thetennesseestar--2020-07-02--Convicted Felon Faces Federal Gun Charge After Allegedly Pointing Pistol at Nashville Police

Authorities have arrested yet another convicted felon in Nashville and charged him with allegedly possessing a gun .
Per the law , convicted felons may not have firearms .
Officials charged Jotez Anderson , 27 , with possessing a firearm even though he ’ s a convicted felon .
“ A criminal complaint obtained Friday , alleges that on June 3 , 2020 , two officers with the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department responded to a call on 18th Avenue , North , regarding a person with a gun .
When the officers arrived , they saw Anderson and another individual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ argument , ” a statement from Metro Nashville officials said .
“ The officers heard someone yell ‘ he ’ s got a gun , ’ and then saw Anderson run toward the rear of the house .
While the officers were pursuing Anderson , they noticed a firearm in his hand .
During this encounter and on two separate occasions , Anderson pointed the firearm at each officer , before being fired upon by both officers.
” Anderson continued to evade the officers until a K-9 arrived .
Anderson surrendered , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the hand .
They also recovered a bloody , Smith & Wesson .40 caliber pistol with an extended magazine .
Authorities recovered it from the house where Anderson fled , the press release said .
“ Anderson had previously been convicted of the offense of attempted first degree murder in Davidson County Criminal Court and received a sentence of 15 years , ” according to the press release .
“ He was on parole at the time of this incident .
If convicted , Anderson faces up to 10 years in prison.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ May , Jamontez Deshun Howse , whom Nashville Police described as “ a dangerous felon with a gun ” allegedly tried to carjack a woman in Nashville .
Police later arrested the suspect .
Authorities later jailed him on charges of attempted carjacking , theft of a Cadillac Escalade , and theft of a .45 caliber loaded semi-automatic pistol that he allegedly dropped moments before his arrest .
Also as reported in May , Denevie K. Bell , an ex-convict in Tennessee , allegedly robbed and shot a 55-year-old man before law enforcement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an investigative journalist at The Tennessee Star .
Follow Chris on Facebook .
Email tips to [ email protected ]

Authorities have arrested yet another convicted felon in Nashville and charged him with allegedly possessing a gun.
Per the law, convicted felons may not have firearms.
Officials charged Jotez Anderson, 27, with possessing a firearm even though he’s a convicted felon.
This is a federal charge.
“A criminal complaint obtained Friday, alleges that on June 3, 2020, two officers with the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department responded to a call on 18th Avenue, North, regarding a person with a gun. When the officers arrived, they saw Anderson and another individual outside the home and in a heated argument,” a statement from Metro Nashville officials said.
“The officers heard someone yell ‘he’s got a gun,’ and then saw Anderson run toward the rear of the house. While the officers were pursuing Anderson, they noticed a firearm in his hand. During this encounter and on two separate occasions, Anderson pointed the firearm at each officer, before being fired upon by both officers.”
Anderson continued to evade the officers until a K-9 arrived. Anderson surrendered, and authorities said he had a gunshot wound to the hand. They also recovered a bloody, Smith & Wesson .40 caliber pistol with an extended magazine. Authorities recovered it from the house where Anderson fled, the press release said.
“Anderson had previously been convicted of the offense of attempted first degree murder in Davidson County Criminal Court and received a sentence of 15 years,” according to the press release.
“He was on parole at the time of this incident. If convicted, Anderson faces up to 10 years in prison.”
As The Tennessee Star reported in May, Jamontez Deshun Howse, whom Nashville Police described as “a dangerous felon with a gun” allegedly tried to carjack a woman in Nashville. Police later arrested the suspect. Authorities later jailed him on charges of attempted carjacking, theft of a Cadillac Escalade, and theft of a .45 caliber loaded semi-automatic pistol that he allegedly dropped moments before his arrest.
Also as reported in May, Denevie K. Bell, an ex-convict in Tennessee, allegedly robbed and shot a 55-year-old man before law enforcement officials arrested him.
– – –
Chris Butler is an investigative journalist at The Tennessee Star. Follow Chris on Facebook. Email tips to [email protected]


thetennesseestar--2020-07-02--Hennepin County Board Passes Resolution Declaring Racism a ‘Public Health Crisis’

Commissioners Angela Conley and Irene Fernando introduced the resolution , which passed in a vote of 6-1 .
“ Ultimately this resolution is about the health and well-being of Hennepin County residents who have borne the brunt of racial discrimination and racial inequity through various different systems , ” Conley said in a press release after the resolution passed .
“ Year after year after year , we find ourselves as a state and ultimately as the largest county in this state ranking among the worst places to live for Black and Indigenous people .
More and more across the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public health are saying that we need to name structural racism as the root cause of our work to eliminate disparities , ” she added .
According to the press release , the resolution directs Hennepin County to advocate for policies to “ improve health outcomes ” in communities of color , support “ initiatives to dismantle systemic racism , ” and incorporate the public health crisis of racism into “ budget hearing materials.
” Additionally , the resolution directs the county to “ conduct an assessment related to all human resources , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with a racial equity lens.
” “ Hennepin County will support local , state , regional , and federal initiatives that advance efforts to dismantle systemic racism ; will seek partnership with local organizations that have a legacy and track record of confronting racism ; and will promote community efforts to amplify issues of racism to engage actively and authentically with communities of color wherever they live , ” the resolution states .
County Board Chair Marion Greene said the passage of the resolution is a step in the right direction .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ racism on health and wellness , ” she said .
“ For example , Black women have a higher rate of maternal death than their white counterparts .
This can ’ t be explained away .
It clearly shows that racism is corrosive to health.
” Last month , Fernando and Conley voted to remove the county ’ s medical examiner because they didn ’ t like the results of his autopsy in the case of George Floyd .
The autopsy revealed that Floyd tested positive for the coronavirus , had fentanyl and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a number of underlying health conditions .
The two commissioners said Chief Medical Examiner Andrew Baker ’ s autopsy did “ irreparable damage to the Black community.
” “ This is yet another reason people who look like me do not trust the justice system to bring justice to us .
We are too often criminalized by the way we look while living and even in death , ” Conley said after voting against reinstating Baker .
Conley and Fernando were among the first state leaders to call for the “ immediate arrest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the alleged murder of Floyd .
Both represent portions of Minneapolis on the Board of Commissioners .
Anthony Gockowski is managing editor of The Minnesota Sun and The Ohio Star .
Follow Anthony on Twitter .
Email tips to [ email protected ] .
Photo “ Hennepin County Commissioners Angela Conley , Irene Fernando and Marion Greene ” by Hennepin County Government .

The Hennepin County Board of Commissioners passed a resolution Tuesday declaring racism a “public health crisis.”
Commissioners Angela Conley and Irene Fernando introduced the resolution, which passed in a vote of 6-1.
“Ultimately this resolution is about the health and well-being of Hennepin County residents who have borne the brunt of racial discrimination and racial inequity through various different systems,” Conley said in a press release after the resolution passed.
“Year after year after year, we find ourselves as a state and ultimately as the largest county in this state ranking among the worst places to live for Black and Indigenous people. More and more across the country, professionals in the field of public health are saying that we need to name structural racism as the root cause of our work to eliminate disparities,” she added.
According to the press release, the resolution directs Hennepin County to advocate for policies to “improve health outcomes” in communities of color, support “initiatives to dismantle systemic racism,” and incorporate the public health crisis of racism into “budget hearing materials.”
Additionally, the resolution directs the county to “conduct an assessment related to all human resources, vendor selection, and grant management activities with a racial equity lens.”
“Hennepin County will support local, state, regional, and federal initiatives that advance efforts to dismantle systemic racism; will seek partnership with local organizations that have a legacy and track record of confronting racism; and will promote community efforts to amplify issues of racism to engage actively and authentically with communities of color wherever they live,” the resolution states.
County Board Chair Marion Greene said the passage of the resolution is a step in the right direction.
“We must acknowledge the harmful effect of racism on health and wellness,” she said. “For example, Black women have a higher rate of maternal death than their white counterparts. This can’t be explained away. It clearly shows that racism is corrosive to health.”
Last month, Fernando and Conley voted to remove the county’s medical examiner because they didn’t like the results of his autopsy in the case of George Floyd. The autopsy revealed that Floyd tested positive for the coronavirus, had fentanyl and meth in his blood, and had a number of underlying health conditions.
The two commissioners said Chief Medical Examiner Andrew Baker’s autopsy did “irreparable damage to the Black community.”
“This is yet another reason people who look like me do not trust the justice system to bring justice to us. We are too often criminalized by the way we look while living and even in death,” Conley said after voting against reinstating Baker.
Conley and Fernando were among the first state leaders to call for the “immediate arrest” of all four officers involved in the alleged murder of Floyd. Both represent portions of Minneapolis on the Board of Commissioners.
– – –
Anthony Gockowski is managing editor of The Minnesota Sun and The Ohio Star. Follow Anthony on Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Hennepin County Commissioners Angela Conley, Irene Fernando and Marion Greene” by Hennepin County Government.


