CSi Weather…

REST OF TODAY…Partly sunny, then clearing. Highs in the upper 60s. South winds 5 to 15 mph.

.TONIGHT…Mostly clear. Not as cool. Lows around 40. South winds 5 to 10 mph shifting to the west after midnight.

.WEDNESDAY…Sunny. Highs in the mid 60s. Northwest winds 10 to

15 mph.

.WEDNESDAY NIGHT…Partly cloudy in the evening, then mostly

cloudy with a 20 percent chance of rain showers after midnight.

Lows in the lower 40s. Northeast winds 5 to 10 mph shifting to

the southeast after midnight.

.THURSDAY…Mostly cloudy. Slight chance of rain showers in the

morning, then chance of rain showers and slight chance of

thunderstorms in the afternoon. Highs in the lower 60s. Southeast

winds 5 to 10 mph shifting to the northeast in the afternoon.

Chance of precipitation 40 percent.

.THURSDAY NIGHT…Mostly cloudy with a 30 percent chance of rain

showers. Lows in the lower 40s.

.FRIDAY…Mostly cloudy. Slight chance of rain showers in the

morning, then chance of rain showers and slight chance of

thunderstorms in the afternoon. Highs in the upper 50s. Chance of

precipitation 40 percent.

.FRIDAY NIGHT…Mostly cloudy. A 20 percent chance of rain

showers and thunderstorms in the evening. Lows in the upper 30s.

.SATURDAY…Partly sunny. Slight chance of rain showers in the

morning, then chance of rain showers and slight chance of

thunderstorms in the afternoon. Highs in the upper 50s. Chance of

precipitation 40 percent.

.SATURDAY NIGHT…Partly cloudy. Lows in the upper 30s.

.SUNDAY…Mostly sunny. Highs in the lower 60s.

.SUNDAY NIGHT…Mostly cloudy. Lows in the lower 40s.

.MONDAY…Mostly cloudy. A 20 percent chance of rain showers in

the afternoon. Highs in the mid 60s.

 

Wednesday still looks to be a mild day with highs in the lower 60s to lower 70s, A few rain showers on Wednesday, with numerous showers and a few thunderstorms developing Thursday afternoon through Saturday.

 

..RED FLAG WARNING FOR PORTIONS OF WESTERN AND SOUTH CENTRAL NORTH DAKOTA TUESDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH EARLY TUESDAY EVENING…

.Critical fire weather conditions are expected across portions of

western and south central North Dakota Tuesday afternoon through

early Tuesday evening. Relative humidity as low as 15 percent,

sustained winds up to 20 mph, and very dry vegetation will create

dangerous burning conditions. Any fires that ignite will spread

rapidly and become difficult to control.

The fire danger rating is in the high category today.

A Burn Bans is in effect in Stutsman County

A full version of the burn ordinance can also be found at the website under Departments, choose Zoning, and click on “Burn Ban Ordinance” on the left-hand side of the page.Because of the dry conditions, expect a series of days where burning will be restricted until the countryside greens-up. For more information contact the Stutsman County Emergency Manager’s Office at 701-252-9093

Burn Ban Map

Water on some roads and dry grass  has created difficulties for some rural fire departments this spring, as they face challenges of getting to the fires with inundated roads.

 

Bismarck  (CSi)  Governor Doug Burgum held his daily briefing on Monday at the state capital in Bismarck.

He began with the updated COVID-19 positive tests, and total through Monday morning.

He said a record number of tests were recently performed at over 1,000.  The state is looking to double the number of tests.  He said, more testing is moving in the right direction to reopen the state.

NDDoH
Monday, April 20, 2020 – 11:02am

Categories: Coronavirus

LM WIND POWER UPDATE

  • 426 tests performed at the LM Wind Power testing event on Thursday, April 16
  • 99 positive/323 negative/ 4 unable to be run for a total of 426 tests
    • Of the 99 positives, 72 are LM employees, 19 are still under investigation, and 8 are not workers
  • 29 LM-associated positive tests resulted from outside the testing event (clinics, etc.)
  • 128 is the TOTAL number of positive cases associated (employee or close contact) with LM Wind Power
  • 11 of the individuals who tested positive are from MN

 

INDIVIDUALS WHO DIED WITH COVID-19

  • Man in his 70s from Cass County with underlying health conditions.
  • Woman in her 80s from Cass County with underlying health conditions.
  • Woman in her 90s from Cass County with underlying health conditions.

