thetennesseestar--2020-06-08--Minnesota Hasn’t Used $6.9 Million Facility It Bought to Store Deceased Coronavirus Patients

Due to a projected surge in coronavirus fatalities , the state of Minnesota spent $ 6.9 million to acquire a warehouse for the “ temporary storage of human remains , ” but the facility has so far gone unused .
“ What ’ s contemplated by the purchase is to buy a building where we can properly handle with dignity and respect and safety the bodies of Minnesotans who may fall victim to the coronavirus , ” Minnesota Homeland Security and Emergency Management Director Joe Kelly said during a press conference in early May .
The funds came from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recommended for approval by Minnesota Management and Budget Commissioner Myron Frans .
However , state Sen. Karin Housley ( R-St. Mary ’ s Point ) learned over the weekend that the $ 6.9 million facility has yet to be used – almost a month after it was purchased .
“ No bodies have been stored to date .
This facility is to serve as backup in case it is needed .
Based on the experience we saw from other states , we wanted to make sure that the bodies of Minnesotans would be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ respect , ” Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm told Housley in a letter .
Housley , chair of the Senate Family Care and Aging Committee , has repeatedly warned of a “ major crisis ” in long-term care facilities .
On Thursday , she sent a list of her unanswered questions to Commissioner Malcolm and threatened to pursue a legislative subpoena if she didn ’ t receive a response .
“ I have repeatedly asked , both privately and publicly , for specific data and information , but those requests have been met with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ emails than useful information , ” said Housley .
By Friday afternoon , Housley received a 74-page response to her request for more information from Commissioner Malcolm .
Among other things , Malcolm ’ s letter revealed that dozens of long-term care facilities have allowed COVID-19 patients to return to a congregate-care setting after being discharged from the hospital .
“ I sincerely appreciate Commissioner Malcolm ’ s timely response to my letter .
However , it ’ s also clear the administration should consider a more transparent approach when it comes to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a statement .
“ I remain extremely concerned that universal testing for all facility residents and staff is not proceeding quickly enough.
” She said she plans to introduce legislation during the upcoming special session to require the Department of Health to implement widespread testing at long-term care facilities using a portion of the $ 1.8 billion in federal funding available to the state .
“ I also remain concerned that not nearly enough personal protective equipment is being made available to long-term care facility staff and that there is not more concrete @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other services on which residents rely , ” Housley added .
“ It has been more than three months since many of these people have been able to have visitors – and they can not live like that forever.
” As of Sunday , Minnesota had experienced 1,186 confirmed COVID-19 deaths , 949 ( 80 percent ) of which occurred in long-term care settings .
Malcolm ’ s full response to Housley can be viewed below : Anthony Gockowski is managing editor of The Minnesota Sun and The Ohio Star .
Follow Anthony @ @ @ @ @ @ @ email protected ] .

Due to a projected surge in coronavirus fatalities, the state of Minnesota spent $6.9 million to acquire a warehouse for the “temporary storage of human remains,” but the facility has so far gone unused.
“What’s contemplated by the purchase is to buy a building where we can properly handle with dignity and respect and safety the bodies of Minnesotans who may fall victim to the coronavirus,” Minnesota Homeland Security and Emergency Management Director Joe Kelly said during a press conference in early May.
The funds came from the COVID-19 Minnesota Fund and the purchase was recommended for approval by Minnesota Management and Budget Commissioner Myron Frans.
However, state Sen. Karin Housley (R-St. Mary’s Point) learned over the weekend that the $6.9 million facility has yet to be used – almost a month after it was purchased.
“No bodies have been stored to date. This facility is to serve as backup in case it is needed. Based on the experience we saw from other states, we wanted to make sure that the bodies of Minnesotans would be able to be handled with dignity and respect,” Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm told Housley in a letter.
Housley, chair of the Senate Family Care and Aging Committee, has repeatedly warned of a “major crisis” in long-term care facilities. On Thursday, she sent a list of her unanswered questions to Commissioner Malcolm and threatened to pursue a legislative subpoena if she didn’t receive a response.
“I have repeatedly asked, both privately and publicly, for specific data and information, but those requests have been met with more vague responses and promises of future emails than useful information,” said Housley.
By Friday afternoon, Housley received a 74-page response to her request for more information from Commissioner Malcolm. Among other things, Malcolm’s letter revealed that dozens of long-term care facilities have allowed COVID-19 patients to return to a congregate-care setting after being discharged from the hospital.
“I sincerely appreciate Commissioner Malcolm’s timely response to my letter. However, it’s also clear the administration should consider a more transparent approach when it comes to public disclosure,” Housley said in a statement. “I remain extremely concerned that universal testing for all facility residents and staff is not proceeding quickly enough.”
She said she plans to introduce legislation during the upcoming special session to require the Department of Health to implement widespread testing at long-term care facilities using a portion of the $1.8 billion in federal funding available to the state.
“I also remain concerned that not nearly enough personal protective equipment is being made available to long-term care facility staff and that there is not more concrete guidance for facilities to allow visitors or other services on which residents rely,” Housley added. “It has been more than three months since many of these people have been able to have visitors – and they cannot live like that forever.”
As of Sunday, Minnesota had experienced 1,186 confirmed COVID-19 deaths, 949 (80 percent) of which occurred in long-term care settings.
Malcolm’s full response to Housley can be viewed below:
– – –
Anthony Gockowski is managing editor of The Minnesota Sun and The Ohio Star. Follow Anthony on Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].


thetennesseestar--2020-06-08--Michigan Supreme Court Tosses Owosso Barber’s Order to Close

The Michigan Supreme Court on Friday ruled overturned a lower court ’ s order that directed 77-year-old Owosso barber Karl Manke to close his shop .
The top court said the Court of Appeals erred in its 2-1 decision .
Justice David Viviano said a split decision couldn ’ t grant peremptory relief .
He said the court should have held a full briefing and oral arguments .
Viviano wrote that granting the order despite Judge Brock Swartzle ’ s “ explicit objection ( and without responding to it ) is inexplicable.
” Manke has been defying Gov .
Gretchen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ barbershops to close March 21 to stop the spread of COVID-19 and has attracted Michiganders from across the state to his shop .
Manke has garnered national fame for continuing to cut hair after citations and the state revoked his license , which inspired a 400-person protest at the Capitol on May 20 where barbers gave free haircuts and were cited by State Police .
The Supreme Court remanded the case to the Court of Appeals but it may become moot after Gov .
Whitmer said barbershops statewide can open on June 15 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ courts to ensure decisions are made according to the rule of law , not hysteria , ” Viviano wrote .
He continued : “ Courts decide legal questions that arise in the cases that come before us according to the rule of law .
One hopes that this great principle – essential to any free society , including ours – will not itself become yet another casualty of COVID-19.
” To date , Michigan reports 63,983 cases of coronavirus with 5,891 deaths .
The state has conducted a total of 699,849 tests .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Michigan and Minnesota for The Center Square .
A graduate of Hillsdale College , his work has appeared on Forbes.com and FEE.org .
Image “ Barbershop Owner Kent Manke ” by Anthony Sionni .

by Scott McClallen
The Michigan Supreme Court on Friday ruled overturned a lower court’s order that directed 77-year-old Owosso barber Karl Manke to close his shop.
The top court said the Court of Appeals erred in its 2-1 decision.
Justice David Viviano said a split decision couldn’t grant peremptory relief. He said the court should have held a full briefing and oral arguments.
Viviano wrote that granting the order despite Judge Brock Swartzle’s “explicit objection (and without responding to it) is inexplicable.”
Manke has been defying Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s Executive Order that told barbershops to close March 21 to stop the spread of COVID-19 and has attracted Michiganders from across the state to his shop.
Manke has garnered national fame for continuing to cut hair after citations and the state revoked his license, which inspired a 400-person protest at the Capitol on May 20 where barbers gave free haircuts and were cited by State Police.
The Supreme Court remanded the case to the Court of Appeals but it may become moot after Gov. Whitmer said barbershops statewide can open on June 15.
“It is incumbent on the courts to ensure decisions are made according to the rule of law, not hysteria,” Viviano wrote.
He continued: “Courts decide legal questions that arise in the cases that come before us according to the rule of law. One hopes that this great principle – essential to any free society, including ours – will not itself become yet another casualty of COVID-19.”
Read the Michigan Supreme Court’s three-page decision:

To date, Michigan reports 63,983 cases of coronavirus with 5,891 deaths. The state has conducted a total of 699,849 tests.
– – –
Scott McClallen is a staff writer covering Michigan and Minnesota for The Center Square. A graduate of Hillsdale College, his work has appeared on Forbes.com and FEE.org.
Image “Barbershop Owner Kent Manke” by Anthony Sionni.


thetennesseestar--2020-06-09--Tennessee’s May Revenues Nearly 16 Percent Less Than May 2019 Due to COVID-19 Pandemic

The May revenues announced by Tennessee Department of Finance and Administration Commissioner Butch Eley Monday showed a negative growth rate of 15.83 percent compared to a year ago .
The state ’ s revenues of $ 981.9 million were $ 197.3 million less than budgeted and $ 184.7 million less than May 2019 , according to the department ’ s news release .
Commissioner Eley summarized the results in the release as well as to the House Finance , Ways & Means ( FW & M ) Committee during a Monday afternoon meeting , “ May sales tax collections represent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when Tennesseans were staying at home and many businesses were closed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
” While Governor Bill Lee ’ s stay-at-home order was in effect for the month of April , 89 of Tennessee ’ s 95 counties that fall under the Tennessee Department of Health began the reopening process on May 1 .
The state ’ s largest source of revenue , sales and use tax , was off by $ 112 million or 14 percent from the budgeted $ 799 million for the month and 13 percent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ months of the current year , though , sales and use tax is ahead of the budget by almost a percent and ahead of last year to date by nearly three percent .
Commissioner Eley offered additional insight on sales tax revenues , “ While sales of autos , apparel , furniture and restaurants dropped extensively , building materials and food stores sales experienced considerable growth.
” He told the House FW & M Committee , though , the positive growth in some areas was not enough to offset the losses in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the state ’ s second highest revenue source , was $ 2 million or 3.5 percent off the budgeted $ 63 million for May and behind May of last year by 10 percent .
For the year , F & E tax is 12 percent behind the budgeted $ 2.1 billion and 16 percent behind last year .
In light of the COVID-19 pandemic , the Tennessee Department of Revenue announced at the end of March that the filing deadline for the F & E tax was extended from April 15 to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House FW & M Committee that the April numbers were so bad because of that extension , and they hope to get those taxes in later in the year .
The only revenues that hit the budgeted targets for the month were the income tax , TVA payments in lieu of taxes , alcoholic beverage , mineral severance , and coin-operated amusement .
Revenues from all fuel taxes , tobacco , beer , motor vehicle title and registration , mixed drink , business , privilege and gross receipts were off for the month @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the state ’ s revenues are down by $ 285 million or 2.25 percent as compared to the budgeted projections .
On March 19 , the General Assembly passed budgets that reflected the State Funding Board ’ s revised ranges for the current year and a reduction of $ 153.8 of projected revenue for the upcoming fiscal year , in order to address the economic impact from the COVID-19 pandemic .
“ We responded quickly to develop plans that would mitigate revenue shortfalls at the outset of the pandemic and now the work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what economists predict we will experience , ” said Commissioner Eley .
Commissioner Eley also expressed optimism about other economic indicators and the efforts in managing the economic impact of COVID-19 .
“ We are encouraged about the improving employment numbers in Tennessee and while we hope for solid recovery trends , we are preparing for a longer and slower growth period , managing our budget conservatively as we work to help all of Tennessee recover from this unprecedented economy.
” Laura Baigert is a senior reporter at The Tennessee Star .

