thetennesseestar--2020-06-25--As Jobless Claims Slow, New Numbers Show Damage from Virus

WASHINGTON , D.C. ( AP ) — The number of laid-off workers seeking U.S. unemployment benefits dipped only slightly last week , and the economy shrank in the first three months of the year — evidence of the ongoing economic damage being inflicted by the viral pandemic .
The economy , which contracted 5 % in the January-March quarter , is widely expected to shrink at a roughly 30 % annual rate in the current April-June quarter .
That would be the worst quarterly contraction , by far , since record-keeping began in 1948 .
The government reported Thursday that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for unemployment benefits declined slightly to 1.48 million last week .
It was the 12th straight drop .
Still , applications for jobless aid have declined just 5 % in the past two weeks , a much slower rate of improvement than in April and May .
What ’ s more , an additional 700,000 people applied for jobless benefits last week under a new program for self-employed and gig workers that made them eligible for aid for the first time .
These figures aren ’ t adjusted for seasonal variations , so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the official count .
The steady if slow decline in applications does suggest that the job market is gradually healing from the pandemic , which shuttered businesses and sent the unemployment rate up to 14.7 % in April , its highest level since the Great Depression .
The total number of people who are receiving jobless aid also fell last week , to 19.5 million from 20.3 million , evidence that employers are rehiring some of the workers who had been laid off since mid-March .
In addition , the government said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nearly 16 % in May , reflecting a rebound in some business activity .
Still , the pace of orders and shipments remains far below pre-pandemic levels .
And excluding the volatile transportation category , so-called core orders for durable goods rose only modestly last month , reflecting still-sluggish business investment .
The latest economic figures coincide with a resurgence of COVID-19 cases in the United States , especially in the South and West , that ’ s threatening to derail a nascent economic rebound .
On Wednesday , the nation set a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Many states are establishing their own records for daily infections , including Arizona , California , Mississippi , Nevada , Texas and Oklahoma .
Cases of coronavirus have also jumped in Florida and Georgia .
Should those trends continue , states may reimpose some limits on businesses that would likely trigger job cuts .
Whether by choice or by government order , fewer consumers would shop , travel , eat out and visit bars or gyms .
All those scenarios would result in renewed layoffs and hinder the economy .
Nervous investors sent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the economy will suffer further damage from the disease .
“ The health crisis continues to cast a dark shadow over the economic landscape , ” said Bob Schwartz , a senior economist at Oxford Economics , a forecasting firm .
Before this week ’ s heightened worries about the pandemic , many economists had been relatively optimistic .
In May , the unemployment rate unexpectedly declined , though to a still-high 13.3 % .
Consumers began spending again , sending retail sales jumping by a record amount .
And sales of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fueled buyer interest .
In May , employers added 2.5 million jobs , a surprise gain .
Still , that hiring represented just one-ninth of all the jobs that have been lost since the pandemic struck .
And about 30 million Americans remain unemployed .
The economy shrank at a 5 % annual rate in the first three months of the year , the government estimated Thursday .
Yet economists envision a much sharper plunge in the April-June quarter — a rate of up to 30 % , which would be the worst @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expect the economy to rebound in the second half of this year before potentially regaining its pre-pandemic level in late 2021 at the earliest .
Yet all that assumes that the pandemic doesn ’ t intensify , force widespread business closures again and set the job market and the economy even further back .
If it does , the damage could be dire .
For now , real time data on small businesses suggests that the economy ’ s improvement slowed in June compared with May and then stalled in the past week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ economies the earliest .
Homebase , a company that provides scheduling and time-tracking software to small companies , says the proportion of small businesses that have reopened has leveled off .
As of Monday , 78 % of U.S. small businesses that it tracks were open , little changed from a week earlier .
In Florida and Texas , the proportion of small businesses that have closed has actually risen as a result of the resurgent viral outbreaks .
Apple said late Wednesday that it would re-close seven of its stores in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spike in cases .
Last week , it had said would re-close 11 other stores in four states .
Economists at Goldman Sachs have upgraded their economic forecasts for the rest of this year and next year in light of the retail sales gains and other positive data .
But they warned that a “ significant ” second wave of cases this fall that would force business closures could slash growth next year by more than half .
For the unemployed , the federal government has been providing $ 600 in weekly benefits @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aid recipients are receiving .
This federal money has pumped nearly $ 20 billion a week into the economy and enabled many of the unemployed to stay afloat .
A majority of recipients are even earning more than they did at their old jobs , raising concerns that this could discourage some of them from returning to work .
But the $ 600 a week in aid will expire after July , and Trump administration officials have said they oppose an extension .
Republicans and Democrats in Congress have introduced compromise measures .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a major help to Alexis O ’ Neill , who was laid off in March from an accounting job at an aviation fuel company .
O ’ Neill , 49 , who lives with her mother in Ann Arbor , Michigan , is looking for a job that would allow her to work from home so she could avoid putting her mother at risk of contracting the virus .
She has applied for at least a dozen jobs but has received no responses except an acknowledgement of her application .
Many open jobs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before the pandemic struck .
Compounding the dilemma for O ’ Neill , Michigan is stuck with the nation ’ s second-highest state unemployment rate , 21.2 % .
“ The job market is terrible , ” she said .
“ Everything either pays so badly or doesn ’ t come with benefits.
” Christopher Rugaber is an Economic writer for The Associated Press .


thetennesseestar--2020-06-26--Nashville Police Arrest Protesters in Connection with Skateboard Assault on Influential Real Estate

Nashville Police Arrest Protesters in Connection with Skateboard Assault on Influential Real Estate Developer

Metro Nashville Police say they arrested a man in connection with an assault on influential real estate developer Tony Giarratana during the May 30 protests .
Nicholas Barrett , 25 , on Wednesday was charged with felony aggravated assault for allegedly striking Giarratana from behind with a skateboard outside 505 Church St. during the protest .
Giarratana suffered significant injuries and received treatment at a local hospital , the police said .
At the time of his arrest , Barrett was free on bond on charges of aggravated rioting and felony vandalism stemming from other actions on May 30 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to have thrown the skateboard at a marked police car en route to a call , damaging the vehicle .
He is also accused of using the skateboard to break a window at the historic courthouse .
Barrett posted an additional $ 25,000 bond on the aggravated assault charge and was released from jail at 2 a.m. Thursday .
Giarratana gave NewsChannel 5 a statement .
Part of his statement said : As one who loves downtown Nashville and has worked hard to help improve the Church Street corridor , this is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the need to provide safety and improve our downtown neighborhood – which has conditions that invite criminal behavior .
Our Metro Police are stretched thin and can only do so much .
After Mayor John Cooper spoke at the May 30 protest , the participants took part in smashing police cars , breaking windows and spray painting buildings and cars , The Tennessee Star reported .
One of Giarratana ’ s latest projects is his plan for a jig-jagging skyscraper at a small YMCA site at 900 Church St. , the Nashville Post @ @ @ @ @ @ @ workers for the planned Amazon and Asurion buildings nearby .
His company ’ s website lists his many notable downtown developments .
Jason M. Reynolds has more than 20 years ’ experience as a journalist at outlets of all sizes .

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--2020-06-26--Commentary: Cancel Culture Has Created a Silent Majority for Trump

In 2016 , President Donald Trump consistently underperformed in presidential election polls versus actual voting results leading up to his historic victory against Hillary Clinton .
Using the RealClearPolitics.com average of polls in the days before the election , polls underreported Trump ’ s support in key battleground states that he ended up winning .
In Florida , polls underreported Trump support by 2 percentage points , in North Carolina by 3.3 points , in Ohio by 5.5 points , in Pennsylvania by 3.5 points and Michigan by 4.1 points .
Trump won with 49 percent of the vote in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in North Carolina , 51.7 percent of the vote in Ohio , 48.2 percent of the vote in Pennsylvania and 47.5 percent of the vote in Michigan .
Nationally , polls underreported Trump ’ s nationwide support by 2.5 percentage points , when in the election he received 46.1 percent of the popular vote to Clinton ’ s 48.2 percent .
And those were the polls taken right before the election , which tend to be more accurate than those taken in the spring and summertime , which tend to oversample Democrats and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ GOP establishment and among voters , showing ridiculous lopsided margins against the Republican candidate .
At this point in the 2016 cycle , Clinton was leading Trump in polls taken across the country .
A Quinnipiac poll in mid-June had Clinton up by 8 points in Florida , 47 percent to 39 percent .
Off by 10 points to final outcome .
In early July an NBC/WSJ/Marist poll had Clinton up 6 points in North Carolina , 44 percent to 38 percent , a lead that would supposedly grow to 9 points by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ percent .
Trump ’ s actual support was off by almost 11 points .
A PPP poll from late June had Clinton up by 4 points in Ohio , 44 percent to 40 percent .
Off by almost 12 points .
An NBC/Marist poll had Clinton up by 9 points in Pennsylvania in late June , 45 percent to 36 percent .
Off by 12 points .
In Michigan in early July she was said to be up 7 points according to Gravis , 48 percent to 41 percent .
Off by 6.5 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ABC News/Washington Post poll had Clinton up 12 points , 51 percent to 39 percent .
Off by 7 points .
These consistently inaccurate polling results defeated the predictive model of Nate Silver in the 2016 election , which said that state polls predict the outcome of presidential races .
The bogus assumption then was that the polls would be accurate .
They weren ’ t .
How could this be ?
In 2016 , there was a lot of social pressure among families , friends and even professionally against Trump .
If @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could expect personal ostracization from peers and employers .
You might be called a bigot .
A racist .
A fascist .
A Nazi .
You name it .
And so , 2016 was a notoriously hard year to poll politically , given the fear of repercussions among Trump supporters .
In 2020 , the climate of social fear is arguably even worse .
It ’ s cancel culture run amuck .
Robert Cahaly of Trafalgar Group , the only poll that called the 2016 race for Trump in Michigan , says in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and that “ social desirability bias ” is “ worse than it was four years ago.
” The goal was to make it socially unacceptable to support Trump .
Instead , all that ’ s been accomplished is driving his support underground .
So , what do we see in June 2020 ?
Former Vice President Joe Biden has a “ comfortable ” lead in the race , naturally .
Biden leads Trump by 10 points nationally , by 6 points in Florida , he ’ s tied in Ohio , he ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and by 8 points in Michigan .
In North Carolina , surprisingly , the polls show Trump up by 0.5 points .
In fact , Trump is ahead of where he was in 2016 at this point in the race , leaving Biden in a deceptively weak position compared to Clinton .
If we ’ re seeing a similar cycle as last time , as the summer goes on and we hit the presidential nomination conventions , watch for Trump ’ s picture to improve somewhat , take a nose dive in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ here > and then by late October it will be a “ dead heat.
” We ’ ve seen this movie before .
It ’ s the one where the incumbent usually wins .
A silent majority ?
You better believe it .
Robert Romano is the Vice President of Public Policy at Americans for Limited Government .