 

COUNTIES WITH POSITIVE CASES

  • Cass County – 34
  • Dunn County – 1
  • Grand Forks County – 4
  • Nelson County – 1
  • Stutsman County – 2
  • Per capita, Stutsman and Barnes County are each at one percent positive of the total populations.

Update…

Jamestown  (CVHD)  Central Valley Health District has confirmed a second positive case of novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)  in Stutsman County.

Unit Administrator Robin Iszler says those in close contact with the 18 year old individual are being traced, in cooperation with the North Dakota Department of Health.

The Stutsman County resident was infected through community spread.

She says, a third positive was also confirmed in Stutsman County, by the North Dakota Department of Health, although they had indicated a different address than Stutsman County.

 

**Please note, there was a case previously reported as Nelson County, that after further investigation was determined to be from Grand Forks County.

 

BY THE NUMBERS

14,747 – Total Tested (+1,117 individuals from yesterday)

14,120 – Negative (+1,075 individuals from yesterday)

627 – Positive (+42 individuals from yesterday)

53 – Hospitalized (+2 individuals from yesterday)

17 – Currently Hospitalized (+2 individuals from yesterday)

189 – Recovered (+0 individuals from yesterday)

13 – Death (+3 individual from yesterday)

He said, the majority of businesses in North Dakota remain open, running and active each day, and schools remain open virtually, with learning in classes from home.

Burgum added that High Risk businesses, remain closed such as hair salons, tattoo parlors, and nail salons.  Those business employees are in close contact with clients, and the businesses will be reopened when testing for positive cases trend downward, reflecting when it’s safe to do so.

He said presently, North Dakota has among the largest number of businesses open in the United States.

He said the State Industrial Commission will meet in emergency session on Tuesday to address the current oil prices, on Monday, at a loss of $37 a barrel.

With Jobless claims that were behind being sent, will be caught up on Tuesday, expecting to be paid out at $51.4 million.  Since March 16, 56,700 claims have been filed to Monday, plus 627 pandemic claims of both types were filed.

Burgum pointed out Red Flag Fire Warning were issue on Monday, and burn bans in effect in Several Counties, (Including Stutsman).

With behavior health, he pointed out children’s anxieties, during the pandemic, and the “Parents Lead,”  section of the behaviorhealth.nd.gov has new information to deal with the issue.

He urges parents to stay in good health to take care of their children.

He pointed out again Valley City State’s 3-D printing of face masks and face shields, to be provided to healthcare workers at no charge.

He closed by saying,  Monday is the first official Patriots Day in North Dakota now designed as the third Monday in April this year, noting the history of the Revolutionary War.

Jamestown  (CSi)  A Covid Public Health Joint Briefing with Jamestown & Stutsman County representatives will be  held today 7 at 2:30-p.m. .   The meeting airs live with replays on CSi TV 10 -The Replay Channel & CSi 67.   To view the briefing online, view it here at CSiNewsNOW.com or go to the CSi LiveStream at Facebook.

Eventide Senior Living, and Ave Maria Village are expected to speak.

 

Jamestown  (CSi)   Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Stutsman County Commissioners passed a resolution on April 1, 2020, to administer the Primary Election on June 9, 2020, via VOTE BY MAIL.

Stutsman County Auditor/COO Nicole Meland says, this means Stutsman County will not have any open polling sites for Absentee Voting, Early Voting or on Election Day. Stutsman County active and inactive voters will be receiving an absentee application in the mail from the ND Secretary of State’s Office. If you wish to receive a ballot, each voter will need to complete and return the application to the Stutsman County Auditor’s Office. If you do not receive an application by May 11, 2020, please complete an application at www.vote.nd.gov or contact the Auditor’s Office at (701) 252-9035.

If you wish to vote by mail in your City, School, Special and General Elections, please mark All Statewide Elections when completing your application. This will allow the Auditor’s Office to automatically take steps to ensure you receive ballots for the elections you are requesting and will not require you to complete another application for the November General Election.

Upon receipt of the completed application, the voter will be mailed a ballot for their precinct and small city ballot, if applicable, along with a secrecy envelope, a return envelope and instructions for marking and returning the ballot.

