– Wayne Byers Show – Morning – Jan 15

CSi Weather…

…WIND CHILL ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 3 PM CST THURSDAY… INCLUDES THE JAMESTOWN AND BARNES COUNTY AREAS…

* WHAT…Very cold wind chills expected. Wind chills as low as

35 below zero.

* WHERE…Burleigh, Kidder, Stutsman, Emmons, Cass, Barnes, Sargent, Ransom and Richland Counties counties of North Dakota.counties of North

Dakota.

* WHEN…Until 3 PM CST Thursday.

* IMPACTS…The dangerously cold wind chills could cause

frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 10 minutes.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

A Wind Chill Advisory means that very cold air and strong winds

will combine to generate low wind chills. This will result in

frost bite and lead to hypothermia if precautions are not taken.

The latest road conditions for North Dakota can be found at
dot.nd.gov/travel and for Minnesota at 511mn.org, or by calling
5 1 1 in either state.

Forecast…

.REST OF TODAY…Mostly sunny. Patchy blowing and drifting snow through the day. Highs around 5 below. Northwest winds 10 to 20 mph. Wind chills around 30 below.

.TONIGHT…Clear. Lows around 25 below. West winds around 10 mph.

Wind chills around 35 below.

.THURSDAY…Sunny. Highs zero to 5 above. Southeast winds around

5 mph increasing to 10 to 15 mph in the afternoon. Wind chills

around 35 below.

.THURSDAY NIGHT…Mostly cloudy. Patchy blowing and drifting snow

through the night. Not as cold. Lows around 5 below. Southeast

winds 15 to 25 mph.

.FRIDAY…Cloudy. Slight chance of snow in the morning, then snow

likely in the afternoon. Patchy blowing and drifting snow through

the day. Not as cold. Highs in the upper 20s. Southeast winds

20 to 25 mph. Chance of snow 60 percent in the Jamestown area, 70 percent in the Valley City Area.

.FRIDAY NIGHT…Cloudy. Snow in the evening, then chance of snow

after midnight. Areas of blowing and drifting snow in the

evening, then blowing and drifting snow after midnight. Windy.

Lows around 5 below.

.SATURDAY…Decreasing clouds. Blowing and drifting snow. Windy.

Highs zero to 5 above.

.SATURDAY NIGHT…Partly cloudy. Blowing and drifting snow.

Windy. Lows around 15 below.

.SUNDAY…Partly sunny. Areas of blowing and drifting snow in the

morning. Highs near zero.

.SUNDAY NIGHT…Decreasing clouds. Lows around 15 below.

.MARTIN LUTHER KING JR DAY…Sunny. Highs near zero.

.MONDAY NIGHT…Mostly clear. Lows around 10 below.

.TUESDAY…Mostly sunny. Highs around 15.

Frigid wind chills followed by late week winter storm.

A period of dangerously cold wind chills will be followed by a potentially high impact winter storm this week.

The wind chill impacts will be the greatest Wednesday through late Thursday evening.

The potential winter storm will impact the region Friday afternoon through Saturday evening.

An arctic airmass will bring frigid temperatures and dangerous wind chills from late Wednesday morning to late Thursday evening.

Following the arctic outbreak, a potentially high impact winter storm will hit the area Friday and Saturday.

It appears that the Turtle Mountains and James Valley are favored for the higher snow amounts, with a gradual decrease into western North Dakota.

The most likely impact will be heavy snow accumulations of six inches or greater, from Friday afternoon through late Saturday afternoon, across most of Minnesota on in to the Red River Valley. There is an increasing chance for blowing snow bringing reduced visibilities and hazardous travel conditions across portions of south central and southeastern North Dakota.

There will be significant travel-related impacts with this system.

Plan for the worst and stay tuned to the latest National Weather Service forecasts for this potentially life threatening winter storm.

Update….

Jamestown (CSi) Jamestown city crews will begin the snow removal program in the Downtown district starting tonight, Wednesday, January 15, 2020 at 11:00 p.m.
City Ordinance Section 25-10 requires that a property owner keep the sidewalk adjoining the property clear of snow and ice. Do not deposit snow or ice on the city street after the city plow has cleared the street. These violations are class B misdemeanors under the general penalty and will result in a fine.
PLEASE NOTE:
The above schedule is contingent upon changing weather conditions and snow accumulation totals.

Valley City (CSi) The Valley City Community is invited on Wednesday January 15, to an Open House for City Administrator, David Schelkoph from 3-p.m., to 5-p.m.

