thetennesseestar--2020-08-22--Tennessee Group Says Education Commissioner Penny Schwinn Wants Too Great of a Role Nurturing Childr

Tennessee Group Says Education Commissioner Penny Schwinn Wants Too Great of a Role Nurturing Children

Tennessee Department of Education ( TDOE ) Commissioner Penny Schwinn is a leftist and a statist who wants the government to have too great of a role developing public school students , according to a video one organization released this week .
Gary Humble , speaking for Tennessee Stands , criticized Schwinn and the TDOE for proposing that state officials go to people ’ s homes to perform wellness checks on children .
Humble said that a lot of people had a problem with that proposal , and that ’ s why state officials put the program on hold .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and invasive statist program that left a lot of us scratching our heads thinking ‘ How in the world did that get here in the state of Tennessee ?
’ ” Humble asked in the video .
Humble then played clips of Schwinn that he took from various YouTube videos , where she used words such as “ privilege ” and “ equity.
” “ We see a break in the role of a parent and the role of the state , ” Humble said .
“ She wants an enhanced role of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tennessee over the competency of parents and our ability to parent our children.
” In other clips , Schwinn discussed addressing a public school students ’ physical , developmental , and exercise needs as well as tending to their addiction and poverty issues .
TDOE officials did not return The Tennessee Star ’ s request for comment Friday .
Tennessee Stands , according to its website , calls on Gov .
Bill Lee and other government officials at the county and state levels “ to restore our constitutional republic.
” As reported this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Tennessee General Assembly to amend the law to give additional counties the right to recall school board officials .
As The Tennessee Star reported last year , Schwinn , a graduate of the University of California at Berkeley , began her career in education working as a teacher for Teach for America .
Teach for America is a controversial non-profit organization that pays new college graduates to teach in urban schools as part of its mission to address “ educational inequity ” and “ help children overcome obstacles like systemic racism and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ journalist at The Tennessee Star .
Follow Chris on Facebook .
Email tips to [ email protected ]


thetennesseestar--2020-08-23--Davidson County GOP Schedules Outdoor Rally to Watch Donald Trump’s Acceptance Speech Thursday

Members of the Davidson County Republican Party have scheduled an outdoor rally to see a live feed of U.S. President Donald Trump ’ s acceptance speech at the GOP Convention Thursday night .
Organizers said that people who attend can watch the speech on a large screen .
According to eventbrite.com , organizers have scheduled the rally from 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday at Fontanel , located at 4125 Whites Creek Pike .
Metro Nashville Metro At-Large Council Member Steve Glover announced the rally on his Facebook page this week .
“ We know we ’ re the majority @ @ @ @ @ @ @ silent .
We ’ re going to make it loud and proud .
Here is the great thing about ours ’ .
It ’ s also a rally , ” Glover said .
“ We will come together as a team .
There won ’ t be anything burned .
There won ’ t be anything torn up .
What we ’ re going to do is be unified .
Then we ’ re going to cap the evening off with Trump ’ s acceptance speech.
” Organizers expect attendees to social distance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The event will feature live music .
U.S. Republican Senate candidate Bill Hagerty is among the scheduled in-person speakers , Glover said .
“ Absolutely no signage that is violent or ant-Trump or anti-Republican will be tolerated .
If you violate this rule , you will be escorted off the property , ” according to Eventbrite .
“ All tickets are final sale – absolutely no refunds .
All proceeds will go to cover the cost of the event and any additional funds will go to the Davidson County Republican Party.
” As @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Glover said some people dislike the idea of the event because of the threat of COVID-19 .
“ People automatically assumed that I don ’ t believe in COVID or I don ’ t believe in social distancing or masks or blah , blah , blah .
I don ’ t believe I said that .
I said ‘ follow the rules , ’ ” Glover said at the time .
Chris Butler is an investigative journalist at The Tennessee Star .
Follow Chris on Facebook .
Email tips to [ email protected @

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


thetennesseestar--2020-08-23--Commentary: Kamala Harris Won’t Motivate Minority Voters

Now that the Democrats have finally finished inflicting their excruciating “ virtual convention ” on us , it ’ s useful to consider what they inadvertently revealed about their biggest worry as the November election looms .
Nowhere was that angst more obvious than in Wednesday ’ s soporific speech by Kamala Harris accepting the party ’ s vice presidential nomination .
She began by invoking 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment , failing to mention that it was passed and shepherded through the ratification process by the Republican Party , then segued to a desperate plea : “ It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It ’ s about you … and getting out the vote.
” Translation : “ The Biden presidential campaign suffers from a deadly enthusiasm deficit.
” That deficit is , of course , why Harris was rescued from the rubble of her failed presidential campaign and installed on the Democratic ticket .
The Biden campaign is desperate to increase enthusiasm among the minority voters whose support for his candidacy remains so tepid that it threatens his already shrinking chances of winning in November .
The Biden campaign clearly believes that putting a woman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will convince this portion of the electorate to ignore his well-documented opposition to desegregation and long history of hobnobbing with white supremacists .
The Harris nomination confirms that Biden believes minority voters are idiots .
He and his handlers believe they will forget that Harris achieved her highest poll numbers last year by attacking him for his record on race and effusive praise of notorious segregationists such as Sens .
James Eastland ( D-Miss . )
and Herman Talmadge ( D-Ga. ) .
During a Democratic debate Harris berated Biden as follows : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ talk about the reputations of two United States senators who built their reputations and careers on the segregation of race in this country.
” This may have endeared Harris to the Democratic National Committee .
Nonetheless , her addition to their presidential ticket has damaged the longtime loyalty the party has enjoyed among minorities , according to a new Rasmussen poll ( emphasis added ) : That the addition of Harris to the Democratic ticket makes it less appealing to black voters shouldn ’ t be surprising .
A recent Economist/YouGov survey found @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Yes ” when asked if Biden should select an African-American to be his party ’ s nominee for vice president .
There is more bad news in the American University Black Swing Voter Project , as reported in The Conversation : “ Our new survey of 1,215 African Americans in battleground states — Wisconsin , Pennsylvania , Michigan , Florida , North Carolina and Georgia reveals … [ o ] nly 47 % of those Black Americans under 30 years old that we surveyed plan to vote for the presumed Democratic presidential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ These respondents , remember , are from swing states Biden must win .
They are concentrated in large cities that any Democrat has to carry to offset the rural and suburban areas that usually lean Republican .
In 2016 , it was Hillary Clinton ’ s inability to motivate these voters that cost her Michigan , Pennsylvania , and Wisconsin .
And , as the CBC ’ s Eric Grenier points out , Biden is doing even worse than Clinton in these states : “ His margin with Trump is two points lower @ @ @ @ @ @ @ point in 2016 in Iowa and Pennsylvania , three points narrower in Michigan and Minnesota and four points tighter in Wisconsin and Ohio.
” Moreover , the RealClearPolitics average shows Biden ’ s thin lead in these states shrinking .
All of which raises the following question : Was Kamala Harris really the smart choice ?
The whole point of adding her to the ticket was to strengthen Biden ’ s position with young voters and people of color .
Yet the only survey that shows her moving the needle at all indicates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The latest ABC News/Washington Post poll finds that Biden has slightly closed the enthusiasm gap — among white voters : “ It ’ s notably lower among racial and ethnic minorities , independents and younger adults — groups in which turnout can lag.
” The same poll suggests that her nomination will have little effect either way .
A majority of respondents ( 71 percent ) say Harris won ’ t have any impact on their vote .
Ultimately , in presidential elections , the voters cast their ballots based on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Biden campaign ’ s decision to nominate Kamala Harris was an act of desperation , and indications thus far suggest that it won ’ t help him with minority turnout .
Indeed , President Trump appears to have been the primary beneficiary of the virtual Democratic National Convention .
Katie Pavlich reports at Townhall that his approval rating went up four points after Wednesday night ’ s snoozefest .
Unless you believe that former VP Joe Biden knocked it out of the park last night , he and Kamala Harris are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bounce from their nominating convention .
David Catron is a recovering health care consultant and frequent contributor to The American Spectator .
You can follow him on Twitter at @ Catronicus .
Photo “ Kamala Harris ” by Gage Skidmore .
CC BY-SA 2.0 .


thetennesseestar--2020-08-23--Commentary: The Practice of Schools Using Empty Classes for Expensive Day Care, and Charging Parents

Commentary: The Practice of Schools Using Empty Classes for Expensive Day Care, and Charging Parents Twice Needs to End

