CSi Weather…

REST OF TODAY…Mostly sunny. Highs inthe lower 60s. Southwest winds around 5 mph increasing to west10 to 20 mph.

.TONIGHT…Clear. Lows in the upper 30s. West winds 5 to 10 mph.

Gusts up to 25 mph in the evening.

.FRIDAY…Mostly sunny. Highs in the mid 60s. West winds around

5 mph shifting to the southeast in the afternoon.

.FRIDAY NIGHT…Cloudy. A 30 percent chance of rain showers after

midnight. Lows in the mid 40s. East winds 5 to 10 mph.

.SATURDAY…Cloudy. Chance of rain showers in the morning, then

rain showers likely in the afternoon. Highs around 60. East winds

5 to 10 mph. Chance of showers 60 percent in the Jamestown area 70 percent in the Valley City area.

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

showers in the evening. Lows in the mid 40s.

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

.SUNDAY NIGHT…Partly cloudy. Lows in the upper 40s.

.MONDAY…Mostly sunny. Highs in the lower 70s.

.MONDAY NIGHT…Mostly cloudy. Lows in the mid 50s.

.TUESDAY…Mostly sunny. Highs in the lower 80s.

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

and thunderstorms after midnight. Lows in the upper 50s.

.WEDNESDAY…Mostly cloudy with chance of showers and slight

chance of thunderstorms. Highs in the upper 70s. Chance of

precipitation 40 percent.

Showers will start to develop over the southwest Friday afternoon, gradually spreading east and northward Friday night into Saturday. Greatest chances

remain over the southern half of the state closer to the low.

System pushes east of the area late Saturday, with mainly dry conditions expected Saturday night.

 

Valley City, The City of Valley City hosted a COVID-19 Response Briefing on May 13, at City Hall.  The briefing was 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.

 

Speakers included:

  • Theresa Will – Administrator for City-County Health District
  • Jennifer Feist – Director of Development for Valley City Barnes County Development Corporation
  • Barnes County Commissioner, Bill Carblom
  • Kay Vinje – Executive Vice President for Valley City Area Chamber of Commerce
  • Dave Carlsrud – Valley City Mayor

 

City-County Public Health Administrator, Theresa Will said,  as of Wednesday evening Barnes County reported there have been 503  tests, with four  positive COVID-19 tests, one case is still recovering.  She said she’s working with CHI Mercy Health in establishing community wide, COVID-19 Testing.

She pointed out the need to keep gatherings at ten or under, noting that figure may be going up in the future.  She urges downloading the CARE-19 app, to aid in contact tracing.

Cloth masks are in supply, as of Wednesday and to contact City/County Health at 845-8518.

 

Valley City/Barnes County Development Corporation Director, Jennifer Feist said, she’s looking forward to all Valley City businesses reopening. She said her office is working with businesses and industry in the reopening, and pointed out assistance for small businesses and urges contacting  local financial institution for assistance in applying for small business loans and other assistance programs.  The economic Development Corp. can be reached by calling 840-7820.

 

Barnes County Commissioner, Bill Carblom  noted that gravel roads are in bad shape, awaiting dry weather, to make repairs.  He pointed out continuing water problems over  some roadways, and not to going around barricades.  He pointed out that the June 9 primary election is vote by mail.   He said the Barnes County Jail has been recertified to house inmates for 90-days up from the 10-days.   The Barnes County Courthouse, is now available by phone on Friday’s as deep cleanings have occurred on the past several Friday’s.

He added that possibly the Barnes County Courthouse may reopen to the public on June 1, 2020.

 

Valley City Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Kay Vinje said, the Chamber’s new promotion to stimulate local business, “VC Strong,”  highlights two Valley City businesses each day.  The Valley city Chamber’s web site continues to update the Business Directory, with current information on hours and days, of operations, and services being offered.  She said to call a business ahead of time if your planning to visit their store so arrangements can be made in advance.

 

Valley city Mayor, Dave Carlsrud said, to remember to fill out and submit the 2020 U.S. Census form.  He said with more people getting outdoors with nicer weather, to be vigilant with social distancing, and still observe that while inside, at stores and businesses, and to wear a face mask to help control the spread of COVID-19.

