thetennesseestar--2020-09-26--Trump Says His Order Covers Preexisting Conditions, Surprise Medical Billings

President Donald Trump signed an executive order Thursday aimed at protecting Americans with preexisting health conditions , after delivering remarks on his administration ’ s health care vision in Charlotte , North Carolina .
“ Under the America First health care plan , we will ensure the highest standard of care anywhere in the world , cutting edge treatments , state-of- the-art medicines , groundbreaking cures , and true health security for you and your loved ones , ” Trump told his audience in Charlotte .
The president also talked about actions his administration has taken to reduce the cost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ health care , expanding insurance options , and allowing terminally ill patients the opportunity to try lifesaving drugs that have not gotten final government approval .
“ The historic action I ’ m taking today includes the first-ever executive order to affirm it is the official policy of the United States government to protect patients with preexisting conditions , ” Trump said .
“ So , we are making that official .
We are putting it down in a stamp , because our opponents , the Democrats , like to constantly talk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opposes ] , and yet preexisting conditions are much safer with us than with them .
And now we have it affirmed.
” Trump ’ s order also calls for Congress to pass legislation to prevent “ surprise ” medical bills .
If Congress doesn ’ t act by Jan. 1 , the president will take executive action , senior administration officials said .
“ The president is declaring that it is the policy of the United States to provide protections to ensure that Americans with preexisting conditions are protected regardless of whether @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its protections for preexisting conditions invalidated , ” Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar told reporters in a conference call before Trump ’ s North Carolina event .
The Trump administration supports a lawsuit by 18 Republican state attorneys general who sued to challenge the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act , popularly known as Obamacare , after Congress dropped the individual mandate from the law in 2017 .
The Supreme Court ’ s 5-4 ruling in 2012 to uphold Obamacare was based in part on its interpreting the individual mandate—which requires @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a constitutionally imposed tax .
“ The ACA failed to provide sufficient protections for Americans with preexisting conditions , ” Azar said of the Affordable Care Act .
“ They may have the ability to purchase a [ health insurance ] plan , but it may be utterly unaffordable given that premiums more than doubled in the four years following the ACA ’ s implementation.
” Elaborating , Azar said that providing those protections for Americans with a preexisting condition might involve legislation from Congress .
“ If you are a couple , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and ] making $ 70,000 a year , Obamacare is going to cost you $ 30,000 in premiums and have a $ 12,000 deductible , ” he said .
“ I ’ m sorry .
That is not affordable coverage of your preexisting condition .
That is an insurance card that you can ’ t actually use to take care of your preexisting condition.
” The health and human services secretary said the Trump administration will first seek a congressional remedy for “ surprise medical bills , ” meaning when a health care @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about the full cost of care until after it is given .
“ The president will direct me as secretary to work with Congress [ to pass ] legislation … that will protect patients against surprise medical bills , ” Azar said , “ and if some legislation is not passed by Jan. 1 , then he will instruct me to investigate executive action and regulator action that we can take to ensure that patients are nonetheless protected against surprise medical bills.
” Fred Lucas is chief national affairs correspondent for The Daily @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Side of History ” podcast .
Lucas is also the author of “ Abuse of Power : Inside The Three-Year Campaign to Impeach Donald Trump.
” Send an email to Fred .
Photo “ Trump Health ” by The White House


thetennesseestar--2020-09-26--Portland Protesters Set Fire at Police Building, 14 Arrested

by The Associated Press PORTLAND , Oregon ( AP ) — Protesters in Portland late Thursday set fire to plywood attached to the front door of a police union building in Oregon ’ s largest city and clashed with officers , who made 14 arrests , police said in a statement .
Images posted online showed flames erupting outside the doors of the Portland Police Association office .
Some protesters managed later to get on the roof of the building , police said in a statement Friday .
The protesters who were detained were arrested on charges ranging from disorderly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The violence came a day after people hurled several firebombs at officers during a demonstration over a Kentucky grand jury ’ s decision to not indict officers in the fatal shooting of Breonna Taylor , police said .
The city has had nearly four months of near nightly protests over racial injustice and police brutality .
Deputy Police Chief Chris Davis said Wednesday night ’ s demonstrations were the most violent that Portland has experienced since the death of George Floyd , a Black man who died in Minnesota after a white @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt — who has been criticized for dismissing cases against hundreds of protesters — condemned the violence and called for calm .
U.S. agents with the Federal Protective Service , who were guarding a federal courthouse nearby , offered assistance during the demonstration and Portland police accepted because it was an “ emergency need in the moment , ” Davis told reporters Thursday .
The right-wing group Proud Boys plans a rally in Portland this Saturday to support President Donald Trump and the police .
About the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of police violence against Black people are sprayed by police during a demonstration in Portland , Ore. , on Wednesday , Sept. 23 , 2020 .
Protesters in Portland hurled Molotov cocktails at officers in Oregon ’ s largest city during a demonstration over a Kentucky grand jury ’ s decision to not indict officers in the fatal shooting of Breonna Taylor , police said Thursday .
( Mark Graves/The Oregonian via AP )

by Joe Mueller
Attorneys general from 26 states are urging the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn a lower-court decision upholding a California law banning the raising or importing pork, veal or eggs if the animals are confined.
The Supreme Court announced on March 28 that it would hear the pork industry’s challenge to California’s Proposition 12, a law restricting confinement practices in animal agriculture. The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear arguments on Oct. 11.
Prop. 12 was approved by 63% of California voters in 2018. The law established minimum space requirements based on square feet for calves raised for veal, breeding pigs and egg-laying hens. It banned the sale of products from those animals if they were “confined in a cruel manner,” defined as in areas below minimum square-feet requirements.
The case, National Pork Producers Council v. Karen Ross, the Secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture, focuses on the regulation of animal products outside of California by prohibiting the in-state sale of products traceable to the animal being confined in a “cruel manner.” The Pork Producers and others argue the law violates the Interstate Commerce Clause and general constitutional restrictions against “extraterritorial regulation.”
The brief filed by the attorneys general states California consumes 13% of the nation’s pork and imports 99.87% of pork consumed. The attorneys general argue the “entire impact of Proposition 12 will be visited on out-of-state producers that, though they have no vote in California, must remodel their farms (or reduce their herds) to comply with the law.”
“Under no circumstances should the state of California be allowed to dictate to Missouri farmers and ranchers how they can raise and confine breeding pigs, egg-laying hens, and veal calves,” Missouri Republican Attorney General Eric Schmitt said in a statement. “Further, California is attempting to impose their will on Missouri farmers and ranchers by threatening to deny entry into the California market if those farmers and ranchers don’t comply with their pointless regulations. Missouri’s farmers and ranchers have been tending to their land and livestock for generations, they don’t need Californian politicians telling them how to do their jobs.”
Of the 19 briefs filed with the Supreme Court on the case last week, all urged the court to reverse the lower court’s decision, with the exception of two neutral parties providing economic information.
A brief filed to persuade the Supreme Court not to hear the case was filed last year by The Humane Society of the United States, Animal Legal Defense Fund, Animal Equality, The Humane League, Farm Sanctuary, Compassion in World Farming USA, and Animal Outlook. They stated the Pork Producers’ argument uses a “dormant Commerce Clause” to stop in-state sales of certain pork products from “animals confined in cruel and unsanitary conditions that threaten the health of California consumers. … Because that prohibition applies only to sales inside California, moreover, producers outside California are free to confine animals however they choose for products sold outside the state.”
States represented by the attorneys general are Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia and Wyoming.
– – –
Joe Mueller covers Missouri for The Center Square. After seven years of reporting for daily newspapers in Illinois and Missouri, he spent the next 30 years in public relations serving non-profit organizations and as a strategic communications consultant.


