Wayne Byers Show – Morning – Apr 30

CSi Weather…

TODAY…Increasing clouds. Highs in the lower 70s. South winds 5 to 15 mph.

.TONIGHT…Mostly cloudy. Lows in the lower 50s. Southeast winds 5 to 15 mph.

.FRIDAY…Mostly sunny. A 20 percent chance of rain showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon. Highs in the mid 70s. South winds 5 to 10 mph shifting to the northwest 10 to 20 mph in the afternoon.

.FRIDAY NIGHT…Mostly clear. Lows in the mid 40s. Northwest

winds 10 to 15 mph.

.SATURDAY…Sunny. Highs in the lower 70s. Northwest winds 10 to

15 mph.

.SATURDAY NIGHT…Mostly clear. Lows in the lower 40s.

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

.SUNDAY NIGHT…Mostly cloudy with a 40 percent chance of rain

showers. Lows in the lower 40s.

.MONDAY…Mostly cloudy. Chance of rain showers in the morning,

then rain showers likely and slight chance of thunderstorms in

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

60 percent.

.MONDAY NIGHT…Mostly cloudy with a 50 percent chance of rain

showers. Lows in the lower 40s.

.TUESDAY…Partly sunny. Chance of rain showers in the morning,

then chance of rain showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon.

Highs around 60. Chance of precipitation 40 percent.

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

showers and thunderstorms in the evening. Lows around 40.

.WEDNESDAY…Partly sunny. A 20 percent chance of rain showers

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

 

New…

Valley City  (CSi)  Officials  from City-County Health District, Valley City State University and Local Government presented another Barnes County COVID-19 update and informational briefing Wednesday evening, at Valley City, City Hall.

The meeting aired live with replays on CSi TV 10 -The Replay Channel & CSi 68.   To view the briefing online, view it here at CSiNewsNOW.com or go to the CSi LiveStream at Facebook.

Each organization provided updates and information pertaining to recent developments in the COVID-19 community response.

Speakers observed social distancing guidelines.

City-County Health District Administrator, Theresa Will, said, the health department remains well positioned to continue with contact tracing of those exposed to a person that has tested positive for the COVIC-19 virus.

City/County Health continues to accept donations of cloth face masks, that are available for distribution, upon request.

He said as of Wednesday evening their have been four positive cases of COVID-19 tested in Barnes County, from community spread and traveling.

She added that Sheyenne Care Center will be mask testing, next week.

She pointed out that there will be a drive thru testing  this weekend, in another county.

She urged resident not to become complacent with the reopening of businesses, and continue to observe social distancing and all other safe practices to limit the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

 

Valley City State University President Dr. Alan LaFave said, a collaboration between VCSU and Valley City Public Schools have yielded a project that’s producing Personal Protective Equipment, including specialty face shields being designed and produced.

He said courses will remain on line through the end of this academic year.  Summer courses are being planned to held on line.

Summer Camps, including STEM and athletic camps have been postponed until July 1, 2020.

He said the construction of the Center for the Arts building is slated to start in June this year.  He hopes the VCSU campus will be reopened this fall.

 

Valley City Mayor, Dave Carlsrud said, on the June 9, election ballot will be asking voters whether to extend the city half percent sales tax, to fund permanent flood control.

He stressed that this would NOT be an increase in the sales, but an extension.

He reminded voters that this will be a vote by mail election.

He reminded as well that there are funding sources available for small businesses, and urges business owners to investigate available funds.

With the North Dakota Smart Restart takeing effect on Friday May 1, 2020,  he pointed out that bars can not serve alcoholic beverages until 8-a.m.

He stressed to continue to observe social distancing, or there will be a resurgence of the COVID-19 virus, through contact.

He said city government buildings will remain on lockdown until otherwise noted.

He reminded residents to fill out the 2020 census forms and return it promptly.

The briefings are closed the public to honor social distancing.

The meeting airs live with replays on CSi TV 10 -The Replay Channel & CSi 68.   To view the briefing online, view it here at CSiNewsNOW.com or go to the CSi LiveStream at Facebook.

 

Jamestown  (NDHP)  The North Dakota Highway Patrol reports, two Jamestown females received minor injuries in a one vehicle rollover crash Tuesday evening about 7:36-p.m., during rain on a wet gravel road.