The gathering will be in the Valley City Commission chamber.

His resignation, accepted by the City Commission, becomes effective on January 17.

Valley City (VCSU) The online master’s in education and bachelor’s programs at Valley City State University have been ranked in the U.S. News 2020 Best Online Programs. The national rankings cover accredited degree-granting online programs.

VCSU’s online master of education (M.Ed) program was ranked 144th of 298 programs, while the online bachelor’s programs at VCSU were ranked 183rd of 345 programs.

“We’re excited about once again being selected as one of the best online master’s in education programs,” said James Boe, Ph.D., VCSU dean for graduate studies and extended learning. “We take pride in being able to offer quality programs that are flexible enough for teachers with full-time jobs, coaching responsibilities and families. The program has numerous field experiences where candidates can implement new instructional technology, conduct laboratory activities, observe in other classrooms, co-teach and more. Our goal is to improve teaching and learning and provide our graduates with the knowledge and skills to make it happen.”

The VCSU master of education (M.Ed.) program offers six concentrations: elementary education, English education, library and information technologies, teaching English language learners, teaching and technology, and technology education. The university also offers a master of arts in teaching (M.A.T.) program, designed to help individuals with degrees in non-teaching fields earn teaching licenses.

Online bachelor’s programs at VCSU include business education, business process integration management, career and technical education, communication, English education, history, history education, music, social science, social science education, and technology education.

Jamestown (CSi) At the Jamestown/Stutsman Development Corporation (JSDC) monthly meeting on Monday, the Board approved $250,000 in the 2020 Flex Pace Loan fund.

On Tuesday’s Wayne Byers Show on CSi Cable 2, JSDC Business Development Director, Corry Shevlin said, the funds come from the City Sales Tax and the Stutsman County Economic Development Mill Levy.

He added that the JSDC Board approved CDBG funds for Nick Bruns Nodak Mutual Insurance Agency for façade improvements to the new location on First Avenue North in Jamestown at a former gas station that has been rehabbed.

Following a Public Hearing at the January 6 meeting the Jamestown City Council approved, carrying out the city’s community development responsibilities related to the $33,334.00 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) for River Rock Investments, 302 1st Ave North, and to obtain citizen views and to respond to proposals and questions.

Mayor Heinrich has said, that the funding comes from the CDBG program to improve building facades.

In other JSDC business Shevlin said the Board approved the 2020 goals, and pointed to new projects coming soon, funded by JSDC.

Jamestown (CSi) The Jamestown City Park Board on a 4-1vote, approved a memo of understanding to provide mowing and minor general repairs at Frontier Village. The agreement includes a yearly review, if it extends past 2020.

The agreement estimates about 12 hours of mowing every week for the 24 weeks from May through September.

Park Board Commissioner, Mike Landscoot voted opposed saying the $15 per hour quoted in the understanding did not cover the actual costs of staff and equipment, and not wanting to limit funding to other park properties.

Jamestown Tourism is to manage Frontier Village until such time that a more permanent arrangement is agreed. Tourism Director, Searle Swedlund said there is sufficient people and equipment to handle the work.

The Park Board also approved:

Revisions to the Parks and Recreation Department’s employee handbook.

The purchase of another snowblower which will attach to a second skid steer loader

Scheduled a review of its strategic plan for the April meeting.

Jamestown (CSi) Jamestown Public Works reminds residents that due to the Martin Luther King Jr. Day Holiday, there will be NO garbage or recycling collection on Monday, January 20, 2020.

Monday’s route will be collected on Tuesday. Tuesday’s route will be collected on Wednesday; Wednesday’s route will be collected on Thursday; Thursday’s route will be collected on Friday, January 24, 2020.

The City baling facility and the ND recycling center will be closed on Monday, January 20, 2020.

Jamestown (CSi) The Jamestown Classic Car Club Winter Wheels Car Show is Saturday, January 25 from 9-a.m. to 6-p.m. at the Jamestown Civic Center. Anyone interested in showing a vehicle, can call Jack 701-320-4246 or Monte 701-320-9108.

The Civic Center opens on Friday the 24^th, for vehicles entered.

Unique classic cars are scheduled to be on hand from The Shed in Warroad, Minnesota.

Coming back to the show this year is the 1966 Batmobile from the T.V. Show.

There will also be $50 door prizes.

