– Wayne Byers Show – Morning – Jun 4

CSi Weather…

.REST OF TODAY…Mostly sunny. A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon in the Jamestown area, 40 percent in the Valley City area. Highs in the upper 70s. West winds 5 to 10 mph.

.TONIGHT…Mostly clear. A 30 percent chance of rain showers and thunderstorms in the evening in the Jamestown area, 50 percent in the Valley City area. Lows in the lower 50s. West winds 5 to 10 mph.

.FRIDAY…Sunny. Highs in the mid 70s. Northwest winds 5 to

10 mph.

.FRIDAY NIGHT…Mostly clear. Lows in the lower 50s. East winds

5 to 10 mph.

.SATURDAY…Mostly cloudy with a 30 percent chance of rain

showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the lower 70s. Southeast

winds 10 to 15 mph increasing to around 20 mph in the afternoon.

Gusts up to 35 mph.

.SATURDAY NIGHT…Showers and thunderstorms. Lows in the lower

60s.

.SUNDAY…Partly sunny with a 30 percent chance of showers and

thunderstorms. Highs in the mid 80s.

.SUNDAY NIGHT…Decreasing clouds. A 50 percent chance of showers

and thunderstorms. Lows in the upper 60s.

.MONDAY…Mostly sunny with a 40 percent chance of showers and

thunderstorms. Highs in the mid 80s.

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

showers and thunderstorms. Lows in the mid 50s.

.TUESDAY…Partly sunny with a 40 percent chance of rain showers

and thunderstorms. Highs in the lower 70s.

.TUESDAY NIGHT…Partly cloudy with a 30 percent chance of rain

showers and thunderstorms. Lows in the lower 50s.

.WEDNESDAY…Partly sunny with a 30 percent chance of rain

showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the upper 60s.

Strong thunderstorms are possible across portions of central and
southern North Dakota today.

Severe thunderstorms are possible across western and central
North Dakota Saturday through Sunday night.

From the 125th Anniversary Calendar of Jamestown History

On this date in history…

On June 4, 1894 – Anderson & Arms had completed their new steamer – “The America” – for Spiritwood Lake operation.Valley City

Jamestown (CSi) The Jamestown Rural Fire Department was called to a field fire, Wednesday afternoon, about 2:24-p.m., about six miles south and one mile west of Jamestown.

Rural Fire Chief, Brian Paulson says a control burn in a corn stubble field got away, causing damage to about 3-4 acres.

No injuries were reported, with 20 rural fire department fire fighters and six units on the scene about an hour and 15 minutes.

Valley City (CSi) The Valley City Barnes County COVID-19 News Briefing was held Weds June 3 at 5:30 pm.

The briefings are closed the public to honor social distancing.

The meeting airs live on CSi 68 & 10 with replays on CSi 10 – The Replay Channel.

View it here at CSiNewsNOW.com or go to the CSi LiveStream at Facebook.

Officials from City-County Health District, City Hall and Barnes County Government gave presentations.

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

Speakers included:

City-County Health District Administrator, Theresa Will, who said, as of Wednesday 1300 individuals have been tested for the COVID-19 virus. There have been five positives, with one active case. Tests were performed Wednesday at the Open Door Center, and planned for Thursday, at CHI Mercy Hospital. She reminded that those in the high risk category should avoid a lot of contact with the public, when possible.

She would like input from the community on whether to schedule a community testing event.

She reminded parents to schedule inoculations for children.

Barnes County Commissioner Bill Carblom said, The Barnes County Courthouse is planned to reopen to the public on Monday June 15, 2020. Social distancing will be observed at all times.

He reminded residents to turn in their vote by mail ballots, postmarked no later than Monday June 8, or drop the completed ballot at the drop box.

He added that travel restrictions have been lifted on Barnes County paved roads, but remain on gravel roads, as work continues on improving them

He also reminded resident to fill out and return 2020 Census forms.

