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CSi Weather…
REST OF TODAY…Sunny. Highs in the lower 70s. Southeast winds 10 to15 mph increasing to around 20 mph in the afternoon.
.TONIGHT…Partly cloudy. Lows around 50. Southeast winds around 15 mph with gusts to around 30 mph.
.TUESDAY…Sunny. Highs in the mid 70s. Southeast winds 15 to
20 mph.
.TUESDAY NIGHT…Mostly clear. Lows in the mid 50s. Southeast
winds 15 to 20 mph.
.WEDNESDAY…Partly sunny. Highs in the upper 70s. Southeast
winds 15 to 20 mph.
.WEDNESDAY NIGHT…Mostly cloudy. Lows in the lower 60s.
.THURSDAY…Mostly cloudy with a 50 percent chance of showers and
thunderstorms. Highs in the mid 70s.
.THURSDAY NIGHT…Mostly cloudy with a 30 percent chance of rain
showers and thunderstorms. Lows in the upper 50s.
.FRIDAY…Mostly sunny with a 30 percent chance of rain showers
and thunderstorms. Highs in the upper 70s.
.FRIDAY NIGHT…Mostly cloudy with a 30 percent chance of rain
showers and thunderstorms. Lows in the mid 50s.
.SATURDAY…Partly sunny with a 40 percent chance of rain showers
and thunderstorms. Highs in the upper 70s.
.SATURDAY NIGHT…Mostly cloudy with a 40 percent chance of rain
showers and thunderstorms. Lows in the mid 50s.
.SUNDAY…Partly sunny with a 30 percent chance of rain showers
and thunderstorms. Highs in the lower 70s.
On Wednesday, better chances for thunderstorms across far western North Dakota.
Central areas may too see a stray shower or storm Wednesday night/early Thursday, though the majority of precipitation should stay west.
COVIV-19 Case Report
NDDoH
Sun. May 17, 2020 11-am
Categories: Coronavirus
INDIVIDUAL WHO DIED WITH COVID-19
- Man in his 90s from Cass County with underlying health conditions.
COUNTIES WITH NEW POSITIVE CASES REPORTED SUNDAY
- Burleigh County – 1
- Cass County – 41
- Grand Forks County – 2
- McLean County – 1
- Morton County – 1
- Mountrail County – 2
- Random County – 1
- Steele County – 1
- Traill County – 1
- Walsh County – 1
BY THE NUMBERS
65,911 – Total Number of Tests Completed* (+2,558 total tests from yesterday)
55,221 – Total Unique Individuals Tested* (+1,734 unique individuals from yesterday)
53,321 – Total Negative (+1,682 unique individuals from yesterday)
1,900 – Total Positive (+52 unique individuals from yesterday)
3.0% – Daily Positivity Rate
130 – Total Hospitalized (+0 individuals from yesterday)
30 – Currently Hospitalized (-3 individuals from yesterday)
1,178 – Total Recovered (+67 individuals from yesterday)
43 – Total Deaths (+1 individual from yesterday)
* Note that this does not include individuals from out of state.
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.
During his news briefing on Friday, Governor Doug Burgum said, the symptoms of COVID-19 range from severe to mild. Some are asymptomatic, showing no signs of having the disease. 20 percent of the state’s residents are under the category of vulnerable. He said vulnerability, issues are included in testing, and aids in contact tracing, which in combination with testing results, can support further opening up the state’s economy. He said serial testing is on the rise, with some tests on prior tested people, with North Dakota addresses. He said active cases have fallen slightly.
Burgum said his office and legislative leaders have had good cooperation, in passing COVID-19 legislation, and keeping the services and continuity moving forward.
Burgum announced guidelines for large gatherings, banquets, ballrooms and event venues as part of the ND Smart Restart plan, while also outlining the plan as a phased approach to recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
The North Dakota Department of Commerce worked with more than a dozen representatives of business and industry to collaboratively develop the recommendations for the ND Smart Restart of event centers and other venues in collaboration with the North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH).
