CSi Weather…

Update…

From the National Weather Service…

…The flood warning continues for the following rivers in North Dakota…

Pipestem Creek near Pingree affecting Stutsman County

For the James River Basin including Pingree…Minor flooding is

occurring and is expected to continue.

.The Pipestem creek river level is 11.5 feet as of Thursday morning.

It will continue to fall and forecasts suggest the Pipestem Creek

will fall below flood stage late Friday morning.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

Safety message…Do not drive into areas where water tops the

roadway. Turn around…Don’t drown. Avoid driving on flooded roads.

The Flood Warning continues for

The Pipestem Creek near Pingree.

* until Friday evening.

* At 9:15 AM Thursday the stage was 11.5 feet.

* Flood stage is 11.0 feet.

* Minor flooding is occurring and Minor flooding is forecast.

* Forecast…The river will continue to fall to below flood stage by

late Friday morning.

* Impact…At 10.0 feet…Flooding at this level affects farmland, but

no major cities or roads. Water is out of the banks. Little known

about damage.

FLD OBSERVED FORECASTS (7AM)

LOCATION STG STG DAY/TIME Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue

James River Basin

Pingree 11 11.5 Thu 9 AM 11.0 10.4 10.0 8.9 6.6

(Flood updates and Water Level Updates)

 

Forecast…

.REST OF TODAY…Cloudy with a 30 percent chance of rain showers in the afternoon in the Jamestown area, 20 percent in the Valley City area. Highs in the mid 60s. Southwest winds 10 to 15 mph.

.TONIGHT…Cloudy with a 30 percent chance of rain showers in the

evening, in the Jamestown area, 40 percent in the Valley City area, then partly cloudy after midnight. Lows in the mid 40s.

Southwest winds 10 to 15 mph shifting to the west 15 to 20 mph

after midnight.

.FRIDAY…Decreasing clouds. Highs in the mid 50s. Northwest

winds 10 to 20 mph.

.FRIDAY NIGHT…Partly cloudy. Patchy frost after midnight. Lows

in the upper 30s. North winds around 5 mph shifting to the

southeast after midnight.

.SATURDAY…Patchy frost in the morning. Mostly cloudy with a

40 percent chance of rain showers. Highs in the mid 50s.

Southeast winds 5 to 15 mph.

.SATURDAY NIGHT…Rain showers. Lows in the mid 40s.

.SUNDAY…Rain showers. Highs in the mid 50s.

.SUNDAY NIGHT…Cloudy. Rain showers likely in the evening, then

chance of rain showers after midnight. Lows in the upper 40s.

Chance of showers 60 percent.

.MONDAY…Partly sunny with a 50 percent chance of rain showers.

Highs in the upper 50s.

.MONDAY NIGHT…Mostly cloudy with a 40 percent chance of rain

showers. Lows in the upper 30s.

.TUESDAY…Mostly cloudy. A 20 percent chance of rain showers in

the morning. Highs in the upper 40s.

.TUESDAY NIGHT…Mostly cloudy. Lows in the mid 30s.

.WEDNESDAY…Mostly cloudy with a 20 percent chance of rain

showers. Highs in the upper 40s.

 

Friday should be mainly dry but cooler, with highs in the 50s

Rainfall is expected to develop over southwestern North Dakota late Friday night, then spread north and east across all of western and central North Dakota on Saturday.

Widespread precipitation is expected to continue Sunday, and possibly through at least the first half of Monday.

Widespread rainfall amounts of 1-2 inches are possible across western and central North Dakota with this system, with high temperatures each day in the 40s and 50s.

Chances of rain with some late night and early morning snow showers in the

forecast Monday through Wednesday, but precipitation amounts are

expected to be much less than what is forecast for this weekend.

 

Valley City  (KFGO)   – The state bureau of criminal investigation is investigating a report of a sexual assault in the Barnes County Jail in Valley City.

A male correctional officer allegedly sexually assaulted a female officer while both were on duty in the jail.

