thetennesseestar--2020-08-13--Nashville Council Member Steve Glover Wants Watch Party for Donald Trump’s GOP Convention Speech

Despite COVID-19 , Nashville Metro At-Large Council Member Steve Glover wants to gather with other people in public to watch U.S. President Donald Trump ’ s acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention later this month .
But , as Glover said this week on Facebook , some people have a problem with that .
“ I will be headed out tomorrow to look at a location for one of the potential gatherings for August 27th .
I want to be with others that support President Trump and want to celebrate his acceptance speech no matter where he may be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ page .
“ It is our right to be able to embrace the person we want to get us back on track from the last several months of others who have tried to kill our jobs and economy .
Mark your calendar for August 27th at 6am to begin the countdown to November 3rd.
” Glover , in an earlier Facebook video , said any such location will follow social distancing guidelines and have limited seating capacity — but some people didn ’ t believe that at first .
“ People automatically assumed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID or I don ’ t believe in social distancing or masks or blah , blah , blah .
I don ’ t believe I said that .
I said ‘ follow the rules.
’ If we do , are you guys interested in that ?
Instead of other people talking for me I am quite capable of saying exactly what I mean , when I mean it , and when I want to say it , ” Glover said .
“ And that is what I meant .
I don ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to check it because a lot of people responded positively to it.
” As The Tennessee Star reported this month , Glover , in a fiery Facebook Live video , criticized the city ’ s 34 percent tax increase and said Nashville is “ at war ” to save its economy as people are afraid of COVID-19 .
Glover said it ’ s time to reopen Nashville and that “ laying off people is not taking care of our city.
” “ Do you know how many people had to get laid off @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all of the shenanigans that are being played downtown ?
” Glover asked .
“ Now they can say whatever they want to say , give whatever number they want to give , pretend like we can ’ t actually be responsible adults out there , but I can assure you we are .
What I do know is that if we don ’ t let business be in business then people lose their jobs.
” Chris Butler is an investigative journalist at The Tennessee Star .
Follow Chris on Facebook .
Email @ @ @ @ @ @


thetennesseestar--2020-08-13--FBI Investigates Trump Support Detail Helicopter Shot Mid-Flight Over Virginia

WASHINGTON , D.C. ( AP ) — The FBI is investigating the shooting of a military helicopter during a training mission this week in northern Virginia , injuring one crew member who was aboard , officials said Wednesday .
The Air Force helicopter was flying over Middleburg on Monday when it was shot from the ground nearby , according to authorities .
The helicopter made an emergency landing at the Manassas Regional Airport , and federal agents were called to the scene to investigate , the FBI said in a statement .
The crew members aboard the UH-1N Huey helicopter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at Joint Base Andrews , were on a routine training mission when the helicopter was struck by a bullet , the Air Force said in a statement .
The helicopter was about 10 miles ( 16 kilometers ) northwest of the airport , near Middleburg , and was flying about 1,000 feet ( 300 meters ) above the ground when it was hit , according to officials .
One crew member in the helicopter was injured but has since been treated and released from the hospital , according to authorities .
The initial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ helicopter was struck by a bullet , causing some damage to the aircraft , though it landed safely , the Air Force said .
The squadron transports senior military and civilian leaders , along with high-ranking dignitaries , and also performs emergency medical evacuations .
Agents from the FBI ’ s field office in Washington and from the bureau ’ s evidence response team were called to the airport after the shooting on Monday .
The FBI said it was working alongside other law enforcement agencies , including the Air Force Office of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.
” Patty Prince , spokesperson for the city of Manassas , said the airport received a call from the control tower at 12:20 p.m. Monday about an inbound military helicopter that had an onboard emergency .
Investigators are also looking to speak with any witnesses and have asked anyone who was in the area at the time to call the FBI .
Michael Balsamo and Robert Burns are reporters for The Associated Press .
Balsamo reported from New York .
Associated Press writer Matthew Barakat contributed to @ @ @

by Scott McClallen
About $13.5 million in taxpayer grants from the Going PRO Talent Fund will help train 8,500 workers across nearly 300 Michigan businesses to earn industry-recognized credentials and strong wages.
“The Going PRO Talent Fund is an investment in our state’s greatest asset – our people – helping them develop the skills they need to advance their careers and ‘make it’ in Michigan,” Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said in a statement. “These grants help us put thousands of Michiganders on paths to good-paying jobs and empower hundreds of Michigan businesses across the state develop the talent they need to compete in the global economy.”
The program launched in 2014. Since then, more than 6,000 Michigan businesses have received Going PRO Talent Fund awards to train 175,000 new and existing workers.
More than 60% of the employers receiving funds are small businesses with fewer than 100 employees. Training must fill a demonstrated talent need experienced by the employer and result in the employee acquiring a credential for a transferable skill recognized by the industry.
Susan Corbin, the director of the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, said these grants keep Michigan businesses competitive globally.
“Programs like the Going PRO Talent Fund help businesses throughout Michigan train the talent they need in order to stay competitive in the global economy,” Corbin said in a statement. “Investments like these help us connect individuals and business leaders with tailored opportunities and unique resources they need to prosper. Together, we are creating a competitive and innovative environment that improves the quality of life for people who live, work and do business in Michigan.”
The average training cost per worker is $1,250. According to 2021 data, average hourly wages for Going PRO Talent Fund participants increased by $5.71 six months after completing training.
“The Going PRO Talent Fund has continued to help Michigan employers retain their workers by providing the necessary support for them to help upskill their workforce,” LEO’s Office of Employment and Training director Stephanie Beckhorn said in a statement. “These trainings have also provided an opportunity for employees to gain industry-recognized credentials they need to grow and thrive in these in-demand careers.”
LEO makes Going PRO Talent Fund awards to employers through Michigan Works! Agencies. Participating employers play an integral role in defining their crucial training needs, then work with their local MWAs and other partners to develop strategic training plans.
David Worthams, director of Employment Policy for the Michigan Manufacturers Association, said the talent fund is “arguably the best talent development program the state of Michigan has to offer.”
“As we get into the next cycle of grants, employers and their employees will see huge strides in new skills that we need as we move into the future of manufacturing in the state, Worthams said in a statement. “This is another reason why Michigan is one of the best states to do business in.”
– – –
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. Previously, he worked as a financial analyst at Pepsi. In 2021, he published a book on technology and privacy. He co-hosts the weekly Michigan in Focus podcast.


thetennesseestar--2020-08-13--No Prosecution for Many Arrested at Portland’s Protests

PORTLAND , Oregon ( AP ) — People arrested in Portland since late May on non-violent misdemeanor charges during the protests that have racked Oregon ’ s largest city for more than two months won ’ t be prosecuted .
The new policy announced Tuesday recognizes the outrage and frustration over a history of racial injustice that has led to the city ’ s often violent protests and the practical realities of the court system , Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt said .
It is running more than two months behind in processing cases because of COVID-19 .
As @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people arrested over the past few months will not face criminal prosecution , according to statistics provided by Schmidt ’ s office .
The same no prosecution policy applies to those arrested on similar charges in future demonstrations , he said .
“ The protesters are angry … and deeply frustrated with what they perceive to be structural inequities in our basic social fabric .
And this frustration can escalate to levels that violate the law , ” Schmidt said .
He added : “ This policy acknowledges that centuries of disparate treatment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ left deep wounds and that the healing process will not be easy or quick.
” Portland Police Chief Chuck Lovell , informed of the impending policy change last week , said the decision does not change Oregon law and still holds accountable people who commit violent acts or intentionally damage property .
“ Committing a crime is different from demonstrating , ” Lovell said in a statement .
“ The arrests we make often come after hours of damage to private property , disruption of public transit and traffic on public streets , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ burglary , attacks on members of the community , and attacks against police officers.
” Mayor Ted Wheeler , who is also the Police Commissioner , did not respond to a request for comment .
The city ’ s protests have dominated local news and made international headlines for more than 70 days since the police killing of George Floyd , a Black man who died after a white Minneapolis police officer held a knee to his neck for nearly eight minutes .
Consecutive nights of unrest last month that increasingly targeted a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump to dispatch U.S. agents to guard the building .
The presence of the agents from U.S Customs and Border Protection , U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the U.S .
Marshals Service was aimed at quelling the demonstrations but instead reinvigorated the Black Lives Matter movement .
The U.S. agents began drawing down July 31 under an agreement between the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Democratic Gov .
Kate Brown for Oregon state troopers to guard the courthouse .
But the protests continued nightly at locations miles from the courthouse , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to defund local police and reinvest the money in the Black community .
Police precincts in the north and east of the city , the police union headquarters and a building that houses police offices have been frequent targets .
Officers made dozens of arrests last weekend and this week after clashes with demonstrators who police have said threw eggs , bottles and rocks at officers ; started fires and punctured the tires of police vehicles .
Tuesday night , one group blocked traffic downtown in a peaceful gathering that authorities did not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a statement .
A person in another demonstrating group that blocked traffic for hours near the Multnomah County Sheriff ’ s Office building fell off the back of a pickup truck , the statement said .
Authorities brought in an ambulance to take the person to a hospital .
Police threatened to arrest some protesters after they went on the property of the sheriff ’ s office building , but they left , the statement said .
No arrests were made and no crowd control methods were used , the police statement said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Associated Press .
About the Headline Photo : Demetria Hester , center , speaks to the media after being released from the Multnomah County Justice Center on Monday , Aug. 10 , 2020 , in Portland , Ore. Hester became a leading activist in the racial justice movement after she was assaulted by a white supremacist three years ago .
Authorities said Hester won ’ t be charged following her arrest early Monday .
Hester had been booked on suspicion of disorderly conduct and interfering with a police officer during the protest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s arrest drew a sharp rebuke from national Black Lives Matter activists , who are increasingly focusing on demonstrations in Oregon ’ s largest city .
( Brooke Herbert/The Oregonian via AP )