Burgim says, “Thanks to the contribution of this diverse workgroup, these recommended protocols balance the importance of controlling the spread of infection with the ability to safely proceed with events of limited size with additional precautions. These protocols empower local decision-making as our state’s COVID-19 response continues to focus on our ability to test, trace and isolate positive cases to save lives and livelihoods.”
Under the recommendations, large gatherings in facilities can be up to 50 percent of their certificate of occupancy, up to 250 people. Gatherings of any size shouldn’t be held if proper distancing can’t be maintained. Food service still must comply with the ND Smart Restart restaurant and universal standard protocols found at ndresponse.gov. The recommendations also include physical distancing guidelines and venue activity guidelines such as encouraging contactless payment systems.
The governor amended an executive order to strongly encourage the adoption of the large gathering protocols by recreational and sports arenas and music and entertainment venues, which had been closed under the previous order.
The guidance includes recommendations for holding events larger than 250 people when the state reaches reduced risk levels as defined under the ND Smart Restart plan, which was outlined by Burgum Friday.
The ND Smart Restart was developed with input from statewide industry workgroups and prepared by the NDDoH and the Department of Commerce in conjunction with the Governor’s Office. It provides North Dakota businesses and residents with clarity and specifics about the state’s plan, including a color-coded health guidance system for economic reactivation – similar to the fire danger signs seen along the state’s roadways – with health guidance inspired by the White House’s gating criteria for reopening. The plan also includes specific instructions for high-risk populations.
Burgum said, “By continuing to follow public health guidance and exercise individual responsibility, every North Dakotan can play an important role in saving lives and livelihoods and fully reactivating our economy.
Burgum and State School Superintendent Kirsten Baesler announced Friday that Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz, actor Josh Duhamel and Nashville recording artists Tigirlily will participate in a May 30 statewide celebration of North Dakota’s high school Class of 2020.
Wentz, a native of Bismarck and graduate of North Dakota State University, will give the commencement address during the hour-long ceremony, which will begin at 2 p.m. Central time on Saturday, May 30.
Duhamel, a native of Minot and graduate of Minot State University, and Tigirlily will deliver congratulatory messages, and Tigirlily will give a musical performance to close the event. Hazen natives and sisters Kendra and Krista Slaubaugh are the performing duo Tigirlily.
Five North Dakota students will participate in the ceremony. Kourtney Bitz, a senior at Napoleon High School, will provide the student address on behalf of the Class of 2020. Bitz is a member of Baesler’s Superintendent’s Student Cabinet, which is a group of elementary, middle, and high school students who provide advice to the superintendent about how to improve North Dakota education.
A collage of class and school photographs from North Dakota’s high schools will be shown during the program. Almost all of the state’s 181 high schools have contributed images for the collage.
The ceremony will be broadcast statewide on North Dakota’s ABC television affiliates (CSi-6 and 80.6 HD) and streamed on the websites of Forum Communications Co.’s North Dakota newspaper properties: The Forum, The Jamestown Sun, The Dickinson Press, and the Grand Forks Herald.
Beginning Thurs May 14, letters are being sent to applicants who have submitted claims for PEUC aid since April 4, when Job Service North Dakota began accepting PEUC applications. The letter can also be found by logging into UI ICE and checking the “Correspondence” tab.
The PEUC program provides a 13-week extension of benefits to Unemployment Insurance claimants who have exhausted a regular current claim. It is now accepting certifications from qualified applicants.
Applicants who qualify for PEUC aid will receive the same weekly benefit amount as their regular UI claims plus the $600 FPUC benefit each week. The FPUC additional payment is currently available through the week ending 7/25/2020.
The system will allow claimants to certify all past weeks for which they are eligible under program rules.
The only place to file a PEUC claim is on jobsnd.com. Claimants should beware of scams. There is no fee to file for unemployment compensation. Job Service North Dakota will never ask for any kind of payment in order to process a claim. If a claimant gets a phone call from someone identifying themselves as a representative of Job Service North Dakota, they should never send money.