The male officer has been placed on paid administrative leave as the BCI conducts its investigation.

No charges have been filed.

 

Bismarck  (KYFR TV) – A Valley City man has been arrested for attacking a man and woman and threatening to kill officers at a Bismarck bar.

Court documents say Bismarck Police responded to a call around 1:30 Thursday morning for a fight where a man and woman say they were attacked.

Police found 21-year-old Jakob Ashline and another man in a hotel parking lot near the bar.

As police attempted to arrest Ashline, he’s accused of pulling away from officers and telling them, ‘If I ever find you, I promise I’ll kill you.” He also tried to kick and get up while he was in handcuffs.

The other male was arrested but has not been charged.

The man and woman that were attacked had minor face injuries.

Ashline is charged with terrorizing, refusal to halt and simple assault. His bond was set at $10,000 and no contact with the victims.

 

Wahpeton  (KFGO) – A body has been found near the Bois De Sioux River in Wahpeton.

Police Chief Scott Thorsteinson says the body was discovered shortly before 11 a.m. Wed. in a wooded area.

Valley News Live reports that authorities have confirmed the body found is that of missing 49 year old Keith Pfeifer.

He was last seen on Sunday, Sept. 22. Authorities believe his death was self-inflicted.

The body has been sent to the UND pathology lab for an autopsy.

A family member says Pfeifer had sent a text message to a friend on Sunday and he did not go to work Monday or Tues. His pickup was found at his home.

Police, as standard procedure, consider the location a crime scene while the investigation gets underway

 

Bismarck  (CSi)  The Bureau of Reclamation will hold a series of public scoping meetings in North Dakota, in October seeking comments on the Eastern North Dakota Alternate Water Supply project.

A Jamestown area  meeting is scheduled for Thursday, October 24, at 6-p.m., at the Stutsman County Law Enforcement Center, basement in room one.

Other meetings are scheduled for Tuesday, October 22, at the Delta Hotels by Marriott — Overture Room in Fargo, and Wednesday, October 23, at the Ramkota Hotel — Cannon Ball Room at Bismarck. All meetings are at 6 p.m.

The intent of ENDAWS is to deliver Missouri River water as an alternative source to the Red River Valley Water Supply Project. The purpose of the public scoping process is to inform those interested or affected by the proposed action, as well as gather input regarding issues and concerns.

 

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — An abortion rights group is challenging a new law in Oklahoma that would allow doctors who perform medication abortions to face felony charges for not informing women about the possibility of reversing the process.

The lawsuit was filed Wednesday in Oklahoma County District Court on behalf of a Tulsa abortion clinic and its owner, Dr. Alan Braid. The attorneys representing Braid are from the New York-based Center for Reproductive Rights.

The measure requires medical providers to tell women who are taking medication to end their pregnancies that the process can be reversed after they take the first of two pills.

The lawsuit contends the claim isn’t supported by scientific evidence.

The law goes into effect Nov. 1. A federal judge in North Dakota blocked a similar law earlier this month.

 

 

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — North Dakota lawmakers have begun studying the consequences of legalizing marijuana in the state.

The move comes amid a pair of impending citizen-led initiatives that aim to make the drug legal for recreational use.

Despite presentations from law enforcement, regulators and backers of the proposed ballot measures, the interim Judiciary Committee got few definitive answers Wednesday on the pros and cons of marijuana legalization. The study is required for any possible legislation.

Chief Deputy Attorney General Troy Seibel told the panel any impacts would be “speculative at this point.”

Republican Rep. Lawrence Klemin, who heads the panel, says a report will be produced from the study but he did not expect it to inspire legislation.

 

 

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — Investigators say a North Dakota man arrested in Yellowstone National Park threatened to shoot as many as 20 people in an Idaho office if his wife didn’t identify a man he suspected of having “emotional affair” with her.

Park rangers arrested 44-year-old Joshua James Mjoness, of Christine, North Dakota, on Sept. 18.