thetennesseestar--2020-08-13--Music Spotlight: Jamie O’Neal

Music Spotlight: Jamie O’Neal

NASHVILLE , Tennessee – Those who have been following country music their whole lives know already who Jamie O ’ Neal is as an artist .
Off her first album , Shiver , released in 2000 , she had two number one hits , “ There Is No Arizona , ” and “ When I Think About Angels.
” Her next top ten hit came in 2005 , “ Somebody ’ s Hero.
” I wanted to find out more about this country star who was born in Australia .
Having no Australian accent , O ’ Neal said , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Australia , where my parents ( Jimmy and Julie Murphy ) were performers who moved to America when I was two .
I always say that I am the opposite of Nicole Kidman who was born in Hawaii and was raised in Australia .
It was the opposite for me , I was born there but raised in the U.S. ” She , her parents , and her younger sister , Samantha , sang in The Murphy Family band in the 1970s until her parents divorced .
“ I grew up singing country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all over the world and mainly in the states where we did all the fairs and festivals opening for Dolly Parton , Johnny Cash , the Gatlin Brothers , Crystal Gayle , ” she said .
“ I really grew up watching them and listening from the side of stage and learning , knowing what I wanted to do for the rest of my life at a very young age.
” Even though she lived in Nashville as a child , she moved back as an adult in 1996 .
“ I really @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but had no idea what it would be like .
This whole new world opened up to me where songwriting was treated like a craft and a job .
It wasn ’ t like you just got together and jammed and this song came out , ” the singer said .
She learned about writing the Nashville way where “ writes ” were scheduled with specific people at specific times and places .
“ It was like the University of Life for me .
I learned so much within those writing rooms over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Neal said .
Her latest album , Sometimes , is her first album since 2014 .
It scheduled for release on October 16 following the release of her singles , “ The World Goes On , ” ( COVID inspired ) and the sensuous , heartfelt , honest “ Wreck Me.
” “ It was a long time coming .
My daughter is now 17 and needs me a whole lot less and so I ’ ve really been able to concentrate on making the album I wanted to make , doing interviews @ @ @ @ @ @ @ promote a project like this .
She was a baby when ‘ Somebody ’ s Hero ’ came 15 years ago and now she has recorded a duet [ of the song ] with me for the new album .
Life has really come full circle .
It ’ s amazing to me that it has gone by so fast , ” the Grammy-nominated vocalist exclaimed .
When speaking of the song , “ The World Goes On , ” The ACM Award winner said , “ I feel like it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ through and are still going through .
And the world does have to go on .
Everybody needs to have a sense of faith that we are going to get through this and everything is going to be OK .
It might look a little bit different than what we are used to .
We ’ ve gotten through things before and we will get through them again .
It is a song of hope.
” As a woman of experience , I can certainly relate to her newest release , “ Wreck @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with two other female friends .
“ I want to write this song but I don ’ t want it to be like you ’ ve wrecked me in a bad way .
I wanted it to be positive , like hey , I don ’ t even care , I ’ m willing to take the chance .
I don ’ t care if I ’ m vulnerable and get my heart broke .
I am willing to do whatever it takes , ” O ’ Neal said .
“ I ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” The lyrics to this song come from a real place within a woman who been alive long enough to know what she wants and what she is truly feeling.
” Even though O ’ Neal is currently unable to tour to promote her singles and upcoming album , she is a fan of promoting her music via social media .
“ I can go online and do streaming shows and reach the fans .
They can message me and I always answer every message I get on Instagram and Facebook .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being in touch with your fans is key , ” the Australian-native said .
You can follow Jamie O ’ Neal on Facebook , Instagram , and Twitter .
Bethany Bowman is a freelance entertainment writer .
You can follow her blog , Bethany Writes , Instagram , and Twitter .


thetennesseestar--2020-08-13--Georgia School District Orders Quarantine for Over 900 Students and Staff After Reopening

A Georgia school district has ordered the quarantine of 925 students and staff following a local outbreak of the coronavirus in their school system , The New York Times reported .
The Cherokee County School District , located north of Atlanta , Georgia , opened for in-person learning on August 3 for over 30,000 students , but is now shuttering one high school in the school district and ordering the quarantine of hundreds of students and school officials .
Cherokee County School District Superintendent Dr. Brian Hightower explained that “ there have been 59 positive COVID-19 tests confirmed among our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us to mandate two-week quarantines for 925 students and staff , ” in a statement released to the public .
The school district is shutting down Etowah High School , the reported epicenter of the outbreak with 14 confirmed cases and 15 pending tests , until August 31 .
Though “ extra-curricular athletic activities ” will be allowed , per the statement , 294 students and staff at the school are going to be in quarantine due to the outbreak .
Hightower wrote that teachers will deliver their instruction through the “ Canvas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the scheduled reopening of the high school on August 31 .
The decision to shut down the Etowah High School was made with the approval of the Cherokee County School Board and in collaboration with the Georgia Department of Public Health , according to the statement .
Hightower also urged students and parents to wear a mask and socially distance , even if they don ’ t believe these measures can mitigate the risk of spreading the coronavirus .
“ We know all parents do not believe the scientific research that indicates masks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and see masks as an important measure to help us keep schools open.
” This warning to socially distance and to wear masks when social distancing isn ’ t possible comes after a photo of closely packed students from Etowah High School was posted to Twitter on August 4 .
Hightower added that it ’ s everybody ’ s responsibility to look after themselves and to take the necessary safety precautions so that the coronavirus outbreak doesn ’ t grow further .
“ We need our entire community to help us keep our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home when you ’ re sick ; get tested if you ’ re symptomatic ; report your child ’ s positive test to our school ; follow the quarantine and limit interaction with non-family members during this period ; social distance when you can and wear a mask when you can ’ t. ” Neil Shah is a reporter for the Daily Caller News Foundation .


thetennesseestar--2020-08-13--The John Fredericks Show Welcomes Hogan Gidley to Discuss Kamala Harris as Joe Biden’s Vice Presiden

The John Fredericks Show Welcomes Hogan Gidley to Discuss Kamala Harris as Joe Biden’s Vice President Choice