 

Bismarck  (NDDoH)  The North Dakota Department of Health reported Wednesday, Cass the state’s  most populous county has recorded a daily high number of positive tests for the coronavirus, from Tuesday, the highest number since a mass testing event last month for LM Wind Power employees and others in Grand Forks.

The Department of Health confirmed two more COVID-related deaths and 76 new positive cases Wednesday,  the second-largest single day increase of new cases to date, with a 6.8% positive rate. Active cases did decrease to 638.

 

Released Wed May 13, 2020 11-a.m.

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

INDIVIDUAL WHO DIED WITH COVID-19

  • Woman in her 90s from Cass County with underlying health conditions.
  • Woman in her 90s from Cass County with underlying health conditions.

 

COUNTIES WITH NEW POSITIVE CASES REPORTED WEDNESDAY

  • Burleigh County – 1
  • Cass County – 69
  • Grand Forks County – 4
  • Morton County – 1
  • Walsh County – 1


BY THE NUMBERS

48,945 – Total Tested (+1,113 individuals from yesterday)

47,298 – Total Negative (+1,037 individuals from yesterday)

1,647 – Total Positive (+76 individuals from yesterday)

6.8% – Daily Positive Rate of Completed Tests

127 – Total Hospitalized (+5 individuals from yesterday)

37 – Currently Hospitalized (-1 individuals from yesterday)

969 – Total Recovered (+92 individuals from yesterday)

40 – Total Deaths (+2 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.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Gov. Burgum’s Office)   – Gov. Doug Burgum met with President Donald Trump Wednesday at the White House, highlighting the benefits of state-federal partnerships to North Dakota’s COVID-19 response and recovery efforts and the need for continued federal support to fully execute the state’s testing strategy.

During the White House meeting with President Trump and Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, Burgum thanked the president for his and Vice President Mike Pence’s leadership throughout the pandemic and for the administration’s partnership in addressing testing, personal protective equipment, economic relief for citizens and businesses, and other COVID-19 impacts.

Burgum said, “We appreciate the opportunity to share our coronavirus successes and challenges with President Trump, whose partnership has been instrumental to our whole-of-government approach to saving lives and livelihoods during this pandemic.  We’re deeply grateful for the tireless efforts of the administration and our congressional delegation that have helped us slow the spread of COVID-19 and implement our ND Smart Restart plan. Our top priority remains the health and safety of all North Dakotans, and we look forward to continued collaboration with President Trump and all our federal partners.”

Jamestown  (CSi)  Stutsman County Auditor/COO Nicole Meland says, for those wishing  to attend Senator Cramer’s meeting on Friday, May 15,  but do not want to attend in person, call in-information is provided below.  Meeting is at 11:00 am and please remember to mute your phones.

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88473565773

Meeting ID: 884 7356 5773

More information in this story at CSiNewsNow.com

U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer is hosting a meeting at the Gladstone Inn & Suites, 111 2nd Street NE, Jamestown, ND, on Friday, May 15, 2020, starting at 11:00 am.

Senator Cramer will be discussing FEMA related concerns and issues. There may be a lot of individuals in attendance and social distancing may be an issue.

Stutsman County Auditor/COO Nicole Meland asks the public, “If you do not feel well, do not attend the meeting to keep others safe. It is recommended that you wear a mask. A quorum of commission members may be present and may discuss County-related business.”

Bismarck  (NDDOT)  The North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT) is currently operating under prioritized in-person driver license and motor vehicle services, which are available by appointment only.

Robin Rehborg, NDDOT deputy director for driver safety says, For the safety of our customers and our staff we are conducting these services by appointment only.  NDDOT has scheduled more than 1,200 appointments for this week statewide and we are receiving a high volume of calls. We ask for your patience as we work to meet the need for prioritized services.”

To schedule an appointment, visit our website at dot.nd.gov to complete an online request or call 1-855-633-6835.

(The Jamestown DMV phone number is 701-952-0852.

