– Wayne Byers Show – Morning – Apr 14

OMAHA, Neb – (USACE) The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District, is increasing reservoir releases at Jamestown and Pipestem dams in North Dakota to begin evacuating spring snowmelt runoff.

The current pool elevation at Jamestown Dam is 1439.1 ft., approximately 18% into its flood pool. The reservoir is rising due to spring snowmelt. Releases will be increased by 200 cubic feet per second each day until a rate of 800 cfs is reached. With the goal of evacuating flood storage by June 1.

The current pool elevation at Pipestem Dam is 1470.9 ft., measuring approximately 35% into its flood pool and also rising due to spring snowmelt. A small release of 50 cfs was initiated Monday. It is expected this release will remain constant until June 15.

USACE will attempt to follow normal evacuation targets of June 1 at Jamestown Dam and Sept. 1 at Pipestem Dam. The maximum combined releases are not expected to exceed 1,200 cfs, but above-normal precipitation could impact the forecast.

Both Jamestown and Pipestem Dams will be undergoing a large inspection this summer, which requires burning off vegetation on the slopes of the dam, to view the faces of the dams.

Valley City (CHI) In a statement from CHI Mercy Health, due to the ongoing and increasing COVID19 threat, CHI Mercy Health is increasing visitor restrictions to NO VISITORS.

Use Main Entrance Door #1.
Updated Visitor exceptions include:

Pediatric patients will be allowed 1 adult
· Patients requiring caregivers
· Critical care/End-of-life will be determined by unit manager
· All visitors will be screened upon arrival to the hospital

Hospital President Keith Heuser said, “we’re strongly encouraging anyone who is suspicious of or concerned with COVID-19 exposure to PLEASE CALL 701-845-6400 FIRST prior to coming to the hospital / Emergency Room. Screening questions will be used during the phone call. These along with additional screening procedures have been implemented to keep our patients and staff safe.

Additionally, CHI Mercy Health issued this community board memo in a news release to the media on April 13th.

“We hope this finds you and your loved ones well. We want to stay in touch and keep you informed on developments across our ministry at CHI Mercy Health.

The health and safety of our employees, patients, visitors, and communities – are our highest priorities. As the COVID-19 pandemic evolves, we continue to adjust our policies to help maintain everyone’s well-being.

The CDC recently released information that reports that even though one in four patients infected by COVID-19 are asymptomatic, they may still be contagious and might be able to pass on the virus to others. In light of this new information, we are acting now instead of later across our ministry.

We are moving forward with a universal masking policy for our staff and anyone entering CHI Mercy Health effective April 9, 2020. This means all of our employees in patient care areas will wear an appropriate mask while performing their duties in our facilities. Our guidance states that cloth masks are appropriate in certain non-patient areas of our hospital. Please wear a mask upon entering our facility.

By adopting universal masking, we are working ahead of the curve with the North Dakota Department of Health and CDC guidance. You can help. Donations of cloth masks will be accepted. They can be dropped off at our facility.

Thank you again for all of your support and for your steadfast commitment to CHI Mercy Health and to our mission.

Please keep our dedicated caregivers and the patients they serve in your thoughts and prayers.

Keith Heuser

President

CHI Mercy Health

Valley City & Lisbon

Bismarck Governor Doug Burgum held his daily news briefing on Monday afternoon, at the State Capital in Bismarck.

He related that VCSU, and VCPS in Valley City, are manufacturing 3D printed Faces Masks.

An individual from Bismarck is making earguards.

He announced, 23 new cases of COVID-19, the illness caused by coronavirus. The figure represents the third highest single-day increase in cases since the state’s outbreak began in mid-March.

He said not reflected in the results released on Monday morning, another COVID-19 death was reported, a man in his 80’s from Morton County, who had underlying health conditions and was in close contact with another positive person.

Updated to reflect that there were zero new deaths from Sunday. The current number of individuals who died with COVID-19 continues to be eight.

Positive COVID-19 Test Results
Results listed are from the previous day.

