CSi Weather….

 

.REST OF TODAY…Partly sunny. A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon.  a 20 percent chance in the Valley City area. Some thunderstorms may be severe with heavy rainfall. Highs in the mid 80s. South winds 10 to15 mph.

.TONIGHT…Showers and thunderstorms likely in the evening, then

showers likely and chance of thunderstorms after midnight. Some

thunderstorms may be severe with heavy rainfall, then some

thunderstorms may produce heavy rainfall after midnight. Locally

heavy rainfall possible in the evening. Lows in the upper 60s.

South winds 5 to 15 mph. Gusts up to 30 mph in the evening.

Chance of precipitation 60 percent in the Jamestown area, 70 percent in the Valley City area.

.TUESDAY…Showers and chance of thunderstorms in the morning,

then showers and thunderstorms likely in the afternoon. Highs

around 80. Southwest winds 5 to 10 mph.

Chance of precipitation 90 percent.

.TUESDAY NIGHT…Partly cloudy with showers likely and slight

chance of thunderstorms in the evening, then mostly cloudy with

chance of showers and slight chance of thunderstorms after

midnight. Lows around 60. West winds 10 to 20 mph. Gusts up to

35 mph after midnight. Chance of precipitation 60 percent in the Jamestown area, 70 percent in the Valley City area.

.WEDNESDAY…Partly sunny with chance of showers and slight

chance of thunderstorms in the morning, then sunny in the

afternoon. Highs in the lower 80s. South winds around 5 mph.

Gusts up to 20 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation

30 percent in the Jamestown area, 40 percent in the Valley City area.

.WEDNESDAY NIGHT…Partly cloudy with a 20 percent chance of

showers and thunderstorms.

.THURSDAY…Partly sunny with a 20 percent chance of showers and

thunderstorms. Highs in the lower 80s. East winds 5 to 10 mph

increasing to around 15 mph in the afternoon.

.THURSDAY NIGHT…Increasing clouds. A 40 percent chance of

showers and thunderstorms. Lows in the mid 60s.

.FRIDAY…Partly sunny. Highs in the mid 80s.

.FRIDAY NIGHT…Increasing clouds. A 20 percent chance of showers

and thunderstorms. Lows in the upper 60s.

.SATURDAY…Partly sunny. Highs in the upper 80s.

.SATURDAY NIGHT…Partly cloudy with a 20 percent chance of

showers and thunderstorms. Lows in the mid 60s.

.SUNDAY…Mostly sunny with a 30 percent chance of showers and

thunderstorms. Highs in the mid 80s.

.SUNDAY NIGHT…Mostly cloudy with a 30 percent chance of showers

and thunderstorms. Lows in the lower 60s.

.MONDAY…Mostly sunny. Highs in the lower 80s.

Scattered showers and thunderstorms are possible during the
overnight hours. Severe weather is not expected.

 

Widespread storms developing Monday afternoon and continuing Monday night. Some of the storms later Monday afternoon and Monday night will be severe and with very heavy rain.

A few tornadoes, large hail up to tennis ball size, and damaging wind gusts up to 70 mph are all possible along with the very heavy rain. The highest risk for tornadoes and the largest hail is north of Interstate 94 and east of Highway 83.

 

Thunderstorms are forecast for Tuesday, Thursday night, and over
the coming weekend.

If heavy rainfall occurs over an urban area, then street flooding is a threat.

Showers and thunderstorms are expected Tuesday, ending Wednesday.
Locally heavy rainfall the main threat. But there is a risk of
isolated severe storms Tuesday afternoon with hail and wind
threats once again. Periodic thunderstorm chances exist through
the late week as well.

 

From the 125th Anniversary Calendar of Jamestown History. . .

This Day In History, July 8, 1907 – New Jamestown City Hall approved. . .\  Photo from Stutsman County Museum . . .On line at CSiNewsNow.com

City Auditor John G. Bensch authorized to advertise for bids for construction of the new City Hall and Fire Station.