Normally when a business shuts its doors , it doesn ’ t still get to charge its customers for a product they can no longer access .
It certainly doesn ’ t get to charge its customers twice for the privilege .
Yet , that ’ s exactly what we ’ re seeing from some public school districts .
They refuse to open their doors for in-person learning—citing safety risks—but they are able to open these same school buildings to charge overworked and tired parents for day care .
This is double-dipping into parents ’ pocketbooks , and it likely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ though they are not offering in-person instruction , parents ( and all taxpayers ) are required to pay taxes to pay for district schools .
As frustrating as that may be for parents , some districts—including Fairfax County , Virginia ; Howard County , Maryland ; Gilbert , Arizona ; and Durham , North Carolina—have decided to open up classrooms to groups of children , basically providing day care .
The kicker ?
Parents must pay the public school to participate in these custodial programs .
Howard County ’ s program costs $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gilbert ’ s , $ 160 per week .
Durham , which is reopening public schools as “ learning centers , ” is charging families $ 140 per child , per week .
Fairfax is finalizing what it plans to charge , but the local ABC affiliate reported that families would be charged on a sliding scale , up to $ 1,472 per child per month .
School districts created this artificial demand by keeping schools closed , and now districts are providing a “ solution ” that costs Americans more money .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ revenue ( despite being closed ) and forcing families to fork over hundreds of dollars per week for child care .
That ’ s profiting off the backs of parents who have already paid for “ free ” public schools .
It also begs the question : If unions and district officials say it ’ s not safe to open schools for learning , why is it safe to open them for custodial care of students ?
And it may run afoul of state law .
For example , as the Reason Foundation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Virginia Constitution reads : “ The General Assembly shall provide for a system of free public elementary and secondary schools for all children of school age throughout the Commonwealth.
” Virginia isn ’ t an outlier .
All states require free public schools in their state constitutions .
Charging between $ 140 and $ 325 per child , per week—the equivalent of $ 5,000 to $ 11,700 for 36 weeks of schooling—is a far cry from “ free , ” particularly when it comes on top of what families already are paying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that public schools are actually free in nonpandemic times either ; they are simply free at the point of delivery .
In Fairfax County , which largely has failed to provide students any meaningful instruction or content online during the COVID-19 pandemic , local revenue ( $ 10,791 ) added to state revenue ( $ 3,242 ) means parents are financing more than $ 14,000 in revenue per pupil , per year , not including federal funding .
Now the Fairfax school district is asking upward of an additional $ 13,000 to look @ @ @ @ @ @ @ instruction this year .
Instead of creatively figuring out new ways to tax their residents , school districts actually should help parents navigate the disruption they are facing from the pandemic .
At the same time , state lawmakers should free up existing education dollars to follow students instead of school buildings they can ’ t access unless they pay even more money .
Taxpayers spend more than $ 700 billion annually on K-12 public schools .
States should free up their share of those existing education dollars to follow students to learning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which provide instruction , care , and socialization for students .
States should immediately provide education savings accounts to all families funded with 90 % of what the state would have spent on the child in the public school system .
Families currently are unable to access the public school they rely on and that they fund as taxpayers .
Rather than districts ’ double-charging families for what are supposed to be “ free ” public schools , states immediately should make education dollars student-centered and portable in the form of education @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to control existing funding , and direct it to learning options—in-person , hybrid , or virtual—that are the right fit for their children .
And it would put an end to district double-dipping .
Lindsey M. Burke researches and writes on federal and state education issues as the Will Skillman fellow in education policy at The Heritage Foundation .


thetennesseestar--2020-08-23--Police Officers Were Compared to Slave Owners and KKK Members in an Assignment Given at a Texas Scho

Police Officers Were Compared to Slave Owners and KKK Members in an Assignment Given at a Texas School

An assignment given to students at a Texas school included a political cartoon comparing police officers to slave owners and Klu Klux Klan members , the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported .
The cartoon reportedly depicted five scenes , allegedly starting with a slave ship officer who was kneeling on a black man ’ s neck and ended with a police officer kneeling on a black man ’ s neck with text saying “ I can ’ t breathe , ” the Star-tribune reported .
The assignment was reportedly given to social studies students at Cooper Junior High within the Wylie @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Dallas , Texas .
“ In hindsight , we say that they could have picked a more balanced approach , ” Wylie Independent School District spokesperson Ian Halperin said , the Star-Telegram reported .
“ Editorial cartoons have a place in education , but try to present a more balanced approach as an educator.
” The cartoon was reportedly meant to teach the students about political satire while they learned about the Bill of Rights , the Star-Tribune reported .
The assignment was removed after criticism , and the cartoon was not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ curriculum , according to Halperin .
The incident is being reviewed and disciplinary action has yet to be taken , however , district officials have met with staff to go over presentation guidelines , the Star-Tribune reported .
“ The last thing we want is for our young people to be scared to talk to us or confide in us , ” Wylie Police Chief Anthony Henderson said , the Star-Tribune reported .
Henderson said the cartoon harms the positive relationship between students and the department , the Star-Tribune reported .
The vice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Police , Joe Gamaldi , reportedly called the cartoon “ abhorrent and disturbing ” in a letter to Superintendent David Vinson .
“ We are willing to sit down with anyone and have a fact-based conversation about our profession , but divisiveness like your teachers showed does nothing to move that conversation forward , ” Gamaldi said in the letter shared by the police organization ’ s Twitter account .
Gamaldi reportedly echoed Henderson ’ s message , noting that when teachers introduce divisive material to students it ’ s harder to maintain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a reporter for the Daily Caller News Foundation .
Photo “ Police School Assignment ” by National Fraternal Order of Police .


thetennesseestar--2020-08-23--Feds Charge Former Green Beret with Espionage with Russia

FALLS CHURCH , Virginia ( AP ) — A former Army Green Beret living in northern Virginia was arrested on Friday , charged with divulging military secrets about his unit ’ s activities in former Soviet republics during more than a decade of contacts with Russian intelligence .
Peter Rafael Dzibinski Debbins , 45 , told Russian intelligence he considered himself a “ son of Russia , ” according to an indictment made public after his arrest .
“ Debbins thought that the United States was too dominant in the world and needed to be cut down to size , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ states that Debbins was motivated in part because of bitterness over his Army career and a desire to establish business contacts in Russia .
The espionage took place from 1996 to 2011 , prosecutors say .
The case against Debbins is the second Justice Department prosecution announced this week accusing a government or military official of transmitting U.S. secrets to a foreign country .
The other case , in Hawaii , charged a former CIA officer with spying for China .
The two prosecutions “ demonstrate that we must remain vigilant against espionage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russia and China , ” Assistant Attorney General John Demers , the Justice Department ’ s top national security official , said in a statement .
Debbins ’ mother was born in the Soviet Union , and Debbins met his wife in the Russian city of Chelyabinsk , where they were married in 1997 , according to the indictment .
Debbins , of Gainesville , periodically met Russian intelligence beginning in 1996 , when he was an ROTC student at the University of Minnesota , through 2011 .
As far back as 1997 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ name by Russian intelligence agents — Ikar Lesnikov — after signing a statement saying that he wanted to serve Russia , according to prosecutors .
Debbins received nominal payments for his information , even though he initially refused the money .
In one meeting with Russian intelligence , he accepted a bottle of Cognac and a Russian military uniform as payment , according to the indictment .
“ When service members collude to provide classified information to our foreign adversaries , they betray the oaths they swore to their country and their fellow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Terwilliger , U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia , whose office is prosecuting the case .
“ As this indictment reflects , we will be steadfast and dogged in holding such individuals accountable.
” Debbins , who was arrested Friday , will have an initial court appearance on Monday .
Online court records remained sealed , so it was unclear whether Debbins has an attorney .
He is charged under the Espionage Act with providing national defense information to those not entitled to receive it .
He could face up to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and later Top Secret security clearances during the time of his criminal conduct , and served in the Army Special Forces as well , according to the indictment .
The indictment alleges Debbins ’ espionage began in late 1996 when he gave one of his Russian handlers the names of four Catholic nuns he had visited while in Russia .
He was assigned to a chemical unit in South Korea in 1998 and 1999 , and the indictment says he provided his Russian handlers information about that deployment .
He later deployed with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Georgia .
He also allegedly provided information and names of his fellow Special Forces members .
On multiple occasions , the Russian handlers asked Debbins for U.S. military field manuals .
Debbins explained that he was unable to provide them because he believed that carrying the manuals would prompt Homeland Security to stop him at the airport and seize his electronic devices .
The indictment states that Debbins lost his security clearance and command of his unit for an unspecified security violation in 2004 or 2005 , and then left the military in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worked from 2005 through 2010 in Minnesota for a Ukrainian steel manufacture and a transportation company .
His security clearance was restored in 2010 by an Army adjudicator , according to the indictment , though the reinstatement came with a warning that his family and business connections to Russia might make him ” the target of a foreign intelligence service.
” Debbins had told his Russian handlers as far back as 1997 that he wanted to leave the military , but they encouraged him to stay .
They also encouraged his decision to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he was of no use to the Russian intelligence service as an infantry commander.
” According to the indictment , military officers questions Debbins about his travel after visits to Russia in 2000 and 2003 , but he failed to disclose his interactions with Russian intelligence .
The court papers do not explain what led prosecutors to bring charges now or how he came to be under criminal investigation .
Matthew Barakat is a reporter for The Associated Press .
AP writer Eric Tucker contributed to this report .
About the Headline Photo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Alexandria , Va , Sheriff ’ s Office , shows Peter Debbins , a former Army Green Beret , who was arrested Friday , Aug. 21 , 2020 , for allegedly conspiring with Russian intelligence operatives to provide them with United States national defense information .
( Alexandria Sheriff ’ s Office via AP )


thetennesseestar--2020-08-23--The U.S. National Debt Has Exceeded the Total Value of the GDP