thetennesseestar--2020-07-02--Commentary: Beware of Mark Cuban

Commentary: Beware of Mark Cuban

Michael Bloomberg wasn ’ t able to buy the Democratic nomination .
Maybe another billionaire leftist—Mark Cuban—will have better luck buying the Democratic nominee .
Cuban certainly has been carrying water for Joe Biden—or at least , for Biden ’ s policies , which amounts to the same thing .
He hasn ’ t taken a knee—yet—in support of the rioters who are so upset about the death of George Floyd that they ’ ve been torching the businesses of people who had nothing to do with it .
But he did warmly proclaim that Biden has “ empathy ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s , we were supposed to understand , is strongly juxtaposed with his billionaire bete noir , President Trump who , Cuban assures us , is just “ playing the victim.
” Trump has had the audacity to side with the victims .
.
.
of the rioters , whom the president hasn ’ t confused with peaceful protestors .
Cuban also supports what Joe Biden—alongside Barack Obama—imposed on America : A one-size-fits-all/can ’ t-say-no-thanks , government-run health care system .
He told CNBC ’ s Karen Gilchrist that the price of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 50 percent ” by doing away with private health insurance , which is based on individual risk profiles and can be tailored to the individual ’ s needs .
He talked up the British and Australian one-size-fits-all models .
But he failed to talk up the cost of the taxes imposed to provide one-size-fits-all coverage in Britain and Australia .
Instead of paying $ 1,000 for an MRI—if you ever need one—you ’ re forced to pay several times that sum every year , in taxes—in case someone else needs one .
Of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the government—rather than you—deciding who gets one .
As a matter of fact , the government decides who gets anything .
It ’ s a bizarre position to take for a man who claims to be a fan of the arch-capitalist writer and philosopher Ayn Rand , author of The Fountainhead and Atlas Shrugged .
Both novels are about the struggle of the individual against the collective—not paeans about the subordination of the individual to the collective .
Rand , were she still with us , would not be glad to have Cuban @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weirder .
Cuban says he “ wants to be a Republican ” .
.
.
but endorsed Hillary Clinton .
Which is not unlike confusing rioters with protestors .
Cuban may be to the left of sleepy Joe , who for all his many faults doesn ’ t seem to actually hate this country .
One wonders about Mark Cuban .
About his motives for financing the jihadi-recruiting film , Redacted—which is basically Deliverance revisited only this time in place of leering hillbillies assaulting Ned Beatty and Jon Voight , it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Iraqi teenager .
As awful as that act was , worse is the certainty that it will expose Americans to more terrorism in the manner of the “ protests ” that Mark Cuban has so much .
.
.
empathy for .
He also has an affinity for cheap labor—something else he has in common with another ersatz Republican who always seems to come up on the Democrat side of things : Michael Bloomberg .
Cuban thinks it ’ s “ crazy ” as well as “ really , really stupid ” to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who pay the taxes that fund , among other things , sports arenas such as the one built in Dallas where Cuban ’ s Mavericks play ball , which has helped make Cuban rich .
But Cuban—and Bloomberg , who founded something called the New American Economy , which advocates that Americans shouldn ’ t have pride of place in the economy of America—is opposed to checking the “ immigration status ” of workers .
He is as cognitively dissonant—or is it disingenuous ?
—on this subject as he is on the question @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supports Hillary Clinton .
.
.
and a fan of Ayn Rand who supports socialized medicine .
A piece in the Dallas Morning News describes the kind of conflation that is infecting Cuban ’ s mind and causing this confusion : If Cuban were honest , he ’ d acknowledge the legal status of those immigrants he ’ s praising .
Instead , he tries to shame opponents of open borders—and open wallets—by calling them “ crazy ” and “ stupid.
” It ’ s typical of the gaslighting practiced by the Left @ @ @ @ @ @ @ posturings about being a “ Republican ” ( and a Randian ) notwithstanding .
But it ’ ’ s more than just disingenuous posturing .
It also may be practical politics .
Cuban knows his presidential ambitions aren ’ t going anywhere in a Republican Party led by a victorious President Trump .
So he ’ s lining up with the other party—and the man he hopes will defeat President Trump .
Maybe , just maybe , a victorious Biden will make him the number two ?
Not likely .
But treasury secretary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Publius PR , a premier communications firm in Washington D.C. Rice is a brand manager , star-whisperer and auteur media influencer , who has produced or promoted Laura Ingraham , Judge Jeanine Pirro , Donald Trump Jr. , Monica Crowley , Charles Krauthammer , Roger L. Simon , Steve Hilton , Victor Davis Hanson , and many others .
Find out more at publiuspr.com .
Photo “ Mark Cuban ” by Gage Skidmore .
CC BY-SA 2.0 .

by A.J Rice
Michael Bloomberg wasn’t able to buy the Democratic nomination. Maybe another billionaire leftist—Mark Cuban—will have better luck buying the Democratic nominee.
Cuban certainly has been carrying water for Joe Biden—or at least, for Biden’s policies, which amounts to the same thing. He hasn’t taken a knee—yet—in support of the rioters who are so upset about the death of George Floyd that they’ve been torching the businesses of people who had nothing to do with it.
But he did warmly proclaim that Biden has “empathy” for them.
This empathy of Biden’s, we were supposed to understand, is strongly juxtaposed with his billionaire bete noir, President Trump who, Cuban assures us, is just “playing the victim.” Trump has had the audacity to side with the victims . . . of the rioters, whom the president hasn’t confused with peaceful protestors.
Cuban also supports what Joe Biden—alongside Barack Obama—imposed on America: A one-size-fits-all/can’t-say-no-thanks, government-run health care system.
He told CNBC’s Karen Gilchrist that the price of health insurance “could be slashed by 50 percent” by doing away with private health insurance, which is based on individual risk profiles and can be tailored to the individual’s needs. He talked up the British and Australian one-size-fits-all models. But he failed to talk up the cost of the taxes imposed to provide one-size-fits-all coverage in Britain and Australia. Instead of paying $1,000 for an MRI—if you ever need one—you’re forced to pay several times that sum every year, in taxes—in case someone else needs one.
Of course, under this system it is the government—rather than you—deciding who gets one.
As a matter of fact, the government decides who gets anything.
It’s a bizarre position to take for a man who claims to be a fan of the arch-capitalist writer and philosopher Ayn Rand, author of The Fountainhead and Atlas Shrugged. Both novels are about the struggle of the individual against the collective—not paeans about the subordination of the individual to the collective.
Rand, were she still with us, would not be glad to have Cuban as a fan.
It gets even weirder.
Cuban says he “wants to be a Republican” . . . but endorsed Hillary Clinton. Which is not unlike confusing rioters with protestors.
Apparently, it’s not just Joe who’s sleepy.
Cuban may be to the left of sleepy Joe, who for all his many faults doesn’t seem to actually hate this country. One wonders about Mark Cuban. About his motives for financing the jihadi-recruiting film, Redacted—which is basically Deliverance revisited only this time in place of leering hillbillies assaulting Ned Beatty and Jon Voight, it’s American soldiers assaulting and ultimately murdering an Iraqi teenager.
As awful as that act was, worse is the certainty that it will expose Americans to more terrorism in the manner of the “protests” that Mark Cuban has so much . . . empathy for.
He also has an affinity for cheap labor—something else he has in common with another ersatz Republican who always seems to come up on the Democrat side of things: Michael Bloomberg.
Cuban thinks it’s “crazy” as well as “really, really stupid” to reserve jobs in America for Americans—the citizens who pay the taxes that fund, among other things, sports arenas such as the one built in Dallas where Cuban’s Mavericks play ball, which has helped make Cuban rich.
But Cuban—and Bloomberg, who founded something called the New American Economy, which advocates that Americans shouldn’t have pride of place in the economy of America—is opposed to checking the “immigration status” of workers. He is as cognitively dissonant—or is it disingenuous?—on this subject as he is on the question of being a “Republican” who supports Hillary Clinton . . . and a fan of Ayn Rand who supports socialized medicine.
A piece in the Dallas Morning News describes the kind of conflation that is infecting Cuban’s mind and causing this confusion:
Almost half of Fortune 500 companies were started by immigrants or the children of immigrants, according to a 2017 study by the Center for American Entrepreneurship, a nonpartisan policy and advocacy organization.
If Cuban were honest, he’d acknowledge the legal status of those immigrants he’s praising. Instead, he tries to shame opponents of open borders—and open wallets—by calling them “crazy” and “stupid.”
It’s typical of the gaslighting practiced by the Left, of which Cuban is a part—his posturings about being a “Republican” (and a Randian) notwithstanding.
But it’’s more than just disingenuous posturing. It also may be practical politics.
Cuban knows his presidential ambitions aren’t going anywhere in a Republican Party led by a victorious President Trump. So he’s lining up with the other party—and the man he hopes will defeat President Trump.
Maybe, just maybe, a victorious Biden will make him the number two? Not likely. But treasury secretary?
Or wrinkled t-shirt secretary?
– – –
A.J. Rice is CEO of Publius PR, a premier communications firm in Washington D.C. Rice is a brand manager, star-whisperer and auteur media influencer, who has produced or promoted Laura Ingraham, Judge Jeanine Pirro, Donald Trump Jr., Monica Crowley, Charles Krauthammer, Roger L. Simon, Steve Hilton, Victor Davis Hanson, and many others. Find out more at publiuspr.com.
Photo “Mark Cuban” by Gage Skidmore. CC BY-SA 2.0.


