Wayne Byers Show – Morning – Oct 8

CSi Weather…

Forecast…

REST OF TODAY…Sunny. Highs in the upper 60s. South winds 5 to 10 mph.

.TONIGHT…Increasing clouds. Lows in the mid 40s. Southeast

winds 5 to 10 mph.

.WEDNESDAY…Cloudy with a 20 percent chance of rain in the Jamestown area 50 percent in the Valley City area. Highs in the mid 50s. Temperatures falling into the mid 40s in the afternoon. East winds 5 to 10 mph increasing to north 15 to 20 mph in the afternoon.

.WEDNESDAY NIGHT…Rain likely in the evening, then snow possibly

mixed with rain after midnight. Lows in the lower 30s. North

winds around 25 mph.

.THURSDAY…Snow. Areas of blowing and drifting snow. Snow may be

heavy at times in the morning. Windy, colder. Heavy snow

accumulations. Highs in the mid 30s. North winds 25 to 30 mph.

Chance of precipitation 90 percent.

.THURSDAY NIGHT…Snow. Areas of blowing and drifting snow. Lows

in the upper 20s.

.FRIDAY…Snow likely. Areas of blowing and drifting snow. Snow

may be heavy at times. Windy. Highs in the lower 30s. Chance of

snow 70 percent.

.FRIDAY NIGHT…Snow likely. Areas of blowing and drifting snow.

Snow may be heavy at times. Windy. Lows in the upper 20s. Chance

of snow 60 percent.

.SATURDAY…Snow likely. Areas of blowing and drifting snow.

Windy. Highs in the mid 30s. Chance of snow 60 percent.

.SATURDAY NIGHT…Mostly cloudy with a 40 percent chance of snow.

Patchy blowing and drifting snow. Lows in the upper 20s.

.SUNDAY…Mostly cloudy. Highs in the mid 30s.

.SUNDAY NIGHT…Mostly cloudy. Lows in the upper 20s.

.COLUMBUS DAY…Partly sunny. Highs in the upper 30s.

 

A strong storm system and Arctic cold front will converge at the end of this week, bringing a period of winter weather Wednesday evening through Saturday.

Widespread snow accumulation is likely, and heavy snow is possible. However, confidence in the timing and placement of the heaviest snow remains uncertain. Travel impacts are likely, especially on Friday and Saturday. Significant travel impacts and tree damage are possible where the heaviest snow occurs.

Check the forecast frequently as confidence increases in snowfall timing, placement and amounts.

 

From the 125th Anniversary Calendar of Jamestown History

This Day In History, October 8, 1908 – Jamestown Public Library opens in new quarters in City Hall building.  More information and a story posted at CSiNewsNow.com

 

Omaha, NE (USACE) — The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers increased releases from Pipestem Dam Monday, Oct 7, 2019, to 700 cubic feet per second. After evaluating channel conditions through the City of Jamestown (N.D.), releases will be increased to 800 cfs.  Jamestown Dam will continue to release 600 cfs, for a total combined release of 1,400 cfs by the end of the week.

Additional rain has increased runoff forecasts into the reservoirs.

Pipestem Reservoir on Monday was  at pool elevation 1460.0 feet, 17.5 feet above the base of the flood control zone, and rising. The inflow is near 950 cfs. Jamestown Reservoir is currently at pool elevation 1432.6 feet, 1.6 feet above the base of the flood control zone, and rising. The inflow is near 900 cfs.

Basin conditions will be continuously evaluated and adjustments to the releases will be made as needed.  High river flows continue downstream of Jamestown into South Dakota on the James River, and conditions on the entire James River basin are considered in determining project releases. The target date for evacuation of flood control storage from Pipestem and Jamestown reservoirs is Nov. 1

The Corps of Engineers is coordinating with the Bureau of Reclamation and the City of Jamestown.  Combined releases could increase if basin conditions warrant.

Jamestown (CSi)  The Jamestown City Council met in Regular Session, Monday evening at City Hall.  All members were present.