(AP) A former Fargo firefighter and the city have settled a discrimination lawsuit. The Fargo City Commission has approved paying Scot Kelsh $63,000 to settle his claim that he was the victim of discrimination after he was diagnosed with a health issue. KFGO reports Kelsh, a state representative, originally sued the city for $1.8 million claiming discrimination and violation of confidentiality after he was diagnosed with a work-related disability. He was fired by the city in 2016. He claimed in his federal lawsuit that his disability, post-traumatic stress disorder, was revealed during one of his appeals to the city and he was unable to find a permanent job after that information was made public.

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — A Republican state lawmaker in North Dakota says he doesn’t know how two anti-Islam posts appeared in his Facebook feed. Rep. Jim Kasper, of Fargo, says his account may have been hacked by political opponents. Kasper posted an apology Tuesday on his private Facebook page to those who can see his posts. He says he has about 4,000 Facebook friends, most of whom he does not know personally. Kasper says he is deleting some of his Facebook friends and having his computer checked for security breaches. Kasper is one of the most conservative lawmakers in the GOP-led Legislature.

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum has appointed an interim director of the state Parks and Recreation Department. Burgum said Ryan Gardner will serve as interim director of the agency beginning Monday. He replaces Melissa Baker, who resigned to take a job as the Virginia State Parks. The Parks and Recreation director oversees North Dakota’s 15 state parks and recreation areas and is a member of the governor’s cabinet. Applications are currently being accepted for the director’s position.

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — State environmental officials say a spill of oilfield wastewater caused by a faulty valve has affected some pastureland in western North Dakota. The state Department of Environmental Quality said the 12,180-gallon produced water spill happened on Saturday at a well pad about 14 miles east of Watford City. State environmental scientist Bill Suess said only about 168 gallons of produced water escaped the well site. He said about 800 square feet of pastureland was affected. He said no water sources were harmed.

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — A pipeline spill of oilfield wastewater has affected cropland in northwestern North Dakota. State environmental scientist Bill Suess said regulators were notified Monday of the 8,400 gallon pipeline leak in Renville County. The pipeline is operated by Wichita Falls, Texas-based Cobra Oil and Gas. The spill of produced water happened 2 miles north of Sherwood, and within a 1 mile of the U.S.-Canada border. About 1,000 square feet of cropland was affected.

LAS VEGAS (AP) — A North Dakota-based company has been awarded a $99 million contract to construct an interchange to provide new direct connections between two freeways in metro Las Vegas. The Nevada Department of Transportation says Fisher Sand & Gravel Co. of Dickinson will build ramps, flyovers and street connections for Interstate 15 and the 215 Beltway in North Las Vegas. The department says the project includes building two massive flyovers, including one that will be longer than the Eiffel Tower laid on its side. The department says the new interchange will enhance safety and improve traffic flow and mobility and that the project will break ground in the first quarter of this year and be completed in late 2022.

