thetennesseestar--2020-12-04--Fairfax ‘Pill Mill’ Doctor Gets Seven Years

U.S. District Judge Leonie M. Brinkema sentenced Fairfax doctor Felicia Donald to seven years in prison for operating a “ pill mill ” at For Women OB/GYN Associates and NOVA Addiction Center .
According to a Department of Justice press release , from April 2016 to April 2020 Donald distributed over $ 1.2 million worth of oxycodone and other controlled substances .
Donald pled guilty on May 4 , 2020 .
“ Donald admitted that she prescribed opioids to addicts and/or drug dealers who had traveled from out-of-state or long distances to her practice , ” the press release states @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with pending drug charges , people who had failed drug screening tests , and to people she knew would sell the drugs .
Charges filed in May alleged that at least five other people helped distribute the drugs .
According to The Associated Press , two workers in her office pled guilty and received lower sentences .
“ Defense lawyers said she was easily manipulated and personally profited from the scheme by less than $ 25,000 , ” the AP said .
Donald gave some patients opioids and alprazolam , also known as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ admitted is a dangerous combination of drugs that could have killed or caused serious bodily injury to the ultimate users , ” the press release states .
Donald also paid employees with drug prescriptions , issued prescriptions to people in the name of other people who were unaware of the prescriptions , and falsified medical records , according to the press release .
“ Donald also issued prescriptions for high doses of oxycodone to multiple women who were pregnant , ” the press release adds .
After she pled guilty , the court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sentencing .
According to the press release , Donald falsely told the FBI and jail officials that she had been exposed to COVID-19 .
She also continued to practice medicine .
She sought to obtain a loan from the Small Business Administration ( SBA ) without telling them of the court case .
“ Donald fraudulently used SBA loan and/or Cares Act Paycheck Protection Program COVID-19 loans to fund her personal-related expenses , including thousands of dollars in legal fees related to this case , ” the press release states .
In 2019 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fatal drug overdoses — 1,626 , up from 1,486 in 2018 , 1,537 in 2017 , and 1,428 in 2016 .
In 2015 , only 1,028 fatal drug overdoses were reported , but the number has been increasing for years , according to Virginia Department of Health ( VDH ) data .
The VDH data also shows Fairfax County and other regions with large populations topping the list for fatal drug overdoses , although the percentage of fatal overdoses per 100,000 residents is much higher in low population areas .
Those numbers are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 13NewsNow , Virginia reported 634 fatal drug overdoses in the second quarter of 2020 , up from 380 in the second quarter of 2019 .
Neighboring states are seeing similar trends .
“ All across Western Maryland , in Washington County , we ’ re up like 46 % overdose deaths year-to-date and remember , that ’ s on top of 2019 — a record year of deaths , 71,000 deaths , ” Congressman David Trone ( D-MD ) told 22News .
Pharmaceutical manufacturers including Purdue Pharma have taken a lot of blame @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by heavily marketing drugs including oxycodone .
“ According to a lawsuit filed by the Massachusetts attorney general , [ Purdue ] pushed big sales of OxyContin [ oxycodone ] from the start .
Doing so meant persuading doctors who had been reluctant to prescribe such strong painkillers that this one was safe , ” states a September 2019 AP article .
Donald was one source of illegally prescribed oxycodone .
“ Donald flagrantly betrayed the public ’ s trust in the medical profession by unlawfully distributing highly addictive and potentially lethal drugs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia Zachary Terwilliger said .
“ The Eastern District of Virginia will continue to prosecute doctors who abandon their medical oath and hold them accountable for choosing profits over patients ’ lives.
” Eric Burk is a reporter at The Virginia Star and the Star News Digital Network .
Email tips to [ email protected ] .

U.S. District Judge Leonie M. Brinkema sentenced Fairfax doctor Felicia Donald to seven years in prison for operating a “pill mill” at For Women OB/GYN Associates and NOVA Addiction Center. According to a Department of Justice press release, from April 2016 to April 2020 Donald distributed over $1.2 million worth of oxycodone and other controlled substances. Donald pled guilty on May 4, 2020.
“Donald admitted that she prescribed opioids to addicts and/or drug dealers who had traveled from out-of-state or long distances to her practice,” the press release states.
Donald also provided drugs to people with pending drug charges, people who had failed drug screening tests, and to people she knew would sell the drugs. Charges filed in May alleged that at least five other people helped distribute the drugs. According to The Associated Press, two workers in her office pled guilty and received lower sentences.
“Defense lawyers said she was easily manipulated and personally profited from the scheme by less than $25,000,” the AP said. Donald gave some patients opioids and alprazolam, also known as anxiety drug Xanax, “which Donald admitted is a dangerous combination of drugs that could have killed or caused serious bodily injury to the ultimate users,” the press release states.
Donald also paid employees with drug prescriptions, issued prescriptions to people in the name of other people who were unaware of the prescriptions, and falsified medical records, according to the press release.
“Donald also issued prescriptions for high doses of oxycodone to multiple women who were pregnant,” the press release adds.
After she pled guilty, the court granted a pre-trial release while Donald awaited sentencing. According to the press release, Donald falsely told the FBI and jail officials that she had been exposed to COVID-19. She also continued to practice medicine. She sought to obtain a loan from the Small Business Administration (SBA) without telling them of the court case.
The court subsequently revoked her pre-trial release.
“Donald fraudulently used SBA loan and/or Cares Act Paycheck Protection Program COVID-19 loans to fund her personal-related expenses, including thousands of dollars in legal fees related to this case,” the press release states.
In 2019, Virginia saw a high rate of fatal drug overdoses — 1,626, up from 1,486 in 2018, 1,537 in 2017, and 1,428 in 2016. In 2015, only 1,028 fatal drug overdoses were reported, but the number has been increasing for years, according to Virginia Department of Health (VDH) data. The VDH data also shows Fairfax County and other regions with large populations topping the list for fatal drug overdoses, although the percentage of fatal overdoses per 100,000 residents is much higher in low population areas.
Those numbers are getting worse during COVID-19. According to 13NewsNow, Virginia reported 634 fatal drug overdoses in the second quarter of 2020, up from 380 in the second quarter of 2019.
Neighboring states are seeing similar trends. “All across Western Maryland, in Washington County, we’re up like 46% overdose deaths year-to-date and remember, that’s on top of 2019 — a record year of deaths, 71,000 deaths,” Congressman David Trone (D-MD) told 22News.
Pharmaceutical manufacturers including Purdue Pharma have taken a lot of blame for helping to trigger the opioid crisis by heavily marketing drugs including oxycodone.
“According to a lawsuit filed by the Massachusetts attorney general, [Purdue] pushed big sales of OxyContin [oxycodone] from the start. Doing so meant persuading doctors who had been reluctant to prescribe such strong painkillers that this one was safe,” states a September 2019 AP article.
Donald was one source of illegally prescribed oxycodone.
“Donald flagrantly betrayed the public’s trust in the medical profession by unlawfully distributing highly addictive and potentially lethal drugs to patients and other individuals,” U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia Zachary Terwilliger said. “The Eastern District of Virginia will continue to prosecute doctors who abandon their medical oath and hold them accountable for choosing profits over patients’ lives.”
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Eric Burk is a reporter at The Virginia Star and the Star News Digital Network. Email tips to [email protected].


thetennesseestar--2020-12-04--Automatic-Driver Vehicle Company Establishes Facility in Ohio

Ohio will play a role in the ongoing development and future of driverless cars thanks to a first-of-its-kind testing facility northwest of Columbus .
Waymo announced it is working with the Transportation Research Center in East Liberty , Ohio , on what it calls the most comprehensive independent vehicle test facility and proving grounds in the United States .
At the same time , the autonomous driving technology company announced a new research and development facility in Menlo Park , California .
“ Together , these new facilities will enable us to further advance the latest generation of our fully @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , including the all-electric Jaguar I-PACE and Class 8 trucks , while scaling our robust testing program and operations across a diverse set of geographies and driving environment , ” A Waymo company spokesperson said .
The Ohio testing facility will model a dense urban environment .
Waymo will also use other tracks , specifically made for trucks , at the TRC facility .
TRC , according to Waymo , is North America ’ s most advanced , independent mobility testing and research complex .
It includes a 4,500-acre , full-service automotive proving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , TRC ’ s automated and connected vehicle test facility .
Waymo ’ s software and hardware technology can be applied to various vehicles to drive autonomously .
To date , Waymo Driver has driven more than 20 million miles autonomously on public roads and more than 15 billion miles in simulation .
An Ohio native , J.D .
Davidson is a veteran journalist with more than 30 years of experience in newspapers in Ohio , Georgia , Alabama and Texas .
He has served as a reporter , editor , managing editor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ editor for The Center Square .
Photo “ Waymo Vehicle ” by Waymo .

