CSi Weather…

TODAY…Sunny. A 20 percent chance of rain showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon. Highs in the mid 80s. West winds around 10 mph.

.TONIGHT…Increasing clouds. Lows in the lower 60s. Southwest winds 5 to 10 mph.

.THURSDAY…Sunny. Highs in the mid 80s. Northwest winds 5 to

10 mph with gusts to around 25 mph.

.THURSDAY NIGHT…Clear. Lows in the lower 60s. South winds

around 5 mph.

.FRIDAY…Sunny. A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms

in the afternoon. Highs in the lower 90s. South winds 10 to

15 mph with gusts to around 30 mph.

.FRIDAY NIGHT…Partly cloudy. Showers likely and chance of

thunderstorms in the evening. Lows in the mid 60s. Chance of

precipitation 60 percent.

.SATURDAY…Mostly sunny. Highs in the mid 80s.

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

cloudy with a 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms

after midnight. Lows in the lower 60s.

.SUNDAY…Partly sunny with a 20 percent chance of showers and

thunderstorms. Highs around 80.

.SUNDAY NIGHT…Partly cloudy. A 20 percent chance of showers and

thunderstorms in the evening. Lows in the upper 50s.

.MONDAY…Mostly sunny. A 20 percent chance of showers and

thunderstorms in the afternoon. Highs around 80.

.MONDAY NIGHT…Partly cloudy. A 30 percent chance of showers and

thunderstorms after midnight. Lows in the upper 50s.

.TUESDAY…Mostly sunny with a 30 percent chance of showers and

thunderstorms. Highs in the lower 80s.

 

Isolated thunderstorms are possible across the southern James
River valley this afternoon. Severe weather is not expected.

Strong to severe thunderstorms will be possible across portions
of western and central North Dakota Friday afternoon through
Friday night.

 

Bismarck  (CSi)  Governor Doug Burgum held his weekly news briefing Tuesday afternoon at the state capital in Bismarck.  He was joined by North Dakota State Superintendent Kirsten Baesler to discuss plans for K-12 education in the fall.

Burgum said being North Dakota Smart will continue to slow the spread of COVID-19 in the state, while many other states continue to climb with positive cases.  He said the state is on the right track to slow the spread, and enabling the state to continue to keep business open, including increasing testing.

He pointed out fewer positive cases in long-term care facilities, leading to expanded visitation.

 

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

INDIVIDUALS WHO DIED WITH COVID-19

  • Woman in her 80s from Cass County with underlying health conditions.

 

COUNTIES WITH NEW POSITIVE CASES REPORTED TODAY

  • Bottineau County – 2
  • Burleigh County – 7
  • Cass County – 11
  • Cavalier County – 1
  • Dunn County – 1
  • Emmons County – 1
  • Golden Valley County – 1
  • Grand Forks County – 3
  • McKenzie County – 1
  • McLean County – 1
  • Morton County – 4
  • Mountrail County – 3
  • Pembina County – 1
  • Sioux County – 1
  • Stutsman County – 1
  • Stutsman County Total 69
  • Recovered 62
  • Walsh County – 1
  • Williams County – 15


BY THE NUMBERS

235,497 – Total Number of Tests Completed* (+2,427 total tests from yesterday)

 

125,033 – Total Unique Individuals Tested* (+1,155 unique individuals from yesterday)

120,540 – Total Negative (+1,104 unique individuals from yesterday)

4,493 – Total Positive (+55 unique individuals from yesterday)

Four previously reported cases involved in a quality control check were inadvertently left in the system when the data was pulled. All the cases were previously reported under Burleigh County. 

2.3% – Daily Positivity Rate**

280 – Total Hospitalized (+3 individual from yesterday)

42 – Currently Hospitalized (-1 individuals from yesterday)

3,685 – Total Recovered (+32 individuals from yesterday)

88 – 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 said planning to hold activities outdoors this summer and early fall keeps gathering away from indoors, where the virus is easier spread in confined in closed in spaces.  He again urged social distancing whether indoors or outdoors and wear face masks, and use good hygiene practices.

 

With K-12 public education, he said the COVID-19 pandemic will continue to challenge education in North Dakota.  He said distance learning was successful, and now reviewing that time, officials are looking back to determine what went well and what didn’t, including transitioning from classroom instruction.

