thetennesseestar--2020-09-11--Mainstream Media Declares Ohio Star Reports Rumors, Gov. Office Says Not So Fast

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine ’ s Press Secretary Dan Tierney clarified the governor ’ s remarks made on September 8 regarding internet rumors about Federal Emergency Management Agency ( FEMA ) camps and kids being pulled from home to stay overnight at school being “ garbage.
” Tierney said in an interview with The Ohio Star that messages the governor received over the weekend preceding the Tuesday press briefing came from concerned Ohioans who were commenting on a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) infographic that showed up on social media over the weekend .
The press @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and comments made by the governor were associated with other news outlets – not The Star .
On September 3 , The Star asked DeWine about the August 31 Second-Amended Order for Non-Congregate Sheltering to be utilized throughout Ohio .
The order states “ [ n ] on-congregate sheltering be utilized throughout the state for those who are unable to safely self-quarantine in their places of residence and to isolate those diagnosed with or showing symptoms of COVID-19 ” The questions asked of the governor on September 3 were : • Who decides @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
• What are the determinants ?
Does this apply to the entire population ?
• And what authority do you have to remove people from their homes ?
The governor ’ s response was “ [ p ] rimarily , that ’ s going to be determined by individuals who think they are not safe at home.
” The answer wasn ’ t that the determination would be made exclusively by the individual , nor was it emphatic – as the governor then said “ I ’ ll get more information on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” The questions regarding who decides whether the residence is safe and the determinants were spurred by the belief readers of The Star held and expressed in their questions to the news outlet – that a person recommended for isolation would be required to have his/her own room and bathroom .
What was not made clear by the governor ’ s answer was whether the guideline was non-negotiable and whether the government had the authority to demand someone into the FEMA/EMA procured shelters .
Since the question was first posed The Star has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ does include the need for an isolated person to have his/her own bathroom and room .
After DeWine ’ s emphatic statements on September 8 , there are more questions now being asked : • Why not just rescind the order ?
• Why not spell-out in the order that people retain the power to decide and can not be forced to leave their residences for non-congregate sheltering ?
• Since the Director of the Ohio Department of Health at the time the order was drafted is an attorney – why is there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can be forced to non-congregate sheltering ?
After the Tuesday press conference The Cleveland Plain Dealer/Cleveland.com reached out to The Star seeking comment about its article on FEMA camps .
The same day the Cleveland outlet ran a story that miscategorized comments by The Star and a request for correction has already been made .
The article claimed The Star was the first outlet to report on the August 31 order , referring to the FEMA camps – however , [ your ] NEWS published an article a day earlier spelling out the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also noted that when The Star was asked about the word “ camp ” , the writer said that it is a synonym for “ shelter ” and that in the article the word “ camp , ” “ shelter , ” and “ non-congregate sheltering ” are all used interchangeably .
The Cincinnati Enquirer/Cincinnati.com also associated the rumors and governor ’ s garbage comments with The Star in a September 8 article and a correction request was also submitted to the southwestern Ohio news agency .
“ It ’ s unfortunate that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ overnight was out of context and we recognize that didn ’ t come from you ” said Dan Tierney to The Star .
Jack Windsor is Managing Editor and an Investigative Reporter at The Ohio Star .
Windsor is also an Investigative Reporter at WMFD-TV .
Follow Jack on Twitter .
Email tips to [ email protected ] .
Photo “ Mike DeWine ” by Mike DeWine .
Background Photo “ Ohio Statehouse ” by Mj .
CC BY-SA 4.0 .


thetennesseestar--2020-09-11--Virginia Del. Glenn Davis Announces His Run for Lieutenant Governor

Live from Virginia Thursday morning on The John Fredericks Show – weekdays on WNTW AM 820/ FM 92.7 – Richmond , WJFN FM 100.5 – Central Virginia , WMPH AM 1010 / FM 100.1 / FM 96.9 ( 7-9 PM ) Hampton Roads , WBRG AM 1050 / FM 105.1 – Lynchburg/Roanoke and Weekdays 6-10 am and 24/7 Stream – host Fredericks welcomed VA House of Delegates Member Glenn Davis to the show .
During the show , Davis announced his run for lieutenant governor of Virginia and explained his motivation behind his decision .
He also disclosed a new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrats that would literally end the lives of small business owners in Virginia .
Fredericks : Joining us now is Glenn Davis .
House Delegates member of Virginia Beach , announcing today that he ’ s going to run for Lieutenant Governor in 2021 in the Republican primary .
Glenn , great to have you , man .
Davis : John thanks for having me back on .
I ’ m excited , this is the first stop on our announcement tour .
Fredericks : I ’ ll tell you what ?
You @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at The John Fredericks Show .
Glenn Davis announcing his run for Lieutenant Governor .
What inspired your announcement , Glenn .
Davis : John just being on the front lines , it ’ s clear that we ’ ve had 10 years of losses statewide , and seeing what the Democrats have done by attacking our small businesses and going after our Second Amendment rights , and really crushing the concept of the American dream that some of us hold dear .
John , next year is not just another campaign cycle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
If we don ’ t start putting the left in check it will be decades before we start having any conservative movement at all in the General Assembly again .
That ’ s why its time to step up .
We have to make sure we win and it ’ s not just this November , which is the most important thing right now , and getting Daniel Gade elected and keeping the White House .
But we need to take that momentum into ’ 21 and make sure we have a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ know we can win it , and I know I can hold the left in check .
Fredericks : Glenn I just have to ask you something straight up about the General Assembly and the special session .
I thought the special session was supposed to be to talk about the budget and a couple of reforms and things the governor wanted .
It just seems to be going on .
The Democrats are using this special session on Zoom here to pass their left-wing crackpot candy list of everything they could ever @ @ @ @ @ @ @ end ?
Davis : John , we don ’ t know .
We find out the next day or the day that there will be a session the next day .
So we have no clue when it ’ s going to end .
Like you , I ’ m worried where it ends issue wise you are right .
The Dem leadership kind of narrowly killed this thing and we are going to come in specifically to have a budge scenario with some budget stuff .
The progressives very quickly took over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an attack on our police and it ’ s to control .
Fredericks : There are a lot of Republicans complaining that they are not getting any of their amendments heard .
That there is no open debate .
That there is no discussion going on and that the Democrats have basically frozen you guys out and they are just ramming through anything they want by leveraging their majority .
I guess Ronnie Campbell one of your newest members and a 25 veteran of the state police was in The Virginia Star last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he first came in the Republicans were in the majority and they always included the Democrats with what they were trying to do .
And now he said now they ’ ve just completely frozen them out and they are not even there .
Have you experienced the same thing ?
Davis : John if you look at the successes that we ’ ve had in the General Assembly under Republican leadership .
Look at SOR reforms .
( Inaudible talk ) bringing in the Democrats .
And for a couple of years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bi-partisan measure .
It was a tough situation .
And if you can imagine unions had a lot of concerns about it and it got significant changes .
That ’ s how you create good change .
That ’ s how you make sure there aren ’ t any independent consequences .
And that ’ s how you create something that ’ s long-lasting .
Now it is just the Dems going and writing a bad bill and then shoving it through .
This isn ’ t lets put Republicans and Democrats on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are there first .
It ’ s rushing it through .
A lot of bad bills are coming through .
And John all you have to do is look at yesterday with this mandatory requirement for paid sick leave .
Literally it is arguing with the staff attorney at the Commonwealth of Virginia about what her bill does .
Obviously I ’ m going to take the staff attorney who wrote the bill over the legislator when it comes to what that bill actually does .
Fredericks : Alright .
Why don ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ What exactly is that bill and what does it do ?
Davis : That bill requires every small business to provide sick leave for those that come down or develop coronavirus or have to take care of the family member .
And she says that the only requires it for those with 25 or more employees .
However , the way its written John , is that every employer if there is federal funds available must provide this .
Well , John if the small business owner of five employees doesn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ federal level then they are now in violation of this .
We are not only going to make employers cover this but now we are going to hold them liable for not knowing that there was a program they could take advantage of .
And lastly unlike the state where the state employees are covered and all costs are covered by federal programs at the private sector , if any costs as little as five percent of the costs are covered by federal grants then the small business has to come up with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
This is as hypocritical as it can get .
Fredericks : What is this going to cost small businesses in Virginia if it actually passes and becomes law ?
Davis : Their life .
Right now small businesses are being crushed .
They are going to be hurt and they are going to scale back .
As you ’ ve seen a lot of small businesses because of the governor ’ s overreach on COVID are already closing and many of them , never to reopen again .
And now we are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
We are not talking about we are just going to continue to hurt small businesses , they are teetering on the brink of existence .
And many of them being able to continue past this whole COVID situation .
So throwing them more stuff is only going to make their life harder .
This is going to put them flat out of business .
As we ’ ve seen some that haven ’ t even made it to this point John .
Fredericks : Do they care ?
Do any of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ text them , do they have any clue as to what is happening to small businesses in Virginia ?
Or would they just like to stomp them out because they aren ’ t voting for them anyway and just have everybody go to Amazon or Walmart ?
Davis : John , I just don ’ t think they understand these impacts .
Maybe they missed economics 101 .
Obviously everyone cares about jobs .
But how they don ’ t see and how they are not seeing these out of business signs when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ beyond me .
We are about to crush one of the strongest economies because of our lack of concern for the small businesses and just complete overreach with government authority .
Listen to the full show here .