The May revenues announced by Tennessee Department of Finance and Administration Commissioner Butch Eley Monday showed a negative growth rate of 15.83 percent compared to a year ago.
The state’s revenues of $981.9 million were $197.3 million less than budgeted and $184.7 million less than May 2019, according to the department’s news release.
Commissioner Eley summarized the results in the release as well as to the House Finance, Ways & Means (FW&M) Committee during a Monday afternoon meeting, “May sales tax collections represent consumer spending that occurred during April, when Tennesseans were staying at home and many businesses were closed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.”
While Governor Bill Lee’s stay-at-home order was in effect for the month of April, 89 of Tennessee’s 95 counties that fall under the Tennessee Department of Health began the reopening process on May 1.
The state’s largest source of revenue, sales and use tax, was off by $112 million or 14 percent from the budgeted $799 million for the month and 13 percent behind May 2019.
For the 10 months of the current year, though, sales and use tax is ahead of the budget by almost a percent and ahead of last year to date by nearly three percent.
Commissioner Eley offered additional insight on sales tax revenues, “While sales of autos, apparel, furniture and restaurants dropped extensively, building materials and food stores sales experienced considerable growth.” He told the House FW&M Committee, though, the positive growth in some areas was not enough to offset the losses in the other areas.
Franchise and excise tax, the state’s second highest revenue source, was $2 million or 3.5 percent off the budgeted $63 million for May and behind May of last year by 10 percent.
For the year, F&E tax is 12 percent behind the budgeted $2.1 billion and 16 percent behind last year.
In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Tennessee Department of Revenue announced at the end of March that the filing deadline for the F&E tax was extended from April 15 to July 15. Commissioner Eley told the House FW&M Committee that the April numbers were so bad because of that extension, and they hope to get those taxes in later in the year.
The only revenues that hit the budgeted targets for the month were the income tax, TVA payments in lieu of taxes, alcoholic beverage, mineral severance, and coin-operated amusement.
Revenues from all fuel taxes, tobacco, beer, motor vehicle title and registration, mixed drink, business, privilege and gross receipts were off for the month of May.
For the year, the state’s revenues are down by $285 million or 2.25 percent as compared to the budgeted projections.
On March 19, the General Assembly passed budgets that reflected the State Funding Board’s revised ranges for the current year and a reduction of $153.8 of projected revenue for the upcoming fiscal year, in order to address the economic impact from the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We responded quickly to develop plans that would mitigate revenue shortfalls at the outset of the pandemic and now the work begins to bring spending in line with what economists predict we will experience,” said Commissioner Eley.
Commissioner Eley also expressed optimism about other economic indicators and the efforts in managing the economic impact of COVID-19.
“We are encouraged about the improving employment numbers in Tennessee and while we hope for solid recovery trends, we are preparing for a longer and slower growth period, managing our budget conservatively as we work to help all of Tennessee recover from this unprecedented economy.”
—
Laura Baigert is a senior reporter at The Tennessee Star.


thetennesseestar--2020-06-09--Commentary: For Seniors, the Difference Between Florida and New York Is a Matter of Life and Death

Florida has the largest percentage of seniors 65-years-old and older in its population most vulnerable to the Chinese coronavirus among larger states and second nationwide , at 20.5 percent , or 4.3 million .
Yet it has a relatively low mortality rate for a large state for the China-originated COVID-19 pandemic , at just 2,660 , according to data from the Florida Department of Health and the U.S. Census Bureau .
New York , in contrast , has a smaller percentage of its overall population as seniors at just 16.4 percent , or 3.2 million , yet has the most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 28,000 , according to the Centers for Disease Control , the vast majority of whom are seniors , according to the New York State Department of Health .
By a factor of more than 10 to 1 , Florida protected its seniors and New York failed .
The reason ?
For starters , while New York Democratic Governor Andrew Cuomo issued a now-rescinded executive order that COVID-19 patients be transferred to nursing homes , Florida Republican Governor Ron DeSantis did the opposite and ordered all nursing homes closed to visitors and that no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home .
As a result , more than 6,200 seniors have perished in nursing homes in New York , more than any other state , compared to about 1,200 in Florida , a factor of more than 5 to 1 .
Another factor is that when federal and state officials told everyone , particularly seniors , to stay home , in Florida they listened .
In New York , by contrast , many citizens kept up their normal routines and continued commuting to work .
The subways kept running , and many acted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parks .
And because New York City is the most densely populated city in the country , with so many literally living on top of one another , it needed the most restrictive measures but ironically had the least .
On March 22 , even Cuomo blasted New York City residents , Democratic Governor Andrew Cuomo , “ ’ There is a density level in New York City that is wholly inappropriate… You would think there was nothing going on in parts of New York City .
You would think it was just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t know what I ’ m saying that people don ’ t get .
I don ’ t know what they ’ re not understanding .
This is not life as usual .
None of this is life as usual.
” Yet , nothing was done about it .
Nobody enforced the quarantine .
And now tens of thousands are dead .
Still , Florida is actually a larger state than New York , with 23.3 million and 19.5 million residents , respectively , and has 1 million more seniors than New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had 10 times as many dead from the fatal virus .
So , while hysterical news media was busy raking Gov .
Desantis over the coals in Florida who in hindsight actually did a good job , it was heaping unjustified praise on Gov .
Cuomo in New York , who apparently did a terrible job .
Guess it ’ s not about saving lives at all , just helping Democrats win elections that perhaps they deserve to lose .
Robert Romano is the Vice President of Public Policy at Americans for Limited @ @

by Robert Romano
Florida has the largest percentage of seniors 65-years-old and older in its population most vulnerable to the Chinese coronavirus among larger states and second nationwide, at 20.5 percent, or 4.3 million. Yet it has a relatively low mortality rate for a large state for the China-originated COVID-19 pandemic, at just 2,660, according to data from the Florida Department of Health and the U.S. Census Bureau.
New York, in contrast, has a smaller percentage of its overall population as seniors at just 16.4 percent, or 3.2 million, yet has the most dead overall in the nation at almost 28,000, according to the Centers for Disease Control, the vast majority of whom are seniors, according to the New York State Department of Health.
By a factor of more than 10 to 1, Florida protected its seniors and New York failed. The reason?
For starters, while New York Democratic Governor Andrew Cuomo issued a now-rescinded executive order that COVID-19 patients be transferred to nursing homes, Florida Republican Governor Ron DeSantis did the opposite and ordered all nursing homes closed to visitors and that no COVID-19 patients be transferred to a nursing home.
As a result, more than 6,200 seniors have perished in nursing homes in New York, more than any other state, compared to about 1,200 in Florida, a factor of more than 5 to 1.
Another factor is that when federal and state officials told everyone, particularly seniors, to stay home, in Florida they listened. In New York, by contrast, many citizens kept up their normal routines and continued commuting to work. The subways kept running, and many acted like nothing had changed, gathering in parks.
And because New York City is the most densely populated city in the country, with so many literally living on top of one another, it needed the most restrictive measures but ironically had the least.
On March 22, even Cuomo blasted New York City residents, Democratic Governor Andrew Cuomo, “’There is a density level in New York City that is wholly inappropriate… You would think there was nothing going on in parts of New York City. You would think it was just a bright sunny Saturday. I don’t know what I’m saying that people don’t get. I don’t know what they’re not understanding. This is not life as usual. None of this is life as usual.”
Yet, nothing was done about it. Nobody enforced the quarantine. And now tens of thousands are dead.
Still, Florida is actually a larger state than New York, with 23.3 million and 19.5 million residents, respectively, and has 1 million more seniors than New York, and yet New York has had 10 times as many dead from the fatal virus.
So, while hysterical news media was busy raking Gov. Desantis over the coals in Florida who in hindsight actually did a good job, it was heaping unjustified praise on Gov. Cuomo in New York, who apparently did a terrible job. Guess it’s not about saving lives at all, just helping Democrats win elections that perhaps they deserve to lose.
– – –
Robert Romano is the Vice President of Public Policy at Americans for Limited Government.


thetennesseestar--2020-06-09--Trump Calls on Polling Firm to Show How CNN, NBC Polls Are ‘Fake,’ ‘Under-Polling Republicans’