HEARING FROM THE AUDIENCE: (Individuals may address the City Council about any item not contained on the agenda.)  No One Spoke.

CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS

A Resolution was considered and approved    regarding the City’s request, approved by the JSDC, for Economic Development Funds for the City of Jamestown to acquire for the National Guard one-time payment of up to $350,000 for a 40-year lease at the Airport Industrial Park at the City/County 80/20 split.

Mayor Heinrich told CSiNews.com the National Guard proposes building the Armory at a cost of between $24 million and $26 million at the Jamestown Regional Airport, Industrial Park.

He said that approval of funding also needs to come from federal officials, and the North Dakota state legislature. He said the city’s action is the first step in the process.

He pointed out that the National Guard now pays the city $14,000 a year for space at the Jamestown Civic Center. He added that with the Armory out of the building, the Civic Center will have additional space, as needed.

A Resolution regarding the request from the Jamestown Community Correction Program, a not-for-profit regional community service and restitution program organization, to fund the program in 2020 in the amount of $6 for each hour of community service ordered by Municipal Court (an increase of $2), $20 per noncompliance report (an increase of $10), and consider approval and authorize the signing of the Jamestown Community Correction Program Agreement for January 1, 2020 through December 31, 2020, and to approve these changes be made to the existing agreement, was moved to November’s Finance and Legal Committee meeting.

Other Consent Agenda items were all approved.

RESOLUTIONS:

Approved was Change Order No. 1, to Scherbenske Inc., on 2019 Watermain Replacement Project for a time extension to November 6, 2019, and for an increase in the contract price of $21,868.40.

Approved was Change Order No. 1, to LD Concrete, on 2019 Sidewalk, Curb & Gutter District #19-11, for an increase in the contract price of $17,729.20.

PUBLIC HEARINGS: Concerning the following special assessment lists:

1) Concerning the special assessment list for the Paving Improvement 5th St NE District 16-42.  No One Spoke.

2) Concerning the special assessment list for the Paving Improvement 20TH St SW District 16-43.  No One Spoke.

3) Concerning the special assessment list for the NW Watermain Rehabilitation District #17-61.  No One Spoke.

4) Concerning the special assessment list for the Safe Routes To School Sidewalk District 18-21.  No One Spoke.

5) Concerning the special assessment list for the Seal Coat, Patching, Construction and Reconstruction. District #18-41.No One Spoke.

Concerning the special assessment list for the Retaining Wall Assessment Frontier Village District #18-42.

Approved were the special assessments for the following projects:

Paving Improvement 5th St NE District 16-42, in the total amount of $2,838,689.21, less the City Share of $696,136.11, with the balance of $2,142,553.10 to be assessed to benefited properties within the district.

Paving Improvement 20TH St SW District 16-43, in the total amount of $2,443,008.04, less the City Share of $610,752.01, with the balance of $1,832,256.03 to be assessed to benefited properties within the district.

NW Watermain Rehabilitation District #17-61, in the total amount of $1,497,889.02, less the City Share of $679,171.38, with the balance of $818,717.64 to be assessed to benefited properties within the district.

Safe Routes To School Sidewalk District 18-21, in the total amount of $165,804.16, less the City Share of $41,451.04, with the balance of $124,353.12 to be assessed to benefited properties within the district.

Seal Coat, Patching, Construction and Reconstruction District #18-41, in the total amount of $2,627,904.29, less the City Share of $603,349.97, with the balance of $2,024,554.32 to be assessed to benefited properties within the district.

Retaining Wall Assessment Frontier Village District #18-42, in the total amount of $223,310.68, less the NDDOT Grant of $104,097.31, with the balance of $119,213.37 to be assessed to benefited properties within the district.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:  None were given.

ORDINANCES:

PUBLIC HEARING: Concerning the proposed budget for City General and Special Funds for the fiscal period January 1, 2020, through December 31, 2020.

Council Member Brubakken expressed concerns about hiring new positions, before seeing the results in Sales Tax increase.

