thetennesseestar--2020-09-30--Lawmakers, Superintendents Blindsided by Tennessee Department of Education Learning Loss Projections

Tennessee Department of Education Commissioner Penny Schwinn ’ s announcement of COVID-19-related learning loss projections for Tennessee students took state lawmakers and school superintendents by surprise .
In a joint news conference with Gov .
Bill Lee last week , Schwinn announced Tennessee students are expected to face learning loss of 50 % in English and 65 % in math , stressing the importance of in-person learning .
Projections were based on national research and early results of beginning-of-year student checkpoint assessments in Tennessee .
“ This press release really caught a lot of us off guard , ” Henry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Center Square .
“ I feel like this was a smack in the face of my educators , of my team , who have given up summer break to have had to change everything they do to make it work for a dual environment – virtual and in person .
It just feels like an affront to the work that my team does.
” Schwinn did not give superintendents notice of the learning loss announcement on a regular conference call Wednesday morning before the Wednesday afternoon news conference , Watkins said .
Superintendents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after an outpouring of distress .
“ I ’ ve had about 21 superintendents call me furious about the Wednesday release , ” state Rep. Scott Cepicky , R-Culleoka , told The Center Square .
“ They feel betrayed.
” Schwinn apologized to superintendents for the lack of notice on a phone call Friday .
“ It ’ s heartbreaking to see this with no preparation , no opportunity to look at the data to question the data before it ’ s released , ” Watkins said .
Superintendents have raised concerns with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ projections .
When questioned about the source of the data , Schwinn said Wednesday projections were based on a national learning loss study , as well as Tennessee student data collected from the department ’ s new beginning-of-year checkpoint tool , rolled out two years ahead of schedule in response to the pandemic .
“ At this point , we ’ ve had over 30,000 students who ’ ve completed those beginning-of-year checkpoints , that ’ s given us a relatively good landscape or at least a prediction of what that will look @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the state Capitol on Wednesday .
“ So those two data points together … have allowed us to be able to project what we think that learning loss measure is.
” Analysts at the education department incorporated data from beginning-of-year student checkpoints that school districts voluntarily submitted this year .
Results from the checkpoint tests show students ’ actual learning loss is consistent with the department ’ s projections of 50 to 65 percent loss , Victoria Robinson , a spokesperson for the department , confirmed to The Center Square .
Beginning-of-year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ student checkpoint data with data from two national studies : an April study conducted by Portland-based Northwest Evaluation Association , using nationwide student data from the 2017-2018 school year , and a Tennessee-focused study prepared for the department by the Center for Research on Education Outcomes at Stanford University , using historical Tennessee student testing data from 2014 through 2019 .
Already under fire for communications breakdowns between the department and the Tennessee Legislature and a high personnel turnover rate within the department under her leadership , Schwinn appeared before the House Education @ @ @ @ @ @ @ study meeting .
“ We hoped that we could draw a line in the sand in that committee meeting and work towards moving forward with better trust and better communication , ” Cepicky said .
“ It ’ s disheartening to see the commissioner nod her head and say she is going to work hard on that , and then … on Wednesday , after we get out of here , they drop all this new data.
” Rep. Bruce Griffey , R-Paris , who last week called for a vote of no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ extremely concerned ” with the leadership at the department and he plans to start an online petition asking the governor to replace Schwinn if there are any additional missteps .
“ I don ’ t think Tennesseans were served by the Department of Education by making projections of learning losses regarding COVID for being out of school that are substantiated by the data based on 2017-2018 testing , ” Griffey told The Center Square .
“ That ’ s extremely misleading and deceptive , and this is just another sort of chink @ @ @ @ @ @ @ think we need new leadership at the Department of Education.
” Vivian Jones is a reporter at The Center Square Photos “ Empty Classroom ” by Casey Feisler CC BY 2.0 and “ Penny Schwinn ” by State of Tennessee Photographic Services


thetennesseestar--2020-09-30--Kuwait Ruler, Longtime Diplomat Sheikh Sabah, Dies at Age 91

DUBAI , United Arab Emirates ( AP ) — Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Sabah , the ruler of Kuwait who drew on his decades as the oil-rich nation ’ s top diplomat to push for closer ties to Iraq after the 1990 Gulf War and solutions to other regional crises , died Tuesday .
He was 91 .
In a Middle East replete with elderly rulers , Sheikh Sabah stood out for his efforts at pushing for diplomacy to resolve a bitter dispute between Qatar and other Arab nations that continues to this day .
His 2006 ascension in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the American-led war that expelled occupying Iraqi troops , came after parliament voted unanimously to oust his predecessor , the ailing Sheikh Saad Al Abdullah Al Sabah , just nine days into his rule .
Yet as Kuwait ’ s ruling emir , he struggled with internal political disputes , the fallout of the 2011 Arab Spring protests and seesawing crude oil prices that chewed into a national budget providing cradle-to-grave subsidies .
“ He represents the older generation of Gulf leaders who valued discretion and moderation and the importance of personal ties @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Diwan , a senior resident scholar at the Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington who studies Kuwait .
“ No question he has suffered from the lack of deference and respect shown by the younger and more brash young princes holding power today.
” State television announced his death after playing Quranic prayers , with Royal Court Minister Sheikh Ali Jarrah Al Sabah reading a brief statement , his hands shaking .
“ With great sadness and sorrow , the Kuwaiti people , the Arab and Islamic nations , and the friendly peoples @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the late His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah , emir of the state of Kuwait who moved to the realm of the Lord , ” the sheikh said , without offering a cause of death .
Kuwait ’ s Cabinet later announced that Sheikh Sabah had been succeeded by his half brother , the crown prince Sheikh Nawaf Al Ahmad Al Sabah .
The high regard for Sheikh Sabah could be seen in the outpouring of support for him across the Mideast as he suddenly fell ill in July @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and surgery in Kuwait City amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic .
Authorities did not say what ailed him .
A U.S. Air Force C-17 flying hospital then transported Sheikh Sabah from Kuwait to Rochester , Minnesota , home of the flagship campus of the Mayo Clinic — an extraordinary gesture by the American government for a foreign head of state .
The Mayo Clinic did not immediately respond to requests for comment .
Sheikh Sabah ’ s life spanned two very different Kuwaits .
He was born June 16 , 1929 , just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would collapse .
Within the decade , Kuwait would strike oil .
Engineers would eventually confirm that the tiny country , slightly smaller than the U.S. state of New Jersey , had the world ’ s sixth-largest known oil reserves .
Sheikh Sabah became Kuwait ’ s foreign minister in 1963 after holding a number of other governmental posts .
He would remain in that position for four decades , making him one of the world ’ s longest-serving foreign ministers .
His country ’ s greatest crisis came in 1990 , when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ occupied the nation for seven months .
Fleeing with other Kuwaiti officials to neighboring Saudi Arabia , Sheikh Sabah collapsed and lost consciousness at one particularly stormy meeting of Arab leaders .
On Feb. 24 , 1991 , U.S. troops and their allies stormed into Kuwait .
It ended 100 hours later .
America suffered only 148 combat deaths during the whole campaign , while over 20,000 Iraqi soldiers were killed .
Even before the U.S. entered Kuwait , Sheikh Sabah and others began suggesting a permanent American presence in the region might @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ One learns from the past and learns about it for the future , ” Sheikh Sabah reportedly said .
“ One has to consider arrangements that would make not only my country stable but make the whole area stable.
” Today , Kuwait hosts some 13,500 American troops , many at Camp Arifjan south of Kuwait City , which is also home to the forward command of U.S. Army Central .
In 2003 , his half brother and Kuwait ’ s then-emir , Sheikh Jaber Al Ahmad Al Sabah , named @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prime minister .
Although the move kept members of the Al Sabah family firmly in control of Kuwait , it was seen as a modest step toward reform as it marked the first time that the roles of prime minister and crown prince — the next in line to the throne — were split .
It also formalized Sheikh Sabah ’ s role in running the daily affairs of the country — a responsibility he had increasingly assumed while the former prime minister , Sheikh Saad , struggled with health problems .
Despite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ power in 2006 after the death of Sheikh Jaber .
Concerns mounted during his brief reign as he was seen in public only in a wheelchair and did not speak .
Parliament ended up voting 64-0 to have Sheikh Sabah become emir , following a similar Cabinet decision .
Sheikh Saad then submitted a letter of resignation .
The vote , while largely symbolic , marked a small victory for democracy among the autocratic Gulf Arab states .
It was the first time in Kuwait ’ s history that the legislature had a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sheikh Sabah proved a savvy player of the internal politics of the ruling family , ” Diwan said .
Domestically , Sheikh Sabah faced the challenge of falling oil prices in recent years .
He dissolved parliament several times as lawmakers kept questioning appointed government ministers , some of them members of his extended family .
As the 2011 Arab Spring swept the region , Sheikh Sabah ordered 1,000 dinar ( $ 3,559 ) grants and free food coupons for every Kuwaiti .
But allegations swirled at the time that some lawmakers had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government to sway their votes , along with rumors that they were involved in embezzling state funds .
Amid strikes and confrontations with police , protesters briefly entered parliament , waving flags and singing the country ’ s national anthem .
Sheikh Sabah nevertheless maintained power while still allowing protests , a rarity among Gulf leaders .
Internationally , Sheikh Sabah embraced Iraq after the U.S.-led 2003 invasion that toppled Saddam .
He twice visited the country and helped Iraq and Kuwait reach a $ 500 million deal in 2012 to settle a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over allegations of large-scale theft by Saddam .
The emir also hosted a summit in 2018 that saw $ 30 billion pledged to help rebuild Iraq after the war against the Islamic State group .
That ’ s even as Iraq still owes Kuwait reparations from Saddam ’ s 1990 invasion .
Sheikh Sabah also played a role in raising aid funds for Syrians suffering as a result of that country ’ s civil war , hosting international donor conferences in 2013 and 2014 , and pledging hundreds of millions of dollars of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ challenges as a diplomat , however , came with the boycott of Qatar by four Arab nations that began in 2017 .
Sheikh Sabah positioned himself as a mediator for the political dispute , which he warned in a White House appearance in 2017 could have led to an armed conflict .
“ Thank God , now , what is important is that we have stopped any military action , ” Sheikh Sabah said .
Those mediation efforts have yet to resolve the crisis , but he did manage to get Qatar ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ live television with Saudi King Salman at a 2019 meeting in Mecca .
“ We believe that wisdom will prevail , ” Sheikh Sabah once said .
A longtime widower , Sheikh Sabah lived for years in a palace known as Dar Salwa , which was named after his daughter Salwa , who died of cancer in 2002 .
He is survived by two sons .
Jon Gambrell and Adam Schreck are reporters for The Associated Press .
AP writer Isabel DeBre in Dubai , United Arab Emirates , contributed to this report @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this Wednesday , Dec. 13 , 2017 file photo , Turkey ’ s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan , left , welcomes Kuwait ’ s Emir Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Sabah , prior to the opening session of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation Extraordinary Summit in Istanbul .
Kuwait state television said Tuesday , Sept. 29 , 2020 , the country ’ s 91-year-old ruler , Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Sabah , had died .
( Kayhan Ozer/Pool Photo via AP , File )

