thetennesseestar--2020-10-14--Judge Extends Virginia’s Voter Registration Deadline Until Midnight Thursday

A federal Judge extended Virginia ’ s voter registration deadline Wednesday morning after the system experienced statewide outages from a severed fiber cable on Tuesday .
The deadline for Virginians to register to vote is now Thursday at 11:59 p.m. On Tuesday evening , litigation was filed by a lawyer representing the New Virginia Majority , Virginia Civic Engagement Table and the League of Women Voters of Virginia seeking emergency injunctive relief on the claims that voters ’ rights were violated when they were unable to register before the deadline .
The lawsuit was brought against the Virginia Department of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Board of Elections and Commissioners .
Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring , whose office represented the defendants , posted a photo to Twitter Tuesday night of a brief he filed asking the court to extend the deadline .
Herring wrote : “ We need to make up for the time lost today .
We have 21 days until the most important election of our lifetimes and I want to make sure every eligible Virginian who wants to vote can.
” U.S. District Court Judge John Gibney ultimately agreed with the plaintiffs and granted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ What has happened has happened and there will be irreparable harm because apparently many people were trying to register at the last minute .
I ’ ll write this order so we can get this process going , ” Gibney said during the virtual hearing , according to Courthouse News Service .
Following Gibney ’ s decision , the VDOE published a news release to its website .
“ The Department welcomes today ’ s court decision to extend the voter registration deadline through Thursday , October 15th , ” VDOE Commissioner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ This gives eligible Virginians additional time to register or update their current voter registration record.
” The Verizon fiber cable that caused the system outages for much of Tuesday , impacting several state agencies bedsides the VDOE , was cut accidentally during a roadside utilities project in Chesterfield County .
The resulting technical issues specifically impacted VDOE ’ s citizen portal and led to many state Democratic leaders calling for the deadline to be extended including former governor Terry McAuliffe , Lieutenant Governor Justin Fairfax and U.S. Representative Jennifer Wexton , among @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also experienced outages in the lead up to the 2016 president election , when a civil rights group filed a similar lawsuit against state election officials to get the registration deadline extended to ensure Virginians had equal opportunity to vote .
Jacob Taylor is a reporter at The Virginia Star and the Star News Digital Network .
Follow Jacob on Twitter .
Email tips to [ email protected ] Photo “ Polling Station ” by WyoFile WyoFile .
CC BY 2.0 .


thetennesseestar--2020-10-15--Gov. Bill Lee Tests Negative for COVID-19 But Quarantines Himself After Guard Catches Virus

Gov .
Bill Lee and his wife Maria are in quarantine out of precaution after the governor tested negative for COVID-19 after a member of his security team contracted the virus .
Lee ’ s office on Wednesday released the following statement : “ Today , a member of the Governor ’ s Executive Security Detail has tested positive for COVID-19 .
Gov .
Lee is feeling well and has tested negative for COVID-19 but out of an abundance of caution , he is quarantining at home with the First Lady until further notice .
Governor ’ s Office protocol @ @ @ @ @ @ @ staff are believed to be positive at this time .
The regularly scheduled , in-person press briefing will be canceled and Gov .
Lee will provide an update to reporters by phone this afternoon with Tennessee Department of Health Commissioner Dr. Lisa Piercey.
” Not long before that announcement , Lee tweeted that no one on his staff had tested positive : “ Our office protocol requires masks and social distancing and no staff are believed to be positive at this time.
” Lee and Health Commissioner Dr. Penny Schwinn held an online @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wednesday .
Lee revealed that both he and his wife had last been around the infected guard on Tuesday .
The guards are tested every week , and the guard in question had tested negative last week .
The guard did not report to work Wednesday because he was not feeling well , and so he got tested and received a positive result .
Lee said he learned about it late in the morning .
Lee said his wife would be tested later on Wednesday .
She had just returned from a school @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Commissioner Penny Schwinn .
The commissioner has not been around the guard , Lee said .
The governor said he assumes that he and his wife will be quarantined for 14 days , but they will check with the Health Department .
Lee said he will work from home .

A new bill to raise the minimum wage to $15 per hour is emerging in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.
Sponsored by Representative Patty Kim (D-Harrisburg), the bill as described in a memorandum appears similar to legislation Senator Dan Laughlin (R-Erie) is spearheading in his chamber. It contrasts with a more radical measure authored by Representative Chris Rabb (D-Philadelphia) that would hike the wage floor to $16.50 in July 2025 and gradually increase it to $21 by mid-2028. The Rabb bill would also apply the state minimum wage to prisoners, vastly boosting their pay.
In her memo pushing for a $15 hourly floor, Kim (pictured above) lamented that the commonwealth last hiked its minimum wage to $7.25 in 2009. She cited data from the U.S. Department of Labor indicating that 30 states, including all of those that neighbor Pennsylvania, mandate higher wage minimums. Her $15 rate would take effect in January 2024 and would tie future minimum-wage rises to inflation.
“Too many people have worked too hard for too long to not be able to pay their bills,” Kim said at a House Majority Policy Committee hearing on the issue in late March. “We want to tag a cost-of-living adjustment on this, so we never have to wait years and years – or wait for a once-in-a-century pandemic – for this issue to have a bright light shined on it.”
While free-market advocates generally oppose minimum wage increases, some in Harrisburg expect Republicans like Laughlin who now champion a hike will insist that such a policy come as part of a broader deal that will include regulatory reform. Governor Josh Shapiro (D) has urged enactment of a new $15 floor and many Republicans have sensed an opportunity for dealmaking, particularly insofar as they control the state Senate.
Advocates of an increase often cite a Pennsylvania Minimum Wage Advisory Board report indicating that 63,800 individuals — less than two percent of the state’s workforce — earned $7.25 per hour or less in 2021. Nonetheless, wages have risen markedly over the last two years and many who continue to make so little are teenagers working one of their first jobs.
After House Democrats began clamoring for new pay mandates, the Harrisburg-based Commonwealth Foundation (CF) issued a backgrounder in March opposing the idea. CF cited calculations from the nonpartisan Independent Fiscal Office suggesting that even raising the floor to $12 per hour would kill 5,000 jobs.
And the think tank fears the proposal could disadvantage even workers who keep their jobs insofar as employers may compensate for the new mandate by cutting worker hours and benefits. An example of this was observed nationally in 2018 after Amazon set its own low-end hourly wage to $15 but nevertheless suspended workers’ monthly bonuses and stock options.
Instead of raising the minimum wage, CF suggested, the commonwealth should focus on lowering impediments to employment by reforming licensing and permitting processes as well as improving public-assistance programs so they reward those who secure employment.
– – –
Bradley Vasoli is managing editor of The Pennsylvania Daily Star. Follow Brad on Twitter at @BVasoli. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Patty Kim” by Rep. Patty Kim. Background Photo “Pennsylvania Capitol” by Ad Meskens. CC BY-SA 3.0.


thetennesseestar--2020-10-15--Commentary: Seven Potential Biden Cabinet Picks That Spell Trouble for America

