Wayne Byers Show – Morning – Mar 31

CSi Weather

.REST OF TODAY…Partly sunny. Highs in the mid 50s. Southeast winds 10 to 15 mph increasing to 20 to 25 mph in the afternoon.

.TONIGHT…Mostly cloudy. Chance of rain and slight chance of thunderstorms in the evening, then chance of rain after midnight.

Lows in the upper 30s. Southeast winds 10 to 15 mph. Chance of

precipitation 30 percent in the Jamestown area, 40 percent in the Valley City area.

.WEDNESDAY…Partly sunny. Chance of rain in the morning, then

chance of rain showers in the afternoon. Highs in the lower 50s.

Southeast winds 10 to 15 mph shifting to the west in the

afternoon. Chance of precipitation 40 percent in the Jamestown area 30 percent in the Valley City area.

.WEDNESDAY NIGHT…Mostly cloudy. Chance of rain showers and snow

showers in the evening, then chance of snow after midnight. Lows

in the upper 20s. North winds 10 to 15 mph. Chance of

precipitation 50 percent in the Jamestown area, 60 percent in the Valley City area.

.THURSDAY…Snow likely. Colder. Light snow accumulations. Highs

in the mid 30s. North winds around 15 mph. Chance of snow

70 percent.

.THURSDAY NIGHT…Snow likely possibly mixed with freezing rain

in the evening, then snow likely after midnight. Lows in the

lower 20s. Chance of precipitation 70 percent.

.FRIDAY…Mostly cloudy with chance of snow in the morning, then

mostly sunny with slight chance of snow possibly mixed with rain

in the afternoon. Highs in the mid 30s. Chance of precipitation

30 percent.

.FRIDAY NIGHT…Partly cloudy. Lows 15 to 20.

.SATURDAY…Mostly sunny. Highs around 40.

.SATURDAY NIGHT…Mostly cloudy. Slight chance of rain and snow

in the evening, then chance of snow after midnight. Lows in the

mid 20s. Chance of precipitation 30 percent.

.SUNDAY…Partly sunny. Chance of snow possibly mixed with rain

in the morning, then chance of rain in the afternoon. Highs in

the upper 40s. Chance of precipitation 30 percent.

.SUNDAY NIGHT…Mostly cloudy. Slight chance of rain in the

evening, then slight chance of rain and snow after midnight. Lows

in the lower 30s. Chance of precipitation 20 percent.

.MONDAY…Mostly cloudy. Slight chance of rain and snow in the

morning, then slight chance of rain in the afternoon. Highs in

the lower 50s. Chance of precipitation 20 percent.

Showers and a few thunderstorms are possible over western and

central North Dakota this afternoon and evening. A cold front will

push into central North Dakota late tonight bringing the

potential for light snow into the west. On Wednesday the snow will

spread slowly east but will mainly affect western into north

central North Dakota.

 

Another round of snow will spread across most of the state

Wednesday night through Thursday night. Much uncertainty remains

with the temperatures and the location of snow, but at this time

it appears much of the James River Valley has a high risk of at

least 4 inches of snow during this second round. Gusty northerly

winds will also produce patchy blowing and drifting snow mainly

over the south on Thursday.

 

Impacts to travel may occur. Continue to check back for the latest

forecasts.

 

Saturday into Tuesday will see  milder temperatures.

so any snow later this week will melt rather quickly.

Impacts from rain and snow could be significant, from travel to

flooding.

 

River Watch…

Precipitation amounts from a quarter of an inch to as much as an inch are possible Wednesday night into Thursday. Since some of this will fall as snow, rapid runoff of the precipitation is not likely.

The Pipestem and James rivers are still expected to crest below

minor flood stage Tuesday into Wednesday of this week. This will

be followed by falling river levels into the weekend. The added

precipitation could slow this fall, or even prolong the crest.

The worst case scenario would be all of the precipitation falling

as rain in a short period of time, which could push river levels

close to minor flood stage at Lamoure. However, this is not

considered likely at this time.

Those with river concerns should continue to monitor the latest

stages and forecasts.

 

Bismarck  (CSi)  Governor Doug Burgum held his Monday News Briefing at 4-p.m., in Bismarck to provide updates related to COVID-19 in North Dakota. He was joined by U.S. Sens. John Hoeven and Kevin Cramer to discuss the federal response to the pandemic and the passage of the new Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. He opened the briefing with updates on North Dakota COVID-19 information.