by J.D Davidson
Ohio will play a role in the ongoing development and future of driverless cars thanks to a first-of-its-kind testing facility northwest of Columbus.
Waymo announced it is working with the Transportation Research Center in East Liberty, Ohio, on what it calls the most comprehensive independent vehicle test facility and proving grounds in the United States.
At the same time, the autonomous driving technology company announced a new research and development facility in Menlo Park, California.
“Together, these new facilities will enable us to further advance the latest generation of our fully autonomous Waymo Driver across multiple vehicle platforms, including the all-electric Jaguar I-PACE and Class 8 trucks, while scaling our robust testing program and operations across a diverse set of geographies and driving environment,” A Waymo company spokesperson said.
The Ohio testing facility will model a dense urban environment. Waymo will also use other tracks, specifically made for trucks, at the TRC facility.
TRC, according to Waymo, is North America’s most advanced, independent mobility testing and research complex. It includes a 4,500-acre, full-service automotive proving ground and labs, and the SMARTCenter, TRC’s automated and connected vehicle test facility.
Waymo’s software and hardware technology can be applied to various vehicles to drive autonomously. To date, Waymo Driver has driven more than 20 million miles autonomously on public roads and more than 15 billion miles in simulation.
– – –
An Ohio native, J.D. Davidson is a veteran journalist with more than 30 years of experience in newspapers in Ohio, Georgia, Alabama and Texas. He has served as a reporter, editor, managing editor and publisher. Davidson is a regional editor for The Center Square.
Photo “Waymo Vehicle” by Waymo.


thetennesseestar--2020-12-04--Henrico County Public Schools Cancel Winter Sports Over Coronavirus Concerns

Henrico County Public Schools ( HCPS ) announced earlier this week that the district will not be participating in any Virginia High School League winter sports during the 2020-21 academic year because of concerns over rising coronavirus cases in the area .
Andy Jenks , HCPS chief of communications and community engagement , shared the news in an online message to families Monday and noted that all out-of-season conditioning programs are also suspended for the time being .
“ Over the last few weeks , we have been closely monitoring regional health data which shows a steep rise in COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wrote .
“ We are already seeing the increase in community-based cases directly impact some of our teams in their out-of-season athletic conditioning programs .
You may also know that on November 13th , Virginia tightened restrictions limiting the number of people who could attend indoor or outdoor athletic events , which meant having spectators would not be possible.
” The winter sports impacted are basketball , sideline cheerleading , gymnastics , indoor track , swimming and wrestling , all of which take place indoors .
“ The circumstances described above created numerous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ability to keep our student-athletes safe and healthy , ” Jenks wrote .
“ While we regret having to take this position , which will no doubt be disappointing to many of our student-athletes , we will always prioritize the health and safety of everyone involved.
” Jenks said that HCPS will reassess the fall sports season , which had been pushed back to the beginning of February , and the return of off-season workouts in January .
Some HCPS parents of high school student-athletes were not pleased with the decision , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ angry and sad for my son , ” a parent , who asked not to be named , said in an interview with The Virginia Star .
“ I feel like the kids are missing out on so much already with not being in school .
I see the first-hand struggles students are having being a teacher myself and just to take something else away from them I think it was not a good idea , not at all .
“ [ Students ] are already emotionally struggling and I think this is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We definitely are not happy about this and I wish they would reverse it.
” The parent , whose son attends Deep Run High School and is on the wrestling team , said the decision is especially bad because her son missed last season with a shoulder injury and will now miss out on half of his high school sports career .
“ He is only going to have his junior and senior year for colleges to really see him and I think it ’ s definitely going to be a disadvantage to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his belt , ” the HCPS parent said .
Fellow HCPS parent Kevin Blankenship shared with The Star how his son , who plays football and wrestling at Deep Run , reacted to the news .
“ He was crushed and extremely disappointed because this was his senior season , ” Blankenship said .
“ He has gone to the state [ championships ] these last two years and thought this was his year .
Just disappointed in the whole situation.
” For many student-athletes with aspirations of playing their sport at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ son , missing a year or more of high school sports could seriously hurt their ability to get noticed by college scouts and coaches , and the chance at a scholarship .
The Star reached out to several athletics directors of HCPS high schools for comment on the decision , but did not get responses by press time .
As of now , 20 school districts – including Richmond , Arlington and others – and 37 total high schools have chosen to not participate in winter sports , according to the Virginia High @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , there are many localities in the Commonwealth that plan to move forward with their winter sports .
Those places include : Greene , Louisa , Albemarle and Orange counties as well as Charlottesville City , among others .
Under the VHSL ’ s Championship +1 schedule , winter sports teams will begin a shortened season starting from December 28 through February 20 .
Jacob Taylor is a reporter at The Virginia Star and the Star News Digital Network .
Follow Jacob on Twitter .
Email tips to [ email protected ]

Henrico County Public Schools (HCPS) announced earlier this week that the district will not be participating in any Virginia High School League winter sports during the 2020-21 academic year because of concerns over rising coronavirus cases in the area.
Andy Jenks, HCPS chief of communications and community engagement, shared the news in an online message to families Monday and noted that all out-of-season conditioning programs are also suspended for the time being.
“Over the last few weeks, we have been closely monitoring regional health data which shows a steep rise in COVID-19 cases across our region,” Jenks wrote. “We are already seeing the increase in community-based cases directly impact some of our teams in their out-of-season athletic conditioning programs. You may also know that on November 13th, Virginia tightened restrictions limiting the number of people who could attend indoor or outdoor athletic events, which meant having spectators would not be possible.”
The winter sports impacted are basketball, sideline cheerleading, gymnastics, indoor track, swimming and wrestling, all of which take place indoors.
“The circumstances described above created numerous challenges for our athletic programming, including the ability to keep our student-athletes safe and healthy,” Jenks wrote. “While we regret having to take this position, which will no doubt be disappointing to many of our student-athletes, we will always prioritize the health and safety of everyone involved.”
Jenks said that HCPS will reassess the fall sports season, which had been pushed back to the beginning of February, and the return of off-season workouts in January.
Some HCPS parents of high school student-athletes were not pleased with the decision, however.
“[I was] angry and sad for my son,” a parent, who asked not to be named, said in an interview with The Virginia Star. “I feel like the kids are missing out on so much already with not being in school. I see the first-hand struggles students are having being a teacher myself and just to take something else away from them I think it was not a good idea, not at all.
“[Students] are already emotionally struggling and I think this is just going to add to that. We definitely are not happy about this and I wish they would reverse it.”
The parent, whose son attends Deep Run High School and is on the wrestling team, said the decision is especially bad because her son missed last season with a shoulder injury and will now miss out on half of his high school sports career.
“He is only going to have his junior and senior year for colleges to really see him and I think it’s definitely going to be a disadvantage to not have at least three years under his belt,” the HCPS parent said.
Fellow HCPS parent Kevin Blankenship shared with The Star how his son, who plays football and wrestling at Deep Run, reacted to the news.
“He was crushed and extremely disappointed because this was his senior season,” Blankenship said. “He has gone to the state [championships] these last two years and thought this was his year. Just disappointed in the whole situation.”
For many student-athletes with aspirations of playing their sport at the collegiate level, like Blankenship’s son, missing a year or more of high school sports could seriously hurt their ability to get noticed by college scouts and coaches, and the chance at a scholarship.
The Star reached out to several athletics directors of HCPS high schools for comment on the decision, but did not get responses by press time.
As of now, 20 school districts – including Richmond, Arlington and others – and 37 total high schools have chosen to not participate in winter sports, according to the Virginia High School League (VHSL).
Conversely, there are many localities in the Commonwealth that plan to move forward with their winter sports. Those places include: Greene, Louisa, Albemarle and Orange counties as well as Charlottesville City, among others.
Under the VHSL’s Championship +1 schedule, winter sports teams will begin a shortened season starting from December 28 through February 20.
– – –
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--2020-12-04--Liberty Cancels Regular Season Finale Against Coastal Carolina