by Eric Lendrum
The United States Capitol Police (USCP) announced on Thursday that the department is currently investigating 29 officers, and has suspended six, for their actions during the protests at the U.S. Capitol on January 6th, according to CNN.
A department spokesman said that “Acting Chief Yogananda Pittman has directed that any member of her department whose behavior is not keeping in line with the Department’s Rules of Conduct will face appropriate discipline.” The six who were suspended will still be receiving pay, and the 29 total officers under investigation is nearly three times the amount of officers who were previously announced as being under investigation back in January.
Pittman said that, as part of the ongoing investigations, the USCP was “reviewing video and other open source materials of some USCP officers and officials that appear to be in violation of Department regulations and practices.” Some Democrats, including Congressman Tim Ryan (D-Ohio), have claimed, without evidence, that some officers openly supported the protesters, allowed them inside, and even guided them around the interior of the building.
During the mostly peaceful protests, Trump supporters entered the Capitol out of protest of widespread voter fraud in the 2020 election, as the questionable electoral college results were being formally tabulated by Congress. One Trump supporter, Air Force veteran Ashli Babbitt, was shot in the neck by a plainclothes police officer at close range; the officer who killed her will not be facing any charges for her death.
Several other people died that same day due to sudden medical conditions that had nothing to do with the protests, including Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick; Sicknick has been confirmed to have died of a stroke after it was erroneously reported that he had been beaten to death by protesters with a fire extinguisher.
– – –
Eric Lendrum reports for American Greatness.
Photo “Capitol Police” by Elvert Barnes. CC BY-SA 2.0.


thetennesseestar--2020-09-30--Biden’s Texas Political Director Implicated in Massive Mail-In Ballot Harvesting Scheme in Harris Co

Biden’s Texas Political Director Implicated in Massive Mail-In Ballot Harvesting Scheme in Harris County

A Biden Campaign operative in Texas is attempting to rig the 2020 election with the help of others in a massive ballot harvesting scheme , according to two private investigators who testified under oath that they have “ video evidence , documentation and witnesses ” to prove it .
With the help of mass mail-in ballots , the illegal ballot harvesting operation could harvest 700,000 ballots , one Harris County Democrat operative allegedly bragged .
The investigators—a former FBI agent and former police officer—claim that Biden ’ s Texas Political Director Dallas Jones and his cohorts have been “ hoarding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ operatives to them fill out for people in Harris County illegally , “ including dead people , homeless people , and nursing home residents in the 2020 presidential election , ” Patrick Howley of the National File reported .
While law enforcement agencies are reportedly investigating these potential crimes , nothing will be done about it until “ well after the November 3 , 2020 election ” the former FBI agent said .
Dallas Jones was appointed the Biden campaign ’ s Texas Political Director in late August .
Mark A. Aguirre and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part of a class-action lawsuit in the Texas Supreme Court , Steven Hotze , M.D .
et al.
, against Harris County and the state of Texas .
In his testimony , Aguirre stated that he is a retired captain with the Houston Police Department and now a private investigator .
“ I am currently involved in an investigation related to a wide-ranging and fraudulent ballot harvesting scheme in Harris County intended to rig the elections in the Houston/Harris County area .
This scheme involves voter fraud on a massive scale , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ review of documents , and other information , Aguirre identified three individuals , including a state senator and the Harris County Commissioner , who are working with Jones on the ballot harvesting operation : “ District 13 Texas State Senator Borris Miles , who is the handler of Mr. Jones , political consultant Gerald Womack , and Precinct 1 Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis.
” Aguire added : “ One of the companies these individuals are using as a front for this operation is AB Canvassing , although there are others that have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Aguirre noted that the ballot harvesters have been exploiting the elderly with the complicity of nursing home staff .
I have in my possession video-taped interviews of witnesses attesting to the aforementioned people having groups of people completing thousands of absentee and mail-in ballots , including completing ballots for deceased individuals ; illegally going into nursing homes , with the complicity of the nursing home staff , and filling out and forging the signatures of nursing home residents ; signing up homeless individuals to vote using the ballot harvester ’ s address then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ individual ’ s signature .
This entire operation is being run by the elite politicians of the Democrat Party in Houston/Hams County .
FURTHER AFFIANT SAYETH NOT .
Private investigator Charles F. Marler stated in his testimony that he formerly worked for the FBI where he was an Investigative Specialist “ conducting undercover operations on espionage and terrorist targets.
” Marler stated that former Harris County Clerk Diane Troutman was so concerned about being implicated in the fraud , she resigned earlier this year , citing “ personal health reasons.
” Marler stated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not deterred and continued to move forward with the plan to mass mail ballots and expand the illegal ballot harvesting scam.
” “ In December of 2019 , I was approached by two individuals who witnessed activity from an illegal ballot harvesting operation in Harris County .
Since that date , I have been investigating the illegal ballot harvesting operation , ” he testified .
During my investigation , a core group of names continued to surface regarding the organization and operation of the voter fraud scheme .
Witnesses have stated to me @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ellis and District 13 Texas State Senator Borris Miles are leading the illegal ballot harvesting operation in Harris County , Texas .
Their chief lieutenants are Houston businessman Gerald Womack and political consultant Dallas Jones who work directly under them in executing the ballot harvesting operation in Harris County , Texas .
Witnesses have shown me and described to me how the ballot harvesters take absentee ballots from the elderly in nursing homes , from the homeless , and from unsuspecting residences ’ mailboxes .
The ballot harvesters then complete the ballots for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the “ voter ” .
Two witnesses stated to me that there are two individuals employed at the Harris County Clerk ’ s Office who are aware of the illegal ballots and help facilitate and mask the processing of the ballots into the legal stream of ballots .
I have been made aware of a law enforcement investigation in the Spring of 2020 regarding illegal ballot harvesting .
Several interviews of individuals were conducted .
After the interviews became public , former Harris County Clerk Diane Troutman , resigned alleging health concerns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have told me that Ms. Troutman was arguing with Commission Rodney Ellis about the legality of the mass purchasing and mailing of mail-in ballots and that Troutman was concerned she would be included in the eventual arrest pertaining to illegal ballot harvesting .
Instead of coming forward and exposing the scheme , Ms. Troutman abruptly resigned .
Witnesses have stated that Commissioner Ellis was not deterred and continued to move forward with the plan to mass mail ballots and expand the illegal ballot harvesting scam .
Another witness stated to me that an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , has bragged that he could guarantee that the illegal ballot harvesting operation , with the help of mass mail-in ballots , could harvest 700,000 illegal ballots .
It appears that law enforcement agencies are currently investigating these alleged crimes and I will provide them with the evidence that I have already collected and am continuing to collect .
Sadly , these law enforcement agencies will be working to prosecute these crimes well after the November 3 , 2020 election .
Citizen journalist Colleen Vera had previously discovered evidence of what appears to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the state of Texas involving mail-in voting and various Democrat political campaigns .
Vera ’ s evidence includes video of a Democrat campaign surrogate harvesting mail ballots from a nursing home during a 2018 primary race , and audio of a Democrat campaign worker admitting to harvesting ballots from a nursing home , and mail-in ballots from Harris County that all have the same handwriting and envelope process .
According to the National File , the ongoing private investigation is working with law enforcement .
Debra Heine reports for American Greatness .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jones .
Background Photo “ Voting Booths ” by Tim Evanson .
CC BY-SA 2.0 .


thetennesseestar--2020-09-30--Biden Doesn’t Name Single Law Enforcement Group That Supports Him

Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden didn ’ t name a single law enforcement group or agency that has endorsed him @ @ @ @ @ night .
Biden chose not to respond to the question posed by President Donald Trump @ @ @ @ @ and order .
Trump noted that several law enforcement groups have endorsed his reelection campaign @ @ @ @ @ law enforcement support , ” Trump said of Biden .
“ Who do you have @ @ @ @ @ supports you.
” He continued : “ Name one group that came out and supported @ @ @ @ @ , Biden looked to the camera and said , “ vote.
” Moderator Chris Wallace @ @ @ @ @ about law enforcement support for the former vice president .
Biden remained silent .
The @ @ @ @ @ and New York City Police Benevolent Association , the largest police union in the U.S. @ @ @ @ @ Thomas Catenacci is a reporter for the Daily Caller News Foundation .
Photo “ Donald @ @ @ @ @ CSPAN .


thetennesseestar--2020-09-30--Clint Brewer Weighs on Current Presidential Election Polling Numbers and Advises Trump to Debate in

Clint Brewer Weighs on Current Presidential Election Polling Numbers and Advises Trump to Debate in an Understated Fashion

