Wayne Byers Show – Morning – Mar 22

CSi Weather….

Forecast….

.REST OF TODAY… Widespread dense fog in the afternoon.

Highs in the mid 30s. East winds 5 to 10 mph.

.TONIGHT…Mostly cloudy. Patchy fog through the night. A

50 percent chance of snow after midnight. Lows around 30. East

winds 10 to 15 mph.

.FRIDAY…A 90 percent chance of snow. Patchy blowing and drifting snow. Snow may be

heavy at times. Snow accumulation around 7 inches. Highs in the

lower 30s. Southeast winds 15 to 25 mph.

.FRIDAY NIGHT…Snow possibly mixed with freezing rain in the

evening, then snow and light freezing drizzle likely after

midnight. Moderate snow accumulations. Lows in the upper 20s.

Southeast winds 10 to 20 mph. Gusts up to 35 mph in the evening.

Chance of snow 90 percent.

.SATURDAY…Cloudy. A 30 percent chance of light freezing rain in

the morning. Highs in the mid 30s. Southeast winds 10 to 15 mph.

.SATURDAY NIGHT…Cloudy. Slight chance of rain and snow in the

evening, then snow possibly mixed with rain and freezing rain

after midnight. Lows in the lower 30s. Chance of precipitation

60 percent.

.SUNDAY…Rain and freezing rain likely possibly mixed with snow

in the morning, then rain likely possibly mixed with snow in the

afternoon. Highs in the upper 30s. Chance of precipitation

70 percent.

.SUNDAY NIGHT…Cloudy. Chance of snow possibly mixed with rain

in the evening, then chance of snow after midnight. Lows in the

upper 20s. Chance of precipitation 40 percent.

.MONDAY…Cloudy. Chance of snow in the morning, then chance of

rain and snow in the afternoon. Highs in the mid 30s. Chance of

precipitation 50 percent.

.MONDAY NIGHT…Mostly cloudy. A 20 percent chance of snow in the

evening. Lows in the lower 20s.

.TUESDAY…Mostly sunny. Highs in the upper 30s.

.TUESDAY NIGHT…Partly cloudy. Lows in the lower 20s.

.WEDNESDAY…Mostly sunny. Highs in the upper 30s.

 

Snow will spread into the area Friday with heaviest snow expected

to be Friday afternoon into Friday evening. Some rain mixing in is

a possibility Friday afternoon but think there will be enough snow

for some heavy accumulations of 6 inches or more to be possible. A

winter storm watch is in effect from 10 AM Friday to 7 AM

Saturday.

 

After a break Saturday afternoon, another fast moving weather-maker passes through Sunday and Monday. Heavy wet snow mixed with rain will be likely again by Sunday afternoon and windy.

Snow into Monday morning before tapering off west to east, becoming mostly cloudy by Monday afternoon as the wind lessens.  Highs both days will be in the mid-30s south and the upper 20s north.

 

 

 

This Day In History, March 22, 1908 – Louis L’Amour is born in Jamestown . . . .  from the 125th Anniversary Calendar of Jamestown History & the Official Louis L’Amour Website. 

 

 

Jamestown  (CSi)  Runnin O’ The Green organizer, Larry Knoblich is optimist that the 2018 40^th Anniversary goal of raising $40,000 will be met.

On Wednesday’s Wayne Byers Show on CSi Cable 2, he said the day after the run, on Sunday  the preliminary amount raised was put at $26,000.

He said that with additional donations still to be tallied from bars gaming proceeds and individual contributions coming, in he feels confident those amounts will add up to $40,000.

He pointed out that on Saturday at the start of the run at Frontier Fort 731 registered, compared to 979 last year, which he feels is due to more pre-registrations, including 497 at Cork & Barrel Liquors, and 255 at Wildside creations, and pre-registration was held at the Elks.  He said 1780 participants registered this year.

On our show he noted other contributions coming in from donations made to rides given to participants with a free will donation.  He added that R.M. Stoudt provided two cars, and seven others with drivers, totaled nine cars.

The total donations from that estimated at $3,600, to add to the total.

Larry thanked the volunteers that make the run a success, plus hundreds of individual donations of various amounts adding to the total.