Liberty football ’ s historic regular season has officially come to an end .
The university announced Thursday that it is cancelling Saturday ’ s top-25 matchup against rival Coastal Carolina and pausing all team activities because of an elevated number of COVID-19 cases within the football program .
“ We were really looking forward to a top-25 game down at Coastal , ” head coach Hugh Freeze said during a press conference following the announcement .
“ I love those type of games .
I love the attention it brings to our program and I think our kids would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and have a chance to beat a top-15 team.
” “ It is disappointing , but nothing can take away the joy of the accomplishments that our kids and staff have gotten done this year , in this crazy 2020 , ” Freeze continued .
“ So we will celebrate that a lot more than we will focus on being disappointed about not being able to compete this Saturday.
” Freeze said some of the players that would have been out for the game were “ key contributors ” and that the team @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this week , but did not give any specific names or a total of those impacted by the outbreak .
According to ESPN , at least 11 Liberty players had tested positive or had been quarantined as part of contact-tracing procedures , including star quarterback Malik Willis .
The decision to pause team activities and cancel the game was made by the school ’ s medical staff after Wednesday ’ s tests results came in Thursday morning .
“ When you look at the sheer facts after [ Wednesday ] night ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the safety of them comes first and there ’ s something trending in a bad direction , ” Freeze said .
In his own virtual press conference , Liberty Director of Athletics Ian McCaw said : “ I ’ m certainly disappointed for coaches , student-athletes and Flames nation who were all looking forward to this game .
But , at the same time , I support the decision of our medical team , who are charged with providing care for our athletes , and that is first and foremost.
” This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( 9-1 ) has had to cancel due to the coronavirus and the university said it will not resume related activities until given proper clearance by the medical staff .
Despite a sour ending to the regular season , Liberty has a very good chance at being invited to play in a bowl game and must now wait to see if the potential announcement is made .
“ We ’ re very hopeful for a bowl opportunity and certainly very deserving with a 9-1 record and a top-25 ranking and I think bowl @ @ @ @ @ @ @ early as next week , ” McCaw said .
In its second full year as a NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision ( FBS ) program , Liberty had one of its greatest seasons in program history , which McCaw described as a “ magical ride.
” The 2020 regular season for the Flames included plenty of milestones , an undefeated record at home , an eight-game winning streak and victories against two teams from the Atlantic Coast Conference , beating both Syracuse and Virginia Tech on the road .
The season also featured the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ best quarterbacks in the country .
Willis , who was recently named Maxwell Award watch list , was spectacular in almost every game he played in .
Willis accounted for 2,040 passing yards , 20 touchdowns and four interceptions while completing 64 percent of his passes .
The Auburn transfer also led the Flames in rushing with 807 yards and ten touchdowns on the ground .
Jacob Taylor is a reporter at The Virginia Star and the Star News Digital Network .
Follow Jacob on Twitter .
Email tips to [ email protected @

Liberty football’s historic regular season has officially come to an end.
The university announced Thursday that it is cancelling Saturday’s top-25 matchup against rival Coastal Carolina and pausing all team activities because of an elevated number of COVID-19 cases within the football program.
“We were really looking forward to a top-25 game down at Coastal,” head coach Hugh Freeze said during a press conference following the announcement. “I love those type of games. I love the attention it brings to our program and I think our kids would [have] flourish in that competition and have a chance to beat a top-15 team.”
“It is disappointing, but nothing can take away the joy of the accomplishments that our kids and staff have gotten done this year, in this crazy 2020,” Freeze continued. “So we will celebrate that a lot more than we will focus on being disappointed about not being able to compete this Saturday.”
Freeze said some of the players that would have been out for the game were “key contributors” and that the team only had one defensive coach at practices this week, but did not give any specific names or a total of those impacted by the outbreak.
According to ESPN, at least 11 Liberty players had tested positive or had been quarantined as part of contact-tracing procedures, including star quarterback Malik Willis.
The decision to pause team activities and cancel the game was made by the school’s medical staff after Wednesday’s tests results came in Thursday morning.
“When you look at the sheer facts after [Wednesday] night’s tests, the health of our kids and the safety of them comes first and there’s something trending in a bad direction,” Freeze said.
In his own virtual press conference, Liberty Director of Athletics Ian McCaw said: “I’m certainly disappointed for coaches, student-athletes and Flames nation who were all looking forward to this game. But, at the same time, I support the decision of our medical team, who are charged with providing care for our athletes, and that is first and foremost.”
This is the first game all season Liberty (9-1) has had to cancel due to the coronavirus and the university said it will not resume related activities until given proper clearance by the medical staff.
Despite a sour ending to the regular season, Liberty has a very good chance at being invited to play in a bowl game and must now wait to see if the potential announcement is made.
“We’re very hopeful for a bowl opportunity and certainly very deserving with a 9-1 record and a top-25 ranking and I think bowl games will start to be selected as early as next week,” McCaw said.
In its second full year as a NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) program, Liberty had one of its greatest seasons in program history, which McCaw described as a “magical ride.”
The 2020 regular season for the Flames included plenty of milestones, an undefeated record at home, an eight-game winning streak and victories against two teams from the Atlantic Coast Conference, beating both Syracuse and Virginia Tech on the road.
The season also featured the emergence of Willis as one of the best quarterbacks in the country. Willis, who was recently named Maxwell Award watch list, was spectacular in almost every game he played in.
Willis accounted for 2,040 passing yards, 20 touchdowns and four interceptions while completing 64 percent of his passes. The Auburn transfer also led the Flames in rushing with 807 yards and ten touchdowns on the ground.
– – –
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--2020-12-04--Fulton County Quietly Rescanned More Than 12,000 Ballots Over ‘Unexplained Issues’

Wednesday evening , Fulton County elections officials conducted a rescan of over 12,000 ballots due to “ unexplained technical problems.
” Republican Party of Georgia Chairman David Shafer tweeted the news as soon as he was informed by one of the county ’ s Republican commissioners , Liz Hausmann .
“ Fulton County Commissioner @ LizHausmann just alerted me that Fulton County is re-scanning a batch of 12,000 ballots due to unexplained technical problems .
We have dispatched Republican monitors back to the tabulation center .
This is maddening.
” It is unclear whether the information was given as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s Republican Party to send monitors .
The Georgia Star News reached out to Shafer for clarification – the chairman didn ’ t respond by press time .
Fulton County has experienced several issues since Election Day .
Several days after vote counting began , election officials discovered that the number of scanned ballots didn ’ t reflect the totals received .
The county was forced to re-scan batches of ballots under supervision of Deputy Secretary of State Jordan Fuchs and a crew of Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger ’ s monitors and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ county ’ s recount was delayed following a system crash .
Georgia Secretary of State Voting Systems Manager Gabriel Sterling stated that the workers caused the crash by using the incorrect server to process vote data , thereby ignoring vendor and state instructions .
Additionally , the county ’ s official Dominion Voting Systems technician , Aric Thompson , was also the longtime photographer for Democratic candidate Kamala Harris .
Thompson served as Harris ’ s presidential campaign photographer last year , and worked with Democratic activist Stacey Abrams .
Raffensperger has stated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2020 elections were among the most secure and accurate in election history .
Democratic candidate Joe Biden leads President Donald Trump by just over 12,600 votes in the state .
Corinne Murdock is a reporter at The Georgia Star News and the Star News Network .
Follow her latest on Twitter , or email tips to [ email protected ] .

Wednesday evening, Fulton County elections officials conducted a rescan of over 12,000 ballots due to “unexplained technical problems.”
Republican Party of Georgia Chairman David Shafer tweeted the news as soon as he was informed by one of the county’s Republican commissioners, Liz Hausmann.
“Fulton County Commissioner @LizHausmann just alerted me that Fulton County is re-scanning a batch of 12,000 ballots due to unexplained technical problems. We have dispatched Republican monitors back to the tabulation center. This is maddening.”
Fulton County Commissioner @LizHausmann just alerted me that Fulton County is re-scanning a batch of 12,000 ballots due to unexplained technical problems. We have dispatched Republican monitors back to the tabulation center. This is maddening. — David Shafer (@DavidShafer) December 3, 2020
It is unclear whether the information was given as a tip or a directive for Georgia’s Republican Party to send monitors. The Georgia Star News reached out to Shafer for clarification – the chairman didn’t respond by press time.
Fulton County has experienced several issues since Election Day. Several days after vote counting began, election officials discovered that the number of scanned ballots didn’t reflect the totals received. The county was forced to re-scan batches of ballots under supervision of Deputy Secretary of State Jordan Fuchs and a crew of Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger’s monitors and investigators.
Over the weekend, the county’s recount was delayed following a system crash. Georgia Secretary of State Voting Systems Manager Gabriel Sterling stated that the workers caused the crash by using the incorrect server to process vote data, thereby ignoring vendor and state instructions.
Additionally, the county’s official Dominion Voting Systems technician, Aric Thompson, was also the longtime photographer for Democratic candidate Kamala Harris. Thompson served as Harris’s presidential campaign photographer last year, and worked with Democratic activist Stacey Abrams.
Raffensperger has stated, repeatedly, that Georgia’s 2020 elections were among the most secure and accurate in election history.
Democratic candidate Joe Biden leads President Donald Trump by just over 12,600 votes in the state.
– – –
Corinne Murdock is a reporter at The Georgia Star News and the Star News Network. Follow her latest on Twitter, or email tips to [email protected].


thetennesseestar--2020-12-04--Vacancy Expected in Powerful Virginia Agency the SCC