Who will be in charge if Joe Biden defeats Donald Trump ?
Biden has made it clear that the American people don ’ t need or deserve to know the plans for a potential Biden Administration .
He ’ s been described as the “ Trojan Horse ” candidate .
His disunited supporters dare not look beyond their shared goal of deposing the incumbent president lest the socialists learn now that Democrat billionaires will snatch the real power .
Biden has promised to leave much of the governing to the bureaucrats themselves .
He promised that the Justice Department would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He would defer to the experts on questions of quarantine and public health .
Biden promises something called “ strategic empathy ” on foreign policy .
Biden will be the bureaucrat ’ s president , ceding policymaking to the career professionals who span changes in administration but almost invariably lean Left—those who , like the furniture at the White House , come along with the place .
So weeks away from the election , it ’ s critical to think about who Biden might place as the heads of these various agencies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and direction of government .
Although Biden has said little about his future cabinet picks , I have my own guesses based upon observations and rumors .
It ’ s time to look inside the Trojan horse candidate .
The people who are really in charge of Biden ’ s future administration appear poised to usher in a new period of breathtaking political and financial corruption .
The Harris campaign , excuse me , the Biden campaign , has already built “ a team of 1,000 national security experts working in .
.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ leads the defense working group making him a possible candidate for secretary of defense .
Currently an “ executive in residence , ” for a defense contractor consulting firm , he once served as the under-secretary of defense for the Obama Administration .
At a time when military bureaucrats were on track to outnumber the war fighters they serve , Kendall spearheaded a successful effort to suppress a study that recommended modest changes to stem the loss of warfighting dollars to inefficiency and bloat .
Kendell quite literally described efforts to trim Pentagon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ defeated at all costs .
He is the champion of the wasted Pentagon dollar who will protect the kind of loose spending that enriches politically connected defense contractors at the expense of readiness .
Biden will not make Trump ’ s mistake of appointing a weak figure like Jeff Sessions to the critical position of attorney general .
Biden already has significant exposure to one or more potential special counsel appointments to investigate his family ’ s financial ties to China , the investigation into his demand to have a Ukrainian prosecutor removed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ payment to his son , Hunter .
Thus , it ’ s important to avoid the “ recusal ” trap that left the special counsel appointment to Rod Rosenstein .
Cyrus Vance is an experienced prosecutor with enough gravitas to easily crush the type of coup that bureaucrats attempted against Trump .
Vance also looked the other way on the Harvey Weinstein abuse reports after receiving a $ 10,000 donation from Weinstein ’ s attorney .
Vance is a man who knows how to protect his friends and persecute his political enemies .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ district attorney to dog President Trump .
He is proceeding on the dubious theory that it ’ s a crime to argue for low property valuation for tax purposes if the owner presented a higher value to a lender considering a loan .
Under Vance ’ s theory , ambitious prosecutors could shake down millions of private and commercial property owners who routinely seek to minimize their tax burdens .
It ’ s a ridiculous theory which makes him the perfect choice to carry out Senator Harris ’ promise to prosecute the former @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : Consumer Financial Protection Board , Future Director of Financial Sector Shakedowns Senator Warren has already been mentioned as a possible candidate to head the Treasury Department .
She ’ s a better fit for the powerful but little-known Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ( CFPB ) .
Warren ’ s website still trumpets her role as the person who “ came up with the idea for the CFPB before the [ 2008 financial ] crisis even began.
” The bureau has staggering power over financial institutions and Warren would know best how to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agenda .
Indeed , it has already shaken down financial institutions for billions .
Under Warren , the CFPB could expand these schemes .
4 ) Susan Rice : Secretary of State , Making Clinton-Style Corruption at the State Department Great Again Politico has already made the case that Biden is inclined to appoint the former Obama confidant as his secretary of state .
This seems like a logical prediction .
Rice was deeply involved in the Russia Collusion hoax and could be relied upon to reprise her politicization of U.S. foreign policy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ upon domestic political opponents .
As the American Prospect notes , she is also a master of monetizing political power .
She skirted financial disclosure requirements while wielding massive power under Obama .
Fans of the Clinton pay-for-play operation in the State Department may have a lot to look forward to if Rice assumes the role .
5 ) Roger Altman : Secretary of the Treasury , Bailout Pioneer , Friend of the Chinese Communist Party In recent decades , the Treasury Department ’ s top position has usually gone to a person @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Had Lawrence Summers not ruled out accepting this job , he likely would have been Harris-Biden ’ s top choice .
Roger Altman is a loyal Biden supporter and contributor but also an investment banker with strong ties to Goldman Sachs .
He ’ s a veteran of the controversial General Motors ’ bailout that fleeced American taxpayers .
Altman is a member of the internationalist Council on Foreign Relations and a proponent of “ strategic cooperation ” with China .
It ’ s guys like Altman who efficiently shepherd “ stimulus ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Beto O ’ Rourke : Gun Control Policy Czar , “ Hell Yes , We ’ re Going to Take Your AR-15 ” Although not a cabinet position , Biden has already publicly announced that he would appoint former U.S. Representative Beto O ’ Rourke to lead the administration ’ s efforts to “ buy back ” ( i.e.
, confiscate ) privately owned weapons .
Mind you , there will be no “ buy back ” of the weapons private security firms use to protect elite Democrats .
Those weapons are just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Sally Yates acted as attorney general under President Trump .
She used the tenure to encourage the Justice Department to resist the incoming administration .
Countless lawyers heeded her call to use their positions within the Justice Department to do just that .
Yates and Kamala Harris fought together against Trump ’ s travel restrictions against countries with a history of exporting terrorists .
Yates criticized the Justice Department ’ s decision to drop the highly politicized prosecution of former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn , which strongly suggests she will play @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to protect her former vice-president .
Biden can not trust the current FBI director , Christopher Wray , nor can he trust the FBI generally .
Only a fool would interpret the FBI ’ s attacks on the peaceful transfer of power to Trump as being something perpetrated to demonstrate their devotion to the Democrat ’ s side .
Former Director James Comey used the FBI in an attempt to gain leverage over both Clinton and Trump in the 2016 election cycle and both candidates rightly doubted his professionalism .
Wray is arguably @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the constitutional checks on the FBI ’ s power .
Wray ’ s priority is to protect and expand the power of the FBI and he would likely continue to undermine any elected officials ( and appointed judges ) regardless of party if they don ’ t share that priority .
Biden should be wary of hiring an FBI director from within the bureau as he would likely end up with another Comey/Wray clone .
If the FBI is going to use its awesome power to frame and entrap people , Yates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ political agenda .
Voters have a right to look past Biden ’ s crooked grin and the “ orange man bad ” propaganda to really consider what life will be like under a Biden Administration .
While Biden can ’ t seem to remember which office he ’ s running for , the stealthy players propping him up are quietly drawing up plans to use the vast resources of the federal government to enrich and entrench narrow interests .
In the four years since 2016 , politics has become the kind of bloodsport @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The passengers hiding in the hollow Biden campaign have big plans for Troy .
Adam Mill is a pen name .
He works in Kansas City , Missouri as an attorney specializing in labor and employment and public administration law .
He graduated from the University of Kansas and has been admitted to practice in Kansas and Missouri .
Mill has contributed to The Federalist , American Greatness , and The Daily Caller .


thetennesseestar--2020-10-15--University of Minnesota Lecture Features 12 Step Recovery Program for Whiteness

The University of Minnesota ’ s School of Social Work hosted a virtual lecture recently that aimed to teach white people about their white supremacy and how to counteract it by using a “ 12 step ” program mirrored after the one used by people in Alcoholics Anonymous .
The two-hour “ Recovery from White Conditioning ” lecture , hosted through the school ’ s Center for Practice Transformation , featured therapist Cristina Combs .
Combs is a University of Minnesota alumnus who created the white supremacy 12 step program “ after years of struggling to navigate the role and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ academic , and professional journeys , ” according to the university ’ s website .
The university ’ s website indicates the lecture can earn viewers continuing education units .
Combs said her program helps people recover from their whiteness .
“ I also want to hold that alongside the tension that , in this model , we are , in fact , centering whiteness , but we are centering it differently : to expose it , study its patterns , and to transform its violent legacy , ” she said .
Combs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I am on traditional Dakota land , ” the territory of a Native American tribe which settled in Minnesota .
She also acknowledged “ George Floyd , Breonna Taylor , and all of the other lives stolen from families and communities and our world due to police brutality and state-sanctioned violence.
” She then talked about the goal of the lecture : to “ decenter whiteness.
” Combs asked attendees : “ What comes to mind when you hear the term ‘ white supremacy ?
’ ” As an answer to the question @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The face of white supremacy.
” Under the title were pictures of Ku Klux Klan members as well as white nationalists in Charlottesville .
She then took those images off and put a picture of her own face on the screen .
“ When BIPOC activists would use the term ‘ white supremacy ’ to talk about the systems that needed to change and the work that white people needed to do , my instinct was to recoil .
It felt like too hard or too raw of a word , and I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I ultimately realized that that is my ego , ” she said .
“ Stepping into that tension and accepting my connection to white supremacy has been a freedom of sorts to show up in better alignment with my values and do the work for the rest of my life.
” Before diving into her 12-step model , Combs prefaced it by quoting feminist author Bell Hooks in saying that “ ‘ imperialist white supremacist capitalist patriarchy ’ [ is ] the power structure underlying the social order.
” Nevertheless , Combs said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ focus singularly on race , ” before beginning her summary of the 12 steps .
Step 1 : “ We admitted that we had been socially conditioned by the ideology of white supremacy.
” Combs played a video of a young white girl who was shown drawings of a cartoon child in varying pigments of skin color .
When asked which ones had positive characteristics like “ pretty ” or “ smart , ” she would point to the white figures .
When asked about negative characteristics like “ mean ” or “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dark figures .
“ We have been socially conditioned .
[ White supremacy ] is in us .
It will always be here .
We will always have to work against it in this journey of transformation , ” she said .
Step 2 : “ We came to believe that we could embrace our ignorance as an invitation to learn.
” Combs decried the fact that people make statements like : “ I don ’ t understand why Black Lives Matter has to protest on the highway.
” “ If , however @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I don ’ t have lived experience that informs me of a risk so great that I would put my body on the line…I have so much I need to learn .
I wonder where I can go and seek that knowledge.
’ The route is the same : the ignorance , the things that we don ’ t know , ” she said .
Step 3 : “ We develop support systems to keep us engaged in this work.
” “ Far too often people rush in [ to the work of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and then turn away .
Our commitment is to build support systems and practices that keep us coming back to our core humanity and then showing up in a spirit of accountability and solidarity forward , ” Combs said .
Step 4 : “ We journeyed boldly inward , exploring and acknowledging ways in which white supremacist teachings have been integrated into our minds and spirits.
” Combs displayed a worksheet for people to fill out in order to examine how “ white supremacy has negatively impacted ” topics like “ My @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , How I Interact with People of Color , and ( Micro ) aggressions I Perpetrate.
” According to Combs , the prefix in “ ( micro ) aggressions ” is in parentheses due to the fact that “ I am done calling them ‘ micro , ’ because they hurt.
” Step 5 : “ We confessed our mistakes and failings to ourselves and others.
” “ We know that we are gon na make mistakes , and so Step 5 is about coming back and sharing that and learning the lessons @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Combs said .
Step 6 : “ We were entirely ready to deconstruct previous ways of knowing , as they have been developed through the lens of white supremacy.
” Combs displayed a meme of Morpheus from The Matrix saying , “ What if I told you it ’ s ok to change your opinion based on new information.
” According to Combs , “ Step 6 is really about just acknowledging and sitting with that.
” Step 7 : “ We humbly explored new ways of understanding…proactively seeking out new learning and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Combs displayed a list of authors who can help with this step , including Audre Lorde , Chimamanda Adichie , and Ta-Nehisi Coates .
Step 8 : “ We committed ourselves to ongoing study of our racial biases , conscious or unconscious , and our maladaptive patterns of white supremacist thinking.
” According to Combs , many members call this step “ the slimy step.
” However , Combs said , that slime — people ’ s unconscious biases — are necessary to face .
She quoted James Baldwin in saying , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be changed , but nothing can be changed until it is faced.
” She compared this process to tracking the “ automatic negative thoughts ” of people who are struggling with depression .
In this step , Combs talked about thinking about people of color positively .
She said that one of her members , when she sees black people out in public , will repeat out loud to herself , “ Hello my brother , Hello my sister , Hello my sibling.
” This repetition , she said , is private and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 10 : “ We embraced the responsibility of focusing on our impact , more than our intentions , in interactions with people of color.
” Combs included a passage from Ken Hardy called “ Intentions : Province of the Privileged.
” She said that it is unacceptable that “ [ white people ] want to sit and clarify that we didn ’ t mean it and someone else misunderstood while our BIPOC [ black , indigenous , and people of color ] siblings are living with the impact.
” “ Forever and always @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , we can notice and study where our issues are and how we ’ re gon na be more courageous the next day , ” Combs said of this step .
Step 12 : “ We committed ourselves to sharing this message with our white brothers , sisters , and siblings…in order to build a supportive recovery community and to encourage personal accountability within our culture.
” “ Step 12 is about saying , ‘ We have to go and get our people and work on our communal transformation , ” Combs said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : “ Who are your heroes ?
What are your songs , traditions , rituals , rules of admonishment ?
” After she finished talking about the 12 steps , Combs revealed the outline of what a gathering of those looking for a “ Recovery from White Conditioning ” meeting would look like .
Meetings start with a “ Call to Recovery , ” a quote from author Shailja Patel : “ We are here to be fully human to ourselves , fully accountable to each other.
” After house-keeping concerns like introductions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ minute of silent reflection , read about “ a white anti-racist , then discuss the particular step they are focusing on in that meeting , ” she said .
Charles Hilu is a sophomore studying political science at the University of Michigan .
In addition to reporting for The College Fix , Charles also writes for his on-campus publication , The Michigan Review , and serves as secretary of Michigan ’ s Young Americans for Freedom chapter .
After finishing his undergraduate degree , he plans to study law .
Photo “ University @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Minnesota .