COVID-19 P.M. POSITIVE TEST RESULTS | March 30 at 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Latest reported death…

• Man in his 30s from Stark County, possible travel

Categories: Travel, Possible Travel, Community Spread, Close Contact, Under Investigation

RECENT DEATHS RELATED TO COVID-19 REPORTED MONDAY

• Woman in her 80s from McHenry County with underlying health conditions who acquired COVID-19 through community spread.
• Man in his 70s from Morton County with underlying health conditions who acquired COVID-19 through community spread.

BY THE NUMBERS

3909 – Total Tested (+185 individuals from yesterday)

3800 – Negative (+174 individuals from yesterday)

109 – Positive (+11 individuals from yesterday)

19 – Hospitalized (+1 individuals from yesterday)

20 – Recovered (+2 individual from yesterday)

3 – Death (+2 individuals from yesterday)

He reminded residents to stay home if sick, and self-isolate if tested positive, avoid unnecessary travel, refrain from holding gatherings of 10 people or more, and frequently wash their hands.

Despite broad and consistent messaging about the need for people to practice social distancing, as well as executive orders aimed at limiting large gatherings and person-to-person contact at businesses, Burgum said there continues to be reports of people gathering in large groups and not heeding social distancing guidelines.

He updated increased unemployment benefits, updated SBA forgivable loans, and federal dollars coming to Native Americans .

Signed by Burgum, an amended order allows certain public school districts to open facilities through the month of May, for the limited purpose of providing child care services to children in grades K-5 only, for K-12 teachers and other health, safety and lifeline worker households, as identified by the Department of Human Services.

In consultation with Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem, Burgum signed a new executive order that suspends the open meeting requirement of a physical meeting room and a speakerphone or monitor at a physical location, when members of the governing body are attending remotely. Meetings of a governing body where members appear by remote means must provide a conference dial-in number or an electronic link to real-time or livestream public access.

The other new executive order allows temporary suspension of deadlines for public libraries to submit state aid applications and reports. It also extends the deadlines for livestock auction licensing and pesticide application licensing.

 

Burgum was joined by North Dakota U.S. Senators, John Hoeven, and Kevin Cramer.

Senator John Hoeven thanked North Dakotans for taking initiatives to help slow the spread o cornonavirus.

He said the economic stimulus checks, will be coming by direct deposit if in the IRS files from previous tax filings.   Others will be sent by mail.  IRS.gov has more information including those who did not have to file a tax return but have work eligible social security numbers, and how, they will receive checks.

He outlined support federal tax dollars being deployed for hospitals, healthcare and the ag-industry.

The federal Cornonavirus Relief Fund will send $1.2-billion to North Dakota.

He outlined SBA loans available for Native Americans in North Dakota.

Senator Kevin Cramer, said his office and Governor Burgum’s office are in constant contact, and offered his condolences to families who have lost loved ones to the COVID-10 virus.

With oil prices he pointed out that lower oil prices in the middle east translates to lower revenues coming to North Dakota.  He said that lower gas prices are great, but with reduced driving right now, it’s not as effective as it otherwise would be.

He said while in Washington, DC he and Senator Hoeven have been observing social distancing, saying that self isolation, on advice of the senate physician the two North Dakota senators was not required, neither having been in direct contact with Senator Rand Paul who was tested positive for the COVID-19 virus.

Cramer added that he’s written a letter to President Trump asking him consider embargoing Saudi Arabian oil.

He also pointed out numerous pieces of federal legislation freeing up funding for states, Native American Tribes, and local governments during the Coronavirus pandemic.

Burgum, Hoeven, Cramer, U.S. Rep. Kelly Armstrong, state Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring and other state and federal officials also held a conference call with more than 100 agriculture commodity groups, auctioneers, implement dealers, motor carriers, bankers and credit service about COVID-19 response and programs.

Jamestown  (CSi)  At a recent local  response COVID-19 briefing for Jamestown and Stutsman County North Dakota Department of Human Services Child Care Licensing Supervisor,Julie Opp said  the majority of day care providers in the Jamestown area are continuing to operate.

Opp told a media briefing Friday seen live on CSi 67 following replays that three child care providers in Stutsman County have decided to close out of concern for the spread of the coronavirus. She said however that  over 50 had made the decision to stay open.

Posted on line at CSiNewsNow.com Gov. Doug Burgum at a daily news briefing has announced the state of North Dakota would make grants available to help day care facilities remain operational through any financial difficulties caused by coronavirus precautions.

