CSi Weather…

REST OF TODAY…Partly sunny. Highs in the mid 70s. Southeast winds10 to 20 mph.

.TONIGHT…Mostly cloudy. A 20 percent chance of thunderstorms after midnight. Lows in the lower 60s. Southeast winds 15 to 20 mph.

.SATURDAY…Mostly cloudy with a 40 percent chance of

thunderstorms. Highs in the upper 70s. South winds 15 to 25 mph.

.SATURDAY NIGHT…Showers likely and chance of thunderstorms.

Lows in the mid 60s. South winds 15 to 20 mph with gusts to

around 35 mph. Chance of precipitation 60 percent in the Jamestown area 70 percent in the Valley City area.

.SUNDAY…Mostly cloudy. Chance of showers and thunderstorms in

the morning, then showers and chance of thunderstorms in the

afternoon.   Chance of rain, 90 percent. Highs in the mid 70s. South winds 10 to 15 mph.

.SUNDAY NIGHT…Decreasing clouds. A 50 percent chance of rain

showers and thunderstorms. Lows in the upper 50s.

.MONDAY…Mostly sunny. A 20 percent chance of rain showers and

thunderstorms in the morning. Highs around 70.

.MONDAY NIGHT…Mostly clear. Lows in the lower 50s.

.TUESDAY…Mostly sunny with a 30 percent chance of rain showers

and thunderstorms. Highs in the upper 60s.

.TUESDAY NIGHT…Partly cloudy with a 30 percent chance of rain

showers and thunderstorms. Lows in the upper 40s.

.WEDNESDAY…Sunny. Highs in the mid 60s.

.WEDNESDAY NIGHT…Mostly clear. Lows in the upper 40s.

.THURSDAY…Mostly sunny. Highs in the mid 60s.

 

There is a chance of thunderstorms today and tonight. The
likelihood of severe weather is low.

There are chances of thunderstorms Saturday and Sunday, but at
this time there is considerable uncertainty in the potential
strength of any storms.

There will be chances for thunderstorms Monday and Tuesday.

 

Jamestown  (CSi)  The Jamestown City Council’s Police & Fire Committee and  Public Works Committee met Thursday evening at City Hall.  All members were present.

 

POLICE & FIRE COMMITTEE

Jamestown City Fire Chief Jim Reuther said with the ladder truck out of service, it was taken to West Fargo for repair work.  He said there was a leveling problem, and the truck is still out of service being again taken out of town for additional work, at Land O Lakes, in Minnesota.

The Fire Chief pointed out that, the City of Jamestown and the state have an agreement that has  the state providing funds to provide repair costs over $500.  The ladder truck also provides fire protection for the high rise buildings at the North Dakota State Hospital.

He said fire protection will still be available with other equipment.

 

PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE

A  Stormwater utility fees presentation was made.  Alternatives were made on the rate structure, from feedback received, from the city council and the public, along with the process as it relates to parcels, concerning runoff, including vacant property and ag land.  Three dollars per month fee to residential properties is one alternative in the report to support the utility.  Another alternative is four dollars per month for all properties.  Another is a base fee at  $1.75 for each parcel, plus a number to be determined as a multiplier.

The calculations show a rate fee of from $2.65  to  $23.65 per property, per month.

 

After considering the alternatives, committee unanimously recommends, through a Resolution  the rate of a one year minimum residential fee of $3.00 per month, as residents have been told.  The monthly fee for all other properties is $4.00 per month.

 

The committee recommends awarding the Rehabilitation of Wells 8 and 9 to Watersmith, in the amount of $42,416, to include labor, pumps, motors and drop pipe to be completed this fall.

Travis Dillman with Interstate Engineering said, three quotes were received.  The work will be performed by this fall.

 

An update was presented on Lift Station 20 and Master Lift Station Improvements and set the public meeting date for September 26, 2019 at 4:00 pm. Travis Dillman said, lining options are being studied along with the possibility of replacements.