 

 

Jamestown (Chamber)  The Jamestown Area Chamber of Commerce Beautification Committee is pleased to announce the 6th winner of the Yard of the Week Program for 2019.  Chad and Darlene Kleinknecht of 315 22nd Ave. NE in Jamestown, have received this award for week six.  Join us in congratulating them on their beautiful yard and thank them for their efforts to help beautify Jamestown.  Congratulations, Chad nand Darlene for a job well done!

 

The Yard of the Week program has been established to recognize those within the community that take pride in the appearance of their yard and do their part to beautify the community. The program began June 1st and ends August 31st. Yards will be selected each week from nominations received. Nominated yards must be visible from the street.

 

To nominate a yard for the Yard of the Week program, please contact the Chamber at 701-252-4830 or stop by our office at 120 2nd Street SE, Jamestown for a nomination form.  The completed forms require a valid phone number so we can contact the perspective winner. Forms are also available on our Facebook page or on our website at www.jamestownchamber.com.  Forms can be emailed to director@jamestownchamber.com.

 

All single family residences within Jamestown are eligible for the program.

 

Jamestown (JRHS)  The humane capture of feral cats in Jamestown has been successful, and is continuing.

On Friday’s Wayne Byers Show on CSi Cable, 2 a shelter board member, Jay Nitchke said so far this year 15 cats have been captured, in the University of Jamestown area, 11 females and 4 males.

Each will be neutered or spayed, given shots, and made available as “barn cats,” to area farmers, that will keep the felines safe.

 

Jay added that the James River Humane Society is continuing projects at the shelter’s dog kennel, including upgrading the kennels to provide more safety for “jumper,” dogs.

Other improvements have included, kennel tarps, a birthing room, and a puppy room,

The dog kennel improvements will include sealing the floors.

 

Coming up on Saturday July 13 is a Grill Out and Rummage Sale from 9-a.m., to 1-p.m., at the shelter, located off the I-94 Bloom Exit, with proceeds benefiting the James River Humane Society.

 

Jay reported that the shelter has 18 dogs available for adoption, with 9 recently adopted.

 

Several cats are on hand looking for forever homes.

 

For more information call 701-252-0747, on line jameriverhumanesocity.org

Open everyday, from 9:30-a.m. to 11:30-a.m., and 5:30-p.m., to 6:30-p.m., or by appointment.

Send charitable donations to post office box 636, Jamestown, ND 58402.

 

 

Update

Bismarck  (CSi) North Dakota Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring says, Field Days have been scheduled at a number of  North Dakota sites, to collect and redistribute flea beetles that eat leafy spurge.

Those  interested in acquiring the flea beetles to release on their own property can collect them from established populations at the field day sites.

Goehring says, “Leafy spurge continues to be one of North Dakota’s most difficult-to-control noxious weeds.  Using the flea beetles for biological control, as part of an integrated pest management plan, has proven to be an effective tool in combating leafy spurge infestations.” In Stutsman County, field days are at 10 a.m. Monday, July 8, Tuesday, July 9, and Wednesday, July 10, at the Stutsman County Weed Board shop at 1508 4th St. NW, Jamestown.

Those attending are asked to help collect the beetles and to bring a sweep net and a cooler with ice packs to transport the flea beetles.

Other planned days will be Wednesday, June 26 in Billings & Stark Counties. Other counties include Grant, Benson, and Morton at dates and times TBD.

 

FARGO, N.D. (AP) — A police chase through Clay County, Minnesota ended when the suspect’s vehicle crashed in Fargo and flipped upside down in a residential yard.

KFGO reports the driver of the vehicle was taken from the scene by ambulance about 7:30 p.m. Sunday. Witness Ann Christos estimates the driver was doing about 70 miles an hour in the neighborhood before crashing. The vehicle hit a tree and a chain link fence before landing on its hood.

Officials have not yet said why they were pursuing the driver.