The Express Vote equipment will be available by appointment for anyone needing assistance with voting. Please contact the Stutsman County Auditor’s Office at (701) 252-9035 to schedule an appointment.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding the Vote By Mail process, feel free to contact the Stutsman County Auditor’s Office by phone at (701) 252-9035, by email at auditor@stutsmancounty.gov, or visit our website’s Frequently Asked Questions at https://www.co.stutsman.nd.us/government/elections-voting/2020-primary-election.

 

Jamestown  (CSi)  Join the Jamestown Fun Cruise, on Saturday April 25, 2020, from 1-p.m., until finished.

Nursing Home Cruises, to be announced.

Drive any vehicle in the cruise, including to all nursing homes in Jamestown, and Main Street as well.

Please obey social distancing guidelines.

Also, that day the Buffalo Mall parking lot will be hosting:  Bison Six Theater Popcorn available from 1-p.m., to 8-p.m.

Sweet Dreams Mini Donuts 1-8-p.m.

J&L Concessions 1-p.m., to 8-p.m.

Promtional assistance provided by i3G Media.

 

Valley City  (CSi)  The US Chamber Foundation is opening up a new grant for small businesses effective 12:00 pm, Monday.  The “Save Small Business Fund” is a grantmaking initiative offering short-term relief for small employers in the United State and its territories.

Valley City Area Chamber of Commerce, Executive, Kay Vinje has provided a link in a news to read more, and she encourages small businesses to apply for the grant.  Anyone  needing help with the process,  call the Chamber office, at 845-1891.

https://savesmallbusiness.com/

 

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — Sanford Health says a critically ill patient has received a transfusion of plasma from a recovered coronavirus patient, the first use of the therapy by the health care provider. Sanford’s treatment is part of a national clinical trial to test the effect of blood plasma in treating COVID-19. The use of plasma is for hospitalized patients with severe cases of coronavirus. The plasma may lessen severity or shorten the length of the illness caused by the virus. Because the therapy is still considered experimental, the plasma is being administered under a program led by Mayo Clinic. Sanford’s first patient receiving the therapy is in Fargo, North Dakota.

GRAND FORKS, N.D. (KFGO-AM) — A North Dakota company is working with universities and a medical school on using unmanned aerial vehicles in the fight against the coronavirus. SkySkopes, based in Grand Forks, has launched demonstrations to show a variety of ways in which its drones could be used in the pandemic. KFGO reports SkySkopes CEO and President Matt Dunlevy says the drones can deliver supplies to hospitals, check people’s temperatures from the air and even sanitize playground equipment. The company says it’s working with the University of North Dakota’s medical school and its Center for Innovation as well as North Dakota State University and Grand Forks County.

MINOT, N.D. (AP) — The Minot City Council has fired the city manager after an independent investigator found that he created a hostile work environment for city employees. The council voted unanimously to fire City Manager Tom Barry at a special meeting Monday after he refused to resign immediately. The city hired an outside investigator in March to investigate Barry. KX News reports she concluded that city employees were subject to a hostile work environment and may have had their free speech rights violated. The investigation began after a political blogger wrote about apparent attempts by Barry to prevent city staff from talking to him. Barry had been city manager since 2016.

 

In sports…

Valley City  (VCSU)  The VCSU Athletic Department has started an apparel fundraiser sale to help unite Viking Nation and our community. The VCSU One Team One Family store, open until April 22, features a message of solidarity and strength during these challenging times. There are several styles of shirts available in youth and adult sizes.

All VCSU proceeds from this sale will be donated to the Barnes County Food Pantry.
Shop here www.bsnteamsports.com/shop/VCSUOTOF20.

 

VIRUS OUTBREAK EFFECTING SPORTS..

MLB wants to cut player salaries if games are played without fans

NEW YORK (AP) — Major League Baseball players are bracing for a battle with owners over the possibility of reduced salaries caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

Players are upset over the prospect teams may seek additional pay cuts if games are played in empty ballparks. Their anger was stoked last week when New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said he was told by Mets chief operating officer Jeff Wilpon that the union would have to agree to lower salaries if games are played without fans.

A March 26 deal between the sides states “the Office of the Commissioner and Players Association will discuss in good faith the economic feasibility of playing games in the absence of spectators or at appropriate substitute neutral sites.” The union points to another passage covering salaries in which players agree to give up 1/162nd of base pay for each regular season game lost.

Meanwhile, Commissioner Rob Manfred has made a move that allows teams to lay off or cut the pay of major and minor league managers, coaches, trainers and full-time scouts starting May 1.

