Month: August 2022

Michigan AG Nessel Opposes Requested Consumers Energy Rate Increase

The Center Square

Attorney General Dana Nessel’s office voiced her office’s opposition to the Michigan Public Service Commission’s granting Consumers Energy request for a rate increase.

Consumers Energy filed its application to the MPSC seeking a rate increase of about $266 million for its Michigan jurisdiction on April 28, 2022, to start in 2023. If the proposal is approved as filed, the overall rate impact would be an increase of 6.5% for all rate classes and a 6.8% increase in residential rates.

Read the full story

Virginia Congress Members Return to Home Districts Ahead of Midterm Election

Eric Burk

With Congress in recess and midterm elections approaching, Virginia’s senators and representatives have been touring the Commonwealth, visiting local businesses and organizations while highlighting legislative goals and wins.

“The Democrat Party is an evil to be defeated,” Representative Bob Good (R-VA-05) told the Amherst County Republicans on Monday while describing his efforts to advance national pro-life legislation, according to video from The Danville Register and Bee.

Read the full story

Arizona Supreme Court Knocks ‘Radical’ Elections Initiative Modeled After Federal HR 1 Off the Ballot

Rachel Alexander

A voting initiative backed by progressive activists won’t be on the ballot this fall in Arizona after the Arizona Supreme Court ruled on Wednesday that backers failed to provide a valid mailing address to receive certified mail.

The court remanded it to the trial court to determine how many signatures would be invalidated, and after a last-minute dispute between the two courts over how to count the signatures, the Arizona Supreme Court stated on Friday that Arizonans for Free and Fair Elections lacked the required amount of qualifying signatures.

Read the full story

McConnell-Linked Super PAC Cuts Funding for Blake Masters in Arizona

Admin

A Mitch McConnell-linked Senatorial Republican Super PAC has pulled millions of dollars in ad buys in Arizona, where Trump-backed Blake Masters will likely face a tight race in November.

The Senate Leadership Fund, a group aligned with McConnell, is cancelling ad buys worth nearly $8 million in Arizona, where Masters is running, set for early fall. The ads are about half of what the super PAC bought, leaving the rest to start in early October, according to Politico.

Read the full story

Commentary: Congress Can Save the Press from Big Tech’s Iron Grip

Admin
US Capitol Infrastructure

Big Tech controls more and more of the news and information we read. Although Big Tech platforms employ few, if any, journalists, most Americans read news on large tech platforms, such as Facebook News and Google News. Profits and ideology motivate Big Tech managers more than promoting a free press, so Big Tech often fails to fairly compensate the small and local news outlets whose stories appear on their platforms.

Read the full story

Commentary: The White House Is Creating a Texas-Border Patrol Standoff

Admin

The tragic results of the Biden Administration’s extremist immigration policies have become increasingly clear. By now there is abundant video evidence of large groups of foreign nationals wading across the Rio Grande, seeking shelter under highway overpasses, and walking through gaps in the unfinished border wall. These are the obvious results. 

Less obvious are the other potentially dangerous situations these policies create. This is not just about talking points for politicians to debate, but real-world situations where people can be injured or killed.

Read the full story

Military Whistleblower Report Alleges COVID-19 Vaccine Illegally Administered

The Center Square

 A new whistleblower report signed by nine officers across five branches of the military claims the Department of Defense’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate is unlawful.

The report was sent to Congress urging an investigation into what it called illegal and fraudulent activity by the DOD. The memorandum was published by Liberty Council, a nonprofit legal group that in January maintained there was no legal COVID-19 vaccine available despite the U.S. Food and Drug Administration saying there was. 

Read the full story

Survey: 56 Percent of Companies Dropping COVID-19 Vaccine Mandates to Retain Talent, Grow Workforce

The Center Square

According to Price Waterhouse Coopers 2022 Pulse survey, business leaders are implementing a range of measures to retain talent and grow their workforce, including dropping COVID-19 vaccine mandates as a condition of in-person employment.

According to the survey, 56% of companies said they were dropping COVID-19 vaccine mandates for on-site work. The survey findings, published Aug. 18, came after vaccine mandates continue to be challenged and overturned in courts and after it remains questionable that the COVID-19 vaccines were effective in preventing the spread of the coronavirus.