The City Council Passed the SECOND READING: Ordinance No. 1521, pertaining to the appropriation of the General and Special Funds for the fiscal year January 1, 2020, through December 31, 2020.

The City Council Passed the SECOND READING: Ordinance pertaining to the appropriation of the Revenue and Special Funds for the fiscal year January 1, 2020, through December 31, 2020.

MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBER’S REPORT:

Council Member Phillips reported on The League of Cities meeting, noting that Mayor Heinrich was elected to the board.   She also attended the Anne Carlsen Center meeting, outlining funds raised to construct the new campus, and updates to the plans.  She also reported on other recent meetings she attended.

Council Member David Steele also congratulated the Anne Carlson Center.  He said there was good participation in the recently held, Pop Up event, regarding the proposed trail through Jamestown. He pointed out the increase in flows from Jamestown and Pipestem Dams, and urged residents along the river to clear obstructions.

Mayor Heinrich said the city will keep its  eyes on the dam releases, and river levels.

Council Member Buchanan pointed out the recent Jamestown Arbor Day Celebration, on September 27, where 20 trees were planted at the Civic Center, and that six grade students also were present, along with Civic Center, staff, and the proclamation was read by Mayor Heinrich.

Mayor Heinrich wished Harold Sad, the best upon his retirement.

OTHER BUSINESS

A Resolution was approved to direct the City Administrator to notify the County that the City of Jamestown should be exempt from the County Library Levy as the City maintains its own library levy.

A Resolution was approved, to direct the City Administrator to certify the tax levies to the County for the fiscal period January 1, 2020, through December 31, 2020.

Considered were options for the city-owned, damaged storage building, located at Railroad Avenue, on 3^rd Street and stormwater mitigation at 1100 Railroad Drive.

The structure was significantly damaged from a roof collapse last winter from snow accumulations.

City Building Inspector Tom Blackmore there were no quotes received on reconstruction, and two demolition quotes.

The City Council voted unanimously to demolish the building, and request quotes.

The City Council discussed a recommendation for the position of Street Foreman, to succeed the retired, Harold Sad.

Council Member Brubakken said a four person city committee recommends the appointment of Richard Lipetsky,from the street department,which was unanimously approved.  A new hire will be added to the street department to take Lipetsky’s former position.

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

 

Jamestown (CSi)  Jamestown Mayor, Dwaine Heinrich reminds residents, that a Public Hearing will be held on Thursday, October 24, at 2:30-p.m., at City Hall, concerning the request by Eagle Flats Apartments, LLC on a Tax Abatement request.

On Monday’s Wayne Byers Show on CSi Cable 2, Mayor Heinrich said,  the tax abatement request is for a period of fifteen (15) years for the development of a four story, low to moderate income based multi-unit residential building with green space, parking and some commercial space downtown.  (The former Eagles Club Building, on 2nd Street and 2nd Avenue, Southwest).

Eagle Flats, involves demolishing the current vacant Eagles building and constructing a multi-story housing unit.

Following the Public Hearing a Special City Council meeting will be held to vote on the request.

That will follow the Council’s Public Works and Police & Fire Committee meetings that start at 4-p.m., to be shown live on CSi Cable 67, followed by replays.

 

Bismarck  (CSi)   Shane Hitch, a sophomore at Valley City State University majoring in software engineering, has been awarded a $22,000 scholarship to the Applied Cybersecurity certificate program operated by SANS Technology Institute. Hitch, one of only 100 students nationwide to receive the scholarship, was a finalist in the SANS Cyber FastTrack challenge, a free online cybersecurity program for college students and graduates designed to help improve the quality and preparation of cybersecurity professionals in this growing, global career field.

Hitch competed over several months to solve more than 250 cybersecurity challenges. More than 13,000 students completed the first phase of this year’s Cyber FastTrack. Over the course of several months, the competition was narrowed to 2,579 quarterfinalists, then 541 semi-finalists, and finally 100 finalists from 63 schools across 28 states who were selected to receive a full scholarship for advanced cyber skills training through the SANS Technology Institute.

