thetennesseestar--2020-10-03--Nashville Taxpayer Protection Act: Attorney Jim Roberts Explains How the Election Commission Continu

Nashville Taxpayer Protection Act: Attorney Jim Roberts Explains How the Election Commission Continues to Stall Decision After 27,000 Signed Petition to Repeal Tax Increase

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 based attorney Jim Roberts to the newsmakers line .
During the third hour , Roberts gave updates on the status of getting the Nashville Taxpayer Protection Act on December ’ s ballot explaining how the Davidson County election committee has been stalling by not giving a yes or a no .
He later explained how this seems to be a coordinated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ administration .
Leahy : Michael Patrick Leahy here with the original all-star panelist , good friend Crom Carmichael .
We are joined now on our newsmaker line by Jim Roberts .
The attorney who put together the Nashville Taxpayer Protection Act .
He gathered more than 27,000 signatures to put the petition referendum on the ballot that would repeal the 34 percent property tax increase .
Gave it to the Nashville Election Commission .
They confirmed they had more than the 11,000 petitions needed .
From there it was a ministerial function to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ put it on the ballot , but something happened there that seems to me to be not entirely legal .
Jim , what is going on there ?
Roberts : Well , it just shows you how desperate they are , and how desperate they are to keep this off the ballot .
They are clearly afraid of this , and this is all fear-driven .
you you ’ re absolutely right .
We gathered 27,000 signatures .
We turn them in .
They counted up as many as we needed which is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were good to go .
And then the mayor ’ s office intervened and started putting pressure on the election commission .
That ’ s where we are .
Leahy : So let ’ s just follow through .
It doesn ’ t seem to make any sense .
It does seem to me to be a number of illegal actions in my view .
It ’ s not your words , but my words , it seems to be illegal because before last Friday , the week before last Friday they held @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s counsel and the Election Commission , which is in my view a violation of the Open Meetings laws , which I think just choreographed this little three to two decision last Friday in which again , they decided to make up authority out of thin air , not in the charter .
They decided instead of handling the ministerial function of asking the Metro Clerk to put the ballot to put the referendum on the ballot in December .
They decided out of the blue they had some authority to challenge the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
How did that work ?
How do they do that ?
Roberts : Well it doesn ’ t work .
Let me tell you it doesn ’ t work and it ’ s illegal .
They ’ re not allowed to do that .
That ’ s called being a judge and the Election Commission is not a judicial body .
The Tennessee state law , case law , is pretty clear that their duty is ministerial , meaning they don ’ t have a lot of discretion or any discretion .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ pressure from the Metro Government to sit and have their own judge and have their own little judiciary set up and they ’ re making decisions they are not entitled to make .
They do have a little bit of discretion in setting the court date , possibly .
We ’ re still not sure about that .
But they did move the date from the 5th [ of December ] to the 15th .
And so they bought themselves a little more time .
But truthfully I think they ’ ve painted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t really know what to do .
Carmichael : What can you do to get it back on track so that there ’ s a date certain for the people to chime in through voting ?
Roberts : Well , it ’ s a great question , Crom .
The problem I have honestly sitting here that they haven ’ t actually done anything I can sue them over because they have until about October 7th .
That ’ s part of the deadline to actually put it on the ballot .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ voted to put it on the ballot .
They just didn ’ t vote to put it on the ballot .
And so it ’ s in this sort of limbo where they ’ re there .
I think they ’ re just trying to game the system .
So they haven ’ t actually done anything .
If I went into court today and follow the lawsuit the judge would look at me and say they haven ’ t done anything .
So I ’ m having to wait at least a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , October 7th is a deadline that they are required by statute or by charter to do something .
I mean to put it on the ballot , or to give some ruling or some reason why they ’ re not going to do it .
And in either case if they give a reason why they ’ re not going to do it , you can sue them over that .
And if they failed to do what they ’ re supposed to do by October 7th , you can sue them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supposed to do in a timely manner .
Is that correct ?
Roberts : Exactly .
Now I want to caution you that October seventh is not a hard day .
They have to what they have to do is prepare the military ballots in the overseas ballots and mail-in ballot .
the things that have to do and it takes about 60 days because there ’ s only one item on the ballot .
They might have a little bit more leeway .
They could run a little later and make it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 60 days .
And so we ’ re sort of thinking Monday or Tuesday of next week that the deadline .
but they probably Live longer the problem is from they got to do something .
They can ’ t just sit on their hands because I absolutely will sue them eventually .
Leahy : Have they asked the Chancery Court to rule on the constitutionality of it ?
That ’ s what that was my impression but have they done that or not ?
Roberts : They have not .
They voted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pay this to waste the Nashville taxpayer dollars on a high-priced lawyer .
That lawyer didn ’ t reach out to me .
I sent him a nice email back and said well , you know bring the lawsuit over when you ’ re ready .
My prediction is they ’ re not going to do anything .
I think I think their goal is to stall and delay and pretend like it ’ s not happening .
Leahy : So are they going to sue you or Americans for Prosperity who backed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to sue ?
Roberts : Well , they would I assume they would sue me .
They technically would have to sue the 11,500 verified signatures .
They probably don ’ t know who those people are , but I ’ m presuming they ’ re going to sue me .
In fact , that ’ s why I reached out to a lawyer , because I said you can serve me by email or mail or just bring it over to my office .
I wanted to make it easy for him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it hard for him .
( Leahy chuckles ) Carmichael : Because part of what you ’ re saying though is you think they won ’ t they ’ re going to try to not do anything .
So if they sue that gives you an opportunity to respond and get the ball rolling .
If they do nothing then they ’ re trying to just run out the clock by just acting like your ballot initiative never happened .
Roberts : Exactly .
And that ’ s just sort of cowardly way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s exactly what I expect .
Leahy : But the vote last Friday three to two .
Didn ’ t they vote to ask the Chancery Court to rule on its constitutionality ?
Roberts : You don ’ t just ask the call them up and ask them .
You have to file a lawsuit .
There has to be a vehicle , and quite honestly there Commissioner DeLanis , who is a very fine commissioner , he actually sort of put it back on the Election Commission and said , you know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can ’ t just ask the judge to tell us what to do .
We have to make a decision .
and then go after the judge if it ’ s the right decision .
So he was pretty adamant about it .
So we have to vote to keep it off the ballot or vote to put it on .
This is the coward ’ s way out .
Leahy : So one week after that meeting , there ’ s no Chancery Court judge that has anything from the city saying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you ’ re saying ?
Roberts : As far as I know what I would assume .
I ’ d be the first or second person to know .
You know , they know where to reach me .
They know how to get in touch with me .
I reached out to their lawyer and I ’ m ready to go .
I ’ m ready .
Leahy : So what would they sue you for ?
What would they sue Americans for Prosperity for ?
What would the city sue you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
Roberts : I mean in a very real way Americans for Prosperity certainly helped us with this .
but they weren ’ t behind it .
You know , I ’ m very happy that they sure helped us .
But we already had the signatures to get it on the ballot .
Leahy : What will be the city ’ s claim against you be ?
Why would they sue you and what would their argument be ?
Roberts : Well , I think they would sue the organization the 4 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ together and I guess technically I ’ m the head of that .
This is as informal that organization is .
They ’ ve got to do something though .
Carmichael : But on what basis ?
I ’ m like based on what basis would they Sue you ?
Roberts : Crom , trust me .
I ’ ve looked at this and looked at this and I can ’ t figure out what their basis is .
Roberts : They would have to take action and then they would ask to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ determine what it is we want ultimately moved to dismiss .
Carmichael : Can you file for a declaratory judgment now ?
Roberts : Again , I can ’ t do anything until we get close to the deadlines because technically the election commission could meet they can put a notice out today .
And say we ’ re going to meet on Monday and they could vote to put it on the ballot .
Carmichael : So after October 7th one of your options could be or might be but you can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : Correct .
It would be actually technically called a mandamus which is not interesting to anyone but me .
But a mandamus is what you use to force the government to follow its own laws .
And I ’ ve had to sue Metro that way more times than I can count .
Leahy : Well , Jim , we salute you for your efforts .
Our hats are off to you .
Keep up the good work .
This story continues to be a convoluted effort by the mayor to subvert @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , we have a great lawyer like you defending the citizens of Nashville .
Roberts : I ’ m doing the best I can yeah , thank you .
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 “ Ballot ” by Brendan C. CC BY 2.0