Valley City Mayor, Dave Carlsrud said, the Barnes County positive COVID-19 rate remains relatively low, and thanks the community, for being safe, and urges everybody to continue to observe social distancing.

In regard to protests regarding the death of George Floyd, he said violent demonstrations “Won’t bring him (Floyd) back.”

He pointed out that this Sunday June 7, at 11-a.m. there will be a Black Lives Matter, Peaceful Rally at City Park in Valley City. City police have given approval of the event.

Mayor Carlsrud said he attended, Tuesday’s funeral of Grand Forks Police Officer, Cody Holte, in Grand Forks.

Bismarck (CSi) Governor Doug Burgum Wednesday afternoon resumed his COVID-19 News Briefings from the state capital in Bismarck. He was joined by Standing Rock Sioux Tribe Chairman Mike Faith and North Dakota Indian Affairs Commission (NDIAC) Executive Director Scott Davis.

With the latest COVID-19 statistics, reported on Wednesday,

Another person has died from COVID-19 in North Dakota, bringing the total number of deaths to 66. State health officials said Wednesday the victim was a Cass County man in his 70s with underlying health conditions.

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

INDIVIDUALS WHO DIED WITH COVID-19

Man in his 70s from Cass County with underlying health conditions.

COUNTIES WITH NEW POSITIVE CASES REPORTED WEDNESDAY

Burleigh County – 2
Cass County – 21
Grand Forks County – 1
Ransom County – 2
Stutsman County – 5
Walsh County – 1
Ward County – 1

BY THE NUMBERS

101,327 – Total Number of Tests Completed* (+2,626 total tests from yesterday)

74,502 – Total Unique Individuals Tested* (+858 unique individuals from yesterday)

71,823 – Total Negative (+825 unique individuals from yesterday)

2,679 – Total Positive (+33 unique individuals from yesterday)

1.3% – Daily Positivity Rate**

172 – Total Hospitalized (+2 individuals from yesterday)

34 – Currently Hospitalized (+0 individuals from yesterday)

2,169 – Total Recovered (+42 individuals from yesterday)

66 – Total Deaths*** (+1 individual from yesterday)

* Note that this does not include individuals from out of state and has been updated to reflect the most recent information discovered after cases were investigated.

**Because the serial tests completed and added to the total number of tests completed can result in new individuals who test positive, the daily positivity rate will be calculated using the total positives for the day by the daily number of tests completed instead of the daily number of unique individuals tested.

*** Number of individuals who tested positive and died from any cause while infected with COVID-19.

For descriptions of these categories, visit the NDDoH dashboard.

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

Burgum thanks the team effort in being a leader in lifting restrictions, and having the least amount of restrictions in place prior to moving to the low risk level.

He said the Memorial Day weekend did not spike the positive COVID-19 numbers.

He stressed ramping up testing efforts will lead to even less restrictions.

Long term care positive numbers are improving with low numbers recently reported.

He said the goal of reaching zero positives in long term care facilities, will mean visitor restrictions will be lifted.

With Tribal Testing, Burgum said tribal testing has been completed in collaboration with state and tribal leaders.

North Dakota Indian Affairs Commission (NDIAC) Executive Director Scott Davis, said,

the state opened up a number of availabilities in including testing and Personal Protect Equipment.

He said the North Dakota Tribes now are able to share data, with other tribes, thanks to the state’s efforts.

Standing Rock Sioux Tribe Chairman Mike Faith pointed out teamwork between Standing Rock and the State Health Department including organized testing, PPEs and the assistance of the ND National Guard.

He said South Dakota areas will be tested soon.

Margaret Gates the Tribal Health Director, and Tribal Command leader said, testing plans were developed in cooperation with support, of the National Guard initially for the young people, and older people.

She added that casino testing will be forthcoming.

Burgum thanked them for their cooperation as well.