thetennesseestar--2020-09-26--Commentary: Hunter Biden’s Millions

Commentary: Hunter Biden’s Millions

Last year Joe Biden made it crystal clear that his son Hunter ’ s myriad business dealings were not a topic of conversation between father and son .
When Peter Doocy , a Fox News reporter , asked the former vice president about Hunter ’ s business deals , the elder Biden replied : “ I have never spoken to my son about his overseas business dealings.
” He continued : “ I know Trump deserves to be investigated .
He is violating every basic norm of a president .
You should be asking him why he is on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to intimidate a foreign leader .
You should be looking at Trump.
” Yet , a report released by Senate Republicans on Wednesday detailed the web of foreign business entanglements threaded by Hunter Biden , connecting the former vice president ’ s son with oligarchs and politically connected Russians , Ukrainians , Chinese , and Kazakhs , all while his father served as Barack Obama ’ s point man on foreign policy .
Despite Joe Biden ’ s insistence he has never discussed with Hunter his business dealings , testimony from Amos Hochstein @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , states otherwise .
Hochstein , on page 17 of the 87-page report , says he addressed his “ concerns ” regarding Hunter ’ s board connection to the controversial Ukrainian gas company , Burisma Holdings , a job which netted Hunter up to $ 50,000 a month for “ consultancy ” services .
It reads : “ Shortly after his conversation with Vice President Biden , Hunter Biden contacted Hochstein and asked to meet .
According to Hochstein , Hunter became aware of Hochstein ’ s West Wing conversation with the Vice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hunter.
” So , the report says Joe Biden was briefed on the U.S. government ’ s concerns with Hunter ’ s Burisma connection .
And that he “ mentioned ” this topic to his son .
Yet the Democratic presidential nominee insisted last year he has never spoken to his son about his overseas business dealings .
Hochstein testified that he “ raised concerns ” in October 2015 to Biden ’ s staff , and Biden specifically .
George Kent , former acting deputy chief of mission at the U.S. embassy in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concerns , the report says , “ fell on deaf ears.
” After Burisma ’ s oligarch owner Mykola Zlochevsky was accused of offering a $ 6 million bribe to avoid prosecution , the report says Biden ’ s staff advised Hochstein to not publicly accuse Zlochevsky of corruption , despite the state department terming Zlochevsky an “ odious oligarch.
” Hunter Biden ’ s involvement with Burisma “ created an immediate potential conflict of interest ” given his father was closely involved with the Obama Administration ’ s Ukraine policy .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s role on Burisma ’ s board negatively impacted the efforts of dedicated career service individuals who were fighting to push for anti-corruption measures in Ukraine.
” Hunter ’ s Burisma links were brushed off by former Secretary of State John Kerry .
On December 8 , Kerry said in New Hampshire he “ had no knowledge about any of that .
None .
No.
” Yet , the Senate report says that on May 13 , 2014 , Chris Heinz , Kerry ’ s stepson and Hunter ’ s business partner , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with news of the development .
This was one day after Hunter took the position on Burisma ’ s board .
Wade also briefed Kerry that month regarding press inquiries on Heinz , Hunter , and Burisma .
Kerry received news articles with headlines such as “ Biden ’ s son joins Ukrainian gas company ’ s board.
” “ Biden ’ s son joins Ukrainian gas producer board ” and “ White House says no issue with Biden ’ s son , Ukraine gas company.
” When approached , a Kerry spokesperson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issue ” to distract from President Trump ’ s “ fear ” of Joe Biden .
Hunter Biden ’ s dealings stretch far beyond those of Burisma , connecting with financial figures with strong ties to foreign governments .
In 2014 , Elena Baturina , Russia ’ s richest woman , wired $ 3.5 million to a bank account held by Rosemont Seneca Thornton , an investment firm Hunter Biden co-founded .
A Wikileaks cable published in 2010 revealed that contacts to the U.S. embassy in Moscow stated Baturina “ definitely has links @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the Solntsevo criminal group ( widely regarded by Russian law enforcement as one of the most powerful organized crime groups in Russia ) .
” Baturina , the former wife of late Moscow mayor Yuri Luzkhov , wired 11 more transactions totaling $ 390,000 to another Hunter-linked firm .
Nine of those wires , totaling $ 240,000 , wormed their way through the Rosemont Seneca Thornton account .
The Senate report paints a web of financial connections between Hunter Biden and oligarchs with strong political connections in countries with histories of shady @ @ @ @ @ @ @ These links made Hunter Biden a great deal of money .
Such “ business associations , ” the report says , included ties with China .
One link is Ye Jianming , a Chinese energy tycoon jailed in 2018 on bribery charges .
Hunter is also linked with Jianming ’ s associate Gongwen Dong .
Both are said to be Chinese nationals with links not only to the Chinese Communist government , but also the People ’ s Liberation Army .
Hunter Biden added some $ 4 million in “ questionable transactions ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Kazakh nationals , ” to the $ 3.5 million he took from Putin-linked Baturina in “ consultancy ” payments .
It appears Hunter Biden ’ s lucrative associations led to Hunter and Gongwen opening up a bank account through which they funneled $ 100,000 to finance a “ global spending spree ” connected also to his brother James Biden , and James ’ wife Sara Biden .
The spree didn ’ t stop there .
Hunter Biden also allegedly sent thousands of dollars to figures seemingly involved in prostitution , human trafficking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hunter Biden “ sent funds to non-resident alien women ” residing in the United States , per the report .
These women , citizens of Russia and Ukraine , then wired funds from Hunter Biden to “ individuals in Russia and Ukraine.
” Some of these transactions “ appear to be [ with ] an Eastern European prostitution or human trafficking ring.
” It reads : “ They do confirm that Hunter Biden sent thousands of dollars to individuals who have either : 1 ) been involved in transactions consistent with possible human @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the adult entertainment industry ; or 3 ) potential association with prostitution.
” While his father served as vice president , Hunter Biden gallivanted across 29 countries , making 411 trips , according to newly released Secret Service travel records .
Many of these trips appear to concern business meetings he and his associates had either confirmed or were attempting to arrange with foreign governments and oligarchs .
The Biden campaign dismissed the Senate report as a Republican attempt to damage President Trump ’ s opponent .
Last week , Senator Mitt Romney @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a “ political exercise ” before adding : “ It is not the legitimate role of government , for Congress or for taxpayer expense , to be used in an effort to damage political opponents.
” Christopher Gage is a British political journalist .
Photos “ Burisma ” by Bella Bellini CC BY-SA 4.0 and “ Hunter Biden ” by Burisma Group .


thetennesseestar--2020-09-26--Steve Bannon Presents: The CCP as a Demonic Force with Miles Guo

An all new LIVE STREAM of War Room : Pandemic starts at 9 a.m. Central Time on Saturday .
Former White House Chief Strategist Stephen K. Bannon began the daily War Room : Pandemic radio show and podcast on January 25 , when news of the virus was just beginning to leak out of China around the Lunar New Year .
Bannon and co-hosts bring listeners exclusive analysis and breaking updates from top medical , public health , economic , national security , supply chain and geopolitical experts weekdays from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon ET .
The show ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Voice News , the John Fredericks Radio Network , Salem Media Group , and Newsmax TV and the podcast is available on Apple , Spotify , Stitcher , SoundCloud , and Google Play .
You can watch past episodes here .
Previously , Bannon hosted a series of three , two-hour long special programs entitled Descent into Hell : The Chinese People Confront the CCP .
The groundbreaking specials aired live on the John Fredericks Radio Network , America ’ s Voice Network , Dish TV Channel 219 , The Epoch Times , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mandarin .
For more information , visit www.pandemic.warroom.org and @ WarRoomPandemic .


thetennesseestar--2020-09-26--FBI Investigated Steele Dossier Source as a Possible Russian Spy Years Before Trump Probe

The FBI opened a counterintelligence investigation on the primary source for dossier author Christopher Steele , and considered obtaining a warrant to wiretap him in 2010 , according to a document released Thursday .
The FBI was also aware of the information about the source , identified elsewhere as Igor Danchenko , by December 2016 , according to the document .
“ This is the most stunning and damning revelation the committee has uncovered , ” Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham said in a statement after releasing an FBI memo about the dossier source .
The document shows that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Act ( FISA ) warrant of Danchenko years before the bureau relied heavily on information that Danchenko had provided Steele , a former British spy , to obtain FISAs against Carter Page .
The information also could increase concerns that Russian disinformation was fed to Steele , a former MI6 officer who investigated the Trump campaign on behalf of the Clinton campaign and DNC .
A Justice Department inspector general ’ s report released Dec. 9 said that the FBI received evidence in January and February 2017 that Russian intelligence officers may have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the IG report say that two Russian intelligence officers knew in July 2016 that Steele was investigating the Trump campaign .
According to the FBI document , Danchenko had contact with suspected Russian intelligence officers in Washington , D.C. in 2005 and 2006 .
The document says that the FBI had an investigation into Danchenko open from May 2009 to March 2011 , based on an interaction he allegedly had with three employees of an American think tank .
Danchenko worked at the time as a Russia analyst for the Brookings Institution @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tank .
An employee of the think tank said that another employee , seemingly Danchenko , told others that if they got jobs in the government and obtained classified security clearances , they might be put them in touch with people so they could “ make a little extra money.
” “ The coworker did express suspicion of the employee and had questioned the possibility that the employee might actually be a Russian spy.
” The FBI opened a full counterintelligence investigation on Danchenko after discovering that he was an associate of two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the FBI assessment says .
FBI databases also showed that Danchenko had contact in September 2006 a Russian intelligence officer .
The memo says that the intelligence officer invited Danchenko to his office at the Russian embassy .
There , Danchenko allegedly told the officer that he was interested in entering the Russian diplomatic corps .
The intelligence officer contacted Danchenko four days later to work “ on the documents and then think about future plans , ” the memo says .
The following month , Danchenko contacted the Russian intelligence officer , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ documents can be placed in tomorrow ’ s diplomatic mail pouch.
” Danchenko also had contact in 2005 with a Russian intelligence officer based in Washington , according to the memo .
The FBI interviewed several of Danchenko ’ s associates , according to the memo .
One said that while Danchenko was not anti-American , he often presented pro-Russian viewpoints .
Two interview subjects said that Danchenko “ persistently ” asked them about their knowledge of a U.S. military vessel .
The memo says that an FBI field office initiated the process @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in July 2010 .
The bureau dropped the issue after Danchenko left the country in September 2010 .
“ Because the Primary Sub-source had apparently left the United States , the FBI withdrew the FISA application request and closed the investigation , ” the memo says .
Documents showing that the inquiry was closed say that the FBI would consider reopening an investigation of Danchenko if he returned to the U.S .
The FBI memo says that an investigation of Danchenko was never reopened , even after he returned to the U.S. Danchenko @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he began working for Steele ’ s firm , Orbis Business International , at some point after he left the Brookings Institution in 2010 .
Cenk Sidar , the owner of Sidar Global , told The Daily Caller News Foundation in August that while he never met Danchenko , he believed he was a good analyst on Russia issues .
“ I don ’ t know him personally or don ’ t have anything to say about his work quality as there were other people who managed him but in general , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about Russia , ” Sidar said .
Two FBI employees and two Justice Department prosecutors interviewed Danchenko over the course of three days in January 2017 , the memo says .
According to a declassified memo of the interviews , Danchenko said that Steele overstated some of the information that ended up in the dossier .
He said that Steele portrayed allegations in the dossier as having more confirmation than they actually did .
Danchenko also described six sub-sources he used for various allegations in the dossier .
The Daily Caller News Foundation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two Russian associates in Russia on June 15 , 2016 , five days before Steele wrote the first memo in the dossier .
Danchenko met with Ivan Vorontsov , the editor of a financial journal , and Sergey Abyshev , who then served as an official in the Russian ministry of energy .
Danchenko ’ s attorney , Mark Schamel , did not respond to a phone call seeking comment .
Attorney General William Barr , who declassified the document , said that he consulted with U.S. Attorney John Durham , who is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told Graham that Durham said releasing the document would not interfere with his investigation .


thetennesseestar--2020-09-26--Texas Attorney General Announces 134 Felony Charges of Voter Fraud from 2018