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 based attorney Jim Roberts to the newsmakers line.
During the third hour, Roberts gave updates on the status of getting the Nashville Taxpayer Protection Act on December’s ballot explaining how the Davidson County election committee has been stalling by not giving a yes or a no. He later explained how this seems to be a coordinated effort led by Mayor Cooper’s administration.
Leahy: Michael Patrick Leahy here with the original all-star panelist, good friend Crom Carmichael. We are joined now on our newsmaker line by Jim Roberts. The attorney who put together the Nashville Taxpayer Protection Act. He gathered more than 27,000 signatures to put the petition referendum on the ballot that would repeal the 34 percent property tax increase. Gave it to the Nashville Election Commission. They confirmed they had more than the 11,000 petitions needed. From there it was a ministerial function to give it to the Metro Clerk to put it on the ballot, but something happened there that seems to me to be not entirely legal. Jim, what is going on there?
Roberts: Well, it just shows you how desperate they are, and how desperate they are to keep this off the ballot. They are clearly afraid of this, and this is all fear-driven. you you’re absolutely right. We gathered 27,000 signatures. We turn them in. They counted up as many as we needed which is a lot more than 11,000 and we were good to go. And then the mayor’s office intervened and started putting pressure on the election commission. That’s where we are.
Leahy: So let’s just follow through. It doesn’t seem to make any sense. It does seem to me to be a number of illegal actions in my view. It’s not your words, but my words, it seems to be illegal because before last Friday, the week before last Friday they held a secret meeting of the mayor’s counsel and the Election Commission, which is in my view a violation of the Open Meetings laws, which I think just choreographed this little three to two decision last Friday in which again, they decided to make up authority out of thin air, not in the charter.
They decided instead of handling the ministerial function of asking the Metro Clerk to put the ballot to put the referendum on the ballot in December. They decided out of the blue they had some authority to challenge the constitutionality of the referendum in the petition. How did that work? How do they do that?
Roberts: Well it doesn’t work. Let me tell you it doesn’t work and it’s illegal. They’re not allowed to do that. That’s called being a judge and the Election Commission is not a judicial body. The Tennessee state law, case law, is pretty clear that their duty is ministerial, meaning they don’t have a lot of discretion or any discretion.
And so they’ve decided under pressure from the Metro Government to sit and have their own judge and have their own little judiciary set up and they’re making decisions they are not entitled to make. They do have a little bit of discretion in setting the court date, possibly. We’re still not sure about that. But they did move the date from the 5th [of December] to the 15th. And so they bought themselves a little more time. But truthfully I think they’ve painted themselves into a corner and they don’t really know what to do.
Carmichael: What can you do to get it back on track so that there’s a date certain for the people to chime in through voting?
Roberts: Well, it’s a great question, Crom. The problem I have honestly sitting here that they haven’t actually done anything I can sue them over because they have until about October 7th. That’s part of the deadline to actually put it on the ballot. So right now they haven’t voted to put it on the ballot. They just didn’t vote to put it on the ballot. And so it’s in this sort of limbo where they’re there. I think they’re just trying to game the system. So they haven’t actually done anything. If I went into court today and follow the lawsuit the judge would look at me and say they haven’t done anything. So I’m having to wait at least a few more days.
Carmichael: Okay, October 7th is a deadline that they are required by statute or by charter to do something. I mean to put it on the ballot, or to give some ruling or some reason why they’re not going to do it. And in either case if they give a reason why they’re not going to do it, you can sue them over that. And if they failed to do what they’re supposed to do by October 7th, you can sue them for not doing what they’re supposed to do in a timely manner. Is that correct?
Roberts: Exactly. Now I want to caution you that October seventh is not a hard day. They have to what they have to do is prepare the military ballots in the overseas ballots and mail-in ballot. the things that have to do and it takes about 60 days because there’s only one item on the ballot. They might have a little bit more leeway. They could run a little later and make it work, but it’s roughly 60 days. And so we’re sort of thinking Monday or Tuesday of next week that the deadline. but they probably Live longer the problem is from they got to do something. They can’t just sit on their hands because I absolutely will sue them eventually.
Leahy: Have they asked the Chancery Court to rule on the constitutionality of it? That’s what that was my impression but have they done that or not?
Roberts: They have not. They voted to hire a lawyer. Voted to pay this to waste the Nashville taxpayer dollars on a high-priced lawyer. That lawyer didn’t reach out to me. I sent him a nice email back and said well, you know bring the lawsuit over when you’re ready. My prediction is they’re not going to do anything. I think I think their goal is to stall and delay and pretend like it’s not happening.
Leahy: So are they going to sue you or Americans for Prosperity who backed the petition? Who are they going to sue?
Roberts: Well, they would I assume they would sue me. They technically would have to sue the 11,500 verified signatures. They probably don’t know who those people are, but I’m presuming they’re going to sue me. In fact, that’s why I reached out to a lawyer, because I said you can serve me by email or mail or just bring it over to my office. I wanted to make it easy for him because I’m going to make it hard for him. (Leahy chuckles)
Carmichael: Because part of what you’re saying though is you think they won’t they’re going to try to not do anything. So if they sue that gives you an opportunity to respond and get the ball rolling. If they do nothing then they’re trying to just run out the clock by just acting like your ballot initiative never happened.
Roberts: Exactly. And that’s just sort of cowardly way to do it. But that’s exactly what I expect.
Leahy: But the vote last Friday three to two. Didn’t they vote to ask the Chancery Court to rule on its constitutionality?
Roberts: You don’t just ask the call them up and ask them. You have to file a lawsuit. There has to be a vehicle, and quite honestly there Commissioner DeLanis, who is a very fine commissioner, he actually sort of put it back on the Election Commission and said, you know we have to do something. We can’t just ask the judge to tell us what to do. We have to make a decision. and then go after the judge if it’s the right decision. So he was pretty adamant about it. So we have to vote to keep it off the ballot or vote to put it on. This is the coward’s way out.
Leahy: So one week after that meeting, there’s no Chancery Court judge that has anything from the city saying is this constitutional. Is that what you’re saying?
Roberts: As far as I know what I would assume. I’d be the first or second person to know. You know, they know where to reach me. They know how to get in touch with me. I reached out to their lawyer and I’m ready to go. I’m ready.
Leahy: So what would they sue you for? What would they sue Americans for Prosperity for? What would the city sue you for? What would be the claim?
Roberts: I mean in a very real way Americans for Prosperity certainly helped us with this. but they weren’t behind it. You know, I’m very happy that they sure helped us. But we already had the signatures to get it on the ballot.
Leahy: What will be the city’s claim against you be? Why would they sue you and what would their argument be?
Roberts: Well, I think they would sue the organization the 4 Good Government that sort of put this together and I guess technically I’m the head of that. This is as informal that organization is. They’ve got to do something though.
Carmichael: But on what basis? I’m like based on what basis would they Sue you?
Roberts: Crom, trust me. I’ve looked at this and looked at this and I can’t figure out what their basis is.
Carmichael: Okay.
Roberts: They would have to take action and then they would ask to have a declaratory action, but to determine what it is we want ultimately moved to dismiss.
Carmichael: Can you file for a declaratory judgment now?
Roberts: Again, I can’t do anything until we get close to the deadlines because technically the election commission could meet they can put a notice out today. And say we’re going to meet on Monday and they could vote to put it on the ballot.
Carmichael: So after October 7th one of your options could be or might be but you can sue for a declaratory judgment.
Roberts: Correct. It would be actually technically called a mandamus which is not interesting to anyone but me. But a mandamus is what you use to force the government to follow its own laws. And I’ve had to sue Metro that way more times than I can count.
Leahy: Well, Jim, we salute you for your efforts. Our hats are off to you. Keep up the good work. This story continues to be a convoluted effort by the mayor to subvert the rule of law and thank goodness, we have a great lawyer like you defending the citizens of Nashville.
Roberts: I’m doing the best I can yeah, thank you.
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 “Ballot” by Brendan C. CC BY 2.0


thetennesseestar--2020-10-03--Former FBI Official Proposes ‘Bipartisan Commission’ to Vet Presidential Candidates Like Trump

A former top FBI official on Thursday proposed that a “ bipartisan commission ” be created to vet presidential candidates so people like President Trump can never be elected again .
“ We got this wrong , and this can ’ t happen again , ” said Frank Figliuzzi , who was briefly the assistant director of the FBI under President Obama .
During a discussion on MSNBC about Trump ’ s taxes Thursday morning , Figliuzzi opined that the president ’ s supposedly dire financial situation made him “ vulnerable ” to certain entities like { { { Russia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the most vulnerable president in our history in terms of compromise and potential exposure to those who want to help him dig out of this financial pit in return for a price , ” Figliuzzi said .
“ And that ’ s where the national security problem comes in.
” The former G-man added—without evidence—that the president was “ entangled with Russia and the former Soviet Block , ” therefore he was potentially involved with Russian organized crime figures too .
“ We need to have a national discussion about how we vet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ We screwed this up.
” He suggested that the media in 2016 didn ’ t dig “ deeply enough ” to find dirt on Trump , and added “ it ’ s time to have a discussion about a bipartisan committee that demands tax returns .
Make that a requirement.
” Figliozzi said the task of the committee would be to expose “ financial pictures ” of the candidates .
“ We got this wrong , and this can ’ t happen again , ” he concluded .
Figliuzzi , now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , once called for a criminal investigation of Rep. Devin Nunes ( R-Calif. ) when he was the chairman of the House Intelligence Committee and was set to release a memo on the FBI ’ s surveillance abuse .
Corrupt current and former members of the intelligence community , and their allies in the media deeply opposed the January 2018 publication of the Nunes memo , arguing disingenuously that it was misleading and would compromise “ sources and methods.
” Nunes ’ memo would eventually be corroborated by the DOJ inspector general ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ surveillance abuse , which implicated many bad actors at the FBI , as well as their willing accomplices in the media .
Not surprisingly , Figliuzzi , who left the Bureau in 2012 , has been an enthusiastic peddler of the Russia collusion hoax .
In August of 2019 , Figliuzzi on MSNBC compared Trump supporters to members of a terrorist organization and floated a conspiracy theory that Trump was sending out secret coded signals to white supremacists .

by Debra Heine
A former top FBI official on Thursday proposed that a “bipartisan commission” be created to vet presidential candidates so people like President Trump can never be elected again.
“We got this wrong, and this can’t happen again,” said Frank Figliuzzi, who was briefly the assistant director of the FBI under President Obama.
During a discussion on MSNBC about Trump’s taxes Thursday morning, Figliuzzi opined that the president’s supposedly dire financial situation made him “vulnerable” to certain entities like {{{Russia}}}.
“He is the most vulnerable president in our history in terms of compromise and potential exposure to those who want to help him dig out of this financial pit in return for a price,” Figliuzzi said. “And that’s where the national security problem comes in.”
The former G-man added—without evidence—that the president was “entangled with Russia and the former Soviet Block,” therefore he was potentially involved with Russian organized crime figures too.
“We need to have a national discussion about how we vet a presidential candidate,” Figliozzi declared. “We screwed this up.”
He suggested that the media in 2016 didn’t dig “deeply enough” to find dirt on Trump, and added “it’s time to have a discussion about a bipartisan committee that demands tax returns. Make that a requirement.”
Figliozzi said the task of the committee would be to expose “financial pictures”of the candidates.
“We got this wrong, and this can’t happen again,” he concluded.
Figliuzzi, now a national security contributor for NBC News, once called for a criminal investigation of Rep. Devin Nunes (R-Calif.) when he was the chairman of the House Intelligence Committee and was set to release a memo on the FBI’s surveillance abuse. Corrupt current and former members of the intelligence community, and their allies in the media deeply opposed the January 2018 publication of the Nunes memo, arguing disingenuously that it was misleading and would compromise “sources and methods.”
Nunes’ memo would eventually be corroborated by the DOJ inspector general’s report on the FBI’s surveillance abuse, which implicated many bad actors at the FBI, as well as their willing accomplices in the media.
Not surprisingly, Figliuzzi, who left the Bureau in 2012, has been an enthusiastic peddler of the Russia collusion hoax.
In August of 2019, Figliuzzi on MSNBC compared Trump supporters to members of a terrorist organization and floated a conspiracy theory that Trump was sending out secret coded signals to white supremacists.
– – –
Debra Heine reports for American Greatness.
Photo “President Trump” by Michael Vadon. CC BY-SA 2.0.