thetennesseestar--2020-06-26--Manny Sethi Releases New Ad Entitled ‘Mobs’

U.S. Senate candidate Manny Sethi this week released a new television ad entitled “ Mobs ” that calls out leftists for the nation ’ s recent civil unrest .
“ The radical Left is burning and looting our cities , while telling us America is racist .
I ’ ve had enough of them , and of cowardly Republicans who won ’ t stand up to them .
That ’ s why I ’ m running , ” Sethi said in an emailed press release .
People may see the ad on the Sethi campaign ’ s Facebook , Twitter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ad , Sethi says the following : “ Sick of the mobs yet ?
Of the looting ?
The burning ?
Rioting ?
Of liberals saying you ’ re a racist , and that watching American cities get ripped apart is a chance for you to examine your privilege ?
Are you sick of cowardly Republicans so afraid of being called racist by the mob , that they won ’ t defend America ?
Me too , that ’ s why I ’ m running .
As The Tennessee Star reported this month @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Leftwing Lockdown.
” “ For the last three months liberals said social distancing is so important , you deserve to be arrested if you go out to eat or go to church with too many people .
They destroyed small businesses and ruined lives , ” Sethi said at the time .
“ But now , apparently , protesting next to thousands of people is fine , as long as it ’ s for a woke liberal cause .
It ’ s total hypocrisy.
” Sethi ’ s earlier ad said the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a business is a crime .
Burning a business is not ?
Dinner with neighbors gets you arrested .
Beating neighbors does not ?
Church with too many people is a crime .
Thousands of people protesting is not ?
Got a problem with any of that ?
You ’ re a racist !
And you want to kill Grandma .
Had enough ?
Me too .
That ’ s why I ’ m running .
Send me to the Senate .
People may view the ad on Sethi ’ s campaign Facebook @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by clicking here .
Chris Butler is an investigative journalist at The Tennessee Star .
Follow Chris on Facebook .
Email tips to [ email protected ] Photo “ Manny Sethi ” by Manny Sethi .


thetennesseestar--2020-06-26--Tennessee Unemployment Payouts Sent to 290K People Last Week

NASHVILLE , Tennessee ( AP ) — Tennessee distributed unemployment benefits to more than 290,000 people last week as the number of jobless workers remains high due to the new coronavirus outbreak .
The Tennessee Department of Labor & Workforce Development reported Thursday that more than 21,000 people filed new claims for unemployment benefits during the week that ended last Saturday .
The amount of new claims filed has remained relatively steady in the past four weeks , and last week ’ s number is way down from a high of more than 116,000 new claims filed the week ending @ @ @ @ @ @ @ March , when Gov .
Bill Lee and city and county officials began managing public safety concerns raised by the pandemic by closing or limiting access to businesses .
Memphis and Nashville have delayed plans to increase capacities at restaurants , retail stores and other businesses after the number of cases and hospitalizations increased in the past two weeks .
More than $ 298 million in unemployment benefits was paid out last week in Tennessee .
The entire total came in the form of federal funds distributed under the federal CARES Act .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in April of 15.5 % , and the rate in May was also in double digits .
In Memphis on Thursday , Mayor Jim Strickland signed an ordinance requiring people to wear face coverings while inside businesses , government buildings , health care facilities and public transportation in the city of about 650,000 people .
Employees of essential and nonessential businesses also must wear masks if they work near other people .
Some exemptions listed in the ordinance include children 12 and under and workers who perform their duties away from other people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but not required for people engaging in outdoor recreation , such as jogging or bicycling .
The ordinance was passed by the Memphis City Council on June 16 .
Violations are a class C misdemeanor , but the ordinance does not spell out a specific punishment other than a warning and court fees of no more than $ 20 per violation “ which may be waived upon completion of the community service requirement.
” For most people , the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms , such as fever and cough that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
For some , especially older adults and those with existing health problems , it can cause more severe illness and even be fatal .


thetennesseestar--2020-06-26--Democrats Run America’s Top 20 Crime-Ridden Cities

Annoyed that Senate Democrats are blocking a police reform bill , President Donald Trump said Wednesday that the 20 U.S. cities with the highest crime rates are all run by Democrats .
“ The Senate Republicans want very much to pass a bill on police reform , ” Trump said during a Rose Garden press conference with Polish President Andrzej Duda .
“ I would like to see it happen .
We won ’ t sacrifice .
We won ’ t do that .
We won ’ t do anything that is going to hurt our police.
” We have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a record positive rating on crime this year .
The best .
You hear about certain places like Chicago and you hear about what ’ s going on in Detroit and other cities , all Democrat-run .
Every one of them is Democrat-run .
The 20 worst , the 20 most dangerous are Democrat-run .
A quick fact check shows that Trump is at least mostly correct .
One ranking says the top 20 most dangerous cities are run by 18 Democrat mayors and two mayors who were elected in nonpartisan races .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ which in January published a list of the 100 most dangerous cities in America , heavily Democrat Detroit tops the list .
At No .
20 is Chester , Pennsylvania , also with a Democrat mayor .
Trump went on to refer to the so-called autonomous zone in central Seattle , where extremists have taken over six city blocks .
“ We have one city , two cities in particular , worse than Honduras , worse than Afghanistan .
These are cities within the United States , Democrat-run .
Radical left-run .
You @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Seattle .
Seattle of all places , who would even think that ’ s possible , ” he said , adding : The Democrats want to weaken very substantially our law enforcement , our police .
Frankly , they want to defund [ police departments ] , at least largely .
Some want to defund and abolish our police .
If nothing happens with [ police reform ] , it ’ s one of those things .
We had different philosophies .
They want open borders .
They want sanctuary cities .
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Neighborhood Scout ranking of the most crime-ridden cities and their mayors .
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Lucas is also the author of “ Tainted by Suspicion : The Secret Deals and Electoral Chaos of Disputed Presidential Elections .
”


thetennesseestar--2020-06-26--Guest Host Ben Cunningham and Laura Baigert Discuss the Media’s Glorification of Protesters and the

Guest Host Ben Cunningham and Laura Baigert Discuss the Media’s Glorification of Protesters and the Need for Government Transparency