The Attorney General of Texas , Ken Paxton ( R-Texas ) , has announced that his office has charged four Democratic elections officials with 134 felony charges of voter fraud stemming from the 2018 Democratic primaries , as reported by Fox News .
The four suspects , who were arrested on Thursday , are Gregg County Commissioner Shannon Brown , Brown ’ s wife Marlena Jackson , Charlie Burns , and DeWayne Ward .
Paxton ’ s office says that among the charges are election fraud , tampering with governmental records , and mail-in ballot fraud , among others .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ says that the individuals in question created fake ballots to boost Brown ’ s razor-thin race by targeting “ young , able-bodied voters to cast ballots by mail by fraudulently claiming the voters were ‘ disabled , ’ in most cases without the voters ’ knowledge or consent.
” Jackson faces the most charges , with 97 ; 30 of those charges are for election fraud , as she is said to have marked numerous applications herself for voters to receive mail-in ballots even though they were not disabled .
Brown faces 23 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and Ward is facing six counts .
The possible sentences in the case are as low as six months , and as high as 99 years .
The fraud was allegedly enough to tip the primary race in Brown ’ s favor , as he supposedly beat his challenger by just five votes , with a margin of 1,047 to 1,042 .
Of all votes cast , 787 were done by mail .
The charges are the latest step in Paxton ’ s efforts to combat voter fraud in Texas .
Paxton @ @ @ @ @ @ @ County Clerk Chris Hollins of preparing to send over two million vote-by-mail applications to voters who had not requested any , and in any case did not even qualify for vote-by-mail .
Eric Lendrum graduated from the University of California , Santa Barbara , where he was the Secretary of the College Republicans and the founding chairman of the school ’ s Young Americans for Freedom chapter .
He has interned for Young America ’ s Foundation , the Heritage Foundation , and the White House , and has worked for numerous campaigns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nunes ( CA-22 ) .
Photo “ Vote by Mail ” by Robert Stinnett CC BY 2.0


thetennesseestar--2020-09-26--Trump to Virgina: We’re in It to Win It’

As pounding pop songs played and the crowd cheered , Air Force One rolled up behind the stage .
President Donald Trump emerged and waved to the 10,000 people standing on the tarmac in Newport News Friday night .
An additional 2,000 people were outside the venue , according to campaign officials .
Another 2,000 people were turned away , for a total of 14,000 people – 9,000 more than organizers expected .
“ It was amazing , it was astounding , it was mind-blowing , ” said attendee Jason McCarter .
“ I was overwhelmed , words can ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was just the most amazing feeling I ’ ve ever felt.
” McCarter said it was his first time at a Trump rally , and it exceeded his expectations .
“ Because of the love , and the atmosphere , and the positivity , it was like a huge aura of good .
It was like hope had finally come back , it was so positive and so warm and loving .
I was overwhelmed , I was just flabbergasted.
” “ Everything he said touched home , ” McCarter added .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He ’ s not going to say one thing and go back to Washington and do another .
He was a billionaire , he gave up a billionaire ’ s lifestyle to become a public servant.
” McCarter ’ s friend Ken Haislip interjected , “ I ’ d vote for a billionaire going into office before I ’ d vote for someone who wasn ’ t rich and got rich while they were in office .
Trump ’ s already rich , he doesn ’ t need their money.
” Haislip added @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Well he doesn ’ t know how to talk.
’ You know what ?
You show me where it says the president is supposed to be nice and talk nice to everybody .
He tells you how it is .
He ’ s a New Yorker .
You know , sometimes I don ’ t like New Yorkers .
He tells it straight.
” Attendees Marti and Walt , who requested to not use their last names , couldn ’ t drive in to the parking areas .
“ In coming in , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of protesters , called some not-nice names .
Coming in here , it was great to see the unity and to have that faith again.
” Marti said it was her first time at a Trump rally .
“ It was like a Lynyrd Skynyrd concert for me .
It was fantastic.
” She added , “ It was inspiring .
I was proud to be an American again.
” She said Trump didn ’ t say everything she had hoped , but , “ He was great , he was passionate , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a New Yorker myself and you know he ’ s from New York .
He loves America and he loves Americans and it ’ s very obvious.
” Debra and Richard Gausman said that although they ’ re older , they weren ’ t afraid to attend the rally .
“ We take care of ourselves .
We do have our masks on , a lot of people don ’ t , ” Debra said .
Richard added , “ There ’ s been a lot of precautions here tonight .
Took our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they ’ ve been very , very cautious.
” Debra added , “ This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity .
I mean , I got to see the Pope when he was in Denver .
And we ’ re Catholic , and this is right up there .
I haven ’ t seen a president since John Kennedy , and I was a child.
” Before the rally , The Virginia Star interviewed Daisy the Maltese dog , who was present with Carol and Rolf Taylor .
Carol Taylor spoke for Daisy .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ terms of increasing the number of jobs , increasing the economy , improving the economy .
She knows Trump likes dogs.
” “ We ’ re just trying to support the president and his reelection effort .
They do a really good job on the rallies and they ’ re energetic and hopefully , he ’ s got the momentum.
” Carol Taylor added , “ I ’ ve been listening to [ the John Fredericks Radio Show ; ] he ’ s even talking about Virginia being possibly being able to turn.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Virginia Star and the Star News Digital Network .
Email tips to [ email protected ] John Fredericks is the publisher and editor-in-chief of The Virginia Star .
He is also a Trump 2020 delegate and the chairman of the Trump Virginia Delegation .


thetennesseestar--2020-09-26--Music Spotlight: The Wild Feathers

Music Spotlight: The Wild Feathers

NASHVILLE , Tennessee – One of my favorite songs in 2018 was “ Big Sky ” by the Wild Feathers that I first heard on Sirius XM The Highway .
This wide-open , simplistic song was an unforgettable anthem that made you want to embrace being alive .
After hearing that song , I didn ’ t hear from the band again until it came up in my newsfeed that it was releasing a new record called Mediocre Rarities .
I knew then I wanted to find out more about the band .
It turns out they really aren ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Their website describes them as being a blend of Southern rock , Americana roots , and heartland pop .
As I talked with frontman Ricky Young , he said “ we ’ ve kind of never really liked to label ourselves .
Every listener has an opinion and it just depends on who is listening .
So we don ’ t worry about that .
We just make the music that we want to make and that makes us happy.
” Wild Feathers started with three lead singers , Joel King , Taylor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guitar in other bands before starting this one .
“ Fortunately , at different times we all felt like we wanted to try something different and new , Young said .
“ So we came up with the concept of a multiple lead singer group kind of like Crosby , Stills , and Nash .
It was actually kind of easy and more importantly , fun.
” They also have guitarist/mandolin player Brett Moore and drummer Ben Dumas who complete the band .
Before they knew it they were talking to records companies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ since released 4 albums filled with genre-less songs covering every imaginable subject .
Recorded in 2013 , one of the fan-favorite songs , The Ceiling , ” has an Americana vibe with rock and roll sensibility .
I wanted to know which songs were included in Young ’ s favorites .
He mentioned , “ Every Morning I Quit Drinking , ” “ Hard Times , ” and “ American ” from the first album .
“ It really all depends on which songs are fun to play live .
We love what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a chore to play any of them , ” the rocker said .
The Wild Feathers write nearly every song and have a huge catalog of music .
They are not opposed to doing covers if they make sense but they write so much , they are never lacking in material .
When it comes to writing songs , Young said “ melody is by far the first thing that draws me to a song and they just can ’ t help but pull you in and it ’ s just effortless .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ you in and then you pay attention to what the lyrics are.
” With the pandemic and touring virtually being quashed for 2020 , as now independent artists , they had the idea to release some of their previously recorded but yet unreleased music .
They went through all of their hard drives and found music that they thought would be cool to put out .
For this fifth record , Medium Rarities , they had a lot of material but chose songs kind of made sense together .
“ We came up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ well together , ” Young said .
Medium Rarities sounds like a planned-out record , but in fact , was recorded over a broad period of time .
The record is composed of those B-sides , covers , demos , and other nuggets Joel King and the band culled from their vault .
Since the guys couldn ’ t initially get together this year to record a new album , this was a way to get new music to their fan base .
One of the few songs they covered early on was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which can be found on Medium Rarities .
The Wild Feathers lend their band ’ s signature harmonies to this bittersweet song which is reminiscent of tracks by The Band or Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers .
“ When you are bored with time on your hands , this gave us a project to do , ” Young said .
“ I think it ’ s cool that people will get to hear some of the stuff that fell through the cracks and wasn ’ t right for that time [ that it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ band has opened for Bob Dylan , Willie Nelson , and the Brothers Osborne along with playing several sold-out shows at the Ryman .
“ We ’ re hoping to get back there sooner than later , ” the singer said .
If you like big , eclectic music with no boundaries , the Wild Feathers is the band for you .
“ We ’ re just five guys in a band who love making music together , ” Young said .
Medium Rarities is set for release on November 20 and can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A vinyl pressing of Medium Rarities will be available exclusively through Magnolia Record Club now .
The Wild Feathers will finish out 2020 with a handful of live-streaming concerts and private events , including public dates with Blackberry Smoke as well as a handful of headline shows of their own .
They ’ re currently at work on material for a new album and plan to release new music in early 2021 .
You can follow the Wild Feathers on Instagram , Facebook , YouTube , and Twitter .
Bethany Bowman is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her blog , Instagram and Twitter , and YouTube .


thetennesseestar--2020-09-26--Woman Who Assaulted Alpha News Journalist Charged with Rioting, Assault and Disorderly Conduct