More information and photos posted at CSiNewsNow.com

Jamestown  (UJ) The University of Jamestown’s 2019 Fall Character in Leadership conference scheduled for Thursday, October 10, has been postponed until spring. The rescheduled date will be announced later this month.

Bismarck  (NDDOT) – As fall back to school activities increase, law enforcement across the state will have extra patrols to enforce the law on underage drinking, as well as conduct compliance checks and shoulder taps as a part of the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over

This enforcement effort is to remind those under 21 that drinking alcohol underage is illegal.  Law enforcement will educate young drivers that no matter your age, driving under the influence of alcohol is not only illegal but also dangerous. If underage persons are found to be consuming or in possession of alcohol, those individuals could face fines and end up in court.

Preliminary data in 2019 indicates 40% of crash fatalities in North Dakota are alcohol-related.

Consuming alcohol underage is illegal and choosing to drive while under the influence can result in a lifetime of consequences. It is vital underage drivers understand the importance of taking personal responsibility and refraining from this risk-taking behavior,” says Stutsman County Sheriff Chad Kaiser.

Alcohol and drug-related crashes are 100% preventable. Many lives would be saved in North Dakota each year if every driver consistently makes the choice to always drive sober, designate a sober driver, or use a ride-hailing service.

This campaign is part of the Vision Zero strategy to eliminate motor vehicle crash fatalities and serious injuries on North Dakota roads.

Visit the North Dakota Crash Memorial wall to view memorials built on the hope of preventing another death on North Dakota roads.

FARGO, N.D. (AP) — Fargo police are investigating a lead in the death of a woman whose remains were found in August, more than a year after she was reported missing.

Authorities say they’ve received information that there may be a person who has specific knowledge about events leading to the death of 32-year-old Brenda Kartes. KFGO reports police say someone has been sharing information about Kartes’ death.

Investigators have said the woman’s death is suspicious, but have not called it a homicide. The medical examiner wasn’t able to determine Kartes’ cause of death. She had been missing since July 2018 when she checked out of a transitional living facility in Fargo.

Her remains were found near the Red River in Fargo in August.

FARGO,N.D. (AP) — A man whose life sentence was overturned in the death of a North Dakota woman whose baby was cut from her womb has been re-sentenced to 20 years in prison.

William Hoehn, of Fargo, was sentenced a year ago to life in prison with the possibility of parole for his role in the 2017 attack on Savanna Greywind, whose baby survived.

The North Dakota Supreme Court ruled in August that a judge mistakenly labeled Hoehn as a dangerous special offender based on previous crimes. It said the judge should not have strayed from the maximum allowable sentence of 21 years.

Hoehn pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit kidnapping and lying to police before he was tried and acquitted in September 2018 on a conspiracy to commit murder charge.

 

 

MOORHEAD, Minn. (AP) — A North Dakota man faces charges after police say he displayed a handgun after a dispute over political bumper stickers with another driver in Minnesota.

Moorhead, Minnesota, police say a woman reported she was driving Monday when the 27-year-old West Fargo man pulled up and began yelling about her sticker supporting Democratic presidential hopeful Elizabeth Warren.

Authorities say he pointed to his sticker supporting Republican President Donald Trump. After the man continued past, police say he held up a gun inside his car.

Police found the suspect, saw a box for a handgun inside his vehicle and found a loaded handgun in the center console.

The man was jailed on suspicion of terroristic threats and having a loaded handgun inside a vehicle without a permit. He’s due in court Tuesday.

In sports…

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Gleyber Torres (GLAY’-bur TOHR’-ehz) got New York going with a second-inning home run, scored on each of his two doubles and made a pair of sparkling defensive plays, fueling the Yankees to a 5-1 victory over Minnesota Monday night to finish yet another sweep of the Twins and advance to the AL Championship Series.

