits from time to time to make a mistake , should he resign from his position and acknowledge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only a perfect person should be sitting in his position ?
Which of course , given human nature is not achievable .
And to believe that the police can be perfect is to believe something that is not possible .
And to advocate it my question to that person whoever is advocating do you live by that same standard ?
And do your supporters live by that same standard ?
Because equality under the law and equality of thought , these are all things that matter tremendously .
And so what Don Lemon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He sets up something that can not be .
That ’ s the straw man .
And then he takes something else and compares it to that to try to win the argument .
So I would say to Don Lemon , I ’ d say you are not perfect either .
It ’ s kind of like in the Catholic world you have minor sins and you have mortal sins .
Leahy : Venial sins and mortal sins .
I was raised Catholic .
I try to stay away from those immortal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But for Don Lemon , they would be indistinguishable .
It was such an interesting comment especially in light of some of Don Lemon ’ s previous comments when Barack Obama was president .
And he actually said a lot of things that Terry Crews is saying now .
Leahy : Terry Crews is a Black guy who is basically critical of the Black Lives Matter movement and had an on-air confrontation with Don Lemon .
Carmichael : Yes .
And Marcellus .
He ’ s a sports guy on ESPN .
Leahy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chuckles ) Carmichael : But he also is very critical .
Very critical of Black Lives Matter because of what he read on the Black Lives Matter website what Black Lives Matter stands for .
Carmichael : Yes .
So anyway , it is interesting .
The argument that he is trying to use is that he sets up a strawman and then he knocks it over because Chris Cuomo lets him proving the point that we are making that they all sit around in a morning meeting and all agree what they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tells them what they are going to say .
And what position they are going to take .
And by the way , you are going to be fired if you don ’ t adhere to the position .
Leahy : And you ’ d lose that huge salary that ’ s 10 or 20 times bigger than any market would pay .
Leahy : They are in it for the money Crom .
Carmichael : ( Chuckles ) There is no question about that .
Listen to the second hour here : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a.m. to the Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy on Talk Radio 98.3 FM WLAC 1510 .
Listen online at iHeart Radio .
Photo “ Don Lemon ” by Neon Tommy .
CC BY-SA 2.0 .


thetennesseestar--2020-07-11--DeWine’s Baseball Team’s Paycheck Protection Program Loan Nets Millionaire Governor $189K of Forgiva

DeWine’s Baseball Team’s Paycheck Protection Program Loan Nets Millionaire Governor $189K of Forgivable Taxpayer Handout

With news that Gov .
Mike DeWine ’ s minor league baseball team cashed in on the Paycheck Protection Program , one may ask how Ohio ’ s top executive came to own a team in North Carolina or why he needed a taxpayer handout .
DeWine has a 32 percent stake in the Asheville Tourists minor league team , The Ohio Star reported this week .
The governor ’ s spokesman Dan Tierney said the loan was for $ 189,500 , to be used to cover payroll and payroll-related expenses .
The governor does not manage the team ; @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , does so .
The Asheville Tourists ’ Facebook page says their season was cancelled but they are creating alternative ways to make money including hosting picnics on the ball field and operating their food stands .
DeWine defended his team ’ s receipt of the funds and said it will be used for 12 to 14 full-time workers , according to a story by the Associated Press .
The U.S. Treasury says the PPP loans may be forgiven after either eight or 24 weeks .
Assuming there are 13 workers , to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ received between $ 607 to $ 1,812 per worker per week that could be forgiven if they keep the workers on staff during the required time .
( Divide $ 189,500 by 13 for $ 14,576 .
Divide that by 24 weeks for $ 1,214 .
Or , for eight weeks ’ forgiveness , divide $ 14,576 by 8 for $ 1,812 . )
A total of 60 percent of the loan must be used for payroll costs during the allotted period for forgiveness to kick in , Forbes said .
One may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ own a baseball team in another part of the country .
Ballpark Digest in January 2010 reported the DeWines bought the team from Palace Sports and Entertainment .
The price was not disclosed , but the publication said the previous owners had wanted $ 7 million at one time .
Brian DeWine , who was made the team ’ s president , was known in baseball circles from his time with the Carolina Mudcats .
A Minor League Baseball webpage about the Asheville Tourists talks about the DeWines ’ history with baseball , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ team under the name of DeWine Seeds Silver Dollar Baseball , LLC .
That name comes from the family ’ s feed and seed business founded in the 1920s in Yellow Springs .
The website tells a narrative of how a teenage Dick DeWine , the governor ’ s father , and a friend went to watch the Cincinnati Reds in the 1939 World Series .
The young DeWine made it inside , with an extra ticket , but he looked outside and saw his friend who did not have enough money and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pocket and pulled out a silver dollar that his father had given him and wrapped the other baseball ticket around it .
Then , he threw it over the railing , hoping and praying that it would fall at the feet of his friend .
Amazingly , it did — and they both watched that game together !
Thus the name DeWine Seeds Silver Dollar Baseball !
The DeWine family has made more money since 1939 .
When DeWine was in the U.S. Senate , he was ranked as the ninth wealthiest member @ @ @ @ @ @ @ net worth of $ 37 million in 2006 , the Center for Responsive Politics reported .
Securities and investments accounted for much of that at just over $ 15 million , while Ohio Twine Co. accounted for another $ 15 million .
The remainder came from commercial banks and DeWine Enterprises .
That would buy a lot of hot dogs — or pay a lot of office salaries .
Jason M. Reynolds has more than 20 years ’ experience as a journalist at outlets of all sizes .
The Associated Press contributed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Baseball Player ” by Asheville Tourists .