The woman who assaulted an Alpha News journalist last month has been identified as 37-year-old Lauren Patricia Peterson and was charged this week in Hennepin County District Court .
According to a criminal complaint obtained by Alpha News , Peterson faces charges of third-degree rioting , disorderly conduct , and two counts of fifth-degree assault .
Photojournalist Rebecca Brannon , an independent journalist who contributes video and photo stories for Alpha News , was attacked by Peterson during an Aug. 24 protest in Minneapolis organized in response to the shooting of Jacob Blake .
Peterson and a group of fellow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she walked to her car , shouted profanities at her , and eventually assaulted her .
“ As the group moved aggressively toward her , she started backing up because she was afraid of being attacked from behind .
Several items were thrown at her , including water bottles .
One woman in particular was yelling and screaming at her and at some point picked up a large orange traffic cone and struck her with it and used it to push her back , ” the charging document states .
The agitators later @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and tossed it into a fountain .
Although her phone was destroyed , she was able to recover video of the altercation from the phone ’ s SD card .
The video was viewed more than 2.5 million times on Facebook and produced several tips regarding Peterson ’ s identity .
Police said they confirmed her identity with a driver ’ s license photo and a picture from Facebook .
“ It ’ s taken me some time to digest what happened nearly a month ago and , unfortunately , since that time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ encounters and assaults on independent journalists on social media , ” said Brannon .
“ Over the summer , I ’ ve been up close to see the anger from these protesters at numerous events .
Their anger is real but , I personally believe , sadly misplaced , ” she added .
“ It ’ s an entirely different situation when it suddenly becomes directed at you .
It ’ s extremely startling and frightening to encounter individuals with a complete lack of self-control and rationality.
” Brannon said it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while documenting protests , so she was shocked when Peterson approached her .
“ It is best to get up close and document in real time so viewers and readers are given a sense of experiencing it firsthand – they can then draw their own conclusions , ” she said .
“ The most unsettling part is knowing that it could have been worse.
” The charge of third-degree rioting comes with a sentence of up to one year in jail and/or a $ 3,000 fine , while the remaining charges each come @ @ @ @ @ @ @ days in jail and/or a $ 1,000 fine .
Anthony Gockowski is Editor-in-Chief of Alpha News .
He previously worked as an editor for The Minnesota Sun and Campus Reform , and reported for The Daily Caller .
Photo “ Alpha News Journalist Confrontation ” by Alpha News MN .


thetennesseestar--2020-09-26--FBI Agent Who Led Flynn Probe Said Mueller’s Team had a ‘Get Trump’ Attitude

An FBI special agent who worked on Crossfire Hurricane told prosecutors last week that he saw little reason to investigate Michael Flynn and that he believed that members of the special counsel ’ s team prosecuted the former national security adviser in order to “ get Trump , ” according to a memo released late Thursday .
William Barnett , an FBI special agent , was interviewed on Sept. 17 by Jeffrey Jensen , a U.S. attorney in Missouri who is leading a Justice Department review of the case against Flynn .
Barnett , who worked out of the FBI @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the lead investigator on the Flynn component of Crossfire Hurricane .
The FBI opened Crossfire Hurricane on July 31 , 2016 , and began investigating four Trump campaign aides , including Flynn , as possible agents of the Russian government .
The Flynn investigation was dubbed Crossfire Razor .
According to the memo , which offers a rare glimpse of an FBI ’ s assessment of his own investigation , Barnett saw little evidence to support an investigation of Flynn .
Barnett also doubted that the Trump campaign conspired with the Russian government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thought the TRUMP Campaign may have been aware the Russians were attempting to impact the election , but that was far different from the TRUMP Campaign and the Russians having a deal and/or working together ‘ quid pro quo , ’ ” says the memo .
Barnett told Jensen and his team that he believed the collusion theory was “ opaque , ” with little to no evidence of criminal activity .
He also said that the predication for the investigation of Flynn was “ not great , ” the memo says .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ investigation was a speech that Flynn gave in Moscow hosted by the Russia propaganda outlet , RT , in December 2015 .
Flynn sat next to Vladimir Putin at the gala .
Barnett said he thought the RT trip was “ ill-advised ” on Flynn ’ s part , but that he did not see any evidence of criminal activity .
“ BARNETT did not understand the point of the investigation , ” the memo says .
Barnett said that little was being done at the FBI on the Flynn aspect of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
As the election rolled around , Barnett was eager for Crossfire Razor to be closed , according to internal FBI messages that were also released on Thursday .
Barnett wrote in a message at 5:42 p.m. on Nov. 8 , 2016 , that FBI officials had ordered Crossfire Razor to be shut down .
The agent wrote to a colleague that he was “ glad ” the probe was ending given that there was nothing more to investigate .
Hours later , Donald Trump pulled a surprise win over Hillary Clinton for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remained open .
The next decision in the probe came after Christmas 2016 , when Barnett said that Peter Strzok , the deputy chief of FBI counterintelligence , directed agents to close Crossfire Razor .
Barnett drafted a memo from the FBI ’ s Washington Field Office on Jan. 4 , 2017 that recommended closing the counterintelligence investigation on Flynn due to a lack of evidence that he was working with Russia .
Strzok intervened at the last minute to keep the investigation open after the FBI obtained a transcript of Flynn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2016 , with Sergey Kislyak , the Russian ambassador to the U.S. Barnett told investigators that the transcript did not change his view that Flynn “ was not compromised by the Russians.
” Strzok and another FBI agent , Joseph Pientka , interviewed Flynn at the White House about the Kislyak calls on Jan. 24 , 2017 .
Flynn later pleaded guilty to lying during the interview about his discussions with Kislyak about the U.S. decision to expel Russian diplomats because of the Kremlin ’ s meddling in the U.S. election .
Flynn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ General William Barr tapped Jensen , the prosecutor , in January to review the FBI ’ s investigation of Flynn .
The Justice Department has filed a motion to withdraw charges against Flynn , though the outcome is still pending a judicial review .
Barnett told Jensen that he was “ cut out ” of the interview with Flynn , and that top FBI officials , including then-FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe , were leading Crossfire Razor .
Barnett said that he believed Flynn did lie during the White House interview , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ save his job rather than to cover up his links to Kislyak .
Flynn had denied to Vice President Mike Pence in mid-January 2017 that he discussed U.S. sanctions with Kislyak .
According to the memo , Barnett asked an FBI unit chief on Feb. 7 , 2017 , to be removed from the Flynn investigation , saying he believed Crossfire Razor was “ problematic ” and could result in an inspector general ’ s investigation .
Barnett remained on the case , and would eventually join the special counsel ’ s team @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 2017 in the wake of James Comey ’ s firing as FBI director .
Barnett offered a jaundiced assessment of the special counsel ’ s team , which was led by former FBI Director Robert Mueller .
He described butting heads with Jeannie Rhee , who led the cases into possible conspiracy with Russia .
Barnett described a briefing he gave the Mueller team about the Flynn investigation in which he said he had not seen evidence of a crime committed by the retired general .
“ RHEE seemed to dismiss BARNETT @ @ @ @ @ @ @ says .
Barnett told Jensen that he thought Rhee “ was obsessed with Flynn and Russia and she had an agenda.
” The agent also said he believed that some on Mueller ’ s team harbored a “ get TRUMP attitude , ” both because of anti-Trump feelings and because the structure of the special counsel ’ s probe meant they were brought in to find crimes specifically linked to the president .
“ BARNETT said it was not necessarily ‘ get TRUMP ’ but more the conviction there was ‘ something criminal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which attorney was going to find it , ” the memo says .
“ There was a lack of letting the evidence lead the investigation and more the attitude of ‘ the evidence is there we just have to find it.
’ ” “ BARNETT believed the prosecution of FLYNN by SCO was used as a means to ‘ get TRUMP , ’ ” the memo says .
Barnett also criticized Andrew Weissmann , a Mueller prosecutor who led the case against former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort .
He recalled one incident @ @ @ @ @ @ @ met on a yacht near Greece and “ that was going to be the proof of collusion.
” “ BARNETT said within a day or two the information was not substantiated.
” Chuck Ross is a reporter at Daily Caller News Foundation .
Photos “ Michael Flynn ” by Rich Girard CC BY-SA 2.0 and “ FBI ” by Federal Bureau of Investigation


thetennesseestar--2020-09-26--Nashville Taxpayer Protection Act: Attorney Jim Roberts Weighs in on the Secret Election Commission

Nashville Taxpayer Protection Act: Attorney Jim Roberts Weighs in on the Secret Election Commission Meeting