Live from Music Row Thursday 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. – guest host Ben Cunningham welcomed Kevin and Laura Baigert to the studio .
During the third hour , Cunningham and the Baigerts discussed the protesters at Legislative Plaza who broke their deal with the Tennessee Highway Patrol yet manage to be fawned over by media outlets .
The Baigerts added that there is now a large class of people whose job is of political theater @ @ @ @ @ @ @ news media .
Cunningham : They tried to take over Legislative Plaza but they haven ’ t been successful yet .
Bill Lee has been true to his word on that I think to some extent .
But they are still down there I think , aren ’ t they ?
Laura Baigert : They are still there .
They had some of their materials confiscated yesterday after they broke a deal that they brokered with the THP .
Cunningham : What was the situation there ?
Can you elaborate on that ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ deal had been made between the Tennessee Highway Patrol and with the people who have been down there overnight .
Which they really shouldn ’ t be doing .
It ’ s a fine line of your First Amendment rights versus breaking the law .
It looks like they brokered a deal and that Justin Jones and company broke part of that deal yesterday .
Laura Baigert : So their stuff was seized .
Of course , he tried to make them look bad even though they broke their part of the deal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reinstated with donations from the community to get it right back where they were .
Cunningham : And the news media has just absolutely fawned reporting on that .
They ’ re mainly professional provocateurs .
All of these left-wing and certainly Antifa have tactics aimed at embarrassing the police or engaging the police or creating an incident .
They are there with their cell phones to document and send that directly to the news media .
We just got a very large class of people now who they consider their main job @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Manipulating the news media .
And the news media is very happy to be manipulated in so many cases .
Cunningham : It ’ s just crazy .
When you look at the coverage of these protests where they have maybe a dozen people down there and you look at the coverage of Open Tennessee that Kim Edwards did there is no comparison .
Cunningham : They cover it live .
They put it on Facebook .
They put it on Youtube .
It ’ s just crazy .
They are not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ absurd .
Kevin Baigert : And something I don ’ t think people take into account is that those highway patrolmen are already short-staffed .
They are working tons of tons of hours .
We ’ ve come to know some of them personally .
They are the best of our society .
Are there some bad apples ?
Probably .
I ’ ve never met them .
Those guys down there are having to work 16 hour days because of this stuff .
They were already short-staffed .
They ’ ve got @ @ @ @ @ @ @ too .
These idiots and I ’ ll call them idiots that are down there protesting , they don ’ t recognize what they are doing to those people ’ s lives .
It ’ s just unfair .
And I think that ’ s fundamentally where this is no longer a protest .
This is just making a political statement .
Cunnigham : And with so many people on the Left it ’ s an exercise of self-glorification .
They are basically saying we are superior to you morally and anything we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ justify the means .
Unfortunately , that kind of radical mindset is what we ’ re getting from the Left on all these issues .
They are tearing down all the statues .
They ’ ve gotten to the point that they really don ’ t care about discriminating against statues that may or may not be included in their narrative .
They are going to tear them all down !
Kevin Baigert : And talking about those professional provocateurs , we know for a fact that some of them get paid more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one of their goals is to get arrested .
They are going to make more money .
They are going to get more news .
Laura Baigert : To the previous caller ’ s point , Chase Matheson who has this rally coming up on Sunday to Back the Badge , this isn ’ t just the breakdown of police .
This is a breakdown of law and order all across the board .
And we ’ ve had it for along time .
If you look at what ’ s happened in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ force of power to try and unseat our President .
It is very divided on how people see this .
Either they see it not as an issue at all or it ’ s just ok that they do this kind of thing .
Or they are outraged .
And I don ’ t know how we don ’ t have more people convinced that this is wrong .
All of this stuff kind of ties together as egregious as the budget that Nashville just passed is with a 34 percent property tax @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the people that own property here , they didn ’ t cut the police out of the budget .
They increased funding for police even though there was a big call to defund the police .
And quite honestly some things should be looked at .
Did they need two helicopters ?
What are they doing with them ?
So we had these riots here at the end of May in Nashville .
They didn ’ t use any of that equipment .
I think those conversations should be had .
Some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should just dismiss the whole idea of some of these things .
Cunningham : My experience in dozens of county commission meetings where property taxes were defeated and of course ( Chuckles ) they tell you that the world is going to come to an end but it never does .
And what actually happens when you force them to cut the budget is they look at their priorities and that ’ s the only time they look at their priorities .
They say this is more important than this .
Otherwise , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a cabal and nobody is willing to say we are more important than this .
No one is willing to say basic services , fire the police .
That ’ s the most important thing let ’ s fund that first .
Setting the priorities that we do with our family budgets every day you ’ ll never see that happen in government until you cut spending .
Then they will make those hard decisions because they are forced to make those hard decisions .
You are right .
We can ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ emphasizing small government and decreasing government .
As the government gets bigger and these different factions take over the government , democracy becomes more fragile .
And we see that with the vote on the property tax locally .
They didn ’ t listen .
You know if they had put that property tax to a vote it would have been overwhelmingly defeated .
Cunningham : It would have been absolutely decimated .
The transit tax increase that we had two years ago was put on the ballot .
Defeated .
Cunningham : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Laura Baigert : And that was something that you could argue there was a tangible benefit .
They said you ’ re going to get this for that .
What are you seeing with this budget ?
Nobody has heard what they ’ re going to get for this 34 percent property tax increase ?
Cunningham : Next year they ’ ll be back and saying that wasn ’ t enough and we need more .
We need more next time .
Kevin Baigert : That ’ s right .
They ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bureaucracy and the citizens are going to bear the brunt .
Laura Baigert : We should make a plug for another effort which is 4goodgovernment.com and that ’ s a petition to have a referendum to limit property tax increases to two percent per year unless the people vote on it .
Cunningham : A great thing .
Again it ’ s a charter petition for Nashville .
That ’ s one thing we do have in Nashville where you can since its a home rule form of government you can change the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ through the petition process .
What are some of the other things that are on that petition ?
Laura Baigert : Another thing was to call for a more open government .
The idea behind that is that when these deals are made for the soccer stadium and things like that it ’ s not public information .
So the stuff is happening .
Also with the sports authority where the money goes there or to the convention authority .
The money goes to those places and doesn ’ t come back to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a soccer stadium or the convention center and all the revenues are directed there without any transparency about that kind of information .
Kevin Baigert : These quasi-governmental organizations get set up and then they become this big black box where the money goes in and never comes out .
And the citizens can ’ t see what ’ s going on there .
Laura Baigert : And they don ’ t even cover their costs .
Remember the NFL draft so extra police and all these other resources are needed which comes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is supposed to pay for everything else .
But the convention authority gets all of the money that comes in .
That ’ s just not right .
Kevin Baigert : And meanwhile the head of that organization is making a very high six-figure salary .
Cunningham : And if you ever hear the words dedicated revenue source run .
( Laughter ) Kevin Baigert : That means they have their hand on your wallet .
Cunningham : Can you imagine what would have happened if they had passed this and we would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dollars for mass transit that would now be sitting there empty !
Laura Baigert : As if it ’ s not empty already .
What is it ?
$ 300 billion that people ’ s retirement benefits are not funded .
The pension is funded but not their other post-employment benefits .
Nobody ever talks about that .
Cunningham : It ’ s funny , we never talk about the priorities .
We are $ 4 billion in debt on this pension liability .
We have no money set aside in the Metro @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Listen to the full third hour here : Tune in weekdays from 5:00 – 8:00 a.m. to the Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy on Talk Radio 98.3 FM WLAC 1510 .
Listen online at iHeart Radio .
Photo “ Legislative Plaza Protesters ” by Justin Jones .


thetennesseestar--2020-06-26--‘Lawlessness’: Businesses, Residents From Within Seattle’s CHOP Sue City

Businesses , workers and residents sued the city of Seattle on Wednesday , saying local leadership enabled and endorsed the occupied zone at the detriment of “ basic public safety.
” At least a dozen businesses filed the class-action lawsuit , which came as a result of Seattle ’ s Capitol Hill Organized Protest ( CHOP ) ’ s continued proliferation in the city .
“ Rather than seeking to restore order and protect the residents and property owners within CHOP , the City instead chose to actively endorse , enable , and participate in the occupation of CHOP , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said , courtesy of The Seattle Times .
The lawsuit added : “ The City ’ s conduct has also resulted in the elimination of basic public safety within CHOP and nearby areas .
For example , the City has enacted a policy under which police will not enter the CHOP area except during life or death emergencies , and , even in those situations , the response is at best muted and late.
” Mayor Jenny Durkan called the encampments a “ peaceful expression of our communities collective grief ” on June @ @ @ @ @ @ @ began .
Several shootings have occurred within CHOP amid armed vigilantes guarding the borders of the six-block Seattle street area centered around the abandoned East Police Precinct , according to Newsweek .
“ The result of the City ’ s actions has been lawlessness , ” the Calfo Eakes LLP , the firm spearheading the lawsuit , told The Seattle Times in a statement .
“ There is no public safety presence .
Police officers will not enter the area unless it is a life-or-death situation , and even in those situations , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if it comes at all.
” “ This lawsuit does not seek to undermine CHOP participants ’ message or present a counter-message , ” the lawsuit said .
“ Rather , this lawsuit is about the constitutional and other legal rights of Plaintiffs … which have been overrun by the City of Seattle ’ s unprecedented decision to abandon and close off an entire city neighborhood , leaving it unchecked by the police , unserved by fire and emergency health services , and inaccessible to the public at large.
” Durkan — amid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her assessment of the demonstrators , saying “ It ’ s time for people to go home ” Tuesday .
The Democrat also expressed interest in disbanding the occupied zone , but has not followed through on that promise at the time of the lawsuit , according to KCRA 3 .
Jake Dima is a reporter for the Daily Caller News Foundation .
Photo “ CHOP ” by Benjamin Morawek .
CC BY-SA 2.0 .


thetennesseestar--2020-06-26--Manny Sethi Campaign Says Zach Wamp Supports Donald Trump, Despite Wamp’s Past Criticisms of the Pre

Manny Sethi Campaign Says Zach Wamp Supports Donald Trump, Despite Wamp’s Past Criticisms of the President

Former Congressman Zach Wamp who endorsed Manny Sethi for the United States Senate this week has previously leveled harsh criticisms at U.S. President Donald Trump .
But members of Sethi ’ s campaign say Wamp supports Trump .
In a 2015 tweet , Wamp called Trump “ a sore loser , ” a “ hypocrite , ” and said Trump “ should never be president of our country.
” A 2016 Chattanoogan article quoted Wamp , then reportedly the Tennessee chairman for Marco Rubio ’ s presidential campaign , as calling Trump a “ wild man ” whom he does @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been all over the place all of his life .
If he gets in , I have no idea what ’ s he going to do , and I worry about the world , ” Wamp reportedly said of Trump .
“ I ’ ve been in this business a long , long time and I believe our public servants should not be entertainers .
This is not the Kardashians .
They should be people who have done something great for humanity.
” Wamp reportedly said if Trump was the Republican nominee then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House .
And it will be a generation before the Republicans will be able to elect another president.
” But Wamp said on his Twitter account this week that he sees the good and the bad in Trump — but he also called Trump ’ s warnings of a rigged 2020 election “ sheer lunacy.
” The Tennessee Star asked Sethi ’ s campaign in an email about Wamp ’ s past statements .
“ Bill Hagerty gave Mitt Romney ( the only Republican to vote to remove President Trump ) $ 100,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ If Hagerty and Ward Baker want to compare whose supporters are most conservative and who supports the President , we ’ ll do that but they won ’ t like it .
Zach Wamp is a real conservative who supports the president.
” Wamp served in the U.S. Congress , representing Tennessee ’ s Third District from 1995 through 2011 .
“ There are three reasons why I am endorsing Dr. Manny Sethi for Senate , ” Wamp said in an emailed press release this week .
“ He is the true conservative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stand for fiscal responsibility when so many others have buckled .
He is authentic and he will represent the people of Tennessee , not the establishment , in every decision he makes .
Finally , he belongs to a new generation of conservatives who have the chance to lead our country to greater freedom and prosperity .
We need more political outsiders and citizen legislators like Dr. Manny Sethi in the U.S. Senate , and that is why I am proud to endorse him.
” Chris Butler is an investigative journalist at The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Email tips to [ email protected ] Photo “ Zach Wamp ” by Issue One Action .