With the Payroll Protection Plan that was implement a few weeks ago, Burgum said as of June 1, 19,000 North Dakota businesses received $1.7 billion, originally a loan that became a grant.

A loan forgiveness application form will become available soon, and will be announced.

In other state news, State School Superintendent Kirsten Baesler and EduTech Director Rosi Kloberdanz Wednesday announced a Code.org Professional Learning Program beginning in June for middle school teachers and July for high school teachers. There is also a program available for elementary teachers.

The Computer Science Discoveries and Principles workshops are offered through a Code.org and EduTech partnership that provides scholarships for attendees, who are only required to pay a non-refundable $100 registration fee.

Registration for the middle school program is open until June 9 with a five-day online workshop taking place June 15-19. Registration for the high school program is open until July 7 with a five-day online workshop taking place July 13-17. Each of the Professional Learning Programs is a yearlong commitment starting with the online workshop, along with two virtual two-day follow-up academic workshops. The program has a value of $4,800. Computer science credentialing is available upon completion, which is also aligned with the state’s integrated computer science and cybersecurity standards – the first in the nation.

Jamestown (CSi) A public hearing will be held at
10:00 A.M., June 4, 2020, in the Council Room at City Hall,in Jamestown, concerning the proposed budget amendment to the 2020 budget of the City of Jamestown:

EXPENDITURES:
General Fund increase $87,289.00
Water Utility Fund increase $724,094.00
Sewer Utility Fund decrease $19,012.00

The proposed amendment represents fund balances on hand and revenues anticipated for 2020 which were not included in the original 2020 budget document.
Interested persons are encouraged to appear at the hearing to ask questions and make comments or recommendations concerning the amendment.

Written comments may be mailed to the City Administrator, c/o City Hall, 102 3rd Avenue SE, Jamestown, North Dakota 58401, or emailed to Sarah Hellekson at shellekson@jamestownnd.gov. Said comments will be presented at the meeting.

A copy of the amendment is on file in the office of the City Administrator for public inspection during normal working hours, 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M., Monday through Friday or on the City website under the government tab, public notices at www.jamestownnd.gov.

Jamestown (CSi) Weather permitting, The Friends of the James River Valley Library System will be holding a sidewalk book sale in front of the Alfred Dickey Public Library, Thursday June 4 10 am to 4 pm., until most of the items are gone.

There will be a variety of books, DVDs, and CDs for all ages. Items will be restocked regularly, so check back often. Bring your own bag or box.

The sale will be based on free-will donations. Proceeds will go to the Friends of the Library to benefit the library.

A reminder that the James River Valley Library System branches are currently closed to the public due to COVID-19.

Curbside pickup of library materials is available. To request items, please call Alfred Dickey Library at 252-2990 or Stutsman County Library at 252-1531.

Valley City Weather permitting, on Thursday, Jun 4, Valley City Public works will spray for mosquitoes starting at 8pm into Friday, morning.

Parents are advised to keep children and pets out of the streets and away from the spray machines. Motorists are urged to use caution when traveling in the area of the operation.

Call Public Works with any questions at 845-0380.

Bismarck (NDDOT) The NDDOT informs motorists that construction is scheduled to begin June 5 on the eastbound and westbound lanes of I-94 from Streeter exit 228 to Cleveland exit 238. These two road grade raise projects are designed to minimize the flooding impact in the area.

During construction:

Traffic will be two-way and head-to-head near each site
Speed will be reduced throughout construction zone
A width restriction of 14 ft. is in place
Flaggers may be present at times
Minimum delays expected

The project is expected to be complete this fall.

The NDDOT would like to remind motorists to slow down and use caution throughout the work zone. For more information about construction projects and road conditions throughout North Dakota, call 511 or visit the ND Roads map at http://www.dot.nd.gov/travel-info-v2/.

Bismarck (Prairie Public Radio) – Prairie Public Radio, with audio on CSi Cable 77 reports that The superintendent of the state Hospital in Jamestown says the state Human Services Department is considering recommending that a new hospital be built – albeit smaller than the current facility.