Read the full story

Moderna Suing Pfizer for COVID-19 Vaccine Patent Infringement

Admin

Moderna is filing patent infringement lawsuits against Pfizer and BioNTech in U.S. district court and German regional court Friday in connection with the two companies’ COVID-19 vaccine, Moderna announced.

Moderna alleges Pfizer and BioNTech’s Comirnaty vaccine breaches its mRNA technology patents submitted between 2010 and 2016. It claims they developed their vaccine by copying the technology Moderna used to make its mRNA COVID-19 vaccine, Spikevax.

Read the full story

Some ‘Underrepresented’ Students Exempt from Prestigious Medical School’s Entrance Exam

Admin

Minority students are exempt from taking the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) when applying for Penn’s medical school if they participate in a summer research program, according to a press release.

The University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine (PSOM) partnered with five historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) to offer a summer research program for “underrepresented” groups, according to the May 24 press release. Students who are selected for Penn Access Summer Scholars (PASS) are exempted from taking the MCAT if they apply to the Ivy League school’s medical program.

Read the full story

‘Many Latinos Are Not Celebrating Student Loan Forgiveness’, Says Libre Initiative

Admin

President Joe Biden announced plans on Wednesday to forgive $10,000 of student debt or up to $20,000 for those with Pell Grant for millions of Americans, with some projections estimating the government’s cost at about half a trillion dollars–but for Daniel Garza, president of the LIBRE Initiative, one of the nation’s largest Hispanic organizations, the move does not “address the root problem of rising college tuition prices.”

In fact, in a recent statement published by the LIBRE Initiative, the group said that, “many Latinos are not celebrating student loan forgiveness.”

Read the full story

Bridgestone to Make $500 Million Expansion in Warren County

Peter D'Abrosca

One of the world’s largest tire companies is making a $500 million investment to expand its operations in Tennessee, creating more jobs in the Volunteer State.

Bridgestone’s investment strengthens the global competitiveness of the company’s U.S. manufacturing operations and commitment to its U.S. labor force. Bridgestone will create 380 new jobs at its Warren County facility, increasing its existing headcount of 1,100 to more than 1,400, and bringing the total number of Bridgestone’s U.S. manufacturing workforce to nearly 10,000,” according to the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development (TNECD).

Read the full story

Zuckerberg Claims FBI Pressured Him to Censor Hunter Biden Laptop Story

Admin

In a stunning admission, Facebook founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg claimed that his social media platform only censored the New York Post’s bombshell story about Hunter Biden’s laptop after the FBI came to them and advised them to do so.

As reported by the Daily Caller, Zuckerberg made the claim during an interview with Joe Rogan on his podcast, “The Joe Rogan Experience,” on Thursday. Rogan had asked Zuckerberg about how his platform would handle censorship going forward, after multiple Big Tech platforms were widely criticized for deliberately suppressing the story, which was later confirmed to be true.

Read the full story

Ohio Utility Commission Pauses HB 6 Investigations at Request of Federal Prosecutors

The Center Square
FirstEnergy building

Ohio paused its investigation into FirstEnergy and House Bill 6 after federal prosecutors said continuing could interfere with their ongoing criminal investigation.

Public Utilities Commission of Ohio Chairwoman Jenifer French, a former judge, said she understood how the four PUCO investigations into FirstEnergy and the passage of House Bill 6 could create issues for the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio.

Read the full story

Michigan Voters to Decide on Longer Term Limits for Lawmakers

The Center Square

Michigan voters in November will decide whether state legislators will have a shot at longer terms in office.

Proposal One, the Michigan Legislative Term Limits and Financial Disclosure Amendment, was approved by the Michigan legislature for inclusion on the Nov. 8 ballot. If voters approve, term limits for state legislators would expand to 12 combined years in both the Senate and House of Representatives.

Read the full story

Florida Invests over $56 Million in Additional Land Conservation Efforts

The Center Square

The Florida Cabinet approved spending more than $56 million on seven parcels of land totaling 19,897 acres within the Florida Wildlife Corridor for acquisition or conservation easement made possible by the state’s Florida Forever Program and Department of Agriculture’s Rural and Family Lands Protection Program.