During regular business hours (7:30am-4:30pm excluding the Noon hour, Monday through Friday). Customers will be able to pick-up their processed paperwork the following business day from 9:00am-4:30pm excluding the Noon hour. If you prefer to have your paperwork mailed back to you, please indicate that on your paperwork at drop off.)

To limit wait times on the phone, we ask that only customers who need the following prioritized services call to schedule appointments at this time.

Valley City  (CSi)  The Valley City Community is invited to join in with another vehicle cruise Bridge City Cruisers, on Friday evening.

Starting at 6:30 -p.m., bring any type of vehicle to join in on Central Avenue.

Valley City  (CSi)  Great Plains Food Bank will be in Valley City Friday distributing items such as fruit, veggies,  and more.

The mobile food truck will be at Epworth United Methodist Church’s parking lot from 11-a.m. to 1-p.m.

Those attending should bring along their own containers to carry the food.

Fargo  (NDFU) – Farmers Union Enterprises (FUE) teamed up Wednesday with North Dakota Farmers Union (NDFU) to donate 30,000 pounds of pork ribs to the Great Plains Food Bank (GPFB) in Fargo. The donation completes a five-state giving spree of 150,000 pounds of pork to food banks in South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Montana and North Dakota.

NDFU President Mark Watne, says,“Food banks are doing all they can to meet the increased demand for food given COVID-19 and high unemployment.  This donation is one way we can help feed hungry families.”

FUE is made up of several Farmers Union-owned businesses — the dividends of which help fund Farmers Union organizations in the five-state area, as well as FUE programs and National Farmers Union. The donated pork ribs came from Redwood Farms, which supplies premium pork products to high-end restaurants in New York, Chicago and other cities across the U.S.

Watne said FUE is doing what it can to help the most vulnerable. “We care deeply about our food system. have the ability to produce enough food. We should ensure no one has to worry about where their next meal is coming from.”

In North Dakota, the GPFB is the largest hunger-relief organization and the state’s only food bank. It works with a wide array of individuals and organizations to guide donated surplus food and grocery products to a network of 213 food pantries, soup kitchens, emergency shelters and charitable feeding programs.

PHOTO

Ryan Fischer of the Great Plains Food Bank helps unload a slab of pork ribs after North Dakota Farmers Union helped donate and deliver 30,000 pounds of pork to the Great Plains Food Bank May 13, 2020, in Fargo.

Bismarck  (NDHP)  The ND Highway Patrol has identified a 40 year-old Starbuck, Minnesota woman who died in a rollover about 5:40-p.m., Sunday, May 10th on Highway 46,east of Enderlin.

40 year old Nicole Bratland’s 2010 Ford Fusion was westbound on Highway 46 and ran off the roadway. The car struck an approach and entered the north ditch causing it to overturn. The vehicle came to rest on its roof in the north ditch partially submerged in water.

She suffered fatal injuries. The crash is under investigation by the North Dakota Highway Patrol.

Assisting the Highway Patrol at the scene were:  Cass County Sheriff’s Office, Ransom County Sheriff’s Office, Enderlin First Responders, Enderlin Fire, and Lisbon Ambulance.

FARGO, N.D. (AP) — Police have identified the man who was fatally shot in the parking lot of a Fargo shopping center. Authorities say 39-year-old Anquine Lamont White, of Hawley, Minnesota, was killed and another man was critically wounded in a shooting Tuesday outside Northport Shopping Center. KFGO reports two people have been arrested and police say two guns were recovered. The name and condition of the man who was wounded have not been released. Police say they want to speak with the witness or witnesses in a vehicle seen in the vicinity of the shooting.

MINOT, N.D. (AP) — An arrest has been made in a homicide in Minot, according to police. Officers were called to a shooting on the city’s southwest side shortly before 8 p.m. Wednesday. Officers found the victim and administered aid. He was transported to Trinity Hospital where he died a short time later. Police say they’ve arrested a 22-year-old man who had a confrontation with the victim before the shooting. Authorities say the victim and suspect knew each other. The suspect was taken to the Ward County Jail and is being held on a possible murder charge. The victim has not been identified.