Live from Music Row Tuesday morning on The Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy – broadcast on Nashville ’ s Talk Radio 98.3 and 1510 WLAC weekdays from 5:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. – host Leahy welcomed all-star panelist Clint Brewer to the studio .
During the third hour , Brewer reviewed current polling numbers for Biden versus Trump stating that it was important that Trump take a more presidential approach to the debate .
He added that voters right now are looking for a president that is going to cure the country of the riots and the violence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Tennessee Star Report .
We are on with Clint Brewer .
All-star panelist and reformed and recovering journalist .
And Clint , five weeks until the election .
The debate is going to be held tonight .
Very interesting polls just came out this morning .
General election Trump versus Biden .
The Harvard Harris has polled Biden 47 Trump 45 plus 2 .
Leahy : Narrowing .
Wisconsin , Susquehanna Poll , Biden 48 Trump 46 plus 2 .
I mean , it ’ s following a certain pattern here , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Yeah , I mean you can see a trend in some of the polls but tightening .
I think the figure I heard this morning was the RealClearPolitics .
It ’ s still like a 9 point average .
But look , I think we ’ ve discussed this with the president before .
With this president , you can kind of take polls and throw them out the window .
Leahy : And totally throw them out , because , you know , the shy Trump voter .
I ’ m looking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the general population , Biden plus 6 .
Leahy : But you know , it ’ s interesting .
There ’ s one thrown in there by the ABC News and the Washington Post poll and the Fox poll .
They all over sample Democrats in my view dramatically .
But you know it again it ’ s sort of playing out a little bit like 2016 did with all the pollsters saying , you know , it ’ s going to be Hillary .
It ’ s going to be Hillary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I mean the people I know inside the campaign , the theme is that you know , they ’ re ahead at this moment , they are ahead of where they were against Hillary Clinton in 2016 , still behind but you know , he plays from behind .
Here ’ s the thing , the debate tonight… Brewer : All of these debates .
You know , it ’ s similar to the situation we described with Senator Harris and the confirmation .
I mean there ’ s you know , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and a huge amount of reward .
And you know , I think for the president he ’ s you know , hamstrung himself tactically a little bit in that he ’ s lowered expectations for Biden too much .
Biden has a history of gaffes by them , you know that Biden is also an experienced debater .
Leahy : He is an experienced debater , and he ’ s been resting up .
Brewer : And he ’ s well-rested .
You can ’ t say you can ’ t knock @ @ @ @ @ @ @ know , I think he ’ s lowered the bar down too much .
Leahy : Yes , I think you ’ re probably right .
Brewer : And you know , I think for Biden , you know , all these topics that Chris Wallace has laid out all I mean , they ’ re the right topics in a lot of ways .
But I think they ’ re all laid out and they all point at the president .
I mean , they ’ re all about the president ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ know for Biden that looks great on paper .
But again , it ’ s the how far do you take it ?
You know , how far do you take it ?
Where is that line where you reach diminishing returns with the people who are going to decide the race ?
And those are the people who were in the middle of both parties looking for a home .
All right .
I mean looking for a comfort level with both candidates .
I mean the thing I see in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a huge comfort level broadly with either candidate .
Now in their bases there are .
Leahy : Well the base of Trump space loves them .
Leahy : Biden ’ s base tolerates him .
That ’ s a good way to put it and so… Brewer : You know , but it ’ s those it ’ s that group in the middle that don ’ t consider themselves too far .
The voters who are too far left who are just looking for somebody in difficult times to trust .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and I mean really , and it won ’ t happen – it never happens .
If the president was going to do anything super intelligent tonight , it might be to be a little understated .
I mean like he gets asked about his taxes .
I actually thought his answer was great , which was well , I just follow the laws of the country .
I had professional people prepare these , and I ’ m a real estate developer and depreciation is a real thing .
And you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anything that , you know , 10,000 job creators in this country haven ’ t done every year for the last 50 years .
Brewer : I could you know , I don ’ t know why you know , and that ’ s too nuanced really .
I mean this whole idea of he didn ’ t pay taxes .
So either he ’ s a crook or he ’ s a bad business person .
That really is inaccurate , and I ’ m not being an apologist for the president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And business people , you know , so , I mean , I think Biden can take it too far right ?
And you know , I don ’ t think the Supreme Court justice is a winner for Biden .
I got to tell you , I just don ’ t think so .
Leahy : And you know , the angle they ’ re saying is , well you ’ re going to lose your Affordable Care Act and healthcare Obamacare projection because of this nomination .
And that I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ well what do you think the Supreme Court ’ s job is Mr. Biden ?
Brewer : Yeah , and the other thing is that I think the Americans , if you just look at the nuance in the polls , Americans are trying to find a candidate .
Americans who are not already firmly in a camp are trying to find a candidate they trust more .
And so , you know , the president needs to maybe dial it back to 65 percent ( Leahy laughs ) of his normal acts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I think Biden , former Vice President Biden needs to really work to find that line and get right up to it , but not cross it in terms of his attack .
Leahy : Yeah .
I think what he ’ s being coached to do , Biden , is in the first half hour to show aggressive behavior , attacking the president but not going quite too far .
I think that ’ s what they ’ re coaching him to do .
Brewer : Well , what he ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of why me , right ?
I mean like , why me over the president ?
I mean , they ’ re not terribly dissimilar .
Right ?
I mean , they both have a habit of saying things that get them in trouble .
Leahy : And they are both septuagenarians .
Brewer : They ’ re both of the same age .
I mean they ’ re both white males .
Leahy : They both have hair issues of a kind the present I think hair is going to come up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I predict , ready ?
Biden is going to say I didn ’ t spend $ 70,000 on a hairdresser .
And then Trump is going to say yeah , but it ’ s all my real hair , Joe .
That ’ s what I think is going to happen .
Brewer : Maybe , I ’ m not sure that ’ s a true statement .
Brewer : That it ’ s all his actual hair .
Brewer : Well , we don ’ t know .
It ’ s not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people have pulled on his hair , you know ?
Leahy : Well , yeah , I think it is his real hair .
It ’ s a but the color may not be COVID-19 .
Brewer : It ’ s the ninth wonder of the world let me tell you .
Leahy : But you know , Joe Biden back into the 80s got the plugs .
Rush calls him plugs .
Brewer : Yeah .
Look , I think that you know , tonight is going to be a real balancing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t think Trump can go 120 percent at Trump .
And I don ’ t think Biden can carry it too far .
I think he ’ s going to be careful .
Because again , I think this election after you , you know , after people go to their corners , and all the people without a corner are going to be looking for the candidate , that they feel like can pull this country out of the situation it ’ s in .
Leahy : It ’ s quite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Brewer : With the pandemic and with the riots .
I mean , we ’ re in a pretty bad spot right now .
Leahy : Yeah , we ’ ve been in better spots .
Listen to the full third hour here : Tune in weekdays from 5:00 – 8:00 a.m. to the Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy on Talk Radio 98.3 FM WLAC 1510 .
Listen online at iHeart Radio .
Photo “ Debate Stage ” by Gage Skidmore CC BY-SA 3.0 .


thetennesseestar--2020-09-30--Nashville Based Attorney Kirk Clements Representing Steve Smith Discusses the Case Against Mayor Coo

Nashville Based Attorney Kirk Clements Representing Steve Smith Discusses the Case Against Mayor Cooper and Metro Health Officials

Live from Music Row Tuesday morning on The Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy – broadcast on Nashville ’ s Talk Radio 98.3 and 1510 WLAC weekdays from 5:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. – host Leahy welcomed attorney Kirk Clements of the Nashville-based Sovereignty Legal Foundation to the newsmakers line .
During the second hour , Clements highlighted elements of the case against Mayor John Cooper for shutting down Kid Rock ’ s downtown restaurant owned by Steve Smith and the fake COVID numbers to assist in that .
He added that according to the timing of the emails @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it ’ s alleged that this was a personal vendetta orchestrated by the mayor .
Leahy : We are joined on our newsmaker line now by Kirk Clements .
He is the attorney with the Sovereignty Legal Foundation representing Nashville businessman Steve Smith , and I think who owns Kid Rock ’ s Big Honky-Tonk and Steakhouse , and I think one other plaintiff in a case brought against Mayor John Cooper for shutting down restaurants and bars here in Nashville for , as it turns out , I guess no good @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : Good morning , sir .
How are you ?
Leahy : Well , I ’ m terrific .
Tell us a little bit about this lawsuit .
When was it filed ?
What have you learned in discovery ?
And what are you asking for ?
Clements : Well , we filed back in May of this year .
And specifically , we were seeking immediately to have the mayor ’ s orders set aside .
We allege that there was no rational basis between his effort to close down the bars @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Through the course of discovery what we ’ ve learned is that actually Mayor Cooper has intentionally misled the public to believe that there was a record number of cases that broke out in late June that required him to shut down the bars on July 2nd .
We have evidence in the form of emails where his Senior Deputy Advisor Ben Eagles intentionally crafted a misleading email by taking the data that was provided to him from the health department and manipulating it to say that there was a record number of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and I could I can read it to you .
Clements : It says let ’ s see .
He says , our public health investigation has found a record number of clusters originating from bars within the past week , which has affected employees , patrons , and musicians .
That is completely false .
I should say it ’ s misleading because he uses the term cluster .
A cluster can be one to a thousand cases from one location .
And what it ended up being was that only 19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the week when there were 3,000 cases to 3,200 new cases , I should say , which is less than half a percent .
Leahy : Yeah , exactly .
And there were only three of those cases traced to restaurants out of the 3,200 .
And on July 2nd , not only did he shut all the bars down , but he reduced all restaurant capacity from 75 percent where you can kind of break-even down to 50 percent where you ’ re going to lose money .
Clements : Correct .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ shut down Broadway .
That ’ s what he wanted to do .
It ’ s our position , and we allege in the lawsuit , that he was retaliating against Steve Smith for suing him one week earlier on June 26th .
We filed a motion to add Steve Smith and a couple of his bars to the lawsuit that Monday .
Leahy : I didn ’ t know that .
Okay .
So the original lawsuit was filed in Federal court in May ?
Is that right ?
Clements : Yes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clear from the beginning .
That was with regard to my client The Local .
He had borne West End , and then on June 26th , one week prior to the mayor shutting down the bars , we filed a motion to add in Steve Smith .
Clements : Yes , sir .
Correct .
And that Monday Ben Eagles emailed the health department , can you get me the number of cases related to the bars ?
He doesn ’ t get an immediate answer .
He emails again on Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ information by 2:30 pm .
And so once he got that information , he was hoping that there will be more than 19 cases .
He saw there were only 19 cases .
And we allege that at that point he decided to manipulate the data to make it appear that there was a record number of cases .
And there simply was not .
Leahy : So your argument that this was a personal vendetta against Steve Smith for joining that lawsuit on June 26th .
It ’ s at what you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in part .
Okay .
Clements : I don ’ t think there ’ s any question about that given the timing and the aggressiveness of Ben Eagles trying to get the information and then when he didn ’ t get what he wanted , he manipulated it to make it appear that they had to shut down bars .
And one other important fact here is that on June 29th , a couple of days after Ben Eagles got these emails the health department sends over their recommendations as to what the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases .
And none of the recommendations recommended that they shut down bars .
Even his own health department did not recommend shutting down bars .
Leahy : So on July 2nd , the mayor said we ’ re going to shut down all bars for 14 days starting July 3rd , that extended to think about 42 days .
Was Kid Rock ’ s Big Honky-Tonk Steakhouse shut down from July 3rd until mid-August ?
Clements : By the mayor ’ s order .
And it wasn ’ t even the mayor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to open .
Luckily the state intervened and allowed many of these bars to convert their licenses from limited-service restaurant licenses to restaurant licenses .
And that allowed them to open up under the restaurant restrictions .
That ’ s the only way that… Clements : We got open in the middle of August instead of , I think , most recently he allowed 25 patrons in each bar , which is completely ridiculous when you have a 30,000 square foot bar till the allowed 25 people in there ’ s just again @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for many of these restrictions except for the retaliation against Steve Smith .
And you also have to add in the fact that the mayor is politically motivated to keep people off of Broadway .
He ’ s done a terrible job of trying to restrain the spread of COVID-19 .
He ’ s not quarantined the people that are sick .
He ’ s not done the contact tracing properly .
He hasn ’ t addressed the real issue and in the COVID crisis , which is people are dying by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ review his orders , none of his orders , none of them addressed nursing homes .
None of them address the population that ’ s most susceptible to this which is those that are 65 and older .
He recommends that they stay home , but he doesn ’ t mandate that they stay home .
He doesn ’ t mandate that if you are diagnosed with COVID-19 that you have to remain at home .
And so to cover that up he doesn ’ t want pictures and videos of people having @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so he ’ s tried to camp that down as much as possible with these just simply silly restrictions – 25 people in a bar , 50 people in a bar .
You can ’ t even make money if you have a 1,000 square foot bar , let alone a 20 or 30,000 square foot bar .
Leahy : You say he ’ s not been doing contact tracing properly .
Give us an example of that .
What ’ s your evidence on that ?
Clements : Yeah .
Well , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ example .
I had an individual who actually filed an affidavit in my lawsuit where she came down with COVID-19 .
She was called after the 10th , I guess you ’ re there I don ’ t know this for sure , but I believe they ’ re supposed to be quarantined for 10 days from the time that you stop displaying symptoms .
She gets the call on that 10th day and they said okay , we ’ re releasing you to not no longer be quarantined .
But during the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t ask her the names of people she ’ d be in contact with .
They didn ’ t ask her where she ’ d been but they directed their questions at bars .
They kept asking what if you ’ ve been to a bar .
Have you been to a party ?
That ’ s what they were interested in .
They weren ’ t interested in genuinely getting information to find out if there were others that had been exposed to this and then contacting them to get them tested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like pollsters framing questions to get the narrative they want ?
Clements : Yes .
From this individual that I talked to , that ’ s the conclusion we ’ ve come to .
And there ’ s also there are some emails that I ’ ve seen from other people complaining that they had COVID-19 were and were never contacted by the city or otherwise required to quarantine or asked where have you been who ’ ve you been in contact with ?
Leahy : Tell us the status of your lawsuit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ happen with that ?
Clements : Well , the status is that I ’ ve , once these emails came to light I immediately attempted to take mayor Cooper and Director Caldwell ’ s deposition and the city ’ s fighting me tooth and nail .
So we ’ re in we ’ re and motions on that at this time waiting for the court to rule .
And what we fully expect is that all these lies that the mayor has told along with the Metro officials will ultimately lead us to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Will you come back and tell us more as the case progresses Kirk Clements ?
Listen to the full second hour here : Tune in weekdays from 5:00 – 8:00 a.m. to the Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy on Talk Radio 98.3 FM WLAC 1510 .
Listen online at iHeart Radio .
Photos “ Broadway Nashville ” by e Kat and “ Mayor John Cooper ” by Nashville Mayor ’ s Office .