POSITIVE TEST RESULTS

Woman in her 40s from Burleigh County, under investigation
Man in his 20s from Cass County, close contact
Woman in her 70s from Cass County, under investigation
Man in his 40s from Cass County, close contact
Woman in her 20s from Cass County, community spread
Woman in her 50s from Cass County, under investigation
Woman in her 30s from Cass County, under investigation
Woman in her 30s from Cass County, under investigation
Woman in her 60s from Cass County, under investigation
Woman in her 20s from Cass County, under investigation
Man in his 30s from Dunn County, under investigation
Man in his 20s from McKenzie County, household contact
Male age 10-19 from McKenzie County, household contact
Man in his 30s from Morton County, under investigation
Man in his 30s from Mountrail County, community spread
Man in his 30s from Mountrail County, community spread
Woman in her 20s from Mountrail County, possible travel
Woman in her 40s from Mountrail County, household contact
Woman in her 40s from Mountrail County, under investigation
Male age 10-19 from Mountrail County, household contact
Woman in her 30s from Richland County, close contact
Woman in her 20s from Stark County, close contact
Man in his 20s from Stark County, under investigation

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

BY THE NUMBERS

10,781– Total Tested (+431 individuals from yesterday)

10,450– Negative (+408 individuals from yesterday)

331 – Positive (+23 individuals from yesterday)

40 – Hospitalized (+1 individuals from yesterday)

13 – Currently Hospitalized (+1 individuals from yesterday)

127 – Recovered (+6 individuals from yesterday)

8 – Death (+0 individual from yesterday)

For descriptions of these categories, visit the NDDoH dashboard.

For the most updated and timely information and updates related to COVID-19, visit the NDDoH website at www.health.nd.gov/coronavirus, follow on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and visit the CDC website at www.cdc.gov/coronavirus.

Burgum said planning continues to identify additional hospital bed capacity if a surge of positive cases require hospitalization.

Burgum Monday signed an executive order allowing for changes necessary to maintain critical operations for vulnerable youths being served in Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facilities and Qualified Residential Treatment Programs during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Burgum said, “These are challenging times for these facilities, and often responses and decisions need to be made quickly for the safety of youth and families. We remain committed to ensuring that youths and families receive quality care while also following CDC guidelines and social distancing practices.”

North Dakota has six Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facilities with a total of 82 beds: Luther Hall in Fargo, Pride Manchester House in Bismarck, Ruth Meiers Adolescent Treatment Center in Grand Forks, and Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch in Bismarck, Fargo and Minot.

The state has four Qualified Residential Treatment Programs with a total of 92 beds: Home On The Range in Beach, Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch in Minot and Fargo, and Charles Hall Youth and Family Services in Bismarck.

The facilities worked with the North Dakota Department of Human Services to identify necessary changes.

With veterans, Burgum updated veterans information, and said the state has 50,000 veterans, with 6500 active military personnel. He said, as of Monday no COVID-19 cases have been reported in the veteran’s home, where there is limited visitation, and a waiting list for new residents. The state will connect with the VA in Washington later this week to share information.

With the veterans clinics call ahead before needing to visit, with screenings required.

The VA Hospital in Fargo has added beds, if the need becomes necessary with a patient surge, and is seeking donations of homemade face masks.

He said domestic violence cases have increased, due to isolation within homes and he pointed out if anyone feels they are in a dangerous situation to contact a local office (such as SAFE Shelter in Jamestown) and their domestic violence hot line.

With the CARE-19 phone app, for contact tracing, Burgum said 16,000 participants are using the service in North Dakota.

With unemployment, since March 16, 2020, 48,158 regular claims were filed, with a total of two types of pandemic claims at 5,000 so far this month.

Burgum said he will make a decision this week whether to extend an order to keep most businesses closed in an effort to contain the coronavirus.

He closed by saying “gratitude,” supports health, and creates a state of emotional “prosperity.”

He suggested to connect with others during this uncertain time.

Jamestown (CVHD) Another COVID-19 Joint Briefing with City of Jamestown/Stutsman County, on Tuesday at 2:30-p.m.

Giving presentations: Central Valley Health District, Jamestown Regional Medical Center, University of Jamestown, North Dakota State Hospital, and Safe Shelter.