IMPORTANT: No PEUC payments can be made until the claimant has certified their eligibility.
Applicants may file a claim for PEUC, as well as regular Unemployment Insurance, and Pandemic Unemployment Assistance at jobsnd.com
Unemployment Insurance Benefits Automated Phone System: 701-328-4995.
Valley City (CSi) The Valley City Area Chamber of Commerce has posted at valleycitychamber.com 360 degree videos of Valley City business locations, interior in addition to the exteriors as part of the Chamber’s VC Strong promotion, encouraging local Valley City shopping.
The Chamber’s Event Coordinator, Mikayla Gustafson is visiting stores and taking the still photos.
She said the collection is being added to on a daily basis.
In other Chamber news, on Friday’s Wayne Byers Show on CSi Cable 2, she said their business director is being update, and that any business needing to have their information updated should call the Chamber office, at 701-845-1891.
The office and DMV remains closed to walk-ins with arrangements and information by calling each office.
Valley City (VCPS) Valley City Public Schools Superintendent Josh Johnson has announced, the 2020 Teacher of the Year award went to Matt Nielson.
Due to the pandemic the Valley City Public School District was unable to hold their annual recognition of staff and awards ceremony in the Hi Liner Activity Center, stemming for to Governor Burgum’s executive order limiting mass gatherings.
Bismarck (NDHP) Beginning Monday, May 18, the North Dakota Highway Patrol will increase patrols across the state to encourage motorists to buckle up and wear their seat belt.
The increased patrols are part of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Click it or Ticket campaign that runs through May 31. Seat belts are the best defense against impaired, aggressive, and distracted drivers. Buckling up helps keep occupants safe and secure inside the vehicle.
If you are involved in a crash and are not buckled up, you can be ejected from the vehicle, which can be deadly. Seatbelts are designed to be used in conjunction with vehicles’ other safety features. Air bags alone do not provide enough protection. In fact, the force of an air bag can seriously injure you if you’re not properly buckled up.
Proper use of safety features is the best defense against unexpected hazards on roadways so you, and those traveling with you, can make it to your destination safely. In addition to ensuring all occupants are properly buckled up, responsible drivers should always drive sober, drive distraction free, drive for the current weather conditions, and always follow posted speed limits.
Many factors lead to crashes. You can control the outcome by wearing a seatbelt, which gives you the best chance of survival. From 2017 to 2019, 124 people who were not wearing their seat belts died in motor vehicle crashes in North Dakota. All motorists, from those just beginning to those with decades of driving experience, should consistently practice responsible driving because safe driving choices matter.
Buckle up for a bright future as we all work toward Vision Zero!
FARGO, N.D. (AP) — A medical marijuana dispensary is preparing to reopen in Fargo even as officials wrestle with a high number of coronavirus cases in the area. The facility in North Dakota’s largest city closed down in early April, citing slow sales and regulatory delays due to the coronavirus. It was the first of eight dispensaries in the state to open after voters approved medical marijuana in November 2016. The dispensary formerly known as The Botanist has new owners and a new name, Pure Dakota Health.
FARGO, N.D. (AP) — The head of North Dakota’s largest police department is stepping down after fewer than six years on the job. Fargo Police Chief David Todd announced Friday he is retiring after more than 32 years with the force. He took over as chief in 2014, first in an interim role after the city signed a separation agreement with Keith Ternes. Todd says it’s time for the “next generation of leadership” to lead the department. Fargo Mayor Tim Mahoney says Todd helped turned the department into “a national leader in community-centric policing.” A search for his replacement will begin immediately.
BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — North Dakota wants to use more than $33 million in federal coronavirus aid to plug “orphaned” oil wells in the state. State Mineral Resources Director Lynn Helms says 549 wells have been identified as abandoned in North Dakota’s oil-producing region, including about 10% that companies have walked away from in recent weeks due to low oil prices and sparse demand brought on by the coronavirus outbreak. State and industry officials the idea is both a jobs program for energy workers and an attempt to curb a growing problem in western North Dakota’s oil patch.