He remarked about how the bar owners and staff cleaned up debris from the streets.

Of the total raised $10,000 goes to cancer patients with the balance going to the Elks Camp Grassick, to benefit those individuals with both mental and physical challenges.

 

FARGO, N.D. (AP) — A man armed with a knife has been shot and wounded by a Fargo police officer.Officers responded to a domestic disturbance at an apartment about 11:30 p.m. Wednesday. Police Chief David Todd says a man inside the residence came at police with the knife, and an officer shot him.The man went back inside the apartment, but a SWAT team convinced him to surrender.Todd says the woman who lived in the apartment had a protection order against the man. She wasn’t harmed.The man was taken into custody and taken to a hospital. His condition isn’t known.The officer has been put on standard paid administrative leave while the state crime bureau investigates. 

Bismarck  (CSi)  North Dakota Attorney General, Wayne Stenehjem,  has banned a phony charity operation from conducting business in North Dakota.

James Michael Austin, also known as James Fisher, had created Red Cross of Americas Inc. and solicited donations in North Dakota. He was not affiliated with the actual Red Cross, Stenehjem said.

Stenehjem says,  “Not only did Mr. Austin create a phony charity so that he could take advantage of generous North Dakota residents, but he deliberately used a name that was almost identical to a well-known international charity, in an attempt to lend legitimacy to his efforts.”

Austin had also created a “GoFundMe” page to collect online contributions for drought stricken farmers.

Authorities in McKenzie County have issued an arrest warrant for him on an unrelated theft of property charge. It is believed Austin has fled to Texas.

 

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — Crews are working to clean up a Bismarck elementary school where a water main break flooded eight classrooms and four offices.

Officials believe a pipe coupling broke underground outside the school and caused the flooding at Miller Elementary School. The Bismarck Tribune reports cleaning and restoration is expected to be done by Friday.

Assistant Principal Devin Silbernagel says students in the affected classrooms were transferred to other rooms or doubled up with students in space that wasn’t flooded.

 

 

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — North Dakota congressional candidate Tom Campbell, a wealthy potato farmer, is paying registration fees for some delegates to attend the state party’s convention next month.

Kelly Armstrong, Campbell’s main Republican rival for the state’s lone House seat, and state GOP vice chairman Jim Poolman say party rules don’t forbid the practice. But they say it’s rare and smacks of vote-buying in an attempt to get delegates’ endorsement.

Campaign spokesman Mike Schrimpf says Campbell has paid registration costs for an undisclosed number of delegates to “encourage participation” at the convention.

Registration fees for the convention are $90 per person, or $45 for those under 30 years old. The convention is expected to draw more than 1,200 delegates.

Armstrong says he paid registration costs for his parents, who also are delegates.

 

 

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — A June 26 hearing is tentatively set for arguments on whether an oil refinery proposed near Theodore Roosevelt National Park should receive a water permit.

The Bismarck Tribune reports that North Dakota’s Office of Administrative Hearings is to oversee the hearing.

Meridian Energy Group have applied for a state permit to withdraw underground water for the proposed Davis Refinery. Neighboring landowners are challenging the request.

The company plans for a refinery processing 27,500 barrels of oil daily, with the possibility of expansion. Meridian bills it as the “cleanest refinery on the planet,” but some people believe it would be too close to the park.

The state Health Department is continuing to review Meridian’s application for an air quality permit. That process is expected to take at least another month.

 

 

 

 

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — Supporters of changing the North Dakota constitution to include a sweeping government ethics overhaul can begin circulating petitions to try to bring the issue to voters.

Secretary of State Al Jaeger approved the format of the petition on Tuesday.

With voters’ approval, the initiative would restrict lobbying and create an independent ethics commission, among other provisions.

Supporters need almost 27,000 signatures by July 9 to get it on the November ballot.

The sponsoring committee is headed by Bismarck Republican Dina Butcher and Ellen Chaffee, a Democrat and former president of Mayville and Valley City State universities.

 

 

 

 

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — U.S. senators from Maine and Vermont say they have reintroduced a bill designed to curb youth homelessness and provide help for young victims of trafficking.