thetennesseestar--2020-06-26--Music Feeds Nashville Hosts Food Distribution Saturday

Music Feeds Nashville is set to host its 13th food distribution Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at Plaza Mariachi Music City .
In partnership with One Generation Away , the Franklin food ministry has a community-based initiative designed to help unemployed Nashvillians keep food on the table .
The program brings the music community together to deliver food straight to Nashville Metro neighborhoods in an effort to make healthy food more accessible during the pandemic .
Music artists such as Martina McBride , Lauren Alaina , Michelle Branch , Patrick Carney ( The Black Keys ) , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Marbaloo Marketing and CTK Enterprises .
In order to eliminate direct contact and adhere to the current social distancing safety guidelines , meals are loaded directly into cars by volunteers while supplies last .
This allows up to 400 families to drive up to receive a cartload of food at no charge .
Approximately 40,000 pounds of food is dropped off in a neighborhood or school parking lot with items including fresh fruits , vegetables , dairy , meat and bread .
One Generation Away is organizing the campaign and overseeing the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Anyone in the Nashville-area that is interested in volunteering is encouraged to report to the designated location by 8:00 a.m. on Saturday with masks and gloves .
Donations can be made online at MusicFeedsNashville.com or OneGenAway.com .
Bethany Bowman is a freelance entertainment writer .
You can follow her blog , Bethany Writes , Instagram , and Twitter .
Photo “ Music Feeds Nashville Event ” by Music Feeds Nashville .


thetennesseestar--2020-06-26--Kellyanne Conway Explains How Presidential Polls Don’t Necessarily Reflect Election Outcomes During

Kellyanne Conway Explains How Presidential Polls Don’t Necessarily Reflect Election Outcomes During Conference Call with Bill Hagerty

Kellyanne Conway , during a tele-town hall with U.S. Senate candidate Bill Hagerty and other Tennesseans Thursday , dissected how and why they shouldn ’ t put a lot of stock in current presidential polls right now .
Conway , the first woman to run a successful U.S. presidential campaign — for Donald Trump — said one must look at a variety of factors .
Conway said not all of the polls are wrong .
But she also said some are useless .
“ If you ’ re too far away from the election , and you are talking to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ likely voters , I think likely voters can be screened in very subtle ways , ” Conway said .
“ The worst way to find out if someone is a likely voter is to ask them if they are likely to vote .
‘ Oh yes , absolutely , and I just get up every morning , and I never cheat on my spouse or my taxes , and I always go to church on Sunday .
And , yes , I ’ ll be there , ’ they might say.
” Conway @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the presidential race are not at all relevant .
“ This comes down to the Electoral College , ” Conway said .
“ The statewide polls are pretty much where I think they would be at this point , which is both with Biden and Trump under 50 percent and within a few points of each other in most of the polls .
But they will fluctuate.
” Among voters , Conway said that Trump has an enthusiasm advantage over Biden .
During the call Conway said Hagerty ’ s professional accomplishments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fit to represent Tennessee in the U.S. Senate .
Conway cited Hagerty ’ s past experience as commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development and his time as U.S. ambassador to Japan .
As The Tennessee Star reported this week , U.S. Rep. Chuck Fleischmann ( R-TN-03 ) endorsed Hagerty , citing the former ambassador ’ s business acumen among the reasons for his support .
As The Star also reported , U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton ( R-AR ) , the United States Chamber of Commerce , the Susan B.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ President Donald Trump have endorsed Hagerty .
Chris Butler is an investigative journalist at The Tennessee Star .
Follow Chris on Facebook .
Email tips to [ email protected ]


thetennesseestar--2020-06-26--Chase Matheson Talks About His Back the Badge Rally Happening This Sunday at the Legislative Plaza

Live from Music Row Thursday 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. – guest host Ben Cunningham welcomed Back the Badge Organizer Chase Matheson to the newsmakers line .
During the third hour , Matheson described his motivation for the upcoming Back the Badge rally this Sunday at 1 p.m. at Legislative Plaza in Nashville .
As a son of a former police officer , he felt that is was important that law enforcement know they have the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chase Matheson is on the line with us .
Chase thanks so much for joining us this morning .
What is the event page on Facebook for this Back the Badge to support the police rally ?
Where should people go to get information ?
Matheson : If you look at the events tab on Facebook and type in Back the Badge it should pop up right around the downtown Nashville area .
It ’ s going to be Sunday at 1 p.m. at Legislative Plaza till about 2:30 p.m. Cunningham : Great @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your history .
What has motivated you to do this ?
Matheson : After seeing what happened in Atlanta and worrying about a friend of mine that lives very close to where some of the blue flu is going around .
I was speaking to my dad who was an officer in England many lifetimes ago .
And after the riots in 1981 , he said he didn ’ t sign up for that .
And he quit the police force after a couple of years .
He had been in the police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ having a flaming couch thrown off a high rise at him and some of his fellow officers he decided he was going to look for a different career .
He moved halfway around the world and came to America .
So , I already knew from a few years ago when I lived in downtown how short we were on officers .
I remember calling the police one time for a fraud charge at a cash loan company I worked for .
It took about three hours for an officer to show up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ position to lose any more officers .
And I know after having watched the news for the past month that it would be hard to get any decent people to sign up to be an officer right now .
I really appreciate decent cops .
I think we need more of them .
I felt the need to organize something so they could know the public had their back .
Cunningham : We know there are some demonstrators down there and have been down there for several days .
Should people be concerned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is your stance on that ?
Matheson : I know you were talking about the NoTax4Nash .
Kim Edwards and I have actually spoken .
I don ’ t want to misrepresent , I don ’ t know if she ’ s friends with one of the gentlemen down there but they have a very open relationship where they can do some communicating and there is going to be absolutely no problems between us and them .
We are there to show solidarity with the police .
They are there because they have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ light .
I ’ m not planning on interacting with anyone .
I ’ ve heard rumors that there might be one or two of the rabble-rousers showing up .
But again , I have a lot of faith in the people who are attending the rally .
And I think that we ’ re all adult enough to ignore someone trying to scream things we don ’ t agree with .
Unlike some people on the Left , we do our best to act like adults .
Cunningham : We ’ ve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ point to just take a public stand and come out and say we support the police .
We support law enforcement .
And it ’ s this whole ludicrous thing about disbanding the police .
It ’ s so crazy !
And yet the news media doesn ’ t push back on it .
Matheson : I saw a video that perfectly summarizes it .
It was probably about a week ago .
A group of protesters yelling at cars and throwing rocks at cars .
They hit the wrong car .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ turned around and the very first thing the protester yelled was someone call the police .
( Laughter ) At that point , the light bulb would have clicked .
And I would have just said oh it makes sense now .
And I would have gone home .
Cunningham : Chase , is there a way they can get in touch with you or message you ?
Matheson : They can visit my website which is chasematheson.com .
My email address is at the bottom .
And I am very responsive .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Then you can find me on Facebook on the event page if you message the event host that will come directly to me and one of the other co-organizers and we will respond in a timely fashion .
Baigert : Are you getting a good response from the police and their friends and extended family ?
Matheson : I ’ m getting a fantastic response from almost everyone I ’ ve spoken to .
I have kind of been warned that most active-duty police officers aren ’ t going to be able @ @ @ @ @ @ @ politics they have to play .
They don ’ t want to give any of their departments a bad name so they won ’ t be in uniform .
The family , ex-law enforcement , and just the regular average Joe has been very supportive .
Cunningham : When does it start ?
Matheson : It starts at 1 p.m. on Sunday at Legislative Plaza .
I ’ ve checked the weather and it ’ s looking like it ’ s going to be a beautiful day and might be a little warm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ covers set up for shade .
Going to bring some water so that nobody overheats .
We ask everyone to show up and join us .
Cunningham : Where should they come to be safe ?
Matheson : It will be at the same place that the Open Tennessee rallies were .
Right there across from the Capitol building at Legislative Plaza .
We are asking everyone to come to stand with us .
If you are at high risk due to the current pandemic you are more than welcome to the drive-thru @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if we can have a lot of people on the street .
We encourage social distancing .
If you feel like you need to wear a mask , wear a mask .
I personally won ’ t be wearing one because it makes it hard for me to breathe .
We want everyone to be safe .
We want to make sure that what has happened in Atlanta and Seattle doesn ’ t ’ happen anywhere near the state we call home .
Cunningham : I think it ’ s important for these @ @ @ @ @ @ @ know there are people out there that do support them because they are getting so much negative publicity .
It ’ s almost like President Trump has become this huge target .
Police and law enforcement have become a huge target of the Left .
And so few people are willing to stand up and say I support law enforcement and the structure and the civil society that they represent .
Matheson : A friend of mine was talking about and I use the term friend lightly how they could do just fine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lot of your listeners are pro-Second Amendment .
And a lot of us could probably do ok without the police for a short period of time .
But what happens when we have to go over to our grandmother ’ s house and protect them from a group of street thugs that want to move in ?
We will create a more dangerous environment trying to take care of things ourselves .
Law and order allows our society to be civil .
Listen to the full third hour here : Tune in weekdays @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy on Talk Radio 98.3 FM WLAC 1510 .
Listen online at iHeart Radio .
Photo “ Legislative Plaza ” by Reading Tom .
CC BY 2.0 .