thetennesseestar--2020-09-30--Richmond Mayor Proposes ‘Racially Equitable’ Affordable Housing Plan

The mayor will give a majority of the city-owned land parcels to Maggie Walker Community Land Trust .
The organization ’ s mission statement is “ to foster racially equitable communities ” within their constructed affordable housing .
The organization will receive 32 of the proposed 66 parcels of land .
Or , 80 percent of properties .
Stoney also proposed that the remainder of land will be given to non-profits for multi-family rental units and contractors .
The mayor stated that competitive contracts from the contractors and future tax revenue from properties phasing out from their taxpayer-exempt status will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ housing .
He promised that no new taxes would be imposed on citizens .
The mayor also stated that he factored these numbers to benefit “ the people who need it the most ” in his city .
According to Stoney , the plan is based on a disproportionate relationship of Black homeownership to white homeownership .
He stated that Black-owned homes have declined 30 percent and White ownership has increased 150 percent since 2000 .
“ We should not be sitting on those properties when they could be put to use for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the course of a decade , Stoney stated his plan would build 10,000 new affordable housing units .
“ We all see it , we all know it .
Richmond is a growing city .
Roughly 30,000 people have moved to our city over the course of our decade .
And that is an undeniably good thing for our city .
But , we have to recognize that racist systems have ensured that there are whole swaths of Richmond residents that will never benefit from the growth if we don ’ t do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is incumbent upon us that our most underserved communities don ’ t get left behind.
” Throughout the riots , Stoney continues to propose measures other than improving law and order in his city , including legalizing marijuana and removing Confederate monuments .
Stoney has also recently pushed to allocate half a million in surplus city funds to addressing citizens affected by mental illness and drug addiction .
Stoney is currently in a five-way election against Kim Gray , Alexsis Rodgers , Justin Griffin , and Tracey McLean .
The latest poll from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was favored to win re-election .
Recent polling of Stoney ’ s decision to remove the Confederate statues revealed a divide in constituent opinion over the mayor ’ s policy choices .
Corinne Murdock is a reporter at The Virginia Star and the Star News Network .
Follow her latest on Twitter , or email tips to [ email protected ] .
Photo “ Levar Stoney ” by Levar Stoney .


thetennesseestar--2020-09-30--TRUMPDATE: Latest From the Trump Team Virginia Campaign for September 30

Welcome to the Wednesday edition of our daily Virginia Trump campaign update !
We will provide our readers with daily updates on the Trump Virginia campaign from today to November 3 ( and after…if need be ! )
.
It ’ s officially 34 days until the election on November 3 – and 31 days until early voting in Virginia closes .
The deadline to register to vote in time for the 2020 election is October 13 .
President Trump and Democrat nominee , and former Vice President Joe Biden met Tuesday night in the first of three scheduled presidential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the debate discussing the nomination of Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court before transitioning to the a back-and-forth over health care .
Vice President Mike Pence and Democrat nominee Kamala Harris will hold their one and only debate on October 7 .
The next time Trump and Biden debate will be October 15 , then for a final time on October 22 .
Back here in Virginia , many of the president ’ s supporters gathered across the state for debate watch parties .
But with just over a month now until @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign continues to mobilize and be involved in register new voters and connect with other voters in a state many believe the president has a chance to win .
“ Our massive mobilization effort continues to send the message that Virginia is absolutely in play , ” said John Fredericks , chairman of the Trump Virginia delegation .
Fredericks joined other Trump Victory volunteers in Virginia Beach on Tuesday afternoon , knocking on doors .
It ’ s all part of the Trump campaign ’ s strategy to continue going into areas where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Warren County Republican Party will be holding a Trump rally at its party headquarters in Front Royal .
The event begins at 6 p.m .
The event will feature speeches and live music .
Trump supporters are encouraged to bring their signs , flags , masks and hats .
A list of speakers for the event will be announced soon .
Check back every day for more Trump Virginia campaign updates !
If you want to join the volunteer team or if you need signs email Fredericks or Justin Rice .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ here .
For more information , or to sign up to become a volunteer , click here .
John Fredericks is the publisher and editor-in-chief of The Virginia Star .
He is also a Trump 2020 delegate and the chairman of the Trump Virginia Delegation .


thetennesseestar--2020-09-30--Ohio, General Motors Reach Deal on Failed Tax Incentives in Lordstown

An Ohio native , J.D .
Davidson is a veteran journalist with more than 30 years of experience in newspapers @ @ @ @ @ Alabama and Texas .
He has served as a reporter , editor , managing editor @ @ @ @ @ a regional editor for The Center Square .
Photo “ Lordstown Complex ” by Lordstown @ @


thetennesseestar--2020-09-30--VCU Faculty Are Considering Requiring Courses on Racism

Faculty at Virginia Commonwealth University ( VCU ) are currently considering making a change to the university ’ s general education requirements by adding courses on racism .
The classes would be required for all freshman and grouped under the subject diversities of human experiences , according to the Richmond Times-Dispatch .
“ We ’ re at a good moment to see that this is something we really need to address , ” Constance Relihan , dean of VCU ’ s University College , told the Times-Dispatch .
It is unclear if one single department would house the classes or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ across multiple , different schools .
Currently , VCU has an African American Studies major as part of the College of Humanities and Sciences , and offers students several other courses that partly address history and racism , but those are not required .
The Virginia Star reached out to VCU Public Affairs in the hopes of speaking with faculty members about potential required courses on racism , but was told by director of news operations “ it ’ s early in the process for this , and VCU won ’ t have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this time.
” Afterwards , The Star made a different inquiry asking to see VCU ’ s policy on adding non-elective courses and what the process looks like for adding general education classes .
The specific policy was not given , but some information on the university ’ s process was shared .
The process for implementing new courses to the general education program is primarily conducted by the faculty , who are responsible for all changes or additions to the curriculum being used , and involves review and approval by professors at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the deans of different schools and colleges , according to VCU public affairs .
Part of the process falls under the responsibility of the University Undergraduate Curriculum Committee , consisting of faculty from various departments , whose main job is to to review all undergraduate curriculum proposals , changes and deletions plus other related actions proposed by the schools , according to the committee webpage .
To better facilitate , organize and complete the multi-step process VCU faculty uses management software , according to VCU academic affairs handbook .
Dr. Carol Swain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ law at Vanderbilt University , expressed concerns over required courses on racism .
“ I would say it depends on who is teaching the class and the approach that they use , ” Swain told The Star in an interview .
“ If it was a balanced history course taught by a professor that was not a critical race theorist then it might be a good idea .
“ If it is taught the way most of those courses are taught by someone steeped in critical race theory and Marxism , it would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many White students would feel uncomfortable because they would be blamed for all the evils of the world.
” Critical race theory is the view that the law and legal institutions are inherently racist and that race itself , instead of being biologically grounded and natural , is a socially constructed concept that is used by White people to further their economic and political interests at the expense of people of color , according to Britannica .
Swain added that general education courses tend to be structured in the same way and that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ counterproductive .
Jacob Taylor is a reporter at The Virginia Star and the Star News Digital Network .
Follow Jacob on Twitter .
Email tips to [ email protected ]


thetennesseestar--2020-09-30--Virginia Department of Health Launches New Pandemic Metrics Dashboard