Court records say he had a 9 mm handgun and 50 rounds of ammunition.

National Park Service Special Agent Jacob Olson says in a sworn statement that Mjoness threatened to kill the “entire office” in Boise if his wife didn’t identify the worker.

Olson says Mjoness sent her a picture of the pistol with the message, “Up to you.”

Mjoness is jailed on charges of illegal gun possession and making threats.

Public defenders representing Mjoness declined comment Wednesday.

 

 

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — The Trump administration has delayed an Obama-era proposal that could allow the federal government to charge for water drawn from reservoirs it manages.

Army Assistant Secretary for Civil Works R.D. James says in a memo Monday that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will delay the Water Supply Rule “for a minimum of six months to better integrate input from stakeholders.”

Attorneys general from a dozen western states sent a letter last month to the Trump administration asking that the proposal be withdrawn.

North Dakota Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem headed the effort backed by attorneys general from Idaho, Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Montana, New Mexico, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.

Stenehjem says the rule usurps states’ authority over their own water.

 

 

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — A Kansas man has been sentenced to nearly 11 years in federal prison for dealing massive amounts of methamphetamine on the Standing Rock Sioux Indian Reservation in South Dakota and North Dakota.

Forty-five-year-old Steven McMullen Jr. pleaded guilty in June to conspiracy to distribute meth. Authorities say he delivered or had plans to deliver at least 500 grams of the drug on the reservation.

U.S. District Judge Charles Kornmann on Monday sentenced McMullen, of Wichita, Kansas, to 130 months in prison, to be followed by five months of supervised release.

The case was investigated by various law enforcement agencies in the Dakotas.

In sports…

SIOUX CITY, Iowa  (uj.edu)– The University of Jamestown women’s golf team had a final tune-up before next week’s Great Plains Athletic Conference Fall Championship as they took part in the Sioux City Match Play event at Green Valley Golf Course Wednesday.

In the first round matchup, the Jimmies lost 3-2 to Briar Cliff (Iowa) University.

Amber Domres (SO/Bismarck, N.D.) (3&2) defeated BCU’s Arianna Presilla and Sarah Azure (SO/Jamestown, N.D.) (3&2) defeated Ann Hedlund to capture UJ’s two points.

Facing Concordia in the consolation match, Jamestown came up just short in a 3-2 loss.

Domres led by 5 through 9 before her opponent was forced to withdraw due to injury. Azure also was victorious, defeating Lauren Havlat 6&5.

Jamestown will be in Vermillion, S.D., September 30-October 1 for the GPAC Fall Championship.

Sioux City Match Play Results
Briar Cliff 3, Jamestown 2
Frankie Valencia (BCU) def. Paige Argent (JR/Minot, N.D.) 3&2
Nicole Hemelberg (BCU) def. Izzy Marchino (SO/Highlands Ranch, Colo.) 7&5
Amber Domres (UJ) def. Arianna Presilla 3&2
Abby Brinkman (BCU) def. Jayme Carlson (FR/Hartford, S.D.) 6&4
Sarah Azure (UJ) def. Ann Hedlund 3&2

Consolation Match
Concordia 3, Jamestown 2
Kendra Placke (CUNE) def. Paige Argent 8&7
Murphy Sears (CUNE) def. Izzy Marchino 2&1
Amber Domres (UJ) def. Andrea Peterson (Injury withdrawal, UJ led by 5 through 9)
Britney Jepsen (CUNE) def. Jayme Carlson 1up (19 holes)
Sarah Azure (UJ) def. Lauren Havlat 6&5

 

North Dakota Associated Press Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association

High School Football Polls

Sept. 25

(First-place votes in parenthesis)

CLASS A

Team Rec. Pts.

1. Langdon/Edmore/Munich (16) 5-0 80

2. Oakes 4-0 57

3. Velva 4-0 52

4. Shiloh Christian 5-0 25

5. Bowman County 3-1 10

Others Receiving Votes: Bishop Ryan 4-1, Lisbon 4-0.