The meeting will shown live and replays on CSi Cable 67 and 10 The Replay Channel.

For the CSi Live Stream go to CSiNewsNow.com for the link.

Dave Carlsrud

Valley City (CSi) Valley City Area Chamber of Commerce, Executive Kay Vinje has forwarded a letter from Valley City Mayor, Dave Carslrud, regarding a message concerning the COVID-19 pandemic, and a reminder about filling out 2020 Census information.

Mayor Carlsrud Stated:

We have been Blessed to date as COVID-19 positives tests have been few in our area. Keep up your good work with Social Distancing. Cass, Burleigh and Stark are the counties with the most COVID-19 cases ….. AVOID an exposure whenever possible!
Can we “relax our efforts”? NO! North Dakota cases went over 300 Easter Sunday so complacency is our enemy. The COVID-19 is steadily moving our direction and North Dakota cases have not peaked!
A really difficult part of Social Distancing includes family and friends. Protect each other; you can make a difference.

Census 2020:

Census 2020 time is here and it is financially ($$$$) important to ALL of us and Census 2020 is LEGITIMATE. Each person counted will generate about $19,100.00 in Federal Aid to our area. You should have received forms in a mailing, they can be completed and mailed or you can complete online. BE COUNTED J

Financial Challenges:

With the COVID-19 Pandemic comes financial Challenges for families and businesses. Please go out of your way to “buy what you can at home”. Profits for local businesses are critical for wages and reinvestment in our community. Our car dealers can find most anything you want J. A portion of our sales tax is used for Property Tax Buy-down. When sales tax is down, so is the amount of money available for your property tax buy-down L.
Business owners, be sure to research the grants and loans our government is making available. APPLY for any and all you can find.

Dave Carlsrud

Jamestown (CSi) Notice from Eddy Funeral Home: Due to the current pandemic, Eddy Funeral Home will be upholding the regulations given to us by the CDC and Governor Doug Burgum. This includes; no more than 10 people gathering in the funeral home or at the cemetery.

Jamestown (CSi) Jamestown Public Works informs motorists that beginning Tuesday, April 14, 2020 at approximately 7:30 am and continuing through Wednesday, April 15, 2020, 5th St SE between 6th Ave SE and 7th Ave SE will be temporarily closed to through traffic.

Also, Beginning Wednesday, April 15, 2020 at approximately 7:30 am and continuing through Thursday, April 16, 2020, the intersection of 9th St SE and 2nd Ave SE will be temporarily closed.
Motorist’s should use extreme caution in this area.
PLEASE NOTE:
The above schedule is contingent upon weather conditions.
For more information, contact the Engineering department at 252-5900 or email
engineering@jamestownnd.gov

MINOT, N.D. (AP) — Trinity Health in Minot has announced plans to furlough about 350 employees and cut executive pay as the health system deals with the financial costs of the coronavirus pandemic. The Minot Daily News reports 12% of Trinity’s 2,800-member workforce was placed on furlough, effective Sunday. Essential staff needed for patient care were excluded. Trinity also says its executive team will see its salary reduced by 20% while middle-management staff will see a 10% salary reduction. Trinity President and CEO John Kutch cited a 50% drop in overall business because of state and federal advisories to cancel elective surgeries and other non-urgent medical appointments to slow the spread of COVID-19 and make space for patients sick with the virus.

Bismarck (ND Attorney General’s Office) – The state’s new Medicaid Fraud Control Unit has filed charges to begin prosecution of its first case.

Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem, says, n January 2020, the Pembina County Sheriff’s Office contacted the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU) regarding an ongoing investigation into alleged theft of narcotics at a long-term care facility. The MFCU concluded the investigation, and Director Marina Spahr has filed felony charges in Pembina County District Court against Charlotte Kay Reilly, age 32, of Crystal, North Dakota, for theft of prescription medication and reckless endangerment.

The charges stem from alleged acts committed in 2017, when Reilly was a licensed practical nurse (LPN) at Borg Pioneer Memorial Home in Pembina County. Reilly was responsible for administering prescribed narcotic pain medications to the residents in her care. In November 2017, Reilly’s employment was terminated after it was concluded that she was both diverting prescription pain medication that was intended for residents and substituting patient pain medication with over the counter medications.

