Wayne Byers Show – Morning – Oct 2

CSi Weather…

.REST OF TODAY…Cloudy.  Rain in the afternoon. Highs in the lower 40s. Northeast winds 5 to 10 mph.  Chance of rain 90 percent.

.TONIGHT…Rain possibly mixed with snow. Lows in the mid 30s.

North winds 5 to 10 mph.  Chance of precipitation 100 percent.

.THURSDAY…Mostly cloudy. Highs in the mid 40s. Northwest winds

around 10 mph.

.THURSDAY NIGHT…Mostly cloudy in the evening then clearing.

Lows in the mid 30s. Southeast winds around 10 mph.

.FRIDAY…Mostly sunny. Highs in the mid 50s. Southeast winds

10 to 20 mph with gusts to around 35 mph.

.FRIDAY NIGHT…Mostly cloudy. Chance of rain showers and slight

chance of thunderstorms in the evening, then rain showers likely

and slight chance of thunderstorms after midnight. Lows in the

mid 40s. Chance of precipitation 60 percent.

.SATURDAY…Mostly cloudy with a 30 percent chance of rain

showers in the morning, then mostly sunny in the afternoon. Highs

in the upper 50s.

.SATURDAY NIGHT…Partly cloudy. Lows in the lower 40s.

.SUNDAY…Mostly sunny. Highs in the mid 50s.

.SUNDAY NIGHT…Mostly clear. Lows in the upper 30s.

.MONDAY…Sunny. Highs in the lower 60s.

.MONDAY NIGHT…Mostly clear. Lows in the lower 40s.

.TUESDAY…Sunny. Highs in the mid 60s.

 

Light snow accumulations on grassy surfaces are possible Wednesday

evening.

Temperatures may fall below freezing Wednesday night.

Temperatures may fall below freezing Thursday morning.

 

This Day In History, October 2, 1907 – Sousa plays Lloyd’s Opera House.   *** from the 125th Anniversary Calendar of Jamestown History ***

The Sousa Band plays a Matinee performance at Lloyd’s Opera House to huge crowd

Photo posted at CSiNewsNow.com

 

 

Jamestown (CSi)  The Annual Lutefisk and Meatball Supper will be held Weds October 2,  to be served by the Men of Trinity, from 4pm to 7pm at Trinity Lutheran Church in Southeast Jamestown.

Tickets are: Adults, $14 in advance, $15 at the door.  Children 6-11 years old, $4, and Pre-schoolers eat free.  Advance tickets through the church, and church members.  Tickets will also be given away, on The Wayne Byers Show on CSi Cable 2, at 8:25-a.m., on select morning shows.

On Friday’s Wayne Byers Show on CSi Cable Men of Trinity Member, Bob Toso said, in addition to Lutefisk and meatballs, on the menu will be Lefse, coleslaw, ice cream and beverages.

Take outs and delivery will be available.  Call Trinity Lutheran Church for delivery orders.

Bob said between 300 and 400 people attend the annual event, as the Women of Trinity help prepare the food, provided by Hugo’ in Jamestown, with about 90 volunteers helping behind the scenes.

10-12 Men of Trinity will be serving the meal.

Proceeds from the meal will go toward supporting various community organizations such as the Boy Scouts Troop 163, and Northern Lights Council, , Red Willow Ministries,  the Jamestown Salvation Army,  Community Action, Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch, along with Trinity’s building and grounds projects, the van and transportation expenses and the Holiday food Baskets and Outreach program.

 

Valley City  (CSi)  The Valley City Commission met in Regular Session Tuesday evening at City Hall.  All members were present.

 

APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS:

 

Monthly Reports from the Fire Chief, Building Inspector, Auditor, Municipal Judge and Public Works Accountant.