Didi Gregorius hit two RBI singles for the Yankees, who stretched their postseason winning streak over the Twins to 13 straight games. Minnesota has lost 16 consecutive postseason games, matching the North American major sports record held by the Chicago Blackhawks in the NHL from 1975-79.

New York starts the AL Championship Series on Saturday, at home against Tampa Bay or at Houston.

NLDS-DODGERS-NATIONALS

Scherzer, Zimmerman lead Nats past LA 6-1 to force Game 5

WASHINGTON (AP) — Max Scherzer’s season-saving, seven-inning pitching performance and Ryan Zimmerman’s three-run homer lifted the wild-card Washington Nationals to a 6-1 victory over the league-best Los Angeles Dodgers on Monday to force a deciding Game 5 in their NL Division Series.

Scowling and muttering to himself in his third appearance of this postseason, Scherzer allowed one run and four hits while striking out nine. Most importantly for Washington, he and the Nats prevented LA from closing out the NLDS after taking a 2-1 lead into Game 4.

Game 5 will be Wednesday in Los Angeles, with Stephen Strasburg set to start for the Nationals against Walker Buehler.

NLDS-BRAVES-CARDINALS

Molina wins it in 10th, Cards top Braves 5-4, Game 5 next

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Yadier Molina (YAH’-dee-ehr moh-LEE’-nah) pushed the St. Louis Cardinals to a deciding Game 5 of the NL Division Series, hitting a tying single in the eighth inning and a winning sacrifice fly in the 10th to beat the Atlanta Braves 5-4 Monday.

Molina slung his bat far into the outfield after his winner, and the packed crowd at Busch Stadium roared along with him.

Game 5 will be Wednesday back in Atlanta. The Cardinals will have ace Jack Flaherty on the mound, and the Braves will go with Mike Foltynewicz.

ALDS-ASTROS-RAYS

Morton quiets Astros bats, Rays win 10-3 to extend ALDS

The Tampa Bay Rays homered four times to back another clutch playoff pitching performance by Charlie Morton and avoid elimination in the American League Division Series with a 10-3 victory over the Houston Astros on Monday.

Facing the team he helped win the World Series two years ago, Morton allowed one run and three hits while striking out nine over five innings to force Game 4 in the best of five matchup at Tropicana Field on Tuesday.

Kevin Kiermaier (KEER’-my-ur) got the wild-card Rays going with a three-run homer off Zack Greinke (GREHN’-kee) in the second inning. Ji-Man Choi and Brandon Lowe hit solo shots off the Astros starter, who has never beaten Tampa Bay on the road, and Willy Adames added a solo blast off Wade Miley in the sixth.

NFL-BROWNS-49ERS

49ers stay perfect, dominate Mayfield, Browns in 31-3 win

SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) _ Matt Breida ran 83 yards for a touchdown on San Francisco’s first play from scrimmage, Baker Mayfield was harassed into his worst game as a pro, and the 49ers stayed unbeaten for their best start in nearly 30 years, beating the Cleveland Browns 31-3 Monday night.

Tevin Coleman added a 19-yard score as part of a dominant ground game on a day when quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo passed for 181 yards and kicker Robbie Gould missed a pair of field goal attempts and had a third try blocked.

San Francisco, now 4-0, joined the 5-0 New England Patriots as the only remaining undefeated teams in the NFL. It’s the first time the 49ers have won their first four games since 1990.

The Browns, with 2 wins and 3 losses, are headed the opposite direction after losing two of three, with fresh concerns about their young quarterback.

 

In other NFL news:

_ Los Angeles Rams linebacker Clay Matthews is expected to be out four to six weeks with a broken jaw. Coach Sean McVay says Matthews’ jaw is wired shut, and he won’t return until after the Rams’ bye in early November. Matthews was hurt when Seattle running back Chris Carson inadvertently kicked him in the face during the fourth quarter of the Rams’ 30-29 loss to the Seahawks.