thetennesseestar--2020-07-02--Three More Charged with Arson in Connection to Twin Cities Riots

Three more Minnesotans are facing federal arson charges in connection to the late May riots in Minneapolis and St. Paul .
Both Matthew Scott White , 31 , and Mohamed Hussein Abdi , 19 , were arrested on June 29 and charged with one count of arson .
According to a statement from U.S. Attorney Erica MacDonald , Abdi was captured on surveillance cameras while intentionally starting a fire in the cafeteria of Gordon Parks High School in St. Paul on the night of May 28 .
The footage shows Abdi reaching through a broken glass door and pouring a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the floor of the cafeteria .
Abdi then entered the cafeteria and poured more clear liquid onto the floor and into a trashcan .
He ignited a fire in the trashcan using a liquid-soaked garment .
The footage shows Abdi running from the building as flames and black smoke erupt from the trashcan .
Investigators with the Bureau of Alcohol , Tobacco , Firearms and Explosives ( ATF ) were able to identify White on surveillance footage from an Enterprise Rent-A-Car in St. Paul , which was completely destroyed by fire on May @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shows White carrying a box and a trashcan into the back area of the business , out of view of the camera .
Shortly after , fire can be seen flickering in the reflection of the window in the front of the store , according to MacDonald ’ s office .
White ’ s sister , Jessica Lynn White , was charged Friday with conspiracy to commit arson for her involvement in the incident .
U.S. Attorney General Bill Barr said last week that the Department of Justice is conducting roughly 500 investigations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the country .
“ We ’ ve had scores of indictments so far for such things as arson , destruction of federal property , ” said Barr , claiming “ state and local are not doing their jobs.
” “ We have right now about 500 investigations underway , so it ’ s picking up pace , ” he added .
“ We are committed to holding accountable the people who engaged in this.
” At least 10 Minnesotans are now facing various charges in connection to the riots , including a St. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ murder for allegedly shooting at police officers during the unrest .
Anthony Gockowski is managing editor of The Minnesota Sun and The Ohio Star .
Follow Anthony on Twitter .
Email tips to [ email protected ] .

Three more Minnesotans are facing federal arson charges in connection to the late May riots in Minneapolis and St. Paul.
Both Matthew Scott White, 31, and Mohamed Hussein Abdi, 19, were arrested on June 29 and charged with one count of arson.
According to a statement from U.S. Attorney Erica MacDonald, Abdi was captured on surveillance cameras while intentionally starting a fire in the cafeteria of Gordon Parks High School in St. Paul on the night of May 28.
The footage shows Abdi reaching through a broken glass door and pouring a clear liquid from a white container onto the floor of the cafeteria. Abdi then entered the cafeteria and poured more clear liquid onto the floor and into a trashcan. He ignited a fire in the trashcan using a liquid-soaked garment. The footage shows Abdi running from the building as flames and black smoke erupt from the trashcan.
Investigators with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) were able to identify White on surveillance footage from an Enterprise Rent-A-Car in St. Paul, which was completely destroyed by fire on May 28.
While inside, the footage shows White carrying a box and a trashcan into the back area of the business, out of view of the camera. Shortly after, fire can be seen flickering in the reflection of the window in the front of the store, according to MacDonald’s office.
White’s sister, Jessica Lynn White, was charged Friday with conspiracy to commit arson for her involvement in the incident.
U.S. Attorney General Bill Barr said last week that the Department of Justice is conducting roughly 500 investigations into acts of arson and vandalism across the country.
“We’ve had scores of indictments so far for such things as arson, destruction of federal property,” said Barr, claiming “state and local are not doing their jobs.”
“We have right now about 500 investigations underway, so it’s picking up pace,” he added. “We are committed to holding accountable the people who engaged in this.”
At least 10 Minnesotans are now facing various charges in connection to the riots, including a St. Paul man who was charged with attempted murder for allegedly shooting at police officers during the unrest.
– – –
Anthony Gockowski is managing editor of The Minnesota Sun and The Ohio Star. Follow Anthony on Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].


thetennesseestar--2020-07-02--Michigan Judge Allows Restart of Disputed Oil Pipeline

TRAVERSE CITY , Michigan ( AP ) — A Michigan judge Wednesday allowed Enbridge to resume pumping oil through a Midwestern pipeline , nearly a week after shutting it down because of damage to a structure that anchors a section of the line running through a Great Lakes channel .
Enbridge ’ s Line 5 moves crude oil and liquids used in propane from Superior , Wisconsin , to Sarnia , Ontario , passing through parts of Michigan ’ s upper and lower peninsulas .
A four-mile-long ( 6.4-kilometers-long ) segment divides into two pipes that cross the bottom of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lakes Huron and Michigan .
Circuit Judge James Jamo granted a request from state Attorney General Dana Nessel to close the line June 25 after Enbridge , the Canadian company that operates it , reported that an inspection had found damage to an anchor supporting the underwater section ’ s eastern line .
The pipe itself was unharmed , the company said .
During a hearing Tuesday , Enbridge attorneys urged Jamo to lift the restriction for the underwater western line so oil could resume flowing .
The company says the interruption threatens @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Line 5 ’ s oil in Michigan , Ohio and Pennsylvania , as well as the Canadian provinces of Ontario and Quebec .
Nessel ’ s office argued for keeping the 645-mile-long ( 1,038-kilometers-long ) line shut down until Enbridge provides additional information that would ensure it is being operated in a “ reasonably prudent ” manner .
In his amended order Wednesday , Jamo said the company could restart the western line to conduct a safety test and could keep it running “ subject to the results of the ( test ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Within a week of the restart , Jamo said , Enbridge must provide the state with test results for a particular area of the western line that a recent inspection found had apparently been scraped by a vessel cable or similar object .
Test data for the rest of the line must be turned over “ as soon as practical , ” he said .
The east line , meanwhile , will remain out of operation until the federal Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration has completed an investigation of the damaged support @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agency ’ s repair and maintenance requirements , Jamo said .
He also ordered the company and Nessel ’ s office to compile a list of documents and other materials sought by the state by next Tuesday .
Pledging to comply , Enbridge said it “ will now begin safely restarting the west segment and anticipates operations will soon return to normal.
” The volume of liquids moving through the line will be lower than normal because just one of the underwater segments will be active , “ but we will be able @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Duffy said .
“ Enbridge ’ s Line 5 has served Michiganders safely without incident at the Straits crossing for more than 65 years , ” the company said in a statement .
“ We remain willing to work with the state going forward to address issues of concern about the safety of Line 5 and its ultimate replacement with The Great Lakes Tunnel that will contain a new section of pipeline.
” The company reached a deal with the administration of former Republican Gov .
Rick Snyder in 2018 to place a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would be drilled through bedrock beneath the straits .
His Democratic successor , Gretchen Whitmer , has joined Nessel in criticizing the agreement , which awaits permits from state agencies .
Nessel said in a statement that Jamo ’ s ruling “ allows the state to receive the vital information surrounding this incident that we need to complete an informed analysis of the damage and evaluate the threat this pipeline poses to our environment if left to operate in its current state.
” Environmental groups have long pushed to shut down Line 5 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hazard .
They described Jamo ’ s ruling as a rejection of Enbridge ’ s contention that the state has no regulatory authority over interstate pipelines .
“ Today ’ s ruling sends a clear message to Enbridge that it is not above state law and can not continue to ignore the safe and well-being of our Great Lakes , our local businesses and our communities , ” said Beth Wallace of the National Wildlife Federation .
Business groups praised the decision to let Line 5 partially reopen and urged Michigan agencies to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ The pipeline safely delivers the energy products Michigan businesses and families rely on daily to power their homes and job sites , and to make the products we count on every day , ” said John Dulmes , executive director of the Michigan Chemistry Council .
John Flesher is a reporter for The Associated Press .
Photo “ Enbridge Pipeline ” by Lawrence Welsh .