The U.S. Senate has confirmed President Trump ’ s appointment of Mark Christie to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission .
That leaves a vacancy on the Virginia State Corporation Commission ( SCC ) , where Christie was the chair of the three-person panel .
Governor Ralph Northam said at a Wednesday press conference that he will temporarily fill the vacancy with Angela Navarro , former deputy secretary of Natural Resources under Northam and his predecessor Terry McAuliffe .
Christie isn ’ t expected to leave until January .
The Democrat-controlled General Assembly will elect a permanent replacement ; however , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on a previous appointment to the board earlier this year , according to a Northam press release .
As a result , Northam appointed Jehmal Hudson in June .
The SCC is a powerful section of Virginia bureaucracy whose authority includes regulatory roles over businesses and utilities .
Even with his broad emergency powers , Governor Ralph Northam still had to ask the SCC to extend a utilities shutoff moratorium in 2020 .
The panel temporarily agreed , but warned that long-term extensions were unsustainable , and eventually refused the Governor ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ got his way , but only after the General Assembly changed the law around utilities moratoriums .
“ The creation of the Virginia State Corporation Commission in the early years of the 20th century was a decisive shift in the organization of state government .
Regulatory decision making moved from the legislature to a permanent body which could hire specialists and conduct inquiries , ” states a 2003 SCC review of the history of the agency .
The SCC was created by Virginia ’ s new Constitution in 1902 , after A. Caperton @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a new regulatory body was needed to protect consumers from Virginia ’ s powerful railroads charging exorbitant rates .
Braxton ’ s committee at the convention planned to give the SCC legislative , administrative and judicial powers necessary to allow slow-moving Virginia government to keep up with railroad leadership .
“ Historian Virginius Dabney maintains that the establishment of the State Corporation Commission represented an entirely new departure in the machinery of government and conferred on the Commission a wider jurisdiction than enjoyed by any similar state agency in the country , before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ history .
“ Although it was created initially to regulate the rates and services of railroads and telephone and telegraph companies , as well as to grant charters to corporations in the Commonwealth and to administer the laws to which they are subject , between 1906 and 1971 there were more than 50 legislative enactments imposing new duties and responsibilities upon the Commission , ” states a 1973 article in the William and Mary Law Review .
According to the article , the SCC ’ s staff grew from four to 369 by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ full-time employees , according to its website .
The SCC ’ s independence from other branches of government was protected in the 1971 revision of the Virginia Constitution .
According to the Constitution , the General Assembly elects SCC members to six-year terms ; the elections are staggered and held on even-numbered years .
At least one member of the SCC must be qualified to be a judge , and members can be impeached by the General Assembly , like judges .
According to the Constitution , temporary terms created by the governor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the next regular session of the General Assembly .
Whoever replaces Christie will be up for election in 2022 , when Christie ’ s term ends .
Christie has been re-elected three times , according to Ballotpedia .
Northern Virginia business attorney Bradley McConnell told The Virginia Star that from a business standpoint , the SCC functions like agencies found in other states across the country — a sort of legal clearinghouse where businesses file as corporations instead of mere partnerships between the owners .
McConnell said , “ Once you have filed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the people who own it .
In order to exist , you have to make those filings.
” Non-Virginia businesses often also have to file with the SCC to do business in the state , according to McConell .
However , the SCC ’ s roles are broad .
For a time , aviation authority , motor vehicle authority , and state fire marshal authority were housed in the SCC , though those roles are currently filled by other agencies , according to the SCC history .
“ [ The SCC ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ utilities , insurance , state-chartered financial institutions , securities , retail franchising , and railroads .
It is also the state ’ s central filing office for corporations , limited partnerships , limited liability companies and Uniform Commercial Code liens , ” the SCC ’ s website states .
“ It remains an independent department of state government that promotes and protects the public interest .
It continues to be vested with legislative , administrative , and judicial authority .
No other state in the country consolidates so many regulatory functions into one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Lawyer and candidate for Attorney General Chuck Smith ( R ) told The Star that although the SCC is independent of the other branches of government in Virginia , it ’ s still subject to the checks and balances of American democracy .
“ The government has supervisory authority over them to some extent .
They are an independent commission and of course they make their own decisions , ” Smith said .
“ The overriding principles of the [ U.S. ] Constitution all remain the same , ” Smith said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ individuals or affect people ’ s property or affect people ’ s rights , the Constitution has a lot to say in that and the Virginia Constitution has a lot to say in that.
” Eric Burk is a reporter at The Virginia Star and the Star News Digital Network .
Email tips to [ email protected ] .
Photo “ Virginia SCC ” by Virginia SCC .

The U.S. Senate has confirmed President Trump’s appointment of Mark Christie to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. That leaves a vacancy on the Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC), where Christie was the chair of the three-person panel. Governor Ralph Northam said at a Wednesday press conference that he will temporarily fill the vacancy with Angela Navarro, former deputy secretary of Natural Resources under Northam and his predecessor Terry McAuliffe.
Christie isn’t expected to leave until January. The Democrat-controlled General Assembly will elect a permanent replacement; however, the Senate failed to reach an agreement on a previous appointment to the board earlier this year, according to a Northam press release. As a result, Northam appointed Jehmal Hudson in June.
The SCC is a powerful section of Virginia bureaucracy whose authority includes regulatory roles over businesses and utilities. Even with his broad emergency powers, Governor Ralph Northam still had to ask the SCC to extend a utilities shutoff moratorium in 2020. The panel temporarily agreed, but warned that long-term extensions were unsustainable, and eventually refused the Governor’s request for more extensions. Northam finally got his way, but only after the General Assembly changed the law around utilities moratoriums.
Creation of the SCC
“The creation of the Virginia State Corporation Commission in the early years of the 20th century was a decisive shift in the organization of state government. Regulatory decision making moved from the legislature to a permanent body which could hire specialists and conduct inquiries,” states a 2003 SCC review of the history of the agency.
The SCC was created by Virginia’s new Constitution in 1902, after A. Caperton Braxton argued at the constitutional convention that a new regulatory body was needed to protect consumers from Virginia’s powerful railroads charging exorbitant rates. Braxton’s committee at the convention planned to give the SCC legislative, administrative and judicial powers necessary to allow slow-moving Virginia government to keep up with railroad leadership.
“Historian Virginius Dabney maintains that the establishment of the State Corporation Commission represented an entirely new departure in the machinery of government and conferred on the Commission a wider jurisdiction than enjoyed by any similar state agency in the country, before or since,” states the SCC history.
Expansion of the SCC
“Although it was created initially to regulate the rates and services of railroads and telephone and telegraph companies, as well as to grant charters to corporations in the Commonwealth and to administer the laws to which they are subject, between 1906 and 1971 there were more than 50 legislative enactments imposing new duties and responsibilities upon the Commission,” states a 1973 article in the William and Mary Law Review.
According to the article, the SCC’s staff grew from four to 369 by 1973; today the SCC has 675 full-time employees, according to its website.
The SCC’s independence from other branches of government was protected in the 1971 revision of the Virginia Constitution. According to the Constitution, the General Assembly elects SCC members to six-year terms; the elections are staggered and held on even-numbered years.
At least one member of the SCC must be qualified to be a judge, and members can be impeached by the General Assembly, like judges. According to the Constitution, temporary terms created by the governor end 30 days after the start of the next regular session of the General Assembly.
Whoever replaces Christie will be up for election in 2022, when Christie’s term ends. Christie has been re-elected three times, according to Ballotpedia.
Northern Virginia business attorney Bradley McConnell told The Virginia Star that from a business standpoint, the SCC functions like agencies found in other states across the country — a sort of legal clearinghouse where businesses file as corporations instead of mere partnerships between the owners.
McConnell said, “Once you have filed, you exist as an entity separate from the people who own it. In order to exist, you have to make those filings.”
Non-Virginia businesses often also have to file with the SCC to do business in the state, according to McConell. However, the SCC’s roles are broad.
For a time, aviation authority, motor vehicle authority, and state fire marshal authority were housed in the SCC, though those roles are currently filled by other agencies, according to the SCC history.
“[The SCC’s roles] include regulation of public utilities, insurance, state-chartered financial institutions, securities, retail franchising, and railroads. It is also the state’s central filing office for corporations, limited partnerships, limited liability companies and Uniform Commercial Code liens,” the SCC’s website states.
Checks and Balances
“It remains an independent department of state government that promotes and protects the public interest. It continues to be vested with legislative, administrative, and judicial authority. No other state in the country consolidates so many regulatory functions into one organization,” the SCC history states.
Lawyer and candidate for Attorney General Chuck Smith (R) told The Star that although the SCC is independent of the other branches of government in Virginia, it’s still subject to the checks and balances of American democracy.
“The government has supervisory authority over them to some extent. They are an independent commission and of course they make their own decisions,” Smith said.
“The overriding principles of the [U.S.] Constitution all remain the same,” Smith said. “To the extent that they affect individuals or affect people’s property or affect people’s rights, the Constitution has a lot to say in that and the Virginia Constitution has a lot to say in that.”
– – –
Eric Burk is a reporter at The Virginia Star and the Star News Digital Network. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Virginia SCC” by Virginia SCC.


thetennesseestar--2020-12-04--Prominent Atlanta Pastor Michael Youssef Says He Received Three Mail-In Ballots for Adult Son Who Li

Prominent Atlanta Pastor Michael Youssef Says He Received Three Mail-In Ballots for Adult Son Who Lives Overseas