The Virginia Department of Health ( VDH ) on Monday launched a new pandemic metrics dashboard with more specific , aggregated data to show where COVID-19 is spreading in Virginia ’ s different regions and any changes occurring over time .
The new dashboard will be updated weekly and features three different tabs : About the Data , Daily Region Metrics , Weekly Transmission Extent .
Additionally , School Metrics from the CDC are included within the dashboard .
“ Communities across the Commonwealth are facing different challenges as we all continue to battle the COVID-19 pandemic , ” said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a news release .
“ This pandemic dashboard provides data for communities to individualize and tailor response efforts to local needs.
” The first tab , About the Data , simply gives an overview of what the dashboard and the other tabs show .
The Daily Region Metrics and Weekly Transmission Extent tabs are significantly more detailed and provide the bulk of important data .
Specifically , the Daily Region Metrics tab shows the time series , the burden , the amount or quantity , and the trend , changes over time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eight different indicators , which includes daily case incidence rate per 100,000 people , daily PCR percent positivity and the rate of outbreaks per 100,000 people , among others .
The tab also allows the data to be specific by region or for all of Virginia , on a specific date and different statistics .
It also provides thresholds to measure the numbers by .
For example , as of Monday , in the central region , the daily case incidence rate per 100,000 is 9.8 cases .
The Weekly Transmission Extent tab @ @ @ @ @ @ @ burden and trend every week to determine extent of transmission in each region .
Furthermore , the regions ’ extent of transmission has five levels : substantial , approaching substantial , moderate , approaching moderate and low .
The overall trend and burden as well as a week-by-week graph for each region is also shown .
Currently , the Virginia ’ s central region has a moderate burden and is at moderate community transmission .
“ Our idea behind this dashboard was to first be able to aggregate the data , compile a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ algorithm in a way that you can get one overall picture of a level of transmission in the region , ” Dr. Lilian Peake , state epidemiologist , said in an interview with The Virginia Star .
Peake added : “ The pandemic dashboard has lots of metrics and those in themselves are really interesting to look at and follow because we show the trend , but what is also important is that the algorithm combines all of those metrics into composite scores and then translates that into a level of transmission so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ idea of what is going on.
” The additional School Metrics tab uses metrics based on the CDC indicators for dynamic school decision making to assist and guide school officials , taking into consideration the school ’ s ability to implement and adhere to key mitigation strategies to decrease transmission of COVID-19 , according to the news release .
Also provided within the tab is a map of all Virginia localities where you can select between five different indicators , 14-day case incidence being one indicator , to see how each locality is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not impact the broader daily COVID-19 dashboard .
When asked about a potential fall or second wave of COVID-19 , Dr. Laurie Forlano , deputy commissioner for population health , urged Virginians to remain vigilant in following public health and safety protocols .
“ We all want this to be over , but we don ’ t really have a [ timeframe ] for that right now , so it ’ s tempting when numbers start to look better and improve to feel like we can take our guard down , ” Forlano @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what we have to remember is when numbers are going down a lot of that has to do with what we ’ ve done to make that happen.
” Jacob Taylor is a reporter at The Virginia Star and the Star News Digital Network .
Follow Jacob on Twitter .
Email tips to [ email protected ]


thetennesseestar--2020-10-01--New Unemployment Claims Decrease to 837,000, Beat Expectations

The number of Americans filing new unemployment claims decreased to 837,000 last week as the economy continues to suffer the effects of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic , according to the Department of Labor .
The Department of Labor figure released Thursday represented a decrease of new jobless claims compared to the week ending on Sept. 19 , in which there were 870,000 new jobless claims reported .
Economists surveyed by Dow Jones expected Thursday ’ s jobless claims number to come in around 850,000 , CNBC reported .
New jobless claims fell below 1 million in the first week of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weekly claims were below 1 million since March .
“ Bottom line , we have a mix of people going back to work because they are now greater incentivized to do so without the extra $ 600 per week and those that are still challenged in finding a job that matches their skills in this unfortunate pandemic landscape , ” said Bleakley Advisory Group chief investment officer Peter Boockvar , according to CNBC .
Disney announced Tuesday it was laying off 28,000 employees while airlines have furloughed tens of thousands of employees , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Clearly there has been a moderation in the rate of improvement from the early stages , ” the head of U.S. economics at Bank of America Michelle Meyer said , according to The Times .
“ As we get further away from the initial shock , we have less of a natural catch-up , and we face more residual damage.
” Jobless claims hovered around 200,000 per week before the pandemic , according to WSJ .
President Donald Trump declared a national emergency in March as coronavirus spread rapidly around the world .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ August , while unemployment fell to 8.4 % , according to the Department of Labor data released Sept. 4 .
Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell said interest rates will be kept low for “ some time ” on Sept. 16 , according to CNBC .
He added that the economy is recovering at a pace faster than expected , NBC News reported .
However , the U.S. economy plunged by a record 31.4 % in the second quarter due to the pandemic .
The third quarter report , which will be released on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ significant growth , according to the Associated Press .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Wednesday that a second coronavirus was not close to getting done .
House Democrats delayed a vote on a potential stimulus bill until Thursday , according to Fox News reporter Chad Pergram .
The Bureau of Labor Statistics will release its September unemployment report Friday .
Thomas Catenacci is a reporter for the Daily Caller News Foundation .

by Thomas Catenacci
The number of Americans filing new unemployment claims decreased to 837,000 last week as the economy continues to suffer the effects of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, according to the Department of Labor.
The Department of Labor figure released Thursday represented a decrease of new jobless claims compared to the week ending on Sept. 19, in which there were 870,000 new jobless claims reported.
Economists surveyed by Dow Jones expected Thursday’s jobless claims number to come in around 850,000, CNBC reported. New jobless claims fell below 1 million in the first week of August, marking the first time the weekly claims were below 1 million since March.
“Bottom line, we have a mix of people going back to work because they are now greater incentivized to do so without the extra $600 per week and those that are still challenged in finding a job that matches their skills in this unfortunate pandemic landscape,” said Bleakley Advisory Group chief investment officer Peter Boockvar, according to CNBC.
Disney announced Tuesday it was laying off 28,000 employees while airlines have furloughed tens of thousands of employees, the WSJ reported. reported.
“Clearly there has been a moderation in the rate of improvement from the early stages,” the head of U.S. economics at Bank of America Michelle Meyer said, according to The Times. “As we get further away from the initial shock, we have less of a natural catch-up, and we face more residual damage.”
Jobless claims hovered around 200,000 per week before the pandemic, according to WSJ. President Donald Trump declared a national emergency in March as coronavirus spread rapidly around the world.
The U.S. added 1.4 million jobs in August, while unemployment fell to 8.4%, according to the Department of Labor data released Sept. 4.
Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell said interest rates will be kept low for “some time” on Sept. 16, according to CNBC. He added that the economy is recovering at a pace faster than expected, NBC News reported.
However, the U.S. economy plunged by a record 31.4% in the second quarter due to the pandemic. The third quarter report, which will be released on Oct. 29, is expected to show significant growth, according to the Associated Press.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Wednesday that a second coronavirus was not close to getting done. House Democrats delayed a vote on a potential stimulus bill until Thursday, according to Fox News reporter Chad Pergram.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics will release its September unemployment report Friday.
– – –
Thomas Catenacci is a reporter for the Daily Caller News Foundation.


thetennesseestar--2020-10-01--Fox 17 Reports Nashville Bars and Restaurants Account for Less Than One-Half of One Percent of Virus

Fox 17 Reports Nashville Bars and Restaurants Account for Less Than One-Half of One Percent of Virus Cases

Dennis Ferrier of Fox News 17 continues his reporting on Nashville Mayor John Cooper ’ s overreach in closing restaurants and bars , which account for only a fraction of coronavirus cases even as that industry continues to suffer .
Ferrier has been digging into the story for some time to gain the actual number of cases .
Prior to running the story , Ferrier posted on his Facebook page , “ It wasn ’ t easy , but we FINALLY have the total number of bar and restaurant COVID cases in Nashville since March .
You don ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the debate on FOX17 news.
” Ferrier ’ s latest story was published Wednesday here .
Those establishments have been connected to only 146 of the county ’ s 25,000-plus coronavirus cases even as they continue to face crippling limitations .
Ferrier began reporting on the story last month and drew national headlines , as The Tennessee Star has reported .
Ferrier on Wednesday reported that the 146 cases account for less than one-half of one percent of all cases , which has implications for businesses that have been closed or working at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fox 17 News reported on September 25 that more and more businesses and workers in the hospitality industry are interested in joining a federal class action lawsuit over Cooper ’ s shutdown .
Maury County Mayor Andy Ogles said Tennessee Gov .
Bill Lee and Cooper can heal the economy by reopening it , The Star reported Wednesday .
On the Sept. 18 edition of Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy – broadcast on Nashville ’ s Talk Radio 98.3 and 1510 WLAC weekdays from 5:00 am to 8:00 am – host @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s Vice President of Communications Mark Cunningham on the newsmakers line .
Cunningham said Cooper only follows the science when it suits him , and this has implications that should make people take notice all across the country .
Are they seeing the numbers that are good for people and still shutting down businesses .
I think that ’ s the major concern for everybody .
It ’ s not just conservatives but it is every person that believes in a balance between health and safety .
And not just shutting everything @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going to make people across the country take a look at their local governments .
The full transcript is available here .
The Star reported on Sept. 21 that Cooper knew the truth about the low restaurant and bar case counts during a July 2 press conference when he said “ record ” cases were his reason to slash the businesses ’ capacity .
In other words , there was no credible evidence .
When Nashville Mayor John Cooper announced at a July 2 press conference that he was shutting down all the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , reducing restaurant capacity from 75 percent to 50 percent , and temporarily closing event venues and entertainment venues , all due to “ record ” cases of COVID-19 traceable to restaurants and bars , he apparently knew that his own Metro Health Department said less than two dozen cases of COVID-19 could be traced to those establishments .
Jason M. Reynolds has more than 20 years ’ experience as a journalist at outlets of all sizes .
Photo “ Lower Broadway ” by Philip Nelson .
CC BY-SA 2.0 .