thetennesseestar--2020-10-15--After Independent Coronavirus Test, NBC Sets Trump Town Hall

NEW YORK , New York ( AP ) — NBC News agreed to put President Donald Trump before voters in a town hall event on Thursday after the president submitted to an independent coronavirus test with the results reviewed by Dr. Anthony Fauci .
The announcement Wednesday sets up dueling town halls with Democratic opponent Joe Biden on a night the two candidates were supposed to meet for their second debate .
Biden is appearing on a similar town hall event in Philadelphia , televised by ABC .
NBC said Trump would be at least 12 feet ( 3.66 meters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ audience .
Trump , who tested positive for COVID-19 on Oct. 2 and spent three days at the Walter Reed military hospital , took a coronavirus test Tuesday administered by the National Institutes of Health , NBC said .
Both NIH clinical director Dr. Clifford Lane and Fauci reviewed Trump ’ s medical records and said they had a high degree of confidence that the president is “ not shedding infectious virus.
” Trump ’ s ability to reach a national television audience on Thursday was in part dependent on Fauci .
A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden that was scheduled for Thursday in Miami by the nonpartisan Commission on Presidential Debate was canceled .
In light of the president ’ s infection , the commission shifted the format to a virtual meeting , and Trump declined to participate .
Both town halls will begin at 8 p.m. Eastern , but Biden will have the last word .
The ABC event , moderated by George Stephanopoulos , will last 90 minutes with an additional half hour of analysis .
Trump ’ s town hall on NBC is scheduled for an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from getting a side-by-side comparison of the two men , the dueling events will likely be seen by far fewer people .
The first debate between the two men last month was watched by an estimated 73.1 million people , the Nielsen company said .
An estimated 6.7 million people saw Biden at an NBC News-sponsored town hall last week .
Like the Trump event on Thursday will be , it was simulcast on MSNBC , CNBC and streamed online .
Trump ’ s town hall with Stephanopoulos on Sept. 15 was seen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Thursday ’ s Trump town hall on NBC will be held outdoors at the Perez Art Museum in Miami .
Audience members will be socially distanced , required to wear a mask and submit to a temperature check before entering the venue , NBC said .
David Bauder is a reporter for The Associated Press .
About the Headline Photo : This combination of Sept. 29 , 2020 , file photos shows President Donald Trump , left , and former Vice President Joe Biden during the first presidential debate at Case Western @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Ohio .
Amid the tumult of the 2020 presidential campaign , one dynamic has remained constant : The Nov. 3 election offers voters a choice between substantially different policy paths .
( AP Photo/Patrick Semansky , File )


thetennesseestar--2020-10-15--Attorney General William Barr Updates Public on Memphis Operation Legend Arrests

U.S. Attorney General William P. Barr updated the public Wednesday about the federal Operation Legend law enforcement initiative , which operates in several U.S. cities , including Memphis .
This , according to a press release that the U.S. Department of Justice officials published on its agency ’ s website .
As The Tennessee Star reported last month , as part of Operation Legend , federal law enforcement agencies work with local and state law enforcement officials to fight violent crime .
Barr offered updates during a roundtable with law enforcement officers in Albuquerque .
In Memphis officials have charged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ press release said .
The press release went on to say the following of those 51 individuals in Memphis : • Exactly 30 defendants have been charged with narcotics-related offenses • Exactly 14 defendants have been charged with firearms-related offenses • Exactly seven defendants have been charged with other violent crimes The U.S. Department of Justice press release cited similar arrests in Kansas City , Chicago , Albuquerque , Cleveland , Detroit , Milwaukee , St. Louis , and Indianapolis .
“ Since Operation Legend ’ s launch in July 2020 , more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for homicide – have been made ; more than 2,000 firearms have been seized ; and nearly 22 kilos of heroin , more than 15 kilos of fentanyl ( enough to deliver more than 7.5 million fatal doses ) , more than 130 kilos of methamphetamine , more than 28 kilos of cocaine , and more than $ 7.3 million in drug proceeds have been seized , ” according to the press release .
“ Of the more than 5,000 individuals arrested , approximately 1,057 have been charged with federal offenses .
Approximately @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with firearms offenses , while approximately 411 have been charged with drug-related crimes .
The remaining defendants have been charged with various offenses.
” The initiative launched in Kansas City in July .
Federal officials named it in honor of four-year-old LeGend Taliferro .
Someone shot and killed him as he slept early in the morning of June 29 in Kansas City .
The operation subsequently expanded to other cities , the press release said .
Chris Butler is an investigative journalist at The Tennessee Star .
Follow Chris on Facebook .
Email @ @ @ @ @ @


thetennesseestar--2020-10-15--Mark and Patricia McCloskey Plead Not Guilty

ST. LOUIS , Missouri ( AP ) — A St. Louis couple celebrated in some circles and vilified in others for waving guns at protesters marching on their private street pleaded not guilty to two felony charges at a brief hearing Wednesday .
Mark and Patricia McCloskey , who are both attorneys in their early 60s , were indicted by a St. Louis grand jury last week on charges of unlawful use of a weapon and tampering with evidence .
They will appear in court again Oct. 28 .
St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner originally filed the weapons charge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the evidence tampering charge .
The indictment states that a semiautomatic pistol was altered in a way that “ obstructed the prosecution of Patricia McCloskey ” on the weapons charge .
The McCloskeys have blamed the “ leftist ” Democrats in St. Louis for their plight and have become folk heroes among some conservatives .
They have received support from President Donald Trump and they spoke on video at the opening night of the Republican National Convention .
In fact , the McCloskeys ’ attorney , Joel Schwartz , indicated that Trump remains @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have spoken with the president , ” Schwartz said after the hearing .
“ The president contacts them semi-frequently.
” He declined to elaborate and the McCloskeys declined to be interviewed .
Missouri Gov .
Mike Parson has defended the couple ’ s right to protect their home and said he will pardon them if they are convicted .
The protest on June 28 came in the midst of national racial injustice demonstrations that followed the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis .
A few hundred marchers were on their way to St. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when they veered onto a private street made up of million-dollar homes in St. Louis ’ posh Central West End .
The McCloskeys claimed the protesters not only ignored a “ No Trespassing ” sign but also broke down an iron gate .
Protest leaders said they did not damage the gate .
Mark McCloskey emerged from his home armed with an AR-15 rifle and Patricia McCloskey came out with a semiautomatic handgun .
It wasn ’ t immediately clear if that gun was the same one that was the subject of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the tense confrontation between the McCloskeys and protesters .
The couple said they felt threatened but protest leaders said the demonstration was peaceful on their end .
No shots were fired and no one was hurt .
Gardner , a Democrat , said the display of guns risked bloodshed .
A police probable cause statement said protesters feared “ being injured due to Patricia McCloskey ’ s finger being on the trigger , coupled with her excited demeanor.
” Schwartz called the charges a “ travesty ” and a “ political prosecution , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ads in her successful Democratic primary campaign in August in which she referenced the case .
Schwartz said he will ask that Gardner ’ s office be disqualified so another prosecutor can take over the case “ to give it a fresh look.
” Gardner ’ s spokeswoman did not immediately respond to an email message seeking comment .
Nine people involved in the protest were charged with misdemeanor trespassing , but the city counselor ’ s office later dropped the charges .
The city counselor ’ s office handles lesser crimes and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s office .
Mark McCloskey , after a brief court hearing last week , expressed anger that he and his wife faced criminal charges while those who trespassed on his property did not .
“ Every single human being that was in front of my house was a criminal trespasser , ” McCloskey said .
“ They broke down our gate .
They trespassed on our property .
Not a single one of those people is now charged with anything .
We ’ re charged with felonies that could cost us four @ @ @ @ @ @ @ licenses.
” Jim Salter is a reporter for The Associated Press .
About the Headline Photo : Mark and Patricia McCloskey leave following a court hearing Wednesday , Oct. 14 , 2020 , in St. Louis .
The McCloskeys have pleaded not guilty to two felony charges , unlawful use of a weapon and tampering with evidence , after been seen waving guns at protesters marching on their private street this past summer .
( AP Photo/Jeff Roberson )


thetennesseestar--2020-10-15--Klobuchar Says Senate Should be Working on Stimulus, but Voted Against COVID-19 Relief Last Month