The meeting was shown live on CSi 67, Followed by replays.

 

Jamestown  (CSi)   The Jamestown City Council met in Special Session Thursday, following the committee meeting at City Hall. All members were present.

The Council passed a Resolution adopting rates for the Stormwater Utility Fee for the City of Jamestown, as discussed and recommended at committee, in the amended Resolution.

The City Council  approved a permit to install and operate a pop-up demonstration consisting of a temporary multi-use path and walk/bike event, from the area near Jamestown High School to Jamestown Reservoir, which will be conducted September 6 and 7, 2019.

 

Jamestown Parks and Recreation, is the agency, and Central Valley Health District is partners in the project.  This is the First Phase of the project to gauge community interest. The Finance and Legal  Committee recommends approval and authorize the signing.

The Council approved the Resolution, with Council Member Buchanan voting in opposition.

A public hearing was held, concerning the request from EPIC Companies to form a tax increment finance district for five years, for the upper four floors of student housing at the  proposed six floor mixed-use facility on the University of Jamestown campus.

From the audience, Susan Roemmick of Jamestown said, she is graduate of the University of Jamestown.  She was concerned about the abatement issue in light of city budget issues, and the Jamestown Public School District to put to a vote in a mill levy increase for facility improvements.  She pointed out the structure is being built on campus at the former outdoor swimming pool which the community needs.

It was stated that EPIC will make money on the project on the backs of Jamestown taxpayers.

University of Jamestown President, Polly Peterson said  75 percent of students reside on campus.  This academic year 40 students needed to be found off campus housing, as the University grows.  She said UJ is an investor in this project, and looks to eventually purchase the structure back, within five years, and asked that the TIF be implemented.

An EPIC spokesman said the commercial retailers on the main floor will pay taxes.

He said EPIC is taking a financial risk in the $12-million project.  He said the building is being constructed east of the former swimming pool.

Preliminary estimates from Epic have placed the cost of the project at $12 million.

Based on that figure a preliminary estimate of the valuation could be set at $2 million per floor, paying property taxes of about $33,000 per year based on current  mill rates.

 

The commercial area on the main floor would remain taxable because it is outside the educational operation of the university, the main floor commercial area would have a value of about $2 million.

 

Construction cannot begin on UJ Place until the tax exemption request is decided, although site preparation work has begun.

Following the Public Hearing,  Council Member Buchanan said he is opposed to the TIF, not being fair to property owners that pay taxes, while the city doesn’t receive the property tax dollars for five years while the TIF is in force.  He pointed out the city sales tax being increased, and the school district’s request for a 10 mill increase, plus special assessments concerning other projects, and the city’s budget crunch, and possible property tax increases, by the city.

Council Member Phillips is in favor of the issue, saying the project is a win for UJ, and the Jamestown Community.

Council Member Brubakken favors stipulation that the apartments be only rented to UJ students.

The City Council voted to approve the TIF  agreement as indicated, and amended to include the stipulation that the residential floors only be rented to UJ students.

Council Member Buchanan voted in opposition.

The City Council then approved authorizing the City of Jamestown to make preliminary application for Economic Development Funds for a national Guard facility, to be located at the Jamestown Regional Airport’s Industrial Park.  Mayor Heinrich said this in the application process only at this time.

The meeting was shown live on CSi Cable 67, followed by replays.

 

Valley City  (CSi)  A vehicle fire on Thursday morning just before 6-a.m., is under investigation.  Valley City Fire Chief Scott Magnuson says, when the fire units arrived on the scene, at 1114 Second Street Southeast, a 1992 Chevy pickup was fully engulfed in flames.

No injuries were reported.

He the State Fire Marshall’s office is participating in the investigation.

 

Jamestown (CSi)  Jamestown Developer, Brian Lunde says a building he recently purchased at 113  First Street West, next to Gun N Reel Sports, will become a restaurant.