TRAVERSE CITY, Michigan (AP) — A Michigan judge Wednesday allowed Enbridge to resume pumping oil through a Midwestern pipeline, nearly a week after shutting it down because of damage to a structure that anchors a section of the line running through a Great Lakes channel.
Enbridge’s Line 5 moves crude oil and liquids used in propane from Superior, Wisconsin, to Sarnia, Ontario, passing through parts of Michigan’s upper and lower peninsulas. A four-mile-long (6.4-kilometers-long) segment divides into two pipes that cross the bottom of the Straits of Mackinac, which connects Lakes Huron and Michigan.
Circuit Judge James Jamo granted a request from state Attorney General Dana Nessel to close the line June 25 after Enbridge, the Canadian company that operates it, reported that an inspection had found damage to an anchor supporting the underwater section’s eastern line. The pipe itself was unharmed, the company said.
During a hearing Tuesday, Enbridge attorneys urged Jamo to lift the restriction for the underwater western line so oil could resume flowing. The company says the interruption threatens supplies for customers of refineries that receive Line 5’s oil in Michigan, Ohio and Pennsylvania, as well as the Canadian provinces of Ontario and Quebec.
Nessel’s office argued for keeping the 645-mile-long (1,038-kilometers-long) line shut down until Enbridge provides additional information that would ensure it is being operated in a “reasonably prudent” manner.
In his amended order Wednesday, Jamo said the company could restart the western line to conduct a safety test and could keep it running “subject to the results of the (test) and further order of this court.”
Within a week of the restart, Jamo said, Enbridge must provide the state with test results for a particular area of the western line that a recent inspection found had apparently been scraped by a vessel cable or similar object. Test data for the rest of the line must be turned over “as soon as practical,” he said.
The east line, meanwhile, will remain out of operation until the federal Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration has completed an investigation of the damaged support and Enbridge has complied with all the agency’s repair and maintenance requirements, Jamo said.
He also ordered the company and Nessel’s office to compile a list of documents and other materials sought by the state by next Tuesday.
Pledging to comply, Enbridge said it “will now begin safely restarting the west segment and anticipates operations will soon return to normal.”
The volume of liquids moving through the line will be lower than normal because just one of the underwater segments will be active, “but we will be able to meet demand,” spokesman Ryan Duffy said.
“Enbridge’s Line 5 has served Michiganders safely without incident at the Straits crossing for more than 65 years,” the company said in a statement. “We remain willing to work with the state going forward to address issues of concern about the safety of Line 5 and its ultimate replacement with The Great Lakes Tunnel that will contain a new section of pipeline.”
The company reached a deal with the administration of former Republican Gov. Rick Snyder in 2018 to place a new underwater segment in a tunnel that would be drilled through bedrock beneath the straits. His Democratic successor, Gretchen Whitmer, has joined Nessel in criticizing the agreement, which awaits permits from state agencies.
Nessel said in a statement that Jamo’s ruling “allows the state to receive the vital information surrounding this incident that we need to complete an informed analysis of the damage and evaluate the threat this pipeline poses to our environment if left to operate in its current state.”
Environmental groups have long pushed to shut down Line 5, which they contend is a safety hazard. They described Jamo’s ruling as a rejection of Enbridge’s contention that the state has no regulatory authority over interstate pipelines.
“Today’s ruling sends a clear message to Enbridge that it is not above state law and cannot continue to ignore the safe and well-being of our Great Lakes, our local businesses and our communities,” said Beth Wallace of the National Wildlife Federation.
Business groups praised the decision to let Line 5 partially reopen and urged Michigan agencies to quickly approve permits for the tunnel project.
“The pipeline safely delivers the energy products Michigan businesses and families rely on daily to power their homes and job sites, and to make the products we count on every day,” said John Dulmes, executive director of the Michigan Chemistry Council.
– – –
John Flesher is a reporter for The Associated Press.
Photo “Enbridge Pipeline” by Lawrence Welsh.


thetennesseestar--2020-07-02--Michigan Bars Closed for Indoor Service, Restaurants Now Allowed to Deliver Alcohol

Michigan restaurants and bars will now be allowed to sell to-go alcoholic beverages , thanks to a new package of bills signed by Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer on Wednesday .
Bars and restaurants will now be able to sell drinks to-go , as well as deliver them , until December 31 , 2025 .
Whitmer ’ s office said the bills are aimed at providing relief for restaurants and bars impacted by the coronavirus pandemic , according WXYZ .
According to the legislation , drinks have to be served in a sealable container less than one gallon and recipients are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ClickOnDetroit reported .
“ The Michigan Licensed Beverage Association , its members and all 8,500 licensees throughout the state have something to be excited about today , ” MLBA Executive Director Scott Ellis said , according to WXYZ .
The passage of the legislation comes as Whitmer closes indoor service at bars in lower Michigan , reducing them to outdoor service only .
Only regions 6 and 8 , which include the Upper Peninsula and much of northern Michigan , are allowed to continue indoor seating .
“ We owe it to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so much during this crisis to do everything we can to slow the spread of COVID-19 and reduce the chance of a resurgence like we are seeing in other states , ” Whitmer said in a statement .
“ Following recent outbreaks tied to bars , I am taking this action today to slow the spread of the virus and keep people safe .
If we want to be in a strong position to reopen schools for in-person classroom instruction this fall , then we need to take aggressive action right now to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all the progress we have made.
” Every region in Michigan has seen an uptick in new coronavirus cases , with nearly 25 percent of diagnoses in June in people ages 20 to 29 , according to Whitmer ’ s office .
The newly-passed package of bills also allows government bodies to establish social districts in which the selling of alcohol is permitted and increases the amount of spirits an on-premises account can purchase from an off-premises account .
It also allows a licensed establishment to sell alcoholic drinks in a two-for-one sale @ @ @ @ @ @ @ close down completely , but may still offer outdoor seating and use creative methods like cocktails-to-go in hopes that we can bring our numbers down , ” Whitmer said .
“ I am hopeful providing options for cocktails-to-go and expanded social districts will ensure these businesses can remain open and Michiganders can safely and responsibly enjoy their summer outdoors.
” Jordyn Pair is a reporter with The Michigan Star .
Follow her on Twitter at @ Jordynpair .
Email her at [ email protected ]