The report says the driver of a 1995 Ford F150, a 19 year old from Jamestown was traveling westbound on 44th Street Southeast, eight miles south of Jamestown. The report says she was distracted by the passenger’s mobile device. She lost control on the wet gravel roadway. The Ford entered the north ditch and overturned. The driver and a 20 year old from Jamestown, neither identified, sustained minor injuries. The driver, was placed under arrest for driving under the influence of alcohol. The passenger was placed under arrest for minor of consumption of alcohol. Both occupants were wearing seatbelts.

The crash is under investigation by the North Dakota Highway Patrol.

The Highway Patrol was assisted on the scene by the Stutsman County Sheriff’s Office.

 

Valley City (NDHP) The North Dakota Highway Patrol reports a head-on crash at 2:06-pm, Wednesday injured two women on I-94 just west of Valley City.

A 2005 Dodge Caravan, was traveling east on I-94 at MM 285, just west of Valley City. The driver, who was identified as 77 year old Sharon Conlin from Bismarck, lost consciousness. The Caravan entered the median and crossed into the westbound lane of I-94. A westbound Chevy Silverado pickup truck driven by 26 year old Amy Potter, from Coon Rapids, MN was struck head on by the caravan. Both vehicles came to rest in the north ditch of I-94.

Conlin was taken to a Fargo hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

Potter was transported to Mercy Hospital in Valley City with non-life threatening injuries.

Both were wearing seat belts, with their vehicles air bags deployed.

No charges were filed.

The crash remains under investigation by the NDHP.

 

Assisting at the scene were, Barnes County Sheriff’s Office, Valley City Fire/Rescue, Valley City ambulance and Barnes County Ambulance.

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — The North Dakota State Patrol says a driver going the wrong way on Interstate 94 near Bismarck caused a crash that took his life and injured five others, including three young children. The patrol says the 49-year-old Bismarck man was driving a Chevy pickup truck westbound on the interstate about 6:30 p.m. Wednesday when he crashed into a Ford pickup with five people inside, including children ages 4, 6 and 8. The driver of the Chevy was pronounced dead at the scene. Those in the Ford truck were taken to a Bismarck hospital. Their conditions were not immediately available. The crash four miles east of Menoken shut down eastbound traffic for more than two hours.

Bismarck  (CSi)  Governor Doug Burgum held his daily COVID-19 news briefing Wednesday from the state capital in Bismarck.  He was joined by Department of Human Services Executive Director Chris Jones to outline protections for vulnerable populations.

NDDoH

Wednesday, April 29, 2020 – 11:03am

Categories: Coronavirus

COUNTIES WITH NEW POSITIVE CASES REPORTED TODAY

• Burleigh County – 2
• Cass County – 20
• Grand Forks County – 16
• McKenzie County – 1
• Stark County – 2
• Stutsman County – 1
• 6^th positive

 

BY THE NUMBERS

25,536 – Total Tested (+1,813 individuals from yesterday)

24,503 – Total Negative (+1,771 individuals from yesterday)

1,033 – Total Positive (+42 individuals from yesterday)

82 – Total Hospitalized (+3 individuals from yesterday)

28 – Currently Hospitalized (+3 individuals from yesterday)

437 – Total Recovered (+28 individuals from yesterday)

19 – Total Deaths (+0 individual from yesterday)

Burgum then outlined Tuesday’s ND Smart Restart Guidelines, and the eight protocols and included in Wednesday’s Executive Order information. “North Dakota Smart Restart” protocols

Those to remain closed include sports, and concert arenas.

Some Local businesses are  awaiting more information before reopening their doors.   Those include Jamestown Parks and Recreation facilities, Bison 6 Cinema, and the All Vets Club

Movie theaters that chose to reopen, will be limited to 20 percent attendance and staggered start times, starting on Friday this week.

Paradiso Mexican Restaurant plans to reopen, following state recommendations of having 50 percent capacity, and not allowing bar seating, and employees will wear face masks.

Burgum said the state continues to receive input from school officials on continued closed schools and distance learning.  He said by Friday this week the state may have a decision on continuing, or not, distance learning.  He said, a consideration may be given to starting the 2020-2021 school year ahead of the typical start dates.

Human Services Executive Director Chris Jones outlined protections for vulnerable populations.  He said a team has been established to move forward with efforts for people in such areas, but not limited to, nursing homes, skilled nursing facilities, assisted living, and corrections.

He said with visiting, policies, no changes limiting visitation in congregate housing settings

With the homeless population, scattered housing for COVID positive people has been set up, for isolation and quarantining.