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


thetennesseestar--2020-09-11--Meshawn Maddock Commentary: Don’t Let Joe Biden Give the Whole Country a Taste of Whitmer’s Bitter A

Meshawn Maddock Commentary: Don’t Let Joe Biden Give the Whole Country a Taste of Whitmer’s Bitter Authoritarian Medicine

Workers and business owners across the state are still waiting to learn what fate Governor Gretchen Whitmer has in store for them .
Of course , businesses that wield political clout and make significant contributions to Whitmer ’ s budget — say , a crowded Detroit casino — have no such uncertainty to worry about .
They ’ re allowed to open .
For five months , Michiganders have endured a largely arbitrary system of lockdown restrictions imposed by a governor more concerned with political posturing than making decisions based on data or common sense .
In addition to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ served to aggregate into the governor ’ s office seemingly limitless power over the economic fate of thousands of businesses and millions of jobs , not to mention the most fundamental aspects of our daily lives .
Even some Democrats are beginning to question the wisdom of leaving Michigan ’ s extraordinarily broad emergency powers in the hands of a politician so fervently committed to abusing them in defiance of every check our system imposes to protect individuals from government overreach .
Michiganders have experienced all of this firsthand , and soon we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deciding whether the rest of the country will be subjected to the same sort of ordeal .
Democrat presidential nominee Joe Biden says that if he takes office this January , he is prepared to do “ whatever it takes ” — up to and including a blanket shutdown of the American economy .
“ I would shut it down ; I would listen to the scientists , ” he said .
Never mind that experts who have examined the actual data concluded that lockdowns don ’ t make an appreciable difference in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ undoubtedly has his own “ experts ” on standby to contradict the evidence .
Six months from now , Americans might very well be confronting the prospect of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris throwing our economy into an artificial depression by locking the whole country down in much the same way that Gretchen Whitmer is currently wielding discretion over whether Michiganders are allowed to go to the gym .
Is there anyone who doesn ’ t realize the magnitude of damage the previous round of lockdowns did to the economy ?
Does anybody @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the fastest recovery in American history and return to the fear and uncertainty we experienced a few months ago ?
We ’ ve just experienced the four most explosive months of job creation since records began — more than 10 million new jobs in just one-third of a calendar year .
This is the “ V-shaped recovery ” that the President promised , and has now delivered , with the economy adding another 1.4 million jobs in August .
It didn ’ t happen by chance ; it happened because President Trump was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while Joe Biden was spending all his time trying to make sure blame landed on the White House and Gretchen Whitmer was making up stories about the President denying Michigan medical supplies .
The federal Small Business Administration distributed over half a trillion dollars in forgivable loans under the Paycheck Protection Program , saving more than 51 million jobs .
That proved crucial in allowing businesses to come out of hibernation relatively unscathed .
The Trump administration ’ s measured , constitutionally sound approach has allowed governors and local officials to adjust the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ground .
Biden disdains this thoroughly American approach , preferring “ national mandates ” that — besides having no basis in the Constitution — would force the entire country to live under rules devised by cosmopolitan elitists for places like Detroit or New York City .
Despite Governor Whitmer ’ s capricious lockdown orders , Michigan ’ s economic prospects are undeniably improving .
The only thing that could derail our return to prosperity would be electing a shut-it-down candidate like Joe Biden .
Meshawn Maddock was a Michigan delegate for Donald @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
She is also the Co-founder of Michigan Trump Republicans and the wife of Michigan State Representative Matt Maddock .
Photo “ Joe Biden and Gretchen Whitmer ” by Gretchen Whitmer .


thetennesseestar--2020-09-11--Vice President Pence to VMI: We’ll Always Have Your Back

LEXINGTON , Virginia – In a talk that was part campaign speech , part motivational lecture , Vice President Mike Pence spoke to over 1,800 people on Thursday at the Virginia Military Institute ( VMI ) .
Pence emphasized the Trump administration ’ s support of the military and its families .
He concluded with a charge to the cadets to lead through integrity .
In addition to VMI cadets and faculty , VMI graduates Secretary of the Army Ryan McCarthy and U.S .
Congressman Michael Waltz ( R – Florida ) were present .
The event was not open @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enough socially-distanced room .
Pence cast the current class of VMI cadets as part of a larger history of VMI alumni who fought for the U.S. after the 9/11 attacks .
“ Your generation has been a part of the fact that we will reach the 19th anniversary of that dark day having had no major terrorist attacks on American shores , ” Pence said .
“ I want to say thank you… .
You have made America safer everyday.
” Under the Obama administration , the armed forces were “ hollowed out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all that changed when President Donald Trump stepped into the White House.
” He added , “ We provided for our active duty military personnel the largest pay raise in nearly ten years .
President Donald Trump signed the largest increase in our national defense fund since the days of Ronald Reagan.
” “ We didn ’ t just rebuild our military , ” Pence said .
“ With a vision of the future and our national security challenges , President Donald Trump created the first new branch of our armed forces in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Force.
” “ I can tell you first hand our president reveres the men and women of our armed forces , ” Pence said , indirectly addressing a recent anonymously sourced article that said Trump does not respect fallen service members .
“ I ’ ve seen this president ’ s heart in countless private moments where I ’ ve been able to be at his side .
I literally watched him after an address at Arlington National Cemetery on Memorial Day , ” Pence said .
“ I saw him approach a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day of days , flowers in hand .
And [ she ] just looked her president in the eye and asked him to always remember the name of her son Jimmy .
And I saw this president assure her that he would.
” “ I can tell you : President Donald Trump reveres and honors the members of our armed forces and their families , ” Pence said .
VMI Director of Communications Bill Wyatt said the institute invites dignitaries as part of the leadership development for the cadets , and has had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ George W. Bush .
“ It ’ s important for us to provide this opportunity to our cadets so that they can hear the wisdom from different perspectives and different leaders , ” Wyatt said .
Pence offered several pieces of wisdom .
“ First and foremost , I ’ d encourage you to approach your calling with humility .
Consider others as more important than yourself .
Take care of men and women and children alongside you…As was written long ago in the words of the Nazarene , wherever you go , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be served , but to serve.
” “ Secondly , I encourage you to embrace orientation to authority , ” Pence said .
“ Submit yourself to the authorities placed over you .
Trust your superiors….and through your actions you will help inspire those you are leading to be better leaders as well .
To be a good leader you must first be learn to be a good follower.
” “ Lastly I want to challenge you to be men and women of integrity .
People follow people that they trust , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ develop the inner man and the inner woman .
Develop the qualities of character.
” “ On behalf of your president and a grateful nation , I just came to say that we ’ re proud of you , we ’ re behind you , ” Pence said .
“ I leave here today confident that so long as America produces men and women like the cadets of VMI … I know the best days for America are yet to come , so thank you and God bless you… .
Never say die @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Burk is a reporter at The Virginia Star and the Star News Digital Network .
Email tips to [ email protected ] .


thetennesseestar--2020-09-11--Virginia Senate Dems to House on Stripping Qualified Immunity: Not So Fast

RICHMOND , Virginia – The Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday voted to pass by indefinitely and create a joint House-Senate sub-Committee to further discuss a bill to end the qualified immunity defense for law enforcement .
The motion to pass by indefinitely was agreed to by a vote of 12-Y 3-N with six Democratic Senators voting alongside their Republican peers on the prevailing side .
The bill ’ s sponsor from the House , Del .
Jeff Bourne ( D-Richmond City , was able to address the Committee members at the beginning of the meeting .
“ Mr .
Chairman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had and continue to have the opportunity to really move the ball forward on justice reform in Virginia , ” Bourne said .
“ I would submit this is one of the most consequential bills that we will deal with and while there will not be a panacea for black and brown communities across Virginia , this [ bill ] will make their lives a little better.
” Many of the senators on the Judiciary Committee are also practicing lawyers and had lots of concerns with the language of the bill , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ called too broad .
“ The way Delegate Bourne ’ s bill is drafted , a police officer could be sued and be liable personally for any mistake he made on the job , ” Sen. Richard Stuart ( R-Prince William County ) said in an interview with The Virginia Star .
“ I don ’ t think that is what anybody intends , people are looking at intentional acts of brutality or intentional acts of excessive force .
“ [ Bourne ’ s bill ] was drafted so broadly [ that ] @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officer had acted in a reasonable way , but it was unlawful , he still could have been held liable personally.
” Several Democratic members who said they agreed that some changes should be made to qualified immunity , also pointed out that the legislation does not offer a clear standard for what constitutes someone being deprived of their constitutional or civil rights .
“ What is the standard by which a jury would judge the officer ’ s conduct ?
That ’ s what I don ’ t see in this bill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ County ) said .
“ I understand the immunity argument , in fact , I agree with you that qualified immunity is something that needs to be not just looked [ but ] perhaps revised , the problem is you have a cause of action with absolutely no standard .
“ I can ’ t think of a single profession in this Commonwealth where if I ’ m sued as an attorney for malpractice or a physician is sued there is not some standard , which says whether or not they did or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conduct.
” Senators argued that the combination of the bill ’ s language being too broad with no set conduct standard would leave law enforcement officers liable for any little issue someone may have , such as an illegal traffic stop or other examples .
The only Senators who voted against the motion to pass by indefinitely were Louise Lucas ( D-Chesapeake ) , Jennifer McClellan ( D-Henrico County ) and Joseph Morrissey ( D-Richmond City ) The bill , however , is not totally dead thanks to the decision to form a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to agree to form the joint sub-committee and then each body had to designate a several members to sit on the committee , according to Sen. Scott Surovell ( D-Fairfax County ) .
Nevertheless , the timeline for when the bill is actually going to be discussed again , let alone voted on , is murky because the joint sub-committee will meet whenever the members “ get around to it ” between the special session and the regular session in January , Sen. John Edwards ( D-Montgomery County ) said .
Jacob Taylor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the Star News Digital Network .
Follow Jacob on Twitter .
Email tips to [ email protected ]


thetennesseestar--2020-09-11--Dave Yost Says Ohio State University Should Sue Big 10 If Conference Refuses to Play Football