Live from Music Row Friday morning on The Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy – broadcast on Nashville ’ s Talk Radio 98.3 and 1510 WLAC weekdays from 5:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. – host Leahy welcomed Nashville based attorney Jim Roberts to the newsmakers line .
During the third hour , Roberts explains the current situation regarding the Nashville Taxpayer Protection Act that is being illegally stalled by Metro legal and the national election committee in hopes of squashing it from getting on the ballot December 5th .
Leahy : We are now joined by our good friend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nashville Taxpayer Protection Act to the national election commission .
They verified the votes but gee , they haven ’ t sent it on to the Metro clerk ’ s office officially , I guess for the election that ’ s supposed to happen on December 5th .
According to the rule of law in the charter .
Jim there ’ s a big meeting today at 2:30 pm with the election commission is going to meet .
I thought they should have done this like two weeks ago .
What happened ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a good question .
That ’ s a very good question .
They should have done it .
They have what the putting this on the ballot is what ’ s called a Ministerial Duty .
They don ’ t really have a lot of flexibility a right to mess around .
But I think they ’ re getting a lot of pressure from the mayor ’ s office and they ’ re looking for some way to keep it off the ballot .
Leahy : Well Crom , what do you think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jim , just for purposes of discussion that they caught they concoct a reason they , or they come up with three .
I ’ m not going to throw the word concoct and they come up with a reason to reverse their position because they ’ ve already approved it for the ballot and turned it over .
Leahy : It ’ s been verified .
Can you be clear on that ?
Carmichael : What is the process ?
What is the process they should have followed ?
Roberts : Yeah @ @ @ @ @ @ @ turned in they would be verified .
And once they ’ re verified from that point on it is truly a Ministerial Duty that just means that there ’ s no flexibility .
They put it on the ballot .
They print the ballot .
The only sort of flexibility they have at all is to form a little paragraph to put at the beginning to tell people what it ’ s about .
that is that the entire extent and the law is very clear .
There been cases like this before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when they tried to prevent putting a ballot initiative on the ballot .
Carmichael : Okay .
So if they then so is it the election commission that actually does the administration or is it another entity that administrates the actual election ?
Roberts : It ’ s the election commission .
They will vote on the language for the ballot .
They ’ ll vote to on these up the valid what it looks like when it ’ s pretty simple because only one thing on it , but they ’ ll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like and then they ’ ll send that to the state to be approved .
Just to make sure that the state says it ’ s okay , but really their job is very very simple .
They acknowledge the number of signatures .
They print the ballot initiative as printed .
There ’ s been some talk I hear about trying to change it or break it up into multiple pieces every bit of that would be illegal and outside their power , but they may try to do it .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dishonesty that ’ s being projected on the other side is really astounding .
Carmichael : But they have to do something official here fairly soon , too .
To negate their prior action , is that correct ?
Roberts : Well , I would think so .
I mean you got to understand Crom that the mayor is probably calling these commissioners and calling the administrative elections every day .
This happened the same thing that happened in 2001 almost 20 years ago .
I was at the election commission the same @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and mayor for sale only was Purcell the time .
I was in the room when mayor Purcell called one of the commissioners and said don ’ t put this person on the ballot .
And at that time the control was in the Democrat ’ s hands and they just voted even though it was completely wrong completely illegal they voted to keep her off the ballot .
So the level of dishonesty out of the mayor ’ s office .
It ’ s quite well precedented .
So I don ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : So then what would you what would then you do if they if that well , I guess they could do one of two things .
one is they could come out with an official ruling that you would then take the court immediately if you disagreed with It is that correct ?
Roberts : Absolutely .
And that ’ s where you force the government on a government official to actually do their job .
It is a huge waste of taxpayers ’ money .
It will cost as it ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get attorneys fees out of it .
I mean , he could cost the city tens of thousands of dollars for them to defend their illegal actions .
Carmichael : Okay , and then is there is one of their choices to literally ignore the ballot initiative and simply not do anything on December 5th comes and goes .
Roberts : They do that they would get sued for that too .
I mean , Carmichael : But when would they get sued for that after December 5th .
Roberts : Probably about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mean it would be very fast .
Roberts : I mean crime .
Let me tell you that last Thursday I got a phone call from a Tennessean reporter about a secret meeting that was going to be held on Friday between the election commission and their attorneys .
That ’ s a completely inappropriate violation of the Open Meetings Act .
It ’ s absolutely illegal .
I spoke with that attorney and they published an article that evening at 5:22 pm saying that I had said that I would assume that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them .
I wrote a very stern letter to Jeff Roberts at the election commission and said , don ’ t do this .
Don ’ t hold secret meetings .
And I get an email this week from Bob Cooper .
Not John Cooper but Bob Cooper of Metro legal telling me that they had to have a secret meeting because I had threatened to sue him in the press .
And I had to remind him that I found out about the meeting from the press they ’ d already scheduled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ re just willing to lie .
I said you got caught in a total lie .
Roberts : But they ’ re documenting their case .
They ’ re going to try to say that they thought I would , that I threatened to sue them and I never have threatened to sue with and that ’ s why they had to have started having secret meetings .
Leahy : So they have the secret meeting scheduled ?
The reporter finds out a secret meeting is scheduled .
They ask you for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Based on that comment the guy says that ’ s why we have the secret meeting .
It ’ s like it ’ s from Kafka .
It ’ s from Kafka , my friend .
Roberts : And that ’ s exactly what happened .
And I honestly believe they had another meeting scheduled for Tuesday .
And I think when I pointed that out to the Bob Cooper of Metro legal that he just lied to me in a letter , that ’ s when they move this meeting to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the law .
I ’ ll give him credit for that .
They did give proper notice for this meeting today .
But again , there ’ s a lot of pressure from Metro legal to get the commission to do something that is absolutely illegal .
Now the bottom line is no other way to describe it .
Carmichael : Is it accurate that you have set up a go fund me page GoFundMe account for free ?
What is the name of your initiative at GoFundMe ?
Carmichael : So if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support your activities , they just go to GoFundMe and search for the Nashville Taxpayer Protection Act .
Carmichael : Okay .
Well , that ’ s you know , so for those folks in our listening audience who think that government needs to be brought to heel .
You know , this is really interesting how government employees say , I ’ m a government servant especially the elected officials .
I ’ m a government servant .
You know , that ’ s just gosh I tell you what .
Good @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is an open meeting and reporters can attend it today ?
Roberts : I believe it is they will probably go into what ’ s called an executive session where they ’ ve been properly meet with the attorneys .
And then the way the open meetings act works as they can the attorney can give them advice and then they have to come out and publicly discuss that advice Leahy : Do we expect that the national election commission will make a decision about when or if they will follow the law @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people to vote on as the law requires on December 5th ?
Roberts : They ’ re running out of time .
They have to do early voting and absentee ballots because all of this is an official election .
And so they only have a certain amount of time to get the structure of the election together .
So if they didn ’ t vote today and I expect they will they would have to vote in the next week or so .
They don ’ t have another meeting .
You @ @ @ @ @ @ @ don ’ t know what to do .
They ’ ve got some good people in that Election Commission and they ’ ve got some people that will do whatever the mayor says .
If you want this on the ballot and if you know any election commissioners you ought to be calling them today .
I can ’ t do that .
That wouldn ’ t be appropriate .
Leahy : What will you do if they don ’ t follow the law ?
Roberts : I don ’ t think I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people who signed this petition and have expected me to get it on the ballot .
And I think we ’ ll have to file a suit .
I don ’ t want to do that that I think it ’ s silly that I would have to do that to force my own government to do what it ’ s supposed to do .
But I can pretty much guarantee you I will .
Leahy : Well keep us posted will have a reporter there either virtual or in person .
Carmichael @ @ @ @ @ @ @ think indicates just how terrible Cooper ’ s decision was to go for some ridiculous tax increase that he now is going to be forced to I think give the voters a chance to chime in .
He ’ s just jamming it down everybody ’ s throat Leahy : Jim Roberts .
Thanks for joining us and keep us posted .
Roberts : I will sir .
Thank you .
Listen to the full third hour here : Tune in weekdays from 5:00 – 8:00 a.m. to the Tennessee Star Report with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ FM WLAC 1510 .
Listen online at iHeart Radio .
Photo “ Ballot ” by Brendan C CC BY 2.0


thetennesseestar--2020-09-26--Minnesota, Virginia Congressmen Propose Constitutional Amendment to Limit Supreme Court Size at Nine

Minnesota, Virginia Congressmen Propose Constitutional Amendment to Limit Supreme Court Size at Nine Justices

U.S. Reps. Collin C. Peterson ( D-MN-07 ) and Denver Riggleman ( R-VA-05 ) said they want to make sure that neither political party can ever pack the Supreme Court .
In a bipartisan joint press release issued Thursday , the representatives said they introduced an amendment to the U.S. Constitution to permanently set the number of U.S. Supreme Court Justices at nine .
The press release is available here .
Their legislation is House Joint Resolution 95 , and tracking information is available here .
The proposed amendment states : “ The Supreme Court of the United States shall @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said , “ The Supreme Court is an important part of our country ’ s system of checks and balances , and it is vital that we preserve its independence .
I worry that partisan attempts to change the size of the court will set off a judicial arms race which will further divide our country .
If one party succeeds in packing the Court , the next party to hold a majority may choose to do the same in retaliation .
My amendment will preserve the integrity of the Court and permanently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Riggleman said , “ The independence and non-partisan nature of the Supreme Court of the United States is a core aspect of American government .
I am proud to lead this bipartisan legislation that keeps the number of Supreme Court Justices at 9 and ensures partisan desires to “ pack the court ” won ’ t result in a Court that has been undermined by politics.
” The number of Supreme Court Justices is set by Congress through statute , the representatives said .
Lawmakers have changed the number of justices several times @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and last modified the size of the Court in 1869 when Congress raised the number of Justices from seven to nine .
House Democrats , meanwhile , have spoken of pushing legislation to set justices ’ terms at 18 years , Reuters reported .
Jason M. Reynolds has more than 20 years ’ experience as a journalist at outlets of all sizes .


thetennesseestar--2020-09-26--Crom Carmichael Discusses the Politicization of COVID Numbers in Metro Nashville