 

Burgum reminded residents that the June 9, elections will have no physical voting polls, and will be by Vote by Mail, only, for all North Dakotans, and American Indian Tribes.

He talked about applications being mailed out, followed by sending the applications to county auditors, and then the mail-in ballot will be sent.  Ballots must be back to the courthouse, mailed in, received by June 8, and in person not later than 4-p.m., June 9, election day.

 

With unemployment, 2336 recorded new claims from Tuesday, for a total of regular claims since March 16, 2020 are at 63,929, with 1163 pandemic claims.  Software coding has been updated, and self-employed payments going out Wednesday evening, along with claimants still to receive benefit payments, and amendment payments still owed.

 

Movie theaters that chose to reopen, will be limited to 20 percent attendance and staggered start times, starting on Friday this week.  Seating will be in accordance with social distancing, no closer than six feet to another person.   Employees will be wearing protective face masks.

Local businesses are  awaiting more information before reopening their doors.   Those include Jamestown Parks and Recreation facilities, Bison 6 Cinema, and the All Vets Club

With behavioral health, Burgum talked about how to help veterans in need, including suicide preventions efforts.  Phone numbers and more information regarding suicide prevention training at the state’s behavior health website.

 

Burgum pointed out that there are now 27,500 subscribers to CARE-19 tracing app, now available to android phone users, through the Google Play Store.

 

Local businesses are  awaiting more information before reopening their doors.   Those include Jamestown Parks and Recreation facilities, Bison 6 Cinema, and the All Vets Club

With Burgum announcing that closed businesses, including bars and restaurants, can reopen Friday, May 1 under new guidelines, in order to remove impaired drivers from the road, the North Dakota Highway Patrol (NDHP) will have extra patrols beginning May 1 through May 3.

The North Dakota Department of Transportation and the NDHP want to remind drivers that alcohol and drug-related crashes are 100% preventable. In 2019, 42% of North Dakota motor vehicle fatalities were alcohol-related. Many lives would be saved each year if everyone made the choice to drive sober or find a sober ride.

Lt. Adam Dvorak of the NDHP  says, “Many North Dakotans will be eager to enjoy a drink at their favorite establishment when bars and restaurants reopen. (After 8-a.m.).  There are serious consequences when you drive impaired. If you choose to consume alcohol this weekend, take personal responsibility and find a sober ride.”

 

As businesses open and traffic increases, every driver and vehicle occupant can help meet the Vision Zero goal of zero motor vehicle fatalities and serious injuries on North Dakota roads. This means wearing a seat belt at all times, using appropriate child passenger safety seats, driving distraction-free, driving sober, and obeying all posted speed limits.

Learn more about safety initiatives at VisionZero.ND.gov or join the conversation on the Vision Zero ND Facebook or Twitter page.

BISMARCK – U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) announced Wednesday the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) awarded grants to seven local airports in North Dakota to fund improvement and rehabilitation projects. This funding is awarded through the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) under DOT and will be used to finance various development projects at the following local airports:

• Williston Basin International Airport received $9,493,453 to construct a runway and install a runway guidance system.
• Jamestown Regional Airport received $1,531,989 to acquire aircraft rescue and firefighting safety equipment, reconstruct an apron, rehabilitate a runway, and rehabilitate three taxiways.
• Garrison Municipal Airport received $1,088,000 to construct an access road, a taxilane, two taxiways, a parking lot, an improved safety area, and reconstruct perimeter fencing.
• Casselton Robert Miller Regional Airport received $451,121 to rehabilitate an access road.
• Robertson Field Airport received $300,000 to acquire snow removal equipment.
• Devils Lake Regional Airport received $95,000 to reconstruct apron, taxilane, and taxiway pavement.
• Bottineau Municipal Airport received $60,000 to conduct a runway approach obstruction survey.

These DOT grants follow a previous DOT funding announcement today awarding over $62 million to 12 local airports in North Dakota as appropriated by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Click here to read more about the economic relief funding to airports in North Dakota from the CARES Act.

Please visit cramer.senate.gov/COVID19 to learn more.

 

Jamestown  (CSi)  Stutsman County conducted a simulated county-wide tornado exercise Wednesday morning, April 29^th as part of Severe Summer Weather Awareness Week.  The exercise began at 11:15 a.m. simulating what occurs locally when a tornado warning is issued by the National Weather Service.

The goal of the exercise was to test the Communications Center’s internal notification procedures county-wide including the testing of area community siren systems.