Monthly Bills for the City and Public Works in the Amount of $1,859,455.08

Raffle Permit for St. Catherine School

Block off a Street Request by Connect Church for Trunk-or-Treat on October 31, 2019 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Central Avenue S from 3rd Street to 4th Street

 

PUBLIC COMMENTS No One Spoke

 

PUBLIC HEARING

For the Issuance of Class B On-Sale and Off-sale Beer License& Class C On-Sale and off-sale Liquor License to Jeremy Tjon dba The Club House, the former American Legion location.  City Auditor Richter said the application was in order and the fee was paid.  City Attorney Martineck said the transfer of license is from Class A to Class B and C occurs  when the ownership changes.   It was stated that veterans activities will continue at the location.  The previous license suspension will no longer be in affect.

 

Following the Public Hearing, City Commissioners voted to approve, contingent on seeing the transfer of ownership documentation before the Issuance of Class B & C Licenses to Jeremy Tjon dba The Club House.

 

Approved was the second and final reading of the 2020 Annual Budget Ordinance.  City Auditor Richter  said a public hearing was held and the First Reading was held, with no opposition and no changes.

Commissioner Powell vote in opposition.

 

Approved was first reading of an ordinance to adopt the Valley City Municipal Code and repeal all ordinances previously adopted with certain exceptions.   The approval will end the recodification process.

 

NEW BUSINESS

Approved a Gaming Site Authorization for North Dakota Winter Show at North Dakota Winter Show Event Center on December 6, 2019 and at Valley City Eagles Aeries 2192 on December 7, 2019.  City Auditor Richter said this is for the North Star Classic event.

 

CITY ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT:

David Schelkoph said, during this Energy Efficiency  Month each Valley City resident will receive a two energy Saving LED light bulbs, including eligibility for rebates.  He said if all 7,000 residents use the bulbs it saves 350KW of electrical energy.

 

He said over $50 million have been earmarked for the Permanent Flood Control project, which will mean 275,000 fewer sandbags that will be needed in another flood event.

 

He added that stemming from the manufacturer failing to send the city appropriately configured light poles the city provided in drawings, the street lighting project on Central Avenue has been delayed, pending receiving the replacements…. part of the  Streetscape Phase I project.

 

CITY UPDATES & COMMISSION REPORTS

KLJ reported that six new traffic control lights will be installed next week.

 

Fire Chief Scott Magnuson said next week is Fire Prevention Week, and the Valley City Fire Department will host an Open House on Sunday, October 6, from 2-p.m., until 5-p.m

 

It was noted that winter parking restrictions are now in effect in downtown Valley City.

 

Mayor Carlsrud thanked the public for their continuing patience during the street project work.

The meeting was shown live on CSi Cable 68 followed by replays.

 

Valley City  (CSi)  The Barnes County Commission has extended the deadline to mow ditches  on or before October 7, because of  wet weather conditions.

Highway Roads Superintendent Kerry Johnson says the hay bale removal deadline has been extended to October 31.

The previous deadline was October 1.

Failure to comply with the new 2019 deadlines will result in the cost of mowing or hay bale removal being charged to the Barnes County Landowner.

Mowing along the slope and ditch bottom must have a maximum stubble height of 4 inches. The width of cut shall be as such that no weeds or grasses will extend higher than the shoulder of the road.

 

Jamestown  (CSi)  The summer of 2019 was great for tourism in Jamestown, that according to Jamestown Tourism Director, Searle Swedlund.

On Tuesday’s Wayne Byers Show on CSi Cable 2, Searle pointed out that the National Buffalo Museum recorded an 85 percent increase in admissions so far this year, adding that gift shop sales also increased.  He said the Museum successfully leverages its resources.

Other sites in Jamestown continue to attract tourists, such as an increase in visitors last summer at Fort Seward, which is planning to added four tents to the grounds and Civil War historic displays are in the planning stages.

Searle added Jamestown continues to offer successful and unique visitor opportunities, such as the 1883 Stutsman County Courthouse, which plans to offer additional visitor experiences such as adding equipment, and period clothing, to highlight the 1883 Courthouse as “a center for government.”

He said the trails at Jamestown Reservoir will see improvements, anticipated next spring.

Searle pointed out that making the visitors experience, “unique,” draws more tourists, and possibly creating a longer stay in town.