Dennis Ferrier of Fox News 17 continues his reporting on Nashville Mayor John Cooper’s overreach in closing restaurants and bars, which account for only a fraction of coronavirus cases even as that industry continues to suffer.
Ferrier has been digging into the story for some time to gain the actual number of cases.
Prior to running the story, Ferrier posted on his Facebook page, “It wasn’t easy, but we FINALLY have the total number of bar and restaurant COVID cases in Nashville since March. You don’t want to miss this story tonight after the debate on FOX17 news.”
Ferrier’s latest story was published Wednesday here. Those establishments have been connected to only 146 of the county’s 25,000-plus coronavirus cases even as they continue to face crippling limitations.
Ferrier began reporting on the story last month and drew national headlines, as The Tennessee Star has reported.
Ferrier on Wednesday reported that the 146 cases account for less than one-half of one percent of all cases, which has implications for businesses that have been closed or working at a fraction of occupancy since March.
The Tennessee hospitality association offers these numbers from the state. In June and July combined, Nashville restaurant numbers are down 41 percent. The entire rest of the state is down just 12 percent.
Fox 17 News reported on September 25 that more and more businesses and workers in the hospitality industry are interested in joining a federal class action lawsuit over Cooper’s shutdown.
Maury County Mayor Andy Ogles said Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee and Cooper can heal the economy by reopening it, The Star reported Wednesday.
On the Sept. 18 edition of Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy – broadcast on Nashville’s Talk Radio 98.3 and 1510 WLAC weekdays from 5:00 am to 8:00 am – host Michael Patrick Leahy welcomed the Beacon Center’s Vice President of Communications Mark Cunningham on the newsmakers line. Cunningham said Cooper only follows the science when it suits him, and this has implications that should make people take notice all across the country.
Are they seeing the numbers that are good for people and still shutting down businesses. I think that’s the major concern for everybody. It’s not just conservatives but it is every person that believes in a balance between health and safety. And not just shutting everything down. So I think this is going to make people across the country take a look at their local governments.
The full transcript is available here.
The Star reported on Sept. 21 that Cooper knew the truth about the low restaurant and bar case counts during a July 2 press conference when he said “record” cases were his reason to slash the businesses’ capacity. In other words, there was no credible evidence.
When Nashville Mayor John Cooper announced at a July 2 press conference that he was shutting down all the city’s bars for 14 days, reducing restaurant capacity from 75 percent to 50 percent, and temporarily closing event venues and entertainment venues, all due to “record” cases of COVID-19 traceable to restaurants and bars, he apparently knew that his own Metro Health Department said less than two dozen cases of COVID-19 could be traced to those establishments.
– – –
Jason M. Reynolds has more than 20 years’ experience as a journalist at outlets of all sizes.
Photo “Lower Broadway” by Philip Nelson. CC BY-SA 2.0.


thetennesseestar--2020-10-01--Commentary: When Trump Won the Debate

Commentary: When Trump Won the Debate

The crucial moment in Tuesday night ’ s debate was near the end when Joe Biden invited President Trump to throw the Proud Boys under the bus , and the president refused to do it .
The president was asked by moderator Chris Wallace “ to condemn white supremacists and militia groups and to say that they need to stand down and not add to the violence in a number of these cities as we saw in Kenosha and as we ’ ve seen in Portland.
” Trump replied , “ Sure , I ’ m willing to do that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ almost everything I see ” in terms of violence “ is from the left-wing , not from the right-wing .
I ’ m willing to do anything.… I want to see peace.
” After further back-and-forth , Trump said , “ Give me a name , ” and Biden said , “ Proud Boys.
” To this , Trump replied : “ Proud Boys , stand back and stand by , but I ’ ll tell you what , somebody ’ s got ta do something about Antifa and the Left , because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this is a left-wing problem.
” Because I personally know both Proud Boys founder Gavin McInnes and the group ’ s current chairman Enrique Tarrio , I was pleased by that response .
The idea that the Proud Boys are a dangerous “ white supremacist ” organization is a myth created by the left-wing media , and it took courage for the president of the United States to stand tough in that moment .
The liberal media , of course , was scandalized , but who is rioting in Portland ?
Who attacked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ zone ” in Seattle ?
Who has engaged in looting and arson in New York , Chicago , Minneapolis , and other major cities in the past several weeks ?
Hint : not the Proud Boys .
Much of what happened onstage Tuesday at Case Western University was an embarrassment .
Wallace ’ s performance as moderator pleased no one , and the candidates took turns interrupting each other .
Joe Biden resorted to calling the president a “ clown.
” Many conservative viewers complained that , whenever Trump had Biden on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrat .
But Trump had a clear strategy : Show dominance , and force Biden to disavow the left-wing policies most popular with the Democratic Party ’ s radical wing .
In both of these objectives , Trump was successful .
Amid the rough-and-tumble exchanges , Trump was constantly the aggressor , and he repeatedly compelled Biden to distance himself from such policies as defunding police , single-payer health care , and the “ Green New Deal.
” Trump slugged away on numerous issues , including the dubious foreign endeavors of Biden ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support for the rioters and other criminals who have turned America ’ s cities into chaotic hellscapes : Trump : “ He doesn ’ t have any law enforcement support .
He doesn ’ t have any law enforcement support.
” Biden : “ That ’ s not true .
That ’ s not … look … ” Trump : “ Oh really , who do you have ?
Name one group that supports you .
Name one group that came out in support of you.
” Biden : “ Look , look @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do anything except … ” Trump : “ No , no , think about it .
Name one law enforcement group that came out in support of you .
There aren ’ t , I don ’ t think there are any.
” Biden had nothing to say in response , and looked weak .
Halfway through the debate , Biden supporter Andrew Sullivan lamented , “ Trump is dominating .
That ’ s the brutal truth .
It ’ s painful .
So far.
” Minutes later , Sullivan added , “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so old or so weak .
He can ’ t land a strong blow .
He ’ s being successfully heckled .
I want to look away.
” It didn ’ t get better for Biden after that , as the 77-year-old former vice president seemed to get tired .
We do not know who “ won ” the debate , in terms of public opinion .
Probably very few minds were changed .
People who don ’ t like Trump going into the debate are unlikely to have been persuaded by his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , many Democratic voters were probably demoralized after watching their guy get pushed around for an hour and a half .
PJMedia blogger Stephen Green summed up the evening : “ Biden didn ’ t collapse , which is probably good enough for him and his campaign.
” The Proud Boys , of course , were ecstatic over the president ’ s shout-out .
They took the president ’ s words — “ Stand back and stand by ” — and incorporated it into their group ’ s logo .
Oregon ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has allowed Antifa mobs to riot in Portland for months , took her cue to again denounce the Proud Boys as “ white supremacists.
” What Democrats don ’ t seem to understand is that there are millions of Americans who are sick and tired of being called racists , and these American voters know which party hates them .
It ’ s Joe Biden ’ s party .
Americans will have their say on November 3 .
Stand back and stand by .
Robert Stacy McCain is the author of Sex Trouble @ @ @ @ @ @ @ War Against Human Nature .
He blogs at TheOtherMcCain.com .
Photo “ Donald Trump-Joe Biden Presidential Debate ” by ABC News .

by Robert Stacy McCain
The crucial moment in Tuesday night’s debate was near the end when Joe Biden invited President Trump to throw the Proud Boys under the bus, and the president refused to do it. The president was asked by moderator Chris Wallace “to condemn white supremacists and militia groups and to say that they need to stand down and not add to the violence in a number of these cities as we saw in Kenosha and as we’ve seen in Portland.” Trump replied, “Sure, I’m willing to do that,” but then added that “almost everything I see” in terms of violence “is from the left-wing, not from the right-wing. I’m willing to do anything.… I want to see peace.”
After further back-and-forth, Trump said, “Give me a name,” and Biden said, “Proud Boys.” To this, Trump replied: “Proud Boys, stand back and stand by, but I’ll tell you what, somebody’s gotta do something about Antifa and the Left, because this is not a right-wing problem, this is a left-wing problem.”
Because I personally know both Proud Boys founder Gavin McInnes and the group’s current chairman Enrique Tarrio, I was pleased by that response. The idea that the Proud Boys are a dangerous “white supremacist” organization is a myth created by the left-wing media, and it took courage for the president of the United States to stand tough in that moment.
The liberal media, of course, was scandalized, but who is rioting in Portland? Who attacked police and set up an “autonomous zone” in Seattle? Who has engaged in looting and arson in New York, Chicago, Minneapolis, and other major cities in the past several weeks? Hint: not the Proud Boys.
Much of what happened onstage Tuesday at Case Western University was an embarrassment. Wallace’s performance as moderator pleased no one, and the candidates took turns interrupting each other. Joe Biden resorted to calling the president a “clown.” Many conservative viewers complained that, whenever Trump had Biden on the ropes, Wallace intervened to protect the Democrat. But Trump had a clear strategy: Show dominance, and force Biden to disavow the left-wing policies most popular with the Democratic Party’s radical wing. In both of these objectives, Trump was successful. Amid the rough-and-tumble exchanges, Trump was constantly the aggressor, and he repeatedly compelled Biden to distance himself from such policies as defunding police, single-payer health care, and the “Green New Deal.”
Trump slugged away on numerous issues, including the dubious foreign endeavors of Biden’s son Hunter and Biden’s support for the rioters and other criminals who have turned America’s cities into chaotic hellscapes:
Trump: “He doesn’t have any law enforcement support. He doesn’t have any law enforcement support.” Biden: “That’s not true. That’s not … look … ” Trump: “Oh really, who do you have? Name one group that supports you. Name one group that came out in support of you.” Biden: “Look, look we don’t have time to do anything except … ” Trump: “No, no, think about it. Name one law enforcement group that came out in support of you. There aren’t, I don’t think there are any.”
Biden had nothing to say in response, and looked weak. Halfway through the debate, Biden supporter Andrew Sullivan lamented, “Trump is dominating. That’s the brutal truth. It’s painful. So far.” Minutes later, Sullivan added, “I’ve never seen Biden seem so old or so weak. He can’t land a strong blow. He’s being successfully heckled. I want to look away.” It didn’t get better for Biden after that, as the 77-year-old former vice president seemed to get tired.
We do not know who “won” the debate, in terms of public opinion. Probably very few minds were changed. People who don’t like Trump going into the debate are unlikely to have been persuaded by his domineering performance. On the other hand, many Democratic voters were probably demoralized after watching their guy get pushed around for an hour and a half. PJMedia blogger Stephen Green summed up the evening: “Biden didn’t collapse, which is probably good enough for him and his campaign.”
The Proud Boys, of course, were ecstatic over the president’s shout-out. They took the president’s words — “Stand back and stand by” — and incorporated it into their group’s logo. Oregon’s Democratic Gov. Kate Brown, who has allowed Antifa mobs to riot in Portland for months, took her cue to again denounce the Proud Boys as “white supremacists.” What Democrats don’t seem to understand is that there are millions of Americans who are sick and tired of being called racists, and these American voters know which party hates them. It’s Joe Biden’s party.
Americans will have their say on November 3. Stand back and stand by.
– – –
Robert Stacy McCain is the author of Sex Trouble: Essays on Radical Feminism and the War Against Human Nature. He blogs at TheOtherMcCain.com.
Photo “Donald Trump-Joe Biden Presidential Debate” by ABC News.