Live from Virginia Wednesday morning on The John Fredericks Show – live weekdays on WNTW AM 820/ FM 92.7 – Richmond , WJFN FM 100.5 – Central Virginia , WMPH AM 1010 / FM 100.1 / FM 96.9 ( 7-9 PM ) Hampton Roads , WBRG AM 1050 / FM 105.1 – Lynchburg/Roanoke and Live Weekdays 6-10 am and 24/7 Stream – host Fredericks welcomed Trump Campaign Press Secretary Hogan Gidley to the show to speak about Joe Biden ’ s VP pick and his partnership strategy with the mainstream media .
Fredericks : Joining us now is Hogan Gidley @ @ @ @ @ @ @ press secretary for Trump-Pence 2020 .
Was Deputy Press Secretary and Deputy Director of Communications at the White House .
Now on the campaign side which is a lot more fun because the shackles are off us and we can talk about anything .
Gidley : Thanks for having me on I appreciate it .
Fredericks : So what is the take at the Trump campaign on Kamala Harris ?
Gidley : We have long been saying that Joe Biden is just an empty vessel who has now been filled by the radical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while Joe Biden may be the face of the Democrat Party he is not the heart .
The heartbeat are the Ilhan Omars , the Rashida Tlaibs , the Bernie Sanders , the Elizabeth Warrens .
And yes , the Kamala Harrises .
And so whats interesting is this pick just solidifies his move and embrace of the radical left .
She is one of the most radical members of the party .
In fact , she has the most radical liberal voting record per several sources in the U.S. Senate .
Even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that ’ s saying something .
She holds all the positions that anybody should be terrified about with sanctuary city support .
And obviously a government takeover of your healthcare system .
The things that should concern all Americans .
She holds those positions very strongly .
And so now that Joe Biden has selected her it just solidifies that move to the Left .
He ’ s telegraphing to the entire political world that he has now decided that we should remake America in the image of some socialist nation .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s not doing it .
Fredericks : Well listen , the bottom line here is what does Kamala Harris really bring to the ticket , right ?
What ’ s different ?
Right ?
Hogan we all remember that first debate .
And we all remember the plan that she had .
She called Biden a racist .
She chided him .
She asked him for an apology which he never gave .
And of course , that was planned because at 10 p.m. when the debate was off and they shook @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their website .
So the whole thing was planned ahead of time .
And we understand in the meetings she had with Biden , he really didn ’ t hit it off with her .
He didn ’ t like her much .
This is kind of an odd couple .
Don ’ t you think ?
Or match doesn ’ t ’ seem to be , I just don ’ t what she brings to the ticket Hogan .
Gidley : She ’ s Bernie Sanders without the charm .
( Fredericks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ surprise basically .
But I get your point in that she literally called Joe Biden a sex criminal and a segregationist .
So either she ’ s lying then or she ’ s lying now .
Because why in the world would you go work with someone that you believe is a sex criminal or a segregationist ?
Why would you not fight against them at every turn ?
So the hypocrisy knows no bounds .
That ’ s fine .
But no one votes for the bottom of the ticket .
People @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
So Biden is still the one we need to focus on .
However , this pick is significant in a sense because Joe Biden himself has called his campaign transitional .
That he ’ s not going to be there for long .
He ’ s even pointed to the fact that he needed to make a good pick because he was very very old I think he said at one of the rallies he gave for 10 people .
But also a vast majority of people don ’ t think he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make it to a second term should he be elected .
They don ’ t think he ’ s going to serve a second term .
So it puts a lot of emphasis by their own definition on the pick .
Still , though , Biden is the one who ’ s leading the way .
Biden is the one who secured the nomination .
He ’ s the one who got a vast majority of the votes .
So his embrace of these radical policies , whether it be the Green New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Or his pledge to raise taxes .
He put out an ad the other day , he points out you better believe the first thing he ’ s going to do is repeal the tax cuts of Donald Trump and raise your taxes .
And everyone started cheering .
So 80 percent of the American people are going to receive a tax increase of $ 4 trillion .
It ’ s historic .
Hillary Clinton ran on a $ 2 trillion tax increase and lost .
Joe Biden said two trillion , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ four and I ’ m going to double it .
( Fredericks chuckles ) And then on top of that as we start to get out of COVID and I ’ m going to saddle you with a bigger tax burden .
And I ’ m going to flood the market by promising to grant amnesty to tens of millions of illegal aliens .
How does that make any sense to building our economy ?
Fredericks : It makes no sense .
Look , this is why they are hiding in the basement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ # HidenBiden .
They don ’ t want to address any of these .
They certainly don ’ t want to come on and do a press conference .
I would like to see Kamala Harris .
Normally you pick somebody the next hour or day and then you have a press conference .
And you ’ ve got all the reporters in .
And Biden needs to start answering some of these questions .
What about this tax increase ?
What about what Kamala Harris said calling you a sex criminal ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kamala Harris would be during the primaries you called Joe Biden a sex criminal .
Did you take the vice presidential position with a sex criminal and do you still believe that ?
Is that not a legitimate question to ask ?
Gidley : It ’ s a very legitimate question .
Nobody in the mainstream media is going to ask that .
Fredericks : Of course not .
Gidley : Because they are not legitimate .
Fredericks : Because they are fake news .
Gidley : They themselves view America as the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not that America ’ s bad and inherently evil .
They think America is the cause of the problems across this plant .
So they are going to side with someone like Joe Biden .
It ’ s so great to watch the announcement he made or the video or photo they put out of Joe Biden talking to Kamala Harris on the computer .
( Laughter ) It ’ s great .
The phone was upside down .
The script was in front of him .
Hey , thank you so much @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this ticket .
The whole thing is such a charade .
But the media true to form is going to put it up like its the best thing ever .
The most virtuous decision .
This is a historic ticket and those types of things .
It ’ s interesting to watch them try to push this on to the American people the way they are doing it just because they want it .
Fredericks : A very bold choice might have been Atlanta Mayor Bottoms .
Or it might have been Val @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of these might have been a bolder pick .
The way I looked at this was I thought it was going to be Kamala Harris for 60 days .
I don ’ t think he had any other choice but her .
Look , Biden is trying to make this campaign a referendum on Trump .
The problem is you can only do that for so far then you have to start answering questions .
But Hogan you are right because on the debate stage and if Joe Biden gets up and says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and I ’ m running for president .
The fake news legacy media is going to immediately say wow , he knows where he is .
He nailed it today .
He was awesome .
That ’ s what they are going to say .
Gidley : Cognitive decline .
Not even close .
I say worse than that .
All he ’ s got to do is say hey my names Joe ( Fredericks chuckles ) and everyone is going to give a ticker-tape parade around time .
Because they know when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just ghastly comments about African Americans all thinking the same time .
Or children loving to rub on his leg hair .
Or Arizona being a great city .
( Fredericks laughs ) those are the types of things he does and they don ’ t want him to do that .
They don ’ t want this president to speak .
They don ’ t want Joe Biden to speak because they know he sounds so buffoonish .
And you hit the nail perfectly .
They are setting this debate situation up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ every time he opens his mouth .
But the media is lowering the expectations so that they themselves can build them back up .
Whatever he does on that stage they are going to cartwheels for it .
They are going to be so excited .
Fredericks : The expectation game is going to be set by the fake news and it doesn ’ t matter what Biden does .
You are right .
If he gets up there and says his name there is going to be a parade over it .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s all good and put it to bed .
Nothing to see here .
But Hogan beyond that , he ’ s got to deal with the policies .
I mean , yesterday .
This is unbelievable to me .
I ’ m in Richmond today and of course last night more riots .
Windows smashed at the Omni Hotel all the way to the John Marshall .
No cops around .
Nobody does anything .
Property destroyed .
In Chicago , we have all these shootings .
Now we are getting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Black Lives Matters protest rally in Chicago where stores are getting looted said , you know what ?
It ’ s like reparations .
It ’ s fine .
It ’ s OK. And we ’ re going to stay here until we get rid of the police and they get abolished .
So you want to loot stores that the police are supposed to protect ?
And you say you are going to keep looting them until there are no more police .
Can somebody explain the logic of what ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the full interview here :


thetennesseestar--2020-08-13--Neil W. McCabe on Polling and How Kamala Harris Is Not the Best Choice for Biden, But the One He Had

Neil W. McCabe on Polling and How Kamala Harris Is Not the Best Choice for Biden, But the One He Had to Make

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 Tennessee Star National Correspondent Neil W. McCabe to the newsmakers line .
During the third hour , McCabe weighed in on Joe Biden ’ s Vice President choice of Kamala Harris stating that it was not the best pick but the one he had to make .
He also discussed how traditional polling no longer applies today citing examples that the wrong @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voter .
Leahy : We are now joined on the line by our national correspondent Washington based journalist , good friend , and long time colleague , Neil W. McCabe .
Good morning Neil .
McCabe : Michael .
Nothing can spoil my mood today .
Good to be with you .
Leahy : ( Laughs ) I ’ m not trying to spoil your mood .
Why pray tell are you in such a good mood today Neil ?
McCabe : Well , today the kids at 5:38 Matt Silvers organization a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wholly-owned subsidiary of The New York Times put out their projection this morning at 06:30 here on the east .
And they predicted Joe Biden has a 71 percent chance of becoming the next President of the United States .
Trump 29 percent .
This is the first projection of this cycle .
And that is exactly like the first projection four years ago that said Hillary Clinton 71 , Trump 29 .
( Chuckles ) Four years later .
Leahy : They are following the same pattern it seems to me .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Do you think that they just took their polls from four years ago ( Laughs ) and came up with the same conclusion or do you think they put a little more effort into it ?
McCabe : How many of us have taken that old memo and used a little copy and paste .
Changed the name .
Here you go , boss .
Right on time .
( Laughter ) Leahy : You know Neil , I did a story at Breitbart a couple of days ago on August 9 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ average of polls on August 9 , 2020 , they show that Joe Biden had a six-point four percent lead over Donald Trump .
That same poll taken August 9 , 2016 , showed Hillary Clinton with a seven-point six percent lead .
So another encouraging sign ( Chuckles ) that Trump will be re-elected .
McCabe : Mike , you and I had the privilege and honor of working with Pat Caddell four years ago .
Over and over again Pat said nobody likes Trump but they agree with him .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ratings they ’ re meaningless for a guy that nobody likes but everybody agrees with .
I ’ m not looking at them now but I would tell people to start tracking Trump ’ s handling of the economy .
Trump ’ s handling of foreign policy .
Trump ’ s handling of trade .
And I ’ m sure those numbers are going to improve for Trump as we get closer and closer to the election .
Carmichael : As we got closer to the election in 2016 , didn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ percent chance for Hillary ?
Carmichael : OK. That ’ s what I thought .
I thought the night before the election he said that Hillary had a 98 percent chance of winning .
McCabe : When we released that poll that Mike and I did with Pat on election day my headline for the Breitbart write up was Pat Cadell : Trump Wins Today Because Americans Want Their Country Back .
I don ’ t think four years later they are like , you know ?
We don ’ t want our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And Neil I went back and looked at that election night November 8 .
You had that story from Pat Caddell saying that Trump was going to win .
And you and I had worked together on a series of about 50 polls national and statewide level that Gravis Marketing did for Breitbart where Pat Caddell wrote the questions .
And you and I marveled by the way the guy ’ s mind worked in understanding the American voter .
That same night that he the only guy at a national level who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That same night I went back and looked .
There was an article by another Neil at Breitbart , Neil Munro .
And in that article .
Leahy : Yeah .
The great Neil Munro .
He ’ s a guy that basically asked President Obama in the Rose Garden a question the president didn ’ t want to answer .
He was pilloried as a bad guy for daring to ask the question .
McCabe : I ’ ll blow my segment time but Neil Munro I ’ m pretty sure is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years whoever interrupted Obama .
Carmichael : What was the question ?
Do you all remember the question that he asked that got Obama upset ?
McCabe : No .
But you know Obama would take us down tobacco road for these 20-minute meandering answers .
But go ahead , Mike .
Leahy : I think it was actually a question about refugee resettlement .
And I think it was a very good question that the president didn ’ t answer because Neil Munro had the temerity .
He was at the Daily @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president .
Now , of course , with President Trump if you don ’ t insult and challenge the president every day they don ’ t keep paying you .
But the article that Munro had then that night , November 8 .
The lead at Breitbart or the top story at Breitbart said he interviewed Robert Cahaly at the Trafalgar Group that had done poling in Michigan and Pennsylvania .
And that night Cahaly said Trump will win Pennsylvania and Michigan .
And guess what ?
He did .
McCabe : I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that I would try to interview people in the state if we were doing a state poll .
And I remember talking to a guy in Western Pennsylvania who just said that it is insanely pro-Trump .
Like I don ’ t see any Clinton signs .
A buddy of mine I went to college with who is still a state rep in Pennsylvania and he said in his district , part of his district was an urban area and the Democrats would always have the signs up ever since he was a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Clinton .
And this is outside of Harrisburg .
I think that people call it the shy Tory voter .
So that ’ s why the Boris Johnson , David Cameron Brexit polls are off in England because people lie to the pollsters and people lie to the pollsters now .
And that ’ s why Pat Caddell would ask the issue questions .
I think that Harris is not the best pick for Biden but it is the pick he had to make .
And I think that ’ s going to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : Neil .
It will clearly help him win California which you know was in doubt .
( Laughs ) McCabe : Yeah .
Basically no one believes that Biden is going to live to see the end of his term .
Some people don ’ t think he ’ ll I ’ ve to see the election .
And so basically Kamala Harris is their candidate to be the next President of the United States .
And you have to wonder if there are going to be tensions inside the campaign .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of used to deciding what Joe does and what Joe says .
Jill Biden was probably looking forward to running the country through her sock puppet husband .
Leahy : Pulling a little bit of an Edith Wilson after Woodrow Wilson had his stroke in 1919 , 1920 .
Leahy : I see a lot of that .
By the way , do you think Joe Biden has now hired a food taster ?
( Laughter ) McCabe : I remember reading about the Edith Wilson stuff where the vice president every day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over at the White House .
( Laughs ) Leahy : Crom , jump in here .
You get the last question .
Carmichael : Neil , of the choices that were on the table , who do you think would have helped ?
I don ’ t think that Kamala Harris helps Biden at all .
In fact , I think that ultimately she may hurt him because if she does disagree with some of the things that he ’ s doing she ’ ll have a very very hard time keeping @ @ @ @ @ @ @ along… McCabe : The governor from Michigan .
The governor of Michigan would have been a great pick .
And obviously , dare I say it there are men that could have helped him .
The one-woman of color that I thought might have a chance is of course the first woman of color to ever teach at Harvard Law School Elizabeth Warren .
Leahy : ( Laughs ) Yes .
The woman of color with an asterisk .
Listen to the full third hour here : Tune in weekdays from 5:00 – @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Michael Patrick Leahy on Talk Radio 98.3 FM WLAC 1510 .
Listen online at iHeart Radio .
Photo “ Joe Biden and Kamala Harris ” by Joe Biden .