The U.S. national debt now exceeds the size of America ’ s total gross domestic product and the milestone may have been met as early as June , according to a Friday New York Times report .
America ’ s federal debt stands at around $ 26.6 trillion — an approximate $ 7 trillion increase since 2016 , according to fiscal data from the Treasury Department .
Total U.S. gross domestic product ( GDP ) was just over $ 19.4 trillion at the end of June , according to a July 30 release from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ months can be blamed on the coronavirus pandemic , according to the Economic Policy Institute .
COVID-19 is largely responsible for the GDP to deficit ratio , joblessness and reduction of income , EPI reported .
GDP decreased 3.4 % in the first quarter of 2020 and is projected to fall another 34.3 % in the second quarter , according to BEA .
The U.S. government under the direction of President Donald Trump spent roughly $ 2.4 trillion on the first stimulus package in April , which granted over 90 million Americans a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ USA Today .
The Federal Reserve contributed another $ 4 trillion in efforts to combat the economic effects of the virus , the Washington Post reported .
The rising government spending doesn ’ t seem to concern some experts and the public .
“ At this stage , I think , nobody is very worried about debt , ” a senior fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics Olivier Blanchard told the New York Times .
“ It ’ s clear that we can probably go where we are going , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many countries .
And that ’ s not the end of the world.
” Around 47 % of adults think the rising deficit is highly problematic , which is a substantial reduction from 55 % who were wary of the spending in 2018 , according to Pew Research Center .
Approximately 58 % of Americans call the pandemic a “ very big problem , ” Pew reported .
Some experts , despite the rising debt , insist the U.S. government has enough “ room ” for yet another stimulus package , according to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very clear is that the U.S. economy has some room , ” global chief investment officer of fixed income at BlackRock , an investment firm , Rick Rieder said .
“ I would argue that we still have room now for another fiscal package.
” Jake Dima is a reporter for the Daily Caller News Foundation .


thetennesseestar--2020-08-23--California Wildfires Some of Largest in State History

SAN FRANCISCO , California ( AP ) — Lightning-sparked wildfires in Northern California exploded in size Friday to become some of the largest in state history , forcing thousands to flee and destroying hundreds of homes and other structures as reinforcements began arriving to help weary firefighters .
More than 12,000 firefighters aided by helicopters and air tankers are battling wildfires throughout California .
Three groups of fires , called complexes , burning north , east and south of San Francisco have together scorched 991 square miles ( 2,566 square kilometers ) , destroyed more than 500 structures and killed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are under evacuation orders .
The number of personnel assigned to the sprawling LNU Complex — a cluster of blazes burning in the heart of wine country north of San Francisco — doubled to more than 1,000 firefighters Friday , Cal Fire Division Chief Ben Nicholls said .
“ I ’ m happy to say there are resources all around the fire today .
We have engines on all four sides of it working hand-in-hand with the bulldozers to start containing this fire , putting it to bed , ” Nicholls aid .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ amounts of fixed-wing aircraft ” were working Friday to stop a large blaze from reaching communities in the West Dry Creek Valley of Sonoma County , he said .
The blazes , coming during a heat wave that has seen temperatures top 100 degrees , are taxing the state ’ s firefighting capacity but assistance from throughout the country was beginning to arrive , with 10 states sending fire crews , engines and aircraft to help , Gov .
Gavin Newsom said .
“ We have more people but it ’ s not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but it ’ s still not enough and that ’ s why we need support from our federal partners , ” Newsom said .
Newsom thanked President Donald Trump ’ s administration for its help a day after pushing back on Trump ’ s criticism of the state ’ s wildfire prevention work , saying that he has a “ strong personal relationship with the president.
” “ While he may make statements publicly , the working relationship privately has been a very effective one , ” Newsom said .
There are 560 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ small and remote but there are about two dozen major fires , mainly in Northern California .
Many blazes were sparked by thousands of lightning strikes earlier in the week .
Tens of thousands of homes were threatened by flames that drove through dense and bone-dry trees and brush .
Some fires doubled in size within 24 hours , fire officials said .
With firefighting resources tight , homes in remote , hard-to-get-to places burned unattended .
CalFire Chief Mark Brunton pleaded with residents to quit battling fires on their own , saying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ professionals .
“ We had last night three separate rescues that pulled our vital , very few resources away , ” he said .
An anxious Rachel Stratman , 35 , and her husband , Quentin Lareau , 40 , waited for word Friday about their home in the Forest Springs community of Boulder Creek , in Santa Cruz County , after evacuating earlier this week .
She knew one house burned but received conflicting information about the rest of the neighborhood .
“ It ’ s so hard to wait and not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I ’ m still torn if I want people to be going back to the area and videotaping .
I know they cause the firefighters distraction , but that ’ s the only way we know.
” The couple were in a San Jose hotel with medication she needs after undergoing a transplant surgery last month .
She collected her mother ’ s ashes and some clothes while her husband closed windows and readied the home before they evacuated Tuesday .
“ I kept looking at things and kept thinking I should grab @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told myself I needed to leave .
I didn ’ t bring any official documents and I didn ’ t bring my house deed or car title .
No passport , ” she said .
The ferocity of the fires was astonishing so early in the fire season , which historically has seen the largest and deadliest blazes when dry gusts blow in the fall .
But the death toll already had reached at least six since the majority of blazes started less than a week ago .
Five deaths involved fires burning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The other death was a helicopter pilot who crashed while dropping water on a blaze in Fresno County .
Henry Wofford , spokesman for the Napa County Sheriff ’ s Office , said three of the bodies were found Thursday in a burned home .
The area was under an evacuation order due to “ very , very heavy ” fire that he said burned multiple homes .
He said authorities are trying to determine the identities .
In neighboring Solano County , Sheriff Thomas A. Ferrara reported the death of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Pacific Gas & Electric utility worker who was found dead Wednesday in a vehicle in the Vacaville area .
At least 14,000 people in Solano County remained under mandatory evacuation Friday , Solano County Undersheriff Brad DeWall said .
He said 119 homes have been destroyed in his county .
At least two other people were missing and more than 30 civilians and firefighters have been injured , authorities said .
Smoke and ash billowing from the fires has fouled the air throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and along California ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lightning Complex fire burning east of San Francisco started Tuesday and the slightly smaller LNU Lightning Complex burning in wine country that was sparked a day earlier already have become among the 10 largest wildfires in state history .
Firefighters had only contained a small portion of the wildfires by Friday afternoon .
In Napa County , Crosswalk Community Church has transformed its sanctuary and gymnasium into an evacuation shelter , filling the floor with cots spaced at least 6 feet ( 1.8 meters ) apart .
Pastor Peter Shaw said the church @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stopping for resources .
Some were just looking for information , while others needed gift cards for food and basic needs .
“ COVID-19 complicates everything , ” Shaw wrote in an email to The Associated Press .
“ Socially distanced cots drastically decreases our capacity.
” A few people have stayed the night , Shaw said , adding several people parked their RVs in the church parking lot .
“ The longer the evacuations stay in place , I suspect the more people we will see , ” he said .
Eric @ @ @ @ @ @ @ evacuate after seeing ash , burned leaves and charred bark fall around his family ’ s home in Boulder Creek earlier this week .
He , his 11-year-old son , girlfriend Gundy Sartor , and neighbor Lesley Wludyga packed a pet lizard and important documents and headed north to Redwood City .
But as of Friday , he still hadn ’ t heard if his home had survived .
He read on social media that firefighters had to retreat from the area .
“ Obviously , the current resources dedicated to the fire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also understand that California is burning , and they are doing what they can , ” Swensen said .
Olga R. Rodriguez and Janie Har are reporters for The Associated Press .
AP writers Martha Mendoza in Santa Cruz , Camille Fassett in Redwood City and John Antczak in Los Angeles contributed to this report .
About the Headline Photo : A property is ravaged by the CZU August Lightning Complex Fire , Thursday , Aug. 20 , 2020 , in Bonny Doon , Calif. ( AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez )


thetennesseestar--2020-08-23--Two Colleges Suspend Students for Gatherings That Broke Coronavirus Restrictions

Syracuse University and Purdue University have suspended dozens of students for attending gatherings that violated coronavirus restrictions before classes have begun , the schools announced this week .
Both universities had policies and pledges implemented in order to reduce the spread of COVID-19 , including face mask wearing , social distancing guidelines and restrictions on event sizes , according to statements from the schools .
Syracuse University put 23 students on “ interim suspension ” for participating in a quad gathering Wednesday that didn ’ t comply with coronavirus restrictions on gatherings of over 25 people not for wearing masks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statement .
At least 100 students gathered on Syracuse University ’ s quad , which students previously were able to use for social gatherings , according to student newspaper the Daily Orange .
“ Last night , a large group of first-year students selfishly jeopardized the very thing that so many of you claim to want from Syracuse University—that is , a chance at a residential college experience , ” J. Michael Haynie , vice chancellor for strategic initiatives and innovation at Syracuse , said in a Thursday statement .
“ I say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Quad last night may have done damage enough to shut down campus , including residence halls and in-person learning , before the academic semester even begins , ” Haynie said .
Haynie said that the students intentionally “ ignored New York public health law ” and the university ’ s safety pledge .
Haynie called their actions “ selfish and unsettling ” and endangers those who depend on campus living facilities , according to the statement .
The Daily Orange reported that video of the event had surfaced Thursday , about a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The gathering started at approximately 9:45 p.m. , but the group disbanded at around 10:30 p.m. after school safety officers arrived , Department of Public Safety Chief Bobby Maldonado and Dean of Students Marianne Thompson said in a joint statement .
Consequences for violating Syracuse ’ s coronavirus guidelines include , but aren ’ t limited to , expulsion , suspension and eviction from campus housing , Maldonado and Thompson said , statement .
Purdue University suspended 36 students and the Circle Pines Cooperative for gathering at an off-campus residence from Aug. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Protect Purdue Pledge , university spokesman Tim Doty confirmed to the Daily Caller News Foundation .
University police had responded to a noise complaint of a large party at the house , according to campus newspaper the Exponent .
Police who responded said they did not see any masks being worn , the Exponent reported .
Breaking the Protect Purdue Pledge , which includes a commitment to wear a mask , is considered as severe as offenses like as hazing and “ academic dishonesty , ” according to a Purdue statement .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with our messaging to students about the Protect Purdue Plan and the expectations they would need to follow if they made the decision to be on campus this fall , ” Purdue ’ s Dean of Students Katie Sermersheim noted in a statement provided to the DCNF .
“ Unfortunately , everything we have done – the months of planning to give our students the opportunity to continue their educational pursuits in person – can be undone in the blink of an eye – with just one party or event that does not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sermersheim said .
The students can appeal their suspensions , and final a decision will be reached after a hearing , Doty told the DCNF .
Syracuse University did not immediately respond to the DCNF .
Mary Rose Corkey is a reporter for the Daily Caller News Foundation .