 

Stutsman County Emergency Manager, and 9-1-1- Coordinator, Jerry Bergquist says, the siren systems for Jamestown, Buchanan, Cleveland, Medina and Streeter were tested.  Except for the City of Streeter, all sirens systems proved to be operational and ready for the summer weather season.

 

Because the National Weather Service did not send out “official tornado warning tones” as part of the simulation, their all-hazards weather radio system did not activate.  In addition, the Emergency Alert System (EAS) for AM/FM radio stations and cable TV providers was not activated. However, cable interrupt systems were tested manually.  The Stutsman Alerts notification system powered by Everbridge was also not activated for this test.

 

The Stutsman Alerts system allows individuals to sign up for immediate notification of up to six different weather warnings including tornado, thunderstorm, flood, flash flood, winter storm and blizzard.  To sign up for Stutsman Alerts, go to the Stutsman County webpage at www.co.stutsman.nd.us and click on the Stutsman Alerts window.  Choose to receive weather warnings via land-line telephones, cellphones (optional text messaging) and email.  Stutsman Alerts is a no-cost way to receive immediate weather warnings, but registration including a Stutsman County street address is required to utilize the service.  For those needing assistance to register, contact Stutsman County Emergency Management at 701-252-9093.

 

 

Jamestown  (Chamber)  The Jamestown Area Chamber of Commerce,  continues to work to provide businesses with information and resources to make sure the business has a successful reopening.

Chamber Executive, Emily Bivens has provided information and resources, on their web pages.

https://www.jamestownchamber.com/resources

 

 

Jamestown  (JRMC)  — For the first time in history, the National Rural Health Association named Jamestown Regional Medical Center one of the Top 20 Critical Access Hospitals in the country.

NRHA determines Top 20 CAHs based on the results of the Hospital Strength Index and its eight indices of performance: inpatient market share, outpatient market share, quality, outcomes, patient perspectives, cost, charge, and financial stability. This elite group of hospitals was selected from The Chartis Center for Rural Health’s 2020 Top 100 CAH list, which was released in February.

JRMC has received the Top 100 designation every year since 2014.

JRMC President & CEO Mike Delfs  says, “There’s a reason we’re a Top 20 Critical Access Hospital in the country, and that reason is our team of #DifferenceMakers.  Now, more than ever, they are demonstrating how they are THE difference in the lives of those we serve.”

This award is an honor to receive, especially for independent hospitals like JRMC.

Across the United States, more than 1,300 hospitals qualify as a Critical Access Hospital (CHA), a designation Congress created in 1997 to improve healthcare access in rural areas. JRMC has maintained its critical access designation since 2009.

Delfs says, “JRMC works to exceed industry standards, and one example of that is exceptional patient care.  Not every rural hospital can offer specialty care like urology, orthopedics, podiatry, ear, nose & throat advanced wound care, and now cancer care, however, we do. We are committed to continuing to offer legendary care to this community.”

Learn more about JRMC at www.jrmcnd.com.

About the National Rural Health Association

NRHA is a nonprofit organization working to improve the health and wellbeing of rural Americans and providing leadership on rural health issues through advocacy, communications, education and research. NRHA membership is made up of 21,000 diverse individuals and organizations, all of whom share the common bond of an interest in rural health. For more information, visit RuralHealthWeb.org.

About The Chartis Group

The Chartis Group® (Chartis) provides comprehensive advisory services and analytics to the healthcare industry. With an unparalleled depth of expertise in strategic planning, performance excellence, informatics and technology, and health analytics, Chartis helps leading academic medical centers, integrated delivery networks, children’s hospitals and healthcare service organizations achieve transformative results. Chartis has offices in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, New York, Minneapolis and San Francisco. For more information, visit chartis.com.

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — Police have arrested a man suspected of firing multiple gunshots into a vehicle in Bismarck. Authorities got a tip that the 24-year-old man was at a home in north Bismarck. Officers surrounded the home, and the man came out and was arrested without incident Wednesday. He was wanted for attempted murder. No one in Friday’s shooting was injured. Officers earlier arrested a man accused of being an accomplice. Police say the 18-year-old man was driving the vehicle from which the shots were fired. Formal charges are pending. The Bismarck Tribune reports the man accused of firing the shots is on probation for assaulting a police or corrections officer in 2018.