In Sports…

GIRLS PREP BASKETBALL=

Mandan 68, Jamestown 58

Bismarck St. Mary’s 59, Dickinson 50

Bowman County 49, Harding County, S.D. 33

Devils Lake 74, Sheyenne 63

Fargo Davies 72, West Fargo 39

Harvey-Wells County 61, Dakota Prairie 43

Heart River 48, Hazen 33

Langdon-Edmore-Munich 71, St. John 23

Lemmon, S.D. 73, Mott-Regent 51

Linton-HMB 80, South Border 26

Medina-Pingree-Buchanan 54, Napoleon/Gackle-Streeter 34

Turtle Lake-Mercer-McClusky 37, Garrison 34

BOYS PREP BASKETBALL=

Blue Jays 66, Mandan 64

Valley City 74, Fargo South 61

Bowman County 60, Lemmon, S.D. 58

Central Cass 77, Tri-State 46

Dickinson Trinity 72, New England 36

Fargo Davies 62, West Fargo 45

Grafton 53, Drayton/Valley-Edinburg 32

Midkota 39, Carrington 33

Powers Lake 66, Ray 24

Shiloh Christian 81, Grant County 45

St. John 66, Mohall-Lansford-Sherwood 51

Thompson 61, Northern Cass 58

Turtle Lake-Mercer-McClusky 49, Garrison 47

Turtle Lake-mercer 49, Garrison 47

Wahpeton 71, Fargo North 60

Wilmot, S.D. 55, Wyndmere-Lidgerwood 48

Barnes County Tournament=

Enderlin 85, Finley-Sharon/Hope-Page 52

Griggs County Central 50, Sargent Central 46

LaMoure-Litchville-Marion 46, Milnor-North Sargent 37

(2OT) Maple Valley 62, Barnes County North 61

Tuesday

High School

BOY’S HOCKEY

Mandan 6, Jamestown 4

Fargo Davies 9, Sheyenne 0

Fargo South/Shanley 3, Grand Forks Central 2

Grand Forks Red River 2, Grafton-Park River 2, OT

Hazen/Beulah 4, Bismarck High 0

Minot 3, Williston 1

Morris Benson Area Storm, Minn. 7, May Port CG 4

GIRLS HOCKEY

West Fargo-Sheyenne United 7, Jamestown 0

Devils Lake 1, Grand Forks Knightriders 0

Fargo North/South 5, Detroit Lakes/Perham, Minn. 2

Mandan 11, Dickinson 2

High School…

Class B Basketball Polls

Fifth Poll

(First-place votes in parenthesis)

Boys

Team Rec. Pts. LW

Four Winds-Minnewaukan (16) 6-0 178 1
Rugby (2) 7-0 164 3
Enderlin 6-0 133 5
Hillsboro-Central Valley 5-1 105 2
Richland 5-1 88 7
New Rockford-Sheyenne 4-1 82 8
Hatton-Northwood 4-2 64 NR
St. John 7-1 60 9
New Salem-Almont 7-0 46 10
Tie: Linton/HMB 7-1 17 NR, Shiloh Christian 6-2 17 4

Others receiving votes: Underwood (7-0), Langdon-Edmore-Munich (5-2), Beulah (6-3), Dickinson Trinity (7-2), Kindred (4-3).

Girls

Team Rec. Pts. LW

Kindred (14) 9-0 176 1
Langdon-Edmore-Munich (3) 9-0 163 2
Rugby (1) 10-0 118 6
Kidder County 11-1 112 5
Trenton 8-0 105 4
Thompson 9-1 99 7
Linton/HMB 9-1 60 8
Four Winds-Minnewaukan 8-2 53 3
Grafton 8-2 51 9
Beach 7-1 32 10

Others receiving votes: Mohall-Lansford-Sherwood (8-1), Central Cass (6-2), Carrington (8-2).

College Softball Poll…

Valley City (VCSU) Valley City State University is the coaches’ favorite to repeat as North Star Athletic Association champions in 2020, the conference office announced Monday with the release of the NSAA Preseason Coaches’ Poll.

The Vikings collected four first-place votes and tallied 59 points to claim the top spot in the preseason poll. VCSU had a historic 2019 season with an astounding 54-5 overall record, which included a trip to the NAIA World Series. Valley City State breezed through the North Star conference season with an impressive 26-2 record. The Vikings won the NSAA Regular Season Championship, the NSAA Postseason Tournament Championship, and their NAIA Opening Round Championship. VCSU’s season finished at the 10-team NAIA World Series in Springfield, Mo.

Bellevue (Neb.) picked up three first-place votes and earned 57 points to place second in the preseason poll. The Bruins also qualified for the NAIA Softball National Tournament Opening Round, falling short to Houston-Victoria (Texas) and Avila (Mo.). BU finished their 2019 season with an overall record of 44-20 and 23-5 record in NSAA.

Mayville State (N.D.) recorded its final first-place vote and totaled 49 points to finish third. Dickinson State (N.D.) was tabbed to finish fourth with 43 points.

Viterbo (Wis.) edged Waldorf (Iowa) 28-26 to secure the No. 5 spot in the coaches’ preseason poll. Dakota State was seventh with 17 points, followed by Presentation (S.D.) eighth with nine points.

Points were awarded on an 8-1 basis in the conference coaches’ preseason poll.

The North Star conference softball season officially starts on March 14-15 between Dickinson State and Waldorf in Tucson, Ariz. with a four-game series. The rest of the NSAA conference members will start league play on March 21-22 (schedule: Presentation at Viterbo; Dakota State at Valley City State and Bellevue at Mayville State).

Most of the softball conference schedule will be played on the weekend (Saturday-Sunday) with a four-game series. The traveling partners (BU-DaSU, VU-WU, DiSU-PC and VCSU-MSU) will play a doubleheader on the middle of the week during the regular-season.

The NSAA Softball conference tournament will be held in Valley City, N.D. on April 30 through May 3.

There is one automatic bid to the NAIA Softball National Tournament Opening round, with 10 different sites with four teams each competing in a double-elimination tournament on May 11-13. The winner of the postseason conference tournament will earn the automatic bid to the national tournament.

The NAIA Softball World Series take place in Columbus, Ga. on May 21-27.