FARGO, N.D. (KFGO-AM) — Police said they received several calls about a mountain lion in Fargo. The calls about the sighting near Lemkey Park came in Sunday night. KFGO reports officers didn’t find the mountain lion but planned to put out surveillance equipment to see if they could confirm the sighting. The state Game and Fish Department has been notified. Police are urging residents to keep an eye on their pets when they’re outside. Last month West Fargo police shot and killed a mountain lion in Redezvous Park because it was considered a threat in an urban area. There have been other reported sightings of mountain lions in West Fargo in recent months.
In sports…
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) announced it will extend championship agreements for seven of its championship host sites affected this past year by COVID-19.
The extensions were announced to assist further the relationship between the NAIA and its host cities. Women’s basketball (Sioux City, Iowa), women’s wrestling (University of Jamestown, Jamestown, N.D.), men’s and women’s bowling (Lawrence Tech University, Sterling Heights, Mich.), men’s and women’s tennis (Mobile, Ala.), baseball (Lewis-Clark State, Lewiston, Idaho), outdoor track and field (Gulf Shores, Ala.) and men’s golf (Mesa, Ariz.) came to an agreement on a one-year extension.
“We are grateful and honored to have another year to host the NAIA Women’s Wrestling Invitational on our campus,” said University of Jamestown Director of Athletics Sean Johnson. “Our goal when we began this process was to become the home for NAIA women’s wrestling and we will continue to strike to make this a long-term relationship. I’m grateful to our head coach Shauna Kemp for her leadership, all of our the members of our local organization committee, our campus and community leaders and our sponsors including the United States Marine Corps, Jamestown Tourism and Resilite.”
“Our host sites put in a tremendous amount of work executing NAIA championships and we value their dedication,” said NAIA President and CEO Jim Carr. “Extending their host contracts an additional year is an effort to negate any impacts from the unforeseen cancellations last winter and spring due to COVID-19.”
Below is a full list of championships and hosts and the year that was added to their existing agreement.
| Championship/Invitational | Host Site | Host Location | Host | Add’l Year Added |
| Women’s Basketball | Tyson Events Center | Sioux City, Iowa | Sioux City | 2025 |
| Women’s Wrestling | Harold Newman Arena | Jamestown, N.D. | University of Jamestown | 2022 |
| Men’s and Women’s Bowling | Five Star Lanes | Sterling Heights, Mich. | Lawrence Technological University | 2022 |
| Men’s and Women’s Tennis | Mobile Tennis Center | Mobile, Ala. | Mobile Area Tennis Association | 2024 |
| Baseball | Harris Field | Lewiston, Idaho | Lewis-Clark State College | 2024 |
| Outdoor Track and Field | Mickey Miller Blackwell Stadium | Gulf Shores, Ala. | Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Sports Commission | 2022 |
| Men’s Golf | Las Sendas Golf Club | Mesa, Ariz. | Benedictine University at Mesa | 2023 |
(AP) Phyllis George, the former Miss America who became a female sportscasting pioneer on CBS’s “The NFL Today” and served as the first lady of Kentucky, has died. She was 70. A family spokeswoman says George died Thursday at a Lexington, Kentucky, hospital after a long fight with a blood disorder.
Miss America in 1971, George joined Brent Musburger and Irv Cross in 1975 on “The NFL Today.” She also covered horse racing, hosted the entertainment show “People” and co-anchored the “CBS Morning News.” George was briefly married to Hollywood producer Robert Evans in the mid-1970s and to John Y. Brown Jr. from 1979-98. Brown owned Kentucky Fried Chicken and the NBA’s Boston Celtics and served as the governor of Kentucky.
Fargo The 2020 North Dakota Shrine Bowl is cancelled.