Dr. Michael A. Youssef , a prominent Arab-American pastor in Atlanta , posted on social media that three mail-in ballots were sent to him for his adult son — who has lived overseas for decades .
Youssef is founder/pastor of The Church of the Apostles megachurch in the Buckhead neighborhood .
He also runs Leading the Way , an international television and radio ministry that shares the gospel in 26 languages in six continents .
Youssef is also an apparent witness to irregularities in Georgia ’ s upcoming Jan. 5 Senate runoff election .
On Wednesday , he said on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 3 mail in postal ballots for one of my adult children who has never lived in this address and has lived overseas for decades… [ email protected ] and @ georgiagov …clean up your act !
!
!
!
!
” Some of his followers , located in different states , shared their own stories of mail-in ballot issues .
One wrote , “ I also received a ballot for my father who died in 2018 AND a $ 1200 stimulus check earlier this year .
My attorney handling his estate for me @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Another said , “ The sec of state ’ s office just testified that absentee ballots were only automatically mailed to people over the age of 65 and this is obviously not true.
” Youssef posted the same story on Twitter .
One follower , a state official , posted a possible explanation .
Chuck Eaton is a commissioner on the Georgia Public Service Commission .
He tweeted , “ The runoff ballots have not been mailed yet .
Guessing you ’ re receiving absentee ballot request forms from 3rd party groups ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are under investigation by @ gasecofstate “ .
Despite concerns about the sanctity of Georgia ’ s mail-in ballots , Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger is doubling down on their use for the runoffs .
Georgia election officials are mailing absentee ballots for the runoff to more than 327,000 voters , most of whom are over 65 years old or disabled , the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported .
The mass mailings are a result of record numbers of absentee voters in the June 9 primary .
They checked a box on their ballot application @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Reynolds has more than 20 years ’ experience as a journalist at outlets of all sizes .
Photo “ Dr .
Michael A. Youssef ” by Dr. Michael A. Youssef .

Dr. Michael A. Youssef, a prominent Arab-American pastor in Atlanta, posted on social media that three mail-in ballots were sent to him for his adult son — who has lived overseas for decades.
Youssef is founder/pastor of The Church of the Apostles megachurch in the Buckhead neighborhood. He also runs Leading the Way, an international television and radio ministry that shares the gospel in 26 languages in six continents.
Youssef is also an apparent witness to irregularities in Georgia’s upcoming Jan. 5 Senate runoff election.
On Wednesday, he said on his Facebook page, “I received 3 mail in postal ballots for one of my adult children who has never lived in this address and has lived overseas for decades…[email protected] and @georgiagov …clean up your act!!!!!”
Some of his followers, located in different states, shared their own stories of mail-in ballot issues.
One wrote, “I also received a ballot for my father who died in 2018 AND a $1200 stimulus check earlier this year. My attorney handling his estate for me returned both. This was Maryland.”
Another said, “The sec of state’s office just testified that absentee ballots were only automatically mailed to people over the age of 65 and this is obviously not true.”
Youssef posted the same story on Twitter.
I received 3 mail in postal ballots for one of my adult children who has never lived in this address and has lived overseas for decades….@GaSecofState and @georgiagov …clean up your act!!!!! — Michael A Youssef (@MichaelAYoussef) December 2, 2020
One follower, a state official, posted a possible explanation.
Chuck Eaton is a commissioner on the Georgia Public Service Commission. He tweeted, “The runoff ballots have not been mailed yet. Guessing you’re receiving absentee ballot request forms from 3rd party groups (not the state)…many of whom are under investigation by @gasecofstate“.
The runoff ballots have not been mailed yet. Guessing you’re receiving absentee ballot request forms from 3rd party groups (not the state)…many of whom are under investigation by @gasecofstate — Chuck Eaton (@chuckeatonga) December 3, 2020
The commission regulates public utilities in Georgia.
Despite concerns about the sanctity of Georgia’s mail-in ballots, Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger is doubling down on their use for the runoffs.
Georgia election officials are mailing absentee ballots for the runoff to more than 327,000 voters, most of whom are over 65 years old or disabled, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported. The mass mailings are a result of record numbers of absentee voters in the June 9 primary. They checked a box on their ballot application forms before the primary.
– – –
Jason M. Reynolds has more than 20 years’ experience as a journalist at outlets of all sizes.
Photo “Dr. Michael A. Youssef” by Dr. Michael A. Youssef.


thetennesseestar--2020-12-04--ODJFS Announces Return of Job-Search Requirement for Unemployment Benefits

Ohio residents applying for unemployment benefits after December 6 will be required to meet work-search requirements , the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services ( ODJFS ) announced on Wednesday .
Although the work-search requirement has been in effect “ for decades , ” it had been waived starting March 16 due to the coronavirus pandemic , the department said .
Individuals who are quarantined or isolated by “ order of a medical professional , local health authority or employer ” are exempted from the requirement .
“ This will apply to new claims only , and we are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ claimants , ” said ODJFS Director Kimberly Hall in a Wednesday statement .
“ In addition , it ’ s important to remember that work-search activities can be conducted virtually – and they should be conducted virtually , to the extent that this is possible , given the current high numbers of COVID-19 cases.
” Work-search requirements can be met by applying to job postings , posting a resume on OhioMeansJobs.com , or by being a member in good standing with a union hiring hall .
It can also be met by attending @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” in approved school or a training program , ODJFS said .
Ohio saw 27,201 unemployment insurance claims for the week ending November 28 , according to data released by the U.S. Department of Labor on Thursday .
That figure is a nearly 3,000 drop from the previous week .
More than 713,000 people filed for unemployment insurance in the United States during the week ending November 28 , down more than 122,000 from the week before .
The department also directed residents to OhioMeansJobs.com , which it said posts job openings daily @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which pay upwards of $ 50,000 per year .
For more information about unemployment benefits , go to unemployment.ohio.gov .
Jordyn Pair is a reporter with The Ohio Star .
Follow her on Twitter at @ JordynPair .

Ohio residents applying for unemployment benefits after December 6 will be required to meet work-search requirements, the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) announced on Wednesday.
Although the work-search requirement has been in effect “for decades,” it had been waived starting March 16 due to the coronavirus pandemic, the department said. Individuals who are quarantined or isolated by “order of a medical professional, local health authority or employer” are exempted from the requirement.
“This will apply to new claims only, and we are providing as much flexibility as possible to claimants,” said ODJFS Director Kimberly Hall in a Wednesday statement. “In addition, it’s important to remember that work-search activities can be conducted virtually – and they should be conducted virtually, to the extent that this is possible, given the current high numbers of COVID-19 cases.”
Work-search requirements can be met by applying to job postings, posting a resume on OhioMeansJobs.com, or by being a member in good standing with a union hiring hall. It can also be met by attending all classes and “making satisfactory progress” in approved school or a training program, ODJFS said.
Ohio saw 27,201 unemployment insurance claims for the week ending November 28, according to data released by the U.S. Department of Labor on Thursday. That figure is a nearly 3,000 drop from the previous week.
More than 713,000 people filed for unemployment insurance in the United States during the week ending November 28, down more than 122,000 from the week before.
The department also directed residents to OhioMeansJobs.com, which it said posts job openings daily, “more than half” of which pay upwards of $50,000 per year.
For more information about unemployment benefits, go to unemployment.ohio.gov.
– – –
Jordyn Pair is a reporter with The Ohio Star. Follow her on Twitter at @JordynPair.


thetennesseestar--2020-12-04--Georgia’s Incoming Congressional Members Send Letter Asking Raffensperger to Re-Verify Ballot Signat

Georgia’s Incoming Congressional Members Send Letter Asking Raffensperger to Re-Verify Ballot Signatures