Burgum said reopening K-12 requires North Dakota Smart guidelines while providing education, and addressing public health concerns.

He said collaboration between educators and health officials is imperative in reopening guidelines, along with congregation issues within school buildings, and rethinking how to handle the issue.

Local virus condition will determine if education is face to face in the classroom, or if distance learning will be still be needed.   He added that local school boards will be of great importance in making those determinations, consulting with public health officials,under health and safety plans. Included in the Smart Reopening, is  improved distance learning plans, and health and safety plans, within  classroom guidelines.

Burgum said  school districts also must prepare online learning plans in addition to classroom instruction and a “hybrid” of the two.

State School Superintendent Kirsten Baesler said the new guidance was built on the earlier guidance,  also she said K-12 reopening plans will rely on school board decisions keeping in mind public safety health issues, along with education issues, creating written plans that must be included in the public schools web site.  A COVID-19 coordinator will be assigned, and a plan to identify positive cases, and action to be taken.

Distance learning plans will also be adjusted with improvements to existing distance learning.

School districts will review the plans and school district improvements, with the school calendar to be set by each school district.

Valley City Public Schools Superintendent, Josh Johnson says, VCPS will start on Aug 31st.

He says the  school district is planning and preparing for the reopening of schools this fall researching, listening, and learn from the professionals in the medical field to better understand COVID-19 and the Health and Safety needs of  students and staff.

The school district  has evaluated the feedback from our families and believe that there is a Strong Desire to SAFELY return students back to face-to-face learning this fall.

With immunizations, Burgum said requirements for school-agers will remain in place, under state law and accomplished before school starts this upcoming school year.

With child care, state Humane Service officials will work with school districts in determining needs for each school district, including federal funding needs.

With long-term care visitations, Burgum said 13 facilities are nearing completion of the phased in approach, and visitation will be closely monitored as to positive testing results.

 

The North Dakota Department of Commerce Tuesday announced that the application window for the ND Smart Restart Technical Skill Training Grant is anticipated to open on July 20.

Commerce was approved $1 million during a Budget Section meeting on June 25 to administer the ND Smart Restart Technical Skills Training Grant, which is designed to support accelerated, skills-based and hands-on workforce training programs for displaced workers seeking to develop the technical skills necessary to make a career change and remain gainfully employed in North Dakota.

Although a wide range of programs may qualify, Commerce anticipates that skilled trades and labor training programs are well-suited to develop accelerated programming or expand capacity in existing programs.

New programs and existing programs that began after March 1, 2020, may qualify for this grant to support operating expenses and scholarships for current participants.

Updates about the ND Smart Restart Technical Skills Training Grant will be posted on Commerce’s website as more information becomes available.

With behavior health, Burgum said, Sanford Health is developing ways to engage and provide recovery  support to health care practitioners, as a result of COVID-19.

 

Jamestown (CSi)  Jamestown Regional Medical Center Welcomes Urologist, Dr. Christopher Cost to the Urology Department.

He joins Urologist, Dr. Robert Bates in the department.

On Tuesday’s Wayne Byers Show on CSi Cable 2, Dr. Cost said he’s been on board at JRMC for two weeks now, mostly recently from the Veterans Administration Hospital in Grand Junction, Colorado.

He studied at Xavier University, and medical school in Cincinnati, Ohio, and then additional training in Richmond, Virginia, and then on to his staff position in Colorado.

He said his patients are sometimes referred by primary healthcare providers, or individuals are welcome to make an appointment at JRMC by calling 701-952-4878.

Dr. Cost specializes in such areas as incontinence, prostate issues with men, along with both women being diagnosed and treated in kidney stones, urinary difficulties, and more.

He said the hospital’s web site, jrmcnd.com has more information.

Jamestown   (NDFU) – Farmers Union leaders from across the state has adopted a series of policy priorities  to address market challenges North Dakota cattle producers face in today’s heavily concentrated beef industry. An ad hoc livestock committee of active cattle producers developed solutions based on existing Farmers Union policy, calling for fair markets, truth in labeling, and increased local and regional slaughter capacity.