thetennesseestar--2020-06-26--Justices Boost Trump Administration’s Power in Asylum Cases

WASHINGTON , D.C. ( AP ) — The Supreme Court on Thursday strengthened the Trump administration ’ s ability to deport people seeking asylum without allowing them to make their case to a federal judge .
Immigration experts suggested the administration would use sweeping language in the majority opinion to bolster broader efforts to restrict asylum .
The high court ’ s 7-2 ruling applies to people who are picked up at or near the border and who fail their initial asylum screenings , making them eligible for quick deportation , or expedited removal .
Justice Samuel Alito wrote the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that said asylum-seekers must have access to the federal courts .
Congress acted properly in creating a system “ for weeding out patently meritless claims and expeditiously removing the aliens making such claims from the country , ” Alito wrote .
He noted that more than three-quarters of people who sought to claim asylum in the past five years passed their initial screening and qualified for full-blown review .
Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Stephen Breyer agreed with the outcome in this case , but did not join Alito ’ s opinion .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , “ Today ’ s decision handcuffs the Judiciary ’ s ability to perform its constitutional duty to safeguard individual liberty.
” She was joined by Justice Elena Kagan .
Lee Gelernt , the American Civil Liberties Union lawyer who argued the case in the Supreme Court , said the outcome will make it hard to question the actions of immigration officials at the U.S. border .
“ This decision will impact potentially tens of thousands of people at the border who will not be able to seek review of erroneous denials of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ practical terms , the impact may be limited .
Even after the ruling from federal appeals court in San Francisco that the justices threw out Thursday , only about 30 asylum-seekers whose claims were quickly rejected had sought access to the courts , Gelernt told the justices during arguments in February .
But Cornell University law professor Stephen Yale-Loehr , an immigration expert , said the decision lends support to broader administration action on asylum .
“ Justice Alito used sweeping language in his majority opinion upholding Congress ’ s efforts to limit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not necessary to the precise holding in the case , the Trump administration is sure to use such language to justify its broader efforts to restrict asylum seekers , ” Yale-Loehr said .
The administration has made dismantling the asylum system a centerpiece of its immigration agenda , saying it is rife with abuse and overwhelmed by meritless claims .
Changes include making asylum-seekers wait in Mexico while their cases wind through U.S. immigration court , denying asylum to anyone on the Mexican border who passes through another country without first seeking protection @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Salvadorans to Guatemala with an opportunity to seek asylum there instead of the U.S. On Monday , the Trump administration published sweeping new procedural and substantive rules that would make it much more difficult to get asylum , triggering a 30-day period for public comment before they can take effect .
The United States became the world ’ s top destination for asylum-seekers in 2017 , according to UN figures , many of them Mexican and Central American families fleeing endemic violence .
The justices ruled in the case of Vijayakumar Thuraissigiam , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ member of Sri Lanka ’ s Tamil minority , but failed to persuade immigration officials that he faced harm if he returned to Sri Lanka .
The man was arrested soon after he slipped across the U.S. border from Mexico .
He was placed in expedited removal proceedings that prohibit people who fail initial interviews from asking federal courts for much help .
Since 2004 , immigration officials have targeted for quick deportation undocumented immigrants who are picked up within 100 miles of the U.S. border and within 14 days of entering the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to expand that authority so that people detained anywhere in the U.S. and up to two years after they got here could be quickly deported .
On Tuesday , a federal appeals court threw out a trial judge ’ s ruling that had blocked the expanded policy .
Other legal issues remain to be resolved in the case .
Mark Sherman is a reporter for The Associated Press .
AP writer Elliott Spagat in San Diego contributed to this report .
About the Headline Photo : The Supreme Court is seen in Washington @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2020 .
( AP Photo/J .
Scott Applewhite )


thetennesseestar--2020-06-26--Tennessee State Executive Committeewoman Michelle Foreman Wants Recall Vote over Nashville’s 34 Perc

Tennessee State Executive Committeewoman Michelle Foreman Wants Recall Vote over Nashville’s 34 Percent Poperty Tax Increase

Live from Music Row Thursday 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. – guest host Ben Cunningham welcomed Tennessee State Executive Committeewoman Michelle Foreman to the newsmakers line .
During the first hour , Foreman explained her call for budget cuts to Metro government which would avoid a steep property tax increase .
She described several ways that Metro government could frugally cut spending leaving for a gradual tax increase year over year .
Cunningham : Thank you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Good morning .
How are you , Ben ?
Cunningham : Michelle , good morning .
Good morning .
I ’ m not used to all the technical going on here .
So you ’ ll have to forgive my hesitancy a little bit .
Thank you two for calling in .
I mentioned this a little earlier , the two of you are involved in the recall effort .
First , of course , everybody in Davidson County from the polling we saw which showed about 66 percent of the voters according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ percent tax increase .
And everybody called their councilmen and tried to stop it , unfortunately to no avail .
Michelle , the group notax4nash.com .
You were involved in starting that group .
Tell us about that group and your efforts to stop this tax increase .
Foreman : Sure .
Well like you mentioned we ’ ve petitioned the mayor and our council members not to go forward with this because way back when there was a group of about 5 or 6 of us in town and we actually pulled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we can make cuts here and we could stop the capital improvement projects for one year and save ourselves millions and millions of dollars .
We can put bike lanes on hold , landscaping projects .
Really things like that we can do without for about a year .
Also , we asked department heads if you could just go in and cut your budget for one year .
We also asked the mayor for furlough .
There are several of us that sat around the kitchen table and talked to the mayor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just furloughed one day a week for just seven weeks that would save around $ 50 million .
And the mayor ’ s response was , you know it ’ s optics and those optics are not good optics .
Cunningham : Yes .
Optics for whom ?
Not the taxpayers certainly .
Foreman : Exactly .
You are you raising our property taxes when we really don ’ t have to .
And we certainly don ’ t have to do it by 34 percent .
And for me , it is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ district .
Property tax increase knowingly , he knowingly , and the council knowingly did it when people still don ’ t have jobs .
There are still people on unemployment .
They are not gainfully employed .
And then if you are it might just be at a 50 percent level .
You know restaurants and bars can only go back to work with 50 percent .
you can not pay your bills with that .
So many people in Nashville can ’ t and they raised the property taxes anyway .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Inaudible talk ) .
And we ’ ve heard over and over again in Nashville does not have a revenue problem .
Even during the COVID-19 shutdown we still had an increase in sales tax revenue that was above the projections of the mayor ’ s budget .
And the mayor and the council knew it and they did not apply that overage to the tax increase right off the top .
It probably would have taken about 25 cents off of that dollar rate that we were going to be assessed .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t do it .
That would have saved us a lot of money right off the top .
And then what the council said was , we ’ ll go back and look at it maybe in August and see how we can spend that .
And I thought , spend it ?
That ’ s your problem !
You keep spending our money and you refuse to save it for a rainy day such as the time we ’ re in now .
Cunningham : I don ’ t think most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over last year .
Baigert : Right .
By $ 116 million .
And to Michelle ’ s point , it wasn ’ t bad enough that people were protesting against the 32 percent that the mayor proposed and the council just dismissed even that protest .
And they raised it by 34 percent right , Michelle ?
They went higher than what the mayor proposed .
Foreman : To your point Laura , absolutely !
As if the 32 percent was not bad enough , it was an egregious assault on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 37 percent out where I am .
Cunningham : The fact is that in all of these blue cities and Nashville is as blue as they get , the taxpayers simply don ’ t have much representation in the legislative council .
It ’ s controlled by all the local public employee unions .
By the education establishment .
By folks that have absolutely no interest in the taxpayer .
And they were not afraid to vote for this tax increase .
That really is the bottom line .
It came up to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the council , and 32 of them is that right Michelle ?
Cunningham : 32 voted for this thing .
They don ’ t have any fear of us .
And the only way that they are going to have any fear of us is if we exercise this recall .
Listen to the full first hour here : Tune in weekdays from 5:00 – 8:00 a.m. to the Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy on Talk Radio 98.3 FM WLAC 1510 .
Listen online at iHeart Radio .
Photo “ Michelle @ @ @ @ @ @


thetennesseestar--2020-06-26--US Health Officials Estimate 20M Americans Have Had Coronavirus