He says, Devoni’s is planned for the new Italian-Seafood restaurant, in the space most recently occupied by Witthauer and Associates.

Brian says he purchased the building from Dr. Steve Looysen, on May first this year, who bought the building from Paul Witthauer, with his insurance business now located in the former Pizza Hut location on 10th Street, Southeast.

Brian felt a need in Jamestown to offer seafood and Italian cuisine.

Brian says the restaurant is being operated by Depot LLC, which owns and operates the Depot Café in the Jamestown Business Center, downtown.

The Depot’s owner, Devon Mitchell, will operate and staff Devoni’s, and Devon is developing the new menu.

Brian adds, the First Street West building is being expanded to south with property purchased from Gary Docktor.  The additional space will accommodate the restaurant’s kitchen with 400 square feet, the dinning area will contain 1200 square feet.

ADA compliant restrooms will be added for disabled accessibility.

Plans include utilizing the basement of the building for private dining experiences.

Brian projects Devoni’s will be open by Christmas this year.

 

Jamestown  (CSi)  The City of Jamestown informs motorists, that Beginning Monday, August 26th through August 30th the block from 4th St Se to 5th St SE on 2nd Ave SE will bill closed, in conjunction with underground utility improvements.

Motorist’s should use extreme caution in this area.  Please use alternate routes. 

 

Jamestown  (CSi)  Tractor Supply Company (TSC) in Jamestown is teaming up with Prairie Paws Rescue in Jamestown to present, “Out Here with Animals, on Saturday August 24, 10-a.m. to 3-p.m. at TSC in Southwest Jamestown .

The event, formerly known as “Pet Appreciation Week,” brings to the event several non-profits organizations businesses, and others.

An auction will be held with proceeds benefiting Prairie Paws Rescue.

Discounting microchipping of animals will be offered by Dr. Dawn’s Pet Stop, and their will be  bike giveways.

Also at the event will be the RM Stoudt Dunk Tank, Kiwanis Club with games for the kids, a bounce house, and the 4-Hers will have pets for viewing and petting.

Local Vendors will be on hand to sell goods along with burgers and hot dogs.

Prairie Paws Rescue, will have all their pets there to meet available for adoption.

For more information, contact Kaye John at 701-320-4553.

 

Jamestown  (CSi)  The community is invited to A Moment of Freedom Second Annual Barn Dance fundraiser, on Saturday August 24, at the Stutsman County Fairground’s Beer Garden. Doors open at 5-p.m., dinner at 6-p.m., Dance at  8-p.m.

On a recent  Wayne Byers Show on CSi Cable 2 we were joined by A Moment of Freedom’s President, Annie Keffeler, and Program Director, Kelli Connolly, and they explained that A Moment of Freedom  is an Equine Assisted Riding Program that utilizes horses and support staff in an attempt to provide a sense of freedom relaxation and happiness for their riders.

AMOF is a non-profit organization located a mile east of Buchanan. It is one of only a few programs that dedicates itself solely to helping those with disabilities in the nearby vicinity and looks for tremendous growth in the future.  More information on the organization at CSiNewsNow.com

 

Jamestown (CSi)  Summer Concerts in the Historic 1883 Stutsman County Courthouse is set for  Saturday August  24, at 1-p.m., with the  Old Friends  Musical Concert

The 1883 Stutsman County Courthouse is located at 504 3rd Avenue, Southeast in Jamestown, North Dakota.

 

FARGO, N.D. (AP) — The North Dakota Supreme Court has thrown out the life sentence given to a man whose girlfriend cut the baby from the womb of an unsuspecting neighbor.

William Hoehn, of Fargo, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit kidnapping in the August 2017 attack on Savanna Greywind, who died of her injuries but whose baby survived. He entered the plea before a jury acquitted him of conspiracy to commit murder.

Hoehn’s girlfriend, Brooke Crews, admitted that she sliced Greywind’s baby from her womb.