North Dakota Farmers Union (NDFU) President Mark Watne, says, “When more than 80% of the beef packing industry is controlled by just four firms, producers are pretty much guaranteed a lower price for their cattle due to the lack of competition in the marketplace.  The challenges are immense. Change needs to happen now.”

As an example, Watne referenced the difference between boxed beef and live cattle prices that jumped to a record $378.21 in May. “That’s clear evidence of price fixing by meatpackers. Ranchers are being taken to the woodshed, along with consumers and even retailers,” he said. “We need a competitive market, and that won’t happen until we break up the packers, enforce our antitrust laws, and increase transparency in cattle pricing.”

Other policy recommendations include reinstatement of country-of-origin labeling. Shelly Ziesch, a rancher from Pettibone who chaired the committee, “Consumers shouldn’t be kept in the dark any longer. They have a right to know where their beef comes from and we, as ranchers, should be compensated for the high quality beef we produce.  All we’re asking for is to differentiate our beef from foreign products and let the consumer decide.”

Another top priority of the group is a re-envisioned meat supply chain that moves away from national suppliers to more regional and local slaughter facilities. North Dakota is home to roughly 1.83 million beef cattle and calves, but only slaughters 8,800 head a year, according to Watne.  He adds, “We need to increase our state’s slaughter capacity, especially through the establishment of cooperative facilities.”

Other policy highlights in the report included action to:

  • Provide cost-share to help custom-exempt slaughter facilities achieve state inspection standards;
  • Allow state-inspected meat to be marketed across state lines;
  • Break up multinational companies and incentivize local and regional processor development; and
  • Prevent harmful vertical integration in the cattle and beef packing industries.

For the full report on Farmers Union’s policy priorities, go to ndfu.org.

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — A man accused of killing the husband of his co-defendent near Bismarck last winter wants to be tried separately from the woman. An attorney for Earl Howard argued at a hearing in Burleigh County Tuesday that the criminal background of his client and Nikkisue Entzel are different and that trying them together would be unfair and could lead to a mistrial. Howard is charged with murder, arson and conspiracy in the death of Chad Entzel, whose body was found Jan. 2 after a house fire. An autopsy showed Entzel died of gunshot wounds. Authorities say Entzel and Howard were in a relationship and plotted the victim’s death with plans to cash in on a life insurance policy.

In sports…

Babe Ruth Baseball…

At Charlie Brown Field

Tuesday…

Valley City Kings 18  Carrington 12

— Minnesota Twins center fielder Byron Buxton has a sprained left foot but no structural damage. Further testing revealed the diagnosis Tuesday, a day after his injury in an intrasquad game at Target Field. The Twins said Buxton would be evaluated on a day-to-day basis. He got hurt tracking a fly ball and lost his balance.

—Yankees pitcher Masahiro Tanaka is unsure whether he will be able to take his first turn through the rotation as he recovers from a line drive off his head. Tanaka was hit on the right side near the temple by Giancarlo Stanton’s shot during batting practice on July 4. While the 31-year-old right-hander says he has no concussion symptoms, he has not thrown off a mound since.

—A person with knowledge of the deal says the Atlanta Braves have agreed to a one-year deal with free agent outfielder Yasiel Puig (yah-SEEL’ pweeg). The agreement helps the NL East champions address a depth problem in their outfield. Nick Markakis recently opted out over concerns about the coronavirus. The 29-year-old Puig hit a combined .267 with 24 homers and 84 RBIs for Cincinnati and Cleveland in 2019. He also stole 19 bases.

— Anthony Rizzo’s back trouble flared up again after he took batting practice over the weekend, and the Chicago Cubs are sending the slugger for tests. Rizzo has been dealing with back tightness during summer camp, a recurring problem throughout his career. The first baseman took live BP on Sunday before the issue surfaced again. Manager David Ross says Rizzo remains day to day.

— Jake Burger is going to play in a local league this summer in his hometown of St. Louis after the Chicago White Sox approved the plan for their first-round pick in the 2017 amateur draft. It’s a chance for the third baseman to get back on the field after he tore his left Achilles tendon twice, sidelining him for each of the previous two seasons.