Republican Sen. Susan Collins of Maine and Democratic Sen. Patrick Leahy of Vermont say the Runaway and Homeless Youth and Trafficking Prevention Act would continue grants to communities around the country to prevent and respond to youth homelessness.

Collins says an estimated 4.2 million young people experience homelessness in the United States every year. She says approval of the bill would help address chronic homelessness, and provide resources to programs that play a key role in helping young people find long-term housing.

The proposal is also sponsored by Democratic Sen. Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota.

 

In sports…

Bismarck  The North Dakota Game & Fish Department has announced the dates for their Spring Advisory Board meetings.

The news release says, “These public meetings, held each spring and fall, provide citizens with an opportunity to discuss fish and wildlife issues and ask questions of their district advisors and agency personnel. The governor appoints eight Game and Fish Department advisors, each representing a multi-county section of the state, to serve as a liaison between the department and public. Any person who requires an auxiliary aid or service must notify the contact person at least five days prior to the scheduled meeting date.”

Below are the dates, times, and locations of each planned meeting per district.

District 3 – Counties: Benson, Cavalier, Eddy, Ramsey, Rolette and Towner

Date: April 9 – 7 p.m.

Location: Eagles Club, 7 Eighth St. S., New Rockford

Host: Eddy County Rod and Gun Club

Contact: Jean Schuster, 947-2159

Advisory board member: Tom Rost, Devils Lake, 662-8620

 

District 4 – Counties: Grand Forks, Nelson, Pembina and Walsh

Date: April 9 – 7 p.m.

Location: American Legion, 108 Fifth St. E., Park River

Host: Walsh County Gun Club

Contact: Doug Hove, 360-0709

Advisory board member: Joe Solseng, 317-5009

 

District 1 – Counties: Divide, McKenzie and Williams

Date: April 10 – 7 p.m.

Location: Library Meeting Room, 1302 Davidson St., Williston

Host: Upper Missouri United Sportsmen

Contact: Wayne Aberle, 770-6902

Advisory board member: Beau Wisness, Keene, 675-2067

 

District 5 – Counties: Cass, Ransom, Richland, Sargent, Steele and Traill

Date: April 10 – 7 p.m.

Location: City Hall, 701 First St. N., Casselton

Host: Cass County Wildlife Club

Contact: Doug Madsen, 238-3087

Advisory board member: Duane Hanson, West Fargo, 367-4249

 

District 6 – Counties: Barnes, Dickey, Foster, Griggs, Logan, LaMoure, McIntosh, Stutsman and Wells

Date: April 16 – 7 p.m.

Location: Farmers Union Insurance, 1415 12th Ave. SE, Jamestown

Host: Stutsman County Wildlife Federation

Contact: Matt Opsahl, 368-9907

Advisory board member: Cody Sand, Ashley, 357-7011

 

District 8 – Counties: Adams, Billings, Bowman, Dunn, Golden Valley, Hettinger, Slope and Stark

Date: April 16 – 7 p.m.

Location: Research Extension Center, 102 Highway 12 W., Hettinger

Host: Hettinger Rod and Gun Club

Contact: Bill Ecker, 567-2149

Advisory board member: Dwight Hecker, Dickinson, 483-4952

 

District 2 – Counties: Bottineau, Burke, McHenry, Mountrail, Pierce, Renville and Ward

Date: April 17 – 7 p.m.

Location: Verendrye Electric Cooperative, Highway 2 Bypass E., Minot

Host: Souris River Basin Long Beards

Contact: DJ Randolph, 720-2134

Advisory board member: Robert Gjellstad, Voltaire, 338-2281

 

District 7 – Counties: Burleigh, Emmons, Grant, Kidder, McLean, Mercer, Morton, Oliver, Sheridan and Sioux

Date: April 17 – 7 p.m.

Location: Game and Fish Department, 100 N. Bismarck Expressway, Bismarck

Host: Lewis and Clark Wildlife Club

Contact: Dave Dewald, 471-1046

Advisory board member: Dave Nehring, Bismarck, 214-3184

 

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — More than 500 available hunting licenses for the spring wild turkey season are now available to North Dakota residents.