President Donald Trump announced on Twitter Monday that he recruited McLaughin & Associates , a “ highly respected pollster , ” to explain why two recent polls from CNN and NBC are “ fake.
” A Monday CNN poll had President Trump trailing Democratic nominee Joe Biden by 14 points , while an NBC poll claimed Trump was down by seven .
“ I have retained highly respected pollster , McLaughlin & Associates , to analyze today ’ s CNN poll ( and others ) , which I felt were FAKE based on the incredible enthusiasm we are receiving .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ others did when we defeated crooked Hillary Clinton in 2016 , ” the president said .
“ They are called SUPPRESSION POLLS , and are put out to dampen enthusiasm .
Despite 3 and a half years of phony Witch Hunts , we are winning , and will close it out on November 3rd !
” The president released a memo he received from McLaughin & Associates , which states that the “ latest skewed media polls must be intentional.
” “ It ’ s clear that NBC , ABC and CNN who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ George Stephanopoulos and other Democrats in their news operations are consistently under-polling Republicans and therefore , reporting biased polls .
They continue to poll adults or registered voters that skew away from likely voters .
So instead of the 33 percent Republican turnout which actually happened in 2016 , they are reporting polls on only 26 percent , 25 percent or even 24 percent Republicans , ” the polling firm said in its memo to the president .
McLaughlin repeatedly criticizes both polls for what seems like a deliberate undersampling of Republicans .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
CBS had 32 percent Republicans and a close national race .
The bias seems to be an intentional strategy to suppress your vote .
The latest media spin is that it ’ s too late to define Joe Biden and it ’ s too late for President Trump to win .
We can hardly wait until they start spinning a ‘ Biden electoral lock.
’ It has to be a strategy to counter the enthusiasm of Trump voters , ” the memo continues .
Only 25 percent of respondents in the CNN @ @ @ @ @ @ @ poll identified as Republicans , the memo notes .
“ It ’ s a poll of 1,259 adults – not even registered voters , let alone likely voters .
Also , it was done between June 2 and 5 , before the great economic news from last Friday , ” the memo says of the CNN poll .
“ In their questionnaire between asking about your job approval and the ballot , they had questions on issues including race relations , not job creation , which could have biased the poll further .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ biased in both sample and questionnaire design to manufacture an anti-Trump outcome.
” According to McLaughin , the NBC poll also surveyed only “ registered voters , not likely voters.
” “ Again this shorts Republicans about seven points from the 2016 exit polls which had 33 percent Republicans .
This poll was done May 28 through June 2 and would not have Friday ’ s great jobs impact , ” says the memo .
It concludes by saying the “ refusal to screen actual likely voters is creating an under-polling of Republicans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seems intentional .
It ’ s exactly what the media did in 2016 .
Let ’ s prove them wrong again.
” The full memo to the president can be viewed here .
Anthony Gockowski is managing editor of The Minnesota Sun and The Ohio Star .
Follow Anthony on Twitter .
Email tips to [ email protected ] .

President Donald Trump announced on Twitter Monday that he recruited McLaughin & Associates, a “highly respected pollster,” to explain why two recent polls from CNN and NBC are “fake.”
A Monday CNN poll had President Trump trailing Democratic nominee Joe Biden by 14 points, while an NBC poll claimed Trump was down by seven.
“I have retained highly respected pollster, McLaughlin & Associates, to analyze today’s CNN poll (and others), which I felt were FAKE based on the incredible enthusiasm we are receiving. This is the same thing they and others did when we defeated crooked Hillary Clinton in 2016,” the president said. “They are called SUPPRESSION POLLS, and are put out to dampen enthusiasm. Despite 3 and a half years of phony Witch Hunts, we are winning, and will close it out on November 3rd!”
…Crooked Hillary Clinton in 2016. They are called SUPPRESSION POLLS, and are put out to dampen enthusiasm. Despite 3 ½ years of phony Witch Hunts, we are winning, and will close it out on November 3rd! pic.twitter.com/4IhuLUZjsv — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 8, 2020
The president released a memo he received from McLaughin & Associates, which states that the “latest skewed media polls must be intentional.”
“It’s clear that NBC, ABC and CNN who have Democrat operatives like Chuck Todd, George Stephanopoulos and other Democrats in their news operations are consistently under-polling Republicans and therefore, reporting biased polls. They continue to poll adults or registered voters that skew away from likely voters. So instead of the 33 percent Republican turnout which actually happened in 2016, they are reporting polls on only 26 percent, 25 percent or even 24 percent Republicans,” the polling firm said in its memo to the president.
McLaughlin repeatedly criticizes both polls for what seems like a deliberate undersampling of Republicans.
“In contrast CBS polled likely voters. CBS had 32 percent Republicans and a close national race. The bias seems to be an intentional strategy to suppress your vote. The latest media spin is that it’s too late to define Joe Biden and it’s too late for President Trump to win. We can hardly wait until they start spinning a ‘Biden electoral lock.’ It has to be a strategy to counter the enthusiasm of Trump voters,” the memo continues.
Only 25 percent of respondents in the CNN poll and 26 percent in the ABC poll identified as Republicans, the memo notes.
“It’s a poll of 1,259 adults – not even registered voters, let alone likely voters. Also, it was done between June 2 and 5, before the great economic news from last Friday,” the memo says of the CNN poll. “In their questionnaire between asking about your job approval and the ballot, they had questions on issues including race relations, not job creation, which could have biased the poll further. It appears that the CNN poll is biased in both sample and questionnaire design to manufacture an anti-Trump outcome.”
According to McLaughin, the NBC poll also surveyed only “registered voters, not likely voters.”
“Again this shorts Republicans about seven points from the 2016 exit polls which had 33 percent Republicans. This poll was done May 28 through June 2 and would not have Friday’s great jobs impact,” says the memo.
It concludes by saying the “refusal to screen actual likely voters is creating an under-polling of Republicans and therefore Trump voters.”
“It seems intentional. It’s exactly what the media did in 2016. Let’s prove them wrong again.”
The full memo to the president can be viewed here.
– – –
Anthony Gockowski is managing editor of The Minnesota Sun and The Ohio Star. Follow Anthony on Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].


thetennesseestar--2020-06-09--Crews Inspect, But Won’t Yet Remove, Richmond’s Statue of Gen. Robert E. Lee

RICHMOND , Virginia ( AP ) — Workers for the state of Virginia inspected Richmond ’ s huge statue of Gen. Robert E. Lee on Monday before its planned removal .
While protesters have toppled some other Confederate statues and some cities have moved swiftly to remove what critics see as symbols of white supremacy , this monument won ’ t be so easy to take down .
Virginia ’ s Department of General Services said in a statement that it plans to remove the statue of the Confederate general on a date to be determined , as soon as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be done safely , given the memorial ’ s weight and height .
“ The massive statue weighs approximately 12 tons , stands 21 feet tall , and has been on a 40-foot pedestal for 130 years , ” the agency said in a statement .
“ Meticulous planning is required to remove an aging monument of this size and scale safely.
” Virginia Gov .
Ralph Northam ordered the removal of the Lee monument last week amid nationwide protests sparked by the death of George Floyd , a black man in Minneapolis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his knee into his neck for nearly nine minutes .
Motivated by a bystander ’ s video of Floyd ’ s agony , demonstrators around the world have vowed to sustain a movement focused on addressing racial injustice and police brutality .
In the American South , they ’ re also advocating for the swift removal of Confederate monuments , with or without the approval of authorities .
Opponents of the monuments say they celebrate white supremacy and gloss over the nation ’ s history of slavery .
Others who advocate for keeping @ @ @ @ @ @ @ value and their removal amounts to erasing history .
Authorities have removed other symbols since protests erupted two weeks ago , including a massive obelisk in Birmingham , Alabama , and a bronze likeness of Admiral Raphael Semmes that had stood in a middle of a downtown street near the Mobile , Alabama , waterfront for 120 years .
In Fredericksburg , Virginia , a 176-year-old slave auction block was removed from the city ’ s downtown , and the United Daughters of the Confederacy removed its statue from Old Town , Alexandria @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t waiting : In Richmond over the weekend , protesters toppled a statue of Gen. Williams Carter Wickham in a park near downtown , and in Bristol , England , a statue of slave trader Edward Colston met a watery end .
In Kentucky ’ s largest city on Monday , a city crew swiftly dismantled a statue depicting John Breckenridge Castleman on horseback , acting decisively after a court ruling Friday that followed nearly two years of legal wrangling and vandalism .
Castleman was a Confederate soldier and later a U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ park system , but has also been a symbol of support for slavery .
“ Too many people are suffering today because the promises of justice and equality enshrined in our Constitution are unfulfilled by a society that devalues African-American lives and denies African Americans justice , opportunity and equity , ” Fischer said .
“ That ’ s got to change .
People want and deserve action .
We need a transformation.
” In New Orleans , efforts are underway to rename the city ’ s Jefferson Davis Parkway to instead honor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The street runs along the border of Xavier , the nation ’ s only historically Catholic and black university , and five mayors including the current Mayor LaToya Cantrell have voiced support for the change , to be discussed at a city council meeting on June 18 .
New Orleans already took down four Confederacy-linked monuments in 2017 after months of protests for and against their removal .
Now some advocates want the the statue of Andrew Jackson removed from Jackson Square in front of the city ’ s famed St. Louis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s role in defending the city during the Battle of 1812 , but he also owned slaves and as president orchestrated the removal of Native Americans from their lands along the Trail of Tears .
In Richmond , the Lee statue is on state property .
City leaders meanwhile have committed to taking down another four Confederate memorials on city land along Monument Avenue .
Together , they are among the nation ’ s most prominent collection of tributes to the Confederacy , and their planned removal has been widely praised by black @ @ @ @ @ @ @ off streets leading up to the traffic circle that surrounds the Lee statue around 7 a.m. Monday .
Others ringed the monument with their vehicles .
Several top state officials , including Northam ’ s chief of staff , were on the scene as a cherry picker hauled in on a flat-bed truck hoisted workers up to inspect the statue .
The work appeared to take only about an hour , and the scene was soon cleared .
Steve Helber and Sarah Rankin are reporters at The Associated Press .
AP writer Ben @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Headline Photo : An inspection crew from the Virginia Department of General Services inspect the statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee on Monument Avenue Monday June .
8 , 2020 , in Richmond , Va. Virginia Gov .
Ralph Northam has ordered the removal of the statue .
( AP Photo/Steve Helber )