Dr. Rosalie Etherington told the Legislature’s interim Human Services Committee – this would follow the recommendations by the Human Services Research Institute. That consultant recommends more psychiatric care beds be found in western North Dakota, possibly in partnership with hospitals.

Etherington told the Committee some of the existing buildings for the hospital are unused or condemned. And she says the facility is ill-equipped for modern psychiatric hospital care.

Etherington also said most of the electrical and plumbing systems are past their life expectancy. She says the campus is costly and inefficient.

Etherington says the next step will be to try to find psychiatric beds in the west. She says she will come back to the committee with further proposals by fall.

FARGO, N.D. (AP) — Leaders of the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation in North Dakota and others are challenging a Department of Interior opinion rolling back an Obama-era memo stating that mineral rights under the original Missouri River bed should belong to the Three Affiliated Tribes. The memo filed May 26 by Daniel Jorjani, solicitor for the department, says a review by Historical Research Associates, Inc. shows the state is the legal owner of submerged lands beneath the river where it flows through the Fort Berthold Reservation. At stake is an estimated $100 million in oil royalties waiting in escrow to be claimed as well as any future payments. The tribe says it will likely file a federal lawsuit.

GRAND FORKS, N.D. (AP) — The military has identified the woman and man killed in a shooting at the Grand Forks Air Force Base in North Dakota. The U.S. Air Force says 21-year-old Airman 1st Class Natasha Raye Aposhian was killed in the shooting Monday morning in an air base dormitory. The military says 20-year-old Airman 1st Class Julian Carlos Torres died at a hospital of his injuries shortly after the shooting. Aposhian was a native of Arizona who was assigned to the air base in April and worked as an aircraft parts store apprentice. Texas native Torres was assigned to the base in December and worked as an installation entry controller. It was the first duty station for both airmen, and neither had deployed. The investigation is expected to continue for weeks.

MANDAN, N.D. (AP) — Court documents allege a Mandan man was killed in a dispute over the return of his girlfriend’s car. Police say 53-year-old Keven Stockert was found dead early Monday morning on the sidewalk near his mobile home. He had been stabbed or cut multiple times. An acquaintance, 47-year-old Arthur Funk, is charged in his death. Investigators say Stockert was trying to get back his girlfriend’s car from Funk, who had taken her car and not returned it. The Bismarck Tribune reports a police affidavit says Funk told investigators he stabbed Stockert more than five times to defend himself after Stockert hit him while he was returning the vehicle.

This combination of photos provided by the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office in Minnesota on Wednesday, June 3, 2020, shows Derek Chauvin, from left, J. Alexander Kueng, Thomas Lane and Tou Thao. Chauvin is charged with second-degree murder of George Floyd, a black man who died after being restrained by him and the other Minneapolis police officers on May 25. Kueng, Lane and Thao have been charged with aiding and abetting Chauvin. (Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office via AP)

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Prosecutors have charged three more police officers in the death of George Floyd and filed a new, tougher charge against the officer at the center of the case. The move delivers a victory to protesters who have filled the streets from coast to coast to fight police brutality and racial injustice. The most serious charge was filed against Derek Chauvin, who was caught on video pressing his knee to Floyd’s neck and now must defend himself against an accusation of second-degree murder. The three other officers at the scene were charged with aiding and abetting second-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter. All four were fired last week.

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Gov. Tim Walz is sending Minnesota National Guard troops to state’s western border because of what he says are credible threats of violence during demonstrations planned in neighboring North Dakota. Walz’s order did not say how many guard members are being deployed to protect Minnesotans in Clay County. The governor did not provide details on what he perceives is a credible threat. He says the National Guard adjutant general will work with local government agencies to provide personnel, equipment, and facilities as needed.

In sports…

Senior Babe Ruth Baseball Wed.