The state Game and Fish Department offered 5,655 licenses for the spring hunt, and 554 remained after the license lottery.

They’re now being offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Applications must be submitted online.

The spring season opens April 14 and runs through May 20.

 

GRAND FORKS, N.D. (AP) — University of North Dakota junior defenseman Christian Wolanin has signed a two-year, entry-level contract with the NHL’s Ottawa Senators. The Detroit native was a fourth-round pick of the Senators, 107th overall, in the 2015 draft. He’s expected to join the team this week. Wolanin’s father, Craig, spent 13 seasons in the NHL as a defenseman with New Jersey, Quebec, Colorado, Tampa Bay and Toronto.

 

 

NBA-SCHEDULEUNDATED (AP) — The Cleveland Cavaliers picked up a huge win as they try to secure home-court advantage in the first round of the NBA playoffs.LeBron James, Kevin Love and George Hill combined for 80 points and the Cavs ended Toronto’s nine-game road winning streak by downing the Raptors, 132-129. James finished with 35 points and had 17 assists for the Cavaliers, who were missing five rotational players and coach Tyronn Lue. Love added 23 points and 12 rebounds in his second game since missing 21 straight with a broken left hand. Hill provided 22 points on 10 of 11 shooting as the Cavaliers won their third in a row.The Raptors now lead the Eastern Conference by 4 ½ games over Boston.Cleveland was able to move 1 ½ games ahead of Indiana as the two teams battle for the third seed in the East and the Central Division title.Anthony Davis delivered 28 points, 13 rebounds and five blocks as the Pelicans downed the Pacers, 96-92. Davis hit a 15-foot baseline fade, a gritty put-back and two free throws in the final minute to help New Orleans secure its third straight win and stay in a virtual tie with San Antonio for sixth place in the West.Checking out Wednesday’s other NBA action:— The Spurs won their fifth in a row as LaMarcus Aldridge had 27 points and nine rebounds in a 98-90 verdict over the Wizards. Aldridge scored nine points during a 23-9 run that gave San Antonio a 17-point lead with four minutes left in the third quarter.— The 76ers are a season-high 10 games over .500 after Robert Covington, J.J. Redick and Dario Saric each had 15 points in a 119-105 win over the Grizzlies. Ben Simmons had 13 points, nine assists and seven rebounds for the Sixers, who won their fourth in a row and moved into fourth place in the East.— The Heat rolled to a 119-98 win over the Knicks behind Kelly Olynyk’s 22 points and career-high 10 assists. Tyler Johnson also had 22 points as Miami stayed in seventh in the Eastern Conference.— DeAndre Jordan’s 25 points and 22 boards highlighted the Clippers’ 127-120 victory at Milwaukee. Austin Rivers added 22 points and Lou Williams scored 19 as Los Angeles rebounded from Tuesday’s loss to Minnesota. The Bucks finished the game without All-Star forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (YAH’-nihs an-teh-toh-KOOM’-poh) because of a right ankle sprain late in the first half.— The Nuggets blew out the Bulls, 135-102 as Paul Millsap had team highs of 22 points and eight rebounds. Nikola Jokic chipped in 21 points on 9 of 11 shooting for Denver, which had dropped two straight to fall 1 ½ games out of a Western Conference playoff slot.

— Dwight Howard grabbed 30 rebounds while scoring 32 points on 10 of 17 shooting as the Hornets rallied to beat the Nets, 111-105. Kemba Walker had 24 points for Charlotte, which trailed by 19 before outscoring Brooklyn 68-43 in the second half.

 

COLLEGE BASKETBALL-BIG EAST RECOMMENDATION

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — The Big East has recommended replacing the NBA’s so-called one-and-done rule with a “none-or-two” requirement in college basketball. The conference also seeks NCAA regulation of agents and the creation an elite player unit to focus on “players with realistic aspirations of playing in the NBA.”

The Big East’s recommendations come a week after a similar report by the Pac-12 for NCAA’s commission of college basketball. The commission was created in response to a federal investigation into corruption in college basketball.