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost said in an interview with Fox Radio that if the Big 10 refuses to change its stance on college football , Ohio State University ( OSU ) should sue .
Yost said that “ it seems crazy , ” that with so many other sports , including high school and amateur football being played that OSU will not be able to have a season .
The attorney general said if schools can opt-out of a season if they think “ COVID is too big a threat.
” However , he encouraged the Big 10 to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a season .
“ I ’ m all about the kids , I wan na see them play… but let ’ s not forget that this is also business .
There is money involved , ” Yost said .
“ Lots of money.
” He added that money “ supports all of the other sports that don ’ t make any money.
” Yost said that the issue was simply from a legal standpoint “ it comes down to contracts and torts.
” Yost said his team was in the process of collecting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Big 10 , and even universities that violated their contracts by refusing to play , a sentiment he echoed on Twitter .
When asked about partnering with other states to sue the Big 10 , Yost said “ those conversations haven ’ t happened yet , ” but hinted on Twitter that if Ohio State should sue , they might not be alone .
So far Ohio State has made no statement as to whether it plans to sue the Big 10 .
Ben Kolodny is a reporter at The Ohio Star @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can follow Ben on Twitter .
Tips can be sent to [ email protected ]


thetennesseestar--2020-09-11--Senate Passes Omnibus Police Reform Legislation

RICHMOND , Virginia – The Senate passed its omnibus policing reform bill on Thursday , which encompasses other already introduced legislation and covers many hotbed issues relating to law enforcement .
After over an hour of debate and Republicans voicing concerns , the Democratic majority passed the bill by a vote of 21-Y 19-N , right along party lines .
Republicans thought there were good aspects within the bill , but , because the legislation puts a wide range of issues together , their opposition to specific provisions meant they could not support the overall bill itself .
The primary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on acquiring military property , Criminal Justice Services Board membership and Committee on Training membership , use of deadly force by law enforcement officers and others .
“ We are going to make Virginia a much less safe place , ” Sen. Mark Obenshain ( R-Rockingham County ) said while discussing language in the use of deadly force provisions .
“ We have to provide some ability not to apply 2020 hindsight from the comfort of our law offices or judicial chambers or legislative chambers to actions that may require the decision in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ law enforcement officer his or her life .
“ We have got to give them the ability to exercise some judgement and to make a mistake , otherwise there is no way that we are ever going to be able to fill these positions or keep our community safe.
” Sen. Ryan McDougle ( R-Spotsylvania County ) was one of many Republicans to oppose the provision on that prohibits law enforcement agencies in Virginia from acquiring military property from the government .
McDougle said he opposed that provision because the localities he represents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other property during emergencies like hurricanes or floods and that the bill would hinder efforts by first responders to save lives .
Sen. Bryce Reeves ( R-Spotsylvania County ) added : “ Why would we limit ourselves to have the ability to save people ’ s lives ?
” Democrat senators responded to many of their peers ’ concerns , including Senate Majority Leader Richard Saslaw ( D-Fairfax County ) and Sen. Scott Surovell ( D-Fairfax County ) , but ultimately could not sway any member ’ s vote .
Sen. Mamie Locke @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the lawmakers primarily responsible for the bill , addressed the body before the vote , simply saying the legislation is not anti-police and that it contains lots helpful provisions to improve law enforcement .
Included within the omnibus legislation are two bills from Senate Minority Leader Thomas Norment ( R-Hampton ) , SB 5002 and SB 5005 , one bill from Sen. Joseph Morrissey ( D-Chesterfield County ) , SB 5049 , and then one bill from Sen. Barbara Favola ( D-Fairfax County ) , SB 5037 .
Norment ’ s bills pertain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the use of neck restraints by law enforcement , Morrissey ’ s bill is also on prohibiting the use of neck restraints and Favola ’ s bill pertains to the aforementioned criminal justice services board and its membership .
Next , the bill will be considered for passage by the Democratic-controlled House of Delegates .
As of Thursday night , the next House session has not been added to the meetings schedule on the Virginia legislative information website .
Jacob Taylor is a reporter at The Virginia Star and the Star News Digital @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Email tips to [ email protected ]


thetennesseestar--2020-09-11--Target Pledges to Make Black Employees 20 Percent of Its Workforce

Target is pledging to ensure that Black employees make up at least 20 percent of its workforce .
The Minneapolis-based corporation based their goal on a diversity report of 2019 .
Target stated that the data indicated a need for more “ equitable outcomes for Black team members.
” For this ethnicity only , the corporation promises to broaden leadership pathways , develop hiring and retention programs , increase mentorship and sponsorship programs , and tailor benefits .
For all other , non-Black employees , Target will mandate “ anti-racist trainings.
” “ The changes we ’ re making are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the careers of our Black team members and prospective team members , ” stated the Vice President of Human Resources/Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer Kiera Fernandez .
“ Additional leadership development , training programs , and mentorship for our Black team members , along with a focus in areas of the business where our Black representation is not as strong , will offer new career development opportunities for our team members for years to come.
” Last month , the corporation created the Racial Equity Action and Change ( REACH ) committee .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in all aspects of their company : including employees , customers , suppliers , communities , and so forth .
The corporation also pledged $ 10 million “ to advance social justice and support [ Black ] communities ” immediately after George Floyd ’ s death .
Since then , Targets across the nation remain a consistent target for rioters .
The first wave of riots in the Twin Cities caused 24 stores to close due to ransacking .
The Minnesota Sun asked Target ’ s media contact whether this initiative would hinder @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the company , how the corporation determines who qualifies as a Black individual , and what the specific plans were for each of its promises .
Target Corporation did not respond by press time .
Corinne Murdock is a reporter at The Minnesota Sun and the Star News Network .
Follow her latest on Twitter , or email tips to [ email protected ] .
Photo “ Target Store ” by Mike Mozart .
CC BY 2.0 .


thetennesseestar--2020-09-11--Steve Bannon Tells Trump: Stay On Message and You Win

Live from Virginia Thursday morning on The John Fredericks Show – weekdays on WNTW AM 820/ FM 92.7 – Richmond , WJFN FM 100.5 – Central Virginia , WMPH AM 1010 / FM 100.1 / FM 96.9 ( 7-9 PM ) Hampton Roads , WBRG AM 1050 / FM 105.1 – Lynchburg/Roanoke and Weekdays 6-10 am and 24/7 Stream – host Fredericks welcomed host of War Room Pandemic Steven K. Bannon to the program .
During the interview , Bannon reflected on Trump ’ s response to the coronavirus as making bold action and displaying true leadership however he thought @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and poor response to the Bob Woodward interview around by focusing on the campaign and hard messaging for the next 55 days .
Fredericks : Joining us now , former Senior Strategist of the White House .
And now he is the host of the ever-expanding , burgeoning , most popular radio show in the Milky Way , War Room Pandemic , heard on the John Fredericks Show heard from 10 to noon Monday through Saturday , and also America ’ s Voice News Live .
On The Dish and he ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ midnight every night on Newsmax TV , Steve Bannon .
Steve , great to have you this morning .
Bannon : Thanks , and hi to all the folks down at Liberty .
It ’ s one of the great institutions , and they are doing great work .
I ’ m glad you are down there today .
Fredericks : Steve , you were Senior Strategist in the White House .
The Bob Woodward book has me really upset today .
Not about what was in it .
I get what the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ got to ask you this question .
You are in the middle of an election .
You have all this going on .
Why on earth as the President of the United States are you allowing Bob Woodward to conduct 20 hours of interviews and over 18 appearances .
Eighteen times , 20 hours on tape live .
Did you think anything positive was going to come out of that ?
Bannon : Well , you ’ ve got to ask the people that were around the president that should have strategically thought @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if you go down that route you ’ ll be banging your head on the wall .
I think the summary is number one , the conservatives and the people that support President Trump who are focused on winning , because we are what , at 55 days away ?
And really it ’ s 133 days , because the election is not going to be called until the night before the inauguration .
So we ’ ve got four or five months of a grind in front of us .
And all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and everybody that cares about this country , and Ben Franklin statement , you have a republic if you can keep it .
All those people have to be focused on one thing .
Winning on November 3 and making sure it ’ s not stolen from the president between November 3 and the inauguration .
And that ’ s going take a massive mobilization effort .
I ’ m so glad you started off the hour talking about the new group that ’ s trying to get people organized .
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ need many of them .
You go back to the Woodward book .
You can play Monday morning quarterback and find out how it happened , and access to Woodward , who ’ s obviously no fan of the president .
I think the most important thing is to get in .
I think Dr. Fauci has not been as data-driven and science-driven .
Let ’ s go back .
If you look at President Trump ’ s actions , and you look at what he did .
What Woodward is accusing him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is in a meltdown about , I think it doesn ’ t stock up .
Dr. Fauci was pretty adamant last night when he said that President Trump took every recommendation and every action and statement that he thought he said was in line with what the task force was saying .
And let ’ s go back and look at that .
He really made a courageous statement .
Look , we are the guys that got on this thing first because of our understanding of China , and our focus on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We were on this first in mid-January .
We were sounding the alarms then .
President Trump ’ s initial actions were probably the boldest in American history .
He took two actions .
One gets downplayed .
One .
He banned all travel from China .
Number two , he quarantined American citizens for the first time in 50 years .
And that was opposed by all of the politicians , including Nancy Pelosi .
And Joe Biden took the Beijing line on that weekend .
He called Trump a nativist , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ took the Beijing party line .
Trump ’ s initial reformulating the task force with people like Peter Navarro , who got a bigger voice in it .
Remember in March when everybody was saying Nancy Pelosi , and all these people were going to Chinatown and really mocking the president for what he was trying to do about this .
President Trump called a national emergency .
He then stopped all travel from Europe .
And then started to really put the governors in this kind of federalist system , that they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government would provide a massive amount of resources .
Whether it was for ventilators or , at the time , maybe getting hydroxy out in the field .
Building field hospitals .
In your radio network area , he went down to Hampton Roads and saw off the hospital ship to go off to New York City .
He built field hospitals .
He deployed the Army .
If you go back and look at the actions .
Look what Dr. Fauci said , and of what the task force was recommending at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ done more ?
On the margins , you might be able to argue that .
But he might have done less .
But he didn ’ t .
He really focused on this thing .
I think his record is very defensible .
And if I was him , I would go back and defend the record .
He also made a very good point .
He didn ’ t want to cause a panic , and I think that ’ s very important .
I think that shows leadership .
He didn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people , because at the time we had such little knowledge about this .
We now know , and there will be papers coming out , that this thing was definitely lab-enhanced from Wuhan .
All the people that were mocked and ridiculed , folks like myself , Tom Cotton , and Gertz , you ’ re going to start to see academic papers coming out in the next week or two .
We knew very little about this pandemic and virus back in the beginning .
The president was doing what he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bold action – moving the ball forward .
Trying to get national stockpiles up to speed .
Empowering this task force .
Empowering Dr. Fauci and bringing on Dr. Birx , I think his track record is very solid .
And to me , if you start worrying about the process , because that in itself is a nightmare , you don ’ t have that luxury of time with 55 days left .
You have to focus on the things at hand .
And I do think they really need to get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the first 24 hours has not been great .
Bannon : I think the president should not have gone out .
I think people need to understand that you have amazingly sophisticated people like Jason Miller and Steve Cortes on the con side .
I think they need some warriors like Rudy Guiliani and others out as surrogates right now that have a sense of gravitas .
Tomorrow is the 19th commemoration of 9-11 .
The president and his team need to catch a breath and then look at the facts .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ last night .
He was pretty adamant .
There was no big recommendation coming from the task force , which were the best guys in the government and lauded by the media , that the president didn ’ t do .
I think the president on top of that , having a sense of not wanting to instill panic with people , not knowing what this was going to be , or direction it was going to go , I think it was pretty even-handed .
He had some power moves .
As @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we were very much that if you are going to do this , you are going to go through hell , go through it as fast as possible .
We were for a more concentrated and tougher lockdown and then move on .
But they did it the other day , with the 30 days to flatten the curve and all that .
And it turned out that at the time it was appropriate .
If I was the White House and the campaign , I would get focused on hard messaging today @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thing big and just get on with the campaign .
Fredericks : I think you are spot on .
I was upset that he even sat down for the interviews .
I couldn ’ t believe that you would do that and think that somehow , with Bob Woodward ’ s book coming out in September , that was going to help you .
To me , that was just an asinine decision .
You ’ ve got to call this stuff out .
It was just a bad decision in my view @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of that .
Here is what you nailed , Steve Bannon , is the response last night was anemic .
It was not thought through .
It was wobbly , and I think it added fuel to the fire .
What you are saying now is absolutely correct .
They should take this opportunity to turn lemons into lemonade , if you will , or turn it or hit hard like a bazooka on all the things that Biden said and didn ’ t do .
And also what they did .
They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the facts .
I think this is an opportunity to do that .
But I thought the response last night was anemic .
Listen to the full interview here .