Hoehn had faced a maximum 21 years behind bars, but Judge Tom Olson granted prosecutors’ request to label Hoehn a dangerous offender, enhancing his maximum sentence to life with the possibility of parole.

The state Supreme Court ruled Thursday that Hoehn shouldn’t have received that designation and ordered that he be resentenced.

 

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — North Dakota’s Health Department disregarded its own policy in updating the volume of pipeline spill at a natural gas processing plant.

In July 2015, Oneok Partners reported a 10-gallon (8-imperial gallon) spill of natural gas condensate from a pipeline at a plant near Watford City.

The estimated size of the spill was never updated, even as Oneok updated the state on cleanup. In October, Oneok told the state it had recovered 240,000 gallons (nearly 200,000 imperial gallons) of the liquid gas.

State Environmental Quality Chief Dave Glatt said Thursday that a spill report should have been made public to reflect the severity of the spill.

It’s also unclear whether promised quarterly inspections of the site have been done in the past two years.

Glatt says he is investigating whether the inspections occurred.

 

 

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — A pair of township officers narrowly survived what appears to be North Dakota’s first recall at the township level.

The Bismarck Tribune reports that Morton Township Supervisor Daymon Mills and Clerk/Treasurer Mary Malard each prevailed by slim margins in Wednesday’s election.

The Tribune reported the recall stemmed from division over a proposed wind farm project. Mills and other township supervisors were participating landowners in the project.

The Burleigh County Commission had taken over Morton Township’s permitting authority for the project because of that. The project ultimately was bought by another developer and moved.

 

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — The North Dakota Supreme Court has denied an appeal by state regulators who sought up to $2 million in fines from a North Carolina company that handled security for the developer of the heavily protested Dakota Access oil pipeline.

Justices in an opinion released Thursday upheld Judge John Grinsteiner’s dismissal of the case by North Dakota’s Private Investigative and Security Board.

The board sued TigerSwan in 2017, alleging the company that handled security for the pipeline developer illegally operated without a state license.

Grinsteiner dismissed that case and the fines against the company.

The state’s high court also agreed with the lower court’s rejection of TigerSwan’s request for reimbursement of at least $165,000 in attorney fees.

 

In sports…

Class A High School preseason Football Poll

  1. Langdon-Munich-Edmore (10) 54
  2. Oakes 27
  3. Thompson (2) 25
  4. Velva  18
  5. Bishop Ryan 16
  6. Bowman County 16

Others Receiving Votes: Dickinson Trinity,

Carrington, New Salem , Shiloh Christian

9-Man Poll

  1. New Rockford Sheyenne (6 ) 43
  2. Napoleon GS (3) 41
  3. Ray Powers Lake  (2)  38
  4. Richland (1) 31
  5. Cavalier  14

Others Receiving Votes: St. John,

Mayport CG, Mohall Lansford Sherwood.

 

Valley City  (CSi)  The Barnes County Wildlife Federation announces that their Bullhead Derby at the Crossing on Lake Ashtabula is  Saturday, August 24.

There will be a 100 percent payback with unlimited teammates.

Registration from 7-a.m. to 1-p.m with the final weigh in at 3-p.m. For more details call Greg Enstad at 845-8710.

 

Jamestown  (CSi)  The Jamestown Basketball Boosters holds their annual meeting on Thursday, August 29 at 6- p.m. at the Jamestown Knights of Columbus Hall. The meeting is open for those having questions or interest in youth traveling basketball.

 

AMERICAN ASSOCIATION…

Fargo-Moorhead 4, Milwaukee 1

 

MLB…

 

_ The Mets completed a three-game sweep as Noah Syndergaard (SIHN’-dur-gahrd) fired two-hit ball over six innings of a 2-0 shutout of the Indians, a game that was called because of rain in the bottom of the eighth. Syndergaard struck out five and retired his first 16 hitters before Tyler Naquin (NAY’-kwihn) blooped a single to center. Wilson Ramos extended his hitting streak to 16 games with a two-run double in the fourth to help the Mets stay within 1 ½ games of the second NL wild card. The Indians are 3 ½ games behind the AL Central-leading Twins.