Michigan restaurants and bars will now be allowed to sell to-go alcoholic beverages, thanks to a new package of bills signed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Wednesday.
Bars and restaurants will now be able to sell drinks to-go, as well as deliver them, until December 31, 2025. Whitmer’s office said the bills are aimed at providing relief for restaurants and bars impacted by the coronavirus pandemic, according WXYZ.
According to the legislation, drinks have to be served in a sealable container less than one gallon and recipients are required to verify their age upon delivery, ClickOnDetroit reported.
“The Michigan Licensed Beverage Association, its members and all 8,500 licensees throughout the state have something to be excited about today,” MLBA Executive Director Scott Ellis said, according to WXYZ.
The passage of the legislation comes as Whitmer closes indoor service at bars in lower Michigan, reducing them to outdoor service only. Only regions 6 and 8, which include the Upper Peninsula and much of northern Michigan, are allowed to continue indoor seating.
“We owe it to our front line heroes who have sacrificed so much during this crisis to do everything we can to slow the spread of COVID-19 and reduce the chance of a resurgence like we are seeing in other states,” Whitmer said in a statement. “Following recent outbreaks tied to bars, I am taking this action today to slow the spread of the virus and keep people safe. If we want to be in a strong position to reopen schools for in-person classroom instruction this fall, then we need to take aggressive action right now to ensure we don’t wipe out all the progress we have made.”
Every region in Michigan has seen an uptick in new coronavirus cases, with nearly 25 percent of diagnoses in June in people ages 20 to 29, according to Whitmer’s office.
The newly-passed package of bills also allows government bodies to establish social districts in which the selling of alcohol is permitted and increases the amount of spirits an on-premises account can purchase from an off-premises account. It also allows a licensed establishment to sell alcoholic drinks in a two-for-one sale.
“Bars will not have to close down completely, but may still offer outdoor seating and use creative methods like cocktails-to-go in hopes that we can bring our numbers down,” Whitmer said. “I am hopeful providing options for cocktails-to-go and expanded social districts will ensure these businesses can remain open and Michiganders can safely and responsibly enjoy their summer outdoors.”
– – –
Jordyn Pair is a reporter with The Michigan Star. Follow her on Twitter at @Jordynpair. Email her at [email protected]


thetennesseestar--2020-07-02--AG Yost Submits Brief Asking GM to Give Back Its $60 Million State Tax Credits After Breaking Agreem

AG Yost Submits Brief Asking GM to Give Back Its $60 Million State Tax Credits After Breaking Agreement by Closing Lordstown Plant

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost submitted a brief to the Ohio Tax Credit Authority that demanded General Motors ( GM ) repay $ 60 million the company received in state tax credits after breaking its promise to Ohio and the Mahoning Valley .
Eleven years ago , GM started collecting tax credits for its Lordstown plant .
In exchange for its tax credits , the auto giant said it would maintain Lordstown plant operations till 2028 and retain 3,700 jobs through 2040 , according to Yost ’ s press release .
However , last year GM ended its Lordstown plant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an electric truck manufacturer .
“ Accountability is the key to good business and we ’ re holding GM accountable for not living up to its end of the contract , ” Yost said .
“ We demand the money that is rightfully owed to Ohio – no more , no less.
” The brief states , “ Tax incentives can be a powerful job creator .
But , for them to fully function , businesses that come nowhere near to meeting their promises , like GM ’ s failure by thousands of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be held to account .
GM is one of America ’ s largest corporations , valued at over $ 50 billion when it shuttered Lordstown .
GM simply has no valid excuse or argument.
” A 2019 study by the Center for Economic Development at Cleveland State University said that when GM closed Lordstown ’ s doors almost 8,000 people lost their jobs and cost the regional economy over $ 8 billion in economic activity .
Furthermore , the local school district lost $ 800,000 in property taxes per year , which was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ according to Yost ’ s press release .
“ Ohio never assumed GM ’ s business risks , and was denied its benefit of the bargain .
Repaying the credit is more than fair to GM considering its claimed savings from the closure , ” the brief concludes .
“ For the reasons set forth in the foregoing brief of amicus curiae , the Authority should certify one hundred percent as the amount to be refunded from GM to the Tax Commissioner.
” Zachery Schmidt is the digital editor of Star News Digital @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , email Zachery at [ email protected ] Follow Zachery on Twitter @ zacheryschmidt2 .
Photo “ Dave Yost ” by Dave Yost .
Photo “ Lordstown Complex ” by Lordstown Assembly .

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost submitted a brief to the Ohio Tax Credit Authority that demanded General Motors (GM) repay $60 million the company received in state tax credits after breaking its promise to Ohio and the Mahoning Valley.
Eleven years ago, GM started collecting tax credits for its Lordstown plant. In exchange for its tax credits, the auto giant said it would maintain Lordstown plant operations till 2028 and retain 3,700 jobs through 2040, according to Yost’s press release.
However, last year GM ended its Lordstown plant, which eventually sold to Workhorse, an electric truck manufacturer.
“Accountability is the key to good business and we’re holding GM accountable for not living up to its end of the contract,” Yost said. “We demand the money that is rightfully owed to Ohio – no more, no less.”
The brief states, “Tax incentives can be a powerful job creator. But, for them to fully function, businesses that come nowhere near to meeting their promises, like GM’s failure by thousands of jobs and decades of employment, must be held to account. GM is one of America’s largest corporations, valued at over $50 billion when it shuttered Lordstown. GM simply has no valid excuse or argument.”
A 2019 study by the Center for Economic Development at Cleveland State University said that when GM closed Lordstown’s doors almost 8,000 people lost their jobs and cost the regional economy over $8 billion in economic activity. Furthermore, the local school district lost $800,000 in property taxes per year, which was 10% of its overall budget, according to Yost’s press release.
“Ohio never assumed GM’s business risks, and was denied its benefit of the bargain. Repaying the credit is more than fair to GM considering its claimed savings from the closure,” the brief concludes. “For the reasons set forth in the foregoing brief of amicus curiae, the Authority should certify one hundred percent as the amount to be refunded from GM to the Tax Commissioner.”
– – –
Zachery Schmidt is the digital editor of Star News Digital Media. If you have any tips, email Zachery at [email protected] Follow Zachery on Twitter @zacheryschmidt2.
Photo “Dave Yost” by Dave Yost. Photo “Lordstown Complex” by Lordstown Assembly.


thetennesseestar--2020-07-02--Commentary: Ohio Legislature Adds Systemically Racist Amendment to Senate Bill 4

In June , Ohio House Republicans attached a systemically racist amendment to SB 4 .
The provision of union-backed law is known as prevailing wage .
By doing so , they rewarded donors and reversed a 25-year trend of dismantling the racist policy .
Only the Governor has the ability to stop it .
Prevailing wage , known as Davis-Bacon at the federal level , has long been known as one of the many methods unions used to discriminate against minorities .
George Will wrote in The Washington Post in February 1995 : Mr. Will was right in 1995 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Prevailing wage laws are intentionally designed to force governments to inflate the costs of construction projects which limits the number of contractors who can bid .
More recently Rep. Shamed Dogan ( R-Ballwin ) , an African-American State Representative in Missouri , penned his own op-ed in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch about discriminatory labor practices .
In the November 2017 article he declared : Dogan quoted Herbert Hill , the former labor director for the NAACP .
Mr. Hill ’ s famous article from 1959 , “ Labor Unions and the Negro @ @ @ @ @ @ @ does not mince words .
Hill stated , “ the Negro worker ’ s historical experience with organized labor has not been a happy one.
” He went on to explain trade union practices of total exclusion , segregation ( Jim Crow ) and other methods of excluding minorities from the construction trade .
Rep. Dogan focused on the various methods of discrimination , including the prevailing wage issue .
He exposed the purpose of the original Davis-Bacon Act and the ugly racism behind it .
It still causes harm to taxpayers in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ohio ’ s major cities have this discriminatory pay-scheme woven into their construction projects .
Ohio Legislators and Governors had begun removing this albatross from the necks of responsible local governments piece by piece once they earned the majority in 1993 .
For example , in 1997 the Ohio School Facilities Commission was created and the law creating it intentionally exempted new school projects from prevailing wage requirements .
That same year , legislators created Transportation Improvement Districts or TIDs , also exempt from falsely high wage rates .
The TID exemption will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ amendment intact .
Here in Ohio , former Republican nominee for the Ohio Statehouse and African-American Pastor Bobby Mitchell expressed his opinion about the prevailing wage issue .
“ The question asked for many years has been , ‘ Why does the negro not pull himself up by his own bootstraps ?
’ The more helpful question is why elected officials fail to see their systematically racist policies , like prevailing wage , seek to remove the entire boot , the entire minority man or woman , from even having an opportunity for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Mitchell continued , “ I ’ m disheartened that Republicans would support this dangerous union-backed policy .
I remain hopeful that Governor DeWine will consider the success of our surrounding states and reject the failed policy of prevailing wage from spreading its discriminatory roots here in Ohio .
The playing field must be even and everyone , no matter your race or creed , given the same opportunity to succeed.
” Associated Builders and Contractors of Ohio has fought prevailing wage expansion and other similar policies for decades .
We have witnessed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Kentucky and Michigan expand their economies and rectify historic wrongs by choosing to embrace pro-taxpayer , small government , diversity-expanding policies like the elimination of prevailing wage .
Our last line of defense is the Governor .
As Ohio rightly looks for ways to eliminate institutionally racist policies in our laws , the Governor , with a simple stroke of a pen , could do just that .
Beth Lear is the Vice President of Government Affairs for Associated Builders and Contractors of Ohio .
ABC of Ohio is a national construction @ @ @ @ @ @ @ members .
Founded on the merit shop philosophy , the 69 chapters of ABC , including three Ohio chapters , help members develop people , win work and deliver that work safely , ethically and profitably for the betterment of the communities in which ABC and its members work .
ABC ’ s membership represents all specialties within the U.S. construction industry and is comprised primarily of firms that perform work in the industrial and commercial sectors .
Photo “ Construction ” by Dept of Defense .