WASHINGTON , D.C. ( AP ) — U.S. officials estimate that 20 million Americans have been infected with the coronavirus since it first arrived in the United States , meaning that the vast majority of the population remains susceptible .
Thursday ’ s estimate is roughly 10 times as many infections as the 2.3 million cases that have been confirmed .
Officials have long known that millions of people were infected without knowing it and that many cases are being missed because of gaps in testing .
The news comes as the Trump administration works to tamp down nationwide concern @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dozen states are seeing worrisome increases in cases .
The administration also looks to get its scientific experts back before the public more as it tries to allay anxieties about the pandemic while states begin reopening .
Since mid-May , when the government began stressing the need to get the economy moving again , the panel ’ s public health experts have been far less visible than in the pandemic ’ s early weeks .
Twenty million infections means that about 6 % of the nation ’ s 331 million people have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that many individuals in this nation are still susceptible , ” Dr. Robert Redfield , director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , said on a call with reporters Thursday .
“ Our best estimate right now is that for every case that was reported , there actually are 10 more infections.
” Previously , CDC officials and the nation ’ s top infectious-disease expert , Dr. Anthony Fauci , have said that as many as 25 % of infected people might not have symptoms .
“ There ’ s an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vulnerable , ” said Dr. Joshua Sharfstein , vice dean at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health .
“ It still remains a potentially lethal disease .
It ’ s a roll of the dice for everybody who gets the illness .
Also , you ’ re rolling the dice for other people who you may give the virus to.
” The new estimate is based on CDC studies of blood samples collected nationwide — some by the CDC and others from blood donations and other sources .
Many infections were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supplies were limited and federal officials prioritized testing for those with symptoms .
Administration officials are pointing to the new data to allay public anxieties , claiming that while there have been significant spikes , they have the outbreaks well in hand .
They maintained they were not trying to minimize a public health crisis , but said the nation is in a markedly different place with the virus now than when the U.S. last saw similar infection numbers in mid-April , when testing infrastructure was weaker .
The officials spoke on condition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ matter candidly .
“ This is still serious , ” Redfield said on the call with reporters Thursday .
“ But I ’ m asking people to recognize that we ’ re in a different situation today than we were in March or April , ” with more cases today in younger people who are not as likely to develop serious illness or die from infection , he said .
President Donald Trump , who refuses to wear a face mask in public , has been playing down the virus threat , insisting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ away , it ’ s going to fade away.
” Vice President Mike Pence , during an appearance in Ohio , said the U.S. had ” met the moment ” in fighting the virus .
Redfield said infection prevalence rates ranged from 1 % in some areas of the West Coast to much higher in New York City .
Several independent experts said the methods and locations of sampling are key to interpreting the numbers .
Dr. Thomas Tsai , a Harvard University health policy researcher , said 20 million seems reasonable , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a range ” and it ’ s important to know how wide that is .
“ It ’ s hard to interpret this just from a single number and without the context for it , ” such as what locations were sampled and whether it was truly a random slice of a population or areas of low or high prevalence , which can skew the results .
Justin Lessler , a researcher at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health , said 20 million infected “ is about what you ’ d @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” and the number of deaths that have occurred so far in the U.S .
Despite the phaseout of daily White House coronavirus briefings , the administration has been closely monitoring data on the spread of COVID-19 and has been deploying teams from the CDC to identify and stem outbreaks around the country .
A dozen states in recent weeks have seen a worrisome uptick in new cases , as well as in the more critical measure of the percentage of positive cases discovered in tests performed .
Seven states have seen more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ positive .
And troublesome spikes in Sun Belt states have dominated news coverage in recent days , to the consternation of Trump administration officials .
They point instead to more nuanced county-level data , which shows positivity rates exceeding 10 % in just 3 % of the nation ’ s counties .
Yet they acknowledge that some of the areas with the highest transmission rates are generally the most populous , suggesting tens of millions of Americans could be living in areas with spiking infections .
As states reopen , the administration says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officials to determine how to respond to the spikes .
Texas GOP Gov .
Greg Abbott , for example , put a hold on any further steps to reopen and reimposed a ban on elective surgeries in some areas to preserve hospital space after the number of patients statewide more than doubled in two weeks .
The CDC teams , officials said , are working to trace new outbreaks and reinforce protective measures like social distancing and mask wearing in hard-hit areas and to remind vulnerable populations to take extreme precautions .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new infections in North Carolina and Alabama , where they were deployed earlier this month .
One of the hard-hit areas is Phoenix , where Trump held an event Tuesday with thousands of young attendees , nearly all of whom were maskless .
The officials say the nature of the outbreak now is different than months ago , when deaths topped more than 1,000 per day for weeks and hospitals were stretched beyond capacity across the country .
The new increase in positive cases , they said , is capturing what has long @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only now showing up in data because the U.S. has increased testing and surveillance .
Meanwhile , mortality data has steadily declined , as have hospitalizations in all but a few hot spots .
To the administration officials , that reinforces their hypothesis that millions unknowingly had the virus earlier this year .
Through early May , federal guidelines prioritized testing for symptomatic people , those exposed to a positive case and those in high-risk environments .
With testing far more widespread now , officials believe 50 % of new cases in Florida @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or younger , and most of them are asymptomatic .
The U.S. is testing about 500,000 patients per day .
On a per capita basis , the U.S. rate falls behind several other countries , including Spain , Australia , Russia and Iceland , according to figures from Johns Hopkins University .
There is no scientific consensus on the rate of testing needed to control the virus .
But many experts say the U.S. should be testing roughly 1 million to 3 million people daily to catch new cases and prevent flareups .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ able to run 20-40 million tests per month beginning this fall .
Testing is constrained by laboratory supplies needed to run the tests but also lack of demand for tests in some areas .
Zeke Miller and Marilynn Marchione are reporters for The Associated Press .
Marchione reported from Milwaukee .
Associated Press writer Matthew Perrone in Washington contributed to this report .
About the Headline Photo : A healthcare professional , right , takes a sample from a patient at a United Memorial Medical Center COVID-19 testing site Wednesday , June 24 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gov .
Greg Abbott said Wednesday that the state is facing a “ massive outbreak ” in the coronavirus pandemic and that some new local restrictions may be needed to protect hospital space for new patients .
( AP Photo/David J. Phillip )


thetennesseestar--2020-06-26--US Breaks Single-Day Record of New Coronavirus Cases

The United States recorded nearly 37,000 new cases of the novel coronavirus Wednesday as the virus continued to spread across southern and western states , according COVID-19 trackers .
The 36,880 new cases is up from 34,700 recorded Tuesday , and broke previous single-day record for new cases set April 24 when 36,739 were confirmed , according to a New York Times database .
While the nation had been witnessing daily declines in new virus cases , certain states have seen cases rise amid their plans to reopen .
Arizona , Texas , and Florida have all reported thousands of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than a week , according to the Times virus tracker .
Governors of different states have adopted a variety of strategies to reduce the spread of the coronavirus .
In North Carolina , where nearly 20 % of the state ’ s approximately 56,000 total cases have been recorded in the past week , according to The New York Times , Gov .
Roy Cooper temporarily paused the reopening process and mandated mask-wearing within the state .
In Texas , where nearly 32,000 cases have been confirmed in the past week and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Gov .
Greg Abbott , urged people to wear masks and acknowledged that additional precautions may have to be taken to mitigate the virus ’ toll .
“ Surely the public can understand that if those spikes continue , additional measures are going to be necessary to make sure we maintain the health and safety of the people of the state of Texas , ” Abbott said Monday .
“ Wearing a mask will help keep Texas open , because not taking action to slow the spread will cause COVID to spread @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lives and ultimately leading to the closure of more businesses , ” he said .
President Donald Trump has attributed climbing cases to increases in testing .
“ When you have all those tests , you have more cases , ” Trump said during his Tuesday rally in Phoenix .
While daily testing has increased throughout the pandemic , the percentage of people testing positive has increased in recent days as well , according to a Johns Hopkins University database .
In Florida and Arizona , positive tests have climbed above 15 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trunsky is a reporter for the Daily Caller News Foundation .


thetennesseestar--2020-06-26--Commentary: Silence Is Violence Unless You’re a Leftist