Commentary: RIP, Kamala

James Harris was born in Senatobia , Mississippi , in 1950 , to parents who owned a furniture store .
But when James was four , his father was shot dead in an altercation involving a dice game .
The comfort of his early youth thus being stripped away , he turned to sharecropping and burglary to help make his family ’ s ends meet , and then , following the advice of the local police chief that it would be best if he left the small town of Coldwater , Mississippi , where he was living at age 17 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a truck driver and fruit picker .
Eight years later Harris was in Benton Harbor , Michigan , where he met a wrestler named Bobo Brazil , who enticed him into a world that mixed the freak-show of the carnival with the pageantry of athleticism that was early professional wrestling .
Before too long James Harris had become James “ Sugar Bear ” Harris , and at 6-foot-7 , 380 pounds , he made his debut in the ring at age 28 .
“ Sugar Bear ” progressed to “ Ugly Bear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jim , ” and then to “ Bad News.
” Along the way , he became a bigger and bigger star , winning championships as a tag team wrestler .
Harris traveled to Germany and then to the UK , wrestling as the “ Mississippi Mauler ” in 1981 .
Then , Harris earned his first real path to stardom .
The next year , in 1982 , Harris met Continental Wrestling Association promoter Jerry Lawler .
The latter offered him a job and a persona .
Forever after , Harris would be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with a fictitious back-story as a vicious Ugandan headhunter and a former bodyguard of Idi Amin who had been discovered during an excursion to Africa .
As the Continental Wrestling Association soon became the legendary Mid-South Wrestling Association , Kamala the Ugandan Giant became one of the circuit ’ s most popular and entertaining attractions .
He was known for biting and karate-style chops in the ring , spoke no English and donned a headhunter mask , leopard-skin loincloth , and white war paint in the ring in an over-the-top carnival style fans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In today ’ s parlance , Harris ’ persona and getup would be considered as “ minstrelism ” and highly politically incorrect .
But it was wildly successful , so much so that by 1983 Harris was wrestling Andre the Giant in a heavily promoted match at the Superdome in New Orleans , and just a couple of years later he was one of the stars of the World Wrestling Federation .
Kamala the Ugandan Giant wrestled professionally until 2010 .
But by 2011 his health had taken a bad turn .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2011 , and his right leg in 2012 .
In 2017 he had surgery to clear fluid from his heart and lungs , and was on life support .
And on Sunday , James Harris died due to complications from COVID-19 .
He had been virtually penniless much of his life , though certainly beloved by wrestling fans and well known within his chosen profession for a life well-lived , if perhaps less rewarded than it should have been .
He is the Kamala Harris Americans should know and respect .
But the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now is someone else .
The newcomer is Joe Biden ’ s vice-presidential choice .
She ’ s a California senator who worked her way up from district attorney of San Francisco , best known from her time in that job as an enabler of pedophile Catholic priests and the “ side-piece ” of California Assembly Speaker Willie Brown .
Harris progressed , largely thanks to her extramarital relationship with Brown , to California attorney general and then the U.S. Senate , where she helped to orchestrate the Christine Blasey Ford hoax in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Justice Brett Kavanaugh on the eve of his nomination .
Then this Kamala Harris decided to force herself on the American people as a presidential candidate , in an effort that was a ghastly failure .
Despite raising and spending a fortune thanks to her close connections with the Clintons and their fundraising machine , she crashed and burned in the early primaries and dropped out , but not before attacking eventual nominee Biden as a racist — which she prefaced by denying she was doing so , something the Biden shills at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that she never did it .
– – – Scott McKay is publisher of theHayride , which offers news and commentary on Louisiana and national politics .
He ’ s also a novelist — check out his first book “ Animus : A Tale of Ardenia , ” available in Kindle and paperback .
Photo “ Kamala the Wrestler ” by swiftwj .
CC BY 2.0 .


thetennesseestar--2020-08-13--Montgomery County Gave ICE a 28-Minute Warning Before Releasing Illegal Immigrant Charged with Secon

Montgomery County Gave ICE a 28-Minute Warning Before Releasing Illegal Immigrant Charged with Second Degree Rape

Officials in Montgomery County , Maryland , gave Immigrations and Customs Enforcement ( ICE ) a 28-minute notice before releasing an illegal immigrant charged with second-degree rape and sexual abuse back into the public , according to county data obtained by the Immigration Reform Law Institute .
Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich had pledged to allow more cooperation with ICE on Nov. 4 when he rolled back a sanctuary policy he signed into law three months prior that prohibited county officials from working with ICE .
But the data obtained by IRLI shows that ICE was given less than four-hours @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Montgomery County jails after Elrich ’ s policy was rescinded .
“ Montgomery County claims to be cooperating with ICE , but the implementation of this policy is a joke , ” IRLI Executive Director of General Counsel Dale Wilcox said in a statement Wednesday .
“ The data suggests a very cynical attempt to claim cooperation while doing the bare minimum to uphold it .
The losers in this are the residents of Montgomery County , where aliens charged with serious crimes roam free and avoid removal from the country they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Other illegal immigrants Montgomery County officials released with short notice to ICE include individuals facing charges ranging from sexual abuse of a minor , assaults in the first degrees and armed robbery , according to the data obtained by IRLI .
When ICE is notified that local authorities have an illegal immigrant in custody , the agency issues a detainer request , which typically asks officials to hold the individual for 48 hours to allow ICE enough time to make an apprehension .
It can take roughly 45 minutes for ICE officials stationed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ detention centers in Montgomery County in ideal traffic situations , the Daily Caller News Foundation previously reported .
The county data obtained by IRLI does not identify the names of the illegal immigrants released to the public , so it ’ s unclear if ICE was able to apprehend the individuals .
A Montgomery County spokesman did not immediately return a request for comment .
Montgomery County has a history of giving ICE a very short amount of time to pick up illegal immigrants , even after Elrich rolled back his sanctuary policy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ charges against illegal immigrants in the county .
Two days after Elrich rolled back his policy , county officials gave ICE a 15-minute warning before releasing 48-year-0ld Luis Fredy Hernandez-Morales , who was arrested in late October for allegedly sexually abusing an 11-year-old girl .
“ You need to give us a fair chance to get down there , ” Frank Madrigal , the acting Director of ICE ’ s Baltimore Field Office said of Hernandez-Morales ’ s release .
“ I assure you , we ’ re going to do everything we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ’ s in Hagerstown , Maryland , or Rockville , Maryland , or Ocean City , Maryland.
” ICE was able to apprehend Hernandez-Morales on their own a few days after his release from Montgomery County Detention Center .
Andrew Kerr is a reporter for the Daily Caller News Foundation .


thetennesseestar--2020-08-13--The John Fredericks Show: Sen. Joe Morrissey Weighs in on Downtown Richmond Violence While Mayor Lev

The John Fredericks Show: Sen. Joe Morrissey Weighs in on Downtown Richmond Violence While Mayor Levar Stoney Stands Down