 

UNDATED (AP) _ The Atlanta Braves will carry a six-game division lead into their weekend series against the New York Mets.

The NL East leaders picked up their fifth straight win by rallying for a 3-2 decision over the Marlins. Ronald Acuña (ah-KOON’-yah) Jr. won it with a walk-off, RBI single in the bottom of the ninth, one inning after Freddie Freeman tied it with a solo blast.

Braves starter Mike Soroka (sah-ROH’-kah) allowed two runs over seven innings to put his ERA at 2.41, but he’s winless in his last seven starts. Mark Melancon (me-LAN’-suhn) worked a scoreless ninth to get the victory.

The Nationals stayed six games behind Atlanta by whipping the Pirates for the third time in four days, 7-1. Max Scherzer gave up a run and four hits over four innings in his first start since landing on the injured list with a back issue four weeks ago.

Howie Kendrick was 3-for-5 with a two-run homer and three RBIs. Anthony Rendon (rehn-DOHN’) added a solo shot in the Nats’ ninth win in 11 games.

Elsewhere on major league diamonds:

_ Kyle Hendricks worked seven strong innings and the Cubs made the most out of two hits in their fifth consecutive win, 1-0 over the Giants. Hendricks struck out seven and gave up only three hits to help the Cubs keep their half-game lead over St. Louis atop the NL Central. Chicago’s hits came in the fourth inning as Jason Heyward delivered a leadoff single and scored on Anthony Rizzo’s single.

_ The Cardinals kept pace with the Cubs by erasing deficits of 2-0 and 5-2 in a 6-5 victory against the Rockies. Dexter Fowler supplied the go-ahead, two-run homer in the seventh after Marcell Ozuna (oh-ZOO’-nah) Paul DeJong (deh-YUHNG’) hit two-run shots. The Redbirds stormed back following Nolan Arenado’s tiebreaking, three-run blast in the fifth.

 

_ The Dodgers have a magic number of 14 for winning the NL West after they scored three times in the bottom of the ninth to come away with a 3-2 triumph over the Blue Jays. Cory Seager tied it with a two-run double and scored the walk-off run on a single by Kike (KEE’-kay) Hernandez. The Dodgers have a five-game home winning streak and a whopping 20 ½-game division lead going into this weekend’s big series against the Yankees.

_ Gerrit Cole tossed two-hit ball while striking out 12 over seven shutout innings to lead the Astros’ 6-3 win against the Tigers. Cole is 11-0 with a 1.84 ERA in his past 15 starts and has 238 strikeouts this season, one shy of teammate and league leader Justin Verlander. Alex Bregman belted a two-run homer and Michael Brantley went 3-for-4 with a two-run single to stretch his hitting streak to 15 games.

_ Tanner Roark (ROH’-ahrk) pitched into the seventh and the Athletics reached Masahira Tanaka (mah-sah-HEE’-roh tah-NAH’-kah) for five runs over six innings of a 5-3 victory over the Yankees. Roark struck out seven and allowed two runs over 6 1/3 frames to help Oakland complete a three-game sweep. Gleyber (GLAY’-bur) Torres homered twice for the Yanks, who have dropped four in a row.

_ The Yankees’ lead in the AL East is down to eight games after Willy Adames (ah-DAH’-mehs) went 3-for-4 with a homer and three RBIs to help the Rays top the Orioles, 5-2. Baltimore set a single-season major league record for home runs allowed when Austin Meadows went deep for the 259th surrendered by the Birds. The game was knotted at 2 until Adames delivered a two-run single in the sixth following a 2-hour, 16-minute rain delay.