 

 

FARGO, N.D. (AP) — The North Dakota Department of Transportation last month became the first state government agency granted a waiver to fly drones over people, a distinction officials say isn’t that unusual except that it extends for four years.

The first waiver the state received from the Federal Aviation Administration to fly over people was for two months, when the Red River was flooding.

Matt Dunlevy, president and CEO of SkySkopes, a North Dakota company that operates drones for the DOT, says it shows that the FAA might be “opening its arms to a select few” to receive special privileges for a longer period of time.

Dunlevy says the waiver will improve safety for his company, which builds transmission lines for Minnesota-based Xcel Energy and others.

 

 

FARGO, N.D. (AP) — A smoky haze continues to hamper many areas in northwestern Minnesota and eastern North Dakota as a result of the wildfires in Canada.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency issued an air quality alert through Sunday for the northern part of the state. The agency says conditions were expected to improve later in the day as winds move the smoke to the east.

In some areas visibility decreased to less than 1 mile due to the dense smoke. The haze extended as far south to the Fargo, North Dakota and Moorhead, Minnesota area.

Officials say the smoke may cause problems for people with asthma and other lung conditions, and suggested that people in affected areas may want to take precautions and limit physical activity.

 

 

 

 

OTTERTAIL, Minn. (AP) — Authorities say a pedestrian in northwestern Minnesota was struck and killed by a hit-and-run driver.

The Minnesota State Patrol says the accident happened just after 1 a.m. Saturday when a 21-year-old man from Wahpeton, North Dakota, tripped onto the northbound traffic lane on a highway south of Ottertail. The man had been walking south on the northbound shoulder with two other males.

The driver of the northbound vehicle struck the man without stopping. The patrol said there were no street lights in the area.

The two other individuals who were walking say the vehicle was a smaller sedan, such as a Chevrolet Cavalier, and could be white or silver. The vehicle will have front-end damage and a fluid leak.

 

 

 

 

In sports…

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — Hunters killed more pheasants in North Dakota last fall than they did the previous year, although the numbers are tempered by the fact that drought and declining habitat continue to impact the odds of a successful outing.

The Bismarck Tribune reports that about 58,200 hunters killed 327,000 roosters in 2018. That was up just 6% from the dismal 2017 hunt, when the harvest was the smallest in 16 years at just 309,400 pheasants. Recent numbers have also been lower than normal in neighboring South Dakota and Minnesota.

Neither year approached the state Game and Fish Department’s benchmark for success, which is 500,000 pheasants.

Wildlife officials attribute the numbers to less grassland due to farmers putting idled Conservation Reserve Program land back into crop production, along with drought conditions.

 

HURLEY, Wis. (AP) — Six months after dropping its controversial nickname, a northern Wisconsin high school has a new moniker.

The Hurley School Board decided to drop the Midgets nickname in January, after scrapping the idea of having a community vote on whether to dump the mascot. Wisconsin Public Radio reports that after a months-long community engagement effort, the team will now be known as the Hurley Northstars.

A committee of 36 people, including students, teachers and parents, received 76 nominations for new mascots. A recent graduate who served on the committee, Ally Rye, says people were ready for the change.

Some schools in the region are nicknamed Midgets, including Butternut, Wisconsin, Freeburg, Illinois, Estherville, Iowa, and Dickinson, North Dakota. McLaughlin, South Dakota, changed its moniker from Midgets to Mustangs in 2016.

 

AMERICAN ASSOCIATION…

Milwaukee 3, Fargo-Moorhead 1, 10 innings

 

SOCCER…GOLD CUP…

LYON, France (AP) _ The United States has won its record fourth Women’s World Cup title and second in a row.

Goals by Megan Rapinoe (rah-PEE’-noh) and Rose Lavelle carried the Americans to a 2-0 win over the Netherlands in Sunday’s final at Lyon, France. The game was scoreless until Rapinoe converted a penalty kick in the 61st minute, eight minutes before Lavelle doubled the lead.