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — Republican North Dakota Gov. Burgum is putting $195,000 of his own money into a political action campaign that has set its sights on defeating one of the most powerful members of the Legislature and a member of his own party. The move to campaign against House Appropriations Chairman Jeff Delzer in the June primary has drawn criticism across North Dakota’s political spectrum. Political and election law experts say such a move by a governor to oust a powerful member of their own party is unusual. Burgum would not comment on the contribution.

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — A woman suspected of driving impaired and causing a crash that killed a Texas man is facing criminal charges in North Dakota. An arrest warrant has been issued for 28-year-old Terri Yelllow Hammer, of Fort Yates, on three felony charges in the May 6 crash in Morton County. Fifty-one-year-old Conan Magilke, of Lampasas, Texas, died at the scene. His passenger in his pickup, 48-year-old Angelea Magilke, was injured. The North Dakota Highway Patrol says Yellow Hammer crossed the center line and struck the pickup, the Bismarck Tribune reported. Authorities say Yellow Hammer showed signs of methamphetamine use. Court records do not list an attorney who could speak on her behalf.

 

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — North Dakota homemade food vendors have sued the state health department over new rules they say restrict their sales. Attorneys with the Institute for Justice are representing five plaintiffs in their case against the state, arguing that the new rules contradict a 2017 law intended to expand cottage food sales. But state health officials say the cottage foods law needs to be clear on which types of food can be sold and that public health needs to be protected. The Bismarck Tribune reported Tuesday that cottage food vendors say the department’s limitations on what food can be sold hurts them financially, especially during the coronavirus pandemic.

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The Wisconsin Supreme Court has struck down Gov. Tony Evers’ stay-at-home restrictions. The high court ruled for Republicans in a challenge to an extension issued by the governor’s health secretary, arguing she exceeded her authority. The 4-3 ruling means the state is essentially reopened ahead of the May 26 expiration date of Evers’ order. It lifts caps on the size of gatherings, allowing people to travel as they please and allowing shuttered businesses to reopen, including bars and restaurants. The ruling marks another defeat for Evers as Republicans continue to chip away at the Democratic governor’s authority.

In sports…

(AP) The St. Paul Saints will hold a virtual home opener next week, with the independent minor league baseball club unable to start their defense of the American Association championship due to the virus-related restrictions in place.

The Saints have dubbed the event “Nopening Day,” which will begin on Tuesday night at CHS Field with curbside pickup of free T-shirts for fans and end with a fireworks display at the empty 7,000-seat ballpark.

The Saints will then re-broadcast on their social media platforms the 2015 home opener that marked the first game at CHS Field in the Lowertown area of Minnesota’s capital city.

The team’s usual off-the-wall in-game promotions will be staged from the homes of various staff members. Then on a serious note, video clips honoring front-line workers at Twin Cities hospitals will be aired.

VIRUS OUTBREAK-SPORTS

UNDATED (AP) — The NFL has updated its Organized Team Activities schedule as the league hopes to begin the upcoming season on time.

A person familiar with the decision tells The Associated Press that the NFL has extended its virtual offseason workouts through the end of May.

NFL teams normally would be holding OTAs during May, followed by June minicamps. Those activities are being done remotely due to the coronavirus pandemic. Coaching and training staffs have worked with the players by conducting classroom instruction and on-field activities through digital applications.

All 32 teams must submit plans for reopening their facilities to the league by Friday, though no dates for such re-openings are set. Offseason workouts must end by June 26, a week or so later than usual.

In other news related to the coronavirus pandemic:

— Florida is willing to be a restart site for professional sports leagues when play resumes following shutdowns caused by the new coronavirus. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis says he is welcoming all pro sports for practicing and playing, although he couldn’t guarantee that fans would be permitted. Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey announced this week that his state is open to games without spectators for all the major sports starting Saturday.

— Major League Soccer is looking at the possibility of resuming the season this summer with all teams playing in Orlando, Florida. A person with knowledge of the plan says the league’s 26 teams and limited staff would likely be sheltered in a resort with games played without fans at ESPN’s Wide World of Sports Complex at Disney World. Details of the plan are still under consideration. Teams could head to Florida as early as June 1 for training camps.