 

Bismarck  (CSi)  Office of Management and Budget Director Joe Morrissette announced Monday that the North Dakota State Capitol and select locations of the North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT) will begin implementing a COVID-19 public screening processes.

– Insurance Commissioner Jon Godfread Monday announced the issuance of seven bulletins in response to executive orders made by Governor Doug Burgum and in the interest of protecting North Dakotans during the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic. COVID-19 is a highly contagious, viral disease for which the only known method of prevention is to avoid being exposed to the virus by reducing contact with other individuals.

 

Godfread said,“Over the past 20 days, the Insurance Department has been working to provide clarity and consistency to consumers, agents and companies with how North Dakota is addressing this public health crisis. Issuing such a large number of bulletins and interfering with the way North Dakota insurance producers and companies conduct business isn’t a responsibility that I take lightly, however, there were issues that needed to be addressed quickly during this critical time. Now more than ever, we need to follow the instructions provided by the CDC to not only protect ourselves, family and friends, but also the medical professionals in our state providing critical services throughout all of our communities. I hope that these bulletins will assist in doing that.”

To read all of the bulletins in their entirety, visit insurance.nd.gov/bulletins.

The North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT) is now scheduling appointments for commercial driver license (CDL) knowledge and road tests, as well as adding endorsements. CDL services are available by appointment only and walk-ins will not be accepted at this time.  Appointments can be scheduled by calling NDDOT at 701-328-3489 or toll free 1-855-633-6835. Monday thru Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The CDL appointments began Monday and are only available to CDL drivers and temporary agricultural workers (H-2A). If you already have an appointment scheduled, you will be contacted by NDDOT with further instruction prior to your appointment.

“CDL drivers are essential to the state’s economy as they work to move medical supplies, business and agricultural commodities throughout the nation,” said NDDOT Director Bill Panos.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has extended CDL expirations until June 30 across the U.S. for CDLs due for renewal on or after March 1, 2020. CDL holders that have a medical certification card issued for a period of at least 90 days and that expire on or after March 1, 2020 are valid until June 30,2020.

Governor Burgum’s Executive order 2020-07, waives the expiration date on all driver licenses which expire from March 1, 2020 until the declared disaster has ended.

In addition to these changes, it is important to let North Dakota citizens know that the Department of Homeland Security has extended the deadline for REAL ID until October 1, 2021.

For more information about online driver license and motor vehicle services visit www.dot.nd.gov

 

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — Several groups have urged North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum to block evictions and foreclosures to protect those suffering economic hardship caused by COVID-19. The request Monday from groups that include the North Dakota Farmers Union and the American Civil Liberties Union comes as the state reported its second and third deaths from complications of the coronavirus and the number of cases surpassed 100. The newest victims were a woman in her 80s from McHenry County and a man in his 70s from Morton County. Both had underlying health conditions.

 

In sports…

(AP) Tokyo Olympic Committee CEO Toshiro Muto is promising transparency in calculating the costs of reschedule the Olympic Games. Katsuhiro Miyamoto, an emeritus professor of sports economics at Kansai University, puts the costs as high as $4 billion. That would cover the price of maintaining stadiums, refitting them, paying rentals, penalties and other expenses. Japan is officially spending $12.6 billion to organize the Olympics. However, an audit bureau of the Japanese government says the costs are twice that much. All of the spending is public money except $5.6 billion from a privately funded operating budget.

 

UNDATED (AP) — The NCAA will permit spring sport athletes who had their seasons shortened by the coronavirus outbreak to have an additional year of eligibility.

The NCAA Division I Council has voted to give college athletes who compete in spring sports such as baseball, softball and lacrosse a way to get back the season they lost. However, the council did not guarantee financial aid. Winter sports were not included in the decision.

The amount of scholarship money available to each athlete will be determined by the athlete’s school. Roster limits will be adjusted to fit returning athletes along with incoming freshman.

 

NEW YORK (AP) — The site of the U.S. Open tennis tournament in New York is going to be used for 350 temporary hospital beds and to prepare food packages during the coronavirus pandemic.

U.S. Tennis Association spokesman Chris Widmaier says an area that houses indoor courts at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows will begin to be converted into a medical facility starting Tuesday.

New York state and city officials are trying to increase hospital capacity by up to 87,000 beds to handle the outbreak.