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 end of the second hour , Carmichael examined Mayor Cooper ’ s actions against certain business owners in Nashville as a personal vendetta to destroy their business because they opposed his COVID restrictions .
Leahy : Crom Carmichael , that is Mark Meadows , chief of staff of the president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And really everything now really does turn the question that you posed in the previous segment .
What kind of country do we want to be ?
What is this all about ?
Carmichael : Another example that is in the same house , but not exactly the same subject that we were talking about is how the New York authorities up there are trying to bring a case against Trump ’ s organization and Donald Trump for misrepresenting the value of assets in making representations to investors and lenders .
Leahy : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state attorney general who is doing a political hit job on the president .
Carmichael : Right .
Michael , it ’ s so much worse than just that because he has no basis for his action .
Carmichael : She has no basis for her action .
In other words , there is not a bank that has claimed anything .
There isn ’ t a financial institution that claimed I ’ ve been wronged .
And this goes back to Michael Cohen .
And what they did was the special counsel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some taxi medallions on credit at a bank and then as the taxi medallions went down in value , which they did , he failed to update his financial statement and show that the collateral that the bank had was now less than it otherwise would .
Here is the point I ’ m trying to make .
If we are all equal under the law , does everybody in the country have to live by that very same standard ?
And if so , we might as well just forget everything .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a constant state of flux .
So if you have even credit card debt and you ’ ve given the credit card information for you to check on before they make the decision of whether or not you should have credit then according to this theory that the government if it decides it doesn ’ t like you can come after you for failure to update your financial information .
Leahy : And what the attorney for Steven Smith who owns the honkey-tonk down here in town .
Leahy : He owns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thing started in March , who said I ’ m not shutting down ?
Who challenged the mayor for a couple of weeks ?
Carmichael : I think it was Steve Smith .
Leahy : It was Steve Smith , the owner of Kid Rock .
The mayor doesn ’ t like him .
This is the argument of his attorney in the federal lawsuit they ’ ve filed , this is a personal vendetta by John Cooper by trying to crush the business of Steve Smith and others that he doesn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the way , Cuomo did the same thing to nursing home people who called him out for forcing them to take COVID patients back into their nursing homes .
He sent the health department over there to shut them down .
And the question is whether or not , I don ’ t care what you think of a nursing home operator .
To just say if you are going to criticize me then I ’ m going to send in the government officials and I ’ m going to shut you down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ News ?
Could they do it to Channel 17 to and do something to Dennis Ferrier for asking questions that Channels 4 , 5 , and 2 think are out of bounds ?
Leahy : Very important questions that everyone wants to know .
Carmichael : Very important questions .
These are questions inquiring minds want to know .
These are legitimate questions about the authority of the mayor and the destruction of his policies .
Leahy : Crom , you know this intuitively .
But I ’ m just going to say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the beginning of the COVID-19 .
Carmichael : Thank you .
Please don ’ t ask me to spell that word .
( Laughter ) I can barely pronounce it .
Leahy : Well , look .
We talked about contact tracing .
And you said it will be a disaster .
And you are absolutely right .
And I ’ ll tell you why .
What we have seen right here in Nashville in the Metro Health Department and how the mayor has handled it is the politicization of contact tracing .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ve seen .
The manipulation of data .
Carmichael : It ’ s not just the manipulation .
If you have contact tracing you can just make it up .
Leahy : This is my point .
I think they make it up and change it .
This is the impression you get .
This is why there needs to be a DOJ investigation of how the Nashville Metro government has put together its data on COVID-19 because it ’ s contact tracing .
How did this happen ?
Leslie Waller who is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ master ’ s degree from Emory I think it is .
Obviously a trained professional .
Wrote an email to Benjamin Eagles on June 30th in a court document .
She said on June 30th that 1,251 cases of COVID-19 have been traced to the construction industry .
OK ?
Fast forward to this past week .
So Brian Todd who heads the communications at the Metro health department here said it was a mistake .
It was 1,251 , it was really 251 .
Really ?
I want to look at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at all of the contact tracing data that ’ s been collected in the Metro Health Department .
Because my suspicion it has been manipulated and misreported .
Carmichael : All they have to do to make that second statement correct is to erase 1,000 names from the so-called data .
Because I don ’ t even trust the data .
Leahy : That ’ s my point .
I want to look at that data .
Carmichael : Here is what I ’ ve said from the very beginning .
Let us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Let us focus on the number of deaths caused exclusively by COVID .
Carmichael : It ’ s a sad day when people die .
Ruth Bader Ginsburg died .
I don ’ t think she died of COVID .
They haven ’ t done the autopsy yet .
If they find , by the way she had COVID , then she didn ’ t die of pancreatic cancer , she died of COVID .
And this is how ridiculous our government officials have become over politicization of an illness that ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But not an extraordinary number .
Listen to the full second hour here : Tune in weekdays from 5:00 – 8:00 a.m. to the Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy on Talk Radio 98.3 FM WLAC 1510 .
Listen online at iHeart Radio .
Photos “ Nashville Downtown ” by Prayitno CC BY 2.0 and “ John Cooper ” by Nashville Mayor ’ s Office .


thetennesseestar--2020-09-26--Commentary: Biden Better Watch Out, President Trump Is Back on the Campaign Trail

For six months , Joe Biden has been banking on the belief that the coronavirus pandemic would somehow take President Trump — the most effective and hardest working campaigner in history — out of the game .
Biden is in for some bad news : that ’ s not going to happen .
It will take more than social distancing and a basement hideout to protect Joe Biden from the incredible campaign trail magic of Donald Trump .
The Trump rally phenomenon was never a product of the arena , or the staging , or even the routinely overflowing lines @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accommodated inside even the largest venues .
It came from the man himself — and he ’ s back , with Air Force One roll-up rallies at airport hangers around the country , reminiscent of the “ whistle stop ” campaigning that was a hallmark of presidential elections a century ago .
President Trump and the First Family have returned to the amazing campaign pace that shocked the political establishment in 2016 .
The first few events in Florida , North Carolina , and Nevada were just as powerful as the rallies we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
While COVID forced Trump supporters to change the way they assemble , they more than make up for it with their undying enthusiasm and diehard determination to win .
No other politician ever consistently filled airport tarmacs , arenas , and stadiums week in and week out for years on end , the way Donald Trump has done .
But in these uncertain times , we know we can ’ t rely entirely on what worked in the past .
That ’ s why we ’ re determined to beat Joe Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stage .
While the Democrats were hiding , hoping their media and Big Tech allies would win the election for them , Republicans were building a historic ground operation .
Our extensive network of volunteers was capable of knocking on a million doors per week before Democrats knocked on one .
Our state-of-the-art outreach effort is in high gear , contacting 9 million voters in the week of our convention alone .
If your state isn ’ t yet slated for a hanger rally , fear not — we ’ re organizing 7,500 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , as well .
The President ’ s ability to bypass a media class that largely despises him and speak directly to his supporters about his agenda and current events has always been instrumental to his political success .
It has been a key feature of his presidency , as well .
Biden desperately hoped it was a weapon that could be removed from the Trump arsenal in 2020 , and that COVID-19 could be used to force a revival of the “ front porch ” approach to campaigning , where everything has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ media establishment that favors him .
Accordingly , Biden and his staff have made conspicuous COVID caution the central theme of their campaign strategy .
The Democratic nominee and his surrogates can ’ t hold one of their ( vanishingly rare ) public events , even a televised one , without hitting viewers over the head with images of people wearing masks while standing alone with no conceivable medical reason for doing so .
As if Joe Biden ’ s verbal gaffes and miscues aren ’ t cringe worthy enough , watching him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wearing a mask and sitting eight to ten feet away from his small gathering of a handful of reporters or three or four supporters is absurd beyond belief .
Of course , no social distancing scrutiny has ever applied to the thousands of “ mostly peaceful ” protesters Biden and his running mate Kamala Harris have cheered on for months as they ’ ve filled city streets , ostentatiously — but pointlessly — wearing masks despite being packed together like sardines .
In many riots , even the masks are nowhere to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fastidious COVID protocols are about hygiene theater , not science .
The approach offers both a ready-made excuse for the low enthusiasm inspired by the Democratic nominee and a canned retort to any blockbuster Trump campaign event , allowing Biden and his surrogates to indignantly huff that “ they shouldn ’ t have been campaigning at all !
” Just like Biden ’ s armchair quarterback response to COVID policy — which has basically consisted of indignantly demanding that the President take actions that he has already taken — the wheels are starting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
For example , Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer claimed that President Trump holding an aircraft hanger rally near Saginaw was “ distressing , ” whereas a Biden event outside Detroit was A-OK. She didn ’ t give the real reason — that the President ’ s event was destined to blow Biden ’ s out of the water ( it did ) — instead claiming she didn ’ t trust the President to sufficiently scold attendees about mask use .
The Democrats can say whatever they like .
President Trump is back on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they might — they ’ re not going to stop him from upstaging and outperforming Joe Biden all the way to November .
Michael Glassner is Chief Operating Officer of Donald J. Trump for President , Inc. Photo “ Donald Trump Speaking at Rally ” by Gage Skidmore .
CC BY-SA 2.0 .


thetennesseestar--2020-09-26--Speaker Cameron Sexton Discusses Letter to Tennessee General Assembly Requesting to See How Metro Go

Speaker Cameron Sexton Discusses Letter to Tennessee General Assembly Requesting to See How Metro Government Has Spent CARES Act Monies