He added the gate count at Frontier Village was down less than five percent last summer. He said that Frontier Village has been approached to make its visitors experience more unique, and “come alive,” while generating resources.

He said the Village’s structures are in need of major repairs, and funding from tourism most likely will not be able to provide the needed capital for updating the buildings.

At the October 17 tourism meeting, grant requests will be heard under the Promotion Capital Construction Fund.

Those include from Jamestown Parks and recreation for addition funding for improvements to the Jack Brown Stadium’s bleacher seating, which was partially funded in the March 1 grant request.

He said Ft. Seward to request a grant for four tents at the grounds and for Civil War displays.

The 1883 Stutsman County Courthouse will request funds for items in an effort to become a “center for government.”

Jamestown  (CSi) The Stutsman County Park Board yesterday voted in favor of advertising of having  new concessionaires at Pelican Point Landing and Campground.

The vote was 5-2.

Board members Joan Morris and County Commissioner Steve Cichos, voted in opposition.

The vote followed the park board in a 4-3 vote going against pursuing a contract with current concessionaires Dean and Wanda Alber, after they negotiated with the Stutsman County Park Committee. The contract expired on September 30 this year.

Morris, Cichos and Commissioner Denny Ova voted to pursue the contract. Board member Jason Hogue and County Commissioners Dave Schwartz, Ramone Gumke and Chairman Mark Klose voted in opposition.

 

Bismarck  (CSi)   Pink at the Pump® is a joint effort between the North Dakota Ethanol Council and North Dakota Corn Utilization Council in partnership with N.D. Women’s Way.

Participating retailers will donate three cents of every gallon of Unleaded88 sold from Oct. 1-31 to North Dakota Women’s Way, that provides a way to pay for most breast and cervical cancer screening services for eligible North Dakota women,  and promotes early detection of breast and cervical cancer through provision of screening services to eligible women.

For the entire month of October, participating locations features pink nozzle guards for Unleaded88, pink promotional t-shirts for staff and many other pink point-of-sale materials. Learn more about Pink at the Pump® at www.ndethanol.org/pinkatthepump.

Participating in Valley City is, Petro Serve USA, at1020 8^th Avenue, Southwest.

 

Valley City  (CSi) The CHI Mercy Health Foundation presents the 2019 Annual Charity Event, Oktoberfest, Friday October 25 from 5:30-p.m., to 10-p.m., at the Valley City Eagles Club.

Individual tickets are $25 in advance, $30 at the door, with sponsorship available.

During the evening, there will be a silent auction, raffle boards, dueling piano entertainment performed by Fun Pianos, and scrumptious eats, with a German flair.

Enter the raffle drawing to win cash prizes up to $1,000.

This year’s Oktoberfest proceeds are being utilized for the purchase of an Arjo Rhapsody bathtub system to improve care for individuals who are affected by reduced mobility, and age-related health challenges.

Also keep CHI Mercy Health in your giving plans.

For additional information contact Andrea, at 701-845-6557, or AndreaHochhalter@catholichealth.net

 

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Two women accused of damaging valves and setting fire to construction equipment along an oil pipeline that crosses Iowa and three other states have been indicted on federal charges in the case.

Federal prosecutors for Iowa said Tuesday that a grand jury on Sept. 19 indicted Jessica Reznicek and Ruby Montoya on nine counts each, including conspiracy, use of fire in the commission of a felony and malicious use of fire.

The women claimed in a statement they released in 2017 that they had burned construction machinery, cut through pipe valves with a torch and set fires with gasoline, rags and tires along the Dakota Access pipeline route. The $3.8 billion pipeline crosses North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa and Illinois.

It was not clear whether the women yet have attorneys. Publicly-listed phone numbers for the women could not be found Tuesday.

 

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — The proposed presidential library for Theodore Roosevelt in western North Dakota now has a CEO.

The board of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum voted Tuesday to appoint Edward F. O’Keefe to lead the organization.

Gov. Doug Burgum calls O’Keefe “the best person” to take the proposed library “to the next level.”