9-man

Team Rec. Pts.

1. New Rockford-Sheyenne (15) 4-0 79

2. Cavalier (1) 5-0 64

3. Finley Sharon/ Hope Page 5-0 42

4. Central McLean 5-0 23

5. Linton/HMB 4-0 20

Others Receiving Votes: Mayport/CG 4-1, St John 4-1, Beach 4-1, Lamoure/LM 4-1.

 

Jamestown  (CSi)  Teams are currently forming for coed and women’s volleyball leagues beginning Oct. 2 and Oct. 7, respectively, at Two Rivers Activity Center.

Coed team fee is $300 prior to a registration deadline of September 25, the women’s team fee is $250 prior to a registration deadline of September 30. Cost to join either league increases by $25 after the deadlines.

Registration forms are available at www.jamestownparksandrec.com and at the main Parks and Rec office (1002 2nd Ave. SE). All registration forms/rosters are to be turned into the main office. For questions call John at 252-4320.

 

MLB..

UNDATED (AP) _ The Twins are the AL Central champions for the first time since 2010 following a 5-1 win over the Tigers. Randy Dobnak allowed one hit in six sparkling innings, but Minnesota trailed until Luis Arraez (ah-RYZ’) smacked a two-run homer in the seventh. Eddie Rosario also hit a two-run blast for the Twins, who wrapped up the division when the Indians fell to the White Sox.

_ The Indians knocked themselves out of the AL Central race and damaged their wild-card hopes by dropping an 8-3 decision to Chicago. Tim Anderson raised his batting average to an AL-best .339 with his sixth fourth-hit game of the season. Losing pitcher Shane Bieber was tagged for three earned runs and 10 hits over 5 2/3 innings.

_ The Rays were 4-0 winners over the Yankees behind Charlie Morton, who is 16-6 after striking out nine while yielding just one hit over six innings. Four relievers finished up the combined one-hitter for Tampa Bay, which moved 1 ½ games ahead of the Indians for the second AL wild card. The outcome also allowed the Astros to move 2 ½ games ahead of New York for home-field advantage throughout the postseason.

_ Matt Chapman’s two-run shot in the ninth inning pushed the Athletics past the Angels, 3-2. Chapman’s 35th homer of the year allowed Oakland to stay a half-game ahead of Tampa Bay for the first AL wild card. Ramon Laureano also homered to help the A’s halt a two-game skid.

 

The Milwaukee Brewers had a very productive day as they clinched a playoff berth and moved one game closer to first place in the National League Central.

The Brewers won for the 17th time in 19 games as Ryan Braun’s grand slam ignited a six-run first in a 9-2 rout of the Reds. Eric Thames (thaymz) also provided a first-inning blast, Keston Hiura (HEER’-uh) went deep in the second and Trent Grisham drove in two runs without a hit.

Jordan Lyles allowed two runs and three hits over five innings to help the Brew Crew pull within 1 ½ games of the NL Central-leading Cardinals.

The Brewers received help from the Diamondbacks, who erased a 5-2 deficit by scoring seven times in the sixth inning to beat St. Louis, 9-7. Wilmer Flores had four RBIs for the DBacks, including a two-run homer that capped the sixth.

St. Louis scored twice in the ninth and had the potential go-ahead run at the plate until pinch-hitter Paul Goldschmidt grounded into a game-ending double play.

Elsewhere on major league diamonds:

_ Houston posted its franchise-high 104th win while almost claiming its third no-hitter of the season. The Astros posted a 3-0 shutout of the Mariners as Zack Greinke (GREHN’-kee) came within two outs of his first career no-hitter. Austin Nola spoiled the gem with a one-out single and Tim Lopes chased Greinke with another base hit before the Astros’ hurler improved to 18-5.

_ Josh Donaldson had a career-high three doubles while driving in four runs to lead the Braves’ 10-2 assault on the Royals. Dansby Swanson had a career-high four hits while driving in two for the NL East champs. Luke Jackson stuck out all four batters in faced and improved to 9-2.