“ Silence is Violence ” is one of the most preposterous slogans of the Left ’ s latest cultural offensive .
The basic idea is that it ’ s not enough simply not to be a racist ; no , in order to truly combat racism , everyone must “ speak out ” by parroting the leftist propaganda that America is irredeemably racist , that systemic racism is an ongoing problem , and that all white people must repent of the original sin of whiteness .
Failure to do so makes you “ violent.
” But it ’ s interesting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ’ s politically convenient .
Just last year , photos surfaced of Democratic Virginia Governor Ralph Northam dressed in a horrendously racist Halloween costume ( whether he was wearing blackface or dressed as a KKK member was never clarified ) .
And what happened to the good governor ?
Yes , there were some half-hearted calls for his resignation , and some Virginia House Democrats were “ deeply saddened ” by Northam ’ s past misstep .
But apparently they were not “ deeply saddened ” enough , as Northam remained in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the scandal is now all but forgotten .
What happened to “ silence is violence ” ?
Or consider Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau , who , like Northam , was embarrassed by photos that surfaced in 2019 showing him at a past party dressed in blackface .
Again , similar to Northam ’ s situation , there was a fit of short-lived public anger , which in any case was not enough to oust Trudeau , who won reelection handily late last year .
As with Northam , Trudeau ’ s offense @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to “ silence is violence ” ?
Does anyone have any doubt what would have happened had either of these men been conservative candidates ?
The Left ’ s double standard doesn ’ t stop there .
Our leaders in academia , the media , entertainment , woke corporations , etc .
inform us that all whites must repent of their inherent racism , ascribing to an entire racial group certain immutable characteristics that can not be changed , or only changed with great difficulty ( I believe there ’ s a word @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would never apply this same unfair double standard to any other group .
Consider how many figures who are considered “ leaders in the black community ” are guilty of horrible comments .
Louis Farrakhan , the head of the Nation of Islam , repeatedly makes awful anti-Semitic comments—like calling Adolf Hitler a “ very great man ” and referring to Jews as “ Satanic ” and “ termites.
” If he were a basement dweller with zero political and social influence , you might say that none of this matters .
So @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a bigoted fool posting crazed racist commentary on the internet ?
He has no power !
But of course , this is not the case .
Random extremist losers in their mothers ’ basements are routinely targeted by a hyperventilating Left and propped up as examples of the dangers of right-wing thinking , but Farrakhan ’ s commentary is brushed aside .
Farrakhan was even photographed alongside then-Senator Barack Obama , and those photographs were conveniently suppressed in case they hurt Obama ’ s 2008 presidential bid ( in another show of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ integrity ) .
Other African American cultural leaders have been known to utter similarly outrageous and anti-Semitic remarks .
Reverend Al Sharpton has previously referred to Jews as “ white interlopers ” and “ diamond merchants , ” and he ’ s not much kinder to African Americans who disagree with him , having called them “ cocktail-sip negroes.
” Reverend Jesse Jackson has also referred to Jews as “ Hymies ” and to New York City as “ Hymietown , ” supposedly because of the International Zionist Cabal ’ s control over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comments limited to cultural leaders .
Many political leaders , including several members of Congress , have made similar remarks .
U.S. Representative Hank Johnson ( D-Ga. ) in 2016 came under fire for calling Jews “ termites ” and , more recently , Rep. Ilhan Omar ( D-Minn. ) , who spreads harmful stereotypes of Jews as rich magnates who control America ’ s foreign policy , said that Jews have “ hypnotized the world , ” and accused American Jews of “ dual loyalty ” to Israel .
Yes , some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But so what ?
She remains in Congress and continues to sit on the powerful House Foreign Affairs Committee .
The only resolution the House passed against her comments was quickly diluted into a generic statement opposing “ hate.
” What happened to “ silence is violence ” ?
Of course , no one should imagine that the actions of these few black American politicians and cultural leaders implicate African Americans as a whole .
It would be ridiculous to accuse all black Americans of harboring sentiments like those of Farrkhan , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and others .
But it is just as ridiculous to smear white Americans because of the horrid actions of the white officer who murdered George Floyd in cold blood .
Look at the double standard here .
Whenever a white cop commits a crime , the media attacks us with propaganda promoting the lie that all whites are racist , that they can not help but be racist , and our social media feeds are flooded with trite posts about how “ whites should do better , ” about how “ it ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It ’ s the same old slogans repeated ad nauseam .
Imagine the justified outrage if , after every one of Omar ’ s comments , people would accuse all black Americans of anti-Semitism , publishing posts about “ how our black friends just need to do better at fighting their inherent anti-Semitism , ” and how “ silence is violence ” ?
Racism ascribes immutable characteristics to a particular race , usually terrible characteristics .
That ’ s why white plantation owners , for centuries , had to portray black Americans as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from slavery .
How else can you justify an awful system of chattel slavery if you don ’ t use disgusting mental acrobatics ?
Antislavery politicians in the United States like Abraham Lincoln ( who apparently is now not “ woke ” enough for the Left ) , and the civil rights leaders after him who fought the terrible injustice of segregation , all fought racism because they understood our common humanity , and our common nationality .
They realized it ’ s wrong to ascribe immutable characteristics to an entire race , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opens the door for justifying crimes against our fellow man .
They realized that the only way to combat this kind of backward thinking was to promote color blindness : celebrating other cultures , yes , but uniting in our common humanity instead of dividing ourselves according to something as superficial as the quantity of melanin in our skin .
The Left no longer cares about racial fairness and colorblindness , to the point that the idea of colorblindness today is denigrated .
Saying “ I don ’ t see color ” is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Today the Left is interested only in stoking divisions , pitting American against American , and causing more and more chaos .
This is because our budding grievance culture is the perfect tool to keep them in power .
That ’ s why they ’ re fine with accusing all whites of being guilty for George Floyd ’ s murder , and for perpetuating a culture in America of systemic racism .
Martin Luther King , Jr. , who has done more for African Americans than all of our socialist politicians , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ once said that he looked forward to a future where “ my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.
” If he said that today , he ’ d probably be called a racist , too .


thetennesseestar--2020-06-26--Audit: US Sent $1.4B in Virus Relief Payments to Dead People

WASHINGTON , D.C. ( AP ) — Nearly 1.1 million coronavirus relief payments totaling some $ 1.4 billion went to dead people , a government watchdog reported Thursday .
More than 130 million so-called economic impact payments were sent to taxpayers as part of the $ 2.4 trillion coronavirus relief package enacted in March .
The Government Accountability Office , Congress ’ auditing arm , cited the number of erroneous payments to deceased taxpayers in its report on the government programs .
While the government has asked survivors to return the money , it ’ s not clear they have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a lag in reporting data on who is deceased — a lapse that tax experts say is almost inevitable .
The revelation of more than $ 1 billion in taxpayer funds erroneously paid out shines a light on the part of the government ’ s massive relief program with which most ordinary Americans are most familiar .
It follows disclosures that several major restaurant chains and other publicly traded companies had received emergency loans under the $ 670 billion program for the nation ’ s struggling small businesses .
“ GAO found @ @ @ @ @ @ @ taxpayer funds have already been obligated — including more than $ 1 billion to deceased individuals — with little transparency into how that money is being spent , ” Rep. Carolyn Maloney , D-N.Y. , chair of the House Committee on Oversight and Reform , said in a statement .
The IRS didn ’ t use death records to prevent payments to deceased individuals for the first three batches of payments because of the legal interpretation the agency was operating under , the GAO report says .
The IRS asked in May for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ survivors .
Some legal experts have said the government may not have the legal authority to require that it be returned .
Former Taxpayer Advocate Nina Olson has said there is nothing in the law prohibiting payments from going to the deceased .
Nor is there anything in the law requiring people to return the payments .
And she notes that the language used on the IRS website does not say that returning the payments is required by law .
“ We are starting from these two soundbites and working backward , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nonprofit Center for Taxpayer Rights , said .
The relief payments were made to taxpayers based on the information filed on their 2019 or 2018 taxes .
But it is considered a rebate on 2020 taxes .
The government used the previous tax forms to help speed along payments to the public to offset some of the economic devastation from the coronavirus pandemic .
However some people who filed those taxes may no longer be alive .
Those payments are sent to an heir or executor of their estate .
If the payment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ completed after their death , an economic impact payment check may even denote that the person is deceased next to their name .
Mary Gordon is a reporter for The Associated Press .
About the Headline Photo : In this April 21 , 2020 , file photo Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin speaks about the coronavirus in the James Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House in Washington .
The Trump administration has abruptly dropped on Friday , June 19 , its insistence on secrecy for a $ 600 billion-plus coronavirus aid program @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do so at a Senate hearing last week , saying the data was “ proprietary information.
” ( AP Photo/Alex Brandon , File )


thetennesseestar--2020-06-26--Department of Interior Releases New Footage of Violent Riots in Lafayette Square

The U.S. Department of the Interior released new footage this week of violent riots outside the White House in Lafayette Square .
President Donald Trump has faced criticism for his decision to clear protesters out of the square on June 1 before he took photos with members of his administration in front of St. John ’ s Episcopal Church .
A group of House Democrats asked four federal agencies to explain the decision to disperse protesters from the square .
In response , the Department of the Interior released new footage this week of aggressive clashes between agitators and law @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the agency said all of the footage was recorded prior to June 1 .
The video shows agitators throwing bricks , glass , and bottles at law enforcement officers .
According to the department , more than 60 U.S. Park Police have been injured since the demonstrations began , some requiring hospitalization .
Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt has requested and been granted 400-plus national guardsmen to help protect monuments in the area .
An earlier statement from the U.S. Park Police ( USPP ) said “ violent protesters ” began @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and caustic liquids ” at law enforcement officers on the evening of June 1 .
“ The protesters also climbed onto a historic building at the north end of Lafayette Park that was destroyed by arson days prior .
Intelligence had revealed calls for violence against the police , and officers found caches of glass bottles , baseball bats , and metal poles hidden along the street , ” said the statement .
“ To curtail the violence that was underway , the USPP , following established policy , issued three warnings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ H Street to evacuate the area .
Horse mounted patrol , Civil Disturbance Units and additional personnel were used to clear the area .
As many of the protesters became more combative , continued to throw projectiles , and attempted to grab officers ’ weapons , officers then employed the use of smoke canisters and pepper balls , ” it added .
The statement said two USPP officers have been assigned to administrative duties while an investigation takes place regarding their alleged attack of Australian reporters .
Secretary Bernhardt has criticized the media @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the White House as “ peaceful protests.
” “ I just left Lafayette Square where another so-called ‘ peaceful protest ’ led to destruction tonight .
Let me be clear : we will not bow to anarchists .
Law and order will prevail , and justice will be served , ” he said in a Monday statement , calling the scope of the violence and destruction “ significant.
” “ Across the country , some elected leaders of our cities have expressed enthusiasm and support for these criminals , exhibiting an undeniable unwillingness @ @ @ @ @ @ @ property , ” he continued .
“ We live in the greatest country in the world , and I thank our dedicated law enforcement officials who stand tall against these coordinated attacks and seek peace and justice for all.
” Anthony Gockowski is managing editor of The Minnesota Sun and The Ohio Star .
Follow Anthony on Twitter .
Email tips to [ email protected ] .


thetennesseestar--2020-06-26--State Senators to Hold Oversight Hearings on Handling of Minneapolis Riots, Ask DOJ to Investigate P

State Senators to Hold Oversight Hearings on Handling of Minneapolis Riots, Ask DOJ to Investigate Police