thetennesseestar--2020-10-03--Chinese-State-Run Media Chief Says Trump and Melania ‘Paid The Price’ for Downplaying Coronavirus

The editor-in-chief of a Chinese state-run media outlet said in a tweet Friday that President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump “ paid the price ” for downplaying the coronavirus pandemic after both tested positive .
“ President Donald Trump and the first lady have paid the price for his gamble to play down the COVID-19 .
The news shows the severity of the US ’ pandemic situation , ” Hu Xijin , editor-in-chief of the Global Times , said in a Twitter post on Friday .
The president announced on Twitter that he and the first lady tested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hicks , a close advisor to the president , tested positive for the virus on Wednesday after she traveled with him on Tuesday , according to ABC News .
“ It will impose a negative impact on the image of Trump and the US , and may also negatively affect his reelection , ” Hu continued , according to his Twitter post .
The State Department had placed the outlet and other Chinese news outlets on foreign mission status “ as controlled by the government ” in June , The New York Post @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government had been attempting to conceal the virus , causing it to significantly spread .
A Department of Homeland Security report in May said the Chinese government delayed informing the World Health Organization that the virus “ was a contagion ” for most of January in order to buy medical supplies from outside the country .
The country ’ s imports of face masks , gloves and surgical gowns increased dramatically in that period , according to the Associated Press .
The Chinese government also purposefully downplayed the pandemic over and over and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the alarm about the pandemic , according to the AP .
The Global Times , an English and Chinese tabloid run by the Chinese government , has been criticized for spreading disinformation that is , according to Business Insider .
The Global Times did not immediately respond to the Daily Caller News Foundation ’ s request for comment .
Mary Rose Corkery is a reporter for the Daily Caller News Foundation .
Photo “ Hu Xijin ” by 胡锡进Global Times Hu Xijin .
Background Photo ” Hu Xijin ’ s Twitter Page ” @ @ @ @

by Mary Rose Corkery
The editor-in-chief of a Chinese state-run media outlet said in a tweet Friday that President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump “paid the price” for downplaying the coronavirus pandemic after both tested positive.
“President Donald Trump and the first lady have paid the price for his gamble to play down the COVID-19. The news shows the severity of the US’ pandemic situation,” Hu Xijin, editor-in-chief of the Global Times, said in a Twitter post on Friday.
The president announced on Twitter that he and the first lady tested positive for COVID-19 early Friday. Hope Hicks, a close advisor to the president, tested positive for the virus on Wednesday after she traveled with him on Tuesday, according to ABC News.
“It will impose a negative impact on the image of Trump and the US, and may also negatively affect his reelection,” Hu continued, according to his Twitter post.
President Trump and the first lady have paid the price for his gamble to play down the COVID-19. The news shows the severity of the US’ pandemic situation. It will impose a negative impact on the image of Trump and the US, and may also negatively affect his reelection. — Hu Xijin 胡锡进 (@HuXijin_GT) October 2, 2020
The State Department had placed the outlet and other Chinese news outlets on foreign mission status “as controlled by the government” in June, The New York Post reported.
Reports have indicated the Chinese government had been attempting to conceal the virus, causing it to significantly spread.
A Department of Homeland Security report in May said the Chinese government delayed informing the World Health Organization that the virus “was a contagion” for most of January in order to buy medical supplies from outside the country. The country’s imports of face masks, gloves and surgical gowns increased dramatically in that period, according to the Associated Press.
The Chinese government also purposefully downplayed the pandemic over and over and also silenced doctors who had earlier sounded the alarm about the pandemic, according to the AP.
The Global Times, an English and Chinese tabloid run by the Chinese government, has been criticized for spreading disinformation that is, according to Business Insider.
The Global Times did not immediately respond to the Daily Caller News Foundation’s request for comment.
– – –
Mary Rose Corkery is a reporter for the Daily Caller News Foundation.
Photo “Hu Xijin” by 胡锡进Global Times Hu Xijin. Background Photo”Hu Xijin’s Twitter Page” by Hu Xijin.


thetennesseestar--2020-10-03--Crom Carmichael Discusses How Democrats Continue to Refuse to Follow the Rule of Law

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 to discuss how Democrats and lawyers are conditioned to not follow the rule of law .
Leahy : Well Crom , that was John Roberts at Fox News .
He and I were talking off , you know during the break about John Roberts and you know , I mean this again Kayleigh @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The president has denounced announced denounced white supremacy .
Carmichael : John Roberts was just , that was just stupid on top of stupid .
Leahy : Yeah .
There ’ s no other way to describe it .
Carmichael : You can ’ t fix stupid .
I mean , yeah when somebody has denounced something over and over and over and over again and is never not denounced it .
Carmichael : And you know , the question that John Roberts should be asking you to Joe Biden is why won @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get his statue out of the Senate ?
Carmichael : And then lists a whole bunch of other things .
But anyway , that ’ s but I ’ ll be following along Michael on what we were talking about .
There ’ s a great story .
Leahy : What we ’ re talking about is why the Democrats do not follow the rule of law .
Carmichael : When the law that ’ s on the books is inconvenient .
Then they like to just they like to then make it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Supreme Court ultimately be forced to rule on what defines a valid ballot in this election .
Here ’ s what ’ s going on .
This is from The Wall Street Journal on October 1st .
This week ’ s Pennsylvania Republicans asked the US Supreme Court .
It ’ s gotten that far now .
To halt a state judicial ruling that says late ballots must be counted even if they lack postmarks and arrived three days after the statutory deadline .
In Pennsylvania , state law requires that all valid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the day of the election .
In this case November 3rd .
Democrats have ruled without going through the legislative process there .
They ’ re saying no , no , no .
They went to a judge the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania and a 4-3 decision said no .
Ballots can come in three days later and they don ’ t even have to be postmarked .
So that ’ s in Pennsylvania .
In Wisconsin you have a similar problem .
You have a federal judge said balance postmarked by election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That ’ s not what the state law says .
state law in Wisconsin is the same as Pennsylvania .
In Georgia a federal judge , once again , Georgia ’ s law is the same thing .
For a ballot to be valid it has to be received but no later the close of the polls on Election Day .
But if they found some Democrat judge or circuit judge that will extend the voting until in this case November 6th .
In Minnesota , a lawsuit filed last week in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A consent decree where some Democrats got together and agreed to a consent which is in violation of the state law .
In Michigan you have a very similar thing .
in North Carolina and Arizona .
Now the way the story ends in all of those states you have Democrats who have some level of power but not enough power to rewrite a statute through the legislative process trying to use that power to change the law without going through the legal process .
This is a little bit like what attorney @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
So this ends by saying the US Supreme Court might be hesitant to intervene .
But the Pennsylvania appeal has already reached its chambers .
And others could be there before November 3rd .
If the justices don ’ t stop this chaotic last-minute judicial law writing before the elections , they might have to do so afterward at a far greater political cost to themselves in the country .
So the question is whether or not the Supreme Court with eight justices , John Roberts will take it up .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not take this up .
Leahy : Okay have to say okay .
Carmichael : They will not take this up unless John Roberts knows that the decision will not be four to four .
Carmichael : Because he ’ ll know what he ’ ll know where he stands .
He knows where he ’ ll stand and he can only he can assume I ’ m just saying he can assume that there are three justices on the court who are left-leaning .
And he can say I don ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ go .
And then he ’ s got four justices on the Supreme Court not counting himself where he can assume that they will follow the law .
Carmichael : If they will actually say that the law says what it says .
And if he knows that he ’ s going to say the law says what it says , then he can take it up and it ’ s five to three .
At worst .
It could be an eight zero .
There are a lot of there are a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Court .
Leahy : You know , it ’ s interesting .
Let me just throw this out get your reaction .
So the rule of law the should be followed right ?
But here ’ s what I ’ ve noticed .
people go to law school especially Democrats go to law school to subvert the rule of law .
Have you noticed that ?
Carmichael : I don ’ t know if they go to law school to do that .
They come out of law school thinking that they had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : And probably having been taught in law school that many of our laws are cake and need to be changed by ways other than the will of the people .
That would be terrible teaching but it ’ s very elitist .
and and and I know that I know that the are Ivy League colleges and law schools many of the professor ’ s think that they ’ re smarter than everybody else .
Leahy : They are far left there by like 98 percent .
Carmichael : Well look , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the law should be changed according to the process by which laws are to be changed .
That may be at the state level at the federal level or at the constitutional level .
If you don ’ t believe in that then you also believe that you will never be you ’ ll never be on the other end of decisions being made that make your life worse .
Listen to the full third hour here : Tune in weekdays from 5:00 – 8:00 a.m. to the Tennessee Star Report with Michael @ @ @ @ @ @ @ WLAC 1510 .
Listen online at iHeart Radio .
Photo “ Mail Ballot ” by Chris Phan .
CC BY 2.0 .