thetennesseestar--2020-09-11--Minnesotan Public University Grants $92K to ‘Decolonize Educators’

Bemidji State University will grant $ 92,000 for a “ Decolonizing Educators ” program .
The university announced its decision to fund these scholarships in a press release last week .
The funds come from a Minnesota Department of Education ( MDE ) initiative called “ Minnesota Indian Teaching Training Program ” ( MITTP ) .
The state program administers scholarships to enrolled members of federally-recognized tribes , or first- or second-degree descendants .
MITTP is currently available through six universities and colleges .
Educational decolonization is a growing trend to restructure all educational systems and curriculum by reprioritizing the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Its proponents say the Western heritage informing and influencing this country is “ male , pale , and stale.
” To them , it ’ s the hallmark of White supremacy .
Decolonizing efforts within education is not unique to this university .
Higher education across the country has varying levels of commitment to “ decolonize education.
” The process manifests itself in mandatory courses dedicated social justice , antiracism , and gender .
According to the university ’ s press release , the MITTP funding also supports academia in “ American @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mental health services , administration , school healthcare , and social work.
” Chrissy Koch , Bemidji ’ s executive director of the American Indian Resources Center , awarded the “ Decolonizing Educators ” slogan for this year ’ s MITTP .
During an earlier campus forum , Koch stated that education after the colonization of American Indians continues to be traumatic .
“ When we talk about decolonizing educators we are trying to express that we want to bring indigenous prospectives [ sic ] and traditions into the education realm because they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ historically.
” The Minnesota Sun asked Koch about the inspiration behind the program and their ideal vision of a fully decolonized education .
The director did not offer a response by press time .
This year , eight students will receive “ Decolonizing Educators ” scholarship recipients .
Each student will be awarded $ 1500 for tuition , $ 400 for books , and $ 3000 as a living stipend .
Corinne Murdock is a reporter at The Minnesota Sun and the Star News Network .
Follow her latest on Twitter , or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Photo “ Bemidji State University ” by mwp_42 .
CC BY 2.0 .


thetennesseestar--2020-09-11--The Bill Cunningham Show Talks to The Ohio Star’s Jack Windsor to Discuss New State Law Allowing for

The Bill Cunningham Show Talks to The Ohio Star’s Jack Windsor to Discuss New State Law Allowing for the Legal Removal of People with COVID From Their Private Homes

Tuesday morning on the Bill Cunningham Show broadcast weekdays from 12 pm to 3pm on Cincinnati ’ s News Radio 700WLW , host Cunningham welcomed The Ohio Star Managing Editor , Jack Windsor , to the show .
During the show , Windsor detailed his recent article in The Ohio Star citing a new law introduced in the state of Ohio which would allow the health departments to determine whether or not one ’ s private home was sufficient for self-isolation or quarantining if diagnosed positive with COVID-19 .
He added that as the law as it is written would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out of the home and placed in a FEMA camp .
Windsor has asked for clarification from both Governor DeWine and the Ohio Health Department to no avail .
Listen to the podcast here .
Cunningham : Of course Jack Windsor is an investigative reporter and he ’ s at most of the gubernatorial news conferences .
He sent me interesting information the other day that Ohio FEMA camps still more questions than answers .
There is a story in the Inquirer this morning written by Tyler Buchanon .
GOP Lawmaker Wants to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Over Coronavirus Response .
There is a statute that deals with that that says ‘ no public servant under color of his office shall knowingly deprive or conspire or attempt to deprive any person of a constitutional or statutory right.
’ That ’ s an M1 that carries 80 days in jail .
Lots of things are going on .
Once again , Jack Windsor welcome to the Bill Cunningham show .
And Jack , how are you ?
Windsor : I ’ m super fantastic .
Thank you for choosing me today @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with you on and your amazing listeners .
Cunningham : Now before we get to the FEMA camps I monitor everything simultaneously and it appears that Ohio is doing exceedingly well with coronavirus infection rate and hospitalizations and all the rest .
We are doing very well compared to many other states .
Yet many public schools continue to be all virtual with no sports .
And so over the weekend , Lawrenceburg beat Muller .
Deer Park ran to victory over Three Rivers Taylor .
And we had great soccer matches happening @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the thousands of students in public schools to actually participate in sports or even go to school .
I want to hear from you before we talk about these other issues .
What are the facts relative to teenagers being hospitalized or dying of COVID-19 that CPS is so concerned about ?
Windsor : It ’ s not happening in Ohio , Bill , under the age of 18 there have been zero deaths .
I ’ ll go back to Director Redfield from the CDC in mid-July , saying that children @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus .
And he juxtaposed it to the flu virus , where they really actually are .
He then went on to say there is no data to support the idea that kids continue the transmission cycle of this virus to teachers .
So in one swoop , he came out and said look , kids are not going to get gravely ill or die from this virus , and they are not passing it on to teachers .
Dr. Atlas , who is now the lead medical advisor for the White House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and said our kids need to be in school – in class , not distanced , and not wearing masks because there is no science to support all that ’ s standing behind that .
So for me , I look at it particularly with city schools .
Some of these kids , this is what keeps them engaged .
This is is what keeps them moving forward .
And it ’ s a critical asset in their lives , and it ’ s a shame that they are being robbed .
Cunningham @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Mansfield , Toledo , Cleveland , Dayton , or Cincinnati .
So many of these urban public schools these kids are living behind the eight ball , and they live in a ditch anyway .
And athletics is the ladder out of the ditch in which they find themselves .
And when CPS , controlled by five big-time liberals on the school board , whisper in Laura Mitchell ’ s ear , who is the Superintendent , let ’ s not do anything .
And then every Friday night or Saturday .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ every day whether it ’ s .
They are playing football .
They are playing soccer .
Girls are playing soccer .
They are actually playing soccer , but come Friday night they go back into their neighborhoods where there are massive shootings and lawlessness .
Then they watch Channels 9 , 5 , and 12 at 11:15 , and 11:20 .
About all the high school football action .
Indian Hill is playing .
Madiera is playing .
Lawrenceburg is playing .
Three Rivers .
And they are saying what the hell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t go to school and they can ’ t play sports .
And this is done with the best of intentions by left-wing progressive liberals who think they are saving the students , when they are hurting them grievously .
And I have some of the suburban coaches saying we have been contacted by kids who want to come here and play football .
They want to come to suburban schools , and they can ’ t do that either .
They are trapped in a system of failure .
And those in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It ’ s sickening .
We have 35,000 kids that can ’ t go to school and can ’ t play sports , because the progressive liberals are in charge .
Now secondly , you sent me a column which was very interesting .
Headline : Ohio FEMA Camps , Still More Questions Than Answers .
Can you explain what the FEMA camps are ?
It was first reported September 3 by the Ohio Department of Health , and they issued an order .
Explain .
Windsor : So this order created the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shelters , and legalized their use for people who are unable to safely self-quarantine in their place of residence .
And to isolate those diagnosed with or showing symptoms of COVID-19 .
Now , this sheltering can be utilized throughout the state for all people according to my reading .
And I ’ ll get into what the attorney said that reviewed it .
But people who test positive for COVID-19 that did not require hospitalization and those who have been exposed to COVID-19 and who do not require hospitalization , and asymptomatic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ precautionary measure , can all be put into what they call non-congregate living sheltering so that they can safely isolate in quarantine .
This order makes that possible .
The order also requires publicly-funded colleges and universities to turn over their vacant space to be utilized for this non-congregate sheltering .
It also empowers local officials and finds not only public , but private spaces that may be vacant that can be utilized for this sheltering .
This raised a lot of flags .
I asked the governor about it last Thursday .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
So I leaned into his administration and the Ohio Department of Health .
And frankly , some of the answers I ’ m getting are unnerving .
Cunningham : So the plan is that large numbers of people aren ’ t receiving shelter in place where they can ’ t go to be some place separate or apart .
Or if they involuntarily will not do it , there are state camps that the people can be put into ?
Windsor : That ’ s correct .
The big question was who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ self-quarantine in a residence , and what are the determinants ?
I will tell you , I asked that question directly to the governor ’ s office and to the Ohio Department of Health .
The press secretaries for each respective office came back to me , and by the way , they quoted the same language in their responses .
And they are long , but the gist the order gives the state of Ohio the ability to draw down federal funding to reimburse the local EMA and Health Department , where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back on both of them and said , that ’ s great , but you are not hearing my question .
Let me give you an example .
If my daughter goes to school , and by the way , on September 3 it was mandated that schools have to report COVID cases now to the Department of Health .
Let ’ s say my daughter goes to school , and her classmate tests positive for COVID .
The health department and the school reaches out to me , and the health department @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all the kids that were around that positive student , their information goes to the health department .
I get a call from the health department .
The health department says your daughter was exposed to COVID , and she was in close proximity , she needs to isolate or quarantine .
My question is , who is going to determine whether my home is safe ?
What does that look like , and what authority do you have to take a kid out of home and put them into a shelter ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ question directly .
Cunningham : So this gives the civil authorities the power to take your daughter and put her somewhere against your wishes , and will , and the state of Ohio will not respond to what are the standards .
Who decides ?
Is there an appellate process ?
Is there due process ?
Otherwise , this order says they can take your daughter and put her in a home somewhere , and you can ’ t stop it .
Windsor : That ’ s right .
There is no due @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now reading that the authority lies with the local health department .
And I read an article in the Cleveland the county health commissioner is on record saying asymptomatic children , and adults with COVID-19 , should be quarantined to prevent them from the spread of the illness .
It ’ s not a very far stretch to say , OK .
There are going to be some local health commissioners that believe children should be quarantined .
Again , what are the criteria ?
Because I know a lot of single parents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a rumor blowing around that if you have one bathroom , that your home is not safe or fit as a safe haven for isolating and quarantining .
Are you going to tell me that every single parent , or even if they are not single parents but families , who have one bathroom are not in a home that ’ s safe for either an adult or child to quarantine ?
The fact that they are not answering that and blowing it off , and saying it ’ s probably not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going to happen in an extreme situation .
I don ’ t care .
If the law is there and it ’ s able to happen , that ’ s an issue .
Cunningham : If a child is in grade school , and she has three older brothers and she doesn ’ t have the COVID-19 , but she was close to someone that tested positive , the state now has the power to come into that home and tell that girl and I guess her brothers also , that there is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and as a consequence , the state will take control of your family now .
Windsor : That ’ s exactly what the order seems to give the power to the state to do .