 

COLLEGE BASKETBALL-NEWS

UNDATED (AP) — Deandre Ayton is one-and-done at Arizona.

The Wildcats freshman has announced that he’s giving up his college eligibility to enter the upcoming NBA draft. He is expected to be a lottery pick in the draft, if not the first overall selection.

The 7-foot-1, 260-pound Ayton was named the Pac-12 player of the year this season after averaging 20.1 points and 11.6 rebounds.

Also at Tucson, Sean Miller is off the list of potential coaches at Pitt. The Wildcats head coach says he isn’t a candidate for the Pitt vacancy created when Kevin Stallings was fired earlier this month.

In other college basketball news:

— Louisville has let David Padgett go after one season as the Cardinals’ interim men’s basketball coach. Padgett went 22-14 and guided the team to the NIT quarterfinals. He was elevated from assistant to interim coach after the school placed coach Rick Pitino on unpaid administrative leave following its acknowledgement that it was being investigated in a federal corruption probe of college basketball.

— Dana Ford is the new head coach at Missouri State after four seasons at Tennessee State. Ford led the Tigers to a 52-39 mark over the last three seasons following a 5-26 record in his first campaign. Ford replaces Paul Lusk, who was fired after going 105-121 in seven seasons.

— North Carolina State coach Kevin Keatts says sophomore Omer Yurtseven intends to pursue a professional career or transfer. Yurtseven averaged 13.5 points and 6.7 rebounds for the Wolfpack, shooting 57 percent from the floor and 22 of 44 from beyond the arc.

— Wake Forest says redshirt junior Keyshawn Woods is leaving the program. The guard will graduate in May and either begin his professional career or play next season elsewhere as a graduate transfer. Woods averaged 12.2 points while shooting nearly 41 percent from 3-point range during the past two seasons at Wake Forest.

 

NHL…

UNDATED (AP) — The Pittsburgh Penguins blew an early 2-0 lead before climbing within two points of the first-place Washington Capitals in the Metropolitan Division.

Derick Brassard snapped a 3-3 tie with a power-play goal early in the third period before the Pens completed a 5-3 victory over the Canadiens. Jake Guentzel (GEHNT’-sul) set up Brassard’s game-winner and finished with a goal and two assists to help Pittsburgh beat Montreal for the second time in a week.

Evgeni Malkin notched his 41st goal and had an assist as he tries to chase down Tampa Bay’s Nikita Kucherov (KOO’-cheh-rahv) in the league scoring race. Malkin and Colorado’s Nathan McKinnon are tied for second for the Art Ross Trophy, three points behind Kucherov.

Pens captain Sidney Crosby provided a highlight-reel goal and became the third active player with 700 career assists.

Elsewhere on NHL ice:

— The Blues are within one point of a Western Conference playoff berth after Jaden Schwartz scored his second goal of the night 30 seconds into overtime to give St. Louis its fifth win in six games, 2-1 over Boston. Ryan Donato scored for the Bruins, who clinched a playoff berth and moved within four points of the Atlantic Division-leading Lightning.

— John Gibson picked up his fourth shutout of the season by handling 29 shots in the Ducks’ 4-0 win against the Flames in Calgary. Andrew Cogliano opened the scoring with a short-handed goal in the first period to help the Ducks move one point ahead of the Kings for third place in the Pacific Division.

— Derek Stepan (STEP’-ahn) had a goal and an assist and Antti Raanta (AN’-tee RAHN’-tah) stopped 29 shots as the Coyotes downed the Sabres, 4-1. Clayton Keller had two assists to reach 55 points, setting the team record for the most by a rookie.

 

NHL-GOALTENDER INTERFERENCE

 

NEW YORK (AP) — The NHL could change its goaltender interference rules as soon as the playoffs that begin April 11.

The league’s general managers recommended shifting the decision on a coach’s challenge for goalie interference from on-ice officials to the league’s situation room in Toronto. The board of governors and NHL/NHL Players’ Association competition committee must approve the change for it to go into effect.

The league says no changes are being made to the standard by which goalie interference is judged, just the way it’s determined.

 

NFL-NEWS

 

UNDATED (AP) — The NFL’s catch rule would get less complicated if team owners approve recommendations from the powerful competition committee.