thetennesseestar--2020-08-23--Border Agents Arrest Two Illegal Immigrants Traveling with $16,000 Cash, Guns and Ammo

A makeshift wooden vessel carrying two men from the Dominican Republic was spotted and intercepted three miles off the coast of Aguadilla , Puerto Rico , by U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents Thursday morning .
The men were traveling in a “ yola ” type vessel with a “ significant amount of weapons and ammo , ” a CBP spokesman told the Daily Caller News Foundation .
Two men were arrested and the vessel was seized .
“ Transnational Criminal organizations regularly transport narcotics and undocumented migrants through the Mona passage into western Puerto Rico , ” CBP Public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ In the past we have seized individual weapons that have been in the possession of smugglers .
This is an unusual incident.
” CBP agents seized an American Tactical .223 Caliber Rifle , a KG .223 Caliber Rifle with no serial number , a KAR-15 .223 Caliber Rifle , a Glock 27 .40 Caliber Pistol that had been altered , a Smith & Wesson SW40F .40 Caliber Pistol .
The agents reportedly seized $ 16,000 U.S. dollars worth of cash , Deputy Chief Patrol Agent Michael E. Estrada said in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seized around 575 rounds of ammunition .
They found 20 rounds of .308 caliber rifle ammunition , 266 rounds of .223 caliber rifle ammunition , seven .223 caliber rifle magazines , two .223 caliber rifle drum magazines , 250 rounds of .40 caliber pistol ammunition , 39 rounds of 9MM pistol ammunition , two rounds of .45 caliber pistol ammunition , seven .40 caliber pistol magazines , and two 9MM pistol magazines , according to Quiñones .
CBP agents also found four pocket knives and three bottles of tequila , but they weren @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kaylee Greenlee is a reporter for the Daily Caller News Foundation .


thetennesseestar--2020-08-23--Jack Dorsey Donates $10 Million to a Group Headed by an Activist Who Wants to Make Racism Unconstitu

Jack Dorsey Donates $10 Million to a Group Headed by an Activist Who Wants to Make Racism Unconstitutional

Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey announced Thursday his decision to gave a no-strings-attached $ 10 million donation to an anti-racist group headed by an activist who once promoted the idea of amending the U.S. Constitution to prohibit racism .
The tech billionaire gave the money to Boston University ’ s Center for Antiracist Research , a project launched by scholar Ibram X. Kendi , who expressed support in 2019 for a constitutional amendment that he claims would “ fix the original sin of racism.
” Dorsey said in a tweet Thursday that he is grateful for Kendi ’ s work .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the Center for Antiracist Research at BU , ” Dorsey wrote .
“ This research will inform and fuel much needed and overdue policy change .
I appreciate you Dr. Kendi , and I ’ m grateful for your work !
” Kendi explained in a Politico Magazine article in 2019 why an amendment to the Constitution is necessary to target racism .
“ Americans should pass an anti-racist amendment to the U.S. Constitution that enshrines two guiding anti-racist principals : Racial inequity is evidence of racist policy and the different racial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the time .
Kendi explained that the amendment “ would establish and permanently fund the Department of Anti-racism ( DOA ) composed of formally trained experts on racism.
” The hypothetical department ’ s experts “ would be responsible for preclearing all local , state and federal public policies to ensure they won ’ t yield racial inequity.
” Dorsey is providing cover for “ Woke Stalinism , ” Inez Stepman , a senior policy analyst at the conservative Independent Women ’ s Forum , said in a tweet Thursday .
She @ @ @ @ @ @ @ group and included a screenshot of Kendi ’ s POLITICO Magazine piece .
“ Twitter CEO donates $ 10M to a guy who openly argues for an unelected , unaccountable commission that reviews ALL LAWS and ALL PUBLIC OFFICE SEEKERS for compliance with his ideology , ” she told her Twitter followers Thursday .
“ Woke Stalinism sounds good to Jack I guess.
” Dorsey has donated to social justice causes in the past .
He donated $ 3 million in June to former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick ’ s activist group , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 3mm to Colin @ Kaepernick7 ’ s @ yourrightscamp to advance the liberation and well-being of Black and Brown communities through education , self-empowerment , mass-mobilization to elevate the next generation of change leaders , ” Dorsey wrote in a June 3 tweet .
Chris White is a reporter for the Daily Caller News Foundation .
Photo “ Ibram X. Kendi ” by Ibram X. Kendi .


thetennesseestar--2020-08-23--Advocates Sound Alarm Over Absentee Ballot Signature Verifications in Michigan

Election integrity advocates believe something fishy is going on in Wayne County with absentee ballots , and they say Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson is undermining the security of the process there and across Michigan .
Glen Sitek of the Election Integrity Fund provided an exclusive statement to The Michigan Star .
Our organization contacted The Amistad Project at the Thomas More Law Center about possible litigation .
Now we learn of about the abundant problems in the Wayne County primary as well .
The Secretary of State process to verify the signatures by comparison to the Voters Rolls failed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could have been much worse except for the citizenry working the polls that reported and objected to it .
We are obligated to correct this debacle to assure good citizens the process will be secure and let them know that their vote will count .
To this end we will pursue by all means to expose and help correct the problems witnessed .
We will have more to add Monday when next we meet .
Sitek was referring to a big announcement that the Election Integrity Fund and The Amistad Project at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , said The Amistad Project ’ s director , Phil Kline .
The Election Integrity Fund told the law center that the secretary of state was using COVID-19 emergency orders to sidestep state laws protecting ballots , he said .
So , The Amistad Project began investigating .
They learned that the secretary had greatly increased the use of absentee ballots through various measures and diminished the number of in-person voting centers , yet has not taken any steps to ensure the integrity of absentee ballots is protected , Kline said .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ absentee ballots are a valid way to vote and The Amistad Project does not oppose their use .
But , the concern is when a ballot leaves election officials ’ control and you can not ensure the voter is not intimidated or coerced .
Nor can you see if the intended voter is the one casting the ballot .
Therefore , signature verification is required , Kline said .
Benson is undermining that requirement in several ways , he said , and added his organization has talked to local clerks .
She is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on how to verify signatures .
She does not have a method to verify .
She has told the public that Michigan has software to verify signatures , but again , local clerks say that is not true .
Kline pointed to a comment that Benson made June 30 on “ The Frank Beckmann Show , ” claiming that the state has the sophisticated software to verify signatures .
On the clip , Beckmann said that Susan McCullough , Oakland Township deputy clerk , refuted Benson ’ s claim .
State Sen. Ruth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Michigan Secretary of State , posted that clip on her public Facebook page , available here .
She was interviewed in the segment about the state not having the software and of a lack of training for clerks .
Johnson posted , “ Thank you to WJR Radio and The Frank Beckmann Show for setting the record straight !
Despite claims by the Secretary of State on your program last week , we ’ ve learned no Michigan clerk has actually been provided signature verification tool.
” The Election Integrity Fund and The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ another absentee ballot issue .
They pointed to an election challenger ’ s observations .
Bob Cushman worked as an election challenger for the Michigan Republican Party at the TCF Center absentee voter counting board at 1 Washington Blvd .
in Detroit during the Aug. 4 election .
He said he was present from about 6:50 a.m. Aug. 4 until about 5:10 a.m. Aug. 5 .
He signed an affidavit saying there were numerous poll books missing for ballots .
He said he and others mentioned that issue to election officials , one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had been sorted would not be processed until poll books were available .
He said that later in the process , workers were told to stop comparing absentee ballots to poll book lists and not verify signatures .
The problems continued in the early morning hours of August 5 : An announcement was made at 0037 that chastised all the workers that were and had been leaving early .
The threat was made that the $ 100.00 bonus that had been promised earlier ( over the PA ) would not be paid .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 2020 , a soft male voice , from the PA system , instructed everyone to stop what they are doing , open every envelope , separate the ballots , and place them into the trays to go to the tabulators .
Immediately thereafter , a second firmer , louder ( different ) male voice over the PA system repeated the instructions .
During the time of the above two announcements , a statement was made over the PA system that “ we ” could either finish in one hour or a couple @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not remember which of the two male announcers made this comment .
About 20 minutes after the announcements , I walked around the TCF Center and noted that there were no more comparisons being made to the pollbooks at any of the tables that I observed .
I continued to make round of the floor with the same observations .
After the announcements around 2 A.M. , the election inspectors were opening all of the ballots as quickly as possible and preparing them for immediate tabulation without additional processing or notation .
At @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2020 , I spoke with Mr. Hagood .
He informed me that there was no simple print out of the totals that I could obtain , but he noted that about 76,000 ballots had been processed in total .
Kline said his team has been in contact with other local election officials who are willing to sign affidavits about election problems .
In addition to the breaking news coming Monday , the Amistad Project at The Thomas More Law Center on Monday will launch a new website , which will be available here @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the law center ’ s work in Michigan and other states .
Jason M. Reynolds has more than 20 years ’ experience as a journalist at outlets of all sizes .