Rapinoe’s tally came after a video review showed that Alex Morgan had been fouled with a kick to the shoulder in the penalty area.

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio has announced a parade in the team’s honor on Wednesday. The procession will go up a stretch of Broadway that’s hosted many celebratory parades known as the “Canyon of Heroes.”

 

 

CHICAGO (AP) _ The U.S. men’s soccer team fell short in its bid to win a major tournament.

Jonathan Dos Santos scored in the 73rd minute to lead Mexico to a 1-0 win over the United States and its record eighth title in the CONCACAF Gold Cup.

Despite missing their top three forwards, El Tri dominated possession against an American team playing its first tournament under new coach Gregg Berhalter.

Cristian Roldan had a chance to tie the score in the 87th minute, but his point-blank shot hit Héctor Moreno on the head and bounced away.

 

MLB…

 

UNDATED (AP) _ The Rangers pulled out a 4-1 win at Minnesota on Rougned Odor’s (ROOG’-nehd oh-DOHRZ’) three-run homer in the 11th inning. The Twins had chances to sweep the series, but four Texas relievers kept the majors’ top offense off the board over 9 1/3 innings. Byron Buxton laced an RBI triple for the Twins, whose lead in the AL Central is down to 5 ½ games over Cleveland.

 

_ The Rays earned a split of their four-game series and moved 6 ½ games behind the AL East-leading Yankees by nipping New York, 2-1. Charlie Morton improved to 10-2 by holding the Bombers to one run and five this while striking out 10 over 5 2/3 innings, dropping his ERA to a league-best 2.32. Tommy Pham doubled home a first-inning run and came around to score on a grounder.

 

No major league division race is tighter at the All-Star break than the National League Central. The first and last-place teams are separated by just 4 ½ games, and no ballclub is more than four games over .500. The division’s only winner on Sunday was the Pittsburgh Pirates, who pulled within 2 ½ games of the first-place Cubs and prevented the Brewers from passing Chicago.

Rookie Bryan Reynolds was the hitting star in the Pirates’ 6-5 win over Milwaukee, ripping a three-run homer in the seventh inning after providing an RBI double. Reynolds is batting .342 with a .950 OPS.

Jesús Aguilar cracked a two-run home run in the seventh off Pirates starter Joe Musgrove to tie the game at 3. It was his second home run of the game and eighth of season.

Brewers outfielder and reigning NL MVP Christian Yelich (YEH’-lihch) did not play due to a back injury. It’s unclear if Yelich will play in Tuesday’s All-Star Game.

The Cubs failed to pad their division lead as Iván Nova pitched shutout ball into the sixth inning of the White Sox’s 3-1 win over their crosstown rivals. Jose Abreu (ah-BRAY’-oo) had three hits, including a solo shot in the fifth that made it 3-0. Eloy Jiménez hit a long, two-run drive to back Nova, who allowed five hits over 5 2/3 innings for his first win in eight home starts since joining the White Sox.

The Cardinals’ 1-0 loss to the Giants keeps St. Louis two games behind the Cubs. Jack Flaherty had a no-hitter until Evan Longoria went deep in the seventh for the game’s lone run. Jeff Samardzija (sah-MAHR’-jah) pitched seven scoreless innings and allowed four hits in beating the Cardinals for the first time in four career starts at Oracle Park.

The last-place Reds also failed to close the gap as Greg Allen and Trevor Bauer led the Indians’ sixth straight win, 11-1 at Cincinnati. Allen homered and tripled among his career-high four hits and made a circus catch. Jake Bauers, Tyler Naquin (NAY’-kwihn) and Jason Kipnis also homered to support Bauer, who struck out nine and allowed a run and only four hits over seven frames.