Live from Virginia Tuesday morning on The John Fredericks Show – live weekdays on WNTW AM 820/ FM 92.7 – Richmond , WJFN FM 100.5 – Central Virginia , WMPH AM 1010 / FM 100.1 / FM 96.9 ( 7-9 PM ) Hampton Roads , WBRG AM 1050 / FM 105.1 – Lynchburg/Roanoke and Live Weekdays 6-10 am and 24/7 Stream – host Fredericks welcomed Virginia Democratic state Senator Joe Morrissey to the show to discuss the recent violence taking place in downtown Richmond , Virginia .
Fredericks : Joining us now state Senator from Petersburg .
A Democrat .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ man .
Morrissey : John , great to be with you this morning .
Fredericks : Let ’ s get to these riots going on last night Joe in Richmond .
This is a city we both are in .
We own businesses here .
You have a home here .
We have office buildings here .
This is our home , right ?
Last night Richmond , no cops anywhere .
Windows were blown out at the Omni Hotel .
Blown out of the John Marshall Hotel .
Guests that were staying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blowing out hotel windows screaming and there is no police .
Where ’ s Levar Stoney ?
What is going on in our city ?
Joe , what is happening to our city ?
Morrissey : It is a disgrace and I don ’ t know why more Democrats aren ’ t speaking out .
Let me be clear about the following .
Let me be absolutely crystal clear .
Those individuals that are involved in rioting and looting and destroying personal property , they should be arrested .
They should be jailed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Paragraph .
Let me tell you what ’ s going on .
The mayor has lost all control of this situation .
When 400 people showed up at the doorstep of City Hall with signs that say “ Mayor Must Resign.
” Then from that point on , he ’ s tried to curry favor with them .
He ’ s not being a leader .
It is amazing to me that he is apparently either telling the police to step down or the police are taking the cues from him .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Nobody is a bigger champion than due process .
Free speech .
Defending the underdog than Joe Morrissey .
But let me tell you this .
You can not condone rioting , theft , looting , destruction of businesses and people ’ s property and there have got to be consequences .
And it ’ s only happening in Richmond .
I ’ m down in Petersburg all the time .
They have peaceful protesters .
The mayor has lost all the control of the situation and all he ’ s trying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ’ s one bad step after another .
Fredericks : Why don ’ t we have this same type of looting going on and destruction in Petersburg ?
Morrissey : Because you have leadership down there .
The mayor in Petersburg said very early on , you can protest .
Do as long as you want .
As loud as you want .
But we will not tolerate any violence .
And he parted with them in a sense .
The mayor on the other hand has done none of this .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ I am so disappointed to see the city that I love Richmond burned and scarred and littered and graffitied .
It makes me sick .
Here ’ s what ’ s going on John .
He lost it from the very beginning when he ordered the protesters ’ police tear-gassed four or five weeks ago at 7:32 p.m. And then from that point on he has tried to pacify these protesters .
At first , he gave them the head of the police chief .
And then he hired another guy that shot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Then he gave them their head .
Then he took down the monument overnight .
Where was he in 2016 when I said , Lou Jefferson Davis ?
Where was he when the Monument Avenue tried to bring context to this .
Nowhere around .
Trying to curry White support .
But then when his political career is on the brink of collapse he starts taking one action after another trying to get ahead of the curve .
He ’ s behind the curve and it ’ s a disgrace .
And the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ve said it .
Fredericks : Well Joe , where is the governor ?
Where is Ralph Northam ?
He ’ s living right up the street .
Where is his chief of staff Clark Mercer your buddy ?
I ’ m going to call every one of them out .
Look , you guys have a special session coming on August 18 .
That ’ s Tuesday somewhere in downtown Richmond .
All these legislators from Northern Virginia in their ivory towers and all these left-wingers that you have to deal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are all coming down .
They are going to drive through it .
They ’ re going to see the broken windows .
The property destroyed .
The businesses put under .
They are going to see graffiti .
The F-word all over the place .
Glass all over the street .
This is our city .
Where the hell are our leaders ?
Where is any of them ?
Why doesn ’ t the governor get out of there and make a statement and say hey , we ’ ve got to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the chief of staff Clark Mercer .
Where are they ?
Where ’ s the leadership ?
And it ’ s not just Stoney .
It ’ s everybody .
It ’ s even the Republicans .
I haven ’ t heard a peep out of them either .
They are destroying our city that you and I own businesses in and our families are here and they are destroying our city and there ’ s not a peep out of anybody .
Morrissey : Well you heard a peep out of me @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a very loud peep .
I would agree with you John that there are many many Democrats .
And I am a Democrat so I think it gives me a little more credibility to say it that they are remaining silent because they are afraid of offending the movement , OK ?
Well , let me say this .
I support BLM .
I ’ ve got four African American children .
But with that said you ’ ve got to speak out fellow politicians when something is horribly wrong .
And when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people ’ s property they have to speak out now .
Now with regard to Mercer and Northam , John you can ’ t put them under that category .
Both of them are law and order types .
Neither one of them has condoned those people who have defaced property .
Who has destroyed innocent people ’ s property ?
If you look at what the governor has done around the state I think he ’ s made it very clear that he is very much in favor of law and order @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I respectfully suggest that Mercer and Northam aren ’ t two of them .
Fredericks : Well they haven ’ t done crap .
OK ?
But right now this is their city .
And I mean , you can ’ t go downtown .
I had some customers in yesterday that came in flew in from South Dakota and Wyoming .
I was embarrassed to drive them through my downtown .
And I had to drive through it .
And they said , where should I stay ?
And I wanted to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
So you know where I suggested they stay last night ?
The Omni Hotel .
They are calling me up at midnight about they are smashing the windows here !
What the hell kind of a city is this ?
Morrissey : Yep .
I have spoken to residents that live on Monument Avenue near the Lee Circle .
And they are petrified .
I know an attorney who called me .
He does real estate work for me .
And he said they moved out of their home on Monument Avenue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ You know what he said to me that was frightening ?
He said , Joe , we , meaning he , his wife and neighbors are calling the police for protection and they are not showing up .
So let me say it clearly and as clearly as I can .
To those police , to the mayor , to those people of city hall you have got to protect the citizenry .
Fredericks : They aren ’ t going to do it .
Morrissey : Stop worrying about your political careers , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protect the citizenry .
That is job number one as mayor .
John , I ’ m not mayor .
Fredericks : You should have been mayor .
That ’ s why we supported you in 2016 .
None of this would be happening if you were mayor .
You should have been mayor .
Look , Levar Stoney is too busy .
He ’ s got a lot of things on his plate .
For instance , right in the middle of smashing windows and destroying cities and burning it down , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he send a letter to the governor may be saying hey we may need you to bring in the National Guard ?
No .
He sends a letter to Governor Northam asking the legalization of pot .
That ’ s his priority .
( Morrissey laughs ) Are you kidding me ?
Listen to the full show here :


thetennesseestar--2020-08-13--More Than $37 Million in Grant Funding Available to Close Technology Gap, Provide Mental Health Supp

More Than $37 Million in Grant Funding Available to Close Technology Gap, Provide Mental Health Support in Schools

School districts seeking additional funding to help offset the coronavirus pandemic can now apply for a grant from the Education Equity Fund .
The fund , created by the Michigan Department of Education , is aimed at helping to close the technology gap and provide mental health services for students and staff .
A little more than $ 37 million in funding is available .
The funding is part of the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief ( ESSR ) Fund from the CARES Act passed by Congress this spring to help offset the effects of the coronavirus pandemic .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ dollars to each state department of education , ” William DiSessa , a spokesperson from the Michigan Department of Education , told The Michigan Star .
“ The ESSER Education Equity Fund is an MDE initiative and the grant application will be sent to local school districts soon.
” Although all school districts and public school academics can apply for the funding , priority will be given to school districts that are more than 85 percent economically disadvantaged , have more than 20 percent of students with disabilities and more than 10 percent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be given to districts that have at least one school that is more than 85 percent economically disadvantaged .
A district that is not eligible for an initial ESSER grant can apply for up to $ 87.34 per pupil 2019-20 state aid per pupil foundation allowance .
Private schools are “ afforded equitable services ” within their local school district , DiSessa said .
“ Additional funding from the federal government is crucial in closing the technology gap and ensuring our kids can receive a great public school education as we continue fighting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Whitmer in a statement .
“ This past school year , we learned how important it is to ensure students have the resources and support they need to continue learning from home .
This federal funding will help ensure access to these resources , help our teachers easily reach their students at home , and help our students continue to learn and grow despite the crisis we ’ re facing.
” The grants can be used to purchase educational technology — including hardware , software and to boost connectivity — and to provide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The coronavirus pandemic shines a light on many of the existing inequities in education , ” said State Board of Education President Dr. Casandra Ulbrich in a statement .
“ This grant program will help to address some of the most pressing needs as students continue to feel the brunt of uncertainty.
” Jordyn Pair is a reporter at The Michigan Star and Star News Digital Media .
Follow her on Twitter at @ JordynPair.Email her at [ email protected ]


thetennesseestar--2020-08-13--Four People Arrested and Charged with Rioting in Richmond

Richmond police arrested and charged four individuals with rioting Tuesday night after buildings in downtown Richmond were damaged and defaced .
“ On Tuesday night a group of individuals broke windows and damaged and defaced property in several neighborhoods in the city of Richmond , ” Richmond police said in a statement obtained by The Virginia Star .
“ At approximately 11:50 p.m. , officers detained several individuals .
The Department consulted with the Office of the Commonwealth ’ s Attorney on possible charges and charged four.
” The four people arrested and charged are as follows : Julius Dela @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Brian Quach .
A metal crowbar and hammer , among other items , were seized , according to police .
The rioters broke windows at the John Marshall Courthouse , the Omni Hotel , SunTrust and other places , while also spraying graffiti on some of the damaged buildings , according to reporting and photos from NBC 12 Richmond .
State Senator Joseph Morrissey ( D-16 ) issued a strong condemnation toward those committing violence , specifying that it is not all protesters who act in that manner .
“ It ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lives Matter ] , which I do , ” Morrissey said in an interview with The Star .
“ I have four African American children and I certainly support BLM , but I am fed up with those protesters that have embedded themselves [ among ] peaceful protesters and don ’ t give a wit about George Floyd and Breonna Taylor .
They just care about committing violence and I don ’ t support it.
” Along with Morrissey ’ s harsh comments toward the rioters , he also pointed blame at Mayor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over the protests that have been ongoing for months , citing this most recent incident and others in previous months .
“ You have to have law and order , ” Morrissey said .
“ And the mayor has completely lost control of the situation , and now it ’ s at a point where [ Stoney ] is trying to appease the mob.
” The office of Mayor Stoney did not respond to multiple requests for comment from The Star .
According to reporting from CBS 6 News , the buildings were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus pandemic .
This past Friday , the Virginia Supreme Court granted Governor Ralph Northam ’ s request to suspend evictions during the pandemic beginning Monday and lasting through September 7 , according to a state government web page .
Anyone with further information on the damaged buildings and defaced property is asked to call Crime Stoppers at ( 804 ) 780-1000 .
Jacob Taylor is a reporter at The Virginia Star and the Star News Digital Network .
Follow Jacob on Twitter .
Email tips to [ email protected ]


thetennesseestar--2020-08-13--Colonial Downs and Rosie’s Gaming Emporium Stress Safety as Number One Priority