by Beth Lear
In June, Ohio House Republicans attached a systemically racist amendment to SB 4. The provision of union-backed law is known as prevailing wage. By doing so, they rewarded donors and reversed a 25-year trend of dismantling the racist policy. Only the Governor has the ability to stop it.
Prevailing wage, known as Davis-Bacon at the federal level, has long been known as one of the many methods unions used to discriminate against minorities. George Will wrote in The Washington Post in February 1995:
This (prevailing wage) law is economically irrational and morally execrable. Enacted in 1931, it was an act of domestic protectionism, designed to protect labor, especially unionized labor, in each community from competition. It was enacted in part to impede blacks competing for federally funded construction jobs, and it continues to hinder people on the lower rungs of the ladder of social mobility.
Mr. Will was right in 1995, and he’s still correct today. Prevailing wage laws are intentionally designed to force governments to inflate the costs of construction projects which limits the number of contractors who can bid.
More recently Rep. Shamed Dogan (R-Ballwin), an African-American State Representative in Missouri, penned his own op-ed in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch about discriminatory labor practices. In the November 2017 article he declared:
For decades, unions worked to exclude black Americans from jobs. White workers felt endangered by black Americans who were willing to work longer and harder, so labor unions used legislation to force blacks out of unions, and out of the labor market.
Dogan quoted Herbert Hill, the former labor director for the NAACP. Mr. Hill’s famous article from 1959, “Labor Unions and the Negro: The Record of Discrimination,” does not mince words. Hill stated, “the Negro worker’s historical experience with organized labor has not been a happy one.” He went on to explain trade union practices of total exclusion, segregation (Jim Crow) and other methods of excluding minorities from the construction trade.
Rep. Dogan focused on the various methods of discrimination, including the prevailing wage issue. He exposed the purpose of the original Davis-Bacon Act and the ugly racism behind it.
One such tool wielded against minorities was prevailing wage laws. In the 1930s, New York Congressman Robert Bacon, angry that black Americans were competing with white workers for jobs, introduced the Davis-Bacon Act, which requires contractors on federally funded construction projects to pay the ‘local prevailing wage.’ This policy has been implemented in many states as well, including Missouri, to force governments to only negotiate with white-dominated unions. This policy remains as a vestige of a racist past, and it harms American workers and taxpayers to this day.
It still causes harm to taxpayers in Ohio today. Many union-backed politicians in Ohio’s major cities have this discriminatory pay-scheme woven into their construction projects. Ohio Legislators and Governors had begun removing this albatross from the necks of responsible local governments piece by piece once they earned the majority in 1993. For example, in 1997 the Ohio School Facilities Commission was created and the law creating it intentionally exempted new school projects from prevailing wage requirements. That same year, legislators created Transportation Improvement Districts or TIDs, also exempt from falsely high wage rates. The TID exemption will be eliminated if Governor DeWine leaves the amendment intact.
Here in Ohio, former Republican nominee for the Ohio Statehouse and African-American Pastor Bobby Mitchell expressed his opinion about the prevailing wage issue. “The question asked for many years has been, ‘Why does the negro not pull himself up by his own bootstraps?’ The more helpful question is why elected officials fail to see their systematically racist policies, like prevailing wage, seek to remove the entire boot, the entire minority man or woman, from even having an opportunity for advancement and serves as an egregious act.”
Mitchell continued, “I’m disheartened that Republicans would support this dangerous union-backed policy. I remain hopeful that Governor DeWine will consider the success of our surrounding states and reject the failed policy of prevailing wage from spreading its discriminatory roots here in Ohio. The playing field must be even and everyone, no matter your race or creed, given the same opportunity to succeed.”
Associated Builders and Contractors of Ohio has fought prevailing wage expansion and other similar policies for decades. We have witnessed surrounding states like Indiana, West Virginia, Kentucky and Michigan expand their economies and rectify historic wrongs by choosing to embrace pro-taxpayer, small government, diversity-expanding policies like the elimination of prevailing wage.
Our last line of defense is the Governor. As Ohio rightly looks for ways to eliminate institutionally racist policies in our laws, the Governor, with a simple stroke of a pen, could do just that.
– – –
Beth Lear is the Vice President of Government Affairs for Associated Builders and Contractors of Ohio. ABC of Ohio is a national construction industry trade association representing more than 21,000 members. Founded on the merit shop philosophy, the 69 chapters of ABC, including three Ohio chapters, help members develop people, win work and deliver that work safely, ethically and profitably for the betterment of the communities in which ABC and its members work. ABC’s membership represents all specialties within the U.S. construction industry and is comprised primarily of firms that perform work in the industrial and commercial sectors.
Photo “Construction” by Dept of Defense.


thetennesseestar--2020-07-02--35 Democrats Join Steve Cohen’s Resolution to Open Impeachment Inquiry of Bill Barr

Rep. Steve Cohen ( D-TN-09 ) wants to open up another impeachment inquiry , this time of U.S. Attorney General Bill Barr .
After calling for Barr ’ s impeachment last week , Cohen formally introduced a resolution Tuesday that would authorize an impeachment inquiry into Barr ’ s conduct .
Cohen pointed to the recent removal of Geoffrey Berman , former U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York , and the Justice Department ’ s request to dismiss its criminal case against Michael Flynn as evidence of corruption .
He also accused Barr of ordering “ the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , in violation of their constitutional rights.
” “ Attorney General Barr has undermined our judicial system and perverted the rule of law , ” Cohen said in a statement .
“ The pattern here is unmistakable .
Barr obstructs justice by favoring the president ’ s friends and political allies .
He abuses his power by using the Department of Justice to harass , intimidate and attack disfavored Americans and the president ’ s political opponents .
My oath to support and defend the Constitution compels me to confront this corruption .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and we must get to the bottom of this and hold Bill Barr accountable.
” The resolution claims Barr has “ abused the power of his office ” by initiating antitrust investigations into companies in the cannabis , automobile , and technology industries .
The Justice Department ’ s Office of Professional Responsibility said in a memo released last month that the Antitrust Division “ acted consistent with all applicable laws , regulations , and DOJ guidelines in its review of the proposed cannabis mergers.
” The resolution states Barr has withheld subpoenaed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s full report , failed to comply with legitimate subpoenas issued by the House Committee on Oversight and Reform , and prohibited the referral of an intelligence community whistleblower complaint to the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence .
“ Attorney General Barr eroded confidence in the judicial system by questioning the legitimacy of Department of Justice investigations ” into the 2016 presidential election , the resolution adds .
The measure calls on the House Judiciary Committee to inquire into these matters under the same House rules applied during the impeachment inquiry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Cohen .
The resolution has 35 Democratic cosponsors , including Reps. Jim Cooper ( D-TN-05 ) , Ayanna Pressley ( D-MA-07 ) , Eric Swalwell ( D-CA-15 ) , Rashida Tlaib ( D-MI-13 ) , Maxine Waters ( D-CA-43 ) , and Ilhan Omar ( D-MN-05 ) .
“ Today , I introduced H.Res .
1032 , which would authorize an impeachment inquiry into Attorney General Barr , ” Cohen said on Twitter .
“ He has politicized the DOJ , undermined the rule of law , abused his power , obstructed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He is not fit to be Attorney General.
” Anthony Gockowski is managing editor of The Minnesota Sun and The Ohio Star .
Follow Anthony on Twitter .
Email tips to [ email protected ] .
Photo “ Steve Cohen ” by Steve Cohen .