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 to discuss how Democrats and lawyers are conditioned to not follow the rule of law.
(Kayleigh McEnany clip plays)
Leahy: Well Crom, that was John Roberts at Fox News. He and I were talking off, you know during the break about John Roberts and you know, I mean this again Kayleigh McEnany’s absolutely, right? The president has denounced announced denounced white supremacy.
Carmichael: John Roberts was just, that was just stupid on top of stupid.
Leahy: Yeah. There’s no other way to describe it.
Carmichael: You can’t fix stupid. I mean, yeah when somebody has denounced something over and over and over and over again and is never not denounced it.
Leahy: Yeah.
Carmichael: And you know, the question that John Roberts should be asking you to Joe Biden is why won’t you denounced Senator Byrd and get his statue out of the Senate?
Leahy: Yeah, exactly.
Carmichael: And then lists a whole bunch of other things. But anyway, that’s but I’ll be following along Michael on what we were talking about. There’s a great story.
Leahy: What we’re talking about is why the Democrats do not follow the rule of law.
Carmichael: When the law that’s on the books is inconvenient. Then they like to just they like to then make it up. Here’s why the Supreme Court ultimately be forced to rule on what defines a valid ballot in this election. Here’s what’s going on. This is from The Wall Street Journal on October 1st. This week’s Pennsylvania Republicans asked the US Supreme Court. It’s gotten that far now.
To halt a state judicial ruling that says late ballots must be counted even if they lack postmarks and arrived three days after the statutory deadline. In Pennsylvania, state law requires that all valid balance must arrive by 8:00 p.m. on the day of the election. In this case November 3rd. Democrats have ruled without going through the legislative process there. They’re saying no, no, no. They went to a judge the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania and a 4-3 decision said no.
Ballots can come in three days later and they don’t even have to be postmarked. So that’s in Pennsylvania. In Wisconsin you have a similar problem. You have a federal judge said balance postmarked by election day could arrive by November 9th. That’s not what the state law says. state law in Wisconsin is the same as Pennsylvania. In Georgia a federal judge, once again, Georgia’s law is the same thing.
For a ballot to be valid it has to be received but no later the close of the polls on Election Day. But if they found some Democrat judge or circuit judge that will extend the voting until in this case November 6th. In Minnesota, a lawsuit filed last week in a district court challenges a consent decree. A consent decree where some Democrats got together and agreed to a consent which is in violation of the state law.
In Michigan you have a very similar thing. in North Carolina and Arizona. Now the way the story ends in all of those states you have Democrats who have some level of power but not enough power to rewrite a statute through the legislative process trying to use that power to change the law without going through the legal process.
This is a little bit like what attorney Jim Roberts was talking about here locally. So this ends by saying the US Supreme Court might be hesitant to intervene. But the Pennsylvania appeal has already reached its chambers. And others could be there before November 3rd. If the justices don’t stop this chaotic last-minute judicial law writing before the elections, they might have to do so afterward at a far greater political cost to themselves in the country. So the question is whether or not the Supreme Court with eight justices, John Roberts will take it up. I will predict that the Supreme Court will not take this up.
Leahy: Really?
Carmichael: No wait, I’m not finished.
Leahy: Okay have to say okay.
Carmichael: They will not take this up unless John Roberts knows that the decision will not be four to four.
Leahy: That’s a very good point
Carmichael: Because he’ll know what he’ll know where he stands. He knows where he’ll stand and he can only he can assume I’m just saying he can assume that there are three justices on the court who are left-leaning. And he can say I don’t know where they’re going to go. And then he’s got four justices on the Supreme Court not counting himself where he can assume that they will follow the law.
Leahy: Yeah.
Carmichael: If they will actually say that the law says what it says. And if he knows that he’s going to say the law says what it says, then he can take it up and it’s five to three. At worst. It could be an eight zero. There are a lot of there are a lot of unanimous decisions on the Supreme Court.
Leahy: You know, it’s interesting. Let me just throw this out get your reaction. So the rule of law the should be followed right? But here’s what I’ve noticed. people go to law school especially Democrats go to law school to subvert the rule of law. Have you noticed that?
Carmichael: I don’t know if they go to law school to do that. They come out of law school thinking that they had the tools to do it.
Leahy: Yes.
Carmichael: And probably having been taught in law school that many of our laws are cake and need to be changed by ways other than the will of the people. That would be terrible teaching but it’s very elitist. and and and I know that I know that the are Ivy League colleges and law schools many of the professor’s think that they’re smarter than everybody else.
Leahy: They are far left there by like 98 percent.
Carmichael: Well look, if you don’t believe that the law should be changed according to the process by which laws are to be changed. That may be at the state level at the federal level or at the constitutional level. If you don’t believe in that then you also believe that you will never be you’ll never be on the other end of decisions being made that make your life worse.
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 “Mail Ballot” by Chris Phan. CC BY 2.0.


thetennesseestar--2020-10-03--The Beacon Center Vice President of Legal Affairs Braden Boucek Weighs in on School Voucher Ruling a

The Beacon Center Vice President of Legal Affairs Braden Boucek Weighs in on School Voucher Ruling and Taking It to the Tennessee Supreme Court

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 Vice President of Legal Affairs for The Beacon Center , Braden Boucek to the newsmakers line .
At the end of the second hour , Boucek weighed in on the recent ruling that deemed the school voucher programs to be unconstitutional because it was limited to only Davidson and Shelby Counties and violated the Home Rule Amendment .
He added that this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that it will be successfully elevated to the Tennessee Supreme Court for a final ruling .
Leahy : We are joined now by a Braden Boucek who is the Vice President of Legal Affairs for The Beacon Center .
And welcome to the Tennessee Star Report , Braden .
Boucek : Thanks for having me on .
Leahy : So you ’ re a University of Richmond Spider .
Go Spiders !
And Florida State law .
Leahy : A proud Spider and experience with the Department of Justice .
Great , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you have followed with great interest the litigation surrounding Governor Lee ’ s voucher program .
The court of appeals ruled that it was unconstitutional .
The Beacon Center has said , no absolutely it ’ s constitutional .
It ’ s headed probably towards the Tennessee State Supreme Court .
Tell us the argument for the constitutionality of that program .
Boucek : Yeah and it ’ s important to take a step back and figure out what this is .
As many of your listeners know , an educational savings account @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state giving parents full control of a portion of their education funds for their students ’ education .
Without a doubt , it is the most innovative and transformative approach to the failed educational model in the state ’ s history .
This is naturally something that we decided in implementing it , that we needed to be thoughtful about how the governor instituted it as a pilot program .
And that pilot program was aimed at the two worst-performing school districts in the state .
And also the two biggest school districts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ County .
And we represent two mothers , working mothers , single mothers who have kids who the educational system has just failed .
And they wanted to avail themselves of the program .
Both of our parents are located in Metro Nashville Davidson Schools .
They ’ ve tried everything they can do within the traditional public school framework and they ’ re not having any success .
And instead of Metro Nashville being supportive of this program , they ’ ve sued .
And now my parents are in court fighting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the children .
Leahy : And so what ’ s the argument that the court of appeals found persuasive to the contrary ?
They ruled that it was unconstitutional .
What was the argument ?
And why was that reasoning false or incorrect in your view ?
Boucek : They did not rule that the program was unconstitutional for any reason other than the fact that it narrowly targeted the two worst school districts in the state .
And just take a step back and think about it .
Obviously , if you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ program out through a pilot program , you ’ re going to aim it at the two worst school districts in the state .
But that was not the reasoning that prevailed in front of the court of appeals .
They ruled that it violated the state ’ s quote-unquote Home Rule Amendment which requires generally general legislation out of the state .
Now that argument is flawed .
And it runs up against the plain text of the constitutional amendment .
At The Beacon Center , we are rigid textualist constitutionalists and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ constitution needs to be interpreted in light of what the words actually mean .
And the Home Rule Amendment that the judges have seized upon applies to local governments .
But the way that the ESA program works is it doesn ’ t target local governments at all .
It applies specifically to LEA ’ s or local education associations , and those are state agencies .
So this is a lot like one state agency suing the state itself for reducing its funding .
It ’ s is crazy .
Leahy : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Where ’ s the litigation go ?
Boucek : We hope that the Tennessee Supreme Court takes it .
Leahy : You said we hope .
Why is that a hope and not a certainty ?
Boucek : There ’ s no requirement that the Tennessee Supreme Court has to take a case .
Its review is purely discretionary .
We think though for an issue of this magnitude and importance , and with a ruling deconflicting that , there ’ s a high degree of likelihood that the Supreme Court will take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ know ?
Boucek : Hopefully sooner rather than later .
I mean the program was supposed to go into effect for this school year , which is anybody who has children and Metro or Shelby knows they really really could have used it in light of the COVID shutdowns .
But the judge ’ s ruling thus far has mucked that up .
So now the question is going to be can we get a rolling so that the program can go online for 2021 .
Leahy : Yeah .
That ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you go in and do you argue in court .
You are a litigator .
Are you in court making these arguments ?
Boucek : We ’ ve been doing it all by Zoom .
Leahy : Okay , but you officially make the argument via Zoom before the judges in the court of appeals .
Is that right ?
Leahy : What ’ s that like doing an argument by Zoom ?
Boucek : Well , it ’ s great .
I think it ’ s innovative and you know , I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ things that we ’ ve learned going forward .
It ’ s not so great when your Roomba Robot comes out and gets stuck in the middle of the oral argument .
( Leahy laughs ) Carmichael : What was the Appellate Court ?
How many judges are there ?
And what was the vote ?
Boucek : There are three judges on a panel .
And the judges ruled three to 0 against us .
Leahy : Okay .
So it is that any indication as to whether or not the Tennessee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
Boucek : I don ’ t think so .
No , I mean the justices tend to look at the importance of the issue and whether or not there ’ s conflicting law on the subject .
and you know that the way that the court of appeals interpreted this marks a radical expansion of the way that the text of the constitution reads .
And it ’ s in the conflicts with prior cases .
So we think there ’ s a high degree of likelihood that the Supreme Court will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and I ’ m looking at it from afar not being an attorney , but I would say for a case of this importance I think it would make eminent sense for the Tennessee State Supreme Court to take the case and to issue the final ruling on it .
It would seem to me if they take it up how long will the argument be ?
Boucek : Typically arguments are 15 minutes per side .
And the court of appeals , we asked for and got additional time in light of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s not just the state of Tennessee .
There are multiple what are called intervenors .
so people like us who represent parents that have a stake in the program have been allowed to participate in the case .
So with that many people , the courts were generous enough to give us extra arguments on Leahy : Last point , Braden Boucek , Legal Affairs Vice President for the Beacon Center , want to invite you to attend and perhaps play a role , if you ’ d be interested , in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sponsoring with our little Star News Education Foundation in Brentwood on October 24th .
Kids ’ eighth grade through 12th grade can participate .
There is a $ 10,000 scholarship to the winner .
Boucek : I didn ’ t , but I fully support the mission and the vision obviously .
I think we can all agree that our training of the constitution has been lacking as of late .
I ’ d love to be a part of it .
Listen to the full second hour here : Tune in weekdays @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy on Talk Radio 98.3 FM WLAC 1510 .
Listen online at iHeart Radio .
Photo “ Braden Boucek ” by Beacon Center Tennessee .
Background Photo “ Classroom ” by Educators .co.uk .
CC BY 2.0 .