— A person familiar with the decision says the Miami Marlins will temporarily furlough 90 to 100 baseball operations employees beginning June 1 because of the pandemic. The person told The Associated Press that about 40 percent of the baseball operations staff will be affected, with the status of those furloughed to be evaluated monthly. Their health benefits will continue through the end of October.

— The Italian soccer league is hoping to resume competition on June 13. The date was agreed to during a video conference with all 20 Serie A clubs. It is subject to approval by the Italian government. Full team training will restart on May 18 after a revised medical protocol was approved. The clubs have already resumed training on an individual basis.

— The Portuguese soccer league says it will delay its restart until June 4. The league was expected to resume at the end of May but will wait another week so there is time to “rigorously inspect stadiums and conduct medical tests on all professionals involved” in the matches.

— Players from the Spanish soccer club Elche did not return to practice on Wednesday as a protest against reduced salaries. The players for the second-division club were supposed to practice at the team’s stadium. Instead, they decided to keep training at home to show their discontentment with the team’s decision not to lift the furloughs that had been put in place because of the coronavirus pandemic. Players had their salaries reduced by 70%.

— The PGA Tour has outlined a health plan for its return that includes testing players for the new coronavirus both at home and when they arrive at tournaments. The tour’s chief of operations says they won’t play if it’s not safe for everyone involved, and if testing takes away from resources in the host city. The return to golf will not include spectators or pro-ams. Key personnel will have to answer health questionnaires and have their temperatures taken every day. The tour says if a player tests positive, he will have to withdraw.

— Santa Anita has received approval from Los Angeles County health officials to resume live racing Friday. The track stopped live racing on March 27 by order of the county health department because of concern over the spread of the coronavirus. The track raced without spectators for two weeks before it was shut down.

— The South Korean women’s golf tour is starting up again. The KLPGA Championship opens today, without fans on the course. Organizers say social distancing will be practiced by players and tournament officials. Women’s golf joins South Korea’s professional baseball and soccer leagues, which have already restarted in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

— Golf courses in England are reopening as part of some modest socially distanced easing of coronavirus lockdown restrictions. People in England can exercise more than once a day and with one person from outside their household, provided the rule to remain more than six feet apart is adhered to. In addition, outdoor tennis and basketball courts can be used, and people will also be able to swim in lakes and the sea.

— Ferrari says it has developed a ventilator for hospitals dealing with the pandemic. The Formula One team says it created a device that is easy to use and assemble in conjunction with the Italian Institute of Technology. Ferrari says it was designed in only five weeks and can be produced using easily available materials at a lower cost than normal ventilators.

— The Japan Sumo Association says a 28-year-old wrestler has died from the coronavirus. The association identified the wrestler as Shoubushi and said he died of multiple-organ failure. He is reported to have been the first sumo wrestler to die from the virus, and among the youngest to die in Japan.

— Beach volleyball teams will have an extra year to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics. The system will otherwise remain the same. Most teams qualify by earning points on the international tour. The deadline for Tokyo had been this June but now it will be June 13, 2021. Additional spots in the Olympic tournament will be decided at continental tournaments that will be held until June 27 of next year.

— Oaklawn plans to reopen its casino next to the racetrack in Hot Springs, Arkansas, on Monday. General manager Wayne Smith says state and health officials have given the go-ahead to do so with new health and hygiene protocols in place. The casino will operate at 33% capacity, staff and visitors will have their temperatures checked upon entry and must wear masks, and guests must show ID in case contact tracing is needed.

— Rutgers is doing away with paper tickets to sports events in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The State University of New Jersey announced Wednesday that mobile-only ticketing to sports events will start this fall with the football season.

— IndyCar plans to crown its champion on the streets of St. Petersburg, Florida. The original opener is being rescheduled for Oct. 25 as the finale. IndyCar was supposed to start its season March 15 on the temporary street course. Teams were already in place to compete before sports shut down 48 hours before the race because of the coronavirus pandemic.

COLLEGE BASKETBALL-NBA DRAFT DEADLINE

Draft deadline pushed back

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The NCAA is pushing back its deadline for early entrants to the NBA draft to withdraw and return to school.