Georgia ’ s incoming U.S. Congress members sent a letter asking Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger to re-verify the absentee ballot signatures .
Representative Buddy Carter ( R-GA-01 ) tweeted the letter , calling on Raffensperger to do more to secure elections .
“ More must be done to reassure Georgians our election was conducted fairly , accurately , & transparently , ” Carter said .
“ Today the incoming House GOP delegation asked @ GaSecofState to re-verify the signatures & publish county-by-county counts of absentee envelopes vs ballots cast # gapol [ . ]
” However , Raffensperger hasn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an audit to re-verify signatures .
Raffensperger hasn ’ t issued Twitter posts since November 14 , opting to share pictures of frequently asked current election question and answers .
The latest news issued by his office on Thursday described an investigation into a Republican Florida attorney attempting to register and vote in Georgia ’ s runoff election .
Raffensperger ’ s office previously announced investigations into third-party voter registration organizations accused of mass voter fraud ahead of the runoff election .
However , Raffensperger has maintained that this year ’ s elections @ @ @ @ @ @ @ representatives that signed on the letter were Drew Ferguson ( R-GA-03 ) , Austin Scott ( R-GA-08 ) , Jody Hice ( R-GA-10 ) , Barry Loudermilk ( R-GA-11 ) , and Rick Allen ( R-GA-12 ) .
The member-elects that signed on were Andrew Clyde and Marjorie Taylor Greene .
The only two Republican representatives who didn ’ t sign onto the letter were Doug Collins and Rob Woodall .
In all three of the recounts , Raffensperger hasn ’ t authorized signature matching for absentee ballot envelopes .
The secretary of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ increased rejection rates for absentee votes .
However , lawsuits and analysts have challenged Raffensperger ’ s office on their findings , alleging that the official ’ s research relied on inaccurate numbers and inconsistently-applied methods of analysis .
During a Georgia hearing on Thursday , Trump legal team showed security cam footage from that appeared to show individuals retrieving ballots from under tables and counting them after telling poll workers and watchers to leave .
Republican Party of Georgia Chairman David Shafer shared the video as confirmation of his previous allegations that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ watchers were asked to leave .
“ From today ’ s hearing at the State Capitol .
Not sure why Twitter has labeled this ‘ disputed.
’ It is video from the surveillance camera at State Farm Arena where Fulton County election workers scanned ballots late into the night after falsely announcing they were shutting down , ” he said .
Shafer further added that Raffensperger has admitted that he was wrong in denying the chairman ’ s account of what happened during vote counting on election night .
“ Although originally claiming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ GaSecofState now acknowledges that this was untrue , as the video shows .
Our position is unchanged .
Ballots were counted unlawfully and in secret , ” Shafer said .
The Georgia Star News reached out to Shafer for comment – the chairman didn ’ t respond by press time .
Corinne Murdock is a reporter at The Georgia Star News and the Star News Network .
Follow her latest on Twitter , or email tips to [ email protected ] .
Background Photo “ Georgia Capitol ” by DXR .
CC BY-SA @ @

Georgia’s incoming U.S. Congress members sent a letter asking Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger to re-verify the absentee ballot signatures.
Representative Buddy Carter (R-GA-01) tweeted the letter, calling on Raffensperger to do more to secure elections.
“More must be done to reassure Georgians our election was conducted fairly, accurately, & transparently,” Carter said. “Today the incoming House GOP delegation asked @GaSecofState to re-verify the signatures & publish county-by-county counts of absentee envelopes vs ballots cast #gapol[.]”
More must be done to reassure Georgians our election was conducted fairly, accurately, & transparently. Today the incoming House GOP delegation asked @GaSecofState to re-verify signatures & publish county-by-county counts of absentee envelopes vs ballots cast #gapol pic.twitter.com/LnpJUttve9 — Buddy Carter (@Buddy_Carter) December 2, 2020
However, Raffensperger hasn’t indicated that he will undertake an audit to re-verify signatures.
Raffensperger hasn’t issued Twitter posts since November 14, opting to share pictures of frequently asked current election question and answers. The latest news issued by his office on Thursday described an investigation into a Republican Florida attorney attempting to register and vote in Georgia’s runoff election.
Raffensperger’s office previously announced investigations into third-party voter registration organizations accused of mass voter fraud ahead of the runoff election. However, Raffensperger has maintained that this year’s elections are the most secure.
Other incumbent representatives that signed on the letter were Drew Ferguson (R-GA-03), Austin Scott (R-GA-08), Jody Hice (R-GA-10), Barry Loudermilk (R-GA-11), and Rick Allen (R-GA-12). The member-elects that signed on were Andrew Clyde and Marjorie Taylor Greene. The only two Republican representatives who didn’t sign onto the letter were Doug Collins and Rob Woodall.
In all three of the recounts, Raffensperger hasn’t authorized signature matching for absentee ballot envelopes. The secretary of state has stated that his office has increased rejection rates for absentee votes. However, lawsuits and analysts have challenged Raffensperger’s office on their findings, alleging that the official’s research relied on inaccurate numbers and inconsistently-applied methods of analysis.
During a Georgia hearing on Thursday, Trump legal team showed security cam footage from that appeared to show individuals retrieving ballots from under tables and counting them after telling poll workers and watchers to leave.
Republican Party of Georgia Chairman David Shafer shared the video as confirmation of his previous allegations that vote counting continued for hours after poll watchers were asked to leave.
“From today’s hearing at the State Capitol. Not sure why Twitter has labeled this ‘disputed.’ It is video from the surveillance camera at State Farm Arena where Fulton County election workers scanned ballots late into the night after falsely announcing they were shutting down,” he said.
Shafer further added that Raffensperger has admitted that he was wrong in denying the chairman’s account of what happened during vote counting on election night.
“Although originally claiming that state monitors were present, @GaSecofState now acknowledges that this was untrue, as the video shows. Our position is unchanged. Ballots were counted unlawfully and in secret,” Shafer said.
The Georgia Star News reached out to Shafer for comment – the chairman didn’t respond by press time.
– – –
Corinne Murdock is a reporter at The Georgia Star News and the Star News Network. Follow her latest on Twitter, or email tips to [email protected].
Background Photo “Georgia Capitol” by DXR. CC BY-SA 4.0.


thetennesseestar--2020-12-04--Michigan Restaurant That Refused to Obey Restrictions Stays Open After Getting $10,000 in Donations

A restaurant in Sandusky , Michigan , defied the governor ’ s orders to shutdown , and remained open for business .
During that time , the diner accumulated $ 5,000 in state fines and in order to stay afloat raised over $ 10,000 through GoFundMe , The Daily Caller reported .
Ten days ago Democratic Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer announced an order for restaurants to close dining rooms for three weeks as part of state restrictions to slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus .
The Sandusky restaurant remained open to diners and operated under the Big Boy Restaurant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s corporate office told the owners of the restaurant they had 24 hours to get into compliance with the state ’ s order and would take legal action if the restaurant continued to use the franchise ’ s name , reported the Detroit Free Press .
In response , the restaurant disassociated with the corporation , ending a 35 year partnership , and renamed themselves the “ Sandusky Diner.
” The restaurant was issued a cease and desist letter from the local health department alleging a breach of the state ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protective measures .
The restaurant was fined $ 5,000 due within 30 days , the Detroit Free Press reported .
Since the decision , the restaurant gained growing support in the community , the manager Troy Tank was asked to make a GoFundMe to help with labor costs and fines during this process .
As of Monday the restaurant had raised $ 10,725 of its $ 10,000 goal .
Tank said if the state would pay the restaurant ’ s overheads and pay him and his employees for the three weeks , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re not anti-government , they ’ re not conspiracy theorists , they just want to let employees work , he said .
Tank said the first shutdown was “ awful ” and the restaurant didn ’ t see a light at the end of the tunnel .
He believed they were not in a position to survive another one .
“ If we ’ re going to go down , we ’ re going to go down with a fight , ” said Tank , according to the Detroit Free Press .

by Catherine Smith
A restaurant in Sandusky, Michigan, defied the governor’s orders to shutdown, and remained open for business. During that time, the diner accumulated $5,000 in state fines and in order to stay afloat raised over $10,000 through GoFundMe, The Daily Caller reported.
Ten days ago Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced an order for restaurants to close dining rooms for three weeks as part of state restrictions to slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
Tonight, @MichiganHHS issued an emergency order that enacts a three-week pause, targeting indoor social gatherings and other group activities to curb our state’s rising #COVID19 infection rates. pic.twitter.com/yEc0enVPBX — Governor Gretchen Whitmer (@GovWhitmer) November 16, 2020
The Sandusky restaurant remained open to diners and operated under the Big Boy Restaurant Group franchise name. The Big Boy’s corporate office told the owners of the restaurant they had 24 hours to get into compliance with the state’s order and would take legal action if the restaurant continued to use the franchise’s name, reported the Detroit Free Press. In response, the restaurant disassociated with the corporation, ending a 35 year partnership, and renamed themselves the “Sandusky Diner.”
The restaurant was issued a cease and desist letter from the local health department alleging a breach of the state’s order regarding gatherings, facemasks and employee protective measures. The restaurant was fined $5,000 due within 30 days, the Detroit Free Press reported.
Since the decision, the restaurant gained growing support in the community, the manager Troy Tank was asked to make a GoFundMe to help with labor costs and fines during this process. As of Monday the restaurant had raised $10,725 of its $10,000 goal.
Tank said if the state would pay the restaurant’s overheads and pay him and his employees for the three weeks, he would close his doors. They’re not anti-government, they’re not conspiracy theorists, they just want to let employees work, he said.
Tank said the first shutdown was “awful” and the restaurant didn’t see a light at the end of the tunnel. He believed they were not in a position to survive another one. “If we’re going to go down, we’re going to go down with a fight,” said Tank, according to the Detroit Free Press.
– – –
Catherine Smith reports for American Greatness.


thetennesseestar--2020-12-04--Minnesota Gyms Say Science, Data Don’t Justify Shutting Them Down