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 Vice President of Legal Affairs for The Beacon Center, Braden Boucek to the newsmakers line.
At the end of the second hour, Boucek weighed in on the recent ruling that deemed the school voucher programs to be unconstitutional because it was limited to only Davidson and Shelby Counties and violated the Home Rule Amendment. He added that this was a flawed position and was optimistic that it will be successfully elevated to the Tennessee Supreme Court for a final ruling.
Leahy: We are joined now by a Braden Boucek who is the Vice President of Legal Affairs for The Beacon Center. And welcome to the Tennessee Star Report, Braden.
Boucek: Thanks for having me on.
Leahy: So you’re a University of Richmond Spider. Go Spiders! And Florida State law.
Boucek: Proud Spider.
Leahy: A proud Spider and experience with the Department of Justice. Great, a number of awards there. Braden, you have followed with great interest the litigation surrounding Governor Lee’s voucher program. The court of appeals ruled that it was unconstitutional. The Beacon Center has said, no absolutely it’s constitutional. It’s headed probably towards the Tennessee State Supreme Court. Tell us the argument for the constitutionality of that program.
Boucek: Yeah and it’s important to take a step back and figure out what this is. As many of your listeners know, an educational savings account is really just a way of the state giving parents full control of a portion of their education funds for their students’ education. Without a doubt, it is the most innovative and transformative approach to the failed educational model in the state’s history.
This is naturally something that we decided in implementing it, that we needed to be thoughtful about how the governor instituted it as a pilot program. And that pilot program was aimed at the two worst-performing school districts in the state. And also the two biggest school districts in the state – Shelby and Davidson County.
And we represent two mothers, working mothers, single mothers who have kids who the educational system has just failed. And they wanted to avail themselves of the program. Both of our parents are located in Metro Nashville Davidson Schools. They’ve tried everything they can do within the traditional public school framework and they’re not having any success. And instead of Metro Nashville being supportive of this program, they’ve sued. And now my parents are in court fighting desperately to save this educational lifeline for the children.
Leahy: And so what’s the argument that the court of appeals found persuasive to the contrary? They ruled that it was unconstitutional. What was the argument? And why was that reasoning false or incorrect in your view?
Boucek: They did not rule that the program was unconstitutional for any reason other than the fact that it narrowly targeted the two worst school districts in the state. And just take a step back and think about it. Obviously, if you’re going to send a targeted program out through a pilot program, you’re going to aim it at the two worst school districts in the state. But that was not the reasoning that prevailed in front of the court of appeals.
They ruled that it violated the state’s quote-unquote Home Rule Amendment which requires generally general legislation out of the state. Now that argument is flawed. And it runs up against the plain text of the constitutional amendment. At The Beacon Center, we are rigid textualist constitutionalists and we think the constitution even the Tennessee constitution needs to be interpreted in light of what the words actually mean.
And the Home Rule Amendment that the judges have seized upon applies to local governments. But the way that the ESA program works is it doesn’t target local governments at all. It applies specifically to LEA’s or local education associations, and those are state agencies. So this is a lot like one state agency suing the state itself for reducing its funding. It’s is crazy.
Leahy: So where does this go now? Where’s the litigation go?
Boucek: We hope that the Tennessee Supreme Court takes it.
Leahy: You said we hope. Why is that a hope and not a certainty?
Boucek: There’s no requirement that the Tennessee Supreme Court has to take a case. Its review is purely discretionary. We think though for an issue of this magnitude and importance, and with a ruling deconflicting that, there’s a high degree of likelihood that the Supreme Court will take it.
Leahy: When will we know?
Boucek: Hopefully sooner rather than later. I mean the program was supposed to go into effect for this school year, which is anybody who has children and Metro or Shelby knows they really really could have used it in light of the COVID shutdowns. But the judge’s ruling thus far has mucked that up. So now the question is going to be can we get a rolling so that the program can go online for 2021.
Leahy: Yeah. That’s a fairly tight timeline. Braden do you go in and do you argue in court. You are a litigator. Are you in court making these arguments?
Boucek: We’ve been doing it all by Zoom.
Leahy: Okay, but you officially make the argument via Zoom before the judges in the court of appeals. Is that right?
Boucek: That’s right. Yep.
Leahy: What’s that like doing an argument by Zoom?
Boucek: Well, it’s great. I think it’s innovative and you know, I hope we incorporate a lot of these things that we’ve learned going forward. It’s not so great when your Roomba Robot comes out and gets stuck in the middle of the oral argument. (Leahy laughs)
Carmichael: What was the Appellate Court? How many judges are there? And what was the vote?
Boucek: There are three judges on a panel. And the judges ruled three to 0 against us.
Leahy: Okay. So it is that any indication as to whether or not the Tennessee state supreme court will take it up?
Boucek: I don’t think so. No, I mean the justices tend to look at the importance of the issue and whether or not there’s conflicting law on the subject. and you know that the way that the court of appeals interpreted this marks a radical expansion of the way that the text of the constitution reads. And it’s in the conflicts with prior cases. So we think there’s a high degree of likelihood that the Supreme Court will take it.
Leahy: Okay, and I’m looking at it from afar not being an attorney, but I would say for a case of this importance I think it would make eminent sense for the Tennessee State Supreme Court to take the case and to issue the final ruling on it. It would seem to me if they take it up how long will the argument be?
Boucek: Typically arguments are 15 minutes per side. And the court of appeals, we asked for and got additional time in light of all of the parties because it’s not just the state of Tennessee. There are multiple what are called intervenors. so people like us who represent parents that have a stake in the program have been allowed to participate in the case. So with that many people, the courts were generous enough to give us extra arguments on
Leahy: Last point, Braden Boucek, Legal Affairs Vice President for the Beacon Center, want to invite you to attend and perhaps play a role, if you’d be interested, in the National Constitution Bee that we are sponsoring with our little Star News Education Foundation in Brentwood on October 24th. Kids’ eighth grade through 12th grade can participate. There is a $10,000 scholarship to the winner.
Boucek: I didn’t, but I fully support the mission and the vision obviously. I think we can all agree that our training of the constitution has been lacking as of late. I’d love to be a part of it.
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 “Braden Boucek” by Beacon Center Tennessee. Background Photo “Classroom” by Educators .co.uk. CC BY 2.0.


thetennesseestar--2020-10-03--TRUMPDATE: Latest From the Team Trump Virginia Campaign for October 3

Welcome to the Saturday edition of our daily Virginia Trump campaign update !
We will provide our readers with daily updates on the Trump Virginia campaign from today to November 3 ( and after…if need be ! )
.
It ’ s officially 31 days until the election on November 3 – and 28 days until early voting in Virginia closes .
The deadline to register to vote in time for the 2020 election is October 13 .
President Trump made global headlines early Friday morning revealing that he and First Lady Melania Trump tested positive for COVID-19 .
By @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was on Marine One bound for Walter Reed National Military Medical Center for further observation and treatment .
Reports say the president was experiencing mild symptoms of the coronavirus .
President Trump tweeted a brief video just before exiting the White House for the hospital , saying he and the First Lady were doing very well .
Chief of Staff Mark Meadows told reporters that the president intends to work while in quarantine receiving treatment , and that Section 3 of the 25th Amendment would not be invoked .
“ We wish the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” said John Fredericks , chairman of the Trump Virginia Delegation .
“ The bottom line to this is the president should just go about his business .
It ’ s business as usual .
It ’ s another day at the office.
” The status of the next presidential debate between Trump and Joe Biden – scheduled for October 15 – is up in the air .
With the election a month out , the presidential campaign rolls on .
In the commonwealth , the get out the vote effort continues with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ want to make sure that people know that they can go vote and that it ’ s available to them , ” said Stephen Kurtz .
Kurtz co-organized a Trump support rally along with the Warren County Republicans in Front Royal .
Two hundred people were expected to turn out for a free concert and speeches by Wendy Gade , Chuck Smith and Bill Wiley .
“ It means a lot to have people like Wendy Gade come out and speak , ” Kurtz said .
“ Obviously we want people to vote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ want folks to support candidates like Daniel Gade and Scott Taylor.
” Check back every day for more Trump Virginia campaign updates !
If you want to join the volunteer team or if you need signs email Fredericks or Justin Rice .
To Donate to our Virginia campaign click here .
For more information , or to sign up to become a volunteer , click here .
John Fredericks is the publisher and editor-in-chief of The Virginia Star .
He is also a Trump 2020 delegate and the chairman of the Trump Virginia @ @