thetennesseestar--2020-09-12--West Tennessee Port That Has Accepted Millions of Taxpayer Dollars Since 2010 Still Has Not Created

West Tennessee Port That Has Accepted Millions of Taxpayer Dollars Since 2010 Still Has Not Created One Job

Politicians promised 10 years ago that if they invested millions of taxpayer dollars in a northwest Tennessee port they would create thousands of new jobs and deliver prosperity to an economically-distressed region .
But , thus far , that project , the Port of Cates Landing , has not created so much as one position .
And this week officials with the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development ( TNECD ) accepted $ 7 million in federal taxpayer money hoping that , this time , this investment of money will finally turn things around .
TNECD officials published a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officials will use this money to connect a rail to the port itself .
As The Tennessee Watchdog reported in 2010 , politicians promised that the Port of Cates Landing would create 2,000 jobs .
County mayors , county commissioners , a U.S. congressman , and even academics at Middle Tennessee State University predicted a decade ago that this port , along the Mississippi River , would bring economic salvation .
Local , state and federal money paid for the first $ 35 million .
Federal stimulus dollars in 2009 and 2010 paid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Tennessee Star asked TNECD spokeswoman Jennifer McEachern whether , in 2020 , any companies want to conduct business at the port .
“ ECD does not comment on unannounced projects , ” McEachern said in an email .
“ However , we continue to actively market the Port to companies that are interested in locating or expanding operations in the state.
” The Star then asked whether all the prior taxpayer investment has created any jobs .
“ We have not located a project at the Port as of September 2020 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Grant , we are hopeful that once the project is complete , the Port will be in a better position for future investment and job creation.
” The Star asked McEachern to assure taxpayers that all of the money they have invested will eventually bring results .
She chose not to answer the question .
Officials with the Northwest Tennessee Port Authority , who oversee the project , did not return The Star ’ s requests for comment Friday .
As Tennessee Watchdog reported in 2010 , Lakes County ’ s economy has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ live on government assistance .
To get the stimulus money for the port , area officials told federal officials that companies like Con-Agra wanted to do business there .
Con-Agra officials , however , later denied that .
Chris Butler is an investigative journalist at The Tennessee Star .
Follow Chris on Facebook .
Email tips to [ email protected ] Photo “ Port of Cates Landing ” by Port of Cates Landing .

A dozen individuals have been charged in a gun-running conspiracy that funneled firearms from Tennessee and Kentucky to Chicago, according to a release from the Department of Justice (DOJ).
In total, the 12 individuals are facing a 21-count indictment with charges for dealing in firearms without a license, transporting and receiving firearms into another state, making false statements to a federally licensed firearm dealer, and multiple other offenses.
Three of the alleged members of the gun pipeline were enlisted members of the U.S. Army and were stationed at Fort Campbell in Clarksville.
Demarcus Adams, Brandon Miller, and Jarius Brunson, along with other individuals charged in the indictment, allegedly purchased legal firearms from dealers in the area. After securing the guns, the DOJ contends the group would deliver the firearms to individuals in Chicago.
Law enforcement officials also claim the scheme was connected to gang violence in Chicago, saying that “the defendants conspired to purchase and deliver over 90 illegally obtained firearms to the Chicago area to facilitate the ongoing violent disputes between the Pocket Town Gangster Disciples and their rival gangs.”
Authorities detailed that at least two deaths were connected to firearms distributed in the movement from Tennessee to the Chicago area.
In addition to Clarksville, the organized crime circle operated in Oak Grove, Kentucky:
“The indictment further alleges the methods used by co-conspirators to purchase firearms from federally licensed firearms dealers in the Clarksville, Tenn. and Oak Grove, Kentucky areas, which included communicating via text messages to coordinate the purchase and delivery of firearms to the Chicago area; providing false information on firearms purchase application forms; and using apps such as Zelle and CashApp to facilitate payment for the illegal transfer of firearms. On one occasion, the indictment alleges that in addition to several firearms available for sale, Brandon Miller had 1,000 rounds of 9mm ammunition available for purchase,” the release from the DOJ details.
— — —
Cooper Moran is a reporter for The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Email tips to [email protected]
Photo “Justice Department Announces Superseding Indictment Charging 12 in Gun-Running Conspiracy to Supply” by The Justice Department.


thetennesseestar--2020-09-12--Commentary: Why Are Wall Street Banks Funneling $40 Billion into the Chinese Communist Party via the

Commentary: Why Are Wall Street Banks Funneling $40 Billion into the Chinese Communist Party via the Ant Group IPO?