The news release says, “Based on the information available at this time, the North Dakota Shrine Bowl Board has come to the difficult decision to cancel this year’s game and the events surrounding the game. The North Dakota Shrine Bowl Board will formulate and execute a plan to still honor the players selected to participate in the 2020 North Dakota Shrine Bowl,”
The Shrine Bowl is a high school football all-star game and as a fundraiser for Shriners Hospitals nationwide.
Donations can still be given to the Shriners Hospital.
Childrens Hospital | Shriners Hospitals for Children
The Badlands Bowl, has also been cancelled, featuring seniors from Montana and North Dakota.
And…the the Lions Al-Star basketball games, and the NDHSCA/Optimists All Star Volleyball series, were also cancelled.
NASCAR-DARLINGTON
Harvick wins at Darlington as NASCAR returns to tracks
DARLINGTON, S.C. — Kevin Harvick was the winner as NASCAR resumed its Cup schedule following a 10-week layoff.
Harvick took the lead from Alex Bowman on a late restart and pulled away over the final 30 laps at Darlington Raceway. Bowman finished second, followed by Kurt Busch, Chase Elliott and Denny Hamlin.
Harvick is the only drive to finish in the top 10 in each of the Cup Series’ five races this season. He emerged from his car in victory lane wearing a black face mask — what could become NASCAR’s new normal.
It was the first Cup race in 71 days since the schedule was halted due to the coronavirus pandemic. The event was run without fans and with an emphasis on masks and social distancing. Roughly 900 people were approved to be inside the gates, all considered essential.
Ricky Stenhouse crashed exiting the second turn on the first lap, calling the wreck embarrassing. His crumpled car was spitting flames as he drove to the garage, ending his race without completing a single lap.
Seven-time NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson wrecked while leading on the final lap of the first stage at Darlington Raceway. The mishap took Johnson out of the race and allowed William Byron to take the first stage.
NASCAR chose Darlington, the oldest speedway on the Cup circuit, as the safest place to restart the season after eight events were postponed. Sunday marked the first of 20 races across seven Southern states between now and June 21.
GOLF-SEMINOLE
McIlroy has key shot in exhibition at Seminole
JUNO BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Rory McIlroy delivered the money shot in the TaylorMade Driving Relief exhibition that raised over $5 million for COVID-19 relief funds. With the match down to a closest-to-the-pin contest after regulation, McIlroy barely stayed on the shelf left of the pin, measured at 13 feet to beat Matthew Wolff’s attempt by five feet. The final carryover gave McIlroy and Dustin Johnson $1.85 million for the American Nurses Foundation.
Wolff and Fowler made $1.15 million for the CDC Foundation. Fowler had seven birdies.
PGA Tour Charities allowed for online donations during the telecast, raising more than $1 million. The donations will continue until Tuesday.
When the exhibition ended, more than $5.5 million had been pledged, starting with the $3 million guarantee from UnitedHeath Group.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-SPORTS
Cal. State teams could play football as scheduled
UNDATED (AP) — The California State University system’s plan for a mostly virtual fall semester due to the coronavirus pandemic doesn’t necessarily close the door on football at its three schools that play in the far-flung Mountain West Conference.
San Diego State athletic director John David Wicker says the school is looking at having football players return to campus no earlier than July 7 and is making plans to play the season as scheduled. SDSU is proceeding because it envisions a fall schedule that includes a hybrid model of classes, in which some students will be on campus for in-person instruction such as labs while other classes will be held online.
The Mountain West also includes Cal. State schools Fresno State and San Jose State. Fresno State AD Terry Tumey says it’s too early to determine when athletes could return to campus, adding that the safety of the community, the players and support staff is paramount. San Jose State said in a statement that it continues to work on timelines.
NCAA President Mark Emmert said recently that campuses must be open “in one fashion or another” in order to have sports this fall.