Welcome to the Saturday edition of our daily Virginia Trump campaign update! We will provide our readers with daily updates on the Trump Virginia campaign from today to November 3 (and after…if need be!).
It’s officially 24 days until the election on November 3 – and 21 days until early voting in Virginia closes. The deadline to register to vote in time for the 2020 election is October 13, three days from today.
President Trump joined conservative talk radio icon Rush Limbaugh on Friday for what was touted as the largest campaign rally ever. Limbaugh, who has been diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer and had been out for most of the week receiving treatment, returned to the host seat for the special occasion. Trump surprised Limbaugh back in February at the State of the Union by awarding Limbaugh with the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
The president and Limbaugh talked about the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the president recovering from his own COVID-19 diagnosis, the media, the presidential campaign, foreign policy and more. You can watch the full video below:
There are two great events taking place in Virginia today and tonight that you don’t want to miss out on.
The Greene County Republicans are putting on their 41st annual Pig Roast. The event starts at noon and is being held at October Hill Farm. Because of the ongoing pandemic, there will be food trucks versus the traditional roasting and cutting up of the pig. Attendees can also look for speeches from candidates at the state and federal level, as well as remarks from John Fredericks, host of The John Fredericks Show and chairman of the Trump Virginia Delegation. The event is free to the public!
And tonight the Young Republican Federation of Virginia welcome Steve Bannon, former Senior Adviser to President Trump and host of War Room Pandemic, at an event at Madison on Madison Hill (323 N Madison Rd., Orange, VA 22960). Mr. Bannon has made it clear the Democrats plan to steal the 2020 election. This is a golden opportunity to hear about that and how you can work to make sure a fair election takes place on November 3. You can register for tickets to the event here.
Check back every day for more Trump Virginia campaign updates! If you want to join the volunteer team or if you need signs email Fredericks or Justin Rice.
Justin Rice: [email protected]
John Fredericks: [email protected]
To Donate to our Virginia campaign click here.
For more information, or to sign up to become a volunteer, click here.
– – –
Photo “Trump Limbaugh” by The White House.
John Fredericks is the publisher and editor-in-chief of The Virginia Star.
He is also a Trump 2020 delegate and the chairman of the Trump Virginia Delegation.


thetennesseestar--2020-10-03--USB Drives Used to Program Philadelphia Voting Machines Have Been Stolen from City Warehouse

Memory sticks that are used to program Philadelphia voting machines have been stolen along with a worker ’ s laptop , according to The Philadelphia Inquirer .
The outlet reported that assurances have been made that the thefts from a city warehouse will not impair the integrity of the elections .
“ We are confident that this incident will not in any way compromise the integrity of the election , ” said Nick Custodio , who serves as a deputy to the chair of the city commissioners .
Custodio noted that the stolen laptop was remotely disabled after the crime @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ did not have any of our election material on it , ” he reportedly said .
The encrypted USB sticks are linked to specific voting machines , according to the outlet .
“ Upon programming , these encryption keys ‘ marry ’ the USB with the machine , and if placed in another machine , it will cause an error and the machine will not work , ” a company spokesperson reportedly said .
“ All voting systems have voter-verified paper ballots , which can be audited or recounted and are the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spokesperson for the Pennsylvania Department of State said in a statement .
“ We are confident that Philadelphia , working with the department and our many partners , will be able to conduct a secure and fair election for its voters on Nov. 3.
” Workers have already started programming Philadelphia ’ s voting machines for the upcoming election .
The USB sticks are placed into the top of the machines , according to the Inquirer , which reported that some sticks record electronic votes for unofficial tallies on election night .
Numbered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the machines , so that a breached seal would indicate that a device has been opened .
Some machines were found to have incorrect seal numbers , though Custodio said it was thought this issue arose through a logging error .
Custodio noted that those devices , “ will be thoroughly examined , wiped , and tested just to be sure .
”

by Alex Nitzberg
Memory sticks that are used to program Philadelphia voting machines have been stolen along with a worker’s laptop, according to The Philadelphia Inquirer.
The outlet reported that assurances have been made that the thefts from a city warehouse will not impair the integrity of the elections. “We are confident that this incident will not in any way compromise the integrity of the election,” said Nick Custodio, who serves as a deputy to the chair of the city commissioners.
Custodio noted that the stolen laptop was remotely disabled after the crime had been uncovered. The missing device “did not have any of our election material on it,” he reportedly said.
The encrypted USB sticks are linked to specific voting machines, according to the outlet. “Upon programming, these encryption keys ‘marry’ the USB with the machine, and if placed in another machine, it will cause an error and the machine will not work,” a company spokesperson reportedly said.
“All voting systems have voter-verified paper ballots, which can be audited or recounted and are the official vote of record,” a spokesperson for the Pennsylvania Department of State said in a statement. “We are confident that Philadelphia, working with the department and our many partners, will be able to conduct a secure and fair election for its voters on Nov. 3.”
Workers have already started programming Philadelphia’s voting machines for the upcoming election. The USB sticks are placed into the top of the machines, according to the Inquirer, which reported that some sticks record electronic votes for unofficial tallies on election night.
Numbered seals are affixed following the programing of the machines, so that a breached seal would indicate that a device has been opened. Some machines were found to have incorrect seal numbers, though Custodio said it was thought this issue arose through a logging error.
Custodio noted that those devices, “will be thoroughly examined, wiped, and tested just to be sure.”
– – –
Photo “Ballot Machine” by Lance Fisher CC BY-SA 2.0.


thetennesseestar--2020-10-03--Charlottesville City Council Moves Forward with Relocating ‘Disrespectful’ Lewis & Clark and Sacagaw

Charlottesville City Council Moves Forward with Relocating ‘Disrespectful’ Lewis & Clark and Sacagawea Statue

The Charlottesville City Council convened on Wednesday to continue discussing plans for relocating the Lewis & Clark and Sacagawea statue .
Activists take issue with Sacagawea ’ s posture : she crouches behind Meriwether Lewis and William Clark , a positioning some say is demeaning for depicting the appearance of subservience .
Statues of Generals Robert E. Lee and Thomas Jonathan “ Stonewall ” Jackson are also subject to removal , if the courts rule in favor of Governor Ralph Northam and Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney .
Both statues are under an injunction currently .
Charlottesville City Council Spokesman/Director of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this , the Lewis & Clark and Sacagawea statue is next on the city ’ s agenda .
“ That statue has been debated in this community for many years , ” he said .
“ The question is , is Sacagawea portrayed in a respectful fashion ?
Our consensus in the council is [ she ’ s ] not.
” Wheeler explained that Sacagawea ’ s descendants , as well as members of the Shoshone and Monacan tribes , attended a council meeting last November to discuss the statue .
According to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the meeting without a decision .
The descendants and tribal members pushed the council to resolve to relocate the statue , and they directed staff to make a plan .
Due to the pandemic and recent elections , Wheeler said that progress on relocation of the statue was paused earlier this year .
The latest meeting served as a way for city planners to communicate financing and other details with the council .
“ In this [ past ] meeting , planners just needed to reaffirm that the city council was going to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ We believe it can be relocated somewhere else , to give it better context.
” Wheeler hinted that the statue may find a new home with the Lewis & Clark Exploratory Center .
Another statue – perhaps of a historical female figure – may occupy the vacated spot in the future .
C. Thomas Chapman , Albemarle Charlottesville Historical Society executive director , said what the monument represents is up to the community .
“ Our research and understanding of history is constantly changing based on the community ’ s perspective @ @ @ @ @ @ @ change as we review history .
History doesn ’ t change , but our understanding [ of it ] does.
” The Albemarle Charlottesville Historical Society also published a statement in September claiming that systemic racism persists in our country .
“ We believe it is important for people to grapple with the history of White supremacy in our country and to understand its implications and the pain caused for our diverse citizenry .
We believe it is important to recognize the ways that mischaracterizations of our history , as represented through such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” the organization said .
The society acknowledged that removing statues wouldn ’ t change history , but encouraged everyone to “ focus on the ways that past wrongs impact current circumstances.
” Republican Party of Virginia ( RPV ) Communication Consultant John March said the measure is a waste of taxpayer money and another appeasement tactic by Stoney and Northam .
“ Honestly , who ’ s next ?
George Washington ?
It ’ s a huge loss .
They ’ re trying to get rid of history – they ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our schools , ” March said .
“ They ’ re never satisfied .
I think that UVA ’ s going to come after Jefferson.
” The city council is currently seeking proposals on the project .
Corinne Murdock is a reporter at The Virginia Star and the Star News Network .
Follow her latest on Twitter , or email tips to [ email protected ] .
“ Lewis & Clark Monument Charlottesville ” by Ken Lund .
CC BY-SA 2.0 .