Reilly is charged with eleven Class C felony offenses, for which the penalty of each is up to five years’ imprisonment, a fine of ten thousand dollars, or both, and one Class B misdemeanor offense.

Reilly has been summoned to appear in Court and bond will be set at that appearance.

The Medicaid Fraud Control Unit was established by the legislature in 2019 and is a division of the Office of Attorney General. The division is responsible for investigating allegations of Medicaid fraud ranging from medical professionals charging Medicaid for services not provided, to diversion of medications and patient abuse at facilities receiving Medicaid funds.

Update…

Devils Lake (NDHP) —The North Dakota Highway Patrol reports, a 44 year old Devils Lake man was killed Friday, in a tractor, semi accident, around 4pm.

Eric Beaver, drove his semi into the back of a 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 8 miles east of Leeds, ND. Beaver forced the Silverado, a 1974 Allis-Chalmers tractor and his semi off the road.

The driver of the Silverado, 66 year old Bradford Webster, of Devils Lake, was airlifted to Altru Hospital in Grand Forks with serious injuries. The 68 year old driver of the tractor, 68 year old Steven Webster from Devils Lake, was airlifted to CHI Saint Alexius Hospital in Devils Lake, where he died from injuries sustained in the crash.

Beaver was not injured.

The incident remains under investigation by the North Dakota Highway Patrol.

In sports…

Montgomery, Ala. (AP) — Former NFL quarterback Tarvaris Jackson has died in a one-car crash near his hometown of Montgomery, Alabama. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency says the 36-year-old Jackson was killed Sunday night when the 2012 Chevrolet Camaro he was driving went off the road, struck a tree and overturned. Jackson was pronounced dead at a hospital. The crash remains under investigation. Jackson was hired as quarterbacks coach for Tennessee State last season after a 10-year NFL career with the Seattle Seahawks, Minnesota Vikings and Buffalo Bills. Seahawks coach Pete Carroll posted a Twitter message calling Jackson “a beloved teammate, competitor, and Seahawk.”

Philadelphia – Pete Retzlaff, from Ellendale, a captain and integral part of the Philadelphia Eagles’ 1960 NFL championship team, died Friday of natural causes, the team announced. He was 88.

Retzlaff played for the Eagles from 1956-1966. When he retired, he was the franchise’s all-time leader in receptions (452) and receiving yards (7,412). He was named to the Eagles’ Hall of Fame in 1989.

Retzlaff, who wore No. 44, is one of only nine Eagles to have his number retired.

“Pete’s legacy goes far beyond the success he was able to achieve on the field,” Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie said in a statement. “He gave so much to this organization and to our sport as a player, general manager, broadcaster, and leader of the NFLPA.

CORONAVIRUS AFFECTING SPORTS…

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The mother of Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns has died due to complications from COVID-19. Jacqueline Cruz-Towns had been fighting the virus for more than a month. The Towns family issued a statement describing her as “an incredible source of strength” and “a fiery, caring, and extremely loving person who touched everyone she met.” The native of the Dominican Republic was a fixture at Timberwolves games from the start of her son’s NBA career in 2015. Karl Towns Sr., the father of the two-time All-Star, was also hospitalized with the virus but has since recovered.

TOKYO (AP) — Tokyo organizers say they have no “PlanB ” for the Olympics if they need to be postponed again. They say they are proceeding under the assumption the Olympics will open on July 23, 2021. That date was set last month by the IOC and Japanese officials after the spreading coronavirus pandemic made it clear the Olympics could not be held as scheduled. The severity of the pandemic and the death toll has again raised questions if it will be feasible to hold the Olympics just over 15 months from now. The Olympics draw 11,000 athletes and 4,400 Paralympic athletes and large support staffs from 206 national Olympic committees.

UNDATED (AP) — Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray are among 12 players confirmed to play in the virtual Madrid Open tennis tournament, April 27-30.

The online competition will be played from players’ homes and is expected to be broadcast live on TV and social media channels.