During Tuesday ’ s Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation hearings , Sen. Amy Klobuchar opened her questioning of Judge Amy Coney Barrett by reciting statistics on COVID-19 deaths and cases .
“ We should be doing something else right now .
We shouldn ’ t be doing this .
We should be passing coronavirus relief like the House just did , which was a significant bill that would have been a big help and I think people have to know that right now — whether you ’ re Democrat , Independent , or Republican and that ’ s why I started @ @ @ @ @ @ @ need to vote , ” she claimed .
But factually , Klobuchar led Democrats in blocking coronavirus relief last month , according to Townhall .
Just a few weeks ago , the entire Democrat Senate rejected a generous stimulus package put forth by Senate Republicans , The Hill reported .
Klobuchar joined Sens .
Chris Coons and Cory Booker in filibustering the relief bill , a National Review writer pointed out .
Whether Democrat leadership does not want a bill for ideological reasons in case the bill is viewed as a win for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ However , this is not Klobuchar ’ s first commentary on the matter .
“ And you can see here in this room the misplaced priorities of this Republican-run Senate , and it ’ s in your hands to change it .
Are they working to pass a bill to help Americans to get the testing they need to save their lives ?
” Klobuchar said during her opening statement Monday .
“ Are they working to help the moms trying to balance a toddler on their lap while balancing a laptop on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ help our seniors , isolated , missing graduations and birthdays ?
Are they passing the bill the House passed that would help our economy ?
” A former schoolteacher and military historian , A.J .
Kaufman has worked as a journalist since 2006 .
His writings have been featured in newspapers and websites including the Baltimore Sun , Indianapolis Star , Minneapolis Star-Tribune , Orange County Register , Real Clear Politics , St .
Cloud Times and USA Today .
Photo “ Amy Klobuchar ” by Gage Skidmore .
CC BY-SA 2.0 .


thetennesseestar--2020-10-15--Crom Carmichael Outlines How Polling Organizations Are Not Changing to Meet the Dynamics of Today

Live from Music Row Wednesday 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 to outline how polling organizations are not changing to meet the dynamics of today .
Leahy : Wolf Blitzer on CNN , interviewed House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , and he pressed her hard on some questions .
Basically , he said , hey , why aren ’ t you working with the Republicans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said , you are really a Republican apologist Wolf .
And he was incredulous .
How could the Speaker call Wolf Blitzer a Republican apologist ?
Carmichael : Well , what you ’ re seeing here is that I think the Trump administration is doing a very good job .
Let me say this Kayleigh McEnany , she is a very very smart person .
Very smart .
And I think that what they ’ re doing is they are sending lots of very very specific information to the news media and then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are misreporting .
Carmichael : That ’ s what I ’ ve had is going on .
Carmichael : I think that ’ s what ’ s going on .
I think they ’ re shaming CNN into reporting the facts .
Because here are the facts .
The Republicans and the Trump administration are now up to be willing to spend $ 1.8 trillion .
1.8 trillion .
Which by the way , will be 100 percent deficit spending .
They ’ re spending 1.8 trillion .
But that money will go @ @ @ @ @ @ @ harmed by the the the COVOD policies .
It ’ s small businesses .
It ’ s individuals .
But it ’ s big businesses that have lots of employees that will have to get laid off if they don ’ t support them like the airline industry .
And perhaps the hotel industry .
But it ’ s going to people .
It ’ s going to help people .
Pelosi on the other hand , wants big blocks of money to go to state and local governments to shore up historically @ @ @ @ @ @ @ use COVID to change election laws , which has nothing to do with COVID .
And the Trump administration to his great credit is standing firm saying no , we ’ re going to help people .
We ’ re not going to help governments and we ’ re not going to let you use this to force a bunch of changes on election law that couldn ’ t stand up if you tried to pass them individually .
And I think that what ’ s happened .
I think that the Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ information .
Leahy : It ’ s a very good explanation because otherwise , I can ’ t figure it out .
She literally said this to CNN .
CNN is the network that is essentially they ’ re all Democratic operatives with bylines .
Carmichael : And so is MSNBC .
Leahy : They ’ re all that way .
She said I ’ m going to quote her exactly when Wolf Blitzer asked her a simple question .
Why aren ’ t you cutting a deal with the Republicans ?
Seemed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , “ what I say to you is , I don ’ t know why you ’ re always an apologist and many of your colleague ’ s apologists for the Republican position.
” I mean that is insane .
Carmichael : Well , apparently she went on to say that she ’ s not going to let Trump put his name on the check .
( Leahy laughs ) That ’ s another thing that she has apparently said .
So so this is a person who is incredibly vain .
Pelosi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the people .
Carmichael : She ’ s been very effective for the union thugs and I ’ m talking about the leaders of the unions , that she can pick up the phone and tell them where to spend their money .
Leahy : Jeff texted us and says Blitzer ’ s attitude might be a signal that the media knows Trump will win and they ’ re buying back their opposition .
I ’ m not sure if I agree with that .
Carmichael : Well let me say this Jeff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all this stuff , you know , this is very similar to 2016 except there ’ s a lot of other things going on under the surface and in my opinion .
That is going on under the surface .
And I will say this , I believe that the state polls will be an average of six points off in Trump ’ s favor .
Leahy : The state polls .
And why do you believe that ?
Carmichael : Because I think that I think that they ’ re sampling I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And I think they know it .
This used to happen in Tennessee .
Back in 1994 , we had three statewide races and they had Bredesen and Sundquist as a toss-up .
They had Frist up by six .
They had Thompson up by 12 .
I remember this because it was so interesting .
Leahy : It wasn ’ t Bredesen and some Sundquist was it ?
Carmichael : It was Bredesen and Sundquist in 1994 .
Leahy : Oh when Bredesen one ?
Carmichael : And he was up by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it a toss-up .
Carmichael : So yes , yes , and so then Teddy said that the Frist-Sasser race is at six points and that Sasser still had a chance .
And they said looks like Thompson is going to win .
And I said Teddy , let me say that Sundquist will win by more than 10 .
And Frist will win by more than 12 .
And Thompson will win by more than 18 .
And Teddy said , how can you say that ?
And I said because that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the same amount every time .
And it turned out that that that I was correct .
But it wasn ’ t because I was some genius , it was I just looked at the history of that particular polling organization .
Then they called into the show and got mad at me for calling them corrupt .
And I said what let me change that you ’ re either incompetent or you ’ re corrupt .
Which is it ?
( Leahy laughs ) And I said because you ’ re always @ @ @ @ @ @ @ always off in the same direction by the same amount and you would adjust if you could .
Leahy : They really loved that didn ’ t when they ?
Carmichael : And they said , well you have to understand we do the poll for The Tennessean .
And I said , how does that work ?
They said they tell us who to poll .
I said , oh , excuse me .
I take that back .
The Tennessean is either corrupt or incompetent .
Leahy : And also about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ add .
Carmichael : So what I ’ m saying , is that what you have now is that you have the same dynamic at work in these polling organizations are not changing to meet the dynamics of today .
Leahy : And now standing point .
A couple of things I want to raise .
First the value of institutional memory .
Crom that you just pointed out something that many people here in Nashville would not have known .
And I ’ d forgotten it but you ’ re quite right @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bredesen .
And then he subsequently went on to win the governorship for two terms .
Carmichael : And I was I had supported Sundquist and to my great chagrin because then in the second term he tried to pass an income tax .
Now in a kind of an in a kind of ironic way , Sundquist has done more in trying to do that .
And by really trying to do that , he did more to help the Republican Party than any person in the history of the state because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ secretly for an income tax .
Carmichael : Because they thought they had it and they were going to ram it through and then it turned out that they all exposed themselves for being for an income tax but didn ’ t have it as it turned out .
And so in the next three cycles , all of those Democrats in the House and the Senate who are for the income tax or many of them lost their re-election .
Carmicheal : Now , Bredesen to his great credit , he came @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t have a clue how to fix .
And so you have to give credit where credit ’ s due .
Phil Bredesen was an excellent governor of Tennessee .
I ’ m glad he lost as a Senator .
I ’ m glad he lost for two reasons .
One is I happen to have a great deal of respect for Phil Bredesen and he would have hated being in Washington in this environment .
He would have hated it .
So I ’ m happy for him that he lost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I am .
And the other is that just for purely partisan reasons I don ’ t want a federal government that tells everybody here in Tennessee that we will live the way that the people from California and Nancy Pelosi think we should live .
And Chuck Schumer too .
I don ’ t like that idea .
I think that ’ s a terrible idea .
Leahy : Well the Founding Fathers would agree with you .
That ’ s why we set up a Constitution where one of the foundational @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say two types of government .
The national government and the state government .
The states have sovereignty .
Carmichael : And by the way , we have lots of people who are moving into Nashville from California , Illinois , and New York .
Please adopt our values and don ’ t bring yours with you .
Leahy : They are trying to in some cases .
Carmichael : You ’ re coming here because we ’ re a great place to live .
Carmichael : Let ’ s keep it that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 .


thetennesseestar--2020-10-15--Report: DOJ Closes ‘Unmasking’ Investigation

The Justice Department has closed its investigation into whether Obama administration officials improperly unmasked the identities of Trump associates mentioned in intelligence reports , according to a report .
According to The Washington Post , the investigation was recently closed and is unlikely to lead to criminal charges .
A report of the investigation will also not be released , according to the newspaper , which cited government sources familiar with the matter .
Attorney General William Barr earlier this year tapped John Bash , the outgoing U.S. attorney in San Antonio , to investigate whether Obama administration officials abused @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump associates .
The inquiry began following the release of a document that showed that 39 officials in the Obama White House and other federal agencies requested intelligence reports that had information about former national security adviser Michael Flynn .
The document showed that then-Vice President Joe Biden made a request for an intelligence report that identified Flynn on Jan. 12 , 2017 .
Then-CIA Director John Brennan and then-FBI Director James Comey also requested intelligence reports regarding Flynn in December 2016 .
U.S. officials routinely submit so-called unmasking requests in order to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have suggested that the Obama officials intentionally made requests for reports that mentioned Trump associates .
The Republican theory was that government officials may have leaked negative information about Flynn and other Trump associates to the media .
It is unclear if Bash investigated the Obama officials ’ rationale for requesting intelligence reports that mentioned Flynn and other Trump associates .
Biden has been asked about his unmasking request during one interview and denied any wrongdoing .
Several Republicans senators have requested documents of unmasking requests that Obama-era officials submitted from January 2016 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2017 .
The Bash inquiry appears less successful at uncovering wrongdoing as two other investigations launched by Barr .
John Durham , the U.S. attorney for Connecticut , is conducting a sprawling investigation into the origins of the Trump-Russia probe , as well as into U.S. agencies ’ intelligence-gathering activities related to the Trump campaign .
That investigation has led to charges against a former FBI attorney who worked on the bureau ’ s investigation of the Trump campaign .
Barr also tapped Jeffrey Jensen , the U.S. attorney for Missouri , to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Flynn .
The retired general pleaded guilty during the special counsel ’ s probe to lying to the FBI about his conversation in December 2016 with Russian diplomat Sergey Kislyak .
Flynn filed a motion to withdraw his guilty plea on Jan. 29 .
Jensen has released a trove of previously undisclosed FBI documents related to the investigation .
The documents show that the FBI was poised to close a counterintelligence investigation of Flynn in early January 2017 , but kept the probe open after obtaining intercepts of Flynn ’ s calls @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a motion to drop charges against Flynn on May 7 , but the judge handling the case has appealed the decision .
Chuck Ross is a reporter for the Daily Caller News Foundation .
Background Photo “ Department of Justice Building ” by Another Believer .
CC BY-SA 3.0 .