The overwhelming majority of the properties, more than 98%, are within the Florida Wildlife Corridor, a mix of native and working lands that provide habitat for key Florida species including the Florida panther, Florida black bear, swallow-tailed kite, and gopher tortoise, among others.

Read the full story

Arizona Reps Blast FBI for Directing Facebook to Censor Hunter Biden Laptop Story

Peter D'Abrosca

After Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg admitted on “The Joe Rogan Experience” that he worked with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to censor the now-infamous Hunter Biden laptop story in the lead-up to the 2020 election, Arizona’s elected officials are speaking out.

“The FBI’s collusion with Big Tech unquestionably constitutes election interference. Every single American should be appalled,” Rep. Debbie Lesko (R-AZ-08) told The Arizona Sun Times Friday. “This is yet another example of the politicization and weaponization of bad actors in the FBI to protect Democrats’ political allies and go after their political opponents. If House Republicans win back the majority, we will hold these bad actors in the FBI accountable to the fullest extent of the law.”

Read the full story

Affordable Housing, Job Training a Growing Problem for Pennsylvania Business Owners

The Center Square

In the Pennsylvania economy today, employers struggle with finding enough workers, rising prices, and enough affordable housing for their workers.

Rising prices, employee and supply shortages, wage surcharges, and “escalating energy prices” puts “a strain on our survival,” said David Crouse, owner of 3C’s family restaurant in the Pottsville area.

Read the full story

Minnesota Public Schools Continue to Fall Behind in Student Proficiency

Admin

Nearly 400 public schools throughout Minnesota are set to receive additional support from the state education department as student proficiency scores continue to lag or fall further behind.

The Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) announced on Thursday an expansion of its relatively new COMPASS program (Collaborative Minnesota Partnerships to Advance Student Success) to render “various levels of support” to 371 public schools, including “15 entire school districts.”

Read the full story

Georgia’s Kemp to Spend $100 Million in Federal COVID-19 Relief Funds for Law Enforcement

The Center Square

Another day, another dollar dispersed.

Georgia’s governor is again turning to federal COVID-19 relief money to provide grants to another constituency. This time, he plans to give $100 million to law enforcement agencies statewide.

Gov. Brian Kemp is turning to the American Rescue Plan and the State Fiscal Recovery Fund to dole out grants of up to $1.5 million per award. Awardees can put the money toward a range of initiatives, from law enforcement staffing to investing in technology and equipment to respond to the uptick in gun violence.

Read the full story

Gov. Doug Ducey Orders Flags to Fly at Half-Staff Following the Loss of Pima County Constable

Neil Jones

Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey ordered state buildings to fly flags at half-staff Friday following a mass shooting in Tucson resulting in the loss of Pima County Constable Deborah Martinez-Garibay.

“The loss of Constable Deborah Martinez is felt across our state,” Ducey said. “Whether it was serving in the U.S. Army or carrying out her duties as a constable for Pima County, she dedicated her life to helping others and her community. Constable Martinez was a Tucson native who will be remembered for the way she treated others with dignity and respect. Our thoughts and prayers are with her friends and family, as well as those who also lost their lives in today’s tragic events.”

Read the full story

New Report Shows the Economic Cost of the Opioid Crisis on Arizona

Neil Jones

A new report from the Common Sense Institute of Arizona (CSI) shared how the growing opioid crisis has economically burdened Arizona.

“Federal border officials have been forced to reallocate scarce resources to the interdiction and processing of migrants since 2020. Failure to complete physical barriers along the U.S.-Mexico border, combined with a lack of enforcement attention, has enabled sufficient flow of fentanyl into the United States to fill a demand shift created in part by the crackdown on mail-order and prescription drugs,” according to the CSI. “Last year, fatal overdoses in Arizona reached the highest level ever reported by DHS, and data suggests the national numbers will be worse this year.”

Read the full story

Commentary: Pope Francis Set to Add 20 New Names to College of Cardinals

Admin

As most Italians are enjoying the last days of summer, Pope Francis has called the College of Cardinals to the Vatican.  From August 27-30, the Holy Father will preside over three consistories and a pastoral visit.  