Elsewhere on the eve of the major league All-Star break:

_ Josh Donaldson launched a two-run homer while the Braves were building a 4-0 lead in a 4-3 win over the Marlins. Dallas Keuchel (KY’-kul) left with two runners on in the eighth before Garrett Cooper hit a three-run homer off Chad Sobotka. Outfielder Charlie Culberson ended the game by throwing out a runner at the plate with the bases loaded to complete Atlanta’s 10th win in 12 games versus the Marlins this season.

_ Atlanta still leads the NL East by six games over Washington after Anthony Rendon (rehn-DOHN’) doubled home the tiebreaking run in the eighth inning of the Nationals’ 5-2 win against the Royals. Brian Dozier and Victor Robles homered for the Nats, who also received a two-run double by pinch-hitter Howie Kendrick. Washington won for the 10th time in 12 games, but Patrick Corbin had to settle for a no-decision despite striking out 11 and scattering five hits over seven scoreless innings.

_ Jay Bruce homered twice and had four RBIs against his former team as the Phillies took the rubber match of their three-game set with the Mets, 8-3. Aaron Nola was working on a no-hitter until rookie Pete Alonso slammed his 30th home run, a two-run blast in the sixth. Rhys Hoskins also homered for the Phils, who remain 6 ½ games off the NL East lead.

_ The Padres beat the Dodgers for the third straight day as Fernando Tatis (tah-TEES’) Jr. crushed a pair of homers while collecting four RBIs in a 5-3 victory against the NL West leaders. Manuel Margot homered for the second consecutive game as San Diego handed Los Angeles its first three-game home losing streak of the season. Winning pitcher Joey Lucchesi gave up three runs and six hits over 6 1/3 innings, surrendering homers by Max Muncy and Justin Turner.

_ The Diamondbacks were 5-3 winners over the Rockies as Alex Young tossed six no-hit innings in his second career start. Young threw just 71 pitches and faced one batter over the minimum before he was replaced by Yoshihisa Hirano, who gave up a single to Trevor Story on his first pitch. Nick Ahmed hit a two-run homer, Christian Walker provided a two-run single and Eduardo Escobar had three RBIs to help Arizona wrap up a three-game sweep.

 

_ David Price pitched one-run ball over five innings as the Red Sox doubled up the Tigers, 6-3 to cap a three-game sweep. Price has allowed just 15 earned runs while going 6-0 in his last 10 starts. Christian Vazquez and Xander Bogaerts (BOH’-gahrts) each drove in two runs to help Boston deal Detroit its 14th loss in 16 games.

 

_ Josh Reddick doubled and scored on George Springer’s walk-off single in the 10th inning to complete the Astros’ wild 11-10 victory over the Angels. Yuli Gurriel (gur-ee-EHL’) stretched his career-high home run streak to five games with a grand slam as Houston kept its 7 ½-game lead over Oakland in the AL West. Mike Trout homered twice for the Angels, who watched catcher Jonathan Lucroy (LOO’-kroy) get carted off in the eighth inning after being bowled over by Jake Marisnick.

_ Matt Olson homered for the second straight game to lead a five-run first in the Athletics’ 7-4 decision over the Mariners. Olson smacked a three-run shot before Marcus Semien’s solo shot put the A’s ahead, 6-0 in the second. Winning pitcher Daniel Mengden allowed three runs over 5 1/3 innings.

_ Trent Thornton pitched six shutout innings and Lourdes Gurriel (gur-ee-EHL’) Jr. belted a two-run homer as the Blue Jays dumped the Orioles, 6-1 to avoid a three-game sweep. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. had two hits and scored twice to help Thornton win for the first time in four starts. Teoscar (tay-AHS’-kur) Hernandez drove in a pair for Toronto.

 

MLB NEWS

Arrieta to be evaluated for bone spurs

UNDATED (AP) _ Phillies pitcher Jake Arrieta (ehr-ee-ET’-uh) has bone spurs in his right elbow and will be checked during the All-Star break to see whether surgery is needed.

Arrieta gave up a season-high 11 hits over just 4 1/3 innings of Saturday’s 6-5 loss to the New York Mets. He hinted after the game that he was having physical problems.