thetennesseestar--2020-10-15--‘Not up to the Job’: Former White House Doctor Says Biden Lacks ‘Mental Capacity’ for Presidency

When the late Sen. John McCain ran for president in 2008 , questions about his health — physical and mental — swirled .
Americans were well aware that should McCain die in office , his vice president , former Alaska Gov .
Sarah Palin , would ’ ve become president .
Had he been elected , he would have been 72 years old when he moved into the White House .
So Americans may have that same concern with Democratic nominee , Joe Biden , who would be 78 if he wins the election .
Cue former White House physician @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prestigious post from 2013 to 2018 , serving both Trump and President Obama .
Jackson on Tuesday said Biden “ does not have the mental capacity ” to be able to handle the presidency and the job of commander in chief .
“ He is not up to the job , ” Jackson told reporters in a conference call set up by President Trump ’ s reelection campaign .
“ I ’ ve watched Joe Biden on the campaign trail , and I ’ m concerned that he does not have the mental @ @ @ @ @ @ @ serve as our commander in chief .
He routinely gets lost in the middle of a thought and can ’ t recalibrate.
” “ I actually don ’ t even practice medicine at this point , ” said Jackson , a retired rear admiral who is now running as a Republican for a House seat in Texas .
But he added : “ I ’ m a physician , obviously , so I ’ ve seen a little bit about how the issues with cognitive ability , how they start.
” “ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” the doctor said .
“ I never took care of Vice President Biden .
I ’ m not trying to remotely diagnose him with anything .
I ’ m saying it as a concerned citizen .
We can all see … something ’ s going on here.
” “ He is having some extremely bad days , ” the doctor said .
“ This is serious .
We ’ re picking a commander in chief [ who ] has to be at the top of their game cognitively .
And he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out two gaffes by Biden that occurred Monday .
Campaigning in Toledo , Ohio , where he addressed United Auto Workers , Biden said : “ You know , we have to come together .
That ’ s why I ’ m running .
I ’ m running as a proud Democrat for the Senate , when I ran as a proud Democrat for vice president , and I ’ m running as a proud Democrat for president .
But I promise you this , I will govern as an American president.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ name of Sen. Mitt Romney , Utah Republican , who was the GOP nominee for president in 2012 .
“ I got in trouble when we were running against that senator who was a Mormon , the governor , ” he said .
K.T .
McFarland , a former Trump deputy national security adviser , joined Jackson on the call and echoed Jackson ’ s remarks .
“ Joe Biden just is not the guy to do it anymore , ” she said .
“ I ’ ve known him for a long @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nice man .
But he ’ s not a strong man .
… Don ’ t expect our adversaries to be nice to him .
They ’ re going to take advantage of that and exploit that at every single step.
” She also said Biden ’ s decline is “ pretty obvious for all to see .
”


thetennesseestar--2020-10-15--Bruce Ohr Retires from DOJ After Informed Disciplinary Decision Imminent on Russia Case

Bruce Ohr , the senior Justice Department official whose conduct in the Russia case spurred significant controversy , has retired after being informed that a decision on disciplinary action was imminent , the department announced Wednesday .
Ohr ’ s decision will spare him any potential punishment for his role in providing information to the FBI about Christopher Steele ’ s dossier at the same time his wife , Nellie Ohr , worked for the same firm as Steele — Fusion GPS , run by Glenn Simpson .
Congressional Republicans complained that the connection created a conflict of interest .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ arrangement .
“ Bruce Ohr retired from the Department of Justice on September 30 , 2020 .
As such , he is no longer an employee of the Department , ” DOJ spokeswoman Kerri Kupec said .
“ Mr .
Ohr retired after his counsel was informed that a final decision on a disciplinary review being conducted by Department senior career officials was imminent.
” The announcement came the same day that Sen. Ron Johnson ( R-Wisc . )
, the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee chairman , released slightly less @ @ @ @ @ @ @ showing the role Ohr played in connecting Steele , a former British MI6 agent he had befriended , with the FBI .
The new versions of the interview reports mostly confirm what was released in 2018 and 2019 : Ohr alerted senior officials in the FBI to the existence of Steele ’ s anti-Trump dossier in July 2016 and later kept the bureau informed about the ongoing dossier research after Steele had been terminated by the bureau as a confidential human source because of unauthorized contacts with the news media in November 2016 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ warned the FBI that Steele was working with Hillary Clinton ’ s campaign , that his information was raw and needed corroboration , that the ex-British spy was trying to defeat Donald Trump in the 2016 presidential race , and that he was talking to the news media .
For instance , the reports show , Ohr told the FBI : “ OHR knew Steele ’ s reporting on Trump ’ s ties to Russia were going to the Clinton campaign , Jon Winer at the U.S. State Department and the FBI .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Steele ’ s information to many individuals or entities and at times Steele would attend meetings with Simpson.
” “ Steele was desperate that Donald Trump not get elected and was passionate about him not being president.
” “ OHR honestly believes Steele reported what he heard from sources at the Kremlin but that doesn ’ t make that story true.
” “ Glen ( sic ) Simpson hired Ohr ’ s wife to conduct research for his firm .
OHR will voluntarily provide his wife ’ s research the FBI.
” Johnson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ upon getting it so that voters could have transparency before the Nov. 3 election .
“ For far too long information regarding the Democrats ’ attempt to sabotage the Trump administration has remained hidden from the public , ” the senator said .
“ Today , in an effort to be fully transparent , I am releasing these DOJ and FBI documents I recently received because the American people deserve to know the truth and have a right to see this information.
” While the documents have more visible information than prior versions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ violation of Trump ’ s order last week that he wanted all Russia case documents made public with “ no redactions.
” You can read the documents here .


thetennesseestar--2020-10-15--Data: Schools Aren’t COVID-19 Super-Spreaders

Some new evidence is showing Elementary and high schools do not appear to be super spreaders of COVID-19 , according to new data .
The New York Post reports , Brown University economics Professor Emily Oster and data scientists at the technology company Qualtrics collected data on COVID-19 in schools .
The data collected on almost 200,000 kids in 47 states from the last two weeks of September revealed an infection rate of 0.13 percent among students and 0.24 percent among staff .
“ I think it was thought the minute we get people together in schools , there would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hasn ’ t come to pass , ’ ’ Oster told The Post on Sunday .
The professor discussed how the closed schools approach may be an enormous cost to children and how it is crucial to weigh the dangers of the virus against the drawbacks to online learning for students , teachers and parents , “ It ’ s tricky to say , ‘ Why not be safe and do the safest thing ’ ” and go to all-remote learning , Oster said .
“ Well , you ’ re not looking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” She recounted to The Post , how a woman wrote her Sunday morning “ and said her daughter ’ s best friend killed herself and left a note saying , ‘ I can ’ t handle the way school is.
’ ” The dead student was in high school .
“ That is just an anecdote , but I think we are forgetting the human cost on the other side some of the time , ’ ’ Oster said .
The professor specifically called out New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ major coronavirus hotspots without evidence .
“ Democratic governors who love to flaunt their pro-science bona fides in comparison with the anti-science Trump administration don ’ t seem to be aware of this growing body of evidence , ’ ’ Oster wrote in The Atlantic magazine Friday .
“ On Monday , for instance , New York Governor Andrew Cuomo claimed that businesses were not ‘ mass spreaders , ’ as opposed to schools , and subsequently announced that he would close schools in hot-spot areas.
” She added to The Post , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ risk .
… I don ’ t think he has good data showing that.
’ ’ Oster — whose own kids , ages 5 and 9 , are back full-time in the classroom at their private school in Rhode Island — said there definitely needs to be more data collected before any final conclusions can be drawn .
“ I think our big takeaway is it ’ s invaluable to see the numbers and with what [ people ] are comfortable with , ’ ’ she said , noting her group has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @


thetennesseestar--2020-10-15--Biden Campaign Responds to NY Post Report, Says Alleged Meeting with Burisma Executive Never Took Pl

Biden Campaign Responds to NY Post Report, Says Alleged Meeting with Burisma Executive Never Took Place