One of the first orders of business when the league’s annual meetings begin Monday will be a proposal by the committee to clarify what is a catch. Commissioner Roger Goodell said during the week of the Super Bowl he would urge simplification of the rules.

NFL football operations chief Troy Vincent says: “Catch/no catch is at the top of everyone’s minds.”

In other NFL news:

— A person familiar with the deal tells The Associated Press that the Cowboys have worked out a two-year package with free-agent linebacker Joe Thomas. Thomas started eight of his 42 games the past three seasons for the Packers and was a contributor on special teams.

— The Lions have signed tight end Luke Willson, adding a potential starter in place of Eric Ebron. Willson has 89 career catches for 1,129 yards with 11 touchdowns in 72 games, all with the Seahawks.

— The Chiefs have inked defensive tackle Xavier Williams after the Cardinals declined to match Kansas City’s offer for the restricted free agent. The 6-foot-2, 309-pound Williams started twice and appeared in 23 games over the past two seasons in Arizona, making 28 tackles and earning a reputation as someone who can plug up the run.

— The Colts are bringing back offensive lineman Jack Mewhort and cornerback Pierre Desir. Mewhort has started at right guard and right tackle before settling in at left guard. The 6-foot-2, 198-pound Desir made six starts in an injury-riddled secondary last season and finished with 32 tackles and one interception.

— The Vikings have re-signed kicker Kai Forbath to a one-year contract after his strong finish last season. Forbath finished 16th in the NFL in the regular season with an 84.2 field goal percentage.

— The Patriots have re-signed special teams captain Matt Slater, who has played all 10 of his seasons with New England since being taken in the 10th round of the 2008 draft. Slater has been selected to the Pro Bowl as a special teamer seven straight times.

— The Falcons have added depth at tight end by agreeing to terms on a one-year deal with seven-year veteran Logan Paulsen. Paulsen played 14 games for the 49ers last season without catching a pass, but he had a career-high 28 receptions for the 2013 Redskins.

— The Raiders have signed free agent linebacker Emmanuel Lamur, who has played 71 games over six seasons with Cincinnati and Minnesota. Lamur is the third linebacker to sign with Oakland this month, following Tahir Whitehead and Kyle Wilbur.

— The Broncos signed unrestricted free agent Clinton McDonald to a two-year contract. He had five sacks in 14 games with the Buccaneers last season.

 

MLB-NEWS

 

UNDATED (AP) — The Baltimore Orioles’ starting rotation just got stronger after the club finalized a four-year package with Alex Cobb.

The six-year veteran was the last big-name starting pitcher still available in a slow-moving free agent market. He joins recently-signed hurlers Andrew Cashner and Chris Tillman in a revamped rotation that includes holdovers Dylan Bundy and Kevin Gausman.

The 30-year-old righty was 12-10 with a 3.66 ERA in 29 starts for Tampa Bay last season. He pitched 179 1/3 innings in his first full year back after missing nearly two seasons because of Tommy John surgery.

In other major league news:

— Mariners reliever David Phelps will need Tommy John surgery that will keep him out of action until next year. Phelps tore his ulnar Collateral ligament on the final pitch of his previous outing March 17 against the Angels.

— Left-hander Brett Anderson has reached agreement on a minor league contract with the Athletics, returning to the club where he broke into the big leagues. The 30-year-old spent the 2009-13 seasons with the A’s before being traded to the Rockies in December 2013.

— The baseball Hall of Fame says it no longer will use the Indians’ Chief Wahoo logo for plaques of new members. In a statement, the Hall said Wednesday that it “concurs with the commissioner’s sentiment and acknowledges the shifting societal view of Native American logos in baseball.”

 

GOLF-MATCH PLAY

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Fresh off a victory at Bay Hill, Rory McIlroy couldn’t win his opening-round match at the Dell Technologies Match Play.

McIlroy was 5 down with five holes to play when he ran off three straight birdies, but the rally wasn’t enough in a 2-and-1 loss to Peter Uihlein.