There will be 150,000 euros ($164,000) distributed in prize money for each of the men’s and women’s events. The winners then decide how much they want to donate to tennis players who are having a hard time financially without any tournaments to play.

Another 50,000 euros ($55,000) will be donated to reduce the social impact of the pandemic.

In other virus-related developments:

—Washington State athletic director Pat Chun, head football coach Nick Rolovich and men’s basketball coach Kyle Smith are taking voluntary 5% pay cuts through the end of the 2020-21 academic year due to revenue reductions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Chun says all Washington State coaches will voluntarily forgo all bonuses or incentives through the end of the next academic year.

— New York Post sports photographer Anthony Causi has died from the coronavirus at age 48. Causi was an exceedingly popular sports photographer who covered the city’s teams for 25 years. He was married with two young children. Many of New York’s professional teams and several players posted messages on Twitter expressing sadness, condolences and paying tribute to him.

— The Cleveland Browns will donate net proceeds from sales of their new jerseys to a fund aiding health care professionals, first responders and others who have selflessly served during the COVID-19 pandemic. The team launched the Hats Off to Our Heroes Fund on Monday, two days before it will reveal the new uniforms. The Browns said the team will commit 100 percent of the proceeds “for a significant period of time” to the fund.

— Spanish soccer club Real Sociedad (ray-AL’ soh-see-ay-DAHD’) is going back on its plan to resume practicing at the team’s training center during the coronavirus pandemic. The club says it made the decision after discussions with the Spanish government. Spain is starting to loosen some of its lockdown measures this week by allowing non-essential workers to return to their activities while observing social-distancing guidelines.

— IOC President Thomas Bach tells a German newspaper that the Olympic body will face “several hundred million dollars” of added costs because of the postponement of the Tokyo Games. Estimates in Japan place the overall cost of the postponement at between $2 billion-$6 billion. All of those costs will be borne by the Japanese side except for the IOC portion. Bach says he is confident the Olympics could be held in 2021 despite the current pandemic caused by the coronavirus.

— Athletes completing doping bans over the next year will be eligible to compete in the postponed Tokyo Olympics. It’s an unintended effect of the coronavirus pandemic that has some crying foul. Irish race walker Brendan Boyce says, “It doesn’t seem like a fair punishment.” The 2020 Olympics were officially postponed last month for one year, with the opening ceremony now set for July 23, 2021.

— Premier League soccer club Tottenham has reversed a decision to use government money to fund some staff salaries during the coronavirus pandemic. Staff put on furlough during the pandemic receive 80% of their salaries up to a maximum of 2,500 pounds ($3,000) per month from the government. And Tottenham had said non-playing staff not being furloughed would have their pay cut 20%.

— A lower-level German soccer team has sold more than 125,000 tickets to a fictional game. Fourth-division club Lokomotive Leipzig says it has set an “attendance record” by selling so many tickets for a “virtual game against an invisible opponent on May 8.” The former East German league club has been selling symbolic tickets for 1 euro ($1.10).

— Tokyo organizers say they have no “PlanB” for the Olympics if they need to be postponed again. They say they are proceeding under the assumption the Olympics will open on July 23, 2021. That date was set last month by the IOC and Japanese officials after the spreading coronavirus pandemic made it clear the Olympics could not be held as scheduled.

— More than 40 figure skaters from nine countries will take part in a fundraiser Friday to help healthcare workers on the front lines battling the new coronavirus. Olympic and world champions such as Scott Hamilton, Michelle Kwan and Brian Boitano have compiled videos as part of the one-hour event “Blades for the Brave.” It will be streamed on Bladesforthebrave.org as well as Americares, Facebook and Twitter feeds and its YouTube channel.

NFL…

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — The Carolina Panthers have rewarded Christian McCaffrey for his production and versatility, making him the highest-paid running in the NFL.

The team agreed to a four-year, $64 million contract extension with McCaffrey on Monday, a person familiar with the contract negotiations told The Associated Press.

The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the Panthers have not announced the extension. Details on how much of the contract is fully guaranteed were unavailable.

The $16-million-a-year deal eclipses Ezekiel Elliott’s contract with the Dallas Cowboys that is worth $15 million per season.