thetennesseestar--2020-08-23--Ohio Sees Unemployment Rate Drop in July

Ohio ’ s unemployment rate for July dropped to 8.9 percent , down from the revised June rate of 11 percent , according to new data from the state .
In a clear sign of the COVID-19 pandemic ’ s impact on the state ’ s economy , the unemployment rate in July is up from 4.2 percent in July 2019 , state numbers show .
“ Ohio ’ s July jobs report indicates that the rapid recovery from the depths of the pandemic recession has slowed compared to May and June , when Ohio recovered half of its job @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people back to work , ” Rea S. Hederman Jr. , executive director of the Economic Research Center at The Buckeye Institute and vice president of policy , said in a statement .
“ Although the unemployment rate fell from 11 percent to 8.9 percent , the sharp decline in Ohio ’ s labor force participation rate , ” which was down 1.6 percentage points , “ shows that many unemployed Ohioans have left the labor force and have stopped looking for work—a concerning sign in the state ’ s ongoing economic recovery @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the unemployment rate for July was 10.2 percent , down from 11.1 percent in June , but an increase from 3.7 percent in July 2019 .
Non-agricultural wage and salary employment in the Buckeye State increased 62,700 over the month , state numbers revealed .
Concurrently , the number of unemployed workers was down 133,000 .
“ July ’ s jobs report shows Ohio ’ s businesses are struggling to recover from the pandemic and that workers are struggling to find jobs , ” Hederman said .
“ To reverse this , policymakers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ businesses can confidently re-open and people can safely return to work .
“ Ohio also needs to partner with private companies to expand broadband service to underserved areas and needs to permanently expand telehealth , ” Hederman added .
“ These two efforts will ensure Ohio can continue to respond to the pandemic with quality medical care , and that workers and students have the resources they need to work and go to school online—all of which are vital to Ohio ’ s economic recovery.
” An unrelated WalletHub analysis found Ohio ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
20 nationwide , ahead of Michigan ( No .
23 ) , Indiana ( No .
24 ) and Pennsylvania ( No .
44 ) .
However , it ranked behind Kentucky ( No .
3 ) .
Todd Defeo is a contributor to The Center Square .


thetennesseestar--2020-08-23--COVID-19 Vaccine Will Be Mandated in Virginia, State Health Commissioner Says

Virginia State Health Commissioner Dr. Oliver Norman said on Friday that he would mandate a COVID-19 vaccine if publicly available , according to 8News , but a bill under consideration in the Virginia General Assembly would provide a religious exemption .
Under Virginia state law , the commissioner of health has the authority to mandate immediate immunizations during a public health crisis like COVID-19 if a vaccine is available to the public .
While commenting on and supporting a mandated COVID-19 vaccine , Norman was sharing his personal opinion as a doctor .
The Northam administration has not taken an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vaccine for adults , Virginia Department of Health spokesperson , Julie Grimes , told The Virginia Star .
“ [ COVID-19 ] is killing people now , we don ’ t have a treatment for it and if we develop a vaccine that can prevent it from spreading in the community we will save hundreds and hundreds of lives , ” Norman said , according to 8News .
Norman also said that as long as he is still health commissioner when a vaccine is ready , a mandate will be made and that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID vaccine used for mass immunization of the public , according to 8News .
In the Virginia General Assembly 2020 special session , Del .
Mark Cole ( R-Stafford County ) introduced a bill , HB 5016 , which would allow Virginians to object to the administration of a vaccine on religious grounds .
“ Government does not have the right to force someone to violate their religious rights ; no one should be forced to take a vaccine , ” Cole told The Star .
“ Vaccines that have been tested and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be offered to the public , and I am confident that the vast majority of people will take advantage of it , including myself .
That in itself will be enough to develop a ‘ herd immunity.
’ There is no reason to force people to take the vaccine against their will.
” Cole also expressed concerns that the rush to develop a COVID-19 vaccine as soon as possible may lead to effectiveness and safety testing protocols being rushed or not adhered to completely .
Since the House of Delegates is not considering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ procedures to formalize virtual sessions , the bill is waiting to be heard by the Health , Welfare and Institutions Committee .
Currently , only people with documented proof from a licensed Virginia physician that a vaccine is detrimental to their health would be exempt from the health commissioner ’ s mandate .
Norman said that he opposes Cole ’ s bill and that public health must be valued above personal choice in the case of COVID-19 , but does not know what a potential punishment would be for people who do not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 8News .
In a poll conducted by the Pew Research Center , 72 percent of U.S. adults surveyed said they would get a COVID-19 vaccine while 27 percent would not .
Looking at the demographic breakdown of the survey responses , 44 percent of Black U.S. adults and 34 percent of Republicans or leaning Republican surveyed said they would not get a vaccine .
Jacob Taylor is a reporter at The Virginia Star and the Star News Network .
Follow Jacob on Twitter .
Email tips to [ email protected ]


thetennesseestar--2020-08-23--Minnesota Freedom Fund Bails Another Violent Criminal: He Immediately Reoffends

The Minnesota Freedom Fund ( MFF ) bailed another violent criminal , Lionel Melaki Timms , who reoffended three days after failing to appear in court .
Timms ’ most recent victim now suffers from a traumatic brain injury , fractured skull , and brain bleed .
Police responded to a call about a robbery and assault on August 14 .
The victim , a local manager at Mac ’ s Industrial Sports Bar , was discovered face-down in an alleyway .
Eyewitnesses described a suspect that matched Timms ’ description .
One witness ’ s photo of the suspect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ later that afternoon .
Back in mid-July , Timms was arrested for attacking a bus passenger in Bloomington .
According to the victim and the driver , the suspect allegedly repeatedly punched the victim ’ s face after refusing to give up any money .
Police later arrested Timms not far from the crime scene .
After both parties positively identified the suspect as Timms , he was charged with felony third-degree assault .
Timms has also been arrested in Minnesota and Arkansas for burglary in the past .
According to a court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 10,000 cash bail for Timms ’ release several weeks after his arrest .
The document states that the money would be returned to MFF once Timms completed his August 11 trial .
However , Timms failed to appear .
Following the warrant issued for Timms ’ arrest , the MFF tweeted that cash bail is “ an abusive system that criminalizes poverty and takes a disproportionate toll on Black people , Indigenous people , and people of color.
” The MFF argued that nobody should be detained before trial if they can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ situations , a typical bail bonds company would usually send bounty hunters after Timms to recoup their money from the court .
The MFF doesn ’ t .
Instead , the nonprofit simply forfeits the money .
This isn ’ t the first time this has happened : the MFF has a history of using donations intended for jailed George Floyd protestors to bail out violent offenders .
Timms is scheduled to appear in court mid-September .
His cumulative bail is now $ 90,000 .
Corinne Murdock is a reporter at The Minnesota @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Follow her latest on Twitter , or email tips to [ email protected ] .


thetennesseestar--2020-08-23--Gov. Walz’s Administration to Challenge Line Three Approval

The six-year battle in Minnesota over Enbridge ’ s 1960 ’ s-era Line 3 pipeline will continue .
The Minnesota Department of Commerce ( DOC ) on Wednesday will appeal the Public Utilities Commission ’ s ( PUC ) February decision that approved the project ’ s certificate of need .
The Enbridge project would replace Line 3 ’ s 337-mile long , 34-inch pipeline in Minnesota , which operates at 51 percent capacity due to corrosion , with a new 36-inch wide pipeline .
The replacement would boost average oil flow to 760,000 barrels per day .
Supporters say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Enbridge says it would pay around $ 65 million in Minnesota property taxes in the project ’ s first functional year .
“ This appeal is consistent with previous Department actions and with the approval process laid out in Minnesota law , ” the DOC said in a statement .
The DOC said the PUC erred because Enbridge didn ’ t introduce a proper crude oil demand forecast .
The department also said that the PUC shifted the burden of proof from Enbridge to the DOC “ to show that demand for product @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the forecast period.
” Enbridge said in a statement that the appeal was disappointing and “ is not supported by evidence or Minnesota law.
” The Calgary , Alberta-based company said the replacement project has undergone more than 70 public meetings and a 13,500-page Environmental Impact Statement .
Enbridge quoted Walz-appointed Commissioner Valerie Means , who voted in February for the project , saying : “ the Commission relies on long-range forecasts in a certificate-of-need analysis , because evidence of short-term fluctuations in oil markets are not particularly useful in determining the need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the $ 2.6 billion investment would bring 4,200 union construction jobs and boost the economy in Northern Minnesota communities , some of which have unemployment rates above 10 percent .
Laborers ’ International Union of North America – Minnesota and North Dakota said in a statement said they were disappointed by the decision .
“ The family-sustaining jobs and business opportunities that can be created by replacing Line 3 are lifelines for local workers and communities , who desperately need this project to have a fighting chance at economic recovery amidst this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Joel Smith said .
“ We do not advocate for the approval of the Line 3 Replacement simply to create jobs , ” Smith continued .
“ We need to replace the existing badly-deteriorated pipeline in order to protect environmental and tribal resources .
But if there were ever a time when thousands of family sustaining jobs on critical infrastructure projects were needed , it is right now.
” House Minority Leader Kurt Daudt , R-Crown , criticized the delay , saying that Walz was “ wasting taxpayer resources ” trying to stop @ @ @ @ @ @ @ approved .
“ Instead of helping the one in four Minnesotans unemployed along the Line 3 route , the Governor has once again chosen to obstruct and delay this critical project and the thousands of jobs it would bring to Northern Minnesota , ” Daudt said in a statement .
Enbridge still needs at least two federal and state permits before it can begin construction .
The Minnesota Court of Appeals will determine its next steps .
Scott McClallen is a staff writer covering Michigan and Minnesota for The Center Square .
A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has appeared on Forbes.com and FEE.org .
Previously , he worked as a financial analyst at Pepsi .