Gyms and fitness centers shuttered through Dec. 18 by Gov .
Tim Walz claim the state ’ s own data doesn ’ t justify the mandate .
From June through Nov. 14 , state data reported gyms accounted for 47 COVID-19 outbreaks , making up roughly 7.7 % of the states ’ 603 total outbreaks during that time .
Those 47 gym outbreaks resulted in about 743 COVID-19 cases , according to state data .
Walz shut down most sports , which during the same period resulted in 285 outbreaks – more than six times the amount of gyms – @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were shut down entirely even though they were associated with half the number of outbreaks as weddings ( 113 ) , which are permitted to operate with restrictions .
Life Time Fitness Public Relations Manager Amy Williams told The Center Square Life Time has had 3.15 million visits since June 10 with 352 reported positive confirmed cases , equating to an infection rate of 0.01 % .
There have been 237,000 total cases of COVID-19 in Minnesota since the beginning of the pandemic .
“ These data reflect reports of exposure through community @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Life Time members and team members , and none of these reported exposures appear to have definitively originated at Life Time , ” the company said in a statement .
“ These numbers , on their face , strongly demonstrate that Life Time clubs are neither a source nor a location of material spread of COVID , and these data hold for other operators as well.
” In Michigan , Illinois and Missouri , gyms and fitness centers weren ’ t shut down during the second “ pause.
” Life Time Inc , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fitness – a coalition encompassing more than 500 health clubs serving more than 350,000 Minnesotans – has asked Walz to reverse his decision .
“ We ’ ve been very vocal about our position on reopening gyms immediately and agree that the data we are getting from the State and Life Time ’ s own internal data do not support that gyms are a contributing factor to the spikes we are seeing , ” Williams wrote in an email .
“ In fact , we believe strongly that health clubs are an essential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to both the physical and mental being of Minnesotans to help battle the many comorbidities that add to the complications of COVID-19 like obesity and diabetes.
” More than 30 % of adults in Minnesota were obese in 2018 , according to Minnesota Department of Health data .
Walz defended his decision to allow big-box retail stores to operate without capacity restrictions during the holiday season but not gyms even at 10 % capacity .
“ The exact science around it is still pretty hard to pin down , but the general overview @ @ @ @ @ @ @ someone in a smaller space , and if you ’ re doing things that make you breathe harder , the chance of infections go up , ” Walz told reporters Tuesday .
Businesses such as tattoo parlors , tanning salons , and liquor stores are open in capacities ranging from 25 % to 100 % .
Life Time argues it is providing the safest environment for much-needed exercise at a critical time .
“ Health clubs are NOT the problem , THEY ARE THE SOLUTION to maintaining public health , ” Williams wrote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the safest environments people may visit as compared with other forms of retail , entertainment , or any other place , at this time.
” Scott McClallen is a staff writer covering Michigan and Minnesota for The Center Square .
A graduate of Hillsdale College , his work has appeared on Forbes.com and FEE.org .
Previously , he worked as a financial analyst at Pepsi .

by Scott McClallen
Gyms and fitness centers shuttered through Dec. 18 by Gov. Tim Walz claim the state’s own data doesn’t justify the mandate.
From June through Nov. 14, state data reported gyms accounted for 47 COVID-19 outbreaks, making up roughly 7.7% of the states’ 603 total outbreaks during that time.
Those 47 gym outbreaks resulted in about 743 COVID-19 cases, according to state data.
Walz shut down most sports, which during the same period resulted in 285 outbreaks – more than six times the amount of gyms – and ballooned into 1,140 cases.
Gyms were shut down entirely even though they were associated with half the number of outbreaks as weddings (113), which are permitted to operate with restrictions.
Life Time Fitness Public Relations Manager Amy Williams told The Center Square Life Time has had 3.15 million visits since June 10 with 352 reported positive confirmed cases, equating to an infection rate of 0.01%.
There have been 237,000 total cases of COVID-19 in Minnesota since the beginning of the pandemic.
“These data reflect reports of exposure through community transmission at a very low rate among Life Time members and team members, and none of these reported exposures appear to have definitively originated at Life Time,” the company said in a statement.
“These numbers, on their face, strongly demonstrate that Life Time clubs are neither a source nor a location of material spread of COVID, and these data hold for other operators as well.”
In Michigan, Illinois and Missouri, gyms and fitness centers weren’t shut down during the second “pause.”
Life Time Inc, Anytime Fitness, LLC, and Snap Fitness – a coalition encompassing more than 500 health clubs serving more than 350,000 Minnesotans – has asked Walz to reverse his decision.
“We’ve been very vocal about our position on reopening gyms immediately and agree that the data we are getting from the State and Life Time’s own internal data do not support that gyms are a contributing factor to the spikes we are seeing,” Williams wrote in an email.
“In fact, we believe strongly that health clubs are an essential business right now, as they contribute to both the physical and mental being of Minnesotans to help battle the many comorbidities that add to the complications of COVID-19 like obesity and diabetes.”
More than 30% of adults in Minnesota were obese in 2018, according to Minnesota Department of Health data.
Walz defended his decision to allow big-box retail stores to operate without capacity restrictions during the holiday season but not gyms even at 10% capacity.
“The exact science around it is still pretty hard to pin down, but the general overview is the longer you’re near someone in a smaller space, and if you’re doing things that make you breathe harder, the chance of infections go up,” Walz told reporters Tuesday.
Businesses such as tattoo parlors, tanning salons, and liquor stores are open in capacities ranging from 25% to 100%.
Life Time argues it is providing the safest environment for much-needed exercise at a critical time.
“Health clubs are NOT the problem, THEY ARE THE SOLUTION to maintaining public health,” Williams wrote. “They are, in fact, the safest environments people may visit as compared with other forms of retail, entertainment, or any other place, at this time.”
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Scott McClallen is a staff writer covering Michigan and Minnesota for The Center Square. A graduate of Hillsdale College, his work has appeared on Forbes.com and FEE.org. Previously, he worked as a financial analyst at Pepsi.


thetennesseestar--2020-12-04--Cobb County Says 89,000 Absentee Ballots Delivered from Drop Boxes, but Has Not Yet Produced Chain o

Cobb County Says 89,000 Absentee Ballots Delivered from Drop Boxes, but Has Not Yet Produced Chain of Custody Logs