RICHMOND, Virginia (AP) — Workers for the state of Virginia inspected Richmond’s huge statue of Gen. Robert E. Lee on Monday before its planned removal. While protesters have toppled some other Confederate statues and some cities have moved swiftly to remove what critics see as symbols of white supremacy, this monument won’t be so easy to take down.
Virginia’s Department of General Services said in a statement that it plans to remove the statue of the Confederate general on a date to be determined, as soon as possible. But officials said it must be done safely, given the memorial’s weight and height.
“The massive statue weighs approximately 12 tons, stands 21 feet tall, and has been on a 40-foot pedestal for 130 years,” the agency said in a statement. “Meticulous planning is required to remove an aging monument of this size and scale safely.”
Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam ordered the removal of the Lee monument last week amid nationwide protests sparked by the death of George Floyd, a black man in Minneapolis who died after a white officer jammed his knee into his neck for nearly nine minutes.
Motivated by a bystander’s video of Floyd’s agony, demonstrators around the world have vowed to sustain a movement focused on addressing racial injustice and police brutality. In the American South, they’re also advocating for the swift removal of Confederate monuments, with or without the approval of authorities.
Opponents of the monuments say they celebrate white supremacy and gloss over the nation’s history of slavery. Others who advocate for keeping them say they have historical or artistic value and their removal amounts to erasing history.
Authorities have removed other symbols since protests erupted two weeks ago, including a massive obelisk in Birmingham, Alabama, and a bronze likeness of Admiral Raphael Semmes that had stood in a middle of a downtown street near the Mobile, Alabama, waterfront for 120 years. In Fredericksburg, Virginia, a 176-year-old slave auction block was removed from the city’s downtown, and the United Daughters of the Confederacy removed its statue from Old Town, Alexandria.
In other cases, protesters aren’t waiting: In Richmond over the weekend, protesters toppled a statue of Gen. Williams Carter Wickham in a park near downtown, and in Bristol, England, a statue of slave trader Edward Colston met a watery end.
In Kentucky’s largest city on Monday, a city crew swiftly dismantled a statue depicting John Breckenridge Castleman on horseback, acting decisively after a court ruling Friday that followed nearly two years of legal wrangling and vandalism. Castleman was a Confederate soldier and later a U.S. general who helped found Louisville’s park system, but has also been a symbol of support for slavery.
“Too many people are suffering today because the promises of justice and equality enshrined in our Constitution are unfulfilled by a society that devalues African-American lives and denies African Americans justice, opportunity and equity,” Fischer said. “That’s got to change. People want and deserve action. We need a transformation.”
In New Orleans, efforts are underway to rename the city’s Jefferson Davis Parkway to instead honor former Xavier University president Norman C. Francis. The street runs along the border of Xavier, the nation’s only historically Catholic and black university, and five mayors including the current Mayor LaToya Cantrell have voiced support for the change, to be discussed at a city council meeting on June 18.
New Orleans already took down four Confederacy-linked monuments in 2017 after months of protests for and against their removal. Now some advocates want the the statue of Andrew Jackson removed from Jackson Square in front of the city’s famed St. Louis Cathedral. The statue honors Jackson’s role in defending the city during the Battle of 1812, but he also owned slaves and as president orchestrated the removal of Native Americans from their lands along the Trail of Tears.
In Richmond, the Lee statue is on state property. City leaders meanwhile have committed to taking down another four Confederate memorials on city land along Monument Avenue. Together, they are among the nation’s most prominent collection of tributes to the Confederacy, and their planned removal has been widely praised by black leaders and activists.
Police officers blocked off streets leading up to the traffic circle that surrounds the Lee statue around 7 a.m. Monday. Others ringed the monument with their vehicles.
Several top state officials, including Northam’s chief of staff, were on the scene as a cherry picker hauled in on a flat-bed truck hoisted workers up to inspect the statue. The work appeared to take only about an hour, and the scene was soon cleared.
– – –
Steve Helber and Sarah Rankin are reporters at The Associated Press. AP writer Ben Finley in Norfolk contributed.
About the Headline Photo: An inspection crew from the Virginia Department of General Services inspect the statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee on Monument Avenue Monday June. 8, 2020, in Richmond, Va. Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam has ordered the removal of the statue. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)


thetennesseestar--2020-06-09--Wall Street Tilts Higher Again on Economic Recovery Hopes

NEW YORK , New York ( AP ) — Wall Street ’ s rally is spilling into a new week as most stocks continue to ride the high supplied by Friday ’ s surprisingly encouraging report on the U.S. jobs market .
The S & P 500 was up 0.5 % in midday trading on Monday , bringing it back within 5.3 % of its record set in February , as optimism strengthens that the worst of the coronavirus-induced recession may have already passed .
Stocks that would benefit most from an economy that ’ s growing again were rising @ @ @ @ @ @ @ handful of big tech stalwarts were keeping the market ’ s overall gains in check .
The Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 248 points , or 0.9 % , at 27,359 , as of 11:53 a.m. Eastern time , and the Nasdaq composite was up 0.2 % .
Stocks have been rising since late March , at first on relief after the Federal Reserve and Capitol Hill pledged to support the economy and more recently on hopes that the recovery may happen more quickly than forecast .
Such hopes got a huge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that employers added 2.5 million jobs to their payrolls last month .
Economists were expecting to see 8 million more lost .
States across the country are slowly relaxing restrictions on businesses meant to slow the spread of the coronavirus outbreak , which is raising expectations that the economy can pull out of its coma .
New York City began reopening on Monday , for example , allowing construction and “ nonessential ” retailers to start operating again with some restrictions .
That puts more pressure on economic reports this week to confirm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a true inflection point and not just an aberration .
Even if the economy did hit its bottom a month or two , economists warn that many risks are still looming over a very long road back to full recovery , such as a flareup in U.S.-China tensions .
Critics are also still saying the stock market may have risen too quickly and may be setting investors up for disappointment , with the biggest risk being another wave of infections that leads to more lockdowns .
It ’ s still unclear whether the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as the stock market , which has rallied sharply after earlier being down nearly 34 % from its February record .
“ There ’ s a lot of risk that businesses and the economy don ’ t recover as fast , ” said Tom Martin , senior portfolio manager at Globalt Investments .
“ When money starts running out in July , are we enough on a path to getting people employed and businesses open ?
” Among this week ’ s economic highlights are reports on inflation and the number of workers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , though , is likely the Federal Reserve ’ s meeting on interest rates in the middle of the week .
The Fed has already promised unprecedented amounts of support to keep markets running smoothly , but will the recent upturn in job growth mean it will pull back at all ?
Treasury yields have been climbing in recent days , reflecting rising expectations in the market for the economy and inflation .
The 10-year Treasury yield dipped to 0.86 % from 0.90 % late Friday , but it ’ s up sharply @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Too quick a rise in yields could slow spending and the anticipated economic recovery , though .
It can also be a heavy weight on the stock market .
Higher yields make bonds more attractive as investments , which would pull some investors ’ dollars away from stocks .
High-dividend stocks would likely get hurt in particular , because some income investors had turned to them instead of bonds when yields were lower .
Stocks that would benefit most from a growing economy , meanwhile , were leading the market on Monday to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , banks and industrial companies were leading the S & P 500 , and more than 70 % of the stocks in the index were higher .
Travel-related stocks were again notable standouts as investors raised expectations for a reopening economy .
Norwegian Cruise Line , Carnival , Alaska Air Group and United Airlines all rose more than 8.5 % .
Smaller company stocks also climbed more than the rest of the market , which often happens when expectations for the economy are rising .
The Russell 2000 index of small-cap stocks was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were giving back a portion of their gains made earlier this year , when investors were piling into the few companies that could hold up in a weak , stay-at-home economy .
Microsoft slipped 0.4 % , Apple slipped 0.3 % and Netflix lost 2.1 % .
These are some of the biggest companies in the market , which gives their movements more sway over the S & P 500 and other indexes .
In global markets , Japan ’ s Nikkei 225 index jumped 1.4 % after the government reported the economy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the January-March quarter , better than the initially estimated minus 3.4 % .
Indexes in other countries were more subdued .
The Kospi in South Korea was up 0.1 % , while the Hang Seng in Hong Kong was virtually flat .
France ’ s CAC 40 was down 0.4 % , Germany ’ s DAX lost 0.2 % and the FTSE 100 in London was down 0.2 % .
Oil was down , even after major oil producing nations agreed over the weekend to extend a production cut of nearly 10 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the end of July to counter the blow to demand from the coronavirus pandemic .
Oil had already climbed last week on anticipation of the move , and OPEC officials did not commit to extending the cuts past July or establishing a way to enforce the production limits .
U.S. crude for July delivery fell 3.6 % to $ 38.13 per barrel .
Brent crude , the international standard , fell 3.3 % to $ 40.90 per barrel .
Stan Choe and Damian J. Traise are Business Writers for The Associated Press .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @

NEW YORK, New York (AP) — Wall Street’s rally is spilling into a new week as most stocks continue to ride the high supplied by Friday’s surprisingly encouraging report on the U.S. jobs market.
The S&P 500 was up 0.5% in midday trading on Monday, bringing it back within 5.3% of its record set in February, as optimism strengthens that the worst of the coronavirus-induced recession may have already passed. Stocks that would benefit most from an economy that’s growing again were rising the most, but pullbacks for a handful of big tech stalwarts were keeping the market’s overall gains in check.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 248 points, or 0.9%, at 27,359, as of 11:53 a.m. Eastern time, and the Nasdaq composite was up 0.2%.
Stocks have been rising since late March, at first on relief after the Federal Reserve and Capitol Hill pledged to support the economy and more recently on hopes that the recovery may happen more quickly than forecast.
Such hopes got a huge boost Friday when the U.S. government said that employers added 2.5 million jobs to their payrolls last month. Economists were expecting to see 8 million more lost.
States across the country are slowly relaxing restrictions on businesses meant to slow the spread of the coronavirus outbreak, which is raising expectations that the economy can pull out of its coma. New York City began reopening on Monday, for example, allowing construction and “nonessential” retailers to start operating again with some restrictions.
That puts more pressure on economic reports this week to confirm that Friday’s jobs report was a true inflection point and not just an aberration.
Even if the economy did hit its bottom a month or two, economists warn that many risks are still looming over a very long road back to full recovery, such as a flareup in U.S.-China tensions. Critics are also still saying the stock market may have risen too quickly and may be setting investors up for disappointment, with the biggest risk being another wave of infections that leads to more lockdowns.
It’s still unclear whether the economy can recover anywhere near as quickly as the stock market, which has rallied sharply after earlier being down nearly 34% from its February record.
“There’s a lot of risk that businesses and the economy don’t recover as fast,” said Tom Martin, senior portfolio manager at Globalt Investments. “When money starts running out in July, are we enough on a path to getting people employed and businesses open?”
Among this week’s economic highlights are reports on inflation and the number of workers applying for jobless benefits. The headliner, though, is likely the Federal Reserve’s meeting on interest rates in the middle of the week.
The Fed has already promised unprecedented amounts of support to keep markets running smoothly, but will the recent upturn in job growth mean it will pull back at all?
Treasury yields have been climbing in recent days, reflecting rising expectations in the market for the economy and inflation. The 10-year Treasury yield dipped to 0.86% from 0.90% late Friday, but it’s up sharply from 0.66% a week earlier.
Too quick a rise in yields could slow spending and the anticipated economic recovery, though. It can also be a heavy weight on the stock market.
Higher yields make bonds more attractive as investments, which would pull some investors’ dollars away from stocks. High-dividend stocks would likely get hurt in particular, because some income investors had turned to them instead of bonds when yields were lower.
Stocks that would benefit most from a growing economy, meanwhile, were leading the market on Monday to continue their recent trend.
Energy producers, banks and industrial companies were leading the S&P 500, and more than 70% of the stocks in the index were higher.
Travel-related stocks were again notable standouts as investors raised expectations for a reopening economy. Norwegian Cruise Line, Carnival, Alaska Air Group and United Airlines all rose more than 8.5%.
Smaller company stocks also climbed more than the rest of the market, which often happens when expectations for the economy are rising. The Russell 2000 index of small-cap stocks was up 1.4%.
But several titans were giving back a portion of their gains made earlier this year, when investors were piling into the few companies that could hold up in a weak, stay-at-home economy. Microsoft slipped 0.4%, Apple slipped 0.3% and Netflix lost 2.1%. These are some of the biggest companies in the market, which gives their movements more sway over the S&P 500 and other indexes.
In global markets, Japan’s Nikkei 225 index jumped 1.4% after the government reported the economy contracted at a 2.2% annual rate in the January-March quarter, better than the initially estimated minus 3.4%.
Indexes in other countries were more subdued. The Kospi in South Korea was up 0.1%, while the Hang Seng in Hong Kong was virtually flat.
France’s CAC 40 was down 0.4%, Germany’s DAX lost 0.2% and the FTSE 100 in London was down 0.2%.
Oil was down, even after major oil producing nations agreed over the weekend to extend a production cut of nearly 10 million barrels of oil a day through the end of July to counter the blow to demand from the coronavirus pandemic.
Oil had already climbed last week on anticipation of the move, and OPEC officials did not commit to extending the cuts past July or establishing a way to enforce the production limits.
U.S. crude for July delivery fell 3.6% to $38.13 per barrel. Brent crude, the international standard, fell 3.3% to $40.90 per barrel.
– – –
Stan Choe and Damian J. Traise are Business Writers for The Associated Press. AP Business Writer Elaine Kurtenbach contributed.


thetennesseestar--2020-06-09--Cristobal Now a Depression Drenching Mississippi River Basin

NEW ORLEANS , Louisiana ( AP ) — Tropical Storm Cristobal weakened into a depression early Monday after inundating coastal Louisiana and ginning up dangerous weather along most of the U.S. Gulf Coast , sending waves crashing over Mississippi beaches , swamping parts of an Alabama island town and spawning a tornado in Florida .
Heavy rainfall and a storm surge continued posing a threat across a wide area of the coast after Cristobal made landfall Sunday afternoon packing 50-mph ( 85-kph ) winds between the mouth of the Mississippi River and the since-evacuated barrier island resort community of Grand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the storm was centered about 15 miles ( 30 kilometers ) east of Monroe , Louisiana , with top winds of 35 mph ( 55 kph ) .
It was moving northwest at 15 mph ( 24 kph ) .
Remnants of the storm are expected to whip up fierce winds in parts of the Midwest .
Wind gusts of up to 45 mph ( 72 kph ) are expected in Chicago by Tuesday night , the National Weather Service said .
Boaters were being warned of gale-force winds on nearby Lake @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s remnants could be a rainmaker for days .
Its forecast path takes it into Arkansas and Missouri by Tuesday , then through Illinois and Wisconsin to the Great Lakes .
“ It ’ s very efficient , very tropical rainfall , ” National Hurricane Center Director Ken Graham said in a Facebook video .
“ It rains a whole bunch real quick.
” In their last update on Cristobal from the hurricane center , forecasters said up to 15 inches ( 38 centimeters ) of rain could fall in some areas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ across the mid and upper Mississippi Valley .
Coastal Mississippi news outlets reported stalled cars and trucks as flood waters inundated beaches and crashed over highways .
On the City of Biloxi Facebook page , officials said emergency workers helped dozens of motorists through flood waters , mostly on U.S. 90 running along the coast .
In Alabama , the bridge linking the mainland to Dauphin Island was closed much of Sunday but was being reopened Monday .
Police and state transportation department vehicles led convoys of motorists to and from the island @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In Louisiana , rising water on Lake Pontchartrain near New Orleans pushed about two feet of water into the first floor of Rudy Horvath ’ s residence — a boathouse that sits on pilings over the brackish lake .
Horvath said he and his family have lived there a year and have learned to take the occasional flood in stride .
They ’ ve put tables on the lower floor to stack belongings above the high water .
“ We thought it would be pretty cool to live out here , and it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ The sunsets are great.
” The U.S. Coast Guard said it was searching for two people who went out in a 20-foot yellow boat near Slidell , Louisiana on Sunday afternoon and hadn ’ t returned .
A helicopter and local officials were assisting in the search for Ted Roach and Jennifer Lingoni , the Coast Guard said in a statement .
Elsewhere in south Louisiana , water covered the only road to Grand Isle and low-lying parts of Plaquemines Parish at the state ’ s southeastern tip .
“ You can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” shrimper Acy Cooper said Sunday of one marina in the area .
“ You have to go by boat.
” Rain fell intermittently in New Orleans ’ famed French Quarter on Sunday afternoon , but the streets were nearly deserted , with many businesses already boarded up due to the coronavirus .
Daniel Priestman said people may be “ overwhelmed ” by the coronavirus and recent police violence and protests .
They seemed “ resigned to whatever happens – happens , ” he said .
At one New Orleans intersection , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sign , wired to a lamp post , rattled in a stiff wind as the crew of a massive vacuum truck worked to unclog a storm drain .
President Donald Trump agreed to issue an emergency declaration for Louisiana , officials said .
In Florida , a tornado — the second in two days in the state as the storm approached — uprooted trees and downed power lines Sunday afternoon south of Lake City near Interstate 75 , the weather service and authorities said .
There were no reports of injuries .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Interstate 10 in north Florida to close for a time Sunday .
Gerald Herbert and Kevin McGill are reporters at The Associated Press .
AP reporters Curt Anderson in St. Petersburg , Florida , and Jay Reeves in Birmingham , Alabama , contributed to this report .
About the Headline Photo : Owners tie down and secure their boats in the Pass Christian Harbor in Pass Christian , Miss.
, Sunday , June 7 , 2020 , on the Mississippi Gulf Coast ahead of Tropical Storm Cristobal ’ s landfall .
( Lukas @ @ @ @ @ @

NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana (AP) — Tropical Storm Cristobal weakened into a depression early Monday after inundating coastal Louisiana and ginning up dangerous weather along most of the U.S. Gulf Coast, sending waves crashing over Mississippi beaches, swamping parts of an Alabama island town and spawning a tornado in Florida.
Heavy rainfall and a storm surge continued posing a threat across a wide area of the coast after Cristobal made landfall Sunday afternoon packing 50-mph (85-kph) winds between the mouth of the Mississippi River and the since-evacuated barrier island resort community of Grand Isle.
At 10 a.m. CDT Monday, the storm was centered about 15 miles (30 kilometers) east of Monroe, Louisiana, with top winds of 35 mph (55 kph). It was moving northwest at 15 mph (24 kph).
Remnants of the storm are expected to whip up fierce winds in parts of the Midwest.
Wind gusts of up to 45 mph (72 kph) are expected in Chicago by Tuesday night, the National Weather Service said. Boaters were being warned of gale-force winds on nearby Lake Michigan on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Cristobal’s remnants could be a rainmaker for days. Its forecast path takes it into Arkansas and Missouri by Tuesday, then through Illinois and Wisconsin to the Great Lakes.
“It’s very efficient, very tropical rainfall,” National Hurricane Center Director Ken Graham said in a Facebook video. “It rains a whole bunch real quick.”
In their last update on Cristobal from the hurricane center, forecasters said up to 15 inches (38 centimeters) of rain could fall in some areas, and could cause significant river flooding across the mid and upper Mississippi Valley.
Coastal Mississippi news outlets reported stalled cars and trucks as flood waters inundated beaches and crashed over highways. On the City of Biloxi Facebook page, officials said emergency workers helped dozens of motorists through flood waters, mostly on U.S. 90 running along the coast.
In Alabama, the bridge linking the mainland to Dauphin Island was closed much of Sunday but was being reopened Monday. Police and state transportation department vehicles led convoys of motorists to and from the island when breaks in the weather permitted.
In Louisiana, rising water on Lake Pontchartrain near New Orleans pushed about two feet of water into the first floor of Rudy Horvath’s residence — a boathouse that sits on pilings over the brackish lake. Horvath said he and his family have lived there a year and have learned to take the occasional flood in stride. They’ve put tables on the lower floor to stack belongings above the high water.
“We thought it would be pretty cool to live out here, and it has been,” Horvath said. “The sunsets are great.”
The U.S. Coast Guard said it was searching for two people who went out in a 20-foot yellow boat near Slidell, Louisiana on Sunday afternoon and hadn’t returned. A helicopter and local officials were assisting in the search for Ted Roach and Jennifer Lingoni, the Coast Guard said in a statement.
Elsewhere in south Louisiana, water covered the only road to Grand Isle and low-lying parts of Plaquemines Parish at the state’s southeastern tip. “You can’t go down there by car,” shrimper Acy Cooper said Sunday of one marina in the area. “You have to go by boat.”
Rain fell intermittently in New Orleans’ famed French Quarter on Sunday afternoon, but the streets were nearly deserted, with many businesses already boarded up due to the coronavirus. Daniel Priestman said people may be “overwhelmed” by the coronavirus and recent police violence and protests. They seemed “resigned to whatever happens – happens,” he said.
At one New Orleans intersection, a handmade “Black Lives Matter” sign, wired to a lamp post, rattled in a stiff wind as the crew of a massive vacuum truck worked to unclog a storm drain.
President Donald Trump agreed to issue an emergency declaration for Louisiana, officials said.
In Florida, a tornado — the second in two days in the state as the storm approached — uprooted trees and downed power lines Sunday afternoon south of Lake City near Interstate 75, the weather service and authorities said. There were no reports of injuries. The storm also forced a waterlogged stretch of Interstate 10 in north Florida to close for a time Sunday.
– – –
Gerald Herbert and Kevin McGill are reporters at The Associated Press. AP reporters Curt Anderson in St. Petersburg, Florida, and Jay Reeves in Birmingham, Alabama, contributed to this report.
About the Headline Photo: Owners tie down and secure their boats in the Pass Christian Harbor in Pass Christian, Miss., Sunday, June 7, 2020, on the Mississippi Gulf Coast ahead of Tropical Storm Cristobal’s landfall. (Lukas Flippo/The Sun Herald via AP)


thetennesseestar--2020-06-09--Legendary Treasure Hunter Forrest Fenn Confirms: Trove of Riches Hidden in Rocky Mountains Finally F