—Texas Rangers catcher Robinson Chirinos could miss the start of the season because of an injured right ankle sustained in an intrasquad game. Manager Chris Woodward said Chirinos was probably better than anticipated Tuesday, a day after getting hurt. But it’s still unclear if he will be ready for the season opener July 24 against Colorado.

— Fans wanting to see their faces at Dodger Stadium this season can buy cutouts. The team says net proceeds from the sale will benefit the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation. Cutouts in the Dugout Club or new Pavilion Home Run Seats cost $299. Field and loge cutout locations cost $149. The cutouts are 18 inches wide and 30 inches high. The images are subject to team approval.

— Several people familiar with the conversations tell The Associated Press that the baseball players’ association has discussed hiring noted sports lawyer Jeffrey Kessler to litigate a contemplated grievance against clubs. The grievance would accuse Commissioner Rob Manfred and management of failing to act in good faith to complete the longest season economically feasible. A grievance has not yet been filed and an agreement with Kessler has not been finalized.

VIRUS OUTBREAK-MLB-BLUE JAYS

Canadian health official suggests longer Blue Jays homestand

TORONTO (AP) — A top Canadian government health official says a longer stretch of home games might help the Blue Jays to get approval to play in Toronto amid the pandemic.

Deputy Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Howard Njoo says back and forth travel from the U.S. where cases are surging is a major issue that could prevent the government from approving MLB to play in Canada.

MLB requires an exemption to a requirement that anyone entering Canada for nonessential reasons must self-isolate for 14 days. The U.S.-Canada border remains closed to nonessential travel.

The Blue Jays’ home opener is scheduled for July 29 against Washington.

In other MLB news:

— About 10 Major League Baseball umpires have opted out this season, choosing not to work games in the shortened schedule because of concerns over the coronavirus. There are 76 full-time MLB umpires and more than 20 of them are age 55 or over. Joe West and Gerry Davis are the oldest umps at 67. Umpires who are deemed at risk — either for their age, health situation or other issues — and opt out will continue to get paid. Umps get their salaries over 12 months and have already been paid through April.

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (AP) — Harrison Barnes of the Sacramento Kings became the latest NBA player to reveal that he has coronavirus, making the announcement Tuesday and saying he has hopes to join his team at the league’s restart later this summer. Barnes is the only player who has started all 64 of the Kings’ games this season. To extend that streak, he’ll need to be cleared and arrive at Walt Disney World before Sacramento’s season resumes with the first of its eight seeding games on July 31 against San Antonio.

VIRUS OUTBREAK-SOUTHEASTERN CONFERENCE

Southeastern Conference postpones start of some sports

UNDATED (AP) — The Southeastern Conference is postponing the start of volleyball, soccer and cross country competition through at least the end of August because of COVID-19.

The league says that provides more time to prepare for a safe return to competition on an adjusted timeline. The decision includes all exhibition and non-conference games.

Each school will be responsible for any rescheduling of non-conference contests impacted by the postponement.

The league hasn’t made any announcement on the football season. The Big Ten and Pac-12 have opted to only play conference games.

VIRUS OUTBREAK-NFL-PATRIOTS

Patriots hope to play before some fans

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — The New England Patriots have joined a growing list of NFL teams who hope to play home games this season in front of a significantly reduced number of fans to help reduce the spread of COVID-19.

The team announced Tuesday that it plans to play in front of about 20% of Gillette Stadium’s capacity, if approved by state and local officials. The stadium’s capacity is just under 66,000. The Patriots also informed season ticket holders that if fans are allowed at the stadium, they will be asked to adhere to physical distancing of at least six feet. Tickets will be arranged in blocks of 10 seats or fewer, with the first eight rows of the stadium not in use. Face coverings will also be required at all times.

NFL-CHIEFS-JONES

Chiefs have four-year extension with Jones

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Chiefs have agreed with defensive tackle Chris Jones on a four-year, $85 million contract extension that includes $60 million in guarantees. That word comes from a person familiar with the deal. The Chiefs and representatives for Jones have been working on a contract extension ever since last year, when they remained far apart on terms and the Pro Bowl selection skipped the entirety of the offseason program.

Elsewhere in the NFL:

— A person familiar with the negotiations tells The Associated Press that the Cleveland Browns are closing in on a massive contract extension with star defensive end Myles Garrett. He was the No. 1 overall pick in 2017 and is one of the NFL’s premiere edge rushers. Garrett and the Browns could have the deal completed in the next day or so. NFL Network reported the extension could be for five years and $125 million.