Joe Biden ’ s presidential campaign said Wednesday that the former vice president did not meet with his son , Hunter Biden , and a top executive of the Ukrainian gas company Burisma in 2015 as alleged in a report by the New York Post .
The Post published a copy of an email on Wednesday that was allegedly sent by Vadym Pozharsky , an advisor to Burisma ’ s board of directors , to Hunter Biden in April 2015 thanking the younger Biden “ for inviting me to DC and giving an opportunity to meet your father and spent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part of what the Post called a “ massive trove of data recovered from a laptop computer ” that was dropped off at a Delaware computer repair shop in April 2019 .
“ [ W ] e have reviewed Joe Biden ’ s official schedules from the time and no meeting , as alleged by the New York Post , ever took place , ” Biden campaign spokesman Andrew Bates told Politico .
The owner of the computer repair shop did not positively identify who dropped the computer off , according to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up the laptop after it was serviced , the owner reported the laptop to the FBI and made a copy of the contents in its hard drive before turning it over to authorities in December 2019 .
The repair shop owner then gave that copy to a lawyer for former New York Mayor Rudi Giuliani .
The Post obtained a copy of the computer ’ s hard drive in late September from Giuliani after first being informed of its existence in late September by former White House Chief Strategist Steve Bannon .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ association with Andrii Derkach , a now-sanctioned Ukrainian lawmaker with ties to Russia .
Giuliani said in September he worked with Derkach to dig up dirt on the Bidens ’ activities in Ukraine .
“ The New York Post never asked the Biden campaign about the critical elements of this story , ” Bates said .
“ They certainly never raised that Rudy Giuliani — whose discredited conspiracy theories and alliance with figures connected to Russian intelligence have been widely reported — claimed to have such materials.
” “ Investigations by the press @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two Republican-led Senate committees whose work was decried as ‘ not legitimate ’ and political by a GOP colleague have all reached the same conclusion : that Joe Biden carried out official U.S. policy toward Ukraine and engaged in no wrongdoing , ” Bates said .
The contents of the laptop ’ s hard drive are currently under investigation by the Senate Homeland Security Committee , according to Fox News .
“ Although we consider those communications to be confidential , because the individual in this instance spoke with the media about his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ confirm receipt of his email complaint , have been in contact with the whistleblower , and are in the process of validating the information he provided , ” Committee Chairman Ron Johnson of Wisconsin told Fox News .
Andrew Kerr is a reporter for the Daily Caller News Foundation .
Photo “ Joe Biden ” by Gage Skidmore .
CC BY-SA 2.0 .


thetennesseestar--2020-10-15--UIUC Student Kicked off Campus for Refusing Quarantine After Testing Negative for COVID-19

A University of Illinois student was evicted from his dorm and fired from his job as a resident assistant after refusing to quarantine per orders of the Champaign-Urbana Public Health Department .
He told CBS 2 in Chicago and Campus Reform that he has never tested positive for COVID-19 and that this is all a mistake .
“ I pose no health risk to any student , ” added Josephs , who is facing possible dismissal from the school after being notified by the Champaign Urbana Public Health Department that he had contact with an individual who tested positive and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not been told the identity of the individual due to HIPAA restrictions .
U Illinois students are required to quarantine for at least fourteen days if instructed by the Champaign Urbana Public Health Department , according to the university ’ s quarantine and isolation guidelines .
The university maintains an expansive contract tracing system , both through the Champaign Urbana Public Health Department and its Safer Illinois app .
Students who receive a contact tracing phone call from the Champaign Urbana Public Health Department must answer it immediately and abide by all department @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their directions face immediate suspension .
Josephs told Campus Reform , “ I received a call from the Health Department on September 26th notifying me that I had contact with someone who was exposed to COVID-19 on Monday , September 21 .
The employee explained that I would need to quarantine for the remaining days of the 14-day exposure period.
” In a statement to CBS2 , UIUC Associate Chancellor for Public Affairs Robin Kaler said that “ when CUPHD contacts someone to instruct that person to quarantine , it isn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a single date .
Contact tracing covers the infected person ’ s activities over a period of days , and the person who is instructed to quarantine is not told who was the source or where that contact happened.
” Josephs further explained to Campus Reform that since his alleged exposure , he has tested negative for COVID-19 multiple times .
Josephs provided Campus Reform of screenshots from UI ’ s Safer Illinois app , showing his negative test results from mid-September through early October .
He added , “ I have repeatedly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 14-day incubation period.
” Nevertheless , Josephs said the university contacted him on Sept. 30 “ to move into a quarantine dorm on October 1st for the remaining 4 days of the 14-day incubation period.
” Josephs refused to move into the designated quarantine dorm because he believes his health would be at risk due to the possible risk of exposure to others there .
“ This relocation would also place me , a healthy individual , in a shared living space with other students who have had exposure , posing a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ perform in my academic studies , ” Josephs told Campus Reform .
When Josephs refused to relocate , he said he then received an email from the school ’ s disciplinary office .
“ It was alleged that you entered into Bousfield on 9/30 , 10/1 , 10/2 ; swiped into 57 North swipes on 9/30 ; swiped into the Caffeinator on 10/2 .
you swiped into Ikenberry Dining on 10/2/20 , ” Assistant Dean of Students and Assistant Director of Housing Robert Wilczynski wrote to Josephs in an Oct. 3 email , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Such conduct , if proven , ” the email continued , “ would fall within the jurisdiction of the student discipline system and would constitute a violation of our community standards.
” On Oct. 7 , Josephs replied to that email , notifying the university that he had only tested negative for COVID-19 .
The next day , Wilczynski wrote back , saying , “ You received directions from the campus and the health department for which you are not authorized to deviate from .
This is a dismissible offense from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ immediate compliance while my investigation continues.
” Campus Reform made multiple attempts to reach multiple UIUC officials for comment on this story .
No responses were received , except for an email sent by mistake from UIUC Senior Assistant Director of Communications and Marketing Chelsea Hamilton , who wrote , “ Robin , Are you handling this one .
Or should I ?
He is terminated and not living in UH [ University Housing ] anymore.
” The message , which appears to have been intended only for Kaler but was mistakenly sent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in response to Campus Reform seeking to confirm whether Josephs was terminated from his RA position .
Josephs provided Campus Reform with a copy of the letter he received from the university , stating that he was being removed from university housing .
“ This is not a judicial action ; this is an administrative action , ” the letter stated .
“ As noted in several campus mass mails from Chancellor Jones and university COVID-19 policies and protocols , isolation or quarantine as directed by CUPHD is mandatory .
If you do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be in violation of state law , ” the letter continued .
Josephs told CBS2 that it was the university ’ s “ goals ” to “ give me the ultimate discipline to dismiss me from the institution.
” “ I ’ m being disciplinarily charged for putting people ’ s health at danger , but nobody ’ s health is at danger , ” he said .
In a statement to Campus Reform , Josephs said , “ I am [ a ] stand up leader in the black community and am @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who doesn ’ t deserve this type of unconstitutional treatment from the university as other students continue to host parties and test positive for COVID-19 and face no disciplinary action .
Here we see the university attempting to ruin the life of an innocent young man over fallacious claims where I have done nothing but work hard toward making his family and community proud.
” At least 16 UIUC students have been dismissed for violating COVID guidelines .
Campus Reform previously covered a situation at the UIUC wherein three students were criminally charged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is an Illinois Senior Campus Correspondent , and reports liberal bias and abuse on campus for Campus Reform .
He studies at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign .
Photo “ Xavier Josephs ” by CBS Chicago .


thetennesseestar--2020-10-15--Tennessee Native Creates Propagandist Cartoon for Oprah Winfrey Network

A Tennessee Native recently debuted a propagandist cartoon miniseries for the Oprah Winfrey Network ( OWN ) .
The episodes depict White people as cluelessly rude , racist , sexist , and even violent .
OWN markets the cartoon , “ Sincerely , Camille , ” as a non-partisan series under its “ OWN YOUR VOTE ” movement to “ highlight the political issues and concerns Black women face at polls this fall.
” The series is set in the current day .
OWN contracted local Tennessean Munirah Safiyah Jones to create the miniseries .
In the first episode , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his hands as the three Black female protagonists watch disapprovingly .
The White male character then counts out a tip for a table .
One of the females remarks with disgust , “ I know he ’ s f****** lying.
” About a minute later , a White , mask-less female character approaches a Black , masked restaurant worker .
When the worker points to the sign “ Must wear mask to sit inside , ” the White female becomes angry and slaps him .
“ I don ’ t have to wear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ character screams , stomping her foot .
“ I have asthma , and I don ’ t need to prove it to you.
” When the police appear on screen , the White female is on her back wailing .
One of the Black female protagonists takes pictures .
In another episode titled “ This Land Was Made for Drew and Leigh , ” a White , mask-less female character approaches one of the masked protagonists .
The White woman remarks on the protagonist ’ s haircut , but steps back with embarrassment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t touch it .
I respect and fear Solange .
Hey , congratulations on Kamala , huh ?
You all must be so excited , ” the White woman remarks .
“ Listen , I want you to know that I am here for you listening , learning , and I apologize for my Halloween costume last year .
Question , is it blackface if the paint ’ s brown ?
” A few seconds later , the protagonist approaches her White male boss about hiring someone .
The boss is busy on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ women can ’ t math ” or do science .
He then goes on to speak with the protagonist using stereotypical slang .
The protagonist admonishes him lightly for his sexism and stereotyping .
Only one outspoken Republican is presented – the father of one of the Black female protagonists .
He ’ s depicted as a raving , though kind , old man who is calmed down and corrected by the protagonists .
“ Our viewers will instantly relate to these characters as they deal with the real-world issues and concerns impacting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tina Perry .
The miniseries streams on OWN ’ s Twitter , Instagram , and YouTube pages .
The final episode was uploaded on Tuesday .
Corinne Murdock is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and the Star News Network .
Follow her latest on Twitter , or email tips to [ email protected ] .
Photo “ Sincerely , Camille ” by OWN .


thetennesseestar--2020-10-15--Commentary: True Stories from Life in a Chinese Concentration Camp