O’Keefe is a North Dakota native who is writing a book on Roosevelt, who spent more than three years in North Dakota in the 1880s.

Burgum has made the library a top priority of his administration. State legislators in April approved $50 million to operate the library, but that must be matched by $100 million in private money.

O’Keefe will join Burgum and Interior Secretary David Bernhardt along with Sens. John Hoeven and Kevin Cramer on a tour of Medora on Thursday.

 

In sports…

Tuesday

High School Golf

High School Volleyball

Tuesday…

Fargo Shanley 3, Valley City 1 (25-16, 25-17, 20-25, 25-23).

Fargo Davies 3, Wahpeton 0 (25-6, 25-17, 25-9).

Grand Forks Red River 3, Fargo South 1 (16-25, 25-15, 25-21, 27-25).

Bismarck Century 3, Bismarck St. Mary’s 0 25-21, 25-15, 25-19).

Bismarck 3, Minot 0 (25-14, 25-22, 25-20).

Mandan 3, Dickinson 0 (25-20, 25-19, 25-19).

Garrison/Max 3, Underwood 1(25-21, 25-11, 23-25, 25-19).

Linton/H-M-B 3, Medina/Pingree-Buchanan 0 (25-21, 25-21, 25-18).

Napoleon/Gackle-Streeter 3, Kidder Co. 2 (25-20, 25-22, 19-25, 23-25, 15-13).

Milnor/North Sargent 3, Tri-State 2.

Thompson 3, Hillsboro/Central Valley 0 (25-20, 25-21, 25-17).

Heart River 3, Glen Ullin/Hebron 0 (25-13, 25-12, 25-17).

Grant County 3, Standing Rock 0.

Richland 3, Oak Grove 1 (25-23, 14-25, 25-16, 25-17).

Stanley 3, Divide County 1 (25-15, 25-12, 20-25, 25-11).

Powers Lake 3, Tioga 2 (27-25, 23-25, 19-25, 25-21, 15-6).

Carrington 3, Ellendale 0 (25-19, 25-15, 25-11).

Rugby 3, Drake-Anamoose 0.

Central Cass 3, Kindred 2. (18-25, 25-13, 22-25, 25-16, 15-9).

Velva 3, Nedrose 0 (25-14, 25-21, 25-22).

TGU 3, Westhope/Newburg 0.

Hankinson 3, Wyndmere/Lidgerwood 0.

Our Redeemers 3, South Prairie 0 (25-3, 25-6, 25-7).

Des Lacs-Burlington 3, Bishop Ryan 1 (17-25, 25-15, 25-19, 25-21).

Lewis and Clark 3, Surrey 0 25-11, 25-15, 26-24).

North Star 3, Dakota Prairie 0 (25-4, 25-18, 25-12).

Glenburn 3, Mohall-Lansford-Sherwood 1 (25-21, 25-11, 23-25, 25-19).

Dickinson Trinity 3, Beulah 1 (23-25, 25-16, 25-21, 25-21).

Hettinger/Scranton 3, Hazen 0.

Rolla 3, St. John 1 (25-17, 25-17, 23-25, 25-15).

Bowman County 3, New England 2 (23-25, 25-15, 25-19, 23-25, 15-4).

Hatton/Northwood 3, Finley-Sharon/Hope-Page 1 (25-13, 19-25, 25-23, 25-15).

Trenton 3, Ray 2 (21-25, 25-13, 20-25, 25-22, 15-8).

Boys soccer

West Fargo Sheyenne 4, Fargo North 0.

Fargo Davies 1, Grand Forks Central 1.

Grand Forks Red River 1, Fargo Shanley/OG/PC 1.

Fargo South 1, West Fargo 1.

 

Valley City  (VCSU)   The Valley City State Board of Student Athletes has deemed Wednesday’s volleyball conference matchup “Dig Pink Night” to raise awareness for October’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The Vikings host Mayville State in the mid-week conference game with the first serve scheduled for 7 p.m.