The extension keeps McCaffrey, 23, tied to the Panthers through the 2025 season. The coming season would be the final year of his rookie contract, and Carolina had the option to pick up a fifth year in 2021.

It appeared to a matter of when, not if, the extension was coming after Panthers coach Matt Rhule made it clear last week that he viewed McCaffrey as a vital part of the franchise moving forward.

In other NFL news:

—Former NFL quarterback Tarvaris Jackson has died in a one-car crash outside Montgomery, Alabama. He was 36. The 2012 Chevrolet Camaro that Jackson was driving went off the road, struck a tree and overturned at 8:50 p.m. Sunday. Jackson was hired as quarterbacks coach for Tennessee State last season after a 10-year NFL career with the Seattle Seahawks, Minnesota Vikings and Buffalo Bills.

—The NFL and its players union have agreed to conduct “virtual” offseason workout programs until every team is permitted to open its facilities. Teams can hold classroom instruction, workouts and non-football educational programs using online platforms. The three-week virtual offseason starts on April 20 and runs through May 15. Teams with a new head coach have the option to also hold a fourth week for a voluntary veterans minicamp.

—ESPN and NFL Network will join forces for this year’s NFL draft. They will produce a broadcast that will air on both networks over all three days. The April 23-25 draft was originally scheduled to be in Las Vegas but has been moved due to the coronavirus pandemic. It will now originate from ESPN’s headquarters in Bristol, Connecticut.

—The San Francisco 49ers have re-signed cornerbacks Dontae Johnson and Jason Verrett to one-year contracts. Johnson and Verrett played sparingly for San Francisco last season but were brought back for depth in the secondary.

—The Los Angeles Rams have signed kickers Lirim Hajrullahu and Austin MacGinnis as potential replacements for longtime incumbent Greg Zuerlein. Hajrullahu has spent the past six seasons playing for three Canadian Football League teams. MacGinnis kicked in the defunct Alliance of American Football and in the defunct XFL over the past 14 months.

XFL-BANKRUPTCY

XFL files for bankruptcy, cites COVID-19 crisis

UNDATED (AP) — The XFL has filed for bankruptcy, likely spelling the end of the second iteration of the league.

The filing Monday in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Delaware estimates the organization has between $10 million and $50 million in both assets and liabilities. Former coaches Bob Stoops and Marc Trestman are among the creditors with the largest unsecured claims.

The WWE-backed XFL canceled the rest of its return season last month because of the coronavirus pandemic. It suspended operations and laid off its employees Friday.

The XFL had eight franchises this season and played five games out of a planned 10-game schedule. It drew decent TV ratings early on and had deals with ESPN and Fox.

NBA-BULLS-FRONT OFFICE

Bulls fire Forman, announce Karnisovas hire, reassign Paxson

CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago Bulls fired general manager Gar Forman on Monday, while officially hiring Denver Nuggets GM Arturas Karnisovas as their executive vice president of basketball operations and moving John Paxson into an advisory role.

The Bulls handed the keys to the 48-year-old Karnisovas last week, hoping he can spark a struggling franchise.

Paxson is moving into a background role after nearly two decades as the top basketball decision-maker. He took over as general manager for Jerry Krause in 2003 and was promoted to vice president of basketball operations in May 2009 with Forman — who joined the Bulls as a scout in 1998 — becoming GM.

But now, Forman is out. And the future of coach Jim Boylen remains unclear.

The Bulls thought they were ready to contend for a playoff spot after combining for just 49 wins the past two seasons. Instead, they were 11th in the Eastern Conference at 22-43 when the NBA suspended play because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In other NBA news:

—The mother of Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns has died due to complications from COVID-19. Jacqueline Cruz-Towns had been fighting the virus for more than a month. The native of the Dominican Republic was a fixture at Timberwolves games from the start of her son’s NBA career in 2015. Karl Towns Sr., the father of the two-time All-Star, was also hospitalized with the virus but has since recovered.