_ A person familiar with the move confirms to The Associated Press that the Buffalo Bills have agreed to trade receiver Zay Jones to the Oakland Raiders. Buffalo will acquire a fifth-round pick in the 2021 draft, according to the person, who spoke on the condition of anonymity on Monday because the trade has not been announced.

_ The Patriots have released tight end Ben Watson. The team announced the move shortly after Watson tweeted that he didn’t do enough to earn a roster spot. Watson was eligible to make his regular-season debut for the Patriots against Washington. But the 38-year-old wasn’t activated after serving a four-game suspension for testing positive for a banned substance following the 2018 season.

_ The Tennessee Titans have released kicker Cairo Santos a day after he missed three field goals and had a fourth blocked. Santos missed field goals from 50, 36 and 53 yards with a 36-yarder blocked by Darryl Johnson in a 14-7 loss to Buffalo. The Titans still are three weeks away from veteran kicker Ryan Succop being eligible to be activated off injured reserve.

_ The New York Giants are probably going to be without wide receiver Sterling Shepard for their Thursday night game against the New England Patriots. Giants coach Pat Shurmur said that Shepard is back in the concussion protocol for the second time this season after playing in Sunday’s 28-10 loss to the Minnesota Vikings.

NHL….

Texier scores in OT, Blue Jackets beat Sabres 4-3

UNDATED (AP) — Rookie Alexandre Texier scored 2:08 into overtime to lift the Columbus Blue Jackets to a 4-3 win over the Buffalo Sabres on Monday night.

Texier beat Linus Ullmark from the right circle off a quick pass from Nick Foligno to give the Blue Jackets their first win of the season.

In other action on the ice:

_Alex Pietrangelo scored the winner in the third period as the St. Louis Blues defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs 3-2 on Monday night. Oskar Sundqvist and Brayden Schenn had the other goals for St. Louis. Jordan Binnington made 32 stops for the defending Stanley Cup champions.

NHL-RANGERS-SENATORS TRADE

Rangers deal F Namestnikov to Senators

UNDATED (AP) _ The New York Rangers traded forward Vladislav Namestnikov to the Ottawa Senators in exchange for defenseman Nick Ebert a fourth-round pick in the 2021 NHL draft. The 26-year-old Namestnikov, acquired from Tampa Bay at the 2018 trade deadline as part of the deal that sent Ryan McDonagh and J.T. Miller to the Lightning, had 13 goals and 22 assists in 99 games with the Rangers.

In other NHL news:

_ Pittsburgh Penguins star Evgeni Malkin and Nick Bjugstad will be out indefinitely with injuries. Coach Mike Sullivan says Malkin’s lower-body injury will require a longer recovery than Bjugstad’s but added it is not season-threatening. The team has not described Bjugstad’s injury Both centers were injured during a 7-2 victory over Columbus.

CHINA-NBA CONTROVERSY

Chinese state TV halts NBA preseason China game broadcasts

BEIJING (AP) _ Chinese state broadcaster CCTV will no longer air NBA preseason games set in China after Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey tweeted an image that supported anti-government demonstrations in Hong Kong.

CCTV also says in a statement posted to the official social media account of its sports channel that it is reviewing all its cooperation and exchanges involving the NBA.

The statement indicates the decision followed remarks made by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver in Tokyo.

Silver said in an interview with Kyodo News that the NBA supports Morey.

Morey’s tweet has provoked a wave of censure from Chinese companies, including a major sports merchandise retailer and news site that have halted its partnerships with the Rockets.

NBA-PELICANS-ZION’S DEBUT

Dunkfest: Zion shows high-flying skills in preseason debut

UNDATED (AP) — Zion Williams may not be quite as tall as billed. He still soared in his first NBA preseason game Monday night.

Showing off the high-flying talents that made him one of the most anticipated rookies in years, Williamson turned in a ferocious slam less than 2 minutes into his debut with the New Orleans Pelicans and dunked it two more times before the first half was done against the Atlanta Hawks.

Williams finished the first half with 11 points, five rebounds and two assists, helping the Pelicans to a 75-61 lead over the Hawks before a much larger crowd than what normally be expected in Atlanta for an exhibition between two teams that failed to make the playoffs last season.