The first 100 fans to the game will receive a small pink volleyball, courtesy of game sponsor Dacotah Bank. Prior to the match and weather-permitting, the VCSU Century Club will host a free grill-out meal in the Gazebo outside Graichen Gym at 5:30 p.m. The public is invited to attend.

This is the first of three straight home matches for Viking Volleyball. They will also host Presentation College on Saturday, Oct. 5, at 3 p.m. followed by Dickinson State on Tuesday, Oct. 8, at 7 p.m.

Valley City State is coming off two road losses at Dakota State and No. 14 Bellevue over the weekend. The Vikings are currently 4-10 overall and 0-4 in the NSAA.

Mayville State comes off a split weekend, losing 3-0 to No. 6 Viterbo and taking a 3-1 win from Waldorf. Mayville is currently 12-8 overall and 2-2 in the NSAA.

 

College Baseball…

Valley City  (VCSU)  – The Valley City State University baseball team battled back from a 4-1 deficit but could not complete the comeback Tuesday night as the Vikings fell 5-4 against Mayville State University.

The Comets built early 3-0 and 4-1 leads before the Vikings rallied to within 4-3 and 5-4, but VCSU’s ninth-inning comeback stalled out as the tying run was cut down at second base on a stolen base attempt.

Valley City State drops to 2-6 overall this season. Mayville State improves to 3-0.

 

Vikings VCSU Invite Golf…

Tuesday…

Women…

FARGO, N.D. (AP) — North Dakota State University says it has added beer and wine to its list of beverages for sale at Bison basketball games and wrestling matches this year.

NDSU says Buffalo Wild Wings will operate the alcohol sales out of a club suite. KFGO says all fans will have to wear a valid wristband on game day to purchase or possess alcohol.

The athletic department says there’s no timeline for changing the no-alcohol policy at the Fargodome during Bison football games.

MLB…

National League Wild Card Game..

WASHINGTON (AP) — After all the heartache and close calls, all the early exits, maybe it makes sense that a 20-year-old kid who never had been to the postseason, Juan Soto, would help the Washington Nationals finally advance.

And maybe, just maybe, it makes sense that it would be this particular edition of the Nationals, a club that went from 12 games under .500 in May to playoff participant, that demonstrated the necessary never-give-up fortitude when things looked bleak.

Soto delivered a bases-loaded single against Milwaukee closer Josh Hader that scored three runs with two outs in the eighth inning, thanks in part to an error by rookie outfielder Trent Grisham, and the Nationals came back to beat the Brewers 4-3 in the NL wild-card game Tuesday night.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Nagging injuries to Justin Turner, Rich Hill and Joe Kelly have improved enough that all three will be available when the Los Angeles Dodgers open the National League Division Series.

Manager Dave Roberts didn’t reveal his roster Tuesday for the best-of-five playoff that begins Thursday at Dodger Stadium against the Washington Nationals. And he didn’t announce a Game 1 starter, either.

But Roberts confirmed that two talented Dodgers rookies — catcher Will Smith and second baseman Gavin Lux — will be active. The manager also said the team will carry eight relievers.

Los Angeles worked out Tuesday while the NL wild-card game between the Nationals and Milwaukee Brewers played on the stadium videoboards. The Dodgers wrapped up before the Nationals rallied to win 4-3.

The Dodgers took the season series from the Nationals, 4-3. The clubs split four games at Dodger Stadium, and Los Angeles won two of three in Washington.

 

ATLANTA (AP) — Atlanta left-hander Dallas Keuchel (KY’-kul) will face St. Louis right-hander Miles Mikolas in Game 1 of the NL Division Series on Thursday night.

Each team announced its starting pitcher on Tuesday.

Keuchel, who has nine career postseason starts, went 8-8 with a 3.75 ERA in 19 starts after signing a one-year deal with Atlanta. He will face the Cardinals for the first time since 2016.

Mikolas was 9-14 with a 4.17 ERA in 32 starts for the Cardinals. He will make his postseason debut.

 

^MLB-REDS-HITTING COACH

Reds fire hitting coach

CINCINNATI (AP) — The Cincinnati Reds have fired hitting coach Turner Ward after one season.