Legendary Treasure Hunter Forrest Fenn Confirms: Trove of Riches Hidden in Rocky Mountains Finally Found

SANTA FE , New Mexico ( AP ) — A bronze chest filled with gold , jewels , and other valuables worth more than $ 1 million and hidden a decade ago somewhere in the Rocky Mountain wilderness has been found , according to a famed art and antiquities collector who created the treasure hunt .
Forrest Fenn , 89 , told the Santa Fe New Mexican on Sunday that a man who did not want his name released — but was from “ back East ” — located the chest a few days ago and the discovery was confirmed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ It was under a canopy of stars in the lush , forested vegetation of the Rocky Mountains and had not moved from the spot where I hid it more than 10 years ago , ” Fenn said in a statement on his website Sunday that still did not reveal the exact location .
“ I do not know the person who found it , but the poem in my book led him to the precise spot.
” Fenn posted clues to the treasure ’ s whereabouts online and in a 24-line @ @ @ @ @ @ @ autobiography “ The Thrill of the Chase.
” Hundreds of thousands have hunted in vain across remote corners of the U.S. West for the bronze chest believed to be filled with gold coins , jewelry and other valuable items .
Many quit their jobs to dedicate themselves to the search and others depleted their life savings .
At least four people died searching for it .
Fenn , who lives in Santa Fe , said he packed and repacked his treasure chest for more than a decade , sprinkling in gold dust and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gold nuggets .
Pre-Columbian animal figures went in , along with prehistoric “ mirrors ” of hammered gold , ancient Chinese faces carved from jade and antique jewelry with rubies and emeralds .
He said he hid the treasure as a way to tempt people to get into the wilderness and give them a chance to launch an old-fashioned adventure and expedition for riches .
Fenn told The New Mexican in 2017 that the chest weighs 20 pounds ( 9 kilograms ) and its contents weigh another 22 pounds ( 10 kilograms ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to its hiding place by himself over two separate trips .
Asked how he felt now that the treasure has been found , Fenn said : “ I don ’ t know , I feel halfway kind of glad , halfway kind of sad because the chase is over.
” “ I congratulate the thousands of people who participated in the search and hope they will continue to be drawn by the promise of other discoveries , ” he said on his website .
About the Headline Photo : In this March 22 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dealer and author Forrest Fenn sits in his home in Santa Fe , N.M. A bronze chest filled with gold , jewels , and other valuables worth more than $ 1 million and hidden a decade ago somewhere in the Rocky Mountain wilderness has been found , according to famed art and antiquities collector Fenn who created the treasure hunt .
Fenn , 89 , told the Santa Fe New Mexican on Sunday , June 7 , 2020 , that a man who did not want his name released located the chest a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ confirmed by a photograph the man sent him .
( AP Photo/Jeri Clausing , File )

SANTA FE, New Mexico (AP) — A bronze chest filled with gold, jewels, and other valuables worth more than $1 million and hidden a decade ago somewhere in the Rocky Mountain wilderness has been found, according to a famed art and antiquities collector who created the treasure hunt.
Forrest Fenn, 89, told the Santa Fe New Mexican on Sunday that a man who did not want his name released — but was from “back East” — located the chest a few days ago and the discovery was confirmed by a photograph the man sent him.
“It was under a canopy of stars in the lush, forested vegetation of the Rocky Mountains and had not moved from the spot where I hid it more than 10 years ago,” Fenn said in a statement on his website Sunday that still did not reveal the exact location. “I do not know the person who found it, but the poem in my book led him to the precise spot.”
Fenn posted clues to the treasure’s whereabouts online and in a 24-line poem that was published in his 2010 autobiography “The Thrill of the Chase.”
Hundreds of thousands have hunted in vain across remote corners of the U.S. West for the bronze chest believed to be filled with gold coins, jewelry and other valuable items. Many quit their jobs to dedicate themselves to the search and others depleted their life savings. At least four people died searching for it.
Fenn, who lives in Santa Fe, said he packed and repacked his treasure chest for more than a decade, sprinkling in gold dust and adding hundreds of rare gold coins and gold nuggets. Pre-Columbian animal figures went in, along with prehistoric “mirrors” of hammered gold, ancient Chinese faces carved from jade and antique jewelry with rubies and emeralds.
He said he hid the treasure as a way to tempt people to get into the wilderness and give them a chance to launch an old-fashioned adventure and expedition for riches.
Fenn told The New Mexican in 2017 that the chest weighs 20 pounds (9 kilograms) and its contents weigh another 22 pounds (10 kilograms). He said he delivered the chest to its hiding place by himself over two separate trips.
Asked how he felt now that the treasure has been found, Fenn said: “I don’t know, I feel halfway kind of glad, halfway kind of sad because the chase is over.”
“I congratulate the thousands of people who participated in the search and hope they will continue to be drawn by the promise of other discoveries,” he said on his website.
– – –
About the Headline Photo: In this March 22, 2013, file photo, antiquities dealer and author Forrest Fenn sits in his home in Santa Fe, N.M. A bronze chest filled with gold, jewels, and other valuables worth more than $1 million and hidden a decade ago somewhere in the Rocky Mountain wilderness has been found, according to famed art and antiquities collector Fenn who created the treasure hunt. Fenn, 89, told the Santa Fe New Mexican on Sunday, June 7, 2020, that a man who did not want his name released located the chest a few days ago and the discovery was confirmed by a photograph the man sent him. (AP Photo/Jeri Clausing, File)


thetennesseestar--2020-06-09--Former Congressman Ed Bryant Endorses Manny Sethi for Senate

Former Congressman Ed Bryant on Monday endorsed U.S. Senate candidate Manny Sethi , who is running to replace the retiring U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander ( R-TN ) .
This , according to an emailed press release on Sethi ’ s campaign website .
Bryant represented Tennessee in the U.S. House of Representatives and served as a magistrate judge for the Western District of Tennessee .
“ It matters who leads , who represents us and our values .
We need a senator who won ’ t forget about West Tennessee , ” Bryant said .
“ We have the opportunity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , someone who will stand up for all of Tennessee , which is why I ’ m endorsing Dr. Manny for Senate.
” “ From his time as U.S. Attorney , to his service in the Congress , to his decade in the judiciary , he has always stood for what is good and decent about our state , ” Sethi said in the press release .
“ Ed Bryant has always been a conservative fighter , standing up for life , small business , and our Second Amendment rights , and has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sethi , on his Facebook page Monday , posted a photo of that morning ’ s Madison County GOP meeting where Bryant endorsed him .
As The Tennessee Star reported last week , U.S. Sen. Rand Paul ( R-KY ) endorsed Sethi .
“ Tennessee deserves a true conservative who supports President Trump , is pro-liberty , and will fight out-of-control federal spending .
I believe Dr. Manny is the right choice .
Like me , he ’ s a physician , not another politician .
We need more outsiders in Washington , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him today , ” Paul said .
Sethi responded by calling Paul “ a strong voice for liberty in the U.S. Senate.
” “ I look forward to working with him , standing on the side of liberty , prosperity , and a return to the Constitution , ” Sethi said .
Chris Butler is an investigative journalist at The Tennessee Star .
Follow Chris on Facebook .
Email tips to [ email protected ] Photo “ Dr .
Manny Sethi and Ed Bryant ” by Dr. Manny Sethi .

Former Congressman Ed Bryant on Monday endorsed U.S. Senate candidate Manny Sethi, who is running to replace the retiring U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-TN).
This, according to an emailed press release on Sethi’s campaign website.
Bryant represented Tennessee in the U.S. House of Representatives and served as a magistrate judge for the Western District of Tennessee.
Bryant explained his reasons in Sethi’s press release.
“It matters who leads, who represents us and our values. We need a senator who won’t forget about West Tennessee,” Bryant said.
“We have the opportunity to send a real conservative to Washington, someone who will stand up for all of Tennessee, which is why I’m endorsing Dr. Manny for Senate.”
Sethi said Bryant’s endorsement humbled him.
“From his time as U.S. Attorney, to his service in the Congress, to his decade in the judiciary, he has always stood for what is good and decent about our state,” Sethi said in the press release.
“Ed Bryant has always been a conservative fighter, standing up for life, small business, and our Second Amendment rights, and has represented the best of West Tennessee.”
Sethi, on his Facebook page Monday, posted a photo of that morning’s Madison County GOP meeting where Bryant endorsed him.
As The Tennessee Star reported last week, U.S. Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) endorsed Sethi.
“Tennessee deserves a true conservative who supports President Trump, is pro-liberty, and will fight out-of-control federal spending. I believe Dr. Manny is the right choice. Like me, he’s a physician, not another politician. We need more outsiders in Washington, and I’m proud to endorse him today,” Paul said.
Sethi responded by calling Paul “a strong voice for liberty in the U.S. Senate.”
“I look forward to working with him, standing on the side of liberty, prosperity, and a return to the Constitution,” Sethi said.
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Chris Butler is an investigative journalist at The Tennessee Star. Follow Chris on Facebook. Email tips to [email protected]
Photo “Dr. Manny Sethi and Ed Bryant” by Dr. Manny Sethi.


thetennesseestar--2020-06-09--Steven Carrillo, the Suspect in Santa Cruz County Sheriff Deputy Damon Gutzwiller, Was Member of Eli

Steven Carrillo, the Suspect in Santa Cruz County Sheriff Deputy Damon Gutzwiller, Was Member of Elite Military Team