On August 27, Pope Francis will convene two consistories, on August 28, he will make a pastoral visit to L’Aquila, and on August 29 and 30, he will preside over a third consistory. 

Read the full story

World’s Youngest Trans Model Is Child of Two Trans Parents Who Plan His Gender Surgery at Age 16

Susan Berry, PhD

The 10-year-old boy acclaimed as the world’s youngest trans model is the child of two transgender parents who say they plan to start him on puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones before gender surgery at age 16.

“Noella” McMaher, who was “socially transitioned” at age 4, represented the Trans* Clothing Company brand during New York Fashion Week in February, but has now been signed on for continued modeling jobs until November, reported Metro UK.

Read the full story

Governor Bill Lee Announces First Lady Maria Lee Has Lymphoma

Kaitlin Housler

Tennessee Governor Bill Lee said Friday that his wife, First Lady Maria Lee, has lymphoma.

Bill Lee said, “Maria and I have learned that she has lymphoma and will begin treatment immediately. While this news is unexpected, her prognosis is good and it is treatable. Maria and I deeply appreciate prayers for healing. We are hopeful and will share more in the days ahead.”

Read the full story

Trump-Backed Candidates Rack Up More Wins

Admin

Former President Donald Trump’s endorsed candidates swept their primaries Tuesday, bolstering Trump’s track record as he continues to play an active role in the Republican Party.

Trump-backed candidates added to his successful track record of winning endorsements in both New York and Florida’s primaries on Tuesday. Trump wrote on Truth Social that 98.4% of his endorsements have won their race overall for the last four years, while BallotPedia tracked a winning score of 92% out of the 237 candidates he backed in this year’s primaries.

Read the full story

DHS Codifies DACA as a Federal Regulation

Admin

Joe Biden’s Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has taken a major step to solidify its support of the widely unpopular amnesty program Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), codifying the policy as a federal regulation that enables new protections for the program.

According to the Daily Wire, DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas released a statement announcing the department’s decision to create a new rule that placed DACA into the federal register.

Read the full story

17 Texas Counties Have Declared an Invasion at Southern Border

The Center Square

The judges and county commissioners of seven more Texas counties signed resolutions declaring an invasion at the southern border this week, citing unprecedented levels of illegal immigration, human trafficking, and drug smuggling occurring at the U.S. border with Mexico under the Biden administration.

The seven counties – Chambers, Ellis, Hardin, Johnson, Liberty, Orange, and Wilson – also expressed support for Gov. Greg Abbott to protect the sovereignty of Texas and secure the border.

Read the full story

Revised GDP Numbers Show the Economy Shrinking

Admin

The Department Of Commerce revised the estimate of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) Thursday morning, finding similarly to July’s estimate that real GDP contracted in the second quarter of 2022.

The revised estimate for the second quarter finds that real GDP decreased annually at a rate of 0.6%, slightly less than the July 28 estimate of a 0.9% decrease, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis.

Read the full story

Tennessee Comptroller Says Former White County Chief Deputy Clerk Stole More than $12,000

Aaron Gulbransen

The Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury said Thursday that a “former White County Chief Deputy Clerk stole more than $12,000.”

“An investigation by the Tennessee Comptroller’s Office has resulted in the indictment of Laura Gardner, the former Chief Deputy Clerk in the White County Clerk’s office. The office’s daily operations include registering vehicles, issuing vehicle tags and titles, renewing vehicle tags, and collecting vehicle sales tax,” said the agency in the statement.

Read the full story

U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn Meets with Taiwan President and Foreign Minister

Aaron Gulbransen

U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), who is a member of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee, met with Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen at the Presidential Office in Taipei Friday.

Senator Blackburn also met with Foreign Minister Joseph Wu at the Taipei Guest House and then Wellington Koo, Secretary General of Taiwan’s National Security Council.

Later, Blackburn delivered remarks at Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) Institute of Diplomacy and International Affairs (IDIA) and meeting with the American Chamber of Commerce in Taiwan.

Read the full story