thetennesseestar--2020-08-23--Business Leaders Call on Whitmer to Reopen Bowling Alleys, Gyms, and Movie Theaters

Four business groups sent Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer a letter asking to reopen industries that have been closed for five months , although they ’ re open in certain parts of Michigan and surrounding states .
After five months with no revenue and continued fixed costs , some gyms , movie theaters and bowling alleys are on the brink of bankruptcy .
Leaders of the Small Business Association of Michigan , the Grand Rapids Chamber , The Michigan Chamber of Commerce , and the Detroit Regional Chamber urged Whitmer to meet with those groups to find a way to reopen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a handful of states that has not allowed these sectors to open in any capacity , ” the letter reads .
“ These businesses have been completely closed after months of the public health emergency , while still facing property tax bills , rent , payroll and other expenses.
” The groups said the restrictions have resulted in permanent closures , including over 1,000 layoffs by the YMCA in Grand Rapids .
Some gyms have reopened illegally , facing the decision to either lose their business to bankruptcy or risk fines and a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in DeWitt and Bath Townships have been open for weeks .
“ We ultimately realized two things : We ’ ve been Covid-ready and waiting to reopen for months , and if we waited much longer , we would no longer be in business , ” Director of Operations Andre Hutson told the Lansing State Journal .
However , many other businesses , including casinos and strip clubs , have been cleared to reopen .
“ We believe that if industries like restaurants , public swimming pools , casinos and others can find @ @ @ @ @ @ @ capacity , we can also find a way to safely open gyms , theaters , bowling alleys and other industries , ” the leaders wrote .
AMC Theatres last week announced it was reopening about 400 locations across the country within the next month , but only in one of its 13 Michigan locations , in Traverse City , a region with fewer restrictions .
State data as of July 31 shows that 112 of Michigan ’ s total COVID-19 outbreaks are tied to long-term care facilities , while combined bars , retail @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Property taxes are often the largest bill a business receives , ” they wrote .
“ This is a threat to the long-term viability of many businesses , and they should not be forced to bear the additional burden of interest , penalties and fees on property taxes they can not pay due to their closure.
” The leaders urged Whitmer to work with the Legislature to pass laws protecting businesses against “ needless ” COVID-19 lawsuits if they take “ reasonable ” safety measures .
“ We ask that you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ businesses , especially those that remain closed , a fighting chance – and soon , ” the letter reads .
Whitmer has said she might give those industries more information about possibly reopening next week .
Some bowling alley owners say they will go bankrupt if they don ’ t open by Labor Day .
Scott McClallen is a staff writer covering Michigan and Minnesota for The Center Square .
A graduate of Hillsdale College , his work has appeared on Forbes.com and FEE.org .
Previously , he worked as a financial analyst @ @ @


thetennesseestar--2020-08-23--Tennessee Participates in Coordinated International Crackdown on COVID-19 Scams

The Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance ( TDCI ) Securities Division will participate in the COVID-19 Enforcement Task Force , an international investor protection initiative to crack down on schemes related to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic .
The North American Securities Administrators Association , of which Tennessee is a member , is coordinating the task force .
This , according to a press release that state officials posted on the TDCI ’ s website this week .
“ As part of this coordinated enforcement effort , TDCI ’ s Securities Division has looked to identify potential frauds early by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for investments relating to COVID-19 or a cure for COVID-19 so these can be shut down quickly before TN consumers can be scammed , ” the press release said .
“ With 111 investigators representing 44 jurisdictions in the United States , Canada , and Mexico , the COVID-19 Task Force represents the largest coordinated enforcement initiative undertaken by state and provincial securities regulators .
So far , the task force has disrupted more than 200 schemes related to the pandemic.
” Many of the schemes detected by the task force incorporate fear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ safe returns independent of the stock market and the economy , according to the press release .
“ Others offer unrealistically and guaranteed high rate of return .
Many promoters refer to returns as ‘ passive income ’ or ‘ cash flow ’ and promise to pay it on a monthly basis , which may appeal to unemployed retail investors or victims who are or may be negatively impacted by changes in the economy , ” the press release said .
“ Common schemes also often exploit trendy assets such as cryptocurrencies or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officials said in the press release that consumers can protect themselves against investment fraud .
“ Make sure the person offering the investment , and the investment itself , is properly licensed or registered , ” the press release said .
“ You can check easily by contacting the Tennessee Securities Division ’ s Registration Section at 615-741-3187.
” Chris Butler is an investigative journalist at The Tennessee Star .
Follow Chris on Facebook .
Email tips to [ email protected ]


thetennesseestar--2020-08-24--EXCLUSIVE: ‘I’m Not Intimidated by Graffiti Attack on Church Hosting Me Sunday,’ Roger Stone Says

The legendary Republican operative , targeted Saturday night by vicious graffiti spray painted all over the outside of the Mount Juliet ’ s Global Vision Bible Church , to The Tennessee Star he is not afraid to show up to speak at the church Sunday as invited .
“ First of all , it ’ s disgusting , ” said Roger J .
Stone , who has been a friend and political advisor to President Donald J. Trump for more than three decades .
“ The idea of attacking a house of worship ?
But , if people thought this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ witness for Christ , they really just don ’ t understand.
” Among the things the vandals wrote on the outside walls of the church were : “ Titus 1:16 , ” “ Repent , ” “ Stone and Locke will burn in Hell , ” “ FU ” and “ Fascists Beware.
” Stone said he was on a conference call for Evangelists for Trump , when he shared the story of his recommitment to Jesus and that led to the invitation to the suburban Nashville church .
“ I told the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to reaffirm my belief in Jesus Christ to be reborn and to put my entire ordeal of the Mueller witch hunt in the hand of God and to pray for a solution , ” he said .
“ I gave powerful testimony on this conference call and Rev .
Greg Locke contacted me and asked me if I wanted to speak at his church , ” he said .
The moment of his awakening came at the Jan. 18 revival held in Boca Raton , Florida by Rev .
Franklin Graham as part @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Stone .
Boca Raton is near his Fort Lauderdale residence made famous by the FBI ’ s pre-dawn raid and arrest of Stone carried live on CNN .
The author and political operative said his friend Pastor Randy Coggins encouraged him to go and he arranged for Stone to have a private audience with Graham .
“ My life was really in turmoil , ” he said .
“ It was clear to me that I was being railroaded by a politically-motivated prosecution—the charges against me were nonsensical.
” In the beginning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Robert S. Mueller III , Stone was accused of being a courier between WikiLeaks and the 2016 Trump campaign .
This was woven into the subtext that Stone knew that the Russians had supplied WikiLeaks with stolen emails from the Democratic National Committee—thus : Stone was working for the Russians .
In the end , Mueller had no evidence for any of this chapter of the Russian Collusion Hoax , including the fact that there is still no evidence linking the Russians with emails stolen from the DNC .
Stone was convicted of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ I was angry , ” he said .
“ I was frustrated .
I was worried about who would take care of my wife if I was unfairly incarcerated.
” Stone said he met Graham ’ s father Rev .
Billy Graham twice .
Once he saw the elder Graham at a tent revival in Bridgeport , Connecticut with he was 12-years-old .
The second time was when in the 1970s , when he was working for President Richard Nixon .
“ I consider Billy Graham one of the greatest men @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was eager to see his son , ” he said .
During his private meeting with the younger Graham , Stone said the minister gave him sound advice that was the exact same advice he had received from other preachers and his priest at his own Catholic parish , where he continued to worship , but it was different coming from this man of God .
“ I really took Reverend Graham ’ s advice to heart and that very day , I stood in a field in Boca Raton with 400 other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ right with Christ , ” he said .
“ It was like a weight had been lifted off me.
” Stone : “ God delivered me from my persecutors.
” The Boca Raton revival was on a Saturday and that Monday morning , the story broke about at least one juror in his trial having a deep animus for Stone , he said .
That story caught the attention of Trump , who ramped up his support for Stone , and who eventually commuted his sentence and made him a free man .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ mercy and justice to spare me from almost certain death in a COVID-19-infested prison.
” It is this testimony that Stone said he is going to give at the Global Vision Bible Church Sunday .
“ I really believe God delivered me from my persecutors , ” he said .
“ Nobody beats the feds , ” he said .
“ I don ’ t care whether your problem is alcohol , drug abuse , or family problems or health problems or financial problems , ” he said .
“ I am living @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you will pledge to walk in his way.
” Neil W. McCabe is a Washington-based national political reporter for The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network .
In addition to the Star Newspaper , he has covered the White House , Capitol Hill and national politics for One America News , Breitbart , Human Events and Townhall .
Before coming to Washington , he was a staff reporter for Boston ’ s Catholic paper , The Pilot , and the editor of two Boston-area community papers , The Somerville News and The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NCO in the Army Reserve and he deployed for 15 months to Iraq as a combat historian .