Below is the complete 2019 NSAA Softball Coaches’ Preseason Poll:

2020 North Star Athletic Association Softball Preseason Poll
Rank	School	Points
1	Valley City State (N.D.) (4)	59
2	Bellevue (Neb.) (3)	57
3	Mayville State (N.D.) (1)	49
4	Dickinson State (N.D.)	43
5	Viterbo (Wis.)	28
6	Waldorf (Iowa)	26
7	Dakota State (S.D.)	17
8	Presentation (S.D.)	9
*First-place votes in parenthesis

TOP 25 MEN’S BASKETBALL…

Clemson stuns Duke

UNDATED (AP) — It’s been almost 19 years since Clemson was able to celebrate a win as great as this one.

Aamir Simms poured in a career-high 25 points in the Tigers’ 79-72 upset of No. 3 Duke. It was the highest-profile upset for the Tigers since beating No. 1 North Carolina on their home court in February 2001.

The Blue Devils led 62-59 with 6:40 remaining before Clemson took control with a 14-3 run, including eight points from Simms.

Tevin Mack scored 22 points on 10-of-14 shooting for the Tigers, who were coming off a win at North Carolina.

Vernon Carey Jr. scored 20 points as the Blue Devils dropped to 15-2 with their first loss since a stunning home defeat to Stephen F. Austin in November.

In other top-25 finals:

— Isaiah Moss shot 6-for-11 from 3-point range while scoring 20 points in his first start of the season to help sixth-ranked Kansas beat Oklahoma, 66-52. Udoka Azubuike (oo-DOH’-kah az-uh-BOO’-kee) had 16 points and 14 rebounds as the Jayhawks rebounded from Saturday’s home loss to Baylor.

— Seventh-ranked San Diego State remains one of two unbeaten teams left in Division 1 after Malachi Flynn furnished 20 points and Yanni Wetzell added 17 in a 64-55 victory over Fresno State. The Aztecs improved to 18-0 and ran its nation-best road winning streak to nine games.

— No. 11 Louisville was able to pull out a 72-68 win against Pittsburgh after Panthers forward Terrell Brown was called for a foul while hitting a potential game-tying bucket with 21 seconds left. Jordan Nwora (WOHR’-uh) led the Cardinals with 14 points and Dwayne Sutton finished with 13 points and nine rebounds.

— West Virginia rolled to an 81-49 romp over TCU behind Derek Culver’s 17 points. The 12th-ranked Mountaineers are 8-0 at home this season and have held opponents to 60 points or fewer in five straight games.

— Collin Gillespie made four straight free throws in overtime and scored 21 points to help 14th-rated Villanova survive a scare in its 19th straight win against DePaul, 79-75. The Wildcats trailed by 13 early and squandered an 11-point edge in the last 2:14 of regulation before improving to 13-3.

— Obi Toppin dropped in 24 points, including three dunks and a 3-pointer while No. 15 Dayton was scoring 22 straight points in a 79-65 win versus VCU. Jalen Crutcher chipped in 20 points and Trey Landers added 16 with nine boards for the 15-2 Flyers.

— Brad Davison capped his 14-point performance by draining a go-ahead 3-pointer with 11 seconds left to push Wisconsin past No. 17 Maryland, 56-54. Nate Reuvers (REE’-vurz) contributed 17 points and Micah Potter had 14 in the Badgers’ third straight victory against a ranked opponent.

— Ohio State’s four-game losing streak is over after C.J. Walker scored 18 points to lead the 21st-ranked Buckeyes past Nebraska, 80-68. D.J. Carton had 13 points and five assists for OSU, which played without suspended guards Luther Muhammad and Duane Washington Jr.

— No. 23 Texas Tech was a 77-63 winner against Kansas State behind Kyler Edwards’ 24 points. Davide Moretti finished with 13 points and Kevin McCullar added 10 off the bench for the Red Raiders.

NBA…

Jazz get 10th straight win

UNDATED (AP) — The Utah Jazz have run their winning streak into double-digits.

Joe Ingles matched his career high with 27 points as the Jazz picked up their 10th straight win, 118-107 over the Nets in Brooklyn. Rudy Gobert (goh-BEHR’) had 22 points and 18 rebounds for Utah, while Donovan Mitchell contributed 14 of his 25 points in the fourth quarter after missing the team’s previous game due to illness.

Bojan (BOY’-ahn) Bogdanovic had 18 for the Jazz, who opened a 20-point lead and held off numerous Brooklyn rallies.