Rep. Steve Cohen (D-TN-09) wants to open up another impeachment inquiry, this time of U.S. Attorney General Bill Barr.
After calling for Barr’s impeachment last week, Cohen formally introduced a resolution Tuesday that would authorize an impeachment inquiry into Barr’s conduct.
Cohen pointed to the recent removal of Geoffrey Berman, former U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, and the Justice Department’s request to dismiss its criminal case against Michael Flynn as evidence of corruption.
He also accused Barr of ordering “the attack on peaceful protesters in Lafayette Park, in violation of their constitutional rights.”
“Attorney General Barr has undermined our judicial system and perverted the rule of law,” Cohen said in a statement. “The pattern here is unmistakable. Barr obstructs justice by favoring the president’s friends and political allies. He abuses his power by using the Department of Justice to harass, intimidate and attack disfavored Americans and the president’s political opponents. My oath to support and defend the Constitution compels me to confront this corruption. Congress is a co-equal branch of government and we must get to the bottom of this and hold Bill Barr accountable.”
The resolution claims Barr has “abused the power of his office” by initiating antitrust investigations into companies in the cannabis, automobile, and technology industries.
The Justice Department’s Office of Professional Responsibility said in a memo released last month that the Antitrust Division “acted consistent with all applicable laws, regulations, and DOJ guidelines in its review of the proposed cannabis mergers.”
The resolution states Barr has withheld subpoenaed information, including Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s full report, failed to comply with legitimate subpoenas issued by the House Committee on Oversight and Reform, and prohibited the referral of an intelligence community whistleblower complaint to the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.
“Attorney General Barr eroded confidence in the judicial system by questioning the legitimacy of Department of Justice investigations” into the 2016 presidential election, the resolution adds.
The measure calls on the House Judiciary Committee to inquire into these matters under the same House rules applied during the impeachment inquiry into President Donald Trump last year, said Cohen.
The resolution has 35 Democratic cosponsors, including Reps. Jim Cooper (D-TN-05), Ayanna Pressley (D-MA-07), Eric Swalwell (D-CA-15), Rashida Tlaib (D-MI-13), Maxine Waters (D-CA-43), and Ilhan Omar (D-MN-05).
“Today, I introduced H.Res. 1032, which would authorize an impeachment inquiry into Attorney General Barr,” Cohen said on Twitter. “He has politicized the DOJ, undermined the rule of law, abused his power, obstructed justice and violated the First Amendment. He is not fit to be Attorney General.”
Today, I introduced #HRes1032, which would authorize an impeachment inquiry into Attorney General Barr. He has politicized the DOJ, undermined the rule of law, abused his power, obstructed justice & violated the first amendment. He is not fit to be Attorney General. #ImpeachBarr pic.twitter.com/nr5P2OOQFX — Steve Cohen (@RepCohen) June 30, 2020
– – –
Anthony Gockowski is managing editor of The Minnesota Sun and The Ohio Star. Follow Anthony on Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Steve Cohen” by Steve Cohen.


thetennesseestar--2020-07-02--June Jobs Report: 4.8 Million Jobs Added, Unemployment at 11.1 Percent

The U.S. added 4.8 million jobs in June , while the unemployment declined to 11.1 % , according to Department of Labor data released Thursday .
Total non-farm payroll employment rose by 4.8 million in June , according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics report , and the number of unemployed persons fell by 3.2 million to 17.8 million .
These numbers mark the second month of both increasing jobs and dropping unemployment since the country lost a record 20.5 million jobs due to the coronavirus pandemic closures .
May ’ s unemployment rate had declined by 1.4 percentage points @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which was the largest over-the-month increase and highest unemployment rate since at least 1948 .
“ These improvements in the labor market reflected the continued resumption of economic activity that had been curtailed in March and April due to the coronavirus ( COVID-19 ) pandemic and efforts to contain it , ” the report said .
“ In June , employment in leisure and hospitality rose sharply .
Notable job gains also occurred in retail trade , education and health services , other services , manufacturing , and professional and business services.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million jobs in June and that the unemployment rate would decline to 12.5 % , according to Business Insider .
“ We are in a whole new world of trying to model what data is going to be , because there ’ s not an economist in the world that ’ s ever gone through a forced economic shutdown , ” Tom Essaye , Sevens Report Research founder , told Yahoo Finance ahead of the jobs report .
“ And that ’ s why a lot of these numbers are completely blowing past @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , managing director of the U.S. investment firm Baird , told the Wall Street Journal that “ this is the beginning of a new bull market.
” “ Aggressive fiscal and monetary stimulus is going to continue and that ’ s going to support the market , ” Spencer told the WSJ , “ and recent economic data suggests a recovery is starting to emerge.
” Mary Margaret Olohan is a reporter for the Daily Caller News Foundation .

by Mary Margaret Olohan
The U.S. added 4.8 million jobs in June, while the unemployment declined to 11.1%, according to Department of Labor data released Thursday.
Total non-farm payroll employment rose by 4.8 million in June, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics report, and the number of unemployed persons fell by 3.2 million to 17.8 million. These numbers mark the second month of both increasing jobs and dropping unemployment since the country lost a record 20.5 million jobs due to the coronavirus pandemic closures.
May’s unemployment rate had declined by 1.4 percentage points from April’s 14.7%, which was the largest over-the-month increase and highest unemployment rate since at least 1948.
“These improvements in the labor market reflected the continued resumption of economic activity that had been curtailed in March and April due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and efforts to contain it,” the report said. “In June, employment in leisure and hospitality rose sharply. Notable job gains also occurred in retail trade, education and health services, other services, manufacturing, and professional and business services.”
Economists predicted that the economy gained 3 million jobs in June and that the unemployment rate would decline to 12.5%, according to Business Insider.
“We are in a whole new world of trying to model what data is going to be, because there’s not an economist in the world that’s ever gone through a forced economic shutdown,” Tom Essaye, Sevens Report Research founder, told Yahoo Finance ahead of the jobs report. “And that’s why a lot of these numbers are completely blowing past what the expectation is.”
Patrick Spencer, managing director of the U.S. investment firm Baird, told the Wall Street Journal that “this is the beginning of a new bull market.”
“Aggressive fiscal and monetary stimulus is going to continue and that’s going to support the market,” Spencer told the WSJ, “and recent economic data suggests a recovery is starting to emerge.”
– – –
Mary Margaret Olohan is a reporter for the Daily Caller News Foundation.


thetennesseestar--2020-07-02--Stocks Rise on Jobs Data, S&P 500 Ends Week with Solid Gain