In the current unpredictable and health-driven world , safety is primary for Colonial Downs Racetrack and Rosie ’ s Gaming Emporium .
“ Safety over revenues , ” said Executive Vice President of Operations John Marshall in an interview with The Virginia Star .
“ That is the attitude of our team and that ’ s how we ’ re operating.
” After closing down in March because of the spread of COVID-19 , the emporium reopened in July with new safety measures for customers and staff outlined in a set of standards call extra care .
“ Within extra @ @ @ @ @ @ @ directly guided and influenced by the authorities and local officials , ” Marshall told The Star .
“ For instance , when a guest comes to Rosie ’ s the first thing they do is get their temperature checked and then their ID verified and if they do not have a mask we provide a mask , as masks are required in Virginia .
Then the folks are free to come in and play.
” Rosie ’ s and Colonial Downs have implemented even more health and safety measures , including operating at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ occupancy or about 1,000 people .
Additionally , plexiglass barriers have been installed between each gaming machine , even though some games are turned off to emphasize physical distancing , and an accountability system named sure check was created , which records anytime a team member reminds someone to pull up their mask or when an area is disinfected by the cleaning crew , Marshall said .
Marshall admitted that Colonial Downs and Rosie ’ s revenues are not where they had originally expected back in March , before the COVID-19 shutdown , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in revenue in the past weeks since reopening .
Colonial Downs and Rosie ’ s also realize that it is not special amongst other businesses negatively impacted by the virus and are just one of many companies adopting changes in this new world , Marshall said .
Along with the safety measures implemented in extra care , employees must get their temperature taken and answer six questions designed to indicate any possible exposure or related symptoms .
Employees must complete these steps before beginning a shift , Marshall said .
If an employee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or tests positive human resources are notified via text immediately .
Then , internal contact tracing is done to figure out who may have been exposed and if the exposure was associated with work or outside of work , according to Marshall .
Despite the increased precautions , horse racing is in full swing at Colonial Downs with races happening through September 2 , including the Virginia Derby taking place on September 1 .
No spectators are allowed outside in the stands during races , but guests can reserve tables on the third @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on televisions inside Rosie ’ s or watch and wager on the races online at TVG.com , according to Marshall .
“ We emphasize our efforts for extra care and we emphasize that we have worked hard to set Rosie ’ s up to provide good , clean fun , ” Marshall said .
Jacob Taylor is a reporter at The Virginia Star and the Star News Network .
Follow Jacob on Twitter .
Email tips to [ email protected ] Photo “ Colonial Downs ” by twnewsbadge .
CC BY 2.0 .


thetennesseestar--2020-08-13--Rep. Ilhan Omar Wins Democratic Primary, Shares Reelection Promises

Congresswoman Ilhan Omar ( D-MN-05 ) has won the 2020 Democratic primary , beating her foremost challenger Antone Melton-Meaux .
Omar will now face off with Republican candidate Lacy Johnson on Election Day .
Although the votes are still trickling in , Omar has secured the win with 58 percent of the vote compared to Melton-Meaux ’ s 40 percent .
Melton-Meaux had a strong campaign , receiving noteworthy support and outraising Omar ’ s campaign .
However , these successes weren ’ t enough to secure a winning number of votes .
In all cities excluding Minneapolis , Omar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cities in which they ’ d earned majority vote .
It was Minneapolis that showed up for Omar in a huge way .
While Melton-Meaux only received a majority of votes in one neighborhood , Omar amassed double or triple the number of votes everywhere else .
“ We tried to make a space so all voices could be heard .
We ’ ll continue working to bring our community together and to make sure all residents in the district have a voice , ” he said .
The website of Minnesota Secretary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million voters in this year ’ s primary .
The city of Minneapolis published a statement that they were experiencing a 50-year best for voter turnouts with over 103,000 Minneapolis ballots cast .
Omar ’ s opponent for November , Lacy Johnson , secured nearly 77 percent of votes compared to the other Republican candidates .
In a series of tweets subsequent to the news of his primary win , Johnson stated that he would be the leader to “ fuel real change ” and “ focus on the community , not a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ win , Omar tweeted a list of promises separating her from other candidates .
If reelected , Omar promised she would focus her next few years on advocating for the “ average person ” and their problems , oppose the president ( especially in his desire to ban and deport Muslims ) , defend global “ basic human rights , ” and dismantle the “ military-industrial complex.
” She wrote in several succeeding tweets that “ organized people beat organized money.
” Omar is not the only member of “ The Squad ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ocasio-Cortez ( D-NY-14 ) and Rashida Tlaib ( D-MI-13 ) won about 75 percent and 66 percent of votes , respectively .
Omar stated that their insular group was more than the four who appear frequently in headlines – it is “ a multi-racial coalition for the people.
” However , other Democratic incumbents in Minnesota didn ’ t fare as well as Omar .
Senator Erik Simonson lost to attorney Jen McEwen ; Senator Jeff Hayden lost to self-described democratic socialist Omar Fateh ; and Representative John Lesch lost to Athena Hollins @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Esther Agbaje by six percentage points .
As for the Senate primary , incumbent Tina Smith ( DFL-MN ) won with 87 percent of votes .
Smith ’ s opponent for Election Day is Republican candidate Jason Lewis , who secured 78 percent of votes .
Voting by mail or in person will begin September 18 , deadlining November 2 .
The deadline for registering to vote in advance is October 13th .
Voters may also register in person on Election Day , November 3 .
Absentee ballots postmarked by Tuesday will still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ results of the primary will not be available until early Friday morning .
Corinne Murdock is a reporter for The Minnesota Sun and the Star News Network .
Follow her latest on Twitter , or email tips to [ email protected ] .
The Associated Press contributed to this story .
Photo “ Ilhan Omar ” by Ilhan Omar .
Photo “ Antone Melton-Meaux ” by Anonte for Congress .


thetennesseestar--2020-08-13--Ohio Man Indicted in Massive PPP Fraud Case

An Ohio man is one of five being indicted in a $ 4 million Payroll Protection Program ( PPP ) fraud case .
The accused allegedly submitted , or assisted in the submission of a fraudulent PPP loan for five businesses according to the indictment .
Khalil Gibran Green Sr. of Cleveland claimed to be the sole owner of Impact Creations LLC , a company that claimed to have 67 employees and an average monthly payroll of $ 332,000 on a PPP application .
The indictment alleges that Green ’ s claims were false , stating that at the time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ LLC did not have employees for whom it paid salaries and taxes.
” At the time of publication , The Ohio Star was unable to find a website , review page , contact information , or any social media presence for Impact Creations LLC .
The 39-page indictment includes numerous counts of bank fraud , wire fraud , conspiracy to commit bank and wire fraud , false statements to a federally insured bank and money laundering .
The indictment seems to allude to a previous criminal history for Green , stating , “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when applying for a PPP loan , including a fabricated bank statement listing inflated account balances and non-existent transactions , fabricated IRS Form 941s listing falsified payroll information and false loan application documentation that listed false payroll information , false employment information , false purposes for the loan funding , and false criminal history information.
” Three other people were indicted with Green , including Darrell Thomas and Andre Lee Gaines of Georgia , and Bern Benoit of California .
If found guilty , the defendants will be forced to return the money @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unclear what further penalties or jail time would be .
Ben Kolodny is a reporter at The Ohio Star and the Star News Network .
You can follow Ben on Twitter .
Tips can be sent to [ email protected ]


thetennesseestar--2020-08-13--Ohio Secretary of State Will Not Mandate Masks at Polling Places

Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose stated that Ohio will not require masks to be worn at Ohio polls .
In a press conference Wednesday , LaRose went through the state ’ s guidelines and detailed some of the precautions Ohio would take in light of the recent pandemic .
The secretary of state encouraged voters to take advantage of absentee voting , a system that ’ s caused some controversy recently , stating that the system “ is completely safe.
” LaRose went on to speak on a number of the security features Ohio has implemented to protect against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the deceased and those who ’ ve moved from Ohio from voter rolls and banning ballot harvesting .
LaRose announced the CDC and the Ohio Department of Health have collaborated in the creation of a 48-point safety system for polling locations .
These include “ routine cleaning of voting machines and poll books ” and a requirement all poll workers wear masks .
Among other safety features , social distancing recommendations will be in effect , and people will be encouraged to wear masks .
Anyone who should choose not to wear a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ use outdoor curbside voting .
LaRose stated that these precautions would help ensure a “ safe and healthy environment at our polling locations.
” The new guidelines on mask-wearing in polling locations goes against Governor Mike Dewines July 22 mask mandate , which requires that “ all individuals in Ohio must wear facial coverings in public at all times when at an indoor location that is not a residence ” or whenever unable to maintain social distancing , according to the governor ’ s press release .
LaRose was insistent throughout the press @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as per usual .
“ I want to put some rumors to rest… There absolutely will be in-person voting November 3 , ” he said .
LaRose noted “ the election day is set in federal law ” and “ the election this November will look a lot like what Ohioans have grown accustomed too .
”


thetennesseestar--2020-08-13--DeWine Accepts Trump’s $300 Unemployment Aid, Rejects $100 Match as Ohio Shutdown Lingers