At Casselton

Game 1 – Valley City 3 Casselton 0

Game 2 – Casselton 6, Valley City 0

VIRUS OUTBREAK IN SPORTS…

NEW YORK (AP) — Major League Baseball is no closer to starting the 2020 that it was when the union made its latest proposal on Sunday.

A person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press that MLB has rejected the players’ offer for a 114-game regular season with no additional salary cuts. The person added that management did not plan to make a counterproposal.

MLB proposed an 82-game schedule last week and further reductions in player salaries as the sport tries to salvage a season delayed by the coronavirus pandemic. Management has told the union it has no interest in extending the season into November, when it fears a second wave of the coronavirus could disrupt the postseason and jeopardize $787 million in broadcast revenue.

Deputy Commissioner Dan Halem wrote a letter Wednesday to chief union negotiator Bruce Meyer that was obtained by The Associated Press. Halem mentioned that players are unified in their view that they will not accept less than 100% of their prorated salaries, and management has no choice but to accept that representation. Halem said that based on the players’ salary position and the significant health risk of extending the regular season past September, management does not have any reason to believe a negotiated solution for an 82-game season is possible.

VIRUS OUTBREAK-NBA

AP source: NBA presents players with plan for season restart

UNDATED (AP) — NBA fans could receive very good news within the next 24 hours or so.

A person with knowledge of the situation says the league has told the players association that it will present a 22-team plan for restarting the season to the league’s board of governors on Thursday.

The person says the 22 teams would play eight games near Orlando to determine playoff seeding before the postseason begins there. The Western Conference would have 13 teams heading to Florida, while the East would be represented by nine teams. The 22 teams are those within six games of a playoff spot at this point. Playoffs would start in August, and the NBA Finals will likely stretch into October, according to the person.

SPORTS-VIRUS OUTBREAK

MLS soccer players approve new CBA

UNDATED (AP) — Major League Soccer players have approved a new collective bargaining agreement that will allow for the league to return this summer with a tournament in Florida.

The Major League Soccer Players Association has announced the ratification of the CBA. Players had approved economic concessions for this season. The league countered the proposal from the players and set a Wednesday deadline for ratification.

The sides had agreed to a five-year CBA in February but that had not been ratified when the coronavirus pandemic began. The season was suspended March 12 after just two games because of the pandemic.

Details of the Florida tournament were still under consideration, but the league’s 26 teams and limited staff would be sheltered at hotels with games played without fans at ESPN’s Wide World of Sports Complex at Disney World.

In other virus-related sports developments:

— Two more Oklahoma State football players have tested positive for COVID-19 since returning to campus for voluntary workouts. That brings the total to three, all athletes. Senior associate athletic director Kevin Klintworth wrote on his Twitter account that of the 150 staff, administrators and athletes tested, three had asymptomatic positives.

— The PGA Tour has announced a deal with Sanford Health to conduct COVID-19 testing of players, caddies and essential personnel five days before the season resumes. That applies to every stop on the PGA Tour, PGA Tour Champions and the developmental Korn Ferry Tour. Sanford Health is based in South Dakota and is title sponsor of a PGA Tour Champions event. The company has three mobile testing units it will deploy across the country. Each one has a driver and three lab technicians. A unit will be at tournaments from Saturday through Thursday before leaving for the next closest event.

— The chief executive of the European Tour says the fate of this year’s Ryder Cup will be decided by the end of the month. Keith Pelley says in an extensive interview with the McKellar Journal podcast that the European Tour and the PGA will have “conversations” about the Ryder Cup now that the revamped schedules of both tours have been announced. The Ryder Cup is still on schedule for Sept. 25-27 at Whistling Straits in Wisconsin despite massive disruption to the sports schedule because of the outbreak.

— Wright State is dropping its softball and men’s and women’s tennis programs as part of a plan to cut $2 million from its athletic department budget. The Dayton, Ohio, school is reducing expenditures across the board because of decreases in enrollment and state funding because of the pandemic. Wright State will have 11 sports and must be granted a waiver from the NCAA to remain in compliance with Division I requirements.