Nets guard Kyrie Irving had 32 points and a season-high 11 assists in his second game back from a shoulder injury.

Checking out Tuesday’s other NBA action:

— Giannis Antetokounmpo (YAH’-nihs an-teh-toh-KOON’-poh) poured in 37 points in just 22 minutes before resting the entire fourth quarter of the Bucks’ 128-102 rout of the Knicks. Khris Middleton finished with 17 points and Milwaukee led by as many as 35 before improving to a league-best 36-6.

— Kawhi (kah-WY’) Leonard scored a season-high 43 points in three quarters of the Clippers, 128-103 assault on the Cavaliers. Lous Williams added 24 points for Los Angeles, which had six scorers in double figures to win for the fifth time in six games.

— Dwight Powell provided 21 points on 9 of 9 shooting in his return to the Bay Area as the former Stanford star helped the Mavericks crush the Warriors, 124-97. Luka Doncic (DAHN’-chihch) added 20 points and eight rebounds as Dallas won its fourth straight against Golden State.

— Rookie guard Ja Morant scored 26 points on 10 of 11 shooting and had eight assists in the Grizzlies’ sixth consecutive win, 121-110 against the Rockets. Dillon Brooks chipped in 24 points and Jonas Valanciunas (YOH’-nuhs val-ehn-CHOO’-nuhs) added 19 for Memphis, which has its longest winning streak since December 2016.

— Trae Young scored 21 of his 36 points in the fourth quarter as the Hawks downed the Suns, 123-110 to end a four-game skid. Young got help from backcourt partner Kevin Huerter (HUR’-tur), who scored 23 points and set career highs with 15 rebounds and eight assists.

NBA-PISTONS-ROSE FINED

Rose punished for pen toss

NEW YORK (AP) — Detroit Pistons guard Derrick Rose has been fined $25,000 by the NBA for tossing a pen across the court during the end of Monday night’s loss to New Orleans.

Rose sat slumped on a courtside table and flung the pen into the stands during a stoppage of play with 37 seconds left in overtime. He finished with 23 points and eight assists, but he also had two turnovers in the final 90 seconds and missed a potential game-winning shot.

MLB-RED SOX-CORA

Bosox fire Cora

UNDATED (AP) — The fallout from the Houston Astros’ sign-stealing evidence has reached the Boston Red Sox.

The Bosox have fired manager Alex Cora a day after baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred implicated him in the sport’s sign-stealing scandal. Cora was the Astros’ bench coach when they won the 2017 World Series and led Boston to the title the following year in his first season as manager.

Manfred’s nine-page report investigating sign-stealing by the Astros mentioned Cora 11 times, saying Cora was among those who “originated and executed” aspects of the cheating scheme. Manfred explained that the team used a center field camera to decode catchers’ signals to pitchers and banged on a trash can with a bat or massage gun near the dugout to let hitters know which pitch was coming.

MLB had also been investigating allegations the Red Sox had stolen signs en route to their 2018 World Series championship.

Cora’s dismissal comes a day after Astros manager AJ Hinch and GM Jeff Luhnow (LOO’-now) were fired by the ballclub. Hinch and Luhnow let go an hour after Manfred suspended them for the 2020 season for their role in the cheating scheme.

MLB-NEWS

Donaldson picks Twins

UNDATED (AP) — Free agent Josh Donaldson has found a landing spot.

A person familiar with the deal says the Minnesota Twins have worked out a four-year, $92 million contract with the third baseman and 2015 American League MVP.

The 34-year-old Donaldson returned after an injury-spoiled 2018 to bat .259 with 37 homers, 94 RBIs and a .900 OPS for the Atlanta Braves last season.

The deal likely means a position change for third baseman Miguel Sano (sah-NOH’), who just finalized his three-year, $30 million contract with Minnesota on Tuesday. Sano has seen action at first base and could replace the departed CJ Kron at the position.

In other MLB moves:

The Phils have designated Odubel (oh-DOO’-bul) Herrera for assignment to make roster room for fellow outfielder Nick Martini, who was acquired off waivers from Miami. Herrera set career highs with 22 home runs and 71 RBIs in 2018, but he lost his starting job last year and was suspended under Major League Baseball’s domestic violence policy following his arrest at a casino in Atlantic City. Herrera batting .222 in 39 games last season.

— Daniel Hudson’s two-year, $11 million package with the Nationals has been finalized. Hudson was 9-3 with a 2.47 ERA during the regular season last year before going 4-for-4 in save opportunities for the World Series champs.