thetennesseestar--2020-10-01--DOJ Lawyer Who Signed Carter Page Spy Warrants Now Regrets Doing So

The Justice Department attorney who signed the four surveillance warrant applications against Carter Page says they would not have done had they known of the information withheld by the FBI , according to a letter sent to the Senate this month .
Sen. Lindsey Graham read portions of the letter at the beginning of a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing with former FBI Director James Comey on Wednesday .
The attorney , who works in the Justice Department ’ s Office of Intelligence ( OI ) , is not identified in the letter .
The attorney signed all four of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ warrants granted against Page .
Stephen Boyd , the assistant attorney general for legislative affairs , sent the document to Graham on Sept. 16 .
“ The OI attorney advises that had he/she been aware of the significant errors and omissions identified by the OIG and the errors in the Woods process , he/she would not have signed the filed Page FISA applications , ” reads the letter , obtained by The Daily Caller News Foundation .
A Justice Department inspector general ’ s ( IG ) report said that the FBI made @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in applications to obtain a Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act ( FISA ) warrants against Carter Page .
The IG report said that FBI investigators withheld evidence that undermined the credibility of the Steele dossier , which the bureau cited extensively in its FISA applications .
Comey signed FISA applications granted against Page in October 2016 and January 2017 .
Two other signees — former Deputy Attorney Generals Rod Rosenstein and Sally Yates — previously testified that they would not have signed the FISA warrants if they had known about the FBI ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a reporter for the Daily Caller News Foundation .
Photo “ Carter Page ” by MSNBC .
CC BY 3.0 .
Background Photo “ FISA Court ” by AgnosticPreachersKid .
CC BY-SA 3.0 .

by Chuck Ross
The Justice Department attorney who signed the four surveillance warrant applications against Carter Page says they would not have done had they known of the information withheld by the FBI, according to a letter sent to the Senate this month.
Sen. Lindsey Graham read portions of the letter at the beginning of a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing with former FBI Director James Comey on Wednesday.
The attorney, who works in the Justice Department’s Office of Intelligence (OI), is not identified in the letter. The attorney signed all four of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) warrants granted against Page.
Stephen Boyd, the assistant attorney general for legislative affairs, sent the document to Graham on Sept. 16.
“The OI attorney advises that had he/she been aware of the significant errors and omissions identified by the OIG and the errors in the Woods process, he/she would not have signed the filed Page FISA applications,” reads the letter, obtained by The Daily Caller News Foundation.
A Justice Department inspector general’s (IG) report said that the FBI made 17 “significant” errors and omissions in applications to obtain a Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) warrants against Carter Page.
The IG report said that FBI investigators withheld evidence that undermined the credibility of the Steele dossier, which the bureau cited extensively in its FISA applications.
Comey signed FISA applications granted against Page in October 2016 and January 2017.
Two other signees — former Deputy Attorney Generals Rod Rosenstein and Sally Yates — previously testified that they would not have signed the FISA warrants if they had known about the FBI’s omissions at the time.
– – –
Chuck Ross is a reporter for the Daily Caller News Foundation.
Photo “Carter Page” by MSNBC. CC BY 3.0. Background Photo “FISA Court” by AgnosticPreachersKid. CC BY-SA 3.0.


thetennesseestar--2020-10-01--Bereft of Scripted Shows, Opening Week Ratings Down for TV

NEW YORK , New York ( AP ) — The surest sign of how the coronavirus shutdown has devastated the television industry is the fourth-place finish of CBS in what was nominally the first week of a new fall season .
The network ’ s viewership was down a whopping 61 % from the premiere week last year , the Nielsen company said .
CBS has essentially been America ’ s favorite television network for two decades .
But that success was built primarily on its scripted dramas and comedies , particularly crime procedurals like “ NCIS.
” The shutdown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ means CBS is struggling to cobble together a competitive schedule each week .
ABC , NBC and Fox were all down from last year , too .
But between pro football and the return of some popular unscripted shows like “ The Masked Singer ” and “ Dancing With the Stars , ” they weren ’ t hurt as much as CBS .
Fox ’ s animated series , including the ageless “ The Simpsons , ” are also back .
Overall television viewing was down 13 % compared to the same week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pronounced among younger viewers , Nielsen said .
Some scripted series have resumed production and are expected to gradually return to the air .
CBS ’ “ FBI ” will start fresh episodes on Oct. 6 , for example , with NBC ’ s “ This is Us ” due back Oct. 27 .
Technically , CBS was actually the fifth-place network last week , with Fox News Channel reaching more viewers in prime time .
Fox News recorded an important milestone as the first cable network to beat all of the broadcast @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Nielsen said .
That ’ s testament to the popularity of Fox ’ s political programming and the summer cupboard being barren for the broadcasters .
NBC led the season-opening week , averaging 5.5 million viewers in prime time .
Fox had 3.9 million , ABC had 3.8 million , CBS had 2.7 million , Univision had 1.14 million , Ion Television had 1.11 million , Telemundo had 1 million and the CW had 570,000 .
Fox News Channel dominated the cable networks , averaging 3.73 million .
ESPN had 2.91 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had 1.82 million and CNN had 1.2 million .
Nielsen has also begun releasing a list of the top shows on streaming services , based on the total number of minutes watched , although the timing lags behind the TV ratings .
For the last week of August , Nielsen said Netflix ’ s “ Lucifer ” was the most popular streamed show , with 2 million minutes watched , followed by “ Cobra Kai ” and reruns of “ The Office.
” ABC ’ s “ World News Tonight ” won the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million viewers for the week .
NBC ’ s “ Nightly News ” had 7 million and the “ CBS Evening News ” had 5.1 million .
For the week of Sept. 21-27 , the top 20 shows , their networks and viewership : 2 .
NFL Football : New Orleans at Las Vegas , ABC and ESPN , 15.96 million .
David Bauder is a reporter for The Associated Press .
About the Headline Photo : Green Bay Packers wide receiver Allen Lazard ( 13 ) is tackled by New Orleans Saints @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and cornerback Marshon Lattimore in the second half of an NFL football game in New Orleans , Sunday , Sept. 27 , 2020 .
( AP Photo/Butch Dill )

by David Bauder
NEW YORK, New York (AP) — The surest sign of how the coronavirus shutdown has devastated the television industry is the fourth-place finish of CBS in what was nominally the first week of a new fall season.
The network’s viewership was down a whopping 61% from the premiere week last year, the Nielsen company said.
CBS has essentially been America’s favorite television network for two decades. But that success was built primarily on its scripted dramas and comedies, particularly crime procedurals like “NCIS.” The shutdown in TV production because of the pandemic means CBS is struggling to cobble together a competitive schedule each week.
ABC, NBC and Fox were all down from last year, too. But between pro football and the return of some popular unscripted shows like “The Masked Singer” and “Dancing With the Stars,” they weren’t hurt as much as CBS. Fox’s animated series, including the ageless “The Simpsons,” are also back.
Overall television viewing was down 13% compared to the same week last year, with the decline more pronounced among younger viewers, Nielsen said.
Some scripted series have resumed production and are expected to gradually return to the air. CBS’ “FBI” will start fresh episodes on Oct. 6, for example, with NBC’s “This is Us” due back Oct. 27.
Technically, CBS was actually the fifth-place network last week, with Fox News Channel reaching more viewers in prime time. Fox News recorded an important milestone as the first cable network to beat all of the broadcast networks in viewership over a three-month period, Nielsen said. That’s testament to the popularity of Fox’s political programming and the summer cupboard being barren for the broadcasters.
NBC led the season-opening week, averaging 5.5 million viewers in prime time. Fox had 3.9 million, ABC had 3.8 million, CBS had 2.7 million, Univision had 1.14 million, Ion Television had 1.11 million, Telemundo had 1 million and the CW had 570,000.
Fox News Channel dominated the cable networks, averaging 3.73 million. ESPN had 2.91 million, MSNBC had 1.9 million, TNT had 1.82 million and CNN had 1.2 million.
Nielsen has also begun releasing a list of the top shows on streaming services, based on the total number of minutes watched, although the timing lags behind the TV ratings. For the last week of August, Nielsen said Netflix’s “Lucifer” was the most popular streamed show, with 2 million minutes watched, followed by “Cobra Kai” and reruns of “The Office.”
ABC’s “World News Tonight” won the evening news ratings race, averaging 8.4 million viewers for the week. NBC’s “Nightly News” had 7 million and the “CBS Evening News” had 5.1 million.
For the week of Sept. 21-27, the top 20 shows, their networks and viewership:
1. NFL Football: Green Bay at New Orleans, NBC, 17.8 million.
2. NFL Football: New Orleans at Las Vegas, ABC and ESPN, 15.96 million.
3. “NFL Post-Game,” Fox 14.44 million.
4. “NFL Pre-Kick,” NBC, 12.07 million.
5. “60 Minutes,” CBS, 7.56 million.
6. “Football Night in America, Part 3,” NBC, 6.7 million.
7. “America’s Got Talent” (Wednesday, 9 p.m.), NBC, 6.57 million.
8. “America’s Got Talent” (Tuesday), NBC, 6.16 million.
9. “Dancing With the Stars,” ABC, 6.1 million.
10. “The Masked Singer,” Fox, 5.92 million.
11. “Monday Night Kickoff,” ABC, 5.62 million.
12. “America’s Got Talent” (Wednesday, 8 p.m.), NBC, 5.48 million.
13. NFL Football: Miami at Jacksonville, NFL Network, 5.43 million.
14. “Celebrity Family Feud,” ABC, 5.27 million.
15. NBA Playoffs: Denver vs. L.A. Lakers (Tuesday), TNT, 4.89 million.
16. “Tucker Carlson Tonight” (Wednesday), Fox News, 4.87 million.
17. NBA Playoffs: Denver vs. L.A. Lakers (Saturday), TNT, 4.79 million.
18. “Tucker Carlson Tonight” (Monday), Fox News, 4.76 million.
19. “Tucker Carlson Tonight” (Thursday), Fox News, 4.75 million.
20. “Tucker Carlson Tonight” (Tuesday), Fox News, 4.74 million.
– – –
David Bauder is a reporter for The Associated Press.
About the Headline Photo: Green Bay Packers wide receiver Allen Lazard (13) is tackled by New Orleans Saints strong safety Malcolm Jenkins (27) and cornerback Marshon Lattimore in the second half of an NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)