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — North Dakota Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem says the Bismarck School District violated state open records law when it destroyed handwritten notes. The notes were part of a pending open records request by a Bismarck attorney. The attorney requested documents from the school district in January, including handwritten notes of the school’s human resources director. Stenehjem says the district determined the notes were not legible, so the district transcribed the notes and shredded the handwritten ones. But in his opinion, the attorney general says the school should have provided the original notes. The Bismarck Tribune reports an attorney representing the school district said a district employee made a “good faith decision” to type the records for readability and had no ill intent.

DICKINSON, N.D. (AP) — Dickinson State University plans to resume in-person teaching this fall after switching to online classes this spring during the cornavirus outbreak. University administrators agreed unanimously at a cabinet meeting Tuesday to plan to return to regular face-to-face teaching in fall 2020. The school says precautions will be taken for the safety of students, faculty and staff. Dickinson State says it will continue offering the option of online and distance learning for students. DSU President Steve Easton says the school is looking forward to welcoming students back this fall. The university also plans to open residence halls for the fall semester.

In sports…

Jamestown  (uj.edu)  The Jimmies for Generosity Food Drive will be held April 30 and May 1.

Non-perishable food items are needed for the local food pantry.

Drop off items at the Jimmie Booster Club trailer, located at the Liechty Center parking lot..Thursday April 30, noon to 2-p.m., and 4-p.m., to 6-p.m.

Friday May 1, 7:30-a.m., to 9:30-a.m. and noon to 2-p.m.  (#JimmiesForGenerosity)

 

UNDATED (AP) — The leading plan for hockey coming back this summer involves playing at a few empty NHL arenas to finish the season and award the Stanley Cup.

Unknowns about the coronavirus have kept the league working on multiple scenarios. A person familiar with discussions tells The Associated Press the most aggressive timetable would have players returning to their home rinks as early as May 15, followed by a training camp in June. The regular season, featuring some if not all 31 teams would then begin in July, with the Cup awarded in September.

In other developments related to the coronavirus pandemic:

— Several Major League Baseball teams have announced ticket refund policies for games not played through May because of the virus outbreak. The Cleveland Indians have offered a 10% bonus credit for fans who want to apply what they’ve paid to future games. The Boston Red Sox extended a similar bonus credit to season ticket holders. Spring training was suspended on March 12 and the regular season was delayed from its scheduled March 26 start because of the new coronavirus pandemic. A revised schedule has not been announced. MLB is exploring many options to play this year if it’s deemed safe.

— The Tampa Bay Rays are the first Major League Baseball team known to plan furloughs of some full-time employees because of the coronavirus pandemic. That’s according to a person familiar with the decision who told The Associated Press they temporary cost-cutting measures will take effect on Saturday.

— The LPGA Tour is pushing back the restart of its season at least another month. The target now is a tournament in Michigan on July 15-18, and that depends on whether it’s safe to return. The tour was hopeful of resuming June 19-21 in Arkansas. Commissioner Mike Whan says it’s not about being the first sport to be back but being safe. And he says the next three events on the new schedule — in Michigan, Ohio and New Jersey — will only be played if the coronavirus situation allows for it. The season-ending event in Florida would end on Dec. 20.

— International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach says the future of sports after the coronavirus pandemic might mean fewer international events. In a letter to Olympic officials and athletes worldwide, Bach says “the current health crisis will lead to a long and deep economic crisis” which will affect sports. He says “governments must include sport in their economic support programs” so it can be part of a worldwide recovery.

— The head of the IOC’s coordination commission for the Tokyo Olympics says he disagrees with suggestions by some scientists and doctors that a vaccine for COVID-19 is needed to hold the games. John Coates says the advice from the World Health Organization is to continue to plan for the 2021 Olympics, and he says, “that is what we’re doing.” The president of the Japan Medical Association president said Tuesday that it would only be possible for the Olympics to go ahead in July 2021 if the infections were under control, not only in Japan, but globally.

— Switzerland’s federal government says professional sports teams can resume training on May 11, with a view to playing games in empty stadiums four weeks later. The government is set to make a final decision on May 27 as to whether games can resume in June.

— Italy’s sports minister says it is increasingly unlikely the soccer season will resume. He says even though professional sports teams have been given the go-ahead to resume training on May 18, “resuming training absolutely does not mean resuming the season.” The French government called off the season in that country Tuesday.