NEW YORK CITY , New York ( AP ) — Stocks are closing higher Thursday after a report showed the U.S. job market continues to climb out of the crater created by the coronavirus pandemic in the spring .
The S & P 500 rose 0.45 % and finished the holiday-shortened week with a gain of 4 % .
Stocks also rose across Europe and Asia , while oil prices strengthened on hopes that a recovering economy will mean more demand .
Worries about the virus are still weighing on investors , however .
Florida reported another sharp increase in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ S & P 500′s earlier gains by more than half .
The bond market was also showing continued caution .
Wall Street is rising Thursday after a report showed the U.S. job market continues to climb out of the crater created by the coronavirus pandemic .
The S & P 500 was 0.9 % higher in afternoon trading and on pace for its fourth-straight gain .
Stocks also rose across Europe and Asia , while oil prices strengthened on hopes that a recovering economy will mean more demand .
The Dow Jones Industrial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 0.36 % , at 25,827 .
The Nasdaq composite was headed for another record after rising 0.9 % .
The Russell 2000 index of small company stocks also rose , adding 0.9 % .
The indexes were up even more at the start of the day ’ s trading , after the U.S. government said employers added 4.8 million jobs to their payrolls in June for the second-straight month of growth .
The unemployment rate remains very high at 11.1 % , but last month ’ s improvement was much better than economists @ @ @ @ @ @ @ data on the economy unusually difficult , which leaves economists uncertain about the numbers ’ accuracy .
But they say it ’ s clear that the job market is improving after collapsing in the spring amid widespread shutdowns .
That bolsters investors ’ hopes that the economy can recover from its recession relatively quickly as governments relax restrictions .
Such hopes have lifted the S & P 500 to within roughly 7 % of the record set in February , after an earlier nearly 34 % drop when recession worries peaked .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ real economic data say , ‘ Yes , the recovery is here , and it ’ s real , ’ ” said Brad McMillan , chief investment officer for Commonwealth Financial Network .
The next step , he said , is to see the job gains translate into lasting growth for workers ’ incomes and for how much they spend .
Worries about the virus are still hanging around , though , and the S & P 500 ’ s gains on Thursday more than halved at one point after Florida reported more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first time .
It underlined how fragile the recovery is , and the bond market was also showing more caution than stocks as Treasury yields ticked lower .
Many workers across the country are still experiencing economic pain , with only about a third of the 22 million jobs lost to the recession recovered so far .
And worries are rising that worsening levels of infections in not just Florida but across swaths of the U.S. South and West could choke off the budding economic improvements .
Such concerns have held the market @ @ @ @ @ @ @ months-long rocket ride .
Thursday ’ s reports on the economy also weren ’ t uniformly encouraging .
The number of workers filing for unemployment benefits last week dipped by less than economists expected , for example .
The number of workers continuing to get jobless claims was also higher than expected .
Stocks nevertheless moved higher Thursday , led by companies that would benefit most from a reopening economy .
Oil companies , raw-material producers and other companies whose profits are very closely tied to the strength of the economy had the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stocks in the S & P 500 rose 1.7 % , one of the biggest gains among the 11 sectors that make up the index .
Noble Energy jumped 8.4 % , and Diamondback Energy gained 6.4 % .
They benefited from hopes that a recovering economy will restore some of the demand for oil that vanished in the spring as people stopped driving , airplanes were left parked in the desert and factories went idle .
U.S. crude oil rose 83 cents to settle at $ 40.65 per barrel .
Brent crude @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1.11 to close at $ 43.14 per barrel .
If the S & P 500 stays higher , it will mean the index rose every day this week .
Markets will be closed Friday in observance of Independence Day .
Bond investors were showing less enthusiasm , though .
The yield on the 10-year Treasury note dipped to 0.67 % from 0.68 % late Wednesday .
It tends to move with investors ’ expectations for the economy and inflation .
Earlier on Thursday , stocks climbed across Asia .
South Korea ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Seng in Hong Kong jumped 2.9 % and the Nikkei 225 in Japan added 0.1 % .
In Europe , Germany ’ s DAX returned 2.8 % , France ’ s CAC 40 rose 2.5 % and the FTSE 100 in London added 1.3 % .
Stan Choe , Damian J. Troise and Alex Veiga are reporters for The Associated Press .
About the Headline Photo : In this Tuesday , March 10 , 2020 , file photo , specialists James Denaro , left , and Mario Picone work on the floor of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stock markets and Wall Street futures rose Thursday , July 2 , 2020 , on hopes for the development of a coronavirus vaccine and ahead of the release of monthly U.S. jobs data .
( AP Photo/Richard Drew , File )

NEW YORK CITY, New York (AP) — Stocks are closing higher Thursday after a report showed the U.S. job market continues to climb out of the crater created by the coronavirus pandemic in the spring. The S&P 500 rose 0.45% and finished the holiday-shortened week with a gain of 4%. Stocks also rose across Europe and Asia, while oil prices strengthened on hopes that a recovering economy will mean more demand. Worries about the virus are still weighing on investors, however. Florida reported another sharp increase in confirmed cases, helping to cut the S&P 500′s earlier gains by more than half. The bond market was also showing continued caution.
Wall Street is rising Thursday after a report showed the U.S. job market continues to climb out of the crater created by the coronavirus pandemic.
The S&P 500 was 0.9% higher in afternoon trading and on pace for its fourth-straight gain. Stocks also rose across Europe and Asia, while oil prices strengthened on hopes that a recovering economy will mean more demand.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 203 points, or 0.36%, at 25,827. The Nasdaq composite was headed for another record after rising 0.9%. The Russell 2000 index of small company stocks also rose, adding 0.9%.
The indexes were up even more at the start of the day’s trading, after the U.S. government said employers added 4.8 million jobs to their payrolls in June for the second-straight month of growth. The unemployment rate remains very high at 11.1%, but last month’s improvement was much better than economists expected.
The pandemic has made collecting data on the economy unusually difficult, which leaves economists uncertain about the numbers’ accuracy. But they say it’s clear that the job market is improving after collapsing in the spring amid widespread shutdowns. That bolsters investors’ hopes that the economy can recover from its recession relatively quickly as governments relax restrictions.
Such hopes have lifted the S&P 500 to within roughly 7% of the record set in February, after an earlier nearly 34% drop when recession worries peaked.
“We’re starting to see the real economic data say, ‘Yes, the recovery is here, and it’s real,’” said Brad McMillan, chief investment officer for Commonwealth Financial Network.
The next step, he said, is to see the job gains translate into lasting growth for workers’ incomes and for how much they spend.
Worries about the virus are still hanging around, though, and the S&P 500’s gains on Thursday more than halved at one point after Florida reported more than 10,000 new confirmed cases for the first time. It underlined how fragile the recovery is, and the bond market was also showing more caution than stocks as Treasury yields ticked lower.
Many workers across the country are still experiencing economic pain, with only about a third of the 22 million jobs lost to the recession recovered so far. And worries are rising that worsening levels of infections in not just Florida but across swaths of the U.S. South and West could choke off the budding economic improvements. Such concerns have held the market in check since early June following a months-long rocket ride.
Thursday’s reports on the economy also weren’t uniformly encouraging. The number of workers filing for unemployment benefits last week dipped by less than economists expected, for example. The number of workers continuing to get jobless claims was also higher than expected.
Stocks nevertheless moved higher Thursday, led by companies that would benefit most from a reopening economy.
Oil companies, raw-material producers and other companies whose profits are very closely tied to the strength of the economy had the market’s biggest gains.
Energy stocks in the S&P 500 rose 1.7%, one of the biggest gains among the 11 sectors that make up the index. Noble Energy jumped 8.4%, and Diamondback Energy gained 6.4%.
They benefited from hopes that a recovering economy will restore some of the demand for oil that vanished in the spring as people stopped driving, airplanes were left parked in the desert and factories went idle. U.S. crude oil rose 83 cents to settle at $40.65 per barrel. Brent crude, the international standard, added $1.11 to close at $43.14 per barrel.
If the S&P 500 stays higher, it will mean the index rose every day this week. Markets will be closed Friday in observance of Independence Day.
Bond investors were showing less enthusiasm, though. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note dipped to 0.67% from 0.68% late Wednesday. It tends to move with investors’ expectations for the economy and inflation.
Earlier on Thursday, stocks climbed across Asia. South Korea’s Kospi rose 1.4%, the Hang Seng in Hong Kong jumped 2.9% and the Nikkei 225 in Japan added 0.1%.
In Europe, Germany’s DAX returned 2.8%, France’s CAC 40 rose 2.5% and the FTSE 100 in London added 1.3%.
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Stan Choe, Damian J. Troise and Alex Veiga are reporters for The Associated Press.
About the Headline Photo: In this Tuesday, March 10, 2020, file photo, specialists James Denaro, left, and Mario Picone work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange. Global stock markets and Wall Street futures rose Thursday, July 2, 2020, on hopes for the development of a coronavirus vaccine and ahead of the release of monthly U.S. jobs data. (AP Photo/Richard Drew, File)