NHL-ISLANDERS-SOROKIN

Islanders sign Sorokin for next season

UNDATED (AP) — The New York Islanders have signed goaltender of the future Ilya Sorokin to a contract for next season. The $2 million deal includes $1 million in salary and a $1 million bonus. A day earlier, the team signed Sorokin to an entry-level deal for the remainder of this season even though he’s not eligible to play. The 24-year-old Sorokin is considered one of the top prospects at any position not current in the NHL.

In NHL news:

— Right wing Troy Terry has agreed to a three-year, $4.35 million contract extension through the 2022-23 season with the Anaheim Ducks. Terry has eight goals and 20 assists in 81 career games with the Ducks. They drafted him in the fifth round in 2015. He scored 15 points in 47 games this season.

—The Minnesota Wild similarly signed fellow Russian Kirill Kaprizov to a two-year contract for this season and next. Kaprizov like Sorokin can’t compete in the resumption of the season.

— Blackhawks defenseman Calvin de Haan missed practice because of a family emergency. Coach Jeremy Colliton said he isn’t sure when de Haan will be back. The 29-year-old de Haan is coming back from right shoulder surgery in December. He was acquired in a June 2019 trade with Carolina.

— NHL leading scorer Leon Draisaitl of the Oilers, Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon and Rangers winger Artemi Panarin are the finalists for the Ted Lindsay Award. The trophy goes to the league’s most outstanding player as voted by fellow players. None of them have won the award before.

Clergy Abuse-New Orleans Saints

News outlets seek to unseal files on Saints owner Tom Benson

UNDATED (AP) — A group of news organizations including The Associated Press are headed to court today seeking to unseal court records involving the mental competency of billionaire Tom Benson when he rewrote his will to give his third wife ownership of the New Orleans Saints and Pelicans sports franchises.

The news outlets argue that interest in the 2015 case has been heightened by revelations this year that Saints executives engaged in a behind-the-scenes public relations campaign to help the area’s Roman Catholic archdiocese contain the fallout from a clergy abuse crisis.

Attorneys for Benson, who died in 2018, have opposed the request.

In world and national news…

WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell says he’ll begin to roll out details of the new COVID-19 relief package to senators as soon as next week. The Kentucky Republican suggests the measure will include new funding for school reopenings, some unemployment benefits and money for health care providers. The cost of the emerging Republican package could reach $1 trillion. In recent days, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin has been reaching out to GOP senators ahead of negotiations with Democrats, who have already approved a $3 trillion package in the House. Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says without a comprehensive federal strategy for the country the devastating virus and its economic toll will persist.

 

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump is expected to announce a new federal rule to speed up the environmental review process for proposed highways, gas pipelines and other major infrastructure. Critics are describing the move as a dismantling of a 50-year-old environmental protection law. Trump will travel to Atlanta on Wednesday to announce the federal rule as he seeks to make it easier to meet some of the country’s infrastructure needs. The government affairs director at the Center for Biological Diversity, Brett Hartl, says such a change may be the single biggest giveaway to polluters in the past 40 years.

(AP)  Shares have risen in global markets as investors pinned their hopes on news that an experimental COVID-19 vaccine under development revved up people’s immune systems just as desired. Scientists soon will begin a 30,000-person study to see if the experimental vaccine developed by Moderna and the U.S. National Institutes of Health is strong enough to protect against the coronavirus. News about the vaccine came after U.S. markets closed. But after pinballing through another day of unsettled trading, the S&P 500 rose 1.3% overnight. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 2.1%, lifted by gains for UnitedHealth Group and Caterpillar, among others.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — A seafarers organization says an oil tanker sought by the U.S. over allegedly circumventing sanctions on Iran was hijacked on July 5 off the coast of the United Arab Emirates. David Hammond, the CEO of the United Kingdom-based group Human Rights at Sea, said he took a witness statement from the captain of the MT Gulf Sky confirming the ship had been hijacked. Hammond said Wednesday that 26 of the Indian sailors on board had made it back to India, while two remained in Tehran. Hammond said he had no other details on the vessel.