Yo͞ohwäjän chaired the Russian language department at Nanjing University in China when she was taken .
RenagulGheni was the mother of two children , a professional artist and art teacher in the Chinese government schools when she was taken .
AituganTurlanuuly was a servant of the Chinese government when he was taken .
BaimuratNauvizbek was living in the Xinjiang province when he was taken .
They were all taken by the Chinese Communist Party ( CCP ) and imprisoned in concentration camps .
In some cases , they were imprisoned for practicing their religion , in other cases , their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ones were taken .
The Captive Nation ’ s Coalition , part of the Committee on Present Danger : China , is giving voice to these oppressed Chinese people .
The group released a series of short videos sharing stories of an individual who escaped a concentration and others whose family members are still trapped in one .
“ These people are yearning to have their voices heard , ” said Se Hoon Kim , Captive Nations Coalition director .
“ We want to get their voices to the American public .
This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ must protect our freedom , ” added Kim .
“ What is happening in China right now is unimaginable to those of us in the free world.
” Yo͞ohwäjän believes she was imprisoned because she practiced a form of Buddhism calledFalun Gong , which she says “ emphasizes the core principles of truthfulness , compassion , and forbearance .
“ In the labor camp and the prison I was forced to run and march for long hours under the blazing sun .
For nearly 50 days I encountered the forcible sleep deprivation and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ several times which made me feel dizzy , having heart palpitations and their trembling so vigorously that I nearly couldn ’ t breathe .
I was nauseous and experienced tram twitching and the muscle pain .
What I witnessed in the persecution was just a tip of iceberg for the systematic crackdown.
” Yo͞ohwäjän said these CCP torture tactics have been applied to the prosecution of weaker Tibetans and Hong Kong people , as well .
She describes the CCP as a cancer with the ultimate goal “ to destroy human beings.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a Uyghur , says she lost contact with her sister , art teacher RenagulGheni , two years ago after Renagul was detained in a Chinese concentration camp .
“ My sister is better educated than 80 percent of Chinese people .
She doesn ’ t have to be reeducated in a Chinese concentration camp .
She has a degree .
She is a professional painter and speaks very good Chinese.
” In BaibolatKunbolatuuly ’ s short video , he looks straight into the camera and says , “ I am begging for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of how his brother , BaimuratNauvizbek , was detained by local police in the Xinjiang province of China and sentenced to 1 ½ years in a camp “ for no reason.
” That sentence turned into 10 years .
“ Now my brother Baimurat has been in prison for about 903 days , ” explained Kunbolatuuly .
“ I very worry about safety of my brother .
We don ’ t know whether he is alive or dead .
We could not contact his parents in China , also.
” AkhanTurlanuuly , shared @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a country servant in the Xinjiang province for 18 years when one day at 2 a.m. , the CCP took his brother from his home and “ for no reason , imprisoned him into communist camp .
“ Now he is in Zhaosu Prison .
We heard from people in the camp that he was sentenced to two years .
But two years prison time has finished , and he has not been released .
I could not contact with my family , even with my parents and brothers in China for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ depressing for every one of us.
” His video closes with a heartfelt please to human rights organizations , asking simply , “ Please help us.
” “ While it is difficult to hear these stories of oppression , it is important that Americans know the truth about communist China , ” said Rick Manning , president of Americans for Limited Government .
Manning ’ s group is seeking to get Americans divested from China .
“ Millions of Americans are unwittingly helping to fund these concentration camps through their retirement investments and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , American pension and mutual fund holders and other investors have put more than $ 381 billion in Chinese and Hong Kong companies ’ equities and bonds held overseas , according to U.S. Treasury data .
Many of these companies engage in child and slave labor according to an annual report on child and forced labor by the Department of Labor Bureau of International Labor Affairs .
Manning is part of a national coalition urging federal and state authorities to rid their pension funds of Chinese investments , to delist Chinese companies from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Labor deem that non-transparent Chinese state-owned companies are unsuitable for 401 ( k ) and other pension investments under ERISA .
In May , President Trump responded to the human rights pleas by ending plans within the federal Thrift Savings Plan to begin investing in Chinese assets .
The TSP is a retirement savings and investment plan for federal employees and members of the uniformed services similar to a private sector 401 ( k ) plan .
“ Americans don ’ t want to be slaveholders , ” added Manning .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
What China is doing , and trying to hide from the world , is evil .
By divesting from China we hope to bring an end to these abuses.
” The website , www.DivestChinaNow.org has been established for those seeking more information on this critical human rights effort .
Catherine Mortensen is vice president of communications for Americans for Limited Government .
Photo “ Uighur Muslims ” by the Uyghur Human Rights Project .


thetennesseestar--2020-10-15--Crom Carmichael and Caller Faith Get the Conversation Started About Voter Fraud and Mail-In Voting

Live from Music Row Wednesday 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 and took a call from Faith to start the conversation about mail-in voting and voter fraud .
Leahy : We are joined now by Faith who has patiently waited and wants to weigh in on people over the age of 65 that this time around many polls are saying that that group that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ amount over Donald Trump .
Hey there Faith you are on The Tennessee Star Report .
Good morning .
Caller Faith : Good morning guys .
How are you doing this morning ?
You know , I heard a story or read a story last week .
I ’ m trying to remember the source .
It might have been Gateway Pundit , but they were talking about how the Democrats had gone into the nursing homes to register voters and that they were pulling the same tricks they are using dead voters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that a lot of the elderly were not capable and they were gently leading them along the way to fill out their registration and that they would be going in during the voting to carry them to the polls if necessary to help them cast their vote etcetera , etcetera .
Leahy : Well Faith .
Thank you for your call .
Faith : Is it ever going to stop ?
Carmichael : That ’ s a great voice by the way .
Wonderful voice .
Carmichael : You grant a great radio @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
She makes a very good point that the Democrats are trying to abusing the system .
But she makes a very good point .
The Democrats are trying to I called abusing the system .
I also think the polls since I think polls are generally considerably off in this cycle .
I think a lot of that is the polling is really just bad polling and the news media trying to tilt and to convince senior citizens who are not in nursing homes .
Now what she ’ s saying is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ homes and they ’ re trying to take advantage of that situation .
But here ’ s something else that ’ s kind of interesting .
That ’ s a little bit along the lines of what Faith was talking about .
But in Georgia , they now do early voting .
I mean , they just started early voting .
And the lines are incredibly long and the Democrats have said long lines in early voting is proof that Republicans are engaged in voter suppression .
Leahy : Okay , so that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opposite .
Carmichael : Yes , somebody needs to mansplain that to me .
( Laughter ) I love that word .
Carmichael : I find ya between now and the election will be will ask for people to mansplain .
How can that possibly be ?
How can lines for early voting possibly be voter suppression ?
Leahy : I think Faith is still on the line .
Okay , Faith and Faith Can you mansplain to us what this means in Georgia ( Faith laughs ) where people waiting to vote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Faith : Look I have reached the point where I believe the Democrats are just so nuts now .
I mean they have not been able to succeed for so long in their efforts to bring down the duly elected president .
And I think they ’ re deluding themselves into thinking Biden has a chance in hell , excuse my French , forever being elected .
And if they think those voters are out there well bless their little hearts .
( Laughter ) Leahy : She got two things .
A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ got bless their heart .
Faith you are the caller of the day on The Tennessee Star Report .
Thanks for your call Faith .
And please call back .
Crom , you know , our listeners are really sharp .
Carmichael : Yes .
I like to talk about what ’ s going on in other races because some of it is just so fascinating .
In Texas , you have the state Senator says the Texas Democrats have a problem with African-Americans .
Now here ’ s what happened in Texas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who wanted to run for the U.S. Senate .
And you had a White person who wanted to run .
Chuck Schumer backed the White person .
Leahy : Hold it .
This is a pattern Leahy : He did the same thing in North Carolina with Cal , what ’ s her nickname .
He ’ s got some mansplaining to do .
Carmichael : Yeah , he ’ s got some mansplaining to do .
( Laughter ) He ’ s yeah , he sure does .
Yes , and so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ West refuses to back the White Democrat nominee claiming that the White Democrat nominee is a racist .
Now , Chuck Schumer , you could certainly make that claim because in choice after choice where he has a choice to pick to support a qualified Black person in the primary instead chooses a White person because he thinks that the White person , by the way , this is racism .
He thinks the White person in that particular state , here ’ s this here ’ s his New York guy who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Texas voters that he is then imposing his will which by the way gets right back to the Supreme Court thing in a kind of an overarching way .
So so in Texas , I think that this is going to bode well but bode poorly for the Democrat nominee .
Also in Texas , you have a Democrat running for the running for Congress for a House seat who has been unearthed that he signed a letter defending Bill Ayers back when it was well known that Bill Ayers was a terrorist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ defended it and in this day and time , this is not a great thing for this guy .
He defended blowing up buildings for a cause .
And then lastly we have Joe Collins .
Have you heard about Joe Collins ?
Carmichael : Joe Collins is running against Maxine Waters .
Joe is Black .
He ’ s a military veteran and he has got a video a YouTube video with three million views .
Leahy : And what ’ s in that video ?
Carmichael : It shows Maxine Waters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she lives that is not in the district .
Leahy : She doesn ’ t live in delivering the district .
Carmichael : She lives miles away .
Really four miles away from the district which is in deplorable terrible shape .
Leahy : And she lives in a $ 6 million house .
Leahy : What has he done throughout her life ?
Carmichael : All she did is done great things for her .
She has done nothing but politician she has done her husband ’ s in often some kind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s made tens of millions of dollars she and her family at the expense or I shouldn ’ t say at the necessarily that expands but she has completely neglected the constituents that send her to the House .
And so and so I am hoping that Joe Collins pulls a surprise upset .
But let me just say this .
This is the beginning of what you ’ re going to see with a Trump second administration .
You ’ re going to see Black and the number of Black and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because Trump actually does care about the well-being of every American regardless of color and regardless of sex .
He wants the economy to do well and he cares .
Maxine Waters is a perfect example .
A perfect example of a Democrat , by the way , so is Elijah Cummings from Baltimore .
Carmichael : Yes .
And he was he didn ’ t he did great for himself and for his family .
and his district in Baltimore was just as bad as South LA .
Leahy : Now , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the Constitution you can live outside of your congressional district as long as you are a resident of that state , so there ’ s nothing illegal there .
Carmichael : I ’ m simply saying that she lives in a $ 6 million home in a wonderful neighborhood and that is not in her district at her district is doing terrible .
Leahy : Well , why should she live in her district , even though she represents it right ?
Carmichael : If she lived in her district she might @ @ @ @ @ @ @ represents .
She doesn ’ t have to care about the people she represents for her own personal well-being .
Leahy : But let me just pose this question to you , Crom .
This Republican candidate challenging her , realistically what chances does he have of winning in that heavily Democratic district ?
Carmichael : I have no idea .
I have no idea .
but he is a very personable guy .
He lives in the district and you just don ’ t know in this day and time Michael , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has much of a chance , but he might beat her next time .
He might be her next time because he is he is a sharp young man .
I ’ ve seen him interviewed and he says I live in my district and I will continue to live in my district .
This is where I grew up and I care about the people here .
Not the people in the fancy-schmancy neighborhood of Maxine Waters .
Leahy : On election night , November 3 , 20 days from today after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after we see who ’ s going to run the Senate we will look at the House races and we ’ ll see how this guy did .
Carmichael : Yeah now in California , the problem that he has is that Newsom has sent out 21 million mail-out ballots .
Listen to the full third hour here : Tune in weekdays from 5:00 – 8:00 a.m. to the Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy on Talk Radio 98.3 FM WLAC 1510 .
Listen online at iHeart Radio .