Dustin Johnson and Phil Mickelson also dropped their opening-round match. Bernd Wiesberger ended Johnson’s seven-match winning streak with a 3-and-1 decision. Mickelson carded just one birdie in a loss to Charles Howell III.

Matt Kuchar (KOO’-chur) was 4 up with four holes to play when Zach Johnson won the last four holes with birdies to halve the match.

Jordan Spieth (speeth) won three straight holes and outlasted Charl Schwartzel in a battle of former Masters champions. Justin Thomas, Jon Ramm, Hideki Matsuyama, Sergio Garcia and Jason Day join Spieth among top-10 seeds to either win or halve their matches.

 

In world and national news…

PFLUGERVILLE, Texas (AP) — Police say a 25-minute cellphone video left behind by the bomber whose deadly explosives terrorized Austin for weeks details the differences among the weapons he built and amounts to a confession.

But his motive remains a mystery.

Mark Anthony Conditt recorded the video hours before he died Wednesday after detonating one of his own devices as SWAT teams closed in. Austin Police Chief Brian Manley says it seemed to indicate the 23-year-old knew he was about to be caught.

Manley called it “the outcry of a very challenged young man talking about challenges in his own life.”

Authorities wouldn’t release the recording.

Conditt was tracked down using store surveillance video, cellphone signals and witness accounts of a customer shipping packages in a disguise that included a blond wig and gloves.

 

 

HOUSTON (AP) — A joint investigation by The Associated Press and Houston Chronicle reveals that the extent of Hurricane Harvey’s toxic assault on the environment was more widespread than authorities publicly reported after the storm deluged the nation’s fourth-largest city, and questions about the long-term consequences for human health remain unanswered.

Reporters catalogued more than 100 Harvey-related toxic releases — on land, in water and in the air. Most were never publicized. Only a few were investigated by federal regulators. State officials say they have investigated 89 incidents but have announced no enforcement actions.

Testing by state and federal regulators of soil and water for contaminants was largely limited to Superfund toxic waste sites. Regulators alerted the public to dangers from just two toxic disasters.

Officials in Harris County, home to Houston and 4.7 million residents, say the state’s industry-friendly approach has weakened efforts to force cleanup by the companies.

 

 

WASHINGTON (AP) — Farmers, electronics retailers and other U.S. businesses are bracing for a backlash as President Donald Trump targets China for stealing American technology or pressuring U.S. companies to hand it over.

The administration is expected Thursday to slap trade sanctions on China, perhaps including restrictions on Chinese investment and tariffs on billions of dollars’ worth of Chinese products. Trump is set to sign a memorandum on the issue.

The announcement will mark the end of a seven-month U.S. investigation into the hardball tactics China has used to challenge U.S. supremacy in technology. One tactic had hackers stealing commercial secrets, and another demanded that U.S. companies hand over trade secrets in exchange for access to the Chinese market.

The administration argues that years of negotiations with China have failed to produce results.

 

 

NEW YORK (AP) — Thousands of utility customers remain without power in New Jersey following the fourth major storm to hit the state in three weeks.

The storm dropped around a foot of snow in some parts before leaving the region early Thursday, with central Jersey seeing the highest amounts. State offices were closed Wednesday due to the storm, but Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy said they would reopen Thursday.

Murphy had also declared a state of emergency Tuesday night ahead of the storm. But his office hasn’t announced yet if that order has been lifted.

Dozens of schools had cancelled classes for Thursday due to treacherous travel conditions in many areas, while others planned delayed openings.

The state’s major utilities reported slightly more than 75,000 customers were still without service early Thursday.

 

 

NEW YORK (AP) — Germany’s justice minister says she is calling in Facebook’s European leadership to explain the scandal involving data mining firm Cambridge Analytica and detail whether German users’ data were affected.

Katarina Barley said Thursday she has invited Facebook officials to a meeting at her ministry next week, though the exact date has yet to be determined.

Barley, who is also responsible for consumer protection, says she wants “comprehensive information” from Facebook, including on “whether German user accounts are affected, and what Facebook plans to do to prevent a repeat of such cases.”

Barley said that European data law is already “significantly more user-friendly” than that in the U.S. but Europe should continue to work on its rules.