thetennesseestar--2020-07-11--Ohio State Professor Arrested for Allegedly Using $4.1 Million in American Grant Money to do Researc

Ohio State Professor Arrested for Allegedly Using $4.1 Million in American Grant Money to do Research for China

The Department of Justice ( DOJ ) has charged Son Guo Zheng , an Ohio State rheumatology professor and researcher , with alleged grant fraud and making false statements for not disclosing that he maintained employment in China while continuing to work at American universities .
Zheng allegedly accepted “ $ 4.1 million in grants from the National Institutes of Health ( NIH ) to develop China ’ s expertise in the areas of rheumatology and immunology , ” according to the DOJ press release .
The affidavit says that Zheng has been a participant in a Chinese Talent Plan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that recruits individuals with knowledge or access to foreign technology intellectual property .
Zheng was arrested on May 22 in Anchorage , Alaska aboard a charter flight .
The professor was about to board another charter flight to China .
When authorities apprehend Zheng , he had “ three large bags , one small suitcase and a briefcase containing two laptops , three cellular telephones , several USB drives , several silver bars , expired Chinese passports for his family , deeds for property in China and other items.
” “ Yet again @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at a U.S. University , who is a member of a Chinese Talent Plan , allegedly and deliberately failing to disclose his relationship with a Chinese university and receipt of funds from the Chinese Government in order to obtain millions of dollars in U.S. grant money designed to benefit the health and well-being of the people of the United States — not to be hijacked to supplement the research goals of the Chinese Communist Party , ” Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers said .
“ This case , like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a reminder that the United States Government takes seriously the obligation of truthfulness and transparency on grant applications , and those who violate the law to benefit China or any other foreign nation will be held accountable , ” he added .
U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio David M. DeVillers said that the DOJ thinks Zheng was preparing to flee the country after his employer started to investigate him to see if he was complying with rules around governing taxpayer-funded grants .
Zheng faces a maximum of 15 years in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Zachery Schmidt is the digital editor of Star News Digital Media .
If you have any tips , email Zachery at [ email protected ] Follow Zachery on Twitter @ zacheryschmidt2 .
The Associated Press contributed to this report .
Photo “ Song Guo Zheng ” by Google Scholar .


thetennesseestar--2020-07-11--Michigan Health Professionals to Be Required to Undergo Implicit Bias Training

Health professionals in Michigan will soon be required to undergo implicit bias training in order to obtain a license , registration or renewal of license and registration , Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer announced on Thursday .
Whitmer said the move was recommended by the Michigan Coronavirus Task Force on Racial Disparities , which was created to respond to the impact COVID-19 had on communities of color .
“ There ’ s no doubt that our front line health care workers like doctors and nurses have been the real heroes of this crisis , putting their lives on the line for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a statement .
“ COVID-19 has had a disparate impact on people of color due to a variety of factors , and we must do everything we can to address this disparity .
The evidence shows that training in implicit bias can make a positive difference , so today we are taking action to help improve racial equity across Michigan ’ s health care system.
” As of July 5 , Black Michigan residents make up 14 percent of the state ’ s population , but 40 percent of confirmed coronavirus deaths @ @ @ @ @ @ @ office .
White patients are also more likely to receive higher quality care than black , Hispanic , Indigenous or Asian-Americans , according to the National Healthcare Disparities Report .
“ The existing health disparities highlighted during the coronavirus pandemic have made it clear that there is more work to do to ensure people of color have the same access to the same quality of health care as everyone else , ” said Lt .
Governor Gilchrist II , chair of the Michigan Coronavirus Task Force on Racial Disparities , in a statement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ care workers on how to recognize and mitigate implicit bias , we can help them carry out their mission of providing the best health care to every patient they serve.
” Under Whitmer ’ s new directive , the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs has until November 1 , 2020 , to consult with relevant stakeholders in the medical field , in the state government and elsewhere to determine goals and concerns about the new rules .
“ There is no question that our healthcare workers have risked their own lives and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” said Dr. Joneigh Khaldun , Michigan Department of Health and Human Services chief medical executive and chief deputy director for health , said in a statement .
“ But the fact is that implicit bias exists , and studies show that it can have an impact on health outcomes .
Every healthcare professional should be trained in implicit bias so that we can make sure everyone , regardless of their race or ethnicity , has access to the highest quality care.
” Jordyn Pair is a reporter with The Michigan Star @ @ @ @ @ @ @ JordynPair .
Email her at [ email protected ]