thetennesseestar--2020-10-01--Majority of Spanish Speaking Telemundo Viewers Say Trump Won Debate

A majority of Spanish speaking viewers of Telemundo think President Trump won the presidential debate Tuesday night with Democratic challenger Joe Biden , according to a poll by the cable TV network .
During post-debate coverage , Telemundo anchors displayed a poll showing that 66 % of Spanish speaking viewers thought Trump emerged victorious , compared to 34 % who thought Biden won .
In 2016 , the president won 28 % of the country ’ s Latino vote , which was just 1 % higher than what Republican candidate Mitt Romney received in 2012 .
Polls in late summer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 30s with Hispanic voters , though that number could be as high as 38 % .
Though Trump ’ s numbers among Hispanic numbers still fall below those of President George W. Bush , who won between 40-44 % of the Latino vote in 2004 , he remains relatively popular compared to previous Republican candidates .
The state in which his Hispanic approval numbers will end of mattering the most will likely be Florida , key to Trump winning reelection .
Some polls show Biden has a double-digit lead among those voters .

by Sophie Mann
A majority of Spanish speaking viewers of Telemundo think President Trump won the presidential debate Tuesday night with Democratic challenger Joe Biden, according to a poll by the cable TV network.
During post-debate coverage, Telemundo anchors displayed a poll showing that 66% of Spanish speaking viewers thought Trump emerged victorious, compared to 34% who thought Biden won.
Spanish speaking viewers of Telemundo expressed their preference of who won tonight’s presidential debate: 66% Trump 34% Biden. #DebateTuesday pic.twitter.com/JxCUFda6iF — Daniel Garza (@danielggarza) September 30, 2020
In 2016, the president won 28% of the country’s Latino vote, which was just 1% higher than what Republican candidate Mitt Romney received in 2012. Polls in late summer showed the president tracking in the low 30s with Hispanic voters, though that number could be as high as 38%.
Though Trump’s numbers among Hispanic numbers still fall below those of President George W. Bush, who won between 40-44% of the Latino vote in 2004, he remains relatively popular compared to previous Republican candidates.
The state in which his Hispanic approval numbers will end of mattering the most will likely be Florida, key to Trump winning reelection. Some polls show Biden has a double-digit lead among those voters.
– – –
Photo “Donald Trump-Joe Biden Presidential Debate Poll” by Jorge Bonilla.


thetennesseestar--2020-10-01--Judge Approves $800M Payout Plan for Vegas Shooting Victims

LAS VEGAS , Nevada ( AP ) — A court on Wednesday approved a total of $ 800 million in payouts from casino company MGM Resorts International and its insurers to more than 4,400 relatives and victims of the Las Vegas Strip shooting that was the deadliest in recent U.S. history .
The action makes final a deal announced earlier this month and settles dozens of lawsuits on the eve of the third anniversary of the shooting that killed 58 people and injured more than 850 at an open-air concert near the Mandalay Bay resort .
Clark County District Court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ order , cited “ near-unanimous participation in the settlement among potential claimants.
” Authorities said more than 22,000 people were attending an outdoor music festival when a gunman firing military-style weapons from windows on the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay rained rapid-fire bullets into the crowd .
MGM Resorts , owner of the hotel and the concert venue , acknowledged no liability with the settlement .
It will pay $ 49 million , while its insurance companies will pay $ 751 million .
“ We are grateful that the decision brings families @ @ @ @ @ @ @ closure , ” the company said in a statement .
It noted the anniversary of the Oct. 1 , 2017 , event , calling it “ a time of great sadness and reflection.
” Memorial ceremonies are scheduled Thursday at several venues in Las Vegas , including a reading of the names of the slain beginning at 10:05 p.m. — the time the first shots rang out .
Attorney Robert Eglet , the plaintiffs ’ lawyer who spent a year arranging the settlement with clients , legal firms and attorneys in at least @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disbursed will be determined by two retired judges and he ’ s hopeful that payments will begin going out by the end of the year .
“ There ’ ve been no objections and we expect no appeals , ” Eglet told The Associated Press .
“ We ’ ll send out notices of the order .
After 30 days the $ 800 million will be deposited.
” The case will be dismissed at that time , he added .
Eglet previously said that everyone involved “ recognized there are no winners in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where people and the community are reliving the event every time we try a case.
” A line-by-line list of victims , identified by their initials only , runs for more than 170 pages of a 225-page civil complaint filed Sept. 9 seeking compensation and punitive damages from MGM Resorts .
It accused the casino company of negligence , wrongful death and liability in the 2017 shooting .
Millions of dollars could go to the most severely and permanently injured , Eglet said , depending on factors including age , number of dependents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ future medical treatment , and ability to work .
A minimum $ 5,000 would go to each person who filed a claim for unseen injuries and did not seek medical attention or therapy .
Administrators of the account will be retired Nevada Judge Jennifer Togliatti and retired California Judge Louis Meisinger , with help from the Virginia-based claims management legal firm BrownGreer .
Court filings in the case don ’ t mention the gunman , Stephen Paddock , who killed himself before police closed in .
Las Vegas police and the FBI determined @ @ @ @ @ @ @ player meticulously planned the attack and acted alone .
They theorized he may have sought notoriety , but said they never determined a clear motive for the attack .
Ken Ritter is a reporter for The Associated Press .
About the Headline Photo : In this Oct. 1 , 2018 , file photo , survivors return to the scene of a mass shooting on the first anniversary in Las Vegas .
A judge in Nevada has approved a total of $ 800 million in payouts from casino company MGM Resorts International and its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ victims of the Las Vegas Strip shooting that was the deadliest in recent U.S. history .
( AP Photo/John Locher , File )

by Ken Ritter
LAS VEGAS, Nevada (AP) — A court on Wednesday approved a total of $800 million in payouts from casino company MGM Resorts International and its insurers to more than 4,400 relatives and victims of the Las Vegas Strip shooting that was the deadliest in recent U.S. history.
The action makes final a deal announced earlier this month and settles dozens of lawsuits on the eve of the third anniversary of the shooting that killed 58 people and injured more than 850 at an open-air concert near the Mandalay Bay resort.
Clark County District Court Judge Linda Bell, in her brief order, cited “near-unanimous participation in the settlement among potential claimants.”
Authorities said more than 22,000 people were attending an outdoor music festival when a gunman firing military-style weapons from windows on the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay rained rapid-fire bullets into the crowd.
MGM Resorts, owner of the hotel and the concert venue, acknowledged no liability with the settlement. It will pay $49 million, while its insurance companies will pay $751 million.
“We are grateful that the decision brings families, victims and the community closer to closure,” the company said in a statement. It noted the anniversary of the Oct. 1, 2017, event, calling it “a time of great sadness and reflection.”
Memorial ceremonies are scheduled Thursday at several venues in Las Vegas, including a reading of the names of the slain beginning at 10:05 p.m. — the time the first shots rang out.
Attorney Robert Eglet, the plaintiffs’ lawyer who spent a year arranging the settlement with clients, legal firms and attorneys in at least 10 states, said amounts to be disbursed will be determined by two retired judges and he’s hopeful that payments will begin going out by the end of the year.
“There’ve been no objections and we expect no appeals,” Eglet told The Associated Press. “We’ll send out notices of the order. After 30 days the $800 million will be deposited.”
The case will be dismissed at that time, he added.
Eglet previously said that everyone involved “recognized there are no winners in long, drawn-out litigation with multiple trials where people and the community are reliving the event every time we try a case.”
A line-by-line list of victims, identified by their initials only, runs for more than 170 pages of a 225-page civil complaint filed Sept. 9 seeking compensation and punitive damages from MGM Resorts. It accused the casino company of negligence, wrongful death and liability in the 2017 shooting.
Millions of dollars could go to the most severely and permanently injured, Eglet said, depending on factors including age, number of dependents, type of injuries, previous and future medical treatment, and ability to work.
A minimum $5,000 would go to each person who filed a claim for unseen injuries and did not seek medical attention or therapy.
Administrators of the account will be retired Nevada Judge Jennifer Togliatti and retired California Judge Louis Meisinger, with help from the Virginia-based claims management legal firm BrownGreer.
Court filings in the case don’t mention the gunman, Stephen Paddock, who killed himself before police closed in.
Las Vegas police and the FBI determined the 64-year-old retired accountant and high-stakes poker player meticulously planned the attack and acted alone. They theorized he may have sought notoriety, but said they never determined a clear motive for the attack.
– – –
Ken Ritter is a reporter for The Associated Press.
About the Headline Photo: In this Oct. 1, 2018, file photo, survivors return to the scene of a mass shooting on the first anniversary in Las Vegas. A judge in Nevada has approved a total of $800 million in payouts from casino company MGM Resorts International and its insurers to more than 4,400 relatives and victims of the Las Vegas Strip shooting that was the deadliest in recent U.S. history. (AP Photo/John Locher, File)