In other developments related to the coronavirus pandemic:
— Former major league manager and infielder Art Howe has been released from a Houston hospital after a stay in intensive care because of the pandemic. The 73-year-old Howe will be isolated at home for another week or two.
— English Premier League clubs will try on Monday to agree on protocols to allow a return to training during the pandemic. Teams already have started checking players and coaches for COVID-19, with a total of 1,600 weekly tests anticipated across the 20 clubs in England’s top division. Monday’s meeting comes two days after the German league resumed its schedule.
— All Spanish league clubs can begin group training sessions this week despite stricter lockdown restrictions remaining in place in parts of Spain because of the pandemic. Cities like Madrid and Barcelona have not been allowed to loosen confinement measures like most of the country, but teams such as Real Madrid and Barcelona have been given the go-ahead to move into the second phase of training. The league has told clubs that on Monday all players can start small group sessions regardless of the lockdown phase in their regions. Players had only been allowed to train individually across Spain until now.
— Park Hyun-kung shot a final-round 67 to win the Korean Ladies Professional Golf tournament by one stroke. Park had a four-round total of 17-under 271 on the Lakewood Country Club course. Lim Hee-jeong carried a three-stroke lead into the final round before falling into a second-place tie with Bae Seon-woo. The tournament was played without fans and with players using hand sanitizers and following social-distancing rules. Caddies wore masks but players were allowed to play without them.
— Russia has relaxed border restrictions for athletes and coaches in a move that will help soccer to restart in the country next month. Russia has barred most foreign arrivals since March in a bid to stem the spread of the coronavirus. Now the government says athletes and coaches will be allowed in if they have a contract with a Russian sports team or organization. They will have to spend 14 days in isolation on arrival and will be observed by doctors.
MLB-CRAWFORD-POOL DROWNING
Two drown at property owned by ex-outfielder Carl Crawford
HOUSTON (AP) — A 5-year-old boy and a woman drowned in the backyard pool of former LA Dodger player Carl Crawford’s Houston home Saturday afternoon. That’s according to reports from The Houston Chronicle.
The paper says Houston police were called for a reported drowning at a north Houston home that property and business records list as belonging to Crawford. A police spokeswoman told the Chronicle that the boy was swimming in the pool when he began to have trouble breathing, and the woman jumped in to save him. Both were unresponsive when police arrived and later declared dead at a hospital, according to the spokeswoman.
No further details were immediately available.
The police department did not immediately respond Sunday to a request for comment from The Associated Press. Contact information for Crawford could not be immediately found.
NFL-ROBBERY
Baker, Dunbar released after posting bond
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — NFL cornerbacks DeAndre Baker and Quinton Dunbar were released from Broward County Jail on Sunday, a day after surrendering on felony charges stemming from a cookout at a Miramar home.
Baker posted a $200,000 bond after a Zoom hearing with Broward Circuit Judge Michael Davis. The New York Giants defender is charged with four counts of armed robbery with a firearm and four counts of aggravated assault with a firearm.
Dunbar is charged with four felony counts of armed robbery. The Seattle Seahawks player posted a $100,000 bond.
The warrant said Baker and Dunbar were attending the cookout Wednesday night when a fight broke out and Baker pulled out a handgun. Witnesses told investigators that Baker, Dunbar and two other men began robbing people of thousands of dollars, watches and other valuables.
The players’ lawyers say they have witnesses who will clear them.
NFL-BILLS PLAYER ARRESTED
Buffalo Bills player charged with drunken driving in Texas
HOUSTON (AP) — Authorities say Buffalo Bills defensive lineman Ed Oliver was arrested during a traffic stop in the Houston area and charged with drunken driving and illegally carrying a handgun.
Montgomery County sheriff’s deputies pulled Oliver over Saturday night after receiving reports of someone driving recklessly in a construction area. Oliver failed a sobriety test and deputies found a small caliber pistol in his truck, according to a statement from the Montgomery County Constables.
The Houston Chronicle reports that he was released from jail after posting bond.
Oliver was selected by the Buffalo Bills in the first round of the 2019 draft.