thetennesseestar--2020-10-15--Loudoun County School Board Backpedals on Policy Limiting Free Speech Indefinitely After Public Outc

Loudoun County School Board Backpedals on Policy Limiting Free Speech Indefinitely After Public Outcry

Loudoun County School Board voted this week to revise their “ Professional Conduct ” policy governing employee speech off of school property .
Up until the latest meeting , members recommended to approve and accept the policy .
Apparently , public outcry from teachers unions and community members led to this decision .
Board member Jeff Morse announced that the policy would be referred back to the Human Resources and Talent Development ( HRTD ) .
There was minimal discussion on the subject , and no explanation why the board decided to refer the policy draft for review .
Morse @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sheridan to offer remarks on the decision .
“ No , I think we have very clear indication from the public that it needs significant rework , ” she said .
The measure received a unanimous vote of 9-0 .
It is unclear to what extent the policy will be revised .
As it stands , the policy proposes to command oversight to Loudoun County Public School ( LCPS ) employee speech in all forms of communication , including social media , both during and apart from school hours .
“ Employees are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s commitment to action-oriented equity practices through the performance of their job duties , as the Division engages in the disruption and dismantling of white supremacy , systemic racism , and language and actions motivated by race , religion , country of origin , gender identity , sexual orientation , and/or ability.
” In an interview with The Virginia Star , LCPS parent Scott Mineo shared that he believes the board will continue to stand by the contents of the draft .
“ I think the decision to not cancel it last night @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with it .
I don ’ t believe for a second that they ’ re done , ” he said , “ I don ’ t know what they have up their sleeves.
” Mineo is also the creator of the website , Parents Against Critical Race Theory ( PACT ) , which shares the goings-on of LCPS related to critical race theory , racial equity , and social justice in general .
LCPS Public Information Officer Wayde Byard refused to issue a comment on the matter .
Corinne Murdock is a reporter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ News Network .
Follow her latest on Twitter , or email tips to [ email protected ] .
Photo “ Loudon County School Board Members ” by Loudon County Public Schools .


thetennesseestar--2020-10-15--Lawmakers Approve COVID-19 Liability Bills, Extend Unemployment Benefits, and Nursing Home Policy Ch

Lawmakers Approve COVID-19 Liability Bills, Extend Unemployment Benefits, and Nursing Home Policy Changes

After a session exceeding 12 hours , Michigan lawmakers passed bills replacing a framework for Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer ’ s COVID-19 executive orders deemed unconstitutional by the Michigan Supreme Court .
Lawmakers approved measures aiming to allow local governments to meet electronically for any reason through Jan. 1 ; extend unemployment benefits to a full 26 weeks ; change nursing home policy barring nursing homes from caring for COVID-19 patients unless the building provides a “ designated area ” for those patients ; and , by Nov. 15 , implement a statewide policy allowing in-person visitations for all nursing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aim to protect businesses and schools from COVID-19 lawsuits if the establishment follows state , federal and local safety guidelines .
The Senate initially tie-barred the liability bills to the extended unemployment benefits , but removed it after the GOP-led legislature found “ common ground ” with Whitmer , House Speaker Lee Chatfield , R-Levering , tweeted at about 12:30 a.m. “ We have a deal on unemployment benefits and liability reform !
The tie bar is no longer necessary , because we found common ground .
Thank you @ GovWhitmer and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Great news for working families and small businesses !
” The House also passed HB 5756-57 seeking to extend the validity of vehicle registrations , driver ’ s licenses , and state identification cards and waive late fees on documents that expired after March 2020 if it is renewed before Dec. 11 .
SB 748 aims to form a plan to reopen state unemployment offices and Secretary of State branches to ensure more in-person services are available to serve walk-in clients .
“ The Secretary of State continues to be overwhelmed by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a timely manner , ” Rep. Triston Cole , R- Mancelona , said in a statement .
“ People who have not been able to renew their driver ’ s licenses and vehicle registrations are not at fault , and they don ’ t deserve to be punished or fined for their expired documents .
We want to give them some peace of mind while they wait for branches to reopen.
” The House passed a resolution arming the Joint Select Committee on the COVID-19 Pandemic with subpoena power , which will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ individuals who have refused to testify in front of the committee .
The House passed several bills allowing electronic signatures for some wills and forms and for notaries to work through real-time video .
The Senate also passed HB 4991 , dubbed the end of “ surprise medical billing ” legislation .
Dominick Pallone , executive director of the Michigan Association of Health Plans , applauded the passage .
“ These laws will protect Michigan residents from receiving surprise medical bills from providers who choose not to work with insurers to hold medical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will receive payment that is based on local market rates , ” Pallone said in a statement .
“ Michigan ’ s surprise medical billing laws will be one of the most comprehensive packages passed to date , giving Michigan families assurance that their health insurance will cover agreed upon treatment and they will not be ‘ surprised ’ by high charges for common procedures.
” The marathon session concluded more than a week after the Michigan Supreme Court struck down Whitmer ’ s executive orders issued after April 30 , leaving local @ @ @ @ @ @ @ violated the law .
The top court instead recommended the two groups work together to enact a framework to protect Michiganders .
Whitmer ’ s administration issued emergency orders under a separate law , issuing mask orders and restaurant capacity limitations , but needed the legislature ’ s help for more complicated problems such as extending unemployment benefits and nursing home policy .
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 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ analyst at Pepsi .


thetennesseestar--2020-10-15--Gov. DeWine Rethinking Quarantining Healthy Ohio Students

Regardless of any COVID test outcomes , the entire team was asked to quarantine for 14-days , forcing the school to forfeit their Division II regional playoff game scheduled for Friday .
The Ohio Star reported on an incident involving a high school senior who missed her district golf tournament , not because she tested positive for COVID , but rather she was named as a contact when another student who tested positive was contact traced .
She did not get sick and never displayed symptoms .
According to the local health commissioner , the Ohio Department of Health flip-flopped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the senior play – five hours after her tee time .
The girl was unable to compete .
Last week , The Star asked Ohio Governor DeWine about masking , testing and quarantining healthy school children .
DeWine said the state would be conducting research in schools to determine if kids who are exposed to COVID-positive students are spreading the virus – despite expert remarks made to the contrary in July when CDC Director Robert Redfield said that kids were not transmitting COVID .
Emily Oster , a Brown University economist , echoed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ August 9 article in The Atlantic .
“ Our data on almost 200,000 kids in 47 states from the last two weeks of September revealed an infection rate of 0.13 percent among students and 0.24 percent among staff , ” said Oster .
Consequently , The Star asked Governor DeWine a follow up question at the October 13 press briefing about testing , tracing and quarantining kids given new information that has surfaced .
The question is below .
DeWine acknowledged parents are frustrated and that superintendents are questioning the quarantine of healthy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can spread it , ” said DeWine .
“ You used the term super spreader – that ’ s a different thing , ” continued the governor , “ but we don ’ t think by-and-large , that most kids are getting the virus in school.
” However , the information casts doubt on the claims from DeWine that the science is irrefutable , especially when taken in context with flip-flops from both White House Coronavirus Task Force member Dr. Anthony Fauci and U.S .
Surgeon General Jerome Adams – both initially stated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ David Nabarro of the World Health Organization said in his video interview with The Spectator that lockdowns produced poverty and we may see the poverty level double in a year .
“ We in the World Health Organization do not advocate lockdowns as the primary means of control of this virus , ” said Nabarro .
The doctor went on to say that testing , tracing and quarantining is a strategy to replace a shut-it-all-down approach .
However , it ’ s the test , trace , quarantine strategy that Ohioans are questioning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home to quarantine and forced to end their sports seasons .
The BinaxNOW tests are used they report positive results for live SARS-CoVID-2 and SARS-CoVID-1 and viral fragments that are no longer living .
According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration ’ s intended use “ [ p ] ositive results indicate the presence of viral antigens , but clinical correlation with patient history and other diagnostic information is necessary to determine infection status .
Positive results do not rule out bacterial infection or co-infection with other viruses.
” Unless other factors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , BinaxNOW tests will create scenarios where positive tests are returned from non-viable viral fragments , bacterial infections or other viruses -meaning a person not currently COVID-infected or COVID-infectious can be hit with a positive result and quarantine mandates .
DeWine did not yet indicate whether the tests were going to be prescribed , used on only suspected students and what approval is needed to administer .
“ We get back to the question that superintendents have raised to us : ‘ Sally is sitting here .
Turns out she ’ s got @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her Dad or whatever , she ’ s got it – now we know that .
We go back and see who she sat with.
’ For the schools that can ’ t separate by six feet – this is where we get into the question .
And we try to follow what the CDC said – the health department is trying to follow that , ” said DeWine when answering the question from The Star .
He continued , “ The fear all along from the health experts , as I understand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were closed has been that – particularly kids over 10 –any child can get it , but children over 10 are more likely to be spreaders .
And so , we take that back and even if they have no symptoms , we never know that , and they go take it back to their family and it spreads out from there.
” DeWine said he will work with Ohio State University to gather data samples from Ohio school kids and to use the data to determine if students in close contact with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus .
Students who were exposed to the COVID-positive child will stay in class and stay in school .
Jack Windsor is Managing Editor and an Investigative Reporter at The Ohio Star .
Windsor is also an Investigative Reporter at WMFD-TV .
Follow Jack on Twitter .
Email tips to [ email protected ] .