In other NBA news:

_ Pistons owner Tom Gores says keeping Andre Drummond in the fold is a top priority, and that the team needs to take another step forward after making the playoffs a season ago. Gores was on hand at the opening of the team’s new training center and corporate headquarters in midtown Detroit.

_ Kyle Lowry and the Toronto Raptors have agreed on a $31 million, one-year extension that could keep him with the NBA champions through the 2020-21 season. Agent Mark Bartelstein has confirmed the agreement, which was first reported by ESPN. Lowry and the Raptors had been talking for some time about this, so the extension was not unexpected.

DULUTH, Minn. (AP) — The University of Minnesota Duluth and its former women’s hockey coach have reached a tentative agreement that would settle long-running discrimination claims in state and federal courts.

The Star Tribune reports a court filing says attorneys for Shannon Miller and the university negotiated the agreement, but no details were released because it hasn’t formally been signed.

Miller sued the university in federal court in 2015 alleging gender and sexual orientation discrimination and retaliation. Despite being among the most successful women’s hockey coaches, UMD declined to renew Miller’s contract after 16 seasons.

The university last week was ordered to pay Miller $4.4 million in damages and attorneys’ fees. Miller and two other former female coaches also petitioned the state Supreme Court to reinstate a state lawsuit alleging discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.

In world and national news..

BEIRUT (AP) — Iran’s foreign ministry says a Turkish incursion into northern Syria would not address Turkey’s security concerns and would also cause “extensive” damage and humanitarian problems.

The ministry said in a statement issued on Tuesday that it was closely watching Turkey’s actions in Syria.

It added, however, that the U.S. presence in Syria was “illegitimate” and that its forces should have withdrawn from the country sooner.

Earlier this week, President Donald Trump’s abruptly decided to stand aside along Syria’s northeastern border with Turkey ahead of an expected Turkish incursion. Trump’s announcement has infuriated the Syrian Kurds, who stand to lose the autonomy they gained during Syria’s civil war.

 

WASHINGTON (AP) — Staff members from three House committees are expected to hear from more witnesses this week in the impeachment inquiry of President Donald Trump.

A deposition is set Tuesday for the U.S. ambassador to the European Union, Gordon Sondland, who has become a key figure in the probe.

On Monday, House Democrats issued subpoenas to Defense Secretary Mark Esper and acting White House budget director Russell Vought.

Trump told reporters the inquiry is a “scam” that’s making it harder to do his job.

Ramping up their defense of the president, White House aides are finalizing a high-stakes strategy that calls for stalling, attacking and blowing smoke. Allies of the president allies have criticized the response to the inquiry as a listless and unfocused.

 

(AP)  U.S. Customs and Border Protection slapped rare detention orders on goods imported from an unprecedented five countries in one day based on allegations that people producing those items might be children, or adults subjected to forced labor.

Among them, a Chinese company that makes baby pajamas sold at Costco, and rubber gloves used by surgeons made by a Malaysian company that sells to the U.S. subsidiary of Ansell, an Australian protective gloves manufacturer.

The U.S. importers say they don’t condone forced labor and that they plan to investigate. And the foreign firms deny labor abuse.

The orders, issued by Customs and Border Protection on Oct. 1, are used to hold shipping containers at the U.S. ports of entry until the agency can investigate the claims of wrongdoing.

 

LONDON (AP) — European Council President Donald Tusk has angrily addressed British Prime Minister Boris Johnson in a tweet that Brexit is not “some stupid blame game” and directly asked him where he wants to take the fast deteriorating negotiations.

After Downing Street offered an extremely negative reaction to a phone call between Johnson and German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Tusk quickly retorted that the EU-U.K. talks weren’t about apportioning blame if the divorce turns out to be a chaotic and costly no-deal exit.

Tusk tweeted to Johnson: “what’s at stake is not winning some stupid blame game. At stake is the future of Europe and the UK.”