_ Yoán Moncada (yoh-AHN’ mohn-KAH’-dah) lined a two-run homer his return from the injured list to help the White Sox down the Rangers, 6-1. Moncada batted cleanup in his first game since straining a hamstring on July 31. James McCann hit a solo shot and Ross Detwiler struck out eight while yielding an Elvis Andrus (AN’-droos) homer and two other hits over six innings.

_ The Red Sox completed a 5-4 win over the Royals on Brock Holt’s RBI single in the bottom of the 10th. The original contest was halted after a rain delay early on Aug. 8 with the score tied 4-4 and nobody out in the top of the 10th inning. J.D. Martinez slammed a two-run homer and Xander Bogaerts (BOH’-gahrts) had two RBIs before the game was suspended.

 

MLB-NEWS

Setback for Rays 2B

UNDATED (AP) _ The Tampa Bay Rays have received a jolt as they try to nail down an American League wild-card berth.

Rays second baseman Brandon Lowe (low) has suffered a quadriceps injury that will likely sideline him the rest of the season. Manager Kevin Cash said Lowe got hurt on Wednesday while playing on a rehab assignment for Triple-A Durham.

The All-Star selection is batting .276 with 16 homers and 49 RBIs. The second-year Ray hasn’t played since suffering a shin injury on July 2.

Elsewhere in MLB news:

_ The Pirates are requesting unconditional release waivers on 33-year-old catcher Francisco Cervelli. He’s played 34 games this season, hitting .193 with one home run and five RBIs. Cervelli has suffered several concussions in his career and hasn’t played in the majors since his most recent one on May 25.

_ Angels rookie right-hander Griffin Canning will miss the rest of the season with mild elbow inflammation. Canning has emerged as the Angels’ most promising pitching prospect in several years following his recall in April, going 5-6 with a 4.58 ERA in 18 appearances. He pitched seven innings of one-run ball in a victory over the White Sox last Sunday but emerged with elbow discomfort.

_ MLB says the Astros violated media guidelines by initially barring Detroit Free Press reporter Anthony Fenech from the Houston clubhouse immediately after Wednesday’s game. Losing pitcher Justin Verlander has a poor relationship with Fenech and accused him on Twitter Thursday of unspecified “unethical behavior in the past.” Fenech eventually was allowed into the clubhouse following a nine-minute delay, but Verlander had already concluded his media scrum and refused to speak with the Detroit scribe.

_ A judge has confirmed an arbitration decision from baseball executives ordering the Nationals to be paid $296.8 million by the cable network they jointly own with the Orioles for their television rights from 2012-16. The Orioles and Nationals jointly own the Mid-Atlantic Sports Network and have been fighting in court for years about how much money Washington is owed under their unusual TV rights arrangement.

 

NBA-COUSY-MEDAL OF FREEDOM

Cousy gets Medal of Freedom

WASHINGTON (AP) _ Bob Cousy (KOO’-zee) has been presented with the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

The medal celebrates individuals with a wide range of achievements and is the nation’s highest civilian honor. The 91-year-old Cousy played for the Boston Celtics from 1950 to 1963 and won six league championships along with the 1957 MVP title.

Golfer Tiger Woods received the honor back in May.

 

NFL-LIONS-HARRISON

Lock could start season on IR

UNDATED (AP) _ Denver Broncos head coach Vic Fangio won’t rule out placing rookie quarterback Drew Lock on injured reserve to start the season.

Lock sprained his right thumb against the 49ers and won’t venture a guess as to how long he’ll be sidelined. The Broncos say a timetable for his return remains up in the air.

Joe Flacco is Denver’s starting quarterback. The Broncos will start quarterback Kevin Hogan against the Rams this weekend and use undrafted rookie Brett Rypien (RIHP-ehn) as the backup.

Elsewhere in the NFL:

_ Panthers quarterback Cam Newton left Thursday night’s exhibition game against New England in the first quarter with a foot injury. Newton was wearing a boot as he headed toward the team bus after the game.