SANTA CRUZ , California ( AP ) — An active-duty U.S. Air Force sergeant accused of killing a Northern California sheriff ’ s deputy in an ambush-style attack was a leader for a military base ’ s elite security force , officials said Monday .
Staff Sgt .
Steven Carrillo has been arrested on suspicion of fatally shooting Santa Cruz County sheriff ’ s Sgt .
Damon Gutzwiller and wounding two other officers Saturday .
He is expected to be charged with first-degree murder .
The FBI also is investigating if Carrillo has any links to the killing of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. courthouse in Oakland more than a week ago .
Both killings involved shooters in a van .
Carrillo , 32 , was a team leader for the Phoenix Ravens at Travis Air Force Base , 50 miles ( 81 kilometers ) northeast of San Francisco , as part of the 60th Security Forces Squadron .
The Phoenix Ravens are tasked with protecting aircraft and crews from assaults on airfields “ where security is unknown or additional security is needed to counter local threats , ” according to the Air Force .
Carrillo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Carrillo , who was also in the Air Force , was found dead in an off-base hotel in May 2018 while she was stationed in South Carolina .
She was 30 .
Her death was ruled a suicide , according to the Air Force .
Carrillo arrived at Travis Air Force Base the month after her death .
On Saturday , deputies responded to a 911 call about a suspicious van in Ben Lomond , an unincorporated area near Santa Cruz .
The caller said guns and bomb-making devices were inside , Sheriff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the van pulled away and the deputies followed .
The van went down a driveway at a home , and the deputies were ambushed by gunfire and explosives after getting out of their vehicle .
Gutzwiller was wounded and later died at a hospital .
Another deputy was wounded by gunfire or shrapnel and struck by the van as the suspect fled , authorities said .
A third officer from the California Highway Patrol was shot in the hand , Hart said .
Carrillo then attempted a carjacking and was shot during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was being treated at a hospital but expected to survive .
The injured deputy was listed in stable condition Sunday .
Martha Mendoza and Stefanie Dazio are reporters at The Associated Press .
Dazio reported from Los Angeles .
AP writer Olga R. Rodriguez contributed .
About the Headline Photo : In this Sunday , June 7 , 2020 , booking mugshot courtesy Santa Cruz Sheriff ’ s Office shows 32-year-old suspect Steven Carrillo , an active-duty U.S. Air Force sergeant arrested on suspicion of fatally shooting Santa Cruz Sheriff ’ s Sgt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wounding two other officers Saturday .
( Santa Cruz Sheriff ’ s Office via AP )

SANTA CRUZ, California (AP) — An active-duty U.S. Air Force sergeant accused of killing a Northern California sheriff’s deputy in an ambush-style attack was a leader for a military base’s elite security force, officials said Monday.
Staff Sgt. Steven Carrillo has been arrested on suspicion of fatally shooting Santa Cruz County sheriff’s Sgt. Damon Gutzwiller and wounding two other officers Saturday. He is expected to be charged with first-degree murder.
The FBI also is investigating if Carrillo has any links to the killing of a federal officer who was shot outside the U.S. courthouse in Oakland more than a week ago. Both killings involved shooters in a van.
Carrillo, 32, was a team leader for the Phoenix Ravens at Travis Air Force Base, 50 miles (81 kilometers) northeast of San Francisco, as part of the 60th Security Forces Squadron. The Phoenix Ravens are tasked with protecting aircraft and crews from assaults on airfields “where security is unknown or additional security is needed to counter local threats,” according to the Air Force.
Carrillo’s wife, Monika Leigh Scott Carrillo, who was also in the Air Force, was found dead in an off-base hotel in May 2018 while she was stationed in South Carolina. She was 30. Her death was ruled a suicide, according to the Air Force.
Carrillo arrived at Travis Air Force Base the month after her death.
On Saturday, deputies responded to a 911 call about a suspicious van in Ben Lomond, an unincorporated area near Santa Cruz. The caller said guns and bomb-making devices were inside, Sheriff Jim Hart said.
When deputies arrived, the van pulled away and the deputies followed. The van went down a driveway at a home, and the deputies were ambushed by gunfire and explosives after getting out of their vehicle.
Gutzwiller was wounded and later died at a hospital. Another deputy was wounded by gunfire or shrapnel and struck by the van as the suspect fled, authorities said. A third officer from the California Highway Patrol was shot in the hand, Hart said.
Carrillo then attempted a carjacking and was shot during his arrest, Hart said. He was being treated at a hospital but expected to survive. The injured deputy was listed in stable condition Sunday.
– – –
Martha Mendoza and Stefanie Dazio are reporters at The Associated Press. Dazio reported from Los Angeles. AP writer Olga R. Rodriguez contributed.
About the Headline Photo: In this Sunday, June 7, 2020, booking mugshot courtesy Santa Cruz Sheriff’s Office shows 32-year-old suspect Steven Carrillo, an active-duty U.S. Air Force sergeant arrested on suspicion of fatally shooting Santa Cruz Sheriff’s Sgt. Damon Gutzwiller, 38, and wounding two other officers Saturday. (Santa Cruz Sheriff’s Office via AP)


thetennesseestar--2020-06-09--Crom Carmichael: Black Lives Matter Has Been Hijacked by the Democratic Party as Partisan Political

Crom Carmichael: Black Lives Matter Has Been Hijacked by the Democratic Party as Partisan Political Tool

Live from Music Row Monday morning on The Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy – broadcast on Nashville ’ s Talk Radio 98.3 and 1510 WLAC weekdays from 5:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. – host Leahy welcomed the original all-star panelist Crom Carmichael to the studio .
At the end of the second hour , Carmichael discussed how Black Lives Matter has become a tool of the Democratic party evidenced by their ignorance of Black police officers who have been killed in the line of duty .
He also notes that the school voucher programs which would help Black @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blocked by Democratic establishments across America ’ s cities .
Leahy : And that is Vice President Mike Pence talking about the criticism from former General Mattis .
Crom ?
Carmichael : Here is what ’ s interesting .
Let me go back if I could to Mullen .
Leahy : Former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff .
Carmichael : Yes .
We are going to go back and forth between Mullen and Bowser .
Carmichael : Mayor Bowser of Washington , D.C. Wallace asked Mullen , he said your name @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mate for Hillary Clinton in 2016 which she did not deny .
And a possible running mate for Howard Schultz .
Since Schultz never ran , that doesn ’ t matter .
He said Trump is likely going to respond to what you are saying in writing .
And respond that you are just a Trump hater .
Do you plead guilty ?
And Mullen did exactly what Mattis thinks that any president should do .
He started to pretend .
( Leahy chuckles ) This worked when Mattis said that Trump won @ @ @ @ @ @ @ telling about James Mattis , is that he pretends .
Mullen then said this election is about division or unity .
That ’ s what he said .
This is about division or unity .
Which means , that to Mullen , unity is everybody agreeing that the swamp is a good thing .
Everybody agreeing that the government must grow .
We must unify around the government .
Carmichael : We must not unify around the Constitution .
We must not unify around the Declaration of Independence .
We must not unify @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , no , no .
We must unify around the notion that the government can solve all problems .
Which by the way , when you get back to Bowser…Washington .
Carmichael : She said , this was great because Chris Wallace asked her , Black Lives Matter was accused of increasing spending for the police while cutting spending on community intervention programs .
Here is what she said , when it comes to public safety in Washington , D.C. what the needs are in Washington , D.C. and we have invested not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ less than what we need for safe neighborhoods in our communities .
So she is saying that she is spending exactly the right amount to get the result that she wants which is safe neighborhoods .
The question is , are they safe ?
And the answer is no .
Washington , D.C. is one of the most violent cities in the United States .
So how telling is this ?
Bowser is claiming that she is spending exactly the right amount of money because she agrees with the results that are there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ me !
Leahy : Mayor Bowser also wants to unify the country .
Her plan of course is by painting on the road leading to the White House this big mural , Black Lives Matter .
Leahy : So back to your point .
The only way you can unify is by bending your knee to the left-wing agenda of Black Lives Matter .
Carmichael : Yes .
Yes .
And that ’ s where the dragons and whatever that program was on TV .
Bend the knee .
Carmichael : That ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that ’ s what all the tyrants wanted .
They wanted people to bend the knee to them .
When you look at what ’ s going in Washington , D.C. it ’ s terrible .
And so the murder rate in Washington , D.C. , I checked it , is the highest in more of a decade in 2019 .
Carmichael : Yeah .
She says this is what she wants .
Here ’ s what ’ s interesting .
What Chris Wallace didn ’ t ask her , well are the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ want ?
Are you spending exactly to the penny and not a penny more and not a penny less the correct amount on education ?
Because the minority community in Washington , D.C. , the educational results are just absolutely terrible .
Does Black Lives Matter care about the education of Black children ?
The answer is no because Black Lives Matter just as # MeToo is a partisan political movement .
It wasn ’ t that to start but it has been hijacked and it has now been made part of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Let me say this , that is so incredibly sad because just as # MeToo mattered in its early stages the Black Lives Matter group what they said they cared about has now been co-opted completely by the Democratic party and it ’ s being used as a tool .
Now , we know that because Tim Scott who is a Black senator from South Carolina , and by the way , what a wonderful person and Senator .
Carmichael : There are many white Republican senators who do not do what needs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to help Black children get a quality education .
On the Democrat side , I ’ ve come to the conclusion that Democrats actually want to be sure that Black children do not get a quality education .
Because as long as they are uneducated they are part of the voting block that Democrats can reach out to .
So I condemn Republicans more than I do Democrats because Democrats , I know what they are .
And it ’ s true by the way here in Nashville .
It ’ s very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ve done great reporting in your paper about just how deplorable the schools are in Nashville and public schools in general .
But for Black children in particular .
Leahy : And Democrats have been leading the charge against the voucher program .
Carmichael : And they ’ ve been running the city .
And this is true across the country .
That is exactly why the Black Lives Matter movement now can no longer be about individual issues .
They don ’ t even care about Black lives actually because there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been killed and they don ’ t even know their names .
They don ’ t even know their names .
It ’ s clear that George Floyd doesn ’ t represent all Black lives .
Because the other Black lives that get violently killed and they are not doing anything wrong at all .
And in the case of the police , they are actually trying to protect and defend .
Those Black lives don ’ t matter .
Leahy : And of course the Black owners of businesses that have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t care about them either .
Leahy : They don ’ t care about them .
Listen to the full second hour here : Tune in weekdays from 5:00 – 8:00 a.m. to the Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy on Talk Radio 98.3 FM WLAC 1510 .
Listen online at iHeart Radio .
Photo “ Black Lives Matter ” by Laurie Shaull CC2.0 .