Arrieta hit three Mets batters and got into a dustup after plunking Todd Frazier.

 

ALL-STAR GAME-NEWS

Brewers’ Yelich (back) pulls out of HR Derby, A’s Chapman in

UNDATED (AP) _ Reigning NL MVP and Brewers outfielder Christian Yelich (YEH’-lihch) has pulled out of Monday’s All-Star Home Run Derby with a back injury and will be replaced by Oakland Athletics slugger Matt Chapman.

Yelich leads the majors with 31 home runs but has dealt with back issues at times throughout the first half. Yelich had been practicing for the showcase and broke a window on a houseboat outside PNC Park earlier this week while preparing.

 

In other All-Star news:

_ Nationals ace Max Scherzer won’t pitch in the All-Star Game because of a back injury, although the right-hander intends to represent Washington on the sideline Monday and Tuesday in Cleveland. The three-time Cy Young Award winner and seven-time All-Star began to experience back stiffness after striking out 11 while allowing four hits over seven shutout innings Saturday versus the Royals.

 

NBA-PLAYER MOVES

LAS VEGAS (AP) _ Kevin Durant has officially become a Brooklyn Net.

The Nets completed a sign-and-trade with the Golden State Warriors, with Brooklyn landing Durant and a protected first-round pick in next year’s draft for D’Angelo Russell, Shabazz Napier and Treveon Graham.

Durant said last week he would sign a max deal with Brooklyn, which would be $141 million over four years. The rest of the deal was worked out over subsequent days, and the NBA signed off on the terms Sunday.

Durant isn’t expected to play at all next season while he recovers from an Achilles injury.

Another big free-agent deal got done Sunday when the Jazz completed the signing of forward Bojan Bogdanovic (BOY’-ahn bahg-DAH’-noh-vich) to a four-year, $73 million contract.

And Derrick Rose has inked his two-year, $15 million contract with the Pistons.

 

WIMBLEDON

Play is under way on the busiest day in Grand Slam tennis

WIMBLEDON, England (AP) — Play is under way on the busiest day in Grand Slam tennis: Wimbledon’s so-called “Manic Monday.”

No. 1 Ash Barty is in action against 55th-ranked American Alison Riske on No. 2 Court in one of four women’s singles matches currently in progress.

All 16 men’s and women’s fourth-round matches are on the program to begin Week 2. This is the only major tournament that schedules the middle Sunday off — and then the only one to play every singles match the following day.

Coco Gauff, Serena Williams and the men’s Big Three are slated to play later today.

 

NASCAR-DAYTONA

Haley gets 1st Cup win

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) _ NASCAR driver Justin Haley has earned a victory in just his third career Cup start.

Haley won the rain-postponed, rain-shortened race at Daytona, inheriting the lead after a 17-car accident decimated the field and before a lightning strike forced NASCAR to stop the race.

Haley waited out the delay in a conference room inside the speedway, admittedly too nervous to do more than pray for the skies to open and the race to be called once and for all. His prayers were answered following a wait of 2 hours, 12 minutes.

Clint Bowyer (BOY’-ur) hit Austin Dillon from behind near the start of the third stage, creating the multi-car wreck and allowing Haley to sail past.

 

PGA-3M OPEN

Wolff gets initial PGA win

BLAINE, Minn. (AP) _ Matthew Wolff is celebrating his first PGA victory just six weeks after capturing the NCAA title.

Wolff made a 26-foot putt from the fringe for an eagle on the final hole to win the 3M Open at 21 under par, beating Collin Morikawa and Bryson DeChambeau by one stroke.

The 20-year-old Wolff struck his second shot on the 573-yard, par-5 hole from the fairway to the far left of the green where it landed just a few feet away from a bunker. He sank the dramatic putt minutes before watching Morikawa just miss his eagle attempt from 22 feet.