— The Angels have picked up reliever Matt Andriese from the Diamondbacks for minor league pitcher Jeremy Beasley. Andriese had a 5-5 record last season and a 4.71 ERA in 54 appearances for Arizona in 2019.

— The Marlins have traded outfielder Austin Dean to the Cardinals for 18-year-old minor league outfielder Diowill Burgos. Dean batted .225 for Miami in 64 games last year and hit .337 with 18 home runs for Triple-A New Orleans.

NHL…

UNDATED (AP) — Sid the Kid was back in uniform for the Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday, and he delivered his most productive game of the season.

Pens captain Sidney Crosby came through with a goal and three assists in a 7-3 trouncing of the Wild. He needed less than eight minutes to pick up his first point since Oct. 29 when he assisted on Evgeni Malkin’s first goal of the night 7:57 into the game.

He was playing for the first time since missing 28 games with an abdominal injury that required surgery. Crosby’s previous season-high for points was three.

Malkin finished with two goals and an assist as the Pens improved to 12-2-1 in their last 15 games to pull within four points of the Metropolitan Division-leading Capitals.

Elsewhere on NHL ice:

— Elvis Merzlikins (murz-LIH’-kihnz) recorded his second consecutive shutout in leading the Blue Jackets to their fourth win in five games, 3-0 over the Bruins. Alexander Wennberg, Kevin Stenlund and Riley Nash provided the goals to help Merzlikins win for the sixth time in his last eight starts.

— Brock Nelson supplied a pair of goals and was one of seven Islanders to collect two points in an 8-2 dismantling of the Red Wings. Anthony Beauvillier (boh-VIH’-lee-ay), Leo Komarov (KAH’-mah-rahv), Jordan Eberle and Anders Lee each had a goal and an assist as the Islanders bounced back from Monday’s 6-2 loss to the Rangers.

— Steven Stamkos scored once in regulation and furnished the deciding shootout goal to send the Lightning to their 11th victory in 12 games, 4-3 against the Kings. Tampa Bay was in danger of dropping its second straight since a 10-game winning streak before Nikita Kucherov (KOO’-cheh-rahv) tallied with 1:15 left in regulation.

— Esa Lindell scored 1:54 into overtime to cap a Dallas comeback as the Stars beat the Avalanche, 3-2 to complete a sweep of their four-game season series. Ben Bishop stopped 41 shots and Jason Dickinson tied the game for the Stars with 5:23 remaining.

— The Oilers are 5-1-1 in their last seven games after Leon Draisaitl (DRY’-sy-tul) had two goals and an assist in their 4-2 verdict over the Predators. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Josh Archibald also scored, and Connor McDavid picked up three assists.

— Phil Kessel and Taylor Hall each scored twice as the Coyotes halted a three-game skid, 6-3 against the Sharks. Conor Garland had a goal and an assist as the Coyotes regained sole possession of the Pacific Division lead by two points over Edmonton and Calgary.

— The Maple Leafs routed the Devils, 7-4 as Auston Matthews registered his first hat trick since getting four goals in his NHL debut over three years ago. John Tavares added a goal and two assists in Toronto’s first win in four games.

— Kyle Connor scored twice and Connor Hellebuyck (HEH’-leh-buhk) handled 41 shots as the Jets ended a six-game home losing streak, 4-0 over the Canucks. Hellebuyck notched his fourth shutout of the season and 18th of his career to become the franchise leader.

— Jack Eichel (EYE’-kul) provided the go-ahead goal on an end-to-end rush 7:57 into the third period of the Sabres’ 4-2 victory against the Golden Knights. Eichel tied a career high with his 28th goal and became the first Buffalo player in 27 years to reach 60 points in 46 or fewer games.

— The Blackhawks erased an early 2-0 deficit and beat the Senators, 3-2 on an overtime goal by Jonathan Toews (tayvz). Dominik Kubalik (koo-BAH’-lihk) tied the game early in the third period with his second goal of the game and seventh in five games.

NHL-NEWS

Caps’ Backstrom gets extension

UNSATED — Capitals forward Nicklas Backstrom has accepted a five-year, $46 extension that runs through the 2024-25 season and will count $9.2 million annually toward the salary cap.

The fourth player taken in the 2006 draft has nine goals and 35 points in 39 games this season. He’s scored at least 71 points in each of his previous six seasons and has 908 in 934 career games.