_ Joc Pederson homered twice, including his franchise-record ninth leadoff shot in the Dodgers’ 6-4 decision over the Padres. Pinch-hitter Edwin Rios furnished a 473-foot blast that broke a tie in the seventh inning. Chris Taylor also homered for the NL West champions, who have won three straight and four of five.

_ Wilmer Difo (DEE’-foh) singled home the lead run in the seventh inning of the Nationals’ fourth straight win, 5-2 against the Phillies. Howie Kendrick and Brian Dozier homered for the Nationals, who remain one game ahead of the Brewers for the first NL wild card. Anibal (AN’-ih-bahl) Sanchez allowed two runs and six hits over seven innings to improve to 11-2 since an 0-6 start.

_ Rookie Pete Alonso launched his major league-leading 51st home run and Jacob deGrom (deh-GRAHM’) worked seven shutout innings as the Mets throttled the Marlins, 10-3. Alonso’s three-run blast gave New York a 7-0 lead in the second inning before the Mets were eliminated from the wild-card race with Milwaukee’s victory. DeGrom allowed just two hits and struck out seven while lowering his ERA to 2.43.

_ The Cubs were eliminated from the NL wild-card race before completing their eighth consecutive loss, 4-2 at Pittsburgh. Back-to-back wild pitches by David Phelps in the eighth inning enabled Pittsburgh to score the tiebreaking run. Chicago is missing the playoffs for the first time since 2014.

_ Homers by Christian Vázquez, Mitch Moreland and Rafael Devers (DEH’-vurz) powered the Red Sox past the Rangers, 10-3. Rick Porcello allowed three runs over six innings of what could have been his final start for Boston.

_ Jaylin Davis hit his first career home run and made it a walk-off blast in the ninth as the Giants nipped the Rockies, 2-1. Jeff Samardzija (sah-MAHR’-jah) left with a one-run lead but missed a chance at matching his career high of 12 wins.

_ Rowdy Tellez (the-LEHZ’) hit two solo home runs and Jacob Waguespack pitched six shutout innings in the Blue Jays’ 3-2 win against the Orioles. Billy McKinney also hit a solo home run as the Toronto denied Baltimore a third road series win north of the border.

MLB-NEWS

Germán’s administrative leave extended through Fall Classic

UNDATED (AP) _ If the New York Yankees advance to the World Series next month, they will do it without their victories leader on the mound.

Domingo Germán’s administrative leave under Major League Baseball’s domestic violence policy has been extended through the World Series.

Germán was placed on leave for seven days last Thursday. MLB and the players’ association agreed to the extension on Wednesday, ending his season.

Germán was 18-4 with a 4.03 ERA in 24 starts and three relief appearances over 143 innings this year.

Also around the majors:

_ Pirates closer Felipe Vázquez has been ordered held without bond following his arrest on multiple felony charges, including sexual assault of a minor. Vázquez was taken into custody last week by Pennsylvania State Police on an arrest warrant from Florida stemming from illicit electronic communication with an underage girl. A judge denied bond for the 28-year-old Vázquez during a brief hearing on Wednesday.

_ Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto (ree-al-MOO’-toh) will miss the remainder of the season with a right knee injury. Manager Gabe Kapler says Realmuto has returned to Philadelphia and will undergo a “meniscus cleanup” on Friday, adding that there are no long-term concerns. Realmuto hit .285 with 25 homers and 83 RBIs in his first season with the Phillies, who were eliminated from postseason contention on Tuesday.

_ Royals shortstop Adalberto Mondesi (ad-al-BEHR’-toh MAHN’-deh-see) will have surgery to repair the left shoulder he injured over the weekend. Mondesi sustained a subluxation to his shoulder in July and injured it again in Sunday’s loss to Minnesota. He was limited to 102 games due to the injury, finishing with a .263 batting average, nine homers, 62 RBIs and 43 stolen bases.