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


thetennesseestar--2020-08-24--Mt. Juliet Church Pastor Says Vandalism Likely Happened Because Roger Stone Will Speak There

Mt .
Juliet ’ s Global Vision Bible Church was vandalized , possibly because Roger Stone is to speak on Sunday , Aug. 30 , WSMV said .
Pastor Greg Locke on Sunday posted photos of the damage , available here .
The church shared his post on its Facebook page , available here .
One graffiti tag read , “ Locke & Stone will burn in h***.
” Another tag read , “ Fascists beware.
” Locke wrote , “ Just got word from our staff that our building , tent , chairs , church sign and my pulpit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there now .
Police are on the way .
SERVICE WILL NOT BE STOPPED .
See y ’ all at 10:30.
” A number of people posted statements of support for Locke and Global Vision .
One person posted , “ Loved your sermon this morning in spite of them trying to disway you.
” President Donald Trump in July commuted the sentence of his longtime political confidant Roger Stone just days before he was set to report to prison , the Associated Press reported .
Stone had been sentenced to three years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Congress , witness tampering and obstructing the House investigation into whether the campaign colluded with Russia in the 2016 election .
FOX 17 News says Locke told the station that he has been invited to attend President Trump ’ s nomination at the Republican National Convention .
The Wilson County Sheriff ’ s Office told the TV station that no one had forced entry into the church .
Deputies will conduct extra patrols .
Jason M. Reynolds has more than 20 years ’ experience as a journalist at outlets of all sizes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ report .
Photo “ Fascists Beware ” by Pastor Greg Locke .


thetennesseestar--2020-08-24--Commentary: The Ruling Class Is Selling Out America

The ruling class is selling out America , and many of us either don ’ t want to hear about it or just don ’ t care .
According to recently unearthed notes from a White House meeting shortly before inauguration day in January 2017 , Vice President Joe Biden raised the idea of pursuing a Logan Act prosecution against Donald Trump ’ s designated national security advisor , Lt. General Michael Flynn .
It was one of the many bogus charges that spurred three years of sham investigations against the Trump Administration .
It was yet another example of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of their tax money while working to divide us along political lines .
While the Trump Administration was being hammered with false accusations and threats of impeachment , somehow Biden ’ s misdeeds and the proof of illegal spying on an incoming administration took a backseat to the leaking and lying of the Democrat/RINO swamp .
Even now , after more and more evidence is uncovered showing top Obama Administration officials in the Justice Department and the FBI lied , leaked , and covered up their crimes , the media focus their collective @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the former administration .
Apparently , it ’ s old news and not worth talking about .
Besides : Coronavirus !
Don ’ t worry that the government betrayed the American people .
Let ’ s move on .
The whole of Washington and the Democratic Party believed Hillary Clinton would be president .
Even some of us on the Right believed that horrifying possibility might come true .
If she had won , everything would have remained status quo .
No news outlets beyond conservative news sites and perhaps Fox News @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ties to China and Ukraine , or his son Hunter ’ s lucrative business deals in those countries .
Nobody would care about the one-sided FBI deals or conservatives being censored on social media , the slow economy and the high unemployment rate , or any of the backroom dealings making Democrats , NeverTrump Republicans , and their friends and families rich .
Life for the connected and elite politicians would remain splendid .
When Donald Trump won in 2016 , not only did the win shake the Democrats to their core , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Washington swamp .
Swamp rats panicked and closed ranks .
They had to figure a way out of the consequences of the incoming administration because , if left unchecked , Trump and his allies might find evidence of their deep corruption .
First , they tried “ unfaithful ” electors .
When that didn ’ t work , they threw in Stormy Daniels , Peter Strzok created a garbage “ insurance policy , ” and Joe Biden invoked the ridiculous Logan Act .
Nothing quite stuck .
The Obama Administration found it absolutely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from being able to govern the way the United States ’ electorate had fairly decided it should .
They couldn ’ t take the chance of Trump taking over , ruining their deals , reversing their policies , and finding out just how deep the swamp had become .
Biden had even more reason to be worried : his son .
In 2013 , Hunter Biden made a $ 1.5 billion deal with the Bank of China and his company , Rosemont Seneca .
The deal came only two weeks after Hunter flew @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Two , coincidentally .
Not coincidentally , Joe Biden continues to insist he doesn ’ t believe China is any competition for the United States .
“ They ’ re not bad folks , folks , ” he said in March , brushing the Chinese Communist Party ’ s country off as fair players and siding with the Chinese when President Trump halted air travel from China at the end of January .
In 2016 , Biden met with Ukrainian officials to bring the Ukraine $ 1 billion of U.S. taxpayer assistance for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ next month Hunter , having zero experience in energy , was asked to join the board of a Ukranian natural gas company , Burisma .
Hunter was paid as much as $ 83,000 a month in that position .
Joe also admitted on camera to getting a prosecutor fired who was investigating Burisma for money laundering .
Leftists tend always to be committing the wrongs they accuse the right of carrying out .
While Biden and the swamp were going after President Trump on colluding with Russia , Biden was colluding with China @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of mis-dealings with Ukraine , Biden was holding a $ 1 billion deal over the Ukrainians ’ heads to fire a prosecutor who could implicate his son in misdealings .
It doesn ’ t stop with the Bidens .
Democrat , astronaut , and U.S. Senate hopeful from Arizona , Mark Kelly co-founded World View Enterprises , and that company is invested in by TenCent , a Chinese company , who owns WeChat and censors speech critical of the Chinese Communist Party , as all Chinese companies are made to do .
Senior @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Chinese spy in her office for 20 years as gofer , driver , and liaison .
Although nobody is accusing the senator of knowingly employing this spy , this tie to China was downplayed in the media though it could have had dire consequences to the United States as Feinstein formerly chaired the Senate Intelligence Committee .
And the influence , money , and shady ties don ’ t just go one way .
Dr. Anthony Fauci , the celebrated medical authority the United States has been relying on throughout this pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Virology laboratory receiving U.S. taxpayer money of at least 3.7 million dollars since 2014 , “ which involves manipulating viruses in the lab to explore their potential for infecting humans.
” The Wuhan Virology laboratory in China is the same lab that brought you the Chinese COVID-19 infections , and you paid for it .
And it ’ s not just China .
From my folder of scandals the media won ’ t report : “ The Podesta Group ( co-owned by Hillary Clinton ’ s campaign chairman , John Podesta ) also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ approval from a federal oversight board that included the State Department under Hillary Clinton to buy about one-fifth of the U.S. production capacity of uranium , a key material for making nuclear weapons .
Uranium One interests reportedly contributed $ 145 million to Bill and Hillary Clinton ’ s charitable foundation.
” This major scandal received nearly zero coverage while the Trump-Russia hoax got breathless news coverage and headlines for years .
Several supposedly non-political entities got into the Trump-Russia propaganda as well .
Perhaps the most egregious was the Brookings Institution .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Devin Nunes [ R-Calif. ] told Maria Bartiromo on FNC ’ s ‘ Sunday Morning Futures ’ that the Brookings Institution had connections to the creation of the Steele dossier during the 2016 election.
” The Brookings Institution is a left-leaning 501 ( c ) 3 nonprofit organization and not legally allowed to contribute to political candidates or activities .
What is particularly troublesome is that a quick search on Donorsearch.net reveals that donors to Brookings include millions from Qatar , as well as large contributions from the governments of Norway and Australia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Turkish Industry and Business Association , the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office , and the Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 2019 alone .
How can a 501 ( c ) 3 have donations coming in from other countries and then have a hand in the creation of the Steele dossier without a peep from the left-wing “ mainstream ” media ?
The American people aren ’ t stupid , and it is time that the ruling class stops treating us like we are .
We have been duped for far too @ @ @ @ @ @ @ creatures .
We must let the sun shine on their murky waters and expose them for the corrupt villains they have become .
Angela Kelley is the Director of Operations for American Majority .
She has an extensive professional background in higher education and program management .
She loves politics and genealogy and is a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution .


thetennesseestar--2020-08-24--Trump Administration to Block Controversial Pebble Mine: REPORT