Live from Music Row Monday morning on The Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy – broadcast on Nashville’s Talk Radio 98.3 and 1510 WLAC weekdays from 5:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. – host Leahy welcomed the original all-star panelist Crom Carmichael to the studio.
At the end of the second hour, Carmichael discussed how Black Lives Matter has become a tool of the Democratic party evidenced by their ignorance of Black police officers who have been killed in the line of duty. He also notes that the school voucher programs which would help Black children’s education are consistently being blocked by Democratic establishments across America’s cities.
(Mike Pence clip plays)
I haven’t spoken to general Mattis but I can tell you he’s wrong. This President has done in recent days is what every American expects a President to do in times of crisis and that is put the lives and the property and the liberty of every American first.
Leahy: And that is Vice President Mike Pence talking about the criticism from former General Mattis. Crom?
Carmichael: Here is what’s interesting. Let me go back if I could to Mullen.
Leahy: Former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Carmichael: Yes. We are going to go back and forth between Mullen and Bowser.
Leahy: Mayor Bowser.
Carmichael: Mayor Bowser of Washington, D.C. Wallace asked Mullen, he said your name was mentioned as a possible VP running mate for Hillary Clinton in 2016 which she did not deny. And a possible running mate for Howard Schultz. Since Schultz never ran, that doesn’t matter.
He said Trump is likely going to respond to what you are saying in writing. And respond that you are just a Trump hater. Do you plead guilty? And Mullen did exactly what Mattis thinks that any president should do. He started to pretend. (Leahy chuckles) This worked when Mattis said that Trump won’t even pretend that is so telling about James Mattis, is that he pretends.
Mullen then said this election is about division or unity. That’s what he said. This is about division or unity. Which means, that to Mullen, unity is everybody agreeing that the swamp is a good thing. Everybody agreeing that the government must grow. We must unify around the government.
Leahy: Yes.
Carmichael: We must not unify around the Constitution. We must not unify around the Declaration of Independence. We must not unify around the Bill of Rights. No, no, no. We must unify around the notion that the government can solve all problems. Which by the way, when you get back to Bowser…Washington.
Leahy: The mayor of Washington, D.C.
Carmichael: She said, this was great because Chris Wallace asked her, Black Lives Matter was accused of increasing spending for the police while cutting spending on community intervention programs. Here is what she said, when it comes to public safety in Washington, D.C. what the needs are in Washington, D.C. and we have invested not a penny more and not a penny less than what we need for safe neighborhoods in our communities.
So she is saying that she is spending exactly the right amount to get the result that she wants which is safe neighborhoods. The question is, are they safe? And the answer is no. Washington, D.C. is one of the most violent cities in the United States. So how telling is this? Bowser is claiming that she is spending exactly the right amount of money because she agrees with the results that are there now. That is just amazing to me!
Leahy: Mayor Bowser also wants to unify the country. Her plan of course is by painting on the road leading to the White House this big mural, Black Lives Matter.
Carmichael: Yes.
Leahy: So back to your point. The only way you can unify is by bending your knee to the left-wing agenda of Black Lives Matter.
Carmichael: Yes. Yes. And that’s where the dragons and whatever that program was on TV. Bend the knee.
Leahy: Yeah.
Carmichael: That’s what you have to do and that’s what all the tyrants wanted. They wanted people to bend the knee to them. When you look at what’s going in Washington, D.C. it’s terrible. And so the murder rate in Washington, D.C., I checked it, is the highest in more of a decade in 2019.
Leahy: Thank you, Mayor Bowser.
Carmichael: Yeah. She says this is what she wants. Here’s what’s interesting. What Chris Wallace didn’t ask her, well are the schools exactly as well as you would want? Are you spending exactly to the penny and not a penny more and not a penny less the correct amount on education?
Because the minority community in Washington, D.C., the educational results are just absolutely terrible. Does Black Lives Matter care about the education of Black children? The answer is no because Black Lives Matter just as #MeToo is a partisan political movement. It wasn’t that to start but it has been hijacked and it has now been made part of the grievance group in the Democratic party.
Let me say this, that is so incredibly sad because just as #MeToo mattered in its early stages the Black Lives Matter group what they said they cared about has now been co-opted completely by the Democratic party and it’s being used as a tool. Now, we know that because Tim Scott who is a Black senator from South Carolina, and by the way, what a wonderful person and Senator.
Leahy: Great guy.
Carmichael: There are many white Republican senators who do not do what needs to be done in terms of trying to help Black children get a quality education. On the Democrat side, I’ve come to the conclusion that Democrats actually want to be sure that Black children do not get a quality education. Because as long as they are uneducated they are part of the voting block that Democrats can reach out to.
So I condemn Republicans more than I do Democrats because Democrats, I know what they are. And it’s true by the way here in Nashville. It’s very very similar here in Nashville because you’ve done great reporting in your paper about just how deplorable the schools are in Nashville and public schools in general. But for Black children in particular.
Leahy: And Democrats have been leading the charge against the voucher program.
Carmichael: And they’ve been running the city. And this is true across the country. That is exactly why the Black Lives Matter movement now can no longer be about individual issues. They don’t even care about Black lives actually because there have been Black police officers who have been killed and they don’t even know their names.
They don’t even know their names. It’s clear that George Floyd doesn’t represent all Black lives. Because the other Black lives that get violently killed and they are not doing anything wrong at all. And in the case of the police, they are actually trying to protect and defend. Those Black lives don’t matter.
Leahy: And of course the Black owners of businesses that have been destroyed by the riots they don’t care about them either.
Carmichael: Exactly.
Leahy: They don’t care about them.
Listen to the full second hour here:
– – –
Tune in weekdays from 5:00 – 8:00 a.m. to the Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy on Talk Radio 98.3 FM WLAC 1510. Listen online at iHeart Radio.
Photo “Black Lives Matter” by Laurie Shaull CC2.0.


thetennesseestar--2020-06-09--COVID-19 Relief Money to Pay Millions in New Laptops for Nashville Public School Students

Nashville Mayor John Cooper is directing $ 24 million in funding from the federal CARES Act to provide every public school student in Nashville-Davidson County with a laptop .
And students who need internet connectivity will get it .
This , according to the city ’ s COVID-19 website .
“ This investment is sufficient for Dell Computers to provide Metro Nashville with up to 90,000 laptops for the projected 84,740 students who will be enrolled in traditional and charter schools in the upcoming school year , ” according to the website .
“ The cost of each computer will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a significant reduction from their list price.
” Earlier this summer , MNPS surveyed families to determine how many families had access to the Internet .
Fifteen percent of families who responded to the survey reported that they did not have internet access .
Adjusting for no respondents , MNPS has estimated that 20 percent of their families lack internet access , the website said .
“ To meet the needs of these families , the $ 24 million is also sufficient to pay for up to 17,000 mobile Internet hotspots .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ will provide MNPS students with mobile Internet hotspots .
Metro is still negotiating with vendors , but the cost of the Internet hotspot service would be no more than $ 20/month , a significant reduction from their list price .
Hotspot devices will be distributed to students along with their laptops , ” according to Nashville ’ s COVID-19 website .
“ The cost of this investment in Nashville ’ s future will be up to $ 24 million ( still negotiating with vendors ) .
Funding will come from the $ 121 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CARES Act.
” At a press conference Monday , Metro Nashville Public Schools Director Adrienne Battle called this “ a massive step towards equity.
” “ One of the biggest challenges our school district faces is the digital divide .
Some students have multiple devices to help them learn , talk to their teachers remotely , and complete assignments , [ but ] many do not .
Thousands of our students don ’ t even have wi-fi .
That can make remote learning a big challenge , ” Battle said .
“ But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the city between Metro Nashville Public Schools and our public , private , and non-profit partners to bridge that divide .
We are a city built on generosity and a place where people pitch in to help their fellow citizens succeed .
And that is why we are here .
Because Mayor Cooper has stepped up to help fill that void.
” Chris Butler is an investigative journalist at The Tennessee Star .
Follow Chris on Facebook .
Email tips to [ email protected ] Photo “ Mayor Cooper with Students ” by @ @ @ @

Nashville Mayor John Cooper is directing $24 million in funding from the federal CARES Act to provide every public school student in Nashville-Davidson County with a laptop.
And students who need internet connectivity will get it.
This, according to the city’s COVID-19 website.
“This investment is sufficient for Dell Computers to provide Metro Nashville with up to 90,000 laptops for the projected 84,740 students who will be enrolled in traditional and charter schools in the upcoming school year,” according to the website.
“The cost of each computer will be just above $200 per device, a significant reduction from their list price.”
Earlier this summer, MNPS surveyed families to determine how many families had access to the Internet. Fifteen percent of families who responded to the survey reported that they did not have internet access. Adjusting for no respondents, MNPS has estimated that 20 percent of their families lack internet access, the website said.
“To meet the needs of these families, the $24 million is also sufficient to pay for up to 17,000 mobile Internet hotspots. MNPS is entering into an agreement that will provide MNPS students with mobile Internet hotspots. Metro is still negotiating with vendors, but the cost of the Internet hotspot service would be no more than $20/month, a significant reduction from their list price. Hotspot devices will be distributed to students along with their laptops,” according to Nashville’s COVID-19 website.
“The cost of this investment in Nashville’s future will be up to $24 million (still negotiating with vendors). Funding will come from the $121 million allocated to Nashville through the federal CARES Act.”
At a press conference Monday, Metro Nashville Public Schools Director Adrienne Battle called this “a massive step towards equity.”
“One of the biggest challenges our school district faces is the digital divide. Some students have multiple devices to help them learn, talk to their teachers remotely, and complete assignments, [but] many do not. Thousands of our students don’t even have wi-fi. That can make remote learning a big challenge,” Battle said.
“But I know we have the capacity in the city between Metro Nashville Public Schools and our public, private, and non-profit partners to bridge that divide. We are a city built on generosity and a place where people pitch in to help their fellow citizens succeed. And that is why we are here. Because Mayor Cooper has stepped up to help fill that void.”
– – –
Chris Butler is an investigative journalist at The Tennessee Star. Follow Chris on Facebook. Email tips to [email protected]
Photo “Mayor Cooper with Students” by Mayor John Cooper.