Although Governor Mike DeWine chose to accept the $ 300 per week per out-of-work Ohioan offered by President Donald Trump in enhanced unemployment benefits , the Ohio Republican has decided to decline to add an additional $ 100 per week suggested by the White House .
“ We are going with the second option provided : $ 300 additional benefit with no additional state contribution , ” said Dan Tierney , Governor DeWine ’ s Press Secretary in an interview with The Ohio Star .
Tierney continued , “ the Governor is appreciative the President took action on the issue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ come to an agreement on authorizing additional unemployment benefits.
” Skeptics doubt President Trump has the authority to order the payments .
A memorandum issued by the White House lists previously allocated Coronavirus relief funds and disaster relief funds as the source of payments .
The memo cites the following as the basis for the orders : By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America , including the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act , 42 U.S.C .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) , and in light of Proclamation 9994 of March 13 , 2020 ( Declaring a National Emergency Concerning the Novel Coronavirus Disease ( COVID-19 ) Outbreak ) , which declared a national emergency by reason of the threat posed by the outbreak of the novel ( new ) coronavirus known as SARS-CoV-2 .
Governor DeWine ’ s refusal to round out the supplemented benefits with matching state funds stems from the claim by Tierney that doing so would require time and approval from the Ohio General Assembly .
Logic could also conclude @ @ @ @ @ @ @ each out-of-work Ohioan would put more pressure on the overburdened state budget which has already sloughed off $ 775 million in spending .
In the beginning of Ohio ’ s response to COVID essential and non-essential businesses were chosen by bureaucrats inside the DeWine administration .
As businesses began to reopen in May , significant segments of the Ohio economy were left in lockout or a phased and slow reopening – restaurants , bars , barbers , massage therapists , gyms , daycare centers and other businesses deemed nonessential .
Businesses struck back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ previously reported , “ the 1851 Center for Constitutional Law , working on behalf of 35 independent gyms , struck a significant win for their right to exist.
” Subsequently , the Ohio Court of Common Pleas in Lake County ruled against Gov .
Mike DeWine and Dr. Amy Acton ’ s “ oppressive ” shutdown of their businesses .
Since Judge Eugene Lucci ’ s decision in the Lake County case , other Ohio judges have ruled in favor of sports complexes , restaurants , and daycare centers – to name a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of businesses , enterprises around the state continue to suffer financially .
The 2019 state budget estimated tax receipts from which the Ohio Office and Budget and Management ( OBM ) Reports .
OBM ’ s July Monthly Revenue Report displays three tax receipt areas most impacted by COVID and lists tax receipts-to-budget from April to July 2020 .
Based on that data , tax receipts are under budget as follows : The above numbers would have been worse were it not for postponement of the 2019 income tax filing deadline , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 600 federal expanded unemployment benefit .
“ OBM will continue to closely monitor economic indicators ; uncertainty and trepidation about the future economic course due to the COVID-19 pandemic continues ” said Kimberly Murnieks , OBM Director .
Schools and sports related businesses are crossing their fingers as Governor DeWine and Lt .
Governor Husted hash out direction to schools and regulations imposed on sports .
College football is off the docket , at least compared to the traditional start – a gut punch from both an entertainment and revenue vantage point @ @ @ @ @ @ @ – while people surrounding the programs scramble to calculate the economic consequence of zero ticket , concession and sundry sales , which will mean more grim days ahead for schools and enterprises that rely on them .
Jack Windsor is Managing Editor and an Investigative Reporter at The Ohio Star an Investigative Reporter at WMFD-TV .
Follow Jack on Twitter .
Email tips to [ email protected ] .


thetennesseestar--2020-08-13--Gallatin Officials Say New $800 Million Facebook Data Center Will Hire Locally

Facebook will invest $ 800 million to build a new state-of-the-art data center in Gallatin to create approximately 100 jobs , the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development announced Wednesday .
Gallatin officials told The Tennessee Star that Facebook will hire locally .
“ Facebook will most likely bring in a campus director , but they will post the jobs for anyone in the area who would like to apply for them .
One of the things was we started several years ago working with a community college , ” said Gallatin Economic Development ( ECD ) Agency Executive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ already cyber classes , cyber security classes , programming classes , all that kind of stuff at the community college as well as putting together a partnership between the community college and the Nashville Technology Council for their printing program .
Anyone between now and the time the first building first opens in two years could learn the kinds of skillsets that will be necessary .
We worked hard on that to make sure folks in the area will have a shot at those jobs.
” ECD officials , in a press release @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will work on 982,000 square-foot facility .
The center , located about 30 miles from Nashville , will house various types of workers , including technical operations , electricians , logistics staff , and security .
Gallatin Mayor Paige Brown told The Star in an email Wednesday that the facility is “ a huge server farm ” that will store and process Facebook ’ s data and other platforms .
Facebook spokeswoman Melanie Roe said the company started conversing with Gallatin officials in 2017 .
“ We will be posting jobs on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weeks , ” Roe said in an email .
“ People can also follow the Gallatin Data Center Facebook page for more information.
” Roe also said company officials chose Gallatin because it has “ access to renewable energy , a great talent pool for both operations and construction and wonderful community partners.
” Fenton said the data center will need its own infrastructure , but he also said Facebook officials will pay for it .
“ Facebook has already shipped the city of Gallatin $ 9.6 million to help us improve our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up for them , and they are also going to ship us close to $ 6 million to build a road , ” Fenton said .
“ There is some infrastructure needed , but they are paying for everything .
None of that is coming out of the taxpayer dollar.
” Chris Butler is an investigative journalist at The Tennessee Star .
Follow Chris on Facebook .
Email tips to [ email protected ] The Associated Press contributed to this report .
Photo “ Facebook Workplace ” by Facebook .


thetennesseestar--2020-08-13--Joe Biden Calls for Nationwide Mask Mandate

by Alexandra Jaffe and Will Weissert WILMINGTON , Delaware ( AP ) — Joe Biden is calling for a nationwide protective mask mandate , citing health experts ’ predictions that it could save 40,000 lives from coronavirus over the next three months .
“ Wearing the mask is less about you contracting the virus , ” Biden said .
“ It ’ s about preventing other people from getting sick.
” The Democratic presidential candidate also responded to those who push back against such mandates .
“ This is America .
Be a patriot .
Protect your fellow citizens .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” “ Every single American should be wearing a mask when they ’ re outside for the next three months at a minimum — every governor should mandate mandatory mask wearing , ” Biden declared .
President Donald Trump on Wednesday said at a press briefing that his administration was sending 125 million reusable masks to school districts across the nation .
He urges Americans to wear masks but has opposed the idea of a national requirement and declined to wear one for months .
He has worn one on occasion more recently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who say he was too slow to react to the pandemic in the U.S. , saying on Fox Business Network that “ nobody blames me.
” “ Look , we got hit by the China plague and we ’ re not going to forget it .
We got hit by the China plague , ” he said .
On Wednesday , when the U.S. reported 1,499 new coronavirus deaths , the highest number of COVID-19 deaths in a single day since May , Trump pushed for schools and businesses to continue opening , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on despite several leading leagues ’ leaders deciding to cancel this year ’ s season .
Biden and running mate California Sen. Kamala Harris spoke briefly Thursday in the same Wilmington hotel ballroom where they held a virtual fundraiser after appearing together as running mates for the first time Wednesday .
They were briefed by public health and economic experts on the coronavirus pandemic , which has caused the deaths of more than 166,000 Americans and plunged the global economy into the worst economic recession since World War II .
Alexandra Jaffe and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Press .
About the Headline Photo : Democratic presidential candidate former Vice President Joe Biden joined by his running mate Sen. Kamala Harris , D-Calif. , replaces his face mask after speaking at the Hotel DuPont in Wilmington , Del.
, Thursday , Aug. 13 , 2020 .
( AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster )


thetennesseestar--2020-08-13--Weekly Jobless Claims Fall Below One Million for First Time Since March

Around 963,000 Americans filed new unemployment claims last week , marking the first time the figure dropped below one million since March , according to the Department of Labor .
The Bureau of Labor Statistics figure released Thursday represented a decrease of 228,000 new jobless claims compared to week that ended August 1 .
That number also beat Wall Street analysts ’ expectations , according to CNBC .
Economists surveyed by Dow Jones estimated the number of jobless claims for the first full week in August to come in at 1.1 million , CNBC reported .
Continuing claims , or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weeks , numbered 15.5 million .
That number represented a decrease of 604,000 from the week before .
Even as the United States economy shows signs of improvement , the effects of the coronavirus pandemic continues .
The improving numbers are still far off from pre-pandemic numbers , according to CNBC .
“ The labor market continues to improve , but unemployment remains a huge problem for the U.S. economy , ” said Gus Faucher , chief economist at PNC Financial Services , according to CNBC .
“ The number of people filing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ [ Pandemic Unemployment Assistance ] benefits , continues to steadily decline as layoffs abate .
But job losses remain extremely elevated , far above their pre-pandemic level.
” President Donald Trump declared a national emergency in March as coronavirus spread rapidly around the world .
Thomas Catenacci is a reporter for the Daily Caller News Foundation .


thetennesseestar--2020-08-14--People Speak Out Against Big Brother Style Child Wellbeing Check Run by Tennessee Department of Educ

People Speak Out Against Big Brother Style Child Wellbeing Check Run by Tennessee Department of Education

Maury County Mayor Andy Ogles says , “ NO !
!
!
” to Gov .
Bill Lee ’ s Big Brother-style child wellbeing program that plans to send government officials to families ’ homes to do welfare checks of children .
The Tennessee Department of Education says it released a toolkit on child wellbeing checks to ensure the needs of children are being met during and after extended periods away from school .
It is promoted as protecting children .
The department earmarked $ 1 million in COVID-19 funds to set up regional overseers to work with districts , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grant from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will give funding for eight regional staff members to work across the state .
In response , Ogles posted on his official Facebook page , “ NO !
!
!
I will NOT stand for this , neither as your Mayor nor as a Father !
… Governor Bill Lee initiating wellbeing checks for EVERY child in TN.
” Education Commissioner Penny Schwinn , in trying to sell the idea , said , “ Since we know many children have experienced adversity due @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are a deliberate way all stakeholders in the community can help ensure the needs of our children are met .
I am encouraged by the hard work and dedication of the Task Force and our districts to support kids and their holistic needs.
” Conservative education reform advocate Karen Bracken railed against the program on her Facebook page and issued a call to parents .
Her post is available here .
CALL GOVERNOR LEE NOW .
DEMAND THAT THE WELLNESS TOOLKIT IS THROWN IN THE TRASH .
SLAM HIS PHONE 615-741-2001 VOLUNTEERS TO @ @ @ @ @ @ @ HOME SAYS NO ONE CAN BE IN THE ROOM WHILE THE STUDENT IS BEING INTERVIEWED .
THIS GOES FOR PUBLIC , PRIVATE , HOMESCHOOL AND HOME BOUND STUDENTS TO THE AGE OF 18 .
PRINCESS PENNY SAID THEY HAVE 38 AGENCIES AND OTHERS STEPPING UP TO DO THE WELLNESS VISITS .
REALLY ?
?
?
?
IF THEY CARE SO MUCH FOR OUR KIDS AND THEIR PARENTS THEN LET THEM GET BACK TO A NORMAL LIFE INSTEAD OF KEEPING THEM IN A CONSTANT STATE OF FEAR .
THEY HAVE CROSSED THE LINE .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ IT TRASH CANNED .
GET PREPARED FOR A MARCH IN NASHVILLE IF IT IS NOT TRASH CANNED .