The deadline had been June 3, 10 days after the completion of the NBA scouting combine. But the combine was postponed amid the coronavirus pandemic.

NCAA senior vice president of basketball Dan Gavitt said in a statement that college sports’ governing body won’t set a new deadline until the NBA has determined its revised timeline for the predraft process.

COLLEGE BASKETBALL-GEORGETOWN-McCLUNG

Hoyas star guard transferring

WASHINGTON (AP) — Georgetown guard Mac McClung plans to enter the NCAA transfer portal after taking his name out of consideration for the NBA draft.

McClung averaged 15.7 points, 3.1 rebounds and 2.4 assists in 21 games as a sophomore this past season, missing time with a right foot injury.

His departure follows the transfers of four other Georgetown men’s basketball players during last season.

COLLEGE BASKETBALL-ALABAMA ST-MO WILLIAMS

Williams takes over Alabama State program

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Former NBA point guard Mo Williams is Alabama State’s new head coach.

Williams played 14 seasons in the NBA, winning a championship with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2016. He spent the past two seasons as an assistant for California State University at Northridge, under coach Mark Gottfried.

NBA-OBIT-JOHN MCCARTHY

Former Celtics, Canisius guard Johnny McCarthy dies

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — Former NBA guard John McCarthy has died at 86.

McCarthy was the first player in NBA history to record a triple-double in his first career playoff game, a feat that has been matched just three other times. He played six seasons in the league and closed his career by helping the Boston Celtics win the 1964 championship.

McCarthy also helped Canisius earn a pair of NCAA appearances in 1955 and ’56.

Canisius announced that McCarthy died Saturday of natural causes in the Buffalo suburbs, where he grew up and lived most of his life.

DOCTOR-SEXUAL ASSAULT-MICHIGAN STATE

Nassar-related case dismissed against ex-university chief

DETROIT (AP) — A judge has dismissed criminal charges against former Michigan State University President Lou Anna Simon.

She was accused of lying to investigators in 2018 as they tried to learn what she knew years earlier about sexual assault complaints involving campus doctor Larry Nassar. Simon last year was ordered to trial in Eaton County, near Lansing. But Circuit Judge John Maurer tossed the case, saying a lower court judge had abused her discretion in finding enough evidence to keep the case going.

Nassar is serving decades in prison after hundreds of women and girls came forward to say he molested them during visits for hip, back and leg injuries. Authorities alleged that Simon knew in 2014 that Nassar had been accused of molesting a patient at a campus clinic, and that she knew of the nature of the complaint.

UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN-DOCTOR

U. of Michigan seeks to remove law firm in sex abuse suits

ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — The University of Michigan has announced that it is seeking to remove a law firm it hired to handle lawsuits following hundreds of allegations of sexual abuse by Dr. Robert Anderson, a sports doctor who worked at the school for decades.

It’s the second time the university has sought to remove a firm helping handle the allegations, and just two months after the firm was hired.

The school said in April that it hoped to settle the lawsuits.

WOMEN’S HOCKEY-FUTURE

Pro women’s hockey association unveils 5-city regional plan

UNDATED (AP) — The Professional Women’s Hockey Players Association enters its second season with plans to regionalize its structure by basing players in five hub cities.

Groups of 25 players will practice in rinks in New Hampshire, Minnesota, Toronto, Montreal and Calgary. The league says players will have access to dedicated dressing rooms, strength and conditioning facilities as well as support staff and coaches.

The PWHPA was established a year ago following the collapse of the six-team Canadian Women’s Hockey League.

The league says it will continue its Dream Gap Tour series of barnstorming stops across North America.

XFL-LUCK LAWSUIT

McMahon fights back in battle with Luck

STAMFORD, Conn. (AP) — Lawyers for XFL owner Vince McMahon have argued in court filings that he was justified in firing league CEO Oliver Luck last month just before the football operation shut down.

Luck filed a federal lawsuit last month over his April 9 termination, alleging the wrestling magnate breached their contract. The father of former Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck and a long-time football executive is seeking monetary damages.