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 Speaker Cameron Sexton to the newsmaker line .
During the third hour , Sexton explained his letter recently sent to the Tennessee General Assembly which agreed with Governor Lee ’ s decision not to send the city of Nashville a requested 89 million dollars .
He added that they want to see how the pandemic money the city has received has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Leahy : We are delighted to have as our special guest , Tennessee Speaker of the House of Representatives Cameron Sexton .
Good morning Speaker Sexton .
Sexton : Good morning .
Thanks for having me .
Leahy : So we just got a copy of a very important letter that you have sent along with other members of the Tennessee General Assembly .
Tell us what that letter is and what you want to have accomplished .
Sexton : Yeah , so it ’ s a letter signed by all house Republican @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agreeing with the Governor Lee ’ s decision not to send an additional 89 million dollars over to the City of Nashville .
We ’ re asking the Comptroller for a thorough review of all the federal CARES Act money that has come into Metro Nashville as well as state money that has come into Metro Nashville to help them during this pandemic .
And we want to understand how it was spent and if it was spent .
We want more transparency and some accountability .
And we don ’ t think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to anybody and just letting them use the money how they want .
So we ’ re asking for a thorough review from the Comptroller to really dig into Metro and see if they are using the federal CARES Act money and sort of how the state has used it .
Leahy : Well , they ’ ve been a lot of reporting about the problems of transparency and Metro Nashville government .
What specifically brought this need to your attention ?
Sexton : Well Metro Nashville has received over a hundred twenty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The states have given them , we give them an additional $ 10 million , and then they turn around not too long ago last week and asked Governor Lee for an additional $ 89 million , which puts it over $ 200 almost to $ 250 million .
And they ’ re requesting an additional revenue at the same time .
And that they ’ re trying to raise taxes by 34 % to take in more additional revenue .
And so what we ’ re saying is they ’ ve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t just the Mayor Cooper issue .
This goes back a long time .
And so Tennessee is in a very good spot financially and so we ’ re asking what seems to be the issue with inside Metro and why are they in the situation ?
And what we want to accountability on how they ’ ve been spending this federal money that they are requesting now .
Carmichael : If your letter doesn ’ t accomplish your goal , can you offer legislation to we can do a vote to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
Sexton : Yeah .
The first is the review I feel confident that the Comptroller will have some information within two weeks .
As we get that information back if we need to go in and do a comprehensive audit have the Comptroller do that then we can do that as well .
So that ’ s still an option .
And then we can go back and when we get back in January and that gives us time to think about other things that we may have to do .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the last 10 years under Republican control has prepared ourselves for something like this .
We didn ’ t know it ’ s a pandemic , but we ’ re very well off financially .
If the federal money that we got we went straight to help businesses all across our state and to help families .
And I ’ m not sure what Metro Nashville did with their money .
Leahy : Well is that ’ s the issue , isn ’ t it ?
I don ’ t think there ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on what they did with their money .
Carmichael : What if the Comptroller came back and said they used it to make payroll .
Is that okay ?
Sexton : Well , I think we ’ ll have to see what kind of discretion they had the money supposed to be used for COVID related expenses .
I think what a lot of cities and states that are more tax and spend areas are doing is they ’ re holding their money and waiting to see if President Trump wins .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they want , which is Biden and Harris and then they ’ re going to spend their money any way they want to and no there are no ramifications for going outside .
So that ’ s one of the things we ’ re looking at which is how much do they still have left to spend and are they holding it waiting for the outcome of an election .
We don ’ t know any of that information until we have the Comptroller .
I ’ m confident that Justin P. Wilson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ need .
Leahy : That ’ s a that ’ s a very important point .
I hadn ’ t thought about that Speaker Sexton .
But it makes perfect sense in terms of you know if you watch how Democrat-run cities and states operate that ’ s very consistent with their pattern of operation .
Let ’ s talk a little bit about the Comptroller , Justin Wilson .
He ’ s been there for a long time .
Everyone I talked to everyone all of our reporting gives him the highest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say he ’ s probably the one of the best comptroller ’ s of any state in the country ?
Sexton : Absolutely , and I ’ ll go even farther .
I think all three of our constitutional officers are better than anybody else in America .
You know , we if you want to talk about Justin P. Wilson , you know , I think he understands it and if you ’ ve seen what his department has done when he became Comptroller and holding all these local governments accountable through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and putting some parameters on these local governments to live within a certain budgeting mechanism .
Because in the end , we don ’ t want these cities and counties to fail .
Justin P. Wilson takes that job very seriously as well as corruption and that sometimes that happens inside of those halls of misuse of money .
Carmichael : I want to ask you a question on a related subject .
But it ’ s not exactly on one point what you ’ re talking about .
But here in Metro @ @ @ @ @ @ @ schools essentially saying it ’ s going to be virtual learning .
We now are getting reports that the children are suffering tremendously in their education , especially lower-income kids .
President Trump says it getting a quality education is the Civil Rights issue of our time .
What can the state legislature do to let lower incomes to essentially take , you know , take the power that the teachers ’ unions , which the teachers ’ unions to me are the biggest problem we have in education and especially for lower-income @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do to essentially take away the power ?
Can the state just say that they ’ ll be no teachers unions in Tennessee at that if it ’ s so deemed that to be appropriate ?
Sexton : I mean , theoretically you can pass a law to do whatever you want and the courts will determine if it ’ s constitutional and if someone challenges it .
So so the answer to your question is yes .
That ’ s a possibility .
I will say that we have been doing is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the house leadership and House Education people as well with the Senate side to really try to figure out our education issue .
Because you know as Governor Lee mentioned the other day talking about the potential of dropped attainment levels across their state due to kids not being in school .
I totally agree with Governor lie that the number one issue is schools need to be open and kids need to be in the classroom .
You know the other thing we ’ re talking about in that around is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we fund the schools .
You know , I mean schools aren ’ t open the question that a lot of our members have is if they ’ re not open should they receive those BEP funds .
If schools are doing more virtual learning than in-classroom learning should they get the same amount in the BEP for not being in the classroom and being virtual ?
Because that ’ s a lower-cost area because you don ’ t have to transport people .
You don ’ t have meals at school .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Sexton : So we ’ re looking kind of everything at this point .
We ’ re entering those discussions .
and we ’ re hopeful over the next several weeks that will be able to come out and have some very firm ideas on how we ’ re going to progress in the spring semester next year .
Carmichael : Oh , I ’ m hoping that the goal of all of this is is to come up with legislation to give low-income parents more choice .
at the end of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Because if the government is operating a terrible government-run school then low-income parents need to have alternatives then sending their children to those kinds of schools .
I also would hope that that part of the process is looking into how money is spent in our school systems .
This could be across the state , that is not spent in the classrooms .
because there ’ s the stuff I read that generally speaking is that across the country now , there ’ s in metropolitan cities , there ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ teacher employee more than one .
And so the amount of money we ’ re spending is ballooning upwards .
the actual teacher may not be keeping pace because we ’ ve added so much bureaucracy and you can ’ t pay non-teachers that you just can ’ t pay teachers and fund all the waste .
And so I ’ m just hoping because the lower-income kids need a shot .
And they ’ re not getting a shot under the current system .
I ’ m concerned that the approach of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Sexton : Right .
Yeah , I don ’ t mean to cut you off .
I think I think there are aspects of virtual learning that you can do whether it ’ s one-on-one tutoring or reading comprehension help .
But I think there are certain aspects that you could use but putting a kindergartener on the computer for five hours a day is not an option that ’ s going to be successful .
Leahy : Not a good plan .
Speaker Sexton .
Let me ask you this , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ yet ?
Sexton : Well , we worked with him over the last couple of days to let them know him and chase them on power to understand what direction we were asking .
So we ’ ve been in consulting with them .
We sent it to him last night .
So yes , we ’ ve been in conversation and they know .
Leahy : And if that happens when would you get it back to review it ?
Sexton : We ’ re hoping to have it back in about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ obviously .
So we went with a thorough review first and then let the option open for an audit Leahy : Speaker of the House Cameron Sexton , thanks so much for joining us today on the Tennessee Star Report , and please come back and tell us what the results of that review are .
Sexton : Absolutely .
Thank you and you all have a great weekend .
Listen to the full third hour here : Tune in weekdays from 5:00 – 8:00 a.m. to the Tennessee Star Report with Michael @ @ @ @ @ @ @ WLAC 1510 .
Listen online at iHeart Radio .
Photo “ Tennessee Capitol ” by Ken Lund CC BY-SA 2.0


thetennesseestar--2020-09-26--Ohio Mother Flagged for Three Charges After Not Masking at Middle-School Football Game

Since The Ohio Star broke the story about Alecia Kitts , the Marietta mom who tased and arrested for not wearing a mask , got the attention of Breitbart , TheBlaze , HuffPost , Tucker Carlson , Ben Shapiro , and Covington Catholic High student Nick Sandmann ’ s attorney Lin Wood .
The Ohio Department of Health has issued a plethora of orders since march , including a statewide mask mandate announced by Governor Mike DeWine on July 22 – effective July 23 , with exemptions .
The mask mandate was the catalyst to the situation involving Kitts that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , September 23 .
The 3 1/2 minute video shot by Vanessa Kennedy of Marietta shows the climax of a situation that began when Kitts was asked to wear a mask but refused because she said she has asthma .
Kitts was eventually tased , cuffed and escorted out of the stadium .
Logan Police Captain Ryan Gabriel informed The Star through email that charges were filed in Hocking County Municipal Court on Friday morning against Kitts .
According to the incident report obtained by The Star , Kitts is charged with criminal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( misdemeanor-2 ) and obstructing official business ( misdemeanor-2 ) .
The report also shows Yvonne Fox , the second woman in the video , is cited for obstructing official business ( misdemeanor-4 ) .
The Ohio Revised Code ( ORC ) indicates fourth-degree misdemeanors carry a maximum of 30 days in jail .
Second-degree misdemeanors carry a maximum of 90 days in jail .
Kitts faces a maximum of 210 days in jail and Fox 30 days .
However , there is no jail time required in convictions of any of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gabriel on Thursday and asked what written law or rule Kitts violated that necessitated her arrest on Wednesday .
Originally , Gabriel stated that the violation involved the school and advised “ to contact the Logan-Hocking School District Board office , it is a school policy.
” Gabriel did follow up with The Star to provide an additional statement .
“ The school policy states that spectators must wear masks while in the stadium , she was advised that she had to have a mask on while watching the game per school policy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the stadium , ” said Gabriel .
He continued , “ [ S ] he refused to wear a mask and when told she had to leave , she refused .
She was then warned that she would be arrested for criminal trespass if she failed to leave .
She refused to leave after several warnings and requests and was subsequently arrested on the charge of criminal trespass.
” The incident report contains a narrative from School Resource Officer Chris Smith who wrote “ I asked the female to put her mask on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not going to put her mask on because she had asthma .
I advised her if she did not put her mask on , then she would have to leave the stadium.
” Smith ’ s narrative continued “ she then asked me what she was supposed to do with her children , because she was watching her son play football .
I advised her that if she did not leave the stadium , that she would arrested.
” The Star tried to contact Logan-Hocking School District Superintendent Monte Bainter .
Neither the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Attorney Maurice Thompson , legal counsel for Kitts , told The Star “ Ms .
Kitts was not breaking the statewide mask mandate because she has a medical condition that exempts her .
She was also seated far away from other people.
” Thompson ’ s comments are consistent with the State of Ohio mandatory sports requirements .
The requirements state “ [ s ] pectators must wear face coverings at all times except for one of the reasons stated in the Director ’ s Orders for Facial Coverings throughout the State of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , or as thereafter amended.
” The July 23 order does include exemptions for medical conditions ( including asthma ) and situations outdoors when a person can maintain a distance of six feet or greater from other people not in their own household .
“ We can ’ t have public policy that ends with someone getting arrested just for sitting with their family outside watching their child play football , ” said State Representative D.J .
Swearingen ( R-Huron ) .
Swearingen continued “ the legislature amended Senate Bill 55 ( SB55 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mind .
By taking the criminal element out of minor health order violations , we believed that instances like this one would be less adversarial in nature and could be avoided altogether .
The mom , school resource officer and school administration have all been put in a bad spot here.
” The General Assembly passed SB55 and then Governor DeWine vetoed the bill .
At his twice-weekly presser on Thursday , DeWine warned against judging the officer and school officials involved with the incident .
“ Before you just look at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to that video , and I think that you ’ ll get a full picture of what happened , ” said DeWine .
“ She explained to the officer and administrators that she has asthma , but they ignored her .
Consequently , they told her she would have to leave the stadium which is not consistent with any law or directive .
They misappropriated the law – haphazardly and violently.
” the attorney said .
Kitts will have her day in court October 7 .
Jack Windsor is Managing Editor and an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Windsor is also an Investigative Reporter at WMFD-TV .
Follow Jack on Twitter .
Email tips to [ email protected ] .
Photo “ Alecia Kitts Being Arrested ” by The Timmyz .