The Charlottesville City Council convened on Wednesday to continue discussing plans for relocating the Lewis & Clark and Sacagawea statue.
Activists take issue with Sacagawea’s posture: she crouches behind Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, a positioning some say is demeaning for depicting the appearance of subservience.
Statues of Generals Robert E. Lee and Thomas Jonathan “Stonewall” Jackson are also subject to removal, if the courts rule in favor of Governor Ralph Northam and Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney. Both statues are under an injunction currently. Charlottesville City Council Spokesman/Director of Communications Brian Wheeler explained that because of this, the Lewis & Clark and Sacagawea statue is next on the city’s agenda.
“That statue has been debated in this community for many years,” he said. “The question is, is Sacagawea portrayed in a respectful fashion? Our consensus in the council is [she’s] not.”
Wheeler explained that Sacagawea’s descendants, as well as members of the Shoshone and Monacan tribes, attended a council meeting last November to discuss the statue. According to him, they wouldn’t leave the meeting without a decision. The descendants and tribal members pushed the council to resolve to relocate the statue, and they directed staff to make a plan.
Due to the pandemic and recent elections, Wheeler said that progress on relocation of the statue was paused earlier this year. The latest meeting served as a way for city planners to communicate financing and other details with the council.
“In this [past] meeting, planners just needed to reaffirm that the city council was going to resolve this issue,” Wheeler added. “We believe it can be relocated somewhere else, to give it better context.”
Wheeler hinted that the statue may find a new home with the Lewis & Clark Exploratory Center. Another statue – perhaps of a historical female figure – may occupy the vacated spot in the future.
C. Thomas Chapman, Albemarle Charlottesville Historical Society executive director, said what the monument represents is up to the community.
“Our research and understanding of history is constantly changing based on the community’s perspective. Statues and monuments are subject to change as we review history. History doesn’t change, but our understanding [of it] does.”
The Albemarle Charlottesville Historical Society also published a statement in September claiming that systemic racism persists in our country.
“We believe it is important for people to grapple with the history of White supremacy in our country and to understand its implications and the pain caused for our diverse citizenry. We believe it is important to recognize the ways that mischaracterizations of our history, as represented through such monuments, continues to divide us,” the organization said.
The society acknowledged that removing statues wouldn’t change history, but encouraged everyone to “focus on the ways that past wrongs impact current circumstances.”
Republican Party of Virginia (RPV) Communication Consultant John March said the measure is a waste of taxpayer money and another appeasement tactic by Stoney and Northam.
“Honestly, who’s next? George Washington? It’s a huge loss. They’re trying to get rid of history – they’re trying to ‘fix’ history in our schools,” March said. “They’re never satisfied. I think that UVA’s going to come after Jefferson.”
The city council is currently seeking proposals on the project.
– – –
Corinne Murdock is a reporter at The Virginia Star and the Star News Network. Follow her latest on Twitter, or email tips to [email protected].
“Lewis & Clark Monument Charlottesville” by Ken Lund. CC BY-SA 2.0.


thetennesseestar--2020-10-03--Virginia House and Senate Pass Another Bill to Further Decriminalize Marijuana

Virginia ’ s House and Senate passed another bill further decriminalizing marijuana .
Under the bill , the drug ’ s scent would no longer be a sufficient cause for searching a vehicle .
The House passed the bill in a 51-45 vote .
On Friday , the Senate approved to substitute some of the language of the bill .
A previous bill decriminalizing marijuana passed in both the House and Senate earlier this year .
That bill , authored by R. Creigh Deeds ( D-Charlottesville ) would expunge any records of illegal marijuana possession .
The latest bill , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ marijuana possession from a primary to secondary offense .
Other traffic violation standards are also embedded in the bill with lowered offenses : no lights on a license plate , noisy exhaust systems , excessive sun-shading or tinting films , and “ objects suspended in the vehicle.
” Mainly , though , the law prohibits police from performing search and seizures based on smelling marijuana .
The bill ensures that any evidence discovered through those means is inadmissible in court .
State Senator Louise Lucas ( D-Portsmouth ) authored the bill .
Lucas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conspiracy to tear down a Confederate monument .
“ We just approved SB 5029 in final passage !
One of the important criminal justice reform bills , ” tweeted State Senator Jennifer Boysko ( D-Herndon ) .
However , not all legislators were keen on the passage .
State Senator Ryan McDougle ( R-Hanover ) argued that the law poses some real dangers to upholding justice .
“ If you killed somebody and stuffed them into the truck and the officer finds that because they smelled marijuana and asked you to search that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and you can ’ t be found guilty based on that search.
” Both bills are currently awaiting approval from Governor Ralph Northam .
Corinne Murdock is a reporter at The Virginia Star and the Star News Network .
Follow her latest on Twitter , or email tips to [ email protected ] .

Virginia’s House and Senate passed another bill further decriminalizing marijuana. Under the bill, the drug’s scent would no longer be a sufficient cause for searching a vehicle.
The House passed the bill in a 51-45 vote. On Friday, the Senate approved to substitute some of the language of the bill.
A previous bill decriminalizing marijuana passed in both the House and Senate earlier this year. That bill, authored by R. Creigh Deeds (D-Charlottesville) would expunge any records of illegal marijuana possession.
The latest bill, SB 5029, lowers the offense of marijuana possession from a primary to secondary offense. Other traffic violation standards are also embedded in the bill with lowered offenses: no lights on a license plate, noisy exhaust systems, excessive sun-shading or tinting films, and “objects suspended in the vehicle.”
Mainly, though, the law prohibits police from performing search and seizures based on smelling marijuana. The bill ensures that any evidence discovered through those means is inadmissible in court.
State Senator Louise Lucas (D-Portsmouth) authored the bill. Lucas was arrested earlier this summer for a conspiracy to tear down a Confederate monument.
Democratic legislators praised the passage of Lucas’s bill.
“We just approved SB 5029 in final passage! One of the important criminal justice reform bills,” tweeted State Senator Jennifer Boysko (D-Herndon).
However, not all legislators were keen on the passage.
State Senator Ryan McDougle (R-Hanover) argued that the law poses some real dangers to upholding justice.
“If you killed somebody and stuffed them into the truck and the officer finds that because they smelled marijuana and asked you to search that doesn’t come in as evidence and you can’t be found guilty based on that search.”
Both bills are currently awaiting approval from Governor Ralph Northam.
– – –
Corinne Murdock is a reporter at The Virginia Star and the Star News Network. Follow her latest on Twitter, or email tips to [email protected].


thetennesseestar--2020-10-03--Senate Passes $134B Budget Bill Allocating Funds for Local COVID-19 Relief, Criminal Justice and Pol

Senate Passes $134B Budget Bill Allocating Funds for Local COVID-19 Relief, Criminal Justice and Policing Reforms and Law Enforcement Bonuses

RICHMOND , Virginia – The Senate passed its $ 134 billion budget on Friday with funding for criminal justice and police reforms , bonuses for law enforcement , coronavirus relief payments for local school divisions and language eviction and utility disconnect moratoriums .
Senate Bill ( SB ) 5015 passed the Senate by a vote of ( Y-24 N-15 ) with three Republican members voting alongside their Democratic colleagues on the prevailing side .
During opening remarks , Sen. Janet Howell ( D-Fairfax County ) , chair of the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee , praised the budget as currently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ members and staff .
“ This budget is still a great budget for the people of the Commonwealth , ” Howell said on the floor .
“ But this is just one step in a long process of approving the budget but this is an important step because it outlines our priorities.
” A portion of the Senate ’ s version for the state ’ s biennial budget includes $ 95.3 million in fiscal year ( FY ) 2021 from the COVID-19 Relief Fund as payments to be distributed to local school divisions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ funds apportioned to those divisions .
The budget also allocated $ 22.3 million , $ 11 million from the general fund and $ 11 million from the non-general fund , in FY 2021 to extend the $ 20 per day add-on to Medicaid nursing and specialized care facility rates in order to provide stability to the industry during COVID .
Another part of the spending plan is the allocation of funds to enact criminal justice and policing reform legislation that was already passed by the Senate during the General Assembly ’ s 2020 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 6.4 million in FY 2021 and $ 113,790 in FY 2022 for the body worn camera fund ( SB 5052 ) , $ 1.2 million in FY 2021 and $ 411,084 in FY 2022 for the department of corrections to update its system to prepare to implement new earned sentence credit provisions ( SB 5034 ) and $ 116,612 in FY 2021 and then $ 233,224 in FY 2022 for staffing costs for the mental health awareness alert system ( SB 5038 ) , among others .
Before Senate Minority Leader Thomas Norment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ favor of the budget , he questioned Howell and Sen. George Barker ( D-Fairfax County ) on whether or not they would abandon included language for a potential redistricting commission during the budget conference committee with the House , which Norment described as “ issue of contention.
” To which both senators replied they would try their best to keep that language in the budget .
Other Republican senators were not too pleased with the budget , however .
“ If you look at the fluff and puff of that budget , we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ projects in Hampton , Portsmouth , Fairfax , Arlington , ” Sen. Bill DeSteph ( R-Virginia Beach ) told The Star .
“ We are funding the heck out of pet projects , yet pet projects aren ’ t a part of COVID and we ’ ve rejected everything else [ not related to the pandemic ] .
” Also allocated in the budget is $ 18.4 million in FY 2021 for a $ 500 one-time bonus payment on December 1 for state police , capitol police , correctional officers and other state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 599 funding to localities ’ police departments .
The budget bill also includes language for an eviction moratorium , which prohibits courts from issuing writs of possession for renters non-payments or delinquency until January 31 , 2021 , and a utility disconnects moratorium , which prohibits companies under regulation of the State Corporation Commission from disconnecting services to customers for non-payments or fees until the Governor determines economic conditions have improved or until at least 60 days after the state of emergency in Virginia has ended .
Now , the Senate must await @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Delegates and consider the House ’ s budget , which was passed Tuesday .
Jacob Taylor is a reporter at The Virginia Star and the Star News Digital Network .
Follow Jacob on Twitter .
Email tips to [ email protected ]