Manfred has suspended uniform employee contracts that cover about 9,000 people, including general managers on some teams. Manfred cited the inability to play games due to the national emergency caused by the pandemic.

VIRUS OUTBREAK-SPORTS POLL

Poll shows fans leery of returning to stadiums, arenas without vaccine

UNDATED (AP) — The possibility of professional sports resuming without fans is growing. And a recent poll suggests a majority of fans wouldn’t feel safe attending games anyway without a vaccine for the new coronavirus.

One sports business expert says losses of fan-related revenue will be substantial even if clubs begin cashing in on lucrative media rights deals again. Losses could reach $3 billion among the NBA, NHL, Major League Baseball and Major League Soccer.

The Seton Hall Sports Poll found that 72% of Americans wouldn’t feel safe attending games without a vaccine. The number drops to 61% among respondents who identify as sports fans.

Seventy percent said the NFL shouldn’t start in the fall to ensure the safety of players, even if some form of social distancing is still in place.

Just over three-quarters said they would have the same interest watching a broadcast of live sports played without fans.

TENNIS-VIRUS OUTBREAK-DJOKOVIC

Djokovic says he won’t take vaccine

UNDATED (AP) — Novak Djokovic (JOH’-koh-vihch) says he won’t take any anti-coronavirus vaccination if it becomes compulsory for tennis players to return to the world tours.

The world’s top-ranked men’s tennis player said in a live Facebook chat he wouldn’t “be forced by someone to take a vaccine in order to be able to travel.” Djokovic and his wife have two children and have spoken previously against vaccinations.

Djokovic won the Australian Open in January for his 17th grand slam singles title.

In other virus-related sports developments:

— Texas Gov. Greg Abbott tweeted Monday that NASCAR was working with Texas Motor Speedway on a plan to race there in the near future. Speedway President Eddie Gossage said after Abbott’s tweet that his track was working on the rescheduling of its Cup Series event, one of eight races NASCAR has postponed because of the pandemic. Abbott said the race would be held without fans.

— A person familiar with the discussions says Miami Marlins CEO Derek Jeter has told team employees in a conference call he is forgoing his salary during the coronavirus pandemic. The person said other members of the Marlins’ executive team agreed to take pay cuts, while baseball operations personnel will continue to receive their full salaries through at least May 31.

— Syracuse men’s basketball coach Jim Boeheim and football coach Dino Babers are taking voluntary pay cuts to help the university cope with the drain of financial resources due to the new coronavirus pandemic. Also taking the voluntary 10% pay cuts are women’s basketball coach Quentin Hillsman, men’s lacrosse coach John Desko, and women’s lacrosse coach Gary Gait.

— New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio says there is a chance for large public gatherings later in the summer, which could lead to games at Yankee Stadium and the Mets’ Citi Field. De Blasio announced Monday that parades and city-permitted events had been canceled through June because of the novel coronavirus but said progress in fighting the pandemic will determine what’s allowed after that.

— A Japanese professor of infectious disease says he is “very pessimistic” the Tokyo Olympics can be held next year. Kobe University professor Kentaro Iwata says the Olympics could only be held if Japan can control the COVID-19 infection and if all other countries control it.

— The soccer team based in the epicenter of the coronavirus pandemic in Wuhan, China has returned home. Wuhan Zall is back nearly four months after it left for a preseason tour and got stuck in Spain. It returned home over the weekend after the government lifted the last restrictions on movement in Wuhan.

— The president of the German soccer federation says resuming league play will not mean taking resources away from healthcare workers amid the coronavirus pandemic. The German league has been more bullish than other major European competitions about the chances of resuming in May or June with widespread coronavirus tests for players.

— The company that makes Louisville Slugger wood baseball bats has closed its factory, furloughed 90 percent of its employees and shut its popular museum. Hillerich & Bradsby Co. says it has continued to cover all health care benefits for its 171 furloughed workers. The remaining 10% of employees have taken 25 percent pay cuts.

— An open conflict has broken out between Tokyo Olympic organizers and the IOC over who will be paying for the unprecedented year-long postponement. A Tokyo spokesman says the organizing committee has asked the Switzerland-based IOC to remove a comment from its website suggesting that Prime Minister Shinzo Abe had agreed that Japan would pay most of the postponement costs. Media reports in Japan estimate the year-long delay caused by the coronavirus pandemic will cost $2 billion to $6 billion.