_ Theo Epstein says he has no plans of returning to the Red Sox. Speculation in Boston has centered on Epstein possibly replacing Dave Dombrowski, who was fired Sept. 8 as the president of baseball operations for the Red Sox. Epstein is finishing his eighth season as the Cubs’ president of baseball operations.

_ Major League Baseball has set a season strikeout record for the 12th straight season. Batters struck out 369 times Tuesday to raise the season total to 41,467. That topped the 41,207 of last season with five days to spare.

NFL-NEWS

Pats sign QB Kessler

UNDATED (AP) _ The New England Patriots have signed Cody Kessler to their 53-man roster, adding some additional depth behind quarterback Tom Brady.

Kessler spent last season with the Eagles, appearing in five games with four starts.

In other NFL news:

_ Redskins quarterback Case Keenum could miss Sunday’s game against the Giants because of a foot injury. If Keenum can’t play, the 0-3 Redskins will either turn to Colt McCoy or ask first-round pick Dwayne Haskins to make his NFL debut. McCoy was listed as a full participant after missing time with the effects of a broken leg.

_ The Steelers have acquired tight end Nick Vannett from the Seattle Seahawks for a fifth-round pick in the 2020 draft. Pittsburgh is in need of help at tight end with veteran Vance McDonald nursing a shoulder injury that will likely sideline him for Monday night’s game against Cincinnati and perhaps longer.

_ Disgruntled cornerback Jalen Ramsey has left the Jaguars to be with his family for the birth of his second child. The team made the surprising announcement with a statement from coach Doug Marrone on Wednesday night, adding to Ramsey’s ongoing trade saga. Ramsey missed practice Wednesday because of an apparent back injury that Marrone said he knew nothing about until earlier in the day.

_ Broncos coach Vic Fangio says cornerback Bryce Callahan will miss between four and six weeks after undergoing a procedure on his bothersome left foot. He missed most of camp and the first three games after his surgically repaired left foot got stepped on in July.

NHL-NEWS

Tkachuk gets extension

UNDATED (AP) _ The Calgary Flames have signed forward Matthew Tkachuk (kah-CHUHK’) to a three-year, $21 million deal that makes him the team’s highest-paid player this season.

Tkachuk was a restricted free agent and will arrive at camp before the Flames’ season opener on October 3rd against the Avalanche. Tkachuk had career highs with 34 goals, 43 assists and 77 points in 80 games last season.

Elsewhere in the NHL:

_ Blue Jackets center Brandon Dubinsky is out indefinitely and likely will miss the start of the season with a wrist injury. The 33-year-old Dubinsky is entering his 13th NHL season and was a third- or fourth-line center last season when the Blue Jackets reached the second round of the playoffs.

_ Former U.S. Olympic team captain and Hall of Famer Cammi Granato (gruh-NAH’-toh) has been hired by the expansion Seattle franchise as a pro scout. Granato is one of a handful of women working on the hockey operations side of an NHL franchise, and the only female pro scout currently in the league.

HYRGIOS SANCTIONED

Kyrgios handed suspended 16-week ban by ATP Tour

LONDON (AP) — Nick Kyrgios has been handed a suspended 16-week ban from the ATP Tour following an investigation into his abusive behavior in a tournament in Cincinnati last month.

The Australian player insulted a chair umpire and left the court to smash two rackets during a second-round loss at the Western & Southern Open, after which the ATP fined him $113,000 for committing a total of eight separate offenses.

The ATP looked into Kyrgios’ actions and concluded that he “committed aggravated behavior under the Player Major Offense” provision.

The tour fined him $25,000 and banned him for 16 weeks, sanctions which will only be applied if he commits similar acts of bad behavior in the next six months. He must also agree to receive continued support from a “mental coach” while competing at events, and getting additional help in the offseason from a specialist in behavioral management.

CHINA-US-PRISONER

Former college football player back home following prison term in China

ROMULUS, Mich. (AP) — A former Ball State football player who spent three years in a Chinese prison for his involvement in a bar fight says he has a newfound appreciation for the word freedom now that he’s returned home to Detroit.