by Virginia Allen
Republican governors are sending National Guard troops to the southern border.
Governors of Arkansas, Iowa, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Virginia, and West Virginia announced this week they will send troops and resources to Texas to support the work of Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and Operation Lone Star to secure the southern border.
“President [Joe] Biden’s failure at our southern border puts the entire country at risk,” Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders said Thursday. “States must now step up where the president has failed to repel illegals, fight the cartels, and stop human and drug trafficking.”
Sanders is sending 80 National Guard troops to the border in July. Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt will send troop but has not clarified how many, and North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum also announced Thursday that he will send 100 National Guardsmen to Texas to help secure the southern border. Gov. Mike DeWine says he will send 14 State Highway troopers and supervisors to Texas for two weeks. South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem says she will deploy about 50 National Guard troops to the border this summer.
Arkansas, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, and South Dakota join nine other GOP governors who have already pledged to send troops and resources to Texas to help secure the state’s border with Mexico.
“The ongoing border crisis facing our nation has turned every state into a border state,” Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin said in a statement Wednesday.
“Given the intensive resource demands on Texas, the dangers posed by the fentanyl crisis, and impact of the border crisis on criminal activity to the Commonwealth, Virginia will do its part to assist the State of Texas’ efforts with the coordinated deployment of Virginia National Guard soldiers to assist in key aspects of their mission,” Youngkin said.
Youngkin is sending 100 troops and 21 supporting personnel to Texas from the commonwealth.
West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice is sending up to 50 National Guard troops and airmen to the border for up to 30 days. South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster says he will also send troops to the border but has yet to announce how may.
“The safety and security of South Carolinians require that we stop the drug cartels, criminals, and terrorists from entering our country to peddle their poison,” McMaster said in a statement Wednesday.
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds said Tuesday that she will send 100 National Guard troops and 30 Department of Public Safety personnel to the border.
The Republican governors’ decision to send troops to the southern border comes in response to Abbott’s request for states to join Texas and help secure the border through the work of Operation Lone Star, Texas’ border security plan.
Nine GOP governors met with Abbott in Austin, Texas, on May 22 to discuss the border crisis. The meeting was held about a week after Abbott sent a letter to fellow governors asking them to help Texas secure the border.
The Texas governor applauded Idaho and Florida for already having sent border security resources and personnel to the Lone Star State to help secure the border and invited more governors to join in the “mission to defend our national sovereignty and territorial integrity and send all available law enforcement personnel and resources to the Texas-Mexico border to serve alongside our thousands of Texas National Guard soldiers and Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) troopers.”
Last week, Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee announced he will send 100 National Guard troops to the border and Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen committed to send 10 state troopers to Texas to “help stop the influx of illegal immigration at our southern border.”
Florida, Idaho, and Mississippi were among the first states to answer Abbott’s call for help.
On May 17, Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves announced he was mobilizing a National Guard unit to the border.
“To keep Mississippians safe and limit the impact of our nation’s open borders, the Mississippi National Guard’s 112th Military Police Battalion has been mobilized and is supporting Customs and Border Protection officers and agents along the Southwest border.”
The day before Reeves’ announcement, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said Florida had “over 1,100 assets and resources available” to aid Operation Lone Star, including 800 National Guard soldiers and 200 Florida Department of Law Enforcement officers.
“At my direction, state agencies, including law enforcement and the Florida National Guard, are being deployed to Texas, with assets including personnel, boats, and planes,” DeSantis said. “While Biden ignores the crisis he created, Florida stands ready to help Texas respond to this crisis.”
Since the start of the Biden administration, Customs and Border Protection reports encountering more than 5.5 million illegal aliens at the southern border. Since fiscal year 2023 began on Oct. 1, CBP has encountered more than 1.4 million illegal aliens, about triple the number encountered at the southern border during fiscal year 2020.
CBP has seized a record 17,000 pounds of fentanyl at the southern border so far in fiscal year 2023, which ends Sept. 30, more than triple the total amount seized in all of fiscal year 2020.
– – –
Virginia Allen is a senior news producer and podcast host for The Daily Signal. She is the co-host of “The Daily Signal Podcast” and “Problematic Women.”
Photo “National Guard” by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.


thetennesseestar--2020-08-14--Commentary: Joe Biden Goes All in on Defund the Police with Kamala Harris VP Pick

Former Vice President Joe Biden has selected U.S. Sen. Kamala Harris ( D-Calif. ) as his running mate and presumptive Democratic Party nominee for Vice President in the 2020 election as the Biden campaign goes all in on the defund the police issue .
In June Sen. Harris supported cutting $ 150 million from the Los Angeles Police Department ( LAPD ) budget and taking the police force below 10,000 for the first time in more than a decade .
“ I applaud Eric Garcetti for doing what he ’ s done , ” Harris told ABC ’ s Good @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , adding , “ Right now , what we ’ re seeing in America is many cities spend over one-third of their entire city budget on policing but meanwhile we ’ ve been defunding public schools for years in America.
” Harris explained , “ We ’ ve got to re-examine what we ’ re doing with American taxpayer dollars and ask the question : are we getting the right return on our investment ?
Are we actually creating healthy and safe communities ?
That ’ s a legitimate conversation and it requires @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Harris comes as Biden for his part has attempted to thread the needle on the issue by saying he doesn ’ t want to defund the police , he wants to condition federal funding on whether police are “ honorable.
” Biden told CBS News in an interview : “ No , I don ’ t support defunding the police .
I support conditioning federal aid to police based on whether or not they meet certain basic standards of decency and honorableness and … are able to demonstrate they can protect the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did not meet up with Biden ’ s criteria , he would indeed deny funds .
But it comes at a time when Democrats and the country are deeply divided on the defund the police issue , both in polls among voters and among the party establishment .
In June , an ABC News/Ipsos poll found 64 percent of Americans reject the idea of defunding the police , including 91 percent of Republicans , 45 percent of Democrats , 43 percent of blacks , 58 percent of Hispanics and 74 percent of whites @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pew poll that found 73 percent say police funding should either remain the same or increase , including 42 percent who say police spending should remain the same and 31 percent say it should be increased .
Only 25 percent of Americans supported cutting spending for local police departments in the Pew poll , with just 12 percent saying it should be decreased a lot and another 14 percent saying it should be reduced a little .
By picking Harris , who supported cutting LAPD funding by $ 150 million , Biden is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ little as 25 percent public support .
Biden could have used the VP selection to distance himself from this issue , which is inextricably linked to the ongoing riots in the wake of the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis police custody .
Instead he chose to use the VP pick to sharpen his stance on it , and to ensure that the election will be about race and police by shoring up Biden ’ s anti-police bonafides .
To be fair , though , finding a national Democratic political figure somehow not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ difficult .
The party is under incredible pressure at the moment .
In short , Harris is a sop to the BLM-Antifa wing of the party , a signal by Biden to the rioters and protesters that says “ I ’ m with you ” , but at the cost of moderate Democrats in suburban areas who oppose defunding the police .
At Biden ’ s age of 77 , he needed somebody that would project confidence to lead the nation .
Instead , Biden and Harris seem to want to meet the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weak middle position that strips police of resources at the very time of heightened violent crime and civil unrest .
And , by selecting a California radical senator , it is questionable if Biden picks up any votes among Independents or Republicans , which he surely needs if he is to have any hope of pulling out swing states .
Is Biden trying to lose the suburbs ?
Robert Romano is the Vice President of Public Policy at Americans for Limited Government .


thetennesseestar--2020-08-14--National Retail Chains, Restaurants Flee New York

The New York Times reports that national retailers and restaurant chains such as J.C. Penney , Neiman Marcus , Le Pain Quotidien , and Subway are permanently closing locations in New York City in response to Mayor Bill de Blasio ’ s management of the coronavirus pandemic , which has led to a “ mass exodus ” of residents and businesses .
Business leaders warn that the city is facing a crisis of “ historic proportions , ” according to the Times .
Michael Weinstein , the chief executive of Ark Restaurants , which owns the popular Bryant Park Grill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Times he would never open another restaurant in the city .
“ There ’ s no reason to do business in New York , ” Weinstein said .
With tourists staying clear of the city and surrounding office towers mostly empty , the restaurant has been forced to close its 1,000-seat dining room and move service to the patio .
As a result , Weinstein says the restaurant brings in only about $ 12,000 a day—an 85 percent drop in revenue .
The Times story highlights worrying signs that national brands are beginning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ never return .
Chain restaurants including restaurants like Le Pain Quotidian , Subway , and Chipotle have seen big losses .
Shake Shack reported a 40 percent decrease in revenue in the second quarter .
Le Pain Quotidien has permanently closed several of its 27 stores in the city .
Subway and retailers J.C Penney and Kate Spade have also closed their branches permanently .
The flagship Victoria ’ s Secret store at Herald Square in Manhattan has been closed for months and has not paid its $ 937,000 monthly rent in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before retail has even a chance of returning to New York City in its pre-COVID form , ” the retailer ’ s parent company recently told its landlord .
“ In the prime real estate areas , all the stores rely on having half international tourists and half local tourists or those from the local neighborhoods , ” said Thiago Hueb , a founder of a jewelry company whose product is sold in stores around the country .
He had already decided to close his store on Madison Avenue before the pandemic struck @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Times he has no interest in returning to the city .
“ The avenue is no longer what it used to be , ” he said .