— Six Super Bowl rings may get you special treatment in a lot of places but former Patriots quarterback Tom Brady learned Monday that it won’t get you anything when you’re caught working out in a park that is closed to the public due to the coronavirus pandemic. Tampa Mayor Jane Castor said during a news briefing that the new Buccaneers quarterback was spotted working out by himself at a park downtown by staff patrol. The staffer went over to tell him he had to leave and she recognized the man to be the 42-year-old Brady.

COLLEGE BASKETBALL-NBA DRAFT

Butler ready to bolt Baylor

UNDATED (AP) — Baylor’s top two scorers are entering their names in the NBA draft while keeping open their options to return to the Bears.

All-Big 12 sophomore guard Jared Butler announced his intentions Monday on Twitter. Junior guard MaCio Teague said last month that he was exploring the NBA draft. Butler was third in the Big 12 with 16 points a game, while Teague scored 13.9 points a game.

And Washington State star CJ Elleby plans to go through the NBA draft process. Elleby led the Cougars in scoring and rebounding this past season as a sophomore, delivering 18.4 points and 7.8 boards a game. He can still return to Washington State for his junior season as long as he withdraws his name by 5 p.m. on June 15.

In other college basketball news:

— Arkansas guard Isaiah Joe has declared himself eligible for the NBA draft, but he has not hired an agent in a decision that would allow him to return to school next season. The 6-foot-5 sophomore averaged 16.9 points and 4.1 rebounds per game this past season and led the SEC in 3-point goals. He missed five games after having surgery on his right knee.

— Memphis says it has added guard-forward Landers Nolley II as a transfer from Virginia Tech. Nolley was on the Atlantic Coast Conference all-freshman team this past season after averaging a team-high 15.5 points and 5.8 rebounds with the Hokies. He started 29 of 32 games with Virginia Tech and ranked 12th nationally among freshmen in scoring.

— Kentucky has signed former Rhode Island forward Jacob Toppin (TAH’-pihn), the brother of consensus national player of the year Obi (OH’-bee) Toppin of Dayton. Toppin averaged 5.1 and 3.9 rebounds per game while starting three of 30 contests as a Rams freshman. He must sit out next season per NCAA transfer rules but will have three seasons of eligibility remaining.

NFL-MOCK DRAFT

No major problems as GMs run mock draft

UNDATED (AP)— There were no major snafus as the NFL held a practice draft Monday to test technology and communications for the real thing beginning Thursday night.

Several people involved in the test said there were some technical glitches, including when the Bengals were making the first selection and at various other spots. A few of them spoke anonymously because they were not authorized to comment publicly.

Commissioner Roger Goodell earlier this month warned team executives not to be critical of the process, nor of the league’s decision to go ahead with the draft as scheduled April 23-25. Broncos general manager John Elway and 49ers GM John Lynch said they were satisfied with the proceedings.

Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst remains confident the unusual nature of this year’s event will still allow for plenty of trade talk.

NFL-JAGUARS

Jags cut Lee, eye deal for Fournette

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — The Jacksonville Jaguars have waived oft-injured receiver Marqise Lee to create nearly $5 million in salary cap space, parting with a player who had just three receptions the last two years combined. The Jaguars were waiting for Lee to get fully healthy before letting him go, giving him the best chance to pass a physical with another team. He missed the entire 2018 season following a major knee injury and injured his shoulder last October, causing him to miss the final eight games.

And the Jaguars are ready to cut ties with running back Leonard Fournette just three years after making him the fourth overall pick in the NFL draft. A person familiar with the situation said Fournette could get moved before or during the draft, which begins Thursday.

TENNIS-DOPING-JARRY

Jarry gets 11-month doping ban

UNDATED (AP) — Top 100 tennis player Nicolas Jarry has been given an 11-month doping ban by the International Tennis Federation. The punishment stems from a failed drug test at the Davis Cup Finals in November.

Jarry is a 24-year-old from Chile who is currently ranked 89th in singles. He has been as high as No. 38.

He was provisionally suspended in January, but the ITF is back-dating his ban to December. Jarry can return to action in November.

GOLF-HALL OF FAME

Finchem elected to World Golf Hall of Fame

UNDATED (AP) — Former PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem has been elected to the World Golf Hall of Fame through the contributor category.