The Trump administration plans to block a proposed copper and gold mine near the headwaters of a major U.S. salmon fishery in Alaska , six people described as familiar with its plans told Politico on Saturday .
The administration ’ s rejection of the Pebble Mine project is expected to come after Trump faced pressure to stop it from GOP mega-donor Andy Sabin , Bass Pro Shops CEO Johnny Morris and the his eldest son , Donald Trump Jr. , Politico reported .
“ With any government , whether it be Obama or Trump , nothing is certain until it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the nature of this beast , ” Sabin , who has spoken with the president about the proposed mine , said in an interview with Politico .
“ But I ’ m fairly certain that you ’ re going to get good news.
” On Thursday , a spokesman for the project said a decision on whether it should proceed could still be weeks away as work continues on a wetlands mitigation plan .
Mike Heatwole , with the Pebble Limited Partnership , told The Associated Press that the company is working with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ finalize the plan .
The agency did return messages seeking comment Saturday .
“ We firmly believe that the implication pushed by Politico that the White House is going to kill the project is clearly in error , likely made by a rush to publish rather than doing the necessary diligence to track down the full story , ” Collier said in a statement .
“ We categorically deny any reports that the Trump Administration is going to return to an Obama-like approach that allowed politics to interfere with the normal , traditional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in keeping politics out of permitting – something conservatives and the business community fully support.
” The head of one of the nation ’ s biggest environmentalist groups said he believes the Trump administration will stop the project .
“ Pebble Mine has always been the wrong mine in the wrong place , ” Collin O ’ Mara , president and CEO of the National Wildlife Federation , said in a statement , “ This decision marks a key step to save Alaska ’ s Bristol Bay — the world ’ s most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 14,000 jobs — from billions of gallons of toxic tailings inevitably leaching into its pristine waters .
Stopping Pebble Mine was the right decision by the Obama administration in 2014 and we thank the Trump administration for making the right decision today.
” Politico reports that three officials say the Army Corps of Engineers office in Alaska plans to hold a conference call on Monday with groups connected to the proposed mine to discuss the decision .
Politico says an administration official confirmed the call .
The report of a decision to stop @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the developer of the Pebble Mine saw as strongly in its favor .
The corps ’ final environmental review of the project in southwest Alaska , released in late July , stated that under normal operations , the alternatives it looked at “ would not be expected to have a measurable effect on fish numbers and result in long-term changes to the health of the commercial fisheries in Bristol Bay.
” The corps stressed the review was not a decision document .
Pebble critics had blasted the corps ’ review as deficient , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is seeking to develop the mine and is owned by Canada-based Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd. , saw it as a laying the groundwork for approval .
Pebble critics saw last-minute public support for their cause from Donald Trump Jr. and Nick Ayers , a former aide to Vice President Mike Pence and a senior adviser to the Trump campaign , who promoted the conservation angle .
Collier has played up the president ’ s efforts to promote development .
“ Every other major project developer and investor in the world is watching whether @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eliminate political influence from permitting , ” Collier said in early August .
The mine , long a source of controversy and litigation , was seen by many as getting a second wind under the Trump administration .
The U.S. Environmental Protection , under the preceding Obama administration , proposed restricting development in southwest Alaska ’ s Bristol Bay region , which it described as supporting the largest sockeye salmon fishery in the world and containing significant mineral resources .
Salmon also is a key part of the culture of Alaska Natives who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agency never finalized the restrictions and , under the Trump administration , allowed the Pebble partnership to go through permitting .
Pebble lauded the shift , arguing its project should be allowed to be vetted through a permitting process and not preemptively vetoed .
Mine critics , however , feared politics were getting in the way of science .
About the Headline Photo : In this Tuesday , Oct. 8 , 2019 , file photo , from left , Bristol Bay Reserve Association Board member Mike LaRussa , Bristol Bay Native Association President/CEO @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Development Association Executive Director Andy Wink , United Tribes of Bristol Bay Deputy Director Lindsay Layland , Bristol Bay Economic Development Corporation President and CEO Norm Van Vactor , and Robin Samuelson of Bristol Bay Native Corporation , make statements at the Federal Courthouse in Anchorage , Alaska .
The Trump administration plans to block a proposed copper and gold mine near the headwaters of a major U.S. salmon fishery in Alaska , six people described as familiar with its plans told Politico on Saturday , Aug. 23 , 2020 .
The administration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ project is expected to come after Trump faced pressure to stop it from GOP mega-donor Andy Sabin , Bass Pro Shops CEO Johnny Morris and his eldest son , Donald Trump Jr. , Politico reported .
( Marc Lester/Anchorage Daily News via AP , File )


thetennesseestar--2020-08-24--Opioids, Violence and the Supreme Court Largely Omitted from DNC Convention Speeches

Democrats focused on coronavirus , climate change , racial inequality and more during their party ’ s convention , but none pf the keynote speakers mentioned rising violence in cities across the country or the opioid epidemic during the primetime program .
The two issues have been worsening in part due to nationwide unrest and the pandemic , media reports and studies say .
The Supreme Court — a large focus of the 2016 election — was also largely ignored .
Though many protests against racial inequality and police brutality following the May 25 death of George Floyd have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out in cities across the country , including Chicago and Portland , Oregon .
In Chicago , massive spikes in gun violence have devastated communities that are already being affected by the coronavirus at a greater rate , while looting has burdened many small businesses that were already struggling to keep their doors open .
Additionally , Chicago has already had more than 130 homicides this year than in all of 2019 , according to the Chicago Tribune , while homicides in New York City were up over 20 % through the first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year , NBC reported .
In Portland , protesters have clashed with police and federal agents while rioters have devastated businesses and federal buildings , leading to heightened tensions between Oregon public officials , including Gov .
Kate Brown , and President Donald Trump .
The opioid epidemic , which has killed hundreds of thousands of Americans in the past decade , has also intensified during the pandemic .
Use of fentanyl , a synthetic opioid , has increased 32 % since the coronavirus was declared a pandemic in March , a Millennium @ @ @ @ @ @ @ overdoses in total were up 18 % over the same period , according to Millennium Health , a research laboratory that works in partnership with the Department of Health and Human Services .
Democrats also largely refrained from mentioning the Supreme Court during their convention , which concluded Thursday night with Democratic nominee Joe Biden officially accepting his party ’ s presidential nomination .
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer was the only nighttime speaker who referenced the court , saying that Democrats will “ restore a Supreme Court that looks out for people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mention of how the election could shape its makeup for decades , NBC News reported .
“ We have two liberal justices over 80 years old , which means this election will make or break the future of the Supreme Court , ” said Brian Fallon , the executive director of the advocacy group Demand Justice .
“ None of the proposals we discussed this week , even if signed into law by a President Biden , will stay on the books for long given our current Supreme Court , ” he continued @ @ @ @ @ @ @ little on the issue , ” he said , according to NBC .
The issue was central to the 2016 presidential election due to the vacancy created after Justice Antonin Scalia ’ s death that February .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell wouldn ’ t consider then-President Barack Obama ’ s nominee , Judge Merrick Garland .
The Kentucky Republican argued that the next president should be able to fill the seat .
Meanwhile , high-profile progressives in recent years have advocated for adding additional seats to the Supreme Court .
Biden has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said she ’ s open to the idea .
Trump has boasted about the successful confirmations of Justices Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh and his installation of over 200 judges to federal courts across the country , which many conservatives regard as one of his most signature accomplishments .


thetennesseestar--2020-08-24--Seattle Mayor to Veto City Council’s Cuts to Police, Budget

SEATTLE , Washington ( AP ) — Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan said Friday she will veto City Council-approved proposals that would include reducing the police department by as many as 100 officers through layoffs and attrition .
The council ’ s proposals approved last week were supported by demonstrators who have marched in the city following the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis but strongly opposed by the mayor and police Chief Carmen Best .
Durkan said in a news conference Friday she did not agree with losing the officers , in addition to measures that included a reduction @ @ @ @ @ @ @ annual salary and the salaries of other police leaders , as well as a plan to take officers off a team that removes homeless camps .
She had also complained that the council had not discussed their plans with her or the police chief before taking action .
“ This veto was because the bills as passed did not have the type of collaboration that I think we will have going forward , and that I ’ m hopeful we will have going forward , ” she said .
“ There ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bills ) that I hope the council can correct , or with discussions , we can find a path forward together.
” Measures passed by the council would have cut less than $ 4 million of the department ’ s $ 400 million annual budget this year .
Only council member Kshama Sawant voted against the budget package , saying it did not decrease the police budget enough .
Seattle now has about 1,400 police officers , and the proposed reductions fell far short of the calls from many Black Lives Matter protesters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ department .
Several council members said the changes were a starting point in a long process to reimagine policing and public safety .
Hours after the vote , Best announced she would be leaving her post , saying she was OK with her pay cut , but not with having to lay off new officers , many of them hired in part to improve diversity in the department .
Durkan said Friday she has been talking with Council President Lorena González since then and is optimistic that the council and her office can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Seattle Times she was “ disappointed ” by the mayor ’ s veto decision , but she would work with her on a path forward .
“ I have to believe that we agree on more than we disagree , and I will strive to bridge the gap on our few but critical differences of opinion , ” González said .
“ I hope that the public knows that their elected leaders are committed to working together on achieving a long-overdue transformation of our law enforcement and criminal justice systems that have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ harm on our black , brown and indigenous neighbors.
” As U.S. attorney in Seattle , Durkan pushed a Justice Department investigation that found officers too quick to use force , leading to a 2012 consent decree with the federal government .
Reviews by an independent monitor have found that changes made under that decree have led to a drop in how often police use force .
But critics have said the department ’ s actions during recent protests show not enough progress has been made .
The Seattle Office of Police Accountability @ @ @ @ @ @ @ complaints over policing at protests against systemic racism and police violence since May 30 .
So far , the complaints have led the office to open 87 investigations .
The most common complaints are allegations of excessive force , the Office of Police Accountability said .
Lisa Baumann is a reporter for The Associated Press .
Photo “ Seattle Police Cars ” by zeraien .
CC BY 2.0 .