Nearly one in four of the 387,305 votes cast in Cobb County in the 2020 general election were absentee ballots placed in the drop boxes located around the county .
More than 1.3 million absentee ballots were returned and counted in the 2020 general election in Georgia , out of 5 million votes cast .
In the current tally , Joe Biden leads Donald Trump in the 2020 presidential contest by 12,670 votes .
Unofficially , the total votes for Cobb County for the 2020 Presidential election have Joe Biden with 221,846 votes and Donald Trump with 165,459 – totaling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to The Georgia Star News that 89,445 absentees ballots were collected from the 16 drop boxes located around the county and delivered to county election officials from the end of September until Election Day , November 3 .
The county reports 59,152 additional absentee ballots delivered by mail .
All told , 148,597 of the 387,305 votes cast in Cobb County in 2020 were absentee ballots , while 245,149 were cast in-person , either on Election Day or in the Early Voting period .
These findings are a part of an open records @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Tuesday for all “ ballot transfer forms ” from the Nov. 3 General Election in Cobb County .
Throughout the state , approximately 300 drop boxes were used to collect absentee ballots in the November 2020 general election , authorized under Georgia Election Code Emergency Rule 183-1-14-0.8-.14 passed in July 2020 which states that every absentee ballot drop box collection team “ shall complete and sign a ballot transfer form upon removing the ballots from the drop box , which shall include the date , time , location and number of ballots.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ are a part of the new rule and were created in order to document the chain of custody of ballots collected from drop boxes .
The code also requires that “ the ballots from the drop box shall be immediately transported to the county registrar and processed and stored in the same manner as absentee ballots returned by mail are processed and stored .
The county registrar or a designee thereof shall sign the ballot transfer form upon receipt of the ballots from the collection team.
” Cobb County officials have been unable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that contain the critical chain of custody details — names of the collection teams members , number of ballots picked up , date and time picked up , name of registrar or designee who received the ballots at election offices , and date and time the ballots were picked up .
“ There is no way to know how many of these were in the final count or if any of these were rejected for signature issues , ” Cobb County Elections and Registration Director Janine Eveler said of the absentee ballots deposited @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to county election officials .
Across the 16 drop box locations identified in Cobb County , Eveler said there were approximately 400 drop box pickups , but the number of ballot transfer forms is still unclear , as is information about which elections workers actually picked up and delivered the ballots .
Eveler said that Cobb County does maintain possession of the 400 or so completed ballot transfer forms , but it will take some time to create the PDFs of those ballot transfer forms to fulfill The Georgia Star News ’ Open @ @ @ @ @ @ @ County , which had only one drop box , delivered a PDF of the completed ballot transfer forms used there within 24 hours of The Georgia Star News Open Records Request .
A review of the actual ballot transfer forms in Cobb County and all estimated 150 Georgia counties that used ballot drop boxes is a critical step in ensuring the integrity of hundreds of thousands of absentee ballots cast in the November 3 election .
The office of Secretary State Brad Raffensperger told Breitbart News on Tuesday , “ ‘ we don @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arrived by mail versus drop box .
The counties will know.
” Absentee ballot drop boxes were introduced this year in Cobb County , thanks in part to a $ 5.6 million grant from a 501 ( c ) ( 3 ) Center for Technology and Life ( CTCL ) “ safe elections ” project , funded by Facebook founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg .
The money ’ s intention was “ to support election officials with the infrastructure they need to administer the vote – including voting equipment , PPE for poll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ According to 2016 election results in Cobb County , Hillary Clinton received 159,416 votes , Donald Trump received 152,602 and other candidates received 14,406 , for a total of 326,424 votes cast .
From 2016 to 2020 , the overall vote total increased by 18.6 percent .
Democrats increased their support by 39 percent .
President Trump received an 8 percent increase .
Tiffany Morgan is a reporter at The Georgia Star News and the Star News Network .
Email tips to [ email protected ] Photo “ Ballot Drop Box ” by @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Nearly one in four of the 387,305 votes cast in Cobb County in the 2020 general election were absentee ballots placed in the drop boxes located around the county.
More than 1.3 million absentee ballots were returned and counted in the 2020 general election in Georgia, out of 5 million votes cast. In the current tally, Joe Biden leads Donald Trump in the 2020 presidential contest by 12,670 votes.
Unofficially, the total votes for Cobb County for the 2020 Presidential election have Joe Biden with 221,846 votes and Donald Trump with 165,459 – totaling 387,305.
County election officials provided documentation to The Georgia Star News that 89,445 absentees ballots were collected from the 16 drop boxes located around the county and delivered to county election officials from the end of September until Election Day, November 3.
The county reports 59,152 additional absentee ballots delivered by mail. All told, 148,597 of the 387,305 votes cast in Cobb County in 2020 were absentee ballots, while 245,149 were cast in-person, either on Election Day or in the Early Voting period.
These findings are a part of an open records request filed by The Georgia Star News on Tuesday for all “ballot transfer forms” from the Nov. 3 General Election in Cobb County.
Throughout the state, approximately 300 drop boxes were used to collect absentee ballots in the November 2020 general election, authorized under Georgia Election Code Emergency Rule 183-1-14-0.8-.14 passed in July 2020 which states that every absentee ballot drop box collection team “shall complete and sign a ballot transfer form upon removing the ballots from the drop box, which shall include the date, time, location and number of ballots.”
The “ballot transfer forms” are a part of the new rule and were created in order to document the chain of custody of ballots collected from drop boxes.
The code also requires that “the ballots from the drop box shall be immediately transported to the county registrar and processed and stored in the same manner as absentee ballots returned by mail are processed and stored. The county registrar or a designee thereof shall sign the ballot transfer form upon receipt of the ballots from the collection team.”
Cobb County officials have been unable to produce the actual ballot transfer forms that contain the critical chain of custody details — names of the collection teams members, number of ballots picked up, date and time picked up, name of registrar or designee who received the ballots at election offices, and date and time the ballots were picked up.
“There is no way to know how many of these were in the final count or if any of these were rejected for signature issues,” Cobb County Elections and Registration Director Janine Eveler said of the absentee ballots deposited in Cobb County drop boxes and delivered to county election officials.
Across the 16 drop box locations identified in Cobb County, Eveler said there were approximately 400 drop box pickups, but the number of ballot transfer forms is still unclear, as is information about which elections workers actually picked up and delivered the ballots.
Eveler said that Cobb County does maintain possession of the 400 or so completed ballot transfer forms, but it will take some time to create the PDFs of those ballot transfer forms to fulfill The Georgia Star News’ Open Records Request.
Election officials in Cook County, which had only one drop box, delivered a PDF of the completed ballot transfer forms used there within 24 hours of The Georgia Star News Open Records Request.
A review of the actual ballot transfer forms in Cobb County and all estimated 150 Georgia counties that used ballot drop boxes is a critical step in ensuring the integrity of hundreds of thousands of absentee ballots cast in the November 3 election.
The office of Secretary State Brad Raffensperger told Breitbart News on Tuesday, “‘we don’t know how many absentee ballots arrived by mail versus drop box. The counties will know.”
Absentee ballot drop boxes were introduced this year in Cobb County, thanks in part to a $5.6 million grant from a 501(c)(3) Center for Technology and Life (CTCL) “safe elections” project, funded by Facebook founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg.
The money’s intention was “to support election officials with the infrastructure they need to administer the vote – including voting equipment, PPE for poll workers and hiring additional poll staff.”
According to 2016 election results in Cobb County, Hillary Clinton received 159,416 votes, Donald Trump received 152,602 and other candidates received 14,406, for a total of 326,424 votes cast.
From 2016 to 2020, the overall vote total increased by 18.6 percent. Democrats increased their support by 39 percent. President Trump received an 8 percent increase.
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Tiffany Morgan is a reporter at The Georgia Star News and the Star News Network. Email tips to [email protected]
Photo “Ballot Drop Box” by Joe Mabel. CC BY-SA 4.0.


thetennesseestar--2020-12-04--Georgia’s Cobb County Says 89,000 Absentee Ballots Delivered from Drop Boxes, but Has Not Yet Produc

Georgia’s Cobb County Says 89,000 Absentee Ballots Delivered from Drop Boxes, but Has Not Yet Produced Chain of Custody Logs


thetennesseestar--2020-12-05--U.S. Rep. Mo Brooks Asks Attorney General William Barr to Join Georgia Investigation of Attempts to

U.S. Rep. Mo Brooks Asks Attorney General William Barr to Join Georgia Investigation of Attempts to Register Illegal Voters

U.S. Rep. Mo Brooks ( R-AL-05 ) on Friday said that he , along with 20 conservative House members and four House members-elect sent a letter to Attorney General William Barr asking that he join Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger ’ s investigation into organizations ’ attempts to register illegal and invalid voters in Georgia .
The letter strongly urges Attorney General Barr to issue a restraining order or temporary injunction under federal law preventing organizations from registering illegal and invalid voters in the upcoming Georgia Senate runoff election .
Also , the letter lists several accusations against the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , “ The evidence is overwhelming that Georgia ’ s election process has been corrupted by voter fraud and election theft .
The perpetrators of these heinous acts must be investigated , and , as appropriate , prosecuted to the fullest .
Quite frankly , yesterday ’ s Georgia Senate hearing video tape revelation was shocking and stunning.
” He also said , “ America ’ s Attorney General must expedite its investigation of this and other matters , and prosecute to the fullest extent of the law all criminals who work to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ On Thursday , Brooks said he plans to contest the Electoral College vote in Congress on Jan. 6 .
“ It is my duty , under the United States Constitution , on January 6 , if the required one senator will join me , to object to and later vote to reject the Electoral Vote submissions from states whose election systems are so badly flawed as to render their vote submissions unreliable , untrustworthy and unworthy of acceptance.
” Also on Thursday , Brooks spoke against the election system that he said makes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ information to prevent illegal aliens from voting .
In response to Brooks ’ support , President Donald Trump recently tweeted , “ Thank you to Representative Mo Brooks !
” Jason M. Reynolds has more than 20 years ’ experience as a journalist at outlets of all sizes .

U.S. Rep. Mo Brooks (R-AL-05) on Friday said that he, along with 20 conservative House members and four House members-elect sent a letter to Attorney General William Barr asking that he join Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger’s investigation into organizations’ attempts to register illegal and invalid voters in Georgia.
The letter strongly urges Attorney General Barr to issue a restraining order or temporary injunction under federal law preventing organizations from registering illegal and invalid voters in the upcoming Georgia Senate runoff election.
Also, the letter lists several accusations against the organizations.
By way of background, these organizations stand accused of registering a deceased Alabama voter, encouraging illegal voting by out of state residents, as well as knowingly sending Georgia voter registration applications out of state – as far as New York.
Brooks said in a statement, “The evidence is overwhelming that Georgia’s election process has been corrupted by voter fraud and election theft. The perpetrators of these heinous acts must be investigated, and, as appropriate, prosecuted to the fullest. Quite frankly, yesterday’s Georgia Senate hearing video tape revelation was shocking and stunning.”
He also said, “America’s Attorney General must expedite its investigation of this and other matters, and prosecute to the fullest extent of the law all criminals who work to undermine the legitimacy of our Republic.”
On Thursday, Brooks said he plans to contest the Electoral College vote in Congress on Jan. 6.
“It is my duty, under the United States Constitution, on January 6, if the required one senator will join me, to object to and later vote to reject the Electoral Vote submissions from states whose election systems are so badly flawed as to render their vote submissions unreliable, untrustworthy and unworthy of acceptance.”
Also on Thursday, Brooks spoke against the election system that he said makes it illegal for voter registrars to request information to prevent illegal aliens from voting.
In response to Brooks’ support, President Donald Trump recently tweeted, “Thank you to Representative Mo Brooks!”
Thank you to Representative Mo Brooks! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 3, 2020
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Jason M. Reynolds has more than 20 years’ experience as a journalist at outlets of all sizes.