Finchem expanded the PGA Tour’s footprint around the world and negotiated TV contracts that more than tripled prize money during his two decades as commissioner. He joins the induction class of 2021 with Tiger Woods.

KOBE BRYANT CRASH-LAWSUIT

Family members of four victims sue over Kobe Bryant crash

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Family members of four of the people killed in a helicopter crash with Kobe Bryant and his daughter are suing the companies that owned and operated the aircraft.

The wrongful death lawsuits were filed electronically Sunday in Los Angeles Superior Court on behalf of three members of one family and a woman who helped coach Bryant’s daughter in basketball.

The group was heading to a basketball tournament Jan. 26 when the chopper crashed in thick fog northwest of Los Angeles.

The suits allege that Island Express Helicopters Inc. was careless and negligent in the crash that killed nine.

OBIT-BLACK

Neil Black, British track and field official, dies at 60

LONDON (AP) — A British track and field official who worked closely with Mo Farah and many of the country’s best athletes has died. Neil Black was 60.

British Athletics says Black died suddenly over the weekend.

He was performance director of British Athletics from 2012 until last year. He stepped down after coming under pressure because of the organization’s handling of a controversy involving Alberto Salazar after the coach was banned for four years for doping violations.

Black has worked with Britain’s top athletes since the 1990s. He was the chief physiotherapist and head of sports science at British Athletics before becoming performance director.

In world and national news…

 

(AP)  An Associated Press investigation has found that a relief fund Congress created to protect small businesses amid the coronavirus crisis has helped companies with thousands of employees, past regulatory run-ins and risks of financial failure even before the economy got walloped. The Paycheck Protection Program was supposed to help small businesses, which typically have less access to quick cash and credit. Its $349 billion in emergency loans are intended to keep workers on the job and bills paid on time. But the AP found 75 companies that collectively received $300 million were publicly traded, and some had market values well over $100 million.

 

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration and congressional leaders insist a final deal is in reach on an aid package for small businesses that could exceed $450 billion. But both sides have been struggling for days to push an agreement across the finish line. As small businesses suffer from a coronavirus-impaired economy, President Donald Trump says he hopes to see a Senate vote on Tuesday. Most of the funding would go to replenish a payroll loan program that’s out of money. Additional help would be given to hospitals, and billions more would be spent to boost testing for the virus.

 

(AP)Italy’s extraordinary commissioner for the COVID-19 emergency says that for the first time during the pandemic the nation has more respirators than virus patients in intensive care beds. here are currently some 2,500 patients receiving intensive care for coronavirus infections. Domenico Arcuri spoke on Tuesday about the anguish each night of deciding which hospital should receive the respirators. He said he wouldn’t wish the dilemma on anyone. The number of patients in intensive care wards have been diminishing for several days now in Italy. The country has the highest number of virus deaths in Europe with more than 24,000.

 

BANGKOK (AP) — Asian shares are lower after oil prices plunged below zero as storage for crude runs close to full amid a worldwide glut. Shares fell in Tokyo, Hong Kong and Shanghai early Tuesday, while New York stock futures edged higher. The cost to have a barrel of U.S. crude delivered in May plummeted to negative $37.63, although traders are still paying more than $20 per barrel for U.S. oil to be delivered in June. Analysts consider that to be closer to the “true” price of oil. The S&P 500 fell 1.8%, giving up some of the big gains from its first back-to-back weekly gain since February.

 

PARIS (AP) — Media watchdog Reporters Without Borders is sounding the alarm that the coronavirus pandemic poses a threat for press freedom around the world. The group released its annual evaluation Tuesday of media freedoms around the globe. North Korea ranked bottom of the group’s press freedom index. As in 2019, Norway again topped its ranking of 180 countries and territories. The group warned that governments might use the coronavirus crisis to impose measures that would be impossible in normal times. The report singled out U.S. President Donald Trump for his hostility to some media outlets and journalists.

 

LONDON (AP) — Conspiracy theories linking new 5G mobile networks and the coronavirus pandemic are fueling arson attacks on cell towers in Europe. Some 50 fires targeting cell towers and other equipment have been reported in Britain this month, and about 16 in the Netherlands. Attacks were also reported in Ireland, Cyprus and Belgium. Popular beliefs and conspiracy theories that wireless communications pose a threat have long been around. But the global spread of the virus at the same time that countries were rolling out fifth generation wireless technology has seen some of those false narratives amplified.