— Players from all levels of college baseball are set to compete in the three-day, four-team Collegiate Summer Baseball Invitational in Bryan, Texas. The players, coaches, umpires and other event staff arrived in Bryan on Monday and were tested for COVID-19. They are being quarantined at a hotel through Saturday and allowed outside only to go to and from the ballpark.

— English soccer team Tottenham says a person at the club has tested positive for the coronavirus. The Premier League club did not identify the person. It was the only positive case after the Premier League tested a further 1,197 players and club staff. The testing is taking place ahead of the planned resumption of the league on June 17. The competition was suspended in March.

— Two people familiar with the situation say the WNBA has decided to hold its games at just one location if there is a season this year and that the MGM Resorts in Las Vegas and the IMG Academy in Florida are the top candidates. There is still no date when the WNBA’s 2020 season will tip off. WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert told the AP last month that the league was considering a handful of scenarios, including playing at one or two sites.

— A part-time student worker in the Iowa State athletic department has tested positive for COVID-19 and four athletes are experiencing symptoms. ISU says the student worker notified the athletic department of the positive test last weekend. The four athletes from two sports began experiencing symptoms after being in close contact with individuals outside the athletic department who have been infected. Those athletes are in quarantine and awaiting test results.

— Two players with Japan’s most famous baseball team have tested positive for COVID-19. The Tokyo-based Yomiuri Giants called off a preseason game with the Seibu Lions scheduled for Wednesday because of the positive tests. It also raises questions about the start of the delayed season. Japan hopes to open its postponed baseball season on June 19 in stadiums without fans.

— A Ukrainian soccer team has found 25 cases of the coronavirus among players and staff. The Ukrainian soccer association says the cases at Karpaty Lviv came from tests on 65 people. None of the players or staff members have been named. The Ukrainian league restarted last week without Karpaty.

— The metal detectors that greet sports fans at the gates might soon be accompanied by thermal body scanners. It’s part of the big task of better protecting venues from virus spread in order to bring the games back for in-person viewing.

PIRATES-ARCHER

Pirates’ Archer out for the season following surgery

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Chris Archer won’t pitch for the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2020 and his time with the club may be over.

The Pirates have announced that the 31-year-old Archer underwent surgery to relieve symptoms of thoracic outlet syndrome. The team added that Archer will not be available this season if Major League Baseball finds a way to put together a truncated schedule.

The Pirates were banking on a bounce back year by Archer, who is 6-12 with a 4.92 ERA in 33 starts since he was acquired from Tampa Bay at the 2018 trade deadline for outfielder Austin Meadows and pitcher Tyler Glasnow.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL-OBIT-JOHNNY MAJORS

Johnny Majors, former Tennessee and Pitt coach, dies at 85

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Johnny Majors, the coach of Pittsburgh’s 1976 national championship football team and a former coach and star player at Tennessee, has died.

Majors died Wednesday at his home in Knoxville, according to his wife. He was 85.

Majors compiled a 185-137-10 record in 29 seasons as a head coach at Iowa State, Pitt and Tennessee.

In his playing days, he finished second to Notre Dame’s Paul Hornung in the 1956 Heisman Trophy balloting.

Majors was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1987.

NFL-BREES-KNEELING

Brees still against kneeling during anthem

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Drew Brees (breez) is taking sharp criticism from fellow high-profile athletes after the Saints’ quarterback reiterated his opposition to kneeling during the National Anthem.

Asked by Yahoo to revisit former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick’s 2016 kneeling protest against police brutality against minorities, Brees said he will never agree with anybody disrespecting the flag of the United States. He added that the national anthem reminds him of two grandfathers who served in the armed forces during World War II.

Brees said that “In many cases, it brings me to tears thinking about all that has been sacrificed, and not just in the military, but for that matter, those throughout the Civil Rights movements of the ’60s, and all that has been endured by so many people up until this point.”