Ward was hired as part of first-year manager David Bell’s staff last offseason after three years as hitting coach with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Cincinnati finished the season 75-87, an eight-game improvement from 2018 after adding veteran hitters Yasiel Puig and Matt Kemp — both from the Dodgers — plus three starting pitchers. While the pitching improved, the offense was mostly worse.

In other MLB news:

_ Cubs coaches Mark Loretta and Will Venable are being considered for the team’s managerial opening. Loretta and Venable join David Ross as the club’s only internal candidates to replace Joe Maddon, whose contract expired after the Cubs missed the playoffs this year for the first time since 2014.

_Mets slugger Pete Alonso visited the National September 11 Memorial & Museum to donate the custom first-responder cleats and baseball bat he used in a game on the 18th anniversary of the terrorist attacks. Alonso coordinated the production of customized spikes for each of his teammates, doing so without telling Major League Baseball after the league rejected his proposal to wear first-responder hats.

_ The Colorado Rockies say star third baseman Nolan Arenado’s ability to opt out of his mega contract after 2021 isn’t among the front office’s many concerns just yet. The owner, general manager and manger met with the media and talked about rebounding in 2020 after the Rockies’ 20-win regression in 2019. Injuries were a big part of the reason as every pitcher in the starting rotation and their closer ended up getting hurt, as did emerging star outfielder David Dahl.

WNBA Finals…

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Connecticut Sun know they’ll get to play two games at home. The Washington Mystics hope to have Elena Delle Donne back for both of them.

Jonquel Jones scored 32 points and grabbed 18 rebounds, and the Sun took advantage of Delle Donne’s early injury exit to beat the Mystics 99-87 in Game 2 of the WNBA Finals on Tuesday night and even the series.

 

NFL-RAVENS-WILLIAMS

Ravens waive linebacker Tim Williams, a 2017 third-round pick out of Alabama

OWINGS MILLS, Md. (AP) — The Baltimore Ravens have waived outside linebacker Tim Williams.

Williams, a third-round pick from Alabama in the 2017 NFL draft, managed just two sacks over 19 career games in Baltimore.

He played only seven snaps in a 40-25 loss to Cleveland in Week 4. Williams had just two tackles over four games this season.

Last month, Ravens coach John Harbaugh said Williams was one of the players the team needed more production from.

The Ravens are ranked 23rd in the NFL with eight sacks over four games. Baltimore signed former Eagles linebacker L.J. Fort on Monday.

In other NFL news:

_ The Baltimore Ravens posted a video and story on their website disputing that cornerback Marlon Humphrey choked Browns star Odell Beckham Jr. in Sunday’s game. The video shows the scuffle between Humphrey and Beckham, who is pinned below Baltimore’s defender. While the clip shows Humphrey’s hands near Beckham’s neck, the story said he “definitely did not choke” him. Browns coach Freddie Kitchens and several players scoffed at the idea the Ravens think Humphrey was not choking Beckham.

^NHL-SHARKS-KANE SUSPENDED

Sharks’ Kane suspended 3 games for abuse of official

NEW YORK (AP) — San Jose Sharks forward Evander Kane has been suspended for the first three games of the season for abuse of an official.

The punishment handed out Tuesday comes after a run-in Kane had with Vegas’ Deryk Engelland in a preseason game on Sunday.

Kane responded with a slash after being cross-checked by Engelland. His stick also made contact with linesman Kiel Murchison. Murchison later grabbed Kane’s jersey to split the two players up and the two fell to the ice. Kane then appeared to shove the linesman as he got up. Kane was given a game misconduct for the play.

The Sharks open the season Wednesday night in Vegas and then host the Golden Knights on Friday night. Kane will also miss a game in Nashville on Oct. 8. Kane will forfeit more than $112,000 based on his annual salary because of the suspension.