Citigroup Inc. , JPMorgan Chase & Co. and Morgan Stanley are underwriting part of what could be a $ 40 billion initial public offering ( IPO ) for Ant Group Co. in Hong Kong and Shanghai , which China-controlled megacorporation Alibaba owns a 33 percent share of , raising concerns that the money will be ultimately funneled to the Chinese Communist Party ( CCP ) and military .
The move by prominent U.S. banks , particularly to underwrite the IPO in Hong Kong , also legitimizes China ’ s takeover of Hong Kong .
With the national security law being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ administration has declared China in violation of the 1984 Sino-British Declaration treaty , since autonomy for Hong Kong was not supposed to lapse until 2047 under the treaty .
And President Donald Trump has waived trade privileges for Hong Kong .
The Trump administration is also withdrawing federal employee retirement investments from China — leading the world in divestment from Beijing .
All of which calls into question why Wall Street is now expanding its operations in favor of the CCP .
Why are these investment banks supporting the crackdown of human rights @ @ @ @ @ @ @ question of Ant Group and Alibaba ’ s ties to the CCP .
Alibaba co-founder and former executive chairman Jack Ma is a member of the Chinese Communist Party who hand-picked his successor Daniel Zhang and in Sept. 2019 China began officially assigning state officials to work at 100 companies including Alibaba as part of its Party Committees system to govern boardrooms .
The CCP is using Party Committees to expand “ its authority and supervision over organizations , creating different nuances of corporate governance with Chinese characteristics , ” Federica Russo reported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russo explained , “ A Party Committee is formed by a group of senior CCP members who are given a leadership position inside the halls of public and private companies operating in China .
The legal pillars sustaining such a committee ’ s activity are marked in the 2012 Constitution of the Communist Party of China .
In China ’ s state-owned enterprises ( SOEs ) the committee ’ s leading position refers to its competence in setting the right decision , keeping in mind the big picture , and supporting the meeting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decide on major issues .
Within private enterprises , however , it implements Party ’ s policies and operates through the Trade Union and the Communist Youth League Organization… ” The level of state control is complete , Russo reports , with the Party Committee “ being responsible for the allocation of funds relative to important issues , cadres ’ appointments or dismissals , and new projects… The members of the Party Committees could also become part of the board of directors or the executive team… The Party unit must oversee the system @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , anyone investing in the initial public offering of Ant Group , which could be one of the largest in history , will be putting their money directly into the hands of the CCP .
The same can be said of the $ 381 billion that U.S. residents have invested in China and Hong Kong as of May 2020 , according to the U.S. Treasury .
A good chunk of the investment that includes manufacturing in China that is built on child and slave labor , according to the annual report on child @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Labor Bureau of International Labor Affairs .
The report details any investment in companies producing textiles are made by child labor , artificial flowers , Christmas decorations , coal , footwear and garments and nails are made by forced labor , and bricks , cotton , electronics , fireworks and toys are made by child and forced labor .
In response , the Trump Administration and U.S. Customs & Border Protection is now moving to block the importation of some Chinese products produced with child and/or slave labor including tomatoes and cotton .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ vast concentration camp system in China — what Beijing calls “ re-education centers ” — that could be housing up to 3 million Uighur Muslims in Xinjiang province alone .
Assistant Secretary of Defense for Asian and Pacific Security Affairs Randall Schriver told a Pentagon briefing , “ The [ Chinese ] are using the security forces for mass imprisonment of Chinese Muslims in concentration camps , ” justifying the use of the term because “ given what we understand to be the magnitude of the detention , at least a million but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a population of about 10 million ” .
And then there is the ongoing genocide for organs of political prisoners including Falun Gong , the Uighurs and others , according to the Independent Tribunal Into Forced Organ Harvesting from Prisoners of Conscience in China .
The tribunal found , “ Forced organ harvesting has been committed for years throughout China on a significant scale… of unmatched wickedness — on a death for death basis — with the killings by mass crimes committed in the last century.
” The organ extractions allegedly occur @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some cases .
What these Wall Street investment banks are doing , by underwriting these Chinese IPOs , with Beijing ’ s appalling human rights record , is beyond tacit consent — it is complicity .
The money will support the CCP ’ s agenda top to bottom .
It legitimizes the takeover of Hong Kong , endangers Taiwan and may even underwrite slavery and mass murder .
History will one day look back on this moment and ask what they were thinking .
Robert Romano is the Vice President of Public Policy @ @ @ @ @ @


thetennesseestar--2020-09-12--Crom Carmichael Questions the Mental Fitness of Joe Biden

Live from Music Row Friday morning on The Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy – broadcast on Nashville ’ s Talk Radio 98.3 and 1510 WLAC weekdays from 5:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. – host Leahy welcomed the original all-star panelist Crom Carmichael to the studio .
At the top of the third hour , Carmichael gave his take on Joe Biden ’ s mental condition by giving examples of his past behavior reading the teleprompter and swearing at people who ask questions he doesn ’ t like .
He added that in the long term , the media @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to cover for one political side .
Leahy : We are in the studio with our good friend , and the original all-star panelist , Crom Carmichael .
Crom , Joe Biden is saying so many things that are factually wrong .
Is he a liar ?
Or has he just lost his mind ?
Carmichael : Well you know a lie is a statement that is intended by the person making the statement , whose intention is to deceive .
In Biden ’ s case , I think about 90 % of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he ’ s saying .
He will say whatever is on the teleprompter .
Including lines at the top that don ’ t matter .
Leahy : He read the teleprompter .
He read the instructions on the teleprompter to himself .
Carmichael : Now here ’ s the thing .
He hasn ’ t completely lost his mind .
And so he knows full well that when he ’ s holding one of his so-called virtual town halls , and the so-called citizen asking the question he knows , that the so-called @ @ @ @ @ @ @ asking a question that was given to them to ask .
And he also then reads the answer from the teleprompter , which is why we know he does it , because he reads words that are on the teleprompter that are supposed to prompt him to read the correct words .
So he knows that .
He said there have been 6,114 military service members that have died from COVID .
Leahy : Really ?
I didn ’ t know it was that many .
Carmichael : I think that he ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of people he sent to Iraq who died .
I think that ’ s probably what he did at least for some portion of the time he was vice president .
But the real number of people that died from COVID in the military is seven .
Leahy : That ’ s a little less than 6,141 or whatever that number was .
Carmichael : It ’ s seven .
In regards to the media , this is the part that long-term for this country this can not continue .
If the media @ @ @ @ @ @ @ party when they say something that is abysmally false , or when they change their own history and the media lets them get away with it , I don ’ t care what anybody says , the policies that they are going to enact are going to be devastating to the country .
For your question for me is it doesn ’ t matter whether or not Biden is a liar .
What he says over and over again , many things that are just plain false .
And they are not exaggerations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crowd was the biggest ever , OK. Let ’ s assume for the purposes of discussion that you and I agree that that is not accurate .
OK ?
But it ’ s an exaggeration as opposed to something as meaningful as people who die .
As opposed to the number of people in a crowd .
Biden also said at one point that 130 million people had been killed from COVID .
He said that too .
That was obviously something that he was reading that said 130,000 , and he didn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thousand and a million so he said a million .
In the case of Biden , anyone that doesn ’ t think that he has dementia .
Let ’ s just be real clear .
He has dementia .
And he can have multiple forms of dementia .
One of them that I ’ m absolutely certain that he has is frontal lobe dementia , because if he gets challenged on anything he just snaps at the person .
Leahy : He gets angry .
You see that a lot .
Carmichael : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , or why don ’ t you defend the Second Amendment , that ’ s a reasonable question for him to be able to turn around and say excuse me .
I do support it .
He doesn ’ t do that .
He cusses at them .
He cusses at them and he says words that you and I can ’ t say on the air .
But here you have a presidential candidate that you and I can ’ t quote .
( Leahy laughs ) Leahy : We can ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , neither Crom nor I are doctors .
So this is just our opinions .
But you did stay at a Holiday Inn Express .
Carmichael : I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express .
I have a medical degree there .
And I am qualified to make these statements like psychologists that have never met with Trump .
When they do it , because they are a psychologist and take an oath , they are actually trained not to do what they are doing .
What they are doing is unethical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on multiple facts .
Leahy : Some American psychological association , or some group like that , is basically calling for a dramatic transformation of American society .
Because that ’ s what psychologists do these days .
Carmichael : Yeah .
Well , what their definition is forcing a whole bunch of people to come to see them for $ 300 an hour .
Leahy : There you go .
Listen to the full third hour : Tune in weekdays from 5:00 – 8:00 a.m. to the Tennessee Star Report with Michael @ @ @ @ @ @ @ WLAC 1510 .
Listen online at iHeart Radio .
Photo “ Joe Biden ” by U.S. Embassy Jerusalem CC2.0 .


thetennesseestar--2020-09-12--Riots Associated with Black Lives Matter Occurred in 96 Percent of America’s Top 50 Cities

The violence in Portland and Seattle , in Minneapolis , Kenosha , Wisconsin and all across America over the last few months in connection with Black Lives Matter protests has dominated the headlines .
In places like Portland , the streets have become battlegrounds between local and federal police and leftist demonstrators , with arrests being made and deterrents like tear gas being used .
Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler , a Democrat , has come out against his own police force and banned the use of tear gas effective September 10 , even as the number of consecutive days in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into the triple digits .
Chad F. Wolf , the acting secretary of the Department of Homeland Security , praised the work federal police are doing in Portland , and recently said the moral and legal duty to protect federal buildings and property and hold accountable will never be abdicated .
As Tucker Carlson has repeatedly posited on air , so long as the elected leaders in office in these cities – who are overwhelmingly Democrats – enable those who want to destroy America from the inside out , these riots will continue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ isn ’ t to the Pacific Northwest .
A recent study by the Princeton University-backed Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project ( ACLED ) indicates that 48 out of the 50 largest cities in America have experienced some sort of rioting event linked to Black Lives Matter protests .
The study found that between May 26 , the day after the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis , Minnesota and August 22 , ACLED recorded “ over 7,750 demonstrations linked to the BLM movement across more than 2,440 locations in all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The study notes , “ Though reported events associated with the BLM movement have gradually declined since their peak in late May and early June , ACLED still continues to record dozens of demonstrations each week.
” In Virginia , riots have occurred sporadically in Richmond since early June .
The data indicates eight riots have taken place from June 14 to August 29 , and have done nearly $ 4 million in damage to local businesses .
The study also cited a June article by FiveThirtyEight that said “ 42 % of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the BLM movement ] are trying to incite violence or destroy property.
’ ” Rioting has also occurred in Detroit , Columbus and Nashville .
The only cities on the list of 50 largest cities by population that haven ’ t experienced rioting according to the study is Mesa , Arizona and Fresno , California .
Jordan Bondurant is a reporter for The Virginia Star .
You can follow him on Twitter .
Email tips to [ email protected ] Photo “ Rioting ” by Brett Weinstein CC2.0


thetennesseestar--2020-09-12--Biden Says He Opposes NAFTA Despite Voting for it, Won’t Give Trump Credit for USMCA

Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden said the trade deal President Donald Trump signed in 2018 is better than the trade deal he voted for in 1993 as a senator .
Biden admitted that the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement ( USMCA ) was better than the North American Free Trade Agreement ( NAFTA ) in an interview with CNN anchor Jake Tapper that aired Thursday .
However , he refused to give Trump credit for the USMCA instead saying the House of Representatives was primarily responsible .
“ It is better than NAFTA , ” Biden told Tapper .
“ But look @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even with NAFTA .
We now have this gigantic deficit in trade with Mexico .
Not because NAFTA wasn ’ t made better , but because the overall trade policy and how he deals with it made everything worse.
” Former President Barack Obama and Biden campaigned in 2008 on renegotiating NAFTA , but did not do so during their term , The New York Times reported .
Biden voted for NAFTA in November 1993 .
“ He renegotiated NAFTA and you didn ’ t , ” Tapper said .
Biden responded , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that didn ’ t go along with us renegotiating it.
” Democrats held majorities in both the House and Senate between 2009 and 2011 .
The Obama administration said it was uninterested in renegotiating NAFTA in 2009 , according to The Times .
Thomas Catenacci is a reporter at Daily Caller News Foundation .
Photo “ Joe Biden ” by Gage Skidmore CC2.0 .
Background Photo “ NAFTA ” by Jim Winstead .


thetennesseestar--2020-09-12--Republican Candidate for the State House Diane Canada of District 56 Discusses Her History and Campa

Republican Candidate for the State House Diane Canada of District 56 Discusses Her History and Campaign

Live from Music Row Friday morning on The Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy – broadcast on Nashville ’ s Talk Radio 98.3 and 1510 WLAC weekdays from 5:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. – host Leahy welcomed Diane Canada to the newsmakers line .
During the second hour , Canada discussed her history as a 20 year resident of Nashville , Tennessee , and later revealed that her opponent Bob Freeman ’ s wife is on the newest policy oversight board which would put more restraints on Metro ’ s law enforcement .
Canada has been officially endorsed by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : We are joined now by Diane Canada , the Republican candidate for the State House here in Nashville of District 56 .
This is the district represented by the former Speaker of the House Beth Harwell , now represented by Bob Freeman – a Democrat .
Welcome to the Tennessee Star Report , Diane .
Canada : Thank you , Michael .
Thanks for having me .
Leahy : Great to have you here .
Just a question on your last name .
It ’ s Canada ?
That ’ s an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ origin of your last name ?
Canada : My husband is from Irish decent .
Leahy : I like it already !
I ’ m Michael Patrick Leahy from Tipperary County .
Canada : ( Chuckles ) I thought that might resonate with you , Michael .
It ’ s actually the sect from Ireland that was the Kenedy and Kennedy .
So a lot of people think that ’ s it is the country but its actually… Leahy : Let me just say this , I like that version better than the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( Canada chuckles ) You are running , and I would say , Bob Freeman , is the scion and the younger son of a very successful developer .
Lots of money .
He narrowly defeated Brent Moody in that district .
Does this cover the Belle Meade and Green Hills areas ?
What is the district itself ?
Canada : I call it the big L. The far tip of it yes is that Belle Meade , Green Hills area , comes all the way through Oak Hill and Forest Hill .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ goes across Brentwood into Crieve Hall , and the Nippers Corner area .
Leahy : In this district , it had been Republican all the time when Beth Harwell was there .
So in the last general election , Bob Freeman spent a lot of money and defeated Brent Moody .
He barely beat him by 51 % to 48 % .
Something like that .
Canada : It was less than a thousand votes .
Yes .
Leahy : So you won the Republican nomination , and you are challenging Bob Freeman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vote for you , the Republican nominee , over Bob Freeman ?
You know he has a lot of money , by the way , who is the Democratic incumbent in District 56 of the State House of Representatives .
Canada : Yes .
Well Bob he did grow up here .
He has a lot of history here .
And I respect him fully and all of that .
But the thing is that we need to hold those conservative values in the state house .
There are 10 House seats for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ took that last one when Beth vacated her seat .
There are a lot of conservatives .
One of the things that people do appreciate about Bob , is they think that he ’ s a moderate .
Leahy : Let me just ask you this .
It seems to me that he has voted in lockstep as far as I can tell with the far-left radical Democrats .
And he hasn ’ t sided with the Republicans in any major vote .
He ’ s been against school choice .
He seems @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conservative .
Maybe I ’ m wrong .
Maybe I ’ m not giving him the benefit of the doubt .
Canada : No .
You are exactly spot on .
And that was the point I was exactly about to make .
Even though he might come across as a nice guy , he does vote in harmony with the radical left .
Yes .
On every single vote that he has put through in the House , I would have voted the polar opposite .
Everyone needs to take off those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I like that phrase , Diane , this is very good .
You might have a way with words .
Maybe because you are a songwriter .
Canada : ( Laughs ) There was a time , yes , when I wrote songs .
I think once a musician always a musician .
Leahy : You are also an author .
I ’ m looking here at your book published in February .
Lady Up + Don ’ t Quit !
: Learn to Look Any Leadership Challenge in the Eye and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ title .
Good phrasing .
Canada : Thank you .
Thank you .
Well , resiliency is my wheelhouse .
And creativity and innovation is what inspires me .
And I think that ’ s something else that I bring to the House .
I ’ ve lived a very unique life .
My father was a pastor when I was young .
And we moved around a lot planting churches the first half of my life .
Then in the second half of my life , dad decided he wanted to go @ @ @ @ @ @ @ became a single mom .
She finally did remarry and settle down .
But I ’ ve got a lot of different perspectives , and I ’ ve lived around a lot of different demographics .
So I can relate to a lot of different types of people .
I think that ’ s another reason why people in this district might relate more to me .
We have a lot of people moving here from all over the country and transients .
I ’ ve faced challenges and had to overcome really @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I think that ’ s what we want .
Someone who ’ s lived in the trenches and walked that walk .
And understands all the different dynamics and perspectives that people bring .
So we ’ ll see how it shakes out .
But I ’ m going to give it my all and leave everything on the field .
It ’ s my honor to represent this district .
I ’ ve been in Nashville for 20 years .
I moved here on purpose .
Very intentionally .
And went ahead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I wanted to be the author of my story .
You know in politics we don ’ t know what is going to happen .
Somebody might want to try to tell my story , and I wanted to tell my story .
And I wanted to put that out ahead of the election and be very transparent with people .
I ’ ve made a lot of peace with my past .
And I think that it ’ s important to just be authentic and genuine , and so I hope people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they pick it up and read it .
Leahy : Diane Canada you are the Republican candidate for the State House of Representatives in District 56 .
Just you and me talking now .
This other guy , the incumbent Bob Freeman , he ’ s got a lot of money .
How are you going to beat him ?
Canada : I ’ ve got a big God who ’ s got a lot more .
( Chuckles ) Favor .
Favor of God .
We ’ re also working very , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ own camp raising money .
So I feel like if money were the only superior decision , then you know Bloomberg and all kinds of people would have one .
I don ’ t think it comes down to money .
I think it comes down to relatability .
People have a decision to make .
Do we want conservative values back in the House ?
Or do we want a lot of the things that we are seeing in the news and being horrified by , and do we want that coming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ me being endorsed by the Fraternal Order of Police .
Leahy : So the Fraternal Order of the Police has endorsed you , Diane Canada , over the incumbent Bob Freeman .
Leahy : Now , why did they endorse you ?
That ’ s a good point to bring up .
Why did they endorse you over Bob Freeman ?
Canada : Well , it could be that they see that his wife was just appointed to the committee to begin the process of potentially defunding them .
That could be why @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whoah .
This is new news ?
Which committee is that ?
The police advisory board ?
The community advisory board ?
Leahy : Are you kidding me ?
Canada : The new one that the mayor just appointed .
I think it was 41 people .
Something like that .
All of which have nothing to do with law enforcement by the way .
Leahy : Which board ?
Is this the community advisory board ?
Canada : Yes .
There was the oversight board that was put in place before .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ board ?
Canada : No this is a brand new one .
I believe its called the police policy committee .
Leahy : What on earth are all these committees coming up to constrain and look over the shoulder of police ?
Canada : I know .
I can ’ t imagine .
I had a really good talk with several police officers recently .
And just checking on them and asking them how is your morale and how are you guys doing ?
And they were explaining to me that in Metro @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do mixed martial arts training .
They do all kinds of tactical training where they can take perpetrators down without having to use deadly force .
They could really be for what I ’ m hearing a model for training across the state .
So the oversight board was already in my opinion an overreach .
Leahy : And now they ’ ve added another layer to it and your opponent ’ s wife is on that board .
That will be very interesting .
Diane Canada , Republican candidate for the 56th @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Thanks so much for joining us today .
Canada : Thanks for having me , Michael .
I enjoyed it .
To learn more about Diane Canada visit her on the web at www.votedianecanada.com .
Listen to the full second hour : 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 “ Tennessee State Capitol ” by Ron Cogswell CC2.0


thetennesseestar--2020-09-12--Bahrain Becomes Latest Arab Nation to Recognize Israel