—The NBA has been sending evaluations to players considering leaving college early and entering the draft. The league will do so for all underclassmen who ask before Thursday’s deadline. The task falls to the league’s Undergraduate Advisory Committee, which understands that what it says in these uncertain times may carry even more weight than usual. No date has been set for the draft.

—Houston Rockets star Russell Westbrook has donated 650 computers to children in need so they can continue learning with schools shut down because of the new coronavirus. Westbrook’s Why Not? Foundation teamed with Comp-U-Dopt and Houston mayor Sylvester Turner’s office of education to provide computers to underprivileged children across the city.

In NBA draft news:

— Kansas guard Devon Dotson is entering the NBA draft after leading the Big 12 Conference in scoring his sophomore season. The 6-foot-2 guard averaged 18.1 points, 4.1 rebounds, 4 assists and 2.1 steals while helping Kansas go 28-3 and win its final 16 games.

— Kentucky guard Immanuel Quickley will enter the NBA draft and sign with an agent, leaving school after a breakout season in which he was an honorable mention All-America selection by The Associated Press. Southeastern Conference coaches voted the 6-foot-3 sophomore Player of the Year after he wasn’t picked for any preseason all-conference teams. Quickley averaged a team-high 16.1 points per game last season with double-figure efforts in his final 20 contests.

NASCAR-LARSON SLUR

Kyle Larson suspended for racial slur in virtual race

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Kyle Larson’s racial slur cost him his two primary NASCAR supporters. It likely will cost him his job soon.

McDonald’s and Credit One Bank ended their sponsorship of Larson on Monday, a day after he used the N-word during a live stream of a virtual race. The decision came hours after NASCAR and Chip Ganassi Racing suspended Larson indefinitely, his team doing so without pay.

Without funding from McDonald’s and Credit One Bank, Ganassi seemingly will be forced to dump Larson in favor of a different driver.

McDonald’s has partnered with CGR for nearly a decade and sponsors the team’s No. 42 Chevrolet in the Cup Series. Ending its relationship with Larson would make it next to impossible for Ganassi to stick with Larson behind the wheel. NASCAR ordered Larson, who is half Japanese, to complete a sensitivity training course before he can be eligible for reinstatement.

Larson apologized in a video posted on his social media accounts.

In world and national news…

TOKYO (AP) — Global shares are higher after reopening from Easter holidays though investors are bracing for news on how the coronavirus pandemic has hurt corporate earnings and the Chinese economy. Shares rose early Tuesday in Paris, Tokyo and Shanghai but fell in London. Sentiment was boosted by news that China’s exports fell at a slower pace in March than in the first two months of the year. Forecasters are warning of harder times ahead as the coronavirus pandemic depresses global demand. But cautious optimism that the outbreak in the U.S. has begun to plateau in some of the worst-hit areas and another big infusion of economic support by the Federal Reserve have helped lift spirits.

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korea’s military says a barrage of North Korean missiles fired from both the ground and fighter jets has splashed down on the waters off the country’s east coast a major show of force on the eve of a key state anniversary in the North and parliamentary elections in the rival South. The back-to-back launches Tuesday were the most high-profile among a series of weapons tests that North Korea has conducted recently amid stalled nuclear talks and outside worries about a possible coronavirus outbreak in the country.

HOUSTON (AP) — The coronavirus is spreading in immigration detention, with more than 70 detainees in 12 states testing positive and hundreds of others under quarantine. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has started to lower its detainee population to reduce the risk of people getting sick. But people held in immigration jails and their advocates say there’s still not enough protective gear, cleaning supplies or space that allows for social distancing. They fear the number of coronavirus cases will sharply rise in the coming weeks as it has in jails and prisons nationwide. Detainees in at least four states say they have been denied masks.

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump and governors from both parties are disputing who has the authority to reopen the economy. Trump told reporters at a White House briefing Monday that he has “total” authority to decide how and when to roll back tough social distancing guidelines aimed at fighting the new coronavirus. But governors maintain that they have the primary constitutional responsibility for ensuring public safety in their states and will decide when it’s safe to begin a return to normal operations. Democratic leaders in the Northeast and along the West Coast are forming separate state compacts to coordinate their efforts to scale back stay-at-home orders or reopen businesses.