Attorneys for McMahon argued Wednesday that Luck was fired for cause, in part because he failed to devote his business time to his XFL duties. They claimed Luck abandoned his responsibilities after the schedule was halted by the coronavirus.

The league suspended operations and laid off all its employees on April 10, three days before filing for bankruptcy protection.

TURKEY-SOCCER PLAYER-KILLING

Turkish soccer player confesses to killing son in hospital

ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Turkish authorities have arrested a former top-tier soccer player who confessed to killing his 5-year-old son while the boy was being treated in a hospital on suspicion of a COVID-19 infection.

The state-run Anadolu Agency reports that 32-year-old Cevher Toktas handed himself over to police and confessed to having smothered his son, Kasim, with a pillow on May 4.

The boy’s death was initially not believed to be suspicious, although he tested negative for COVID-19. His body has been exhumed for an autopsy as part of the investigation.

HaberTurk television reports that Toktas told police that while he was in hospital isolation with his son, who had a cough and high fever, he smothered the boy and called for help, saying the child had taken a turn for the worse.

In world and national news…

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. immunologist who says he lost his government job because he warned the Trump administration to prepare for the coronavirus pandemic isn’t backing off his bleak forecast. Dr. Rick Bright is preparing to tell Congress that America faces the “darkest winter in modern history” unless its leaders act decisively to prevent a rebound of the coronavirus. Bright is set to appear Thursday before the the House Energy and Commerce Committee. In prepared testimony, Bright says failing to develop a national coordinated response, based in science, could mean the pandemic will get far worse and cause unprecedented illness and fatalities.

 

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate is expected to vote on whether to extend three surveillance authorities as senators of both parties express concerns that the laws infringe on Americans’ rights. The surveillance provisions expired in March, the month lawmakers fled Washington because of the coronavirus pandemic. House lawmakers passed a bipartisan compromise bill just before leaving town, but Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has not yet been able to push the legislation through the Senate. And it’s unclear if he will be able to do so as he tries again on Thursday.

 

 

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — The U.S. military has offered condolences to Iran over a friendly fire incident in the Islamic Republic that saw an Iranian missile kill 19 Iranian troops earlier this week. In a statement, a U.S. Central Command spokesman identified the weapon used in the incident as an anti-ship cruise missile. He also criticized the training for taking place so close to the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow mouth of the Persian Gulf through which 20% of all oil passes. Analysts have warned regional tensions likely will increase again as Iran has overcome the initial chaos of its response to the coronavirus pandemic.

 

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — An Australian pedophile priest was sentenced to more jail time on Thursday after admitting to crimes against another four boys in the 1970s.In all, Gerald Ridsdale is known to have abused more than 60 children. He has been behind bars since 1994 after he was sentenced to 34 years.He had been eligible for parole in 2022. But Victorian County Court Judge Gerard Mullaly on Thursday extended Ridsdale’s non-parole period by another two years, by which time Ridsdale will be 90 years old.

 

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — A strong typhoon has slammed into the eastern Philippines where authorities evacuated tens of thousands of people while trying to avoid the virus risks of overcrowding storm shelters. The first typhoon to hit the archipelago this year barged ashore at noon in a town in Eastern Samar province. Video showed fierce rain and wind swaying coconut trees, rattling tin roofs and obscuring visibility. A lockdown to fight the coronavirus requires people to stay in their homes and prohibits all kinds of gatherings that can set off infections. Governors say social distancing will be nearly impossible in emergency shelters. Some shelters have been made into quarantine facilities, and they may have to be turned back into storm shelters.

 

KIGALI, Rwanda (AP) — Burundi is kicking out the World Health Organization’s top official in the country just days before the presidential election and after the WHO raised concerns about crowded political rallies. A foreign ministry letter seen by The Associated Press says the WHO representative to Burundi has been declared persona non grata and must leave the East African nation by Friday. The letter says three WHO experts also must go. The letter gives no explanation for the expulsions. Reached by phone and asked for details, Burundi’s foreign minister hung up. Burundi has 27 confirmed cases of the coronavirus, but some fear more exist.