Critical responses to Brees’ statements appeared on social media from major professional athletes including the Los Angeles Lakers’ LeBron James and Saints safety Malcolm Jenkins.

Jenkins was Brees’ teammate when the Saints won the Super Bowl in the 2009 season.

FLOYD PROTESTS…

FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — The German soccer federation will not punish players who protest against the killing of George Floyd and racism.

Several players in Germany have made statements with gestures or messages on their clothing since Floyd died on May 25 after a white Minneapolis police officer pressed his knee for several minutes on his neck.

The federation says it opposes punishing any players because it believes their anti-racism messages match the federation’s own principles.

Germany’s approach has the backing of FIFA. The governing body of world soccer said Tuesday that such demonstrations “deserve an applause and not a punishment.”

ASIAN CUP-HUMAN RIGHTS

AFC urged to mandate human rights into 2027 Asian Cup bids

UNDATED (AP) — A global activist group is urging Asia’s soccer body to mandate respecting human rights into bidding for and organizing the 2027 Asian Cup.

Expected bidders include India, Iran, Qatar and Saudi Arabia ahead of a June 30 deadline set by the Asian Football Confederation to enter the contest.

The Sport & Rights Alliance is a group of trade unions and rights advocates including Human Rights Watch and Transparency International. It’s asked the AFC to apply the same rights standards FIFA set for the 2026 World Cup that the United States, Mexico and Canada will co-host.

Key issues cited include protecting labor rights, minority groups and media, plus allowing independent monitoring of tournament operations for the next seven years.

HORSE RACING-BELMONT-FAUCI

Fauci is runner-up at Belmont

NEW YORK (AP) — A horse named Dr. Anthony Fauci made his much-anticipated debut Wednesday at Belmont Park.

He honored his namesake’s stance on social distancing while finishing second in the third race, well behind Prisoner and well ahead of third-place Indoctrinate. The 2-year-old colt is the first of a series of horses inspired by the coronavirus pandemic and the latest tribute to the respected director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.

Co-owner Phillip Antonacci picked the name Fauci in mid-March after the 79-year-old started doing daily coronavirus briefings from the White House.

In world and national news…

WASHINGTON (AP) — Congressional Democrats, powered by the Congressional Black Caucus, are preparing a sweeping package of police reforms in response the death of George Floyd. Lawmakers are working furiously in the House and Senate to draft what could become the most ambitious effort in years to oversee law enforcement work. Proposals in Congress are expected to include changes to police accountability laws, the creation of a database of police use-of-force incidents, and revamped training requirements. One proposal is to ban choke holds, a change endorsed by presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden.

BRUNSWICK, Ga. (AP) — Three Georgia men charged with murder in the fatal shooting of Ahmaud Arbery are due in court. A judge scheduled a hearing Thursday to determine whether authorities have sufficient evidence to send the case to a trial court. Arbery was slain Feb. 23 after a white father and son armed themselves and gave chase when they spotted the 25-year-old black man running in their neighborhood. 64-year-old Greg McMichael and 34-year-old Travis McMichael were charged last month with felony murder and aggravated assault. They were arrested after cellphone video of the shooting stirred a national outcry. The man who shot that video, 50-year-old William “Roddie” Bryan, is also charged with felony murder.

HONG KONG (AP) — Hong Kong’s legislature has passed a contentious bill that makes it illegal to insult the Chinese national anthem. The legislation was approved over the opposition of pro-democracy lawmakers, who see it as an infringement of freedom of expression and the greater rights that residents of the semi-autonomous city have compared to mainland China. Pro-Beijing lawmakers say the law is necessary for Hong Kong citizens to show appropriate respect for the anthem. Those found guilty of intentionally abusing the “March of the Volunteers” face up to three years in prison and a fine of up to 50,000 Hong Kong dollars ($6,450).