_ The Cardinals have acquired defensive lineman Bruce Hector in a trade that sent safety Rudy Ford to the Eagles. The move is pending physicals for both players. Hector played in eight games for the Eagles last season. Ford has played the past two seasons for the Cardinals, mostly on special teams.

_ Patriots safety Patrick Chung has been indicted in New Hampshire on a charge of cocaine possession. A Belknap County grand jury indicted the 32-year-old Chung on Aug. 8. Authorities say Chung knowingly possessed cocaine on June 25 while in Meredith. Chung’s arraignment is scheduled for Wednesday.

GOLF-TOUR CHAMPIONSHIP

Schaffele moves into 3-way tie for FedEx Cup

ATLANTA (AP) _ Xander Schauffele (ZAN’-dur SHAW’-flee) has grabbed a share of the FedEx Cup lead by firing the best score ever for an opening round in the Tour Championship.

Schauffele began the tournament six strokes back under the new scoring system for the FedEx Cup before firing a 6-under 64 that leaves him 10-under with three rounds remaining. He’s now tied with No. 1 seed Justin Thomas and Brooks Koepka (KEHP’-kuh).

Koepka birdied three of his last four holes for a 67. Thomas carded a double-bogey and missed a pair of 3-foot putts for a 70 after entering the tournament with a two-shot advantage.

The score to par is all that matters in deciding who wins the FedEx Cup and the $15 million prize.

NASCAR-EARNHARDT-DARLINGTON

Dale Earnhardt Jr. plans to drive Xfinity race at Darlington

DARLINGTON, S.C. (AP) _ Dale Earnhardt Jr. still plans to compete in the Xfinity event at Darlington Raceway on Aug. 31, despite a recent plane crash. It’s his one race this season.

Earnhardt Jr. posted on Twitter Wednesday night, saying his lower back is sore and swollen. He’s receiving daily treatment “solely to get well to race.”

Earnhardt, his family and two pilots escaped a burning plane that veered off the runway at Elizabethton Municipal Airport in Tennessee last week.

TENNIS-U.S. OPEN

First-round fireworks: Serena, Sharapova to meet at US Open

NEW YORK (AP) _ Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova will finally meet in the U.S. Open, and they’ll do it in their very first match. The past U.S. Open champions are scheduled for an opening-round matchup when the draws were conducted for the final major of the year.

Williams and Sharapova have met in the finals of the other three majors and the 2012 Olympics but have never played each other in the U.S. Open. Williams owns a 19-2 record in their WTA Tour matchups, but that lopsided number shouldn’t do much to dampen the hype around what will be the marquee match of the opening round at Flushing Meadows, which begins Monday.

COLLEGE ADMISSIONS-BRIBERY

Wake Forest coach charged in college admissions scam resigns

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (AP) _ The Wake Forest women’s volleyball coach named in a scheme to help get wealthy children into elite schools has resigned. The school has announced the resignation of William Ferguson. Prosecutors allege a college counseling business directed money to the program and a camp controlled by Ferguson in exchange for help getting a student admitted. Ferguson has pleaded not guilty.

 

(AP) The new XFL professional football League will start play in 2020, and  will kick off its 10-week season on February 8, a week after Super Bowl LIV.

The XFL has multi-year deals in place with both ESPN, CSi Cable 14 and FOX Sports, CSi Cable 9, to televise next season’s games, which will air on FOX and ABC, CSi 6, every weekend. ESPN, ESPN2, CSi Cable 18 and FS1, CSi Cable 41, will also air games throughout the season, and the league’s championship is scheduled to broadcast on ESPN on April 26.