SOUTH KOREA-SEX DOLLS
Korean soccer club apologizes for putting sex dolls in seats
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — A South Korean professional soccer club has apologized after being accused of putting sex dolls in empty stands during a match in Seoul.
In a statement, FC Seoul expresses “sincere remorse” over the controversy. It insists that it used mannequins, not sex dolls, to mimic a crowd at the Seoul World Cup stadium.
The country’s top-flight K-League returned to action on May 8 without spectators following weeks-long postponements because of the coronavirus.
Professional baseball has resumed under similar conditions. The leagues plan to ban fans until the risks of infections are meaningfully lowered.
In world and national news…
MIAMI (AP) — Tropical Storm Arthur is crawling closer to the North Carolina coast, amid threats of some minor flooding and rough seas as the system moves off the Southeast seaboard. Arthur formed Saturday off Florida, marking the sixth straight year a named storm has developed before the official June 1 start of the Atlantic hurricane season.The National Hurricane Center in Miami issued a tropical storm warning for North Carolina’s Outer Banks on Sunday. At 2 a.m. EDT Monday, the storm’s center was located about 185 miles south-southwest of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. Arthur had top sustained winds of 45 mph as it moved north-northeast.
KAMLOOPS, British Columbia (AP) — A Canadian aerobatic jet has crashed into a British Columbia neighborhood during a flyover intended to boost morale during the pandemic, killing one crew member, seriously injuring another and setting a house on fire. The crash left debris scattered across the neighborhood near the airport in the city of Kamloops. The Snowbirds are Canada’s equivalent of the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds or U.S. Navy’s Blue Angels. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said he was “deeply saddened” by the death of Capt. Jennifer Casey, who served as a spokesperson for the Snowbirds, and the injuring of Capt. Richard MacDougall, the pilot of the aircraft.
ATHENS, Greece (AP) — The Acropolis in Athens, shops in Italy, markets and museums in Belgium, stores in Italy and beer gardens in Bavaria are reopening. Europe is loosening its coronavirus restrictions and leaders were meeting Monday to figure out how to make summer vacations possible. As many countries around the world gradually transition to a new normal amid the pandemic, the World Health Organization’s main annual meeting is getting under way. A handful of world leaders — including Chinese President Xi Jinping — are expected to address the two-day online gathering that comes amid tensions between the United States and Beijing over the fight against COVID-19.
KEY WEST, Fla. (AP) — The Florida Keys will reopen to tourists on June 1, more than two months after the island chain closed to visitors to minimize the spread of the coronavirus. The Monroe County Emergency Management said Sunday that checkpoints that barred visitors from coming into the Florida Keys will be removed next month. The statement says hotels and other lodging establishments will also be allowed to reopen at 50% occupancy. Businesses must implement sanitation stations and follow the American Hotel and Lodging Association’s cleaning guidelines for COVID-19. The Florida Keys have been closed to non-visitors since March 22.
TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — Taiwan says it will not press for participation at the World Health Assembly beginning Monday, but will continue to donate medical supplies abroad and protest China’s “two-faced behavior” that excludes it from such forums. Foreign Mionister Joseph Wu told reporters the shortened agenda for this year’s WHA requires time be devoted to concentrating on ways to control the global pandemic. Wu said Taiwan agreed with suggestions that the issue of its participation be discussed instead at meetings later this year once the outbreak had been better contained.
BEIJING (AP) — Asian stock markets have risen after the chief U.S. central banker expressed optimism the the American economy might start to recover this year from the coronavirus pandemic. Benchmarks in Shanghai, Tokyo, Hong Kong and Australia all advanced. That came despite Japan’s announcement its economy contracted in the first quarter and the Trump administration’s decision to step up a technology conflict with Beijing by tightening restrictions on Chinese tech giant Huawei. Investors appear to be looking past the outbreak to a recovery despite rising infection numbers in the United States, Brazil and some other countries.
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