thetennesseestar--2020-09-26--MDHHS Publishes Trick-or-Treating Guidelines, Even As CDC Recommends Against It

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services ( MDHHS ) released guidelines for trick-or-treating on Thursday , going against guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) , which recommended against the activity entirely .
In addition to standard coronavirus safety guidelines such as mask-wearing and social distancing , the MDHHS also recommended that homeowners passing out candy use duct tape to mark six-foot distances leading from where the candy is , distributing candy on a disinfected table to limit direct contact and handing out candy in an open space .
For trick-or-treaters , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going to houses with safety measures in place .
“ The way we celebrate Halloween in Michigan will be different this year due to COVID-19 , ” said Dr. Joneigh Khaldun , chief medical executive and chief deputy for health , in a statement .
“ However , there are still many ways to celebrate safely .
The guidance MDHHS issued today provides tips for trick-or-treaters and their parents along with homeowners who wish to hand out treats.
” The MDHHS also encouraged hosting virtual parties and limiting in-person parties to 10 people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wearing both a coronavirus cloth mask and a plastic costume mask if “ wearing both causes difficulty breathing ” and instead suggested wearing a Halloween-themed coronavirus mask .
The Michigan health department ’ s guidelines go against the CDC ’ s , which recommended against any Halloween activities where children go door-to-door , categorizing them as “ high-risk.
” The CDC also warns against “ trunk-or-treat ” events , where children collect candy from car trunks in parking lots rather than door-to-door .
The CDC did classify one-way trick-or-treating that uses individually wrapped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” although it suggested participating in “ low-risk ” activities such as socially-distanced pumpkin carving and hosting a virtual Halloween party .
Michigan currently has more than 120,000 confirmed cases of the coronavirus and a death toll of 6,708 , according to the MDHHS .
More than 90,000 cases are considered recovered .
Read the full MDHHS guidelines for trick-or-treating here .
Jordyn Pair is a reporter at The Michigan Star and Star News Digital Media .
Follow her on Twitter at @ JordynPair .
Email her at [ email protected ]


thetennesseestar--2020-09-26--Commentary: In Michigan, Biden the Globalist Is Trying to Run as a Trumpian America-Firster

When Joe Biden came to Michigan last week , he decided to campaign as Donald Trump instead of himself .
It was rather pathetic , and laughable to Michigan voters .
Cherry picking figures from the devastation wrought by the coronavirus pandemic , Biden ignored both President Trump ’ s record of delivering on his promises to Michigan ’ s workers and the extraordinary “ v-shaped ” recovery he has presided over these last few months .
Presumably , it was the only way Biden could think of to argue that Michigan is in dire need of his fake pro-American @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Donald Trump ’ s inauguration and the arrival of COVID-19 from China , Michigan ’ s economy added more than 100,000 new jobs , including many in the manufacturing sector , which previous administrations had abandoned .
The unemployment rate in this state started 2020 at one of the lowest levels ever recorded , and the lowest since the year 2000 .
The foundational strength of the Trump economy is highlighted by the fact that in the space of just three months , the unemployment rate and total employment numbers had already recovered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ managed in nearly three years of their own abysmal economic “ recovery.
” The Trump recovery has blown away the forecasts of almost every economist on record .
During Joe Biden ’ s 47 years in the U.S. Senate and the White House , he consistently fostered China ’ s rise and enabled out-sourcing of American jobs and manufacturing to China and other foreign countries .
It was Biden who helped facilitate China ’ s entry into the World Trade Organization despite widespread misgivings about the regime ’ s extensive record of abusing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and a whole host of other issues , leading to the loss of 3.7 million American jobs .
Fortunately , President Trump ’ s America First economic and trade agenda is centered around reversing the job-killing legacy of globalists like Joe Biden , who ran the show in Washington for decades .
It was Trump , not Biden , who cleaned up the mess that NAFTA — which Biden championed and voted for — created for American manufacturing .
In Warren , Biden trumpeted his supposed union support , but that support @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all , it was President Trump ’ s United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement that earned the AFL-CIO ’ s endorsement .
Blue-collar and rank-and-file union workers know that after more than a generation , it was President Trump ’ s dedication to putting American jobs first that reversed the devastation of Joe Biden ’ s NAFTA .
Why , then , would Biden come to Michigan portraying himself as the America First economic nationalist and President Trump as the arch-globalist ?
The answer is simple : it ’ s better for Biden to steal President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to campaign on his own record .
Joe Biden has been famously caught plagiarizing before , and he seems to be doing it again .
In 2017 , just three months after taking office , President Trump signed the Buy American and Hire American Executive Order that set sweeping America First policies for the entire executive branch “ to maximize , consistent with law , through terms and conditions of Federal financial assistance awards and Federal procurements , the use of goods , products , and materials produced in the United States.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Pledge to the American Worker , ” and created the National Council for the American Worker , all dedicated to furthering the creation of American jobs .
In response to the coronavirus pandemic , the President even implemented special measures to ensure not only that the federal government “ bought American ” as it procured the supplies and equipment necessary to combat the virus , but also that every effort is made to ensure we are never again dependent on China for essential medical equipment and pharmaceuticals .
Obviously , Joe Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more like the current president .
But the American worker is smarter than that .
We know that President Trump has remained laser-focused on us and our families , and together we will proudly elect him for four more years – because we deserve it .
Terry Bowman is a 24-year Ford/UAW worker , the Co-chair of the Michigan Republican Party , and the National Chair of the Workers for Trump Advisory Board .
Photo “ Donald Trump and Joe Biden ” by Gage Skidmore .
CC BY-SA 2.0 .


thetennesseestar--2020-09-26--TRUMPDATE: Latest from the Team Trump Virginia Campaign for September 26

Welcome to the Saturday edition of our daily Virginia Trump campaign update !
We will provide our readers with daily updates on the Trump Virginia campaign from today to November 3 ( and after…if need be ! )
.
It ’ s officially 38 days until the election on November 3 – and three days until President Trump and Joe Biden square off in the first presidential debate .
President Trump and Air Force One landed on the tarmac at Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport on Friday night to an ovation from thousands of supporters .
Vice President Mike Pence also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ briefly waving to the crowd .
The president encouraged people to vote for himself and GOP candidates in the upcoming election , especially with early voting ongoing across the Commonwealth , and expressed his optimism in winning Virginia ’ s electoral college votes in November .
“ A vote for Republicans is a vote for safe communities , great jobs and a limitless future for all Americans , ” Trump told the crowd .
“ I think we ’ re going to win bigger than anyone understands.
” Trump teased the announcement of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the White House , with the crowd chanting “ Fill that seat ” in support .
Reports Friday indicate appellate judge Amy Coney Barrett , who serves on the 7th U.S .
Circuit Court of Appeals , is going to be the president ’ s pick .
“ Going into the election with the biggest of all victories , ” President Trump said referring to the successful confirmation of a new justice .
“ They say the biggest thing you can do is the appointment of judges , but especially the appointment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s the single-biggest thing a president can do , because it sets the tone of the country for 40 years , 50 years , a long time.
” Trump attacked Governor Ralph Northam and the Democrat-controlled General Assembly for trying to restrict Second Amendment rights , saying that a Biden victory would mean the right to own a firearm could go away completely .
“ If I ’ m not here , your Second Amendment is gone , ” he said .
“ Sleepy Joe Biden endorsed your governor , so that means @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , so he endorsed breaking up your Second Amendment .
So it will either be totally broken up or wiped out.
” But overall the president gave a rousing speech that drove home the accomplishments of his administration in his first term , and painted a stark contrast between his plans for a second term and the plans for a Biden presidency .
“ We ’ ve achieved more in 47 months than Joe Biden has achieved in 47 years , ” Trump said .
“ Biden without even knowing it is pushing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Biden plan would destroy Social Security and destroy protections for people with preexisting conditions.
” Check back every day for more Trump Virginia campaign updates !
If you want to join the volunteer team or if you need signs email John Fredericks or Justin Rice .
To Donate to our Virginia campaign click here .
For more information , or to sign up to become a volunteer , click here .
John Fredericks is the publisher and editor-in-chief of The Virginia Star .
He is also a Trump 2020 delegate and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @


thetennesseestar--2020-09-26--Governor and First Lady Northam Test Positive for COVID-19

Governor Ralph Northam announced Friday that he and his wife , First Lady Pamela Northam , tested positive for COVID-19 .
The Northams received testing after learning that one of the governor ’ s staff members tested positive .
Northam reports that he is asymptomatic ; his wife is experiencing “ mild symptoms.
” The pair plan to isolate for ten days and then undergo another examination , according to the Virginia Department of Health ( VDH ) guidelines .
“ As I ’ ve been reminding Virginians throughout this crisis , COVID-19 is very real and very contagious .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and close contacts is of the utmost importance to Pam and me , and we are working closely with the Department of Health to ensure that everyone is well taken care of , ” stated the governor in his press release .
“ We are grateful for your thoughts and support , but the best thing you can do for us – and most importantly , for your fellow Virginians – is to take this seriously.
” The governor doesn ’ t plan to stop his work at this time .
Northam also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all individuals potentially exposed to the virus .
According to a recent poll by the Virginia Commonwealth University , 66 percent of Virginians don ’ t support mandatory vaccinations for the coronavirus .
40 percent of Virginians reported they wouldn ’ t get vaccinated .
However , over half of Virginians believe it ’ s unsafe for children to return to in-person schooling .
Researchers at the University of Virginia ( UVA ) stated that the vaccine ’ s effectiveness relies on more than 60 percent of Virginians receiving it .
Current VDH @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pets for around 10-12 days ; 10 days being the minimum for asymptomatic individuals .
Close contact exposure is classified as breaking a distance of six feet for a minimum of 15 minutes , as well as being coughed or sneezed on .
Local health departments in the area are offering assistance with food and medication for those in need during quarantine .
Around 108 federal , state , and local political leaders have been infected by the coronavirus , according to Ballotpedia .
Corinne Murdock is a reporter at The Virginia Star @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her latest on Twitter , or email tips to [ email protected ] .
Photo “ Ralph and Pam Northam ” by Pam Northam .