In other news involving the pandemic:

— USA Rugby has decided to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy because its financial woes have been exacerbated by the coronavirus shutdown. USA Rugby has been in financial strife since 2018. A recent attempt to restructure was set back this month when it had to suspend all activities indefinitely in the face of the pandemic.

NBA-CELTICS-SMART

Smart says he’s been cleared

BOSTON (AP) — Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart says he has been cleared by medical officials after testing positive for the new coronavirus earlier this month.

Smart posted a message on Twitter saying he was informed of the news Friday by the Massachusetts Department of Health. He thanked everyone for their support.

Boston played the Utah Jazz on March 6. Five days later, Jazz All-Star Rudy Gobert announced he had tested positive for COVID-19, triggering rolling shutdowns of sports around the world.

Smart had been in isolation since testing positive on March 19 and was being monitored by Celtics medical staff. His teammates, coaches and staff members were also tested, but those tests have come back negative.

NFL-NEWS

Reid promotes probe, re-vote over post-ballot changes to CBA

UNDATED (AP) — Free agent safety Eric Reid wants the NFL’s new collective bargaining agreement invalidated over language added following ratification of the pact earlier this month.

He is calling for an investigation and a re-vote.

In a letter to the NFLPA on Monday, Reid’s lawyers said language posted on the players association’s website after passage of the agreement by a 1,019-959 vote on March 15 contains different language than the one players signed off on.

The letter highlights a difference in wording in the section about the league’s disability plan that affects hundreds, and potentially thousands, of ex-players who applied for Social Security disability insurance payments before Jan. 1, 2015. In the version the players received and approved, those offsets applied only to players who applied after Jan. 1, 2015.

The new CBA is set to begin with the upcoming 2020 season and extend through 2030.

Elsewhere in the NFL:

— Free-agent punter Sam Martin has signed a three-year, $7 million package with the Broncos. Martin has averaged 46 yards per punt with a 40.9-yard net average, 38 touchbacks and 175 punts inside the 20-yard line during his seven NFL seasons.

— Receiver Darius Jennings has signed a contract with the Chargers after spending the last two seasons with the Titans. Jennings led the league in kick return average in 2018 and had a 94-yard return for a touchdown against Miami. Jennings appeared in eight games for Tennessee last year before becoming a restricted free agent.

— The Steelers have signed three XFL players, giving one-year deals to defensive end Dewayne Hendrix, safety Tyree Kinnel and linebacker/long snapper Christian Kuntz. All three played in the startup league that suspended operations earlier this month because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

COLLEGE BASKETBALL-NBA

More players eyeing NBA draft

UNDATED (AP) — Two more high-profile college basketball players are leaving campus early, while two are giving it strong consideration.

Mississippi State forward Reggie Perry has entered the NBA draft. The 6-foot-10, 250-pound sophomore was selected as The Associated Press co-Southeastern Conference player of the year after ranking in the top 10 of several conference categories. Perry led the SEC in rebounds last season with 10.1 per game, ranked sixth in scoring at 17.4 points and ninth in blocks with 1.2.

Arizona State junior point guard Remy Martin has declared for the draft, saying he’s decided to take another step into making his dream a reality. Martin led the Sun Devils with 19.1 points. 4.1 assists and 3.1 rebounds in 2019-20, putting them on the cusp of a third straight NCAA Tournament appearance before the college basketball postseason was halted by the coronavirus. He was named first team all-Pac-12 by The Associated Press.

Minnesota’s Marcus Carr has announced on Instagram that he will declare his early entry for the NBA draft. Carr says he intends to keep his name in the draft, but says he will not sign with an agent in order to maintain his college eligibility. Carr averaged 15.4 points, 6.7 assists, 5.3 rebounds and 36.8 minutes for the Gophers.

Michigan forward Isaiah Livers is applying for early entry into the NBA draft. However, the school says Livers is not hiring an agent and will work with the Michigan coaching staff during the evaluation and pre-draft processes. Even if a player does use an agent during the evaluation process, he can return to school without losing eligibility if he ends the relationship with the agent. Livers has started 46 games in three seasons at Michigan.

He led the Wolverines in scoring this season at 12.9 points per game, although he was limited to 21 games because of injury problems.

COLLEGE BASKETBALL-MICHIGAN STATE-SEXUAL ASSAULT

Woman wants Michigan AG to investigate sexual assault accusation against MSU player

EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) — A woman who said she was sexually assaulted by a Michigan State basketball player is asking the Michigan attorney general’s office to investigate, according to a published report.