In other NHL news:

— Flyers general Chuck Fletcher expects center Nolan Patrick to return from a migraine disorder and play this season. The second player taken in the 2017 draft has been sidelined all season because of his condition after producing in two seasons with the Philadelphia.

NFL-RETIREMENTS

Kuechly, Gates retire

UNDATED (AP) — A couple of Pro Bowl selections have decided to leave the NFL

Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly (KEEK’-lee) is retiring after eight seasons, announcing in a video posted on the team’s website that he feels now is the right chance to move on.

Kuechly was selected to seven Pro Bowls and was a first-team All-Pro five times. However, he suffered three concussions during his career, which may have led to his decision.

Tight end Antonio Gates has formally announced his retirement after a 16-year NFL career spent entirely with the Chargers.

He holds the league record for tight ends with 116 touchdown catches, doing it without playing a down of college football. Gates didn’t play last season and is the Chargers’ all-time leader for TDs, receptions and receiving yards, grabbing 955 passes for 11,841 yards.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL-IOWA-EPENESA

Epenesa turning pro

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Iowa is losing one of its top defensive linemen to the NFL draft a year early.

Defensive end A.J. Epenesa posted his decision on his Instagram page Tuesday, writing that his time with the Hawkeyes was everything he hoped it would be. He was an Associated Press second-team All-American and an AP All-Big Ten first-team pick this past season, recording 11.5 sacks to become the first Hawkeye to hit double-figures in that category in consecutive seasons since 2002-03. Epenesa paced the Big Ten with 10.5 sacks as a backup in 2018.

AUSTRALIAN OPEN-AIR QUALITY

Smoke haze again forces delay in Australian Open qualifying

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Officials at the Australian Open delayed the start of play by two hours today on the second day of qualifying until smoke from regional wild fires cleared.

Smoke and hazy conditions at Melbourne Park on Tuesday affected the opening day’s play with organizers criticized for allowing qualifying matches to proceed.

A number of players complained, including Bernard Tomic, who sought medical treatment during his first-round loss when he struggled to breathe. Dalila Jakupovic feared she would pass out before retiring from her match when she collapsed to her knees with a coughing spell.

On Wednesday, Canadian qualifier Brayden Schnur said Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal were “selfish” and more concerned about their legacies, saying it’s time the pair stepped up and protested against playing conditions during qualifying.

The Australian Open begins Monday.

In world and national news…

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Iran’s president is warning that European soldiers deployed in the Mideast “may be in danger” after Britain, France and Germany challenged Tehran over breaking limits of its 2015 nuclear deal. Hassan Rouhani made the comment on Wednesday during a televised Cabinet meeting. It comes after the European nations started a dispute process over Iran breaking limits from the accord. It marks the first time Rouhani has threatened Europe amid tensions with the U.S., which unilaterally withdrew from the deal in May 2018 under President Donald Trump. Iran’s top diplomat, meanwhile, says protests in the country erupted after people were “lied to” for days about the Ukrainian plane shootdown.

MILWAUKEE (AP) — President Donald Trump rallied supporters Tuesday night by defending his decision to kill a top Iranian general. At the same time, the Democrats vying to replace him used their final debate before primary voting begins to argue that doing so made the country less safe. Trump fired up thousands in the battleground state of Wisconsin while the Democratic candidates squared off in Iowa ahead of that state’s Feb. 3 caucuses. One of the hopefuls, Bernie Sanders of Vermont, said he feared that Trump’s actions in Iran could lead the United States into a foreign policy quagmire of the highest level.

BAGHDAD (AP) — Qatar’s foreign minister says his Gulf nation wants to play a mediating role amid regional tensions following a U.S. drone strike that killed a top Iranian general and a senior Iraqi official earlier this month. The attack escalated into a major crisis between Washington and Tehran, with Baghdad caught in the middle. Qatar’s foreign minister said during an official visit to Baghdad that his country was making contacts to de-escalate tensions. His Iraqi counterpart said their talks on Wednesday focused on decreasing tensions and stressed that Iraq and Qatar share common friends in both Iran and America.

HOUSTON (AP) — A Texas inmate with a history of violence against women faces execution for fatally shooting his wife, who had feared she would never get out of her marriage alive. John Gardner is set to receive a lethal injection Wednesday evening for the January 2005 slaying of Tammy Gardner. Prosecutors said the couple was getting divorced when Gardner broke into his wife’s North Texas home and shot her in the head. She died two days later at a hospital. The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday denied a petition by his attorneys to intervene in the case. His lawyers say no other appeals are planned.