The eight teams, announced Wednesday afternoon by XFL Commissioner Oliver Luck, ESPN’s Laura Rutledge, and FS1 host Colin Cowherd:

— Dallas Renegades

— Houston Roughnecks

— Los Angeles Wildcats

— New York Guardians

— St. Louis BattleHawks

— Seattle Dragons

— Tampa Bay Vipers

— Washington Defenders

So far, just one player has signed a contract to play in the XFL: former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback and former University of Oklahoma standout Landry Jones. Commissioner Oliver Luck says the league is expected to announce more signings as NFL teams begin to cut their offseason rosters to 53 players.   He says, “We’ve anxiously awaiting the Labor Day cuts that will take place where there will be another group of players available. Things have gone as well as expected.”

Luck said the draft will be in October. Playing rules are still being tweaked after the league held a session in California with coaches, Fox and ESPN last month.

League President and COO Jeffrey Pollack says, “We’re sincere in our belief that it is up to fans and players to write the story. We have written the headline and now the story will be what happens on the field.” .

The XFL announced in 2017 that it was coming back after it went one season in 2001 before shutting down.

 

In world and national news…

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Democratic voters appear to be reassessing their approach to health care, and pragmatic ideas are getting a closer look.

“Medicare for All” remains hugely popular, but in a recent poll, majorities of Democratic liberals and moderates said they would prefer to build on “Obamacare” to expand coverage.

The Kaiser Family Foundation poll found that 55% would prefer that approach, compared to 39% who said they’d favor launching a new government program that would replace America’s mix of private and public insurance.

It could mean trouble for Sanders and his supporters, signaling a limit to how far Democratic voters are willing to move to the left.

The shifting views are echoed in voter interviews with The Associated Press and in the evolving positions of Democratic presidential candidates themselves.

 

 

CHICAGO (AP) — Experts say an Illinois welfare agency under fire for high-profile deaths of children has become a national standout when it comes to giving workers hands-on training.

The state has two simulation labs where over 700 employees have trained and there are plans for a third. Trainees walk through mock homes and role-play scenarios with actors in an attempt to prepare for their jobs of investigating claims of abuse and neglect across the state.

The accolades come as some of the Department of Children and Family Services’ investigators face scrutiny for recent child deaths, including a 5-year-old suburban Chicago boy this year. And some critics say the agency should do more to manage its systemic deficiencies.

But many trainees say the experiential training is valuable and will help address the problems.

 

 

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — The U.S. government’s final management plan for lands in and around a Utah national monument that President Donald Trump downsized doesn’t include many new protections for the cliffs, canyons, waterfalls and arches found there, but it does have a few more safeguards than were in a proposal last year.

A summary the Bureau of Land Management provided to The Associated Press shows that the plan for the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument in southwestern Utah codifies that the lands cut out of the monument will be open to mineral extraction such as oil, gas and coal as expected.

Conservation and paleontology groups have vehemently opposed the downsizing of the monument and have lawsuits pending challenging the move.

 

 

BAGHDAD (AP) — Former Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki is warning of a “strong response” if it is proven that Israel was behind recent airstrikes in Iraq.

In statements issued by his office on Friday, he also said that if Israel continues to target Iraq, the country “will transform into a battle arena that drags in multiple countries, including Iran.”

The comments by al-Maliki, who was Iraqi prime minister for eight years and now heads a Shiite bloc in parliament, came hours after U.S. officials confirmed Israel was responsible for the bombing of an Iranian weapons depot in Iraq last month.

That marks a significant escalation in Israel’s years-long campaign against Iranian military entrenchment across the region.

 

 

HONG KONG (AP) — China has derided Canada by saying that only those with “ulterior motives” should fear for their safety when traveling in the country.

The comments by Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang came Friday after the Canadian Consulate in Hong Kong banned its staff from leaving the city on official business. An employee of the British Consulate in Hong Kong was detained on a public order violation during a visit to mainland China earlier this month.

Quoting Confucius, Geng said at a daily briefing that those who are “above board” will have their rights guaranteed in China, while people who intend to engage in illegal activities may be “extremely cautious.”

Canada also updated its advisory to warn travelers that their digital devices may be checked at customs points between mainland China and Hong Kong, which has seen more than two months of pro-democracy demonstrations.