RICHMOND, Virginia – The Senate passed its $134 billion budget on Friday with funding for criminal justice and police reforms, bonuses for law enforcement, coronavirus relief payments for local school divisions and language eviction and utility disconnect moratoriums.
Senate Bill (SB) 5015 passed the Senate by a vote of (Y-24 N-15) with three Republican members voting alongside their Democratic colleagues on the prevailing side.
During opening remarks, Sen. Janet Howell (D-Fairfax County), chair of the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee, praised the budget as currently constructed and the hard work of Committee members and staff.
“This budget is still a great budget for the people of the Commonwealth,” Howell said on the floor. “But this is just one step in a long process of approving the budget but this is an important step because it outlines our priorities.”
A portion of the Senate’s version for the state’s biennial budget includes $95.3 million in fiscal year (FY) 2021 from the COVID-19 Relief Fund as payments to be distributed to local school divisions based on the net reduction of state funds apportioned to those divisions.
The budget also allocated $22.3 million, $11 million from the general fund and $11 million from the non-general fund, in FY 2021 to extend the $20 per day add-on to Medicaid nursing and specialized care facility rates in order to provide stability to the industry during COVID.
Another part of the spending plan is the allocation of funds to enact criminal justice and policing reform legislation that was already passed by the Senate during the General Assembly’s 2020 special session.
That includes: $6.4 million in FY 2021 and $113,790 in FY 2022 for the body worn camera fund (SB 5052), $1.2 million in FY 2021 and $411,084 in FY 2022 for the department of corrections to update its system to prepare to implement new earned sentence credit provisions (SB 5034) and $116,612 in FY 2021 and then $233,224 in FY 2022 for staffing costs for the mental health awareness alert system (SB 5038), among others.
Before Senate Minority Leader Thomas Norment (R-James City County) voted in favor of the budget, he questioned Howell and Sen. George Barker (D-Fairfax County) on whether or not they would abandon included language for a potential redistricting commission during the budget conference committee with the House, which Norment described as “issue of contention.”
To which both senators replied they would try their best to keep that language in the budget.
Other Republican senators were not too pleased with the budget, however.
“If you look at the fluff and puff of that budget, we’re funding things that are pet projects in Hampton, Portsmouth, Fairfax, Arlington,” Sen. Bill DeSteph (R-Virginia Beach) told The Star. “We are funding the heck out of pet projects, yet pet projects aren’t a part of COVID and we’ve rejected everything else [not related to the pandemic].”
Also allocated in the budget is $18.4 million in FY 2021 for a $500 one-time bonus payment on December 1 for state police, capitol police, correctional officers and other state agencies as well as to provide supplemental 599 funding to localities’ police departments.
The budget bill also includes language for an eviction moratorium, which prohibits courts from issuing writs of possession for renters non-payments or delinquency until January 31, 2021, and a utility disconnects moratorium, which prohibits companies under regulation of the State Corporation Commission from disconnecting services to customers for non-payments or fees until the Governor determines economic conditions have improved or until at least 60 days after the state of emergency in Virginia has ended.
Now, the Senate must await approval on its budget from the House of Delegates and consider the House’s budget, which was passed Tuesday.
– – –
Jacob Taylor is a reporter at The Virginia Star and the Star News Digital Network. Follow Jacob on Twitter. Email tips to [email protected]


thetennesseestar--2020-10-03--NASA Launch Visible Across Virginia Friday Night

NASA launched a Northrop Grumman Antares rocket from its Wallops Island facility on Friday evening ; the launch was visible across much of eastern and central Virginia .
The rocket is sending a Cygnus spacecraft to the International Space Station with a $ 23 million experimental toilet , other hardware , and food resupplies including garlic , apples , brie cheese and dark chocolate covered cranberries .
Barely 100 pounds and just 28 inches tall , the new toilet is roughly half as big as the two Russian-built ones at the space station .
It ’ s more camper-size to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will carry astronauts to the moon in a few years .
The toilet is made of titanium , and features a taller , tilted seat designed to better accommodate women .
“ Cleaning up a mess is a big deal .
We don ’ t want any misses or escapes , ” said Johnson Space Center Project Manager Melissa McKinley .
Station residents will test it out for a few months .
If the shakedown goes well , the toilet will be open for regular business .
It ’ s packed inside a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ late Thursday from Wallops Island .
But the launch was aborted with just two minutes remaining in the countdown .
Also in the 8,000-pound shipment are air tanks to make up for a slight space station leak and a cinematic 360-degree VR camera for you-are-there-spacewalk shots .
Perhaps the most unique payload is Estee Lauder ’ s newest wrinkle serum .
The cosmetics company is paying $ 128,000 for an out-of-this-world photo shoot , part of NASA ’ s push to open the final frontier to marketing , industry and tourism .
Don @ @ @ @ @ @ @ though , to counter bathroom odors .
The serum is fragrance-free and the 10 bottles will remain sealed until returned to earth early next year .
Marcia Dunn is a reporter for The Associated Press .
The Virginia Star ’ s Eric Burk contributed to this report .

NASA launched a Northrop Grumman Antares rocket from its Wallops Island facility on Friday evening; the launch was visible across much of eastern and central Virginia. The rocket is sending a Cygnus spacecraft to the International Space Station with a $23 million experimental toilet, other hardware, and food resupplies including garlic, apples, brie cheese and dark chocolate covered cranberries.
Barely 100 pounds and just 28 inches tall, the new toilet is roughly half as big as the two Russian-built ones at the space station. It’s more camper-size to fit into the NASA Orion capsules that will carry astronauts to the moon in a few years. The toilet is made of titanium, and features a taller, tilted seat designed to better accommodate women.
“Cleaning up a mess is a big deal. We don’t want any misses or escapes,” said Johnson Space Center Project Manager Melissa McKinley.
Station residents will test it out for a few months. If the shakedown goes well, the toilet will be open for regular business. It’s packed inside a cargo ship that should have blasted off late Thursday from Wallops Island. But the launch was aborted with just two minutes remaining in the countdown.
Also in the 8,000-pound shipment are air tanks to make up for a slight space station leak and a cinematic 360-degree VR camera for you-are-there-spacewalk shots. Perhaps the most unique payload is Estee Lauder’s newest wrinkle serum. The cosmetics company is paying $128,000 for an out-of-this-world photo shoot, part of NASA’s push to open the final frontier to marketing, industry and tourism.
Don’t count on perfumed aromas, though, to counter bathroom odors. The serum is fragrance-free and the 10 bottles will remain sealed until returned to earth early next year.
– – –
Marcia Dunn is a reporter for The Associated Press. The Virginia Star’s Eric Burk contributed to this report.


thetennesseestar--2020-10-03--COVID-19 at Virginia Colleges and Universities: What Do the Numbers Say?

As many colleges and universities in Virginia continue on with in-person instruction for the 2020 fall semester during the coronavirus pandemic , the schools ’ COVID-19 dashboards offer insights into how the pandemic is affecting those institutions .
Since the global pandemic hit the United States back in March , more and more schools have created online COVID dashboards that present a plethora of data on total tests , case counts , positivity percentage and 7-day moving averages for positive tests .
In Virginia , most of the larger and well-known schools have been using COVID dashboards since July or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to campus .
Virginia Tech , University of Virginia ( UVA ) , James Madison University ( JMU ) , Virginia Commonwealth University and George Mason University are among some of the colleges to have their own unique dashboards , which the schools operate and update .
Now that most colleges are almost a month and a half into the semester , those dashboards reveal a glimpse of how the virus has impacted different schools thus far .
Take UVA for example .
As of Friday , UVA has reported 840 total cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ UVA COVID-19 dashboard .
In comparison , Virginia Tech has reported 1,067 cases since August 3 , while JMU – who temporarily sent students home and switched to online classes after a rise in positive cases and not enough quarantine/isolation rooms available for students – has reported 1,464 cases since July 1 , according to the school ’ s COVID dashboards .
Overall , the number of cases on college campuses in the Commonwealth has reached 5,300 , according to the Richmond Times-Dispatch .
What separates UVA from the rest , however , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only Virginia college that reports hospitalizations .
Since August 17 , UVA has reported 23 total hospitalizations , as of Thursday , with three of those occurring on Wednesday .
As of October 1 , the 7-day moving average for hospitalizations is 1.43 , according to the UVA dashboard .
It is important to note that UVA does not distinguish between faculty , staff , students or contracted workers for their hospitalization data .
The Virginia Star reached out to Dr. Lilian Peake , state epidemiologist for the Virginia Department of Health , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did not immediately hear back .
Jacob Taylor is a reporter at The Virginia Star and the Star News Digital Network .
Follow Jacob on Twitter .
Email tips to [ email protected ]

As many colleges and universities in Virginia continue on with in-person instruction for the 2020 fall semester during the coronavirus pandemic, the schools’ COVID-19 dashboards offer insights into how the pandemic is affecting those institutions.
Since the global pandemic hit the United States back in March, more and more schools have created online COVID dashboards that present a plethora of data on total tests, case counts, positivity percentage and 7-day moving averages for positive tests.
In Virginia, most of the larger and well-known schools have been using COVID dashboards since July or August, or when students first arrived to campus.
Virginia Tech, University of Virginia (UVA), James Madison University (JMU), Virginia Commonwealth University and George Mason University are among some of the colleges to have their own unique dashboards, which the schools operate and update.
Now that most colleges are almost a month and a half into the semester, those dashboards reveal a glimpse of how the virus has impacted different schools thus far.
Take UVA for example. As of Friday, UVA has reported 840 total cases since August 17, according to the UVA COVID-19 dashboard.
In comparison, Virginia Tech has reported 1,067 cases since August 3, while JMU – who temporarily sent students home and switched to online classes after a rise in positive cases and not enough quarantine/isolation rooms available for students – has reported 1,464 cases since July 1, according to the school’s COVID dashboards.
Overall, the number of cases on college campuses in the Commonwealth has reached 5,300, according to the Richmond Times-Dispatch.
What separates UVA from the rest, however, is the fact that they are the only Virginia college that reports hospitalizations.
Since August 17, UVA has reported 23 total hospitalizations, as of Thursday, with three of those occurring on Wednesday. As of October 1, the 7-day moving average for hospitalizations is 1.43, according to the UVA dashboard.
It is important to note that UVA does not distinguish between faculty, staff, students or contracted workers for their hospitalization data.
The Virginia Star reached out to Dr. Lilian Peake, state epidemiologist for the Virginia Department of Health, for comment on this story, but did not immediately hear back.
– – –
Jacob Taylor is a reporter at The Virginia Star and the Star News Digital Network. Follow Jacob on Twitter. Email tips to [email protected]