Three Republican state senators called on U.S. Attorney General Bill Barr and the Department of Justice to investigate the Minneapolis Police Department and its response to recent unrest in the city .
Meanwhile , Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka ( R-East Gull Lake ) announced plans to hold a series of legislative oversight hearings beginning July 1 on state and local responses to the riots .
State Sens .
Scott Newman ( R-Hutchinson ) , Bill Ingebrigtsen ( R-Alexandria ) , and David Senjem ( R-Rochester ) asked Barr to launch a “ pattern-or-practice ” investigation of the Minneapolis Police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sent Monday .
“ Under these circumstances , we do not feel it is possible to protect the civil rights of the citizens of the City of Minneapolis if the Minneapolis City Council follows through with its proposed action .
Further , it is apparent the State of Minnesota is not capable of conducting a fair and impartial investigation into allegations of constitutional civil rights violations by the MPD , nor does it have the subject matter expertise or wherewithal to conduct such an investigation , ” states the letter .
Broadly speaking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is to “ bring to light any persistent patterns of misconduct within a given police department ” and release a public report on the findings .
The Department of Justice ’ s Civil Rights Division conducts the investigations into allegations of “ serious patterns and practices of excessive force , biased policing , and other unconstitutional practices by law enforcement.
” In a press release , Senjem elaborated on what he hopes the investigation will accomplish .
“ While there are many fine and dedicated police officers in the MPD , recent and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the totality of the city be investigated – from city hall to the police station .
Until this is complete , and needed corrections are identified and made , public confidence in the delivery of fair and equitable public safety in Minnesota ’ s mother city will fail to exist , ” he said .
Newman said he does not believe the state Department of Human Rights has the “ proper resources , staffing , and training necessary for an objective investigation.
” “ The commissioner ’ s own comments have effectively disqualified @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unbiased investigation into the Minneapolis Police Department , ” he added , pointing to a recent statement from Commissioner Rebecca Lucero .
Ingebrigtsen called the recent events in Minneapolis the result of “ decades of tension and dysfunction that has gone unaddressed by the mayor and city council.
” “ This will allow federal investigators to follow the evidence – wherever it may lead .
They will be able to speak with city and state officials , political interest groups , and the entire police department , including supervisors and rank-and-file officers , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Justice is expected to consider the request for an investigation in the coming weeks , said the press release .
During a Thursday morning press conference , Gazelka said the “ public demands answers ” on what happened in the Twin Cities after the death of George Floyd .
“ We all witnessed the destruction of businesses , some in broad daylight , with no police response and the question was : who decided the looters would be allowed to do that ?
” he said .
“ Go over to the Third @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then it was destroyed – who ordered that stand-down ?
” Gazelka said Newman will lead the oversight hearings and more details will be released in the coming days .
“ We all heard the pleading of the public to tell them what the plan was with all of those fires burning across Minneapolis and St. Paul .
Who was in charge ?
Those are some of the questions we want answered , ” Gazelka added .
“ This wasn ’ t just about bricks and mortar .
People ’ s lives were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Who was responsible for allowing the risk to the public ?
” Senate Democrats said the plan to hold oversight hearings shows a “ complete lack of urgency to protect the Black lives that are at risk of being killed at the hands of police officers.
” “ After we saw the murder of George Floyd , the entire state and nation spoke out .
They still aren ’ t listening to the demands for change within our criminal justice system , ” said Assistant Minority Leader Jeff Hayden ( DFL-Minneapolis ) .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ help the Black community , they should start by talking to us and recognizing this is not just a Minneapolis-Saint Paul issue .
60 percent of police deadly encounters have taken place in Greater Minnesota.
” Anthony Gockowski is managing editor of The Minnesota Sun and The Ohio Star .
Follow Anthony on Twitter .
Email tips to [ email protected ] .
Photo “ David Senjem ” by David Senjem .


thetennesseestar--2020-06-26--Judge Shuts Down Enbridge Line 5 After It Sustains Damage

An Ingham County judge ordered Enbridge on Thursday to shut down its Line 5 pipeline after the company reported last week that the line had sustained damage .
The order follows a temporary restraining order requested by Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel .
“ It is evident by the pictures we ’ ve seen that there has been significant damage to an anchor support on the east leg of the pipeline .
To date , Enbridge has provided no explanation of what caused this damage and a woefully insufficient explanation of the current condition and safety of the pipeline as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nessel said in a statement earlier this week .
“ We can not rely on Enbridge to act in the best interests of the people of this State so I am compelled to ask the Court to order them to.
” Enbridge — the company that operates the Line 5 pipelines , which run at the bottom of the Straits of Mackinac and pump crude oil —notified the state of Michigan on June 18 that the pipeline had sustained damage .
It originally shut down both the east and west legs of Line @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opening up the west leg again .
Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer requested in a letter sent on June 19 that Enbridge provide the state with more information , including the cause of the damage .
Nessel expressed concern over the company restarting the pipeline and praised the court ’ s decision .
“ Enbridge has failed to provide the State with information about the cause of this significant development involving Line 5 , and so I ’ m very grateful for the Court ’ s decision today , ” Nessel said in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Enbridge reactivated one of the lines before consulting with the State is concerning , the fact that the company has failed to disclose the cause of this damage is equally alarming , considering the impact a breach in the pipeline could have to our state residents and economy .
With the continued operation of this pipeline , the risk of severe and lasting environmental damage to Michigan ’ s most important natural resource continues to grow every day.
” “ If the lines are put back into operation , one mismanaged incident or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for our state , ” Nessel said .
“ Work must continue toward complete removal of Line 5 from our waters.
” Jordyn Pair is a reporter with The Michigan Star .
Follow her on Twitter at @ JordynPair .
Email her at [ email protected ] .
Photo “ Enbridge Pipeline ” by Lawrence Welsh .


thetennesseestar--2020-06-26--Tom Cotton Runs Digital Ad in Minnesota, Says Biden ‘Too Confused to Lead’

Sen. Tom Cotton ( R-AR ) , whom The Wall Street Journal recently described as the “ heir to Trumpism , ” has launched a new ad attacking Joe Biden for his failure to stand up to the “ liberal mob.
” Cotton is running unopposed in his reelection bid and is considered a likely future presidential candidate for the Republicans .
The new digital ad , Cotton said on Twitter , is targeting voters in Minnesota , where the “ mob burned down a police precinct and caused $ 500 million of damage.
” “ Joe Biden is hiding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stand up to the mob .
That ’ s why we can ’ t trust him to lead , ” said Cotton .
The ad criticizes the Minneapolis City Council ’ s plan to abolish the police department and features comments from Rep. Ilhan Omar ( D-MN-05 ) , who called the city ’ s police force “ rotten to the root.
” “ The liberal mob is out of control and Joe Biden and the Democrats are doing nothing to stop them , ” states the ad .
“ Joe Biden won @ @ @ @ @ @ @ order .
He ’ s too liberal and too confused to lead .
Elect Joe Biden , and the anarchy will be coming to a town near you.
” Senate Republican candidate Jason Lewis said the new ad is evidence that “ Minnesota is quickly becoming the battleground state of 2020.
” “ Once reliably blue , the DFL ’ s radical plunge into lawlessness and socialism , as well as the results delivered by President Trump and the Republican Party to cut taxes , bring jobs home from China , and get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made Minnesota a swing state , including my race for Senate against radical Tina Smith that continues to receive national attention .
Having only lost by just over one point in 2016 , President Trump has shown that statewide victory for Minnesota Republicans is within our grasp , ” Lewis said in a statement .
He pointed to a recent Star Tribune poll that showed Biden with just a five-point lead over Trump in the general election matchup in Minnesota .
“ The latest proof of Minnesota ’ s competitiveness is Sen. Tom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ targeting the state .
Sen. Cotton ’ s ad highlights the abject failure of Joe Biden and radical Democrat leaders to control the mob , ” Lewis continued , saying the “ Democrats have alienated Minnesotans of all political stripes.
” “ This is no longer your mother and father ’ s DFL Party , ” he said .
“ The Democrats are losing their grip on the state , and with the help of people like Sen. Cotton , Minnesota is going to go red for President Trump and me this November.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Minnesota Sun and The Ohio Star .
Follow Anthony on Twitter .
Email tips to [ email protected ] .
Photo “ Joe Biden Ad ” by Tom Cotton .


thetennesseestar--2020-06-26--Minnesota Unemployment Claims Drop Slightly from Prior Week

As the nation emerges from lockdowns imposed in response to the coronavirus pandemic , new unemployment claims continue to decline .
The number of Minnesota residents receiving unemployment checks decreased by 823 claims between the weeks ending June 13 and June 20 .
Advance claims for the week ending June 20 were 371,107 claims , compared to 371,930 claims the week ending June 13 .
According to U.S. Department of Labor data released Thursday morning , 4,112 fewer Minnesota residents filed new unemployment claims in the week ending June 20 than the previous week .
DOL data reports 20,584 Minnesota @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , compared to 24,696 claims filed the week ending June 13 .
Nationally , new claims for the week June 20 also declined .
The advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 1,480,000 , a decrease of 60,000 claims from the previous week ’ s revised level .
As of June 20 , the DOL reports , approximately 19.5 million Americans continue to file for unemployment benefits .
The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate nationwide was 13.4 percent for the week ending June 13 , a decrease of 0.5 percentage point @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rate .
Bruce Walker is a regional editor at The Center Square .
He previously worked as editor at the Mackinac Center for Public Policy ’ s MichiganScience magazine and The Heartland Institute ’ s InfoTech & Telecom News .
Photo “ Long line of People ” by Dave Winer .
CC BY-SA 2.0 .