Wendell Brown said after arriving home Wednesday that people don’t really understand the meaning of freedom until they lose it. Brown was teaching English and American football in southwest China when he was arrested in September 2016 and charged with intentional assault. He denied hitting a man at a bar and said he was defending himself after being attacked.

Brown was sentenced to four years in prison, but that was reduced to three years by a Chinese court.

GRADE SCHOOL FOOTBALL-MIDDLE SCHOOL PLAYER DIES

Oklahoma middle school football player dies following game

LEXINGTON, Okla. (AP) _ A middle school football player in Oklahoma has died after competing in a game near Oklahoma City.

Lexington High School football coach Dale Berglan told The Oklahoman that Riley Boatwright died Tuesday after playing a game in Stratford, Oklahoma.

A cause of death is not known.

Boatwright’s death is the second this month of a scholastic football player in Oklahoma.

In world and national news..

WASHINGTON (AP) — Acting Director of National Intelligence Joseph Maguire is set to speak publicly for the first time about a secret whistleblower complaint involving President Donald Trump as House Democrats who have read the document say it is “deeply disturbing.”

Maguire is not expected to reveal many details about the substance of the complaint when he testifies before the House intelligence committee Thursday morning, but House Democrats who are now mulling Trump’s impeachment are hoping he will explain why he withheld it from Congress for weeks.

The complaint from an intelligence community whistleblower, the document at the center of a firestorm about Trump’s handling of Ukraine, was made available to members of House and Senate intelligence committees Wednesday after Maguire had initially determined they couldn’t see it.

 

 

WASHINGTON (AP) — A rough transcript released by the White House shows President Donald Trump pressing the leader of Ukraine to “look into” Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden.

The July 25 phone call is now at the center of House Democrats’ impeachment probe.

Trump repeatedly prodded Volodymyr Zelenskiy, the new president of the East European nation, to work with U.S. Attorney General William Barr and Rudy Giuliani, Trump’s personal lawyer. At one point in the conversation, Trump said, “I would like for you to do us a favor.”

The initial response highlights the deep divide between the two parties: Democrats say the call amounted to a “shakedown” of a foreign leader, while Trump and the vast majority of Republicans are dismissing it as a “nothing call.”

 

 

PARIS (AP) — France’s lower house of parliament has held a minute of silence for late President Jacques Chirac.

Cries of shock rang out in the National Assembly as the legislature’s president Richard Ferrand announced the news that Chirac had died Thursday. He was 86.

Ferrand asked the lawmakers, “I ask you to observe in his memory a minute of silence.”

Chirac served as a parliament member as well as mayor of Paris and president of the nation for 12 years.

 

 

LONDON (AP) — The European Union says it is still waiting for useful proposals to come from Britain to unblock stalled negotiations on Britain’s departure terms from the bloc.

EU Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier said Thursday that he is “still ready to work on any new legal and operational proposal” from British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, but indicated insufficient progress had been achieved in the past few weeks.

Barnier said “we are still waiting,” underscoring the view that four papers over the past days fell far short to get real negotiations going again.

The EU already had a deal with the UK on departure terms but it was rejected in the British parliament. Johnson now wants to drastically renegotiate the agreement or leave without a deal on Oct. 31.

 

 

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Vaping products are taking a hit as health experts scramble to determine what’s causing a mysterious lung disease.

More than 500 people have gotten ill, and nine have died after smoking vapes.

Vaping products have been one of the fastest-growing segments of the United States’ legal marijuana industry. But the scare caused a 15% decline in market share for vapes.

Industry analyst firm New Frontier Data says states like Oregon and New Mexico saw more than a 60% drop in vape market share.

Experts say the crisis won’t stop marijuana legalization but will mean tighter regulation overall.

Public health officials haven’t pinpointed any one substance or product that’s to blame.

Many patients say they used vapes containing marijuana oil, but some patients say they smoked nicotine-only vapes.