In other NHL news:

_ Lee Stempniak has retired from the NHL after playing for 10 teams in 14 seasons. The 36-year-old winger announced his decision Tuesday through the players’ union. He says he is “extremely grateful to have lived my dream every day throughout my career.” Stempniak was a steady presence, playing in 70 games or more in nine seasons. He broke in with St. Louis in 2005 and spent four seasons with them, his longest stretch with any team. He finished with 203 goals and 266 assists in 911 games.

_ The Buffalo Sabres set their 23-player regular-season roster by demoting forward Victor Olofsson and defenseman Henri Jokiharju to the minors. Though the two rookies were sent down to Rochester, both are expected to be back on the Sabres’ roster by Thursday, when Buffalo opens the season at Pittsburgh.

In world and national news…

WASHINGTON (AP) — House Democrats have set up closed-door depositions from two former U.S. officials who represented the Trump administration in Ukraine.

The plan to draw their testimony Thursday comes in spite of Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s effort to delay former and current officials from providing documents and testimony in the impeachment inquiry against President Donald Trump.

House Democrats warn that blocking congressional access to impeachment witnesses could itself be an impeachable offense.

Pompeo said Tuesday the Democrats are trying to “intimidate” and “bully” career officials into appearing and claims it would be “not feasible” as demanded. House investigators counter that it would be illegal for the secretary to try to protect Trump by preventing the officials from talking to Congress.

Trump took to Twitter to brand the impeachment inquiry a “coup.”

 

 

LAS VEGAS (AP) — As impeachment fever overtakes Washington, the progress made on stemming gun violence risks falling by the wayside. But gun control advocates are determined to prevent that from happening.

Ten White House hopefuls will be in Las Vegas for a forum on gun policy on Wednesday — almost two years to the day after a gunman killed 58 people at a country music festival on the Las Vegas Strip in the deadliest mass shooting in modern American history.

The forum is an effort to keep gun violence front and center of the debate.

Polls show that a majority of Americans favor stricter gun laws. But negotiations between President Donald Trump’s administration and lawmakers over background checks have stalled in recent weeks. The effort faced long odds even before the impeachment inquiry.

 

 

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukraine’s former president says he discussed investments with President Donald Trump’s attorney, Rudy Giuliani, in 2017, but that he never discussed Ukrainian companies with any U.S. official.

Former President Petro Poroshenko, now a Ukrainian lawmaker, told reporters Wednesday: “We definitely do not want to be involved in the political process inside the United States.”

Poroshenko said he met Giuliani in 2017 as a “friend of Ukraine” and they discussed “political support and investment” but nothing else. Poroshenko said he never spoke about any “commercial companies” with Trump, former President Barack Obama or current Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden.

Giuliani wants Ukraine to investigate Biden, whose son Hunter served on the board of the Ukrainian gas company Burisma. Trump asked Poroshenko’s successor to “look into” the Bidens in a call that’s at the center of a U.S. impeachment inquiry.

 

HONG KONG (AP) — Hundreds of college students are striking to condemn the police shooting of their classmate during surging violence at Hong Kong pro-democracy protests that marred China’s National Day.

It was the first time a protester had been struck by gunfire since the protests began in June and is sure to inflame anger at police, who already were accused of using excessive force against the demonstrators.

Police have said the officer feared for his life and his shooting of the 18-year-old student in the chest at close range Tuesday was “reasonable and lawful.” News reports say he is in critical but stable condition.

Students at the Tsuen Wan Public Ho Chuen Yiu memorial college — which the teen attended — called police “murderer” on Wednesday. They chanted anti-police slogans and demanded accountability.

 

DALLAS (AP) — The same jury that convicted a white Dallas police officer in the fatal shooting of her black neighbor will soon return to court to consider her sentence — a penalty that could be anywhere from five years to life in prison.

Amber Guyger said she mistook the man’s apartment for her own. She was convicted of murder Tuesday. Her defense attorneys can argue that she deserves a light sentence because she acted out of confusion and fear that she had found an intruder.

Prosecutors have given no indication what sentence they will seek.

It was unclear how long the punishment phase of the trial would last. Testimony began shortly after the verdict, starting with friends and family of the victim, Botham Jean.