 

LPGA-THORNBERRY CREEK

Feng rallies for first win in 19 months

Shanshan Feng hit a 7-iron to 3 feet for a birdie on the final hole Sunday to close with a 9-under 63 and a one-shot victory over Ariya Jutanugarn (ahr-EE’-uh juh-TAN’-uh-garn) in the Thornberry Creek LPGA Classic.

Feng won for the first time since November 2017.

Jutanugarn had a three-shot lead on the back nine until a bogey on the par-5 15th.

 

NBA NEWS

Wizards acquire Bertans

WASHINGTON (AP) _ Forward Davis Bertans has been traded to the Washington Wizards by San Antonio as part of a three-team deal that allowed the Spurs to acquire DeMarre Carroll from the Brooklyn Nets.

The 6-foot-10, 225-pound Bertans ranked sixth in the NBA last season in 3-point shooting percentage, making 42.9 percent of his attempts.

Carroll agreed to a two-year, $12 million contract with the Spurs, and the Nets received the draft rights to forward Aaron White from the Wizards in the trade.

Elsewhere in the NBA:

_The Suns have traded Josh Jackson and De’Anthony Melton to the Grizzlies for guards Jevon Carter and Kyle Korver. Phoenix also parted with a 2020 second-round pick and a conditional 2021 second-round selection in the deal.

 

In world and national news….

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Semi-official media in Iran is quoting the country’s nuclear agency spokesman as saying Tehran is now enriching uranium to 4.5%.

The ISNA and Fars news agencies separately quoted Behrouz Kamalvandi, the spokesman of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran.

Kamalvandi told the agencies this decision met the needs that Iran has now.

This comes a day after Iran announced it would break the 3.67% limit imposed by its 2015 nuclear deal with world powers.

It earlier broke a limit put on its stockpile of low-enriched uranium.

Iran is asking Europe to come up with a way to help it sell its crude oil abroad and get around U.S. sanctions. However, Europe has yet to do so.

This comes amid heightened tensions between Iran and the U.S.

 

 

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Navy admiral set to become his service’s top officer on Aug. 1 says he will instead retire.

The extraordinary downfall of Adm. William Moran was prompted by what Navy Secretary Richard Spencer on Sunday called poor judgment.

Spencer faulted Moran for having a professional relationship with a person who had been disciplined for what Spencer called “failing to meet the values and standards of the naval profession.”

It is highly unusual for a senior officer like Moran to ask to retire after having been confirmed by the Senate for the top job in his service, but before taking the position. The current top Navy officer, Adm. John Richardson, will extend his tenure beyond Aug. 1 while a new candidate is chosen and nominated for Senate confirmation.

 

 

NEW YORK (AP) — A federal grand jury in New York is investigating top Republican fundraiser Elliott Broidy (BROY-dee), examining whether he used his position as vice chair of President Donald Trump’s inaugural committee to drum up business deals with foreign leaders.

That’s according to documents obtained by The Associated Press and people familiar with the matter.

A wide-ranging subpoena the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Brooklyn recently sent to Trump’s inaugural committee seeks records relating to 20 individuals and businesses. All have connections to Broidy, his investment and defense contracting firms, and foreign officials he pursued deals with — including the current president of Angola and two politicians in Romania.

Prosecutors appear to be investigating whether Broidy exploited his access to Trump for personal gain and violated the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.

 

 

NEW YORK (AP) — Eleven years after letting Jeffrey Epstein off lightly with a once-secret plea deal, the U.S. government is taking another run at putting the wealthy sex offender behind bars.

Law enforcement officials say Epstein was arrested over the weekend on new sex-trafficking charges and is expected to make his first court appearance in New York City on Monday.

Prosecutors are likely to argue that he is a flight risk and should remain in jail instead of being released on bail pending trial.

One law enforcement official told The Associated Press the case deals with allegations that Epstein paid underage girls for massages and molested them at his homes in Florida and New York in the early 2000s.

The officials spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the pending case.

.