thetennesseestar--2020-07-11--DFL Targets State Senate Republicans on Police Reform in New Ad Campaign

The Minnesota DFL Party launched a new ad campaign this week targeting key Republican state senators who are accused of “ standing in the way of passing real police reform.
” Jason Lewis , a Republican candidate for U.S. Senate , said in a recent interview that Democrats don ’ t “ want reform ” so much as they “ want a political issue.
” U.S. Sen. Tim Scott ( R-SC ) made similar comments after Democrats blocked his police reform bill from being put up for further debate .
At the state level , House Democrats and Senate Republicans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reform legislation during the Minnesota Legislature ’ s June special session .
Democratic leaders backed away from some of their demands that Republicans opposed , including having the state attorney general prosecute all police-involved deaths and restoring voting rights for felons .
But they insisted that Republican senators needed to support other major pieces , including banning “ warrior-style ” training for police , allowing cities to impose residency requirements on officers and creating a state community-led public safety office .
The DFL Party is now targeting eight Republican state senators in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The ads accuse Republicans of “ blocking real police reform , ” and encourage constituents to call and write their senators .
“ No matter how hard they try , Senate Republicans can not keep ignoring the demands for real police reform coming from their constituents , ” DFL Party Chairman Ken Martin said in a press release announcing the new ads .
“ The DFL Party is committed to lifting up the voices of Minnesotans calling for change , and that ’ s exactly what our new ad campaign does.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gull Lake ) said negotiations on police reform fell apart because of “ behind the scenes arm-twisting ” from Gov .
Tim Walz .
The governor has called another special session for next week so that he can extend his emergency powers , and lawmakers will likely resume talks on police reform when they return to St. Paul .
“ Minnesotans will be watching next week ’ s special session closely , ” Martin added .
“ If Senate Republicans walk away from their jobs without getting anything done yet again , they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 .


thetennesseestar--2020-07-11--Majority of Minnesota Parents Say They Are Comfortable Sending Children Back to School in Fall

A survey conducted by the Minnesota Department of Education found that the majority of parents would feel comfortable sending their children back to school this fall .
Between June 15 and July 6 , the agency collected more than 130,000 responses to the informal survey , which was offered in English , Hmong , Spanish , and Somali .
A total of 64 percent of respondents said they would feel comfortable sending their children back to school in September .
Of that 64 percent , 94 percent said they would send their children back to school full time .
Less @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would not feel comfortable sending their children back to school , citing concerns about public health .
“ We deeply appreciate and value the overwhelming response we received from our families , ” Commissioner Mary Cathryn Ricker said in a press release .
“ Our educators worked tirelessly this spring to create distance learning plans in just eight days , rethinking the way they educate and connect with our students in order to keep them healthy and safe .
As we plan for the upcoming school year , we will listen to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and students and the advice of public health experts to determine a safe path forward , ” she added .
The survey also polled parents on the challenges and successes of distance learning .
The most common selections for what was challenging during distance learning included : “ students didn ’ t feel empowered to work on their own , ” “ students experiencing new mental health challenges due to COVID-pandemic , ” and “ hard to understand lessons.
” Three scenarios are possible for the 2020-21 school year , including continued distance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , or a mix of the two .
The state Department of Health , Department of Education , and Gov .
Tim Walz won ’ t be deciding which option is the safest until the week of July 27 .
In the meantime , school districts have been directed to develop contingency plans for all three scenarios .
Republican Senate candidate Jason Lewis said parents should be refunded for property tax payments and tuition if schools aren ’ t allowed to reopen in the fall .
“ The more we learn about COVID @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we have done a huge disservice to our children in the way we have handled this virus , ” Lewis said in a statement released this week .
“ Research has proven that COVID presents minimal risks to young people .
But what isn ’ t minimal is the toll this prolonged lockdown and social isolation has on our kids ’ social , mental , and physical well-being.
” Anthony Gockowski is managing editor of The Minnesota Sun and The Ohio Star .
Follow Anthony on Twitter .
Email tips to [ email @ @ @