Citing a police report and emails obtained through a public records request, ESPN is reporting that Michigan State University police told prosecutors they had probable cause that sophomore guard Brock Washington raped the woman on Jan. 19 while she was too intoxicated to consent. Police referred the case to county prosecutors, who declined to file charges this month.

An MSU police spokesman told ESPN on Monday that the attorney general’s office requested the case file and the department was cooperating.

After a loss at Indiana on Jan. 23, coach Tom Izzo told reporters that Washington had been suspended. He did not elaborate.

Washington did not play again this season. He played a total of 19 minutes this season before the suspension.

MLB-RED SOX-SALE

Sale has elbow surgery

BOSTON (AP) — The Boston Red Sox say starting pitcher Chris Sale has undergone successful Tommy John surgery.

Sale is expected to miss 14-15 months, which would bring him back in the middle of the 2021 season.

The Red Sox said during training camp that he had a flexor strain near the elbow, but the team hoped he would avoid ligament replacement surgery.

The seven-time All-Star is 109-73 in 10 major league seasons and entering the second season of a six-year, $160 million contract. He comes off his worst season as a full-time starter, going 6-11 with a 4.40 ERA in 25 starts.

BOXING-SAUNDERS-LICENSE SUSPENDED

British boxer has license suspended over video comments

CARDIFF, Wales (AP) — British boxer Billy Joe Saunders had his boxing license suspended Monday after publishing a social media video in which he appeared to condone domestic violence amid the coronavirus outbreak.

The WBO super-middleweight champion filmed himself working out and offered men advice on how to hit their female partners during the lockdown.

The British Boxing Board of Control says it investigated Saunders’ comments and decided to suspend his license under the regulations for misconduct.

In world and national news…

LONDON (AP) — Increasing numbers of European hospitals are buckling under the strain of treating tens of thousands of coronavirus patient. The crisis has exposed a surprising paradox: Some of the world’s best health systems are remarkably ill-equipped to handle a pandemic. Outbreak experts say Europe’s hospital-centric systems, its lack of epidemic experience and nations’ early complacency are partly to blame for the pandemic’s catastrophic tear across the continent. The World Health Organization has scolded countries for “squandering” their chances to stop COVID-19 before it gained a foothold. Italy, France and Spain are all now receiving outside emergency aid in a sharp departure from their traditional roles as donor nations.

 

MADRID (AP) — Coronavirus deaths jumped by a record number in Spain as the country’s medical system strained to care for tens of thousands infected,. The World Health Organization warned Tuesday that the pandemic was also far from over in Asia. In the United States, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo begged for health care reinforcements, saying up to 1 million more workers were needed. Spain and Italy were still struggling to avoid the collapse of their health systems, with Spain saying hospitals in at least half of its 17 regions are at or very near their ICU bed limits. Spain also has more than 10,000 infected medical workers.

 

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump is expected to relax ambitious Obama-era vehicle mileage standards and raise the ceiling on damaging fossil fuel emissions for years to come. The rule expected to be announced Tuesday would gut one of the nation’s single-biggest efforts against climate change. A leaked version of the final rule shows the administration watering down an Obama mileage standard that would have encouraged automakers globally to ramp up production of electric vehicles and more fuel-efficient gasoline vehicles. The administration says the looser mileage standards will allow consumers to keep buying the less fuel-efficient SUVs that U.S. drivers have favored for years. Opponents say it will kill several hundred more Americans a year through dirtier air.

 

TOKYO (AP) — Global shares were mostly higher after China reported strong manufacturing data, extending an overnight rally on Wall Street. Indexes in Europe all advanced in early Tuesday trading. U.S. futures are also rising. Shares in Japan and Australia fell while South Korean and Chinese benchmarks rose. Optimism is budding that the worst of the selling may be almost over, but markets around the world remain volatile. Johnson & Johnson said it expects to begin human clinical studies by September on a vaccine candidate for COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus.

 

FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — Inflation is way down in the countries that use the euro. Officials figures Tuesday show prices increased only 0.7% in March. That is down from 1.2% in February. One big reason was a plunge in energy prices. Oil prices have been falling as Saudi Arabia increases production to protect its share of the oil market. The virus outbreak is playing a role by shutting down economic activity as well. The outbreak has led to a wide-ranging decline in economic activity as a wave of business closures and social distancing measures swept over Europe.