WASHINGTON , D.C. ( AP ) — Bahrain has become the latest Arab nation to agree to normalize ties with Israel as part of a broader diplomatic push by President Donald Trump and his administration to fully integrate the Jewish state into the Middle East .
Trump announced the agreement on Friday , following a three-way phone call he had with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Bahrain ’ s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa .
The three leaders also issued a brief six-paragraph joint statement , attesting to the deal .
The announcement on the 19th anniversary of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ came less than a week before Trump hosts a White House ceremony to mark the establishment of full relations between Israel and the United Arab Emirates .
Bahrain ’ s foreign minister will attend the event .
“ There ’ s no more powerful response to the hatred that spawned 9/11 than this agreement , ” Trump told reporters at the White House .
It represents another diplomatic win for Trump less than two months before the the presidential election and an opportunity to shore up support among pro-Israel evangelical Christians .
Just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ principle for Kosovo to recognize Israel and for Serbia to move its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem .
“ This is a historic breakthrough to further peace in the Middle East , ” Trump , Netanyahu and King Hamad said in the statement .
“ Opening direct dialogue and ties between these two dynamic societies and advanced economies will continue the positive transformation of the Middle East and increase stability , security , and prosperity in the region.
” Like the UAE agreement , Friday ’ s Bahrain-Israel deal will normalize diplomatic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ between the two countries .
Bahrain , along with Saudi Arabia , had already dropped a prohibition on Israeli flights using its airspace .
Saudi acquiescence to the agreements has been considered key to the deals .
Trump ’ s son-in-law and senior adviser Jared Kushner noted that the agreement is the second Israel has reached with an Arab country in 30 days after having made peace with only two Arab nations — Egypt and Jordan — in 72 years of its independence .
“ This is very fast , ” Kushner told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is responding very favorably to the UAE deal and hopefully it ’ s a sign that even more will come.
” Netanyahu welcomed the agreement and thanked Trump .
“ It took us 26 years between the second peace agreement with an Arab country and the third , but only 29 days between the third and the fourth , and there will be more , ” he said , referring to the 1994 peace treaty with Jordan and the more recent agreements.
” The agreement will likely be seen as a further setback @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have the Arab League condemn normalization with Israel until they have secured an independent state .
That was one of the few cards still held by Palestinians in negotiations as peace talks remain stalled .
The joint statement made passing mention of the Palestinians , saying the parties will continue efforts “ to achieve a just , comprehensive , and enduring resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict to enable the Palestinian people to realize their full potential.
” The agreement makes Bahrain the fourth Arab country , after Egypt , Jordan and the UAE @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Israel .
Other Arab nations believed to be on the cusp of fully recognizing Israel include Oman and Sudan .
While tacitly blessing the deals Saudi Arabia , the regional power player , is not expected to move as quickly .
Like the UAE , Bahrain has never fought a war against Israel and doesn ’ t share a border with it .
But Bahrain , like most of the Arab world , long rejected diplomatic ties with Israel in the absence of a peace deal establishing a Palestinian state on lands captured @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could give a boost to Netanyahu , who was indicted on corruption charges last year .
Deals with Gulf Arab states “ are the direct result of the policy that I have led for two decades , ” namely “ peace for peace , peace through strength , ” Netanyahu has said .
The Israeli-UAE deal required Israel to halt its contentious plan to annex occupied West Bank land sought by the Palestinians .
Telephone calls soon began working between the nations as they continue to discuss other deals , including direct flights @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remains small and the federation has no tradition of standing up to the country ’ s autocracy , Bahrain represents a far-different country .
Just off the coast of Saudi Arabia , the island of Bahrain is among the world ’ s smallest countries , only about 760 square kilometers ( 290 square miles ) .
Bahrain ’ s location in the Persian Gulf long has made it a trading stop and a naval defensive position .
The island is home to the U.S. Navy ’ s 5th Fleet and a recently built @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aware of threats posed by Iran , an anxiety that comes from Bahrain ’ s majority Shiite population , despite being ruled since 1783 by the Sunni Al Khalifa family .
Iran under Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi had pushed to take over the island after the British left , though Bahrainis in 1970 overwhelmingly supported becoming an independent nation and the U.N. Security Council unanimously backed that .
Since Iran ’ s 1979 Islamic Revolution , Bahrain ’ s rulers have blamed Iran for arming militants on the island .
Iran denies the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ found there bear similarities to others linked to Iran .
Israel and Iran view each other as top regional enemies .
Outside of those tensions , Bahrain ’ s Shiite majority has accused the government of treating them like second-class citizens .
The Shiites joined pro-democracy activists in demanding more political freedoms in 2011 , as Arab Spring protests swept across the wider Middle East .
Saudi and Emirati troops ultimately helped violently put down the demonstrations .
In recent years , Bahrain has cracked down on all dissent , imprisoned activists and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ While the Obama administration halted the sale of F-16 fighter jets to Bahrain over human rights concerns , the Trump administration dropped that after coming into office .
Bahrain ’ s royal family and officials have come out in support of the Israel-UAE agreement .
However , civil society groups and others have condemned the move and warned the monarchy not to follow in UAE ’ s footsteps — despite Bahrain ’ s yearslong flirtation with Israel and Jewish leaders .
Unlike the Emirates , Jews had a historical presence on the island @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2017 , two prominent U.S. rabbis said Bahrain ’ s king told them he hoped the Arab boycott of Israel would end .
An interfaith group from Bahrain that year also visited Israel , though the state-run Bahrain News Agency later said that it didn ’ t “ represent any official entity ” after an uproar erupted on social media .
Bahrain has increasingly relied on support from other nations as it struggles with its debts , particularly neighboring Saudi Arabia .
In that way , Bahrain has followed in lockstep with Riyadh @ @ @ @ @ @ @ got the kingdom ’ s approval , though , Saudi Arabia has for its part remained silent since the Emirati announcement .
Matthew Lee is a reporter for The Associated Press .
AP writers Aya Batrawy in Dubai , United Arab Emirates , and Ilan Ben Zion and Joseph Krauss in Jerusalem contributed to this report .
About the Headline Photo : President Donald Trump speaks in the Oval Office of the White House on Friday , Sept. 11 , 2020 , in Washington .
Bahrain has become the latest Arab nation to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part of a broader diplomatic push by Trump and his administration to fully integrate the Jewish state into the Middle East .
From left , U.S .
Ambassador to Israel David Friedman , Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin , Vice President Mike Pence , Trump , Jared Kushner and U.S. special envoy for Iran Brian Hook .
( AP Photo/Andrew Harnik )


thetennesseestar--2020-09-12--Some Non-Citizens and Illegal Immigrants Are Registered to Vote in N.Y., Election Officials Say

Todd Valentine , New York Board of Elections co-executive director , and Nick LaLota , Suffolk County elections commissioner , said some non-citizens and illegal immigrants incorrectly get registered to vote in the state of New York .
New York Republican Rep. Lee Zeldin said he ’ s aware of some non-citizens in Suffolk County who voted in previous elections .
During a mail-in voting discussion organized by House Administration Committee ranking member Rodney Davis , Zeldin asked how to prevent this situation from happening .
“ We don ’ t have the proper amount of rules and laws and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nefarious activity , ” LaLota said .
LaLota explained that undocumented immigrants are able to apply for driver ’ s licenses in the state , which makes it easier for them to mistakenly become registered eligible voters .
“ The state automatically registers them to vote unless they check a small box saying that no , they don ’ t want to get registered to vote , ” LaLota said .
“ I would presume some of that happens intentionally , probably a larger amount happens unintentionally , but whatever the case is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ amount of folks who are not in our country legally getting put on the rolls.
” According to the New York DMV website , “ the DMV does not approve or deny voter registration applications , ” but they “ send the application to the County or City Board of Elections for their review.
” LaLota said his ability to find and remove non-citizens from voter files on the county level was constrained .
“ I don ’ t have any tools , ” he said .
“ I ’ m not allowed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ask anybody from the U.S. Department of State or anybody else , who has citizenship , who has a Social Security number or anything else , so I have no tools here , congressman.
” Todd Valentine , New York Board of Elections co-executive director , said some non-citizens get incorrectly registered at the DMV due to the automatic voter registration system .
“ If any voter comes in and checks that they are not a citizen , they don ’ t get to the voter registration application , ” Valentine said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the box , and say they are a citizen , ” he added , “ it is going to go through and get that [ voter ] application and just as you pointed out , it ’ s very difficult in the back end because there is no list of citizens that ’ s ever been given to any state or county across the entire country.
” Valentine said some states have asked the federal government for a list of citizens to help them locate ineligible registered voters , such as non-citizens , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Right now , we ’ re reliant solely upon the voter to check the appropriate box on the application that yes , I am a citizen , and if they don ’ t check the box — ‘ Hey , you forgot ’ — it ’ s an incomplete application — that ’ s the one good thing DMV does , ” he said .
Valentine explained that the current system relies on the honesty of non-citizens and illegal immigrants to indicate that they aren ’ t citizens during the voter registration process @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s very difficult , if there ’ s no other way to validate that in any manner , ” he said .
In response to the statements from election officials , Zeldin said he wants every eligible voter to vote , but ineligible individuals should not be voting .


thetennesseestar--2020-09-12--Biden Says He Won’t Completely Withdraw Troops from Afghanistan and the Middle East

Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden said Thursday that if he wins the election in November , he will not fully withdraw American troops from Afghanistan and the Middle East .
Biden told Stars and Stripes Thursday he supported a continued presence of up to 2,000 ground troops throughout the region for executing operations against ISIS and other terror threats .
“ These ‘ forever wars ’ have to end , ” Biden told the military paper .
“ I support drawing down the troops .
But here ’ s the problem , we still have to worry about terrorism and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden said .
Biden also said that he did not favor cuts to U.S. defense spending , citing the need to deter “ near-peer ” powers like China and Russia .
Biden ’ s position stands in contrast to many progressives who support a full withdrawal of American troops from the region .
Though “ Biden is on the conservative side of where the party is , ” said Matt Duss , a foreign policy advisor to Sen. Bernie Sanders , he is “ very engaged in the conversation ” and “ very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” he told Axios .
Biden ’ s position stands in contrast to many progressives who support a full withdrawal of American troops from the region .
Though “ Biden is on the conservative side of where the party is , ” said Matt Duss , a foreign policy advisor to Sen. Bernie Sanders , he is “ very engaged in the conversation ” and “ very aware of where the party is moving , ” he told Axios .
Biden ’ s position also differs from President Donald Trump , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the region as well , Axios reported .
Biden ’ s stance reinforces comments that he made during a January Democratic presidential primary debate where he said that he thought it would be a “ mistake to pull out the small number of troops that are there now to deal with ISIS , ” according to Axios .
Biden has not always supported military intervention during his 36 years in the Senate .
He voted against the first Gulf War in 1991 but voted for the Iraq War in 2003 , Axios @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the Daily Caller News Foundation .