— UEFA’s (yoo-AY’-fahz) leading medical official at the Union of European Football Associations says soccer competitions should be able to resume this season. Tim Meyer says all soccer organizations planning for resumptions need to produce “comprehensive protocols dictating sanitary and operational conditions” to ensure the health of those involved in the games is protected. Meyer says “it is definitely possible to plan the restart of competitions suspended during the 2019-20 season” under these conditions and if local legislation is respected.

— Serena and Venus Williams and Maria Sharapova are scheduled to compete in a video game tennis tournament for charity called the “Stay at Home Slam.” The IMG agency says Naomi Osaka and Kei Nishikori (kay nee-shee-KOHR’-ee) are also participating Sunday. Participants will each pick a charity to receive a $25,000 donation and the winner will choose who gets an additional $1 million donation.

— The French soccer league has launched a lottery to help raise funds for hospitals and medical staff dealing with the coronavirus pandemic. Fans have a chance to win a signed jersey in exchange for an online donation of 5 euros ($5.40) to the campaign. The French league says 2 million euros ($2.2 million) has already been raised through previous fundraising in French soccer.

In world and national news…

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. government is expected to issue another bleak report on the layoffs that have cut through America’s workforce since the coronavirus forced businesses across the country to shut down starting last month. The Labor Department will likely report that several million more people filed for unemployment benefits last week, after more than 26 million applied for aid in the previous five weeks. All told, the layoffs add up to the largest streak of U.S. job losses on record. Across nearly every industry, nonessential businesses have closed, and workers have been sent home with no clear idea of when or whether they might be recalled.

 

WASHINGTON (AP) — Americans are grappling with an essential question as they try to get the information they need to stay safe during the coronavirus crisis: Whom do you trust? Sixty-eight percent of Americans say they have high trust in the information provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Sixty-six percent highly trust their doctor or health care provider, and 52% said the same about their state or local government. That’s according to an Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll published last week. Just 23% of Americans say they have a great deal or quite a bit of trust in the coronavirus information provided by President Donald Trump.

 

(AP)  The head of Germany’s disease control center says he expects the actual number of deaths in the country from the new coronavirus to be higher than those currently reported. Lothar Wieler of the Robert Koch Institute told reporters Thursday that early figures from two of Germany’s 16 states indicate that the number of people dying is higher than average for the time of year. In other countries, this so-called excess mortality has been higher than the reported COVID-19 death toll. This may indicate some deaths from the pandemic are going undetected. It’s unclear whether the deaths resulted directly from infection or other factors.

 

TOKYO (AP) — Global shares have fallen back after a strong showing in Asia. The retreat Thursday followed the release of worse-than-expected economic data for European countries. Figures showed the European economy shrank by a record 3.8% in the first quarter as business activity was frozen by shutdowns aimed at preventing the spread of the coronavirus. That put paid to a rally driven by optimism about a possible treatment for the coronavirus. Nations around the world have laid out plans to relax restrictions keeping people at home and businesses bereft of customers. Any new treatment for COVID-19 could also lower the dread so prevalent among households and businesses around the world.

 

 

 

BANGKOK (AP) — The Australian Capital Territory has become the first of the country’s eight states and mainland territories to declare itself free of all known cases of the coronavirus. Health officials say the area around Canberra had no recorded infections for the first time in seven weeks after the last patient recovered. The government will make an announcement about the future of its lockdown measures on Friday. Lawmakers will soon return to Canberra for the first regular sitting of Parliament since early March. In other developments in Asia, the Maldives has recorded its first death. And Sri Lanka is reimposing a blanket curfew after confirming a cluster among navy sailors.

ELECTION 2020-BIDEN RUNNING MATE

Joe Biden picks vetting team as he searches for running mate

WASHINGTON (AP) — Joe Biden has picked four co-chairs for his vice presidential vetting team, starting the search for his running mate in earnest. They are former Connecticut Sen. Chris Dodd, Delaware congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti and Apple executive and longtime Biden aide Cynthia Hogan. They’ll work with vetting teams led by former White House counsel Bob Bauer, campaign general counsel Dana Remus and former homeland security adviser Lisa Monaco.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Police say someone has opened fire using an assault rifle outside the Cuban Embassy in the nation’s capital and has been arrested. Authorities say the gunfire broke out around 2 a.m. Thursday outside the embassy in northwest Washington, D.C. Police say officers were called to the scene after neighbors reported hearing gunshots. They say officers found the suspect with an assault rifle and immediately took the person into custody. Investigators believe the person had been shooting toward the embassy. A potential motive is unknown. No one was injured. Police and the U.S. Secret Service are investigating.